Emmet Stagg
Question:180 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his views on reports circulating in the south-west that 125,000 adult farmed salmon escaped from an operation (details supplied). [27899/01]
Written Answers. - Farmed Salmon.
Emmet Stagg
Question:181 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has recently received a report of the escape of 125,000 adult farmed salmon from the owners or operators of a fish farm (details supplied) or elsewhere in the south-west. [27900/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
No escapement of 125,000 adult salmon has been reported recently to the Department by any fish farm facility in the Cork-Kerry region. Follow up checks by the Department with all fish farms in the region have confirmed the position. However, I am aware that the South-Western Regional Fisheries Board has received reports of farmed salmon being caught in their area and they are investigating these reports in co-operation with my Department.
In general, aquaculture licensing is subject to conditions to ensure good practices and prompt precautionary-remedial action. This includes conditions regarding the prompt reporting of fish escapes to the Department and to the relevant regional fisheries board. The Department is currently undertaking a general review of current containment and recapture measures and practices in operation within the sector with a view to enhancing and strengthening these where practicable.