Fishermen in Cork Harbour have claimed that if further dredging of the Spit Bank is allowed as part of the Lee tunnel construction project, marine life could be seriously affected. Mr Nicholas White, a spokesman for the fishermen, told The Irish Times at the weekend that when part of the Spit Bank was dredged 17 years ago for infill at Ringaskiddy, the port authorities pledged there would be no consequences for the marine ecosystem.
"The dredging led to gaping ravines in the Spit Bank, which is a very important breeding and feeding ground for all sorts of species in the harbour. But 17 years later the bank is just as they left it.
"We have proved this using echo soundings and from trawling the huge holes that were left behind. If there is further damage to the Spit Bank, the consequences for marine life in Cork Harbour could be enormous," Mr White said. The bank had not naturally restored itself as the port authorities had claimed it would.
At the weekend the Cork Environmental Alliance called on the Minister for the Marine, Dr Woods, to intervene. Last week a blockade by the fishermen prevented dredging of the Spit Bank for more than six hours, and they have threatened to do so again.
It is understood that the Lee tunnel contractors, Tarmac Walls, have been given the go-ahead for further dredging.