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Hi Niamh,
Thank you for your post to Module 1 – Introduction to Aquaculture. The ARC has a wide-range of resources for primary schools especially the full day workshop, although we also have a shortened 20 minute webinar which we host for schools which we cannot reach during the academic year. Along with this, we provide marine careers centred presentations to transition year students and also attend various open days and school summits throughout Ireland.
Integrating the topics of social license and aquaculture, can help with community development as well. Social license is all about the community’s ability to accept or deny a business/resource establishing itself so these topics can really integrate in real world issues and aid in strengthening the community bond
Hi Cliodhna,
Yes, aquaculture is a key resource sustaining jobs in rural coastal regions especially along the west, north and south coasts of Ireland. And that is just direct, there are many other businesses that are indirectly supported. One example we give to students is the of Clare island. Clare island has a large salmon farm just off its shores which sustains many direct jobs for people living on the island, but it also supports a wide range of the jobs on the island indirectly. Many bars, restaraunts, shops, mechanics and so on are supported indirectly by the salmon farm becoming quite successful as a business there.
Hi Stephen,
As we know through Irish history, the west coast of Ireland is very rugged and unsuitable for growing much on. This has led to food production on the west being dominated by fisheries and aquaculture for hundreds of years. Unfortunately, fisheries have become severely depleted and many people working in the industry cannot work throughout the year. Aquaculture is offering an alternative source of income which is sustainable. One example of this is kreel fishermen off the coast of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland.
Due to reduced kreel stocks, these fishermen cannot work year-round, so they also work for 6 months of the year as seaweed farmers and harvesters. This provides them with an extra, supplementary source of income allowing them to work within fisheries and aquaculture.
Hi Niamh,
I completely agree with you, the integrated nature of the ARC and its lessons allows for a variety of subjects to be taught in which their knowledge is an essential part of aquaculture. Whether it be the history behind aquaculture which is important for its cultural impact, or, understanding Ireland’s geography in order to best place your own aquaculture farm, the integrated nature of aquaculture shows it can be taught amongst a variety of subjects in the curriculum!
Hi Susan,
Thank you for your post to Module 3 – Socioeconomic Importance of Aquaculture. I agree, real world experience for students can aid in the learning experience! Aquaculture ties closely in STEM with various branches of the industry focusing on the technology behind improving sustainability at a fish farm, the engineering complexities of more modern farm designs, and the nutritional science behind efficacy of fish feed. This shows the socioeconomic importance of aquaculture as a variety of careers are required to support it.
Hi Louise,
Thank you for your post to Module 1 – An introduction to Aquaculture!
A suite of different learning tools can be applied as you mentioned such as Q&A’s, interviews and audio-visuals, to facilitate learning within the classroom. The ARC offers this through our primary school workshops where we utilise these interactive tools to highlight how important aquaculture can be to a community and to encourage students to learn more about their own communities and what may be happening in their coastal areas that they may not have even known about!
Hugh.
Hi Susan,
Thank you for your forum post for Module 3. The activity of designing your own fish farm can be incorporated into different subjects such as science, maths, and environmental. This can further be incorporated into various Blue/Green schools projects to aid your school and, if you are in a costal region, this can also be brought into the community allowing students to critically think about what aquaculture can do for their own community!
Hugh.
Hi Susan,
Thank you for your forum post for Module 3. The activity of designing your own fish farm can be incorporated into different subjects such as science, maths, and environmental. This can further be incorporated into various Blue/Green schools projects to aid your school and, if you are in a costal region, this can also be brought into the community allowing students to critically think about what aquaculture can do for their own community!
Hugh.
Hi Mark,
Thank you for your forum post, it is always great to hear the impact aquaculture is having on coastal regions! Aquaculture can be treated as a resource providing local jobs and opportunities to aid in supporting communities especially in rural, coastal areas.
Hugh.
Hi Susan,
It is essential to push students towards a healthy balanced diet, although sometimes a deeper explanation as to the reasons why and the nutritional benefits of one food over another are not thoroughly provided. Coming from an economically disadvantaged area, the “Eye Spy in the Supermarket” activity can be great for showing nutritional benefits of foods for students and parents!
Hugh
Hi Susan,
It is essential to push students towards a healthy balanced diet, although sometimes a deeper explanation as to the reasons why and the nutritional benefits of one food over another are not thoroughly provided. Coming from an economically disadvantaged area, the “Eye Spy in the Supermarket” activity can be great for showing nutritional benefits of foods for students and parents!
Hugh
Hi Michaela,
Thank you for your forum post to Module 1 – Introduction to Aquaculture! Social license to operate in many industries allows a whole range of stakeholders to become engaged in projects and ensures that everyone’s voice is taken into account across a wide range of issues. Examining social license and aquaculture in the classroom allows students to become integrated with what is happening in their local communities and allows them to feel involved!
Hugh
Hi Roisin,
In Galway city, at salthill beach, they have long lines of heavy boulders which are used for the same purpose, to slow down coastal erosion by breaking up the waves and reducing their strength. An interesting case is in Raven woods in Wexford where they are trying to restore the dunes around Curacloe beach in order to reduce the effects of coastal erosion on the woods.
Hi Deirdre,
Glad to hear you enjoyed Module 2 – Where do we Farm, and were able to take a lot of information away from it as well! The ‘Farm to Fork’ initiative is excellent for providing students with the information they need to produce their own fresh food at home and how to be sustainable in doing so.
Hi Laura,
That’s great to hear some of the benefits within your local community from the salmon farm being nearby! And you have highlighted some of the more recent issues fisheries have been facing with discards and quotas, this is leaving the aquaculture industry as a promising sector to move into while trying to improve the fisheries sector.
