Jobs catch for North Clare?

A PROPOSED new Deep Sea Fish Farm off the North Clare coast could create up to 500 jobs and 15,000 tonnes of organic salmon every year, Bórd Iascaigh Mhara has claimed.

BIM is currently in the process of public consultation as part of its application for a licence for the fish farm. The licence, if granted, will be franchised to a separate company, which will operate the 456 hectare farm on the Inis Oírr foreshore. This is the first time that BIM, on behalf of the State, has done this.
“Each of the farms that will make up the Deep Sea Project will be able to produce up to 15,000 tonnes of organic salmon every year, worth €102 million annually, and with a wages flow of about €14.5m directly into the local economy. This level of production will help employ local people in long-term jobs,” BIM has said.
BIM projects the farm will employ approximately 350 people directly by year four, including 65 on the farm itself.
The overall size of the fish farm is 456 hectares spread over two sites, with the footprint of the farm enclosures significantly smaller. The enclosures, including all moorings and anchors, will occupy a maximum area of 180 hectares, it says, adding “what will be visible on the surface when the farm is in full operation will cover only 36 hectares, or 8% of the total area”.
“The main reason for the area being so large is for environmental and fish welfare purposes,” according to BIM’s Non-Technical Environmental Impact Statement.
“The farming that will take place on the proposed site will be to organic-grade standards, which means that there will be a low density of fish in any of the enclosures, (1% fish, 99% water is what is required to gain organic status for farmed salmon).”
The planned farm will consist of two identical units. Each will have three blocks of no more than 12 circular 46m diameter sea pens.
Four out of the five North Clare area councillors said they had not been contacted with regard to the project which, if it goes ahead, will be located at two sites off the Clare coast between Doolin and Blackhead. Councillor Joe Arkins had not responded at the time of going to print.
A spokesperson for Clare County Council confirmed the local authority had received correspondence from BIM in recent days “and the county council will meet with representatives of BIM in the coming weeks to discuss the matter”.
A copy of the EIS and the foreshore licence application is available for inspection at Ennistymon Garda Station for the next seven weeks.