Inshore Ireland 10.2 Apr-May 2014

www.inshore-ireland.com The Marine & Freshwater Environment Publication

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April/May 2014 Vol 10 Issue 2

ONLINE EDITION

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Can Ireland overcome challenges and become a global seafood supplier?

Gillian Mills

I

reland’s seafood sector has the potential to increase sales to €1 billion and deliver 1,200 additional jobs by 2017, delegates heard at a recent industry conference organised by BIM. But the sector faces similar challenges to the 1980s Irish dairy industry of quota restriction, a fragmented processing infrastructure, a limited international footprint and zero presence on the stockmarket, warned Joe Gill,

director of Goodbody Ireland.

He added that the dairy sector evolved by consolidating through investment. “The seafood sector should have the ambition to follow that route,” he told participants attending Capturing Ireland’s Share of the Global Seafood Opportunity.

“Taking a 10-year view, it is not unreasonable to target three stockmarket listed seafood companies based in Ireland but operating globally. To achieve this, the sector must have leadership, vision and capital.”

Far East markets

Worth €810m in 2013, the seafood sector is now looking east to new markets in Asia where demand for quality produce is showing major growth. Irish shellfish in particular is highly sought after in China and Hong Kong where exports have increased by 34%.

A major challenge however facing Ireland’s seafood sector is building scale. Of the 180 registered seafood companies with processing facilities, many are small, often family-run with turnover of less than €10 million.

While family-run businesses will remain an essential component of the Irish seafood landscape, it is in stark contrast to a typical European competitor with an average turnover in excess of €50m.

“Ireland is being presented with opportunities for unprecedented sectoral growth, largely dependent on our ability to produce and supply fish and related products to an increasing world population,” remarked Jason Whooley, BIM chief executive.

“Demand for seafood will see the global requirement

for fish grow by an additional 42 million tonnes per annum by 2030.”

He added that the opportunities being presented can only be fully utilised if Ireland increases sustainability, competitiveness, grows industry scale and expands the raw material base.

In terms of scale, the agency’s CEO outlined the inward investment opportunities for the sector: “Irish seafood is considered a premium protein commodity on our key markets. »» page 14

On the summit of the icon. The sea stacks of Co Donegal are some of Ireland’s oldest and longest rock climbs. See page 31. Photo Iain Miller, www.uniqueascenet.ie

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State-aid for storm battered piers and harbours Gillian Mills

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leven local authorities that manage the State’s 115 harbours/ piers/slipways damaged during the storms of winter 2013/’14 are to

receive €8.5m exchequer aid. €7m will support 111 projects and €1.5m will go towards remediation works at four of the State owned non-Fishery Harbour Centres,

including €1.3m for North Harbour, Cape Clear “We are all too well aware of the damage wreaked on our harbour network….I am delighted to announce this significant funding for the

immediate repair of piers and harbours across the country, as part of an extended capital programme for 2014,” remarked Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Minister Coveney also announced details of a further €15m towards harbour development. A significant increase on 2013 funding, Minister Coveney said it was an indication of the government’s “commitment to developing our fishing harbours for the benefit of our fishing industry, seafood processing sector, other

ancillary marine industries and the wider community.” €11.63m will be allocated towards safety, maintenance and new development works at six Fishery Harbour Centres at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Ros a Mhíl and Killybegs, in addition to infrastructural improvement works at ‘bull nose’ pier, North Harbour, Cape Clear. This works also includes €4m for dredging works at Dunmore East. €3m is being allocated for Local Authority Harbour Development and Marine Leisure programmes.

Minister Simon Coveney speaks to locals in Connemara. Councillor Seosamh O Laoi, second left; Senator Hildegard Naughton, Councillor Eileen Mannion and Sean Kyne TD

Marine Institute Foras na Mara

Fish label wins prestigious environmental award

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esponsible Irish Fish, the national organisation committed to developing and implementing responsible and sustainable fishing practices has scooped the 2014 Irish FoodWriters Guild Environmental

Our Ocean - A Shared Resource Ár n-Aigéan - Acmhainn Comhroinnte Ireland’s National Agency for Marine Research and Innovation An Ghníomhaireacht Náisiúnta um Thaighde Mara agus Nuálaíochta

www.marine.ie

Award.

“We’re delighted that RIF’s [commitment] has been recognised. 2014 marks its twenty-first year and the fact that the innovative work of Frank Fleming and his colleagues has been recognised is a well deserved endorsement of their work over the last five years,” remarked Eibhlin O’Sullivan, CEO Irish South & West Fish Producers Organisation.

Members are committed to full traceability that begins with the vessel and continues through the processing stage and retailer to guarantee a premium quality product.

“RIF are providing Irish consumers with the option of purchasing locally sourced, high quality seafood that has been caught by a fishing vessel committed to fishing in a responsible manner and which contributes to sustainability to the benefit of both the consumer and the fishing industry in general,” she said.

Frank Flemming, RIF

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comment

Maritime Spatial Planning or Integrated Coastal Management – the sticking point for new maritime legislation That interview will have left the reader somewhat shell shocked: that our politicians, instead of rolling up their sleeves and engaging honestly with the challenge, had actually avoided and ignored the realities of the subject it was said, for fear of upsetting a plethora of sitting vested interests.

The interview however indicated that our politicians might not be the ones to blame for the lack of progress at all.

The problem it seems lies elsewhere. Dr O’Hagan points to Brussels with the assertion that turgid progress towards a workable EU-wide coastal policy might in fact be because instead of Integrated Coastal Management - which was and is strongly environmentallybased – the political preference has shifted towards Marine Spatial Planning (MSP).

sustainable group approach for eel fishery Dear editor

I

t is time for Ireland to adopt a collective approach for an eel fishery, particularly on the River Shannon.

As we enter into what is probably going to be the third consecutive year of major glass eel and elver runs in the Shannon estuary, it is time for change on the River Shannon and other Irish rivers to maximise this opportunity to secure the future of this species in Ireland.

Regarding the regulations to fish commercially, we have to watch while anglers can fish as much as they like. We are all in the same boat and all share the same issues. If we can start to work together and to fight the same problems, we can put pressure on this government to rectify the situation.

For example, we were told the same story in Denmark, where I am from, and Sweden - that anglers have more rights to use the coastal and inshore waters than fishermen.

In Denmark we were told commercial fishing was not as important or lucrative as angling. In 2006 when half the Danish fleet was decommissioned, the Danish Fisheries Bank (which was government controlled) had invested 2,842 Billion Dk Kroner (€382 bn) in the fleet.

In respect of these figures, what does Irish angling generate for the Irish economy compared to commercial fishing?

We as commercial fishermen cannot fish in some inshore waters and we are also banned from catching bass, salmon, seatrout and eels, whereas anglers are allowed to catch all these fish. Why is this?

There also seem to be different regulations in different areas of the country, as to what we can and cannot use to catch fish. We need to have clear regulations. I have asked the same questions to three departments and have received three different answers. This situation is only causing confusion for commercial fishermen.

I have been approached by the Gardaí, Coast Guard, Inland Fisheries Ireland, before I even catch a fish.

Let’s arrange a meeting and agree a collective approach to raise our concerns at government level. [name and contact details with editor]

Inshore Ireland is published by IIPL Ltd

Why?

Because MSP is viewed - by developers especially - as one of the essential cross-sectoral tools to maximise economic growth from the ocean.

In this issue, Dr O’Hagan looks in more detail at the complexities involved in producing an EU-wide legislation for coastal management.

From this article we learn that ‘a proposal for a Directive establishing a framework for Maritime Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Management’ was published in March 2013.

The aim of this Directive ‘is to promote the sustainable growth of maritime and coastal activities and sustainable use of coastal and marine resources by establishing an effective implementation framework’.

As the proposed Directive moves slowly through the EU’s legislative process however, 82 amendments have already been tabled. And

this comes after the European Parliament first had a reading of the material in December last year.

One of the key sticking points appears again to be around the weighting of the concepts of Maritime Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Management.

The result is that the proposed Directive is being sent back to the competent committee for ‘reconsideration’ and we can expect to see a vote on the legislative resolution – probably next month.

That might yet prove to be a very optimistic time line. Complex or not, it’s high time that EU Member States come to grips with the legislation necessary to protect its increasingly vulnerable maritime coastal zone.

comment

O

ur last issue looked in some detail and attempted to review the progress and current status of Integrated Coastal Zone Management, now called Integrated Coastal Management, as it might impact on Ireland.

Our coverage revealed an appalling fact: that seventeen years after politicians first began tinkering with the challenge of agreeing an imaginative and workable legislative architecture for good coastal governance, progress had been at best, patchy, and at worst, mostly ineffectual.

This issue also included in an interview with Dr Ann Marie O’Hagan, an expert on the complex law of coastal management and a regularlypublished author on the subject, from Cork’s Beaufort Laboratory.

Gery Flynn

RNLI annual Mayday campaign

H

owth lifeboat has launched an awareness campaign as part of the national fundraising drive (May 1-5) with the help of their mini-crew.

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. It operates 56 lifeboats from 44 stations in the Republic and Northern Ireland. It is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.

Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 140,000 lives.

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL LIFEBOAT STATION!

(L-R) Ian Martin with Alex Brady, Thomas Ryan with Tadhg Ryan, Ian Sheridan with Kai Sheridan and Stephen Mullaney with Chloe and Jamie Mullaney

Dear editor

I

have read Pauric Gallagher’s artricle Fishermen seek better quota management in your February/March issue and comment as follows: I would like to make some points clear to the department who tells skippers and boat owners of our responsibility to crew safety in bad weather. We do know this without having someone in an air conditioned office outlining this to us.

We also know and can prove that the same people sitting in their air conditioned office are the ones that designed this crazy situation. So please look at your own past and you will discover that you and your office railroaded us to a certain fishery. Your office made a u-turn by closing that fishery and leaving desperate men having to adopt desperate measures.

MFV Endurance was built in 2000 on the advice of the same department who prints letters warning skippers and owners about safety and hurricanes at sea. On their advice we built Endurance to fish non-quota deep water species.

This we did successfully for a couple of years then the same department put a ridiculous quota on those species and shortly afterwards, completely closed this fishery down. Our boat cost €1m to build for that fishery and was built with a more powerful engine to push its greater bulk.

We are now fishing for prawns with a very inefficient boat. The prawn quotas are shared practically the same for all size boats. So boats that cost much less and are economical to run can stay nice and snug in harbour while we must put to sea to try and survive.

If we were allowed to fish the species we were destined to catch until the same office closed it down, they would not have to send warnings of safety to us. So the facts are that if they knew what they were doing in the first place all would be different.

Cecil Sharkey, MFV Endurance

Editor

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The publishers do not accept responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors and advertisers. While care is taken to ensure accuracy of information contained within Inshore Ireland, we do not accept responsibility for any errors or matters arising from same.

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Data gathering, stock management and latent capacity addressed at brown crab workshop

A

t the latest meeting of the ACRUNET (Atlantic Crab Resource Users Network) project, hosted by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, participates again highlighted the need for good scientific data gathering to assist and develop stock management.

Concern was also tabled regarding latent capacity.

A primary aim of the project is to develop a European brown crab standard that would carry global recognition and assure consumers of a consistent quality, sustainably-

sourced product from an environmentally-friendly fishery.

Easy reference quality guides are being prepared to assist both fishermen and retailers select and grade European brown crab to a very high specification. The standard is in the final draft stage and is expected to be published in Autumn.

President Alan Coghill welcomed the partners, including catchers, processors, scientists, development agencies and other trade bodies. He reminded delegates of the very different place the

Primary aim of the ACRUNET project is to produce a worldwide recognised standard for brown crab

brown crab industry was in when this transnational initiative began in September 2008, following a call by the Scottish Lobster and Crab Group that the dire economic condition of the industry had to be addressed.

He added that while the situation may have improved, ACRUNET will continue with its overall aim of enhancing the economic viability of the brown crab industry.

A major element of the project is ongoing analysis of the supply chain from catching to consumer, to help direct on marketing and promotion. The industry has evolved from very basic whole live, pasteurised or frozen crab, to an array of deli-style products available in all partner countries.

Further market research is required for new market destinations where crab is not consumed.

The meeting also heard details on trials to improve the economics and viability of innovation systems. Waste utilisation is also being explored with some promising results to date.

Over-quota landings puts monkfish scheme on hold Pauric Gallagher

A MARINE RENEWABLE ENERGY: TRANSNATIONAL SKILLS SEMINAR On May 6, the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) Ringaskiddy, Cork, will host an international event to tackle issues around skills shortages for the Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) labour market.

Featuring: Sound & Sea Technology Europe; Rob Moore, the UK’s National Skills Academy for Power; representatives from Europe’s Atlantic Area; 16 regional business clusters; government agencies, R&D and education/ training institutes, as well as private industry.

For more info see pages 24&25 or contact Cormac.McGarry@nmci.ie

lthough the monkfish quota in Area VII was increased by 15% this year to 2,540 tonnes, no agreement has yet been reached on a scheme between the Irish producer organisations on how or if it should proceed for 2014.

The Monkfish Scheme is an industry-led initiative and can only go ahead if there is agreement from the majority of stakeholders on the quota management committee. The Irish South & West Fish Producers Organisation (IS&WFPO) and the Irish South & East Fish Producers Organisation (IS&EFPO) are anxious that it commences as soon as possible; however the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO) wants clarification on certain before it will make a decision.

The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO) said it would support a scheme but that it was concerned about monkfish landings logged in 2013 by a number of individual vessels outside of their allocations.

The KFO added this was unacceptable as everyone involved in fishery was being penalised for the actions of a few.

The Monkfish Scheme usually runs over 12 months and interested parties have to apply to Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine. Participants will have access to a higher quota however this comes at a price of tying up their vessel for a 28-day period, which may be taken in two separate tranches of 14 days.

They will also have restricted quotas (in comparison with vessels outside the scheme) for a number of species such as hake and to a by-catch for certain cod, haddock, plaice, sole and nephrops stocks.

There is also an obligation on vessels to either ‘book in’ or ‘book out’ of the scheme on a monthly basis. If a vessel ‘books out’ it is only allocated the same monkfish quota as non-scheme vessels but is not be subject to the quota restrictions for other species referred to above.

The tie up requirement must be fulfilled once a vessel has applied for and has been accepted into the scheme, regardless of whether or not the vessel in fact participates.

Overall the scheme is considered to be a positive one from industry perspective as it allows those vessels wishing to concentrate on monkfish the ability and quota to do so; it also alleviates some of the pressures on mephrops.

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Killybegs targets world status as a producer of bio-marine ingredients Gillian Mills

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he Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation has joined forces with Norwegian partner Biomarine Science Technology (BST) to develop the world’s largest biomarine ingredients facility in Killybegs. A joint-venture company, Bio-marine Ingredients Ireland Ltd (BII), has also been formed to promote the proposed new facility.

The €35m project is create up to 50 jobs during the construction phase and a further 70 direct and indirect jobs at full production by 2016.

Game changer The facility will extract high-end proteins, oils and calcium from fish for use as food ingredients.

These include valuable marine proteins as well as lipids (naturally occurring molecules and fat-soluble vitamins). The proposed plant also has the potential to produce supplements for athletes thereby deriving optimal advantage of the health benefits of fish.

