Written answers

Tuesday, 19 November 2013

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Foreshore Licences Applications

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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574. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the foreshore application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; the reason for the delay in granting the application; the length of time it will take for this application to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49016/13]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An application for an Aquaculture Licence was received by the Department from the applicant referred to in respect of a site located in Inver/Donegal Bay in November 2011. The application is for cultivation of Pacific Oysters using bags and trestles.

The application area is located adjacent to Donegal Bay (Murvagh) Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and within the Donegal Bay Special Protection Area (SPA) (Natura 2000 sites). All applications in ‘Natura’ areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.

The assessment process of aquaculture applications is being dealt with on a bay-by-bay basis. This process includes the following:

(a) a detailed data collection in 91 Bays/Estuaries

(b) detailed analysis of raw data collected

(c) setting of Conservation Objectives by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in respect of each site

(d) carrying out Appropriate assessments of each licence application/fishery plan against the detailed Conservation Objectives set, and

(e) determination of Licences/Fisheries on the basis of the Appropriate Assessment and other relevant factors

The appropriate assessments are being carried out by the Marine Institute on behalf of the Department and to date five bays have been assessed, including Inver/ Donegal Bay.

The Department is currently examining the outcome of the Appropriate Assessment with a view to formulating policy recommendations in respect of aquaculture activity in Inver/Donegal Bay. Such policy recommendations will take account of all national and EU legislative requirements and will reflect the full engineering, scientific, environmental, legal and public policy aspects of each licence application. This process, which is very detailed in nature, is ongoing.

Addressing the issue of aquaculture licensing in Natura 2000 areas is a key priority for my Department and the Deputy can be assured that every effort is being made to expedite the completion of the process in Inver/Donegal Bay having regard to all the complexities involved.

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