Aquaculture Development

Thursday, 25 June 2015

Ceisteanna (101)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

101. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the targets for growth in production forecast in the national strategy plan for sustainable aquaculture development can be taken seriously in view of the extremely optimistic criteria for such growth set out in the plan, especially when set beside the actual production statistics produced over the past ten years by his Department; and if he will acknowledge that this plan cannot justify the expenditure proposed, which should instead be directed to our tourism and angling industries as they provide real jobs based on proper statistical analysis. [25448/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The EU currently faces an annual €16 billion seafood trade deficit which the reformed Common Fisheries Policy seeks to address through the development of sustainable sources of seafood within the Union in order to contribute to security of food supplies but also to provide growth and employment opportunities for citizens. One of the measures introduced in the recent CFP is the requirement for each Member State to implement a multi-annual national strategic plan for aquaculture. Ireland's draft National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development along with its accompanying environmental reports is currently undergoing public consultation until 24 July.

The targets for production growth set out in the draft National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development are derived from previously achieved output levels for the key species involved; on that basis it may be said that they are essentially reasonable. The Irish aquaculture sector provided employment for some 1,833 persons and generated output with a first sale value of €115 million in 2014. These are real jobs and real exports, invaluable to coastal communities where there are few if any other employment opportunities.