Vol. 470 No. 7
17 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for the Marine whether he has at any time received a report from the Inland Fisheries Board outlining the enormous damage done to fish stocks in rivers by wild mink; the plans, if any, being drawn up to deal with the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20071/96]
I am not aware nor have the regional fisheries boards reported to me that predation on fishstocks by wild mink is a cause of major and urgent concern.
There have been complaints by eel fishermen about damage done by mink. Overall, however, the advice to me by the regional fishery boards is that, while there are mink populations in all the regions, they are not considered to be a serious threat to fish stocks in general. If the Deputy has particular local information available to him I would be glad to have the matter investigated by the relevant fisheries board. If necessary a scientific assessment of the extent of mink predation and possible control measures could be undertaken. This would be a matter primarily for the Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.
I am advised that mink is not a protected species under the Wildlife Act and as such a licence is not required to carry out a cull. Anyone may hunt and trap mink by any means which is permitted under existing regulations of the Wildlife Act. The extent to which culls or other control measures are required remains to be proven.
I tabled the question because of complaints from fishermen and wildlife people that the mink population in the south has increased out of all proportion. There are some lakes and rivers in the south where the entire wildlife population has been wiped out. People from England were called in to control the wild mink. Reports from the opening day of the mallard season suggest that the mallard population is down at least 60 per cent on last year. I would be grateful if a survey of fishing and gun clubs could be carried out to ensure we have a proper idea of the destruction being caused by mink.
The fisheries boards have not indicated there is a major or urgent problem. Arising from the Deputy's question some inquiries were made of the fisheries boards but I can arrange to have further inquiries made. Perhaps the Deputy would bring to our attention the specific information available to him that would be helpful?
Will the Minister ask the inland fisheries board to make inquiries of the fishing clubs, in the south especially, to ascertain if what I am saying is correct?
I will be happy to do that.
