Vol. 431 No. 2
71 Miss Harney asked the Minister for the Marine the special measures, if any, he proposes to introduce to assist the salmon farming industry to control disease, parasites and pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Considerable technical and scientific resources are provided by the Department for the monitoring of fish health and water quality at salmon farm operations. In addition to advisory services to the industry, comprehensive monitoring programmes and inspections are undertaken by the Fisheries Research Centre and the Engineering Service of the Department. The Fish Health Unit of the Fisheries Research Centre undertakes fish health inspections, disease surveillance and diagnostic testing.
It is generally agreed that the site fallowing together with co-operative bay management strategies for salmon farms contribute significantly to minimising disease and parasite incidence. Management strategies along these lines are currently being enhanced and formalised. In particular, I have established a representative advisory group to examine and to recommend on fallowing strategies for salmon farms, including site location. The group is finalising overall guidelines for fallowing strategies and will proceed to examine fallowing site proposals for single bays/water bodies at regional level in the coming months.
