DELAY IN DECISION ON INIS OIRR FISH FARM

Date Published: 22-Jun-2012

Bord Iascaigh Mhara says there will be a substantial delay before it can publish the licence application for a proposed fish farm in Galway Bay.

The announcement follows the most recent round of public consultations in relation to the proposed development off the coast of the Aran Island of Inis Oirr.

At a site 6 km from Galway, and 1.5 km east of the southernmost of the Aran Islands,the proposed deep sea fish farm would produce 15,000 tonnes of salmon, worth about €103 million a year.

If successful, it’s predicted that the new farm would create 300 to 400 jobs and double Ireland’s existing 12,000 tonnes per year salmon output.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara had planned to publish the licence application and Environmental Impact Statement at the beginning of June.

However, due to the latest information, the group says it will now be at least 4-6 weeks before they will be in a position to do so.

On receiving clearance from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, BIM will then place advertisements in national and local press informing the public about the proposed development and also where they can view copies of the licence application and the Environmental Impact Statement.

In the meantime, BIM say they are following up on the meaningful and informative feedback they received from people during the last round of consultations.