Inshore Ireland 2.1 February 2006

Bimonthly

incorporating

News from the 7,000km coastal rim

Aquaculture Ireland Inshore fisheries

Industry news

Climate change report

Management update

February 2006 Vol 2 Issue 1 Aquaculture News . . . . . . . . . . 18 - 21 Shipping Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . 26 - 27 Marine R&D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 - 29 Marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 - 31

Freshwater focus Inland fisheries review

Political muscle needed to invigorate mussel sector Pages 7

Pages 12 to 13

Pages 23

By Gery Flynn & Gillian Mills

A prominent member of the shellfish industry has accused the Department of Communications Marine and Natural Resources of an ``abdication of responsibility'' to Irish mussel producers and of failing to undertake an independent review of the sector nearly a year after it was promised.

Speaking to Inshore Ireland in a personal capacity, Mary Ferns, current chairperson of the Irish Shellfish Association and a former manager of the Southeast Shellfish Co-operative in Passage-East launched a blistering attack on DCMNR policy for ignoring the divisions which, she claims, are destroying traditional mussel production: ``It's now 10 months since Minister Gallagher gave an assurance that a review would take place. It beggars belief that with the current chaos in the mussel sector and with stocks at an all time low, he still has not acted. Surely he must acknowledge that this is the only way forward, and that anything less is just more of the scapegoating and time-wasting we have seen so often in the past.''

Constraints

Listing the obstacles that she claims mussel producers face almost daily, Ferns believes now that mussel cultivation is ``not just a business but more of a vocation.

Producers must continuously battle for co-existence alongside other users of the seas and

Mussel is major economic contributor

By Mary Ferns

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS *

Irish fishermen protesting at Dublin Port against fisheries legislation. See story page 2.

lobby for basic rights such as access to raw material. They also have to witness the custodians of our waters ignoring water quality directives and have to accept the vagaries of the marketplace and take on board increasing food safety issues,'' she said.

Despite such difficulties, Ferns sees the real culprit as ``the ever-changing and weak management regime'' - especially in relation to seed alloca-

tion - for impacting on producers.

In the background, she also sees an unspoken policy at work which now seems to favour Northern producers. ``Prior to 2000 the 26-county seed resource was managed by the DCMNR who awarded seed allocations to producers who relayed it at on-growing sites.

Under the guise of the Peace Process, however, this system changed whereby cooperation

Salmon, Trout & Shellfish Marine & Freshwater North, South, East & West

Delivering results for Aqua-Business

PICTURE: Jack Caffrey

on a 32-county basis evolved.

The Seed Mussel Assessment Committee (SMAC Ă? representing development agencies, departments both North and South and the Loughs Agency) was thus established.''

According to Ferns, the result of this policy has been a disaster for producers in the South. ``It was not unknown for two-thirds of the annual seed off the east coast to be allocated to the relatively new industry in

the border counties. Established southern producers only had access to east coast seed while producers in the North were allowed access to the resource. ``Seed requirement far exceeded supply (150,000 versus 30,000 tonnes) yet the authorities both, North and South, continued to allow more vessels into the fleet along with granting further on-growing sites.''

* Continued on page 2

IRISH mussel is the largest aquaculture species in terms of tonnage. It is a major economic contributor to peripheral areas. The two main types of mussel cultivated in Ireland are rope and dredged.

In 2004, the combined first sales value of 37,315 tonnes from both rope and dredged culture was worth 27,885,000. The traditional areas for dredged cultivation are Wexford Harbour and Cromane, Co Kerry, with Waterford Harbour, Carlingford Lough and Lough Swilly coming into cultivation over the past 15 years.

Lough Foyle and Belfast Lough are relatively new production areas.

Seed for extensive mussel cultivation is dredged from the seabed by boats using dredgers. Seed is transferred to sites in local bays, which are licensed by the DCMNR to individual producers, for ongrowing. * Continued on page 2

Home of The Irish Salmon Growers' Association & The Irish Shellfish Association

2

INSHORE IRELAND February 2006

NEWS

Political muscle needed to invigorate mussel sector * Continued from page 1

Tight controls

Ferns sees the recent introduction by the Marine Survey Office of stringent new regulations for boat owners requiring them to make expensive modifications as additional constraints to this already ``fraught and fragile situation. ``This meant that most tradi-

tional producers did not secure seed this past season which has had huge financial implications for their businesses. Other producers made substantial financial investment and still need to pledge further expenditure before their vessels fully comply. ``Unfortunately, many of these operators cannot afford such a cash injection particularly at such short notice, and

given the current unstable climate in the sector. State intervention is now required to address this plight.''

Ferns added that simultaneously, the department saw fit to fund seven new super vessels and yet chose to ignore modernisation of the existing fleet. ``It is a terrible indictment of all involved in this sector to allow this saga to continue. I

cannot help thinking that displacement occurred over the past number of years ie. where production shifted from south to north and that there is a movement to further shift production to the newer fleet at the expense of the long standing traditional producer. The total lack of management and monitoring this past season compounds my suspicions,'' she concludes.

Mussel is major economic contributor

* Continued from page 1 Most bays successfully recruit annual seed settlements; however, harbours like Wexford and Waterford are more disadvantaged in that seed must be sourced from outside the local harbours.

Fishing fleet protest

Seed sites off the east coast are sporadic with no definite locations from year to year.

BIM, together with the mussel fleet, carries out an annual survey in an attempt to establish exact locations and to quantify the seed mussel in

advance of fishing.

Surveying is not an exact science, however, and recent results suggest that seed mussel is in decline.

Seed fishing takes place between June and October while harvesting takes place

from September to April. The life cycle from seed to mature mussel is roughly 15 months.

Most of the dredged product is destined for the European fresh market with some supplies going to local processing factories.

In a follow up to last month's lead story, Inshore Ireland sought clarification on the following issues from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland Q: What plans does DCMNR have in place for the 2006 season to protect and enhance the resource within Irish waters, and has DCMNR considered the legal issues raised by Inshore Ireland?

DCMNR: `The regulatory framework for the mussel seed fishery is currently under review in the context of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill, with a view to putting new regulations in place for the 2006 season.'

Q: Is there a plan to develop the industry by opening up a processing component?

By Gillian Mills

IRISH fishermen from around the coast staged a protest on Friday, 3 February in Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and Galway against Government plans to introduce `far-reaching and totally unacceptable legislation that [...] will have the effect of criminalising ordinary people trying to earn a living'.

The Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill currently making its way through the DaÂil ``will isolate Ireland and Irish fishermen even further from the advantages enjoyed by our EU colleagues,'' a joint statement from the four fishermen's organisations read. ``Most fisheries offences in the EU are dealt with by on-thespot type fines that the EU and Fisheries Commissioner Borg have clearly indicated is the right way to go,'' the statement added.

Fishermen contend that the current Bill is a complete contradiction: ``Automatic confiscation of catch and gear for fisheries offences will be unique to Ireland among all EU countries which the Irish industry has to compete against.'' ``We have to have controls.

We have to have management it's in our own interest more than anybody else's,'' remarked a fisherman. ``But we have to have fairness. We have to have a level playing pitch. If there have to be criminal records given out for very serious offences or persistent breaches, so be it, but we're all going to end up as criminals for even minor offences if this Bill goes through.''

Fishing industry leaders have rejected assertions from Minister Gallagher that the system they proposed could not be introduced on constitutional grounds. They cited ``conclusive legal advice to the contrary from some of the most eminent

DARD and DCMNR answer our queries

DCMNR: `It would be a matter for industry to assess the business case for this matter. The expertise of Enterprise Ireland, UÂdaraÂs na Gaeltachta and BIM would be available to them for such an exercise.'

Q: Names of vessels/operators licensed to fish mussel seed in the Irish Sea (current and since 2005); terms of their aquaculture licence Landing figures - to which sites, where?

COASTWATCH SURVEY

* A student studies the Coastwatch/Inshore Ireland seashore questionnaire, which appeared in the last issue of Inshore Ireland. A second seashore questionnaire will feature in the next issue of Inshore Ireland, published on 15 April to coincide with the Easter Holidays.

Amendments to Fisheries Bill ON foot of concerns raised at the Second Stage DaÂil debate on the Sea Fisheries Maritime Jurisdiction Bill, Minister Gallagher has made the following amendments: * Removal of the power to fire into boats.

* Removal of the power to

forfeit a boat when repeat offences occur. * Graduation of fines based on size of vessel. * Establishment of a regulatory agency independent of the

constitutional lawyers in the State'' obtained by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine & Natural Resources. ``Government promised to amend this Bill fundamentally

Department charged with enforcement of sea fisheries law.

``These amendments now represent a very substantial package of changes to the Bill without damaging the integrity of the legislation itself. ``In combination they will ensure fair, effective, efficient and accountable sea fisheries management arrangements going forward,'' Minister Gallagher said.

Deputy John Perry, Fine as it passed through the Oireachtas; however, the proposed 102 changes go nowhere in establishing the type of system needed.''

The Bill has caused major controversy in the DaÂil so far

Gael's marine spokesperson said the Bill was deeply flawed, ``as evidenced'' by the number of amendments put down for consideration. ``The [Joint Oireachtas] committee has to hand legal advice from among the most highly qualified and experienced legal advisers on constitutional law which clearly states that there is no barrier to the use of administrative sanctions in fisheries law,'' he said. with widespread opposition from all sides of the house, including backbench TDs. `We now call on our public representatives to ``walk the walk'' instead of ``talking the talk'',' fishermen demand.

According to DARD, 12 vessels are relaying mussel seed in Lough Foyle, Belfast Lough, Carlingford Lough and Dundrum Bay. [Details of vessel name, owner and operator with editor.] The terms of each licence was not submitted as they are specific to each and `would be regarded as commercialin-confidence.'

Q: Landing figures for 2005

DCMNR: `Log sheets submitted to DCMNR show landings of 6,175 tonnes.'

DARD: `5,900 tonnes. (Belfast Lough, 5,100 t; Carlingford 400 t, and Lough Foyle, 400 t'.)

Q: Are there any plans to widen access for Irish vessels to all UK waters, including the Welsh coast which (in contrast to the Irish Sea) has an abundance of mussel seed yet only a very small domestic fleet?

DCMNR: `The Voisinage Agreement is an international agreement which allows for reciprocal access for Irish and Northern Irish vessels fishing within the six mile limit. The agreement does not relate to other UK waters.'

Q: Are vessels using the Voisinage agreement obliged to show publicly that they comply with the `owned and operated in Northern Ireland' clause of the agreement; are they required to produce sea fishing licences for inspection by the authorities in the Republic; and are all vessels required to meet the Certificate of Compliance standards, which is a condition for Irish registered vessels?

DCMNR: `It is the policy of the Minister for the Marine, and his counterpart in Northern Ireland, that all mussel dredgers operating in the mussel seed fishery will be required to have a `black box' installed and operational for the coming season.

Pending the introduction of this requirement (see 1 above), BIM has been working with individual operators on advance work to implement this initiative. BIM will also be administering grant aid for the installation of this equipment. The Marine Minister welcomes the willingness displayed by vessel owners to participate in this scheme, which will greatly streamline the control and administration of this fishery.'

DARD: `If a UK vessel is fishing in Irish waters, the seed mussel licence granted by the Department under the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 must be presented for inspection on request. DARD are not responsible for ensuring that vessels are compliant with Certificate of Compliance standards. However, seed mussel licences are only granted in respect of vessels which are currently registered under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 by the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen.'

Q: Has DARD compiled the landing of mussels for 2005? Is information available on the productivity of each bay in 2005? How much marketable mussels were harvested from Belfast Lough in 2005?

DARD: `DARD is in the process of requesting 2005 statistical returns from producers. These are net yet available.'

INSHORE IRELAND

February 2006

3

NEWS

Ireland neglects protection of its marine biodiversity

By Shay Fennelly

THE marine environment where the Corrib gas field is located is a habitat of major importance to whales and dolphins, seabird and fish species and unique deepwater Lophelia coral reefs.

Since the discovery of the Corrib gas field in 1996, only limited ecological surveys have been undertaken. According to the consultants appointed by government, ``the Environmental Impacts Assessments are inadequate.''

In 2002, Posford Hoskoning

Ltd - retained by the Department of Communications, Marine

and

Natural

Resources

(DCMNR) - said the EIS were ``in

general

identified

satisfactory''

outstanding

but

issues.

They sought further details on offshore

marine

biology

sur-

veys; dispersion modelling and the impact on local EU designated sites.

The

consultants,

stated

that

proposed

lacked

however,

monitoring by

the

sufficient

land is obliged to prevent and

Preconstruction

work

developer

details,

and

recommended that further de-

tails should be a condition prior

to final approval being granted.

Consequently, the DCMNR's

Marine Licence Vetting Com-

mittee (MLVC), who advised

eliminate pollution at sea; take

surveys

the necessary measures to pro-

Royal Dutch Shell is the lead

tect the maritime area against

partner in the development of

the adverse effects of human

the

activities; to safeguard human

Corrib

Statoil

gas

project

Exploration

Marathon

with

Ltd

International

and

Petro-

health

and

conserve

marine

ecosystems.

leum Hibernia Ltd. Last month

OSPAR's Irish representative

a spokeswoman for Shell said

is the principal officer in PAD.

that preconstruction surveys in

The EPA discussion document

Broadhaven Bay had been con-

states that PAD is responsible

ducted and that environmental

for

monitoring

offshore

``will

satisfy

the

requirements of the consents''.

