Department provides update on status of oyster farm applications on Lough Swilly
If approved, the new oyster and mussel farms would cover 750 acres of the lough and produce 7,000 tonnes of shellfish annually
The Department of Agriculture says it is still collating and considering submissions made during a public consultation in February and March regarding applications to extend oyster and mussel farming on Lough Swilly.
Eight different companies and individuals have sought licences to develop or renew oyster and mussel farms at 13 locations, covering almost 300 hectares (around 750 acres) of the lough. The proposed sites stretch from Stragill near Buncrana to the Big Isle at Manorcunningham, and from Aughinish Isle to Kinnegar Head near Rathmullan.
If approved, thousands of new trestles would be installed on the seabed, and the applicants said the farms would produce more than 7,000 tonnes of shellfish annually and sustain a few dozen jobs.
Public meetings were held in Newtowncunningham in February, where strong opposition was expressed to the granting of new licences or the renewal of existing licences.
“All submissions received during the public and statutory consultation are still being collated and considered for validity,” the Department said in response to questions put to it by DonegalLive. “Once this step is concluded, as part of the statutory process, the submissions will be provided to the applicants for comment.
“Following the conclusion of the public and statutory consultation process, the Marine Institute will be requested to finalise the Appropriate Assessment having regard to any Natura related submissions or observations received during the consultation.”
Citing its ongoing work in assessing the applications, the Department declined to say how many observations were received from the public or to offer a timeframe on when it expects to take a decision.
However, it did emphasise the thorough nature of its assessment processes. “Decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all consultations and public interest elements of each application, including environmental considerations,” the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, the annual general meeting of the Irish Farmers Association’s aquaculture section was held in Athlone this week and heard strong criticism of the licensing process and calls for legislative reform to expedite decisions on applications.
“If the current level of progress continues it will be 55 years before remaining licences awaiting decisions are determined,” IFA aquaculture chair Finian O'Sullivan said, highlighting the deep frustrations within the sector. “No sector could accept or sustain such a prospect.
Long delays in processing applications are evident in the Lough Swilly batch under consideration. Three of the applications were first submitted in 2002, while the others date back to 2021, 2023 and 2024.
“Legislative reform is essential to move the sector forward and create certainty for the next generation - these matters were made clear to the Minister recently,” Mr O'Sullivan said.
The IFA says aquaculture is worth €180 million annually to the Irish economy, providing 1,800 direct jobs and contributing to 8,500 indirect jobs in the seafood sector, helping to sustain coastal communities.