Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Feb 1992

Vol. 415 No. 7

Written Answers. - Lough Swilly Fish Farming Regulations.

Roger T. Garland

Question:

42 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline (a) the conditions under which a company (details supplied) are licensed in Lough Swilly, (b) the amount they are licensed for and the amount they are producing, (c) the Act under which they are licensed and (d) whether any grants have been allocated from State, semi-State or EC sources; and if he will give the results of water quality testing in Lough Swilly over the past ten years.

Minister for the Marine (Dr. Woods)

The company to which the Deputy refers are licensed to engage in fish farming in Lough Swilly under the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959 and the Foreshore Act, 1933. Grant-aid has been allocated by Údarás na Gaelthacht.

The conditions attaching to the licences in question are the standard ones, encompassing such matters as the species to be cultured (salmon); measures for the prevention of escapes; notification requirements in the event of an escape; record-keeping and reporting requirements relating to fish mortalities, disease and treatments; water quality monitoring requirements; the maintenance of structures in good repair; the lighting and marking of structures for the safety of navigation; the fitting of anti-predator devices and standard indemnification and revocation conditions. It is also a condition of the licence that harvested production should not exceed 1,000 tonnes per annum. Production in 1991 was just over 900 tonnes.

Water quality testing in connection with the operation in Lough Swilly has been carried out at approximately two week intervals since the farm began operation in 1986. Results show that there has been no significant or measurable change in water quality since monitoring began.