‘Food from our Ocean’ kick starts Oceans of Learning series

‘Food from the Ocean’ explores the science behind seafood and is the first topic in the Marine Institute’s Oceans of Learning series.

The ten-week campaign involving State agencies and coastal communities, will celebrate the world’s shared ocean and explore how we are connected with the sea by sharing news and online interactive activities, videos and downloadable resources on a different weekly topic, launched every Wednesday.

The seas and oceans of the planet are the world’s largest source of protein for over three billion people. With the United Nations anticipating the global population to grow to 9.8 billion by 2050, seafood will play a critically important role in seafood security and nutrition.

The oceans have always been an important and reliable source of food and the Marine Institute’s work “ensures that this resource is managed in a responsible and sustainable way,” explains Dr Paul Connolly, Marine Institute chief executive.

“We strive to ensure that Irish fish and shellfish are safe, sustainably sources and of the highest quality.”

The Marine Institute supports the seafood sector by providing scientific advice on the sustainable exploitation of the fish and shellfish stocks around Ireland.

“Our scientists work closely with industry to ensure our shellfish meet approved standards. Research in fisheries and aquaculture is also a key component of our work, with the Newport Research Facility acting as a hub for national and international research on fish ecology, genetics and population dynamics.”

Background

Shellfish are a valuable component of Ireland’s seafood industry. The Marine Institute carries out a year-round national testing programme to ensure that all shellfish are safe before being placed on the market for human consumption.

The institute works closely with the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the shellfish industry to monitor shellfish production areas to ensure that Irish shellfish are produced to the highest standards.

The Marine Institute also provides a range of services to the aquaculture industry to ensure that the industry operates to the highest standards, in the areas of seafood safety, fish health and monitoring of the marine environment.