John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the Fisheries Board has sourced the reason behind the recent fish kill of 600 trout and young salmon on the campus grounds of the University of Limerick; and the measures being put in place to prevent a similar reoccurrence. [23765/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the protection, conservation and management of inland fisheries stocks is a matter for the relevant regional fisheries board, in this case the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board. I am advised by the chief executive officer of that board that a fish kill occurred on a mill stream off the main River Shannon at the University of Limerick on 11 June 2005. I understand that in the course of its investigation, the board observed a total of 544 dead fish in the millrace. While trout were the predominant species killed, other species killed included salmon parr, sea lamprey, dace, stoneloach and minnow.

The fisheries board advises me that it has now identified the suspected source of the pollution and is compiling the evidence necessary to consider initiating a prosecution in the matter. I understand that the board has already been in contact with the suspected offender and requested that certain works be undertaken to prevent a recurrence of the incident. In the wider context, the regional fisheries board is strongly urging people on or near rivers to recheck their pollution control systems to ensure that they are sufficient for the task required.