Ireland’s Marine Sector and the BioEconomy1
(Paper primarily drafted by the Marine Institute)
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The views expressed in this background paper to not purport to reflect the views of the
Minister, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or the agency whose
activities are discussed
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1 National and International Context
1.1
Introduction and National Context
Within a competitive world economy, Ireland’s future economic prosperity is dependant on the
fundamentals of its geography, physical resources and human capital. In this context Ireland’s
unique location and extensive marine resources (10 times our land mass) represent a unique
asset supporting a wide spectrum of interlinked activities to advance the knowledge economy.
In 2007 the government launched Sea Change – A Marine Knowledge, Research and Innovation
Strategy 2007-2013 to address the 2020 vision developed in the National Marine Foresight
Exercise undertaken by the Marine Institute. Sea Change aims to bring about a transformation of
the marine sector from a traditional one primarily associated with low value added food
harvesting activities to one which is high value embracing knowledge intensive, commercial
opportunities developed in a sustainable manner. In the context of the bio-economy marine
resources can be split into food and non food as follows: Food - inclusive of sea fisheries and
aquaculture (finfish and shellfish) and Non Food – Pharmaceuticals, other chemicals and novel
materials and a wide range of bio processing.
Key factors that will shape future marine sector development include, scientific research
capacity and infrastructure, the environment, competitiveness, global demand and the need for
all firms to anticipate and become responsive to consumer preferences. Product, process and
organisational innovation are highlighted as the means by which the competitiveness of sectors
can be improved through the production of value added products and services.
1.2
Global Context / Issues
In the traditional economy, knowledge-creation and application is generally confined to
developing technologies that reduce or eliminate costs in manufacturing and distribution
processes. In the knowledge economy markets are global, customer or market-led and
knowledge enabled; players generate and apply research outputs and technological
developments to underpin the creation of new products and services and to grow markets. A
major trend in recent years has been the globalisation of R&D and the S&T (science and
technology) labour force. Emerging economies have adopted a similar strategic perspective to
the developed world and are seeking to build competitive advantage through developing
indigenous S&T infrastructure and talent and by attracting foreign investment and experienced
people. As the rate of global change continues to increase, so too do the challenges faced by a
small open economy as Ireland increase. The new challenges tend not to be scientific and
technological ones alone, but social, political, economic and cultural in origin. They are pervasive
and appear set to shape the scientific and technological response and include both a national and
a global dimension. Key issues that will shape the response of Ireland’s agrifood and marine
sectors include;

Competition from low cost regions of the world threaten all sectors attempting to
maintain commodity prices;

The power of customers (end-user) to influence markets and particularly the
development of new products and services;

Regulatory systems, whether EU regulations and quotas, the outcome of GATT
negotiations, CAP, CFP, the Marine Strategy and food health regulations;
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1.3

Rising energy costs;

Food security and access to raw materials on which to base food products and the
extent to which political, climate and sustainability issues threaten food sources;

Climate change and the varying degree of impact this is likely to have or is having on
us;

A focus on the use of Green Technologies creates new product opportunities and
also helps to develop responses to legislators and customers demands for minimal
environmental impact resulting from commercial activity

Maintaining bio-diversity and the need for an ecosystems approach.

Ireland’s Science Technology and Innovation Strategy that sets the goal for
Ireland to become a knowledge-based economy reflects EU policy.
EU Context
In 2007, the EU launched an Integrated Maritime Policy for Europe. This was followed in
September 2008 by the EU Marine Research Strategy. A clear convergence of the Irish RTDI
policy outlook with that of Europe and elsewhere exists. There is both a national and
international imperative to enter and compete within the global knowledge based economy. To
do so requires a major shift in thinking and a courageous step towards prioritising research for
the medium to long term and to support this by ring-fenced funding. The challenges in Ireland
are clear to see, they are the same challenges that European RTDI face. The consistency of
outlook from Europe concerning marine RTDI priorities represents a major opportunity for
Ireland. Already within FP& in 2007-2008 marine researchers have secured 11.4% of the national
take from the EU framework programme.
Synergies between national marine research priorities (identified in Sea Change) and those
identified by the Commission are:
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1.4
Climate change and the oceans
Impact of human activities on coastal and marine ecosystems and their
management
Ecosystem approach to resource management and spatial planning
Marine biodiversity and biotechnology
Continental margins and deep sea
Operational oceanography and marine technology (including use of GMES)
Exploitation of marine renewable energy resources
SWOT of the Irish Marine Sector
The SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis presented below looks
at Ireland’s marine sector as a whole. Presented in the Appendix of this document a number of
individual sub-sector SWOTs.
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Strengths
Weaknesses
 Ireland’s significant living and non-living ocean
resources;
 Dedicated agencies (MI & BIM) with expertise and
structures supporting the sector
 Established markets for export-oriented companies
(e.g. seafood, marine services and marine technology);
 Clear national strategies for the development of the
marine sector (Sea Change & Cawley)
 National strengths in ICT and life/bio-sciences that are
being mobilised for the marine sector;
 Strong inter-agency collaboration in implementing
national marine strategies (e.g. MI, SEI, IDA, EI, BIM,
Teagasc, SFI, Udaras)
 Solid foundation of research capabilities/infrastructure
 Track record in securing EU research funding (EU
Framework Programme);
 Significant role in influencing EU maritime
policy/research agenda;
 Recent MNC/development agency engagement in
marine sector opportunities.
 Low level of awareness of the diversity and
potential of the sector;
 An under-performing industry, compared to
other maritime countries;
 Small SME base with low levels of R&D
engagement;
 Regulatory regime unsuited to significant
development of the sector;
 Opportunities not being recognised by the
Venture Capital Community;
 No champion for marine research
commercialisation;
 Little recognition of value and importance of
marine tourism & leisure sector.
Opportunities
Threats
 Establish Ireland as a maritime nation/ ‘good place to
conduct marine business’
 Major growth potential in new and emerging areas –
offshore renewable energy, green technology, marine
biotechnology etc;
 Draw into the marine the capacity and capability of SFI
funded teams, particularly for these new and emerging
sub-sectors;
 Renewed opportunities in traditional marine subsectors – fish landings/ aquaculture/ seafood
processing, seaweed, water-based tourism & leisure/
cruise, marine transport and commerce;
 Exploit marine natural resource for non-food
applications e.g. new drugs and materials
 Marine Inter-departmental Committee can raise
profile of marine in other departments
 Potential to leverage Ireland’s success in attracting
foreign direct investment (FDI)
 Establish Ireland as a global reference site for marine
climate change and a key monitoring site for the NE
Atlantic.
 Economic Environment;
 Unable to implement national strategies for the
development of the sector due to limited funding;
 Reactive versus proactive approach to the
development of the sector
 Degradation of coastal water quality will impact
on clean/green reputation
 Fragmentation of support agencies
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The nature of the Agrifood and Seafood Sectors
With few exceptions, Ireland’s fish and agri-food sectors are characterised by their small scale
(firms tend to be SMEs) and by not being particularly research intensive. Scale factors influence
the majority of these firms from generating knowledge through research; and whilst their small
size contributes to the firms being flexible and adaptive, few engage in innovation actions to
utilise knowledge generated elsewhere. Differences exist between the agrifood sector and the
broader fisheries and seafood processing sector in the extent to which each sector is able to
add value to raw materials. Value added products account for close to 80% of sales from
Ireland’s dairy sector, where the raw material input is milk. The majority of sales from Ireland’s
seafood sector result from the sales of minimally processed fish and shellfish – both wild caught
and famed. Viewing fish and other marine species as a source of materials on which to base highvalue added ingredients, much in the same was as raw milk provides such materials, is a viable
development model for the marine food sector. Whilst the Cawley report drew attention to
functional foods, realising the potential requires a consistent and committed investment in
research as occurred in “mining” milk for high value materials.
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2 Irish Marine Research Infrastructure, Capacity and Activity
Investments in research over the last decade have brought about significant changes in the Irish
marine research landscape; providing new and significantly strengthened research capacity,
capabilities and infrastructures. Since 2007, national and international commitments to R&D
investment in marine research in support of the objectives in Sea Change has amounted to in
excess of €100m (€48m of which has been committed under the Marine Research SubProgramme of the NDP 2007-2013).
2.1
Marine Research Infrastructure
Significantly, and because of dedicated marine STI funding schemes under both the National
Development Plans 2000–2006 and 2007-2013, Ireland has established world-class marine
research infrastructure. e.g.
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The provision of two state-of-the-art specialist/multipurpose marine research vessels, RV
Celtic Voyager (1998) and RV Celtic Explorer (2003);
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An upgrade of specialist Marine Institute laboratory infrastructure at Oranmore, Co. Galway
(2006) and Newport, Co. Mayo (2003);
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The availability of a national data asset arising from the National Seabed Survey/INFOMAR
funded by government and carried out by the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Marine
Institute ;
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Establishing and upgrading Ireland’s Ocean and coastal obversoaty system e.g. ocean and
inshore data buoy networks and coastal tide gauge networks (2000– 2009);

