Dangers of aquaculture on Lough Foyle highlighted

Over 80,000 aquaculture trestles on Lough Foyle were not properly marked and presented a danger to anyone using the lough, it has been claimed.

The issue arose at Monday's meeting of Donegal County Council when Cllr Terry Crossan put forward a motion asking for it to write to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to ask him to legislate to have aquaculture trestles that have taken over estuarine waters, to be properly marked with buoys and lights to ensure the safety of the small inshore craft.

Cllr Crossan said there has been an increase in the number of these aquaculture trestles being laid out on a number of estuaries and bays including Lough Swilly, Trawbega and Lough Foyle.

"Some are properly licenced and foreshore licences in place. In Lough Foyle, there is an ongoing territorial issue that is supposed to be addressed by both Irish and British governments but in the area between Culmore and Clogher there were over 80,000 of these trestles in our estuary and none of them are marked in any way. It's impossible to know where they are in high water."

He added he wanted the issue to be looked at and appropriate legislation introduced.

His proposal was seconded by Cllr Albert Doherty who reminded the meeting that Lough Foyle was an economic and employment provider.

"We want that to continue and it to become a safe environment for all who work or use the Foyle."

The motion was passed unanimously and it was indicated the council would write to the minister about the issue.