An outfall discharge monitor-

licensing oil

and and

control gas

of

activity

but adds: ``As yet there are no

`under threat' and/or in decline

Irish legal obligations to protect

field

in Irish waters. Using acoustic

them.

monitoring

requirements considered

arrays, US scientist Dr Chris

Fergus Cahill, CEO of the

benthic monitoring programme

appropriate in the context of

have been discussed with the

the low level of offshore activ-

Clark recorded six blue whales

Irish Offshore Operators Asso-

Marine

Marine Institute. They confirm

ity.'

and up to twenty fin whales

ciation and a board member of

oversee development and im-

calling off Ireland's west coast

the Marine Institute confirmed

plementation

from December to March be-

its members conduct their op-

environmental monitoring pro-

tween 1996-1997. No baseline

erations

with

gramme. It has not met formally

whale survey has been under-

best international environmental

since 2004, however, Inshore

taken in the shelf edge area near

practice and comply with the

Ireland understands it plans to

the

environmental

meet this spring.

that the monitoring programme

place.

This

is

Since the 1970s, over 150

has been submitted by Shell and

exploration

is currently being considered by

drilled

the

When asked what marine en-

North

Board.

Western

On

Fishery

agreement

of

in

wells

have

offshore

been

Ireland.

all

vironment monitoring protocols

parties it will be submitted to

currently exist or are applied to

the Petroleum Affairs Division

here, the Marine Institute told

(PAD) for approval before it is

Inshore Ireland that while cur-

made public.

rently there are none, ``baseline

Monitoring activities In October 2003, the Environmental

Protection

Agency

(EPA) published the National

environmental

information

the

al

European

A

Discussion Document.

Irish

government Court

to

of

(judgment pending) for its failDirective to protect Irish marine

conditions

requiring

compli-

for the protection of the marine

wildlife,

ance

to

commencement

environment and for the fulfil-

whales,

of work. These conditions were

ment of Ireland's national and

and

attached to the final consents

international obligations, nota-

Court

for the Corrib gas project.

bly the Water Framework Di-

failed to establish a system of

rective

strict

Three years later, however,

no

overall

published these

report on

has

been

which

(2000/60/EC) and

Paris

and

the

Convention

including dolphins,

leatherback states

turtles.

that

protection

undertaken

otters,

porpoises The

Ireland and

has

sufficient

has not

surveil-

of

(OSPAR) for the Protection of

lance of the conservation status

the

the Marine Environment of the

of these species.

compliance

conditions,

Oslo

MLVC recommended, ``should

North East Atlantic.

The blue and the northern

Under the Convention, Ire-

be rigorously enforced.''

of

the

ure to implement the Habitats

prior

regulations

right whale are listed as being

Aquaculture Today 2006 conference THE

Aquaculture

Today

provide

delegates

with

the

aquaculture sector. The first

on-

Fish

opportunity

in

in

going issues; obtain knowl-

Future' award, sponsored by

28-

the

Sheraton

Hotel

to

review

2006 conference takes place

Farmer

`Fit

for

the

edge of the key issues affect-

Landcatch Natural Selection,

30. Organised by Fish Farmer

ing

in

will be presented for outstand-

magazine, the event will focus

2006; learn of new products,

ing achievement in the fish-

on four main issues: world

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farming sector.

markets; fish health; innova-

opments; network with poten-

Finalists in a new industry-

tions

tial and existing suppliers and

backed awards scheme from

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customers; build contacts with

the Crown Estate, which re-

made by Government agen-

key business allies and spot

cognises innovation, and best

cies;

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current

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tutes; regulatory and research

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will also be announced.

Relevant event

best kept farm; the best en-

Kennedy said he hoped the

vironmental contribution; best

level of support from Europe,

community support and best

Bob Kennedy, editor of Fish

the UK and Ireland was an

entrepreneurial initiative, the

Farmer

magazine

that

indicator of the relevance of

winner

support

for

conference

the event in industry terms

through

during what was a crucial time

Estate national business award

in

scheme.

ment.

Presentations leading

will

research

agencies and the private sector.

Gaining support

the

said

was building all the time. ``We hope the event will

the

trends

and

development

market

in

salmon

farming

The categories include the

of

the

of to

which another

will

w w w. m a r i n e . i e

Foras na Mara

go

Crown

telephone 353 91 730 400

to

national

Justice

activities considered necessary

minister

despite

the

Infringement In 2005 the Commission took

Waters :

field,

of

Forum

works.''

gramme for Transitional, CoastMarine

gas

accordance

Monitoring

is

Environmental Monitoring Proand

Corrib

``in

Marine Institute established a

required prior to any drilling

environmental impacts, set 28

marine

In 2003, the EPA and the

in

This outlined the monitoring

then

the relevant Irish authorities.''

ing programme and an offshore

on

the

* Broadhaven Bay in North Mayo is a designated EU marine Special Area of Conservation and landfall for the Corrib Gas field 70km to the west. The Corrib field was discovered in 1996 and will cost over 900m to bring the first gas ashore in 2003. Due to the oil company planning re-applications and planning hearings that date is now 2007 pic:shay fennelly.

Marine Institute Galway Technology Park Parkmore Galway facsimile 353 91 730 470 email institute.mail@marine.ie

4

INSHORE IRELAND February 2006

NEWS

The salmon debate:

Salmon `buy-out' remains a resolution or another year of unrest consideration Report by to

Gillian Mills

FINE Gael has tabled a five-point plan ``to protect salmon stocks and to encourage the re-development of angling tourism.'' The proposals are contained in a policy document `Salmon Charter Ă? Sustaining our Salmon Stocks'.

``This Government has over-

seen

the

destruction

of

our

valuable salmon resource and has allowed the tourism industry and our international reputation

to

suffer

terribly.

This

needs to be stopped. The solution is with a change of Government,'' deputy John Perry, marine spokesperson commented. ``There

are

approximately

make

a

profit

from

drift-

key

element;

however

any

tional Salmon Netsmen's Asso-

Inshore Ireland

netting. We need to conserve

breach of the regulations will

ciation has told

and protect this species. While

result in penalties and a com-

his members were committed to

we

plete refund of any payments

a policy of sustainable fishing

made,'' he warned.

and that for the last ten years

must

be

able

to

exploit

salmon as a resource, levels in Irish waters have dropped so

``The current situation is bad

substantially we are now facing

for

everyone:

fishermen,

a very real risk of losing this

glers,

resource forever.''

the taxpayer. Fine Gael's plan is

the tourism

sector

have

accepted

an-

season

and

50%

of

in

cuts

20%

their

in

and

total

their

almost

allowable

catch.

he said.

heeled

in talks.

Industry viewpoint

portrays

solution to the problem. Unfor-

put

Ă‚ amus de Burca of the TradiSe

tunately the politicians are now

increasingly constrained quo-

THE

tripping

to

tas and fishing effort; a me-

Commission is a statu-

their

``Sourcing funds and division of compensation would

be a

The plan *

Establishment of a voluntary compensation scheme for

our

over

campaign demise

that

as

the

themselves

draft-net

1,000. fishing,

Regarding

the bulk

of

fishermen caught less than 50 fish and earned less than 500,'' he added.

Deputy Perry contends that

* * *

of a buy out or set aside: ``There are simply not enough salmon

waterways and administer the new scheme.

Taking concerted, cross-departmental action on water pollution which is damaging salmon stocks.

Instructing the National Salmon Commission to address the commercial development of Irish salmon and to

the vast majority of commercial fishermen would like the option

Empowerment to sea fishery officers to police inland

*

enhance the national brand.

Respecting and adhering to the advice of scientists.

place

a

regime

of National Salmon

assist

portantly, a consensus around

Minister

public resource, which sustains

urgent alignment on ever im-

the

proving scientific advice,'' he

agement, protection and

said.

development of the wild

in

one

the livelihoods of hundreds of families around our coast, will flow into the hands of a few that

fishing is only for the rich and

than

fied and quantified''.

three

interested in the fact that this

No

``The price of a day's salmon

less

good being identified, justi-

years in particular we have in

own our rivers.'' de

Burca

pointed

situation

to

the

since

the

wealthy; so the foot soldiers of this

present

campaign

may

come to regret their involvement.

Minister ever,

Gallagher,

accepted

that

and

advise

in

the

relation

conservation,

how-

salmon

and

more

resource

in

sea

to

man-

trout

Ireland.

Its

needed to be done to ensure

members include repre-

conservation of the resource

sentatives

of

for future generations.

mercial

s e c t o r,

``When mercial

setting

salmon

the

com-

quotas

for

2005 I accepted the outgoing Commission's

the

comthe

angling sector and other relevant stakeholders.

The NSC also makes

recommenda-

recommendations in rela-

tion and gave a firm commit-

tion to tagging and set-

m e nt

ting of a Total Allowable

to

full y

a li gn

the

exploitation of salmon, both

Catch

at national and district levels,

angling in western Europe, and

salmon

on scientific advice by 2007. I

with the fisheries boards,

the

have

specifically

the Marine Institute and

angler and drifter can share this

new

Commission

resource. Let's have all facts on

me as to how best this align-

``We have the best salmon cheapest.

I

believe

the table,'' he said.

both

asked to

the

advise

be

public

tory body established to

demand votes.

availing of the scheme'.

caught

last

a

collective basis and most im-

for

commensurate with the quota allocated to the netsman

fishermen

the

upon

chanism to manage this on a

this

search

drift-net ban came into force.

approxi-

``Through

predicated

is

satisfy

Scottish

500

``must

cerned parties willing to engage

`will result in a reduction in the total allowable catch

less than 100 fish and earned

scheme

by a highly organised and well-

nets for three years. Payments would be tax free and

mately

buy-out

ship. We are confronted daily media

he

proposals'' but added that any

Government has failed to take,''

catch. that

said

be appointed ``to meet all con-

fishermen caught 58% of the means

Gallagher

was ``open to any relevant

that an independent body would

to either stop fishing indefinitely or to set-aside their

``This

Minister

``This has led to great hard-

these

of

Regarding a possible buyout of commercial fishermen,

sive action, which so far the

land.

36%

he added.

an honest attempt to take deci-

salmon netsmen whereby they would be compensated

2004

ment can be implemented,''

As part of the plan he added

850 drift-net fishermen in IreIn

AT the appointment of the new National Salmon Commission (and reappointed of Joey Murrin as chairman) last November, Marine Minister Pat the Cope Gallagher re-iterated the importance he attaches to the role of the Commission in managing the wild salmon resource.

and in

quotas

for

consultation

other such bodies.

INSHORE IRELAND

February 2006

5

COMMENT

IF ever a topic was guaranteed to induce glazed eyes this is it.

So, what about Ireland's compliance with EU environmental legislation over the past decade?

As a people we have a capacity for selfdelusion that is beyond being good for us.

Nowhere is this more obvious than in how we relate to the environment Ð the water environment in particular. If water looks clean, then it must be clean, right? Wrong.

Fortunately, EU states can no longer be judge and jury in assessing their own

national performance in relation to compliance with EU environmental law. Brussels, having paid the piper, now calls the tune in the shape of EU directives.

A collective blinkered mentality here, combined with a dangerous tendency to fudge important environmental issues, will not work anymore. The cold impartial eye of the European Court of Justice will now scrutinise our performance.

Ireland's report card to date on the subject of compliance with EU environmental law positions us next to Spain Ð at

the bottom, that is. In short, our national performance is nothing to be proud of.

In sporting parlance, Ireland has already been shown the yellow card - more than eighty of them in fact, in the form of Letters of Formal Notice.

The clock is ticking. We are already a third of the way to the 2015 deadline for full implementation of the Water Framework Directive.

Fudge will no longer be enough. When it comes to enforcing EU law, the European Court of Justice will judge us. Non

tnemmoC

EU environmental legislation Ð Ireland's report card compliance may mean paying heavy penalties, but perhaps in this cash rich era in which we live, paying fines is easier that changing mindsets.

Having the best environmental legislation on the statute books is not enough. It must be implemented and for that, conscious awakening here is needed.

The patience of the Brussels referee is running out. Ð Gery Flynn Features Editor

Sixty years promoting water safety

IRISH Water Safety, the statutory body established to promote water safety in Ireland, celebrated 60 years in existence with a visit to AÂras an UachtaraÂin last November.

The 50-strong group brought with them the much coveted `Presidents Trophy', which was presented to IWS by the late president of Ireland, Sean T O'Ceallaigh in 1950. Young

lifesavers compete for this trophy each year at the National Championships; the Clare Ladies team won the honours in 2005. Some of the volunteers have given over 50 years of voluntary service, teaching swimming, life-saving and rescue skills.

IWS works with many agencies and communities to reduce drowning and aquatic injuries

and is pleased to note that drownings have been slowly decreasing since the body was re-established as an independent statutory body in 2000. In 2004, 149 people drowned in Ireland, which is down on the previous 10 year average of 180 people per year. IWS is striving to reduce this figure further.

An area of great concern to IWS is the alarming rate of

drownings through suicide.

IWS work closely with The Samaritans and is involved with their sticker campaign: `You don't have to be alone', whereby stickers are placed at wellknown sites where people have taken their own lives. IWS has also started a collaborative research project on suicide drowning with the Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health

Research, UCD. Speaking to Inshore Ireland, IWS chairman John Leech said it was a great honour for their members to meet with the president. ``Her speech was very positive and supportive and will inspire our members to continue with their voluntary work of promoting water safety throughout our island nation.

Our president spoke highly of

the work completed in drowning prevention over the sixty years and praised our members efforts for teaching swimming, lifesaving, boat training, rescue, Risk Assessments and our work in suicide prevention. ``It was a memorable day for everybody present, particularly the few members who have in excess of fifty years service in our Association''.

Letters to the editor

Water safety crucial as More transparency needed from EU tragedy strikes again DEAR Editor

DEAR Editor

THE unfolding tragedy of the sunken fishing vessel Rising Sun has been one of the most sad and tragic episodes in our commercial fishing industry and sports diving community for a number of years. On behalf of the Irish Water Safety Association, I wish to express my sincerest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of the three victims who lost their lives in such tragic circumstances off one of the most hazardous areas of our coastline.

The Government has wisely invested in the Irish Coast Guard and our rescue services for some time now, and Ireland now boasts a very efficient and responsive Coast Guard comparable and stronger than many other developed maritime nations. It is only these developed nations that can boast a strong and professional naval diving team that has over many years located and recovered wrecks and the bodies of many commercial fishermen.

