Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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549. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the research project “A Socio-Economic Study of Seaweed Harvesting in Ireland to Support Marine Spatial Planning”; if the research has concluded to date; the timeline for the publication of the final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25620/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The project, “A Socio-Economic Study of Seaweed Harvesting in Ireland to Support Marine Spatial Planning”, was funded by my Department’s EMFF Seafood Development Programme under the Blue Growth & Marine Spatial Planning Scheme. The aim of this scheme was to provide technical and scientific support for the development of a Marine Spatial Plan for Ireland.

This study was contracted by the Marine Institute and led by Munster Technological University, starting in December 2020 and completing in August 2022. It was a desktop study and survey of seaweed harvesters, growers and businesses or organisations within the seaweed sector. The survey results were used to map and assess the value the seaweed supply chain and to create an industry directory. The researchers also identified best practice recommendations for seaweed resource management. Following completion of the project, the authors received additional constructive feedback from the project steering committee and addressed these comments earlier this year. The Marine Institute received the final report in April 2023 and is expected to publish it in June.

This is one of a significant number projects which have been funded under the EMFF Seafood Development Programme, which provide valuable insights into the sustainable development of our marine resources and identifies opportunities for economic growth for our coastal communities. In December, I announced the adoption of the Seafood Development Programme’s successor programme under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund 2021-2027, for which I secured additional funding of up to €258 million. The new programme will ensure continued support for research projects and for a diverse range of activities in the marine sphere.