Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 May 2012
21 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be any impact on the wild salmon stocks by the introduction of fish farms to the west coast of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23337/12]
View answerFinfish farming has been a feature of aquaculture operations off the west coast for some time. On 13th April an application by Bord Iascaigh Mhara for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay was received by my Department. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement is being considered under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act which provide for extensive consultation with stakeholders, including Inland Fisheries Ireland, which has responsibility for wild salmon stocks. The legislation also provides for a period of general public consultation.
