Much of Ireland’s estuarine and coastal habitats, which are often particularly valuable ecosystems rich in wildfowl and other wildlife, are suffering mounting degradation from high levels of aquaculture. Whilst aquaculture can be an important activity of coastal communities, uncontrolled and excessive development within designated European Nature Conservation Sites (Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas for Birds) is enormously damaging to the integrity of these wonderful coastal areas. In addition it is not acceptable under existing National and European Laws.  Notable examples are the very high levels of Aquaculture in Mulroy Bay and Lough Swilly in Co. Donegal, in Clew Bay in Co Mayo, and Kenmare Bay in Co Cork. 

No carrying capacity study of the coast has been undertaken, which would facilitate more sensitive location of aquaculture installations and prevent environmental degradation in the first instance.

Environmental impact statements are not requested for shellfish operations, despite size, even when proposed for a protected site, such as an (Special Area of Conservation) SAC or (Special Protection Area for birds)SPA.

Negative consequences associated with aquaculture include:

• Eutrophication of water column - no waste water treatment - the marine environment is the sewer
• Detritus on sea bed affecting composition of biotic communities
• Use of anti-foulants, anti-parsitics, which are marine pollutants and accumulate in the ecosystem
• Sea-lice on salmonid farmed species can affect wild populations. This is spread due to factory farming situation, that the salmon or trout are subjected. There can be 50,000 fish in one cage.We urgently need to see better balancing of economic needs with objectives of sustainable development and nature conservation. 

 Aquaculture license applications in these protected habitats are referred to An Taisce by the Department of Marine and Natural Resources for comment.  In some instances we raise concern over lack of carrying capacity studies, lack of environmental / ecological assessment, and potential damaging implications for protected wildlife habitats. In such cases we highlight the need for Environmental Impact Assessment, carrying capacity studies, and consideration of protected species and habitats, in line with the requirements of the European Habitats and Birds Directives and the Environmental Impact Assessment Directives.  Our objective is to prevent further deterioration of valuable protected Nature Conservation Sites in addition to raising the profile of this issue within the relevant authorities.