Green light to sink trawler to create reef off Mayo coast

PLANS to create an artificial reef by sinking a trawler in Killala Bay have received the go-ahead from Mayo County Council.

The Killala Bay Reef Project will involve the preparation, transportation, positioning and placement of the MV Shingle - a vessel seized by Revenue during a smuggling operation - on the seabed of Killala Bay.

North Mayo has some of the best diving spots in Ireland, with world-class diving all along the coast from Lacken to Ballycastle and out to Belmullet. Creating an artificial reef is intended to attract additional tourism into Killala Bay and enhance the bay's biodiversity, providing the opportunity for reef growth to support marine life.

The vessel will be made environmentally compliant and safe for experienced divers to visit and will be deployed in a manner that is cognisant of the biodiversity of Killala Bay, a planner's report set out.

The 60-metre MV Shingle was offered by the Revenue Commissioners for the project after being confiscated as part of a tobacco smuggling operation.