An important responsibility for Peter Burke, the minister of state for planning and local government, is the production of Ireland’s first marine spatial plan. aquaculture and fisheries harbours.”This postscript means that commercial fisheries and aquaculture are being excluded from the new licensing system, despite being two of the most important, impactful, and widespread marine activities in the country. The draft Marine Planning and Development Management Bill states: “The Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine is the appropriate minister for foreshore functions relating to aquaculture, sea-fisheries-related development, and fishery harbour centres under Section 1B of the Foreshore Act. It is SWAN’s opinion that the inclusion of commercial fisheries and aquaculture in the Marine Planning and Development Bill is of utmost priority, not just for the protection of the environment, but for the viability of the businesses that endure a dysfunctional and outdated licensing system. Resolving this unfinished matter with the Department of Agriculture will be key to the success or failure of the marine plan and we urge Mr Burke to do so with great urgency.

Source: Irish Examiner August 10, 2020 23:05 UTC