Fish farming and aquaculture have helped fish stocks (numbers) to recover and even increase for some types of fish, e.g. salmon.
However, there are concerns that the environment can suffer as a result of these practices. For example, releasing farmed salmon into the wild could potentially spread disease to wild salmon.
There is also a concern that wild fish caught and processed into food for farmed fish will reduce wild fish stocks.
Social Impact
Fishing is worth hundreds of millions to the Irish economy each year. In 2020, the total value of Ireland’s seafood economy was just under €1.1 billion.
Starting up a fish farm can be expensive.
Economic Impact
Figure 6 shows the numbers of people employed in sea fishing and aquaculture. Both provide an income for thousands of people.
Fish farming and aquaculture jobs are often low paid. There can also be a lack of trained staff to fill all jobs needed on a fish farm.
Aquaculture Sea fi shing
1,841 Total employed 995 Total FTE*
3,217 Total employed
2,426 Total FTE FTE* Full time employed
6. The numbers of people employed in aquaculture and sea fishing in Ireland
Question Time
1. List four causes of overfishing. 2. Explain how technology has contributed to overfishing. 3. Describe two fishing methods and the type of fish they catch. 4. What is fish farming/aquaculture?
5. Explain one environmental impact, one economic impact and one social impact of aquaculture in Ireland. The impacts can be positive or negative.