Vol. 416 No. 3
30 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the programme undertaken by Tralee Bay Oyster Society; if he has satisfied himself with the results to date, and if the necessary funds will be provided to complete the programme.
The Tralee Oyster Fisheries Society Limited has, as grantee of the 1981 Oyster Fisheries Order, played a significant part in rehabilitating and developing the Tralee oyster fishery, which had become seriously depleted in the late seventies. The society have succeeded, through careful management, in raising average annual production over the last few seasons to 100 tonnes, and there are good signs for further development. Without the society's continued efforts to control the catch and to protect the juvenile stock, this resource would not progress towards reaching its full potential.
I understand that a reseach and development programme, which is focussed on the assessment of more intensive oyster farming techniques, is being undertaken by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara with the co-operation of Tralee Oyster Fisheries Society in outer Tralee Bay, along the eastern part of the Maharees Peninsula. BIM have been the major contributor to this programme, and within the available resources this support is continuing.
The Tralee Oyster Fishery Society have made significant progress over the last decade. The management and exploitation of the resource is of its nature a continuing challenge, and the progress made in that regard is a tribute to those involved.
