Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to tackle the problem of the destruction of fish stocks, including salmon in the Munster Blackwater, by a parasite Anisakis Simplex (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27301/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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: I refer the Deputy to my reply given to Parliamentary Question No. 325 on Tuesday, 4 October in respect of inaccurate reports about a particular parasite affecting salmon stocks. I am advised by the Marine Institute that in early September anglers had noticed that some salmon caught on the River Blackwater were infected with a parasite. Samples were analysed and the parasite was identified as Anisakis species. Anisakis is not uncommon.

There can be no association between falling salmon numbers and the burden of Anisakis so far described. There is no history of high numbers in Irish salmon or of the capability of Anisakis to cause epidemics that might wipe out populations of fish. Indeed some authors describe Anisakis as being of little importance except for the human aspect.

Nor does the occurrence of this parasite represent serious infectious pressure to the coarse fish population. Salmon can be intermediate hosts or occasionally final hosts for this parasite. In order for freshwater fish to become infected, they must eat returning salmon — or possibly flesh from dead salmon. If freshwater fish were to become infected, they would merely act as another intermediate host. The life cycle of the parasite would not be completed in these freshwater fish.

Anglers who are concerned about any apparent parasitic infestations or diseases in fish should contact their local regional fisheries board staff, who will know who to contact and how best to collect and preserve fish for examination.