Inshore Ireland Vol 7 nr 2 Apr-May 2011

News from the coast and inland waterways

€2.50/£2.00 Bi-Monthly

DISCARDS: IRELAND AND BRUSSELS DIFFER ON THE APPROACH

April 2011 Vol 7 Issue 2

MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, MARINE AND FOOD SIMON COVENEY ON CFP PAGE 4

Breakthrough In Shrimp Farming News..................................... page 2-4 Your View ............................... page 6 Irish water quality report....... page 7

page 12-13

page 15

Seafood Desk ........................ page 10 Marine R&D ..................... page 18-20 Coastline News ..................... page 21

Will the tide return for islanders under the new administration?

Gillian Mills

A

rousing opening paragraph in Fine Gael’s Government for National Recovery 2011-2016 heralded a ‘democratic revolution’ in Ireland on February 25 when ‘old beliefs, traditions and expectations were blown away’ and that the ‘stroke of a pen’ in thousands of polling stations had created ‘this political whirlwind’.

Inshore Ireland set about asking various marine stakeholders what they hoped for from the new Leinster House incumbents and spoke to Rhoda Twombly, secretary, Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann* – the Island’s Federation – on the organisation’s expectations and challenges facing Ireland’s inhabited islands.

In 2009 at their AGM, former minister with

responsibility for the islands, Éamon Ó Cuív, said that while much work had been done regarding infrastructure, a lot was yet to do on enterprise and sustainability.

“But despite an improved standard of living, island populations continue to decline, fuelling fears for their future,” says Rhoda.

She adds that enterprise and employment are a “primary concern” and those everyday worries regarding health care and emergency services; education and childcare; housing and funding for projects and community groups “all need to be addressed urgently”.

ECONOMIC STUDY During his tenure as minister, Éamon Ó Cuív commissioned a study from FGS Consulting into the economic issues particular to the islands: “In 2010, Minister Pat Carey launched the study; however recommendations regarding »

Page 2

First official engagement for Simon Coveney TD as Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food, was to the Marine Institute’s RV Celtic Voyager where he was met by Peter Heffernan, Marine Instiute CEO. RV Celtic Explorer and RV Celtic Voyager will both record 627 days at sea in total during 2011 during which they will be engaged in fisheries surveys, underwater mapping, climate studies and deepwater surveys.

DON’T MISS YOUR NEXT COPY OF

AVAI LAB L FROM E

MAY

28TH

2 INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

NEWS from page 1

cost of living; factors that prevent business start-ups, and employment opportunities have yet to be implemented,” she explains.

“Minister Carey said it was the department’s intention to carry out a ‘further examination’ of the various recommendations in consultation with other relevant Departments and State agencies ‘to establish the most practical method of implementation’. Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann is waiting to hear whether this report will be implemented by the new administration.”

POPULATION DENSITY Whilst enterprise and employment are vital to island sustainability, low populations – particularly of smaller islands – could lead to teachers or schools being lost.

Micheál Ó Goill, the teacher’s representative on Inis Mór believes that island schools “must be given special consideration” as they have a defined border – the sea.

“Our children can’t go down the road to another school,” he says.

*Sixteen islands came together in 1984 to form Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann (The Federation of Irish Islands); their purpose was and still is to highlight socio-economic issues affecting islands that were not being addressed on a local or national level. This national body is run on a completely voluntary basis, without State funding and represents approximately 3,000 people.

“If children had to go to the mainland for schooling, the parents would, in all likelihood, leave the island as well. And if the Department of Education forces a cutback in the range of subjects taught, students will feel they have to go elsewhere for a broader education. In terms of attracting new island residents, it is obvious that lack of a proper educational facility would be a huge set-back,” he warned.

Adequate medical cover is another area of concern, particularly the “unacceptable level of nursing cover on some islands and the threatened loss of nurses on others,” Mary Heanue, CoE board member contends.

“In some cases, such as Inishturk in Mayo, there is a

purpose-built health centre.

“But when a nurse is not on duty, the centre and even emergency supplies, are inaccessible,” she emphasis.

It is not known how the government intends to deal with these concerns, and there is palpable apprehension that nurses currently employed on islands will not be replaced when they either retire or move to the mainland.

FISHING, FARMING & HOUSING

Dún Aonghasa

Fishing and farming are a traditional source of income for islanders, with tourism increasing over the past two decades. Over-regulation has not been helpful,” especially as the ‘one-size-fits all’ approach taken does not take into

account the specific difficulties associated with working on islands.” explains Mary Lavelle, CoE Board member.

“Traditional fishing grounds that surround some islands have been designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) where fishing is prohibited. No compensation has been offered to fishermen whose families have fished these grounds for generations and no plan has been put

Marine Institute • Foras na Mara

Failte Ireland

in place to replace this enterprise,” she adds.

Housing, naturally, is also central to island sustainability.

Designation of land-based SACs is also problematic, especially when space is limited. “And then there’s increased transportation costs for materials that have to be brought in from the mainland,” Pádraic O’Malley, Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann chairman explains.

Inshore Ireland invited the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs to respond to the following questions but did not receive a reply:

Do thairseach chuig taighde mara, monatóireacht, forbairt teicneolaíochta agus nuálaíocht

www.marine.ie Your portal to marine research, monitoring, technology, development & innovation

Former Minister O’Cuiv launched a report last December addressing employment needs and economic development potential of the islands.

What is the timetable for implementing this report?

What funding will be made available to COE/Islands Federation to implement development policies accepted by the previous administrations?

What plans/investment are in place to develop renewable energy initiatives on the islands?

What measures are being taken to sustain island communities viz transportation costs, planning, infrastructure etc?

Marine Institute Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway +353 91 387 200 +353 91 387 201 institute.mail@marine.ie

Some county councils have stated they will not build any more council housing on islands as there are too many empty houses on the mainland.

“This means that an islander who needs council housing must move to the mainland.

This is undermining our hopes of sustainability and is leading to population decline,” he adds.

“All of these factors are pushing islands towards further depopulation and decline. Enterprise and innovation is imperative – people will not stay where they cannot find work.

Likewise, families will not stay where they cannot find proper housing; educate their children and be assured of reliable health care.

“There is a huge body of work to do to ensure the future of Ireland’s islands. This will only be accomplished by the national and local government, agencies and islanders working together to create opportunities for employment and a sustainable lifestyle for islanders,” Rhoda Twombly believes.

Foras na Mara Rinn Mhaoil, Uarán Mór, Co. na Gaillimhe

Inishbofin

Failte Ireland

INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

3

NEWS

Agency contends its absence from group a ‘serious oversight’ Gery Flynn

I

nland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) - the State agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of freshwater fisheries and sea angling – has attacked a report outlining a revised strategy to control lice on salmon farms.

In a statement, IFI criticises the National Implementation Group (NIG) Report on “a strategy for improved pest control on Irish salmon farms” which was compiled by representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, BIM, Marine Institute, the Irish Salmon Growers Association, IFA Aquaculture and the fish farming sector.

IFI describes as ‘a serious oversight’ its absence from the Group, and warns that the Group’s recommendations ‘are disappointing and not sufficient to protect wild salmon and sea trout’.

WEAKENING OF PROTOCOLS The agency is concerned that any weakening of the current sea lice protocols ‘will lead to a situation where sea lice levels will be allowed to increase and that effective lice management will not be possible’.

It further claims that this will impact on Ireland’s already threatened wild sea trout stocks

‘and could ultimately result in localised extinction of sea trout populations’.

According to IFI CEO Dr Ciaran Byrne, ‘As the major rationale for the control of sea lice is to protect the “outwardly migrating wild smolts”, IFI’s absence from the National Implementation Group is a serious oversight”.

It lists the ‘key disappointing findings’: • a number of sites in the West of Ireland are unable to control sea lice during the critical spring period • the Management Cell approach has failed in two areas over the past two years • the report does not acknowledge the mandatory requirement for treatment of ovigerous lice at 0.3 • increases in infestation were not isolated incidences as lice levels breached sea lice protocol levels on ten of twelve inspections in one particular area. These breaches can affect salmon and sea trout migration.

IFI recommends, inter alia, that the NIG should develop a set of standards that will ensure no weakening of the existing protocols.

‘These new standards, when achieved, could facilitate the issuing of waivers for mandatory sea lice treatment, and any proposals to accommodate organic farming which may impact effective lice control should not be considered.’

The statement concludes that if the IFI – as a key statutory body, along with all stakeholders ‘should contribute to the formulation of any regional management plan prepared by DAFF’ and that this plan must encompass the relevant licence requirements.

‘There is now opportunity to review the location of salmon farms and resite them to ensure the protection of wild salmon and sea trout while also meeting the needs of the commercial fish farming sector.

This should be done as a matter of priority.’

RESPONSES SOUGHT A request from Inshore Ireland the individual representatives of the NIG received two responses.

Commenting on behalf of BIM, Donal Maguire, Aquaculture Development Manager said it was “disappointing that the IFI chooses to criticise the undoubted success achieved by the NIG in achieving sharply improved levels of control on Irish farms. The sea louse should be seen as a common problem for all concerned,” he said.

He added that regarding IFI participation on the implementation group, “the real question is what know-how would they bring to the table?

IFI has no expertise in pest control, which is the sole focus of the group.

“DAMF, its agencies and

veterinary surgeons have all of the State expertise in this regard and pest control on farmed animals is their sole competence.

“The IFI call to be included has no logical basis and their participation in the NIG would not advance the situation in any way,” he declared.

IFA AQUACULTURE Executive secretary, Richie Flynn told Inshore Ireland that IFI comments “raise serious questions about the use of taxpayers’ money” and need to be brought to the attention of the new government.

“The industry has put many hard-earned millions into sea lice control and management which the report clearly shows, have proved successful. Yet we have a State agency issuing a statement about a threemonth-old report, selectively ignoring facts on major improvements in control and husbandry?

“The IFI criticises the work of an entire Department, two expert State agencies and qualified private professionals in a field in which it has no competence. It states that it has responsibility for wild fish, while having no programmes itself for research or conservation for the very fish it claims it has responsibility to protect.

He added that the IFI “has no role in sea lice management or constructive input to make.

Over the past two decades, the

most significant input they and their predecessor organisation made was to waste taxpayers’ money by sending their staff to oversee other State employed staff carrying out their work monitoring salmon farms.

“Instead of political lobbying, IFI should be a world leader in

research and development of wild fish, using their facilities to improve our coarse fishing, eels, wild salmon and sea trout.

The new 60-member advisory group recently set up by the IFI should be able to direct this constructive approach,” he said.

In July 2010, Inland Fisheries Ireland replaced the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards as a statutory body under the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Its role is to advise the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling and develop and advise the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling.

The NIG made thirteen recommendations to underpin the progress made to date and to ensure that obstacles to further progress are removed or mitigated in so far as possible: 1. The Marine Institute and the relevant veterinary practitioners engage with DAFF to review the scope for increasing the availability of appropriate medicines.

2. That the industry with the regulatory authorities support the development of protocols to optimise the use of hydrogen peroxide and other bath treatments, strategic treatments and product rotation.

3. Where formal veterinary advice has been given to the effect that on balance and taking into account the welfare of the stock, the principles of integrated pest management and the potential for cross infection of other stocks, both wild and farmed, it is not advisable to treat stocks of large fish and/or fish due for imminent harvest that the requirement to carry out mandatory treatments would be waived. This would be done on a case by case basis and after examination by the Management Cell.

4. That industry through better coordination and with support from the Marine Institute encourages access to well boats, disinfection and training.

5. That the industry in cooperation with the Marine Institute monitors the use of the new Pancreas Disease vaccine.

6. That adherence to an agreed SBM Plan should be a condition of future licences.

7. That SBM principles and the provisions of Monitoring Protocol No 3 on Sea Lice Monitoring and Control be applied at all sites including provisions relating to separation of generations and fallowing.

8. That all salmon farms should submit a Business Management Plan (in accordance with SBM requirements).

9. That DAFF facilitate bay wide fallowing by prioritising where possible relevant licence applications.

10. That the Management Cell approach be extended to all regions.

11. That the Monitoring Regime and Pest Control Strategy be further developed to accommodate the growing trend towards organic farming.

12. That a Regional Management Plan for Connemara be drafted by industry with the assistance of the Marine Institute. The Plan should provide for the separation of generations and fallowing on a regional basis.

13. That the NIG chaired by DAFF and representing BIM, Marine Institute, veterinary and industry interests continue to monitor the implementation of the Pest Control Strategy.

The full report can be viewed at http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/publications/2010/SealiceReportImpGrpNov2010161210.pdf

We are proud stockists of the

Responsible Irish Fish products. This year Scally’s won The BIM (Bord Iascaigh Mhara) Seafood Counter of the Year award 2011 and the Product innovation award 2011.

4 INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

NEWS

Spain penalised for over-fishing 2010 pelagic quotas

I

n a move to protect dwindling fish stocks, the European Commission has taken decisive action by significantly reducing Spain’s mackerel quotas until 2015 as a result of over-fishing. This overfishing has been a major concern to the Irish fishing industry and was brought to the Commission’s attention by the SeaFisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and other bodies.

In 2010, Spanish fishermen landed almost double their quota of mackerel from the Cantabrian Sea in the southern part of the Bay of Biscay.

The mackerel catch exceeded

Spain’s quota by 19,621 tonnes and for the period 2011-2015, their quota will be halved.

BACKGROUND In order to help combat over-fishing, the SFPA operates a 24/7 monitoring and surveillance programme to ensure the effective control of fish catches and landings.

To promote a culture of compliance with national and EU legislation, landings by Irish, EU and Third Country vessels, are inspected by the SFPA in Irish ports. SFPA officers engage in a range of at-sea inspection programmes including both inshore and offshore patrols in conjunction with the Naval Service and joint inspection patrols with

other Member States (MS) operating in Irish waters and in those of other Member States.

