Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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Question 338: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the measures that are being taken to protect migrating salmon smolts being killed going to sea from hydros and fish farms causing sealice; and his plans to review dams under the responsibility of his Department. [30424/12]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I would draw the Deputy's attention to the response I gave to the House on 1st May last on both issues.

In relation to the issue of salmon smolts going to sea, the Electricity Supply Board operate 10 large-scale hydro-electric stations located on the Rivers Shannon, Erne, Liffey, Lee and the Clady/Crolly.

ESB have advised that during the downward salmon migration to sea (March-early June), the ESB operate a salmon smolt generation protocol involving evening and early night-time generation on their Kaplan sets (the most fish-friendly type of turbine). These turbine sets are run at near to maximum efficiency and smolt losses are minimised. The effectiveness of these running regimes has been shown to result in survival rates of up to 92% for these stations. The ESB operate salmon hatcheries that further mitigate the very small scale losses.

Smaller hydroelectric schemes operate differently as water is selectively discharged over spillway gates or through fish passes to prevent smolt losses. On relatively small hydroelectric plants Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have advised that there is also a requirement to fit fine mesh screens to the intake point during the spring migration period to prevent smolts being taken into and through the turbine. As an additional safeguard, provision is also made for spilling water over a weir so as to provide an alternative downstream route.

As regards the Deputy's concerns regarding "fish farms causing sealice", protocols for the control of sea-lice infestation at salmon farms is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine as part of the development of fish farming in which I have no role. I am fully supportive of sustainable aquaculture development and strongly support the ongoing efforts of the Minister, his Department and its agencies to ensure that all such activity complies with our obligations under the Habitats Directive and other EU legislation designed to protect our environment.

I am liaising with my colleague the Minister for Agriculture Food and Marine with a view to progressing matters in this regard.

The Deputy will be aware from my response to his question in the house on 20 May that Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) advises that an important scientific study conducted by IFI on the impact of sea lice infestation of outwardly migrating salmon smolts from a number of rivers on Ireland's West Coast was published earlier this year. I have already organised for a copy of the study to be forwarded to the Deputy and I want to reiterate that IFI scientists are available to discuss the report with the Deputy if he so wishes.