Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
460. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the fishing industry continues to progress, with particular reference to new markets abroad while maintaining existing markets and meeting home demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56237/23]
View answerThe Irish seafood industry was valued at €1.3 billion in 2022, as reported in Bord Iasaigh Mhara’s Business of Seafood publication, demonstrating a 4% increase from the previous year. This was largely driven by an increase in the domestic consumption of seafood in Ireland in the foodservices sector as well higher prices, both domestically and on the main export markets. Seafood exports were valued at €696 million with domestic sales valued at €475 million.
My Department has provided a range of supports to our fishing fleet over recent years, funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. The schemes were based on the findings of the Seafood Task Force which I established to examine the implications of the EU/UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement for the fishing industry and coastal communities.
My Department will continue to provide supports as further schemes are developed and implemented under Ireland’s European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Seafood Development Programme. The €258 million programme will provide a wide range of supports for fishers and the wider development of the seafood sector, including support for capital investment on board, capital investment ashore relating to the landing obligation, innovation in fishing gear and methods, technical advice to the fleet, acquisition of first vessel by young fishers, supports to the inshore fleet, training and marketing over the coming years.
I can advise the Deputy that a key component of my Department's efforts to market Irish seafood and agri-food produce in general internationally is through participation in an ongoing programme of Ministerial Trade Missions. In 2023 there has been Ministerial led Trade Missions to China, South East Asia and West Africa and to a number of key European markets, all of which are priority markets and growth targets for our seafood and agri-food export sectors.
In addition, Bord Bia, which has responsibility for the promotion and marketing of Irish food, works closely with key fishing and seafood producers to promote Irish seafood in both the domestic and international markets.
Bord Bia are currently running an Irish seafood advertising campaign on the domestic market. This campaign involves radio advertising and social media activity and includes a series of Irish seafood recipes which are being promoted on Bord Bia’s media channels. The species being highlighted in this promotion are Irish crab, salmon, trout, langoustines, haddock, monkfish and oysters. This will assist in increasing the profile for Irish seafood in the run up to Christmas and should drive preferences for Irish seafood and increase consumption in the domestic market. Bord Iascaigh Mhara also supports a number of initiatives involving the short chain of locally caught and consumed seafood products and I can assure the Deputy that this is being encouraged and promoted where possible also.
