Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 10

Written Answers. - Sea Trout Numbers/Sea Lice Infestation.

Richard Bruton

Question:

61 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Marine if, in view of the continuous concerns expressed at the serious drop in the sea trout numbers together with the ongoing problem of sea lice infestation particularly along the west and south west coastline, he has carried out recent research to establish the cause of these problems; the steps, if any, he intends to take to deal with these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Seán Barrett

Question:

62 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for the Marine if, in view of the continuous concerns expressed at the serious drop in the sea trout numbers together with the ongoing problem of sea lice infestation particularly along the west and south west coastline, he has carried out recent research to establish the cause of these problems; the steps, if any, he intends to take to deal with these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

73 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Marine if, in view of the continuous concerns expressed at the serious drop in the sea trout numbers together with the ongoing problem of sea lice infestation particularly along the west and south-west coastline, he has carried out recent research to establish the cause of these problems; the steps, if any, he intends to take to deal with these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard Allen

Question:

85 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Marine if, in view of the continuous concerns expressed at the serious drop in the sea trout numbers together with the ongoing problem of sea lice infestation particularly along the west and south-west coastline, he has carried out recent research to establish the cause of these problems; the steps, if any, he intends to take to deal with these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Donal Carey

Question:

90 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for the Marine if, in view of the continuous concerns expressed at the serious drop in the sea trout numbers together with the ongoing problem of sea lice infestation particularly along the west and south west coastline, he has carried out recent research to establish the cause of these problems; the steps, if any, he intends to take to deal with these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Michael Noonan

Question:

92 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for the Marine if, in view of the continuous concerns expressed at the serious drop in the sea trout numbers together with the ongoing problem of sea lice infestation particularly along the west and south west coastline, he has carried out recent research to establish the cause of these problems; the steps, if any, he intends to take to deal with these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 62, 73, 85, 90 and 92 together.

Deputies will recall that earlier this year I established an expanded research, conservation and management programme to address the decline in sea trout numbers. The programme builds on measures undertaken in previous years and has been further intensified in a number of key respects during the course of the year.

A comprehensive research programme for 1993 has been underway with additional emphasis on stock sampling data from river systems and sea lice biology and distribution. This work has included and expanded sea lice monitoring programme for salmon farms and a joint river sampling programme-netting survey of sea trout stocks in rivers and estuaries undertaken by the Department in conjunction with the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards and the Salmon Research Agency.

The Scientific Sea Trout Working Group, which represents all the scientists involved in the national sea trout research programme, has reconvened this week to assess and evaluate the results of the 1993 research programme. I have asked the working group to report to me as a matter of urgency, to advise on the future direction of the research effort, and to make recommendations on action needed in order to halt the decline in sea trout stocks.

I am also pleased to inform Deputies that the International Conference on the Exploration of the Sea, which met in Dublin last month, reviewed the current research work on sea trout by Irish, Danish and Finnish scientists. The conference has established a study group to improve international knowledge of sea trout and to help in the future management of stocks. ICES has noted that there is a dearth of information on the species generally which prevents any real understanding of population fluctuations. The study group will address these gaps. I very much welcome this important initiative which will co-ordinate and direct international sea trout research and which will contribute directly to our own work on this complex issue. In addition to the continuing research effort, the national sea trout action programme this year includes strengthened conservation by-laws to protect existing stocks and rehabilitation measures under a national stocks enhancement programme. Management strategies for fish farms have been enhanced and formalised, with particular emphasis on the development of agreed fallowing guidelines, bay management strategies and fish husbandry practices aimed at minimising lice loads and disease incidence on fish farms. In this context I established an advisory group on fallowing strategies, including representatives of fisheries and salmon farming interests. The group has now recommended a framework of policy guidelines for fallowing strategies. Using this framework, assessments of individual fallowing site proposals will take place over the coming weeks, under the aegis of the Department, which will involve all concerned interests including salmon farmers, fisheries boards, fishery owners and the Salmon Research Agency.

I have further augmented the action programme by convening a task force, with a mandate to secure the survival of the sea trout, which will report directly to me on measures needed to mitigate the decline in stocks. The group, which is compact and representative of all relevant interests, is chaired by Dr. T. K. Whitaker. I have asked the task force to report to me at the earliest possible date.

I have always made it clear that different perceptions as to the cause of this complex problem must not stand in the way of concerted action to save the sea trout. I am confident that national and international research effort and our overall co-operative programme of action will help us to achieve that objective.