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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Jun 1965

Vol. 216 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fish Disease.

45.

asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has any further information with regard to the disease which is still affecting fish in the River Suir and its tributaries; what expert advice has been sought in this matter; what were the findings of any expert investigation of the causes of the disease; and if, in view of the fact that experienced local anglers feel that the whole fish population of these rivers is endangered, he will take urgent steps to eradicate this disease before next spawning season.

46.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if any investigations have been carried out to ascertain if it is possible that certain types of fish disease may be caused by the effluent from fish farms; and, if so, what has been the result of such investigations.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.

I have received no further information as to the nature of the fish disease since I replied to the Deputy's question in the matter on 28th April. Fish from all the areas where the disease has occurred have been examined bacteriologically in the Veterinary College, Dublin and samples of fish and cultures from fish have been sent to Sweden and Denmark for examination. The results of the tests carried out so far have not revealed any organism which could be the cause of the disease.

Certain species of fungi do cause mortality among wild fish in some countries outside Europe and the possibility that the present outbreak is attributable to fungus infection is under investigation by the Botany Department, University College, Dublin and the Freshwater Biological Association, Windermere, England.

So far, none of the investigations being carried out to determine the causative organism for this disease indicate any direct connection between fish farms and the outbreak.

Where wild stocks of fish, salmon and trout, are concerned, as in the case of the River Suir, there are no known means by which it would be practicable to eradicate any fish disease; but the spread of disease can be prevented by prompt removal and burial well away from the rivers of any fish showing symptoms of disease —a practice which has been followed by conservancy authorities in all affected areas.

I can find no justification for the views of the local anglers who have represented to the Deputy that the entire fish stocks of the River Suir and its tributaries are in danger as reports indicate that the number of fish affected in those waters is relatively small.

While the disease may not have been biologically identified during the tests which have been made in the Scandinavian countries, is there any similar case of this disease reported in any other country which would correspond to that found in Ireland which would help to identify the disease?

We have no indication that there is any similarity or that we have anything to go on.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary feel there is no advantage to be derived from inviting foreign consultants to examine the situation locally here in Ireland with a view to determining whether this would help to identify the disease with a similar disease which has occurred in similar conditions in some other country?

We are so anxious to locate a reason for this disease and if it is found necessary to invite foreign experts, that will certainly be done.

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