Ireland‘s aquaculture sector – specifically the salmon, rope mussel and oyster segments – has demonstrated a ‘good environmental performance’, BIM, Ireland’s seafood development agency has said.
The group made the announcement in its inaugural sustainability report, which explored the sustainability impact of the Irish aquaculture sector.
It noted that more than 154 million meals annually are produced by the aquaculture sector, which is characterised by its low carbon footprint and high food production efficiency per unit of area used.
Aquaculture demand
“With the global population expected to increase to nine billion by 2050, demand for seafood is expected to increase by 50%,” commented report author Dr Ronan Cooney. “Much of this demand is expected to be met by aquaculture with a drive to promote greater efficiencies in food production processes and food security.
“This inaugural sustainability report provides valuable insights into how the Irish aquaculture sector is performing from a sustainability perspective.”
‘Resource efficient’
The report, which used 2017 to 2019 as baseline years, found that aquaculture products produced in Ireland are ‘resource efficient with low inputs required to produce good quality products’, BIM, which is headquartered in Dun Laoghaire, said.
Economic results within the sector were mixed, however, with gross value added (GVA) decreasing in certain segments while sales value per unit area increased.
“Social indicators performed well in terms of multiplier effects for GVA, employment and wages,” said Cooney. “Challenges identified include an ageing worker population with low levels of recruitment and gender diversity.
“However the sector has embraced innovation to a high level and has adopted new forms of organisation and process controls.”
In summary, each segment is ‘performing well’, with some variances across different years. The report supports the National Strategic Plan for the Sustainable Development of Aquaculture, BIM added. Read more here.
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