Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
113. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the potential of the aquaculture industry here; the actions his Department is taking to promote the development of aquaculture businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6332/14]
View answerThe seafood sector has very significant potential to grow revenues and employment in the coming years. Both Food Harvest 2020 and Action Plan for Jobs 2012 recognise that most of the potential for increased employment in the seafood industry is in the areas of processing and aquaculture. Food Harvest 2020 aims to increase employment in the seafood sector as a whole, from 11,000 to 14,000 by 2020 and to increase turnover from €700 million to €1 billion. The two targets are part of the same ambition to grow the seafood industry and its contribution to our economy.
To assist the aquaculture sector in achieving the potential identified in Food Harvest 2020, a range of supports are made available through Bord Iascaigh Mhara. Grants of up to 40% are available from BIM under the Commercial Aquaculture Development Scheme to assist with the cost of construction, extension, equipment and modernisation of aquaculture sites. The scheme is subject to certain restrictions on operators located in Natura 2000 protected sites and operators in the salmon farming sector. I have made available some €2 million for this scheme in 2014. BIM also makes available grants of up to 40% under the Aquaculture Innovation and Technology Scheme for investment in innovative technology and the trialling of such technology under commercial conditions to improve performance and competitiveness and similarly provides grants of up to 40% under the Pilot Aquaculture Scheme for small scale investment projects in aquaculture, which are being implemented on a pilot basis prior to full scale commercial development.
My Department is currently preparing a new Operational Programme for the seafood sector for the period 2014-2020 under the proposed EU Regulation for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. My Department has already conducted a public consultation with stakeholders in 2013 on issues facing the aquaculture sector and investment priorities for aquaculture for the new Programme. I would anticipate that the new Operational Programme will be completed before the end of this year and that BIM will be providing further supports to the aquaculture sector from 2015 under that Programme.
Finally, under article 34 of the Regulation on the Common Fisheries Policy (1380/2013), Member States are required to prepare a National Strategic Plan for Aquaculture by 30 June 2014. These Plans must include the Member State's strategic objectives for the aquaculture sector within its territory and the measures and the timetables necessary to achieve those objectives. In 2013, I requested BIM to prepare this National Strategic Plan on behalf of my Department and work is ongoing on this Plan.
