EIRCOD is the Cod Broodstock and Breeding Programme for Ireland funded under the Sea Change Initiative with the support of the Marine Institute and the Marine Research Sub-programme of the National Development Plan 2007-2013.
Background: Across Europe and the World, there is a broad movement, fuelled by strategic National R & D programmes toward further commercial development in the Marine Sector, to expand the range of seafood products available to a growing and more demanding consumer market. With declining wild catches and caution over exploitation and depletion of stocks, there has been an ever-growing pressure on aquaculture to service and supply these market needs and, in turn, this is reflected in diverse initiatives to expand production volumes and to increase the variety of species farmed including cod. These issues are clearly evidenced and highlighted in recent preparatory actions and in the specific work programmes under the National Development Programme of the relevant State Agencies, notably, the Marine Institute with Sea Change (2006). An intrinsic part of this process is the establishment of Broodstock programmes to exploit the inherent genetic ‘Biodiversity’ embodied in wild populations and allowing continued selected breeding and possible improved performance in farmed stocks. Indeed, these trends were recognised and acted upon as early as 2001-2 with the establishment of the New Species Development Group and, subsequent work led to the initiation of cod farming, with the active support of the various State Agencies, including, Údarás na Gaeltachta, BIM and the Marine Institute. This has now led to the completion of the life cycle in Ireland from larval production to onrearing at sea and, finally, this spring the harvesting of cod for market from a commercial production unit.
Objectives: The overall objective of the EIRCOD project is to design, establish and operate a Cod Broodstock and Breeding programme, customized for the Irish environment and underpinning the native fish farming industry, which will draw on the potential genetic reservoir of local cod populations and utilize the best available technologies, with necessary and appropriate International links, such that the emerging Industry can gain maximum competitive advantage from using a customized cod farming stock that has enhanced performance capacity, including, higher growth rates to increase production & yield, shorter life span at sea/to market reducing production costs, improved conversion efficiencies giving more efficient use of feeds, lowered stress, fewer health issues and less mortalities and improved flesh quality. The overall work programme over the 7 year period has a number of integrated work packages including
- Characterization & Profiling of native Irish Cod Stocks (WP1),
- Enhanced Technical Performance for Eggs & Larvae (WP2),
- Broodstock Production & Selection (WP3),
- Economic Assessment of Cod Production in Ireland (WP4),
- Technology transfer & Dissemination Activities to the national industry (WP5) and
- Project Management (WP6).
A strategic consortium of Irish partners are undertaking this work including, MRI Carna, UCC, Irish Seafood Producers Group, BIM, Trosc Teo and Dr Ashie Norris, consultant.
