A license to commercially harvest kelp seaweed in Bantry Bay has been granted to the company BioAtlantis Ltd. Many local residents, fishermen and environmental activists have expressed their concerns because the activity could have a significant environmental impact and the public has not been adequately informed of the plans. A representative of the NGO Friends of the Earth demands that the Minister must suspend the permit until the public has been consulted, as required by the Aarhus Convention, and necessary assessments, such as an Environmental Impact Assessment, have been conducted. The representative of BioAtlantis Ltd conciliates the citizens and states that the company was only given a trial license so far. Based on the activity under this license, they will be able to assess how harmful the activity actually is to Bantry Bay.
