Sir, - We are amazed at the claims by Roderick O'Sullivan (May 15th) that nothing lives around fish farms because of the use of pesticides. Surely Mr O'Sullivan knows that salmon are the most sensitive of creatures to any kind of degradation of the environment and that fishfarms would not be able to grow this creature so successfully if they caused the kind of impacts alleged.
Also, we know from our work as divers with a Connemara salmon farm that there is as much, if not more, marine life around the farm than anywhere else. Every underwater surface associated with the farm is completely covered with all kinds of marine organisms - seaweeds, anemones, hydroids, seasquirts, hoppers of every description, barnacles and mussels. In fact, our main job as divers is to assist in the regular changing of the nets used to retain the farm fish. This is required because the growth of marine organisms on the nets can impede the water exchange which is essential for the wellbeing of the fish.
Furthermore, we regularly see scallops, prawns, shrimp and lobster on the seabed under and around the farm and there are always shoals of wild fish such as scad, mackerel and herring taking shelter around the nets and other submarine structures. On a daily basis we also see seals, dolphins and an assortment of seabirds.
We therefore believe that Mr O'Sullivan's letter is designed to stir up trouble and has no factual foundations whatsoever. Yours, etc.,
Renvyle,
Co Galway.