Vol. 533 No. 6
110 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his views on the extent of roach in Lough Corrib; if he has any evidence of roach being present in Lough Mask; his Department's work and proposals in regard to the spread of roach in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9763/01]
Responsibility for protection, management, conservation and development of fisheries in Lough Corrib and Lough Mask is a matter for the Western Regional Fisheries Board. The board advises me that a survey of Lough Corrib carried out in 1996 identified a substantial stock of roach in lower Lough Corrib and a moderate stock in upper Lough Corrib. There is no evidence to suggest that this has changed in recent years. In a similar survey carried out in Lough Mask in 1996 only one roach was found which was the first record of this species from the lake. A recent survey has indicated that the number of roach is on the increase.
