Cooperation as a survival strategy among west of Ireland small-scale mussel farmers

Abstract

Both large and small-scale producers continue to operate in aquaculture, even if frequently the economic pressures on small fish farmers are immense and some branches of aquaculture (such as salmon rearing) have tended to organise on an ever-larger scale. How small producers have survived in Irish rope mussel aquaculture is the question posed in this paper. Based on 18 months of ethnographic study in the West of Ireland's Killary Harbour, the contribution that formal and informal cooperation has made to the persistence of small-scale mussel production is assessed. Although formal and informal forms of cooperation are by no means the only conditions of the persistence of small-scale production in the Killary site, they are shown to have critically improved the survival chances of individual producers and of groups of producers. What is also shown is that informal cooperation has significantly eclipsed formal cooperation since 2000.

Moving mussels offshore? Perceptions of offshore aquaculture policy and expansion in New England

“…As a result, one actionable model to alleviate some of the challenges associated with offshore mussel aquaculture expansion may involve encouraging and supporting cooperatives. Cooperatives are common in agriculture, growing in commercial fisheries, and already exist for some aquaculture sectors including mussels, catfish, trout, clams, and oysters (Pinto da Silva and Kitts, 2006;Cush and Varley, 2013;Pitchon, 2011;Pomeroy, 2010). They build on the benefits of clustering economies, and take advantage of geographic proximity between offshore operators both on land and at sea.…”

“…This builds on policy goals and efforts to enhance seafood production and community resilience in the US (DOC, 2011;NOAA Fisheries, 2011;NOAA, 2011b;Clay and Olson, 2008), as well as evidence suggesting coastal communities and fishermen may be amenable to increased aquaculture in New England and participation in offshore developmentdparticularly in places already accustomed to seafood farming (Safford and Hamilton, 2011;Tango-Lowy and Robertson, 2002). Cooperatives are a potential means to secure capital for large-scale operations, providing for dedicated mussel farming boats or processing equipment, such as those found in mature offshore mussel industries overseas, without necessarily requiring large seafood companies (O8; Cush and Varley, 2013;cf. Pomeroy, 2010).…”

The Potential for Joint Farming Ventures in Irish Agriculture: A Sociological Review

“…While a harmonious set of social relationships within Ireland's rural population cannot be assumed (Curtin 1988), positive social relationships and affective ties do form a significant feature of rural Irish society, and they have a proven capacity to enhance the adoption of formal cooperation in Ireland (Cush and Varley 2013). …”

“…There is, however, evidence that positive social relationships also exist, which buttress the process of collective action and enable rural actors to draw upon trust which facilitates cooperation. Cush and Varley (2013) show how normative trust and reciprocity support formal and informal cooperative behaviour in Irish aquaculture. Curtin (1993) also highlights the critical role positive social relationships have played in sustaining cooperation as a form of economic organisation in the west of Ireland.…”

The decline of mussel aquaculture in the European Union: causes, economic impacts and opportunities

“…Continuing efforts to increase the profile and value of Irish mussels abroad and to develop the home market close to production sites is expected to gradually improve sales price. Business amalgamation and declining seasonal employment trends are expected to continue (Cush & Varley 2013). The red tide issue and the resulting tight margins, brought on by relatively high costs and low product unit values, are being combatted by larger companies by acquiring sites in different bays, thereby increasing their capability of maintaining continuity of product supply and unit value even if one or two of their sites are closed by red tide, thereby spreading the risk.…”