Vol. 492 No. 4
99 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a large number of mature salmon are dying on a fish farm off the Galway coast; the steps, if any, his Department has taken to investigate the cause of the unusually large number of deaths of mature fish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14269/98]
Experts from my Department and the Marine Institute are in the course of carrying out an investigation into mortalities on a salmon farm in Galway. The results of tests being carried out are expected shortly and I will be happy to advise the Deputy of the outcome of the investigation.
100 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the large number of sea trout returning prematurely to the Connemara lakes with heavy sea lice infestation; the proposals, if any, he has to deal with the control of sea lice on salmon farms in Connemara; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14270/98]
The sea trout monitoring programme carried out by the central and regional fisheries boards for the 1998 season has just been completed. The final results are at present being compiled by the Central Fisheries Board. However, I understand that the board has some concerns about lice levels encountered on a number of Connemara Fisheries. I have asked the board to prepare its report as soon as possible.
As regards the control of sea lice on salmon farms in Connemara, a total of 14 inspections are carried out at each farm site annually by officers authorised by me. Inspections are undertaken once per month save for the critical period from mid-February to the end of May when two inspections per month are undertaken.
Any farm where elevated lice levels are recorded or where the potential for development of elevated levels is detected are informed of this and advised to treat their fish.
The results of monitoring during the 1998 critical period show that the vast majority of farms maintained extremely good control over lice infestations on their sites. At those sites where elevated levels were encountered action was taken to reduce lice infestation on advice from the authorised officers.
Furthermore, all farms in Connemara have entered into agreements under the Single Bay Management initiative, which is overseen by the Marine Institute on behalf of my Department. These arrangements involve commitments on lice control, annual fallowing of sites and single generation sites. The whole thrust of the initiative is to ensure optimal control of sea lice infestation on salmon farms.
