CONCERN OVER SCALE OF PROPOSED ARAN ISLAND FISH FARM

Date Published: 31-Oct-2012

Plans for a major fish farm off Inis Oirr could pose a risk to wild salmon stocks in Galway Bay.

That's the conclusion of Inland Fisheries Ireland as part of its submission on the Environmental Impact Statement for the deep sea fish farm.

The submission has not been accepted after it failed to reach the department within the prescribed period and will now be progressed by means of the ongoing public consultation process.

Bord Iascaigh Mharaigh has applied for the deep sea salmon farming licence at a site roughly 6 kilmetres off Inis Oirr, which it hopes could create in the region of 300 jobs.

However, the IFI says the scale of the present proposal is of very significant concern as it provides for a greater production tonnage of salmon at this one location than is currently being produced nationally.

The group says while the proposal for a more off-shore location is a step in the right direction, it is not without potential for negative impacts on wild salmon and sea trout stocks.

Susan Campion is Head of Business Development with Inland Fisheries Ireland and says she hopes the recommendations will be adopted to minimise any potential negative impacts.