Vol. 487 No. 3
29 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans, if any, his Department has to develop and expand the farming of halibut and turbot fish species; and if it is the intention of his Department to explore the possibility of commercial cod farming in Ireland. [3903/98]
I am fully committed to supporting and facilitating the diversification and sustainable expansion of the Irish aquaculture industry into a range of new species. Such developments reflect the global trend in aquaculture where production technology and research and development into new species is developing at a rapid rate, notably in Norway but also in Scotland, Spain and the Far East as well as North America.
In the Irish context, the pilot development of new high value finfish species such as halibut and turbot will facilitate diversification, supplement salmon farming and will have significant export potential when commercialised production comes onstream. The world market for quality seafood is continuing to expand, and with the continued downward pressure on fish stocks it is clear that aquaculture production will continue to grow to meet the international and EU seafood deficit.
The pioneering trials into halibut and turbot at Oilean Chléire by the co-operative and Údarás na Gaeltachta have demonstrated the technical feasibility of production in Irish conditions. This is in spite of the fish health problems experienced last year which all concerned have been working to overcome and move beyond.
The next step is to assess the economic feasibility of production on a commercial scale, taking account of developments in Scotland and Norway. My Department is working with Údarás na Gaeltachta, BIM, the Marine Institute and the industry itself in pursuing the necessary development, investment and scientific strategies to progress these initiatives. In addition to halibut and turbot I can also confirm that work is ongoing into commercialising production of abalone, sea urchins and eels, where the technical challenges inherent in ongrowing such species are considerable but are being overcome.
I understand that techniques for farming cod are being actively developed in Norway and Scotland although as yet there have been no initiatives in this regard in Ireland. I have no doubt that the technical challenges of breeding cod and a range of other demersal species will be overcome in Ireland and elsewhere. However, my initial judgment is that the economics of cod cultivation remain dubious at this stage although the ongoing depletion of cod stocks world-wide is a regrettable reality. The decline of wild fish stocks must continue to be addressed in its own right through fishery conservation and management strategies. In the longer term cultivation of these species may well contribute to reducing the pressure on wild stocks which would be a welcome by-product of continuing technical advances in aquaculture development.
I am a little disappointed with the Minister's indecision regarding the development of aquaculture. This country is lagging behind in that respect. We will miss the bus, as far as Europe is concerned, in regard to the advancement of aquaculture. The Minister stated that abalone, sea urchins, eels, etc. are under examination in his Department but there is no evidence on the ground that we are producing any volume of those fish, which carry a lucrative tag in the markets. The Minister issued a leaflet to every Deputy about three weeks ago——
A question please, Deputy.
——about halibut and turbot farming. I understand turbot farming in Cape Clear has run into severe difficulties and I hope the Minister has all the expertise available to him to explore the cause of that setback in Cape Clear. I maintain——
Please ask the Minister a question, Deputy Sheehan.
I will, but the Minister gave a lengthy reply to my question.
I appreciate that but if you ask the Minister a question he will give you the information if he has it.
The Scots have embarked in a major way on the breeding of baby cod and Marks & Spencer, the British retail organisation, is backing them to the hilt.
A question, please.
Will the Minister try to encourage a major conglomerate such as Marks & Spencer to examine the feasibility of breeding cod along the western seaboard? Because of the fact that the Gulf Stream laps its shoreline, the western seaboard is the ideal location for aquaculture cultivation. I ask the Minister to make a statement on that matter.
This is an important sector and the Deputy is quite right about its potential for development. It will be one of the major developments here in the future. It is important also that we do not miss the bus as far as the EU is concerned. It is true that generally we are coming from behind in that regard but we are making progress speedily in the species which are cultivated here. The introduction of new species is a different question. The abalone is being produced here now. This was one of the species studied by our delegation when it visited China and we followed up on that. The technology, which the Chinese developed over a long time and in which they are particularly expert, is being transferred to us by mutual agreement. We have taken that step to encourage and assist the development of abalone. I am informed that there is no cultivation of cod in Ireland, although I agree with the Deputy that it will have to be considered for the future. Developments are taking place such as the one he mentioned by Marks & Spencer. We will see what can be done in that area. The Marine Institute is interested in that matter and is pursuing it.
Only two companies are involved in the cultivation of halibut and turbot. There were difficulties with the Oileán Cléire co-op, about which I am concerned. It carried out experiments and put a sizeable investment into it but ran into difficulties. I am keeping in close touch with the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Cuív, together with Údarás na Gaeltachta and the co-operative itself. We have scheduled a meeting for tomorrow to look at the matter. I had discussions with them a few weeks ago and I said I would arrange a meeting at which the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Cuív, will also be present. The Cape Clear co-op is owned in part by Údarás na Gaeltachta so it is directly involved. We are trying to progress the matter
As this is only the third priority question, Members are not permitted to ask a supplementary question in ordinary time. I will take a final supplementary from Deputy Sheehan.
It is gratifying to hear the Minister's response to the teething troubles with turbot breeding on Oileán Cléire. Will the Minister's Department put all its weight into ascertaining what really occurred there? It was a magnificent industry which ran for three years without a hitch, but all of a sudden the turbot was hit by some disease. Will the Minister ensure that the Marine Institute will report immediately on the findings of what caused the deterioration and loss of the fish stocks?
I agree with the Deputy. The Marine Institute is assessing the situation. The Deputy is particularly well informed and could almost provide the answer to the question he posed. There was an unfortunate serious viral outbreak in turbot stocks which meant they had to be destroyed as a precautionary measure. The production of halibut, however, has been very successful — almost surprisingly so in the warmer waters of that area compared to the north of Scotland. That has been particularly encouraging. The halibut produced has been very good and has been selling in Dublin. Wrights of Marino have a joint operation with the Oileán Cléire co-op and sell for it. There are good prospects in that operation and I will encourage it in any way I can.
