Time Extensions

Pursuant to Section 56(3) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Board has extended the time that the following Appeals will be determined

Appeal

Extended to

Updated

AP9/2018 Ballymacoda

31 March 2020

June 2019

AP45/2018 Bank Harbour

30 June 2020

January 2019

 AP1/2019 Deenish

30 June 2020

December 2019

Castlemaine Harbour

31 October 2020

December 2019

AP2-3/2019 Trawbreaga

31 July 2020

November 2019

AP4/2019 Donegal Bay

AP1-4/2017 & AP6/2017 Braade Strand

31 December 2020

February 2020

AP6/1-2/2018 Dunmanus Bay

AP34-48/2019 Wexford Harbour

AP5-9/2019 Killary Harbour

AP10/2019 Shannon Estuary, Kerry

AP11/2019 Shannon Estuary, Clare

AP12-18/2019 Kilmakilloge Harbour

AP19-23/2019 Kenmare Bay

AP26-31/2019 & AP33/2019 Dungloe Bay

 AP32, 49, 50, 51/2019 Bantry

Determinations

Appeal

Determination Date

Updated

AP11/2018 Loughros Beg

31 January 2020

February 2020

Other Updates

Appeal

Updated

AP2/1-14/2015 Shot Head

June 2019

In respect of these Appeals, notice has been given to all parties, in accordance with Regulation 42(8) of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 as amended (“2011 Regulations”), that ALAB has determined that an Appropriate Assessment, as referred to in Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992, as amended), is required for the project.

Independent Appropriate Assessment screening commissioned by ALAB has concluded that, based on a preliminary assessment and objective criteria, it is not possible to rule out potential significant adverse impacts resulting from the installation of the proposed salmon farm in respect of selected nearby SPAs and their associated bird species of conservation interest (SCI).

The specific SCIs and Natura sites of concern are: Fulmar (Beara Peninsula SPA, Iveragh Peninsula SPA, Deenish Island and Scariff Island SPA), Gannet (The Bull and The Cow Rocks SPA and Skelligs SPA) and Guillemot (Iveragh Peninsula SPA).

The Appropriate Assessment screening report determined that:

1. The proposed development of aquaculture sites within Bantry Bay will result in the loss of 42.5 ha of inshore habitat that could potentially be used by the abovementioned SCIs for feeding, and
2. cumulative impacts have been identified that may, in combination with the above development, exacerbate further the impacts on the SCIs. They include additional fish farms in the area (elsewhere in Bantry Bay) and associated levels of disturbance.

ALAB has directed that a Natura Impact Statement as defined in Regulation 2(1) of the 2011 Regulations (“NIS”) is required. ALAB has directed that the NIS is to be furnished by the Applicant for consent for the project the subject of this appeal within 3 (three) months of the date of the notice, that is by 21 September 2019.

A copy of ALAB's Appropriate Assessment Screening report is available at: http://www.alab.ie/boarddeterminations/2015/scheduleofdocuments/

As provided for in Section 56(3) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Board has extended the time that the Appeal will be determined to 31 March 2020.

AP1-4/2017 & AP6/2017 Braade Strand

February 2020

In respect of these Appeals, notice has been given to all parties, in accordance with Regulation 42(8) of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 as amended ("2011 Regulations"), that the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board ("ALAB") has determined that an Appropriate Assessment, as referred to in Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive (i.e. Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 as amended), is required for the project the subject of the above appeal for the following reasons:

Independent Appropriate Assessment screening commissioned by ALAB has concluded that, based on a preliminary assessment and objective criteria, it is not possible to rule out potential significant adverse impacts resulting from the proposed oyster farming activity in respect of selected nearby SPAS and their associated bird species of conservation interest (SCI). The specific SCIs and Natura sites of concern are: Common Gull of the West Donegal Islands and Inishbofin, Inishdooey and Inishbeg SPAS and the Lesser Black-backed Gull of the Inishbofin, Inishdooey and Inishbeg SPA. The Appropriate Assessment screening report determined that:

1. The proposed development of aquaculture sites within Gweedore Bay will result in the loss of 58 ha of intertidal habitats potentially used by the abovementioned SCIs for feeding and/ or roosting.
2. Several cumulative impacts have been identified that, in combination with the proposed development, may further exacerbate impacts on the SCIs. These include:

a. Additional proposals for aquaculture development (largely oyster cultivation) elsewhere and in relatively close proximity to the Gweedore Bay aquaculture sites;

b. High levels of recreational disturbance which, if not regulated, may temporarily or even permanently displace the SCIs from the area; and

c. Sea and river angling which could potentially affect prey availability, especially for Lesser Black-backed Gull which is reliant on fish prey.

ALAB has directed that a Natura Impact Statement as defined in Regulation 2(1) of the 2011 Regulations ("NIS") is required. ALAB has directed that the NIS is to be furnished by the Applicant for consent for the project the subject of this appeal within 3 (three) months of the date of the notice (25 November 2019).

A copy of the Independent Appropriate Assessment Screening report is available on the Department website at the following link:

ScreeningStageAssessmentBraadeFinal20190421.pdf