Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 April 2014
225. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will require his Department to notify Inland Fisheries Ireland immediately when it receives notification from operators of the escape of fish from fish farms in order that it may exercise its statutory role of seeking to capture these escapees, as this was not done in the recent loss of 230,000 fish in Bantry Bay and can only be effective if done without delay. [15941/14]
View answerIt is a condition of aquaculture licences that the Licensee shall advise Inland Fisheries Ireland within 24 hours of any escapes from the licensed areas. My Department is advised by the operator that written notice of a possible fish escape/loss was issued to Inland Fisheries Ireland on 14 February. The operator has also advised my Department that due to the treacherous weather conditions it was not possible to confirm the fish loss until 16/17 February. As previously indicated to the Deputy, site surveys must be conducted in a manner which takes due account of the health and safety of the personnel involved.