The SFPA will work with MS and with the Community Fisheries Control Agency (CFCA) based in Vigo, Spain, when a specific control and inspection programme for pelagic fisheries in Western Waters of the North East Atlantic is established shortly.

This will afford co-ordination of joint control, inspection and surveillance activities for these pelagic fisheries.

Peter Whelan, chairman of the SFPA said the decision to impose sanctions on Spain was significant: “There is a need for all MS to work together and to comply with the CFP

rules in order to ensure the sustainable development of fisheries.The role of the SFPA supports profitable, sustainable, managed fisheries at a time when the fishing industry faces many challenges.

“Effective monitoring and control systems safe-guard the good reputation of Irish food producers in the international marketplace, and protects the Irish taxpayer from the threat of large fines being imposed when non-compliances with the CFP are encountered. The SFPA will continue with our aim of working with other MS to promote a uniform standard of monitoring, control and surveillance,” he said.

Irish and Spanish fisheries ministers place coastal communities at centre of CFP reform

Shell drilling in Sruwaddacan Bay.

Photo: S Fennelly

Judicial review sought on latest Corrib decision Shay Fennelly An Taisce and two local residents in Rossport, Co Mayo have applied for a judical review of An Bord Pleanala’s decision to grant approval for the onshore section of the Corrib gas pipeline; this has been put back for mention until March 29.

An Taisce considers that the implications of the Board’s decision go far beyond the Corrib gas pipeline and have major repercussions for the effective implementation of European Directives in Ireland and the consequential protection afforded our environment, and Natura 2000 sites.

Earlier in March, Justice Michael Peart said that the High Court wished to hear arguments from the planning authority, the Attorney General, Shell EP Ireland and the Minister for the Environment before deciding on whether to allow a judicial review of the Bord’s decision to grant permission for an 8km onshore pipe from the landfall at Glengad to the gas terminal at Bellanboy, CoMayo.

Shell EP Ireland propose to install the 8km section of gas pipe under the Scruwaddacon estuary, a Special Area of Conservation via an underground tunnel.

A

t a bilateral meeting with Minister Rosa Aguilar, Minister of Environment, Rural and Maritime Affairs, Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food said that reforming the Common Fisheries Policy was “absolutely crucial” to the future of the Irish fishing industry. “I am committed to working to deliver a reform package that works for Irish fishermen and also ensures that fish stocks are rebuilt and are managed in a sustainable way.”

The ministers agreed to focus on key elements of CFP reform and to develop a “mutual understanding in advance of key negotiations later this year”. Minister Coveney however noted that whilst Ireland and Spain have opposing views in certain areas, particularly in relation to access to fish stocks, they were ad idem that the next CFP must “work positively in the long-term to support coastal communities.”

He stressed that developing a mutual understanding on fish discards would be “crucial in the negotaitons, and added that the consumer “must be given clear information on the origin and production methods of fish” to make an informed choice.

“This approach will, I firmly believe, benefit EU fishermen and aquaculture operators who operate under strict environmental and food safety rules.”

Regarding governance, Minister Coveney said he would be seeking to reform the CFP “so stakeholders are given a key input into management arrangements that are developed on a regional basis.”

Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food with Minister Rosa Aguilar, Minister of Environment, Rural and Maritime Affairs at bilateral talks in Madrid.

INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

5

COMMENT

Changing of the guard: can we hope for enlightened marine thinking now?

R

einstatement of ‘marine’ into the title of Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food, and appointment of Simon Coveney TD who has some salt in his veins, as minister, must be a welcome development; however it will take more than mere window dressing to revitalise a sector that was not high on the agenda of the last administration.

If all is to be believed, however, then worry not as the promises made in Fine Gael’s Programme for Government should soon see a reversal of the last 14 years of almost indifference.

It tells us that the best possible deal will be sought for fishermen under the new Common Fisheries Policy; that the licensing process for aquaculture will be streamlined and bureaucracy reduced;

that an integrated marine and coastal planning process will be developed to maximise fishing, aquaculture, ocean energy and tourism. But perhaps most challenging – that marine responsibilities will be merged under one department ‘for better coordination in policy delivery’.

Also promised is a sea fisheries sustainability impact assessment, ahead of the annual EU fisheries negotiations; replacement of criminal sanctions for minor fisheries offences with administrative sanctions in line with Europe and the possibility of providing an emergency towing vessel for the Irish Coastguard.

Let us also look back to Fine Gael’s days in opposition. In March 2010, then fisheries spokesperson Tom Sheahan TD said that an interdepartmental report on marine was ‘meaningless without funding’ and that ‘the latest government promises are laughable’ as it was three years since the department had assumed responsibility for fisheries. He also noted

Dear Editor

that the potential for major aquaculture development was being lost, as funds under the 2007-2013 Operational Programme could not be drawn down due to unresolved licensing issues.

Fine Gael has set themselves a target of 100 days to ‘get Ireland working’ so let’s wait and see how much of the above is kick-started.

Stakeholders in the marine sector, the very barometers of the industry, know the potential for economic growth that lies beneath the waves in terms of seafood development, ocean energy, research and development and marine functional foods– but is frustrated at the fractured nature and bottleneck bureaucracy of the governing legislation.

Perhaps however, a poignant, visual reality, of the near irrelevance this State gives to things maritime will be clear for all to see at the end of June when tens of thousands of seafaring folk from seafaring nations will gather in Waterford for the start of the 2011 Tall Ships race. Upwards

Do you want to participate in the debate?

At last a Minister for marine with, like his father, some salt water in his blood.

Comments to tallshipforireland@gmail.com Letters to Inshore Ireland at mills@inshore-ireland.com

We will wish him well.

Let us be hopeful but not overly expectacious.

of 70 vessels will set sail from the quayside with 1,500 sail trainees aboard on the first leg of the race that will take them to Greenock, Lerwick, Stavanger and finally Halmstad. Conspicuous by its absence will be the tricolour as Ireland – an island that for so many reasons should have a strong maritime tradition – no longer has a sail training vessel and is unlikely to have one again for a long time to come.

With the regretful sinking of Asgard II in the Bay of Biscay in September 2008, expectations were that the €3.5m insurance money would be rightfully put towards a replacement vessel; instead the funds were called in by the exchequer to help plug the gaping financial hole that was emerging.

Such was the relevance to sail training then in the minds of the Leinster House administration. Can we hope and expect a change of mind from the new government?

If not, spend the funds wisely as the spotlight is on you now.

comment

Gillian Mills

Holiday Home to rent in Dunmore East

AFLOAT MARCH//APRIL

Tim Magennis Killiney, Co. Dublin

Farewell And Adieu To The Bailout Boys Derrick Cranpole Get you gone, you Ministers of Transport, Marine and Tourism, Now reap the benefits of those years of cute hoorism.

And though still young or in your middle years Enjoy your tax free pensions safe from any fears Of swingeing cuts, as suffered by the aged, infirm and blind, Inflicted by your party in a manner most unkind Supported by those perfidious, insect-hugging Greens Along with the Minister-without-a mandate Our hospitals’ queen-of-queens.

Don’t you dare speak to us of job creation Or of putting first the interest of the nation What of our fishermen and their job retention?

Whilst all of you signed away our great resource So leaving many of our lads with no recourse But to seek employment in a distant land.

Ocean Youth Sail Training Conference - Workshop

With local and global perspectives an impressive group of contributors will participate to share views, best practice and create discussion with a view to building a World Class Solution for the island of Ireland

Who Should Attend ?

call for contributions Saturday 26th March, Dublin Port Offices, North Wall, Dublin 1 1000hrs for1030 hrs – 1600 hrs ( lunch included)

Part 1) ‘Tallship For Ireland’ Replacing Asgard and Lord Rank.

Building a plan for a Tallship For Ireland, on a north-south basis and ‘joinedup’ thinking within the sectors linking tourism, business, youth and maritime education.

Part 2) The Sail Training ‘role’ in Tallships Races To focus on youth sail development - a key part of Tallships Races is youth sail training.

Under the Chairmanship of Lord Glentoran, a lively group of speakers with international experience and expertise will contribute.

Also for the first time the key Irish Tallship port chairman and their teams will participate.

• • • •

Gerard O’Hare, Chairman of Tallships Belfast Enda Connellan, Chairman of Tallships Dublin Des Whelan, Chairman of Tallships Waterford Ted Crosbie, Chairman Tallships Cork

Plus The Tall Ship For Ireland Reference Group representing: • Youth interests • Commercial ports • Government • Tourism • Enterprise

All stakeholders and those with an interest in youth sail training, maritime development, ports, tourism and enterprise.

Why?

Now is a critical time for ‘joined-up’ thinking to bring all interest groups together for the future benefit of youth and maritime Ireland.

Clearly the current climate for funding is difficult. Regardless it is important to create a concensus and to have input to a plan which can then be developed and jointly promoted.

Organisation

Participation costs e45 ( to include lunch).

Any surplus funds to go to Tall ship for Ireland Seed Fund administered by Lets Do It Global and Ocean Youth Trust Charity. They are joint organisers of the event.

Please email tallshipforireland@gmail.com

Set in the popular fishing village of Dunmore East, Co Waterford, this luxury home offers 3 bedrooms (1 ensuite), a large bathroom (with jacuzzi bath), large kitchen and open-plan living area.

The house was built in 2007 and is finished to a very high standard. It is warm, bright, friendly and relaxing.

The house is within walking distance of lively bars and restaurants and only 1km from the beach.

Ideal for a family holiday or romantic break.

Come and visit Tall Ships Waterford 30/6-3/7.

Contact Conor O’Shea on 086 2657358; Email conor.oshea@iol.ie www.holidayhomesdirect.ie/12543

to reserve your place Aye Ministers off with you now and with your pockets stuffed with Please outline your interest cash and organisation, if any, Conference Facilitator: Michael Counahan, CHL Consulting you represent. Advance submissions for discussion will The time has come for you to make your final farewell dash be welcome. email: tallshipforireland@gmail.com or TXT: +353879909284 To your villa in the balmy Cote d’Azure And let us bid you all a 27 ‘fond goodbye and adieu’.

Features Editor Advertising Editor Design Gillian Mills Gillian Mills Gery Flynn Durgan Media At our expense and may you mills@inshore-ireland.com flynn@inshore-ireland.com info@durganmedia.ie Gery Flynn long enjoy the craic 01 235 4804 091 844822 074 91 94477 You may rest assured that The publishers do not accept responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors and advertisers. While care is taken to ensure we will never, EVER, ask Inshore Ireland is published by IIP Ltd accuracy of information contained within Inshore Ireland, we do not accept responsibility for any errors or matters arising from same. you back.

6 INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

YOUR VIEW

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.

Ireland’s fishing industry today Ashley Hayden A passionate seafood consumer with roots firmly embedded in the marine, I read with interest the interview with BIM’s Michael Keatinge in the February issue of Inshore Ireland. Both sides of my family hail from Greystones in Co. Wicklow. My Grandfather on my mother’s side, Willie Redmond, a master craftsman, built wooden clinker design boats, and along with his sons fished the inshore grounds south of Bray Head side-by-side with my father and his brothers. Using traditional methods they long-lined, trammel netted, and potted what were prolific fishing grounds for a host of whitefish species that included large cod and plaice, mackerel, crab, and lobster.

In the seventies as a young lad I was introduced to this wonderful resource and grew to love its magic; like Forrest Gump you really did not know what you were going to catch next! Today, however, less than thirty years later, the inshore fishing grounds off north county Wicklow lie barren, victim to commercial overfishing, mussel dredging, and unregulated whelk fishing.

Using Irish Specimen Fish Committee records, I recently

compiled a report highlighting all specimen fish caught on rod and line between Bray Head and Wicklow Head, from 1975 to date. The picture it paints is one of dramatic decline in whitefish biodiversity.

Pre 1975, 16 species of fish could be caught to rod and line specimen weight off Greystones.

Today only four species on or above specimen weight are still present, namely bass, tope, smooth hound, and mullet – the rest to include rays, codling, plaice, and black sole, are noticeable by their absence.

REAL OR FALSE PROGRESS? It begs the question: Have we really turned a corner regarding sustainable sea fisheries management, or are political rhetoric and industry smoke and mirrors, still the stock in trade?

It has always been my belief that recreational and commercial fishing can coexist side-by-side, and that the lack of a coherent Irish Government marine policy and the EU Common Fisheries Policy have ill served both sectors, creating a ‘them and us’ dynamic that has fostered mistrust. To date, the lack of recreational sea angling lobby has not helped the situation, leaving the sophisticated and very astute commercial lobby a free run when it comes to negotiating fisheries policy.

In light of the above, and taking in my own ‘on the ground experience’, I question the detail

in Michael Keatinge’s interview regarding the current state of Ireland’s sea fishing sector and its future direction.

Discards are on the agenda today thanks to TV personality Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s fish fight campaign. Suddenly it becomes a buzzword, the average Joe on the street now understands a shocking truth, and the industry it seems has been embarrassed into showing real concern. The honest approach would be to hold the hands up because discards are still the elephant in the cupboard.

Yes, the industry might argue that the quota system is ultimately to blame for discards, but I do not hear much mention of high grading, an equally cynical and wasteful practice.

In recent years, to be fair, there have been attempts to lessen the impact of discards through improved net design and grids; however why not phase out the practice of prawn dragging altogether, and encourage potting instead?

‘FISHING DOWN THE FOOD CHAIN’ The very fact that prawns represent half of our demersal catch is an indictment of how we have decimated our whitefish stocks. Cod predate on prawns and as their stock declined nephrops filled the gap. A cynical person could argue that prawns are more valuable then cod, so in principal the industry still prospers until prawn stocks

The author with a specimen 50.lb+ tope from off Greystones, Co. Wicklow. Not targeted commercially hence still available to a large average size Photos A. Hayden

decline, which due to demand and current fishing effort they inevitably will. Transferring effort from a depleted and uneconomic stock to one that is viable is called ‘fishing down the food chain’ and that is where boarfish come in.

