Liz McManus
Question:17 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans, if any, he has to appoint extra fish pathologists at his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12428/99]
Written Answers. - Fish Pathologists.
The recruitment of additional fish pathologists and other technical staff for the national fish health unit will be a matter for the Marine Institute which has responsibility for the unit. Those resource needs are being quantified and pursued, in consultation with my Department, in the context of the Marine Institute's overall human resource strategy for the medium term.
The fish health unit comprises one veterinary fish pathologist, one microbiologist and four laboratory technicians. The unit carries out a range of fish and shellfish diagnostic and inspection work as well as advisory services for the aquaculture industry and fishhealth monitoring and sampling in line with EU obligations.
The Marine Institute's strategic objective is to expand and develop the fish health unit, to ensure effective services at national level for the detection and prevention of fish disease, and enhanced fish health monitoring and advisory services for the sector. The fish pathology and diagnostic services provided at central level are complemented by local veterinary and commercial diagnostic services on the ground which are regularly utilised by the aquaculture industry.
As part of its commitment, to enhance the natural fish health service, investment in new lab oratory facilities for the unit at the fisheries research centre was undertaken by the Marine Institute last year. A key ongoing objective is to expand fishhealth rescue and development programmes in support of the aquaculture industry, medium and long-term research needs, as well as research into practical and immediate fish health problems as necessary.