Seafood Development in Ireland 2007-2013
Steering A New Course: Strategy for a Restructured, Sustainable and Profitable Irish Seafood Industry 2007-2013
In June 2006 the Seafood Strategy Review Group (SSRG) was established and in December 2006 the Group set out its vision for a sustainable, profitable and self-reliant industry that would maximise its long-term contribution to coastal communities based on fish stocks restored to sustainable levels in the context of a healthy and diverse marine environment. This vision required a more innovative and co-ordinated approach to the marketing of seafood, capitalising on its healthy and nutritious image and maximising the value of seafood at every stage from the sea to the table. Essential to the achievement of this vision was a further sharp reduction in fishing capacity and effort, more effective management and conservation of fisheries and a much bigger role for aquaculture in meeting the increasing demand for seafood.
The full report may be accessed here (pdf 1,674Kb) .
National Strategic Plan: The Fisheries Sector 2007-2013
Following on from 'Steering a New Course', an Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) was tasked to develop a National Strategic Plan on a partnership basis with stakeholders. The remit for BIM was to devise a plan through which the Irish seafood industry would become a "sustainable, profitable, competitive and market focused industry making the maximum long term economic and social contribution to coastal communities and to Ireland as a whole", in compliance with Ireland's obligations under the Common Fisheries Policy and in accordance with Article 15 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1198/2006
For a full copy of the report, including recommendations made, please click here (pdf 10,366Kb) .
Seafood Development Operational Programme 2007-2013
The Seafood Development Operational Programme was adopted by the Commission in September 2008. The Programme focuses primarily on the rationalisation of the whitefish sector through decommissioning, environmental measures and the development of coastal communities. Council Regulation (EC) No. 1198/2006 of 27 July 2006 provides the legal basis for the Programme elements.
Measures are co-funded by the European fisheries Fund (EFF) and the full text of the Programme may be seen here (pdf 3,434Kb) .
Irish Seafood National Programme 2007-2013
The Irish Seafood National Programme 2007 - 2013 sets out 13 Measures which together contain 36 individual schemes that have been developed to address the Core Themes set out in the Report of the Seafood Industry Strategy Review Group. The Measures are drawn up to reflect the articles in Council Regulation (EC) No. 1198/2006 of 27 July 2006 which provide the legal basis for the Programme elements. Each scheme is founded on a specific Article or Articles of the Regulation and each will be limited to that which is permissible under the relevant Article(s).
The Core Themes cover the areas of Market Promotion, Business Development, Processing and Innovation, Fleet Restructuring, Aquaculture, Marine Environment and Conservation, Socio Economics and Education and Training. The schemes will address identified issues and opportunities in the seafood sector and will go towards the emergence of a profitable and sustainable seafood sector over the period 2007 - 2013. The full text of the programme may be accessed here (pdf 940Kb) .
Contact:
Keith Kelleher
Seafood Policy and Development Division
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Cloheen
Clonakilty
Co. Cork.
Telephone: 023-8859569
Email: keith.kelleher@agriculture.gov.ie
Useful Links:
For information on grant aid available please visit the website of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
For information on Axis 4 and the Development of Coastal Communities please visit the website of the European Fisheries Areas Network (FARNET).
For general information on the European Fisheries Fund, please visit the European Commission website of the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
For access to European Law, including the EFF Regulations, please visit the Eur-Lex website.
