Enda Kenny
Question:226 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine his position in so far as fallowing at marine sites is concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Fallowing at Marine Sites.
Fallowing or rotation of sites in marine fish culture is now an internationally accepted fish farm management strategy with demonstrable benefits for fish husbandry, fish health and the control of sea lice levels.
Technical guidelines for the fallowing of sites have been formulated by the fallowing advisory group which I established last year and marine fish farmers are being actively encouraged to develop fallowing strategies in accordance with these guidelines. It is a key objective to ensure that fallowing proposals are planned and implemented in an integrated way. The strategy is therefore being informed be detailed assessment of each such proposal from the local perspective in regional fallowing advisory groups representing fisheries boards, the salmon research agency, the Department, salmon farmers and fisheries interests. Proposals must also be assessed, from technical and other perspectives, by the Department's Aquaculture Licence Vetting Committee following consultation with local authorities, the Office of Public Works, Bord Fáilte and other relevant interests.
The implementation, this year, of a selected number of fallowing trials, for a strictly limited duration and under stringent conditions, will provide a basis for further evaluation and environmental impact assessment of particular sites as possible components of overall fallowing strategies.
Longer term decisions will be informed by the performance of the sites, the results of environmental, fish health and sea lice monitoring, Environmental Impact Assessment, further consultation with all relevant interests and all other appropriate considerations. The practical experience gained through fallowing trials this year will contribute significantly to the objective of better management strategies for fishfarms commensurate with the needs of other users of the marine resource.