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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Mar 1981

Vol. 327 No. 12

Written Answers. - West Coast Mariculture.

353.

asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the steps that he has taken to promote the development of mariculture on the West Coast; and the proposals he has to increase its further development in the near future.

The potential for the development of mariculture particularly along the western coastline is a matter which has been and is the subject of considerable attention by my Department in conjunction with other State bodies, notably An Bord lascaigh Mhara and the National Board for Science and Technology. Scientists and marine biologists from the Fisheries Research Centre of my Department, from An Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the National Board for Science and Technology have carried out numerous surveys and tests in many areas of the west coast and a considerable amount of data and advice is available on all aspects of mariculture to persons or bodies interested in starting or developing fish farming projects. The National Board for Science and Technology in consultation with the Department will shortly be presenting the first draft of a national Mariculture Development Programme. Other State bodies involved in Mariculture Research are the Electricity Supply Board, the Salmon Research Trust and University College, Galway.

In addition to the availability of advice on all aspects of mariculture development—scientific, technical, marketing, planning etc. — financial assistance is also available in certain approved cases. An Bord Iascaigh Mhara provides grants for approved pilot projects and commercial scale projects. Also, in the case of the latter a scheme of grants of up to 50 per cent of the capital costs of approved projects has been in operation under the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (FEOGA). I am confident that the scheme will be continued for 1981 or alternatively that a more permanent scheme including provision for financing aquaculture projects will be adopted in the context of agreement on an overall Common Fisheries Policy. In areas within its jurisdiction Udaras na Gaeltachta also operates a grant scheme and advisory service in support of suitable projects.

I expect to be in a position in the near future to bring into effect section 54 of the Fisheries Act, 1980. This section is designed to make it mandatory for anyone engaging in mariculture to be properly licensed. It also provides that all future mariculture licences will be granted on the basis of the areas in question having first been designated as suitable for the type of fish-farming specified in the licence. This system should greatly improve the orderly development of mariculture in all areas. It will also help to identify the full potential of hitherto under-developed areas of the west coast and thus provide a much needed new source of employment and income in remote coastal areas.

I should of course point out that the initiative with regard to mariculture projects lies in the first instance with private individuals and bodies.

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