Fisheries Protection.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 May 2004

Thursday, 13 May 2004

Questions (133, 134, 135)

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

133 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the outcome of an investigation regarding the dumping of farmed salmon by persons (details supplied); if sanctions have been imposed on these persons; if residues of a banned chemical suspected of being carcinogenic have been found in salmon on a farm in Connemara, County Galway; if so, the action which has been taken to prevent the banned substance from entering the food chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13960/04]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 121 of 24 February 2004, investigations have been carried out in respect of matters relating to the discovery last summer of salmon buried on land near Casla, County Galway. As proceedings are pending, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter at this time.

My Department continues to carry out regular residue testing in accordance with the requirements laid down under European legislation. I can confirm that there has been a case where an unapproved chemical was detected at a site in Connemara in the course of my Department's residue testing programme. I do not wish to comment in detail on this case given that legal proceedings may arise. My Department acted immediately on receipt of the positive residue test result. An immediate restriction on the sale or movement of any stock from the suspected site was put in place. A programme of additional sampling was carried out. Officials from my Department carried out an investigation to ensure that any potentially contaminated stock was identified and isolated. Investigations into this case and related matters are continuing.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

134 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if ovigerous lice levels on salmon farms in Connemara, County Galway are in some cases ten times above the level set in his Department’s protocols; the penalties which have been imposed in these circumstances; and the action which has been taken to ensure the survival of wild sea trout smolts migrating to sea. [13961/04]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

A comprehensive system of monitoring and control of sea lice levels at marine finfish farms is operated on behalf of my Department by the Marine Institute. Certain inspections carried out at some fish farms in Connemara this year have found elevated levels of lice which in a limited number of cases have been of the magnitude suggested by the Deputy. In any such cases, the operators of the farms have been required to take appropriate action to reduce the lice levels. My Department has also emphasised to them the importance of taking all necessary and appropriate steps, on an ongoing basis, to control lice levels at their farms.

The Department and the Marine Institute are monitoring the situation closely and will ensure that any further measures that may be required for dealing with the position are adopted. In the event of a failure on the part of a farm operator to comply with relevant requirements or to co-operate in taking the action necessary to control lice levels, the question of taking action against the operator would fall to be considered.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

135 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has received a submission from the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland; if he has examined its contents with a view to offering advice, assistance or funding towards the meeting of the objectives set out therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14036/04]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

I am advised that the submission, dated 7 May 2004, to which the Deputy refers was received by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, earlier this week. As the Deputy may be aware, I recently commissioned a fundamental review of the inland fisheries sector, which is ongoing. The independent consultants undertaking the review are required, inter alia, to evaluate the adequacy of the current model for the governance of the inlands fisheries sector and to recommend a structure which will contribute to the optimum development of the inland fisheries resource in Ireland. I expect that this review will address all aspects of coarse fishing also. I can assure the Deputy that the submission from the national coarse fishing federation of Ireland will be considered fully by my Department in the context of the current ongoing review of the inland fisheries sector.