Public harbours have poor record on waste - report

Only six Irish coastal harbours are equipped to handle oil and solid waste under new port waste management plans, a pilot survey by Coastwatch Ireland has found.

The survey, details of which are due to be outlined at a seminar on pollution in Portaferry, Co Down, today, was co-funded by the EU. It found that most public harbours have a poor record on waste, with private marinas having a far higher standard.

The model locations are Castle Pier marina in Kinsale, Co Cork; Kinsale Yacht Club marina; East Ferry marina in Cobh, Co Cork; Coleraine marina; Portrush, Co Antrim; and Dundalk, Co Louth.

The names of the offending locations have not been given, as it is the first survey of its type, according to Ms Karin Dubsky, of Coastwatch Ireland.

Some 75 Irish ports and harbours were studied, about 9 per cent of the total. Among those examined were the ferryport of Dun Laoghaire, medium-sized ports like Drogheda and Arklow, small fishing ports and 11 marinas.

The survey found that private leisure harbours are likely to be cleaner and more prepared for waste-handling, with Coleraine Urban Council receiving high praise.

Litter and dumping were the most common problems, while oil pollution was less frequent but potentially more serious. Fishermen interviewed in a sub-sample of 27 harbours said old nets were either dumped or burned.

The survey was undertaken in late 1997 and significant changes in legislation in both jurisdictions have taken place since. From October 1st of this year, port waste management plans will be mandatory in the North. Information on the responsibilities of local and harbour authorities in the Republic under recent sea pollution legislation was noted to be in short supply by the survey team.

Coastwatch Ireland recommends that EU structural funding be allocated for harbour waste, and an all-Ireland harbour award should be established to mark the 1998 Year of the Oceans.

European Commission and government officials from both sides of the Border are due to address today's meeting in Portaferry on the theme of minimising marine oil and solid waste. This year's Coastwatch survey will also be initiated at the meeting.

Mr Michael Leonard-Williams, of the European Commission's DG VII, will discuss the EU draft directive on port waste management, while Capt Liam Kirwan, director of the Irish Marine Emergency Service (IMES), will outline marine pollution prevention and control measures in the Republic.