Mowi salmon farm licence ‘pivotal’ for Irish aquaculture
A decision to grant a licence for a new Mowi salmon farm in County Cork has been described as a pivotal moment for Irish aquaculture by the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).
Teresa Morrissey, head of IFA Aquaculture, said: “The development of a new aquaculture site at Shot Head in Bantry Bay for Irish organic salmon is a progressive move forward for the aquaculture industry. The €6 million investment by Mowi Ireland will see eight jobs created.”
Mowi first applied for a licence in 2011 and has won permission from Ireland’s Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board (ALAB).
Best practice
“The licensing decision for this site was appealed to ALAB in 2015, so the Board decision is a comprehensive one with consideration given to environmental objectives,” said Morrissey.
“This site development will proceed with significant investment in international best practice for salmon farming, ensuring the economic potential and sustainable development of the Irish aquaculture industry.”
Modern licensing
The IFA also welcomed the launch of a National Marine Planning Framework by Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) Micheál Martin today. The IFA said this will provide the framework for the sustainable development of the sector, with a modern licensing and robust regulatory system.
Martin said the government’s programme had clear priorities for Irleand’s maritime area – firstly to create a statutory marine spatial plan, and secondly to bring forward legislation for a new marine planning system.
Proper framework
“I am delighted to officially launch Ireland’s first national Marine Spatial Plan, the National Marine Planning Framework,” said the Taoiseach.
“This provides us, for the first time in our history, with a proper long-term framework for the effective management of marine activities and more sustainable use of our marine resources. It enables us to set a clear direction for managing our seas, and to clarify environmental, economic and social priorities.”
An important activity
Charlie McConalogue, minister for agriculture, food and the marine, said: “The seafood industry is an important long standing, pre-existing and traditional activity in the marine environment. Therefore, careful planning, including early consultation with and consideration of potential impacts on this sector will be essential to ensuring the ocean economy in all its forms can successfully co-exist and develop under the Plan.”
Irish aquaculture provides almost 2,000 direct jobs and more than 16,000 indirect jobs. The value of the sector is €180m, two thirds of which comes from organic salmon production.
