Licensing of shellfish growers in Trawbreaga Bay has been held up by a longstanding, though to date unproven, claim lodged, on behalf of certain individuals, to ownership of fishery rights in the Bay.
The Department has been pressing the claimants for some considerable time to substantiate these entitlements. The claimants have recently submitted documentation purporting to support their claim and this has been referred to the Office of the Chief State Solicitor for assessment and advice. The Department will continue to pursue the matter with a view towards resolving the impasse.