“This proposed new facility can become a game-changer in the seafood sector by

positioning Killybegs and Ireland as a global leader in supply and research around new products and benefits from protein, oils and calcium associated with the sea,” explained Sean O’Donoghue, chief executive of the KFO. “With increasing food ingredient prices and a shortage of quality protein in the market, there is a significant opening for the output that this new venture can deliver. Increased focus on health, and rising demand for foodstuffs high in healthy content, has led to rapid growth in the health and sports nutrition market.

He added that the KFO was committed to developing and advancing any sea fisheries issues of relevance to its members.

“Diversification and the establishment of new high-value activities such as this is a key part of our remit. By forging an alliance with BST we are partnering with a firm with many years of experience in pharmaceutical, marine biotech and international commodity business.

“BST has a long experience in this area and has the technical expertise to enable production of valuable fractions from marine species – including clean fish oil.”

May 9 announcement A site has been identified, subject to planning permission and state aid. The plant will have the capacity to process up to 50,000 tonnes or raw material annually.

“These plans are at an early stage and discussions are underway to finalise the full funding of the project. I look forward to the successful conclusion of these negotiations and to the formal announcement on May 9 in Killybegs,” Minister Coveney remarked.

While boarfish will be the primary source of raw material, the facility will also be able to process other species such as blue whiting.

Boarfish is currently only used for fishmeal purposes but is set to become a significant revenue earner.

In 2001, MEP Pat the Cope was centrally involved with introducing legislation in the European Parliament to exploit the fishery using the most appropriate fishing gear type.

The project supports the objectives set out under the Government’s Food Harvest 2020 report and the BIM 2013-2017 strategy for the industry which places a specific focus on developing product options from species such as blue whiting and boarfish, as well as making

Low level public awareness on strategy to protect Ireland’s marine environment Shay Fennelly

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elegates attending a cross-border workshop organised by the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) on implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), heard that Ireland had submitted its progress report without consulting the public and that few people were aware of the Directive.

The MSFD which came into force in 2008 aims to protect the marine environment by achieving ‘good environmental status’ for the seas around Ireland by 2020.

The Directive requires the adoption of the ecosystembased approach as a means of tackling threats and

managing human activities while allowing sustainable use of marine goods and services.

‘Good environmental status’ means that the different uses of the marine resources are conducted at a sustainable level to ensure their continuity for future generations, according to the European Commission.

In March 2012, the Marine Institute appointed RPS consultants as expert advisor and project partner in a €3m contract to ensure Ireland meets its obligations regarding implementation.

Ireland is legally obliged to establish and implement a marine MSFD monitoring programme by July 2014.

Some NGOs were concerned that the indicators submitted for ‘good environmental status’ did not match the

Directive’s definitions.

Responding to a public consultation on Article 19, MSFD Initial Assessment Report, submitted by Ireland to the Commission, SWAN noted that the government had failed to provide stakeholders with, ‘early and effective opportunities to participate’ as required under the Directive. No environmental NGOs are represented on the MSFD working groups set up by the Marine Institute.

The workshop proposed the establishment of a ‘one-stop-shop’ marine management licensing agency that would ensure proper auditing procedures, promotion of north/south cooperation and would inform, design and implement the MSFD measures in Ireland.

a commitment to supporting the establishment of new firms in the sector.

Food Harvest 2020 places a specific emphasis on the development of innovative, consumer oriented seafood products, as well as on marine biotechnology development and marine

functional foods.

“We’re delighted to be able to support these national objectives and are also grateful for the support from Enterprise Ireland and BIM in bringing this exciting project to this stage,” Mr O’Donoghue concluded.

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YOURVIEW

Greencastle – a little crowded, but rafting the yachts all together helps!

Photo Geraldine Hennighan

Pontoons and harbour walls, and the joys of sharing Norman Kean

I

n the last two editions of Inshore Ireland I’ve written of marinas and visitors’ moorings. Filling the gap between the two extremes, as it were, are pontoons and harbour walls.

A modest pontoon provides a wonderfully convenient berth for a visiting yacht, not to mention its short-term use by local boats. Step-ashore facilities are not only handy but a good deal safer than scrambling into a dinghy.

The pontoons in Cork City, Sligo and the layby in Galway, add a whole new dimension to cruising – step off the

boat right in the city centre.

Courtmacsherry is transformed by its 36-metre pontoon. Baltimore needs a marina, but meantime its pontoon makes a vital difference, and Dunmore East; Sherkin; Foynes; Rosmoney; Mullaghmore; Rathmullan; Portrush; Rathlin; Strangford and other places around Strangford Lough, now have these excellent facilities. And many more places could benefit from them, while Dungarvan Sailing Club’s pontoon, although it dries out, still provides welcome berthing for a visitor.

Key components

These facilities can be provided at modest cost

Sligo’s pontoon is right in the town centre, and on this littletravelled part of the coast it helps to make sure that passing traffic will call in Geraldine Hennighan

in many places where circumstances conspire to make a marina development unlikely, and they are a key component of any marine infrastructure plan. Pontoons ought to be managed, and that needn’t mean paying a full-time attendant.

But visiting yachts expect to pay for the berth.

In many places, a harbour wall is the best thing available.

And here, the skippers of leisure craft should exercise great sensitivity. Some stretches of harbour wall are plainly out of bounds to them; others may be available with permission. Sometimes there’s an opportunity to raft up. And harbour walls, and rafting up in particular, offer endless opportunities to the unwary for making a bags of things.

Alongside the wall, don’t hog the steps. A yacht rafted up to fishing boats (or indeed other yachts) should always be prepared to put her own lines ashore, and not throw the additional strain on the inside boat’s warps (unless

of course the inside boat is many times her size).

Rafting sense

The key to rafting up is courtesy on both sides, good fenders and (above all) a willingness to be up and about at short notice to lend a hand when the inside boat – leisure or commercial – wants to leave. It is bad practice to raft up to boats that are smaller and lighter than yours, and good seamanship dictates a limit to the size of a raft.

Be careful that as the raft moves, it doesn’t collide with an adjacent raft, and anticipate the effect of changes in wind and tide. All this is the standard advice provided to leisure skippers.

Regrettably it isn’t always followed, but that is best treated as an opportunity for a little education.

With courtesy and consideration, every day’s a school-day. And I’d have to say that I am constantly gratified by the welcome and help extended by the fishing

The pontoon at Sherkin Island makes the island’s hostelries even more tempting Geraldine Hennighan

community to their hapless fellow-sailors in leisure craft.

It should also go without saying that a boat on the outside of a raft should be sure of enough water to float her at low tide – it’s often deeper next to the wall, and small fishing craft usually draw less than a typical yacht.

The situation has boundless possibilities for farce, and has been an endless source of inspiration for veteran cartoonists like Mike Peyton.

Watch your depth

Once upon a time, in a deep-keeled yacht, we were rafted up to a Galway hooker at Kilkieran pier in Connemara. The hooker’s crew turned up in the morning, going out to race.

We offered to cast off and back out, but they said no bother, just undo the stern and we’ll slip out.

So they did, and then we backed out. Or we would have done, had we not been hard aground, 20 feet out from the pier with the tide falling. It’s the only time I’ve ever rowed an anchor out in the dinghy, attached to a halyard, and hauled the boat down away from the pier.

We got some funny looks, right enough, as she dried out, to which the answer was “Unorthodox, but quite secure.”

Every day’s a school-day…

Norman Kean is a marine consultant, author and editor.

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Inshore Ireland and its publishers do not accept responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors. While every care is taken to ensure accuracy of information, we do not accept responsibility for any errors, or matters arising from same. Contact the editor at mills@inshore-ireland.com.

Loughrosmore estuary Ardara

Is Ireland’s ‘green’ image endangered by litter dumping indifference?

Francis O’ Donnell

I

t is said you should make your point in the opening lines of an article. As I take the train from Westport to Dublin I am struck by the lack of litter along the route. The midlands are truly beautiful; a place I don’t visit that often.

But hailing from west Donegal, train travel is seldom an option so I must use the nation’s road network which brings me to my point: Simply, it is filthy; almost everywhere is ‘open season’ as a dumping ground.

As an island nation we have many things that should make us proud: Our culture is rich; we are known worldwide for our music, literature, commitment to world aid, and peace. We have the highest sea cliffs in Europe; some of the best surfing waves on the planet and we are known internationally for our welcome.

Spectacular scenery

And despite unpredictable weather, our landscapes are breath-taking, attracting scores of tourists to our shores annually. Our coasts, rivers and mountain ranges are equally spectacular, and perhaps even more so when shrouded in mist.

The view from my office window overlooking Loughrosmore Bay in west Donegal can change in a moment and I smile

regardless at whatever Mother Nature is getting up to. It’s always different but equally beautiful.

I spend most of my weekends rambling across the countryside; angling for salmon in the summer months and climbing mountains during the winter.

But the invasive creep of litter is beginning to get to me. Everywhere I turn I see rubbish - beaches and river banks are strewn and the road network is blotted with litter black-spots.

I recently travelled from Ardara in Donegal to the beautiful town of Westport in Co Mayo. What should have been the first beautiful signs of spring growth were overshadowed by rubbish, everywhere.

National problem

This problem is a national one, and I believe its roots are cultural. We need to shake off this problem, now, if we want to grow our visitor numbers and maintain the ‘green’ image.

Local authorities are stretched, and it is not their job to clean up the nation’s mess. Where is our civic pride? I feel paralysed and frustrated with our litter problem.

The announcement of Ireland’s long distance tourist route, the Wild Atlantic Way, is an extremely positive development for communities living along the west coast.

Visitors can stick rigidly to

the route that starts in north Donegal and winds its way along 2,500km of dramatic and beautiful coastline to Kinsale in Co Cork, or they can detour to the many ‘experience’ attractions.

But before this initiative has almost begun, is it threatened by fly-tipping along the road network? Is Ireland’s overall ‘green’ image endangered by this very Irish of problems, evident in every county?

Further along the Loughrosmore estuary

Lasting memories

Organisations like Fáilte Ireland need help from us all.

Picture a television marketing campaign depicting a visiting couple beginning their dream holiday in Donegal in their rented convertible. They set off from Fanad Head and stop at the Glengesh Pass beauty spot, close to where I live, to have lunch.

Here they see black refuse bags dumped along the roadside, and by late evening as they head out for a walk on a local beach, they are again greeted by rubbish.

The dream is now becoming a nightmare - and it’s a long way to Baltimore.

We need to deliver a strong national message about our litter problem. It takes time to build a brand and a short time to ruin it. Lasting impressions are crucial and word-of-mouth can ‘make or break’ in moments.

What do you think the couple in the convertible will say or blog by the time they have reached west Cork..?

Outskirts of Donegal town

Inside the breakwater of Dún Laoghaire Harbour. Photo G Mills

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YOURVIEW

Inshore Ireland and its publishers do not accept responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors. While every care is taken to ensure accuracy of information, we do not accept responsibility for any errors, or matters arising from same. Contact the editor at mills@inshore-ireland.com.

Fluoride debate:

Another whitewash on the way?

Declan Waugh Scientist and fluoride researcher

T

he Irish Government recently announced a review of water fluoridation will take place this year. This is exactly what happened over a decade ago when this subject was last debated when the majority of Local Authorities across the country voting democratically to end fluoridation.

Lest we forget, it was official Fine Gael policy in 2001 that it would end fluoridation due to health concerns when elected to Government. Back then the incumbent Minister for Health established the Forum for Fluoridation stacked with a panel of pro-fluoridation advocates who produced a self-fulfilling prophecy that was, in effect, one of the worst examples of a proper scientific review ever published on the subject of water fluoridation.

Impacts largely ignored Less than two pages of this report addressed the wider human health impacts associated with ingestion of a known bioaccumulative toxin acknowledged to be a potent inflammatory agent, hormonal and enzymatic poison that when ingested, enters every cell and organ of the human body.

Neither did the report examine the total exposure of the population to fluoride from other dietary sources, such as medications or teas which generally contain high levels of fluoride, or occupational exposure to fluoride in the workplace.

The most sensitive and high risk individuals to fluoride exposure are infants. This is due to the large amount of fluids that they ingest and the degree of underdevelopmnent of their major organs in comparison to older children or adults.

For this reason when infants are exposed to fluoride, up to 90% of the toxin is retained in their bodies. This is why a number of major scientific studies have recommended that low fluoride water be used in the preparation of infant formula.

The opposite advice however is given to parents in Ireland.

Most adults are unaware that boiling water increases fluoride concentration. Powdered

infant formula prepared with fluoridated tap water contains up to 38,000 % more fluoride than what is present naturally in breast milk. This exceeds the recommended adequate intake established by the U.S. Institute of Medicine by 1,600%.

Detrimental levels Similar warnings were noted by senior toxicologists within the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in 2002 who found that infants bottle fed with powered infant formula made with Irish tap water were exposed to toxic levels of fluoride detrimental to their wellbeing and future health.

Astonishingly, this report was subsequently changed, and instead of recommending low fluoride water for making infant formula, the recommmendation offered to parents was that all mothers should breast feed, with no mention whatsoever of fluoride intoxication.

Following the publication of the Forum for Fluoridation report, eleven leading international scientists and medical experts published a highly critical review: A Scientific Critique of the Fluoridation Forum Report, Ireland 2002 which has been largely ignored by the Irish media.

The executive summary concludes: ‘The report fails to provide a proper scientific review of the many health concerns raised about the practice of water fluoridation in Ireland, and elsewhere…Incredibly, for a study which took two years, only 2 pages are devoted to an independent analysis of specific health studies.’

It ends: ‘As scientists familiar with the literature on this matter we can only conclude that the aim of the authors of this report was not to study the evidence, but to find ways to get around it.The report’s primary conclusion that there are no adverse health effects is not defendable, and in our view, is blatantly false.

‘The most logical conclusion is that the majority of the panel members (who worked in some capacity for the Irish government, or received their research funding from the same) were persuaded to produce a report in support of this long-standing government policy rather than freely and objectively analyzing the information which was made directly available to them in testimony as well as that available in the open scientific literature” This time around it appears nothing has changed as the terms of reference of the review indicate. As the saying goes: ‘Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.’

Baltimore, west Cork: Directive aim is to promote sustainable growth of maritime and coastal activities. G Mills

Does ICZM still feature on the EU agenda?

Dr Ann Marie O’Hagan

I

n March 2013, the European Commission published a proposal for a Directive establishing a framework for Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) and Integrated Coastal Management (ICM, formerly known as ICZM).

This is a critical part of the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy and more recent Blue Growth strategy. The over-arching aim of the Directive is to promote the sustainable growth of maritime and coastal activities and sustainable use of coastal and marine resources by establishing an effective implementation framework.

While the text of the proposed Directive does not explicitly define either management approach, MSP is understood to be a public process of analysing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in marine areas to assist delivery of sustainable development.

Land-sea interactions

ICM is described as a tool for the integrated management of all policy processes affecting the coastal zone, addressing land-sea interactions of coastal activities in a coordinated way.

The geographical scope of both management approaches overlap in the coastal waters and territorial seas of EU Member States (MS). When applied together planning and management at the land-sea interface should improve.

