Robert Molloy
Question:187 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for the Marine the steps, if any, he is taking to establish the cause of the collapse of sea trout in the Bertraghboy Bay area of County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Bertraghboy Bay (Galway) Collapse of Sea Trout.
The collapse of sea trout stocks in the Bertraghboy Bay area is being investigated and acted upon in the context of the national research conservation and management programme to address the decline in sea trout numbers, comprehensive details of which were given to the House in my reply of 21 October last.
A comprehensive research programme for 1993 has been under way with additional emphasis on stock sampling data from river systems and sea lice biology and distribution. This work has included 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. Stock sampling of the Gowla and Ballinahinch Rivers in the Bertraghboy Bay area has formed part of the programme. The results of the sampling programme are currently being evaluated by the scientific sea trout working group which will report to me shortly on the outcome of this year's research programme.
Fish farming operations in the bay in question have been intensively inspected under the Department's monitoring programme. The inspection programme is designed to ensure that lice loads on salmon farms are reduced to a minimum and that appropriate remedial action is taken where lice levels are shown to be high. I am advised that most recent inspections at Bertraghboy and elsewhere confirm that lice management systems are proving effective in minimising lice loads. As part of a co-ordinated bay management strategy, it is intended that fallowing arrangements for Bertraghboy Bay will be activated for the months ahead in line with fallowing strategies being pursued generally by the fish farming industry.
In addition to the continuing research and management effort, strengthened conservation bye-laws were put in place this year to protect existing stocks of sea trout. The conservation by law reintroduced last May prohibited the drift netting of salmon and trout in a number of areas including Bertraghboy Bay.