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II. FISHERIES DATA

III.1 Overall fishery sector

In 2003, the marine sector produced 293,598 tonnes valued at $253,635,000, of which 91,984 tonnes, valued at $38,739, was landed in foreign ports. Pelagic species dominated the volume of landings (197,567 tonnes; $64,405,000) with the majority of the remainder consisting of demersal species (26,948; $59,030,000) and shellfish (65,238; $120,244,000). The fleet numbers 1414 vessels and is dominated by vessels less than 10m in length overall (1027). The remainder represent a mix of old and new vessels in the 12-24m (250), 24-40m (113) and >40m (24) classes. The majority of vessels over 40m LOA target pelagic species (mackerel, herring and horse mackerel).

In 2003, approximately 6,000 individuals were directly employed in the marine fishing industry in Ireland. A further 4,200 were employed in the processing of the fish and a further 2,000 employed in ancillary industries.

Inland fisheries target eels (Anguilla anguilla), salmon (Salmo salar) and sea trout (Salmo trutta) (over 40cm total length). Catches of eels accounted for 95,060 kg valued at $531,439 with the total catch of salmon (143,606 fish) and seatrout (1647 fish) valued at $4,300,000.

The dominant species in cultivation are salmon (Salmo salar) (16,347t; $61.4 million) and mussels (mytilus edulis) (29,976; $24.5 million). New species in husbandry include, perch (Perca fluviatus), abalone (Haliotis tuberculataandHaliotis discus hanai) and sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus). Employment in aquaculture is 1611 full time equivalents.

III.2 MARINE SUB-SECTOR

I. Catch profile

Landed weight (t) and estimated value (US $’000) by sector, of all Irish, commercial, marine catches in 2003.

Data Source: Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources

Landed weight (t) and estimated value (US $’000) of deepwater species landed by Irish vessels in 2003.

Data Source: Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources

Data Source: Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources

Landed weight (t) and estimated value (US $’000) of pelagic species landed by Irish vessels in 2003.

Data Source: Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources

Landed weight (t) and estimated value (US $’000) of shellfish species landed by Irish vessels in 2003.

Data Source: Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources

II. LANDING SITE

Quantity and value of fish landed in Irish ports in 2003

Data Source: Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources

Quantity and value of fish landed in foreign ports in 2003.

Data Source: Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources

III. FISH PRODUCTION MEANS

The national fleet comprises four segments: polyvalent, pelagic, beam trawl and other. The pelagic segment is the most valuable, with just 2% of the national fleet returning 25% of the total value of all landings. The polyvalent segment comprises the majority of national fleet vessels but productivity and size varies widely within the segment. More than 70% of polyvalent vessels are less than 12m LOA. The smaller and older polyvalent vessels operate mostly in inshore waters, whereas the larger, more modern vessels fish in more distant fishing grounds (e.g. ICES VI and VII), primarily targeting whitefish.

The segmentation of the Irish fleet by vessel length (m) and fishing technique (2004).

* All multipurpose vessels <10 m are regarded as vessels fishing pots or creels.

IV. MAIN RESOURCES

Landed weight (t) and estimated value (US $’000) of the main species landed by Irish vessels in 2003.

Data Source: Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources

V. MANAGEMENT APPLIED TO MAIN FISHERIES

Development of the Irish Seafood and Aquaculture Industry

The strategic objectives underpinning the National Strategy Group’s vision of the development of the Irish Seafood and Aquaculture Industry are:

1. To expand output where opportunity exists within the confines of the Common Fisheries Policy and of sustainable exploitation of fish stocks;

2. To increase the value of the output by increasing quality and efficiencies at each point in the distribution chain;

3. To add maximum value to raw material coming from the fishing and aquaculture industry;

4. To increase the industry’s efficiency and competitiveness in order to allow it compete with larger, more established fishing industries;

5. To address the skills deficit in the seafood industry by developing and delivering flexible, modular training programmes conducive to structured career path development;

6. To raise the quality and sustainability of employment;

7. To ensure the sector’s development is environmentally sustainable;

8. To maximise and fully exploit the value-generating capacity of the coastal regions.

Management – The Stock Book

The Stock Book is produced annually by the Marine Institute to provide the latest scientific advice on commercially exploited fish stocks of interest in Ireland. The information in the Stock Book focuses on the fish stocks managed by the EU under the Common Fisheries Policy, which are subjected to a Total Allowable Catch, and also includes advice on other exploited living resources, of interest to Ireland. The Stock Book contains two parts: 1) the advisory overviews and 2) single stock considerations.

