Irish Aquaculture – Recovery, Resilience & Development
Teresa Morrissey, IFA Aquaculture Executive
I
rish Aquaculture must look forward with renewed optimism, despite the uncertainties of turbulent markets, ongoing Covid-19 restrictions impacting production, trade and ultimately income, and the reality of Brexit since January 1st 2021. In the face of these challenges and uncertainties, the Irish Aquaculture sector has yet again proven its resilience, adaptability and worthy place as a primary food producer providing vital employment at a time of great economic uncertainty. A renewed focus on the importance of food production resulting from the Covid pandemic shows the value of sustainable food production systems. Furthermore, increasing global demand for seafood, more sustainable food sources and a focus on carbon-efficient food
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production provide a real opportunity for the aquaculture sector to position itself as part of the solution to these growing demands.
acknowledged the difficulties experienced by the sector in recent years. Such recognition for any sector of our industry is rare, and while it is welcome, real and meaningful support from DAFM and other State agencies must follow. Action is now needed to progress regulatory reform and policy that to develop Ireland’s aquaculture industry sustainably.
The announcement at IFA Aquaculture’s AGM on October 22nd 2020, by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, of a Covid-19 financial support scheme was a welcome move for rope mussel and oyster farmers adversely impacted by the loss of sales due to the pandemic.
Aquaculture Licensing Review Implementation plan
While the shellfish sector widely welcomed such financial support, it goes without saying that this scheme will need to be reopened in 2021, with a widening of the eligibility criteria to include aquaculture businesses producing species whose production and sales have also taken a hit.
The implementation of the Aquaculture Licensing Review Group’s recommendations continues to be a key policy for IFA Aquaculture. We continue to seek a clear commitment from the Minister for an implementation plan that prioritises clear timelines for the recommendations outlined in the Review.
Announcing the scheme, Minister McConalogue
IFA Aquaculture has sought to engage with DAFM officials
and other ministers over the years to progress the implementation of these recommendations, but it has been a long, drawn-out process. Nevertheless, IFA remains available to engage with DAFM to ensure the progression of sustainable aquaculture development in Ireland. At the 66th IFA AGM in January 2021, Minister McConalogue took questions from the IFA committee chairs. IFA Aquaculture chairman Michael Mulloy queried the commitment to an implementation plan for the recommendations of the aquaculture licensing Review. Minister McConalogue said he recognised the difficulties over many years in clearing the backlog in aquaculture licensing. However, now that the backlog is clear for shellfish, he would focus on making progress with finfish licence renewals. Resources in DAFM had been committed
Aquaculture & Seafood Ireland
