• Deenish Island – Six years and counting

    Posted by John Murphy on August 11, 2024

    The MOWI (Deenish Island) owned salmon farm located within nine kilometres of the once famous Waterville sea trout fishery has once again escaped judgement by the Aquaculture Appeals Board. This farm was officially ordered to close in April 2019 but has since operated unchallenged while pursuing an appeal against the closure. The sea trout fishery is effectively abandoned with a substantial loss of economic activity and the loss of many jobs associated with  angling tourism. The text of the letter is as follows: "I refer to my letter of 05 September 2023 in which the Board indicated it anticipated this Appeal would be determined by 30 September 2024. The Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB) reviewed this timescale for the determination of this Appeal at its meeting on 25 July 2024 and has formed the view it will not be in a position to determine these Appeals within that timeframe due to the ongoing collation of technical advice and the vacant position of an internal ALAB Technical Advisor. In light of this, as provided for in Section 56(3) of the Act, the Board hereby gives notice of its intention to determine this Appeal by 31 January 2025." The ongoing damage to Waterville and its angling reputation is continuing while sea trout stocks continue a rapid and accelerating decline. While Salmon Watch Ireland has successfully taken judicial review proceedings in regard to Bantry Bay we are conscious that the Deenish situation should be prioritised by all concerned with bringing back stability to sea trout stocks with economic benefits accruing to the local community.  We are disappointed with the apparent apathy demonstrated by some within the local business community despite the best efforts of the local angling association (Currane Fisheries) and other conservation bodies to highlight the devastation occurring. This area more than ever needs sustainable tourism business and it is shameful that a lake like Lough Currane has effectively been consigned to the history books by the salmon farming industry. Make no mistake, salmon farming in open cage technology cannot coexist with healthy sea trout populations. It is also infuriating that the Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board has effectively allowed MOWI to delay and consistently mend their hand in relation to this appeal.  Recent submissions by Salmon Watch Ireland regarding Deenish Island: Submissions to ALAB - Deenish Island                


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  • Kenmare Bay – Disregard for Special Area of Conservation

    Posted by John Murphy on July 1, 2024

    Kenmare Bay is located in the South West of Ireland and is home to two currently operating salmon farms (Deenish and Inishfarnard) owned and operated by MOWI. There are two other farms within the bay which are not currently operating with a further application pending for another site near Inishfarnard.  The farm at Deenish was ordered to close in April 2019 but has continued to operate pending the outcome of an appeal which has yet to be determined. This situation is appalling considering that five years have elapsed without any sign of determination. The farm has been allowed to continue to the detriment of the once famous sea trout fishery in Waterville. This fishery had the potential to generate up to three million euro for the local economy but is essentially now derelict with little if any angling tourism in the area. Make no mistake this fishery can be returned to a vibrant fishery with economic prosperity returning if salmon farming is removed from Kenmare Bay. No sea trout fishery has ever survived along side open pen salmon farming and Waterville is no exception. This situation is completely mirrored in the west of Ireland, Scotland and Norway. It is worth noting that when the farms in Kenmare Bay were closed in the period from 2004 to 2009 there was a substantial increase in sea trout numbers and a rebalancing of the population through all age groups. Waterville is home to genetically distinct sea trout and are a national asset which has been effectively destroyed by salmon farming. In 2023 MOWI applied for a renewal of their expired licences for Deenish and Inishfarnard and this is under examination by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and is awaited with interest by all. There were a significant number of objections to these applications so we await determination but we expect this may take some time if previous experience is anything to go on. We would like to draw your attention to our submissions regarding the renewal applications and feel free to extract information to bolster your understanding of the issues surrounding salmon farming in Ireland. Inishfarnard Submission Deenish Submission    


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