asked the Minister for the Marine if he has satisfied himself that the diseases which manifested themselves in the past few years in salmon and trout farms are now under control; and that there is no danger of transfer of such diseases to trout and salmon in the wild state.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Fish Diseases.
3.
I am satisfied that the restrictions on the movement of fish and the certification requirements for fish farms are sufficient on the basis of scientific research at present available to control diseases of farmed fish. These restrictions and certification requirements are, however, being kept under close review in the light of developments generally and particularly having regard to the results of ongoing research both here in Ireland and abroad as to the causes, transmission mechanisms etc. of the diseases in question.
There is no evidence to suggest that there is a danger of the spread of disease from farmed salmon and trout to wild fish. In fact, all the evidence suggests that the opposite is the case. Some diseases have been introduced into farmed fish by wild fish whilst other diseases which are peculiar to farmed salmon and trout are never found in wild fish. Farmed fish are more prone to these diseases because they are reared under intensive conditions.
I thank the Minister for his statistical answer. Is he aware that a certain number of applications to local authorities for fishery developments of the nature he has discussed have been refused by local authorities on the basis that water taken from the lakes or rivers in which the permissions were being sought would be deemed unsuitable for human consumption? Has he any guidelines to give such local authorities?
I think these are separate questions, but the question here relates to fish diseases. As the Deputy is probably aware, the fish pathology unit in the fisheries research centre at Abbotstown are constantly keeping up-to-date with developments in this area. Some of the problems in relation to fish diseases are complex and the causes are not fully identified either here or internationally. The whole area is constantly kept under review and we are keeping in touch with international developments and research in this area. As I have said, the evidence is that disease is being introduced to farmed fish from wild fish rather than the other way round.
One of the most important aspects of having control of disease in this area surely must be the fish pathology service we can offer. Is the Minister satisfied in relation to the question here which deals with control of disease, that one fish pathologist working in Abottstown at the fisheries research centre, a highly qualified, vastly experienced man but vastly over-worked, is sufficient to say we have the situation under control in relation to fish disease? Has the Minister plans to increase the number of staff in this area?
The fish research and scientific personnel are constantly engaged on work of this nature. They keep in touch with international developments and scientific advances throughout the world.
We have one pathologist.
The decision to establish the Maritime Research Institute indicates that there is a need for further work in this area. The matter referred to by the Deputy will be addressed by the research institute on their establishment.
Will the Minister accept that since we started salmon farms one of the biggest problems they have had to deal with is the extent of disease among salmon in the salmon rearing cages? In view of the lack of scientific knowledge on the quality of the waters in areas where fish cages are located will the Minister give an assurance that fish cages will not be allowed in fresh water lakes or in rivers until absolute guarantees are available from the scientific experts on the quality of the water?
Later questions deal with that matter.
There is a separate question on that issue.