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Concern as harvesting of seaweed kelp set to get underway in Bantry

Tuesday, 26 June 2018 00:17

Tensions are mounting in a West Cork town where some locals are anxiously awaiting the outcome of a judicial review into a decision to grant a license to harvest seaweed kelp from the locality.

It comes as the company behind the operation, BioAtlantis, has signaled its intent to begin harvesting the seaweed in Bantry Bay on July 4th despite the judicial review. 

The company have moved to defend their operations and say harvesting will occur in just 0.3% of the total marine area of Bantry Bay per annum.


Our senior reporter Fiona O'Donovan has this report from Bantry for RedFM News: 

 

Above and below, leaflet from group campaigning against the plans to harvest the kelp. More information: http://bantrybaykelpforest.com/

Statements from BioAtlantis:
“BioAtlantis have fully engaged with the judicial review and attended court on two occasions. The judicial review has no impediment on our activities and we are fully licensed to harvest kelp.  There is no scientific justification whatsoever for any of the claims made by the protest group in relation to kelp regrowth, wildlife, fish, crustaceans, birds or tourism or inshore fisheries.
 
The protest group are objecting to harvesting and converting a renewable raw material (that is otherwise washed ashore), into a high value added product with societal benefits. BioAtlantis will purify compounds from kelp as substitute for antibiotics in the pig and poultry industry. This is critically important for our society as we now enter an era where many pathogens are becoming resistant to antibiotics.
 BioAtlantis have posted a detailed information flyer on our Facebook page, which addresses all of the concerns raised. https://www.facebook.com/bioatlantisltd/
 
Above and below, leaflet from BioAtlantis on their operations. More information: https://www.facebook.com/bioatlantisltd/

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