Gerry Reynolds
Question:50 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the terms of reference of the eel survey carried out by the ESB in conjunction with other institutions. [22551/97]
Written Answers. - Eel Stocks.
While I have no direct responsibility for the activities of the ESB, I have established from the ESB that the specific objectives of the eel management survey conducted by them in the River Shannon catchment are as follows: (1) to assess scientifically the magnitude and quality of eel stocks and their distribution frequency throughout the catchment and (2) to attempt to establish a correlation between recruitment of juvenile eels and availability and time-scale of brown eel stocks for harvesting.
The ESB further advises that it intends to conduct a major review of the results of the survey at the end of the 1998 fishing season at which time the future research or development requirements will be decided.
Gerry Reynolds
Question:51 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the safeguards, if any, there are in place to ensure the safe movement of elvers through the Shannon Estuary, in view of the fact that existing installations which extract water as part of these processes may endanger glass elvers entering the Shannon Basin and they may be extracted to these extraction systems. [22549/97]
I have no direct statutory responsibility in this matter in that responsibility for the protection of eels in the Shannon estuary is a matter for the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board and the owner of the fishing rights is the ESB. However, I have had inquiries made on the Deputy's behalf and I am advised that assessments by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board and the ESB do not point to any evidence of damage to elvers at the points of intake by industries in the Shannon estuary. The local authorities are obliged to assess the effects on fish passage of any developments in their areas. Both the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board and the ESB, make inputs to the planning process on an ongoing basis to ensure that the necessary precautionery measures are put in place to protect fish stocks.
I am also advised that scientific analysis of the movements of elvers through river systems indicates that natural mortality rates are quite high, with only a small proportion of elvers which enter any river system surviving to become breeding adults.
I am also advised that a minimum of four tonnes of elvers annually is the recommended level to guarantee a viable eel fishery in the Shannon system. I am advised that the co-operative action by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board and the ESB over recent years has resulted in this annual target being achieved.