A number of harbours in Kerry and west Cork have been downgraded because of signs of water pollution and general deterioration in water quality. The fisheries board needs to tackle the issue, a leading representative of the aquaculture industry has warned.
Mr John Harrington, a member of the Irish Shellfish Association, said the declassification of harbours in the area was extremely serious and was worrying the shellfish industry.
Previously pristine harbours, such as those at Ardgroom, Sneem, Tahilla, Templenoe, and Killmakillogue on the Kenmare River or bay area, a nature sanctuary, had been downgraded, with at least some showing continuing signs of pollution, he said.
Others in Bantry Bay had also been downgraded. Waters were classified in accordance with bacterial presence. If in Class A, it meant shellfish could be taken from the estuaries and sold directly; if in Class B, expensive filtering systems had to be used.
There was no danger to the public, because of the purification and constant monitoring and testing, but there was a considerable expense for the industry.
Mr Harrington, who is also a member of the Molluscan Shellfish Safety Committee and the South Western Regional Fisheries Board, suspected the cause to be agricultural pollution, rather than domestic sewage.
Under an EU shellfish water quality directive, there was an onus on the State to maintain harbours designated for shellfish production, he said.
The Irish Shellfish Association had already taken Ireland to the European Court and the country was "on a yellow card," with the prospect of fines looming.