A STUDY to identify the job creation potential of aquaculture on the Shannon estuary has been commissioned by the semi state agency, Shannon Development.
The study will be completed over the next six months by Galway Aqua Consulting, which has undertaken considerable research into shellfish and salmon farming in Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Greece, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. The Department of the Marine, the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara will provide back up guidance.
Dr Brian Callanan, planning executive with Shannon Development, said it was well accepted the estuary had considerable potential for development as an aquaculture location with its sheltered sites on the northern and southern shores and estuarine sea water of the highest EU quality.
He added: "The study will set out to review international market and technology trends affecting aquaculture products. It will look at future opportunities or threats likely to influence the Shannon estuary as a producer location.
"It will examine the strength and weaknesses of the various sites on the estuary for aquaculture, with an evaluation and ranking of each site in terms of output potential. It will also assess the income and employment potential of aquaculture at full production."
Dr Callanan said this would include "both direct and indirect downstream added value activities such as processing, grading, packaging, marketing, transport and other aspects".
Aquaculture already comprises significant activity on the estuary such as the West Clare Development Co Operative based at Carrigaholt and the Carrigafoyle Fisheries in north Kerry.
The output is restricted to oysters although investigations are under way for other products, such as mussels. The employment content is relatively small which, the study promoters say, reflects the developmental status of aqua culture on the estuary. Input to the study from local interests will be vital, stresses SFADCo.
A former Minister for the Marine, Senator Brendan Daly, welcoming this initiative, saying he had studies carried out to identify opportunities on the estuary. He considered there was potential for a multi million pound shellfish industry and suitable locations would need further research.
"The West Clare Co Op and Carrigafoyle have invested heavily in their enterprises. This type off activity is important for supplementing the income of small farmers," he said.
There were special tidal problems on the Shannon and, as Minister for the Marine, he had consulted the University of Limerick about the possibilities of carrying out technical work and research to find solutions.