EMODnet Human Activities, Aquaculture, Shellfish aquaculture-Licensed sites

The dataset on licensed sites of shellfish aquaculture in the EU was created in 2023 by AND-International for the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet). It is the result of the aggregation and harmonization of datasets provided by national sources representing the delimitation of shellfish farms (polygons) in the following countries: France, Ireland and Spain. Data from France and Spain comes from national and regional cadastral data, while data from Ireland comes from the list of registered aquaculture sites. Each polygon has the following attributes (where available): country, expiration date, farm type (Mussels, Oysters, Mussels-Oysters, Clams, Specialised (other), Mixed (other)), species from the source (English translation of the information provided on species grown or authorised in the source), production method (Beds, Long lines, Rafts, Saltwater closed (recirculation), Saltwater ponds, Saltwater tanks/raceways, Trestles or trays, Bouchot, On-bottom, Sea cages, Other), production stage (Broodstock, Grow out for human consumption, Harvest, Hatchery, Nursery, Reproduction, Wild capture of seeds, Purification, Maturing, Other), purpose (only specified for some sites authorised for research purposes), polygon information (Lines to Polygon or Original) depending on how the information is provided in the source (polygons or lines), site_id, year updated (in the source), shape length and shape area. The farm type relies on a typology established by AND-International, based on available information on species grown or authorised. A relational table provides harmonised information about species grown or authorised using Eurostat nomenclature for the Species Group (Mussels; Oysters; Clams, cockles, arkshells; Scallops, pectens; Abalones, winkles, conchs; Sea-urchins and other echinoderms) and when available the species name (e.g. Blue mussels - Mytilus edulis). Data are available for viewing and download on EMODnet - Human Activities web portal ( https://emodnet.ec.europa.eu/en/human-activities), except for the data from Spain, which are available in the viewer, but not for download.