Holly Cairns
Question:728. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to support inshore fishers. [47497/21]
View answerTuesday, 5 October 2021
Questions (728)
Written answers
I can advise the Deputy that I have met with the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) and heard directly the concerns and goals of the inshore fishing sector. The NIFF is a consultative body, established to foster industry-led development of proposals for the management of fish and shellfish stocks within six nautical miles of the Irish shore. The NIFF is supported by a network of six Regional Inshore Fisheries Forums (RIFFs) that cover the Irish coast.
Since their inception, the Forums have developed initiatives seeking to protect the future of the inshore sector, which is extremely important for Irish coastal communities. The Forums involve representation from inshore fishers, environmental interests, marine leisure, marine tourism and other marine stakeholders. A dedicated website provides information on the work of the Forums: www.inshoreforums.ie.
In 2019, the NIFF brought forward the first industry-led Strategy for the Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector and is currently in the process of implementing the Strategy with support from BIM, my Department and other agencies. The Strategy flowed from an extensive consultation process that engaged the inshore sector itself as well as other stakeholders.
In relation to financial supports, my Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme 2014-2020 is the principal source of public funding for the sustainable development of our fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors. The Programme is delivered through a range of support schemes. Financial supports are available to our inshore fishing sector for capital investment on board and ashore, for training and for organisation and capacity building within the sector, while State bodies provide a range of services to the inshore fleet including advisory services and stock conservation supports.
In March 2021, I established the Seafood Sector Task Force comprised of stakeholders from our fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors, together with representatives of coastal community development groups, coastal local authorities, State enterprise development agencies and others. The remit of this Task Force is to examine the implications arising from the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the European Union and the UK for the Irish fishing industry and coastal communities particularly dependent upon it. I have asked the Task Force to outline initiatives that could be taken to provide supports for development and restructuring so as to ensure a profitable and sustainable fishing fleet and to identify opportunities for jobs and economic activity in coastal communities dependent on fishing.
I understand that the Task Force is examining the impacts of the TCA on the inshore sector as part of its deliberations. I anticipate a Final Report from the Task Force later this year outlining its full recommendations.
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future, specifically sets the aim of supporting the inshore sector to establish a Producer Organisation to generate greater marketing and promotional capacity. My Department has received two such applications to date. I can confirm that one application for a Producer Organisation for the inshore sector has been approved and the other application is currently on hand.
My Department is committed to supporting the inshore community and the wider seafood sector in achieving its potential. I look forward to my next meeting with the NIFF, at the earliest mutually convenient opportunity, to continue working on how best this can be achieved together.