Opening the IFA Aquaculture annual conference and AGM in Limerick , IFA Aquaculture Chair Finian O’Sullivan addressed recent progress in the implementation of the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development.
“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. 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,” he said. “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.”
The Minister of State for Fisheries and the Marine Timmy Dooley addressed the conference in the afternoon session. Following recent meetings with industry representatives from the aquaculture sector, Minister Dooley took the opportunity to acknowledge the importance of Irish aquaculture to the Irish economy; to the sustainability of our rural coastal communities; to our food security; and to Ireland’s position as a producer of world-class seafood. Minister Dooley reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting and developing Ireland’s aquaculture sector.
“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.”
This is the first opportunity for the newly-appointed Minster of State Dooley, with responsibility for Fisheries and Marine across the departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Environment, Climate and Communications, to address the Irish aquaculture sector directly and show his support for the sustainable development of Irish aquaculture. Irish aquaculture is worth €180m to the Irish economy, providing 1,800 direct jobs and contributing to 8,500 indirect jobs in the seafood sector, sustaining coastal communities.
IFA Aquaculture Chair Finian O’Sullivan addresses the conference
Topics covered throughout the day at the conference included relevant issues relating to the sustainable development of Irish Aquaculture; Climate change & the Irish Ocean – Impacts on Irish Aquaculture; EU Aquaculture policy; and an update on the Programme for Government and its relevance to Irish aquaculture.
