Vol. 492 No. 2
89 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of fish kills notified to his Department to date in 1998; the numbers of fish stocks involved in each instance; the measures, if any, being taken by his Department to reduce the incidence of fish kills in our inland waterways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13841/98]
The Marine Institute advises that 16 fish kills have been reported to date in 1998, involving approximately 7,000 fish. The following table gives the breakdown of incidents.
Since taking office, I have given the highest priority to tackling pollution and the causes of pollution in fisheries and fish habitats. I announced last August a six-point action plan on water quality management which is designed to ensure the resources of the fisheries boards and all relevant agencies are co-ordinated and deployed to best effect to deal with water pollution, by tackling its causes at source and by acting swiftly when it occurs. I have directed the Central Fisheries Board to give immediate and top priority to continued implementation of the action plan in the weeks ahead.
Progress has been made on a number of points, notably in terms of improved liaison, dialogue and co-operation between the fisheries boards and other relevant agencies as well as the farming organisations, and the current development of water quality monitoring programmes between the fisheries boards and the EPA. Dialogue and co-operation is also ongoing between the Department and the Department of the Environment and Local Government. The Central Fisheries Board has invested in new equipment which considerably enhances the fisheries boards' capabilities in the analysis of water samples, nutrient analysis and pollution investigations. Information dissemination and the publication of codes of practice by the IFA on silage effluent control and phosphate usage are heightening awareness generally of pollution risks and the need for constant vigilance and care.
|
Date |
Fisheries Region |
River/Lake |
Species |
Number of fish |
|
24/1/98 |
Southern |
River Nore |
Trout & Stickleback |
100 |
|
18/2/98-19/2/98 |
South-Western |
Tributary of Curaheen Cork |
Trout & Eels |
500 |
|
20/3/98 |
Northern |
Lorette School Lake |
Perch, Pike & Roach |
97 |
|
26/3/98 |
Southern |
Tributary of River Bride |
Trout |
200 |
|
14/4/98 |
South-Western |
Tramore River |
Brown Trout |
20 |
|
18/5/98-23/5/98 |
Northern |
Bumerkly Lake, Cavan |
Bream |
41 |
|
19/5/98 |
Southern |
Clonmore & River Suir to which it discharges |
Trout, Eel, Salmon, Stoneloach & Stickleback |
2,450 |
|
19/5/98 |
Eastern |
Lough Ramor |
Bream |
50 |
|
20/5/97-27/5/98 |
Shannon |
Lough Dern Dromineer/ Terryglass |
Perch |
Unknown |
|
21/5/98 |
Shannon |
River Deel |
Trout & Salmon |
300 |
|
25/5/98 |
Western |
Cloghbrack River |
Brown Trout |
Unknown |
|
27/5/98 |
Eastern |
Keeran River |
Salmonids |
1,000 |
|
28/5/98 |
Northern |
Tributary of Inch Lake |
Brown Trout |
2 |
|
Mid-May 31/5/98 |
Northern |
Dromore River Catchment |
Roach |
2,064 |
|
31/5/98 |
Northern |
Derryvally River |
Salmon Fry Stickleback |
Unknown |
|
3/6/98 |
Shannon |
Lough Gara |
Bream & Roach |
Unknown |
