Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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595. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if steps are in place to cease the proliferation of dace fish here. [6852/17]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the state agency responsible for the conservation, protection, development and promotion of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources.

While Dace is considered a valuable angling species by many anglers in certain freshwaters, it is acknowledged that the species can impact brown trout angling and, to a lesser extent, salmon angling, in waters where it is present.

The primary approach of IFI in regard to Dace is to prevent its spread outside of systems where it is already established in Ireland. In addition, IFI continue to promote the importance of biosecurity to minimise the risk of spreading invasive species, including Dace. 

This is conducted through a range of education and awareness and stakeholder engagement initiatives.  As part of  these initiatives, anglers are informed of the risks associated with transferring Dace and they are advised not to move Dace from systems where it is present to any other waters.

Under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations (2011), with regard to Dace, a licence is required to breed, reproduce, release or allow or cause to disperse or escape from confinement, or for any person who has in his or her possession for sale, or for the purposes of breeding, reproduction or propagation, or offers or exposes for sale, transportation, distribution, introduction or release of Dace.