'Money and law changes needed to boost Irish aquaculture'

Considerable investment and changes to the law will be required to achieve the objectives of Ireland’s National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development, the recently appointed fisheries and marine minister Timmy Dooley has been told.

The message was delivered by IFA (Irish Farmers’ Association) Aquaculture chair c during his address to the organisation’s annual conference in Limerick yesterday, at which Dooley was also speaking.

“It was encouraging to hear from the Minister recently that implementation of the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development is progressing with the establishment of a strategic group which will include industry engagement,” said O’Sullivan. “This is the primary policy document for the Irish aquaculture sector as it sets out the key objectives and actions until 2030 and is also supported by the current Programme for Government.

“IFA Aquaculture has consistently raised the point in recent months that considerable investment and appropriate legislative changes will be required to achieve the objectives of the plan. Legislative reform is essential to move the sector forward and create certainty for the next generation – these matters were made clear to the Minister recently.”

Committed operators

Dooley was appointed to the revived fisheries/aquaculture portfolio in late January.

Addressing the IFA Aquaculture conference yesterday afternoon, he said: “Already from my time in office, I can see how committed aquaculture operators are to ensuring the sustainability, both economic and environmental, of their sector. 

"I very much welcome the level of engagement that I have had. I look forward to working with IFA Aquaculture and to engaging with aquaculture operators collectively in the coming years as we work together to progress the development of the aquaculture sector.”

Ireland’s National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development was finalised following public consultation earlier in 2022. It proposes 58 actions to be implemented over the period up to 2030.  These cover four priority areas: building resilience and competitiveness; participating in the green transition; ensuring social acceptance and consumer information; and increasing knowledge and innovation.