Save The Swilly February 8, 2003

SAVE THE SWILLY MEETS INISHOWEN POLITICIANS

A deputation from Save The Swilly, including Dr Andrew Cooper, the principal author of the Scoping Study for an ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management) Strategy for Lough Swilly, met members of the Inishowen Electoral Area Committee in Carndonagh this week.

Mr Tony Morrison, chairman of Save The Swilly, and Mr John Niven, representing commercial fishermen, were also present. Councillors and TDs of all parties attended the meeting, and the overwhelming majority agreed that Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) was a solution to the "piecemeal" approach to managing Lough Swilly adopted by the Department of the Marine so far.

Dr Cooper, who heads the University of Ulster (Coleraine) Coastal Studies Research Group, told the Inishowen politicians that an Integrated Coastal Zone Management plan should be holistic, in that it must represent all interests, and aim to meet all the objectives of the people for whom it is designed.

"Save The Swilly does not have ambitions to manage Lough Swilly," said Mr Morrison, "and we hope that message got through to the councillors. Our only interest is that a sensible management plan be adopted for the Swilly, so that everyone is given a fair hearing, and a fair share of resources. In fact, we believe the Donegal County Council is the logical lead agency in any management plan for Lough Swilly."

Save The Swilly will now approach the Donegal County Development Board and the Electoral Area Committee for Letterkenny and Milford, to arrange similar presentations.

"Lough Swilly is not only about the water. It is about the shores and the people on the shores. Lough Swilly belongs to everyone, and that must be the starting point for any strategy," said Mr Morrison.

In difficult economic conditions, a key issue for the development of a coordinated management plan for the lough is likely to be funding, and this issue was also addressed by the STS deputation. Funding is available through various cross-border and European agencies for coastal management plans, and STS will be providing more information about this aspect to County Council officials.

While it is acknowledged that a management plan for Lough Swilly acceptable to all stakeholders is a challenge, most of the Inishowen public representatives recognise that a plan is essential. There are various conflicts at work in the lough, and these are not being resolved or even addressed by the Department of the Marine in many cases. The logic in an ICZM plan is to incorporate all plans for Lough Swilly, including commercial fishing, angling, tourism, aquaculture and land-based activities, into an overall strategy.

"I believe the Inishowen political representatives generally accept that solutions are needed, and the only workable plan is one that incorporates all interests," said Mr Morrison. "The aquaculture sector already has its own Coordinated Local Aquaculture Management Systems (CLAMS), which has been supported financially and politically by the Department of the Marine. Now we need a plan that embraces all interests."

It is hoped that STS will be given an opportunity to meet all elected representatives in the Lough Swilly area in the next few months. Plans are also under way to source funding for the development of an ICZM strategy.

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

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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)