Submission on Aquaculture

1
Submission on Aquaculture

• Iascairí Intíre Cois Cladach na hÉireann (IIE)
• Presented by Eamon OCorcora

2
Types of Aquaculture

• Fish Farms (Land Versus Cages at Sea)
• Shellfish Hatcheries
• Bivalve

3
Issues

• Pollution by Cages at Sea for fin fish (Salmon,
  Trout)
• Farm Fish Escapees mixing with wild stocks
• Using feed source of wild fish stocks (Krill and
  Kaplan)
• Content of Feed pellets
• Use of pesticides and antibiotics
• Health Dangers
• Eutrophication
• Sea Lice (44 per Salmon) (kills wild smolts)
• Environmental Impact
• Commercial Fishing versus fish farms
• Sustainable Lobster stock for commercial fishing
• Risk to small locally run business

4
Positive examples

• Cornwall National Lobster Hatchery
• Orkney Lobster Hatchery (1985)
• Firth of Forth Lobster Hatchery
• Bridlingtion Lobster Hatchery
• Anglesey Lobster Hatchery of Wales
• New England Aquarium Lobster Lab
• Pictou Lobster Hatchery Nova Scotia
• Redclaw Hatchery Queensland Australia
• Queensland Crayfish Hatchery
• Senegal Shrimp Hatchery

5
Recommendations

• Strategic Environmental Assessment
• Onshore tank systems (better water quality,
  increased production) e.g. Niri
• Rejuvenation Program release shellfish into the
  wild
• Commercial Fishermen as stakeholders
• Costal Communities Fund (e.g. UK)
• Draft Strategic Plan should include onshore fin
  fish farms and shellfish hatcheries

6
Benefits

• Rejuvenation of wild stocks
• Viable commercial fishing sector
• Environmental Benefit (e.g. prawn reintroduction
  fights infection in Senegal)
• Sustainable future for rural, costal and
  Gaeltacht communities
• Tourist Attraction
• Educational
• Hatchery Jobs