Save The Swilly 15 May 2001

EXPANSION OF SALMON FARMING TRAGIC FOR SWILLY

Save The Swilly has described the expansion of salmon-farming in Lough Swilly as a tragedy for the lough, and a decision that will return to haunt the community in years to come.

The group, which is calling for a moratorium on further aquaculture licensing in Lough Swilly until an independent baseline study and an independent environmental impact assessment have been completed, was responding to a decision by the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board in Dublin to reject appeals against licensing at Callagh and Binnawheelmore.

The Minister told Dail Eireann on 22nd February 2001 that no study was envisaged for the Swilly, but he later claimed in an interview at the weekend that a study was under way. He was presumably referring to the Department of the Marine's Co-ordinated Local Aquaculture Management Systems (CLAMS). However, Save The Swilly said: "We do not accept that the Department of the Marine can be objective or independent about aquaculture, as it is publicly committed to a 300% expansion of this industry over the next five years."

It is clear from its own handbook that CLAMS is not the solution. The CLAMS document says: "It is envisaged that meetings etc. will be held with various parties, who may not be in favour of aquaculture development. Though their comments will be heard, it is not going to be the policy to address all of their concerns in CLAMS."

An extra 1,100,000 pounds (500 tons) of salmon will be produced in Lough Swilly every year on foot of the latest licences, with serious implications for the survival of wild salmon and sea trout in the four rivers flowing into the lough. All the rivers have suffered a drastic decline in wild fish since the arrival of salmon-farming. How much pesticide, food dye, anti-foulant, fish faeces and excess feed and sea-lice will find their way into the Swilly with this expansion?

Save The Swilly has 30 member groups (more than 15,000 individuals), representing tourism, angling, commercial fishing, diving, sailing and bird-watching interests, among others. More than 8,700 people have now signed its petition, which has had no response from Minister Frank Fahey. A copy of the petition will be lodged with the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament within the next month. This follows last week's strongly-worded reprimand to the Irish Government from the Directorate-General Environment of the European Commission warning about breaches of European directives on birds, habitats, flora and fauna by issuing aquaculture licences within Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation. "It is time Ireland became a good citizen of Europe, instead of ignoring environmental directives with one hand, while accepting funds from Europe with the other," Save The Swilly said. "The government is aggressively promoting the Nice Treaty, but what kind of role model is this for the new entrants to the European Union?"

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)