Boarfish (Caproidae family), a distant relative of the John Dory, are a shoal fish averaging about 15 cms in length. Traditionally taken as a by-catch of the pelagic fleet, they usually ended up as fishmeal. Now with reduced pelagic quotas due to declining stocks of mackerel and herring, boarfish are being targeted and quotas have been set. This is another prime example of the industry ‘fishing down the food chain’. It happened with orange roughy (Trachichthyidae family) and we all know what happened there. I do not see any great joy in announcing this new fishery, in fact it does nothing but expose failure.

FISHING EFFORT V. REDUCTION When Michael Keatinge discusses fleet decommissioning and states that current fleet size reflects the quota value of the fishery, he shows positive progress for a necessary policy.

The question has to be asked however: Does fishing effort balance with reduction, and is there a real desire to move the fleet towards smaller more artisanal orientated fishing vessels which will provide a better quality, higher value end product; create more jobs on and off the water and ultimately in conjunction with a properly enforced sustainable management plan that will allow our inshore fishing grounds and fish stocks to recover?

A feature of summer 2010 was the amount of codling in the two-three year age bracket swimming off the south coast.

From Wexford to West Cork they were conspicuous because they had not featured for years. No doubt the product of a good year-class, but there is one thing for certain: good management isn’t responsible for the increase, just a lucky circumstance.

Their abundance has caused the price of cod to fall in the shops from above €20/kg within the last 12 months to

Gary Robinson with a juvenile coalfish caught off Greystones – a ‘sign of the times? €15.99 today. Still expensive but going in the right direction; however, there is a catch. Will these fish be allowed to grow on and reproduce to swell the stock further, or will they end up being targeted anyway or, worse still, figure as discards?

CATASTROPHIC STATISTICS A healthy fisheries sector is vital for Ireland’s future.

Historical mistakes have been made through ignorance and greed; however we cannot ‘plead the Fifth’ now as we understand full well the biological composition and mechanics of our seas and oceans. The legacy of how we ran our fisheries is seen today in the catastrophic reduction in sea fish stocks worldwide.

This poses a real threat to Third World populations and their ability to feed and financially sustain themselves, and has also contributed to the painful political reality of having to unravel and piece together again an industry and way of life so necessary for Ireland’s future development.

Michael Keatinge’s words do not inspire me; they follow a time honoured tradition.

Forget the Cawley report* or any such similar document commissioned by an industry rooted in 18th century management principals but prosecuting its cause with state-

of-the art technology. Rather like the army elite in WWI pitting their battalions against high explosive and raking machine gun fire, history shows it took three years and the loss of a generation to work out that folly.

Industrial fishing on a grand scale commenced in 1950; 61 years and Michael Keatinge’s commentary later, the decisionmakers behind the EU and Irish fishing industry still haven’t copped on. The barren seas off Co. Wicklow prove it. *Steering a new course: Strategy for a restructured, sustainable and profitable Irish Seafood Industry 2007-2013 (Report of the Seafood Industry Strategy Review Group 2006) Currently developing a mobile fishing guiding service based in Co Wicklow, Ashley Hayden has worked promoting angling as a tourism product with the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, and maintains a marine conservation and angling promotions website, www. anirishanglersworld. com, which showcases rod and line fishing in Ireland through the eyes of an Irish angler. Ashley also writes a weekly column for the People Newspaper Group, and has contributed articles to the Irish Angler, Irish Anglers Digest, and The Angling Times.

INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

7

FRESHWATER FOCUS

Ongoing action required to achieve water quality status Gery Flynn

W

ater Quality in Ireland 2007 – 2009 – a review of Irish ambient water quality just published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)– finds evidence of improvements in water quality but warns that continued actions across a range of sectors are needed if Ireland is to achieve its European water quality obligations.

Covering 13,118 km of river and stream channel; 222 lakes; 89 estuarine and coastal water bodies and 211 groundwater monitoring stations, this report is the sixth in the series of three-year reviews of water quality in Ireland by the EPA. The series stretches back to 1970 when An Foras Forbatha first began publishing such information. The report notes that few countries in Europe have such detailed and scientifically-based time series water-quality data available as Ireland.

REPORT FINDINGS The report finds the principal and most widespread cause of water pollution in Ireland

still to be nutrient enrichment, resulting in the eutrophication of rivers, lakes and tidal waters from agricultural run-off and discharges from municipal waste-treatment plants.

It notes however that following the enactment of the Waste Water Discharges Regulations 2007, the EPA set up a licensing and certification regime for municipal waste water discharges, to reduce the pollution of waters by placing strict conditions on the quality of waste water discharges.

According to Micheál Ó Cinnéide, Director, EPA, “In comparison with other EU member States, Ireland has better than average water quality. While there is evidence of an overall improvement in water quality in Ireland, further actions are essential if we are to achieve our water quality targets for 2015 and 2021 as required by the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

The EPA will work with the network of local authorities, with sectoral groups and other agencies in tackling the water quality challenges.”

Rivers: 70% of channel is in good condition but measures are needed to restore the quality of the 30% found to be polluted. The number of seriously polluted river sites was down to 20 – half that

seen in 2004-2006. Increased investment in wastewater treatment has helped to eliminate some of this serious pollution. The number of fish kills is significantly down on previous periods, with 72 incidents reported in 20072009, compared with 120 incidents in the previous 3-year period.

Lakes: generally in good condition with over 90% of lake area in satisfactory condition. Nevertheless, 25 lakes are still in poor or bad status – mainly due to excess phosphates causing algal blooms.

Estuaries: 85% are unpolluted while 15% are classed as eutrophic or potentially eutrophic. In terms of area, approximately 5% of tidal areas is polluted. Some significant improvements are noted where new wastewater treatment plants were installed recently – such as Sligo and the Garavogue estuary.

Groundwaters: show a significant drop in the overall concentration of phosphates and nitrates during the period; 85% of groundwaters are in satisfactory condition but there is an upward trend in the detection of faecal coliforms – apparently due to increased rainfall in the period.

WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE • t he attainment of good quality in all waters by 2015 or in some areas, 2021 • the management of waters on a River Basin District (RBD) basis • the elimination of the discharge of certain harmful substances to waters • and the sustainable use of water resources.

The report notes that the Directive has been a core element of Irish law since 2003. It points out that good progress was made in the period due to implementation of the WFD with new monitoring programmes for surface and groundwaters becoming operational in 2007.

Each of the seven River Basin Districts published their management plans in 2010, which set out objectives for water-bodies and the range of measures to ensure achieving the WFD targets.

The report draws attention to the fact that the key development in the last three years has been publication of the River Basin Management Plans and the setting of objectives for water-bodies and selection of Programmes of Measures to meet the objectives of the WFD. Overall, 85% of groundwater

River Shannon – water quality throught Ireland shows improvements but no room for complacency. Photo G Mills bodies are of good status in accordance with the WFD process.

Pollution of groundwater decreased somewhat in this period with reductions in nitrate and phosphate concentrations. And while the above average rainfall has played a role, it is likely that implementation of the Good Agricultural Practices Regulations and, in particular the increase in farm storage for manure and slurry, and reduced usage of inorganic fertilizers, have been beneficial.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS The review notes that for water quality to improve three key issues must be addressed: • Eliminating point source serious pollution • Tackling diffuse pollution • Using legislative support It points out that from the

findings to date it is apparent that substantial measures will be needed in order for Ireland to fully comply with the objectives of the WFD. Comparing Irish progress to date under the WFD to ten other countries, the review finds that in terms of ecological status we rank about midway, with just over 50% of surface waters reaching the WFD goals of at least good ecological status.

As for more detailed international benchmarks for water chemistry such as nitrate and phosphate it predicts that as these become more readily available from the EEA a more accurate picture will emerge as Irish progress on WFD implementation is placed into a European context.

The full report is available at http://www. epa.ie/downloads/pubs/ water/waterqua/

How much water do you use directly or indirectly every day?

Gery Flynn

T

he first scientifically credible way of comparing the amount of freshwater used in the goods and services we consume or to make a product – the Global Water Footprint Standard – has been published and is seen as an important step towards solving the world’s everincreasing water problems.

Developed at the University of Twente in the Netherlands by the Water Footprint Network and its 139 partners and scientists ‘The Water Footprint Assessment Manual: Setting the Global Standard’ will enable individual consumers to quantify their contribution of water use.

But perhaps more significantly it will allow companies and even nations to assess their input to conflicts and environmental degradation in river basins worldwide.

WATER FOOTPRINT First introduced in 2002, the water footprint concept is comparable to the more familiar carbon footprint concept as a measure of environmental impact.

The water footprint of an individual, community or business is defined as the total volume of freshwater that is used to produce the goods and services consumed by the individual or community or produced by the business.

Water use is measured in terms of water volumes consumed (evaporated) and/or polluted per unit of time.

A water footprint can be calculated for a particular product, for any well-defined

group of consumers (individual, family, village, city, province, state or nation) or producers (a public organisation, private enterprise or economic sector).

The water footprint is a geographically explicit indicator, not only showing volumes of water use and pollution, but also the locations.

“The water footprint is an indicator of water use that looks at both direct and indirect water use of a consumer or producer,” explains Ruth Mathews, executive director of the Water Footprint Network (WFN) at the University of Twente where it operates as a non-profit foundation promoting the move towards sustainable, fair and efficient use of fresh water resources worldwide Water-related risks Mathews says she is confident that the new manual will not only help companies to reduce water use, but will also enable banks and investors to

assess water-related risks and governments to improve water management.

“The water footprint of common products such as coffee can be surprising; for example it can take an average of 140 litres of water to produce each cup of coffee, but more importantly, the Global Water Footprint Standard helps us all know more about how much water we use, where it comes from and how we each can take steps to make our water footprint sustainable, to ensure that the world’s people and natural ecosystems will have the freshwater necessary to thrive well into the future.”

WATER MANAGEMENT Partners from business, civil society, government, global institutions and academic organisations are working with the Water Footprint Network to push for improvements in water-use efficiency, pollution reduction and sustainable water

management.

As more pressure is put on freshwater resources, using the standard in all sectors and in all river basins will be increasingly important. The publication of this standard helps individuals, businesses and governments take steps toward a sustainable water footprint.

The Water Footprint Network is a not-for-profit foundation under Dutch law whose aim is to promote the transition towards sustainable, fair and efficient use of fresh water resources worldwide by: • advancing the concept of the ‘water footprint’ – a spatially and temporally explicit indicator of direct and indirect water use of consumers and producers • increasing the water footprint awareness of communities, government bodies and businesses and their understanding of how consumption of goods and

services and production chains relate to water use and impacts on fresh-water systems • encouraging forms of water governance that reduce the negative ecological and social impacts of the water footprints of communities, countries and businesses.

The Water Footprint Network has over 130 partners in 34 countries from a wide variety of stakeholder groups. It also provides open source datasets on water footprints of over 300 crop products and industrial and domestic water consumption worldwide as well as the water footprints of nations. All datasets are generated following the Global Water Footprint Standard.

The Water Footprint Assessment Manual: Setting the Global Standard can be downloaded from www.waterfootprint.org

8 INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

ANGLING

Home smoked mackerel I Brendan Connolly

rish summers are not complete without mackerel fishing.

Casting a silver lure from piers and rocky shores can result in a powerful strike that will test the backbone of any spinning rod. Our hearts beat faster as we see the mackerel’s silver flashes and the line zipping through the water as they show off their magnificent turn of speed.

Those lucky enough to have seen mackerel pursuing sprat close in to shore will never forget this spectacle. Small sprat scattering in all directions in a blind panic to flee packs of hunting mackerel – even jumping into the air and sometimes landing on the shore.

For boat sea-angling, catching mackerel is usually part of every trip. At sea, a keen eye is kept out for groups of feeding birds. Disturbed water surface indicates mackerel attacking sprat from underneath; this also allows the birds to target the sprat.

Mackerel feathers dropped through these shoals of sprat hit the mackerel underneath virtually every time. It is a superb feeling to have four or five mackerel lunging at the line.

Sometimes they all swim down at the same time, and even powerful boat rods will arch over in an impressive curve. Then, suddenly they all swim upwards and it seems as if they have all escaped, to again all turn down again, nearly wrenching the rod from your hands.

Reeling in the line, the

flashing silver of four or five mackerel comes into view.

Catching mackerel like this engenders a strangely luxurious feeling. A plentiful bounty provided by nature.

MACKEREL SMOKING

Paradoxically, these rich fleshed fish can be caught by the box-full, yet are not considered amongst the top fish dishes. On the other hand, smoked mackerel is considered a delicacy in many countries, and can be smoked at home.

This can be done very simply.

Mackerel are usually hotsmoked for three-quarters to one hour, depending on size, until they turn yellow-gold in colour. The method outlined here is taken from Home Smoking and Curing by Keith Erlandson.

A galvanized incineration bin with a short chimney on the lid

Mackerel by the box load

can be used as a smoker, and can be purchased at hardware shops. The bottom is cut out of the bin and is placed over a barbeque. A grate should be suspended in the top of the bin from which to hang the fish. It is advised to let smoke through a new galvanized bin smoker without fish in it for 10 to 12 hours, so that the inside of the bin gets well covered in smoke so no chemicals from the galvanize can contaminate the food.

The mackerel should be gutted, including the black tissue against the backbone (the kidney) that looks like congealed blood. The head and tail are left on the fish.

The mackerel are then put in brine, about 700 grams of salt in 3 litres of water for two hours.

