Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:538 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the publication in the peer-reviewed Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences of an article, “Evidence for sea lice-induced marine mortality of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in western Ireland from experimental releases of ranched smolts treated with emamectin benzoate”, authored in part by scientists from Inland Fisheries Ireland, which confirms that wild salmon passing through bays with salmon farms infected with sea lice results in increased mortality of the salmon; this also impacts adversely on the fresh water pearl mussel in our salmon rivers which requires these fish to complete its life cycle; if he will therefore protect these species by instructing his officials to ensure that no further licences are issued or renewals granted in these bays unless the operations use closed containment systems which ensure separation of wild and farmed salmon. [15280/12]
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