Many of us in sports diving will have come across the very brave and experienced sports diver, Billy O'Connor. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends as he valiantly attempted to locate the body of Pat Colfer.

There are many members of

the public ashore who have little or no understanding of the risks that commercial fishermen are exposed to in the work environment in which they find themselves.

In recent years, a number of commercial fishing tragedies have occurred off our coastline, and despite the best efforts of the Coast Guard, Navy and voluntary organisations such as the RNLI and community inshore rescue services, they have failed to recover the bodies of some of these unfortunate victims. Your readers may recollect the sinking and loss of crewmembers of Carrickatine, Rosses Morn and St Gervase, which serve as a reminder of how cruel the seas around our island can be.

This situation does not arise for those working ashore. When we loose a friend or member of the family, we can arrange a funeral Mass and burial to help bring a degree of closure for family and friends.

Our hearts must always go out to the families of drowned victims whose bodies are not recovered, and this is why it is so important to have memorial services. A number are held each year, and serve to give great solace and comfort.

The Government's decision to salvage the wreck of the Rising Sun is a new policy in

Inshore Ireland is published

bimonthly by the Agricultural Trust, publishers of the Irish Farmers Journal and the Irish Field, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12

Editor

Gillian Mills mills@inshoreireland.com

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Features editor Gery Flynn

such cases, and we pray that the body of the skipper Pat Colfer will be recovered as part of the salvage operation. The Marine Casualty Investigation Board has said it does not need the vessel to be salvaged for its enquiry and subsequent report.

In 2005, approximately 150 drownings occurred in our waters. This number would have been far higher if it had not been for the number of rescued casualties wearing Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) and lifejackets. Our waters are hostile, and cold is the greatest causation of drownings in our temperate latitudes. It is essential that EVERYONE wears one when on the water. Personal Protective Clothing is also crucial to protect against hypothermia.

Irish Water Safety will continue in its quest to prevent drownings within the constraints of our budgetary and personnel limitations through educational and promotional programmes.

I implore EVERYONE to wear PFDs, lifejackets and Personal Protective Clothing when at sea.

Ð Lt Cdr John F M Leech chief executive, Irish Water Safety Association The Long Walk, Galway.

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Inshore

Ireland

SINCE the 1990s, Norwegian salmon farmers have had to live with accusations relating to illegal subsidies, dumping, government protection, and bankruptcy protection. EU authorities have reacted to these accusations by imposing punitive taxes, minimum prices and have demanded that Norwegian salmon farmers should partfund European salmon farming marketing efforts. Norwegians have also applied production restrictions in order to help Irish and Scottish fish farmers.

During this time while Norwegian salmon farmers have held back production to such an extent that their share of the market has dropped from 100% to less than 50% today, Ireland, Scotland, the USA, Canada and especially Chile, have increased both their market share and total salmon production.

It is likely that the fishery commission will again impose some form of punitive action against Norwegian fish farmers.

This will be done after a closed, hidden process, where those affected will be given scant chance to defend themselves, and where the Commission will have omitted companies who have shown profits every year since the last set of protection measures were lifted - including those years when Norwegian fish farmers were accused of dumping salmon on the European market.

It is a mystery how an EU bureaucrat can accuse a company of dumping and suggest punishing the company when it can prove that it hasn't sold one fish below production cost in the past 20 years.

Norwegian investors have long memories, as have Norwegian banks, and their memories are such that most of them stay away from financing fish farming. Of the banks still seriously involved in fish farming, one, Focus Bank is predominantly Danish; another, Nordea, has its main office in Sweden and DnB Nor is Norwegian.

As far as I know, DnB Nor is

involved in fish farming - not only in Norway - but also in Scotland and Chile. My experience with bankers in relation to fish farming is that they are cool, calculating and very concerned about not losing money.

Fish farming companies are treated in the same way as any other industry whereby the fi-

nanciers demand certain levels of performance, equity and market activity. The only major difference between fish farming and other industries is that banks demand a much higher equity level from fish farmers, ranging from 30-50%.

ÐSigurd T Pettersen Trondheim, Norway.

IASC Conference & Trade Show 2006 Irish Association of Seafood Companies representing independent seafood processors and retailers IASC are holding their annual Conference & Trade Show in the Corrib Great Southern Hotel, Galway.

On Saturday & Sunday the 18th & 19th February.

Interested in becoming a member or exhibiting?

Contact Martina Clarke, Development Executive Tel: 042 9386977 Email: martina@iasc.ie www.iasc.ie

If it's not " IASC " . . . . . . . . It's not " FISH "

6

INSHORE IRELAND February 2006

NEWS

Integrating policies for Ireland's inland waterways Beatrice Kelly, Heritage Council, explains.

* Communication with, and parTHE Heritage Council re- Main ticipation in management plancently launched a new policy recommendations ning by recreational users of paper that focuses on the the inland waterways should be integrated management of Ir- * Inland waterways are an inteincreased, as should awarenessgral part of Ireland's transport eland's waterways heritage. raising activities and interpretaand industrial heritage and are Waterways heritage ranges tion of waterways heritage. themselves made up of differfrom individual sites of naturent aspects of heritage. Conser- * Funding is allocated to Wateral and industrial heritage to ways Ireland by the Departvation and enhancement is vital archaeological sites within the ment of Community Rural and to the long-term attraction of corridor and underwater, bioGaeltacht Affairs for inland Ireland's waterways. Resources diversity, water quality etc. waterways under its remit; should be dedicated to this.

All these aspects of heritage Notwithstanding the establishmonies for infrastructural pro- * Waterways heritage ranges from individual sites of natural and industrial heritage to archaeological sites require care and consideration ment of Waterways Ireland, the jects are provided from the within the corridor and underwater, biodiversity, water quality etc. in addition to ensuring protecmultiplicity of Government deNational Development Plan. tion and enhancement of entire partments and agencies that Individual local authorities alwaterways system. ways Ireland are protected. particular from a heritage perhave some role in the managelocate to waterways projects * It is the responsibility of the The experience and knowllocal authorities to ensure that * The long-term future expansion ment of the waterways resource spective, and recommendations out of their own annual budedge gained from the four leads to a lack of co-ordination disused and derelict waterways and development of the neton this are made in sections gets.

Levels of funding should waterway corridor studies carand integration. be maintained. not under the remit of Waterwork requires consideration, in 12,13 and 14 of the document. ried out since 2002 have in- * A strategic approach to waterformed many of the policies. ways is needed to ensure that Because of this, the policy their integrity is not compromised and that enjoyment of paper advocates the continuathem is increased. Efforts tion of these studies along the should be redoubled to promote waterways network and their this strategic approach to watermonitoring and review. ways management. This should It states: `The inland waterinvolve Government departways and their corridors should ments and agencies with an be managed in an integrated interest in all inland waterways, broad-based way, conserving and disused. their built and archaeological * navigable The Waterway Corridor Studies heritage features and protecting model, championed by the their landscape and biodiversity.

Heritage Council, presents one Recognising that the inland way of addressing the need for waterways are a unique part of sustainable management. Exour heritage, but which today perience from studies comare fulfilling a new role not pleted to date shows that envisaged for them originally, partnership between Waterwe aim to enhance the enjoyways Ireland, local authorities, ment and appreciation of them and the Heritage Council is an as living heritage both for this effective way of ensuring better generation and for future genco-ordination and integrated management. erations.'

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* The experience and knowledge gained from the four waterway corridor studies carried out since 2002 have informed many of the policies.

Because of this, the policy paper advocates the continuation of these studies along the waterways network and their monitoring and review.

Old meets new in seafood company purchase OCEANPATH, one of Ireland's largest seafood processors has purchased Dunn's Seafare Ltd, Ireland's oldest seafood company. ``The purchase of Dunn's Seafare, and its widely known brand Dunn's of Dublin strengthens our standing as a leader in the seafood market at home and abroad in the near future. This acquisition underlines our commitment to continue to provide top quality seafood to our consumers,'' remarked Oceanpath director, Ken Ecock. Oceanpath supplies fresh seafood to Superquinn stores countrywide. Their range includes traditional cod, haddock and salmon products, and exotic seafood and shellfish dishes.

Helen Brophy, market development manager with BIM, has welcomed the buyout, describing it as ``an important step forward for a company committed to delivering the best of Irish seafood. Oceanpath was the first seafood processor in Ireland to be approved for BIM's Quality Seafood Programme. It is such innovation and consumer focus that will see Oceanpath go from strength to strength.''

Founded in 1991, Oceanpath is now the largest processor of

fresh seafood in Ireland, operating from premises in Howth, Co Dublin. The company employs 40 staff, which will grow to 80 within the next two years.

Dunn's Seafare was founded in 1822 as a fish and poultry shop in Dublin's Moore Street.

In 1895 it moved to D'Olier Street and thus began Dunn's of D'Olier Street, which was immortalised by James Joyce who wrote the shop into A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. It was in Dunn's that Stephen Dedalus bought the turkey for that most notorious of Christmas dinners!

Oceanpath's annual turnover, currently estimated at 10m, is set to double by 2007 when the acquisition launches the company onto the international seafood export market. Peter Dunn will continue to work with the new company for the foreseeable future. ``I am very pleased that the Ecock family is going to carry on delivering the highest quality Irish seafood to the home and export market for which Dunn's was renowned for almost 200 years. I wish Oceanpath every success with its future plans as they continue to trade in existing and new markets,'' remarked Peter Dunn, Dunn's Seafare managing director.

Stakeholders' involvement in 2006 fisheries management

SINCE its inception in September 2005, the North Western Waters Regional Advisory Council (NWWRAC) has provided its members and observers with a forum to discuss fisheries matters in North Western waters.

Significant progress has been achieved through four working groups with remits specific to geographical areas who met for the first time last November to focus on the December Council of Fisheries Ministers. The outcome of these meetings was presented to John Farnell and Ernesto Penas Lado of the EU Commission by Sam Lambourn, chairman of the NWWRAC and vice-chairman Jaques Pichon. Of particular concern to the RAC was the data relating to stock assessments; the fuel crisis and the cod recovery programmes for the Irish Sea and waters West of Scotland.

The Commission gave an assurance it would work closely with the RAC on these initiatives. It also gave an undertaking to conduct a comprehensive review of the cod recovery programme and acknowledged that the current approach based on the North Sea programme was neither suitable nor effective at achieving its objectives. The Commission endorsed the industry-led initiative to close part of the Celtic Sea to all fishing in February and March as a management measure to safeguard spawning cod stocks.

At a meeting in January, the executive committee of the RAC agreed a work programme for the coming year.

This includes:

* Simplifying and improving the regulatory environment of the * * * * *

Common Fisheries Policy.

Implementing sustainability in EU Fisheries.

Technical conservation measures.

Measures to reduce incidental catches of cetaceans in fisheries.

Marking of gear.

The emergency ban on deepwater gillnets.

Focus groups will discuss these issues in conjunction with the main working groups in March in The Hague.

For further information contact the Secretariat of the NWWRAC at nwwrac@bim.ie or visit the NWWRAC website at www.nwwrac.org.

INSHORE IRELAND

February 2006

7

REPORT

Impacts of climate change on the coastal zone Rick Boelens

and

WARMER summers, wetter winters and increases in sea level and storm intensity will have major impacts on Ireland's coastal environment and infrastructure. Such impacts are predicted in a report on the marine implications of climate change published by the Marine Institute (Boelens, Minchin & O'Sullivan, 2005).

The physical impacts of storm surges combined with high tides are well known. Ireland has had its share of such events in recent years, resulting in severe damage to property in low-lying areas and high economic costs. Predicted increases in the frequency of damaging waves and floods must be taken seriously as they have obvious implications for the design and maintenance of coastal defences, beaches, piers, harbours, offshore platforms and aquaculture installations.

More subtle changes are expected in coastal ecosystems.

Alterations in the timing and intensity of spring blooms and increases in phytoplankton biomass and zooplankton structure have already been reported from the Atlantic and North Sea. Changes in primary and secondary production, combined with small shifts in cur-

Dan Minchin

explain.

rents and circulation, may result in large swings in the recruitment of some commercial fish species by affecting the proportion of eggs that survive.

Much has been written about the affects of increasing sea water temperature on the distribution of commercial fish species such as cod. Indeed, the decline of cod in the Irish Sea may be due to changes in climate as well as high rates of exploitation. Thus, farming cod in Irish waters is less likely to succeed than for the more southerly bass and breams. Already there are signs that coldwater species including cod are moving northwards. According to science, should sea surface temperatures increase as predicted, species such as blue whiting and redfishes (Sebastes spp.) might withdraw completely from the North Sea in the next 50 years.

There has been a notable increase in the number of warmer-water fish species arriving in Irish waters. The trigger-fish is now commonly seen by divers whereas before the 1970s records were sparse.

Adults normally arrive in July and die as temperatures decline in the autumn when their bodies are frequently washed ashore.

Recently, and for the first time, young trigger-fish have appeared in the English Channel.

Impacts on less mobile, bottom-living species such as crabs, scallops, mussels and oysters may be manifested in various ways such as changes in growth rate, reproduction, disease and predation. Any changes in water temperature and circulation are likely to influence the survival and development of crustacean and molluscan larvae that drift in the water-column prior to settlement.

The effects of climate change on inter-tidal species inhabiting rocky shores and mud-flats are more difficult to assess. These are generally well-adjusted to the wide variations in temperature, salinity, wave action and desiccation rate that occur on exposed shores both within and between seasons. In the long term, rising sea levels may alter the distribution of communities on the upper shore; however, decreases in summer rainfall with reduced run-off and higher near-shore salinities, combined with higher air temperatures, may reduce species diversity in inter-tidal and shallow-water areas.

Changes in ranges of species

* Trigger Fish - ranging northwards from the Mediterranean and now more frequently seen in our warmer coastal waters.

are taking place throughout Europe. Species migrating northwards to cooler waters, or species inadvertently introduced by shipping, may find that our previously inhospitable waters have altered sufficiently to allow them to establish, reproduce and spread; some may compete with or prey upon native species.

