Marine Resources

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2018

Tuesday, 20 November 2018

Ceisteanna (513, 514, 515)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

513. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of all incidences of cardiomyopathy syndrome in farmed salmon here in the past two years. [48151/18]

Clare Daly

Ceist:

514. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the incidents of cardiomyopathy syndrome reported in salmon farms here can be considered a potential threat to wild Atlantic salmon populations or other fish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48152/18]

Clare Daly

Ceist:

515. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of incidences of cardiomyopathy syndrome in wrasse captured from the wild for the purposes of controlling lice in farmed salmon; and if infected wrasse could pose a potential threat to the native population of wrasse [48153/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 513 to 515, inclusive, together.

Cardiomyopathy Syndrome (CMS) is not listed as a disease requiring specific control measures in EU Council Directive 2006/88/EC and there is no legislative requirement for salmon farm operators to officially report the incidence of CMS.

However, under a voluntary good practice programme operated by the Marine Institute salmon farm operators report incidents of increased mortality on marine sites to the Institute when it exceeds specified trigger levels, regardless of the reason for the mortality.

The Marine Institute is not aware of any evidence that the occurrence of CMS in farmed salmon represents a potential risk to wild Atlantic Salmon population or other fish.

The Marine Institute is not aware of any incidences of CMS in wild caught wrasse used for the purposes of controlling sea lice in farmed salmon.