John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the sanctions in place to deal with those found in breach of lice control on salmon farms; if he intends to introduce harsher penalties for those found guilty of poor lice control; and the number of persons who have been sanctioned for poor lice control according to the latest available figures (details supplied). [16279/05]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will change the treatment trigger figure for the critical period on salmon farms in order that one figure will be in place and not two; if he will impose a zero lice level in the critical spring period; if he will substantially lower the level 2.0 for ovigerous lice outside of the critical period; if he will extend the critical period of March, April and May to allow for fluctuations in the weather and the timing of the sea trout migration to sea; and if he will impose a stricter regime of lice control in autumn and winter before the onset of the critical period (details supplied). [16280/05]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will set lice limits for each salmon farm and not treatment triggers (details supplied). [16281/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 to 177, inclusive, together.

A structured national monitoring and control programme for sea lice at marine fin-fish farms is operated on behalf of the Department by the Marine Institute in accordance with the protocol for sea lice monitoring and control that was published by the Department in 2000. The programme involves the carrying out of 14 inspections a year at each site containing fish. One inspection is carried out in the period December to January, two inspections per month are undertaken in the period from March to May, and one inspection per month is carried out during the rest of the year. The key purpose of these inspections is to establish whether the lice levels at a site are in excess of the very strict trigger levels that are applied in this country. If the appropriate trigger level is exceeded, the operator of the site is required to apply an appropriate treatment with a view to effecting a reduction in the lice levels.

Treatment triggers during the spring period are set close to zero, in the range from 0.3 to 0.5 egg bearing female lice per fish, and are informed also by the number of mobile lice on the fish. Outside the spring period, a level of two egg-bearing lice per fish acts as the trigger for farms generally.

I am advised that experience has shown that the trigger levels set out in the protocol, which are the most stringent in any salmon producing country, are appropriate and represent a sound balance between protection of the environment, including wild fish stocks, animal welfare issues and proper use of animal medicines. Accordingly there are no proposals at present for alteration of these levels.

The critical period for sea trout smolt migration is, as indicated in the report of the sea trout task force and reiterated in subsequent reports of the sea trout working group, from February to the middle of May. Peak runs occur in mid-March, with smaller numbers of smolts migrating to sea both before and after that time. I am advised that the timing of these runs is consistent from year to year. In these circumstances, and as the monitoring and control programme already has a particular focus on the period from March to May, it is not proposed to extend that period.

The focus, therefore, is on endeavouring to ensure, in accordance with the provisions of the protocol, that lice levels at fish farms are kept as low as possible. This objective will be pursued through both the ongoing monitoring and control processes set out in the protocol and specific initiatives such as the programme of synchronous treatments undertaken by farms before the critical period, following engagement between the operators and officials of the Department and the Marine Institute. The position will, however, be kept under review, and the process of monitoring and control will be modified as necessary if it transpires in light of experience that adjustments or changes to the protocol arrangements are required.

If there was a failure on the part of a farm operator to comply with relevant requirements of the protocol, or to co-operate in taking the action necessary to reduce lice levels, the question of taking action against the operator concerned would fall to be considered. Possible forms of action mentioned in the protocol include conditional fish movement orders, and accelerated harvests. Another possibility would be a prosecution in accordance with the Fisheries Acts, where adherence to the protocol is a condition of the aquaculture licence for the fish farm concerned.