Wild salmon fishermen have rejected the terms of the Government's compulsory buyout of driftnet licences.
The Irish Traditional Salmon Netsmen's Association says it is seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister for the Marine on the buyout terms, which it describes as "unreal".
Earlier this month, the details of the "hardship scheme" were published by the Minister of State for the Marine, John Browne, when he indicated that the €30 million allocated by the Government would be topped up by an extra €5 million.
Mr Browne said €25 million would go directly to bona fide driftnet licence holders and €10 million would be administered to communities.
Under the scheme, each fisherman would receive a payment equal to six times their average annual catch over the period 2001-2005, multiplied by the average price for a salmon over the period (€23).
Each fisherman would also receive a payment equal to six times the 2006 licence fee.
Association spokesman Martin Kerin said that the deadline of March 31st was too short, as some fishermen were only receiving their application forms now, and the total compensation amount was insufficient and did not cover crew. A stipulation that applicants must never again apply for a licence was also discriminatory in a situation where a stock might recover.
Mr Browne had said he was disappointed that promises by Icelandic businessman Orri Vigfusson of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund to give financial support to the buyout had not materialised. However, Mr Vigfusson has claimed that no such promise was given.
Mr Vigfusson said the salmon fund had offered to advise on buyouts to ensure a successful conservation partnership. Similar agreements had been brokered by his organisation on both sides of the Atlantic, he said.
These had provided "generous financial compensation" for salmon netsmen who had agreed to end their historic rights to harvest salmon.