There are unconfirmed reports of the Mediterranean seaurchin, formerly confined to SW Scotland, appearing in Norwegian waters. The grey top-shell has spread to more northerly Irish shores probably due to warmer winters whereas the hatchery cultivated Pacific

oyster is now producing spatfalls as a result of increased summer temperatures in shallows. There are now dense settlements of these oysters in the south of Britain, the Netherlands and Germany.

In summary, although there is still much uncertainty regarding the long-term effects of climate change on Ireland's marine resources, there is substantial and growing evidence of a significant biological response to the changes that are now occurring. There can no longer be any doubt that the marine implications of climate change extend well beyond physical impacts such as flooding, ero-

sion and storm damage and include impacts on fisheries, biodiversity and community structure. Such changes are bound to also affect populations of marine birds and mammals.

It is vital for our maritime economy that we intensify monitoring of marine climate indicators and take appropriate adaptive measures to mitigate the impacts on coastal infrastructure, fishing, aquaculture and marine-based tourism.

Thankfully, there are encouraging signs that the Government and the Marine Institute in particular have heard the message and are preparing to respond.

Plans afloat to launch Irish Sea as marine leisure market A joint Ireland/Wales marine leisure conference last November highlighted the efforts being made towards developing a sustainable marine leisure market.

The INTERREG Ireland/ Wales Programme brought together the Irish Federation of Marine Industries and North Wales Watersports Limited in a partnership designed to develop the Irish Sea into a leading European marine lei* The INTERREG Ireland/Wales Programme brought together the sure market.

Irish Federation of Marine Industries and North Wales Watersports Speaking at the conference, Limited in a partnership designed to develop the Irish Sea into a marine minister Pat the cope leading European marine leisure market.

Gallagher noted the importance of some local marine leisure projects currently underway, such as the harbour twinning programme. ``This encourages disadvantaged groups, inner city and youth outreach groups to participate in the `water sports for all' initiative. This project further enhances the progress already made and widens the existing network, thus providing opportunities for further trans-national co-operation,'' he said.

The project involves the Irish Marine Federation, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Enterprise Board, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, the * Marine minister, Pat the cope Gallagher, noted the importance of Irish Sailing Association and some local marine leisure projects currently underway, such as the harbour twinning programme. the Marine Institute.

BIM Inshore Section hopes to see you at the INSHORE EXPO on the 3rd to 4th of March 2006.

The seminars this year will include: ■

A progress report on the shellfisheries management framework

■

The draft Lobster Management Plan

■

A report on the status of crab, lobster and scallop stocks

■

The European market for Irish Crab and Lobster

■

The Dunmore East Line Caught mackerel initiative

■

The handling of Live Shellfish

8

INSHORE IRELAND February 2006

REPORT

Atlantic salmon: the rush to ruin

By Dr Martin O'Farrell

THE Atlantic salmon is a biological, renewable resource that has been abused for decades because of political and ideological considerations. The 1933 Inland Fisheries Report recognised that the estuarine commercial fisheries (mainly privately-owned fisheries deploying draftnets) were the most valuable salmon fisheries in the State.

Expansion of the Irish public drift-net fishery in the 1970s and 1980s decimated these estuarine fisheries in terms of annual catches and capital value. Wild salmon are ferae naturae and `can be reduced into ownership only by legal capture'.

Hardin (1968) tells us in his paper: `The tragedy of the commons' that `Ruin is the destination toward which all men rush, each pursuing his own best interest in a society

that believes in the freedom of the commons. Freedom in a commons brings ruin to all.'

The expansion of the Irish driftnet fishery in the 1970s was this road to ruin.

The debate

It might appear that the salmon management/exploitation pattern debate is between commercial fishermen and anglers. Not exactly so. On the one hand it is between the commercial fisheries (the public drift-net fishery and the draft-net fishery - much of which is privately owned) and on the other, between the owners of freshwater recreational fisheries and politically active salmon anglers.

Looking at the political economy associated with inland fisheries in Ireland, the real issues are control and ownership of salmon recreational fisheries and access to them. A general anti-profit mentality combined with over-exploita-

tion of salmon at sea has made investment by the private sector in salmon recreational fisheries unattractive because potential investors cannot see a return on their investment while current commercial exploitation practices persist.

Salmon angling tourism in this country is now on its knees and this suits those stakeholders who want unrestricted and cheap access to these fisheries.

Private fishery owners own the exclusive (sometimes nonexclusive) right to fish in accordance with the legal fishing methods and fishing seasons of the land. A recent Irish Times editorial stated: `Individual fisheries will require investment, clarity of title and new management structures if the long-term public interest is to be served'.

Most tourist anglers would agree with this sentiment but in the meantime they're off to Russia, Iceland, Canada and Scotland (in that order of pre-

* Pictured from left to right:John Connolly, Coarse Angling Action Group; Pat Doherty, acting CEO of Eastern RFB; Terence Gilbert, UK angler; Joe Caffrey, Chairman of Coarse Fish Policy Review Group; Stephen McCormack, Coarse Angling Action Group; Brendan Coulter, National Coarse Fish Federation of Ireland; Enda Kelly, Coarse Angling Action Group (back row) and Paul Bourke, Angling advisor, CFB.

National policy on coarse fishing is a step closer THE first workshop of the Coarse Fish Policy Review Group, which comprises fisheries experts from both sides of the border, was held in November to discuss issues surrounding the establishment of a national policy on coarse fish and angling.

Dr Robert Rosell, Department of Agriculture, Northern Ireland and anglers from the Coarse Angling Action Group and the National Coarse Fish Federation of Ireland gave presentations on legislation, angling, marketing, research methods, stock levels and coarse fish health. A draft by-law was also presented. It advocates four coarse fish per

ference) for their salmon fishing were never compensated when holidays. their catches were decimated by the expansion of the public Scrutiny required drift-net fishery in the 1970s) The buy-out of Irish drift-net or will it crowd these estuaries salmon licences is estimated to with former drift-net licence cost 20-50m. Nevertheless, holders? Interesting times implications relating to the ahead!

I believe that it is now elimination of the public driftnet fishery and the shift to probably too late to redress the single stock management on a damage that has been done to catchment basis require careful Irish salmon by over-exploitaconsideration. Draft-net fish- tion of the returning adults at eries in estuaries may return to sea and destruction of spawning something akin to their `former and nursery habitat in Irish rivers. Climate change and anglory'.

Will the state expect private ticipated warmer and drier sumfishery owners to pay for this mers will not help matters consideration (remember they either. Nothing short of a five-

year moratorium on all exploitation of salmon in Irish coastal and inland waters will make a difference to the future of Irish salmon.

Five years without exploitation will allow managers to see the benefits accruing to two generations of one-sea-winter salmon and then decide on long-term exploitation policy.

A five-year moratorium on exploitation would also give all vested interests time for reflection, and more importantly, give salmon in this country a last chance.

Bluefin tuna tagging roundup 2005

By Daragh Browne, Fisheries Division, BIM

EFFORTS to tag giant bluefin tuna in Irish waters continued in 2005. Poor weather dominated much of the season. Strong winds and heavy seas between September and November often made it impossible for the charter angling fleet to visit the areas frequented by bluefin. Nevertheless, shoals of bluefin were reported on the grounds throughout the season.

In an effort to capture footage of giant bluefin two BBC film crews visited north Donegal. One crew spent weeks in the area and even chartered a spotter plane to assist in fish location. The spotter plane proved very useful, especially after periods of bad weather when it was necessary to re-establish the whereabouts of the fish.

Aside from the weather

another major feature of the 2005 season was the reluctance of fish to take a lure or natural bait. It is not clear why this was so, but similar situations have been reported by bluefin anglers in other parts of the world. Despite the ingenuity and persistence of charter skippers, no bluefin were tagged in 2005.

The apparent disappearance of two tags deployed on bluefin in 2004 added to the disappointment of the 2005 season. The tags were programmed to pop off and begin transmitting to satellite in July 2005. No transmission was received in July; however in early November, word reached BIM that a tagged bluefin had been captured in June by vessel fishing in the Mediterranean Sea. It transpired that the fish had been tagged and released west of Inishtrahull, Co Donegal, in October 2004.

The fish was of sufficient size to be sexually mature and

was probably part of the annual migration of bluefin from the north Atlantic into the Mediterranean Sea to spawn. The recovery of the tag itself means that data will be available at a higher resolution than the summarised data normally transmitted via satellite. The data from the tag is currently being analysed and should prove to be very interesting.

The latest success means that 66% of the tags deployed in Irish waters since 2003 have been accounted for. The BIM bluefin tagging programme will continue in 2006 when it is hoped that the weather and the number of fish tagged will improve.

Best wishes for the New Year to all who have contributed to the project's success over the last three years.

Fundraising to save lives

paramount and that adequate angler per day once no fish is greater than 25cm in length. funding should be provided This law is to ensure the to increase research capabilprotection of spawning popuities. lations and to set a limit that * Some panels advocated the all anglers must adhere to. introduction of coarse an-

Outcome from afternoon workshops

* Consensus for an immediate

public awareness campaign to prevent the importation and spread of invasive species in order to protect current coarse fish species. * Consensus for a co-ordinated marketing and PR strategy. * Consensus on a blanket ban on the killing of coarse fish. * Consensus that research is

gling permits under the strict condition that they are used to generate funds for fisheries management and protection.

Proceedings from the workshops will be considered by the review group ahead of final drafting of the policy report. The report will then be forwarded to the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for its consideration.

* Crew of the Galway RNLI on the lookout for a date for the maritime ball.

THE 6th annual RNLI maritime Ball takes place on February 18 at the Radisson SAS, Galway and is the biggest source of funding for the Galway lifeboat. The

maritime person of the year weather conditions, and resaward will be presented cued 70 people. also. In 2004 the Galway lifeboat launched on 200 * Contact Didi Sheridan on 087 6179163 for tickets, or to separate occasions, somesponsor a table or prize. times in wildly inhospitable

INSHORE IRELAND

Marine Harvest Chinese strikes gold with mitten crab waste initiative

AN initiative by Marine Harvest to cut their waste bills is already saving the firm thousands of euro and may even be lucrative in future years, according to technical manager Catherine McManus. A new composting unit developed at Coolback on the Fanad peninsula at a cost of 500,000 is disposing of most of the waste produced by the fish farming operation.

The first lorry load of compost has gone to a horticultural firm in England and is undergoing trials. Catherine McManus believes the compost will be a big seller: ``It's been a great project for us. Our organic waste bills are down to a third of what they were. Even if we don't sell any compost the plant will pay for itself within a relatively short time. ``I think the compost will be very much in demand by garden centres etc. A chemical breakdown shows that it has a relatively high nitrogen content, much higher than peat and a lot of fibre. It's very good for the soil and for growing plants so I think we're onto a winner,'' she said.

The composting machine, which reaches temperatures of up to 80oC to kill off unwanted bugs is about 30ft in height.

Fish trimmings, offal, sludge and solids from waste water are fed in at the top along with sources of carbon such as cardboard, paper, wood chips and sawdust. The mix encourages the growth of micro-organisms which feed away merrily for about a week until the compost arrives at the bottom of the stack. The compost is then piled into a shed for at least three weeks to allow it to cool and `cure'. ``Credit for the success of the operation must also go to Pa-

trick Shovelin of Rathmullan, who has put in a lot of effort,'' Catherine McManus said.

Well-known Fanad man, Patrick Sweeney, who's been involved with Marine Harvest since the beginning more than 25 years ago, recalls getting the job of investigating ways of reducing the Marine Harvest waste bill: ``I was looking at these composting operations at an exhibition in Dublin. There were lots of units there for dealing with waste, one more complex than the next, and people were gathered around the various stands where the demonstrations were going on. ``I noticed a stand down the back with nobody at it so I went down to have a look. It was a New Zealand firm, VCU Technology, and when the man explained the operation it sounded very good to me. You put in the waste and other material at the top and you get your compost at the bottom. I asked him why he wasn't getting many people staying around his stand and he said: `It's too simple.' So, that's what we ended up getting!''

The composting unit was officially opened by Marine minister Pat the Cope Gallagher about a year ago and is now fully operational. ``It's a lesson for us in business, a problem can be an opportunity,'' remarked Catherine McManus. ``Like everyone else, we were facing escalating bills to get rid of our waste.

Now that's history, and we expect the plant to actually make money down the line.

Not surprisingly we're getting enquiries from other companies who are interested in what we've done. I suppose it goes to prove the old saying: `Where there's muck, there's brass'!''

* Marine Harvest is saving the firm thousands of euro by cutting their

waste bills as a new composting unit is disposing of most of their waste.

CHINESE mitten crab is an invasive species which can cause serious structural degradation and pose a significant threat to native communities in catchment systems by burrowing into river banks. As a consequence, it has been placed on the IUCN 100 of the world's worst invasive alien species.

The first recorded crab has been caught in the River Suir by two anglers, James McCartan and Jim Flinders from the Rinnashark Sea Angling Club.

Coastwatch Ireland is anxious to hear from any fishermen or anglers who have seen the crab and most importantly to know if they are females, which could indicate if they are breeding or whether this catch is a one-off.

If you have any information contact: Coastwatch Ireland: www.coastwatch@eircom.net or James McCartan on 086 2656308 or The Fisheries Research Centre on 01 8201111.

Fanad Ova Performance The Fanad strain is known for its low Grilsing rates (average <5%) and its fast growing, high quality, consistent performance.

Optimum health status of Ireland All certification according to O.I.E. standards with supplementary testing available. MHI are approved

by Sernapesca as an ova supply source exempt from Chilean import quarantine requirements.

Family selection program All broodstock are selected for improved performance in growth, late maturity and flesh quality traits as part of a breeding program which combines traditional (BLUP) selection technology with modern DNA fingerprinting techniques for traceability and unmistaken pedigree identification.

