Vol. 434 No. 10
50 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Marine the latest information available to him regarding the outbreak of the salmon disease, furunculosis, at a salmon farm in Bertraghboy Bay, County Galway; if the source of the disease has been identified; if it has been brought under control; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Department was notified on 13 July by the company concerned that mortalities had occurred at their salmon farm at Salt Point, Bertraghboy Bay, County Galway. The Department's senior fish pathologist subsequently inspected the farm and confirmed that the mortalities were due to an outbreak of furunculosis in one cage on the farm. Under the direction of the Department the company took appropriate remedial action in terms of treatment, as well as the removal and disposal of mortalities. Following treatment the number of mortalities declined significantly and the outbreak was quickly brought under control. All fish on site are currently being harvested.
Furunculosis is a bacterial fish disease which affects wild fish populations as well as farmed stock. It is endemic to a number of wild fisheries and hatcheries and can also precipitate serious losses in marine salmon farms. The source of the disease outbreak in this specific instance has not, I am advised, been identified. As with most such outbreaks, however, the source of the infection is likely to have been apparently healthy carrier fish not showing any clinical symptoms of the disease at time of transfer.
Movements of fish to salmon farm sites from hatcheries are subject to clearance by the Department's fish health unit. The issue of movement permits is dependent on the Department being satisfied as to the health status of the fish to be transferred.
The prevention and control of disease is a primary objective for the Irish fish farming industry. Disease incidence is being tackled through improved husbandry, site management and treatments as well as an ongoing programme of monitoring, inspections, movement control and research.
Ireland has a longstanding excellent fish health status in Community terms, confirmed by the regular monitoring of all farms under the official disease control system for more than ten years. This has been acknowledged by the EC Commission which last year approved a number of measures and programmes to safeguard the health of our fish stocks by preventing the introduction and spread of infectious diseases.
Is the Minister not expressing a certain complacency in respect of this matter? This is not the first outbreak of such disease or the first outbreak involving that company, but it is the worst outbreak so far. I raised this matter in the House last April and the response I got then was similar to that which the Minister gave today. Is the Minister aware of the context in which this question is asked? Is he aware of the major concern being expressed by, for example, the Western Fisheries Board in relation to the future of wild fish stocks — both sea trout and salmon — and the adverse effects the disease is having on those stocks? We have already seen an extraordinary merging of fishing interests who went to great trouble to raise the consciousness of people such as the Minister, his Department and the general public about their concerns. Will the Minister indicate the measures he intends putting in place to deal with this problem once and for all? It simply cannot be allowed to continue. Also, will he consider the recommendations of the Green 2000 report in that regard?
I will be considering the recommendations of the Green 2000 report and I have replied to a question from some other Member on that matter.
On the question of complacency, I share the Deputy's concern in regard to the white trout problem in the west of Ireland and Lough Currane in Waterville. A number of committees, some of which included scientists, has been set up by the Department of the Marine to deal with the problem. Only a few months ago I set up a task force with only one item on its agenda, to deal with the problem in respect of white trout. I asked a prominent citizen of this country, Dr. Kenneth Whitaker, who has given great service to the country, to be chairman of the task force and he has agreed. He, along with the chairpersons of a number of other committees, will report to me during the next few months.
To suggest that I am complacent about this matter flies in the face of what I have done, what I am doing and what I will do in the future. I am extremely concerned about the heritage of the white trout. Scientists have told me that there is no anecdotal evidence or scientific conclusions in relation to the possibility of an interconnection between farm salmon and the presence of sea lice on the fins or otherwise of white trout. I must accept that scientific evidence because I am a layman in respect of these matters. However, I assure the Deputy that I will adopt a hands-on approach in repect of this problem and I will do so in the national interest, because such fish stocks are part of our heritage and for freshwater anglers generally. I recognise the problem and I am doing my best within my own confidence and from the advice available to me to solve it.
Question No. 62 in my name is similar to this question. Question No. 62 refers to the disappearance of sea trout and the ongoing problem of sea lice infestation. Question No. 83 in the name of Deputy Timmins, which refers to Ballynahinch fishery in south Connemara, is also connected to this question.
In the context of the national plan, the Department of the Marine was allocated only 1½ per cent of the total funds. That is disgraceful given the potential of the marine area. The most frightening aspect of that allocation is that only £9 million is to be spent on marine research over a period of seven years. That is where the problem lies. Does the Minister agree with the concern expressed by fishermen, hoteliers and people interested in angling about the disappearance of the sea trout and salmon from our rivers? Will he agree that a resolution to the ongoing dispute between fishermen and fish farmers will have to be found quickly? Will he agree that the position is becoming nasty and a great deal of misinformation is circulating. With respect to the Minister, while I accept he is a barrister by profession, he has responsibility for marine matters. Will he accept that the solution to this problem lies with himself and the Government? At present, we are spending large sums of money promoting tourism, but it is similar to having a football pitch without a football. From a tourism point of view, it is pointless inviting people to come here to fish if, when they arrive, there are no fish in our lakes and rivers. We are no nearer finding a solution to this problem than we were four or five years ago.
I accept I have a responsibility and I am facing up to it. The problem is being addressed by the involvement of scientists with the Fisheries Research Centre, the Salmon Research Agency, local fishery boards and the scientific sea trout working group. An international conference on the exploration of the sea was held in Dublin last month and it reviewed the current research work on sea trout by Irish, Danish and Finnish scientists. A study group has been set up as a result of that conference. I also set up a task force with a mandate to secure the survival of sea trout which will report directly to me on measures needed to mitigate the decline in stocks. The question of conservation bylaws, protecting existing stocks and the rehabilitation under a national stock enhancement programme and management strategies is also under review. I can do so much. I can go thus far and no further, but to suggest I am not facing up——
The Minister would not have fallen down in regard to the Structural Funds if he still held his previous post.
Regarding Structural Funds, the allocation of £300 million to the Department of the Marine is not to be sneezed at. The figure of £100 million has been allocated for ports, £137 million for the fishing fleet, £19 million for inland fishing tourism and £9 million for research over a period of six to seven years.
Does the money exist?
Of course the money exists. Maybe the Deputy is disappointed that it does exist.
It will enable the Minister of State to catch all the salmon.
It is only peanuts.
If the people are fed peanuts the Deputy knows what the position will be.
I accept the Minister's concern. In regard to the spread of disease, particularly as it affects sea trout, will he indicate when the report of the group over which Dr. Whitaker is presiding will be available? In the meantime is the Minister's Department taking any steps to deal with the sea trout crisis, particularly in Connemara? There does not appear to be any results on the ground.
I have already outlined twice what has been done and what will be done. I am concerned about the problem. The task force over which Dr. Whitaker is presiding as chairman has been asked to deal with only one item, the survival of white trout. I am hopeful Dr. Whitaker will make his report soon. However, when one asks Dr. Whitaker to preside as chairman over any organisation, one relies on his judgment as to what should and should not be done and I will not interfere with what he considers should be done in the context of his remit.
Has Dr. Whitaker been asked to identify any specific link between the incidence of sea lice and sea farms off the coast?
Dr. Whitaker would have to consider that matter within the general purview of his examination. I have a personal view in regard to the Deputy's question, but the scientists have a different point of view.
