Vol. 500 No. 3
23 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of people in full-time gainful employment in mussel farming; his views on whether a balanced and equitable approach to other valuable employment creating opportunities such as tourism will be taken when a mussel farm licence is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3720/99]
Latest information available confirmed employment figures for the mussel sector show that 345 people are employed in mussel farming at various locations around the coast. A further 890 are employed on a part-time or seasonal basis.
The licensing of aquaculture activity is governed by the Fisheries (Amendment) Acts 1997 and 1998. All licence applications are subject to a public advertising and consultation process including formal consultation with a number of statutory organisations including Bord Fáilte and An Taisce.
Licensing decisions are governed in particular by section 61 of the 1997 Act, which specifies key factors to be taken into account in the decision making process including existing and potential alternative beneficial uses of the areas concerned, the likely ecological and environmental effects of the aquaculture project, the likely impact of the aquaculture operation on the economy of the area in question and the effect or potential effect on the heritage value of the area.
The licensing framework now in place for aquaculture therefore is firmly geared to ensuring that all such development takes place on a sustainable basis and is compatible with other interests and local economic activity including tourism.
