FROM LEHANAGH POOL TO LONDON

From Lehanagh Pool to London: The Marine Institute showcases sustainable aquaculture innovation at the Science Museum. How can we produce more food while reducing our environmental impact? Ireland may have part of the answer, and it’s heading to one of the world’s most iconic science venues.

This summer, the Marine Institute will feature its cutting-edge work in sustainable aquaculture at the new Future of Food exhibition opening in the Science Museum, London. Running from 24 July 2025 to 4 January 2026, this free exhibition explores how scientific innovations in food production can help address the twin challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss while feeding a growing global population.   

“We are delighted to see Irish marine science represented at the Science Museum in London, a world-renowned centre for science education and engagement, attracting millions of visitors each year,” said Dr Rick Officer, CEO of the Marine Institute. “Our participation in this global conversation reflects Ireland’s leadership in ocean science and our commitment to finding sustainable solutions to shared challenges.”

Aquaculture, the farming of fish, shellfish, and seaweed, already plays a crucial role in global food security. It supports local economies, reduces pressure on wild fish stocks, and offers more climate-resilient ways of producing high-quality protein. Scientists are investigating ways to make aquaculture even more sustainable by researching smarter, more integrated systems that work with nature.

One such approach, known as Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), mimics the natural food web by farming multiple species from different levels of the food chain together. At the Marine Institute’s Lehanagh Pool research site in Bertraghboy Bay, Galway, scientists are testing how to grow organic salmon and lumpfish alongside lobster, oysters, scallops, sea urchins, and kelp species.

In this model, fish waste becomes nutrients for seaweed and filter-feeding shellfish, while lobsters feed on leftover organic matter. This circular system reduces environmental impact, recycles nutrients, and produces several nutritious foods in one location, turning waste into resource.

“Making our food systems more circular is essential to meeting climate goals, restoring nature, and ensuring healthier diets for future generations,” said Pauline O’Donohoe, Senior Researcher at the Marine Institute. “We’re proud to contribute science-based solutions from Ireland to the global conversation on sustainable food production.”

While IMTA is currently at the pilot and research stage in Europe, the Lehanagh Pool site is part of the EU-funded ASTRAL project, supported by the Horizon 2020 programme.  By showcasing this innovative model at the London Science Museum, the Marine Institute aims to promote wider adoption of this nature-inspired aquaculture solution and highlight the importance of scientific research in designing more resilient and sustainable food systems.

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