Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
315. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the dramatic increase in sea lice infestation in certain marine salmon farms, if he regards his Department's sea lice management programme as adequate; and the specific measures he is taking to tackle this increase which is causing so much damage to wild salmon. [14921/15]
View answerThe control protocols for the management of sea lice are operated by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State and are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons:
- the inspection regime is totally independent of the industry
- data obtained as a result of inspections is published
- treatment trigger levels are set at a low level
Aquaculture operators are required to comply fully with directions from the Marine Institute regarding lice control. In situations where treatment has not been sufficient to bring lice levels below treatment trigger levels the operators are directed to take additional measures. These actions include additional sustained treatments, early fallowing of sites and accelerated harvesting.
These control protocols have been the subject of detailed investigation and testing by the EU Commission which has confirmed that it regards the sea lice protocols operated in Ireland as representing best practice internationally.