Fanad/MOWI stock MHI is the only source of a pure and family selected Fanad stock, originally imported from the Norwegian MOWi strain. Fanad have maintained a closed herd strategy since this importation.

Totally integrated producer Unlike other egg and smolt producers, MHI are an integrated producer of eggs, fry, smolt and salmon as well as a major processor of salmon.

This integration facilitates the control of all breeding activities and allows for a high level of traceability through the Irish certified quality system and DNA tagging.

Marine Harvest Ireland: Hugh McGinley Kindrum Fanad Letterkenny County Donegal Ireland.

Tel: +353 74 59071/+353 87 2573029 Fax: +353 74 59077

February 2006

9

REPORT

* The Chinese mitten crab has been placed on the IUCN 100 of the world's worst invasive alien species.

10

INSHORE IRELAND February 2006

WATER QUALITY

Agency inaction to algal problem is a `missed opportunity' Report by Gery Flynn

it initiates research projects and disseminates information on seaweed. Funding for the ISC's 2005 investigation came via a grant from the EPA under the small-scale studies section of the Environmental Research, Technological Development and Innovation (ERTDI) programme.

THE Environmental Protection Agency has been lashed for refusing to fund the second leg of a research proposal aimed at identifying the pollution source responsible for recurring green tides in the Argideen River Estuary near Unsuccessful Courmacsherry.

Dr Stefan Kraan, manager of the Irish Seaweed Centre (ISC) at NUI-Galway who last year led an initial scientific investigation into the extent of progressively worsening green tides at the Co Cork beauty spot, referred to the EPA decision as ``puzzling, and a missed opportunity. ``We are very disappointed with the outcome of the EPA's evaluation of this proposal Ă? especially as it was recommended for funding. This could have been a unique opportunity to pinpoint the source of the nutrient discharge that is actually causing the problem,'' he said.

The ISC operates from the Martin Ryan Marine Research Institute at NUI-Galway where

application

In a statement to Inshore Ireland, the EPA revealed that 27 research applications had been received under the Water Framework and Biodiversity EPA Research Call for proposals in 2005. The statement confirmed that an application by the ISC for an EPA fellowship had been unsuccessful in a recent round of funding calls. `Although the proposal received a favourable review and was recommended for funding if sufficient funds were available, there are no specific plans at the present time to fund such a study under the Research Programme. The Research Programme generally operates on the basis of open calls for research proposals and such a

location specific call is not usual practice' the statement read. Regarding macroalgalblooms in general, the EPA confirmed that these will continue to be monitored around Irish coasts as part of [Ireland's] obligations under the Water Framework Directive. `These blooms are considered indicators of changes in the ecological status of a water body and, as such, monitoring tools are being developed to assess the distribution and development of these events. The sources of nutrients contributing to their development is not being considered at this time,' the EPA statement emphasised.

Commenting on the stance taken by the EPA, Stefan Kraan said that any sign of an elevated level of nutrients in a water body was a cause for concern: ``In view of current EU legislation and the WFD, it is of crucial importance to be able to trace the source of the elevated nutrient levels in order to be able do something about it. In the case of the Argideen River Estuary, this information would help to restore the ecological balance. This is a missed opportunity.''

* Piles of rotting ulva in the foreground with fresh ulva in the background. Scenes like this in the Argideen River Estuary could jeopardise Ireland meeting its objective under the Water Framework Directive.

2006: A pivotal year for water protection Report by Sinead O'Brien, SWAN

the EPA must design this programme, ready for implementation by December. The report must address which water bodies are to be monitored, how often and by whom. Add to this the important question of `who is going to pay?' being asked by local authorities, scientists and the environmental umbrella, the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN), and the stage is set for an interesting year.

WITH less than 10 years remaining before the EU Water Framework Directive deadline for ending all major water pollution in Ireland, progress every year between now and 2015 is vital. But with several key targets set for this June, 2006 is an especially important year. All the more urgent then to encourage public involvement Classification system and get the regional water Advisory Councils up and Also due to be established by running as soon as possible. June is a `water classification

This year, vital decisions will be made about the way we manage the country's waters.

Three major deadlines are set for June. Water monitoring and water classification schemes must be produced, along with a work programme and timetable for the production of seven River Basin (catchment) management plans.

To properly assess the state of our aquatic resources, a comprehensive nationwide water monitoring programme must be put in place. By June,

system'. Much has been written about the challenge of reaching `good ecological status' by 2015. But what exactly does `good' status mean? The classification system will define this, providing actual figures for species and conditions that must be present in local river for it to pass the WFD `good status' test.

This is necessary as the Directive provides only general definitions (Water bodies must `deviate only slightly' from the biological conditions present

`under undisturbed conditions'), leaving it to national authorities to define what exactly `good status' means for a given watercourse. The significance of this cannot be underestimated.

Although it has been portrayed as a purely scientific exercise, there are also serious political implications. Concerns have been raised by environmental groups across Europe that governments may be tempted to set standards for water bodies lower than environmental research indicates they should, to avoid excessive costs in restoration. SWAN groups will be monitoring developments this year to ensure that such a `lowering of the bar' does not occur in Ireland.

Management plans

The specific steps required to achieve water protection under the WFD will be laid out in seven River Basin Management Plans. The country has been divided into seven River Basin Districts (RBDs) and for each a management plan must be produced by 2008. These must identify all major threats to

surface and ground water and, crucially, must outline all measures to be taken in order to address these. Given the magnitude of this task it is timely that a work programme and timetable for the production of these management plans must be published this June.

With such a pivotal year ahead, SWAN is observing with growing concern, the delays in setting up the regional (RBD) water Advisory Councils. By mid-November last, SWAN had submitted applications from 21 nominees to sit on seven RBD Advisory Councils with local councillors and members of the agricultural, industrial, social and recreational sectors.

SWAN has yet to discover which of our nominees have been selected and when they will attend their first meeting.

Given the important decisions to be made in the first half of this year, in which SWAN and other interested parties are naturally keen to participate, we eagerly await an announcement on early start-up dates for all seven stakeholder Advisory Councils.

Summary timetable for implementing the Water Framework Directive Task Transposition into national legislation Designation of competent authorities First analysis of pressures and impactsEconomic analysis of water use Development of Classification systems for surface water and groundwater Establishment of a national water Monitoring ProgrammePreparation and publication of a work Programme and Timetable for the production of River Basin Management Plans (RBMP).

Monitoring programmes operational Latest date for starting public participation Draft river basin management plans Binding river basin management plans Programme of measures Water pricing reflecting cost-recovery Meet environmental objectives of first RBMP Review and update of river basin management plans and programme of measures

Deadline December 2003 December 2004 June 2006 December 2006 December 2008 December 2009 2010 December 2015

* Shane Gallagher, River Drowes fishery (left) presenting Brendan Burns with the first salmon of the year trophy.

Derry angler lands the first spring salmon of 2006 THE first spring salmon was caught and released by Brendan Burns of Derry at 9.40am on January 3 on the River Drowes in Donegal.

Weighing in at 11lbs, the seasoned angler caught the fish using a special fly tied by his angling partner, Chris Sandy.

The 'catch and release' policy adopted by the Central Fisheries Board was brought in as a result of falling stocks of Atlantic salmon.

In order to monitor existing commercial and angling catches, the CFB coordinates the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Programme on behalf of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards.

The statistics gathered pro-

vide vital information on angling and commercial trends and take up of catch and release.

The number of salmon released is rising annually.

In 2004, 9% of all salmon caught were released. ``The board carries out a great deal of work to ensure the protection and conservation of Irish salmon while promoting the tradition of angling at home and abroad,'' said John O'Connor, CFB chief executive. * Copies of the video, Catch and Release - The Future is in your Hands are available free of charge (while stocks last) from the CFB Details from: info@cfb.ie

INSHORE IRELAND

Science on Lough Derg

February 2006

11

WATER QUALITY

By Rick Boelens

LOUGH Derg, the lowest lake on the Shannon system, lies 34m above sea level and2 has a surface area of 118 km .

It is a magnificent natural resource but shows the effects of nutrient enrichment. Not surprisingly it is a prime candidate for scientific investigation.

Local residents and lake users such as fishermen, sailors and swimmers, are anxious to protect the lake and are keen to know more about its current health and prospects. In this context they can now receive newsletters from a rather unusual source. The Lough Derg Science Group (LDSG) was established in 2003 when a handful of independent scientists living near the lake, whose careers allow time for extracurricular activities, got together to investigate some hitherto unexplored features of this large and complex waterbody. LDSG is an entirely voluntary, non-profit organisation that combines expertise in various branches of aquatic science. Its twice-yearly newsletters aim to increase the level of public interest and understanding regarding Lough Derg and its surroundings.

Important factors in the formation of LDSG and its various studies have been the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the potential impacts of climate change.

An initial focus of LDSG's work has been the variations in lake water temperature at different times and locations. Temperature measurements help in identifying different water masses, the extent of mixing

* Cladophora in Dromineer during July 2005

and how the lake responds to local weather patterns. The addition of conductivity measurements gives an indication of the origin of different water masses, for example the contributions from tributaries with particular geochemical characteristics.

Monitoring programmes

One reason for this work is to improve the basis of monitoring programmes for the purposes of the WFD and other lake management initiatives. For a complex body of water such as Lough Derg, sampling times and locations must be carefully selected and it is wrong to assume that deeper areas are representative of the lake as a whole.

LDSG believes that improved monitoring design,

based on better knowledge of the lake's natural variability, will greatly improve the relevance and reliability of the data collected. Results to date show marked variations between water masses related to location, depth, wind exposure and weather conditions. Despite improvements in water quality over the past decade, localised short-term deficiencies in the dissolved oxygen content of near-bottom water are apparent during the summer months at depths as shallow as 20m, due to a combination of high levels of algal production and low mixing.

LDSG also investigates biological features of Lough Derg that have a bearing on biodiversity and recreational activities such as boating and swimming. These include the introduction and spread of `exotic' species (e.g. zebra mussels,

Implementing the Water Framework Directive: the case for strong public participation

By Dr Patrick O' Mahony, Lecturer, Sociology, UCC

MUCH has already been thought, said and done about the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) in Ireland. The WFD is the most comprehensive piece of environmental legislation ever produced in the EU. It proposes a framework to protect all water types: inland, transitional, coastal and ground by means of integrated, holistic management at the basic spatial level of river basin districts with the aim of achieving universally good quality water resources by 2015.

The WFD also proposes to integrate public participation in the form of measures to promote adequate public consultation and information provision at river basin level and beyond.

The general consensus is that the country's progress in relation to the technical and planning aspects is relatively good. Impetus has derived from the fact that water quality is a recognised problem, and the country is constantly in dispute with the European Commission over slow or poor implementation of environmental directives.

Less optimism is to be found on the likely contribution of the associated public participation measures now commencing.

This is variously explained by the absence of a culture of participation, multi-sided suspicion and mistrust between stakeholders, and habits of hierarchy, albeit waning, in public administration.

WFD requirements for extended participation Ð multi-stakeholder River Basin District

Advisory Councils (RBDAC), for example Ð and gradually changing attitudes mean that public participation designs cannot be avoided in this case. The pivotal question is whether public participation will be really embraced or merely regarded as a necessary expedient?

The argument for embracing extended public participation is in fact stronger than is often assumed, even for public administration. In fact, it makes sense to incorporate public participation early and forcefully for a number of reasons.

Firstly, reliance on scientific-technical and economic solutions alone without winning the full-hearted confidence and support of the population is risky, as decades of social research has demonstrated. Such solutions may founder leading to a bitter and undirected politics and continuing environmental problems.

Secondly, what is to be lost for public administration to let public debate and communities do the political work in participation forums, rather than take all the responsibility and uncomfortable heat themselves?

Thirdly, real participation fosters education in citizenship and in participation culture itself, and serves as a resource for better and more popular governance.

Hence, RBDAC's should be accorded proper status and linked to institutional implementation and to situated sub-river basic communities. Short-term pain may well be long-term gain. * The author wishes to thank the Environmental Protection Agency for its support for research on public participation under the WFD. The opinions expressed here are entirely the author's own.

various water plants etc.) and problems caused by excessive growths of waterweeds, filamentous and planktonic algae.

Cladophora Ð a prolific filamentous alga that becomes detached from rocks in windy weather and forms heaps on recreational beaches Ð is a recurring problem, and certain species of toxin-producing blue-green algae, which may present risks to livestock and bathers, are also of concern.

Blue-green algae measurements in 2005, focusing on the east-central sector of the lake, did not reveal any signs of the notorious `blooms' but rather indicated a sustained standing-

* The author measuring zebra mussels on the River Shannon

stock of the algae over a three month period. Densities in shallow bathing areas were entirely a function of prevailing weather conditions.

Looking ahead, LDSG plans to continue existing studies while planning new initiatives such as mapping the bottom contours and geological fea-

tures of Lough Derg; improving the basis for assessing health risks associated with blue-green algae exposures and exploring factors that regulate Cladophora production, apart from nutrients. * For more information contact LDSG at dergscience@yahoo.ie

12

INSHORE IRELAND February 2006

INSHORE FISHERIES

Fears for the future of the inshore brown crab resource Gery Flynn reports

RESULTS of a report on the Malin Head inshore brown crab by the Marine Institute suggest that the stock is so dramatically depleted, its abundance may have halved over the past 15 years.

This report compares three brown crab LPUE (landingsper-unit-effort) data sets from Donegal: one compiled from records of 27 years of daily landings and creel numbers fished by a small Malin Head inshore fleet operating mainly within 12 nautical miles; and two - `the most authoritative of the three' according to the report - from the more mobile offshore super-crabber vivier fleet introduced in the 1990s.

LPUE is an international standard for monitoring fish stocks. Ensuring that LPUE levels remain stable is one of the methods used by fisheries biologists to manage a stock.

* Landings, Tonnes (percentage national landings)of brown crab to Ireland in 2003. The heavy font identifies the northern and south east crab groups.

