Research as a driver for the development of the shellfish sector – a European perspective Gavin Burnell Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre, University College Cork, Ireland

Marine (97%) Coastal zone Estuaries Continental shelf The Aquatic Environment - >70% of earths surface Freshwater (< 3%) Rivers Resevoirs Lakes Ponds

Typical shellfish on-growing environment

European shellfish production from EU shellfish production is static or declining

Some of the reasons for this include: Overstocking Disease Lack of natural spat supply Invasive species Poor performance of hatcheries Public health issues (HABS, sanitation etc) Lack of sites / conservation issues

1. OVERSTOCKING Examples: Arcachon, France – Pacific oysters Bantry Bay, Ireland – mussels

SMILE - Objectives 1.To establish functional models at the lough scale, describing key environmental variables and processes, aquaculture activities and their interactions; 2.To evaluate the sustainable carrying capacity for aquaculture in the loughs, considering interactions between cultivated species, targeting marketable cohorts, and fully integrating cultivation practices; 3.To examine the effects of overexploitation on key ecological variables; 4.To examine bay-scale environmental effects of different culture strategies. (Joao Ferreira, AFBI, IMAR)

Carrying capacity definitions and SMILE SMILE solution Physical Bathymetry, morphology: GIS models Current speed and direction: Delft3D Model ProductionIndividual shellfish growth: ShellSIM, WinShell models Population growth: D3D-ShellSIM- EcoWin2000 framework EcologicalEcosystem response - plankton, nutrients: E2K Model Wild species, reefs: E2K-GIS resource partitioning. Watershed management strategies: SWAT-E2K SocialThe SMILE team has addressed this in China at the system scale, and in ECASA at the local scale using the FARM model. Not explicitly considered in SMILE

Modelling framework Run Delft 3D for large domain (Western Irish Sea and four loughs) using a fine grid (each lough has hundreds of cells) Define larger boxes (<50) within the loughs with GIS for E2K using (I) current and bathymetry data (ii) WFD (iii) aquaculture distribution Use D3D to calculate water fluxes across these larger boxes at 30m intervals, and at the seaward boundary of the lough domain – supply these offline as spreadsheets Hydrodynamic transport simulated in E2K by reading these spreadsheet files during an E2K model run Prepare a water quality database including both the individual lough and inputs from freshwater and ocean boundaries (measurements) Enter larger box areas, volumes etc from GIS into E2K Run full E2K model, calibrate and validate Simulate individual shellfish physiology using a raceway model Use results to conceptualise an energy budget model for individual growth Implement and validate individual growth model in Stella or other simple modelling package Measure individual shellfish growth rates in the field Implement individual growth model in E2K, test, and then add population dynamics Extract E2K initial conditions for state variables in each box, boundary conditions and calibration data Delft3D EcoWin2000 ShellSIM Management scenarios

Carlingford Lough 320 boxes 8  layers 38 boxes 2 σ layers Delft3D Hydrodynamic model EcoWin2000 ecological model A much coarser grid is used in biogeochemical models than in hydrodynamic models.

Carlingford Lough - Scenario with and without wild species With wild species Without wild species MusselsOysters Production Mussels Length (cm)Weight (g) Length (cm)Weight (g) Oysters % reductionMusselOyster Production19%12.5% Individual weight20%24% Individual length5.8%9.2% Both mussel and oyster production are higher when resource partitioning with wild species is not considered.

2. DISEASES Examples: Summer mortality in Pacific oysters – France Abalone viral Ganglioneuritis - Australia

INTERREG 3A: Summer mortality of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas in the Irish Sea 1 Dept. Zoology, Ecology & Plant Science, Aquaculture & Fisheries Development Centre/ERI, University College Cork Culloty, S. 1 Cotter E. 1, Malham S. 2, O’Keeffe S. 1, Lynch S. 1, King J. 2, Latchford J. 2, Beaumont A 2. 2 School of Ocean Sciences, Centre for Applied Marine Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor

Conclusions: Multi-factorial causes of Summer Mortality Increased food consumption Reduced O 2 Bacterial breakdown + Oyster Stress =  Oyster O 2 demands Phytoplankton Blooms High H 2 O Temperatures Nutrient Enrichment Herpes virusVibrios Excessive Gonad development Summer Mortality

EU CRAFT Projects (Rtds and Sme’s) : Comparative genetic structure in populations of Ostrea edulis, including growth and potential to resistance to Bonamia ostreae (EU CRAFT CT ) : Bonamia ostreae life cycle investigations, optimised production of resistant Ostrea edulis spat and studies of the oyster (Ostrea edulis) immune mechanisms (EU CRAFT Q5CR ) RTD: Ireland, Netherlands, Spain SME: Scotland, Ireland, Spain, France, Netherlands Scottish Association of Shellfish Growers (CT )

