Written answers

Wednesday, 15 June 2011

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Fisheries Protection

10:00 pm

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 383: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the relationship between the State and the ESB with regard to the operation of the salmon hatchery at Ballyshannon, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15530/11]

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 384: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider permitting the catching of the hatchery fin-clipped salmon released as hatchery-reared smolts from the salmon hatchery at Ballyshannon, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15531/11]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 383 and 384 together.

I receive a report from the ESB under Section 10 of the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act 1961 (No 2 of 1961) on an annual basis, which advises me on the management of fisheries under its jurisdiction, including the Ballyshannon Hatchery. As is the case with all ESB Fisheries, the Ballyshannon Hatchery is managed in consultation with Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Marine Institute and my Department. ESB propagates salmon in the hatchery to support the restoration of the wild salmon in the Erne system whose migratory patterns may be interrupted by the dams at Cathleen's Fall and Cliff power stations.

On the matter of catching hatchery reared (fin-clipped) salmon to which the Deputy is referring, I understand that according to scientific advice tendered by the Standing Scientific Committee, hatchery-bred and wild fish could not be safely separated using draft nets without unsustainable mortality to wild stocks. It would not therefore be possible to allow the harvest proposal suggested by the Deputy.

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