This article is from page 11 of the 2014-07-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
THE North Clare coast has a new aquatic star. While Dusty the Dolphin may have abandoned Doolin in favour of the Aran Islands, a new creature has appeared in the waters just off Ballyvaughan.
The Galway Bay Protection Group (GBPG) last week launched a giant floating model of a fish riding a bicycle into Galway Bay, just off the pier in Ballyvaughan. The permanent structure, which has already gained much attention both from locals and tourists, was built as a protest against the proposed construction of twin fish farms in Galway Bay, just off the coast of Doolin and Fanore.
The proposed fish farm, which would be the largest ever made in Ireland if it gets the go ahead, has divided many in the fishing community with the two state fishing organisations – Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) on different sides of the argument.
While no decision has yet been made about the fish farm, it had been thought that the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney (FG), was a firm backer of the BIM proposed farm. However, with Minister Coveney in line for a change of portfolio at this week’s cabinet reshuffle, it is now envisioned that a new minister will make the final call on the multibillion euro project.
BIM, who lodged the original application for the fish farm license, say that they have had strong interest from a number of international companies who wish to take on the operation of the fish farms. BIM also claim that hundreds of local jobs will be created if the farm gets the green light.
IFI say that the farm will damage local wild fish stocks and put the livelihood of scores of local fishermen and the local tourism trade in jeopardy. A final decision is expected later this year.