Offshore and off the radar: The plan to reawaken our islands

The survival of Ireland’s offshore island and rural coastal communities is dependent on the Government changing tack to promote a diverse range of activities.

A report by an Oireachtas sub-committee claims the greater promotion of areas like aquaculture, inshore fishing, marine tourism, and seaweed-related industry can help make such communities vibrant.

The report did not examine the potential of other industries, such as the area of renewable energy technology.

However, it stressed that there must be a clear dividend for the inhabitants of island and isolated coastal communities from any new major aquaculture and marine energy projects.

The Joint Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Fisheries has called for proactive Government support for those communities, combined with proportionate and sensible bureaucratic controls.

It recommends the urgent development of a management structure for inshore fisheries, such as the issuing of “heritage licences” to facilitate traditional fishing practices. But it expressed concern that plans proposed to develop the management of inshore fisheries now appeared to be “in abeyance”, while overall governance of the marine sector was “fragmented”.

The report, launched on the smallest of the Aran Islands, Inis Oírr, calls for the licensing of aquaculture for fin-fish which would allow for as much local ownership as possible.

It also warned the Government and industry not to focus unduly on one or two species of fish in order to reduce the risk associated with such aquaculture projects.

One of the report’s main concerns is the management of inshore fisheries, particularly in relation to vessels shorter than 10m, which constitute the bulk of the fleet, and the lack of reliable data.

Committee chairman Andrew Doyle said it was imperative that Ireland’s distinctive rural coastal areas and islands were developed in a sustainable manner into the future.

“As well as their rich influence on national culture and language, the communities have the potential to make a significant contribution to the wider economy in areas such as food, tourism and marine energy,” said the Fine Gael TD.

He hoped the report and its recommendations would be considered by the relevant minister, and suggested the staging of a conference on inshore fishing to discuss its findings.