Anyone with a view on oyster dredging in Tralee Bay or Lough Swilly now has a chance to have their say. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has opened public consultations on proposed annual licences covering 2027–2032.
The proposals concern specified areas of Tralee Bay in County Kerry and Lough Swilly in County Donegal, with submissions invited before November 13, 2026.
Both notices were published on October 14, 2026. IFI will decide whether to issue licences with conditions or refuse them once public and statutory consultation is complete. Neither notice announces a licence approval.
IFI has published an Appropriate Assessment screening determination and a Natura Impact Statement for each location. Both screening determinations require a Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment to examine the potential environmental effects in more detail.
The Tralee Bay screening determination says likely significant effects on protected European sites cannot be ruled out without mitigation measures. The Lough Swilly determination identifies potential risks to habitats, native oyster communities and other intertidal species.
The assessment documents are available through the two IFI notices. They can also be viewed during office hours at IFI’s Macroom office for Tralee Bay and its Ballyshannon office for Lough Swilly.
Tralee Bay is also the focus of a €7.9 million marine biodiversity restoration project announced in August 2026. The five-year initiative aims to restore native oyster beds and eelgrass meadows and is expected to run until 2031.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service funds and oversees the project, which is led by University College Cork working with local partners including Tralee Oyster Society and Tralee Bay Hatchery.
The restoration initiative is separate from the licensing process covered by the IFI consultation.
Both IFI notices invite submissions or observations by email or post before November 13, 2026.
Email submissions to macroom@fisheriesireland.ie.
Postal submissions should be addressed to: The Director, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Sunnyside House, Macroom, County Cork, P12 X602.
Email submissions to ballyshannon@fisheriesireland.ie.
Postal submissions should be addressed to: The Director, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Station Road, Ballyshannon, County Donegal, F94 WV76.
Matt Hook is a Canadian writer of Scottish and Irish heritage. He built his writing career creating detailed gaming guides, turning complex mechanics, history and lore into useful information for readers. Matt brings that same research-focused approach to Ireland Wide, where he writes about Irish travel, heritage, history and culture. He also holds CMA and CPA designations as a professional accountant, giving him a strong background in research, accuracy and attention to detail.
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