Ireland's aquaculture sector faces decades-long backlog in licence applications, warns industry body

Irish aquaculture representatives have reiterated their call for legislative change to tackle a years-long backlog in licence decisions, warning that lengthy delays are creating uncertainty for producers and could affect future investment in the sector.

Speaking at the Irish Farmers’ Association Aquaculture AGM in Athlone on Monday, IFA Aquaculture chair Finian O’Sullivan said the industry was frustrated by what it sees as slow progress in dealing with the issue.

O’Sullivan said IFA Aquaculture had “consistently highlighted that considerable investment, and appropriate legislative changes will be required to address the current difficulties in the aquaculture licensing process”.

He cited recent responses to parliamentary questions which he claimed indicated it could take decades for decisions on the remaining licence applications, if no reforms are implemented.

“Responses to a number of recent Parliamentary Questions revealed the stark reality of the lack of progress currently in the Aquaculture licensing system – if the current level of progress continues it will be 55 years before remaining licences awaiting decisions are determined. No sector could accept or sustain such a prospect,” he said.

O’Sullivan said the issue had been raised with Ireland's Minister of State for Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley, and argued that reform was needed to give the industry more certainty.

“Legislative reform is essential to move the sector forward and create certainty for the next generation – these matters were made clear to the Minister recently. IFA Aquaculture is a member of the Food Vision Seafood Taskforce and we will work to ensure that the current challenges of the Aquaculture licensing system, Legislative reform and Grant-aid eligibility are addressed urgently by the Taskforce and highlighted to Government at the highest level,” he concluded.

Dooley also addressed the meeting, telling delegates that the Government saw potential in the sector.

“I firmly believe the aquaculture sector has the ability to build and maintain its competitive edge into the future and I believe that through maintaining a strong working relationship, supported by my Department’s continued investment, we can make real progress in the sector,” he said, via an IFA press release.

In a separate video statement released via Facebook, Dooley touched on the licensing issue raised by producers at the meeting.

"I want to work with them to improve their capacity to their businesses, and of course that does include simplifying and addressing the delays in the licensing structure that's currently there," he said.

He added, "I am committed to working with the department and the Marine Institute to bring a lot more certainty to these primary producers in developing their businesses in the years ahead."

IFA Aquaculture said it acknowledged Dooley’s engagement with the industry over the past year and his support for the sustainable development of Irish aquaculture.

The industry body said the sector is worth €180m to the Irish economy, supports 1,800 direct jobs and contributes to 8,500 indirect jobs in the wider seafood industry, particularly in coastal communities.

The organisation also said it is taking part in Ireland's Food Vision Seafood Taskforce, which, as reported by WeAreAquaculture, was launched by the Irish government earlier this year, principally in response to 2026 fishing quota cuts. IFA said it aims to ensure aquaculture is included in measures being considered to address challenges facing the Irish seafood sector.

IFA Aquaculture has previously called for a series of reforms to Ireland's licensing system, including introducing longer licence durations of up to 20 years, and has suggested authorities consider a designated maritime area plan for aquaculture.