Wooden toothpicks can be put crossways just inside the flaps of the body cavity to keep it open to let in the brine. Once or twice, the fish can be moved about to help with the brining process.

The fish are then hung on hooks from the grating of the smoker to drip out for another two hours, after which the smoker with the fish suspended in it is placed on barbeque.

Ideally, the temperature in the smoker should be around 80˚C. An oven thermometer can be hung from a wire in the smoker to monitor the temperature. A medium fire should be maintained and moist sawdust or wood chips scattered on it will add further smoke.

Most wood from broadleaved trees can be used, but conifer wood is not advised as it contains a lot of pitch and deposits tar on the food as well as the smoker.

Warm mackerel straight from the smoker is very flavoursome, but it is more usual eaten cold.

An incineration bin mackerel smoker

Mackerel are suspended from the grater to be smoked

Carlow anglers day out The Carlow Coarse Angling Club held a day out for members on the Maganey stretch of the river Barrow on Sunday February 27.

The day was neither classed as a knock up or a match, so all attending were able to pick their own peg and fish at their leisure.

There was a good turn out on the day with members from Northern Ireland, England, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia and Lithuania.

The Carlow club is becoming widely known for their

activities along the Barrow, so much so that a member of the public (John) approached Gerry McStraw the club chairman and donated €50 to the club for their outstanding work on the Barrow.

This was done in reference to the river patrols, junior development and a current project for disabled anglers which is currently on-going.

The day out was a huge success with everyone having a good time despite the strong north wind which did hamper the fishing.

Miroslav, the up-and-coming

member of the Carlow Coarse Angling Club, managed to catch probably the largest recorded bag of fish this year on the Barrow. Weighing in an astounding 69 pounds 15 ounces, the video can be found on the Carlow cac facebook page along with other pictures and videos.

The Carlow Coarse Angling Club is open for members, and if you have any enquiries please do not hesitate to contact Gerry McStraw on 085 2844566 or call into St. Fiacc’s Tce. Graiguecullen, Carlow.

Congratulations to John Kehoe from Louth, winner of licences and permits for a midweek or weekend’s fishing for two, at the Drowes Salmon Fishery, Kinlough, Co Leitrim. www.drowessalmonfishery.com

Miroslav Svajenlin, Carlow Coarse Angling Club

INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

FISHERIES

Scallops: safe and sustainable from tide to table I

rish seafood is renowned for its delicious, nutritious quality. As the competent authority for the enforcement of sea-fisheries law and food safety law, the SeaFisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) works to ensure the sustainability of these stocks and also to promote food safety in the seafood sector.

The latest SFPA Consumer Advice leaflet on Irish scallops advises consumers on the safe choosing and handling of scallops and along with the SFPA’s additional consumer advice leaflets on smoked salmon and brown crab it is available from www.sfpa.ie or any SFPA office.

There are two species of scallop fished in Irish waters: the King Scallop and the smaller Queen Scallop, which is the less common variety. King Scallops are landed throughout the year while the high season for Queen Scallops is August to November.

Irish vessels fish for scallops in both inshore and offshore waters.

All scallops landed into Ireland are processed before sale. Whole scallops are landed to processing plants. Processing, or shucking, involves extracting the adductor muscle (white meat) and the attached gonads or roe from the shell. Processing is a significant source of employment and potentially adds value to the raw product.

When taken onboard, all scallops are handled with care to reduce stress in the adductor muscle, which is the edible white meat.

Premium grade scallops are taken only from the last two days of fishing and these are shucked from their shell and washed with no soaking or glazing. The meats are size graded and packed on ice according to buyers’ requirements and are guaranteed as a premium quality product.

Under Food Safety Regulations, all food business operators are obliged to produce safe food. As with many shellfish, a particular consideration is the potential presence of naturally occurring marine biotoxins in the scallop meat and Ireland operates a comprehensive biotoxin monitoring programme to manage this

possibility. To protect the consumer, all landings of Irish-caught scallop are tested for the presence of biotoxins prior to being placed on the market for human consumption.

Minimum landing sizes Fisheries conservation measures in place intended to promote the sustainability of scallop stocks include minimum landing sizes and requirements to hold official authorisations. The sale of Irish scallops below the minimum landing sizes and requirements is illegal and damaging to stock survival.

The SFPA requests that consumers who find scallops on sale below the minimum landing sizes and requirements, to report this to the SFPA’s confidential line: 1890 76 76 76.

The SFPA also advises consumers to take precautions to ensure the protection of Irish scallops: • purchase from a reputable retailer who follows good food handling practices • ensure the product is refrigerated or well iced when purchasing • check the best-before date (where relevant) • ensure there is sufficient shelflife remaining for the intended consumption date • purchase at the end of a shopping trip and place in refrigerated storage as soon as possible • defrost in the refrigerator prior to use if purchased frozen • dispose of any product not consumed within the ‘Use-by’ date • ensure the packaging is intact if buying a pre-packed product • avoid contamination by observing safe food handling practices in the home.

Furthermore, pre-packaged products containing scallop should be labelled with the name of the product; instructions for use/ storage; a list of ingredients; the net quantity; production method and origin of the product, and the name and address of a supplier in the European Union.

anded in Ireland over the last three patterns for King Scallop they are

ntities with just a few tonnes being are the most productive time of the ing during the rest of the year.

ta

A

2008 2009 2010

S

O

N

tact Details

bour Centre,

al.

731264 731819 sfpa.ie

bere

9

D

An Daingean An Caladh.

An Daingean, Co. Chiarraí.

T: 353 66 9152122 Quality assurance F: 353 66 9151489 The packaging should also Dingle@sfpa.ie

Howth

display an approval number which is oval shaped and marked with a

unique identification number. This provides an assurance that the product originated from a premises approved by the SFPA or other competent authority.

“The scallop fishing sector makes an important contribution to the economies of rural coastal communities. The SFPA works with the fishing industry to ensure that fish products produced, processed and sold in Ireland and abroad, meet the highest standards of food safety “Consumers have an important role to play in helping to ensure the food they purchase and consume is fished responsibly and handled safely,” advises Peter Whelan, chairman of the SFPA.

“Consumers have an important role to play in helping to ensure the food they purchase and consume is fished responsibly and handled safely,”

Consumer Advice Scallops

10 INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

SEAFOOD DESK

Bord Bia food initiative in Spain

P

resident Mary McAleese has launched a Bord Bia initiative in Spain designed to boost the image and reputation of Irish food in the Spanish market. The project involves reaching out to student chefs at top catering schools across Spain to build stronger relationships with the future generation of chefs and to establish an awareness of, and loyalty to, Irish produce.

The President also attended the first of a series of ‘Irish Food Master Classes’ conducted by the internationally renowned Michelin star chef Mario Sandoval. These classes will provide trainee chefs with an insight and understanding of Ireland’s unique food and drink product offerings and highlight Ireland’s commitment to quality and sustainability.

Speaking at the event, President McAleese said the initiative brought together two food cultures and would forge “enduring relationships that will bear fruit far into

the future. Our investment in research, animal traceability and marketing makes us uniquely placed to provide quality food products.

“Food and drink is, in fact, Ireland’s most important indigenous industry, one of our greatest sustainable resources and one of our fastest growing export areas. Today’s Master Class is an important stepping stone in building strong relationships between Spanish kitchens and Irish farms,” she added.

Aidan Cotter, CEO, Bord Bia added that building the premium image and reputation of Irish food in key export markets is a top priority for Bord Bia and is consistent with the objectives to build a brand image as set out in our ‘Pathways for Growth’ document, prepared for Bord Bia by Professor David Bell and Mary Shelman of Harvard Business School.

In 2010, Irish food and drinks exports to Spain were valued at €210 million, an annual increase of 13 percent. Spain is Ireland’s second largest export market for seafood and our third most important for beef and livestock.

Pictured in Madrid are (l-r) President of Ireland Mary McAleese; Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food, Simon Coveney TD; Michelin star chef Mario Sandoval and Aidan Cotter, CEO, Bord Bia.

Industry requires a shift in focus from ‘fisherman to seafood supplier’ to maximise potential

A

t the Irish Skipper Expo in Galway in March, Jason Whooley, BIM chief executive said the seafood sector was on target to generate €1 billion in sales and create an additional 3,000 jobs in the industry by 2020, but acknowledged the difficulties of high fuel prices, restrictive quotas.

“The inescapable fact is that seafood, a raw material which so many fishermen

here today have control over, actually makes the fisherman the most important link in the seafood industry chain.

If we can begin to create a shift in focus from being a ‘stand alone’ fisherman to seeing ourselves as a ‘supplier’ selling his seafood to a major international market that has huge demand for this product, the opportunities for maximising the return to fishermen become more tangible.

He added that fishermen

have to begin to see their livelihood as a business with major potential.

“The traditional routes for fishermen to bring their products to market have to be looked at in light of developing global trends if Ireland is to remain a strong player in the world seafood market. BIM is keen to begin this debate and to assist our industry to make the right decisions to ensure they don’t see this major business potential lost,” he added.

Crowds at the Irish Skipper Expo in Galway

Photos: Irish Skipper

INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

11

SEAFOOD DESK

BIM develops two new processing capability programmes

B

IM has developed two new programmes for seafood processing companies aimed at providing technical advice, mentoring and assistance to improve processing capability. There is growing recognition that by providing the market with added- value products there is also a need to increase the capability to meet consumer demand for seafood standards.

The processing Capability Start Programme will assist small or artisan seafood processors to meet all food standard requirements, whilst the Advance Processing Capability Programme will assist larger seafood processors to tender for export markets that require BRC (British Retail Consortium) Certification.

SEAFOOD START-UP COMPANIES The approach is based on a structured programme that includes a BIM users workbook specifically designed for seafood processors on food safety management systems. This workbook is completed by the processor under the mentoring of BIM staff to ensure that the specific

food safety management system is tailor made to each processor while increasing the knowledge and skills of the processor.

Advice is given on other technical issues including plant layout, refrigeration considerations and an effective production and product flow. After this stage a full consultation and review including an on-site visit is undertaken by BIM to give mentoring specific to each individual processor. An important part of the skills development is training in HACCP and seafood hygiene which gives participants the full skill set to effectively run their own processing system.

The programme includes attendance at one of BIM’s workshops such as a labelling workshop to further develop skill and knowledge.

Further details from Dr Carol Rafferty on 01-2144110 or e-mail rafferty@bim.ie

LARGER SEAFOOD PROCESSORS The Advance Processing Capability Programme is aimed at larger seafood processors exporting into European markets that require BRC Global Standards Certification. The opportunity for companies to grow into European

markets, especially those of the multiple chains requires that the processors must have BRC certification even before they tender for the business.

BRC is regarded as the benchmark for best practice in the food industry and has evolved into a Global Standard used not just to assess retailer suppliers but as a framework upon which many companies have based their supplier assessment programmes. It is vital for retailers and brand owners to have confidence in their suppliers and equally important for suppliers to demonstrate the quality, safety and legality of their products and services to retailers.

BIM will assist companies through a structured programme covering what BRC is all about, the costs and a company health check to assess readiness to attain BRC. It also includes a Pre BRC on-site audit and mentoring to prepare the company for the official BRC audit with back-up phone and e-mail support. BIM will also assist in terms of finance which includes the reduced fixed rate for the third party BRC audits secured by BIM. Further details from Sandra Hennessy on 01-2144113 or e-mail hennessy@bim.ie

Making more of Irish Seafood

To add value to your business: Contact: BIM Seafood Development Centre Clogheen Road, Clonakilty Co. Cork.

www.bim.ie

Email SDC@bim.ie Tel 01 2144280

Seal Depredation and Bycatch Trials The problem of seals taking and damaging fish which have been caught by fishermen in set nets has been well documented.

Depredation rates of up to 30% across various inshore set net fisheries around the coast have been reported by industry. There are no current quantitative estimates of catch losses available for Irish waters, however, as the most recent data are over ten years old, BIM, along with project partners CMRC and MI, aims to carry out an updated pilot scale assessment of seal depredation in Irish waters. Technical trials aiming to improve our understanding of potential cues leading to increased rates of depredation such as vessel noise and surface marker buoys will be also be included and data on bycatch of seals and other protected species will be collected as required under the Habitats Directive and EC regulations. The project will provide new information that can be used to inform debate and policy on the development of appropriate management measures for seals in Irish waters.

BIM are seeking the assistance of two gillnet/tanglenet vessels based on the south and west coast to facilitate approximately 100 observer days commencing in early summer 2011. In order to facilitate technical trials, occasional alterations to normal fishing practices will be required and a contribution towards vessel costs will therefore be made. Vessels will be selected on the basis of strict criteria relating to the prevalence of seal depredation in their area, ability to carry observers, willingness to fully engage with all project requirements and the proposed contribution to costs.

Application forms to participate in the project are available online at www.bim.ie/trials or from the BIM Galway office. Completed applications must be received at BIM, New Docks Road, Galway by 5p.m.

Friday 15th April 2011. An up to date tax clearance certificate will be required from the successful applicant before the survey can commence. The lowest tender need not necessarily be accepted and the work will proceed subject to the availability of adequate funds.

Hake Gillnet Selectivity Trials BIM propose undertaking experimental selectivity trials during April/May 2011 in order to determine hake gillnet selectivity parameters.

The proposed selectivity experiment will involve gillnetting for Hake onboard a commercial fishing vessel, with the selected vessel required to adapt fishing techniques in order to allow various mesh sizes to be worked during the trials. The fishing trials will take place on the S/SW coast.

The vessel will be selected on the basis of strict criteria relating to suitability for gillnetting and established track record fishing for hake in recent years. The vessel will be required to accommodate a minimum of 2 scientists and also have sufficient space on board to allow for a good sampling area. A limited amount of fishing gear may be supplied if required under strict terms and conditions. Samples of fish caught may be retained for use in research being undertaken by BIM. Ideally the vessel should be greater than 20 meters to accommodate extra gear, time at sea and extra crew.