Increasing competition for space in marine and coastal areas; the need for more coordinated management and the legal

requirement to protect the marine environment, are inherent considerations in the preparation of this proposed legislation. If adopted, this Directive will require MS to carry out MSP and ICM in accordance with national and international law.

They will be legally obliged to develop and implement coherent processes to plan human uses of maritime space, to ensure sustainable management of coastal areas and to establish appropriate cross-border cooperation between MS.

Common objectives

Like the MSFD, this Directive will have to reinforce the importance of sustainability by adopting an ecosystem-based approach that respects the limits of natural resources and ecosystems and facilitates coexistence and prevents conflicts between competing sectoral activities in marine waters and coastal zones. The proposed Directive contains a set of common objectives and basic minimum requirements for both MSP and ICM. In establishing Maritime Spatial Plans, MS will undertake a mapping of their marine waters to identify the actual and potential spatial and temporal distribution of all relevant maritime activities including those for the extraction of energy; production of renewable energy; oil and gas sites and infrastructure; maritime transport routes; submarine cable and pipeline routes; fishing areas; aquaculture sites and nature conservation sites.

ICM strategies will have to contain at least an inventory of existing measures applied in coastal zones and an analysis of the need for additional actions, taking into consideration energy; agriculture; infrastructural

developments; fishing and aquaculture; conservation; restoration and management of coastal ecosystems; ecosystem services and nature; coastal landscapes and islands, as well as mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

Both the maritime spatial plans and integrated coastal management strategies will have to be reviewed at least every six years.

Sectoral targets

It is important to note that MS and their competent authorities will remain responsible for designing and determining the content of such plans and strategies in their respective waters although these will not contain any new sectoral targets.

Response to the proposed Directive has been mixed with some MS expressing concern over the extent to which the proposed Directive could interfere with their existing planning competences.

A number of NGOs put forward their opinions in a joint position paper in May 2013. They broadly welcomed the requirement to apply an ecosystem-based approach to planning and to ensure coordinated and coherent planning across administrative boundaries.

They however expressed [what?] in relation to: »» the use of the proposed Directive as a tool for driving the EU’s Blue Growth agenda on economic growth and employment, »» the lack of any mention of the precautionary principle and »» the parity of environmental objectives with sectoral growth objectives The proposed Directive is currently going through the formal EU legislative process.

The European Parliament had its first reading of it in December 2013 and adopted 82 amendments.

Specifically, they want the framework for MSP to involve ICM, arguably in preference to MSP and ICM having equal weight. They also argue that the proposed Directive should support the priority areas identified in the EU’s Blue Growth strategy, namely aquaculture; coastal tourism; marine biotechnology; ocean energy and deep-sea mining.

The Parliament proposed that the precautionary principle should be explicitly included in both the recitals and articles. The proposed Directive has now been referred back to the competent committee for re-consideration and a vote on the legislative resolution is scheduled to take place later in May.

inshore ireland April/May 2014

9

freshwater focus

Winter gloom set aside with opening of seatrout season the first time this year. There is a quiet excitement in the air.

Not many seatrout are expected this early in the season. The water is still cold, and this year there is a very strong current running from the open sluice gates on the hydroelectric dam at Kathleen Falls. January and February’s rainfall broke previous records in many places.

Brendan Connolly

I

t is 10am on the morning of March 1 and the seatrout season is now open. The Mall Quay in Ballyshannon is buzzing; cars with trailers and boats parked every which way.

Two boats are being launched at the same time on the wide slipway. More boats are already in the water, and engines are being started for

Silver cup trophy

One angler offers a large silver cup for the biggest seatrout caught on the first

A fine seatrout goes back to the Erne Estuary

day of the season. This means that any seatrout over 40cm needs to be kept alive, weighed, and released as the Erne River is closed for salmon fishing and seatrout over 40cm are treated as salmon.

The morning is crisp and dry, but the anglers hardly feel the cold with the exhilaration of being back on the estuary.

This truly marks the start of spring and a release from the winter’s gloom.

Expectations are high, not only for the first day, but also for the whole season that lies ahead. Two anglers sharing a boat begin with trolling flies. One angler puts up a single Parson Tom, and the other a Gadget, both typical Erne Estuary seatrout flies.

They decide to start fishing halfway down the estuary. Generally, this early in the season not many fish are caught with some being kelts, still thin from spawning before Christmas.

But, in early March there are also some well conditioned seatrout of 1-2lbs in weight.

These fish are mature but look like they did not spawn this winter; perhaps this is another feature of the unpredictable nature of the seatrout life cycle.

Playing the line

James Cummins presents the March 1 Erne Estuary Cup to Mike Murphy

www.inshore-ireland.com The Marine & Freshwater Environment Publication

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Gery Flynn

A

controversial article in a prestigious science journal that accuses the Marine Institute of ‘incorrectly’ concluding that sea lice play a minor role in the survival of wild salmon, has been downgraded significantly by its publishers who have also apologised to the agency for denying it a right of reply prior to publication.

This is the latest twist in what has been a highly charged debate involving some of Ireland’s environmental State Agencies

as well as the scientific community here and abroad.

First published in August 2013 in the respected Journal of Fish Diseases, the article, written by a team of scientists led by Dr Martin Krkošek of the University of Toronto alleges that based on its own research, the Marine Institute incorrectly concluded ‘that sea lice play a minor, perhaps even negligible, role in salmon survival’.

Krkošek further states that such a conclusion can be supported ‘only if one is prepared to accept at least three fundamental methodological errors’.

And he claims that his team’s ‘re-analyses’ of the same data ‘departs substantially from those reported and interpreted’ by the Marine Institute.

rural be issued to to licences” might island communities and coastal and fishing practices.

Rural Coastal is ds Sustainable which facilitate traditional also recommen EU t policy Island Communities The report e projects governmen ‘Whereas they assert that sea lice for publication, rejected food safety, sampling,control. as a ‘Short Communication’, calling for the survival of that aquacultur s should be cause 1% of mortality in Atlantic outright, or returned to audits and fisheries the Krkošek article has been is the submission to focus on and island for fin-fish adherence to the d fishing on a salmon, the correct estimate is the author for re-published by the same when making tteefurther l rural coastales by promoting licensed on inshore fishery, subcommi or amendment.“Unlicense environmenta actually a one-third loss of overall journal - but this time it to a jointclarification norm in the risks and communiti of activities. e, world’s ‘highest for structures March 2013,” Mills and adult recruitment,’ he writes. Gillianhas the Journal posing market been re-classified, and fisheries inSignificantly, , CEO and diverse range that aquacultur standards’ in place to allow ‘We acknowledge that few smolts of Fish Diseases notes that biological instabilitymarket effectively downgraded to Francis O’Donnell Producers It contends sea Fish to be put local ownership. black chair If survive to return in any wild salmon ‘Comments not subject the status a ‘Comment’. of the Irish former a significant Irishofinshore inshore fishing, tourism andare maximum by the The has developed. on the population and that recent declines to theonsameInshore level ofIreland. peer Such a is re-classification Organisati economy angling, marine Issues identified about tacklingto told fishery initiatives ittee are listed in the survival of Irish Atlantic review as Original Articles is highly significant collapsein the of the FIF we are serious Ireland needs and seaweed to vibrant sub-Comm basis, subbrink ofworld eD salmon cannot be solely explained and Review Papers.’ scientific this problem,robust long-term to a lack due to the could contribute areas. areas, on a thematic esourc due three island and into and and by sea lice…… our purpose is The re-classified fact that ‘Comments’ are notunDer-r to this Krkošek put real nt plans in place coastal policy sectioned recommendations suggests that far speaking the the of proper Alsoarticle to highlight that parasites can hasDixon a ‘Noteoffrom subjected to theasso-called manageme by species basis.”

The report, support n. Going and specific Eamon stating BIMwhere paper,Publisher’ each section: and, in this case, do have a large regulatio that’s ‘due to on a species peerthe review process pg 13) 1990s, Island ‘proactive government Fishermen follow for and sensible as protocols interview ensure » Rural Coastal and effect on fisheries recruitment… backstrict procedural Dronly Jackson areof observed. Erris aInshore it was (see full with proportionate a number saiderror ies: a sociocontrols’ could that with important implications for produced [the senior scientist at the Foroutlying the resultsinofclear a Association years Communit co-exist. bureaucratic can l anD last two profile to dealto the management and conservation reports Marine Institute whose team scientific investigation in the coasta report es Protection economic such activitiesmust urgently develop pathways 12 terms, Those of wild salmon stocks.’

Krkošek(SFPA) refers to]has wasbeen not given be published in a credible the Sea-fisheri islanD Dixon’s comments ‘Government structure grounded » page this issue. thethis gathered with Authority the opportunity to reply to scientific journal, it must Eamon publication a management for inshore fisheries. s have to address positionbefore blueprint by was published.’ follow the recent first pass ainterim, rigorous in obstacle artIcle heitcautions in reliable dataexplore how “heritage in in aCommentBut compiled in the dust problems. ittee course of assessment by a reclassIfIcatIoN the decline level of of a report For instance, with as Sub-comm of the tandem that the current panel of experts employed Now however, just four the Joint potential Promoting not a deterrent fisheries. control is is under-resourced, to check lobster for accuracy. months after it first appeared economic on Fisheries: and of Irish crab the agency The paper is then accepted in the Journal of Fish Diseases page 7 areas to» cover: others “The Federation with too many (FIF) and Fishermen this point clear have made

“

February

1, 2014, waves

break at

Garnish on

the Beara

Details at www.inshore-ireland.com om).

Minister Coveney warns of “exceptionally tough negotiations” at December EU Fisheries Council. Whitefish ports such a Union Hall, Co Cork, could be seriously impacted.

Photo Gillian Mills Peninsula

behind what

used to be

the Garnish

Post Office

aglephoto.c in 2007. which closedJohn Eagle (www.johne Photo

A

review of progress on implementation of the National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems 2013 released earlier this month by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reveals that 53% of household septic tanks inspected by Local Authorities have failed their first inspection.

Some of the other key findings contained in this review note that in the first eight months of implementation between July 01 2013 and February 28 2014: • 449,109 waste water treatment systems (90%) were registered by their owners • 93 local authority inspectors were appointed by the EPA to undertake the inspection of treatment systems • 423 inspections were carried out by local authority inspectors • 47 per cent of domestic waste water treatment systems passed inspection • in the majority of cases, failure to pass the inspection was because the tank was not de-sludged or was not properly operated and maintained • Local Authority inspectors in Carlow, Limerick, Louth, Meath and Westmeath completed all of the inspections allocated to them for the first year of the Plan to date.

Of a target to inspect 1,000 septic tanks by July, 420 have been inspected to date. And the report notes that many of the failures could be avoided by householders taking simple steps to maintain their treatment systems.

The agency says that since the publication of the National Inspection Plan it has appointed almost one hundred inspectors.

It adds that the first year of the plan is about setting up a new inspection regime and providing information to householders about how to maintain, and rectify simple problems. And it states that inspections will now become a routine part of local authority work.

The EPA will review the Plan after July and will assess the information gathered from the inspections and response to the awareness raising campaign.

“There are simple steps that homeowners can take to help pass a septic tank inspection. On a regular basis, have the sludge emptied from your tank using permitted contractors, retain the receipt, and if you have a package treatment system get it serviced,” David Flynn, EPA Programme Manager advised.

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P6

The anglers return to fishing, using sand eels. After some time they haul the boat onto the sand and cast flies from the bank, but have no further luck as the low had had come and gone.

At the end of the afternoon the boats gathered on the Mall Quay where the catches were perapred. Another seatrout of just over 1lb was caught, and a couple more were hooked but lost.

The 1.67 lb fish took the winning cup a fine seatrout with which to start the season.

Septic tank inspection failures could be easily avoided, report finds

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Publisher apologises to Ireland’s heries data, fis d to fail’ Marine Institute for contentious t robust ne sea-lice article Withou ment is ‘desti manage THE SILENCEG IS DEAFENIN

The boat travels fast with the strong downstream flow, then describes a wide arc and slowly makes its way upstream, staying close to the north bank.

The anglers are chatting, but this instantly stopped as one rod suddenly arches over. The rod is lifted and strong tugs indicate a good sized fish.

Stopping the engine, the angler concentrates on playing the seatrout. First, the fish stays well down and slowly comes closer to the boat. Then it rises suddenly, splashing at the surface, its silver flanks sending foam into the air.

The reel makes a fizzing sound as the fish dives for the bottom again. Slowly, the seatrout rises a second time, again thrashing at the surface.

The anglers hold their breath in case the seatrout brakes free. They now realise this is a good sized fish and might be in the running for the cup.

The second angler prepares the landing net while the

fish cruises around the boat and is guided towards the net, its broad green back pebbled with dark spots edged by light circles.

Eventually, the seatrout shows its silver side and slides into the waiting net. The first seatrout of the season, and it was a good one!

A quick call organises a rendezvous with another boat to verify the weight of the fish, which is kept alive in a water filled well in the boat.

It was 1.67 lb and 41 cm, and is returned live to the water.

Get 12 for pri ce of 6!

10 inshore ireland April/May 2014

fisheries

Fishermen urged to avail of safety at sea training

A

ll sectors of the fishing and aquaculture industries are being urged to take advantage of BIM’s new Enhanced Safety Training Programme.

“The Irish fishing industry will be the first in the EU to use this life-saving equipment. We now have the resources available… to minimise lives lost at sea,” remarked Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine.

“We have already seen too many tragedies, and collectively we need to ensure we do all in our power to minimise risk or in the case of an accident to have the best equipment and knowledge to save lives at sea. I would strongly encourage fishermen and fish-farmers to sign up for the training, as a matter of urgency.”

At the recent Skipper expo in Galway, BIM and Sioen - the Gweedore-based manufacturer of the Mullion compact 150N lifejacket in partnership with the RNLI - demonstrated how the personal flotation devices with the integrated PLB can help save fishermen’s lives.

“I am fishing for eleven years now and have always worn a lifejacket. It gives me the reassurance I need before I head out to sea that if anything did

happen I have some protection,” remarked local fisherman, Thomas Fitzpatrick.

“Like my father who is skipper of Shauna Ann, I love fishing but it’s a tough and dangerous job and safety has to be a priority for all the crew. I have completed my safety training and I would encourage all fishermen to do the same and to wear their lifejackets correctly,” he added.

As part of the Government’s rollout of the first marine safety strategy, and in response to the high level of fatalities at sea (35 fishing- related fatalities have been recorded from 2007-2012), the Enhanced Safety Training Scheme is a one-day course designed to provide skipper and crews of registered fishing vessels with on-going training in personal survival techniques, first aid, fire-fighting, and health and safety in the workplace to help save lives at sea.

Those successfully completing the course (or, in the case of new entrants, those successfully completing a three-day Basic Safety Training course) may avail of a special incentive under the agency’s Safety Equipment Scheme. This provides grantaid of up to 60% towards the cost of purchasing Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) fitted with integrated Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs).

Tony Brown, Sioen, demonstrates the buoyance of the PFD

BIM developed the concept for a PLB integrated PFD primarily for the under 15 metre boat sector as they show the highest casualty and fatality rates and are typically solo operators without any on-board AIS systems.

