A survey of east and southeast coast ports and harbours has found that sewage treatment is still a major problem, and that there is a dearth of pollution emergency plans in place.
Only one port, Dublin, had finalised its emergency pollution response among the ports and harbours surveyed, from counties Louth to Waterford, the Coastwatch Ireland/EU Interreg report found.
There was no overall winner in the survey of 36 harbours, but three received special recognition: Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford, and Dunmore East, Co Waterford. On water quality, the majority of harbours had "foul" conditions, and 10 breached EU limits. The cleanest by far were Dun Laoghaire, which meets new WHO standards, the Grand Canal Basin in Dublin and Fethard-on-Sea, Co Wexford.
On general management, Drogheda, where there is a fishmeal factory, Rush and Rogerstown recorded the lowest scores, closely followed by Coliemore harbour in Dalkey, Co Dublin, Loughshinny, and Ballyhack and Arthurstown close to the Waterford estuary.
However, Dunmore East, Co Waterford, was the best at providing information. Waste prevention was also in place. Incineration and disposal are at the bottom of the waste ladder, the survey says, and no port or harbour gave sewage pollution warnings. Most harbours had no by-law information posted when visited, apart from Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, and Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford. Waste reception information was also exceptionally poor.
Pollution contact telephone numbers were given in fewer than half the harbours surveyed. However, the information was "well presented" on the beach noticeboard in Courtown, Co Wexford. Lifesaving information was very well presented in the majority of harbours, it says.
The survey questions whether EU designations are a "taboo" subject in harbours. "While almost all the harbours surveyed were partially in, or directly beside, a nature site of European importance, this information was not displayed in a single harbour."
On general management, the report noted the extent of local initiative in smaller landfalls. "It is a credit to the voluntary effort of users in most areas that our small harbours look welcoming, are painted, have rubbish controlled in some manner and have minor repairs undertaken."
