Written answers

Tuesday, 7 May 2013

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Sea Lice Controls

Photo of Noel GrealishNoel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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323. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the years that the lice control protocols have been in place for salmon cage installations, the number of cases in which there has been legal action or financial penalties brought against salmon cage operators that repeatedly fail to keep to the required levels; the penalties that can be imposed by his Department for such breaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21108/13]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s sea lice control protocols are operated by the Marine Institute and involve regular inspections of marine fin fish sites by Marine Institute Inspectors (sites are inspected 14 times per annum). Results of inspections are provided to the farm operators within 5 working days. Results are also reported to my Department and to other interested parties such as Inland Fisheries Ireland. Overall results and trends are published annually. Notices to treat are issued to operators if lice levels are found to be above treatment trigger levels.

These protocols are considered to be more advanced that those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons:

- The inspection regime is totally independent of the industry.

- Data obtained as a result of inspections is published and made widely available.

- Treatment trigger levels are set at a low level.

In 2008, the State introduced a new Pest Management Strategy, supplementing the control regime already in place. This has resulted in a steady decline in average sea lice numbers on farmed salmon since its inception.

Ireland’s sea lice protocols have been the subject of detailed investigation by the EU Commission in response to a complaint from a member of the public in respect of the effects of sea lice on wild salmon. On 11 October 2012, the Commission closed its investigation of this complaint in the State’s favour following its examination of all relevant matters. The Commission has also indicated that it regards the sea lice protocols operated in Ireland as representing best practice internationally.

Fish farm operators are required to comply fully with directions to treat fish and with other directions regarding lice control. In situations where treatment has not been sufficient to bring lice levels below treatment trigger levels the operators have been directed to take additional measures. These actions include additional sustained treatments, early fallowing of sites and accelerated harvesting. My Department is advised by the Marine Institute that fish farm operators have complied with all directions issued on this matter.

Photo of Noel GrealishNoel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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324. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason data of lice levels relating to salmon cage installations is only available from the Marine Institute two to three years after the event; if the data can be made publicly available within a month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21109/13]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Reports regarding the results of sea lice inspections are circulated on a monthly basis to stakeholders, including Inland Fisheries Ireland, Fishery owners representatives and Salmon Watch Ireland.

In addition, all data in relation to sea lice inspections is published annually. The complete results for the inspection programme in 2012 has been published (Irish Fisheries Bulletin No. 41) and is available in printed form or to download from the Marine Institute website at www.marine.ie. All previous reports are also available for download.

The annual reports are made freely available and contain all the inspection results, details of trends and issues and a full explanation of the monitoring and control process.

Photo of Noel GrealishNoel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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325. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if treatment levels are set at 0.5 lice per salmon in salmon cage installations, regardless of numbers of salmon in cages; in view of the fact that there will be at least 7.2m salmon in the proposed cages in Galway Bay, will the same treatment level take account of this number of fish and that consequently the levels of lice from these salmon breeding and proliferating, will be catastrophic to any wild salmon or sea trout traversing the bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21110/13]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has submitted an application to my Department for an Aquaculture and a Foreshore Licence for the cultivation of Finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is currently being considered in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act as amended.

The legislation provides for extensive consultation with stakeholders, including Inland Fisheries Ireland, which has responsibility for wild salmon stocks. The legislation also provides for a period of general public consultation. The public consultation stage of the process is now complete and submissions received are under active consideration by my Department.

All matters associated with the application including the impact, if any, on wild fish stocks, will be given very careful consideration by my Department.

It would not be appropriate for me to comment further on this application which is under active consideration as part of a statutory process.

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