The Government is being urged to end a legal loophole which allows salmon farms and other aquaculture businesses to operate even though their licences to do so have expired.
Nearly three years ago, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said the piece of legislation, which allows this, would be phased out.
The then Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue had hoped to remove the loophole by the end of 2024 at the earliest.
Section 19(A) 4 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 allows those who hold an aquaculture licence to continue operating under the existing terms of their expired licence as long as they have applied for a renewal.
Dr Elaine McGoff is head of advocacy with An Taisce and addressed the anomaly at a recent meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said it’s considering the necessary legislative amendments required to give effect to the decision made by then Minister McConalogue in 2023.
It says a heads of bill has been drafted with work ongoing.
The department says it’s anticipated that a memorandum for government seeking a decision to approve drafting of the bill will be submitted around now.
John Murphy is a director of Salmon Watch Ireland, which is working to restore wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout numbers.
The group says Atlantic salmon are on an accelerated journey towards becoming a biological curiosity.
It’s opposed to salmon farms at sea on environmental grounds.
Mr Murphy, who was Waterville Fisheries Development Group Manager, says it’s vital that section 19(A)4 is removed.
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