2013-02-11 15:34:06 - The agencies behind a major strategic plan for the future development and management of marine-related industry and tourism along the Shannon Estuary have advised that the closing date for submissions is this Friday (February 15th 2013).

The Draft Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary has been commissioned by a multi-agency steering group comprising Clare County Council as lead authority, Kerry County Council, Limerick City and County Councils, Shannon Development and Shannon Foynes Port Company.

The land and marine-based plan, the first of its type to be developed in Ireland, indentifies a number of strategic sites along the Estuary for future possible development in the areas of industry, tourism, energy, fishing and aquaculture and marine-related industry.

A series of public consultations on the SIFP for the Shannon Estuary took place in Clare, Kerry and Limerick in late January. The Plan will remain on display until this Friday to give the public an opportunity to view

the proposals and put forward their opinions to the appointed project consultants, RPS Consulting Engineers.

To coincide with the public consultation process an amateur photography competition is being held, the closing date for which has been extended to Friday, February 22nd, 2013. With two categories, ‘Adult’ and ‘U18’, photographs submitted can feature any aspect of the Estuary, including people, places, biodiversity, work and recreation activities.

On completion in late 2013, it is anticipated that the SIFP will be incorporated, by means of Variation, into the relevant County and City Development Plans in Clare, Limerick and Kerry. Further consultation with the public will take place as part of that statutory Variation process.

Further details on the Draft Plan and Photography Competition may be obtained from www.shannonestuarysifp.ie.