The Drifters

An observational documentary on the last of the Salmon Driftnet fishermen, men in their 70s eking out a living on the shores of Lough Foyle. The film followed the men and their families for the six weeks of the final season. Bernadine spent six weeks on the 19 foot Foyle Punts filming. BBC NI
Shot in the Summer of 2006, 'The Drifters' follows fisherman Paddy McDonald, at 76, he is one of the oldest and one of the last drift net fishermen in all of Europe. His family live along the shores of Lough Foyle, one of the richest salmon estuaries in Europe, and for generations his family have relied on drift-netting as a vital part of their income. However, Paddy's drift-netting days appear to be numbered as drift-netting might soon be banned following the intense lobbying by powerful angling and tourism interests.
Lough Foyle is one of the last places in Europe to allow driftnetting. No new licenses are being issued. So these men must hold onto their precious permits to preserve their way of life.
Directed by Bernadine Carraher and produced by Mind the Gap Films, the filmmakers spent the brief six week season with the McDonald and McNally families, rising at four every morning to catch the first tide of the day.
'The Drifters' charts the 2006 season and let's the fishermen give their on the declining salmon stocks and what the ban will mean for themselves and their families.
www.iftn.ie/who...

[@SalmoSalar]

Fantastic documentary and a great service to the community of the Foyle and indeed the history of Irish drift netting that ceased in 2006 after over 100 years.

[@bernadinecarraher]

thanks for postive review.

[@MindTheGapFilms]

@liocarcinus Many thanks

[@56cacks]

them nets have ruined it for life let me tell ye were all in denial the rivers in the north are completely fucked compared too what they used too be and its all down too the netting

[@ringsidejudge4302]

Bollocks

[@Allaboutsalmon]

An interesting human angle on an ecological issue. Our seas are not the overflowing porridge bowl of yore. We've raped them, we've poisoned them until all species are now in decline. With the EC fisheries policy we have no chance in our lifetime of seeing our oceans return to what they should be. Banning netting and lots of catch and release for anglers is a small step. Too small, but it's better than nothing. A great pity - all caused by citymen making the rules. No passion for the environment.

[@edwardjp]

Glad there gone. They nearly wiped out the salmon. Greedy buggers

[@ringsidejudge4302]

They are still poaching , big time.