Rosses Point Pier Enhancement (FS006558) – Foreshore Consent Application

Fisheries Considerations

1.0 Introduction This attachment addresses the questions posed in Section 7.0 of the foreshore consent application form.

2.0 Fisheries in Harbour

Shellfisheries

Shellfish have been cultivated in the area since the 1980s with designated licensed areas in Bay, Sligo Harbour and Bay. Production is focused on Manila clam and this is the main area of clam production in Ireland. The EC Shellfish Waters Directive (2006/113/EC) requires member states to designate waters that need protection in order to support shellfish life and growth. Sligo Harbour has been designated as shellfish waters and the designated shellfish area is shown on Drawing no. IBE1145_FA05. Manila clam is the main species of shellfish harvested in Sligo Harbour.

Commercial Fin Fisheries

There is little fishing activity in the Sligo Harbour area, apart from some limited potting for lobster along the shore to the north of the navigation channel.

Natural Fisheries/Migrating Fish

The Garavogue River which discharges into Sligo Harbour supports migratory salmonid species mainly Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and sea trout (Salmo trutta). The Garavogue River is only just over 4km in length from Lough Gill to the tidal reach. It is predominantly fished on the east side of Sligo Town close to where it flows out of the lake.

Cummeen Strand/Drumcliff Bay (Sligo Bay) is a designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC), site code: 000627. The Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and River Lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) are Annex II species listed in the conservation objectives of this site.

Eels are known to occur also in Sligo Harbour and have been fished commercially in the past in the Garravogue river system.

Shore and Boat Angling

Shore Angling

There are strong currents in the navigation channel in Sligo Harbour, but there is good fishing in the channel on the north side between and Deadman’s Point for sea trout, mackerel, bass, dogfish, bull huss, ray and tope.

Boat angling

Two charter boats based in Rosses Point and operate specifically in Sligo Bay and provide reef fishing and general inshore angling for tope, ray, spurdog, dogfish and occasional large skate. Sligo Bay also provide good fishing opportunities for small boat angling.

3.0 Assessment of Potential Impacts

The construction methodology is provided is the Method Statement which accompanies the foreshore application (separate document). There is no dredging or piling associated with the proposed pier enhancement works at Rosses Point. There will therefore not be any issues with regards sediment plumes or underwater noise associated with the construction of the pier enhancements. There will be no impact on migrating fish, shellfisheries or any of the other fisheries concerns with regards sediment plumes or underwater noise during the construction phase.

As part of the construction phase, there is potential for leakage of hydrocarbons or cement into waters, thus causing impact on fish populations.

The proposed pier enhancement will provide better berthing facilities for all users of Rosses Point Harbour including local fisherman. The enhanced berthing facilities will make it easier for fishermen to berth and therefore improve their level of service for boat chartering in the future.

4.0 Mitigation Measures

There are no mitigation measures required or proposed for sediment plumes or underwater noise as this will not be an issue during the construction phase of the works. In the NIS document which accompanies this application, there are mitigation measures set out to prevent pollution of water as follows:  No re-fuelling will be undertaken within the SAC boundary;  All fuels, lubricants and hydraulic fluids shall be kept in secure bunded areas at a minimum of 50m from the SAC boundary. The bunded area shall accommodate 110% of the total capacity of the containers within it. Containers must be properly secured to prevent unauthorised access and misuse.  An effective spillage procedure must be put in place with all staff properly briefed. Any waste oils or hydraulic fluids shall be collected, stored in appropriate containers and disposed of offsite in an appropriate manner.  Spill kits with an appropriate capacity for the contaminants used on site and the nature of the site must be kept on site and available throughout the construction process;  Measures must be taken during all aspects of construction to ensure that no cement or concrete is allowed to enter intertidal waters. The use of concrete with a suitable drying time or appropriate protection of working areas, must be used where tidal sequences result in any risk of tidal contact with newly concreted areas.  Run off from hard surface areas and concrete mixing areas must not enter the intertidal zone so as to reduce the potential for contaminants entering the water.

An Bord Pleanála have granted planning permission for the proposed pier expansion at Rosses Point (reference no 21.JP0035). The Bord have specified conditions which must be adhered to as part of their grant of permission. The following conditions are relevant to fisheries protection:

Condition no. 2

The local authority, and any agent acting on its behalf, shall comply fully with the mitigation measures contained in the Natura Impact Statement which was submitted with the application.

Reason: In the interest of clarity and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and to ensure the protection of the European sites.

Condition no. 3

A suitably qualified ecologist shall be appointed by the local authority to oversee the site set-up and construction of the proposed development and the ecologist shall be present on site during construction works. Upon completion of works, an audit report of the site works shall be prepared by the appointed ecologist and submitted to the local authority to be kept on record.

Reason: In the interest of nature conservation, to prevent adverse impacts on the Cumeen Strand Special Protection Area (Site Code: 004035) and Cummeen Strand/Drumcliff Bay (Sligo Bay) Special Area of Conservation (Site Code:000627) and to ensure the protection of the Annex I habitats and Annex II species and the qualifying interests for which the sites were designated.

Condition no. 5

Prior to commencement of development, the local authority shall agree with the relevant statutory agencies a Construction Environmental Management Plan, incorporating notification and reporting procedures and mitigation measures indicated in the Natura Impact Statement and others deemed necessary. Monitoring of the construction phase shall be carried out by a suitably qualified person to ensure all mitigation measures contained in the Natura impact statement are implemented.

Reason: in the interest of protecting the amenities of the area, of existing habitats and the European Sites.