Consultation on the preparation of a new Seafood Development Programme 2014 2020 - July 2013 - In accordance with Article 5 and Article 87 of ...

Consultation on the preparation of a new
   Seafood Development Programme
              2014 - 2020

 In accordance with Article 5 and Article 87 of the draft Common Provisions
                                 Regulation

                            July 2013

How to respond

 All submissions should include the completed Annex 1 form which is attached to this
 document. Additional comments may be appended to the Annex 1 form, but not exceeding 5
 pages.

 Submissions marked “Seafood Development Programme 2 0 1 4 -2 0 2 0 Consultation” in the
 Subject Line should be sent by email to sdp2014@agriculture.gov.ie

 Alternatively, you may post your response to

                   Annex 1: WHO IS MAKING THE SUBMISSION?
 The information you provide in this section will assist the Minister in evaluating the information
 provided in submission on key questions and the SWOT questionnaire. Personal data will not be
 used for other purposes.

     1. I am making this submission:
            on my own behalf
√           representing an organisation/association/administration
     2. I am a:
      Fisherman                                        Expert/scientist
      Representative of government body                Representative of fishermen association
      General public                                   Representative of trade association
      Political representative                         Representative of an environmental NGO
√     Other (please specify) Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
     3. My contact information is:
Name              Southeast Fisheries Local Action Group
Address           C/O John Hickey, BIM, Stella Maris Centre, Community Kilmore Quay, Co.
                  Wexford.

Phone number        087 6295047          Email address         hickey@bim.ie
If you are a fisherman:                  Vessel Registration
Vessel Name                              Homeport

 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION & DATA PROTECTION
 All submissions are subject to the Freedom of Information Acts and/or the European Communities
 (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007 and may also be published on the
 Department’s website. If any of the detail you have provided is sensitive on the basis that it is
 personal, confidential, or commercially confidential, please identify it here and give clear reasons
 why you think it should not be released. The Department will, where possible, consult with you

about any information which you have identified as sensitive information before making a decision
in response to a request for release under the Freedom of Information Acts.

                           Annex 2: SWOT Questionnaire

                        SWOT Analysis of the Irish seafood sector

       Chapter 3 – Sustainable development of fisheries areas/coastal communities

This chapter shall indicate the contribution that the Irish fisheries areas and coastal
communities will make to the achievement of the following Union priorities:

   A. Promoting a sustainable and resource efficient fisheries and aquaculture including
      related processing through the focus on the following specific objectives:
        1. reduction of the impact of fisheries on the marine environment;
         2. protection and restoration of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems;
         3. enhancement of ecosystems related to aquaculture and promotion of resource
             efficient aquaculture;
         4. promotion of aquaculture with high level of environmental protection and of
             animal health and welfare and of public health and safety.

   B. Fostering innovative, competitive and knowledge based fisheries and aquaculture
      including related processing through the focus on the following specific objectives:
        1. support to strengthening technological development, innovation and
             knowledge transfer;
         2. enhancement of the competitiveness and viability of fisheries and aquaculture
             enterprises, including, in fisheries, of small scale coastal fleet and improvement
             of safety or working conditions and, in aquaculture, of SMEs in particular;
         3. development of new professional skills and lifelong learning; improved market
             organisation for fishery and aquaculture products;

   C. Increasing employment and territorial cohesion through the following specific
      objectives:
        1. promotion of economic growth, social inclusion, creation of jobs and
             supporting labour mobility in coastal and inland communities depending on
             fishing and aquaculture;

2. diversification of activities within fisheries and into other sectors of maritime
               economy.

 What would you consider as the strengths (maximum of 5) of Irish fisheries areas/coastal
 communities which would aid Ireland’s ability to meet the objectives as described above?

