An "ecopact" which aims to promote responsible and sustainable aquaculture has been initiated by the Minister of State for the Marine, Mr John Browne, writes Lorna Siggins, Marine Correspondent.
The environmental code of practice for aquaculture companies and traders represents a "powerful commitment" to environmentally sustainable fish farming, according to Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). That commitment extended beyond simple compliance with legal requirements.
The pact, and an accompanying pictorial guide to protected species around Irish coastline, were published by Mr Browne on the replica famine ship, Dunbrody, in New Ross, Co Wexford, yesterday.
The guide is the first of its type and will serve as a reference for many outside the aquaculture industry, according to BIM.
The Minister also presented the first certificate under the ecopact deal to Marine Harvest Ireland and paid tribute to the industry for supporting the initiative.
"Well-practised aquaculture is a genuinely sustainable activity with many benefits for Ireland's economy. However, there is no room for complacency, poor operators or low standards," Mr Browne said.
"Ecopact is a forward-thinking initiative which can set the Irish aquaculture industry apart and ahead of its overseas competition. The aquaculture industry has often come under attack from the media, and the Irish industry has now moved beyond marketing itself as environmentally superior to its overseas counterparts and is focusing on proving it," BIM commented.
Mr Pat Keogh, the board's chief executive, said there was already a very high level of environmental awareness among Irish fish and shellfish farmers.
This was not surprising, Mr Keogh said, as their very livelihood depended on a clean, unpolluted natural environment. The ecopact approach was designed to capitalise on this.
Irish salmon farming is going through a difficult period, with prices forced down by cheaper imports from Norway and Scotland. A week ago a receiver was appointed to Murpet Ltd, which owns some of the prime fish farming sites on the west and south-west coastline and employs up to 150 people.