A PILOT project using shellfish could be used to tackle sea lettuce which is affecting water quality on beaches in West Cork a councillor has suggested, writes Kieran O’Mahony.

Cllr Audrey Buckley (FF) called on Cork County Council to contact the Marine Institute/LAWPRO (Local Authority Waters Programme) about a project which would help reduce nutrient in suitable locations.

She suggested the use of low-impact shellfish systems such as oysters or mussels grown in baskets or bags as a measure to reduce nutrient availability in suitable locations, in consultation with other relevant agencies.

‘It’s becoming more relevant every summer and residents in these coastal areas are asking what measures Cork County Council are going to put in place for the management of sea lettuce on our beaches,’ said Cllr Buckley.

‘The problem is getting worse year on year and it’s not sustainable to keep using machinery to clear the beaches of sea lettuce, so we need to take a more proactive approach. If we don’t start planning alternative options it will only get worse.’

She described the sea-lettuce at beaches near her as ‘rotting with noxious fumes’ and highlighted a similar pilot scheme which is in operation in Wales and asked if they could try the scheme at Roberts Cove beach near Crosshaven which was forced to close for a number of days last summer due to an extraordinary amount of rotting sea lettuce.

Her colleague Cllr Gerard Murphy seconded her motion describing it as a ‘practical and innovative solution’ to an ongoing problem.

Cllr Isobel Towse (SD) also supported the motion describing it as creative but warned they must not lose sight that the root cause is the excess nutrients.

‘We need better enforcement of illegal slurry spreading,’ said Cllr Towse.

Council chief executive Moira Murrell said this would be a significant project so they would need to examine it further.