Seafood sector welcomes department development

A DECISION by the Government to transfer key functions for the fishing industry to the newly named Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has been welcomed by the seafood sector.

Responsibility for sea fisheries, aquaculture, marine research, marine engineering, aquaculture licensing, and pier and harbour development will now rest with the new department.

DAFF, which retains all of the former functions of the Department of Agriculture and Food, will also take responsibility for Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the Marine Institute and the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency.

Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan said there is great potential for the further development of sea fisheries and the aquaculture industries, based on the sustainable development strategy set out by the Cawley Group late last year.

“The Government has committed to the implementation of that strategy in the National Development Plan and in the Programme for Government and I will make it a personal priority to drive on the implementation of that strategy for the benefit of the seafood sector,” she said.

Ms Coughlan welcomed Government agreement to establish an inter-departmental group, at a senior level, which will review the structures in place in the inland fisheries sector and monitor and report on the operation of the Salmon Hardship Scheme.

“I have grown up and live in a coastal county (Donegal) and understand the importance of the sea fishing and aquaculture industries to our coastal communities.

“I believe that myself and Minister John Browne, who also hails from a coastal country (Wexford) and has great experience in this area, will be a strong team committed to giving the industry a new impetus for sustainable development based on quality and added value,” she said.

Previously fisheries were under the control of the Department of Communications, Transport and Natural Resources.

IFA Aquaculture leaders, Damien Ó Ceallacháin, Salmon Growers; Flor Harrington, Shellfish; and Richie Flynn, executive secretary, met with Ms Coughlan and Minister of State Browne to discuss the priorities for the farmed seafood sector.

They urged the ministers urgently to upgrade service and delivery to producers by the licencing division and remove the backlog of licence applications and renewals.