asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that our inland fishing industry and, as a consequence, the tourist trade are suffering seriously because of the acid conditions of lake waters; and, if so, if he will initiate a scheme for the testing of such waters throughout the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Inland Fishing: Water Acidity.
I am aware that due to the nature of the rocks underlying a large number of lakes in this country the waters are acid in character. Such waters do not produce heavy brown trout and do not hold coarse fish, but salmon and sea trout do frequent them. There is no remedy available at reasonable cost to change the chemical character of these waters. My Department has almost completed experiments to ascertain the effect of the addition of limestone, phosphate and potash on the growth rate and development of the brown trout in four small acid lakes. It is already clear from these experiments that the cost of treating acid waters generally in this way would be entirely prohibitive. The general distribution of acid and nonacid waters can be deduced from the available geological data and a scheme as suggested by the Deputy is accordingly unnecessary.