Northern Ireland Aquaculture Producers supply low carbon seafood
Our diet has a major impact on the planet. Food production makes up more than a third of global emissions. Consumers are increasingly looking at changes to their diet to reduce their own carbon footprint.
Northern Ireland’s aquaculture sector produces around 4,000 tonnes of food valued at £12 million annually. It makes an important contribution to coastal and rural communities, employing over 140 people and produces a wide range of delicious and nutritious food choices. New research shows that the food produced is also a low-carbon option.
In 2023, the Aquaculture Representative Group (ARG) in Northern Ireland commissioned Mabbett to assess the carbon footprint of Northern Ireland’s salmon, trout, kelp, mussel and oyster production. The team carried out Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) to assess the emissions from this seafood production from cradle to farm gate. The report provides Northern Ireland’s aquaculture producers with a baseline carbon footprint of their operations.
The results show that Northern Ireland’s aquaculture sector produces low carbon food, particularly when compared to other farmed food like beef, lamb and pork. Sectors like mussel, oyster and algae culture can even make a positive environmental contribution through carbon capture and improving water quality in the areas they are grown.
The report provides NI’s seafood producers with evidence for their customers of the low emissions already achieved, and helps individual businesses identify where they may be able to reduce emissions even further in the future.
Notes:
- 2021 Research finds food production systems account for 37% of global emissions:
- https://www.newscientist.com/article/2290068-food-production-emissions-make-up-more-than-a-third-of-global-total/
- NI aquaculture production data from 2021 supplied by DAERA.
- ARG is an inclusive group that is open to all aquaculture producers in Northern Ireland and aims to foster effective engagement on behalf of its members with DAERA, its Executive Agencies and other public bodies.
- ARG thanks Seafish and the Fishmongers’ Company for their continued support to the Northern Ireland aquaculture sector.
