The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív T. D. today announced the harvesting of the first Cod farmed in Ireland. Pioneered by Trosc Teo., these cod are the first marine fin fish hatched, reared and grown to market size in Ireland.
Trosc Teo was established in 2005 by three local salmon farmers from Connemara and by Taighde Mara Teo, the mariculture research and development subsidiary of Údarás na Gaeltachta. The project was also supported by NUI Galway (The Martin Ryan Institute in Carna), The Marine Institute, The Western Development Commission, BIM and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
Speaking at the announcement, Minister Ó Cuív said “Trosc Teo has pioneered the research and development of this product. In two short years the company has proven that cod farming has a viable commercial future and is to become an integral part of the aquaculture industry in the West of Ireland.”
Pádraig Ó hAoláin, CEO Údarás na Gaeltachta stated “This success represents a prime example of the advantage that can accrued to an area by taking a partnership approach. The synergies in having a third level marine research centre, a specialised fish marketing company, enterprising fish farmers, the backing of the local community and support from the state sector has been key to the success of this project. Údarás look forward to supporting projects that will develop a substantial cod farming industry in Ireland.”
Saying that NUI Galway was delighted to have worked closely with the industry to help bring the project to commercial reality, Professor Michael Guiry, Director of The Martin Ryan Institute NUIG, confirmed that the University will continue to support the aquaculture industry through applied research innovations.
Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO The Marine Institute, said he was delighted with the success of the project. “With so much concern over the future of the wild cod fisheries being expressed by our own scientists in the annual Stock book, it is great to see that something concrete can be done by the application of research and innovation to create a viable alternative supply of this important food fish.”
Trosc Teo plan to harvest eighty tonnes of cod this year and the company will be a fully certified organic cod producer by 2008.