Ireland's first artificial reef proposed for Killala Bay moves a step closer

The project is similar to other artificial reef projects around the world which have brought huge tourism benefits to communities from Japan to the UK.

The promoters expect the project to bring €27 million to the local economy within 5 years; 61,000 bed nights for local accommodation providers and create a large number of jobs.

Minister Ring heard how artificial reefs are also found to have beneficial effects on sea life and on the marine environment and are magnets for life and magnets for divers.

In a summary to stakeholders, Killala Bay Reef Ltd along with Mayo and Sligo County Council propose that a Type 42 British Destroyer (4,820 ton, about 125m / 410ft) be acquired and placed on the sea bed to create Ireland’s first artificial reef in Killala Bay.

The submission states: "The ship would be completely cleaned out prior to sinking so that it would have no negative environmental impact. Likewise, all doors and hatches would be either welded open or totally removed. In addition extra holes would be cut in the sides of the ship to provide safe exit for divers. Within a very short time (typically days) the ship would be colonised by fish and shellfish and would become a nursery and haven for re-developing fish stocks in the bay.

"It is also intended to put cameras on the wreck with live video feed to a website; this will be the first of it kind in the world. We estimate the cost of this project at about €3.6 million. This is single largest cross-community based tourism project undertaken in Mayo and Sligo in recent years."

The Benefits

Killala Bay Reef Ltd also spells out the benefits of the project to the entire region.

"These benefits would be shared on both sides of Killala Bay in Killala and Enniscrone area. We estimate an increase in annual revenue of approximately €3m in the first year going up to €27m in the fifth year. We conservatively estimate that there will be about 15,000 diver bed nights in the first year, building up to  61,000 diver bed nights in the fifth year.

"These figures will almost double due to partners and families. Divers tend to be from the upper socio-economic groups, These figures are based on 20 divers coming for 20 weeks in the year and 75 divers coming at weekends for 39 weeks. We see the creation of 2 new Dive Centres with the created of 30 jobs locally in first year going up to150 jobs in year five also created a further 240 job nationally.

"The life span of the ship is over 50 years."

Financing

The promoters go on to explain: "This is a joint community tourism development project involving communities on both sides of the bay in counties Mayo and Sligo. We envisage the financing of this project coming from Government through Mayo and Sligo County Councils, LEADER, Lotto, Marine Tourism Development Grants etc. We expect the pay back to the government will be 2 to 3 years."

You can find out more about the Ship to Reef project on their website www.ships2reefsirelamd.com where you can also view an interesting video showing the Mayo coastline which has some of the best dive sites in the world.