Fish Farming

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2017

Tuesday, 17 October 2017

Ceisteanna (427)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

427. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the recent statement by Inland Fisheries Ireland that 65 farmed salmon have been caught in five rivers in counties Galway and Mayo, in view of the fact that no escapes have been reported, despite the conditions of all aquaculture licences requiring operators to report all escapes to his Department within 24 hours; and if he is satisfied that the regime of regulatory oversight ensures public confidence in the effectiveness of his Department’s protection of the environment (details supplied). [43714/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department has noted media reports of salmon being found in some rivers which may be from farmed stock. My Department has advised Inland Fisheries Ireland that where anglers or officers of Inland Fisheries Ireland suspect that they have collected salmon from farmed stock that the fish should be sent to the Marine Institute for analysis, with a view to determining whether they are actually from farmed stock.

If fish presented to the Marine Institute for analysis are determined to be from farmed stock my Department will, in the normal way, take appropriate action in the matter.