Welsh Fishing Sector Asked to Share Carbon Emissions Data
The fishing and aquaculture industries in Wales are being encouraged to provide data on their carbon emissions to support the sector's move toward net-zero goals. This initiative aims to establish a clear baseline for emissions, which currently does not exist for these industries in Wales.
New Research to Support Net-Zero Targets
A fresh study will gather essential information to keep the seafood industry aligned with Wales' ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The research will collect data from fishing vessel owners and aquaculture operators across the country.
Scope of the Study
Commissioned by the Fisheries Division of the Welsh Government and conducted by Seafish, the UK seafood industry's supporting public body, this project will produce the first-ever carbon footprint baseline for commercial Welsh fisheries and aquaculture.
- Coverage includes emissions up to landing for wild-catch species.
- Emissions up to the first point of sale for aquaculture products will also be measured.
- Focus on economically important species such as European seabass, cockle, edible brown crab, European lobster, king and queen scallops, common whelk, skate, and rays.
- Data is also being collected on aquaculture species like mussels and oysters.
"The fishing and aquaculture sectors have an important role in contributing to meet Welsh Government net-zero targets by 2050, but currently there are no baseline carbon emissions data available for those sectors in Wales." — Welsh Government Fisheries Division
Importance for the Industry
This baseline will help seafood producers identify key areas where emissions can be reduced and streamline efforts to meet environmental targets, enhancing sustainability across Wales' fishing and aquaculture operations.
Author's summary: Welsh fishing and aquaculture sectors are gathering carbon emissions data for the first time to inform strategies that will help achieve net-zero carbon targets by 2050.