MI/SEI investments in Renewable Ocean Energy e.g. establishment of ½ scale inshore test
site at An Spidéal, Co. Galway (2005) and preparations for the establishment of a full-scale,
grid- connected wave energy test site at Bellmullet Co. Mayo (current)
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Investment and delivery of specialist marine research equipment e.g. Remotely Operated
Vehicle (2008/2009);
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Marine Biodiscovery Laboratory (2008-current).
In addition, the HEA through the PRTLI, has continued to support and fund marine research
infrastructure in the Higher Education Sector e.g.:

Setting up the National Maritime College in Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork (2005); and
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Continued investment in facilities in e.g. National University of Ireland, Galway and
University College Cork and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology.
2.2
Marine Research Capacity and Capability
In parallel, marine RTDI funding has both strengthened and created new research capacity and
competencies. Research capacity has been strengthened particularly in the traditional areas of
fisheries, aquaculture and marine environmental research, monitoring and assessment. The
improved skill base is focused on addressing industry problems (e.g. fish stock assessments and
recovery plans, harmful algal blooms). These researchers have a critically important role in
addressing new challenges including the implementation of the ecosystem approach to marine
resource management (EU Marine Strategy), the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and
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the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Ireland has also developed a world-leading
reputation for seabed mapping. We now have the methodologies, human capacity, know-how
and physical infrastructure to expand this activity. It was accomplished through the successful
implementation of the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS) /INFOMAR.
Over the last 3-5 years significant new research capacity has been developed to focus on
identified priority research areas which lacked the physical capacity e.g in the areas of:

renewable ocean energy;
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biodiscovery and biotechnology;
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Advanced marine technologies; and
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Marine socio-economics.
In tandem, Sea Change also identified the need to target and attract researchers from other
disciplines to apply their skills to marine sector i.e. leveraging the national investment committed
by SFI in the areas of ICT and Biotech. The Marine Institute is actively engaging with SFI and
researchers to capture the expertise established and direct it towards the opportunities that
exist in the marine area.
2.3
Irish Researcher Success in European Research Programmes
Investments in the past in marine research were targeted at developing research competencies
and research facilities have improved Ireland’s position as a desirable partner in international
marine R&D projects.
From 2007 to date, Irish marine researchers from Higher Education and other public institutions
secured a total in excess of €18m in grant-aid (of this MI secured €2.7m). This compares with a
total of €23.1m awarded from the same sources during the entire duration of the previous cycle
(2000-2006). The investment is spread across 37 projects that fall within ten of the 15 Sea
Change Research Programmes.
The marine research community has secured 11.4% of the national take in FP7 to date and has
performed particularly strongly in the Energy, Environment and Space programmes.
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Snap-Shot of Irish Marine Research Capacity
In preparation for Sea Change, the Marine Institute carried out the first detailed identification of
marine research capacity in the third-level sector in Ireland. The study identified ~ 500
researches in 56 research groups/teams in 16 HEIs either active, or recently involved in, marinerelated research. This includes groups that are entirely focused on marine research and also
teams that are involved in marine research projects but whose research interests are wider.
In addition to the significant expertise in the HE sector, a number of public sector agencies are
involved in some aspect of marine-related research in Ireland. In many instances staff engage in
research, alongside other duties (e.g. monitoring, enforcement.) E.g.: The Marine Institute is the
state’s marine research agency; engaging in a wide range of marine research and development
activities (e.g in the areas of fish health, climate change, oceanography, knowledge and
information management, fisheries, environmental, catchment management). Through the NDP
it also provides funds to stimulate research in the higher education and private sectors. In
addition to providing development supports to the seafood industry, BIM also participate in
research that is linked closely to industry needs in the fishing, seaweed and aquaculture sectors.
Teagasc carries out marine research at Moorepark and Ashtown Food Research Centres
(related to seafood safety and processing of under-utilised fish species). In addition, researchers
in Teagasc (Rural Economy Research Centre in Athenry) are involved in socio-economic
research related to the marine sector.
Since the launch of Sea Change, new funding (national and international) has created new
research positions. An estimated 170 new research positions (PIs and Post-Docs) and 176 new
PhD scholarships were created. These positions have been created from a variety of national
and international funding sources.
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The following diagram provides an overview of the spread and intensity of marine research
activity and funding (national and international) since 2007 (under Sea Change)
31 Industry
6 Industry Associates
9 University
8 Institutes of Technology
13 Public Sector
1 NGO
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3 Sustaining the Marine Environment
3.1
The Marine Environment
Current priorities for Marine Environment and Food Safety research in Ireland are as set out in
SeaChange – a marine knowledge, research and innovation strategy for Ireland 2007-2013. These are
broadly based on requirements that arise from European legislation and the opportunities that
arise for Irish Marine sector as a consequence. As a productive and sustainable marine based
food sector depends on waters with a high environmental status there is a close relationship
between Food Safety, Aquaculture and Marine Environment research topics and programmes.
The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008) will continue to drive this agenda into the
future as it encompasses other existing directives and will integrate with and be supported by
EU policy such as a revised Common Fisheries Policy.
Sea Change outlines the following vision for the year 2020 with regard to the Marine
Environment research programme.
By 2020, Ireland will have healthy marine ecosystems that sustain and support a dynamic maritime
economy. As part of its commitment to generating and applying knowledge for social and economic
benefit, Ireland will have in place an integrated policy and regulatory system to ensure the sustainability
of marine ecosystems while allowing for the rational use of marine resources.
National marine policy will be driven by an overarching goal to have healthy marine ecosystems that
sustain indigenous biodiversity and provide for existing and new uses of marine and coastal resources.
Ireland will be fully compliant with the requirements of EU marine legislation and international
conventions to which it is a contracting party, and will be able to demonstrate, through the compilation
and regular publication of a suite of appropriate environmental assessments, the maintenance of a high
quality marine environment.
Ireland will have developed a marine brand identity, with a high quality environment and robust
economy. This brand will form part of a marketing programme for the seafood, tourism and other
marine sectors.
The marine food industry in Ireland is primarily focused towards the export market. Research
geared towards a viable marine food sector in 2020 must therefore be focused towards
maintaining consumer confidence in Irish product while enhancing its reputation as being
environmentally sustainable. Continuing to support the marine food sector includes the
following:
 Implementing Current and New Environmental Legislation
Impetus for the development of novel mechanisms to manage the marine environment and the
activities that take place in it based on sound scientific information will continue with the
implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. This will require greater
integration between existing monitoring programmes for the food production sector such as
stock assessment with environmental protection policy. The implementation of the directive is
likely to strengthen the legislative status of the OSPAR Convention for EU member states. In
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order to achieve this, Ireland will need to continue to mobilise marine research capabilities to
inform legislative and policy choices.
 Sustainable (Sectoral) Development
An increased consumer focus on sustainability, together with increased adherence to
environmental legislation such as the habitats directive will reaffirm the requirement for mutually
supportive policies to achieve a balance between society, economy and environment. Within
this context, the ecosystems approach has emerged as a fundamental delivery mechanism for
achieving sustainable development, based on maintaining fully functioning ecosystems. Progress
will require more coherence and better integration of management and regulatory systems
across all sectors. Although there are existing measures in place to reduce and control
pressures and threats on the marine environment, e.g. relevant EU Directives and OSPAR
strategies, they have typically been developed and implemented on a sector-by-sector basis.
Most sectoral policies address diverse uses, pressures, impacts, and major ecosystem
components (fish, seabirds, water quality and habitat features) separately. However, there is
growing acceptance of the need to consider interactions and cumulative effects arising out of
multiple uses of the marine eco system and to address these through policy instruments that
adopt a more integrated and holistic approach. Within Europe, the Ecosystems Approach
features prominently within the reformed Common Fisheries Policy, OSPAR and the new EU
Marine Strategy. Although guidance will be provided through these mechanisms, ongoing
research will be required at member state level to determine the specific objectives, approaches
and indicators.
 Environmental Understanding
Ireland needs to invest further in research to provide an adequate baseline of the characteristics
of the marine and coastal environment. Examples include a programme of research in physical,
chemical and biological systems and processes, a baseline assessment of resources (e.g. seabed
resources through the INFOMAR programme); and the development of appropriate models.
Such data sets and models would provide the scientific input needed for the assessment and
governance of the marine sector. They would also allow appropriate environmental indicators
to be developed and used in determining trends, e.g. impacts of climate change and ocean
acidification due to ocean absorption of anthropogenic atmospheric CO2. The challenge posed
by climate change are dealt with in the next section.
 Environmental Quality and Protection
In accordance with international conventions to which Ireland is a party (e.g. OSPAR
Convention, 1992), Ireland is expected to carry out regular assessments of the quality of the
marine environment including water, sediments and biota. Ireland is also obliged under the
Water Framework Directive to achieve good ecological and chemical status in its coastal and
transitional waters by 2015 with similar requirements towards 2020 in the Marine Strategy
Framework Directive.
 Protecting Marine Biodiversity
The maintenance of biodiversity in Irish waters demands effective regulation backed by coherent
programmes of scientific research. The richness of our marine biodiversity can be measured by
the range of habitats, the number of species and their genetic variety. In accordance with the
National Biodiversity Action Plan, as well as other UN and EU legislation, Ireland needs to
implement a prioritized programme of marine species and habitat mapping and surveying. Based
on this programme, Ireland will adopt specific provisions in our spatial planning and resource
management for the conservation of marine biodiversity. The maintenance of biodiversity also
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provides a potential resource for biodiscovery and marine eco-tourism, and conserves Ireland’s
marine heritage for future generations.
 Enhanced Monitoring Capability
Ireland can build on the investment made in marine research infrastructure, e.g. research
vessels, laboratories and communications technology, to achieve a more efficient and effective
marine monitoring system. Ireland has already built expertise in microelectronics, sensors and
data management, which provides further opportunities to develop automated systems for
environmental quality monitoring in freshwater catchments and marine and coastal areas. In
addition, there is the requirement, as listed above, for monitoring and management of the
marine environment.
 Integrated Management and Advice
The availability and reliability of marine environmental data is critical to assessing and managing
the marine environment and promoting sustainable development. Existing and new data sets on
key marine environmental variables need to be integrated, made accessible, and presented in
formats that can be readily understood by all stakeholders. The review and analysis of such
marine data sets will enable us to assess spatial and temporal changes at national and regional
levels and to develop further insights into, and understanding of, marine ecosystems. These
insights can form the basis for better policy advice and for management of marine resources.
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3.2
Climate Change and Oceanography
This section outlines the status of marine climate change and oceanography research, the key research challenges
and opportunities for 2020 to underpin a viable marine food sector
The Sea Change strategy for Marine R&D identified Marine Climate Change as a key gap area in
the nation’s knowledge, both in terms of assessing changes that have already taken place in the
ocean around Ireland and in terms of predicting future changes based on varying greenhouse gas
emissions.
In 2007, the NDP supported the establishment of a marine climate change research programme
to look at various available oceanographic, plankton, chemistry and fisheries data sets and to
build capacity in future scenario modelling with a particular focus on the marine ecosystems
responsible for sustaining food production in the ocean. The programme has also focussed on
downscaled statistical modelling of future scenarios and on CO2 fluxes and ocean acidification
that also impact upon the marine food sector.
Key research challenges and opportunities to underpin a viable marine food sector:

