IF every EU citizen was given a sea field in the morning, Irish people would be the big "ranchers" of Europe. This island has 14 times the average seabed area per capita in the EU, according to the new marine policy document commissioned by the Government.
Some 51 per cent of the population lives on the coast, and 86 per cent are within 50 kilometres of the sea. Ireland also has one of world's best wave energy climates, according to the policy document published by the Marine Institute.
There's more. Ireland has over 900 landing points around the coast, many of which are vertical breakwaters and 19th century piers. North and south, the island has 20 marinas, with over 2,000 berths. ,There is no accurate data on the island's leisure fleet, but it is estimated that there are between 5,000 and 7,000 yachts.
The document, which is a synthesis of submissions made at a series of consultative seminars over the past year, is part of a wider review being carried out by the Government. The aim is to develop a fully integrated approach to the marine resource. A three month deadline set by the former Minister for the Marine, Mr Coveney, and his junior minister, Mr Eamon Gilmore, last year has stretched to over a year, with no decision on a white paper imminent.
The study says that over 90 per cent of trade is carried by ships, and four million commute here annually on international ferries. However, the Irish shipping fleet comprises only 64 vessels - down from 71 in 1993, and a mere 0.02 per cent of the EU fleet.
In spite of the perceived significance of game angling to the tourist economy, the document says that coarse angling is far more popular.
The marine food sector is currently worth 0.5 per cent of gross domestic product, and almost £200 million in annual exports, and demand for marine food is increasing worldwide. Coastal erosion is likely to become an even more serious problem, if predicted rising sea levels come to pass. A 1992 study indicated that over 1,500 kilometres of the 7,000 kilometre coastline were at risk, with some 490 kilometres requiring immediate attention at a cost of some £125 million.
Commenting on the document, the Minister for the Marine, Mr Barrett, said that it reflected views and issues which would have "an important input into the ongoing work of the Department of the Marine, in shaping its marine policy".
Towards a Marine Policy for Ireland: Proceedings of the Consultative Process is published by the Marine Institute, 80 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, (e-mail: institute.mailmarine.ie/Web:www.marine.ie) for a nominal fee.