The advisory overviews provide advice for particular groups of stocks. The overviews presented are: three area-based overviews (Celtic Sea, Irish Sea and West of Scotland-Rockall), one widely distributed and migratory populations overview and one deepwater overview. These overviews provide advice with summary tables of the Total Allowable Catch and supporting information on ecosystems, assessment and advice on fisheries management.

Single stock considerations are produced for the main commercial stocks and provide:

• stock advice from an Irish perspective;

• additional information on the stock from an Irish perspective;

• notes on current management;

• a summary of the current state of the stocks;

• relevant information on the biology, management, fisheries and assessment of these stocks;

• short term forecast tables;

• trends in landings, fishing mortality, recruitment and spawning stock biomass.

Special comments are included for stocks where special measures need to be considered. These comments highlight important additional information that may have a significant impact on management considerations.

Management – Total Allowable Catch

The Total Allowable Catch (TAC) (t) by species allocated to Ireland in 2003

Source: Central Fisheries Board

* The TAC for Salmon and Sea trout is a number of fish as opposed to weight. In 2003 the Irish TAC for Salmon and Sea trout was 182,000 fish.

Economic incentives

Under the Fishing Fleet Development Measure, National and EU grant-aid was provided under various schemes to promote the renewal of the whitefish fleet. Grants on eight new vessels totalling US $2.958 million, were awarded in 2003 supporting an investment of US $9.789 million. A further nine vessels were delivered towards the end of the year and an additional 17 new vessels were due for delivery in 2004. Grant payments on vessel modernisation, safety and other schemes amounted to US $ 0.787 million, generating further investment of US $2.757.

VI. FISHERMEN COMMUNITIES

In 2003, approximately 6,000 individuals were directly employed in the marine fishing industry in Ireland. A further 4,200 were employed in the processing of the fish and a further 2,000 employed in ancillary industries.

III.3 Inland sub-sector

Commercial fisheries for Salmon, sea trout and eels

Salmon and sea trout

I. Catch data and fishing method for commercially caught salmon and sea trout

The commercial salmon catch by district and method, in 2004 as determined from logbook returns.

Source: Central Fisheries Board

The commercial sea trout catch by district and method, in 2004 as determined from logbook returns.

Data source: Central Fisheries Board

The national commercial catch of salmon and sea trout (over 40 cm) of 145,253 was 10% below the national Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 161,951.

Further information regarding the 2003 commercial salmon and sea trout and catch can be found athttp://www.cfb.ie/pdf/salmon05.pdf

Management

The National Salmon Commission consisting of stakeholders and fisheries biologists advises government on the status of wild salmon and sea trout stocks and proposes annual limits to their exploitation. The total allowable catch (TAC) of wild salmon and sea trout,for each of the 17 fishery districts,is defined by legislation, enacted each year by statutory instrument and enforced by regional fisheries officers.

The Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme, introduced in 2001, provides a means of collecting accurate catch statistics and estimates of salmon and sea trout stock exploitation. The scheme supports the development of management strategies in a manner consistent with the long-term sustainability of salmon and sea trout on a Regional, Fishery District and river basis andis a mechanism to identify illegally caught salmon, eliminate sales outlets for such fish and to introduce traceability into the distribution chain.

Individually numbered tags, colour coded by fishing method (including recreational angling) must be affixed to each salmon or sea trout over 40 cm total length retained and the details of such fish and their disposal detailed in an official logbook. All logbooks and unused tags must be returned to the Central Fisheries Board, within 7 days of the end of the season.