Large scale ocean circulation:
Many questions remain unanswered in terms of how the wider Atlantic Ocean processes
influences the living resources within the sea and Ireland’s weather and climate. The gyres and
current systems of the Atlantic influence recruitment and distribution of key fisheries (eg. Blue
Whiting, migratory species). Sea surface temperature influences our weather systems impacting
both marine and land-based activities such as agriculture. The precise mechanisms that bind the
ocean currents, marine ecosystems and weather patterns are not fully understood. Investing in
such basic research will enhance predictability of future states that may aid planning the
harvesting of marine food.

Coastal circulation:
Elaborate coastal currents operate in our waters and transport a variety of materials around the
Irish coastline and in to key bays. Fish larvae, harmful phytoplankton, persistent chemicals and
pollutants can be moved around our waters in these currents yet little is known about the
variability these currents exhibit on different time scales. A key challenge is to quantify this
variability so that accurate predictions of pollution events, oil spills, algal blooms and fisheries
recruitment can be provided.
Infrastructure deployed in our coastal oceans to date provides weather and sea state
information to the fishing vessels and commercial and leisure users that ply our seas. Tide
gauges at our coast assist in forewarning imminent storm surge and flooding events that effect
coastal communities and livelihoods. Maintaining this critical infrastructure represents a
challenge, primarily form a fiscal and human resourcing perspective.
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
Climate change
Recent evidence suggests wide scale changes to the fisheries ecosystem around Ireland in recent
years. These have tentatively been linked to warmer waters and changes in prey availability for
key commercial species. Warmer waters may influence the viability of finfish aquaculture as
temperatures exceed the optimum values for fish growth. There is also evidence to suggest that
Harmful Algal Blooms affecting both finfish and shellfish aquaculture are on the increase in
European waters. Understanding the precise linkages and feedbacks between the physical,
chemical and biological processes occurring in our waters lies at the heart of a viable marine
food sector. With a strong understanding of how the system works and how it is likely to be
perturbed under different future climate scenarios we can adapt activity (eg. Fisheries targeted,
finfish and shellfish species to produce, modification to structures at sea) as required to face the
challenges that a changing climate will present to Ireland.

Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Fisheries Resources
It is widely recognised that marine microbes and micro-plankton species provide great benefit to
human society through ecological services and maintenance of ecosystem health. These
microbes maintain the productivity of the oceans through the generation of oxygen, nutrient
cycling and nitrogen fixation. Increased absorption by the oceans of CO2 from greenhouse
gases will increase acidification and directly impacts the physiological processes, reproduction
and survival of all marine organisms including commercial important fish stocks.
Ocean acidification will potentially alter the stability and functioning of the ecosystems which in
turn will affect the recovery and rebuilding strategies for fish stocks and the sustainable
utilisation of fisheries resources. Addressing ocean acidification adaptation will be linked into the
implementation of the ecosystem approach to fisheries management which will include greater
research and monitoring of fish stocks, trophic interactions and socio-economics analysis on its
effects on sea food productivity, the fishing industry and coastal communities.
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4 The Marine – A Source of Novel Materials
Marine environments are diverse, and organisms that occupy the many ocean niches are
exposed to various extremes of pressure, temperature, salinity and available nutrients. Because
of this diversity and that most of the marine environment is yet to be explored, the marine
sector offers far more scope for discovery and associated breakthrough technologies compared
to the agri sector. Until quite recently, terrestrial microorganisms were the most widely used in
industrial processes. The search process for novelty has expanded; target habitats spreading
from soil, desert sand and the rumen of cattle and other ruminants, to the marine. By exploring
and harnessing marine materials, entirely new uses in areas far from the marine are likely to be
found. Already there are successful marine origin pharmaceuticals, novel industrial enzymes,
food ingredients, biosensors, drug delivery systems and novel chemical compounds. As more of
the marine is explored, the number of novel marine materials is set to increase offering great
scope for commercial applications.
Marine Biotechnology
Biotechnology is the process by which biological systems are controlled, manipulated or
modified to enable the production of value–added products. The impact of biotechnology is
already seen in traditional industries such as food and beverages, where it is bringing about
changes in how products are produced and influencing the kind of products that can be
produced. It is also driving the development and application of entirely new production systems
to support the industrial scale production of pharmaceuticals, other chemicals, and food and
novel materials with a wide range of applications as well as providing novel approaches for the
processing of waste materials. It is likely, as a result of advances in biotechnology, that entirely
new business sectors will emerge as efforts to maximize biological diversity intensify. The largely
under utilized and unexplored marine resource is a source of greater biological diversity than
anywhere else and is likely to lead to intensified activity with benefits across all indusial sectors.
There is an established “bio-economy” in Europe. It includes all productive sectors that utilise
or exploit a biological resource (e.g. agriculture, food, forestry, fisheries and other bio-based
industries). Estimates of the European bio-economy indicate a market size of over market size of
over €1.5 trillion and employing more than 22 million people.
Marine biotechnology is a knowledge generation and conversion process: it unlocks access to
biological compounds and provides novel uses for them. Many examples of the tangible benefits
of using outputs from marine biotechnology research in the food, health, energy and industrial
materials sectors exist; an awareness promotion initiative can be built around these. These
successes highlight the potential and strengthen the overall attractiveness of marine
biotechnology to businesses outside the marine sector.
Marine Biotechnology and the Food Sector
To realise the vision of Ireland as a knowledge-based economy in which the agri-food and
marine foods sectors progress within an innovation driven culture demands support from the
state to encourage and expand research activity. The known structural weaknesses in the
marine foods sector are being partly reinforced through investments made under the current
NDP. Compared with the agri-food sector, which developed on the back of a dedicated stream
of research funds from the early 1990’s, the marine foods sector lags behind on all fronts. The
future mapped out for the agri-food sector, is based on achieving long-term sustainable
competitiveness by the creation and use of scientific knowledge. Very much as farming is the
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first link in the food chain, so to is the capture or production of fish and shellfish. Maintaining a
healthly marine environment is every bit as important to the country as a whole, as are
sustainable farming systems. The greatest impact on Ireland’s farmland remains the Atlantic
Ocean; and separating farming from the impact of the marine environment is impossible. Much
as the agri sector respects the physical environment, promotes biodiversity and maintains a
healthy countryside, the same focus is required on the marine environment. Through state
support and drawing from European funds Ireland built up considerable research capability in bio
technology and life sciences and in information and communications technologies all of which
contribute to the agri sector and to making inroads in the marine sector.
Just as there is a clear need to be able to tailor animals and plants to meet customer
requirements, to eliminate variability and ensure stock can endure environmental changes, so
too is there a need to achieve the same impacts in marine foods. The “omics” revolution is well
underway and Ireland through investments in biosciences research has a foundation on which to
continue to build and deploy capabilities to understand and exploit the deep understanding of
the physiology, cellular biology and biochemistry. As with the agri-sector, the ability of the
marine foods sector to understand and exploit knowledge at the cellular and molecular level is
essential.
Across the agri and marine sectors new knowledge and relevant technological developments are
required to assess and harness developments associated with animals, plants and microorganisms and to monitor and protect the environments in which they exist.
Next generation bio-based products
Next generation products and the processes required to unlock the anticipated valuable
materials of these sectors, will rely heavily on biotechnology processes. Biotechnology draws
from a wide range of biological disciplines including botany, marine sciences, animal sciences,
microbiology, systems biology, bioinformatics, pharmacology, toxicology, genetics, molecular
biology, biochemistry and cell biology. The agri sector plans to diversify into crops for non-food
use, where the potential to generate novel products rests on biotechnology. The marine is
diverse not only in terms of the biodiversity which exists within it, but also in respect of the
scientific skills required to understand, harness and develop enterprise opportunities. It offers
untold opportunities for “discovery science” at all levels. The potential impact of biotechnology
on the marine sector will totally over shadow that of the terrestrial agri sector. Though little of
the marine biosphere has been sampled, European and other discovery-oriented research in
deep waters identified novel micro-organisms, viruses, bio molecules and bacteria. These marine
materials provide components for new healthcare, environmental and industrial products. As
well as new materials, marine biotechnology is also the basis of new tools and processes of
relevance to many industry sectors.
Non-food applications
Harvesting high value bio-actives from the marine for applications in animal and human health,
including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and functional foods is underway. The agri sector has a
considerable international ranked reputation for identifying useful bioactive from milk. This
expertise is currently helping to identifying bioactive in an array of marine organisms. Having
identified a bioactive, a further scientific challenge is to develop the capability to tailor marine
species to produce higher and purer amounts of specific bioactive. Issues of reliability and
extraction efficiencies, stability and even enhancing the bioactivity of specific molecules demand
expertise is developed in systems biology and bioinformatics.
17
Biofuels
Until recently, the focus of the agri-sector was the production of food. Increases in world
energy prices and an associated increase in demand for bio-fuels, has stimulated interest in
growing energy crops. European interest in exploring the possibility of the marine to yield bio
fuels stimulated some pilot research projects. Two EU funded marine bio fuel projects include
an Irish participation. One project will investigate macroalgae (seaweeds) and microalgae (singlecelled plants) for their potential to provide sustainable fuel and also study the environmental,
social and economic impacts of using marine bio fuel. The second project will review the global
state-of-the-art in the extraction of bio fuel products from algae with a focus on species,
methodologies, yield and culture methods for algal feedstock.
In 2008, Sustainable Energy Ireland commissioned a report to investigate the potential of marine
algae as a source of bio fuel in Ireland. A key conclusion from this report is that the large-scale
exploitation of wild seaweed stocks necessary to support bio fuel production in Ireland appears
unlikely in light of its role in supporting marine biodiversity and that the most likely contribution
of marine algae could be seaweed produced by aquaculture.
Marine Biotechnology Research Initiatives supported under Sea Change
The Marine Functional Foods Research Initiative (NutraMara project) provides seed capital to
develop this emerging area of marine origin functional foods and create a sustainable network of
researchers dedicated to high-class innovative research in this area. The MFFRI is focussing on
three main marine sources. These are; (i) fish processing waste streams or rest raw materials,
(ii) underutilised species of fish and seaweed including macro and microalgae, and (iii) the
development of value-added products from aquaculture—both finfish and shellfish.
NutraMara was launched in April 2008 and is led by Teagasc Ashtown Food Research Centre
(Teagasc AFRC) under the direction of Declan Troy (Head of AFRC). The initiative consortium
members include Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre (Teagasc MFRC), University
Colleges Cork (UCC), University College Dublin (UCD), NUI Galway (NUIG), University of
Limerick (UL), and the University of Ulster Coleraine (UUC).
NutraMara consists of up to 30 individual scientists (research officers and postgraduate
students) working on the development of marine based functional foods.
18
5 The Marine Sector’s Dependency on Technology
Development
As the marine sector continues its development and new opportunities are identified, it must
adopt technologies and participate in scientific discovery to remain competitive. The majority of
marine foods are exported; hence energy shortages and efforts to reduce CO2 emissions may
result in both economic and environmental penalties that impact competitiveness. The use of
other technologies to support production systems may offer scope to compensate and retain
overall competitiveness. Such challenges are not confined to the marine and indeed the marine,
through continuing to focus on maximising ocean energy, could make a contribution to reducing
the agri-sectors dependency on fossil fuels.
Other areas of technology already contribute to advancing the competitiveness of the marine
sector. Information and communications technologies underpin the diverse monitoring and
communications systems on which the entire marine sector relies for its survival and day to day
operation. This support marine safety, enable fish stock assessment, help guide fishermen to
fishing grounds, monitor landings and boat movements. Networks of marine buoys collect and
transmit various data on which national and international weather forecasting is based.
The impact of information and communications technologies
An opportunity to maximise emerging technologies in the marine is to strengthen links between
the marine sector and the Ireland’s successful and increasingly indigenous information and
communications technologies sector (ICT). With the growing awareness of climate change
attention is now turning to the development of solutions to mitigate the threat of natural waterrelated disasters and improve the management of water as a valuable resource. Opportunities
exist for indigenous Irish companies to work with research teams to develop and roll out niche
sensing and communications technologies capable of remote sampling and analysis over
extended periods, essentially developing the building blocks of an environmental nervous system
comprised of many distributed sensing devices that share their data in real time over the web.
The market for real time met ocean systems in the renewable energy sector (wind, wave and
tidal) is also expected to increase rapidly as this industry develops around the globe. Additional
commercial applications will evolve as technologies are deployed, for example, gas pipeline and
port security. Real time monitoring of the marine environment surrounding food production
area, as in shellfish and finfish aquaculture in open water, offers scope to enhance product
traceability and assure product quality and can be enabled by novel sensing systems linked into
communications networks.
Remote sensing using satellites is well established in the agri sector. Ireland’s farmland is
monitored to assess compliance with EC regulations on “set-aside” and can also be used to
assess form stocking density. The role of ICT is well established at farm levels also, where it
supports auto-piloting of combine harvester, on-farm automated milking and feeding systems. In
the marine area, remote sensing systems combined with oceanographic modelling capabilities
enhance our ability to identify and respond to algal blooms that can sometimes threaten the
aquaculture, tourism and fisheries.
Harnessing developments in ICT for marine applications is well proven. Advanced algorithms
support meteorological forecasting; ROVs control systems have been improved and enhanced
image processing leading to better visualisation, all result from the application of ICT. Identifying
potential marine applications demands an intimate knowledge of the marine and of the potential
19
of ICTs. As greater demands for data that informs and assures customers of the provenance of
marine foods are placed on the marine sector, solutions the importance of ICT will increase.
The development of marine ICT applications will impact policy and governance issues relating to
the marine area. The value of Ireland’s marine territories is substantial as a source of novel
organisms, mineral and energy reserves and food. Developing solutions to monitor Ireland’s
expanding territories will be through the application of ICT research.
Advanced engineering systems that result from the interaction of ICT, biological sciences, a raft
of engineering disciplines provide scope to further develop the marine sector. Already
underwater vehicles are able to replace human intervention in deep water, offering safer and
less costly maintenance of marine structures. The likelihood of large scale off shore aquaculture
will be realised only thought intense collaboration and interaction of engineers, marine biologists
and other disciplines. Operating such systems in the ever hostile Atlantic Ocean, will of
necessity demand the deployment of high level robotics, control systems and remote
management to ensure feeding regimes are maintained and that stocks can be harvested.
Technologies developed outside the marine sector will continue to be adapted and applied for
marine applications. For the marine sector to realise its potential, it must become as the agrisector, a major contributor to technology development and able to adopt ideas created
elsewhere. The marine sector, as other areas of Ireland’s productive sector faces constant
change. Advances in science and technology will enhance the sector’s ability to respond to the
anticipated rapid rates of change.
The impact of nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the ability to structure and organise single atoms or molecules to create new
materials and devices. This rapidly emerging science will impact on marine as it will on other
economic sectors. It will enable the development of novel devices and materials with specific
characteristics and customised to particular applications. Nanoparticles already have a role in
sensors and with the promise to interact with individual microbes, there is a real possibility that
novel sensor able to monitor disease states, act as diagnostic aids and the presence of
pathogens, will provide the aquaculture sector for example, with early warning systems.
Similarly, nanotechnology will enable new control systems to be developed, such that nutrients,
pharmaceuticals and other substances can be realised to provide immediate response to some
external response. It is essential, for the marine and agri-sectors to acquire the ability to
translate the results of nanotechnology research into specific applications in order to remain
competitive.
20
6 Sea Fisheries Resource
The Irish Seafood industry is a vital indigenous industry making a significant contribution to the
economy in terms of output, employment, balanced regional development and exports. Key to
the industry is a strong and sustainable resource base (fish).
In order for the industry to be sustainable, profitable, competitive and market focused and to
contribute maximum long-term economic and social benefits to coastal communities, and Ireland as
a whole, the resource base (fish stocks) must be:

