PHAROS Ireland Demo

• August 5, 2025

Bantry Marine Research Station (BMRS), located on the scenic shores of Bantry Bay in Ireland, plays a leading role in marine science and innovation. As a core partner in the PHAROS project, BMRS leads the Ireland, Demo 3, a pioneering study that explores how salmon farming affects the growth and chemical composition of various kelp species, as well as the wider impact on marine biodiversity.

For Demo 3, BMRS is comparing two locations: an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) site in Bantry Bay, where kelp is cultivated next to a salmon farm, and a control site in Toormore Bay, free from salmon farming. By examining these contrasting environments, researchers aim to understand how proximity to a salmon farm influences kelp biomass, growth and bio-compound levels. Beyond kelp, the team studies overall biodiversity by observing mobile macrofauna with underwater cameras and detailing the abundance and variety of tiny animals living on seaweed.

In collaboration with a subcontractor, BMRS is also developing advanced impact and climate change models. These models will help researchers predict how seaweed farms affect their surroundings under current and future climate scenarios.

BMRS has earned an international reputation for excellence in delivering marine research projects, supporting the sustainable growth of aquaculture and contributing to ecosystem knowledge in the North Atlantic. Bantry Bay’s unique heritage, from its naval history to its thriving aquaculture and fishing sectors, makes it an ideal location for cutting-edge marine research. The bay’s deep, sheltered waters accommodate a wide range of activities, supporting both scientific study and local economic development.

Through Demo 3, BMRS and the PHAROS project aim to demonstrate how nature-based solutions, like seaweed farming, can work in harmony with salmon aquaculture to restore and protect coastal environments. This research sets the stage for new, sustainable approaches to ocean stewardship in Ireland and beyond.