“We will provide safety training courses for up to 800 fishermen on 60 courses at 14 locations around out coast this year. Grantaid will be provided for up to 600 personal flotation devices with fitted PLBs, and safety notices encouraging fishermen to wear their PFDs and complete their training will be placed at 50 locations around the coast.

“We have made the training fully accessible and we urge all fishermen to complete their safety training in our National Fisheries Colleges in Castletownbere or Greencastle,” remarked Michael Keatinge, BIM’s Director of Fisheries and Training Development.

BIM National Fisheries College of Ireland, Castletownbere, Co. Cork 8th May, 12th June BIM National Fisheries College of Ireland, Greencastle, Co. Donegal 19th May, 3rd June, 24th June

Declan Donohoe, BIM safety Instructor jumps into the pool during the Stay Safe at Sea demonstration

Castletownbere Co-op appointed international partner to Spanish supermarket chain

M

ajor Spanish supermarket chain, Mercadona, has appointed Castletownbere Co-op as their international partner to supply an annual estimate of 2,000 tonnes of whitefish The Co-op will supply monkfish and megrim to Mercadona in specific packaging formats, weights and grades, following capital investment to bring the processing plant up to the required standard, staff development and up-skilling.

“We’re delighted to have achieved BRC (British Retail Consortium) status and the BIM Responsibly Sourced Standard.

Our objective is to achive the best return for our members’ vessels and to safeguard the employment that we create in the Beara Peninsula. An important factor in this development was the close support and opportunity offered from Mercadona,” remarked John Nolan, Castletownbere Co-op.

Ismael Folgado, Mercadona, said that a key responsibility for them as a retailer is to support primary sectors pursuing a sustainable agri-food chain and adding value.

“We consider these collaborations are strategically essential nowadays. Castletownbere Co-op has demonstrated an on-going investment in all they do. We have a good working relationship with the Co-op and through this agreement we can continue to deliver a high quality product at the best price to our customers.”

Developed by retailers and food service companies, BRC is a leading Global Standard that helps build confidence in the food production sector. The Standards are recognised worldwide with over 14,000 certified suppliers in over 100 countries through a network of more than 90 accredited and BRC recognised certification bodies.

The Responsibly Sourced Standard is based on responsible fishing practices and quality controls from vessel throughout the supply chain.

John Nolan, Castletownbere Co-op; Paul Ward, BIM, and Ismael Fogado, Mercadona

No delegate to represent Irish scallop industry

By Pauric Gallagher

T

he Irish and UK scallop industry could suffer as a consequence of a decision by the SFPA (Sea Fisheries Protection Authority) not to send a representative to future Codex meetings.

Codex is the primary international standard-setting body for global food trade.

Decisions made at Codex are based on consensus voting by the government delegates present at a given meeting.

The Code of Practice (CoP) on Scallops contains areas that are a real risk for the European scallop industry and if they pass through, will become the standards by which scallops are traded internationally.

Development of this CoP has been led by the US and Canada who have a very strong voice on the committee and have a different way of fishing and processing to Europe. The UK industry has been working closely with DEFRA to lobby for change and to ensure that the draft CoP accurately

reflects European operations and therefore protects the trade in the scallops.

Since its foundation, the SFPA had represented Ireland on the Codex Committee: ‘We appointed a SeaFisheries Protection Officer to be the point of contact with respect to the Codex Alimentarius Committee on fish and fishery products for a period of three years. This has been of benefit to the SFPA and we have helped shape the EU opinion.

The SFPA continue to suffer on-going constraints both in personnel and budgetary

resources. We review all commitments as they arise to ensure that best use is made of these diminishing resources.

The SFPA has decided that we are no longer in a position to directly support this role.

As a regulatory authority, the SFPA do not formulate policy however we have been able to contribute to the EU input….’

Speaking to Inshore Ireland, Francis O’ Donnell of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation said this was a regrettable development.

“We have a significant scallop fishery in the southeast and this could have

long-term economic impact on this fishery. Decisions will now be taken in the absence of Ireland. The SFPA had a dedicated person filling this role and I am sure that this person had amassed valuable tacit knowledge in this complex area.”

He added that the Federation of Irish fishermen will discuss this development with the SFPA with a view to exploring how this decision can be reversed.

“But we do acknowledge the difficult resource constraints they find themselves under at present.”

inshore ireland April/May 2014 11

fisheries

Eamon Dixon Gery Flynn

I

n the second part of this interview, Eamon Dixon of the Erris Inshore Fishermen’s Association outlines some key steps that he believes would transform the inshore fishing sector from a numerically large but politically weak and disparate group into a powerful and sustainable economic driving force for our coastal communities.

He also describes the potentially life-threatening difficulties of trying to land fish at dangerous piers in bad weather. And he has a simple request for Minister Simon Coveney…

What could Minister Coveney do that would make an immediate and positive impact on the sector?

There’s no doubt that Minister Coveney is very much in touch with the inshore fishing sector despite having so much else to do in such a big department.

Nevertheless, he should appoint two departmental officials to immediately start communicating with inshore fishermen throughout the country, to improve regulation and possibly form an inshore PO. This small step alone would be a major step forward for the inshore fishing sector.

What do you see as the key requirements to enhance the sector?

Regulation is definitely required. If regulation

Creating a producer organisation would be a ‘major step forward’ for Ireland’s largest, but weakest, fishing sector isn’t enforced the inshore fishery won’t last. No fishery anywhere in the world can exist without regulation.

Inshore fishing in Ireland is probably one of the last areas that hasn’t been touched.

Some people will of course argue there is some regulation, but it’s very limited.

Effective regulation requires accurate record keeping.

Will the sector comply?

Every fishing vessel should have a log book. It might not be practical for the smaller boats to carry one on board but they could take a notebook into which they can enter information of what they’re catching.

That data can then be entered into a log book.

The log book will enable traceability through the system. A fisherman who doesn’t accept the need for regulation is only fooling himself.

Some fishermen are understandably worried about this because we have been led up the garden path in the past. Nevertheless, we must now look to the future and between ourselves and the powers that be it would be better if we worked together to introduce a better management system that everybody would work within.

when it comes to receiving attention from government.

We will have to work even harder to get what we need.

In practical terms, how do inadequate pier facilities affect fishermen?

Take this morning for example (April 12) we couldn’t land our fish because of a big swell and a tide that didn’t suit. That meant we had to postpone landing until the afternoon. We got away with it this time only because the buyer arranged for the truck to take a later ferry.

If he hadn’t been able to do that, we would have had to go to sea very early in a westerly gale in order to get the boat off the mooring and then go hauling storage tanks.

Then we’d have had to try to land everything at a very small tidal pier with the tide going out and the swell racing in and out. That would have been very difficult, and there’s also a major safety issue.

But we have no way around it.

But it’s not practical to build small piers all around the coast?

That’s true. You cannot make a slip at every small pier in this country. Nevertheless, we desperately need more places where we can land and hold our vessels safely.

In this day and age that kind of infrastructure should already be in place.

Despite being numerically strong the inshore fishing sector has little political strength. How can this be changed?

It’s unreal how strong numerically the inshore sector is. Inshore fishermen belong to every community, along every single mile of our coastline, and every one of them has a vote. We need a viable plan, and at the minute when it comes to inshore the sector there just isn’t one.

Why has the inshore fishing sector failed to communicate its concerns to government?

Despite some emphasis on us lately, the inshore sector has been largely forgotten about. We are at the bottom of the ladder

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12 inshore ireland April/May 2014

fisheries

Neptune making headway in heavy weather.

Photo John Cunningham

Mackerel deal rewards overfishing, declares Irish fishermen Gillian Mils

I

rish fishing industry representatives cannot support the ‘mackerel deal’ as it rewards those that have acted irresponsibly by setting “totally unjustified enormous autonomous mackerel quotas” in recent years.

The Federation of Irish Fishermen was reacting to a five-year deal brokered in London last month on the share out of the annual €1bn mackerel fishery in the northeast Atlantic that has been the subject of a bitter dispute between the EU, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

“This sets a bad precedent

for the future as most of the pelagic stocks in the northeast Atlantic are shared and jointly managed,” remarked Sean O’Donoghue, FIF chairman.

Set aside share

While Iceland is not party to the agreement and will be denied access to EU waters, it will benefit along with Russia and Greenland from the set aside of 15.6% of the mackerel stock ― an increase of 4.78%. The Faroe Islands quota has increased 8% to 12.6%.

Norway has achieved no additional access to EU waters; Ireland’s quota increases by over 60% from 65,000 tonnes to 150,000 tonnes.

“I can only conclude that the reckless and irresponsible

Killybegs – Ireland’s mackerel stronghold

behaviour by the Faroe Islands has paid off and they have been rewarded,” O’Donoghue added.

And he said that Greenland had already copied the approach. “Being outside the agreement they have awarded themselves a 2014 mackerel quota of 100,000 tonnes.”

Poor defence

Commenting on the outcome, Commissioner Damanaki said the agreement established important principles including a commitment to “sustainable fisheries, a sharing between the Parties and a commitment to establishing a new longterm management plan in 2014 following ICES advice.”

Sean O’Donoghue however said the “unsatisfactory

Photo Gillian Mills

situation” was due to the “unreasonable behaviour of the European Commission” the sole negotiator for the EU. “Commissioner Maria Damanaki has alienated herself by refusing to sufficiently defend the interests of the Irish and EU fishing industry.

“This is in contrast with other coastal states where Norway, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Russia and Greenland defend their industry interests.

Ultimately this has led to the EU giving away our valuable mackerel quota that we have effectively managed and grown to a very healthy state,” he said.

Ireland’s stance

Recognising Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney as “steadfast” in his opposition to the increases, “he was on his own in this regard at the Council of Fisheries Ministers. Without his steadfast opposition which [we] fully supported, the outcome would have been worse, particularly in terms of access,” Sean O’Donoghue added.

While disagreeing with aspects of the deal, Minister Coveney however said it was important to bring the Faroe Islands “into an agreed and responsible management arrangement” with the EU and Norway.

“I consistently argued… that the levels being proposed were too high and on that

basis I could not support the overall deal. The European Commission and the other mackerel member states were willing to accept the granting of those levels of share to Iceland and Faroes,” Minister Coveney said.

Norway and the EU will proportionally share the allocation of the quota shares. “This burden was a critical requirement demand of Ireland,” he added.

Other agreements

The parties also agreed not to participate or promote a commercial fishery for mackerel by Greenland. Greenland recently announced a new ‘experimental’ fishery of 100,000 tonnes.

Ireland fully supports the Commission view that this is tantamount to a new unregulated commercial fishery. The agreement opens the way to sanctions being taken against any country responsible for unsustainable fishing of mackerel outside this agreement.

“For the first time in five years the Irish fleet will have a greater degree of certainty and stability. The scientific indications are that this extremely valuable stock remains in good shape, and all the current projections are that this should continue. We will be working to improve Ireland position in the fishery at the conclusion of this short term deal,” he said.

inshore ireland April/May 2014 13

fisheries

Iceland responds

negotiations in order to ensure Iceland’s fair and rightful share, based on scientific advice and sustainable utilisation of the mackerel stock. The Faroese International Council for tatement to clearly sought the same the Exploration of the Sea Inshore Ireland by increased quota from the (ICES), as the Icelandic Iceland’s Minister last agreement. Yesterday’s negotiation delegation had of Fisheries and agreement concludes that the repeatedly emphasised.

Agriculture, Sigurdur shares of the EU and Norway The agreement, in which Johannsson: increase from their previous the three parties allocate Yesterday, the European level, to 100% of the advised Union, Norway and the Faroe themselves a total of quota, i.e. 890,000 tonnes, 1,047,000 tonne catch this Islands reached an agreement on to which they add the year, is valid for five years. on total allowable catch and share of the Faroe Islands.

This allocation exceeds sharing of quotas of the Iceland and the EU reached the advice of the ICES by mackerel stock. Deliberately, an agreement on Iceland’s almost 18%. The EU and these three Coastal States share in autumn 2013 share Norway have allocated leave Iceland outside the on the basis of sustainable agreement but after a meeting solely for themselves utilization of the mackerel 890,000 tonnes, which is in Edinburgh last week, it stock. The agreement entailed the maximum advised total was clear that full efforts were that Iceland’s share would allowable catch for this year. made to reach an agreement never be less than 11,9% We participated in the based on the advice of of the total allowable and scientifically advised catch, and for the next two years, the catch would not be under 123,000 tonnes, which is approximately equivalent to 13,8% of the advice this year.

We were ready to stretch ourselves this far in order to reach an agreement on the sustainable use of the stock as the opportunity to do so was unique in light of the advice on greatly increased total allowable catch. The EU ensured us that it would guarantee the necessary means to reach Westernmost fishing port in Europe – Patreksfjordur.

Photo Agust Magnusson an agreement, including

S

the support of Norway.

In the later phase of the negotiations, however, it was clear that the EU moved closer to the demands of Norway, which were based on severe increase of fishing exceeding advice. Thus, the EU has gone back on its words and instead of upholding the agreement reached with Iceland, based on sustainable fishing, the Union has signed an agreement with Norway and the Faroe Islands, which supports fishing greatly exceeding advice. The agreement does not include the fishing of Iceland, Greenland and Russia and it is obvious that the total catch could exceed 50% above the advice.”

During the last meetings, Iceland has done its best to contribute to reaching an agreement. I believe it is clear that Norway did neither, at any point, intend to negotiate a fair and agreeable share for Iceland, nor negotiate fishing on the basis of scientific advice.

At the last meeting of the four Coastal States, under false pretext, Norway discussed the fishing of Greenland and the possibilities on how to block Greenland’s opportunity to build up their fisheries considering the increased number of mackerel in her own waters.

This has seemingly triggered the EU to abandon its agreement with Iceland.

Norway could thus obstruct an agreement on that basis and was able to satisfy her demand on catch exceeding over half of the advice.”

Iceland and the Faroe Islands have had to endure threats of sanctions by the EU, should they not cease the alleged overfishing of mackerel in the EU’s opinion. It is very clear that those threats and proposed sanctions are unlawful and that the agreement signed by the EU will ultimately result in overfishing. To continue threats to impose sanctions based on overfishing would be ambivalent. We have always emphasised to reach an agreement which follows scientific advice.

The methods used to reach this agreement are unacceptable. We believe that by going behind Iceland’s back in reaching this agreement, the EU, Norway and the Faroe Islands have forfeited trust and greatly impaired future cooperation and negotiations of the Coastal States.

No decision has been made on the total allowable catch of Icelandic vessels but it is expected within the coming weeks.

Victims of fishery injustice attempting to claim most of the fish that lie inside their own national EEZ waters.

For the crime of harvesting the fish in their own seas they have been accused of being ‘pirates and plunderers’ by the multi-millionaire owners and operators of large pelagic trawlers from EU countries, mainly the UK.

Threatened embargos

David Thomson (former fisherman – seine netters and trawlers – around Scotland and Ireland and briefly on trawlers off the Faroe Isles, Norway and Newfoundland)

T

here are two tiny states in the North Atlantic that are primarily dependent for economic survival on their own marine resources and are currently seeing other powerful countries

And in response to those accusations, the EU is imposing embargos on imports from these two small countries. (Normally such embargos are imposed on countries like North Korea, Iran, or the former South Africa - deemed guilty of developing nuclear weapons or practicing serious racial injustice or discrimination.)

