The Marine Minister, Charlie McConalogue T.D, has announced the launch of the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development (NSPSA) 2030. The NSPSA aims to support a diverse consumer and market base, which aligns with the recognition of Irish aquaculture's growing status as a key provider of sustainable, low-carbon, and healthy food.
In 2021, the Aquaculture industry in Ireland was worth approximately €175 million and has grown significantly since the 1980s. The sector produces high-value finfish and shellfish worth around 40,000 tonnes and employs approximately 1,800 people, mostly in rural areas.
The Minister emphasized the recent environmental and economic challenges that have impacted the Irish aquaculture industry, such as the drive towards carbon net-zero, the UK's exit from the European Union, and the global effects of the war in Ukraine. He hopes that the new NSPSA will provide the necessary building blocks to continue developing a sustainable, competitive, and market-focused aquaculture sector in Ireland.
"In 2021, the Aquaculture industry in Ireland was worth approximately €175 million"
The NSPSA will be implemented throughout a ten-year period, ending in 2030, and has four main objectives: building resilience and competitiveness, participating in the green transition, ensuring social acceptance and consumer information, and increasing knowledge and innovation. It outlines 58 specific actions, including developing a user-friendly online aquaculture licensing and information system, prioritizing fish welfare, supporting innovative practices in aquaculture, and creating a human capacity plan to promote the sector as a desirable career option.
The Minister believes that the NSPSA will pave the way for the Irish Aquaculture sector to become more resilient, competitive, and globally recognized for its sustainability and quality standards. He hopes that with the implementation of this plan, the aquaculture sector will be able to maintain its competitive edge in the future, significantly contributing to the coastal communities and the Irish economy as a whole.