FIFTY FAMILIES affected by a ban on mussel seed collection in Cromane harbour in Co Kerry, may have a legal right of action against the State because it failed to carry out baseline studies to draw up a management plan for marine-protected areas.
The Fine Gael Ireland South MEP Colm Burke said the livelihood of over 50 families in Cromane will be seriously affected as a result of the order signed by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which prevents any mussel-seed harvesting in 2008.
According to Mr Burke the families may have a legal right of action “because of its failure to comply with the EU Directive which requires the State to carry out baseline studies before authorisation could be issued for collection of mussel seed”.
While the Government departments have been trying to agree an interim approach with the commission to facilitate the harvesting for 2008, “little or no progress has been made on this issue,” he said.
