Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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425. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied with the number of salmon farm inspections conducted by his Department's marine engineers to date in 2017; the measures he is taking to eliminate or reduce farmed salmon escapes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43679/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department’s Marine Engineering Division carries out an inspection programme of salmon farms on an annual basis. It is expected that the programme for 2017 will be completed by the end of the year.

In April 2016, my Department introduced a Protocol for the Structural Design of Marine Finfish Farms. This Protocol will help to protect against the likelihood of structural failure and will assist in the prevention of salmon farm escapes.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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426. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on farmed salmon being caught in the rivers Delphi, Erriff, Kylemore-Dawros, Newport and Bunowen catchments since August 2017, during a time when salmon farm owners did not file reports of escapes from cages; if he will initiate an investigation into the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43680/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has noted media reports of salmon being found in some rivers which may be from farmed stock. My Department has advised Inland Fisheries Ireland that where anglers or officers of Inland Fisheries Ireland suspect that they have collected salmon from farmed stock that the fish should be sent to the Marine Institute for analysis, with a view to determining whether they are actually from farmed stock.

If fish presented to the Marine Institute for analysis are determined to be from farmed stock my Department will, in the normal way, take appropriate action in the matter.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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427. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the recent statement by Inland Fisheries Ireland that 65 farmed salmon have been caught in five rivers in counties Galway and Mayo, in view of the fact that no escapes have been reported, despite the conditions of all aquaculture licences requiring operators to report all escapes to his Department within 24 hours; and if he is satisfied that the regime of regulatory oversight ensures public confidence in the effectiveness of his Department’s protection of the environment (details supplied). [43714/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has noted media reports of salmon being found in some rivers which may be from farmed stock. My Department has advised Inland Fisheries Ireland that where anglers or officers of Inland Fisheries Ireland suspect that they have collected salmon from farmed stock that the fish should be sent to the Marine Institute for analysis, with a view to determining whether they are actually from farmed stock.

If fish presented to the Marine Institute for analysis are determined to be from farmed stock my Department will, in the normal way, take appropriate action in the matter.