Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
1422. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a series of matters regarding to shellfish fishermen (details supplied) in Cromane Bay, County Kerry will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21512/20]
View answerThe Irish Farmers Association is the principal industry representative body for the aquaculture sector. My officials have met with the IFA's aquaculture executive and its chairman on a number of occasions to discuss their request for financial support for the aquaculture sector in relation to the impacts on the sector of the Covid-19 Pandemic. On 15 May 2020, the IFA submitted a written case for financial supports and this case was discussed with them at a meeting on 22 May. A revised case was subsequently submitted on 28 May. My officials asked Bord Iascaigh Mhara to analyse the submission, in the context of the universal supports being made available by Government for businesses and for employees affected by the Pandemic. That BIM analysis is ongoing.
In relation to the biotoxin event, bivalve molluscs such as mussels and oysters are filter feeders and feed on phytoplankton which can, when environmental conditions contrive, comprise blooms of species that produce toxins. These naturally-occurring toxins do not harm the shellfish but can cause illness in humans, when contaminated shellfish are subsequently eaten. I am advised by the Marine Institute that prolonged blooms had prevailed over the summer months leading to restrictions affecting harvesting at Castlemaine Harbour for food safety reasons, but that recently these restrictions have been lifted. Monitoring continues to track the harmful algal blooms so that producers have access to the up-to-date conditions for harvesting and that consumers can be assured of the safety of Irish shellfish.
