Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 521: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action being taken to develop sea based aquaculture here. [26985/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Inshore aquaculture sites are generally located within areas designated as Special Areas of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and/or Special Protection Areas under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 sites). In order to address the licensing issues associated with these sites my Department in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht is engaged in a comprehensive programme to gather the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives of these areas. This process is ongoing and significant progress has been made.

This comprehensive data collection programme, together with the setting of appropriate conservation objectives by the NPWS, will enable all new, renewal and review applications to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. This work represents a significant financial, administrative and scientific investment by the State in resolving this issue. The Appropriate Assessment of aquaculture applications will be dealt with on a bay-by-bay basis. In addition, in order to develop the production of finfish to levels that will provide increased long term sustainable jobs while continuing to protect our natural environment I have tasked Bord Iascaigh Mhara to examine the further development of aquaculture in deeper waters.

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 522: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the sea-based aquaculture industries here; and the financial output for each of these for the most recent year for which there are up-to-date statistics. [26986/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The table lists the sea-based aquaculture industries located around Ireland's coast and the value of production for each of these industries for the year 2009. In addition, pre commercial trials are also underway on farming sea urchins, seaweed and cod.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara are currently finalising the relevant data for 2010.