Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the concerns being highlighted by an association (details supplied) in County Donegal; and the action he intends to take to alleviate this national scandal. [16275/04]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Following the granting of two aquaculture licences for the bottom cultivation of mussels in Lough Swilly, local oyster fishermen claimed that parts of the licensed areas overlapped with wild oyster beds in the lough.

In light of these complaints, the aquaculture initiative was asked to carry out a survey of the lough. This examined the location and size of the oyster beds and sought to ascertain if there was any overlap between these areas and the sites licensed for mussel cultivation. The results of the survey confirmed that there was an element of overlap.

Following consultation with the persons to whom the aquaculture licences had been granted, it was agreed that they would surrender the parts of their areas that had been found to contain oysters. Arrangements were made also to have mussels removed from the areas concerned, and any oysters retrieved during this process were relaid. Since then, the oyster fishermen have applied for an aquaculture licence in respect of oyster beds in the lough. This application is being considered by my Department.