Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1054. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement he has had with shellfish fishermen or their representatives in the past few months in relation to the collapse in shell fish prices due to Covid-19; the issues raised by them in these discussions; the actions he plans to take to support this important indigenous industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9583/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am acutely aware that the Irish seafood sector has been severely impacted by COVID-19. Restrictions on the food service market domestically, across Europe and elsewhere during the Pandemic has made it an exceptionally difficult year for the sector. The value of primary Irish seafood exports declined by 10% to €521m in 2020 according to CSO data released on 15 February. This is against a backdrop of volumes decreasing by 1% over the year. The shellfish sector particularly bore the brunt of the impact with the value of exports down by 29% to €126m. As the sector is heavily dependent on the food service channel across all its main export markets, the various lockdowns implemented at different times throughout the year has resulted in a very challenging market environment.

Together with my predecessors and my officials, I have maintained close contact with seafood industry representatives throughout the Pandemic. On 9 December, I met virtually with the National Inshore Fisheries Forum where I discussed the issue of income and business supports with industry representatives. I invited the Forum to make a submission on this matter.

The range of horizontal supports provided by Government have remained open to seafood enterprises throughout the Pandemic and I am aware some fishers have availed of them. As the Pandemic continues, and its impacts on markets continue to evolve and change, I am keeping the range of supports under review, in the context of the suite of Government horizontal supports that continue to be available. I would also encourage industry to work with Bord Iascaigh Mhara to develop any relevant schemes that may be possible.