Declining trend

The report declares that the Malin Head inshore fleet responsible for nearly a third of Co Donegal's share of brown crab landings - has had a declining trend in LPUE for the last 30 years, or nearly as long as records have existed.

It goes on to show that the trend in the inshore fishery is in general agreement with the more extensive Co Donegal fishery, and notes that in the last 15 years, LPUE loss has been between 37%-57%.

The report finds that current landings and effort are now so close to breaching key internationally agreed biological reference points that it `must cause concern in the Donegal fishery.'

It warns ominously that if declining LPUEs accelerate any further, the response from the two fleets is likely to be an increase in fishing effort Ð `causing further and long term damage to the resource'.

Based on these findings, the report makes the disturbing prediction that `without fundamental changes in the open access nature of this fishery' there are likely to be `detrimental consequences for both the fishery and those communities that it supports'.

Economic winner

From a purely economic point of view, brown crab is the third most important species of fish landed into Ireland. This is underlined by the fact that as the second-largest crab producer in Europe, Ireland's export market is currently valued at 24 million.

For Donegal in particular, the brown crab harvest reaps significant economic spin-offs. In 2004 the ICES-designated division VIa Ð within which the Donegal fleets mainly operate contributed 63% of the national total landing of 13,690 tonnes live weight with a first-sale value of 14.5 million.

The introduction of a small vivier offshore fleet in the 1990s is, according to the report, `the most significant event to have taken place since records commenced in the late 1970s'.

*

Three LPUE series for the northern crab stock compared: Tully (offshore, Robinson (inshore) and this series (inshore Malin fleet).

* Landings to Ireland and first sale price of brown crab, 1990-2004.

Fisheries Science Services Advice ICES data indicates that LPUE has declined from 2.75kg/pot in 1991 to 1.4kg/ pot in 2003 in the offshore fishery.

Studies on the inshore component estimate a loss of between 37% and 57 % LPUE over the past 15 years.

FSS agrees with the STECF that: * There has been a decline in abundance. * Current levels of effective effort are very high. * Current regulations are un-

The once clear division that had existed between the inshore and offshore fleets then began to overlap as competition intensified between them.

Referring to the mobility of the vivier fleet, the report notes they are `capable of targeting higher densities of crab and setting gear directly upon them'.

The inshore fleet responded by extending its offshore capability - a move that required significant investment in new boats and gear.

able to effectively control effort in this fishery.

FSS therefore agrees with the STECF that the current fishing effort regime as established in Council Regulations 1954/2003 and 1415/2004 is inadequate for sustainable exploitation of edible crab (Cancer pagurus) stocks.

FSS therefore supports the STECF conclusion that effective effort would be better regulated by restricting the number of pots and number of pot hauls in the fishery, and

Vivier boat influence

Significantly, the report notes that with the introduction of the offshore vivier crab boats, the decline in LPUE accelerated representing `either a dilution effect (the sharing of a resource of finite size among a greater number of creels) or a real decline in the abundance of the animals.'

The report adds: `From an economic perspective, the decline in LPUE has driven the restructuring of the fishing fleet

that regulation of effective effort should apply to all vessels prosecuting this fishery, rather than just those >15m.

FSS note that during the mid 1990s LPUE was sustained at a stable level. FSS therefore agrees with the STECF suggestion that the average annual effective effort (as proposed above) over this period could be used as an appropriate level of effort that may sustain the fishery. and, consequently, capitalisation of the fishery.

This is reflected in the high levels of investment made by remaining fishermen in boats and gear at a time when real return on investment is, at best, stable or declining.' This latest study into the status of the inshore component of the northern brown crab, Cancer pagurus, was carried out by David Meredith, Teagasc's Rural Economy Research Centre and Edward Fahy, Fisheries Science Services, Marine Institute.

*

Log/normal plots of LPUE for the three data series extended to Ç =0.7044, N=12 cover the period 1990 - 2004. For the offshore fleet, R Ç =0.5011, N=8, P=0.049 and P=0.0006 for the inshore Malin data R Ç =0.3643, N=14 and P=0.02 and for this analysis, R

Crab industry to set standards MEMBERS of the Live Crustacean Group (LCG) and Irish crab processors met in Dublin last month to discuss the current needs of the industry against a background of an increasingly competitive international market.

A key outcome was an agreement on the need to develop and establish an industry-led quality and environment standard for the sector. Also discussed was environment, logistics, competition, product development and product innovation.

New initiative

Jointly organised by BIM and the cross-border Seafood Development Programme,

the meeting forms part of a new initiative to strengthen co-operation within the crab sector.

The LCG was created in 2004 by the Seafood Development Programme to encourage collective marketing cooperation between seafood companies in Northern Ireland and the six border counties.

In 2005 the Group was extended to include new members from non-SDP areas in order to increase the accuracy of the shared market information.

The LCG is an industry steered group that uses the assistance of both BIM and SDP in its market research.

INSHORE IRELAND

Shellfish management Oliver Tully BIM inshore fisheries co-ordinator reports

vessel. The live discard chute is clearly visible in the foreground.

Northwest crab fishery: the background Inshore Fisheries executive

THE potential of the northwest fishery was identified in the late 1980s following exploratory surveys conducted by BIM. As a result, four 18m vivier vessels entered the fishery between 1990 and 1995.

Vivier vessels are equipped with a large seawater tank through which seawater is constantly pumped, enabling the catch to be retained alive for periods in excess of a week.

This allows offshore grounds to be fished, the vessels typically staying at sea for six to seven days.

As the fishery developed, and in a hitherto unheard of and farsighted collaboration between industry and science, the fleet, BIM and Trinity College Dublin began collecting scientific data.

This work, which began with the introduction of the first offshore vivier vessel, has monitored the distribution of fishing and catch rates in the offshore fishery since its establishment.

The ultimate aim is to develop an improved management framework under which such data can be used to ensure the sustainable exploitation of the stock.

The geographic position of the fishing gear, amount of gear at each position, the frequency of hauling the gear and the landings deriving from each unit of gear is recorded by the skippers and compiled annually to provide a catch index.

The quality of this catch and effort data is very high and was verified by on-board observers in 1996-1997 and 2001. This is also acknowledged in the annual reports of the ICES Study Group on Crab.

The index quantifies the weight of crab landed-per-unitof-effort (LPUE) i.e. the average weight of crab landed for each pot hauled. It is important to realise, however, that LPUE, as with all catch rate data in any fishery, can be affected by many factors and can be interpreted in a number of ways that confuse the relationship between the index and the actual abundance of crab on the seabed. In particular: * Returning of crabs live-to-sea: Generally a high percentage (10-50%) of legal sized crab are returned live to the sea and

13

INSHORE FISHERIES

* Emptying a crab pot aboard a vivier

By Dr Ian Lawler,

February 2006

are not landed. This is largely due to subjective grading for quality or internal meat content, particularly in the case of recently moulted or soft crabs.

Both the market demands and ability of the crew to grade successfully will affect rates of live return and, therefore, the amount of crab landed for each trap hauled. * Gear density: At current levels of fishing, it is possible that in areas of heavy fishing, nearby pots could affect the catches of index gear by intercepting crab as they migrate before they reach the index gear, thereby artificially depressing the LPUE. * Vessel performance: Varying performance of a vessel over time due to crew or skipper effects. The nature of these effects is difficult to quantify. * Hauling frequency: Changes in the frequency of hauling traps will affect the index as catch rate is related to the frequency at which gear is hauled at least for frequencies between two and four days.

A number of these possibly confounding issues can be controlled for using statistical methods. For instance, the variability between the performance of different vessels and the effects of soak time can be removed.

In addition to the LPUE index provided by the offshore fleet, an LPUE series for the inshore fleet has been derived from data supplied by processors in Donegal. These data are not as reliable and are subject to more uncertainty than the offshore data. Nevertheless, they show the same trends.

Throughout the development of this fishery, and particularly during the period when the offshore fleet was significantly renewed between 2001 and 2003, new vessels were only introduced in the light of current information on the status of the stock. This was possible only in light of the commitment made by vessel owners to provide top quality data recording much of their activity. That process has now been given a significant and timely boost with the introduction of the Management Framework for Shellfisheries Fisheries, introduced by BIM and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR) in 2005.

This framework provides an unrivalled opportunity for soundly based co-management

of this very important resource and, working closely with the DCMNR and the North Western Waters Regional Advisory Council, a real opportunity now exists to agree an appropriate and effective management plan for this stock, in conjunction with neighbouring states that also exploit it.

Management Plan

The Crab Species Advisory Group is in the process of developing a management plan for northwest crab, which will be finalised in 2006. DCMNR, BIM, Marine Institute and relevant experts from the third level sector and industry are members of the Advisory Group.

This management plan will ultimately ensure that the operations of the Irish crab fleet continues to be consistent with the sustainable exploitation of the stock, thus ensuring the future viability of the fleet in the northwest.

The management measures will take account of the conclusions reached in a recent comprehensive analysis of the stock produced by BIM and experts in the third level sector. This report is the first to compile all available data and is currently being reviewed and approved by a committee of experts from BIM, the Marine Institute and consultants from overseas.

To ensure that industry views on possible management measures are incorporated, the findings will also be discussed with the North West Local Advisory Committee for Crab, which is a representative group for the crab industry in the northwest.

The report will be further discussed at the Crab Species Advisory Group meeting in February 2006, at which time the process of drafting the management plan will begin.

Given its international nature, however, future management of the fishery must also include crab fleets from Northern Ireland and Scotland, all of which currently exploit the single stock of crab on the Malin Shelf. The arrangements and processes required to develop sustainable crab fisheries in the northwest are in place. This represents a significant step forward and has been driven by all parties involved including industry. The resource assessment will be published by BIM early in 2006.

FOLLOWING the launch of the Management Framework for Shellfisheries in February 2005, significant progress has been made towards co-operative development and implementation of management plans.

The first meeting of the Species Advisory Groups (SAGs) and approval of the industry nominations to these groups took place on 14 June 2005. The main issues in the respective fisheries were identified and the scientists nominated to the groups were asked to produce reports on the status of the stocks by autumn 2005.

Two reports were subsequently produced in November 2005: one on the lobster fishery and a second on the fishery for brown crab (see insert.) An assessment of scallop was completed last month.

Following the June meeting, Local Advisory Committees were established. These Committees are industry-led and are working with the assistance of BIM on issues relevant to local stocks and where appropriate management plans for the exploitation of such stocks. Such committees include that for northwest crab, northwest lobster and Irish Sea whelk. Other committees for southwest crab, southeast scallop and Irish Sea whelk will be formed later this month.

Lobster stocks

MOST of the indicators used to analyse the lobster fishery show negative trends. Catch rates are stable or falling, although in some areas dramatic increases have occurred. Landings are at an all time high. There is a concern that egg production is below acceptable limits although the v-notching programme has made a significant contribution to protection of spawning stock.

Fishing effort has increased very substantially over the past 10 years and is due to increase in effort by existing vessels rather than new entrants. Estimates of fishing mortality, however, are relatively stable and are highest on the west coast.

Brown crab stocks

Most of the information is available for the northwest stock. Here the number of crab landed per pot haul has varied by approximately 15% since 1994 with the lowest levels occurring in the period 2001-2004. Trends vary in different components of the offshore fishery and can have varying interpretations such as changes in grading practice, competition between gear units or a decline in recruitment.

Scallop stocks

Off the southeast coast, age structure and abundance indices in relation to seabed acoustic signature have been stable since 2001 in most of the beds. Commercial logbook data showed small declines in catch rate during the mid 1990s but a recovery in more recent years.

14

INSHORE IRELAND February 2006

ISLAND LIVING

Island environment identity Ciara Cullen, E-SIN project officer explains

DURING 2005, the European Small Islands Network (E-SIN) held six networking meetings to discuss marine development; housing; agriculture and nature conservation; energy; health; social care and education in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Scotland and France.

The first meeting in Ireland took place on Bere Island in November 2005 and was concerned with `island environment identity' While other topics have lent themselves to quantifiable analyses, questions of identity and relationships regarding island environment identity are less easy to pin

down with facts and figures.

The meeting began by exploring how an island community's sense of identity can be defined, and how islanders' relationships with their surroundings have been changing over the years.

As many island populations continue to decline and finite and fragile environments come under increasing pressure from the changing nature of its inhabitants' lifestyles, traditional means of making a living, namely small-scale fishing and farming become increasingly redundant.

The meeting set out to address some of these issues, and the two-day meeting focused on the elusive notion of `identity' in relation to environment and

how this might be explored.

Participants discussed:

* Island life on each country's

islands and how this has changed over the last couple of decades. * Shifts in demographics including changes to the ratio of `native islanders' to incomers or `new islanders' on individual islands. * Changes in island patterns of work and lifestyles including agricultural and maritime uses of the island environment. * Changes in access to the mainland as well as changes in island infrastructure, i.e. communications, etc.

Conservation plan

Day one was concerned with Bere Island's Heritage Conservation Plan, which was carried

out jointly by the Heritage Council and Cork Co Council in close consultation with Bere islanders. The three stakeholders are now engaged in the process of implementing the plan. This engagement between state bodies and a local community is quite unique within the Irish context, and the Heritage Council is hoping to make use of this model for other island communities.

John Walsh, development officer for the Bere Island Projects Group, and islanders Jackie O'Sullivan and Barry Hanley outlined the positive effects of the plan and the challenges/ uncertainties that lie ahead.

Beatrice Kelly, marine and coastal officer for the Heritage Council presented a background

to conservation plans and their significance especially for island communities. Rita Kearney, project coordinator, gave a detailed account of the successes and failures to date in terms of implementation.

Sustainable development

On day two, Dara Molloy, chairperson of Inis Mor co-op, related his experience towards creating a sustainable community and the subsequent positive changes that the island community itself has begun to initiate and implement. Jùrgen Rasmussen, Danish philosopher and island dweller, spoke of an island-based philosophy and how island life can be regarded as philosophically important for

both island and mainland based societies.

