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Petition launched over Stragill
oyster farm
29.06.15
A PETITION has been
launched to urge the Government to revoke a licence
for oyster trestles on the beach at Stragill, Linsfort.
The online campaign claims that the "once-beautiful
beach", that graces the Wild Atlantic Way outside
Buncrana, has been "turned into an eyesore" and
poses a potential danger at high tide.
Separately, a source told Inishowen News that a
number of local and national authorities had been
contacted about the oyster beds at Linsfort.
"I can't believe that the authorities concerned have
sanctioned this. I personally did not see any
planning permission nor any word of public
consultation prior to this development. In fact, no
one that I have spoken to saw anything either," said
the source.
Correspondence sent by the Aquaculture and Foreshore
Management Division of the Department of Agriculture
Food and the Marine to Donegal County Council shows
that Donegal County Council were informed about the
Stragill oyster bed planning application on June 6,
2014. |
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The oyster farm at Stragill. |
The correspondence
states that the Minister for Arts, Heritage, and the
Gaeltacht and other designated consultees including
Bord Iascaigh Mhara; the Marine Institute and Údarás
na Gaeltachta were also notified.
An increasing number of oyster beds have sprung up
in other locations around Inishowen and the wider
county in recent years.
The new petition, which already has more than 300
signatures, states:
"A ten year licence has been granted for 42 acres of
oyster beds and the beach which is in an Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty is being destroyed.
"The beach is now practically un-usable by the local
community and public who have for years walked along
the shore and enjoyed recreational activities on the
beach during the summer months."
The petition continues: "As unsightly as the metal
cages are at low tide they are also unmarked at high
tide when submerged just below the surface and
present a real safety hazard to children, swimmers,
kayakers, boats and local wildlife."
Meanwhile, environmentalists claim that non-native
species (namely farmed Pacific oysters) have the
potential to overgrow our native species.
For petition details,
click here . |
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