asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that there are large numbers of escallop and mussel to be found in Mulroy Bay, County Donegal; and, if it is properly developed, it should provide a profitable industry, and become an asset to the country; and, if so, if he will consider the question of having a survey of the bay carried out by inspectors of the Sea Fisheries Association, with a view to developing the escallop and mussel shell-fish industry here.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mulroy Bay Shell-Fish Industry.
Official statistics show that the landings of escallops and mussels in the area mentioned have been negligible. If, as suggested in the question, there are large numbers of these shellfish in the area there is no apparent reason why the industry should not be developed by local residents in the first place. The advice of the fisheries staff of my Department would, of course, be always available on any aspect of the matter which may present difficulty.
The Sea Fisheries Association would also, no doubt, be prepared to consider giving such help as may be necessary and practicable on receipt of representations explaining precisely what difficulties are being experienced in exploiting these fishing grounds.
Would the Minister not consider that the expert knowledge at the disposal of the Sea Fisheries Association could be made available for a survey of the bay? Local knowledge could not be expected to be as expert as the knowledge that inspectors of the Sea Fisheries Association would have. Would the Minister, therefore, reconsider the question of having the survey carried out by the Sea Fisheries Association?
Yes; I will see if that is possible but the results of the fishing there are not encouraging. During the last 11 years the most realised in any year for shellfish in that area was £18.
May I remind the Minister that there is a mussel industry on the Boyne that has a prior claim in respect of any agreement he has to make?