Submissions to Minister are Paramount

Points to consider

All public submissions or observations on the Appropriate Assessment (quotingreference no (see table above))can be addressed to the

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Aquaculture and Foreshore Management Division,National Seafood Centre, Clogheen,Clonakilty, Co. Cork, P85 TX47 or.     apc@agriculture.gov.ie

All public submission or observations will be published on the Department’s website.

 When Considering making a submission write your submission clearly and include supporting documents or photos if you have them.

·       Why it is important to you personally and this could include how you feel the proposed aquaculture developments could impact on you.          What the strand means to you and perhaps your family.

          Do you use it as an amenity? If so, will the development and the associated noise, machinery and infrastructure  potentially interfere with this? For example will it interfere/impact on:

 Safety

The peace and tranquillity of the strand? Does it benefit mental health and physical wellbeing?

The enjoyment of the beauty of nature and the uniqueness that the strand has?

Noise pollution? They already work at every hour as farming is most productive at low tide. There will be tractors and machinery on access roads, which will be noisy, cause light pollution and be a danger to users of these roads.

Pollution on our strand, foreshore waters and waters in the adjacent harbour is a concern. Cages and debris being blown onto fields with livestock etc

Do you swim, row , Kayak here? There will be water pollutants and metal beds jutting up under the water which could cause injury to you or damage to your craft. Also it is worth considering that the layout and spread of the beds will mean that your preferred safe route will not be an option as you will not be able to traverse waters over these beds safely and will have to consider not being able to go out on the water as you will not be able to go with wind and water safely.

·       Your livelihood:

The area is a scenic unique renowned Tourist attraction . Do you depend on this to earn a living. 

How will this development impact on future plans for Greenways and Blueways considering it is visible from the Point at Renard, Valentia, The Skellig Coast, The Kerry Way and impacts on the walkable route from Renard Point to Annagar Bridge The Environment. 

Part of the SAC (Special Area of conservation) and a Marine Hope spot. The proposed UNESCO site 

Are you concerned about pollution in the water. Do they use chemicals Anthropogenic pressures. pressures on the environment from the development.. From the structures, the work, the machinery

Will there be a spread of non native Pacific Oysters. How does this impact on local Flora and Fauna? 

We live in a Dark Sky Reserve. There will be lights from machinery while they operate in the Dusk and dark.

The strand has pre glacial roots all along it which have been there for over 4000 years. Are they now going to be damaged by this development? Any Hiistorical cultural significance ?

 The Strand has blanket peat spreading all along it. Damage to this will disturb sequestered carbon which is a concern for our climate.

 We have so many rare and endangered Species here that include, Otters, Curlews, Native Oysters, Barn owls, Spoonbills, to name a few.Migratory birds such as Brent and Canadian geese come here as part of their essential Journeys. 

What are your views on the EU’S Nature’s Restoration law? Does this development do the reverse of this initiative?

It will further erode the importance of our wild and uniquely natural strand in relation to biodiversity and unspoilt foreshore Consider: National Marine Planning Framework.  European legislation including the Marine Strategy Framework (MSFD) Directive 2008/56/.     The Kerry County Development plan and County Development plan The CDP articulates Kerry County Council’s support for Valentia’s UNESCO bid