Shady Dealings on Carlingford Lough?

louth | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Wednesday January 21, 2004 18:56 by Sean Crudden - Greenore/Cooley Fisherman's Association sean.crudden at iol dot ie Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth 0879739945

Recent Decisions to Award Aquaculture Licenses

Greenore/Cooley Fisherman's Association is concerned about inappropriate colonisation of Carlingford Lough and it is of the opinion that nonsenses such as The Lough's Agency (set up under the "Belfast Agreement") are foreshadowed in the roles arrogated to themselves by our own Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

A recent advertisement in The Dundalk Democrat gave notice of “Decisions in Respect of Aquaculture Licences” (in Carlingford Lough). Eleven successful applicants were listed but no reasoning was given for the decisions why these particular applicants were successful in gaining licences. Unsuccessful applicants were allowed to appeal but only on paying a fee of 380.92 Euro for each such appeal.

Greenore/Cooley Fisherman’s Association (GCFA) is worried about the lack of transparency surrounding these published decisions and it is also worried that the sovereignty of the Government of the Irish Republic is totally unclear where the waters of Carlingford Lough is concerned. GCFA had a role in issuing licences in the past in this area and sees the present provisions by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources are an unjustifiable attempt to colonise Carlingford Lough and to remove the birthright of the local independent fishermen in this fabled area.