1. Assets of the coastal area including;
     • Diverse range of high quality seafood products (caught/produced from fisheries and
         aquaculture) through the southeast FLAG area that can be fished/produced sustainably, with
         existing onshore added value/employment in some locations in the region.
     • Also the area is rich in tradition and natural beauty/heritage throughout the Southeast FLAG
         area (much of which has not been developed/exploited), and has existing marine tourism
         activities
2. Existing xxperienced workforce in fisheries, aquaculture and marine tourism, and ability of
fishermen/coastal dwellers to adapt/upskill to avail of new opportunities for employment such as in
servicing the offshore energy and including renewable energy sectors
3. Strategy addressing the short and longer term development of the Southeast (Wicklow, Wexford
and Waterford) coastal areas for employment and economic development prepared in consultation
with the coastal communities.
4. Local community structures in place in some coastal areas recently established to address issues
and drive economic development/employment opportunities
5. Ability to adapt to diversify into new employment/income sectors

 What would you consider as the weaknesses (maximum of 5) of Irish fisheries areas/coastal
 communities which would hinder Ireland’s ability to meet the objectives as described above?

1.Unemployment black spots in coastal locations in the region, with some key fisheries closed, such
as salmon, eels and sea bas putting pressure on other inshore fisheries such as lobster and crab, that
are in danger of being unsustainable
2. Lack of opportunities for fishermen to engage in marine tourism activities to compliment their
commercial fishing activities (as is done in other EU member States) due to regulatory system in
Ireland
3. Poor infrastructure
One of the main harbours in the area (National Fishery Harbour of Dunmore East) not being utilised
to its full potential due to silting, preventing larger boats from accessing the harbour. Employment
opportunities not available through onshore activities in the harbour due to closing of processing
and ancillary services.
Lack of adequate landing points and mooring facilities within the region to promote marine tourism
and boost commercial landings
4. Poor perception of seafood within domestic market, and lack of marketing infrastructure to
enable more direct sales to local higher value outlets with over reliance on traditional bulk export
markets
5. Natura sites currently stalling the development of aquaculture and also
classification/development of new fisheries (such as shellfish) and poorly perceived by fishermen
and coastal communities in general, leading to an overall lack of appreciation for promoting marine
heritage to its full potential by different sectors

What would you consider as the external opportunities (maximum of 5) available to Irish fisheries
 areas/coastal communities which would aid Ireland’s ability to meet the objectives as described
 above?

1.New employment opportunities for those suitably qualified in servicing the offshore energy
(including renewable energy) sector, with suitable training available to meet the demand
2. Provision and promotion of a marine heritage/seafood experience harnessing regional coastal
attractiveness, traditional fishing practices, heritage, marine leisure and availability of the variety of
locally sourced seafood to grow economic wealth – stay vacations on the increase
3. Growing demand for seafood internationally but also potential to grow awareness of the benefits
of seafood and for that locally caught/produced high quality seafood within the domestic market –
closeness to large population centres and transport links
4. Potential to involve 3rd level institutions in research and pilot studies with start up diversification
projects such as seaweed and fish/gear waste etc.
5. Provide economic potential through stewardship of natural resources, benefiting from GEO park
and Natura 2000 sites for marine coastal dwellers

 What would you consider as the external threats (maximum of 5) to Irish fisheries areas/coastal
 communities which would hinder Ireland’s ability to meet the objectives as described above?

1. Competition/importation of seafood from outside of Ireland and including from non EU member
States, with poor differentiation with Irish caught/produced seafood
2. Lack of investment by Co. Councils and Department in coastal infrastructure
3. Increased pressure on fish stocks due to economic recession leading to increased effort, without
necessary safeguards to ensure sustainability of stocks
4. Poor public perception of Fisheries and aquaculture, that all fisheries are under threat, mass
produced, lack of provenance, not sustainably/responsibly caught/sourced
5. Loss of traditional fishing methods and skills as fisheries are closed, with a resulting loss of vitality
and character/diversity that makes the coastal area attractive to live and for tourism to flourish

 10 Key Questions

 With reference to the 10 key questions the following summaries the position of the
 Southeast FLAG. The questions answered below are in agreement with those
 provided by the South west FLAG

 1 . What are the problems / issues / opportunities that are best addressed through the next
 operational programme? Respondents should bear in mind the five Union Priorities referred to
 above).

