77.—(1) F45[Inland Fisheries Ireland] may take such action as it considers necessary to recapture stock which has escaped from a facility operated under a licence.

(2) The Minister, or an officer of the Minister designated by the Minister for the purposes of this section, may, notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or of the Fisheries Acts, 1959 to 1995, authorise a licensee or other person or body to take such action as is specified in the authorisation to recapture stock which has escaped from a facility operated under a licence.

(3) An authorisation referred to in subsection (2) may be granted subject to such conditions, if any, as the Minister or the designated officer, as the case may be, considers necessary or expedient.

(4) The reasonable costs of a person taking action in pursuance of an authorisation under subsection (2) may be recovered from the licensee as a debt due and payable to the person who incurred the costs.