Salmon farming - Rules must be enforced

Considerable disquiet has been generated by the plans of Norwegian company Marine Harvest to build a salmon farm in Bantry Bay.

The company’s poor environmental reputation and Ireland’s light-touch regulation has set alarm bells ringing.

Salmon farms, many unlicensed, have had a devastating impact on migratory fish stocks and water quality.

Marine Minister Simon Coveney is right to support aquaculture but that is no reason to turn a blind eye to destructive practices.

In too many spheres, we pay lip service to regulations and their application. The consequences of this foolishness are all too obvious. Salmon farms, like any other enterprise, must be regulated fairly and properly for their benefit and the host community’s peace of mind.

When that happens it might be possible to have a more welcoming attitude to projects such as the one proposed for Bantry Bay.