The Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has raised its concerns over the impact of a proposed offshore salmon farm on wild salmon and sea trout stocks.
With Ireland’s fisheries already under pressure, the location and scale of the proposed salmon farm are causing concern. The Board believes that peer reviewed international scientific reports on the impact of existing fish farms on salmon and sea trout populations off the west coast of Ireland, which show sea lice account for up to 39% of salmon mortalities, are not being adequately dealt with in the EIS.
In addition, although the Board welcomes any sustainable initiative which will provide jobs in rural coastal communities, it is also concerned over the number of jobs being created with the proposed salmon farm and the impact on the recreational angling and tourism sectors if the farm is developed without sufficient environmental protections in place.
The IFI has made a submission on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) for the proposed offshore salmon farm as part of the public consultation process. The Board recommends that the submission is read in full by any interested parties.
The Board welcomes the expansion of Ireland’s aquaculture sector once any development complies with Ireland’s obligations under relevant EU environmental legislation, particularly the Habitats Directive.
