Aquaculture Development

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Ceisteanna (799)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

799. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current rate of growth of the Irish Aquaculture sector; the current value of Irish aquaculture production; the percentage of EU seafood consumption which comes from Irish aquaculture; the percentage of Irish seafood consumption which comes from Irish aquaculture; the supports in place by his Department to further develop the Irish aquaculture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27025/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I am informed by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) that there are no official statistics addressing some of the questions raised by the Deputy. BIM estimate that the value of aquaculture output rose by approximately 30% between 2003 and 2012 to €133 million. BIM also estimate that approximately 0.4% of EU seafood consumption may have been supplied by Irish aquaculture in 2007 (most recent year for which data is available), while the figure for the domestic market may be in the region of 8%. Ireland exports approximately 80% of its aquaculture output.

A suite of support programmes are made available through BIM and Údarás na Gaeltachta for the development of the aquaculture sector. Grants of up to 40%, co-funded by the European Fisheries Fund, are available for capital investment under the Commercial Aquaculture Development Scheme. Some €2.5 million is available for this Scheme in 2013. BIM provides ongoing technical, business and specialist advice to aquaculture operators to assist their development.