The TAC and total reported catch for wild salmon by district in 2004

Source: Central Fisheries Board

Eels

The European eelAnguilla anguillais found in nearly all Irish watercourses. Three life stages may be commercially exploited:

Glass eel or Elver:Fishing for glass eel/elver in inshore and estuarine waters is prohibited by the 1959 Fisheries Act, but may be authorised under its Section 14 in the interests of developing a fishery, both for stocking material and as ‘seed’ for eel culture.

Yellow or Brown eel : Yellow eel, the feeding and growing stage are caught mainly in lakes either by fyke net, which is subject to strict regulation, or by long-line, which cannot be satisfactorily controlled under present legislation.

Silver eel :The capture of mature, migratory silver eel is subject to strict regulation, except at designated fisheries operated between 1936 and 1938.

Catch Profile

Reported Yellow and Silver Eel catches by region and for 2003

Source: Marine Institute

Fishing production means

There is no register of vessels, or number of individuals actively fishing for eels. The total number of eel licences issued in 2004 was 243. Not all licences were actively fished and it is also not clear whether licensees targeted brown or silver eel. It is difficult to ascertain the number of fishermen, or vessels, from the number of licences. The officially reported catch is in the order of 100t per annum but an estimated actual catch of 250 t is widely accepted.

Management measures

Although angling for eel is increasingly popular, the greater part of the catch is commercial. All commercial eel fishermen must be licensed. Long-line licences must be issued on demand, other methods require an authorisation issued by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources following consultation with the relevant Regional Fisheries Board.

Close seasons

The following close seasons exist under Bye-law in the following Districts:

The seasonal migration of elver and silver eel and the hibernation of the yellow eel between October and April, effectively restricts the fishing seasons. Where close seasons exist, the legislation is generally in place to protect other species, such as salmon.

Free gap – Legislation provides for a ‘free gap’ of 10% of the width of the river in connection with any fixed engine for the capture of silver eel. This measure aims both to provide downstream fishers with a viable supply and to ensure the survival of breeding adults.

Size limits - The only size limit for eels is that found in the Limerick District (Bye-law 386 of 1929), where retained eels must be over 227g (0.5lbs).

III.4 Recreational sub-sector

Ireland is recognised as a premier angling destination. The climate is well suited to sport angling with moderate summers, mild winters and adequate rainfall throughout the year. Ireland has a very high ratio of water to land (1 to 35) with thousands of lakes, 14,000 km of fish bearing rivers and 7,500 km of coastline.

Recreational fishing can be divided into the following categories: Game, Coarse, Pike, and Sea fishing.

Game fishing

The total number of salmon and sea trout caught by rod and line in 2004 was estimated at 26,721, an increase of 22% on the 2003 figure of 21,885.

The reported and adjusted number of Salmon and Sea trout caught by angling in Ireland, in 2004.

Data Source: Central Fisheries Board

The number of salmon caught by anglers in the main Irish rivers, in 2004.

Data Source: Central Fisheries Board

Of all sea tout caught by rod and line, 25% were reported from the Kerry district, with the Cummeragh system recording the largest number (113) in 2004. Further information regarding the 2004 commercial salmon and sea trout catch can be found athttp://www.cfb.ie/pdf/CatchStats04.pdf

Fishing techniques

The only legal method allowed to catch freshwater fish is by rod and line. It is illegal for one person to use more than two rods at a time or to use live fish as bait.

Management applied to the main fisheries

In order to fish for salmon and sea trout a State Fishing licence, tags and a separate fishing permit are required. For these species, prices and the duration of fishing permits may vary according to the water fished and "fly-only" regulations or other restrictions may also apply. It is illegal to keep or kill any sea trout in Connemara (western Ireland) or the Ballinakill district (above Connemara).

