asked the Minister for the Marine when he will introduce regulations or other proposals in order to ensure that smolt rearing in the context of fish farming takes place in tanks on land rather than on lakes as at present, in order to ensure that proper standards of monitoring of effluent and other pollutants can take place in such land-based conditions as opposed to the totally uncontrolled arrangements which operate at present; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the present arrangements do not require any form of licensing or evaluation from the point of view of environmental impact, whereas such activities taking place on land in land-based tanks would.
Written Answers. - Fish Farming.
76.
Freshwater aquaculture is strictly controlled by the Department through a licensing arrangement under the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959. There is no basis for the Deputy's assertions that this activity is uncontrolled or not subject to proper evaluation procedures.
It is the policy of my Department to encourage land based smolt rearing units and to phase out cage rearing of smolts in freshwater lakes. Cage rearing was allowed as a temporary measure to help to meet the shortfall in the supply of smolts in recent years. Land based units are preferable because greater control is possible over pollution and disease. There is also less risk of escape of the farmed fish.
All fish culture in fresh water, whether in tanks or cages in lakes, is governed by the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959. Cage rearing is only allowed in lakes where there are no significant stocks of wild salmon or trout. Environmental monitoring is carried out regularly, at specified sites around the cages.
Freshwater fish farms are also subject to planning regulations as implemented by local authorities. In addition, the EC Directive on Environmental Impact Assessment to which effect is being given in the State at present will formalise and strengthen procedures for the thorough vetting of freshwater projects prior to approval.