‘alive, Alive Oh’ for 25 Years – Shellfish Farmers to Plan Their Future at Dublin Conference

The Irish Shellfish Association will celebrate 25 years working for oyster, mussel, clam and scallop producers at its conference in the Red Cow Hotel, Dublin on Thursday next, 16th October.

The event will address important issues for the Irish Shellfish Sector including licencing, consumer safety, markets, challenges to production and other topics.

Farmed shellfish is a €50 million industry employing 1,500 people directly in every coastal county from Carlingford to Malin Head. The sector supplies top quality oysters for domestic markets and mussels for retail and processing. Consumers as far away as Hong Kong can enjoy live Irish shellfish from the Atlantic coast within 48 hours of it being harvested from our bays and inlets.

Shellfish production has come a long way in terms of scale and technology since the first ISA event in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis in 1989. Technology and efficiencies have improved but the basic husbandry techniques, the sustainable relationship with the environment, a reliance on clean waters and high food safety standards remain constant.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD will address the event which will be opened by IFA President, Eddie Downey. Speakers from state agencies and industry will give perspectives on new opportunities for growth and the potential of the industry to meet EU Blue Growth targets as well as the ambitious milestones set out in the Government’s Harvest 2020 strategy.

For more information and a booking form see the aquaculture section on the IFA website – ifalegacystagi.wpengine.com — under “Shellfish Conference and AGM 2014”