Submission concerning Critical Review of Bord Iascaigh Mhara

Download:BIM review Submission 10 April 2012
Mr. Nicholas Hoffman
Secretary – BIM Critical Review Group
c/o Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
National Seafood Centre
Clonakilty, Co. Cork
nicholas.hoffman@agriculture.gov.ie
 
10 April 2012
RE: Critical Review of Bord Iascaigh Mhara
Dear Mr Hoffman
The Environmental Pillar welcomes this opportunity to participate in the critical review of Bord Iascaigh Mhara. However, in our opinion, this consultation should be open to all stakeholders and a much more reasonable time frame given. We are also very concerned that, while the industry sector is represented, there are no environmental representatives on the review group. Moreover it is worrying that the terms of reference for this review quote Food Harvest 2020 as Government policy (which to our knowledge is not in fact official Government Policy) but fail to mention the Common Fisheries Policy, which has a much stronger focus on sustainable environmental practices.
According to the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, absorbing BIM into other organizations could result in savings of approx. €7.3m annually. The Bord also noted that many commercial functions of BIM such as seafood marketing, export promotion and seafood business development should be or already have been absorbed by other agencies such as An Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and the Seafood Development Centre, Clonakilty. The purpose of this review then, is to recommend whether BIM’s [remaining] functions should be subsumed into DAFM. In our opinion BIM’s expertise in fisheries and aquaculture, local knowledge and excellent training facilities would be most effectively utilized by redistributing them amongst a number of organizations such as the Marine Institute, the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency as well as DAFM. Is such a restructuring open for consideration or has it already been rejected (as implied by the ToR)?
We have neither the necessary information nor expertise to comment on BIM’s economic efficiencies. However, we would like to contribute to this critical review our opinion on how well BIM fulfill their mission in relation to environmental protection. According to BIM’s mission statement and customer charter the organization is committed to promoting ‘sustainable development’ and ‘responsible environmental practices’, in line, we presume, with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive which requires the protection of the resource base upon which marine-related economic and social activities depend. Unfortunately this commitment is poorly reflected in BIM’s projects and reports as these are chiefly concerned with driving the exploitation of natural resources and promotion of the industry at all cost. The potential benefits of the BIM Stewardship Standard label are significantly limited due to lack of external stakeholder engagement and transparency.
One recent development that particularly worries the Environmental Pillar is BIM’s proposal to become license holder for a number of large-scale finfish operations.  We note BIM’s argument that this set-up would ensure better oversight and practice.  However, this arrangement may lead to a potential conflict of interest as license holder and regulator are too closely aligned, particularly if the functions of BIM were to be transferred to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as considered in this review. To ensure best environmental practice there must be a very clear separation between those that hold a license and those that issue and police it. The main stated advantage of BIM’s scheme, namely that ‘elements can be built into the commercial contract with the operator that go beyond what is required under the strict terms and conditions of a standard DAFM aquaculture license’ (such as extra environmental monitoring and compliance with other standards over and above the normal performance requirements)[1] can also be achieved by including these requirements in specific license conditions.
The Environmental Pillar is surprised at BIM’s drive to establish several large-scale salmon farms around the coast. In the last decade the Irish salmon aquaculture sector experienced a strong contraction due to oversupply and poor market price[2]. According to the industry itself, market price is subject to strong fluctuations[3]. It is questionable therefore whether with rising costs for salmon feed and sea louse mitigation measures, salmon farming, and the employment provided by it, is economically viable in the long term.
As to the critical review itself, we feel that environmental representation in the review group is essential to ensure appropriate consideration of the requirements of the MSFD. We also hope that this consultation will be opened up to all stakeholders and the ToR broadened before any decisions are made.
Yours sincerely
Michael Ewing
Coordinator
The Environmental Pillar
Knockvicar, Boyle
Co Roscommon
Tel: +353 71 9667373
Mob: +353 86 8672153
email: michael@environmentalpillar.ie
web: www.environmentalpillar.ie
Whilst this submission was developed through the processes of the Environmental Pillar it does not necessarily represent the policies of all its members.
Environmental Pillar members:An Taisce. Bat Conservation Ireland,BirdWatch Ireland. CELT – Centre for Ecological Living and Training. Coast Watch. Coomhola Salmon Trust. Crann. ECO UNESCO. Feasta.  Forest Friends. Friends of the Earth. Global Action Plan Ireland,Gluaiseacht. Grian. Hedge Laying Association of Ireland. Irish Doctors Environment Association. Irish Natural Forestry Foundation. Irish Peatland Conservation Council. Irish Seal Sanctuary. Irish Seed Saver Association. Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. Irish Wildlife Trust. The Organic Centre. Sonairte. Sustainable Ireland Cooperative. VOICE. Zero Waste Alliance Ireland