All applications for marine based aquaculture licences are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the following legislation:
- Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997,
- Foreshore Act 1933,
- EU Habitats Directive of 92/43/EEC,
- EU Birds Directive 79/409/EEC,
- Consolidated Environmental Impact Assessment Directives 2011/92/EU.
The legislation provides for both statutory and general public consultation. The statutory consultees include Inland Fisheries Ireland, which has specific responsibility for wild salmon and trout stocks.
All submissions received as part of both the statutory consultation stage of the process and the general public consultation stage form an integral part of my Department’s consideration of every application.