asked the Minister for the Marine the reasons for allowing permission for a fish farming operation to go ahead on Lough Nafooey, County Galway; the nature and projected capacity of the farm involved; if such permission has taken into account the outstanding scenic beauty of this area; if he will give an assurance that no pollution of consequence will result from same which might eventually affect the water supply to Castlebar, County Mayo and surrounding areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Fish Farming Operations.
91.
I would like to advise the House that I have not authorised any projects to go ahead. By way of background, I would point out that on 21 May 1986 the former Department of Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry gave outline approval to Emerald Fisheries Ltd. to carry out an experimental salmon smolt rearing project in the lake commencing with 100,000 smolts and subject to conditions that:
(1) prior to start up a hydrographic survey to include depth and volume profiles be carried out and that baseline chemical and biological data be provided to the Department to describe the existing trophic status of the lake.
(2) water quality and nutrient analyses be carried out on a monthly basis at a number of stations on the lake and outflowing river, such stations be agreed between Department officials and Emerald Fisheries Ltd.
This Project did not proceed, however, as the local authority — An Bord Pleanála refused planning permission on scenic amenity grounds.
The project has now been redrawn by the promoters — now trading as Marine Fisheries Ltd — in order to meet scenic amenity objections by use of much less obtrusive cages and has been resubmitted for approval to my Department and to Galway Council. The County Council approved the project but that approval is now the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála. I intend to await the outcome of the planning procedure before considering the matter further.
93.
asked the Minister for the Marine the areas of Clew Bay, County Mayo which have been designated as being suitable for fish farming operations; the name and nature of each application already approved; the number of applications currently on hand awaiting decision; and if he has satisfied himself that proper co-ordination exists among the various Departments and bodies concerned in the approval of such applications.
On 5 December 1986 an order was made under section 54 of the Fisheries Act, 1980, designating part of Clew Bay as an area within which it shall be lawful to engage in aquaculture subject to licence. the area designated covers all that part of Clew Bay and adjoining waters which is bordered by the high water mark and which is enclosed by a line drawn from the most northerly point of the high water mark at Old Head, barony of Murrisk, to the most easterly point of the high water mark at Gubbaun Point in the townland of Dooghbeg, barony of Burrishoole, County Mayo.
Before acquaculture licences are issued, my Department consults the local authority, IDA and Department of the Environment about our licensing proposals for a particular area. Eleven licensing proposals have already been drawn up for Clew Bay and these are now being referred to the agencies mentioned above.
These are: Mr. John Murray, Salmon farming; Island Sea Farms, Salmon farming; Blackshell Farm Ltd., Mussel farming; Mr. Shay Fennelly, Mussel farming; Mr. Hugh O'Donnell, Oyster farming; Mr. Padraig Gannon, Oyster and Clam cultivation; Mr. Ian Hicks, Oyster farming; Mr. Charles O'Malley, Mussel farming; Sea Queen Salmon Ltd., Salmon farming; Crusa Teo, Salmon farming; Rosmoney Shellfish Ltd., Mussel, Oyster and Clam cultivation. In addition to these 11 there are at present seven further applications which are under consideration within my Department.
I am satisfied that proper co-ordination exists between my Department and the other agencies involved in aquaculture licensing and I have already informed the House about recent initiatives which I have taken in this area for example in replies to questions on 26 April 1988 and in the course of my contribution to the budget debate on 10 February 1988.