Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 15 Mar 1990

Vol. 397 No. 2

Written Answers. - Sea Trout Stocks.

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

37 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine the investigations which have been held into the reported major decline of sea trout numbers off the coast of Galway and Mayo last summer; if it is intended to take any steps to restore stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Wilson)

Over the 11 year period 1976-1986 my Department carried out investigations of the sea trout population. The results were published in the Department's technical journals and elsewhere describing trends in population size and discussing evidence for relationships with weather and climate patterns. While the factors responsible for the rapid decline of sea trout numbers off the coast of Galway and Mayo remain unclear, research carried out by my Department over the past two years suggests that the drought at a critical time of seaward migration by juvenile trout and kelts in the spring may have had a major influence.

I take a very serious view of the impact of the sudden decline in sea trout numbers and for this reason I allocated an additional £10,000 to foster specific research into the phenomenon under a number of headings which will test all the hypotheses which have been advanced to explain the decline. Thirteen projects will be carried out by scientists of the Salmon Research Agency and the Fisheries Research Centre of my Department, together with research workers from University College Galway, Trinity College Dublin, and Queen's University, Belfast, all acting under the aegis of the Sea Trout Action Group.

The list of projects or investigations to be carried out in 1990 are in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to send to the Deputy.

My Department are not taking any steps to artificially restore sea trout numbers. Research by my Department suggests that artificial restocking of sea trout is of arguable value. A natural regeneration of sea trout numbers will take place when environmental conditions favour it. While these conditions are not favourable such efforts are likely to be unrewarding.