Iceland has a population of just 300,000 people. Its main produce of fish or fish products comprises 70% of its exports. The Faroe Islands have a population of just 50,000 persons. Fish and fish products exports are by far the bulk - 94% of their exports.

Fish are therefore vitally important to their economies.

Denying them the fish around their coasts would be like denying the Gulf States access to the petroleum beneath their sands - except that the value of that oil far exceeds the value of fish.

One would think that the United Nations Law of the Sea gives legal protection to countries reliant on fish. But 1982 UNCLOS Article 56-63 Straddling Stocks Agreement permits current harvesting states to decide whether ‘newcomers’ should be recognised as having a right to the stock.

Shifting stocks

What the EU and the UK argue is that their fleets have been fishing mackerel in the North Sea for some decades, while Iceland and Faroe have only recently been fishing the stock. What they happily turn a blind eye to is that much of the North Sea mackerel stock has shifted in a north-westerly direction into the sea around the Faroe Isles and Iceland.

The whole issue has historical and moral aspects

to it. One of the countries that now demands access to the fish within Iceland and Faroe waters, Britain, fought the ‘cod war’ with these countries back in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

Iceland extended its fishing limits to 12 then 50 then 200 miles, while the Faroes extended its limits to 6 then 12 then 200 miles. This occurred in the period 1958 -1978. For much of that period, Britain refused to recognise Iceland’s new fishery limits, and sent Royal Navy gunboats to Iceland to ensure that British trawlers could continue to fish there for cod and haddock.

Ultimately good sense prevailed, and with United Nations arbitration, Iceland’s and Faroe’s fishing limits were recognised internationally.

While the UK and the EU want to ban imports from Iceland and Faroe, they forget that it is supplies of haddock and cod from these States that keeps the large fish retail and fish and chip restaurant trade in business in England.

They also forget that both these countries have permitted British fleets to fish there for

generations - and to let them use their ports and harbours for shelter. Britain and Europe’s response to centuries of cooperation by the fishermen and governments of the two small countries is to treat them now like pariah States, and to punish them economically for simply catching their own fish.

London deal

Now the EU and the UK have realised that their accusations and threats against Faroe and Iceland have been ill-advised and would not hold up in an international court. So they have signed up to the Mackerel Agreement which does not give any of the parties full satisfaction, but at least it removes the worst of the injustice towards the small island countries which have only their fish resource to depend on.

Both Iceland and Faroe have long historical connections with Ireland and Scotland.

Neither has shown much hostility to their neighbours and neither deserves to be treated like a criminal State.

14 inshore ireland April/May 2014

seafood conference »» from page 1

International companies are viewing Ireland as a realistic investment proposition, and BIM will continue to facilitate strategic partnerships to enable this investment to take place,’ he said.

Food security challenges

Opening the event, Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine focused on opportunities for Irish produced seafood on the global market on the back of food security challenges from climate change, market volatility, competition for land use and water scarcity.

While the EU seafood market is valued at over €600bn; member states produce less than 40% of their own needs and are reliant on imports.

Between now and 2050, the world’s population is set to rise by one third to over 9 billion people. “One of the greatest challenges facing mankind will be ensuring an adequate sustainable protein supply. The UNDP predicts that Africa’s population alone is expected to double from just over 1 billion in 2010 to over billion by 2050,” Minister Coveney said.

With food production levels set to increase by up to 70% over the next forty years, “the seafood industry must play its part in meeting this demand in a sustainable manner.”

And he sees the opportunities for both aquaculture and sea fisheries to bridge the gap between current output and future needs as being “vast” and providing economic growth and jobs.

“But these opportunities can only be fulfilled if keys issues of scale, supply and sustainability are addressed,” he added.

Quality, not quantity

With commercial fisheries

governed by quota, emphasis today is on quality assurance, not quantity. And the spotlight is evermore turning to aquaculture production to meet global seafood demand however this sector faces many challenges.

“A better framework for sustainably developing aquaculture was agreed in the reformed Common Fisheries Policy to reduce the dependence of imported fish and to boost economic growth in coastal and rural areas,” Minister Coveney noted.

“When regulated and managed correctly, fish farming provides valuable employment, investment and revenue. Irish organic farmed salmon is a key target growth area but aquaculture is not limited to one species, we can also expand oyster and mussel production around the coast,” he said.

Minister Coveney acknowledged BIM leadership in this drive and for organising the conference which he said was designed to dovetail with the targets and objectives set out in the Food Harvest 2020 national food production plan with Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth 2020.

“These strategies set out ambitious targets for growth in output, job creation and increased exports from the seafood sector. I am very optimistic about the potential that exists for Ireland to significantly expand and develop a large sustainable seafood sector.”

A plenary session of presentations by national and international speakers in seafood, agri-food and investment sectors was followed by panel sessions that discussed economies of scale, raw material supply and sustainability.

The conference attracted more than 200 delegates from industry, investment and banking communities to this first national industry-wide event organised by BIM under its strategy 2013-2017.

Minister Simon Coveney addresses conference delegates

Debating scale (l-r): Torben Foss, Pricewaterhouse Coopers; Magnus Bjarnason, Icelandic Group; Martin Sullivan, Ocean Choice International and George Golden, Emerald Mussels

Kieran Calnan, BIM chairman with Minister Simon Coveney and Jason Whooley, BIM chief executive

Debating sustainability (l-r): Aidan Cotter, Bord Bia; Barry Deas, National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, UK; Francis O’Donnell, Irish Fish Producers Organisation and Jonathan Banks, sales & marketing consultant

inshore ireland April/May 2014 15

seafood conference Aidan Cotter, Bord Bia

Joe Gill, Goodbody STOCKbrokers

Origin Green is a unique sustainability development programme developed by Bord Bia (The Irish Food Board) to internationally demonstrate the commitment of Irish food and drink producers to operating sustainably - in terms of greenhouse gas emission, energy conservation, water management, biodiversity, community initiatives and health and nutrition.

Origin Green Targets

Demand outweigh supply by 2022

Raw Material Sourcing

Manufacturing

Social

80% of inputs from suppliers with recognised Sustainability programmes by end of 2014

50% reduction in operational emissions by 2020

Reduce salt content by 15% by end of 2014

Action plans with 3 major suppliers to reduce carbon & water footprints by end 2013

Specialist in the aviation and agri-food industries. His presentation projected Irish seafood in 2014: »»3 stock market listed seafood companies »»Global sourcing, processing marketing and distribution »»Advanced fish protein capabilities »»Ireland HQs and production assets, and R&D »»Branded & unbranded fish and shellfish »»World leaders in seafood production and development »»€3bn industry; €1.5bn Ireland, €1.5bn international, < 1% of market

20% reduction in energy by 2015 Anaerobic digester in place by end of 2016

All cardboard FSC certified by end of 2014

Zero waste to landfill by 2015

100% fairtrade coffee by end of 2015

Implementation of rainwater harvesting programme by 2014

Removal of artificial colourings by 2015 Health & Nutrition Policy in place from 2013 Health screening for all employees by 2015 80% increase in support for local groups by 2015 Student placement programme by mid 2014

Global Exports (million tonnes)

Global Imports (million tonnes) 2012

2022

% growth

EU

7.6

9.6

26%

US

4.6

5.7

24%

Japan

3.9

3.7

-5%

C hina

3.2

4.4

38%

3

3.7

23%

Sub-Saharan Africa So urce: OECD-FA O



2022

% growth

C hina

8.1

10

23%

Thailand

2012 2.4

3.6

50%

EU

2.3

2.8

22%

Vietnam

2.2

2.8

27%

US

2.1

2.5

19%

So urce: OECD-FA O

Demand is forecast to grow 1.7% p.a until 2022, driven by increased consumption in Asia



Given issues surrounding the sustainability of stocks and TAC

quotas, it is clear that supply will be unable to meet demand 

In response, aquaculture is now the fastest growing area of world food production, FAO forecasts it will grow more than 2.5% CAGR to 2018



Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture

A by-product of this growth will be the increase in demand for fish feed to drive this increase in production 9

The global fishing industry is under intense pressure to adopt more sustainable practices…

Background to Irish Seafood Industry



Ireland’s marine resource includes c.

900,000km2 of seabed



Employ 11,000 full-time and part time

in fishing, farming, processing and ancillary services



1,914 Irish fishing vessels



250 Aquaculture operations



190 Seafood Processing Companies

Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture 10

Irish seafood companies have embraced sustainability through membership of Origin Green…

Breakdown of Irish Fish Production

Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture 11

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18 inshore ireland April/May 2014

Aquaculture news

Sustainable aquaculture discussed at Dublin workshop

T

he opportunities and challenges presented by the current legislative framework of the Water Framework Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive in particular were discussed a recent Dublin workshop.

The event was one of four ‘two-day good-practice workshops’ aimed at delivering the EU-backed project ‘Background information for sustainable aquaculture development addressing in particular environmental protection.’

Workshops are being held in each of the EU’s marine regions (North East Atlantic, Mediterranean, Baltic, Black Sea/Danube).

An explanatory document released by DG Environment notes that ‘aquaculture has been growing globally at 6.9% annually, but in the EU this level of growth has not been achieved, with production remaining at the same level since at least 2000.’

In adds it aims to provide support and facilitate knowledge exchange to develop guidance documentation for the implementation of environmental legislation (especially the Water Framework Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive) in the context of developing sustainable aquaculture.

Guidance documentation outlines how best to manage environmental impact of aquaculture activities, and support the potential realisation of mutual benefits between aquaculture development and environmental protection.

The work will draw on the experiences of policy-makers, regulators, industry and NGOs right across EU-28.

The guidelines also highlight four priority areas for improvement: • reducing administrative burdens • improving access to space and water • increasing competitiveness, and • exploiting competitive advantages due to high quality, health and environmental standards.

Member States are now developing multi-annual national on the basis of these guidelines.

According to DG Environment it is now necessary to find the most effective way to achieve food security and economic development, while minimising negative environmental impacts: ‘As a young and diverse industry, there is a very real need for knowledge exchange across the industry-academiagovernment axis to inform the decision-making process in policy units at EU and Member State level.’

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Oyster farm company in An Clochán Liath opens new production facility and plans expansion to new markets

O

stre’an Teoranta, the oyster farm owned and operated by brothers Michel and Thierry Hélie which sells direct to the French market has opened a new €0.6 million production and grading facility on its site in An Mhachaire, in Bá an Chlochán Léith, Co Donegal.

The company has been operating in An Mhachaire for the past six years, after it acquired the business from local oyster farmers. The Hélie family has been involved in oyster growing in the Normandy area of France for over 60 years.

Ostre’an Teoranta currently employs 20 people (13 full-time and 7 part-time). It grows oysters from seed using the bag and trestle method. The Hélie’s have found that seed planted in Bá an Chlochán Léith produces a very high-quality oyster. Half-grown oysters are exported to France where they are further cultivated and sold on the French market.

A client-company of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Ostre’an Teoranta’s new development was supported under the Commercial Aquaculture Development Scheme with the assistance of Údarás na Gaeltachta and BIM. A spokesman for Ostre’an Teo revealed that by using a new pack and cage system developed in Australia would allow it to improve its oyster farming potential and eventually expand into other markets such as China and the Far East.

The oysters produced by the company are of a very high-quality and are already being marketed as a high-end product in France.

Ireland’s oyster farmers urgently need a working licence system and vital capital aid if they are to meet a growing worldwide demand for their product, a recent workshop organised by IFA and BIM in Dungarvan was told.

IFA calls for practical government support to increase jobs in oyster farming

F

armers who want to meet the demand worldwide for Irish oysters need full access to EU funding mechanisms that have been denied to them by “national bureaucracy” for the last five years,” remarked IFA’s aquaculture executive secretary, Richie Flynn, at the national IFA/BIM national oyster workshop.

This he said was necessary to buy the best equipment, improve handling areas and invest in transport of live product to markets at home in Europe, the US and Asia.

Ireland’s 130 oyster growers support 900 jobs and demand for the unique quality of Irish oysters is increasing rapidly.

Flynn warned however that farmers who want to meet worldwide demand, and play on a level pitch with other EU competitors, “must have a responsive speedy licencing system” to access good inter-tidal growing areas.

“Oyster production is labour intensive and a demanding business requiring pristine waters. When natural disasters occur such as this winter’s storms or algae blooms far off the west coast and come ashore and kill stocks, oyster growers need to have alternatives available.

“They also need to make most efficient use of sites where nurseries, depuration and finishing can be achieved at optimum conditions. To do this there must be recognition of the need for flexible, transparent and responsive licensing by the Department of Agriculture, food

and the Marine.

“We must have a champion linking policy and licencing together with a business outlook directing the sector towards success, as proposed in the Association’s report launched by IFA president, Eddie Downey, recently.”

The Dungarvan event brought together producers from around

the coast to discuss markets, Stock health issues, food safety, native oyster production, hatchery and nursery selfsufficiency in Ireland.

A panel discussion on the role and significance of farmed oysters growing wild outside of farm sites will be held between scientists, regulators and the industry.

Fusion Marine’s new Ortac oyster farming system allows farmers to grow both Pacific and European native oysters inter-tidally

inshore ireland April/May 2014 19

aquaculture news

Macroalgae as a source of healthy lipophilic compounds Simon Faulkner

S

eaweed contains a number of healthy components including carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and pigments.

In addition to these compounds, macroalgae also contains significant amounts of lipids. Lipids are generally defined as organic molecules that are insoluble in water and include fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins mono, di and triacylglycerols, diglycerides and phospholipids.

As a source of energy, lipids also have an important role in the human diet as they include components such as essential fatty acids and vitamins vital for human health.

Seaweed lipids Lipids represent up to 5.0% of the seaweed dry weight which is, in general, lower than the levels found in other marine organisms. The lipid content of seaweed depends on a number of factors including both season and seaweed species.

For instance, literature suggests that the lipid content of the brown seaweeds Laminaria and Saccharina is in the range of 0.3%-2.1%, whereas the brown seaweed Ascophyllum has a lipid content of in the region of 1.24.0%.

In contrast, the lipid content

Seaweed lipid extractin at OHT

of the green seaweed, Ulva, is reported to be in the range of 0.3-1.6%. Red seaweeds such as Chondrus and Palmaria have a lipid content in the range of 0.23.8% of the dry weight.

The majority of the seaweed lipid fraction is formed by a wide range of fatty acids including significant amounts of Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which are important for consumer health.

Health benefits Omega 3 fatty acids Eicosapentaenoic acid and Docosahexaenoic acid are two long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that beneficial for human health in various ways. The most established role of these Omega-3 fatty acids is the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

A protective role of EPA and DHA was first hypothesised over 30 years ago when two population studies in Greenland and Japan found a strong correlation between high fatty fish consumptions and a low incidence of cardiovascular events. In the three decades that followed, more prospective observational studies and large randomised controlled trials were carried out to establish the potential effects of fish or EPA/DHA consumption on CVD outcomes than for any other nutrient.