The Central Fisheries Board (CFB), regulates angling in Ireland. The main function of the Central Fisheries Board is to advise Government on policy relating to the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries and sea angling. Seven, statutary, Regional Fisheries Boards are responsible for maintaining and improving environmental quality and developing and protecting the fishery resources in their regions. Regional Boards are catchment based and are divided into one or more Fisheries Districts. Whereas Commercial salmon fishing licences are granted to fish a particular fishery district, recreational angling licences are granted for all regions, individual regions or on a single district basis.

The total number of rod licences for salmon and sea trout, issued in 2004, was 30,807.

Technical measures

Although the salmon and sea trout season opens on January 1^st, most fisheries choose to open later in the year on various dates up to March 20^th. The majority of fisheries close on September 30^th, with some exceptions, which implement closure dates on various dates between September 15^thand October 12^th

It is prohibited to sell any rod-caught salmon or legally held sea trout (i.e. over 40cm total length) during the course of the fishing season; January 1^stand October 31^st

Input controls

A system of tagging and recording details of all commercial and recreational salmon catches in Ireland was introduced in 2001 and is similar to systems in place in Canada, France, Spain and in the USA. The tagging scheme provides valuable catch statistics and estimations of stocks on rivers. All retained salmon and sea trout (over 40cm in total length) must be tagged and the official logbook completed.

Output controls

The Total Allowable Catch (TAC) per recreational angler is 20 fish in one year. The catch limit between January 1^stand May 31^stis 1 salmon or 1 sea trout (over 40cm in total length) per angler per day. The catch limit between June 1^stand August 31^stis 3 fish, per angler, per day.

River Trout Fishing

The brown trout is a native Irish species and the most widely distributed freshwater fish in Ireland. It thrives in rivers of all types, from small mountain streams to broad limestone rivers such as the Boyne or the lower Liffey. Its main requirements are clean water and swift runs over gravel in which to spawn. At a time when the habitat of the wild brown trout is contacting all over Europe, and when some fly fishing for trout has an artificial character, Ireland supports extensive opportunities for wild trout fishing in natural waters.

Open Seasons

Most brown trout fisheries open between February 15^thand March 1^stand close on September 30^thwith some exceptions, which close on various dates between September 15^thand October 12^th. Private member’s clubs and associations may have their own regulations regarding opening and closing dates.

Management and Conservation of Coarse fish

There is no close season for coarse fishing in Ireland. Fish that feed throughout the year, such as pike, roach and perch can be fished for in every month, whereas species such as tench, bream and rudd, which are most active in the warmer months, have a natural season extending from April to about October.

Coarse and pike anglers are encouraged to use large keepnets, and requested to use pike and carp mats to retain fish for weighing and photographing before returning them alive to the water.

The following protective legislation is in place for coarse and pike fishing:

1) It is illegal to fish with more than two rods;
2) It is illegal to transfer live Roach from one water to another;
3) The use of live bait is prohibited.

The Pike Conservation By-law 1990 (No.667) prohibits:

a) The taking or killing of more than one pike on any day by any person;
b) The taking or killing of any pike exceeding 3kgs (6.6lbs) in weight by any person;
c) Any person having in his or her possession more than one dead whole pike or, alternatively, more than 1.5kgs (3.3lbs) weight of pike flesh parts.

These prohibitions do not apply to specimen pike, i.e. over 9kg (c.20lbs) for river pike or over 13.6kg (c.30lbs) for lake pike, provided only one such pike is taken and killed by any person on any day, and that only one such pike, in whole or ungutted form, is in the possession of any person.

Sea Fishing

The 7,500km of the Irish coastline offers unlimited opportunities to the sea angler, to fish almost all the year round for up to 80 species.

Both the south and west coasts benefit from the warming influence of the North Atlantic Drift, and as a result can be fished from spring to late autumn for species found elsewhere only in the summer months. For this reason, unusual, warm-water species are often recorded e.g. trigger fish, red mullet, red bream, sunfish and amberjack. Other areas of the coastline are under the influence of cold north Atlantic and accommodate many cold-water species.

Common fish species caught sea angling off the Irish coast.

