Save The Swilly August 12, 2002

'Lough Swilly ICZM Report'
ICZM Report Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8
(PDF Documents - will open in Acrobat Reader)

ICZM Report - Microsoft Word Version

INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL LAUNCHED

An unprecedented proposal for the development of Lough Swilly that will include all stakeholders has been introduced. The "Scoping Study for an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) strategy for Lough Swilly", was conducted by Dr Andrew Cooper of the Coastal Studies Research Group at the University of Ulster in Coleraine.

Welcoming the launch of the independent study, which was commissioned by Save The Swilly and funded from members' contributions and from public support, the group's chairman, Mr Tony Morrison, said Save The Swilly was presenting the Scoping Study to the people in the area as a contribution to the long-term sustainable development of Lough Swilly. Save The Swilly, an umbrella body comprising 36 member groups, has been calling for a moratorium on aquaculture licensing in Lough Swilly until a comprehensive independent scientific study has been conducted.

"It is quite obvious from our experience that an overall management plan for Lough Swilly is essential," Mr Morrison said. "Dr Cooper and his team have produced an excellent introduction to such a plan, and we shall now seek support for the development of an ICZM strategy from all stakeholders, including but by no means limited to our members."

The report, released this week by the University of Ulster, stresses that information is essential to management. "Without accurate information decisions will be based on arbitrary or personal criteria. Long-term values may be sacrificed for short-term gain." The report's authors note that Lough Swilly's ability to accommodate and sustain various uses is constrained by many factors. "The carrying capacity for each use (fishing, tourism, aquaculture, waste disposal, etc) should be considered from physical, ecological and social perspectives."

A key element of the information-gathering process will be an assessment of the economic benefits of all existing and potential uses of Lough Swilly and its surroundings, which has never before been done. "The relative values of different sectors to the local and national economy should be assessed in a common framework to permit informed choices to be made regarding the promotion of future uses," the report says.

Save The Swilly said it is hoped the Donegal County Council will take the lead in formulating and managing an overall strategy for Lough Swilly that will meet the objectives of all users without favouring one over another. "Ireland as a whole and the Donegal County Council (as well as Ireland and the European Union as a whole) have accepted the principle of Integrated Coastal Zone Management. We trust this report will be a significant step forward in helping the Donegal County Council to implement an ICZM initiative for Lough Swilly," Mr Morrison said.

Dr Cooper and his team are recognised experts in the field of coastal zone management in Ireland, and some of their work for the Donegal County Council was published last year under the title "Rural Beach Management: A Good Practice Guide".

SAVE THE SWILLY contacts:

Email: info@loughswilly.com
Phone: Tony Morrison (353) 07493-63733
Phone: John Mulcahy (353) 07491-59113; (353) 086-2808636
Address: c/o Buncrana Anglers Association,
Castle Lane, Buncrana, Co. Donegal
Website: www.loughswilly.com

[back to top]

Archived Press Releases:

September 25, 2006
Oyster crisis exposes "shambles" in management of Swilly

July 11, 2005
Attempt to double salmon-farming output in Lough Swilly

August 23, 2004
Which part of "No" don't they understand?

June 2, 2004
Coulter calls for political change in Donegal

December 15, 2003
Portsalon salmon-farming licence refused by ALAB

November 05, 2003
Sea Trout and Wild Salmon have been Victims of 'Ethnic Cleansing' - FISSTA

September 24, 2003
Prime Time Exposes Aquaculture's Shortcomings

July 24, 2003
Save the Swilly Calls for Farmed Salmon Mortality Monitor

July 21, 2003
Another Disaster in Inver Bay - Inquiry Essential

July 17, 2003
Rural Development Towards Sustainability

February 8, 2003
Save the Swilly Meets Inishowen Politicians

February 3, 2003
Blue Flag Beach Threatened by 80-Acre Fish Farm

January 29, 2003
Save the Swilly 10,000-Signature Petition Accepted by Europe

January 28, 2003
New Alliance Formed in Swilly

December 16, 2002
"Stop Ripping Up the Swilly" Indigenous People Demand

December 13, 2002
Lough Swilly's Indigenous Fishermen Speak Out

October1, 2002
Public Meeting to Discuss Integrated Coastal Zone Management

September 25, 2002
Save the Swilly Welcomes the Strategy on Coastal Zone Mangement

August 12, 2002
Integrated Coastal Zone Management Proposal Launched

August 2, 2002
Questions over decomposing salmon in Inver Bay

June 3, 2002
No Room for Tradition in Lough Swilly

May 3, 2002
Save the Swilly opts for "Swilly First"

May 3, 2002
Save the Swilly/Green Party candidate withdraws

May 1, 2002
Save the Swilly/Green Party candidate to contest Donegal North-East

April 18, 2002
Coulter to be "Ambassador at Large" for Save the Swilly

March 25, 2002
Save The Swilly presents 10,000-signature petition to EU

March 12, 2002
Study of Lough Swilly launched

November 30, 2001 STS letter to Hugh Byrne, Minister for State for the Department of the Marine

November 27, 2001 ICZM and OSPAR - not Clams - for Swilly

October 17, 2001 Salmon farm wants still more licences inshore

September 17, 2001 Save the Swilly meets Labour Party

September 13, 2001 Save the Swilly meets Minister of State Byrne

September 1, 2001 Save the Swilly begins fundraising drive

August 28, 2001 Save the Swilly welcomes I.F.A. initiative

May 15, 2001 Expansion of salmon farming tragic for Swilly

April 9, 2001 Mussel barrels adrift in Lough Swilly

March 22, 2001 Save the Swilly presents petition

March 13, 2001 Save the Swilly questions Minister Byrne

March 11, 2001 Save the Swilly reaffirms call for moratorium

February 20, 2001 Launch of Save the Swilly website

January 24, 2001

January 16, 2001 Delegation meets Minister Hugh Byrne

January 9, 2001 Save The Swilly
(from looking like Mulroy Bay)