As Ireland takes on the world over the future of the whale in Australia today, a domestic row is brewing over new conservation areas in inshore waters.
Although Irish waters were declared a whale and dolphin sanctuary, the Shannon estuary is the only designated marine special area of conservation (SAC). This is because of its dolphin population.
Now a list of over 30 marine SACs has been published by the Minister of Arts and Heritage, Ms Sile de Valera, as part of the EU Habitats Directive.
About half of the locations are in fish-farming areas, and the aquaculture industry has accused the Minister of "mishandling" the measure.
The Irish Farmers' Association, which represents the Irish Salmon Growers and Irish Shellfish associations, has warned that Duchas, the Heritage Service, is going to "repeat the mistakes" made in designating SACs on farmland.
An industry with an annual turnover of £60 million and employing almost 20,000 people directly and indirectly could be jeopardised by lack of consultation, according to the IFA. Only last month, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, endorsed a report projecting a 300 per cent expansion for the industry.
The proposed marine SAC list includes all of the premier fish-farming bays, including Mulroy Bay, Co Donegal; Clew Bay, Co Mayo; Inis Mor on the Aran islands; and Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford.
Advertisements have been placed in local newspapers by Duchas, with a three-month appeal period. However, the industry says the "wholly uninformative" have created an "atmosphere of fear and mistrust", and warns that commercial fishermen, sea anglers, tourism operators and others will also be affected.
The IFA wants any claims of any negative impact on any SAC by aquaculture to be backed up by Duchas with scientific evidence. It is also seeking full compensation for members for any loss of asset value or of future income.