restored to sustainable levels in the context of a healthy and diverse marine
environment; and
 managed under a fisheries management regime (comprising both a Quota Management
System and a Fleet Management and Licensing policy) that is equitable and transparent,
incorporates effective control and enforcement mechanisms and maintains biologically
sustainable stocks.
Steering A New Course: Strategy for a Restructured, Sustainable and Profitable Irish Seafood Industry
Strategy Review Group Report, 2006.
This is consistent with the 2020 vision for European Fisheries under the Common Fisheries
Policy.
For this vision to be a reality national commitment from all stakeholders is needed. A key
element of this is a commitment is outlined under the fisheries research programme of Sea
Change which stresses the need for high-quality, impartial research that will ensure:
 Greater understanding of the life history, ecology, socio economics, dynamics and
ecosystem role of fish stocks.
 The conservation and restoration of fish stocks and their habitats to meet international
obligations and maintain overall biodiversity targets.
 Improved stock assessment methodology for offshore, migratory and inshore fisheries
 Improved scientific advice with increased transparency—through increased stakeholder
interaction and participation and use of fishing industry knowledge
 New fisheries management frameworks that incorporate ecosystem and socio-economic
considerations
 Integrated knowledge products that provide a broader range of advisory options for
fisheries and ocean management.
Ireland now needs to develop and implement an ecosystem approach to managing it’s fisheries in
order to rebuild its fish stocks and ensure their future sustainability. This is clearly recognised in
Sea Change where it states “ It is now accepted that all aspects of the ocean are inter-related
and should be treated as an integrated system. In order to achieve a more rational management
of resources and thus improve the quality of the marine ecosystem, Ireland must adopt an
integrated and co-ordinated approach to fisheries management and development planning”.
An ecosystem based management strategy is now being developed for Irish fisheries through
the “Beaufort Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management” project funded through the “Sea
Change programme”. This €1.0 million project over seven years consists of consortium of
research scientists from the Marine Institute, University College Cork and Queen University
21
Belfast. It will address key objectives of the Sea Change strategy for 2013 and National Strategy
for the Seafood Industry (Cawley Report) to rebuild depleted fish stocks which includes aims to:
a) improve quality and increase the transparency of scientific advice through increased
participation and interaction with stakeholders including industry; b) increase our understanding
of the life history, ecology, socio-economics, dynamics and ecosystem role of fish stocks and c)
build integrated capacity and knowledge management.
Other Projects funded under the NDP Marine Research Sub-Programme include:
a) 4 major 7 year projects funded since 2007:
1. Beaufort Ecosystems Approach to Fisheries Management – PI in place and large FP7 bid
(NEMO) submitted;
2. Beaufort Fish Population Genetics – PI in place, substantial funding leveraged;
3. Rebuilding depleted fish stocks – post doc in place since Jan 09 – candidate of a high calibre:
top modeller
4. Data Integration – PostDoc researcher in place since Sept 08. The candidate appointed is of
very high calibre, and brings with them a very great amount of experience from the private
sector. The project has yielded some very promising results in a short timeframe.
b) Fisheries PhD projects: Signal detection, Herring, Nephrops, Black Scabbard, Climate Change,
Discards – all up and running
c) Tacit Knowledge
The project aims to integrate the tacit knowledge in the fishing industry for use in the scientific
assessment, advisory and fisheries management process. Progress to date has been positive: 2
case studies selected – Celtic Sea Cod / Galway & Aran Prawn Fisheries (2 PhDs in place).
Researchers seem to have gained good buy-in from industry.
22
Aquaculture (Finfish & Shellfish)
This section provides an overview of the Status of the Aquaculture Research and key research challenges
and opportunities for 2020 to underpin a viable marine food sector
Sea Change – the National Marine Research Strategy for Ireland (2007-2013) and the associated
marine foresight exercise, sets out a series of opportunities and challenges for the Irish
Aquaculture sector and these are expressed in terms of a 2020 scenario together with the
identified prerequisites to achieving the objectives as set out.
The 2020 scenarios in Sea Change set for aquaculture can be summarised as follows:






