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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 May 1991

Vol. 408 No. 6

Written Answers. - Predator Fish.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

18 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to a seriously growing threat to fishing in Lough Corrib due to huge increases in the roach population there; if he will outline the way he intends to deal with this problem in the near future; if his attention has further been drawn to the consequences of this problem for Lough Mask and Lough Carra; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

19 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine if any predator control has been in operation on Lough Corrib, Lough Mask and Lough Carra in the past three years; if not, the reason; if his attention has been drawn to a significant return to coarse fish and specifically pike in these waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 19 together.

The Western Regional Fisheries Board under section 11 of the Fisheries Act, 1980 have statutory responsibility for the management, conservation, protection, development and improvement of fisheries in the western region which includes Loughs Corrib, Mask and Carra. As such the question of predator control is primarily a matter for that board.

I have recently been made aware from a number of sources of concern locally about an apparent significant increase in the roach and pike populations in the lakes in question and the possible implications of these increases for the trout fisheries there.
I have sought urgent reports from both the Central Fisheries Board and the Western Regional Fisheries Board in the matter. I will consider whatever steps may be appropriate in light of these reports.
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