asked the Minister for Lands if his Department took any steps in conjunction with the Kerry Board of Fishery Conservators to save the large numbers of salmon and trout that perished in the Annascaul and Lispole rivers in the recent severe weather; and, if possible, if he will give the numbers of each species that died, particularly in view of the publicity given by Telefís Éireann to the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dead Fish in Kerry Rivers.
64.
As a result of the heavy runs of salmon last year, there were more spawning fish in rivers than usual and, consequently, in the normal course there would have been more dead kelts than in other years. Such mortality is always high and it is not possible to say to what extent it may have been increased by the frost-bound condition of rivers. While successful action could not have been taken to save all the fish, it would have been a matter for the board of fishery conservators in any particular case to undertake whatever salvage operations might have been practicable. I have no information as to numbers of fish that died.