Fish farm company accused of trying to ‘buy’ community

Residents in West Cork, opposed to the development of a €3.5m fish farm by one of the world’s biggest aquaculture companies, have accused the developers of trying to “buy” the local community “with trinkets”.

The comments came after Marine Harvest launched a competition aimed at primary schools whereby a school can win €900 and a pupil €100, if they choose the winning name for the firm’s new fishing boat.

The company is seeking a foreshore licence from the Department of the Marine to develop a second fish farm in Bantry Bay and have met fierce local resistance.