3. LACK OF NATURAL SPAT SUPPLY Examples: Mussel seed – Irish Sea, Netherlands Pacific oyster – French Atlantic coast

Management of Irish Sea mussel seed Marine Institute, NDP,  Reproduction – UCC (coordination)  Recruitment – UCD  Hydrodynamic modelling – Aquafact and Seabed Surveys  Alternative sources of seed – QUB  Management strategies - ALL

The Irish Sea mussel seed fishery (tonnes)  2003 – 35,236  2004 – 24,147  ,861  , 544 (source – DCMNR, BIM, DARD)

Waddensea Delta Coastal zone Seed supply limited by conservation issues

4. INVASIVE SPECIES Examples: Manila clams – Italy Pacific oysters – Netherlands

Introduced farmed species may “naturalise” and displace native species, eg. Manila clam in Italy

5. Public Health Concerns Harmful algal blooms Dioxins Sewage

What are the key issues for shellfish research in other research centres and institutes?

Maine Sea Grant, Shellfish Aquaculture Research Priorities Index of shellfish aquaculture research priorities Priority 1 - Production Techniques Priority 2 - Public Relations Priority 3 - Shellfish Health Priority 4 - Marketing Priority 5 - Leasing Issues Priority 6 - Sustainable Aquaculture Priority 7 - Coastal Development Priority 7 - Coastal Development Priority 8 - New Species Priority 9 - Genetics and Broodstock Development Priority 10 - Industry Communications Priority 11 - Government Relations and Initiatives Priority 12 - Funding Priority 13 - Student and Work Force Education

Ecological Interactions Research ProgramEcological Interactions Research Program investigates sustainable shellfish practices ensuring that environmental protection and a vibrant industry go hand-in-hand; Shellfish Health and Husbandry Research Program Shellfish Health and Husbandry Research Program undertakes research projects to improve productivity and economic viability to drive new investment, expansion and diversification in the industry; and Social Sciences Research ProgramSocial Sciences Research Program facilitates interdisciplinary research to ensure social health and benefits to coastal communities. Center for Shellfish Research, Vancouver Island, Canada

Greenshell mussel selective breeding Mussel spat fitness and environmental tolerance Aneuploidy and triploidy Probiotics Mussel hatchery Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand

summer mortality in cupped oysters to breed Bonamia-tolerant strains four-season ( triploid ) oysters managing reproduction under controlled conditions the functioning of aquaculture ecosystems product quality and value enhancement IFREMER, France – mollusc programme

Scale of research AreaDurationExample Local6 – 12 mthsMortality/Pollution RegionalvariableEider duck National3 - 7 yrsHABS EU (near mkt.)3 yrsSummer mort. (C.gigas) EU (blue sky)3yrsSustainable production

EU “A strategy for the sustainable development of European Aquaculture” ( COM [2002] 511 Final) Future developments:

Sustainable aquaculture Substainable development is that which meets the needs of the present without comprimising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (The U.N. Brundtland Commission, 1987)

to increase employment by 8, ,000 full- time job equivalents in

high animal health and welfare standards (“Mollusc Aquaculture Dialogue”, WWF, 2008) to promote quality assurance and

EU support to aquaculture RTD in FP6 ( ): New success stories

FP6 Shellfish Projects GeneticsDiseaseEnvironment AquafirstDipnetGenimpact AquagenomePandaImpasse AquafuncImaquanimKeyzones WoperEcasa HABSProduction DetectoxBlue Seed Biotoxmarin Spies Detox

FP 6 Harvest time: GENIMPACT

FP 6 Harvest time: DIPNET Review of disease interactions and pathogen exchange between farmed and wild finfish and shellfish in Europe Position paper on need and methodologies for consequence assessment within risk assessments in aquatic animal health Risk assessment and predictive modelling – a review of their application in aquatic animal health D Disease

. The final version of the Toolbox can be found at FP 6 Harvest time: ECASA E.I.A.

 Increase knowledge base (Aberdeen declaration) and facilitate the uptake of the results to reduce the gap between knowledge generated and translation to market opportunities (The European aquaculture paradox  Stimulate articulation between regional, national and EU RTD programmes  Ensure transparency, relevance and stakeholders involvement in RTD programming  Critical mass of research Challenges at EU level for aquaculture research

The European ‘paradox’ « while European research laboratories perform relatively highly in publications and citations, there is a lack of an environment that stimulates innovation and exploits results » Source: European Commission 1995 Green Paper on Innovation

Key Performance Indicators Growerstonnage / profit ASSGmembers / issues solved Varsity scientistgrants /PhDs/papers Government scientistditto / ??? EASconf. / members/grants AQUATTgrants EUjobs / self sufficiency

European Aquaculture Networks Scientists/Institutes – ESF, NACEE, EFARO, NoE and many others Education – EAS, AquaTT, AquaTNet Producers – FEAP, EMPA Feed manufacturers - FEFAC Retailers - EUREPGAP Consumers – BEUC, Euroconsumers But how well does each know (and work with) the others?

