Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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439. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of serious and continual overstocking of certain finfish farms. [21490/15]

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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440. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of two large salmon farms operated by one company (details supplied), one of which has been repeatedly reported to him by his engineering division in the annual inspection and checklists for marine fish farms for overstocking, in spite of repeated requests to the operators to destock; if he will confirm that these operators refused to release to his authorised officer the stocking figures for 2014 for either of these two sites; and the actions he plans to take to ensure his authorised officers are appropriately supported and the licensing conditions are met. [21491/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 439 and 440 together.

The stocking levels of all marine finfish sites are closely monitored by my Department. Where an incident of overstocking occurs this is referred to the operator for corrective action. My Department has identified the issue of possible overstocking, although not widespread, as a key operational priority over the next twelve months for the Monitoring and Compliance Unit of my Department’s Aquaculture Licensing Division.

In respect of the specific sites referred to by the Deputy, the operator’s interpretation of the relevant licence provisions, differed from that of my Department. The operator was advised that it must accept my Department’s interpretation of the licence conditions. My Department continues to monitor the matter.

In relation to the non release of stocking information, it is understood that this arose as a result of a misunderstanding on the part of the operator and the information was released following contact from my Department.