Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour)
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I welcome the witnesses to the committee. Mr. O'Mahony talked about turning a potential disadvantage into an advantage. A large proportion of Irish fishing vessels are under 10 metres. We have 1,614. Mr. O'Mahony said that there is generally a culture of compliance in the inshore fishing sector. People land their fish, they go out for no more than 24 hours and they go after high-value stocks. As a result the fish is fresh, unlike the fish frozen on factory ships. Does that not present an opportunity to the State to market that in Ireland and internationally and to develop strategies to get those fish to international markets in Europe, where there is a demand for it? What is BIM doing at the moment? If anyone else wishes to provide answers I would welcome those too. What are State agencies doing to market that product?

SFPA mentioned it had inspection points to certify our exports. Where are they located? Who is certifying shellfish, in particular live shellfish, which are imported? Where are they being certified?

We learned from Mr. Whooley's presentation that sea fish landings at Irish ports were valued at €199 million and output from the aquaculture sector was valued at €129 million. What proportion of the budget is geared towards the marketing and development of sea fish versus the marketing and development of aquaculture?

I have some specific questions. I thank the delegates for providing a chart on the minimum fish sizes fishermen can bring on board. I understand they are legislated for by way of statutory instrument on the recommendation of BIM. If that is not the case, which body is involved? They are obviously done with a view to protecting fisheries and ensuring sustainability. Is velvet crab fishing protected or minimum sizes applicable? If not, why not?

Mr. Keatinge had information on salmon stocks in rivers. Is there a trend? If so, what is the trend in regard to the upstream Parteen weir on the Shannon?

Mr. Whooley mentioned the need to realise scale is an important consideration for the sector. A proposal, which we will not discuss, will go to the Department. I understand BIM has a strategy of developing large offshore fish farms. Would that policy displace existing fisheries? I refer to the general policy of displacement. Could it be counterproductive? Irish beef is marketed as a top-end product. If we seek to market fish, in particular the types to which I referred, namely, from inshore fisheries, is that at odds with developing and marketing a mass produced product from large sea farms? Are there any health repercussions for humans? Has that been considered as part of the process?