A new forum funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund has been set up to help restore native oyster (Ostrea edulis) populations in oyster fishing areas in Ireland.
Members of the Irish Native Oyster Fisheries Forum (INOF) visited Tralee Oyster Fisheries Society in Fenit in Co Kerry in April to see the results of the organisation’s stock enhancement programme.
Patricia Daly of Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) said, “This forum has been set up to better influence policies that may affect native oyster stocks in Ireland. Native oyster fisheries remain of high environmental and socio-economic importance to fishing communities in Ireland. This forum is helping native oyster co-ops and development to have their voice heard.”
Earlier this year, Tralee Oyster Fisheries Society, under the management of Denis O’Shea, invested in a purpose-built barge to deploy coupelles or spat collectors in large frames during summer months. Native oyster juveniles are then stripped from the collectors and held in a designated nursery area until they are big enough to resist predation when restocked into the fishery.
The Irish Native Oyster Fisheries Forum includes two representatives from the following native oyster fisheries groups; Tralee Oyster Fisheries Society; Clarinbridge Oyster Co Op; Comharchumann Sliogeisc Chonamara; Clew Bay Oyster Co Op; Achill Native Oyster Fishermen’s Group; North Mayo Oyster Development Co-op and Lough Swilly Wild Oyster Society Ltd. The forum meets four times a year with advisors from BIM and the Marine Institute. BIM provides secretariat to the forum.