The processing Capability Start Programme will assist small or artisan seafood processors to meet all food standard requirements.

Applicants should note the trials will be undertaken under derogation/permit from DAFF and that EU/national regulations will apply. Application forms to participate in the project are available online at www.bim.ie/trials or from the BIM Galway office. Completed applications must be received at BIM, New Docks, Galway by 5p.m. Friday 15th April 2011. An up to date tax clearance certificate will be required from the successful applicant before the survey can commence. The lowest tender need not necessarily be accepted and the work will proceed subject to the availability of adequate funds.

12 INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

FISHERIES

Is the Commission’s stance on fish Gillian Mills At a specially convened meeting of EU member states, Maria Damanaki, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, starkly told delegates she considered the practice of fish discarding ‘unethical, a waste of natural resources and a waste of fishermen’s effort’.

And she added that if 2004 FAO estimates of 7.3 million tonnes or 8% of the total fish catches being discarded was not striking to some members, ‘European fisheries are doing much worse than the global average,’ where discarding in the whitefish fishery is up to 50 per cent and 70 per cent in the flatfish fishery.

‘If we continue with our policy, then we will soon face a situation where the production capacity of marine ecosystems is at risk,’ she warned.

Outlining her basic ideas, Commissioner Damanaki said the approach should be gradual, ‘starting with pelagic fisheries and then Speaking to Inshore Ireland, Michael Keatinge, fisheries development manager with BIM outlined three elements that need to be addressed when regarding discards: Causation, the Commission proposal of a blanket ban – and the alternative.

Discards have become something of a cause célèbre since exposure on television; now suddently the public are aware that discarding occurs. So, what is the problem with discards, and what causes it? In fact, it’s the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) itself that actually causes some of the discarding.

Minimum landing sizes Firstly, we have minimum landing sizes (MLS). The CFP tells us legally you must throw back fish if they are below the MLS. It doesn’t matter what gear you use or how you catch them; the very fact they’re below a certain size, the rules say you must throw them back.

Secondly, and this is more subtle and probably more invidious, there is very often a mis-match between the principle of relative stability and what is actually happening in the sea. Ireland and the other member states are given

to cover a few important demersal mixed fisheries after a short phase in period.

The list of species covered could be enlarged year by year,’ she explained.

On the question of which management system to choose in order to manage fish stocks, Commissioner Damanaki said one possibility would be to only manage mixed fisheries with an effort system: ‘The idea is to preserve relative stability by translating relative stability in quotas into relative stability in effort for mixed fisheries.

‘Such a management system is relatively simple as all catches would need to be landed.

‘Control is also easy as the time spent at sea can be easily controlled by the vessel monitoring system,’ she said.

Another possibility she outlined was the catch quota system with by-catch quotas: ‘All catches would have to be counted against quotas and then later against bycatch quotas.

‘In such a system it would also be necessary that Member States allocate their quotas under the rules of relative stability – in other words, so much cod, so much haddock and so much whiting.

When a fisherman goes fishing however, what occurs in his net is driven by what’s happening biologically in the sea. And if the proportions that arrive in his net don’t match the proportions he’s been given through relative stability, he reaches a point eventually where he might still have quota for one or more species, but no longer for a third.

Consequently, he starts throwing that species back.

Another issue is mini quotas whereby some member states have tiny quotas for one species, for example, in the Irish Sea. They are quite legally entitled to fish for species X but don’t have quotas for other species. This leads to discarding, so why are these retained?

Biology When Nature is good to us and produces very strong year-classes as in the Celtic Sea currently, we have considerable amounts of young haddock and whiting and cod.

For the period after they are born until they reach a certain size – and the size could be the MLS

quotas more in line with the real possible catches of their vessels.

‘A catch-quota system would need guarantees that it would work, because it will be more complicated,’ she explained.

‘Whatever system is chosen in the end – whether it is effort management or catch quotas – a discard ban needs consistency in all rules of the CFP,’ she added.

‘So far we have tried to tackle discards with technical measures.

‘But let’s be honest, if we continue this it is like treating a serious illness with Aspirin. We have to recognize that our policy gives sometimes incentives to discarding. So, I am convinced we have to start thinking outside the box,’ Commissioner Damanaki declared.

• On 1 March, commissioner Maria Damanaki invited members of the European Parliament, EU fisheries ministers and the Court of Auditors for an informal political discussion on how to end discards in the context of the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). or the economically viable size the very fact that Nature has been good means there is a lot of very small fish in the sea.

The result is that discarding will increase. Why, because in the first instance they are thrown back back because they cannot be legally landed and also they are not economical to sell. So, Nature whilst being good can itself cause problems and difficulties.

Economics If a fisherman is trying to run an enterprise –his boat – he has to live within the quota system and yet, at the same time, try to make living. If he has a haul and the fish isn’t exactly the best, there’s the temptation to dump these and take another catch to ensure a decent price for his catch ashore.

Many consider the Commission’s blanket ban is little more than a knee-jerk reaction that could in fact be counter-productive.

Forcing fishermen to land boxes and boxes of fish that have no commercial value could seriously undermine the industry. .

So what will become of these fish?

Yes, they may end up going for fish meal, but the simple fact remains: They have been

The practice of ‘slipping’ at sea. The net is never taken from the water – it is simply opened to rele extent of the damage is not known. taken from the stock, they are already dead. So, what’s the big advantage here?

In their proposal, the Commission suggests counting these fish against quota, so effectively shortening fishing time as quota will be used up. So, fishermen will now no longer be economically viable? It’s just a knee-jerk reaction that could end up being counter-productive.

Discarding is not a good thing but at least when fish are thrown back into the sea they are not unused, they are recycled by Nature. They go back into the sea as biomass and are eaten by other creatures. The productivity of that part of the sea therefore benefits.

Of course you could end up with a sea without any large animals as all the big fish have gone.

Blanket ban alternative The national position, and certainly the one BIM fundamentally fully backs, is the need to focus on where the problems exist because it’s certianly not in every fishery.

Certain types of fishing will experience greater problem than others. It’s not simply the rate of discarding, it’s the total amount.

That’s what you need to reduce.

Firstly, to define which fishery is

generating in biomass terms the largest degreee of discarding.

How do we tackle this?

This is where the Marine Institute and BIM are involved.

Earlier this year the Department, BIM and the Marine Institute met with the producer organisatoins (Pos) to discuss technical conservation measures that could be introduced at very little cost.

For example, a square mesh panel in the Celtic Sea could be introduced ‘overnight’ at little cost.

This simple measure could reduce critical whiting and haddock discarding by 70-80%.

So what should we do?

This is a dynamic scenario.

Currently there is a lot of haddock, cod and whiting in the Celtic Sea; other years it could be other species. So it varies from time to time because of biological issues, and it varies from fleet to fleet.

For example, a vessel fishing prawns may actually catch and discard white fish. But if we go back and look at the total volume in a given year versus other fleets, it can be actually quite small. So, while the rate may be high, the volume - in total terms at the end of the year – may not be high. It varies from fleet to fleet. We need

to identify and focus on the fleets in a specific time period or place that are actually at the heart of the matter.

There are simple techical measures available that would cost just a few hundred Euros to insert panels in the net. It would not adversely impact on the economic viability of the vessels and it would pretty much solve the problem.

BIM genuinely believes that the Irish fishing industry will embrace this type of change; however Ireland is just one of many players.

We need to find leadership within the CFP to make these changes occur quickly.

One example could be the creation of regionalised common policies. In ‘Irish waters’ , for example, this would involve France, the UK and Spain and ourselves, who could impose corrective action to emerging problems.

So to recap. Because of telelvision publicity on discards, the Commissioner has responded with a knee-jerk reaction to ban discarding; however the implications are horrendous.

What will become of the landed but unusable fish and how will this impact on the viability of fishermen?

INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

13

FISHERIES

discarding a kneejerk reaction?

In a statement to Inshore Ireland, Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food said he was committed to the progressive reduction of discards and their elimination to the greatest extent possible as part of the CFP review “I do not disagree with the general thrust of what Minister Smith said recently [see below] and will be meeting the industry

and other stakeholders over the course of the CFP reform process to see how we can make real and measurable progress to reduce discards as soon as possible.”

[Minister Smith said he fully shared the Commissioner’s concern about discards and that the problem was ‘one of the priorities in Ireland’s submission on the review of the CFP’ and should be ‘a fundamental cornerstone of the new CFP. There is no disagreement between Ireland

and the Commissioner on the objective to reduce discards, the discussion is about the means to achieve this objective.’

Minister Smith added that whilst the media had ‘quite rightly’ focused on this issue, ‘I believe a clear road map over a specified time period [to]deliver-long term and sustainable improvements is preferable to a short-term set of measures that may not deliver in the long run.’]

Community Fisheries Control Agency (CFCA)

or eliminate discards remain a challenge.

The European Commission in cooperation with Member States and the fishing industry have taken steps to make proposals on how to reduce discards. The Council Regulation that underpins 2011 fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks also lays down certain provisions regarding this problem.

On a voluntary basis for several Member States, certain fleets have accepted video cameras on board to prove they do not discard. In exchange, these

vessels receive additional fishing possibilities.

The UK and other MS also apply real-time closures of areas with a high proportion of small fish, in order to avoid catches and subsequent discards of undersized fish. These are promising initiatives to reduce discarding. Where requested by MS or the Commission, the CFCA will assist in the implementation of these measures.

Sustainable exploitation in line with scientific advice is the only long term option for fisheries which is good for fish stocks and for the fishing industry.

Statement by Harm Koster, CFCA executive director Discarding is an unethical practice, a waste of natural resources and a waste of fishermen’s effort. They may be harmful to the ecosystem and undermine the sustainability of fisheries. It is therefore necessary to take action to stop these practices so that sustainability can be ensured.

There are no easy solutions to this problem. The measures that are being considered to reduce

ease the fish, the majority of which are already dead. These fish are not accounted for and the

INDUSTRY REACTION The Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) has called for an ‘informed debate’ on discards at EU level ‘particularly in light of the recent banner headlines issued by Commissioner Damanaki of a blanket ban on discards.

‘FIF is fully supportive of reducing the wasteful practice of discards and has been at the forefront in putting forward workable solutions to address this complex issue. It may be populist to call for a blanket ban; however without a workable means to achieve this, it will only make a bad situation even worse.

Sean O Donoghue FiF chairman of FIF said he was ‘fully aware of the importance of tackling the discards issue and the need to find workable solutions. Discards is a multi-faceted complex issue that requires a suite of solutions. Using the sound bite of banning discards maybe populist but does not address the issue,’ he said.

He added that Commissioner’s Damanaki recent proposals concentrating on landing all discards ‘fails to address the real issue of avoiding catching discards in the first place. Her proposals do nothing to address

stock sustainability and would only lead to a market collapse in the EU whitefish sector,’ he stressed.

‘Emphasis has to be on avoiding and reducing discards ‘rather than a blanket discards ban’ which would be counterproductive.

The FIF chairman considers that operating on a fishery by fishery basis by allowing the unwanted fish to escape unharmed through changes in gear design and fishing practices is the way forward.

‘The Irish fishing industry has been at the forefront in proposing such changes in recent years,’ he added.

‘Ongoing CFP review affords an excellent opportunity to work proactively with stakeholders, the Commission, the European Parliament and Member States to progressively reduce discards, fishery by fishery and to work towards their eventual elimination.

‘This type of approach – unlike the blanket discards ban – will deliver a sustainable, economically viable and ecologicallyfriendly fishing industry for the future.’

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) aims to promote compliance with sea-fisheries and food safety law by supporting and helping the industry to understand their legal obligations under this legislation. The SFPA will continue working in cooperation with the industry to further develop a culture of compliance to ensure the growth of a sustainable, profitable, and world class fishing industry in Ireland.

The SFPA is the independent statutory body, legally charged with the State’s sea-fisheries law enforcement functions.

Confidential Line: 1890 767676 Fax: +353 (0)23 8859300 E: info@sfpa.ie W: www.sfpa.ie

14 INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Royal presence to add flair to major aquaculture extravaganza

Is climate change already impacting aquaculture?

Prof Chris Elliot Chair of Food Safety & Microbiology QUB The safefood knowledge networks for biotoxins and chemical residues in food, managed by Queen’s University Belfast, are hosting a conference entitled Climate Change and Aquaculture in the Wellington Park Hotel, Belfast on May 31. This conference brings together researchers, industry and regulators from the aquaculture sector across the island of Ireland.

Evidence suggests that the impacts of climate change are, in fact, occurring now and are not just theoretical future concerns.

Aquaculture is a realistic and sustainable approach for coping with dwindling stocks and increasing demand for seafood products and is currently the fastest growing food production sector (7% annual growth).

RISE IN GLOBAL DEMAND

King Harald and Queen Sonia are welcomed to the National Maritime College Cork by Cmdr John Kavanagh during their visit to Ireland in September 2006.

Photo Maxwells

C

onfirmation that His Majesty, King Harald of Norway has accepted the organisers’ invitation to officially open Aqua Nor 2011 on August 16 in Trondheim is seen as a major vote of confidence in the nation’s aquaculture industry.

Expressing gratitude to King Harald on behalf of the industry, Liv Holmefjord, head of the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries (Fiskeridirektoratet) and chairperson of the NorFishing Foundation said that “His

Majesty’s presence underscores the enormous importance of the aquaculture industry for Norway, and we are indeed grateful.”

For more than a century the Norwegian Royal Family has demonstrated great interest in the fisheries and aquaculture industry.

In 1908, King Haakon VII opened the Scandinavian Fisheries Exhibition in Trondheim. The King was accompanied then by Queen Maud and Crown Prince Olav.

