Sir, The Irish Salmon Growers Association in its recent series of letters makes bald statements which cannot be allowed to go unanswered.
Mr Flynn states that the Western Regional Fisheries Board is "uncomfortable with the notion of using concrete facts to back up its claims". The sight and physical presence of sea trout eaten alive is clear undeniable fact. The bodies of these fish have been taken by both Regional Fisheries Board staff and staff of the Marine Institute: fact. Sea trout have been killed by damage caused by sea lice: fact (published). Sea lice numbers are greatest in bays containing salmon farms: fact (published).
Mr Flynn goes on to state that the Regional Board is "unwilling to even discuss the range of other significant factors which have affected fish stocks in freshwater and at sea". Again, perhaps if Mr Flynn read the extensive volume of published literature on the sea trout/sea lice issue he would realise that virtually all the "other significant factors" he alludes to have been researched at one time or another. Clearly Mr Flynn is not prepared to face fact. You can look for as many different possible sources of any problem and the list will go on forever, if you are prepared to ignore the one that's staring you in the face.
With regard to the Fisheries Board being "unable to produce unofficial sampling figures requested by the ISGA", we have said it before and we say it again; all sampling done by the Regional Board is open to the public and members of the public have frequently availed of the opportunity of observing the sampling operations. Mr Flynn loo is welcome to come to the west and experience what a sea trout covered in lice actually looks like, if he so wishes.
Mr Flynn goes on (and on) saying that the Western Board "issues on verifiable and incorrect missives to the press". Again Mr Flynn seems to forget, conveniently, that in fact five members of staff of the Marine Institute were present at the sampling of sea trout from the Gowla river and witnessed sea trout post smolts returning to freshwater infested with lice. Perhaps this is not proof enough of the problem; maybe no sampling should lake place anywhere in the country until Mr Flynn is present. It's very convenient to adopt a "doubting Thomas" attitude but it serves no good. The sea trout industry is doomed unless all people responsible for the sea lice explosion off the west coast are prepared to control lice. It is clear from Mr Flynn's attitude that he is not prepared to recommend to his members that lice control is either desirable or necessary.
From recent results of Marine Institute inspections of salmon farms it is now clear that lice on virtually all salmon farms are rising and sea trout are doomed. If the salmon farming industry is not prepared to take action, be it on their heads. - Yours, etc.,
Assistant Manager,
Western Regional Fisheries
Board,
Weir Lodge,
Galway.