Mechanical Kelp Harvesting In Ireland Challenged

News from the Celtic League:

The Celtic League have an article (see below) reporting on a challenge in the Irish High Court (Irish: An Ard-Chúirt) in regard to the mechanical harvesting of kelp in Bantry Bay. The community group Bantry Bay – Protect our Native Kelp Forests, fear the harvesting operation would have negative consequences for the environment, marine life, the fishing industry and tourism in their area. The Celtic League had previously raised similar objections to industrialised kelp harvesting in Scotland. The Scottish Parliament subsequently voted to prohibit the practice.

"MECHANICAL KELP HARVESTING CHALLENGED"

"A challenge is being mounted in the Irish high Court to the mechanical harvesting of kelp in Bantry Bay.

At its AGM in Glasgow in October 2018 last year the Celtic League adopted a resolution calling for a ban on kelp dredging planned in that country. The Scottish Parliament subsequently voted to prohibit the the practice (link):

https://www.celticleague.net/…/league-protest-ahead-of-sco…/

As this report from Green News ie indicates the battle now needs to be fought in Ireland:

“A legal challenge to Ireland’s first large-scale mechanical seaweed harvesting project in Bantry Bay commenced in the High Court this afternoon.

The community group Bantry Bay – Protect our Native Kelp Forests has sought a Judicial Review of the grant of a seaweed harvesting licence to BioAtlantis Aquamarine Ltd.

The West Cork group is also seeking an injunction to prevent the commencement of harvesting until the judicial review process is complete.

The case is expected to run for six days and will be presided over by Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy.

BioAtlantis, the Tralee-based biotechnology group behind the project, is seeking to harvest kelp in just over 1,800 acres of waters in the Bay.”

Link to full article:

https://greennews.ie/kelp-harvest-high-court/

Image: Kelp forest are an important part of the marine ecosystem

Bernard Moffatt

Assistant General Secretary
Celtic League"