asked the Minister for Lands whether he is in a position to state that the drainage of rivers now completed has had no detrimental effect on the stock of salmon and trout in those rivers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Effect of Drainage on Salmon and Trout Stocks.
Arterial drainage of rivers varies in its effect according to the local condition of soil, river flow and other factors.
Measures taken in the interest of fisheries may have the effect of limiting the reduction of the spawning stocks to a shorter period. Restocking from a hatchery will assist in the rehabilitation of the fisheries.
A great deal depends on whether the river after drainage is so designed as to permit the reformation and retention of spawning beds and whether sediment will continue to affect fish flow adversely. This cannot always be guaranteed. Negotiations are in progress with the Board of Works to coordinate drainage and fisheries development more closely.