Vol. 530 No. 2
25 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the steps he proposes to take regarding the damage done to wild sea trout and wild salmon from fish farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1503/01]
Current stringent management practices and controls governing the operation of fish farms are kept under continuous review in line with our policy objective for the sustainable development of aquaculture.
In this context, five aquaculture protocols introduced in May 2000 with the support of the fish farming industry are part of an overall strategy to underpin the highest environmental standards for the Irish aquaculture sector. The protocols have been welcomed by the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation, an international body whose report is the conservation and protection of wild salmon stocks in the North Atlantic region. One of the protocols in question relates to sealice monitoring and control, where experience gained over the past decade has enabled Ireland to become a world leader in the development of sealice management and control strategies.
On conservation and management of seatrout, I have asked the Marine Institute and the Central Fisheries Board to review existing strategies in terms of their efficiency and effectiveness and to develop a comprehensive new programme informed by that review. I will consult all interested parties on the proposed new programme which I expect to receive shortly.
