Fisheries’ low carbon efforts enhance sustainability

A examine into the carbon footprint of the Atlantic seafood sector has been hailed as a powerful endorsement for business.

Killybegs Chief Scientific and Sustainability Officer, Dr Edward Farrell has mentioned ongoing efforts by fishermen to cut back their environmental influence, enhance their effectivity and contribute to scientific information assortment is constant to boost the sustainability credentials of seafood.

A report commissioned by state seafood improvement company, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) earlier this yr to which the Killybegs Fisherman’s Organisation had important enter, discovered that carbon emissions for the sector are lower than 2% of these produced in different key meals sectors and the carbon footprint of small pelagic species, resembling mackerel and herring, is a mere fraction of that of land-based animal protein manufacturing.

Commenting on the continuing work by fishermen, Dr Farrell mentioned that whereas the fishing business typically struggles to get the popularity it deserves for its significance to the Irish economic system or as producers of extremely nutritious low influence meals, that is proof optimistic of the sustained work which KFO members are investing into long run sustainability.

Dr Farrell mentioned: “The KFO participated in a ground-breaking mission known as NEPTUNUS, the first goal of which was to develop a life-cycle stock database of seafood for the Atlantic Space. Along with analysing gas use and catch, the mission has offered a carbon footprint for pelagic species which displays very positively on the business right here. Killybegs’ shut proximity to the primary fishing grounds and the seasonal, focused and selective fishing method utilized by our vessels distinguishes them from overseas fleets touchdown the identical species.

“Whereas gas accounts for almost all of the business’s emissions, you will need to put this into context and take a look at the return on that vitality funding, which within the case of small pelagic species was significantly greater than for land-based animal protein manufacturing. Regardless of this effectivity we’re already probing methods and technique of weaning the vessels off diesel and to this finish the KFO is working with quite a lot of events and analysis teams discover the choices, potential and realities of decarbonisation and the vitality transition for our members’ vessels.”

As an business which is wholly reliant on pure ecosystems for sustainable meals manufacturing, the KFO is totally dedicated to sustainable fishing and ongoing discount of its carbon footprint.

Fisheries’ low carbon efforts enhance sustainability was final modified: October twenty third, 2023 by Employees Author