A production of 45,000 tonnes of finfish by 2015
A production of a modest 5,000 tonnes of cod / gadoids as part of this tonnage.
Growing to a production of 60,000 tonnes by 2020, providing the challenges relating to
offshore are overcome.
A significant proportion of the production to be organic with much of the remainder to
be superior quality certified stock for niche markets supported by quality labeling.
Shellfish production to be diversified with four main species (mussels, oysters, abalone
and urchins) with a combined volume of 96,000 tones at a value of €135m.
Shellfish production to aim for quality produce, with value added processing, backed by
science based management and enjoying a high reputation for food safety.
These scenarios are still valid today and can become a reality if the prerequisites are realized.
The prerequisites identified by the Sea Change foresight exercise can be summarized as follows:






Building public understanding and support for the aquaculture sector.
Policy support for integration of management, monitoring and regulation.
Market research and Brand Development,
Appropriate consolidation of the sector.
Policy support for new species development.
Networks of experts, researchers and business interests to underpin and drive R&D.
The increases in production envisaged are modest and incremental. The current licensed
production in the fin-fish industry for example is 35,000 tonnes. The development of the
industry is predicated on the development of a diverse range of high quality products aimed at
identified niche markets rather than high volume production of product for the commodity
market. R&D initiatives currently underway are focused on supporting and underpinning this
strategy
Key Research Challenges and Opportunities
Since the publication of Sea Change significant progress has been made towards addressing the
RTDI priorities identified.
 New Species Development
There is an extensive R & D programme in place to develop cod culture and it is progressing
well and results to date indicate with that Ireland has a significant advantage in terms of specific
growth rate of cod over our competitors in Europe and Canada. Marine NDP funded breeding
23
and brood stock programme EIRCOD is in the process of establishing a secure and high quality
source of eggs and juveniles for cod culture of known pedigree and performance characteristics.
This programme has developed strong international links with similar programmes in Canada
and Norway.
In addition, there are R & D initiatives underway for both Abalone and urchins which would
support further commercialization of these species in line with the stated objectives in the 2020
scenario.
 Offshore Aquaculture
There are a number of initiatives in place to address offshore production issues for both fin-fish
and shellfish. These include both international co-operative projects addressing the technical
issues related to offshore aquaculture and the deployment of a network of data-gathering
offshore buoys in both Galway and Kenmare bays to obtain ground truth data on offshore
conditions and in particular extreme events. These data are critical to developing the
appropriate design criteria for offshore installations and service equipment.
 Organic Seafood Products
There is already a considerable (& growing) proportion of Irish production certified as organic
and the vast majority of salmon production is certified as superior under a range of quality
schemes earning a premium price at market. This has enabled Irish producers to obtain a price
premium for there products in niche markets rather than competing in the commodity end of
the generic seafood market.
 Fish Health & Food Safety
Other key research areas currently being addressed in order to underpin a viable aquaculture
food production sector into the future include initiatives on fish health management and
environmental interactions. The industry in partnership with the Marine Institute and health
professionals are engaged in both international and national programmes aimed at improving the
health of stocks through both enhanced management and husbandry practices and improved
mitigation and treatment technologies for disease and parasite control in both fin fish and
shellfish.
Food Safety Issues
The key challenges for the finfish sector are fish health management and environmental
monitoring to ensure that the seabed and water quality are sensibly managed. Ireland has a
rigorous programme of aquaculture protocols that need to be regularly updated in the light of
scientific advancements. The national surveillance of residues in farmed fish will become
increasingly important for the production of organic fish. Many persistent contaminants, such as
dioxins and emerging substances, accumulate in the marine food chain and assessment of
seafood quality is essential to protect consumers and also to protect the sector from food
scares and provide reassurance and competitive advantage to the export market.
The shellfish sector will continue to face the challenge of maintaining product quality and safety,
arising from factors such as harmful algal blooms and water quality in shellfish growing areas.
The sector has an opportunity to build on the ‘green’ image that Irish seafood currently enjoys
and through the process of diversification, will provide many opportunities for developers and
investors. With such diversification however will be a requirement for increased understanding
and mitigation strategies for new pathogens.
24
Fish and Shellfish Health Issues
The health of the aquaculture animals which produce this wealth is crucial. Ireland had the
highest health status possible under Council Directive 2006/88/EC but ongoing investment is
required to ensure the diagnostic and screening tests which are used to underpin this health
status are fit for purpose, and constantly updated.
 Single Bay Management
The management of aquaculture businesses in the most appropriate and sustainable manner is
being advanced through a range of initiatives including both specific targeted projects and
CLAMS (co-coordinated local aquaculture management systems) CLAMS is a community based
initiative involving industry stakeholders developing co-ordinated development and management
plans for aquaculture production. The programme is supported and advised by state agencies
including BIM and the Marine Institute. These initiatives are set to position Ireland at the foreforont of the development of an environmentally friendly and sustainable aquaculture industry in
Europe, supporting coastal communities to meet their social, cultural, environmental and
economic objectives into the future.
25
Aquaculture Research Addressing Industry Needs
Under the Marine NDP 2007-2013, a number of industry-defined fish health projects of
particular interest to the future viability and expansion of the marine based food sector were
supported:
 ASTOX II : Under certain conditions shellfish may produce toxins harmful to human health.
Ireland has a successful and comprehensive monitoring programme to ensure toxic produce
does not enter the human food chain. This study is concerned with the Azaspirascids toxin
group, and includes a toxilogical evaluation, development of enhanced test methods and the
identification of the source organism. This project is funded under the Marine Institute
managed Marine NPD measure.
 GILPAT : An investigation into gill pathologies in marine reared finfish in Ireland. Sea Change
project 2008 – 2011. Gill pathologies are a significant management issue for fin fish
aquaculture. This study aims to identify the causative agents and identify mitigation
techniques. This project is funded under the Marine Institute managed Marine NPD
measure.
 AQUAPLAN: This aim of this project is to provide a national strategic plan for the
management of fish health issues in Ireland. In addition to producing an overarching strategic
plan for future management, the project will fund training and information dissemination
aimed at farmers, biologist and veterinarians; it will produce Contingency Plans for new and
emerging diseases; it will produce hydrodynamic modeling data which will underpin disease
control efforts and it will assist industry in producing a Code of Practice to deal with
outbreaks of non-listed diseases. This project is funded under the Marine Institute managed
Marine NPD measure.
In addition, a project funded under the EPA managed STRIVE programme also addresses fish
health issues:
 Norovirus (NoV) is the leading cause of gastroenteritis in the general population. NoV
contamination of shellfisheries presents a significant public health risk. This study will
compare NoV survival during sewage treatment and in seawater alongside indicator
organisms. The impact of sewage discharges on NoV contamination in shellfisheries will be
assessed while in-situ studies will investigate NoV levels in influent and effluent from a waste
water treatment plant (WWTP). The relative impact of storm overflows and continuous
treated sewage discharges will be investigated. Laboratory studies will investigate the
survival of NoV in seawater.
26
7 Seaweed
Seaweed is a natural and renewable resource, the potential of which remains to be fully realised
in Ireland. The level of interest in the commercial potential of Ireland’s seaweed resource is
rising and with it an awareness to manage the wild resource sustainably. It is unlikely that the
future demand for seaweed can be met from wild stock alone and interest in seaweed
aquaculture is increasing. Ireland’s emerging seaweed industry reflects the broad and increasing
sophisticated use of seaweed by firms in delivering a wide array of new seaweed based products.
Irish seaweed firms are beginning to exploit market niches though the application and generation
of knowledge and well established links with the higher education sector exist. This approach
creates opportunities for new research and new products. Achieving economic growth on the
back of research and innovation is a national priority; harnessing and utilising the necessary
scientific resource appears to be the only way Ireland’s seaweed sector can flourish.
Scenarios created under the Sea Change strategy, as well as describing the sector in 2020,
enabled the development of clear industry driven research objectives. Identifying the seaweed
value chain from access to raw materials to application and exploitation helped to target
research effort towards medium to long-term commercial opportunities. Funds to support the
research effort come primarily from the NDP marine research sub-programme. And whilst
these funds enable dedicated seaweed research aligned to the specific objectives, the Marine
Functional Foods Research Initiative and the Beaufort Biodiscovery Programme each support
more application specific seaweed research. An Enterprise Ireland industry led research
initiative is the source of funds required to provide industry with knowledge of the nutritional,
biochemical and chemical analysis of key commercial seaweed species.
REVIEW OF Sea Change Seaweed SCENARIOS

