Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 4

Priority Questions. - Aquaculture Development.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

63 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the contents and findings of a programme (details supplied) which clearly indicated that sea lice from salmon farms is the cause of the collapse of the trout and salmon stocks in Norway and Scotland; his views on whether all information and expert opinion here indicates clearly the same result; his plans to locate and relocate fish farms to areas where sea lice will not be able to infect sea trout and salmon stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28839/01]

Mr. Byrne:

I am familiar with the documentary in question which focused exclusively on the salmon farm industry in Scotland and Norway. The Irish salmon farming industry is, by comparison, very small and much more highly regulated. As the Deputy is aware, there are several schools of expert opinion on the impact of sea lice on wild salmon stocks.

In the Irish context, stringent management practices and controls for fish farms are kept under continuous review in line with our policy objective to ensure the sustainable development of aquaculture to the highest environmental standards. In line with the conclusions of the Whitaker report, it has been stated policy for over a decade to maintain intensive sea lice management strategies on Irish marine based salmon farms.

The national sea lice monitoring and control programme has been in place for Irish salmon farms since 1991. We are well ahead of our competitors in this regard. The programme is overseen by the Marine Institute which carries out regular inspection and sampling at all marine finfish sites throughout the year. The sea lice monitoring programme is kept under regular review and the results are disseminated to all interested parties. The programme has been further enhanced, in light of advances in lice control and treatment strategies, by the introduction of a formal sea lice protocol for finfish farmers in 2000. The protocol is part of our overall strategy to maintain and ensure the highest environmental standards for Irish aquaculture.

Sea lice levels are set with the objective of maintaining levels as close to zero as practicable. The levels determine or trigger the use of approved targeted treatment regimes. I would emphasise that Irish lice control parameters are the most stringent of all salmon producing countries.

Additional Information.I am confident that our strategic approach is paying dividends.

The Deputy is also aware that the licensing of salmon farms under the 1997 Act is subject to a detailed environmental assessment process which takes account of the wild fisheries and other interests, involves public consultation and includes a fully independent appeals system.

I am committed to ensuring the Irish salmon farming sector operates to the highest environmental and husbandry standards. Aquaculture development, sustainably and responsibly managed, can live in harmony with wild fisheries and with all users of the marine resource.

Mr. Gilmore:

There has been over a decade of research on the incidence of sea lice arising from fish farms and its linkage to the decline in sea trout and wild salmon stocks. After ten years of research and monitoring is the Minister of State now in a position to definitively state whether the incidence of sea lice on fish farms is increasing or decreasing and whether it has caused the decline in the sea trout and wild salmon stocks?

Mr. Byrne:

The Deputy held office at the Department for a considerable time and by all accounts played a very effective role. My view and that of the Department is that sea lice difficulties have reduced in the past decades. The evidence for this was gathered during visits to salmon farms and discussions with all the interested parties in the various bays in which these farms are located. The arrangements in place are and will continue to be successful. There are still difficulties, but we are on the right road. I hope we will achieve our goal of reducing difficulties to as close to zero as possible so that we hear very little, if anything, about sea lice. We are making progress in that direction.

Mr. Gilmore:

Will the Minister of State address the second part of my question which is the link between sea lice and the collapse in sea trout and wild salmon stocks? The research examined in the television programme referred to in the question showed a direct linkage between sea lice and the collapse of wild salmon stocks in Norway and Scotland. What is the Minister of State's view after ten years of research? Can he categorically state that sea lice did not cause the collapse in sea trout and wild salmon stocks here?

Mr. Byrne:

I beg the Deputy's forgiveness for missing the second part of his question. My view and the view of the Department is that the incidence of sea lice is decreasing. It is difficult to state with certainty that sea lice were the only cause of the problem we experienced with trout and salmon in 1989 and 1990. In common with the Department and the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Fahey, I accept without question that sea lice contributed to the problem, but there were other factors.

The Deputy will accept that the documentary evidence to which the question refers was very one-sided. The Scottish farmers, in particular, put up a trenchant argument against it. I refute entirely the view that this country has the same level of difficulty. We have the most stringent legislation and probably the best regulated industry in Europe.