Vol. 462 No. 5
257 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for the Marine the total number of applications for aquaculture licences, fish culture and foreshore, received by his Department since 1990; the number of applications received for fin fish farming; the number of applications for shellfish farming; the number of applications approved for fin fish farming; the number of applications approved for shellfish farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4835/96]
Since 1990 some 850 applications have been made for licences to engage in aquaculture under the Fisheries and Foreshore Acts.
Some 235 applications relate to fin fish farming, both marine and land-based, of which 100 licences have been granted to date. Six hundred and fifteen applications relate to shellfish farming of which 250 have been licensed to date. The remainder, excluding applications refused, lapsed or not being pursued, are being processed as expeditiously as possible subject to available resources.
The licensing process entails comprehensive scientific and technical assessment of all proposals and full consultation with interested parties including public notice procedures. These procedures will be strengthened and clarified under the proposed new legislative framework for licensing aquaculture activity.
Now and in the future however the decision making process must seek at all times to strike the appropriate balance between development needs and local and environmental concerns. As a result the timeframe for decisions varies in individual cases depending on the complexity of the issues involved.
