asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the findings of the technical section of his Department in regard to the recent outbreaks of red tide in the west Cork area.
282.
Written Answers. - County Cork Fish Disease Outbreak.
281.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he is aware of the reappearance of the red Gyrodinium Aureolum tide off the west Cork coast in the current year; the steps being taken to trace its cause and the advice available to those whose fishing activities have been affected.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle to take Questions Nos. 281 and 282 together.
I am aware of the appearance of "red tide" off the west Cork coast in the current year. The major organism responsible was a microscopic alga (a dinoflagellate called Gyrodinium Aureolum) which has been responsible for similar outbreaks in 1976 and 1978. These outbreaks of "red tide" in West Cork are natural phenomena which result from oceanographic conditions in that area.
There are no preventive measures; only protective measures may be taken in the event of an outbreak, for example, diversion of fishing or the removal of caged fish.
Red tide is thus an occupational hazard of marine fish—farming and persons engaged in such are advised by my Department's officers to ensure against the risk involved. The long-term aim of the investigations by my Department's scientific advisers is to develop an early warning system for fishermen.