Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Harvesting Our Ocean Wealth strategy is a very ambitious document. Our ocean wealth is underdeveloped in comparison to Scotland and Scandinavian countries. There are concerns as to the environmental impact of aquaculture and fish farms off the coast and as to the sustainability of our wild fish stock. Inland Fisheries Ireland raised concerns about the impact of fish farms passing diseases onto returning wild salmon. What is the position of the Marine Institute on this? The concerns are legitimate because inshore angling is very important and it is very important to conserve fish stocks. Dr. Heffernan said many issues were at play but some of the material online about the environmental fallout from fish farms causes great concern.

It has been suggested that onshore, rather than offshore, fish farms are preferable because it is easier to contain their environmental impact. Can we not try to take this approach? On ocean and wave energy, can the witnesses say how we compare to the work being done in Scotland? I believe Scotland is far ahead of us. Every time we try to develop a wind farm in this country, we are told to put it offshore or develop ocean energy. What costs are involved in ocean energy and how feasible is it? The Marine Institute has to take economic considerations into its work. How close are we to developing this? The most economically viable renewable energies are supported but they are still not as cheap as fossil fuels. How far are we from ocean energies becoming viable and coming into the mainstream to feed our national grid? Is it a long time away? How advanced are they in Scotland?

Dr. Connolly said he would return to us with further information. Is this in respect of the aquaculture review? I understand the Department was undertaking a review, or perhaps the Marine Institute was doing so on the Department's behalf. How is it progressing and what input has the institute had into addressing environmental impact concerns? If we do not take account of environmental issues, we do not have sustainability and things do not last, meaning we pay a price in the long term.

Can the witnesses give an update on what is envisaged for the seaweed industry and seaweed harvesting? There are concerns over how the rights of traditional seaweed harvesters are being protected and how we can access and harvest seaweed in a sustainable way while providing industry with sufficient quantities. How can we expand that market?