SMILE Project Leaders

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) this week announced the conclusion of the SMILE project; a unique piece of work designed to contribute to the sustainable management of mariculture in Northern Ireland’s sea loughs.

In 2004, DARD commissioned the SMILE project (Sustainable Mariculture in Northern Irish Lough Ecosystems), which was carried out by a consortium led by AFBI, including Queens University of Belfast, the Institute of Marine Research, Portugal, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa.

Mr Seán Hogan, AFBI Chairman, in handing over of the deliverable from the SMILE project to Mr Pat Toal CB, DARD Permanent Secretary, said: “On behalf of AFBI and our partners, I am delighted to be able to hand over this project to DARD. SMILE will provide DARD with the models to ensure the future growth and long term sustainability of the shellfish industry".

Mr Toal, in his acceptance speech outlined the importance of this work in helping DARD address the sustainability of Northern Ireland’s marine fish and shellfish resources and stated: “DARD has always recognised the importance of science to the sustainability of Northern Ireland’s marine fish and shellfish resources. Fisheries science works best when scientists and the fishing and aquaculture industries work closely together and DARD is pleased to note that the SMILE project has benefited hugely from assistance given by many of the shellfish growers. DARD will take into account the outcome of this work in considering the future development of mariculture in NI."

The SMILE project team, headed by Dr Mathew Service of AFBI, then presented the background to the work, described the scientific basis of the models and explained some of the scenarios that were tested. They also presented the results and conclusions of the project, outlining the importance of SMILE as a tangible example of the development of an ecosystem approach to the management of a fishery resource.

A hands-on session gave those present an opportunity to examine and use the computer models developed during the project.

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