Data Source: Central Fisheries Board 

Inshore Fishing

Inshore fishing from small boats, especially during the months from May to September, is a growing trend in Ireland. In addition, harbours and beaches provide opportunities to fish for mullet, flounder, and ray and the many miles of rocky shoreline hold species such as pollack and wrasse.

Wreck Fishing

Wreck fishing in deep water marks can be very productive as there are many charted wrecks off the Irish coast, some lying in water over 90m (50 fathoms) deep. Anglers who specialise in this type of fishing use rods in the 9kg to 14kg (c. 20lb to 30lb) class and lines of 14kg (c. 30lbs) test. Irish deep-sea fishing is serviced by charter boats, which depart from fishing ports around the coast e.g. Westport, Fenit and Kinsale. Target species include blue shark off the south and west coasts, specimen conger, ling and cod over wrecks, and tope and flatfish over sandy ground.

Conservation and Management of Sea Fisheries

Close season

There is no close season for sea fishing in Ireland. Species such as wrasse, pollack and dogfish, which are most active in the warmer months, have a natural season extending from April to about October. Those fish that feed throughout the year, such as flounder, cod and coalfish can be fished for in every month.

Fish tagging programme

The majority of Irish skippers participate in the Marine Sport Fish Tagging Programme organised by the Central Fisheries Board. To date over 30,000 fish have been tagged and returned. Boat and shore competitions organised under the aegis of the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers are also fished on a conservation basis with fish measured and returned rather than retained.

The Bass Bye-Law

Sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), have enjoyed legal protection in Ireland for over ten years. The current measures in place for anglers are:

• A bag limit of 2 bass per angler in any one 24hr period;

• A minimum size limit of 40cm (tip of snout to the end of the tail) for retained fish - all fish under 40cm total length are returned alive;

• A closed season from 15 May to 15 June;

• A prohibition on the sale or offering for sale of bass (other than bass which has been imported into the State).

Tuna fishing in Ireland

In the early 1980s, a small number of bluefin tuna, (Thunnus thynnus), some of which were over 450 kg, were landed at Fenit, Co. Kerry, as bycatch of commercial trawlers fishing for herring. In following years, specimens also appeared in the bycatch of large mid-water trawlers targeting mackerel and scad and by the mid 1990’s, bluefin tuna were not uncommon in the bycatch of commercial vessels fishing off the west coast

In the late 1990’s, Charter vessels and fishery patrol vessels from the Northern Regional Fisheries Board, regularly reported sightings of bluefin tuna, particularly in the vicinity of Donegal Bay from mid-summer to the autumn months of September and October.

In subsequent years, bluefin tuna between 159kg and 318kg have been caught and released unharmed by recreational anglers. All weights are estimated from the length and girth measurements of the fish and some fish have a satellite tag attached before they are released. Data on movement, water temperature and depth are recorded within the tag and transmitted via satellite to laboratory based scientists.

Data Source: Central Fisheries Board

Economic value of Recreational fishing

Overseas anglers spent an estimated US$62.04 million, while visiting Ireland in 2003. The majority of visiting anglers (43,000) fished for salmon and sea trout, with the remainder preferring coarse (29,000) and sea fishing (21,000).

Nationality of visitors engaged in angling in Ireland in 2003

Data Source: Failte Ireland

Angling destination of overseas visitors (%) in 2003

Data Source: Failte Ireland

III.5 Aquaculture sub-sector

Aquaculture in Ireland accounts for over 25% of the total value of Irish seafood and is an increasingly important fisheries sector, both in terms of increased production and employment.

Production is dominated by finfish (salmon and trout) and shellfish (mussels and oysters) and is augmented by the production of low volumes of new species in cultivation (e.g. turbot, urchins and abalone). Interest in seaweed culture is increasing, and it is expected that this sector will make big advances in coming years.

I. Catch profile

The aquaculture industry in Ireland had a mixed performance in 2003. Although salmon farming was affected by exceptional stock losses and depressed market returns in the early part of the year the industry was alleviated by a recovery in prices towards the end of the year. In contrast, the output of farmed shellfish throughout the year was very stable and was assisted by favourable environmental conditions and strong markets for Irish products and raw materials.

