Over 5,500 sign Kinsale mussel farm petition

Roughly the entire population of Kinsale have signed a petition calling for a mussel farm licence to be revoked.

The license was granted at the end of May and was met with by massive opposition by locals with a group was formed to protest the project. The group organised a peaceful marine protest at the Dock Beach nearly two weeks ago.

The window for appeals closed this week with the group adding that a wave of resistance has swept across Kinsale against the mussel farm.

Local environmental advocate Dr Marc Ó Riain said: “This is not a NIMBY campaign. It’s a defence of a uniquely valuable, historically rich, and ecologically sensitive place. Kinsale Harbour deserves proper stewardship — not backdoor industrialisation.”

The licence, granted in May to Waterford-based Woodstown Bay Shellfish Ltd, would allow for bottom-culture mussel farming using dredging across a zone long used by swimmers, kayakers, sailors, and crab fishers.

The site lies adjacent to Dock Beach, a popular public amenity and unmonitored but locally treasured bathing area.

Dr Ó Riain added: “This farm is completely incompatible with the heritage, ecology, and economy of Kinsale Harbour.

“We’re asking Minister Heydon to exercise his authority to revoke this licence in the public interest. Under Section 7.3 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the Minister may revoke a licence if it is deemed contrary to the public interest — a clause now being urgently invoked by campaigners.”

There has been opposition from a wide cross-section of the community, including environmental groups, fishers, swimmers, tourism operators, and residents' associations.

More than 5,500 people have signed a petition against it with the opposition estimating that it’s more or less the population of Kinsale town.

Two weeks ago, Cork County Council agreed to lodge a formal objection.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, Cork TD Michael Collins told the Dáil the licence was granted through a “flawed” process.

A decision from the Appeals Board is expected later this year. Woodstown Bay Shellfish Ltd was contacted for comment however none was received as of going to print.