FISH FARM CLAIM THAT ALGAE BLOOMS ARE ‘NATURAL’ CONTESTED AS 80,000 SALMON DIE Mass mortalities reported by Mowi (formerly Marine Harvest) because of algae blooms at two of their salmon farms in Bantry Bay are ‘partly caused the farms themselves’, according to local group Save Bantry Bay. Algal blooms are becoming an increasing problem worldwide, … Continue reading
An organisation opposed to the development of another salmon farm in Bantry Bay says the area is “already overburdened” with them and believes there’s a direct link between such farms and sea lice infestation which can kill wild fish. Save Bantry Bay secretary, Alec O’Donovan, made his organisation’s concerns known on day two of a … Continue reading
On 21 September the Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board (ALAB) heard final appeals against a new Marine Harvest salmon farm at Shot Head in Bantry Bay. The Panel, chaired by Prof. Owen McIntyre heard evidence from the developer Marine Harvest and fourteen separate appellants. “After the Department for Agriculture approved the licence in October 2016, ALAB … Continue reading
Conference highlights impact of climate change, fish farming and non-target catching on Irish stocks The Atlantic wild salmon is in a “serious position” and various conservation measures “don’t seem to have worked”, Inland Fisheries Ireland chief executive Dr Ciaran Byrne has said. Speaking at the annual Salmon Watch Ireland conference in Galway, Dr Byrne said … Continue reading
Sea trout swimming close to salmon farms in Ireland and in Scotland have been found to be carrying significantly higher levels of sea lice infestation than those swimming further away from such farms. Research carried out by scientists at Inland Fisheries Ireland and Argyll Fisheries Trust in Scotland also found sea trout swimming close to … Continue reading
There have been calls for the Department of Agriculture to boost its monitoring of fish farms after new research showed sea trout carry significantly higher levels of sea lice infestation when closer to marine salmon farms. For full article see http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/sea-lice-levels-are-higher-near-salmon-farms-438383.html Inland Fisheries Ireland said it hoped any future applications for fish farms … Continue reading
The Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland has welcomed new research by scientists from Inland Fisheries Ireland and Argyll Fisheries Trust (Scotland) which found that sea trout carry significantly higher levels of sea lice infestation closer to marine salmon farms. Researchers examined sea lice levels over 25 years from more than 20,000 sea trout. The sea … Continue reading
The Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board (ALAB) has granted an Oral Hearing to those appealing the decision by the Department of Agriculture to give a licence for a salmon farm in Bantry Bay. This decision validates the concerns raised by locals, environmental groups and fishermen. “It is now five years since Marine Harvest first applied for … Continue reading
An anglers’ federation has welcomed a Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) decision to withdraw an application for a huge organic salmon farm plan in Galway Bay. Salmon and sea trout anglers throughout the country had strongly protested against a BIM application for an aquaculture licence for the proposed 15,000 tonne project. The move came as BIM … Continue reading
Withdrawal means Coveney will not have to rule on contentious Galway Bay licence By Lorna Siggins Advocates and opponents of aquaculture have welcomed the decision by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) to withdraw its licence application for a 15,000-tonne salmon farm in Galway Bay. BIM said it was pulling the application and reviewing the … Continue reading
Save Bantry Bay 