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Inland Fisheries

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 May 2014

Tuesday, 13 May 2014

Questions (437)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

437. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied with the utility and environmental soundness of Inland Fisheries Ireland’s continuing practice of stocking non-native hatchery reared fish from their facility in Cong into the River Erriff. [21395/14]

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Written answers

I am advised that Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have undertaken a number of scientific releases of ranched salmon at the River Erriff research station (National Index Sea Trout Catchment) as part of ongoing research into the potential effects of sea lice from marine salmon farms on salmon smolt survival. Results from previous experimental releases have been published in peer reviewed reputable international scientific journals and provide advice to IFI, as the statutory authority for the management and conservation of wild salmonids, on the potential impact of sea lice on increased marine mortality of wild salmon. I am also advised that similar studies are undertaken by the Marine Institute at their Burrishoole facility as part of their research using ranched salmon. IFI have full trapping facilities at the River Erriff research station to remove all returning ranched salmon prior to migrating upstream.

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