Various meta-analyses and reviews now show that consumption of fish and/or fish oil reduces Coronary Heath Disease (CHD) incidence and mortality and thereby reduces overall mortality. There is further evidence to suggest that intake of these fatty acids protects against cerebrovascular events such as stroke.

These findings can be explained by the numerous physiological effects of EPA and DHA intake, which includes a decrease in various inflammation markers, inhibited platelet aggregation, lower plasma triglyceride levels, improvement of endothelial function and reduction of cardiac arrhythmia.

There is also evidence suggesting an inverse relationship between n-3 PUFA levels in the body and mental disorders such as schizophrenia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, personality disorder, depression, Alzheimer’s disease and bipolar disorder. More research needs to be done however before these cause and effect relationships can be established.

Health benefits – Carotenoids Carotenoids are yellow, orange, or red coloured pigments found in both land plants and marine algae. Examples of carotenoids that occur in marine algae include astaxanthin, β-carotene and fucoxanthin, the latter of which has received considerable attention by scientists due to its potential health-promoting effects.

Fucoxanthin, a lipophilic compound that has been isolated from brown seaweed, has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and hepatoprotective activity in numerous studies.

For instance, one study has reported that fucoxanthin reduces white adipose tissue, blood glucose and plasma insulin in mice resulting in a 5-10% weight loss. It is proposed that

Chrondrus crispus

Seaweed found on Ireland’s west coast

Green seaweed

this activity is derived from the ability of fucoxanthin to alter lipid-regulating enzymes and uncoupling proteins in the lipid tissue.

The health-promoting lipophilic components present in seaweed, together with additional plethora of seaweed-derived bioactive compounds, make macroalgae an excellent choice for use in the agri and aquaculture industries and as a functional food ingredient.

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inshore ireland April/May 2014 21

marine r&d

Fisheries and Natura sites in Ireland Oliver Tully Marine Institute

A

significant proportion of Irish and EU member states coastal waters are currently designated Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). These designations protect specific marine and coastal habitats and species listed in the Habitats and Birds Directives.

Although the Birds Directive dates back to 1979 and the Habitats Directive to 1992, progress towards their implementation in the marine environment in Ireland and other EU member states has been relatively slow.

For example, the process of designating marine sites for conservation and protection in Ireland is only now nearing completion.

The most recent transposition of the Directives into Irish law, in relation to sea-fisheries legislation, was in 2013 (Birds and natural Habitats Regulations 2013, Statutory Instrument 290).

Following designation, impact assessments of various activities, monitoring, surveillance programmes and possibly management plans are expected to be developed for such sites. These requirements are explicitly laid down in the various articles of the Habitats Directive.

Although general guidance on implementation of the Directives has been available from the European Commission for more than ten years and in national guidance in Ireland since 2009, these guides did not explicitly consider the marine environment. The Commission published guidance on how to assess the effects of fisheries on protected sites only in late 2012.

Similarly, clarity on what is required has only come, incrementally, to the fore through the findings of case law, in the European Court of Justice, as a result of infringement proceedings brought by the European Commission against individual Member States.

In the case of marine fisheries, the best known of these is the Wadden Sea case (European Commission v Government of Netherlands) in relation to the activity of a cockle fishery and the apparent resulting mortality of water birds that relied on cockles and mussels as prey to survive over-winter.

Scientific advice on identifying thresholds for protection of marine habitats and species in designated sites continues to be developed. Generally, there is no EU-wide approach to this although the 2012 guidance provides a partial template. The Directives are not prescriptive in the sense that exact requirements are not laid down.

This is unlike the Water

Framework Directive or Shellfish Waters Directive which set out what water quality parameters are to be measured; what changes are tolerable and even what analytical method is to be used. In contrast, the Habitats Directive deals with complex ecological issues with the overall aim of protecting habitats and species.

Various questions arise: »» what is a habitat »» what represents a significant impact? »» how variable is the habitat even in the absence of human impacts? »» how do we assess and predict impact? »» what is the impact of different types of activity? »» how might habitats recover from impacts? »» how do we measure change? »» what is or was the baseline condition of the habitat, and »» what condition do we want the habitat to be in?

These are some of the difficulties involved in assessing compliance with the Directive.

Nevertheless, the spirit and objective of the Directives are clearly about conserving biodiversity and need to be looked at in the European context to appreciate their significance.

They establish a network of sites, the Natura 2000 network, throughout Europe whereby the distribution, range and biological status of important habitats and species are maintained.

In that sense, each member state plays a part in ‘hosting’ a portion of the site network.

Species diversity throughout Europe within the site network is, thereby, conserved.

Furthermore as the sites are supposed to function as a real network, in the sense that species may migrate to and from different sites, large populations of different species may be afforded protection at the European scale and various habitats are protected throughout their range.

An important consideration here also is that species that may migrate between sites are also protected when outside the site. This significantly increases the geographic reach of the Directives in the marine environment.

Protecting Ireland’s rich marine biodiversity should not be viewed as a burden imposed by the EU Directives but as an opportunity to protect a vital component of Ireland’s marine economy.

Our fisheries depend on thriving eco-systems and marketing of our fisheries products will increasingly rely on Ireland’s approach to managing the ecosystem effects of fisheries.

In many ways, the Directives provide a driver and a means of achievement. For these reasons, the importance of protecting Ireland’s marine eco-systems to provide longterm, sustainable growth has been recognised by Government in national policies including Food

Harvest 2020 and Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth, Ireland’s integrated marine plan.

Further information can be found on: http://www. marine.ie; http://www.npws. ie/; http://www.fishingnet. ie/ under Sea Fisheries in Natura 2000 Areas; http:// ec.europa.eu/environment/ nature/natura2000/ marine/index_en.htm

Call for mandatory assessment of underwater noise risk prior to seismic surveys Shay Fennelly

B

etween 2000 and 2011, 44 seismic surveys were licensed by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR), without

environmental impact assessment on the impact to whales and dolphins In a report by the Environmental Protection Agency: Mapping the spatio-temporal distribution of underwater noise in Irish Waters, Irish and French scientists recommend that predicted noise footprint and biological risks ‘should be mandatory,

tightly defined and emphasized in any appropriate assessment for seismic survey activities,’ and included in any environmental impact assessment (EIA).

Underwater noise from human activity in the marine environment around Ireland has increased significantly due to shipping, seismic surveys for oil exploration,

seabed drilling and sonar.

The report reveals that impact ranges from deaths caused by physical injury and auditory damage, to behavioural and habitat use changes.

The scientists flag that ‘risks to marine mammals associated with single airgun shots are localized to the sources itself; however cumulative risks associated with the repetition of shots

Updated regulations require EIA

I

n May 2012 the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group sent a complaint to the European Commission concerning a licence issued to Shell Exploration and Petroleum Ireland Limited (SEPIL) to carry out a 3D seismic survey in the Corrib field by DCENR. A Risk Assessment in 2012 by SEPIL stated that any impact would be minor. The complaint however highlighted that seismic pulses can cause harm to whales, dolphins and porpoises, and stated that the Risk Assessment was deficient because baseline data had not been collected in the vicinity of the field.

Neither the noise footprint of these seismic surveys nor the cumulative biological risk to whale species, particularly sensitive to acoustic disturbances, (beaked whales, blue and fin whales) was assessed by SEPIL. In January 2014 after a 21-month investigation, the European Commission concluded there was no breach of the EIA Directive because the Irish government had amended the EIA regulations in April 2013 to provide that an EIA should be carried out for either an exploration or a prospecting licence. It also stated that there are no circumstances where the application for a seismic survey would not be subject to an assessment in accordance with the EIA Directive as transposed by the 2013 regulations.

generates large areas of potential risk.’

Reporting procedures of the State’s licensing authority (Petroleum Affairs Division) should be revised to include accurate information on repetition rates and the exact start, end, and location for each survey day.

Underwater sound travels very quickly and the effects on marine mammals can be detected tens of kilometres from the source.

The authors highlight the need for changes in the reporting requirements of seismic activities in Irish and European waters. They recommend that mathematical modelling systems should be employed as routine tools for monitoring, evaluating and managing noise risks associated with all types of offshore activities.

They also recommend that support should be provided to develop GIS systems for application in EIA contexts.

22 inshore ireland April/May 2014

marine r&d

Irish – Newfoundland transatlantic research on RV Celtic Explorer

Cushla DromgoolRegan

T

he RV Celtic Explorer has completed its fourth multi-institution transatlantic survey to Newfoundland and

Labrador. The 13-day expedition across the Atlantic to St Johns involved four scientists from NUI Galway, as well students from UCC and GMIT. A team of six of scientists lead by Dr George Rose from the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial

University, Newfoundland, also worked alongside the Irish scientists and students during the voyage.

The collaboration builds on the strong relationship established since the first Newfoundland survey on RV Celtic Explorer in 2011.

“Such cooperation is key to improving our ocean wealth and promoting the sustainable management of its resources.

It’s hugely important for Ireland and brings us closer to achieving the goals of the Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation signed at the Marine Institute Galway last May by the EU, USA and Canada, ” declared Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO Marine Institute.

Irish scientists studied the rich and diverse pelagic ecosystem across the Atlantic Ocean.

“Marine scientists from NUI Galway researched the oceanography and the deep scattering acoustic layers of the water columns using multi-frequency acoustics. The information gathered is then related to zooplankton abundance and ultimately to fish abundance, providing us with a better

understanding of the marine ecosystem,” explained Dr Louise Allcock, NUI Galway.

GMIT scientists studied plastics found in the ocean.

Micro-plastic debris comprises tiny plastic granules, fibres and fragments less than 5mm in diameter. Although plastics are beneficial materials, micro-plastics appear to be pervasive in the ocean and scientists do not yet fully understand the impact that small plastic particles can have on the food chain.

Ingesting the tiny particles may be toxic to the animals, and may prevent them from consuming their natural prey.

“We hope this research will help to raise awareness of the effects of plastics in the ocean and provide better ecosystem assessments across the Atlantic,” said Amy Lusher, GMIT who is completing a PhD on this topic.

Aoife Foley also from GMIT, and Ashley Benison, UCC, conducted seabird and marine mammal observations during the voyage . These animals are considered top predators in the pelagic environment and the abundance of fish and zooplankton, their prey, ultimately affects their distribution and survival.

The Newfoundland team of scientists continue their strong collaboration with the Irish scientists.

“This collaboration is now into its fourth year with a major paper based on linking acoustic, biological and oceanographic data from 2011-2013 presented at the recent international Marine Science Conference in Hawaii,” explained Dr Rose.

Sharing information and experiences with scientists from both sides of the Atlantic allows Irish researchers to forge strong links with our Newfoundland and Labrador – Canadian counterparts.

“Being the western and eastern bookends of the North Atlantic, and given our shared history, it seems only right that Newfoundland and Ireland scientists should work together on problems of mutual interest, and this has indeed proven to be very enjoyable and highly productive” Dr. Rose further stated.

This research survey is carried out under the Sea Change strategy with the support of the Marine Institute, funded under the Marine Research Sub-Programme by the Irish Government.

inshore ireland April/May 2014 23

marine r&d

Complex data delivered in a visual and informative format

S

imon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine recently launched the Marine Institute’s Atlas of Commercial Fisheries around Ireland in Dublin, prior to a meeting of fishing industry representatives, environmental NGOs and scientists from Ireland, France, UK, Belgium, Portugal and Spain at Dublin Castle.

The meeting, part of the EU-funded GEPETO project, examined case studies on complex management issues associated with mixed fisheries in the Celtic Sea, Bay of Biscay and Iberian waters. The project objective is to establish the building blocks for integrated longterm fisheries management plans on a regional scale.

“New policy directions within the reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), such as a regionalised approach and discard ban require better information.

The Atlas of Commercial Fisheries presents complex data in a very visual way using informative maps, making it accessible to

a range of stakeholders.

It brings a new level of transparency in terms of fishing activities, and offers new possibilities in terms of spatial management of mixed fisheries.”

A new reformed CFP was agreed in May 2013 between Member States and the European Parliament. The agreement was reached after lengthy and complex negotiations under the Irish presidency led by Minister Simon Coveney.

The Atlas of Commercial Fisheries around Ireland is the second of its kind published by the Marine Institute. It shows the distribution of fishing activities in Irish waters by gear and country. Fishing grounds, as well as the distribution of landings for all the main commercial species, is also shown at high resolution.

The Atlas has been developed in parallel with an online Atlas of Fisheries over a wider area within the EUfunded GEPETO project.

“We can visualise and analyse complex scientific data and models as never before. The main challenge

is to communicate the information in a way that is useful and understandable to stakeholders,” remarked Dr Colm Lordan, Marine Institute, co-author of the Atlas.

“The philosophy behind the GEPETO project is to replace the existing topdown management paradigm

with a bottom-up approach in line with the new CFP that is transparent, evidencebased and developed in collaboration with the stakeholders. We have an opportunity to reshape the future of fisheries management and to ensure a sustainable resource base and industry for future

generations”.

The Atlas of Commercial Fisheries around Ireland is available to download free at: http://hdl.handle. net/10793/958 The GEPETO project is cofunded under the European Union regional development fund. For more information visit www.gepetoproject.eu/

Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine launches the Atlas of Commercial Fisheries around Ireland with Dr Colm Lordan, Marine Institute, co-author of the report

New sonar system for RV Celtic Voyager Lisa Fitzpatrick

A

new multibeam sonar system on the Marine Institute’s research vessel Celtic Voyager will allow greater detail of seabed features to be captured during mapping surveys. It will also greatly increase the vessel’s capability to acquire seabed bathymetry data as part of the INFOMAR seabed mapping programme and other projects.

The EM2040 system will be the primary mapping tool used during upcoming

INFOMAR survey operations offshore counties Galway, Clare, and West Cork, extending the Irish seabed coverage around our coast.

This seabed mapping activity will support ocean energy development and fisheries management, and will provide improved navigation for safe shipping and transport.

The system, which was installed during a recent dry docking in Killybegs, Co Donegal, was purchased from Kongsberg Maritime and installed by P&O Maritime with the assistance of Mooney Boats. This system replaces an older system which has been in use since 2000.

These images of the seabed at Teelin Knoll, Donegal, from seabed bathymetry data captured during the successful trial of the new system show the data quality and detail produced by the EM 2040.

24 inshore ireland April/May 2014

marine r&d

Industry discussing the future of shipbuilding at the auxnavalia-workshop

Optimism for Irish ship building industry rights, including the ability to seek damages from the crew, captain or ship owner.

Skills:

Compiled by Cormac MacGarry

E

arlier this year, the Halpin Centre hosted a workshop to discuss the future of the shipbuilding and ship repair industry in Ireland. It was attended by sixteen different organisations involved in the seemingly dying, if not dead, industry. The participants who met discussed the following themes with surprisingly optimistic outcomes:

Market:

Ireland’s ship building industry declined dramatically in the last few decades to a level of only a few high standard skills. Ireland should identify and develop a vessel type in which the Irish marine sector could specialise.

Furthermore, places like Southampton and Plymouth still have several working shipyards so Ireland could develop similar centers of excellence. Ireland could sell

itself as a maritime nation nationally and internationally, and reintroduce maritime heritage as a critical element.

