University College Cork, Ireland, and Marine Institute Ireland are currently working on a Department of Agriculture Food & the Marine funded project called ‘Bivalve’ which covers commercially important bivalve species in both fisheries and aquaculture. They will be increasing the scope of the assessments and surveys they do under this project and will also look at environmental and other effects on bivalve productivity to support the growth of this sector.
Below is a link to a simple questionnaire that aims to identify what issues different stakeholder groups think are important in bivalve production. Summary findings from the questionnaire will be disseminated via social media, industry focussed workshops and international conferences.
Bivalve Aquaculture & Fisheries Survey
Bivalve molluscs (mussels, oysters, clams, cockles, scallops) are key components of inshore fisheries and aquaculture in Ireland and globally. Bivalves provide important ecosystem services including nitrogen removal, an increase in water clarity, carbon sequestration, a structural habitat to support biodiversity, and are also a food source for wading birds, seabirds, and marine fish. Many factors constrain the development and production of bivalves by the primary producers/fishers (growers and fishermen). Constraints include environmental regulation and conservation requirements, increasing unpredictable environments and associated problems with disease, food safety, and stock decline in fisheries that are poorly managed. Nevertheless, there is increased global demand and significant market opportunity.
A future vision for the bivalve industry could include stable and predictable production and markets, high biological productivity in production systems, well-managed and stable fisheries, and a highly valued product reflected in sustainability certification.
As part of the BIVALVE Project, this questionnaire seeks the views of respondents on the main issues that are considered to be important to the bivalve industry and should only take approximately 6 minutes to complete.
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