Bere Island Conservation Plan - The Heritage Council

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Figure 1: Location Map 13
The shores and surrounding waters have good habitat diversity, with some beds of maerl (a soft white sediment, high in calcium) off the coast and the presence of many warm-water species characteristic of the south-west. Although listed as being of relatively high value in terms of marine habitats by the national BioMar Survey (a national survey of marine and coastal environments), the offshore areas adjacent to the island have not received any statutory protection. Water quality around the island is generally considered satisfactory, although some deterioration is suspected due to discharges from the Castletownbere area on the mainland and Rerrin village on the island itself. Traditionally, the waters around the island have contributed significantly to the livelihood of the islanders, with scallops, lobsters, oysters and sea urchins the most profitable species fished. Current commercial fishery activities are based principally on aquaculture (mainly salmon), shellfish farming (abalone, scallops, urchins, rope mussels) and the harvesting of seaweed (Plate 1). Plate 1: Rope mussel lines off the northern shore of Bere Island The continued diversity of the waters and habitats around the island, as well as the success and sustainability of commercial fishery enterprises, are dependent on the maintenance of good water quality, sensitive exploitation of wild fisheries, and the maintenance of aquaculture developments to within the natural bearing capacity of the surrounding marine environment. (This bearing capacity has yet to be established.) The final results of a study (by Aberdeen University, in conjunction with the Bantry Bay Coastal Zone Charter) carried out to determine the harbour’s water quality will go some way towards establishing a baseline of water quality around the island. 14
Page 1 and 2: 2 HERITAGE CONSERVATION PLAN BERE I
Page 3 and 4: Dedication The Bere Island Conserva
Page 5 and 6: LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 1: LOCATION
Page 7 and 8: FOREWORD The Bere Island Conservati
Page 9 and 10: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Bere Island lies
Page 11 and 12: Principal policies identified in re
Page 13: 2. BERE ISLAND — THE PLACE Bere I
Page 17 and 18: The island’s rich folklore herita
Page 19 and 20: The management of waste on the isla
Page 21 and 22: 4. VISION FOR THE ISLAND The follow
Page 23 and 24: 5.2 V ISION 1: PEOPLE CAN LIVE AND
Page 25 and 26: 5.3.3 P ROPOSED P OLICIES FOR M ARI
Page 27 and 28: Plate 8: Lawrence Cove Marina provi
Page 29 and 30: 5.4.3 P ROPOSED P OLICIES S PECIFIC
Page 31 and 32: 3. Interpret the island’s heritag
Page 33 and 34: 6. IMPLEMENTATION AND REVIEW 6.1 A
Page 35 and 36: 7. FRAMEWORK FOR ASSESSING SUSTAINA

Bere Island Conservation Plan - The Heritage Council

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