Environmental and biological factors of relevance to shellfish production in Northern Ireland: insights from 20 years of regional monitoring data

A historical analysis was conducted to evaluate monitoring data in the coastal and estuarine waters of Northern Ireland over the 20-year period between 2001 and 2022 to identify current and emerging concerns and gaps in analysis relative to the sustainability of the aquaculture industry. The effects of biological factors such as the presence of harmful algal bloom phytoplankton and marine biotoxins, and environmental factors such as chemical contamination and the water quality on shellfish production were analysed. The influence of key meteorological factors, such as sea temperature, rainfall and sunshine hours, on the levels of environmental factors was also examined. The evaluation included a socio–economic perspective, exploring the impact of the shellfish industry on the Northern Irish economy and the surrounding communities. The article examined the challenges faced by shellfish producers in terms of regulatory compliance and market access, and provides suggestions for comprehensive environmental monitoring strategies, in particular improved sampling plans to be employed to address these challenges. Overall, the compilation analysis discovered that while the shellfish industry in Northern Ireland faces a number of challenges, it remains a valuable source of local employment and income, and has the potential for growth in the coming years. The findings presented will be of interest to researchers and policymakers in the aquaculture industry, and presents a valuable historical contribution on the evaluation of chemical and microbiological contaminants affecting shellfish production that may be useful for other production areas.