More recently, King Olav V, King Harald V, and Crown Prince Haakon have regularly attended the official openings of Nor-

Fishing and Aqua Nor. Now in its seventeenth year, Aqua Nor began modestly in 1979 to become the world’s largest - and arguably - the most important exhibition of aquaculture technology. Visitors to Aqua Nor are expected from over 50 countries.

The organisers have confirmed that in addition to a variety of trade stands and exhibits, several international conferences and seminars are scheduled take place in parallel in a variety of venues around Trondheim.

The Irish aquaculture industry produces more than 60,000 tonnes of fish p.a., including shellfish, valued over €100m.

Demand for seafood continues to rise globally and government projections suggest there is a realistic opportunity for Ireland to realise revenue of €1bn, accounting for 14,000 full time jobs by 2020.

In order to accomplish this goal it is essential that the challenges facing the aquaculture industry be addressed. Extreme events caused by climate change will have significant direct and indirect effects on the environment, causing an air of uncertainty over future global aquatic production. Changes in meteorological conditions and rising water temperatures will pose a serious threat to aquaculture practices. Issues such as increased chemical usage to combat new pests and diseases could have wide ranging impacts on the food chain.

Dr Martin Danaher (Teagasc) will discuss the issues surrounding chemical usage and its impact upon the safety of aquaculture products in the Irish market.

Additionally, the appearance of foreign, toxin-producing species, such as harmful algae and jellyfish, will pose new management challenges for those in the aquaculture industry and food legislation.

NEW TOXINS IN ATLANTIC WATERS? Our international speaker, Dr Ana Garcia Cabado (ANFACO-CECOPESCA) will address the appearance of new toxins in the Atlantic area with particular reference to impacts upon aquaculture produce.

Furthermore, Dr Kirsten Dunbar (FSA) and Micheál

Mussel lines in Killary Harbour.

O’Mahony (SFPA) will discuss the current status of regulation and legislation for biotoxins and chemical residues in seafood and the impact climate change will have upon these controls.

Open discussion sessions will provide delegates with the opportunity to express their own concerns in an informal environment that encourages collaboration between all sectors of the food supply chain.

In conjunction with the conference, a technical workshop for the detection of biotoxins and chemical residues in food will be held at Queens University, Belfast on June 1. This workshop will include theoretical and practical sessions covering immunological methods, spectroscopical techniques and ‘omics’ with relevance to food safety.

The conference and workshop are free for safefood network members and £50 for non-members.

For free membership, go to http://safefood.ning. com. For further details on registration, topics, abstract submission, exhibitions and discussion groups, please see http://www.qub.ac.uk/ sites/safefoodNetworks/ Conference2011 or the advertisement on page 16.

Photo G Mills

INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

15

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Breakthrough in shrimp farming Stefan Kraan Scientifififfiific Director, Ocean Harvest Technology

T

he black tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon, is a marine crustacean widely reared for food in Asia and is often the one that ends up on your restaurant plate.

At approximately 36 centimetres in length and weighing up to 650 grams this is the world’s largest species of prawn. P. monodon is also the most widely cultured prawn species in the world, although it is gradually losing ground to the whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Over 900,000 tonnes are consumed annually, worth about $USD 5 billion, twothirds of which is farmed Frozen head-on, head-off, and peeled shrimp used to be the major export products to the main markets in the USA, EU and Japan. In financial value, Penaeus monodon is the most important traded aquaculture commodity in Asia.

DISEASE ISSUES Being the case with every type of monoculture, major disease problems are always a threat, either from viral Whitespote Disease (WSD) and Yellowhead Disease (YHV) or bacterial Vibrio campbellii .

No chemicals or drugs are yet available to treat such viral infections. Nevertheless, through good management of pond, water and feed, together with close monitoring of the health status of stock inputs, the impact of disease can be greatly reduced.

Outbreaks of the most serious virus disease nearly always occur following dramatic changes in parameters such as water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and water hardness.

In some cases, antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals have been used to treat these viruses but their usage comes with a high price and with little success.

SOLUTION Oceanfeed™-shrimp is the first marine natural and sustainable functional feed ingredient derived from macroalgae. Unique blending and processing guarantees

that all bioactive ingredients are present in the final end product and can replace the mineral and vitamin premix.

A number of reports in the literature have shown some degree of success in improving the clinical outcome of shrimp in viral and bacterial challenges by administering immunostimulants and algal extracts.* When supplemented to the diet, fucoidan – a seaweed component -partially protected shrimp from White Spot Syndrom Virus (WSSV) infection **. Oceanfeed™shrimp contains a plethora of natural bioactive compounds which, when incorporated into the diet, can modulate several functions and assist in the control of chronic diseases and viral infections in farmed shrimp.

It also allows for diseasefree farmed shrimp to be reared in a more natural and sustainable way, thus easing concerns about environmental impact and sustainability.

TRIAL RESULTS OHT recently finalised trials using Penaeus monodon with the objective of researching the effects of Oceanfeed™-shrimp on growth, FCR, and viral and bacterial diseases. Tests were also done to assess the improvement of the clinical outcome of P. monodon shrimp challenged with WSSV and Vibrio after feeding on a diet supplemented with Oceanfeed™-Shrimp.

Growth tests were performed by CreveTecAFT Research Center in biofloc recirculation systems. Challenge tests were performed by the Shrimp Research Group of the University of Ghent in Belgium.

Four different diets (with identical protein and lipid levels) were tested, incorporating 5 and 10% inclusions of Oceanfeed™Shrimp and two diets with yeast included.

Results after the two-month trials showed that inclusion of 10% of Oceanfeed™-shrimp (OF10-shrimp) without the addition of yeast was the best diet of the four tested diets and was able to replace the mineral vitamin premix.

Moreover, shrimp fed with 10% inclusion of OF-shrimp were 2.8% heavier than

reference shrimp fed with the standard reference diet at the end of the trial. This would translate into a 2.8 tonne increased yield per 100 tonnes of shrimp.

The Feed Conversion Ratio (corrected for mortalities) was 0.08 better with 10% inclusion of OF-shrimp. This is 8 tonnes of feed per 100 tonnes of shrimp that would be saved. Mortalities also improved on the OF10 feed by 1.67%. This is 1.67 tonnes shrimp per 100 tonnes. There was a strong effect in the OF10 diet when challenged with Whitespot Viral Disease and the bacterial disease Vibrio with a 40% and 20% lower mortality respectively compared to the control diet.

At the end of the trial, nonchallenged shrimp were tasted by a large UK seafood retailer.

The trials showed that OF10 shrimp were significantly better in taste and texture than reference diet shrimp.

GLOBAL ISSUES In 1810 the world population was approximately 1 billion; today, the figure is upwards of 7 billion, and by 2050 it is expected to top 9 billion. Food is therefore going to be incredibly important!

Currently food production is primarily land-based, despite the fact that 71% of the earth’s surface is covered by oceans. That leaves roughly 26% of the earth to support human life, animal life, vegetative life and agricultural production.

It is estimated that less than 3% of the earth’s surface is being utilised as arable land. The green revolution has made 3% of the planet incredibly productive. But can it grow?

Even more importantly, is it sustainable? The platform (food production) may not be burning, yet, but it is getting quite crowded. What if 10% of the ocean could be used to grow seafood? Shrimp farming will no doubt form a large part of this seafood production.

We are at the cross roads of a blue revolution, and Ocean Harvest Technology has developed feed ingredients from macroalgae to help develop this in a more sustainable way and to lessen the need and dependency on chemicals and additives. A perfect example is the effects

Penaeus monodon in its natural environment of Oceanfeed™-shrimp in shrimp farming. *(Itami et al., 1998; Takahashi et al., 2000; Chang et al., 2003) ** (Chotigeat et al., 2004; Huang et al., 2006)

It is estimated that less than 3% of the earth’s surface is being utilised as arable land.

The green revolution has made 3% of the planet incredibly productive.

But can it grow?

Even more importantly, is it sustainable?

Experimental system set up. One of the researchers fishing for shrimp

Penaeus monodon is a marine crustacean that is widely reared for food in Asia

Dr Stefan Krann showing one of the shrimp fed on Oceanfeed™ Shrimp Photos: S Kraan

16 INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Postcards from Malta Gillian Mills

M

arsaxlokk on the south-east coast of Malta is the country’s major fishing port, supporting a population of just over 3,000. Swordfish,

tuna and ‘lampuki are caught in abundance by local traditional boats know as ‘luzzu’ between spring and autumn. The painted eyes are believed to protect boats from danger.

On weekdays the fish is taken to market in Valetta but is sold

on the quay on Sundays along with local produce, groceries and almost anything you can image.

A five-day carnival takes place throughout Malta in the lead up to Lent; these exotic costumes were spotted

alongside women selling fish at the Sunday market.

The ancient art of collecting salt, dating back to Roman times, is still practised in Xwejni Bay in Gozo.

INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

17

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Inshore Ireland is a marine and freshwater bi-monthly newspaper produced by Gillian Mills and Gery Flynn and is available six times a year in newsagents throughout the island of Ireland (11,000 copies circulated in the RoI and NI). In news, feature and advertorial format, Inshore Ireland reports from the coastal rim and inland waterways under the headings:

Readership

Subscribe to Inshore Ireland - The marine & freshwater environment publication Established in 2005 by marine journalists Gillian Mills and Gery Flynn, Inshore Ireland provides impartial news and analysis on the marine and freshwater environments.

Published bimonthly, Inshore Ireland reports from Ireland’s 7000km coastline, 1000km2 of lakes and roughly 1,000km of navigable inland waterways

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Aquaculture Island life Water quality Inshore fisheries Seafood business Seafood processing Water-based leisure Ports and shipping Marine engineering and technology Sustainable energy ( wind, tidal, wave ) Marine and freshwater policy and regulation Marine and freshwater research and development The legislative frameworks regulating seafood production Commercial exploitation and development of the marine and freshwater environments

Why Subscribe?

Over the past five years, Inshore Ireland has provided unbiased analysis of topical issues relating to the marine and freshwater sectors. By focusing on renewable energy and marine research/technology, readers are also kept informed on these rapidly developing sectors. In other words: ‘If it’s water we write about it’! Inshore Ireland is regarded as an important and reliable source of information for marine professionals, commercial businesses, as well as academics and research institutions and anybody interested in these areas, so don’t miss out - have your copy delivered straight to your home or work place.

Subscriptions 2011

Subscription to Inshore Ireland couldn’t be easier. First select your subscription rate. Next simply indicate below whether you wish to pay by cheque or standing order and tick which issue you wish your subscription to start - you will receive 6 issues from that issue. Once you’ve completed the form post the original (unfortunately we cannot accept copies or scans) to Inshore Ireland, Rockfield, Athenry, Co Galway

Choose your subscription rates Tick as applicable

❑ Ireland €25 In other words: If it’s water, we write about it!

❑ UK €25

❑ European Union €30

❑ Rest Of World €30

2011/2012 Publication Schedules

ONLINE EDITION

Inshore Ireland is published six times a year. Please indicate which issue you wish your subscription to start by ticking the box.

You can view a digital edition of the publication on www.inshore-ireland.com or you can follow us on

Twitter www.twitter.com/inshore_ireland and Facebook www.facebook.com/InshoreIreland

2011 Issue

Published

Feb/Mar Apr/May Jun/Jul Aug/Sep Oct/Nov Dec/Jan

27 January 26 March 28 May 30 July 24 September 26 November

❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

2012 Issue

Published

Feb/Mar Apr/May Jun/Jul Aug/Sep Oct/Nov Dec/Jan

26 January 29 March 31 May 26 July 27 September 29 November

❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Copy and print deadlines are subject to change

Payment Method

Choose whether you wish to pay by cheque or standing order

❑

Cheque

❑

Standing Order

Please make your cheque payable to Inshore Ireland Publishing Limited, Rockfield, Athenry, Co Galway Please complete Standing Order form below

Standing Order Form Company/Business Name (if relevant):

I/We hereby instruct you to set up a standing order in favour of; Inshore Ireland, Rockfield, Athenry, Co Galway, Ireland Bank Of Ireland, Kill O The Grange, Blackrock, Co Dublin, Ireland Swift: BOF IIE2D IBAN: IE25 BOFI9011 8328 4237 85 Bank Account Number

Account Holder’s Name(s):

2

8

4

2

3

7

Sort Code

8

5

9

0

1

1

8

3

For a 6 issue subscription in Inshore Ireland commencing from the issue as indicated above for € To The Manager Bank/Building Society Branch Address

Frequency:

Signature(s)

Photo G Mills

❑ One Year ❑ Two Years ❑ Three Years

Our/My account to be debited: Bank Account Number

Email

Typical Maltese fishing boat or luzzu.

Payment Date:

Date

Sort Code

18 INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

MARINE R&D

Irish Weather Buoys celebrates 10th Anniversary

T

he Irish Weather Buoy network, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this month, has established itself as a key service provider in generating information used to produce accurate weather forecasts and to ensure maritime safety around Ireland’s coasts.

The network was established after the sinking of the fishing vessel Carrickatine off Malin Head in 1995 following the recommendation of the Fishing Vessel Safety Review Group set up to explore ways in which future such tragedies might be avoided. As a result, the first of six offshore marine weather buoys, M-1, was launched west of Inishmore in the Aran Islands, ten years ago from the Marine Institute’s RV Celtic Voyager. Following the launch of M1, buoys M-2 to M-6 were anchored: east of Dublin; southwest of Mizen Head; off Rossan Point; south of the Wexford coast and in deep water near the Porcupine Bank.

NEXT GENERATION Since 2008 the original buoys have been gradually replaced with a new generation of high tech buoys in a joint venture between the Department of Transport, the Marine Institute, Met Eireann and the UK Met Office.

