Michael Ferris
Ceist:35 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for the Marine if he will clarify his Department's policy on fin fish licences; whether all such farms are complying with statutory requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Fin Fish Licences.
My statutory powers in relation to fin fish farming derive from the Fisheries Acts and the Foreshore Act, 1933.
The policy objective with regard to the licensing of fin fish operations is to ensure that development takes place in an orderly and well regulated manner, with full regard for other interests and in harmony with the environment while maximising the industry's contribution to the economy.
In line with this policy objective, my Department have devoted considerable technical and administrative resources over the last two years to bringing all fin fish operations under an effective licensing and monitoring regime. All licence applications are subject to a rigorous process of evaluation and consultation including, in the case of significant fin fish projects, compliance with the requirements of the EC Directive on Environmental Impact Assessment.
Fin fish operations are statutorily obliged to comply with a comprehensive range of licence conditions, ranging from environmental monitoring requirements, production limits, lighting and marking specifications and reporting procedures on fish health, mortalities and escapes.
All the evidence available to me confirms that by and large fin fish operations are properly maintained, have little or no adverse impact on the environment and that good management practices are the rule rather than the exception. This is confirmed from information available to me from my Department who are involved in monitoring and inspection of the operations.
The fin fish farming sector has become a significant contributor to the national economy. Output was around 9,000 tonnes last year with a value of well over £30 million with direct benefits for the balance of payments. There are over 1,000 full-time and part-time jobs in the fin fish sector with indirect employment gains in related service industries. This employment and income generation is all the more significant given that fish farming is usually located in the more remote coastal areas, where there are traditionally few alternative sources of employment.