An ecologist has accused the Government of engaging in 'greenwashing' in announcing an area of Kerry as Ireland's first marine national park.
Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí was announced two years ago, covering over 70,000 acres on land and sea, including land on the great Blasket Island.
A new Marine Institute report found tangle netting in the area is causing serious issues for wildlife.
It says between 2021 and 2024 the practice has led to inadvertent deaths in wildlife in the South West, including of critically endangered angel sharks and flapper skates.
Ecologist Pádraic Fogarty says a national park is supposed to have environmental protection in place.
He states the practice of tangle netting being allowed here is an example of greenwashing.