Sheena Fennell of the Marine Institute’s Ocean Science Services Team is responsible for the day-to-day running and maintenance of the network.

“Each buoy is three metres in diameter and almost six metres tall. They are painted bright yellow for visibility and anchored to three-tonne weights sitting on the ocean floor in waters ranging from 90-3,000 metres deep.

The buoys support a steel superstructure that carries the communication equipment and meteorological sensors.”

DATA COLLECTED Regardless of the varying and extreme conditions at sea, each buoy produces data on wind speed and direction; atmospheric pressure;

humidity; wave height, sea and air temperature on an hourly basis.

“The information they provide is of prime importance to those involved in fishing, sailing, surfing and other marine-related activities with information on weather conditions and intensity of approaching storms,” Sheena added.

The Marine Institute has successfully formed a strong alliance with weather forecasters based at Met Eireann, in the UK and other parts of Europe to provide invaluable information generated by the buoys.

“The traditional use of satellite imagery gives details of how temperature, cloud and other weather elements vary from one region to another around Ireland,” commented Dr Glenn Nolan of the Marine Institute.

“But being able to use information transmitted by the buoys at sea level enables forecasters to fill in the gaps and provide accurate weather forecasts to the public.”

KEY RESOURCE According to the Director of Met Eireann, Liam Campbell that whilst its primary role was initially seen as an aid to safety in Irish waters “the weather buoy network has since become a key resource for Met Éireann in other areas. The marine observations it provides are an integral part of our operational weather forecasting capability.”

Over the next two years it is hoped to fully upgrade the existing network of buoys to not only produce more oceanographic data in real time, but also to establish a two way communication ability with each buoy.

“This will enable technicians to upload new configurations to the buoys from the shore base without going to sea,” Glenn Nolan explained.

“Biological fouling of the buoys however will still occur so it won’t be possible to completely retire from going to sea just yet.”

The key objective is for the buoys to continue to underpin forecasting to maximise safety at sea.

This Northern Bottlenose Whale was seen from Pulleen Harbour, Beara, Co. Cork on 19 Aug 2005. Sightings of the beaked whale species inshore are exceptionally rare and are usually confined to much deeper shelf-edge waters of >2500m.

Photograph: Conor Ryan

M-6 Weather Buoy platform used for researching beaked whales H ow do you study an animal that spends most of its life out of reach underwater? The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology have found a new way of researching beaked whales in Irish waters using the offshore platforms provided by the Irish weather buoy network in a project known as PReCAST.

“Beaked whales live far offshore in waters deeper than 1000m. As they spend 85-95% of their lives underwater, they are very difficult to monitor using visual surveys,” explained Dave Wall who is responsible for offshore surveys under the PReCAST project.

“As some beaked whale species only vocalise when at depths of 400m or more, it is also challenging to detect them using towed hydrophone

PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) passive sampler cage and sampler holder

INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

19

MARINE R&D

Buoys and barnacles

acoustic surveys that are normally used for monitoring whales and dolphins.”

DEEP C-PODS The answer has been to deploy a deepwater microphone systems called ‘Deep C-Pods’ from one of the M6 weather buoys at 1000m depth in 3000m of water just to the west of the Porcupine Bank during the IWDG/GMIT ‘Cetaceans on the Frontier’ survey in August 2009.

Each Deep C-Pod is a fullyautomated, static, passive acoustic monitoring device that detects porpoises, dolphins and other toothed whales by recognising the trains of echolocation clicks they make to detect their prey, to orientate and interact.

The Deep C-Pod’s battery pack has a recording duration of 4-5 months; after this time it remains inactive with the data safely stored on an SD Card until it is retrieved. When the M6 buoy is renewed in 2011 a new Deep C-Pod will be deployed on the new buoy.

“It is hoped that by deploying the Deep C-Pods on the M6 weather buoy, we will greatly increase our ability to detect and monitor these whales as the Pods are far from the clutter of ocean surface noise, in a quiet deep-water environment where beaked whales are known to vocalise and feed,” Dave added.

STATUS UNKNOWN The conservation status of all the deep-diving cetaceans in Irish waters was listed as ‘unknown’ in a recent report by the Irish Government on the Status of EU protected habitats and species in Ireland. Under the IUCN Red List 2009, the majority of deep diving cetacean

species occurring in Irish waters are listed as ‘data deficient’.

“Although we know which species of beaked whale occur off the Irish coast, we do not know the extent of their occurrence – whether they are resident or migratory or the extent to which they rely on specific habitat types such as sub-sea canyons,” Dave explained.

“The existing evidence, based on modeling data and surveys suggests that beaked whales have a distribution that is restricted by habitat requirements. Survey data also suggests that beaked whale distribution is more habitatspecific than that of other deep diving species such as sperm whales or pilot whales.

“When the data is retrieved and analysed it will provide vital information on daily activity of beaked whales and other deep diving whale and dolphin species in the area of the M6 Buoy. The Deep C-Pod outputs data in terms of detection positive minutes, hours or days per hour, day or month”.

In addition to providing information on the activity of beaked whales in the vicinity of the M6 buoy, it is planned to use data from the M6 Deep C-Pod as comparison data for a larger study using Deep C-Pods and bottom mounted hydrophones currently underway by the IWDG in a sub-sea canyon on the north slopes of the Porcupine Bank.

PReCAST is funded under the Sea Change strategy with the support of the Marine Institute and the Marine Research SubProgramme of the National Development Plan 2007-2013 (Grant Aid Agreement No. PBA/ ME/07/005 (02)).

I

magine naturallyoccurring super-glue so powerful it can be used to repair tissue in human surgery.

Barnacles have attracted scientific attention for some time as a possible source of this wonder compound; Paul McEvilly, Jaimie-Leigh Jonker and Dr Anne Marie Power of the Zoology department of the Ryan Institute at NUI Galway, have been studying the bio-adhesion of the goose barnacle (Lepas anatifera) and the buoy barnacle (Dosima fascicularis) for almost two

years with this in mind.

“These species of barnacles are notorious for attaching to the hulls of ships and the underside of marine buoys, thereby increasing the weight of their host and decreasing efficiency,” explained Paul McEvilly.

“As these barnacles are rarely found inshore, cooperation with the Marine Institute has provided many valuable opportunities to collect barnacle samples that have attached to the weather buoys offshore.”

Although goose barnacles look like giant shellfish attached to a long neck, they

1

are in fact filter-feeding crablike creatures that use feathery appendages to capture passing food from the ocean. Each barnacle can measure up to 10 inches long and will spend its life attached to hard floating surfaces. The buoy barnacle is a warmer water species and their name derives from the natural ‘buoy’ or float each animal secretes for itself as it grows.

The NUI-Galway team began their research in 2009 and will continue until 2013.

The research aims to identify the unique adhesive proteins of the goose and buoy barnacles.

“The cement secretion of the

barnacles enables the organism to attach to man-made marine surfaces in the most extreme ocean conditions,” Paul McEvilly added. “It is hoped that establishing a better understanding of these glues could eventually lead not only to the production of barnacle specific antifouling paints for boats and buoys, but also towards using these glues in applications including surgery.”

This project as been funded by: a Beaufort Marine Research Award from the Marine Research Sub-Programme of the National Development Plan 2007–2013.

2

3

1&2 Close up of goose barnacle Lepas anatifera on weather buoy 3 Typical fouling caused on a weather buoy. Photos: Paul MeEvilly

Weather Buoys platform used for retrieving passive sampling data

T

he Marine Institute and Dublin Institute of Technology have been using the M-6 weather buoy in deep water west of Galway as a platform to gather information on a broad range of environmentally persistent pollutants using passive sampling equipment since 2009.

“The marine environment

can be subject to pollution influenced by humans from a variety of sources including industry and agriculture, atmospheric deposition and sewage waste entering into our ocean waters,” explained Philip White, a DIT PhD student based in the Marine Institute.

“Many of the compounds released from this type of pollution can stay in the ocean for many years and even decades. In many cases,

this pollution may be toxic to marine organisms and if it enters into the food chain, it can have a detrimental effect on human health and wellbeing.”

SPOT WATER COLLECTION Many marine monitoring programmes rely on spot water collection to provide samples for analysis. Although this type of sampling is

generally acceptable, it may be influenced by seasonal variations and point of source discharges. To comply with EU legislative directives and provide a better picture of our water quality, future monitoring programmes will require a range of sampling techniques that are more integrated.

“Passive sampling is therefore emerging as an ideal method to monitor marine environmental

pollution. As the passive sampler cage and sampler is compact, the equipment can be attached to the M-6 weather buoy and other coastal buoy platforms very easily and cost effectively,” Phillip added.

The method allows for a wider range of pollution levels to be recorded over longer periods in multiple locations without supervision. The collection such data enables marine scientists to establish

pollution trends and possible hazardous environments.

In turn, they are then able to give better advice on the management of our marine environment.

“Without the availability of such platforms, such as on the M-6 weather buoy the measurement of pollution in often hostile remote environments would not be possible,” Phillip White stressed.

20 INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

MARINE R&D

Irish maritime services Ocean energy round up company achieves international accreditation John Hearne

M

Pictured at the presentation of ISO9001 and ISO 14001 accreditation are: (l-r): auditors Grzegorz Wlodarczyk and Peter T Conneely, Germanischer Lloyd; Jan Berg and John Toner, Maritime Management.

BRING CLARITY TO THE WORLD BELOW

Precision survey The Kongsberg EM 3002 multibeam echo sounder is capable of 3D inspection of underwater port structures, with the highest resolution.

The system is capable of resolving details as small as 10 cm, using up to 508 simultaneous, focused and stabilised narrowbeams. The dual head version can do concurrent mapping and inspection over a 180 degree sector.

The system operates reliably also in difficult geometrical environments.

EM 3002 will detect debris and other objects on the bottom, will map the seafloor according to the strictest IHO regulations, and has a maximum operating range 250 meters or more. www.km.kongsberg.com

aritime Management – a leading Irish international maritime services company has been awarded ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditation by the international accreditation body Germanischer Lloyd. The awards mark Maritime Management as unique providers of ship management services based in Ireland.

The awards follow determined work by Maritime Management to demonstrate its commitment to providing environmentallyfriendly, high quality services and safety management systems to both overseas and Irish ship owners and operators in a highly competitive international market.

“These awards show our dedication to delivering high quality ship management services, beyond the strict compliance required in this highly regulated industry,” remarked Jan Berg, managing director of Maritime Management.

“Achieving ISO 14001 accreditation shows our respect of the sensitive marine environment and has been well received by our international and Irish clients. It is of particular significance to our clients involved in underwater exploration and scientific research and those involved in the transport of agricultural produce either refrigerated or in bulk,” he added.

Technical director John Toner said the ISO 9001 certification was considered a “prerequisite” in specialist vessel and offshore operations. “Achieving these awards will reflect very well on the vessels owned by our clients and managed by Maritime Management and will reinforce our position as the leading Irish service provider for the national and international marine sector.”

He added that recent European port environmental policies favour and give positive support to vessels operating on green credentials. “There are indications that this will become significantly more important in the coming years. Therefore vessels operated in accordance to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards will give both the owner and charter company a competitive advantage.”

SENATOR URGES GOVERNMENT TO RULE OUT NUCLEAR POWER AND TO FOCUS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY

Green Party Senator Niall Ó Brolcháin is calling on the government to rule out nuclear power generation as an option for Ireland, following what he describes as “extensive lobbying” by pro-nuclear campaigners.

“Ireland can become the world leader in renewable energy.

Wind energy capacity more than doubled in the lifetime of the last government. It can double again during the lifetime of the current government, providing many thousands of new jobs.

Ireland also has great opportunities to develop many other types of renewable energy, including ocean energy, bio-gas and solar energy”. Ó Brolcháin is concerned that the government has left the door open for a possible move towards nuclear power in the programme for government. “Nuclear power must not be allowed back onto the Irish political agenda. It is not sustainable and is not suitable or Ireland for many reasons including health, safety and basic economics as well as the many environmental concerns that will increase after recent events in Japan.”

CORK CONFERENCE POSITIONS REGION FOR ENERGY CLUSTER A local authority-sponsored conference in Cork on March 4 focused on how the region might position itself as a leading centre for renewable research and development.

Entitled Ireland’s Energy Opportunity: Cork’s Response, experts discussed the opportunities for a strategic response by the region to national energy issues. Valerie Cummins, director of MERC, spoke on the potential for building a commercial maritime energy cluster; John Keating of Ocean Energy Ltd gave the SME perspective on wave energy potential, while Maurice McCarthy of Organic Power Ltd spoke on polygeneration technology.

The conference also heard detail of plans by the Cork Lower Harbour Energy Group (CLHEG) to develop renewable energy solutions. The group comprises four healthcare manufacturing sites: Centocor, DePuy, GSK and Novartis, who are collaborating to develop wind energy solutions. Each pharma company proposes the development of a renewable energy source on-site, driving down dependence on energy generated through fossil fuels.

Quoted in the Irish Examiner, former Mayor of Cork, Jim Daly – who opened the conference said: ‘Ireland’s emerging energy crisis is Cork’s opportunity, with the potential to create 70,000 jobs over the next five to ten years, provided we are prepared to take up the challenge.’

A similarly themed conference, Developing Europe’s Ocean Energy Hub, is due to take place in Limerick on April 12.

NEW OCEAN ENERGY BUOY DEPLOYED IN GALWAY BAY This month saw the deployment of the latest wave energy test buoy in Galway Bay by Cork firm Ocean Energy Ltd, which is one of several firms approved to test wave energy devices off Spiddal.

The project is being co-ordinated by the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre (HMRC) in UCC and its aim is to further develop components required by the wave energy sector as it evolves, such as power generators, power control systems, telemetry and grid interface technology.

