Vol. 533 No. 1
47 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has any plans to introduce a strategy for lice control on fish farms which will be adequate to protect wild stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7580/01]
My Department has in place stringent controls governing the operation of fish farms. All salmon farm operators are required to implement comprehensive sea lice management arrangements which are independently monitored by the Marine Institute. These controls are also kept under continuous review in line with the policy objective for the sustainable development of aquaculture.
Part of the overall strategy to underpin the highest environmental standards for the aquaculture industry includes the introduction in May 2000 of five aquaculture protocols. The protocols which were introduced with the support of the fish farming industry have been welcomed by the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation, an international body whose remit is the conservation and protection of wild salmon stocks in the North Atlantic region. One of the protocols in question relates to sea lice monitoring and control, where experience gained over the past decade has enabled Ireland to become a world leader in the development of sea lice management and control strategies.
In relation to conservation and management of sea trout generally I am pleased to inform the House that I am finalising arrangements for the establishment of a group to review existing strategies in terms of their efficiency and effectiveness and the advice of this group will inform my thinking on future directions for sea trout conservation, protection and development strategies.
