More AquacultureMore Storms More Waste

By Mark Daly

Celebrate Water

March 2015

Lough Foyle• Significant increase in Crassostrea gigas

trestles on Western shores of Lough Foyle

• Licence not required at present

• No apparent regulation

• Threat to native oyster

Problems with Waste• Abandoned tressles and nets

• Danger to boats – navigation hazard

• Torn oyster bags

• Rope litter

• Rubber tie hooks litter

• Bags & pots washed up on shore after storms

Problems for Biodiversity

• Bird entanglement in mesh

• Escaped oysters of various sizes

• Ghost nets trapping sealife

• Disease – bonamia, sealice

• Use of pesticides

• Tractor /Trailer /4x Wheel drive compacting beaches

Solutions

• Tighter controls & regulations

• Identification tags

• Biodegradable materials

• Citizen Science – role in monitoring