Fury at dumping of dead fish on beach

Galway Bay may be infected with a deadly fish virus due to the illegal dumping of farmed salmon carcases on a beach in Connemara, activists claim.

Galway Bay Against Salmon Cages (GBASC) has expressed fears that farmed fish being dumped at Spiddal may contain Pancreas Disease, which could impact on wild fish and native species in the bay.

The lobby group, which opposes plans for a fish farm in Galway Bay, had received reports of dumping of farmed salmon at An Spidéal.

Brian Curran, PRO of the group, investigated and found evidence of illegal dumping of farmed salmon carcases.

GBASC pointed out that in-shore fishermen are prohibited by regulation from using farm salmon carcases as bait in their lobster and crab pots due to the dangers of disease transfer.

“We are concerned that this illegal dumping of carcases has occurred at a time when salmon smolts are migrating out to sea from County Galway rivers and especially from the Boluisce River at Spiddal.

“Pancreas Disease is transmitted just as easily from dead fish as well as living fish,” GBASC said in a statement.

GBASC reminded the public that it is illegal to dump farmed salmon carcases into the sea. “The people doing the dumping are breaking animal by-products regulations and those responsible must be tracked down and prosecuted,” added GBASC.

Members of the public have been asked to be vigilant and to report sightings of illegal dumping of farmed salmon carcases at or near piers to contact the Sea Fishery Protection Agency at Rossaveal on (091) 572405.