Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to respond to the threat to a number of Ireland's native fish species that a recent report (details supplied) has suggested that certain freshwater fish are under serious pressure as their habitats have been damaged. [21661/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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On 15 June last, I was pleased to launch, on behalf of the Royal Irish Academy and the Irish Char Conservation Group, their publication entitled "Threatened Irish Freshwater Fishes". This publication makes a very valuable contribution to our knowledge of some of Ireland's rarer native species, which are an important and unique aspect of our natural heritage. The publication brings together important information on what these rare fish species are, their distribution and status, as well as recommendations for their future conservation.

Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the protection and conservation of freshwater fish stocks rests with the central and regional fisheries boards. I understand that measures to protect the species referred to in the Royal Irish Academy's publication are being taken by the fisheries boards in the context of the European Union water framework directive.

The status of smelt, shads and lamprey populations is currently being investigated by the central and regional fisheries boards, as part of the national fisheries research programme and in specific locations, on behalf of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. According to the Central Fisheries Board, while some populations of char have become extinct in the past 30 years, smelt and lamprey are more widespread than originally thought and appear to be reasonably stable. The board also advises that while populations of twaite shad continue to occur in south eastern rivers, anecdotal evidence suggests that numbers are significantly depleted.

The knowledge shared through the publication "Threatened Irish Freshwater Fishes" will assist the central and regional fisheries boards in their task of conserving and protecting these species. The fisheries boards are co-operating closely with other Departments and agencies, particularly the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Environmental Protection Agency, in rolling out the water framework agenda. The fisheries boards have assured me that they will make every effort to ensure that, under this agenda, sufficient priority and focus will be placed on addressing the pressures on these particular species and restoring the habitats concerned.