Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to protect migrating smolts being killed at hydros and from sealice emanating from Department licensed fish farms. [21074/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department's policy on sea lice controls in relation to farmed salmon is strictly evidence based. The control protocols are operated by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State and are more advanced that those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons:

- the inspection regime is totally independent of the industry

- data obtained as a result of inspections is published

- treatment trigger levels are set at a low level

These controls are generally regarded as representing best practice internationally.

An important longitudinal study by the Marine Institute into the impact of infestation of outwardly migrating salmon smolts from a number of rivers on Ireland's south and west coasts has recently been published. This study took place over a period of ten years and concluded that infestation by sea lice was a minor component of the overall marine mortality of the stocks studied (Jackson et al published in the journal "Aquaculture" September 2011).

I assume the reference by the Deputy to hydros relates to hydroelectric schemes on rivers and their potential impact on wild salmon. Matters relating to the protection of wild salmon are the responsibility of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.