Small groups within the meeting then explored the challenges that island populations are facing. While `identity' was an extremely difficult term to define, it was approached by looking at relationships between islanders and their island environment.

In general, there has been a shift in attitudes by islanders in relation to their local environment, to their sense of place and appreciation of their own islands due to changing lifestyles and modern day pressures.

The Bere Island example was seen as a possible way of promoting a more active and sensitive awareness by an island community of its island home.

Mayo islands: population decline and remedy By

Donal

O'Shea,

chairman, Mayo islands committee

FOR the past six years island population has been falling.

This is after a time when population decline had bottomed out and in some cases had even increased. The main problem now is that we are losing our second and thirdlevel school leavers - our most educated and most valuable resource. How can this be reversed?

This might be achieved in the first place through better and easier access to and from the islands. This is already underway through the major strides that have been made in infrastructure, piers, air transport, electricity, water etc by Minister Eamon O'Cuiv TD, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The next step is to create enterprise that will create jobs

to match the qualifications of second and third level students.

Small sheep farming, as we know it, is no longer an attraction for them. Taking into account the possible negative changes in CAP EU policy and the WTO (World Trade Organisation), it is almost certain that we are in a post-agricultural era.

What is required on an island is small to medium size environmentally-friendly enterprises.

But how do you convince a company on the mainland to move to an island with all the disadvantages of access, weather, extra costs etc? I think the key here is to make the islands `tax free' centres, so as to provide the incentive.

When Ireland was in bad shape in the 1940s and 50s, the then Taoiseach introduced a tax incentive scheme to attract multinationals. This scheme has helped create the wealth that Ireland enjoys today. I suggest we do the same now to attract Irish companies or even inter-

national companies to the islands.

Six years ago, Minister O'Cuiv brought out a manifesto for the islands of things that needed to be done. He has achieved every one except a special taxation for the islands.

Such companies might not only bring back second and third level students but also nonislanders who might like island * lifestyle. It may also attract Donal O'Shea. islanders living abroad to come back and bring their families and invest in their island.

Access to the mainland for entertainment is vital if island population can ever hope to THE Mayo Islands Commitincrease. This might require tee, in conjunction with island ferries to have a `disco Meitheal Maigheo and First boat' at least once over the weekend, and a bus to take Step Microfinance, is holding and bring back people in safety a one-day seminar on `Enterfrom the disco, cinema, theatre prise for the Islands of Mayo etc to the pier. and Inishbofin' on 31 March Lastly, I would like to thank in Westport.

Minister O'Cuiv for introducing The Minister for Commua 250,000 grant for enterprise nity, Rural & Gaeltacht Afon English speaking islands.

* `Tax free' islands would provide an incentive to Irish and international

Major enterprise seminar companies to set up there.

fairs, Eamon O'Cuiv TD, will formally open the day. Speakers include:

* Norma Smurfitt, First Step

Microfinance.

The Minister will also launch a `Survey of the Mayo Aer Arann.

Islands and Inishbofin'.

Liam Scollan, CEO, Knock Further details from Donal Airport.

Clare Island (098) John Concannon, CEO, Ire- O'Shea, 26525/25087.

All islanders land West.

Frank Fullard, CEO, County or those interested in investing Enterprise Board. in islands are welcome.

* Padraig O'Ceidigh, CEO, * * *

Permanent residency is favoured over holiday homes Ma  ire

Uõ  Mhaola  in,

Comhdha  il Oilea  in Âireann, reports na hE

AT a recent seminar on island housing, islanders and development organisations discussed the issue in the context of promoting permanent resident communities on Irish Islands.

Organised by ComhdhaÂil OileaÂin na hEÂireann (CoE), the seminar looked at experiences from other countries and outlined options available to island organisations.

While exploring the theme of housing, the IIEP (Inter-Island Exchange Programme) found that despite varying laws and regulations in different countries, common problems were found throughout. More importantly, good examples on how to tackle the same problems can be shared.

An example of good practice from Denmark involves a planning instrument that defines areas for summer houses and for permanent homes. This model favours permanent resi-

* Uto, Finland, has a very successful resettlement programme

dents when there is competition for planning and resources.

Sweden on the other hand only provides housing designated for permanent residency and at lower tax rates. Finland has undertaken a housing and migration study, which provides

interesting facts about move- Dwellers Association, outlined issues relating to maintaining ment patterns. and promoting permanent resident communities.

Permanent Another achievement of RSI communities is a Voluntary Housing Scheme.

Jim Connolly, Rural Resettle- Most commonly these are operment Ireland and Irish Rural ated within county boundaries;

however, RSI is beginning an Inter-County Scheme.

Mr Connolly urged islanders to protect their ownership of community houses as far as possible with security of tenure built into the system for those that resettle. He also recommended that CoE should take a lead role in developing a housing association to represent all islanders.(Further information: www.ruralresettlement.com).

Chris White, head of development at the Irish Council for Social Housing, gave a presentation on the development of the voluntary housing sector and identified the capital and revenue funding available to approved housing bodies. (www.icsh.ie).

SeamuÂs OÂ CnaimhsõÂ spoke on behalf of Comharchumann AÂrainn MhoÂr about the importance of the AÂrainn MhoÂr Housing Scheme to the life of the island.

Recommendations arising from the workshops included: COMHDHaÂIL OileaÂin na hEÂireann to look at the feasibility of

a multi-island comhdhaÂil based housing association.

* Constant approaches should be

* * * * *

made to all local authorities regarding planning issues.

These need not necessarily be similar approaches.

An audit of housing stock should be undertaken by local development associations and local authorities.

A survey of each island should be undertaken to assess the adequacy/inadequacy of current housing.

Local authorities should develop Island Friendly Policy Statements and separate categories on their housing lists.

Donegal Co Council should be commended on its works towards developing island policy.

ComhdhaÂil OileaÂin na hEÂireann should develop policy documents that would feed into and inform the planning process.

ComhdhaÂil OileaÂin na hEÂireann would like to thank all those who contributed to the seminar. In particular, Jim Connolly, Chris White, Liam Kavanagh, Galway Co Council and RoisõÂn Mitchell, Donegal Co Council.

INSHORE IRELAND

Planning for the future

ComhdhaÂil OileaÂin na hEÂireann's new manager sets our her objectives MAJELLA Nõ ChrõÂochaÂin has because of the difficulty in islands. They have problems spent recent weeks visiting the maintaining privacy where the similar to those of rural comlarger of the inhabited islands population is so small. It is munities throughout the counoff the west coast. She took the important, however, that try: poor or non-existing care opportunity - not only to meet ComhdhaÂil has this information for the elderly; a decline in the islanders - but also to carry in order to develop national farming and fishing and diffiout an audit of services, ame- policies to address islanders' culties in getting planning pernities and resources in order to real needs. to build homes. get a comprehensive picture of ``Transition year students in mission ``These problems are, howwhat islanders' needs actually Gairmscoil Einne in Inis MoÂr in ever, exacerbated on islands. the Aran Islands have carried Notwithstanding are. their energy ``A number of surveys have out a study of the population commitment, without istaken place over the years and and trends in employment and and specific policies from govmuch of the information I was fishing; a project is also under- land by pupils at the secondary ernment departments and local looking for was readily avail- way in Inis OõÂrr. These young Co Councils, sustaining island able. This, however, is the first school have the advantage of populations will become an time that all the information people knowledge, and Comhd- increasingly difficult task,'' she will be available in a single local haÂil may invite schools on the warned. database,'' she told other islands to carry out this Some Co Councils are alDetails of general services: type of research on its behalf.'' ready producing policies speciferry timetables, availability of Central funding fically aimed at islanders. doctors or nurses on an island Co Council is in conand whether islanders have Ms Nõ ChrõÂochaÂin's work is Donegal sultation with islanders about access to broadband were easy funded by the Department of planning and Co Counenough to come by. Information the Gaeltacht, Rural and Com- cil is drawing Galway up proposals for a about demographics and em- munity Affairs. It enables development plan for the Gaelployment, the kind of informa- ComhdhaÂil to focus on lobby- tacht including the Aran Istion that will be gathered by the ing at a national and regional lands. ``Our work over the Census in April, was however, level for resources and policies next few years will focus on more difficult to access. to sustain island communities. that good practice ``The Central Statistics Office ``Islanders are, perhaps of ensuring only produces information on necessity, adaptable and enter- established in certain regions is island population, because few prising. I am amazed by the emulated throughout the counif any, form distinct electoral number of voluntary commit- try,'' Ms Nõ ChrõÂochaÂin condistricts in themselves and also tees and groups active on the cluded.

Inshore Ire-

land.

February 2006

15

ISLAND LIVING

Sustainable development of island communities John Walsh, Bere Island Projects Group explains

BERE Island played host last November to 25 colleagues from partner agencies in Scotland, France and the Netherlands, as part of the ISLA Interreg project.

The ISLA project began in 2004 and has five partners from four countries, each with responsibility for different islands across Europe.

These include: the Shetland Amenity Trust, Shetland Islands; the Argyll and Bute Council, Scotland; the Conservatoire du Littoral, France; the Dienst Landelijk Gebied, Netherlands (lead partner) and ourselves, the Bere Island Projects Group.

The project was established to address vulnerability of isolated island communities in terms of depopulation, low income and lack of services.

Developments in information technology and aquaculture have done little to curb this trend.

Clearly, islands are in need of a new approach to sustainable development - one that builds on the assets of islands.

Such approaches should adhere to the principle of sus-

tainable development and On Bere Island, the comshould benefit local island munity is renovating Ballinakilla schoolhouse to turn it communities. into a heritage complex where Themes the history of the island will housed and displayed. It To achieve this goal the pro- be also serve as a tourist ject is divided into three will office with public internet themes: * Facilitating and bridging the access, and a cultural centre.

ISLA manager, Joop Eilanrole of government. * Island tourism. der, provided a summary of * Natural and cultural land- the day's events and announced the next meeting scape.

These themes are being would be held in Brittany in developed by three transna- May. tional working groups, each The meeting concluded comprising five people and with the launch of the ISLA representing the five partners. website and second newsletDuring 2005 the groups ter, which was a credit to the commissioned consultants to designers and editors. carry out the studies. Alterra a Dutch consultancy firm - Presentations will research the role of gov- Other presentations included ernment in dealing with island the Bere Island Conservation affairs; Dublin-based tourism Plan (Beatrice Kelly, Heritage and transport consultants Council and Louise Harring(TTC) International will look ton, Cork Co Council) and the at island tourism and Stephen role of Cork Co Council in Sage and Associates - a Cork dealing with island affairs based company - will look at (Billy Horgan). the natural and cultural land- The meeting was also atscape of islands. Each of these tended by Cllr Danny Crowstudies is underway and the ley who thanked Billy Horgan results will be published in for his work on behalf of late 2006. island communities in Cork.

The Department of ComCapital projects munity, Rural and Gaeltacht Another aspect of the ISLA Affairs was represented by project is demonstration sites Seamus McGearailt who has whereby each partner is carry- vast experience in dealing with island affairs. ing out capital work.

An Inish OõÂrr ramble Ð new heritage booklet is published

* Those who explore Inisheer encounter truly spectacular natural beauty.

VISITORS to Inis OõÂrr this year will be in line for a particularly rewarding and interesting experience. That is according to Paddy Crowe, manager of Comhar CaomhaÂn Teoranta (Inis OõÂrr Co-op), who was speaking last month on the publication of a pocket-sized heritage guide to the island. ``The guide provides an introduction to several aspects of Inis OõÂrr's rich heritage including its natural landscape, native language, archaeology, monuments, history, folklore, flora, bird life and island life in general,'' he said.

Beautifully designed and illustrated, the guide provides a thoroughly absorbing commentary. Rising precariously it would seem from the Atlantic depths, the Aran Islands, with Inis OõÂrr lying closest to the mainland, appear as though they are out of place somehow.

Indeed perhaps they are. In physical nature they are in fact an extension of the Burren in Co Clare, just nine kilometres

away. At one time they were attached to the mainland and it is not clear how they became detached.

Rich heritage

Inis OõÂrr is an island with a rich heritage - far beyond what could reasonably be expected for an island of its tiny size -

less than 3km2 and little more than 300 inhabitants. Those who explore the island encounter a truly spectacular limestone landscape lined with abundant stone-walls of skilful build, encircling tiny fields. Inis OõÂrr also offers a rich tapestry of traditional Irish culture having managed to retain much of the traditional way of life of bygone times.

Production of the guide was a joint venture between Inis OõÂrr co-op and a heritage product development company, Ireland unwrapped Ltd, with partial funding from ComhdhaÂil OileaÂin na hEÂireann, administrators of Leader +.

In addition to the booklet an interpretative panel will be erected shortly at the pier, complete with a map of the island plus imagery and information.

Speaking from his Sligo office last weekend, Enda Gallagher of Ireland unwrapped commented on the importance of local and external involve-

* The guide provides an introduction to Inisheer's rich heritage including its natural landscape.

ment in the project: ``Inis Oirr co-op deserves great credit for identifying the need for this project, and for its co-ordination. Their passion, together with the enthusiastic support of the islanders, allied with the objective research and design input of Ireland unwrapped has resulted in this fine publication.''

The guide is also fully bilingual. The narrative leads the walker or cyclist around the island and interprets sites of interest throughout. It also includes listings of birds and flora. The guide is available for purchase directly from Paddy at Inis OõÂ rr co-op (Tel: 099 75008) or from Ireland West Tourism at 091 537700 or www.irelandwest.ie. Ireland unwrapped are contactable at 071 9185198 or www.irelandunwrapped.ie

Celtic language choral festival

AÂRAS EÂanna, Inis OõÂrr is hosting a `St Patrick's Choral Festival' on the weekend of March 17-19, which will be the first such choral festival on an Irish Gaeltacht island. The festival will feature three Celtic languages: Irish, Welsh and Scottish Gaelic. Over the weekend, choirs and singers from Scotland (Isle of Lewis); Wales (Powys Male Voice Choir) and Northern Ireland (Joyce Gibson), as well as from the Gaeltacht in the Republic, will participate.

