Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has withdrawn an application for a huge organic salmon farm plan in Galway Bay, Ireland.
Salmon and sea trout anglers throughout the country have welcomed the news after strongly protesting against the 15,000 tonne project proposed by BIM.
Tara McCarthy, BIM chief executive, said: “Taking account of the new policy framework, BIM has reviewed its work programme to match our activities against this new plan.”
“The scaling of fish farms was one element that had to be addressed and we have taken swift and decisive action on that.”
It came as BIM welcomed a national strategic plan which will cap the size of proposed fish farms.
The plan, which is aimed at sustainable aquaculture development, was drawn up by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine.
Paul Lawton, chairman of the fishing federation, FISSTA, concluded: “After five years of intensive campaigning to Minister Simon Coveney, and following notice of legal action to 12 departments which the attorney general has acknowledged.”
“FISSTA is delighted BIM decided to review the ten mega farms’ plan following our national campaign which saw thousands of anglers and supporters of the wild salmon protest on the streets of Galway city and Carrigaline over the past five years.”