Sustainable, scientifically based harvesting of kelp, Ascophyllum nodosum,
fucoids and maërl;
Developing viable seaweed sector demands knowledge of the key commercial species including
details of the availability of the stock; how natural stocks should be managed and maintained;
and the provision of clarity on licences to access and use wild stock. With the exception of the
focus on Ascophyllum nodosum and Lithothamnion corallioides (maërl) the species of kelp and
fucoids lacked definition. In developing the ILRP research agenda, industry targeted nine species:
Ascophyllum nodosum; Laminaria digitata; Laminaria hyperborean; Palmaria palmate; Chondrus crispus;
Himanthalia elongate; Fucus serratus; Lithothamnion corallioides; and Ulva lactuca. Industry provided
more insight to the commercially relevant species of kelp - Laminaria digitata; Laminaria
hyperborean and confirmed the importance of Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus serratus and
Lithothamnion corallioides.
Developing a methodology for the quantitative assessment of the inshore kelp resource, in the
long-term will facilitate the development of appropriate management plans and sustainable
harvesting practices. However, it is unlikely that this methodology will be able to assess the
biomass of other species and therefore separate studies of species in the inter-tidal zone may be
required. There will also be a need to initiate selective mechanical harvesting trails to assess the
impact harvesting at specific sites, re-growth and impact on other marine species.
27

