asked the Minister for Lands if he will give an up-to-date report on the present position of salmon fishing at Waterville, County Kerry, and on the deadly disease that has played havoc with the salmon in the river and lake.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterville (Kerry) Salmon Disease.
103.
I am informed that runs of salmon from the sea at Waterville since the beginning of this year have been well up to the average of recent seasons. As to the heavy mortality from disease among salmon in the Cummeragh river system, the position is that investigations into the cause of the disease are still in progress.
So far, no fish examined bacteriologically in this country have been found to be suffering from furunculosis, the common disease of salmon and trout, but another organism similar to that which causes furunculosis has been isolated and this is being investigated at present. Confirmation of the absence of furunculosis has been reported by a Swedish scientist to whom fish were also sent for examination and he is at present examining cultures of the other bacteria isolated.
Arrangements are also being made to have virus tests carried out in Denmark.
The situation is being kept constantly under review and every effort is being made to determine the cause of the disease.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that it is popularly believed this disease of salmon in this area is due either to the introduction into these waters of rainbow trout or, alternatively, to the effluent from a trout farm in the immediate vicinity? Is he in a position to say that either of these causes has contributed to the undoubted existence of some serious condition affecting the salmon?
I am aware some people believe the cause of the disease is as stated by the Deputy but I am not in a position to say positively whether this is true or not. That is one of the things we are investigating.
Has any interim measure been taken to control any harmful effluence or practices in the vicinity which may be contributing to the disease of the salmon? I am sure the Parliamentary Secretary realises that this is a very valuable salmon fishery.
Some interim measures have been taken and others, which have been suggested in the last day or two by the board of conservators, are being considered, but they will not, as far as we know, remedy the disease. Any steps that can be taken to reduce the effects of the disease will, of course, be taken, and gladly. I want to make it quite clear that I am extremely concerned about damage to the fishery in the Cummeragh river system. At the same time I am not entitled to take steps based merely on conjecture, steps which could be of very serious import. Any steps that can be taken to remedy the situation are being and will be taken.
Am I to take it from the Parliamentary Secretary that a completely new salmon disease appears to have manifested itself in the area, something resembling furunculosis but which is not in fact furunculosis and which has hitherto not been identified by any fishery experts?
That is true. Whether it is a new disease I cannot say. I can say that whatever the disease is, it has not been identified. Perhaps when it is identified, when we have some knowledge of it, we can deal with it. Up to now we have no knowledge.
This is causing great dissatisfaction, as we all know, because this lake and its rivers constitute one of the best salmon fishing areas in the world. Between 40 and 50 ghillies, most of them married, work in that area and they are now idle. I attended a meeting in the locality two weeks ago with more than a hundred others, all associated with the fishing there. The pollution is supposed to come from the rainbow trout farm——
Would the Deputy put it in the form of a question?
What I need is information. The local people say this pollution is coming from the fish farm. The board of conservators carried out an experiment. They put some peal in different outlets from the lake and decided that the polluted part was the outlet from the fish farm. That is an indication.
The Deputy may not make a speech at Question Time. He may ask a question.