Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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723. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the issuing of aquaculture licences in Kilmackilloge Harbour, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22195/16]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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724. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress which has been made on a growth survey for Kilmackilloge Harbour, County Kerry; the terms of reference for the survey; and the company which will be carrying out same. [22198/16]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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763. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter regarding aquaculture licences (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22706/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 723, 724 and 763 together.

All aquaculture licence applications, both new and renewal, including applications for sites in Kilmackilloge Harbour, Co. Kerry are considered by my Department under the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Foreshore Act 1933 and applicable EU Directives.

Kilmackilloge Harbour is located within Kenmare River Special Area of Conservation (‘Natura 2000’ site). All applications in ‘Natura’ areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and/or Habitats Directives. An Appropriate Assessment has been carried out by the Marine Institute in respect of Kenmare River Special Area of Conservation. My Department has prepared an Appropriate Assessment Conclusion Statement which outlines how it is proposed to licence aquaculture in Kenmare Bay Special Area of Conservation in compliance with the Habitats Directive. This Conclusion Statement is available on my Department’s website at www.agriculture.gov.ie.

While the Appropriate Assessment is carried out on a bay-wide basis, each licence application within the bay must be assessed individually for licensing purposes. Factors considered include navigation, suitability of the place or waters, likely ecological effects, other beneficial uses (existing or potential) of the waters concerned, the effect or likely effect on the environment in the vicinity of the water of the proposed aquaculture, carrying capacity of the bay, etc.

My Department has requested Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) to carry out a ‘Carrying Capacity’ study of Kilmackilloge Harbour. BIM has expertise in this area having previously carried out a carrying capacity study in respect of Killary Harbour. A carrying capacity study essentially seeks to scientifically establish if the existing and proposed density of sites, and longlines within sites, would have a detrimental effect on the growth of mussels due to, for example, a reduction in water flow or a reduction on plankton passing to mussel lines. The results of the carrying capacity study will enable improved science-based licence decision making in Kilmackilloge Harbour.

In addition to Natura requirements, under EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directives all licence applications must undergo an Environmental Impact Screening Assessment. This requires significant input from my Department’s scientific and technical advisors. All applications, in compliance with the requirements of the applicable legislation, are advertised in order to facilitate public consultation, and submissions or observations received must be considered as part of the licence determination process.

Every effort is being made to expedite the determination of aquaculture licence applications in Kilmackilloge Harbour having regard to all the complexities involved.