Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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176. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the fish catch landed in ports here has fluctuated over the past ten years to date in 2016; the potential for improvement in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37978/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The data requested is held by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and I have requested the data from them.  It is a significant amount of information and will take some time to compile, I will forward the details to you directly as soon as it is available. 

Food Wise 2025, the Report of the 2025 Agri Food Strategy Committee, sets out a cohesive, strategic plan for the development of agri-food and fisheries sector over the next decade. The Committee has identified that opportunities will arise as a result of significant population growth and greater access to international markets. In addition, the Committee recognises that the increased pressure on global agricultural resources and the environment will offer potential further growth opportunity for the Irish agri-food and fisheries sector. It identifies over 400 recommendations to achieve sustainable growth and these will require a concerted and coordinated approach by primary producers, industry, Departments and State agencies.

One of these actions is to develop and initiate practical and competitive measures to attract additional landings into Irish ports and continue to invest significantly in necessary infrastructure at the Fishery Harbour Centres. In July  a tender was awarded to Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd to develop a strategic roadmap to increase access to raw material from foreign landings. A BIM Steering Group will work with Poseidon to deliver on the proposed work plan. Poseidon has commenced engaging with stakeholders in Ireland, France, Spain and the UK to gain perspectives on the current status, opportunities, barriers and enablers regarding foreign landings.

Already work has begun for a multi phased Harbour Integrated Development Project for Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre. The new project will almost double the length of pier space on Dinish Island to over 400 metres, as well as providing a fit for purpose Harbour Administration Building and associated works on the mainland and is a direct response to the increase in fish landings into Castletownbere since the last major development became operational in 2010. We have seen a level of increased fishing activity that far exceeded any expectations with a 140% increase in the volume of fish landed and a 277% in the value of fish landed since between 2010 and 2015.

It is expected that BREXIT will impact on the seafood sector and we will need to evaluate the implications as the situation develops and consider appropriate responses and adjustments, where appropriate, in our strategy.