asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the damage caused to the oyster beds at Maree and Clarenbridge, County Galway by starfish; and if he will consider granting aid for the eradication of the starfish.
Ceisteanna—Questions (Resumed). - Damage To Oyster Beds.
10.
Officers of my Department and An Bord Iascaigh Mhara had a discussion on 16th November with the local oyster fisherman about the elimination of starfish on the oyster beds. Remedial measures can best be carried out by the fishermen themselves and they have been fully advised as to how to deal with the problem. Experiments conducted by this Department indicate that the starfish are to be found mainly on the fringes-of the beds and so the problem of their removal is somewhat lessened.