TERESA MORRISSEY: Irish Aquaculture – Recovery, Resilience & Development

Irish Aquaculture – Recovery, Resilience & Development

Teresa Morrissey, IFA Aquaculture Executive

Irish 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 production provide a real opportunity for the aquaculture sector to position itself as part of the solution to these growing demands.

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.

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.

Announcing the scheme, Minister McConalogue 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.

aquaculture liceNSiNg review implemeNtatioN plaN

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.

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

Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

over recent years to clearing the backlog for shellfish. The Minister explained that these resources are now available to focus on finfish licence renewals and implementing the Review recommendations.

Minister McConalogue assured the meeting that he is committed to a timeline for implementing the Review recommendations and engaging with stakeholders such as IFA on how best to do this.

Again, this was more positive language from DAFM than we have heard for quite a long time. There has never been a more opportune time for the development of sustainable Irish aquaculture. And we are hopeful such upbeat sounds from DAFM will now see the necessary action!

lookiNg ahead to iriSh aquaculture

Irish Aquaculture has proven itself multiple times over the years to be a very resilient industry. However, the Covid-19 crisis is forcing us to find new ways to adapt to the implications of a changing world. The Irish Aquaculture sector is once again adapting to the challenges it faces. A functioning aquaculture licensing system continues to be a key priority to unlocking the future potential of our industry.

Appropriate legislative reform must facilitate opportunities. It is widely acknowledged that the Irish Aquaculture sector needs the policy to allow for sustainable development of the industry.

The inclusion of IFA Aquaculture on the recently convened Seafood Sector Taskforce provides an opportunity for us to contribute to initiatives and developmental strategies to strengthen and enhance coastal communities dependent on the seafood industry and build a platform for the meaningful development of a sustainable Irish Aquaculture industry.

Finally, it has been very encouraging in recent months to see numerous aquaculture producers showcasing their products and the hard work involved in producing such highquality produce using social media platforms and reaching new customers, a new audience gaining a positive reputation.

The Irish Aquaculture sector has always been proactive in navigating its way through a crisis and finding novel ways of dealing with challenges and setbacks in its path – 2020 yet again proved this to be true. There is still a way to go through the Covid-19 crisis, with Brexit also added to the mix, but Irish Aquaculture has reason to look to the future with optimism.

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