Policy:

The Irish government excludes Irish companies from tenders, and the tendering levels are too high. A company needs to have €36m in turnover just to tender for a government contract. There might be an opportunity of decoupling contracts to allow smaller companies to tender together.

The question of whether ´The Jones Act` (The Merchant Marine Act, 1920) could be used in Ireland was also discussed. This American legislation regulates maritime commerce between US ports, requiring that goods and passengers transported by water have to be transported in US-manufactured ships, owned and crewed by US citizens. The Act provides mariners with additional

Project management skills appear to be missing from boatyards but these could be acquired through cooperation.

If this was done there is a potential opportunity for Irish shipyards / shipbuilders to specialise in project management, i.e. the project management of future niches.

If they can develop such a skillset it would allow them to build up experience and establish a track record that would in turn allow boatyards to continue to attract investors / orders.

The workshop was part of the Auxnavalia+ project funded through the ERDFs INTERREG programme.

Auxnavalia+ aims to enhance the innovation capacity of the shipbuilding ancillary industry. This is achieved for example through safety and security, based on structured management and planning; stimulation and support of knowledge transfer between research centres and SMEs, securing long-term sustainability and contributing to enabling the Atlantic Area

become a quality global player by being more competitive in the global market.

The workshop was followed by an even more exciting and highly successful brokerage event in April that featured some of the biggest and smallest companies still interested in the Irish shipbuilding industry. (Details Inshore Ireland (June/July).

“Ireland’s ship building industry declined dramatically in the last few decades to a level of only a few high standard skills”.

inshore ireland April/May 2014 25

marine r&d

Marine Renewable Energy: Halpin aims to address labour market concerns

O

Research biographies

n May 6, the National Maritime College of Ireland, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork will host an international event to address issues around skills shortages for the Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) labour market.

This industry, for the most part, concerns offshore wind farming but also includes other methods, such as wave and tidal energy conversion devices.

Although wind energy is largely regarded as an ‘established’ onshore industry, the offshore sector is more recent and far less developed, particularly in Ireland, while the wave and tidal sector is still essentially in the R&D phase.

While the sector as a whole has developed slower than many had hoped, most forecasts are still predicting that this burgeoning MRE industry will explode in the coming years. With that in mind, there is serious concern from industry and the education/ training sector alike that the labour market will simply not have enough of the necessary

skills to meet demand.

Skill shortages have already been identified, resulting in increased costs for industry but also in decreased health and safety standards compared to other offshore sector requirements such as oil & gas, which demand rigorous international standards of training.

To meet these concerns, the Halpin Centre has been involved in the ERDF INTERREG funded Atlantic Power Cluster project. The Centre is leading a key element of the project which seeks to adapt the workforce to industry needs.

Having already identified current skills and qualifications as well as shortages, the Centre is now looking into what kind of training courses, if any, and at what level, can be offered.

These issues, including the preliminary results of a study commissioned by the Halpin Centre, will be discussed. The seminar will feature a keynote speaker, open discussion and Q&A with a particular focus on private sector industry.

Sound & Sea Technology ― a US-based company operating in Ireland that recently

Map of the areas with representatives attending 6th May Seminar

announced plans to create up to 55 jobs here ―will be launching preliminary findings with a focus on Ireland.

The company has particular insight through its staff, such as Andrew Parish, who was previously involved with the WaveBob device and the marine renewables industry generally.

The seminar will also feature Rob Moore from the UK’s National Skills Academy for Power who will bring insight from similar findings in the UK. Also attending the event will be representatives from along Europe’s Atlantic Area - including regional business clusters, government agencies, R&D and education/training institutes as well as private industry.

Further details: Cormac.McGarry@ nmci.ie or 021-3445614.

Keep up with all things Maritime through The Halpin Centre via twitter@ HalpinCentre, website http://halpin.nmci.ie and news blog at http:// halpinnmci.wordpress.com.

Grainne Lynch

Grainne graduated with a BSc, Software Development and Computer Networking in 2001 and went on to complete a Masters of Engineering in Electronic Engineering in 2003, both in the Cork Institute of Technology.

Grainne worked as a software developer on multi-tier enterprise systems and as a project manager for 10 years. Having gained experience dealing with maritime transport and logistics software through FP7 projects, she joined the NMCI in 2011 where she is now responsible for the Shipping, Transport and Logistics research pillar at the Halpin Centre.

Cormac Gebruers

Cormac is the Manager of the Halpin Centre for Research & Innovation at the National Maritime College of Ireland. Between 2005 and 2011 he worked for Transas Marine― a leading maritime ICT multinational where he held various management positions including deputy to the Business Unit Director and Products Director of Shore Based Systems.

During his time with Transas Marine he worked extensively worldwide including an extended period in China supporting the company’s operations there.

Prior to joining Transas he spent four years working in computer science research having completed a BSc, Computer Science from UCC in 1999. Before this, he was co-owner and a director of a maritime logistics and transport consultancy and software company spun out from the Cork Institute of Technology. Cormac began his career as a deck officer in the Merchant Navy working at sea from 1989 to 1998.

26 inshore ireland April/May 2014

marine r&d

New guidelines set to change the planning landscape Shay Fennelly

N

ew guidelines making a competent authority responsible for carrying out Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) is set to change how the relationship between development and the environment is managed in Ireland.

Part X of the Planning Act has been amended following a European Court of Justice Decision (Case 50/09, March 2013) that Irish legislation had not adequately transposed Article 3 of the EIA Directive making the competent authority responsible for carrying out an environmental impact assessment.

Irish legislation was found, inter alia, not to be fully compliant with the EIA

Directive regarding projects involving both land use consent (planning) and pollution control consent (licence).

Specifically, the Court found in a case where a project requiring EIA and needing both planning permission and a licence, that the licence was granted without an EIA first being carried out and that this was contrary to Articles 2 and 4 of the EIA Directive.

Section 172 of the Planning Act now specifically requires competent authorities and An Bord Pleanala to carry out an EIA in relevant cases.

Prior to these amendments the public and prescribed bodies were notified of an application and EIS and had a right to make submissions. The competent authority was obliged to consider whether or not the EIS contained the required information and to

take account of the EIS and all relevant submissions prior to determining the application.

Ever since the EIA Directive became part of the Irish planning and consent procedures, Irish transposition has caused confusion and misunderstanding of what precisely is an EIA. The EPA website incorrectly states that the outcome of an EIA is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS); An EIS is not the outcome of the EIA. The EIA is the assessment made by the competent authority or An Bord Pleanála on an application for consent, after an EIS has been submitted by a developer. The EIS must contain all the relevant information about how a project is likely to have a significant effect on the environment.

Agreement reached on funding package to aid CFP implementation Gillian Mills

T

he European Parliament has endorsed the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) with an overwhelming majority. With a budget of €6.5 billion for 2014-2020, the fund will finance projects to implement the new reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and provide financial support to fishermen, fish farmers and coastal communities to adapt to the changed rules. The Fund will also finance projects to boost ‘blue’ growth and jobs under the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP).

“Our reformed fisheries policy is putting European fisheries on a sustainable footing once and for all. To get there will mean radical changes for our fishermen and the whole sector, which needs our financial support. We will co-fund concrete projects in the Member States to help fishermen and coastal communities develop a sustainable seafood industry - from the net to the plate,” remarked European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki.

Funding sustainable fishing

The new EMFF will provide investment and funding opportunities to help reduce the impact of fisheries on the marine environment and to rebuild fish stocks. The fund will also help eliminate discarding practices – a key aspect of the new policy.

No EU money will be spent on building new fishing vessels or other initiatives that would contribute to increasing fishing capacity. The priority is to help small-scale fishermen as well as young fishermen and fishermen’s families. The Fund will also help fish-farmers become more competitive and to reach new markets.

Fisheries data collection will also be funded to advance decision-making based on robust evidence, and to reinforce fisheries control programmes to ensure compliance on responsible and sustainable fishing. The fund will also support regionalised policy-making of the new CFP.

Boosting blue growth

A first, the fund will assist coordination of the Integrated Maritime Policy. Funding will focus on initiatives that benefit multiple sectors such as maritime spatial planning, integrated maritime surveillance and marine knowledge.

The Fund will now go to Council of Fisheries Ministers for final adoption in June. The EMFF will co-finance projects alongside national funding streams with each Member State receiving a share of the total budget.

Member States will draw up their national operational programmes, specifying how they intend to spend the money allocated. Once approved by the Commission, national authorities will decide which projects they wish to support.

The EMFF is the financial instrument to deliver the objectives of the reformed CFP and support the implementation of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy.

The EMFF will support the social dimension of the reformed CFP and will focus on the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture as well as support growth and jobs in coastal communities across the EU. The EMFF is part of the EU multi-annual financial framework for the 2014-2020 programming period. Its budget of € 6.5bn is part of the package devoted to fisheries and maritime affairs. In addition to being the main source of financing for the reformed CFP, the EMFF budget also finances partnership agreements with third countries and contributes to regional fisheries management organisations.

inshore ireland April/May 2014 27

marine r&d

Seabed mapping data to deliver added-value across marine tourism and business sectors

Tommy Furvey and Archie Donovan Joint INFOMAR Managers

I

n 2013 INFOMAR (INtergrated Mapping For the Sustainable Development of Ireland’s MArine Resource) undertook a review to establish progress since 2008 across the three primary programme areas of activity: surveying, data provision, and encouraging associated research and development, or addingvalue to the survey, infrastructure and data.

Unsurprisingly, performance was very strong in survey and data handling; however it was acknowledged that the reduced resources available to the programme (funding and staffing), impacted most

on the latter area of valueadded exploitation.

To address this, INFOMAR is now working with the Dublin Business Innovation Centre to develop public awareness of the programme, and encourage new sectors to access and utilise the data for business development purposes.

The long-term objective is to generate jobs and economic growth and leverage the maximum return on State investment in the seabed mapping initiatives.

INFOMAR continues to play a key role in supporting strategic and researchrelated, national and EU, marine survey and data related initiatives. In addition to operational activity, INFOMAR acts as a researcher, research coordinator, and research funder, and strongly encourages industry research partnerships.

In parallel however, specific focus now centres on a number of key targeted areas that will have significant long-term impact on a broad array of marine sectors.

INFOMAR is now beginning to engage in a development role to accelerate take-up on business and technology opportunities associated with the programme outputs, including:

• developing a light tiled version of the data portal to support data use in mobile device Apps. This will enable a user to bring relevant tiled seabed data with them at sea, and out of gsm coverage • developing a suite of INFOMAR Apps in partnership with key marine sectors to improve information services for on and in water activities, and decision processes.

The first App proposed is a Diving App, promoting marine leisure and tourism • educational outreach development incorporating production of a computer coding toolbox for marine field-based projects. This will encourage a new generation of computer literate marine science enthusiasts to familiarise themselves with the project outputs, and data applications, and develop technology solutions to utilise them • building data architecture that will streamline thirdparty geo-referenced reporting, data, and image upload for the coastal and marine environment.

Use of geospatial mobile technology will encourage citizen science participation in monitoring and protecting our coastal and marine environment

Background

F

or the past 14 years, Ireland’s offshore waters and coastal seas have been subject to one of the largest seabed surveys in the world. The INSS 1999 - 2005 was responsible for mapping 81% of Ireland’s seabed territory from the exclusive economic zone delineation to the 200 m contour. The INSS was succeeded by the INFOMAR programme, tasked with mapping the remaining coastal waters. Phase I (2006 -2016) focusses on 26 inshore priority bays and three priority coastal areas, while Phase II (2016 - 2026) will map the remaining un-surveyed Irish territory.

INFOMAR is a joint venture between the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and the Marine Institute (MI). The programme is a successor to the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS) and concentrates on creating integrated mapping products of the physical, chemical and biological features of the seabed in the near-shore area.

It is funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Research

I

NFOMAR is the flagship national scale programme to map all of the Irish valuable marine territory, which is almost ten times our landmass, and is being undertaken by the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Marine Institute.

External economic studies have shown that the return on investment is over four times the cost of data acquisition, and importantly this return is spread across multiple sectors, public and private, including SMEs and Research organisations.

In 2013 the programme mapped over 3,000 km2 and was again reviewed externally, adjudged successful and on track. In December 2013, government committed a further €15m to 2018 to support continuation of the project. The data and knowledge being gathered under the INFOMAR programme is not being collected as an end in itself; areas utilising the data include: marine safety/charting; offshore energy; aquaculture, coastal protection; environmental protection; shipwreck heritage and research.

Data acquisition methods and data types »» »» »» »» »» »»

Single-Beam Echo-Sounding (SBES) Multibeam Echo-Sounding (MBES) Shallow Seismic Reflection – Pinger/ Chirp Magnetometer Grab sampling/ drop camera Water column profiles (CTD/SVP)

Site-specific data acquired include: »» Vibrocorer »» Shallow Seismic Reflection – Sparker »» Side Scan Sonar

28 inshore ireland April/May 2014

book review

Own our Oil – The Fight for Irish Economic Freedom

‘

Goddammit, we’re being misinformed, misled and exploited - all over again,’ writes Eddie Hobbs in the opening line of this book, dedicated to the memory of Justin Keating, described as a ‘veterinary surgeon, government minister, broadcaster, writer and humanist, for reasons that become eminently clear as you read into [the] content and listen to the remarkable interview with him on Ownouroil.ie recorded in 2009, the year he died.’

And a recent convert in his thinking, Hobbs describes his ‘moment of epiphany’ to be as recent as September 2012.

‘Until then I’d assumed that all of the hot air about offshore oil and gas was generated by a dolly mixture of extremists, lefties and planet-before-people types who grasped little about economics, business and risk taking. It was uninformed. It was wrong. It was arrogant.

Self-described as an ‘anthology of essays that packs a punch’, this publication comprises inputs from a team of multidisciplinary writers led

by Hobbs who outline how they see Ireland’s leaders have built a system that has been ‘excessively generous to the oil and gas industry abroad’.

Chris Sanders, Eilis Quinlan, Paddy Fahy & Eddie Hobbs.

Ger Holland Photography

Looking northwards over the Limerick/Clare border.

Photo Paul Lehane Photography

To counter this, the team proposes a new approach to regulate and tax the industry so that Ireland may benefit from ‘Irish resources’.

It discusses regulation; transparency of licensing arrangements and strategy; viability of oil and gas fields; environmental concerns; tax implications and the argument against change.

It chronicles the history of Ireland’s oil and gas story and ‘except for Justin Keating, no Minister has really stood up for the Irish people on this matter; they are trapped by a short-term electoral cycle that fails to reward long-term strategic thinking’ writes Hobbs in the epilogue.

Solutions are proffered with practical examples and latest developments on the international stage, and the potential economic upside of Ireland ‘getting it right’.

The book also charts the Norwegian model of resource management which began from ‘scratch’ in the 1970s but forty years later has developed into one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds with consequent societal benefits.

‘Don’t give away too much in the first round, take time to set up a legal framework flexible enough for the State to tighten rules when conditions change, strategic agreements and decisions made in the early phase in an oil region’s development have decisive implications,’ remarks Dr Helge Ryggvik, Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo.

