Marine Biodiversity Projects

Appropriate assessment of aquaculture activities in Natura 2000 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC's)

As identified, the aquaculture industry is an important economic activity on all coasts of Ireland. The inshore aquaculture industry produces a variety of shellfish as well as salmon and trout. A significant proportion of the activity occurs within, or proximate to, Natura 2000 sites which are environmentally designated areas under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives.

Project Status:

Ongoing

Measure the effectiveness of mitigation measures of managed activities (aquaculture) carried out in Natura sites

This project was designed to measure the effectiveness of management or mitigation measures taken as part of aquaculture licencing decisions to reduce or minimise risk to conservation features.

Project Status:

Ongoing

Appropriate assessment of aquaculture activities in Natura 2000 Special Protection Areas (SPA's)

The aquaculture industry is an important economic activity on all coasts of Ireland. A significant proportion of the activity occurs within, or in proximity to, Natura 2000 sites which are designated areas under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives.

Project Status:

Ongoing

Expertise to carry out AA reporting as it relates to aquaculture and fisheries

Scientific expertise to provide the Marine Institute a facility to better measure and manage the risks to conservation features from aquaculture and fisheries activities and provide robust scientific advice to DAFM in a timely fashion.

Project Status:

Ongoing

ECCA: Ecological Carrying Capacity of Marine Ecosystems

There is a need for a holistic ecosystem based tool for defining boundaries for aquaculture development within a waterbody, so that it’s ecosystem function and the biodiversity it supports can be sustainably managed. ECC modelling has significant potential to meet this need.

Project Status:

Ongoing

Salmon Stock Baseline Farm Introgression

The establishment and monitoring of a genetic baseline of Irish wild salmon populations for determining extent of contemporary and future genetic introgression from escaped farmed salmon

Project Status:

Ongoing

Mapping the distribution of the Pacific oyster, Magallana gigas in Ireland.

This project will determine the current status of recruitment of the Pacific oysters in Ireland and identify certain conditions that favours successful establishment of the species in a number of SPAs as dictated by the Aquaculture and Foreshore Management Division of DAFM and make recommendations in relation to subsequent licensing and management of aquaculture activities in the sites.

Project Status:

Ongoing

Appropriate Assessment, Monitoring and Scientific Research for Aquaculture in Natura 2000 Sites

This work programme supports the sustainable development of Ireland’s aquaculture sector while ensuring the protection of marine biodiversity within Natura 2000 sites. It integrates Appropriate Assessment (AA), ecological monitoring, targeted research, and scientific expertise to inform evidence-based licensing and management of aquaculture activities in Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). The work programme contributes directly to the implementation of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives by ensuring that aquaculture activities are assessed, monitored, and managed in line with conservation objectives for protected habitats and species.