asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an outbreak of fish disease on western lakes could put the entire wild stock at risk and destroy the angling tourist industry in the region; that there is at the moment an epidemic of salmon disease in Clew Bay; that many of these diseased salmon are escaping from the cages and mixing with the indigenous wild stock in nursery lakes and rivers; and if he is prepared to allow this situation to continue and threaten our angling tourist industry.
Written Answers. - Fish Wild Stocks.
48.
I will not permit the development of aquaculture to put at risk the development of the wild fishery; there is no disease problem at present on western lakes, and it is my intention that careful regulation of the aquaculture industry will ensure that no risks are posed.
The salmon farming industry has experienced problems this year with a disease known as pancrease disease syndrome which is associated only with farmed fish. There are no known instances anywhere of wild fish stocks being affected by the condition, and I believe the Deputy's fears in that respect are groundless.
Escape of diseased fish is not a problem in my Department's experience and it stays in close touch with the industry on this issue. It is highly unlikely that a diseased fish would in any event be able to inter-breed with wild stocks.
My Department are not aware of many farmed salmon escaping and mixing with salmon in nursery lakes and rivers, nor have these been reported by the industry, with whom my Department is in close touch.