Opposition mounting to plans for €5.5m salmon farm

Opposition is mounting in West Cork to plans by one of the world’s biggest fish farming operations to develop a €5.5m organic salmon farm in Bantry Bay.

Marine Harvest has applied to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for aquaculture and foreshore licences for the site at Shot Head. The firm says the development is part of a €14m plan by Marine Harvest Ireland to upgrade 16 aquaculture sites over the next five years.

It is envisaged six full time jobs will be created at the farm and the company is arguing the investment will secure the 40 jobs already in existence in Beara.