Fishermen and sailors’ fears of job losses at port
And it will severely restrict sailing pursuits and introduce new hazards for sailors, local sailing experts told the Bord Pleanála hearing into the project earmarked for Oyster Bank in Ringaskiddy.
The comments were made during day six of the hearing which saw the first of up to 60 third-party submissions from the public.
The fishermen, who between them have fished the harbour for more than a century, said dredging to facilitate the project would devastate bountiful fishing grounds and deplete stocks.
Roy Collins from Cobh, who has fished the harbour under licence in an inshore vessel for 21 years, said it has been a way of life in Cobh for hundreds of years.
“We fish the Oyster Bank from September to February. It is a very productive area for fishing — sprat, herring, codling, and green crab, a substantial market for which has been developed recently,” he said.
“If the project goes ahead, it will end commercial fishing in Cork harbour, and angling.”
He said the Curlane Bank, between Spike Island and Crosshaven, which was dredged to facilitate the port’s expansion at Ringaskiddy in the 1980s, has never recovered.
“This kind of activity has a long-term effect on sea life, resulting in us losing large fishing grounds, and financial loss,” he said.
Mr Collins also expressed concerns that the dumping of dredged material for the Oyster Bank project 5km south-east off Roche’s Point will destroy fishing grounds which have been restocked over the last 10 years with the help of Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
Michael Taft, who has fished the harbour for about 50 years, said he had similar fears. “My time is going. But I would like to ensure that the next generation can still enjoy this wonderful facility of the harbour.”
Several residents, most from Monkstown, cited concerns about noise, dust, the devaluation of property and the destruction of harbour views if the project gets the go-ahead.
However, Bord Pleanála inspector Paul Caprani expressed concerns that many individuals who were listed to make submissions failed to show up.
College student Caoimhe Burns, a member of Monkstown Bay Sailing Club and a senior sailing instructor with the Irish Sailing Association, said the container terminal would severely impact on sail training grounds used by children during summer courses, as well as introduce new hazards for young sailors in the form of extra sea traffic.
Pat Hallissey, whose Monkstown home overlooks the proposed site, said he was concerned that his house would be devalued.
Bob McLaughlin, who has lived with his family in Monkstown for 29 years, said industrial, residential and leisure activities have been able to coexist reasonably well in the harbour.
“But all this will change with the proposed development,” he said.
“I have no confidence in the Port of Cork to manage a facility on such a large scale.”
The hearing continues today when the Ringaskiddy Residents’ Association is due to make its submission.
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