My Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable National and EU Legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisors as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.
In addition, the legislation governing aquaculture licensing provides for an appeals mechanism. Appeals against licence decisions are a matter for the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB) which is an independent statutory body.
Determinations in respect of aquaculture licence applications are published on the Department's website.
Department’s records indicate that 51 applications for aquaculture licences have been granted since 2017 in the areas referred to by the Deputy. The specific information requested is set out in the table below:
Year
|
Marine Based Shellfish and Aquatic Plants
|
Landbased
|
Finfish
|
2017
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
2018
|
13
|
3
|
-
|
2019
|
26
|
-
|
-
|
2020
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
2021
|
1
|
-
|
-
|