Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the scientific assessment results of aquaculture and fishing activities in the Kenmare River special area of conservation will be published; when the implications of the assessment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11157/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Where fishery or aquaculture activities within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) may have significant impacts on the conservation objectives for that SAC, either individually or in combination with other activities, an 'appropriate assessment' is required under the EU Habitats Directive, as transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997 (as amended), before a statutory consent for those activities can be issued. The appropriate assessment is a scientific determination of the likely impacts on the habitat or protected species. Given the scale and nature of activity in the Kenmare River SAC, an appropriate assessment will be required.

I understand that the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport has not yet established conservation objectives for the Kenmare River SAC. The Marine Institute is assisting the NPWS in preparing the necessary scientific data to inform the establishment of conservation objectives. For an SAC, this involves benthic surveys of the site. While much work has been done by the agencies already, before finalising the conservation objectives the NPWS requires that a further survey be conducted to identify the extent of sub-tidal reef habitats in the site. The Marine Institute is presently engaged in a procurement process in connection with that survey. Survey work is expected to take place during the Summer months. Once conservation objectives are available, the Marine Institute will carry out the appropriate assessment of fishery and aquaculture activities within the SAC.