My statutory powers in relation to fin fish farming derive from the Fisheries Acts and the Foreshore Act, 1933.
The policy objective with regard to the licensing of fin fish operations is to ensure that development takes place in an orderly and well regulated manner, with full regard for other interests and in harmony with the environment while maximising the industry's contribution to the economy.
In line with this policy objective, my Department have devoted considerable technical and administrative resources over the last two years to bringing all fin fish operations under an effective licensing and monitoring regime. All licence applications are subject to a rigorous process of evaluation and consultation including, in the case of significant fin fish projects, compliance with the requirements of the EC Directive on Environmental Impact Assessment.
Fin fish operations are statutorily obliged to comply with a comprehensive range of licence conditions, ranging from environmental monitoring requirements, production limits, lighting and marking specifications and reporting procedures on fish health, mortalities and escapes.