Oyster and mussel producers brace for stock damage in wake of slick

OYSTER and mussel producers along the south-east coast are fearing pollution damage and loss of stocks due to the oil spill off the Fastnet that is reported to be making its way to inshore areas.

The slick was reported to be some 65km off the Old Head of Kinsale and heading eastwards at a rate of about 12km a day.

There were growing fears that the Wexford-Waterford coastline was most at risk from the pollution, which is being monitored by the Coastguard.

Irish Farmers’ Association aquaculture executive secretary Richie Flynn said its members along the coastline at risk feared the worst from this pollution incident.

“Aquaculture producers are in the frontline when environmental problems are caused by shipping or industry along the coast,” he said.

Mr Flynn said the counties of Cork, Waterford and Wexford are important producers of quality mussels and oysters, producing over a quarter of the national production. More than 100 small and medium-sized farms operate in inshore areas along this coast.

“These farms are static operations with no possibility to move out of the way of any potential slick,” he said.

Mr Flynn said it is imperative the three local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency put in place an emergency plan to ensure that facilities such as booms are available should the slick make landfall near a shellfish farm.

“Every effort must be made to collect or disperse the slick while it is still at sea,” he said, pointing out that oil spills have caused problems and massive losses for the aquaculture industry internationally.