SLMC
is pressing for a move towards a cumulative, strategic assessment of aquaculture.
The Committee has also been working to develop a system whereby aquaculture
development might be voluntarily zoned, or at least not developed in the
Lough's most sensitive areas. To date the issues surrounding this have
not been resolved but work is on going. SLMC continues to be very active
in assessing the suitability of individual applications. It has made recommendations
on the size and scale of developments, as well as on licence conditions,
to reduce conflict with environmental interests and other Lough users.
In addition, The Committee supports the use of voluntary codes of conduct
for aquaculturists.
If developed
at an appropriate scale and if carefully sited and managed shellfish
aquaculture should be sustainable economically and environmentally.
However, vigilant quality control and the co-operation of individual
operators is essential.
Regulation
In this
fast growing industry there is a need to consider the implications of
new cultivation methods, the species farmed and sources of stock on
a continuing basis. Aquaculture is regulated under the Fisheries Act
(NI) 1966, as amended 1991 and 1993, and the Habitats and Birds Directives.
DARD are
responsible for licensing shellfish introductions and movements in Northern
Ireland. It is illegal to introduce new species to aquaculture in Northern
Ireland without a licence and all species must be certified as disease
free before introduction. Shellfish moved for transplantation within
Northern Ireland must have a shellfish movement permit from DARD.
Aquaculture
licences can include conditions that can limit tonnage, restrict harvesting
etc where appropriate.
Caged fin fish farming
SLMC remains
strongly opposed to the introduction of caged fin fish farming (eg salmon
farming) on Strangford Lough for environmental reasons. However, new
techniques using shore based closed systems have yet to be examined
by the Committee.
How shellfish are cultivated
Techniques
for growing shellfish are being refined and there are many experimental
operations in Strangford Lough as well as commercial activities. Centre
for Marine Resources and Mariculture, an extension of Queen's University
at Portaferry has been set up for the purpose of developing environmentally
sustainable methods of aquaculture.
Oyster
arming is currently the most economically important fishery in the Lough
with an annual turnover in excess of that from commercial fishing and
providing direct employment for about 10 people. The principle species
cultivated is the Pacific oyster grown in mesh sacks on trestles at
mid to low water, mainly at Paddy's Point and Castleward Bay.
Native
oysters, considered by many to be superior in taste, are also being
ranched on the sea bed in a sheltered sandy area in the north west of
the Lough.
Manilla
clams have also been farmed in the Lough. They are sown into sand at
the low water mark and protected from bird predation with nets.
Mussels
grow extremely well in Strangford Lough. Both mussels and scallops may
be cultivated on the sea bed or on ropes suspended from long lines."
Extract from SLMC Third Report 2001, reproduced by kind permission
from SLMC
"Sustainable shellfish farming
