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
-
Paddy Jackson And Stuart Olding Have Failed To Claim Back Their Legal Costs From The Belfast Rape Trial
The former Ireland and Ulster rugby players spent nine weeks on trial
-
GPs Say The Way The HSE Validates Waiting Lists Needs To Change
The HSE routinely writes to patients who are waiting on appointments to see if they still need to be seen
-
There's Been A Significant Increase In The Number Of People Seeking Treatment For Gambling Addiction In Cork
1 in 5 people attending the Tabor Group treatment service are trying to overcome the addiction
-
The Minister For Justice Says He Wants To Remove The Divorce Time Limit From The Constitution
A vote which would ease the waiting period for spouses who want to divorce is due to be held next May
-
Staff And Patients At The South Infirmary/Victoria University Hospital Are To Be Offered Screening For TB
It comes after it emerged that a patient who attends the hospital for treatment has the infection
-
Anyone Heading To A Christmas Party Tonight Is Being Warned Of Very Bad Weather From Midnight
A yellow warning is in place for heavy rain and wind for the entire country