asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the grants available for the planting of mussel beds at Cromane, County Kerry, are inadequate and, if so, whether he will take the necessary steps to have these grants increased.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grants for Mussel Beds.
The methods to be adopted by the Sea Fisheries Association for the replenishment of mussel beds at Cromane are for settlement by the directors of the association, and I am not disposed to interfere with their discretion in such matters. I am informed, however, that the directors have decided to undertake this year transplanting operations on a somewhat larger scale than heretofore, because certain beds had been showing signs of exhaustion during the fishing season just ended.
Is the Minister aware that in recent years the planting operations have not been very effective owing to the fact that the mussels were being planted in rather shallow water and not far removed from the existing centres? Will the Minister examine into the matter and, if necessary, have an adjustment of the system with a view to making this a self-supporting industry, which it has not been in the past?
I understand the general plan that the Sea Fisheries Association has in mind is to move the mussels, when they have multiplied in shallow water, out into deeper water where it is anticipated that the feeding and the circumstances will be more congenial to development.