 A comprehensive review of the issues and opportunities facing coastal and fishing communities
 in the Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford FLAG area is available in the appended strategy

document. Please look to the SWO T for Chapter 3 for some headline issues and opportunities
that have been identified.

2 . Do you have any views on Community Led Local Development, Integrated Territorial
Investments, or Financial Instruments as implantation tools for the next programming period?

   The decision making process through the FLAGs (based on the Community Led
   Development model) recognises and facilitates truly integrated decision on coastal
   community projects. The network of FLAGs in their approach recognises the
   significance of scale both in terms of the competition for funding for projects within
   FLAG areas and in enabling coastal communities to operate at a level that leverages
   more benefits from the seafood products, assets and services that form the
   backbone of the community’s economic and therefore social survival. The impact
   of a project supported at a local level within FLAG areas, it’s potential for growth
   and capacity for replication in coastal communities nationally is a unique approach
   in the deployment of funding and support for our coastal communities who are
   directly or indirectly linked to seafood production. The development of a cross
   sectoral approach through FLAG community led development is more appropriate
   to encouraging community buy in and development of projects that are integrated
   across sectors.

   The FLAG infrastructure allows projects that might struggle to gain traction in
   competition for funding at a national level to develop in proportion to their local
   potential and significance. Thus allowing a “launching pad” where some projects
   may evolve and be enabled to scale up and apply to mainstream funding, ensuring
   that small innovative ideas are given the opportunity to emerge and develop.

   The work of the FLAGs has produced 6 regional strategies which identify potential
   job development opportunities including social and economic benefits for our
   coastal regions. The potential can be realised with appropriate funding and support
   from the Seafood development Programme 2 0 1 4 -2 0 2 0 . It is important that
   Community led local development has a secure position in the Seafood

development Programme 2 0 1 4 -2 0 2 0 to ensure that coastal areas can develop their
    true potential while competing for funding at an appropriate scale.

    With this in mind the scale of funding (EU plus National) to the FLAGs should be
    scaled up substantially. In effect Ireland should aim at a minimum to increase to a
    level, that is equal to if not greater than that of the European average. That is the
    proportion of funding to FLAGs with the next O perational Programme needs to be
    increased. The funding available under the current programme was at a level to
    assist in creating awareness of the potential of local regional decision making. The
    expectation within the coastal communities is that this will increase in the next
    programme to allow more substantial projects to take place.

5 . Do you have any views on specific needs concerning the environment, climate change
mitigation and adaptation and innovation?

At a FLAG level our unique natural environment and resources need to be protected
and developed. As part of this producers need to be engaged to contribute
proactively. FLAGs could be instrumental in nurturing and promoting this activity by
seafood producers while still engaging in productive harvest sensitive to the
environment. Rewarding producers for adaptive and innovative practices in relation to
their local environment could be developed through FLAG supported projects.

9 . What can be done in the next programme period to increase employment and contribute to
economic recovery?

Support for programmes that maximise the potential of the available raw material,
developing synergies in a small coastal fisheries and aquaculture. Priming the small
coastal producers to contribute to scale for national production processing and export
through support for development and innovation as part of the Seafood Development
Program 2 0 1 4 -2 0 2 0 . Creation of job opportunities in adding value and Marine
tourism as part of an integrated coastal development approach through community led
development.

1 0 . What can be done in the next programme period to assist the seafood sector in achieving
its potential?

The next Seafood Development programme can assist the seafood sector in achieving it’s
potential by giving support and recognition for the FLAG strategies produced with our
coastal communities. These strategies have identified challenges and opportunities for
coastal communities in the seafood industry, ancillary services, maritime tourism heritage
and leisure. Continuing and reviewing the process for FLAGS is critical in directing the
appropriate support towards coastal communities to optimise the potential of the raw
materials and natural assets available to them.