Galway County Council has confirmed it is "actively investigating" the illegal dumping of farmed salmon in a bog in Connemara.
The local authority's environmental unit has served a notice on Mr Johnny O'Carroll, a director of Tairgeoirí Biamara Atlantach Teo in Galway. Mr O'Carroll is also on the board of the Marine Institute.
He declined to confirm or deny that he was responsible for the dumping yesterday, following a report on RTÉ's Prime Time on Thursday. The local authority received a report of the dumping in early August and investigated it immediately.
The fish have not been removed from the bog area in Casla, south Connemara, pending agreement on the most environmentally suitable solution, a spokeswoman said. She said the incident posed no risk to public health.
The Irish Salmon Growers' Association said it could not condone any illegal practices by fish farmers. Fish farmers are equipped with ensilers for small waste disposal for fertiliser, and use processing facilities in Cavan, Meath and Galway for larger consignments. There is also a move to use waste from fish farms for composting, the ISGA's Mr Richie Flynn said.
Mr Patrick O'Flaherty, chairman of Ballynahinch Fisheries Co-Operative and of the Great Fishing Houses of Ireland, said he had no problems with aquaculture once legislation was adhered to.
"By not enforcing it, in relation to breaches of sea lice controls or waste disposal, the Department is letting the aquaculture industry down," he said.
The Marine Institute said matters relating to Mr O'Carroll's position on its board were the responsibility of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The county council said there was no threat to public health from the dumped material.
