The National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development is a national Strategic Plan with a cross-sectoral approach. The main objective of the Plan is to sustainably grow the production of the aquaculture industry, focusing also on the environmental sustainability in general. The Plan sets out that increased aquaculture production could help to contribute to increased food security in the global context. The Plan sets forth that aquaculture will become more productive in a sustainable and equitable manner. The types and species which the production and farming will be developed and increased are: rope mussels, bottom grown mussels, oysters, salmon, trout, finfish, shellfish, seaweed, abalone, sea urchins and perch. To make sure that the production in these sectors will increase the Plan sets out that new and under-utilized species will be revalued and commercialized, new seed sources and new husbandry practices will be developed. The development of multi-trophic aquaculture practices as well as organic aquaculture will be promoted. In addition environmental impact of aquaculture will be reduced and biodiversity in marine habitats will be protected. The Plan further provides for some principles to make sure that the growth in aquaculture sector is environmentally sustainable. Some of these principles are as follows: Responsible Planning, Ecosystem Protection, Science-based Approach, compliance with relevant European and National legislation. The growth in the aquaculture sector in Ireland will provide a vital source of employment and economic activity that contributes to the preservation of viable rural communities on a year-round basis. To ensure the preservation of communities action will be taken to support aquaculture not only in coastal areas but also in inland freshwater and in land-based recirculation systems. The Plan also provides for growing the number of employment in the aquaculture industry. To ensure a more inclusive and efficient aquaculture system the Plan will first of all make capacity building and will foster knowledge, innovation and technology transfer. The will also set forth training programs which aims at upskilling at production, boosting industry management, embedding conservation, embedding a culture of food safety in the aquaculture sector, networking and new professional skills development. Co-operation within the production, sales, marketing and processing areas will be restructured, enhanced and supported by specific programmes to be more competitive. Labelling and certification for Irish fish products will be accelerated to ensure traceability and quality. Aquaculture licensing will be reviewed and revised and a new online licensing system will be developed. The new system will provide greater business certainty to applicants and more transparency to the general public. Aid will be given to the producers in need. New aquaculture enterprises will be established. Expert advice will be given to enhance business performance and environmental strategic planning by aquaculture enterprises. New technology and new equipment will be introduced to the sector. Support will be given for the disease management practices and new disease management practices such as sustainable, low-impact and low cost alternatives to conventional veterinary medicines will be developed and commercialized. Research programs and collaborations between industry and other scientific and development bodies will be enhanced. This Plan will be implemented by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marines of the Ministry of Agriculture. The Plan also foresees cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment, Community and Local Government in preparing a framework for spatial planning. The Marine Institute is the national agency responsible for Marine Research, Technology Development and Innovation (RTDI) and supports the marine, fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
Ирландия · 2015-10-23