Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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166. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he took against the operators of a fish farm (details supplied) as a result of the failure of the operators of a fish farm in a location to notify his Department of the catastrophic farm damage on 1 February 2014 until a week later. [42012/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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At the time of the incident referred to by the Deputy extreme weather conditions continued to be experienced, which delayed both the notification of the incident and its immediate investigation.

As the Deputy is aware my Department’s examination of the matter, which is nearing completion, is detailed and involves all Engineering, Scientific, Environmental and Technical matters associated with the incident.

In addition, my Department is currently giving consideration to a recent High Court ruling concerning the site referred to by the Deputy.

As my Department’s consideration of the High Court ruling is ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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167. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the location, time and mortalities caused by jellyfish to salmon farms here in the past three years and to date in 2017; and the measures he plans to take to ensure the welfare and survival of farmed fish. [42013/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been advised by the Marine Institute that the information requested by the Deputy is as follows:-

2014

- One site in Co. Donegal reported that jellyfish related mortality had occurred between June and September. This mortality was however, multifactorial in nature and it is not possible to quantify the losses which were specifically attributed to jellyfish.

- Two other sites located adjacent to each other also in Co. Donegal, reported gill and skin lesions similar to those caused by zooplankton, in August.  Significant gill pathology was identified on one site, whilst minor skin lesions were identified on the other. As these were harvest size fish, mortalities were avoided by accelerating their harvest.

2015

- One site in Co. Donegal reported that jellyfish related mortality had occurred in October/November when the loss of 145,000 fish was recorded.

2016

- One site in Co. Cork reported that a generation of fish which went to sea in November 2014 experienced 3.3% mortality during the period up to harvest in October 2016.

2017

-  Four aquaculture sites reported jellyfish related mortalities between Weeks 32 and 39

(i.e  from week beginning August 7^thto week beginning September 25^th). Three of these sites are located in Co. Galway and one is located in Co. Cork. Weekly mortality rates recorded during that period ranged from 2-19% in the southwest and from 1-80% in the west.

The welfare and survival of farmed fish which have suffered mortality due to an influx of jellyfish onto an aquaculture site, represents an acute episode, the management of which is overseen and directed by the operator’s private veterinary practitioner. The ongoing health and welfare of farmed fish on a given site is overseen by the veterinary practitioner who is named in the health management plan that the operator supplies to the Marine Institute as part of the Fish Health Authorisation process.  This care and direction is carried out in compliance with normal veterinary standards and within the parameters set out in the Farmed Salmonid Health Handbook, a document which was launched in 2011 and which supports an industry/ government backed Code of Good Practice. This approach is consistent with the requirements of SI No 261 of 2008 (European Communities (Health of Aquaculture Animals and Products) Regulations 2008 (as amended).

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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168. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the location and stocking limits of the fin fish farms; the operators of same previously licensed by his Department that are now unlicensed and operating under the continuity mechanism introduced in 2006 under section 19(A)4 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, while awaiting new licences. [42014/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available and will require a detailed examination of my Department’s records. The information requested will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.