Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 10

Ceisteanna — Questions. Written Answers. - Sea Lice Monitoring Programme.

Gerry O'Sullivan

Question:

74 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Marine the results of the sea lice monitoring programme implemented in relation to salmon farms during 1992, broken down on a farm by farm basis; his views on whether the regular publication of such data is essential in the public interest and to restore the credibility of the salmon farming industry; the plans, if any, he has to ensure the elimination of sea lice from salmon farms in the Connemara and South Mayo region prior to the crucially important sea trout smolt exodus in spring, 1993; his views, if any, on the use of Ivormectin as a sea lice control device on Irish salmon farms; his views, if any, on the reactivation of salmon and trout farms in inner Clew Bay, County Mayo; and his policy in relation to the mandatory fallowing of salmon farm sites, including a specific identification of the recommended minimum duration for such fallowing in order to provide for the elimination of sea lice.

Minister for the Marine (Dr. Woods)

The considerable body of data generated from my Department's 1992 sea lice monitoring programme is being collated and analysed at present. I expect to receive the definitive results shortly and a report of the Programme's findings will be made available to the relevant interested parties. I would point out that the information has been used on an ongoing basis to advise individual farms on husbandry and lice treatment strategies. In the meantime my Department will continue to work with the salmon farming industry to ensure the implementation of management strategies to minimise lice levels during the period prior to the sea trout smolt runs in the spring. I can advise the Deputy that experiments carried out by University College Galway have shown that Ivermectin can be an effective control method for sealice.

There are three operators currently engaged in trout farming in inner Clew Bay. While salmon were ongrown at one of these sites earlier this year, there are no salmon being reared now in inner Clew Bay.

As I indicated when I announced the action plan for sea trout last May, the implementation of the fallowing principle is an important component of management strategies for fish farms. The identification of sites for fallowing purposes is being advanced. All such proposals must be backed up by extensive environmental and other technical data including determination of the minimum fallowing period required, which, I am advised, may very according to temperature and other conditions applying to particular locations.