Bernard J. Durkan
Question:137 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the level of brown or rainbow trout stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13886/04]
View answerWednesday, 12 May 2004
Questions (118, 119)
Written answers
I am advised that brown trout, or Salmo trutta, are a widely distributed indigenous species in Ireland. They are present in almost every catchment in the country since the last ice age. They have successfully colonised both rivers and lakes, although reproducing solely in rivers. There are substantial brown trout populations in both acidic and alkaline systems but this species grows faster and reaches a larger size in alkaline waters.
Currently, the status of brown trout populations vary in different waters. Stocks have declined in some waters because of water quality problems and other land management practices. In contrast the brown trout population in other areas is excellent thanks to investment in stream enhancement programmes and clean water. Brown trout are a relatively short lived species, with a life span of five to seven years, which means that once the suite of environmental problems responsible for depressing a stock are addressed they will quickly recover.
Rainbow trout, or Oncorhynchus mykiss, are originally a North American species. They were originally bred in Europe, including Ireland, in commercial fish farms for the table. Since the 1960s they have been stocked in selected isolated waters in Ireland as an angling species. I understand that the status of rainbow trout stocks is almost entirely dependent on stocking programmes. Fishery legislation prevents their introduction to waters where there are wild stocks of indigenous brown trout. While some rainbow trout have escaped into our rivers from time to time there is no evidence of these fish having ever bred successfully in the wild to a point where they constitute a self sustaining population.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:138 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself regarding the adequacy of fishery protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13887/04]
View answerAs I have previously advised the House, I consider that control and enforcement is an essential element for the effective implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy. The newly reformed CFP, agreed in December 2002, provides for strengthened control and enforcement measures, and I fully welcome that development.
Effective enforcement of conservation rules is a priority for all member states and each member state has a clear responsibility to monitor and control fishing activity within their respective jurisdictions. The challenge of achieving effective control and enforcement of fisheries' rules is ongoing and requires close collaboration and co-operation between member states. It is clear that fisheries enforcement throughout the EU must continue to improve if the conservation imperatives facing the management of our European fish stocks are to be met. I will continue to work for more effective control in all member states in order to ensure a level playing field for the fishing industry.