I share the Deputy's concern about the recent mortality of bream in Lough Derg, not least because of the valuable contribution which coarse angling tourism makes to the Shannon catchment. The Department and I have been in ongoing contact with the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board since the problem emerged at the end of March. Investigations carried out by board staff at the time confirmed numbers of dead bream in various locations in Lough Derg. In liaison with the ESB, which owns the Shannon Fishery, the board arranged for an immediate scientific assessment to be undertaken by UCG's fisheries research team. UCG has been working over the past two years on a wide ranging study of coarse fish stocks funded by the ESB.
There are a number of unexplained aspects to the mortalities, notably the fact that only mature bream are involved and other fish species, such as salmon and trout, which are usually more sensitive to changes in the ecological conditions of waters, have been unaffected. Other freshwater coarse fish in Lough Derg were apparently unaffected. The bream mortalities continued for about three weeks and had ceased by the end of April.
Scientific investigations are continuing and there are no definitive answers as yet as to the cause of the mortalities. Preliminary findings have indicated extreme gill damage but at this stage no conclusive evidence of associated disease has emerged. Water quality in the lake was examined at the time of the fish kill and found to be generally good. Further investigations into other possible environmental factors, including sediment analysis are ongoing. The jury is still out on the cause of the mortalities. I expect a final report in the matter within a few weeks.
I am advised that preliminary fish population survey data indicate that the very considerable bream stocks in Lough Derg have not been measurably affected by the recent mortalities. These, though worrying, were quite low relative to overall stock levels. At this stage there is no reason to believe that angling catches will be adversely affected during the coming season.
The current problem serves to underline the need for sustained action to address ecological and fish health problems in Lough Derg and throughout the Shannon catchment area, in the interests of protecting and enhancing the valuable coarse fish resource and the ecosystem which supports it. The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board has been concerned about the management of coarse fish in the Shannon system for some years. The research project being undertaken by UCG, which was commissioned by the ESB at the board's request, was a first step in taking action in this area. That now needs to be followed up on a number of fronts.
As an immediate response I have requested the Department, the Shannon Board, the Central Fisheries Board, the ESB and the Marine Institute to prepare a report and to recommend proposals to progress a coherent strategy for the management of the national coarse fish resource. They have proposed, as an initial step, the engagement of outside expertise to conduct a study of coarse fish stocks and problems experienced in recent years and to recommend on management strategies and future research and fish health programmes.
An integrated and systematic approach to the conservation and management of our valuable coarse fish stocks is required and I am fully committed to working with the Shannon Board, the ESB and all relevant agencies and Departments in putting in place the necessary measures to achieve this aim. I expect to receive shortly the detailed collective proposals from the Department, the board and the other agencies which will be considered and taken forward as a matter of priority.