Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 April 2004
261 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 25 March 2004, the policing measures that are in place on Carlingford Lough in regard to aquaculture; the measures that are proposed to prevent unauthorised shellfish removals; and when these will be implemented. [10578/04]
View answerAs previously outlined to the House, all movements of bivalve molluscs, including mussels, for relaying purposes, must be authorised with a view to the control of animal disease and the protection of human health.
The Department's fisheries inspectorate monitors activity both from land and, as the need arises, at sea. In addition, operators are required to complete a shellfish gatherers logbook which records, among other information, both the amount of shellfish taken and the location from where it was taken. Documentary checks are also carried out on this aspect of the control procedures.
As I informed the house recently, my Department has received allegations of unauthorised movement of shellfish and is currently carrying out an investigation into these allegations. Once this investigation is completed, consideration can be given as to whether any revision of the existing control procedures is required.
