Sir, – I refer to “Why are open-pen salmon farms encouraged in Ireland but banned in many other countries?” (Science & Climate, January 26th).
Ireland is the only producer of organic salmon in the EU, with 100 per cent of Irish-farmed salmon certified to organic standards. Organic feed is sourced mainly from discards, no pesticides are used, and farms have very low stocking density compared to commercial salmon farms around the world. Salmon is high in protein and omega-3 fats and is a rich source of many essential vitamins and minerals that benefit the heart and circulation.
The Marine Institute monitors all salmon farms around the coast, and details of this monitoring programme are widely available. The Marine Institute’s remit involves providing unbiased advice informed by the latest national and international science to ensure environmental and ecological sustainability, biodiversity and genetic integrity.
All Irish aquaculture farms, including salmon farms, are regulated under animal health law. Aquaculture operators implementing fish health management plans must outline their fish health management practices, including biosecurity and fish welfare.
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These plans, records and farms are inspected and regulated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine veterinarians.
The Irish aquaculture industry provides essential employment opportunities for rural coastal communities with almost 2,000 direct jobs and over 16,000 indirect jobs in seafood processing and marine ancillary services. Irish aquaculture produce is worth €175 million in production value, the majority of that value (€109 million) coming from Irish Organic Salmon, according to the latest BIM Business of Seafood 2021 publication.
The employment opportunities provided by the sector have become ever more critical following the impact of Brexit on the fisheries sector in rural coastal communities.
The aquaculture sector complies with obligations, particularly environmental objectives, outlined in several policies and regulations, including the habitats directive, birds directive, consolidated environmental impact assessment directive, marine strategy framework directive, marine spatial planning directive, water framework directive and the common fisheries policy.
Under the current aquaculture licensing system, the aquaculture sector complies with more environmental legislation than any other sector in the marine space. Notwithstanding that, the industry has been calling for reforms in the licensing system, seeking more robust monitoring and enforcement regulation.
Irish aquaculture can contribute to meeting climate action targets through carbon sequestration value, carbon-efficient food production, renewable energy sources and investment in adaptive technology for a more efficient Irish aquaculture industry. – Yours, etc,
TERESA MORRISSEY,
Aquaculture Executive,
Irish Farmers’ Association,
Dublin 12.
