Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 December 2022
141. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the fisheries discussion at the recent meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, held in Brussels on 21 November 2022. [61217/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the Agriculture and Fisheries Council held on the 21 November, there were three fisheries related items. All three were information points from the Commission and I will go through each item in turn.
The Commission provided information on its forthcoming initiative on the energy transition in the EU fisheries and aquaculture sectors, which aims to set out concrete actions to help the sector in the energy transition in the short to medium term and towards 2050. I am supportive of this initiative and it is similar to previous schemes we have implemented.
The main scheme supporting actions in this area for Ireland was the Sustainable Fisheries Scheme, implemented by BIM. The scheme concerned many aspects of sustainability, fuel consumption and carbon footprint of the fishing sector under Ireland’s European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Seafood Development Programme (2014-2020). While the EMFF is approaching closure, a new programme for Ireland under the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) has been approved by Government and has been submitted to the European Commission for adoption. The new programme provides scope for the development of similar measures.
The second information point was in relation to EU Algae Sector. This Communication examines the potential of algae in the EU and sets out a coherent approach, including a list of targeted actions, to support the upscaling of algae cultivation and production throughout the EU, and to develop markets for algae applications. A new European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund programme for Ireland has been developed, approved by Government and is awaiting adoption by the European Commission. This will be a key source of funding for the implementation of the recently developed National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development, which recognises the importance of seaweed cultivation for a variety of sectors and it will guide development of innovations in this sector.
The last fisheries related item was part of a discussion in relation to nature restoration that also included forestry and agricultural aspects. The proposed regulation states that it is designed to work in synergy with existing directives and policies, including the Common Fisheries Policy and Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The targets proposed are very ambitious and delivery will be complex given the potential economic impacts on the fishing industry and aquaculture sector. Further work is needed with a view to ensuring that the targets set are appropriate and meaningful and do not unnecessarily adversely impact on the important seafood sector.
