Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2014
234. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider directing Bord Iascaigh Mhara to evaluate the potential for establishing onshore recirculating systems for salmon rearing facilities as an alternative to marine-based open cages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45075/14]
View answerThis is an operational matter for Bord Iascaigh Mhara in line with the Sea Fisheries Act 1952. However, I understand that BIM has been investigating and encouraging the development of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for some time and has run workshops on this topic.
Ireland currently has two operational RAS farms based onshore. Both of these produce Abalone. The technology to commercially produce sea reared salmon in large volumes onshore has not yet been perfected.
Two private projects part funded by BIM under the Aquaculture Innovation and Technology Scheme are presently evaluating aspects of RAS, including appropriate site selection, site layout, RAS technology and financial modelling.
