Vol. 496 No. 6
119 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of fish farm licences issued by his Department for each of the past five years; the criteria in respect of eligibility for these licences; the monitoring process in place to ensure that licence conditions are complied with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23636/98]
Some 61 licences were granted by my Department during 1994; 34 during 1995; 59 during 1996; 54 during 1997 and 42 so far this year. It is anticipated that a further 60 will be offered in the coming months.
The Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997, provides a modern licensing framework for all aquaculture, including an independent Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board to consider appeals against licensing decisions. A full environmental impact assessment is required for all proposed finfish developments as well as some shellfish developments where it is considered to be in the public interest. Applications for licences generally are considered on a bay by bay basis so as to take account of all relevant factors including environmental impact. The Act provides for new ministerial powers to revoke licences where the holder is in breach of licence conditions and enhanced powers to tackle unauthorised activity. All licensed operations undergo regular monitoring by the Department, including site inspections and obligatory reporting of fish health status, diseases, mortalities and escapes.
All applications for aquaculture licences are subject to a rigorous process of evaluation by my Department with the assistance of an Aquaculture Licence Advisory Committee comprising of representatives from the Department, the Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Central Fisheries Board. Comments or objections on aquaculture development are invited through a statutory public consultation process.