A group of seven universities and research centres are participating in the project, which has received 4.5m in funding from the European Commission for Research, Innovation and Science, lead by Maire Geoghegan-Quinn. According to a recently published report from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the ocean energy sector could provide 70,000 jobs by 2030.

INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

21

COASTLINE NEWS

Health and safety guide gets T overall approval from inshore fishermen

hroughout April, Seascapes will feature some of Ireland’s forgotten Polar explorers with author and Polar historian, Michael Smith who wrote the bestselling biography of Tom Crean and in his new book Great Endeavour – Ireland’s Antarctic Explorers, he talks of remarkable Irishmen…

April 1 Edward Bransfield – The Bransfield Strait.

Bransfield was born in Ballinacurra near Midleton in East Cork and was press ganged into the British navy from the dockside in Youghal in 1803.

A

t an industry workshop organised in Castletownbere organised by the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation Ltd, BIM, the Health & Safety Authority and consultants Labour Asociados, participants studied a draft EU guide promoting best practice in the health and safety of workers on vessels under 15 metres.

The purpose of the workshop was to get feedback from inshore fishermen on its content, relevance and

application, and to provide opinion and feedback on improvements where necessary.

The workshop was opened

by Cptn. Shane Begley, RFC Principal, and was attended by sixteen fishermen.

The guide was presented in modular format and smaller working groups examined different sections to assess its applicability to the demands of everyday life in the inshore sector.

Overall, the organisers say that results of the workshop were very positive with valuable feedback from industry on the exercise.

Front row from left to right: Ray Murray (BIM), Patrick Griffin (HSA), Alan Deane (Fisheries Consultant, UK), Frank Fleming (ISW&FPO), Marlene Calderon (Labour Associados), Gavin Power (IS&WFPO) and Donnagh O’ Connor (Inshore Fisherman).

April 8 Francis Crozier and the North West Passage

Crozier from Banbridge in Co Down was 13 when he went to sea; he travelled on six voyages of discovery to the Polar regions and was engaged in the three great endeavours of the nineteenth century: Navigating the North West Passage; reaching the North Pole and mapping the Antarctic continent.

April 15 Robert Forde and McMurdo Sound Robert Forde was born in Kilmurry near Bandon in 1875.

Forde was the man who built the wooden hut on McMurdo Sound in January of 1911 - once occupied by Captain Scott.

A skilled carpenter and deft painter his hut is still standing.

April 22 Patrick Keohane from Barry’s Point Patsy Keohane joined the navy in 1895 at the age of sixteen.

His father was coxswain of the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat which in 1915 was the first vessel to reach the Lusitania, torpedoed off the Old Head of Kinsale.

Patsy accompanied Captain Scott in 1911 alongside Tom Crean and Robert Forde.

April 29 Tim & Mortimer McCarthy from Kinsale Their adventures in the Antarctic and Mortimer’s nostalgic return to Antarctic in 1963 at the age of 80.

The maritime programme for an island nation presented and producedby Marcus Connaughton, FRIDAY 10.30pm , RTÉ Radio 1.

SEASCAPES was the brainchild of RTÉ’s former Marine Correspondent –Tom MacSweeney over twenty years ago, covering every aspect of the marine environment.

SEASCAPES has featured angling; oceanic exploration; fisheries; shipping; sailing; tall ships; aquaculture; marine exploration; Island communities; RNLI; fish producers; diving; open water swimming ; maritime news – and has broadcast from Alicante; Boston; Belfast , Galway , Kinsale and Cork.

In 2010 Marcus Connaughton – in the producer’s chair for the past five years – took over the helm from Tom MacSweeney when he retired.

Marcus has been producing programming for RTÉ Radio 1 for over twenty years. A veteran of the Irish record industry in the seventies he has produced a wide range of music programmes from Rory Gallagher specials to programming for the Kosovar refugees in Ireland in Albanian & the Metal Show on 2FM.

22 INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

OUTSIDE IRELAND

Tsunami hazard around Ireland Brian McConnell, Geological Survey of Ireland

T

he catastrophic earthquake and tsunami of March 11 in Japan have again demonstrated the immense power of these natural hazards and raised questions around the world about preparedness to deal with them. So what is the potential hazard in Ireland and what is being done?

Historical records and geological evidence indicate that while tsunamis are lowprobability events and very unlikely to be on the scale of the Japanese event, the Irish coast is at some potential risk.

PASSIVE MARGINS Tsunamis are relatively rare on the Irish coast and in the Atlantic in general because the continents around the ocean have passive margins, unlike the seismically active margins around Japan and Indonesia, which are known as subduction zones.

A subduction zone does occur in the Caribbean, geologically distinct from the Atlantic but obviously connected in marine terms. This zone was the source of the devastating Haiti earthquake of 2010 that generated local tsunamis; larger tsunamis have been produced in historical times and in future could potentially traverse the Atlantic to affect Ireland.

The most recent authenticated tsunami impacts on the Irish coast were from the magnitude 8.6 Lisbon earthquake off the Portuguese coast in 1755 and a similar, though lesser known, event in the same area in 1761.

These had a catastrophic effect on Lisbon and their effects were felt as far away as Ireland and the West Indies. They were observed and caused some harbour damage in several ports along the south Irish coast. The fault structure responsible – along the Azores-Gibraltar Fracture Zone– remains seismically active and has had a few relatively large but non-tsunamigenic earthquakes in recent years and could potentially suffer another tsunami-generating earthquake in the future (see chart).

MODELLING STUDY GSI, with the UK DEFRA commissioned a modelling

study to define the threat from a repeat of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. Simulated wave elevations on the southern Irish coast are typically in the range of 1-2m, with localized amplification enhancing the elevations to 4m (see Table). The beach inundation hazard level would be extreme over much of the coast of southern Ireland.

The travel time for a tsunami would be approximately 4.5 hours.

More recently than the 1755 and 1761 events, an eyewitness account from Sept 16, 1854, was reported in The Independent (Wexford) and appears to be an accurate account of a tsunami, although no seismic or other event has been found to account for it: I heard a mighty rush of water against the back of a Pier, and in a moment came sweeping round the Pier head, full three feet high and abreast. It was within one hour and a half of low water at the time. In less than five minutes every boat was afloat, and we had high water. In five minutes more the water ebbed again to the lowest spring tide. This was repeated seven times in the course of two hours and a half.

Had the occurrence taken place at the period of high water the result would have been complete overflow of the land in the district, and consequent immense loss.

The newspaper goes on to comment, ‘We have often heard old people of that place say that on the Sunday after Lisbon was destroyed by the earthquake of 1st November 1755, the day being remarkably fine, the sea at Kilmore suddenly rose and fell in like manner. This occurrence the other day being owing, no doubt, to some similar and distant cause.’

So there was folk memory of the Lisbon tsunami and a local understanding of the tsunami phenomenon.

MAJOR LANDSLIDE The most recent significant tsunami in the North Atlantic, in 1929, was caused by a major landslide off the Atlantic coast of Canada, probably by a contemporaneous earthquake of magnitude 7.2. The tsunami caused major damage and claimed about 30 lives, mainly on Newfoundland.

This tsunami wasn’t observed on the Irish coast, but it was

detected on the Portuguese coast, demonstrating the potential for such tsunamis to cross the Atlantic. Geological evidence exists for older tsunamis caused by landslides on the European shelf of the North Atlantic. The Storegga Slide off Norway occurred 8,200 years ago and its related tsunami had run-up heights of at least 20 metres in the fjords of Northern Europe and its deposits have been found in northern Scotland.

Ancient submarine landslides that could have generated tsunamis have been mapped on the Irish continental shelf by the GSI-MI INFOMAR programme, in the Rockall, and Goban and Brenot Spur areas. The Rockall Slide, about 12,000 years old, and measures 100km wide, extends into the basin for 160km and lies in water depths in excess of 2000m and probably generated a tsunami that would have had significant impact on Ireland’s coastlines, although a geological record of tsunami deposits has not been found.

COLLAPSE EVENTS Considerable publicity was generated by predictions that a future eruption of Cumbre Viejà volcano on La Palma, Canary Islands, might cause a major coastal landslide and trigger a tsunami that would impact on European and North American coastlines. Modelling predicts 4m waves in deep water off the west coast of Ireland that would be magnified in height on entering shallow water or narrow channels or bays. The debate continues on whether the volcano will collapse in a way that would generate a tsunami, but the ocean floor around the islands is littered with large blocks from previous collapse events.

WARNING SYSTEM Since the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004, considerable international attention has been directed at establishing an effective international warning system for the world’s oceans and seas. The International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO has established an Intergovernmental Coordination Group to develop a tsunami warning system for the North Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean; the GSI represents Ireland in this group.

Active tectonics and historic seismicity in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake source zone (GB = Gorringe Bank, AP = Abyssal Plain, LTV = Lower Tagus Valley; the arrows indicate the rotation of the Africa Plate).

Source: AIR

Calculated free surface elevation 5 hours after a 8.7M earthquake off southern Portugal, showing the wave series impacting the south Irish and Cornish coasts In parallel with this process the GSI coordinates a multi-agency technical group to develop the Irish contribution to NEAMTWS and a proposal for a national warning system. The group comprises GSI, the Marine Institute, Met Éireann, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Mapping being carried out under the INFOMAR Programme, defines the topography (bathymetry) and slope of the seabed and this data is used in modelling the effects of any possible tsunami or storm surge.

Calculated maximum wave height along the south Irish coast from a 8.7M earthquake off southern Portugal Such modelling has already been carried out for several coastal areas using INFOMAR mapping by OPW engineers

involved in the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy, part of Ireland’s national flood mapping programme.

INSHORE IRELAND April 2011

23

OUTSIDE IRELAND

Aquaculture Stewardship Council: moral hazard warning!

André Standing, TransparentSea The next issue of the Samudra Report by the International Collective in Support of Fish Workers (ICSF) takes a critical look at the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). This partnership between WWF and the Dutch Sustainable Trade Initiative aims to become the world’s leading certification body for responsible fish farming, and in partnership with the industry and retailers, to use eco-labeling to transform aquaculture towards environmental and social sustainability.

The ASC faces a number of difficulties and potential criticisms however. Part of the problem lies with the approach used, raising concerns about its reliability and impartiality. Furthermore, promoting aquaculture as a realistic answer to overfishing and global food shortages is contentious. While certain forms of fish farming seem important to encourage, many other forms should probably be discouraged, and certainly not promoted through an eco-label. Unfortunately, the ASC does not make this distinction.

Proponents of aquaculture encourage the view that it is an industry able to meet food supply shortages caused by overfishing and that it can safely meet growing demands for seafood. If the claims are to be believed aquaculture is already doing this. Apparently, half of the seafood we eat is from aquaculture, and this proportion is likely to increase. This claim however is easily misunderstood, and promoting aquaculture needs to be done carefully, otherwise it may have negative repercussions.

DEFINING SEAFOOD A point of confusion is that the term ‘seafood’ is used generically to cover all fish products – from marine as well as inland or fresh water sources. Based on this definition and using FAO data, roughly 45% (or 52 million tonnes) of total

A shrimp farm construction site in Hualtaco, Ecuador global fish consumption comes from aquaculture, while the rest comes from wild sources (63 million tonnes). But, if we use a more literal interpretation of seafood—defined as fish from the sea—the proportion of seafood we eat from farms is much less.

In 2008, global production of wild caught fish was 80 million tonnes of which just over 27 million tonnes is classified by the FAO as being for ‘non-food’ purposes, such as fishmeal and fish oil. This leaves approximately 53 million tonnes for direct human consumption. Marine farms or mariculture produce roughly 20 million tonnes of seafood, mainly comprising molluscs, followed by crustaceans (shrimps and prawns), and then lastly finfish such as salmon.

So in global terms, about 27% of our total consumption of seafood comes from mariculture.

Overall, the amount of fish produced by small-scale fisheries

is grossly underreported. In Mozambique, a report co-authored

by WWF, showed that when smallscale fisheries were properly included, the catch was over six times greater than that shown in the official catch statistics. The Big Numbers project of the Worldfish Centre shows similar disparities between reported catches and actual catches by the small-scale sector. To this we can add widely published estimates that some 30% of marine catch is illegal and unreported. When we combine all these missing data for catches of fish at sea, we can appreciate that the real contribution made by mariculture to global seafood consumption is quite small.

MORAL HAZARD Statements made by the WWF can easily give the impression that the quantity of seafood we eat from farms is much higher than it actually is. This gives rise to a

‘moral hazard’. The idea that an increase in fish farming is able to provide the world with a sustainable and environmentally benign source of seafood may work to lessen the urgency among policy makers to address overfishing in the seas; there may be a sense that although marine fisheries are being poorly conserved, the negative economic and food supply consequences of this can be mitigated by increased support and economic investments to fish farming in general.

Wild caught fish far outstrips existing and potential farmed seafood, in its literal sense. With the notable exceptions cited above, farming of seafood, particularly carnivorous species such as prawns, salmon and tuna, is a commercial activity concentrated on supplying relatively wealthy consumers in developed countries. The most pressing concern – from both a food security perspective and a

DON’T MISS YOUR NEXT COPY OF

conservation perspective – remains the sustainable and equitable use of the natural resources contained in the world’s oceans. Campaigns promoting the commercial interests of the mariculture industry can easily distract from this point.

This moral hazard extends to consumers who may sustain their level of consumption of wild-caught fish under the false understanding that the marine crisis is being compensated for, or solved, by mariculture. This becomes even more contentious when firstly, farmed fish is mislabeled as wild fish, giving a false impression of seafood abundance, and secondly, where farmed fish is able to force down the price of wild caught fish when scarcity suggest prices should be increasing.

TransparentSea is an initiative that promotes freedom of information and accountability in fisheries

AVAI LAB L FROM E

MAY

28TH