Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2004
234 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason over a third of all fish sold in retail supermarkets are farmed and the figure is increasing; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that fish farming is replacing the catching sector. [29143/04]
View answerThe quantities of fishery products from aquaculture are increasing on a global level. This trend derives from improving aquaculture techniques, a rising demand for fish and fishery products and an appreciation of the health benefits of consuming fish.
There are concerns about the state of some of the wild fish stocks; current policy at EU level involves restrictions on fish catches in order to rebuild stocks so that, in the medium to long term, sustainable fishing will support and grow the economies of coastal communities dependent on fishing. In contrast, aquaculture production continues to provide excellent opportunities for growth in seafood production. Starting from an insignificant amount, global aquaculture production has significantly grown and has increased by some 10% per year since 1990. In the Irish context, during this period there has been substantial growth in farmed salmon production and in the extensive and intensive cultivation of mussels and oysters.
235 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of aquaculture operations here; the value of fish production; the number of persons employed in the sector; the level of support given to small companies in creating jobs; and the incentive which is given to the industry to develop new enterprises. [29144/04]
View answerThe number of licensed aquaculture operations at present is 1,159 of whom 10% are for finfish farming, the remainder are for shellfish farming operations. The first sale value of the fish produced in 2003 is estimated at €106,301 million. The number of people directly employed in the farm production element of the sector, on a full and part-time basis in 2003 was 2,637.
The level of support given to the sector is generally set at 40% of qualifying expenditure. The principal source of development funding is the aquaculture measure of the NDP 2000-2006. This FIFG co-funded instrument is complimented by an integrated suite of support programmes in the areas of marketing, quality assurance, environmental compliance, technology transfer, training and business skills provided by BIM. Local Leader groups may also assist new start-up companies with general mentoring and coaching as appropriate.
