Connemara fish farmers have been asked to supply Galway County Council with written details of their waste disposal systems following the discovery of illegally-dumped fish in a bog at Casla, Co Galway. Lorna Siggins, Marine Correspondent, reports.
The Irish Salmon Growers' Association (ISGA) is also seeking written assurances from its members in relation to full compliance with all EU and national regulations and individual licensing conditions,including the safe and legal disposal of waste.
Galway County Council is still monitoring the two sites at Doire An Fheich, Casla, where several tonnes of dead fish was buried illegally. The sites do not pose any risk to public health, according to the local authority. However, it has served a notice on Mr Johnny O'Carroll, who is director of Tairgeoiri Biamara Atlantach Teo in Galway. Mr O'Carroll is also on the board of the Marine Institute.
The local authority is continuing its investigation, and is also awaiting proposals from Mr O'Carroll on the safe disposal of the fish - which are still in the bog. The local authority will take expert advice on the proposals, and may consult with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the issue.
Galway County Council was informed that the dead fish had been buried at Casla on July 29th last, and an environmental technician and community warden visited the location on July 30th. The Western Regional Fisheries Board and gardaí were at the location,according to the local authority, as was RTÉ's Prime Time.
Mr O'Carroll was one of two State board members linked with illegal practices on the subsequent Prime Time documentary, which was broadcast on September 18th. The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has said there must be "due process" before it takes action, if any, in relation to legislative breaches.
Mr Richie Flynn, chief executive of the ISGA, said his organisation could not condone any illegal practices. The ISGA had advised companies which were the subject of allegations in the television documentary to state their case, as the public had a right to know. The organisation's members were extremely disappointed this had not happened in relation to the Connemara dumping, Mr Flynn said.
ISGA members in Galway also agreed to ask the Irish Quality Salmon Scheme's technical advisory committee to include auditing of waste management plans in the regulations for the scheme.