§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any grilse or salmon captured in Northern Ireland waters during the last five years and the current year have been identified as salmon ranching escapees.
§ Mr. BrookeDuring the past five years, three salmon identified as escapees from salmon farms have been captured in the fish traps operated by the Department of Agriculture on the River Bush. This would indicate that insignificant numbers of escapees from salmon farms are reaching Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what investigations have been carried out into stocks of sea trout in Northern Ireland waters in each of the last 10 years; whether any changes in numbers have been noted during those years; and whether the factors causing variations in population or size of fish have been identified.
§ Mr. BrookeNo such investigations have been carried out during the last ten years. General observation of sea trout runs in Northern Ireland waters have shown no significant changes in population or size of fish.