‘Irish citizens can be empowered and regain control of our natural resources, demand a fair share of the profits and wisely allocate our gains.’

Gillian Mills

The publishers have generously offered two copies as competition prizes.

Q: In what decade did the Norwegians begin to develop their oil and gas industry?

Answers to mills@inshore-ireland.com or by post to 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin by closing date: June 13.

Good luck!

Oileáin – The Irish islands guide

P

erhaps an saying too readily used is that Ireland ‘punches above its weight’; however when it comes majestical landscape, it is admirably true.

For a small island on the periphery of Europe, Ireland’s geographical range belies its size of just roughly 84,000 km2, and its necklace of islands that differ, not just at the four compass points, but sometimes in sight of one another.

Oileáin is about places, writes David Walsh, in this second edition (first published in 2004) dedicated guide to almost every Irish coastal island.

Most of the ‘newbies’ are close to shore, or satellites of larger offshore islands with a central theme of being ‘islands up the heads of bays, well sheltered’.

Armchair tour The guide is comprehensive, describing over 570 islands ‘big and small, far out to sea and close in by the shore, inhabited and uninhabited, worth the trouble visiting or not.’ Accompanying photos, one more appealing than the next taken by sea kayaker Seán Pierce, set the visual scene and enable a virtual armchair tour ahead of any passage planning.

Oileáin advises on access, and offers tips on local tides; camping facilities; flora and fauna; wildlife; walking and climbing; culture and history- all to whet the appetite of anyone with a passion for adventure.

Getting to these islands will be

a testament of individual skill and experience. The author’s choice is kayak; others will arrive by rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) and some will sail to anchorages but will need a dinghy to make landfall.

And there are other less conventional modes of transport.

‘These days there are Stand Up Boards, Sit on Tops, didgeridoos, ferries, whatever, so that even boatless folk will take something out of Oileáin.’

So, how does a Dublin solicitor and Notary Public come to compile this comprehensive guide that has but one fault, of unveiling many unknown but starkly beautiful places so that choosing a destination will cause personal turmoil?

On a sailing/climbing trip to Spitsbergen in 1990 he saw sea kayaks glide between icebergs in the remote frozen Magdalena Fjord and was ‘blown away’.

The next part of his life began immediately.

Then on a kayaking trip in 1993 up the west coast accompanied

by Fred Cooney, and passaging Inisbofin to Inishturk they failed to land at Davillaun Island. The ‘why’ of that was the catalyst for Oileáin.

‘The disappointment that there wasn’t available such simple information as landing half way along SE side drove the whole project over the following 20 years.’

Oileáin is the essential companion for anyone with a grá for seeking and exploring our lesser and unknown islands.

Gillian Mills

Competition The publishers have generously offered two copies as competition prizes: Q: How many islands are described by author, David Walsh?

Answers to mills@ inshore-ireland. com or by post to 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin

by June 13.

Good luck!

inshore ireland April/May 2014 29

book review Oc 3s 11M

Approaches to Carlingford Lough 0

1

2

3

4

5

cables

5

D

Cranfield Point

Block House I

Fl(3) 10s 10M

SH

2

E

2

Haulbowline Rocks Morgan Pladdy

5

el

5

nn Ch a kyn

F

Ho s

08

HD

CL

The Breast Ho

A

sk

C 5

Ballagan Point

Hellyhunter Rock

Fl(3) G 8s Fl(4) R 8s

2

yn

Ch

Q(6)+ L Fl 15s

5

an

ne

A. Main channel leading beacons 310o B. Greenore cranes and Cloghoge (Newry) Mountain 311o C. Slieve Donard 028o D. Ballagan Point and No 1 & 2 buoys 241o E. Slievenaglogh L of Haulbowline Lt 267o F. Shore to Kilkeel 4 cables off, 039o

l HC B

Ballagan Spit

Characteristics of buoys W of Cranfield Pt omitted for clarity

Clockwise top left: Approaches to Carlingford; Portaferry Marina; Glenarm from the air and Greystones aerial view.

East & North Coast of Ireland Sailing Directions Edited by Norman Kean Irish Cruising Club 2014

I

FEB/MAR COMPETITION WINNERS Ireland’s Lighthouses Paul Duffy, Headford Co Galway Padraic de Bhaldraithe, Leitir Mealláin

The Old Pier, Union Hall Gerard Lynch, Beara, Co Cork Michael Calnan, Crookstown, Co Cork

diary of a cornish fisherman Eileen O’Sullivan, Blackrock, Co Cork

Walter Foley, Fethard-on-Sea, Co Wexford

Eileen O’Connor, Douglas, Co Cork Ellen Markie, Bere Island, Co Cork

Congratulations to all our competition winners

t was the pilotage instructions for the passage between the Saltee Islands that gave me my first taste of inshore navigation. Sometime in the late 1960s on my first passage from Dún Laoghaire to Dunmore East, the late Frank Ryan gave me a copy of the ICC’s Sailing Directions and said: ‘Here professor, have a look for how we make it through here and give me the compass headings.’

It would be hard to imagine trying to navigate strange waters without the benefit of a good pilot, and the pleasure of exploring new havens and making good landfall is greatly enhanced by these publications.

There is barely a creek that is not described in full, while many of Ireland’s smaller harbours are drying, this does not mean they are not in sheltered areas. The Directions give sufficient information of all types of facilities so that in the right conditions, a safe anchorage and a run ashore can be organised to a place that might not otherwise be ‘discovered’.

Photographs, chartlets and a most useful series of waypoints add to the safety and confidence that increases the pleasure of cruising.

Reliable information

The ICC series, which were started in a simpler form in the 1950s, are up to a standard that is rarely exceeded in my experience.

Built up by dint of collecting knowledge from

Competition

the sailing fraternity over the decades has meant that the Directions have a high state of reliability as well as increasing confidence to explore a new berth when on passage.

And not just for the cruising crew either!

Details of the counter-current on the North coast of Rathlin helped in reducing sail after a high speed run across the top before going onto the wind in over 50 knots of wind on a Round Ireland some years ago, these Directions have something for all sailors.

With the companion South & West Directions re-published last year, this means that the series are right up-to-date, and even mention the proposed offshore windfarm off Port Oriel; the new harbour at Greystones and the new pier at Tory, which I can testify is a fine new facility.

Along with the ‘new’ Greystones there are also details of many harbours that have been added to or have gained marinas in the last few years. Glenarm in Antrim is a case in point as is the extended harbour in Rathlin which is well worth a visit.

One of my personal favourites on the east coast is Strangford Lough. This is one of the most amazing water bodies to be found anywhere. With the pladdies, currents and extraordinary landscape, it makes for very fine sailing no matter what size of vessel. The welcome in this part of the world is also not to be missed.

We are lucky to have Norman Kean and his assistants Geraldine Hennigan and Kevin Dwyer who are responsible for the photographs to back up the text in their most useful way.

Fiacc OBrolchain

The publishers have generously offered two copies as competition prizes Q: What is the name of island off the Antrim coast that has an extended harbour?

Answers to mills@inshore-ireland.com or by postcard to: 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road, Dún Laoghiare, Co Dublin. Closing date: JUNE 13.

Good luck!

30 inshore ireland April/May 2014

crow’s nest

the

crow's nest John Treacy

A

search is to begin this summer to find an Armada casualty lost off the Donegal coast during raging storms in the autumn of 1588.

Built in 1585 for the Portuguese Navy in the Cantabrian region, of what is today the Basque region, the galleon San Marcos was the pinnacle of naval technology.

While not a full ship of the line, she was designed to provide a heavily armed escort to Spanish and Portuguese treasure ships returning from the New World.

English privateers like Drake and Hawkins had been causing havoc to these vessels, in their quest to plunder the riches being transported from the Americas.

San Marcos was a 790 tonne, three-masted oak galleon. As a war machine she was an awesome force, bearing 33 of the most advanced bronze cannons and

In search of an Armada treasure more than 350 troops, in addition to 140 sailors.

When King Phillip II of Spain was massing his naval forces to support the invasion of England in 1588, she was a natural choice to provide heavy firepower and support to the Armada. Due to her fearsome capabilities, she would transport one of the senior commanders of the venture, the Marquis de Pinafiel.

Once the Armada sailed, the San Marcos performed admirably in the key battles fought by the Armada against the defending English fleet. On 2 August, she defended the flagship of the overall commander, the Duke of Medina Sidonia onboard the San Martin.

During this final engagement she took heavy battle damage and heavy casualties. The damage was so devastating the crew had to pass cables under her keel in order to strap the hull to the structure of the ship. Realising the Armada was a failure, the San Marcos accompanied by 12 other vessels, made for the North Sea to begin the long and perilous journey back to Spain via the circuitous route around Scotland and Ireland.

The Armada survivors were clearly warned by Medina Sidonia to avoid the rocky western shores of the Irish course. A series of severe autumn storms however pushed the surviving fleet

previously close to the shore.

In a compromised condition, San Marcos lagged behind the small flotilla and on 20 September, a fierce gale pushed her too close to Mutton Island and she struck a reef close to the shore and immediately began to break up. Of the 490 men who left Lisbon, only four survived the terrible conditions.

Under orders from the Lord Lieutenant of Connaght, the High Sherriff of Clare, Boetius Clancy monitored the progress of the San Marcos down the Co Clare coast.

When the San Marcos wrecked at Lurga Point (modern day Seafield), Clancy was waiting to apprehend the survivors.

The four were taken, along with approximately sixty survivors from another ship, the San Esteban (which had wrecked at Doonbeg) to Tromera Castle. From here they were marched to Spanish Point where they were promptly executed.

Their remains and those of their comrades who were washed ashore were buried in mass graves in Spanish Point.

It draws on expertise from the Irish Underwater Archaeology Unit (Department of Arts, Culture & the Gaeltacht); INFOMAR (Irish seabed mapping programme); Mary Immaculate College Limerick’s Department of History; The Old Kilfarboy Society and the Burren Sub Aqua Club.

Under the INFOMAR programme, the first search, survey and excavation of an Armada wreck, will commence this summer to confirm the location of this great Portuguese battleship.

The project has received the appropriate licensing from the National Monuments Service and expects to commence preliminary reconnaissance dive operations this month ahead of the scientific survey in early summer.

All significant targets from this survey will then be systematically

dived in order to locate identifiable wreckage which can then be assessed for connection with the San Marcos.

The team begins its search for the San Marcos

The project Project San Marcos brings together the best in Irish historical, archaeological and scientific fields, united in the common goal of searching for and ultimately excavating this important historical wreck.

The Secret Life of Sir Francis Beaufort . . .

In 1829, at the age of 55, Beaufort was appointed to run the Hydrographic Office, which he transformed from a quiet, dusty backwater, into the greatest collection of hydrographic data in the World. In 1831, Beaufort wrote to his friend Commander Fitzroy of the survey ship HMS Beagle, who was about to return to survey work off the western shores of Patagonia, recommending ‘A Mr. Darwin’ - a man ‘full of zeal and enterprise’ - a man whom, without Beaufort’s recommendation, may never have changed the foundation of evolutionary biology.

Irish hydrographer Francis Beaufort (1774-1857) was far from being the archetypal backroon ‘boffin’.

Prior to his development of the ‘Beaufort Scale’ of wind measurement, he was severely wounded in the left arm and chest by sword and blunderbuss during his time in the Royal Navy when leading a boarding party to capture a Spanish ship. Later on, during a mapping expedition in the Mediterranean he was wounded a second time by a musket ball fired by a band of Turks that hit him in the groin and damaged his femur.

For these and more FunFacts check out: www.spindriftpress.com

inshore ireland April/May 2014 31

coastline

The seven summits of Donegal Iain Miller

T

he county of Donegal sits on the northwest tip of the Republic of Ireland and quite simply plays host to more rock than anyone can ever climb in several lifetimes.

The diversity of Donegal’s rock climbing venues covers every climbing medium found in the rest of Ireland combined. With the mudstone roofs of Muckross Head, the golden sea battered granite on the islands of Cruit, Gola and Owey, and two major Irish mountain ranges in the county, each containing some of Ireland’s oldest and longest rock climbs.

With over 2800 recorded rock climbs (on 18 free PDF downloads) in Donegal there is plenty to play on.

Donegal online guide: http://

www.uniqueascent.ie/ undiscovered_donegal But it is along the coastline of western Donegal where perhaps Ireland’s most unusual climbing locations are located. Living along the western freeboard of Donegal is a collection of nearly 100 sea stacks. The main residence of these gothic leviathans is the little known coast line of An Port, in one of Ireland’s most remote locations.

Of these 100 rarely stood on summits I’ve selected seven of the most memorable places to be, whilst tied on to the end of a dynamic rope.

Standing on any one of these summits will live for a very long time in your happy and slightly relieved memory.

Each one of these sea stacks represents all that is great about adventure climbing with each stack presenting a very different

set of logistical and nautical problems that must be considered and overcome to ensure a safe summit and return. The commitment required and the sense of primal fear that accompanies these journeys has to be experienced to be believed.

As always, a tad of logistics and planning is the key to success and of course the adoption of perhaps less orthodox climbing equipment such as 600 meters of 6mm polyprop, a lightweight Lidl dinghy, a single lightweight paddle, divers booties, a 20ft Cordette, a pair of Speedos, heavy duty dry bags, 20 metres of 1e2mm polyprop, an alpine hammer, a snow bar, a selection of pegs, a chest harness / inverted GriGri combo and a big grin!

Further details at www. uniqueascent.ie / www. orkney-seastacks.co.uk

Cnoc na Mara

Donegal Sea Stacks

Workshop highlights maritime heritage

M

eitheal Mara, Cork’s community boat-yard, recently hosted boatbuilders from across Europe and Ireland as part of EU Boat - a Leonardo da Vinci learning partnership funded under the EU Lifelong Learning Programme.

The EU Boat project is a three-year learning partnership connecting Meitheal Mara with similar organisations from across Europe to share good practice, discuss challenges and devise solutions.

Opening the event, Phil Prendergast, MEP highlighted

the importance of Ireland’s maritime heritage and congratulated Meitheal Mara for their work in introducing so many people to that rich heritage.

In addition to connecting community boat-builders, the project also provides an opportunity for public representatives to discuss their strategies for developing recreational water activities, improving maritime infrastructure and promoting harbours and waterways for tourism.

Representatives from Cork City Council, Port of Cork and Fáilte Ireland met with their European counterparts who also travelled to Cork as part of the programme.

How to Steal the Mona Lisa!

‘Looking for a fast-moving thriller to load up onto your Kindle for the Summer Holidays? Then look no further than John Joyce’s latest novel Masterpiece which is available from Amazon at Kindle store (and in hard copy from June1).

Taking in Dublin, Barcelona, Madrid, London, the Black Sea and Paris, Masterpiece visits the worlds of nuclear smuggling, techno-terrorism and the theft of the best known painting in the world - Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. At $2.99 it’s a steal!’

The event enabled Irish boating enthusiasts to learn about boat projects across Europe as well as discuss their own ventures and adventures.

Participants learned about plans to build a full-scale Spanish galleon in Pasaia, Northern Spain, as well as progress at the Chantiers

Tramesset boatyard in their building of a traditional Coreau on the outskirts of Bordeaux, France.