Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 November 2014
25. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine after the recent fish spill in Killybegs Harbour, County Donegal, when a clean up will be initiated; the person making the decision; the process in the event of any future incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43008/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraPursuant to the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 (as amended), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine owns and directly manages the Fishery Harbour Centre located at Killybegs.
On 1st September 2014 my Department was made aware of a fish spill within the confines of the Fishery Harbour Centre in Killybegs. Following further inspection it was established that a large amount of herring was dumped in the harbour.
On 5th September 2014, Marine Engineering Division commenced a clean-up of the dead fish in the harbour. Six members of Marine Engineering Division gathered approximately 2 tonnes of fish by hand from the shore accessing it via jeep and boat. The areas outlined by a Marine Engineer on 3rd September 2014 were considered clean by the afternoon of the 6th September 2014.
Further boat movements along the new pier brought to the surface new fish on 5th and 6th September 2014. Due to wind and tides these fish exited the harbour out to sea.
In so far as any future incidents are concerned the Harbour Master at each Fishery Centre Harbour is responsible for the day to day operations of the harbour to which he has been appointed and his functions include ensuring compliance with application of all rules and regulations applicable to the Fishery Harbour Centres generally.
All pollution incidents, including fish spills or wash ups are a matter of concern to my Department. In the event of a pollution incident at a Fishery Harbour Centre, the matter is brought to the attention of my Department by the relevant Harbour Master, and an investigation and appropriate remedial action is undertaken. The level and nature of response is governed by the type and scale of the pollution in question, and can involve a co-ordinated multi agency approach.
