#sfpa – The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) will meet with the newly appointed Sea-Fisheries Protection Consultative Committee, today, Thursday 7th March at Agriculture House, Dublin. The 14 member Consultative Committee which consists of representatives from the Irish marine community, is appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, under the provisions of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act to liaise with SFPA on behalf of the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors. The previous Consultative Committee were particularly active in their regular meetings with the SFPA which is now reinvigorated following recent new appointments by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr Simon Coveney, TD, including a new Chairperson, Ms Gillian Mills. Today's meeting marks the first sitting of the new Consultative Committee.
Engagement between the SFPA and the Consultative Committee is a two-way process - the Consultative Committee's primary function as described in legislation is to inform the SFPA of the concerns and views of the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors regarding the functions of the SFPA and equally to facilitate the SFPA with communicating to the wider industry.
Part of the remit of the Committee is to also advise the SFPA on the fairness and consistency of its operations. The Consultative Committee will also keep the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors generally informed of the applicable sea-fisheries law and food safety law, as well as of the standards, guidelines, practices and procedures operated by the SFPA in relation to the enforcement of that law. Overall the Consultative Committee's function is to seek the delivery of a high standard of service by the SFPA.
Micheál O'Mahony, Board member with the SFPA said: "The SFPA can only achieve its goals through open dialogue with the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors. This Sea-Fisheries Protection Consultative Committee is a valuable forum through which we continue to share key information on how best to monitor the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors. We are delighted to see the reinvigoration of the role of the committee by the Minister, as various significant challenges are faced in the implementation of current and incoming legal obligations in these sectors.
I am sure this collaboration between the SFPA and the Consultative Committee will continue to help SFPA to work towards its service delivery and facilitate ongoing industry compliance. The SFPA and the industry share common goals, most notably the attainment of a vibrant, compliant seafood sector. We look forward to a fruitful exchange of information and ideas on how we can best work together to protect the interests of legitimate operators within the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Tom Geoghegan for successfully taking on the role of acting Chair of the Consultative Committee - Mr Geoghegan remains on as Deputy Chair of the Consultative Committee."