Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
54. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider the introduction of an emergency fund for the brown crab and shrimp sector in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55809/23]
View answerI met recently with representatives of the inshore fleet and am aware of the challenges facing this sector at the moment. My Department has provided a range of supports to our fishing fleet over recent years, funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR), including a specific scheme targeted at the inshore fleet. My Department will continue to provide supports to this fleet segment as further schemes are developed and implemented under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) over the coming years.
There is currently no Commission implementing decision in place under Article 26(c) of EMFAF that would allow aid to be provided in respect of the current difficulties being faced by this sector. However, significant work is ongoing between my Department and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) to develop and implement schemes under EMFAF to support the fleet directly, such as a new Sustainable Fisheries Scheme. These will be in place in early 2024. In addition, BIM, the Marine Institute and Bord Bia have been implementing work programmes funded under EMFAF, which provide a wide range of supports necessary for the ongoing development of the sector, such as data collection, research and promotion and marketing of Irish seafood.
I am aware of particular concerns in the sector regarding brown crab stocks around our coast, and I have requested a Working Group be set up, facilitated by BIM, to review of the management of the Irish brown crab fishery and to identify measures that could be introduced to support the sustainability of brown crab stocks. I expect that recommendations will be made to me in due course on proposed management measures in respect of the brown crab fishery.
It is vital that, in addition to funding supports, we also work to identify and develop new markets for this fleet segment. As such, I participate in an ongoing programme of trade missions and promotional activities to enhance the continuing efforts of Bord Bia and industry in marketing Ireland's high quality and sustainable seafood and agri-food produce in key priority markets such as China, South East Asia and West Africa and to a number of key European markets, all of which are priority growth targets for Ireland’s seafood and agri-food export sectors.
In the domestic market, Bord Bia commenced an Irish seafood advertising campaign for four weeks on 4th December. This campaign includes radio advertising and social media activity, which feature a series of Irish seafood recipe adverts on Bord Bia’s media channels. The species in this promotion are Irish crab, salmon, trout, langoustines, haddock, monkfish and oysters. This will increase the profile for Irish seafood in the run up to Christmas and should drive preferences for Irish seafood and increase consumption in the home market.