Aquaculture production in Ireland 2003

* Salmon smolts are sold as individuals not by weight

New species in cultivation – Perch, Abalone and Sea Urchin

Perch(Perca fluviatus)

In 2003 the first perch farm in Ireland was established in County Cavan. This farm is in the pre-production phase ofPerca fluviatus

Abalone (Haliotis tuberculata/Haliotis discus hanai

Two species of abalone are currently being cultured in Ireland, following their introduction during the 1980's, namely the European species Haliotis tuberculata and a Japanese species Haliotis discus hanai. Currently they are 3 private hatcheries and on-growing production units engaged in the culture of abalone, with the main emphasises being on spat production. Spat (>10mm total length) output from these hatcheries is now fast approaching 1 million animals per annum. In 2003, a total of 122kg of abalone was produced in Ireland realising a value of US $ 4,282 (US $35,094/tonne).

Another 3 land based production units are planned to come on stream by December 2005, and the overall production of marketable animals is set to reach 25 tons by 2008.

Sea Urchin (Paracentrotus lividus

Cultivation of the native, Irish, purple urchin ,Paracentrotus lividushas been the subject of recent development and expansion. The first commercial hatchery in the country established in Dunmanus Co. Cork during the early 90’s, has expanded rapidly particularly in the are of juvenile production where current production capacity is approximately 1 million, 10-20mm diameter, juveniles per year. In tandem with the development of the hatchery, aquaculture licenses were acquired by several individuals from the general area for the purpose of on-growing juveniles in intertidal and subtidal pools. In 2003, a total of 73,000 juveniles were sold in addition to 320kg mature specimens, which realised US $1395 (US $4,359/ tonne).

Future developments

Future development within the sector will incorporate diversification of current facilities developments into the farming of additional, high value, species (e.g. halibut, arctic char and seahorses).

II. LANDING SITES

Aquaculture is a very important industry in the west of Ireland and a large proportion (~80%) of total production in aquaculture is from counties on the western seaboard.

Volume and value of aquaculture production in Ireland by county.

* Other species include trout, turbot, clams, scallops, abalone, sea urchin

III. Fishing production means

Culturing Techniques

Finfish - Pond, Tank, Raceway Cultivation

These structures are used for land-based cultivation. Ponds and raceways are generally built for freshwater farms and used for species such as trout and perch. Tanks are more expensive and are used for both freshwater and seawater species.

Finfish - Pen Cultivation

Pen cultivation is used in open waters, to grow salmon and trout. The fish are held in nets, which are suspended from a plastic collar on the surface. The pens are serviced by boat.

Shellfish – Inter-tidal Culture

The bag and trestle method is used for growing Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) on the seashore. Trestles are table-like platforms that keep the oysters above the seabed. Juvenile oysters are placed in plastic mesh bags, which are attached firmly to the metal trestles. It takes one and a half to three years for the oysters to reach marketable size.

Clams are cultivated in sandy beaches. The clams burrow into the sediment and a mesh is placed over them to protect them from predators such as birds.

Shellfish – Sub-tidal Culture

Bottom culturedmussels and oystersare grown on the seabed without using any structuresand are usually harvested by dredging. Scallops can be grown on the seabed as well but because they propel themselves through the water, they are sometimes grown in trays and frames, which are moored to the seabed.

Hanging culture – this is primarily used for growing mussels. They can be grown on vertical ropes or mesh stockings that hang off long lines or rafts. The lines are approximately 180 meters long and kept afloat by specially designed grey barrels. Scallops can also be cultivated using the longline system with net bags.

In both bottom and hanging culture the farms are accessed by boat and the stock is harvested at sea.

IV. MANAGEMENT APPLIED TO THE MAIN FISHERIES

The sustainable development of aquaculture, in Ireland, is managed in a manner to maximise the contribution, made by the sector, to employment and economic growth in both coastal communities and the national economy.

