Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 332: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his assessment of scientific evidence supplied to him on the increase of warm water species being increasingly present in the North Atlantic quadrant; his assessment of this scientific evidence for the long-term future of native stock including salmon in the North Atlantic; his views on whether climate change impact is beginning to have an effect on the extent of native species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37464/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Marine Institute has advised me that there is overwhelming scientific evidence which shows that climate change, is a serious global threat and it demands an urgent global response. The earth's climate is rapidly changing, mainly as a result of increased greenhouse gases caused by human activities.

The distribution and abundance of many marine species around Ireland are very sensitive to temperature and will be impacted by climate change. In addition the waters around Ireland are some of the most productive and biologically sensitive in the North Atlantic. There are major spawning grounds for mackerel, horse mackerel, blue whiting, cod and hake off the Irish coast and also very important fish nursery grounds closer inshore. Climate change would have major impact on these areas, such as shifting spawning areas further north. Furthermore, species such as cod and herring are at the southern limit of their north Atlantic distribution in the waters off Ireland, and any shift in temperature and ocean currents could have a major impact on the stocks.

In relation to salmon, the north Atlantic stocks are at the lowest ever. The southern salmon stocks (around Ireland and UK) are in the poorest shape. Climate change and other factors in the ocean are contributing to very high mortality on salmon. A major EU project (SALSEA) will investigate the reasons for this and the long-term future of the north Atlantic salmon stocks.

The Marine Institute also advise me that there has been an increase in the occurrence of warm water species in Irish waters. Warm water species such as trigger fish, sardines, blue fin tuna and boarfish have been more frequently encountered by fishermen and anglers. Sightings on warm species of dolphins, which were rarely sighted in the Irish Sea and North Atlantic have been turning up with increased frequency. The increased appearance of striped dolphins has paralleled the increased prevalence of fish species normally found further south.