Durrus liegt am Ende der Dunmanus Bay in Irlands Südwesten zwischen dem Sheeps Head im Norden und dem Mizen Head im Süden. Die Dunmanus Bay gilt als eine der schönsten Buchten Irlands. Die wirtschaftliche Nutzung und die Ausbeutung der natürlichen Resourcen hält sich bis heute in Grenzen. Doch nun droht ein skandinavischer Fischereigigant die Idylle zu zerstören: Er heißt “Marine Harvest” und ist gefürchtet als moderner Raubritter der Weltmeere. Der Konzern überzieht die schönsten und saubersten Gewässer der Welt mit Lachszucht-Anlagen, er zieht die Profite des Multi-Milliardengeschäfts in die Taschen der Aktionäre ab und hinterlässt vor Ort nicht viel mehr als Schmutz, Krankheiten und Zerstörung. 
SilverKing Seefoods Ltd, a subsidiary of Marine Harvest a global aquaculture corporation, is planning to apply for a license to install a 70 acre salmon farm in Dunmanus Bay at Dooneen Point that would be visible from many points. It would impose major environmental damage to the whole natural feeding chain, especially to the wild fish stock which feed on the excrement and detritus of the farmed fish. The water in the area would be polluted and become unfit for swimming, boating, and fishing. Commercial use of the Dooneen pier would prevent residents and visitors from using it for recreation.
We, the undersigned, recognize the long-term environmental and economic damage the proposed fish farm in Dunmanus Bay would do the area’s environment and its economy, and hereby register our opposition to such a development.
Here an English version of the story:
People stand up against Salmon Farm Intruders
Do you know the Dunmanus Bay? It is located in the southwest of Ireland between the Sheeps Head in the north and the Mizen Head in the south. Main towns in the bay are Durrus and Kilcrohane. The Dunmanus Bay is one of the most beautiful bays in Ireland. The economic exploitation and the destruction of natural resources to this day is limited.
In the window of Frank O’Mahony’s shop in Kilcrohane a photo of Dooneen Pier asks innocently, “Can you believe that someone wants to destroy this?” and calls upon the people of the area to get organized to “save our bay”.
The people living around the Bay have protested in recent years and have successfully opposed the extension of mussel farms: Now they have to deal with a larger opponent: Marine Harvest operates a large number of fish farms around the world, has offices in Castletownbere on the Beara peninsula and takes pride in having the best relations to the State Fisheries Board.
Meanwhile the Sheeps Head, people talk of “intruders” who want to profit from other people’s property. The profit will not flow back to people in the bay, but into the pockets of business people who have no connection to and feel no responsibility for the region. Despite their claims, there will be no new jobs in the Bay Dunmanus but many fishermen will loose their livelihood.
People in Ahakista, Durrus, Kilcrohane, Dunbeacon, Dunmanus and Goleen fear that the proposed system will destroy the traditional fishing grounds, pollute the water, litter the landscape, and damage the environment. It will cause the local real estate prices to plummet, and will have a negative impact on the tourism
Business.While the protest against the salmon farming project is being organized, both sides try to influence politicians in Dublin, and Clonakilty, the headquarters of SFA. What to expect from the Irish government? It is currently fully supporting most aquaculture initiatives to get as much out of the sea as possible and increase the fish and shellfish export. To date, environmental consideration have not been a priority in the politics of the country. Only local protests may be able to change the political system and generate actions against the project.
The Dunmanus Bay will need the protection of the local residents. In the past
, it was mainly the “newcomers” (“Blow-ins”) who have made a strong case for preserving the prestine nature of the Dunmanus Bay. But this time, the salmon farm project goes many “locals” under the skin. And, indeed, both local residents and Blow-ins can now take on “the invaders” who want to destroy the fishermen in the area as well as the natural beauty of the bay . (Translation: Karin Steinbrenner)
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Wie wär's damit, auf den Homepages die Möglichkeit einzurichten, eine virtuelle Unterschrift abzugeben? Manche/r möchte helfen, aber nicht jeder möchte etwas spenden, und ein Aufkleber ist in Nicht-Irland wenig wirkungsvoll. Wenn sich aber im Laufe der Zeit Unterschriften – nicht nur aus Irland – ansammeln, hat das ab einer bestimmten Größenordnung auch Wirkung. Dann wird sichtbar, dass zB auch die gern belächelten Touris sich für das Thema interessieren und dass solche Dinge nicht unbemerkt von der europäischen/amerikanischen Öffentlichkeit ablaufen.
Das halte ich für eine gute Idee. Immerhin ist der Tourismus ja eine Hauptargumentationslinie und Menschen, die als Urlauber Geld in die Region bringen, können die Anwohner unterstützen. Fragen wir Karin Steinbrenner, wie die Chancen für eine Online-Petition stehen: