Clogherhead suggested as new site for seal sanctuary
CHLOE RELEASED BACK INTO THE WILD AS VILLAGE WATCHES ON
Members of the Irish Seal Sanctuary release 'Chloe' a four-month-old seal pup back into the sea at Clogherhead. Credit: Colin Bell
Wednesday March 10 2010
CLOGHERHEAD has been put forward as a possible new site for the Irish Seal Sanctuary, in the same week as a baby seal was released back into the wild at the local strand.
Speaking at the 5th annual meeting of the Clogherhead Tourism committee during the week, Cllr Colm Markey (Chairperson Louth Leader Partnership) said Clogherhead should make the most of its natural assets and people needed to 're-evaluate priorities, focusing on developing small and medium businesses which are the core of our economy. Tourism and fishing are at the heart of that'.
'Clogherhead has over 1.7 million people within an hour's drive and you only have to harness a small part of that to create a thriving tourism trade in Clogherhead or any part of Louth,' he told the meeting.
'As one of only a few commercially operating fishing ports on the east coast Clogherhead has something unique to offer in tourism and with three blue flag beaches and our ports, Louth needs to make more of our coastline particularly in the areas of water sports and water based adventure activities.
Highlighting the flora, fauna and wildlife unique to the harbour, Louth Heritage Officer Brendan McSherry said he had been in touch with the Irish Seal Sanctuary and there is a possibility they might be persuaded to develop their new, proposed seal sanctuary at Clogherhead, if suitable buildings and/or land are available (preferably free of charge).
'Clogherhead headland has also been designated by the European Commission as a special area of conservation,' he said.
'Louth County Council owns much of this site and it could be considered for development as Louth's first country park, with the most sensitive areas to be declared Louth's first Nature Reserve. It would be a great place for the seals, if the funding was there, and it could be just the thing that is missing from Clogherhead tourism.'
Meanwhile a large crowd of onlookers gathered on Saturday to wave farewell to Chloe, a four-month old seal pup, who was being released from the strand.
Chloe was rescued just after Christmas aged just five weeks old and weighing a tiny 8kg.
Found on the slipway of the harbour, she rested at the local fishshop until the volunteers from the Irish Seal Sanctuary (ISS) could get to collect her.
'There was heavy ice and snow and she did not have enough blubber to cope with the low temperatures, so we had to keep her under heat until she improved condition,' said an ISSD spokeswoman.
'It was great to see her so strong and healthy leaving from the beach on Saturday and we hope she'll be able to join the local colony.'
- Alison COMYN