Seaweed from aquaculture production forming the basis for downstream
processing of value-added biopharma and nutraceutical products
According to the FAO, in 2004 world aquaculture production of aquatic plants was 13.9 million
tonnes, worth US$ 6.8 billion, of which China produced 10.7 million tonnes, valued US$ 5.1
billion European, including Irish, seaweed farming has yet to start commercial scale operations2.
The use of seaweed in high value added products is set to increase. This trend is reflected in the
small Irish seaweed sector, where firms are intent on maximizing the use of seaweed derived
bioactive materials in human and animal food and health products, agriculture and
pharmaceutical products. The key to meeting the needs of firms involved in these areas is a
constant and reliable availability of raw materials. Some wild stock such as Ascophyllum face
challenges in light of the reduced levels of activity of traditional harvesting and this may limit
supply. Limits placed on other wild stock as a result of stock basement and harvesting trials
could impact on the availability of other wild species. Where food or pharmaceutical GMP
demands full product traceability, aquaculture may be the only viable source of materials.
Aquaculture trials commenced with Palmaria palmate, Laminaria digitata and Porphyra sp and this
activity builds on earlier works involving Irish researchers and growers that made inroads to
the cultivation of Alaria esculenta, Ulva spp, Porphyra linearis, Chrondus crispus and Asparagopsis
armata. Justification for engaging in this work continues to be reflected in priorities of Ireland’s
seaweed firms who also highlight the need for on-going support to develop aquaculture
capabilities for high value, strain specific species.
 Regular use of seaweed in biotechnology
Interest in and focus on marine biotechnology has gradually been growing and gaining
momentum in Europe. This largely stems from the need to meet growing demands for novel
materials that cannot be satisfied from terrestrial sources alone, and the recognition that the
marine environment, accounting for over 90% of the biosphere, hosts immense biodiversity, in
great part due to extreme environmental conditions that have required marine organisms to
adapt their physiology in unique ways. The key to unlocking the potential of seaweed is
exploiting Ireland’s competences in biotechnology. Biobased production and biotechnology are
high on the policy agenda of Europe, with marine oriented biotechnology earmarked for rapid
development. Considerable commercialisation potential existsl.
Despite a uniquely unpolluted and abundant natural resource, the Irish seaweed industry faces
major challenges due to the lack of comprehensive scientific and technical data on which to base
the development of new products. The sector wants to assess and profile the composition of
key seaweed species and understand how best to extract their valuable ingredients. Next
generation products and the processes required to unlock the anticipated valuable materials will
rely heavily on biotechnology processes. Biotechnology draws from a wide range of biological
disciplines including botany, marine sciences, microbiology, systems biology, bioinformatics,
pharmacology, toxicology, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology.
The potential of Ireland’s seaweed resource as a source of novel materials is reflected in a
number of public good research projects that seek to use biotechnology to identify, isolate and
extract compounds from seaweed and other projects that seek to generate new knowledge
about the bioavailability of compounds from different seaweed species. In addition to the algal
strands in the Marine Functional Foods Initiative and in the Beaufort Biodiscovery research
programme, other work that demands biotechnology expertise includes SEAFEED: Unlocking
2
http://www.fao.org/fi/website/FIRetrieveAction.do?dom=topic&fid=3459
28
Bioactive Potential of Seaweed for Novel Animal Health Applications; BIA-SLAN: Bioactive
Ingredients from Algal Sources - novel Antimicrobial tools to limit Campylobacter infection of
poultry; Pre-commercialisation Evaluation of Algal Derived Prebiotic Poly and Oligosaccharides
using Phenotype Microarray Technology; and Novel Functional beverages based on
Polysaccharide additives of algal origin.
29
Appendix: SWOTs
SWOT Environment & Food Safety
Strengths
Weaknesses
 Strong National Monitoring programmes
with time series over a number of years
 Integrated environmental monitoring and
food safety programmes with experienced
staff (Marine Institute) with a view across
topics.
 Small but Cohesive state agencies that can
develop integrated programmes.
 Food industry research agenda with
terrestrial focus, marine a relatively small
sector
 In cohesive approach to marine policy, e.g.
marine spatial planning
 Major gaps in implementation of marine
environmental legislation such as
transitional and coastal monitoring under
WFD
Opportunities
Threats
 Good legislative basis for existing work,
likely to be reinforced by future and
developing EU legislation.
 Open Data Policies (Generally) in state
sector proving good data sets for future
research
 SMARTBay platform will provide a world
class differentiator in competing for
international funds.
 Research agendas being set by research
agencies from larger EU countries with
more research funding
 Lack of multi-year planning and adequate
funding
30
SWOT Analysis Oceanography and Climate Change
Strengths
Weaknesses
 Ireland is uniquely positioned geographically to
monitor the key current pathways and water
masses of the North Atlantic Ocean
 The RV Celtic Explorer allows invaluable Irish
research access to Irish waters
 Ireland is a small enough country to ensure
that both oceanographic and marine climate
research can be conducted in a joined up
national programme, though this should always
be considered in a wider international context
 Ireland has invested in an ocean observing
system since 2000 which is on a par with
countries of a comparable size
 Limited long-term strategy and planning for
oceanography and climate related activities,
funding to date has been highly opportunistic
 Inability to retain and nurture key staff to build
a long-standing capacity in these areas
 Limited cross-agency support for
oceanography and climate related activity
 Low current budgets to maintain key
observing infrastructure
Opportunities
Threats
 Investment in oceanography and climate
activity could establish Ireland as a key sentinel
climate monitoring site.
 Refining predictions of ocean currents, water
masses, storm surges and wave conditions will
lead to savings and efficiencies in many marine
and land based industries including marine
fisheries, agriculture, aquaculture, coastal
protection and shipping
 Well qualified and experienced oceanographers
and climate scientists are trained at Irish
institutions. Retaining these skills could place
Ireland at the heart of the global knowledge
economy.
 Ireland has one of the best wave and wind
climates in the world. The wave and wind
energy companies can develop from Ireland if
key scientific personnel are avail able to them
to assess and predict the available energy
resource
 Ireland is directly adjacent to the Atlantic
Ocean. Climate science developed in Ireland
can contribute to the global understanding of
climate change for the IPCC.
 Inflexible structure for the recruitment and
retention of key staff with the requisite
expertise
 Lack of multi-year planning and adequate
funding
31
Seaweed Sector SWOT summary
Source – seaweed industry
Strengths
Markets and Product Development
l
l High tech approach to valued added seaweed
products
l Strong historical global demand
Rising global costs of substitute products (e.g.,
l cereals) is creating demand and opportunities for
seaweed products
Seaweed components being used in many food,
l drink & functional applications
Seaweed & aquaculture business worth US$6bn:
 is a growth sector
R&D and Application of R&D
Strong indigenous science base at 3rd Level
Good academic partners exist in Ireland
l
Government/Legislative Support
l Strong support for development of the industry
from government/local agencies
l
Features of Industry in Ireland
Long history of seaweed activities in industry
Island nation with maritime tradition
l A long tradition of various seaweed uses
Established companies, mostly BMW region
Spirit of enterprise & entrepreneurship strong
l New Intellectual Property outputs are being
l generated by industry
l Wide availability of experienced and skilled
l business managers
Resource/Infrastructure in Ireland
l Abundant, essentially untapped resource
500+ species of micro/macro algaes
l Seaweed absorbs and converts CO2, and also
uptakes heavy metals
‘Clean’ western seaboard ideal for
harvesting/integrated aquaculture
l Readily accessible coastal/bay access points
l Winter growth rate of certain species is strong
l (e.g. Alaria, Laminaria)
l
Weaknesses
l
Markets and Product Development
l Global competition is high and increasing due to their
access to resources
l Market for products not well established, leading to
l revenue uncertainty (risk)
l Little understanding of & links to global markets
l Little consumer awareness of Irish seaweed
l
R&D and Application of R&D
l Large scale growth and harvesting
approaches/technologies are not applied
l Lack of research/data on:
-l Distribution and biomass to match with market
l demand (species, volumes, seasonality issues)
-l Harvesting: effects on sustainability & biodiversity
- Seasonality for key bioactives
- Seaweed and its applications (e.g., efficacy)
l Research not readily available to industry
 Lack of hands-on knowledge about harvesting &
l cultivation techniques and technologies
 Lack of mechanical harvesting in any form
Government/Legislative Support
l Fragmented approach to development
l Poor promotion of opportunities in seaweed
l Little applied research support and activities
l Lack of funding for innovation, R&D
l No quality standards (especially health & labeling)
 No organic certification strategy
 Lack of indigenous venture capital for R&D and
operations development (marketing, production)
l Lack of long term management plan/framework
l Access to natural resources is very difficult
 Forthcoming EU legislation likely to impose
restrictions on certain applications & species use
Features of Industry in Ireland
l Fragmented industrial organisation
l Not fully developed, most activities are localized
l Companies are not working/coming together
l Skilled labour force demands high salaries
l High relative costs of production (labour)
l
Opportunities
l
Markets and Product Development
l Global demand exceeds available supply
l Biorefining for high value products & energy
l Growth in demand for natural products
l Potential for Irish nutraceuticals & functional food
products
l Existing high and wide-ranging value added product
l opportunities
l Global awareness of the value of seaweed products
l high; export demand is strong
l Value of seaweed as a substitute increasing rapidly as
l traditional energy & food prices rise
l Micro/macroalgae provide terrestrial and aquaculture
l bioremediation platforms
l Ability to absorb CO2 elevating value & availability
l
R&D and Application of R&D
 Provide product traceability to industry
l Develop Marine Centre of Excellence
l Good links between industry & 3rd level
l Mechanised harvesting to increase yields
l New harvesting approaches applied internationally can
l be applied in Ireland
l Develop cost effective integrated aquaculture systems
l Develop new national Irish brand
l
Government/Legislative Support
l Develop consumer awareness (media/Bord Bia)
l Seaweed resource targeted as development priority by
l state bodies
Provide funding while sector growing, particularly for
l small companies
Develop wild harvest and/or organic standards and play
 leading role in their development
Features of Industry in Ireland
Shared interests and opportunities between most Irish
l seaweed firms
Resource/Infrastructure in Ireland
Infrastructure of existing aquaculture operations
l provide seaweed foundation
Threats
l
Markets and Product Development
l Cheaper synthetic substitutes for certain
l products
l Emotive market sentiment re biodiversity vs.
l controlled growth and harvesting
l Foreign competition strong and growing
l EU opposition to quality Irish products
R&D and Application of R&D
l Lack of scientific support for anecdotal health
l and nutrition claims
l Lack of cooperation & links between industry
l & 3rd Level, research community
l
Government/Legislative Support
l Poor regulatory framework, management
l strategy and licensing approach
l No progress on development of standards for
l the industry
l No long-term vision for the industry
l Lack of stakeholder involvement in
l exploitation discussions
l Current access problems due to
l ineffectiveness of legal position
l
Features of Industry in Ireland
l Harvesters (250) aging and retiring; low rate
l of new worker enlistings
l Potential threat of Arramara becoming
foreign-owned
l Inadequate species selection approach to
current harvesting activities
Resource/Infrastructure in Ireland
l On-going conflict between harvesting and
conservation issues in designated areas
l Environmental drivers, constraints
l Global warming is impacting biodiversity
l Coastal water pollution a threat to quality
seaweed and organic status
l Threat of ecological disasters (oil spills)
 Epiphytic organisms & poorly selected harvest
sites a combined on-going threat
SWOT Analysis Finfish Aquaculture
Strengths
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Long indented coastline
High quality coastal marine environment
Established aquaculture industry
35,000 tonnes of licensed capacity for salmonids
Good R & D Support infrastructure – agencies, 3rd
level institutes
Modern and efficient fish health support services
Established markets for both reared and wild finfish
Access to experienced work force
Wide range of training programmes
Strong links with aquaculture industry worldwide
Strong food technology sector
Weaknesses
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Opportunities
 Post recession – renewed focus on indigenous
industries
 Job creation in remote rural areas
 Increased capacity in third level –Beaufort Fish
Population Genetics & Functional Food Programmes
 Increased awareness of need for a functional
genomic approach to stock selection
 Success of EIRCOD programme to date
Regulation and licensing issues
Need to refine codes of best practice
Lack of investment in the industry
Environmental monitoring and forecasting
capabilities
Commercialisation of hatchery technology and
juvenile production
Requirement for new species brood stock
programmes / selective breeding programmes
Requirement for carrying capacity models
Offshore site identification / characterisation
Physical and biological modelling
Cage design for use at offshore sites
Market research and brand development
Threats
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Lack of investment capital
Public perception issues
Environmental and food safety concerns
Climate change impacts – increasing winter
temperatures, greater intensity of storms
 Outbreaks of diseases and parasites
 Resistance to medical treatments for disease and
parasites