European Aquaculture Society Founded in 1976, as the European Mariculture Society Name changed in 1986 to

EAS membership Profile 1995 –85% scientists (public or private) Profile 2005 –45% scientists –35% industry (producers, suppliers…) –20% other stakeholders (students, govt. employees etc.)

EAS Objectives to promote contacts between all involved in aquaculture; to facilitate the dissemination of aquaculture-related information; to promote multi-disciplinary aquaculture research; to enhance cooperation between organisations and individuals on aquaculture related matters. Bringing people together!

Aquaculture Europe newnew A new concept. A new logo.

EAS conferences including industry workshops

EAS projects

towards protocols for sustainable aquaculture in Europe in Europe

Strategic objective « to provide and demonstrate to consumers the benefits of high quality, safe and nutritious farmed fish and shellfish grown in sustainable conditions »

9 themes - 78 indicators

The 17 shellfish sustainability indicators 1.Improve recognition of public health benefits 2. Economically sustainable shellfish production 3. Improved quality of industry statistics 4. Ensure the availability of skilled work force 5. Strengthen/diversity the market 6. A development plan for sustainable shellfish aquaculture 7. Protect and improve environmental resources used by producers 8. Keep within the carrying capacity of the ecosystem 9. Sufficient hatchery supply of spat 10. Sustainable use of natural spat 11. Transparent site selection process for production 12. Adoption of Best Management Practices 13. Communicate the environmental and socio-economic benefits 14. Encourage use of extractive species in polycuture 15. Well informed consumers 16. Improvement of legislative tools and regulation processes 17. Sustainable shellfish aquaculture prioritised by EU

The EMPA position appeared to be that they could not accept the majority of the 17 Indicators, as several were the responsibility of non-farm operators, would not recommend development of any Code of Conduct within the framework of CONSENSUS, and proposed, as cultivated molluscan shellfish are naturally ‘organic’, that no recommendation on the issue of eco-labelling for such products should be written into CONSENSUS. 24 th April Response of European Mollusc Producers to CONSENSUS

The Working Group members reviewed all 17 Indicators, and concluded that : - they continued to represent the most appropriate measures of sustainability for the European molluscan shellfish sector - their continued validity should be formally endorsed; It was agreed that there was a clear role for industry representatives and trade associations to play, in lobbying for improved legislation, upgraded pollution prevention, greater recognition of the sector’s marginal environmental impact, more appropriate implementation of Regulations and Directives, etc..

EAS publications

Aquaculture International Peer reviewed Bimonthly Impact factor  General papers Special editions Published by Springer AQUI is an option for EAS members

AE magazine Quarterly (48 pages) Feature Articles Short articles News Meeting reports Books & other publications EAS member news All ‘full’ EAS members receive Aquaculture Europe

EASinfo – our newsletter Quarterly (between issues of the magazine) Short articles News Meeting dates Links EAS member news For all EAS members (including e-members)

(examples of) EAS Projects AquaFlow - RTD results in 16 languages PROFET - industry sets the RTD agenda IMPACT FISH - impact of EU RTD CONSENSUS - sustainable aquaculture protocols Aquainnovation - innovation between east and west CRAB - collective research on biofouling PROFET Policy - scientific support to policy

EAS opportunities & challenges Further diversify membership –More from industry sector –Develop membership in CEE countries –strengthen its student forum Increase cooperation through communication –with other aquaculture partners –with consumer organisations Euroshell – a new network of shellfish researchers (Aad Smaal, IMARES)

Challenges for RTD/Industry cooperation European aquaculture probably still suffers from the European ‘paradox’.

Producers need to look at the big picture and consider issues like sustainability and climate change Scientists need to review success measurements that are based only on peer-reviewed, high-impact journals. Both need to have common fora to promote contacts and align industry needs with research programming.

Off-shore production is possible, but dilution not the answer! Future research topics?

Better use of resources through integrated multi trophic aquaculture eg use of molluscs and seaweeds to reduce nutrient load from agricultural run-off, sewage, and fish farms

Research will support shellfish production by: Security and quality of seed Optimising use of space - tools Reducing risks to the consumer Acceptance as a green industry