Key management objectives underpinning this goal include:

• increasing employment output value and exports;

• creating a sustainable and environmentally appropriate framework and critical mass for sectoral expansion;

• securing increased competitiveness through enhanced quality, the addition of value, technology acquisition and diversification.

Management agencies and roles

Aquaculture development: Bord Iascaigh Mhara

Toxicology: Marine Institute

Planning and licensing: The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

Investment and Grant-aid

The revised Common Fisheries Policy agreed in December 2002 provided the new EU policy framework for the implementation of Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) programmes under the National Development Plan (NDP) up to 2006.

The total Grants paid by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) to the aquaculture industry, in 2003, was US $3.406 million, on a total investment of US $ 7.469 million. During 2003, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) made National and EU grant payments of US $2.34 million to 24 projects under the National Development Plan (NDP). Under the Pilot Aquaculture Grant scheme, 58 projects were approved for BIM grant assistance and a total of US$1.06million was awarded to applicants.

Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

Environmental Management Systems are management tools to assist companies to reduce risk, manage environmental legal compliance and performance requirements and maximise opportunities in a co-ordinated way.

Historically, two EMS standards have been available to Irish aquaculture companies; The global standard; ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems) and the European standard; EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Schemes). Although both are readily available, many small aquaculture companies found them complex to interpret and were deterred by the burden of administration associated with them.

The Environmental Code of Practice for Irish Aquaculture Companies and Traders (ECOPACT) was developed specifically for the aquaculture industry, by BIM, in association with the Irish Shellfish Association and the Irish salmon Growers Association. To drive the rapid and committed uptake of this EMS on a national basis, the ECOPACT initiative has been married with the Co-ordinated Local Aquaculture management Systems (C.L.A.M.S)., which aims to manage the development of aquaculture in bays and inshore waters throughout Ireland at a local level. The system has already been very successful and is being widely copied abroad. Linking ECOPACT with C.L.A.M.S has had the effect of providing a national delivery system for the EMS approach, through a widespread, locally-based network that is strongly supported by the industry, the state and its agencies.

V. FISHERMAN COMMUNITIES

The aquaculture industry is a very important employer, particularly along the west coast of Ireland. In 2003, there was an increase in full-time employment (FTE) in the finfsh sector from 428 (2002) to 495, with the majority employed in the salmon sector (79%). In the shellfish sector, FTE also increased from 984 (2002) to 1,116 in 2003 with the majority of labour occupied in the production of Pacific oysters (27%) and Rope mussels (26%) and native oysters (19%).

Employment in Aquaculture in Ireland in 2003

FTE = Full-time equivalent.

** Turbot and ornamental finfish

Location of full-time equivalent employment (FTE) within the aquaculture sector, in Ireland (2003)

Post Harvest Use

Fish utilisation in Ireland

Of the 60,850 tonnes of seafood consumed in Ireland in 2003, some 28,975 tonnes were consumed in the retail sector at a cost to the consumer of US$178 million, and 31,875 tonnes in the foodservice sector, which was worth US$180 million to Irish suppliers.

Retail Seafood Market (Live Weight Equivalents (LWE) (tonnes))

Data Source: Bord Iascaigh Mhara

The volume of ambient products (i.e., canned salmon, tuna etc.) grew by 5% in 2003. Growth in canned tuna offset a decline in canned salmon and by 2003 accounted for 15% of the value of the seafood market (US$ 27 million).

Smoked seafood, predominantly smoked salmon, has grown strongly in both volume and value since 1999 and in 2003 accounted for a further 9% of the market, by value. The volume of frozen seafood has declined by 15% between 1999 and 2003.

Products included under the “Others” category declined by 8% by volume but grew by 6% in value. This in part reflects the growing importance of higher-value convenient offerings such as pre-packed wet fish and ready-meals, which have been advancing strongly in the retail multiples, and which have helped offset reduced sales of loose, wet seafood. Pre-packs were estimated to account for approximately 20% by value of all wet fish sales in 2003.

Foodservice Market by Selected Species, (LWE tonnes)