Locals in West Cork raise serious concerns over kelp harvesting project
Locals in West Cork have raised concerns about a project that they claim could result in an ecological disaster.
The Protect our Native Kelp Forest Group in Bantry Bay are calling on Minister Simon Coveney to reverse a decision to grant a licence to a biotechnology company, to mechanically harvest almost 2,000 acres of a native seaweed forest.
A 10 year trial licence to cut the large brown seaweed was granted by the Department of Planning to company BioAtlantis in 2010, and work is due to begin in the coming months.
Over 3,000 people have signed a petition to reverse the decision, saying marine life along the shorelines of the Beara and Sheep’s Head peninsula will be adversly affected.
However BioAtlantis said the project fully complies with all Marine Institute regulations and will create 58 jobs locally.
Speaking to RedFM News Deirdre Fitzgerald from the Bantry Bay group says the planning must be halted to allow a review to take place:
More from Cork
-
Figures Showing Increase In Complaints To Tusla Described As 'Upsetting'
The complaints relate to creches, child minding and pre-schools.
-
UCC SU Describe Revelation That Some Students Are Skipping Lectures To Work As 'Difficult And Unfair'
A new survey by the Irish League of Credit Unions revealed today that more than two thirds of students are struggling financially at college.
-
An explosive device has detonated in County Fermanagh
Army bomb disposal officers and police were at the scene when the explosion happened at Wattle Bridge
-
Cork University Hospital Is The Second-Most Overcrowded Hospital In The Country Today
That's according to today's figures from the INMO
-
Irish Water Will Be Carrying Out Essential Maintenance Works Throughout Cork
The works will take place today and tomorrow
-
A Company That Built Defective Schools Are To Build A New Ward At University Hospital Limerick
They have been awarded the contract