Concerns ‘foul-smelling’ algae could hit tourism

THE tourist industry in a part of west Cork could suffer serious damage if Minister for the Environment John Gormley doesn’t immediately release funds to clean up a tidal bay which is infested with a foul-smelling algae.

As the first bank holiday weekend of the summer approaches, the bay in Courtmacsherry is beginning to turn green with “sea lettuce” – an algae which thrives on nitrates and heat. For the past few years, cash-strapped Cork County Council has spent large sums of money trying to clean it up but recently admitted it needed financial help from the department for a comprehensive eradication project, which could cost in the region of €1.5 million.

Clonakilty & District Chamber of Tourism chairman Jim Daly said there was a lot of concern among his members that Mr Gormley had yet to react positively to a request sent from Cork County Council for financial aid.