Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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218. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which restocking of rivers and lakes continues to be undertaken with particular reference to areas in which a reduction in catches has indicated a need for restocking; the fish species provided for under this heading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46366/18]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the state agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources.I am advised by IFI that restocking is a complex area.

In relation to potential restocking of salmon, there are significant genetic and ecological concerns when the progeny of wild salmon reared in a hatchery environment are released back into the wild. Research has also shown that stocking with hatchery reared brown trout makes no significant contribution to the recovery of those fisheries where they have been introduced.  In addition, it has been shown that restocking of non-native salmonids can be detrimental to the freshwater pearl mussel, a protected species included in Annex II and V of the EU Habitats Directive.

IFI supplies stocked fish to hundreds of angling clubs around the country. The main species stocked into rivers are brown trout and for put and take fisheries it is normally rainbow trout.

Should the Deputy have a specific case in mind I can arrange that IFI contact him directly and will be happy to assist.

I will arrange for a copy of IFI’s stocking policy to be sent to the Deputy for his information.