Status of Irish Aquaculture 2004

This report is the second annual report on the status of Irish aquaculture (see Parsons et al., 2004). It has been produced in collaboration with the three main State agencies that provide support services in the areas of research and development to the industry – Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Marine Institute and Taighde Mara. The aims of the report are to: (1) provide an objective and comprehensive source of information on the status of Irish aquaculture in 2004; (2) show the main trends in the production, employment export and market statistics for the Irish industry in 2004; (3) summarize the current licensing activity, which is the responsibility of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources; (4) present the results of the wide range of monitoring programmes for farmed shellfish and finfish, which are carried out primarily by the Marine Institute, in accordance with Irish and EU food safety and environmental requirements; (5) highlight the various research and development initiatives in the area of aquaculture that are underway in the various State agencies and third-level institutions; and (6) report other issues/events/initiatives that occurred during 2004. The overall aim of the report is to provide useful reference material for the industry, trade customers, investors, researchers and interested parties