No Funds For Northern Salmon's Jellyfish Attack

It's been a week of grim news for Northern Ireland's only salmon farm.

Following the destruction of its entire stock by a shoal of jellyfish of such proportions as to be numbered in billions - not millions - rough sea conditions off Glenarm Bay and Cushendun have hampered efforts by divers to clear the site.

They aim to use suction pumps to collect the dead salmon so as to be transporting to a specialised rendering plant in County Meath.

Now, amid fears that it could take at least two years for the firm to recover after the £1m loss of all its salmon, there comes news that no government money is to be made available to keep the business 'afloat'.

Commenting on the loss at Northern Salmon, Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said budgets were fixed, but she would consult further with colleagues.

"It is our only organic salmon fishery. Unfortunately our poultry industry and our red meat industry are all under pressure and in need of assistance."

She had been told that the mauve stinger jellyfish were in such numbers that they covered an area of up to 10 square miles and a depth of 35 feet and that attempts to save the salmon from the cages were halted because of the sheer density of attacking predator fish making it impossible

Managing director John Russell said the future of the company and its 12 employees remained uncertain but it was still "early days".

"We don't intend to take decisions too quickly, but remain focused in terms of keeping everybody in work," he said.

Local MP Sammy Wilson said: "Just as farmers receive assistance when their stock has been wiped out by avian flu, mad cow disease or foot-and-mouth, we are seeking ways of getting assistance for the company at this present time.

"This, I am sure, will only be a short-term problem, as the product is established and there is a market for it, but in the meantime we must ensure that the company gets the assistance necessary for it to recover and that jobs are protected."

See: Plague Of Jellyfish Destroys Provinces' Only Salmon Farm

(BMcC)