Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 4

Written Answers. - Inland Fisheries.

Alan M. Dukes

Question:

85 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that mussel seeding is taking place on the River Swilly, contrary to licences issued in this regard, and mussels are being planted over oyster beds in the river; and his proposals to ensure that the terms and conditions of licences issued for mussel seeding are adhered to. [5200/02]

As I explained in my reply to the Deputy's parliamentary question of 19 June 2001, three aquaculture licences for the bottom culture of mussels in Lough Swilly were granted in November 1999 under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997. The licences were granted following public advertisement of the applications in The Derry People and Donegal News on 31 October 1997 and 25 June 1999. No objections were received in response to the advertisements or from the statutory consultees including the Northern Regional Fisheries Board which were consulted directly. The decision to license in each case was also publicly advertised in The Derry People and Donegal News on 24 September 1999. No appeal against that decision was made to the independent statutory Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board established under that Act.

Subsequent to the granting of licences for the bottom culture of mussels in Lough Swilly, the Department became aware that part of the areas licensed might contain wild oysters. In order to establish if such areas existed, and to determine whether they represented a commercially viable resource, a comprehensive survey was undertaken by the Cross-Border Aquaculture Team-BIM. The survey revealed that a portion of one licensed area did contain wild oysters. This was the first systematic survey of oyster stocks in the lough to be carried out and the results are currently being assessed.

It should be noted that the mussel seeding to which the Deputy refers was not in contravention of the conditions of the licences issued. There have been preliminary discussions between the licence holders and local oyster fishermen in the context of the co-ordinated local aquaculture management systems process. It is hoped that a local agreement can be reached which will provide the basis for a mutually acceptable resolution of the matter.

Top
Share