On Saturday March 18 there will be choral recitals in the two early Christian churches: Teampall Chaomhan and Cill Ghobnait, and a concert at the AÂras EÂanna arts centre.

On Sunday March 19 a choir will perform at Mass. The choirs will then transfer to Galway city for a gala concert at St Nicholas Collegiate Church (including the choir from St Nicholas, Galway) on the final evening to foster island-city links. * Further details will issue later. Contact Aonghus Dwane at 09975150 or at araseanna@eircom.net for information. See also www.araseanna.ie

16

INSHORE IRELAND February 2006

INSHORE IRELAND February 2006

HERITAGE COUNCIL

HERITAGE COUNCIL Human impacts on marine biodiversity

Why is marine biodiversity important?

*

Fishing and WHEN

we look at the sea it is usually hard to

range and deepest canyon are all found in the

of

of

lie with the smaller animals and plants and in the

imagine what life is like and what species exist

ocean. The seas off Ireland are a fascinating

individuals within a species. This is called genetic

deep sea. Some scientists believe that there may

beneath the waves.

world

diversity.

be 10 million undiscovered species in the deep

We usually don't realise there is a whole

full

of

magical

organisms,

from

tiny

a

species

is

the

different

make-up

microscopic plants, much smaller than the eye

Globally, there are more species of fish in the

sea alone! Human-driven extinctions of plants

own

can see, to some of the world's biggest animals.

oceans than all the mammals, reptiles and birds

and animal species are now occurring at the

mountains, valleys and animals, that only a few

The variety of living things that exists in this

combined. Many scientists believe the ocean has

fastest rate in the world's history, even before the

of

`soup' of biological sea life is called marine

far more variety of species than land, because so

majority of species have been discovered.

biodiversity. Another aspect of marine biodiver-

much

sity that is very important for long-term survival

areas where many species are yet to be discovered

different us

world

have

seen

down and

there, which

with

its

remains

largely

unexplored.

The Earth's tallest mountain, longest mountain

* Juvenile whiting sheltering inside a jellyfish.

* Tompot Blenny.

* Puffin.

17

marine

life

remains

undiscovered.

The

*

*

So, there is increasing pressure to conserve our

*

LOCATED

on the north-west

ine plants, composed of only

unpolluted waters of the Atlan-

one cell. Since they need sun-

tic Ocean, Ireland is in a very

light,

good

healthy

Increased recreation and tourism activities in the coastal zone can also result in the

50% of catch).

disturbance of wildlife and ha-

Fishing gear can also impact

bitats.

Legislation

organisms living in it.

*

Governments now starting to

The Birds Directive requires EU member states to designate

based approach to conserve

*

stocks.

`Special Protection Areas'.

The Habitats Directive aims to

Areas of Conservation (SACs),

marine environment and marine

surface layers of the sea. Some

sels,

clams)

called `Natura 2000'. About

biodiversity.

marine

phytoplankton use carbon diox-

farming require a good, healthy

5% to 20% of each country will

territory is over 10 times our

ide to help build a skeleton and

land area, at 850,000 km , and

thus are important in reducing

environment.

extends from the upper reaches

the world's increase of carbon

of

dioxide.

Ireland's

similar

to

land-based

*

oysters

and

*

Fish farming uses feeds that are

become part Natura 2000.

The Oslo-Paris Convention for

mostly made up of other fish

the Protection of the North-East

Dover on the south coast of

species and eight to 10 tonnes

Atlantic (OSPAR) guides inter-

England are made up of billions

of wild fish are needed to

national co-operation on the

of

of these microscopic plant cells.

produce one tonne of farmed

protection of the marine envir-

animals and plants, from the

Phytoplankton, like bacteria,

microscopic to the biggest ani-

form the bottom of the food

fish.

onment of the north-east Atlan-

mals ever seen on earth. Of the

chain. Phytoplankton are also

There are concerns that esca-

tic. It is also concerned with all

7,300 animal species that have

thought to be responsible for up

pees from fish farms can breed

been recorded from the seabed

to 99% of the organic matter

with wild fish stocks.

around Ireland and the UK, 353

production in the marine envir-

species are sponges, 91 species

onment.

our

muddiest

Ireland's

Nigel Motyer

has

estuaries

to

an

underwater

amazing

world

variety

All creatures have a particu-

The

white

cliffs

of

animals

also

carried

oceans'

currents.

by

the

These

are

either young stages of larger

prefer

are

marine creatures, like fish or

more adaptable or are far more

crabs, or are animals that spend

common than others. A large

their entire lives in the plank-

variety of habitats occur in the

ton, like small jellyfish.

and

some

species

* *

#

* Bottlenose dolphins.

Parasites of farmed salmon,

human activities and pollution

shore installations that can have an adverse effect on the protec-

selves to wild fish.

Introduction of

*

non-native invasive species

*

The

most

ecosystems and the biological

`high status' of waters where it

select areas of conservation importance.

already exists, preventing any

The Irish National Seabed Survey, which is the biggest mapping

deterioration in the existing

- an inva-

project of national waters in the world, is currently mapping the

status of waters and achieving at least `good status' in relation

*

hulls or in ballast water).

found in the deeper parts of the

beds, to the dark world of the

oceans. They form an important

sive seaweed - was introduced

entire Irish seafloor and will assist in the understanding of

deep sea.

part of the diet of deep water

with juvenile oysters.

marine biodiversity and habitats.

Areas with the largest diversity of habitats will usually have the highest species biodiversity.

* Sargassum muticum *

organisms, like the cold water corals seen off the Irish coast.

Zooplankton, some of which

projects like ACES and Hermes. Hermes is also studying deepsea biological hotspots, including life in canyons, in areas where oxygen is almost non-existent and in areas high in sulphur

feed on phytoplankton, are the

up Ireland's marine biodiversity

main source of food for open

oysters.

can be divided roughly into the

water fish and the early stages

following groups: micro-organ-

of many fish species.

The

Micro-organisms Micro-organisms marily

of

include

consists

of

the

pri-

on, or in the seabed. The marine

but

also

animals and plants living in the

fungi

and

benthos include groups that are

bacteria

are

almost entirely restricted to the

bacteria,

Marine

benthos

some of the smallest organisms

marine

and were the first organisms to

sponges, sea anemones, echino-

develop on earth. The oldest

derms (sea urchins, starfish, and

fossils are of marine bacteria

sea cucumbers) sea squirts (as-

and are about 3.6 billion years

cidians) and marine algae (sea-

old. These bacteria began pro-

weeds).

ducing oxygen, without which

In

world,

general,

in

including

the

marine

animal species like us would

environment, rocky or bedrock

not have evolved. Their main

habitats

role in the marine environment

where

is

flow or turbulence to stop sedi-

to

help

break

plant

and

animal

down

dead

matter

to

simpler forms that can be reabsorbed

by

other

plants

or

animals. be

a

valuable

antibacterial,

source

Plankton,

planktos,

anti-viral

ment settling on the seashore, or on the seabed below the tides.

Where there is enough light, times

on

seabed,

and

Almost 600 species of seaweed are found in Irish waters.

Seaweed is divided into three Like many other marine crea-

meaning drifter, are

tures, certain seaweeds are only

and

the

organisms or

found

swimming

sometimes

can

found

in

weed are edible and others are used

in

able to swim against a current

products.

and, as a result, generally drift and

plants

marine use

or

habitats. Some species of sea-

fertilizer,

Many

places

in

Planktonic organisms are un-

ocean.

particular

be

seen by the naked eye.

animals

stable

Greek,

small

the

any

groups: green, red and brown.

from

suspended

in

areas water

species of seaweed can grow.

Plankton

water

in

enough

of

anti-cancer compounds.

very

found is

primarily on rock and some-

Marine bacteria are proving to

are

there

the

the

manufacture

medicine

and

of

food

The rocky seashore is a very difficult both

place

plants

to

and

survive, animals

* wide range of air temperatures,

generally the species here are

desiccation,

different

fresh

water,

and

must have the ability to hold on while waves break on the

and

the

is

In shallow areas where light levels are high and pollution is

shore.

As a result, the organisms

low, important habitats, like eel

fixed to the rock usually divide

grass, grow on sediment. Here,

themselves into different zones

amongst the long grass, diverse

going up the shore. Where there

communities, including juvenile

is not enough light or where

fish, thrive.

animals have dominated over

As you go deeper, even with-

the seaweed, the rocky seashore

in the types of sediment from

or seabed is covered with ani-

fine

mal species. On the rocky shore

completely different groups of

this will usually be with barna-

species exist. Very fine muds

cles, mussels or limpets. Below

are usually found in sheltered

the low tides on the seabed,

areas, while gravels are found

animal species that live on the

where strong currents or waves

rocky surface are usually softer

keep the fine silt from settling.

and include sponges, anemones, starfish, worms

sea and

cucumbers, soft

or,

on

mud,

In

sand

contrast

and

to

gravel,

the

rocky

tube

habitats, many species live or

rare

burrow These

occasions, hard corals.

within species

the

sediment.

include

ane-

* Illustration: Vanessa Soodeen

*

corded from Irish waters. They

nose, common, striped and Ris-

are

two

so's dolphins, harbour porpoise

habitat groups: those associated

and long finned pilot whales.

with and feeding in and around

usually

divided

into

less boreal (northern) and more

*

Lusitanian (southern) species.

of water and air, depending on where they are located on the

of marine animals and plants.

shore. Exposure to air for vary-

Text by

Plankton

divided

ing lengths of time on a rocky

Bryan Deegan

into two groups: phytoplankton and zooplankton.

The Heritage Council

tion efforts, and to give `parti-

live close to the coast, resulting

cular emphasis to endangered

in significant potential for the

and vulnerable species, includ-

south coast and seasonal pat-

cies, and those found in the

terns are now emerging.

open water are called pelagic species.

peratures

Seabirds

Fish are also divided between

Twenty six species of seabird nest on the coast of Ireland.

those that have a skeleton of

Coastal habitats, such as mud

cartilage (sharks and rays) and

flats, beaches, and sand dunes,

the primitive, jawless fish, e.g.

are important feeding areas for

lampreys. The vast majority of

both

fish species (95%) have a bony

birds.

The

resident

Ireland

plankton-eating

and

has

an

extensive

coastline, offering a wide range

in Irish waters and can grow up

of nesting habitats from shingle

to 10 metres long!

beaches, dunes, and high cliffs offshore

a

significant

Waste

*

islands

that

lack

* *

Mammals

MARINE Biodiversity is not just important at a very local level - it is important to conserve it

whether put into fresh water,

on a global scale.

sea eventually.

The gathering effect of ground

Some

of

these

are

resident species and others are

ally

just passers by. Probably the

nies of gulls, cormorants, storm

most readily seen marine mam-

petrels and gannets, and bur-

mals are seals. There are two

rowing species like the manx

resident seal species, the com-

shearwater and puffins.

mon and grey seal, and these are protected under law.

To date, of the 32 species of

important

Peregrine

breeding

falcons

colo-

and

the

wastes into the sea.

Wastes include litter, nutrients,

The loss of sensitive habitats is one of the first signs of a reduction in water quality. Reductions in sensitive habitats, like eel grass beds, can result in a

as nest sites.

Stringent laws are being intro-

Important migrating species

recorded in the Atlantic Ocean,

of

24 have been recorded in Irish

waders come to Ireland every

shore means that any organism

waters. Regularly seen species

winter

must be able to

in Ireland include the bottle-

shores.

swans, to

geese, feed

ducks

on

our

and rich

Other ways include becoming a member of marine biodiversity.

chough also use coastal cliffs

cetacean (whales and dolphins)

marine biodiversity where you live. an organisation involved in the conservation of

micals, radioactive materials,

*

The easiest and possibly most important way to get involved is to get interested and conserve

water, rivers and rain releases

hydrocarbons, hazardous che-

predators like foxes and rats.

How to get involved

The majority of human wastes,

land or air, will end up in the

migrating

basking shark is the biggest fish

to

and

change in marine biodiversity.

those that have a bony skeleton;

skeleton.

ters leading to colder sea tem-

and micro-organisms.

the plankton are juvenile stages

habitat destruction, pollution

countries and their conserva-

80% of the human population

(meaning bottom dwelling) spe-

coast, support many internation-

An initiative of

*

migratory species'.

which are common around the

fish are known, with 331 re-

for oil, gas and wind resources,

promote co-operation between

areas for marine species.

drift, with longer, colder win-

waters.

of the sand. Below the tides,

putting the structures in place

and their natural habitats'; to

tant area for birds and nursery

now being seen regularly off the

mammals can be seen in Irish

Ocean, nearly 1,100 species of

in the process of finding and

`conserve wild flora and fauna

The coastal zone is an impor-

the seabed are called demersal

Fish From the whole north Atlantic

*

Concerns have been raised that

ing endangered and vulnerable

oxygen-demanding materials

that leaves casts on the surface

*

life and natural habitats aims to

marine habitats.

The rocky islands and sea cliffs,

sandy seashore is the lugworm

Wildlife and habitats

taking place.

A significant number of marine

obvious of these species on the

Offshore energy

breakdown the north Atlantic

the sand eel.

rocky areas are found. The most

conservation of European wild-

Fin and humpback whales are

totally

from

The Bern Convention on the

disturbance and destruction of

Bay prawn and fish species like

species

international agreements.

and disturbance of wildlife are

onment where sediment gathers, different

species

Long-term theories include the

mones, razor clams, the Dublin

and numerous species found in

withstand a

Warming waters will lead to

migratory

through national action and

*

0

warm by 2.5 C by 2050.

In areas of the marine envir-

exposed to varying quantities

usually

diversity

greater.

ocean to disperse their young,

are

Medium term theory is that the oceans around Ireland could

as are

marine biodiversity.

The Bonn Convention aims to

tened

Ireland's climate has a strong bearing on both terrestrial and

animals and plants living near,

consist

yeasts,

viruses.

*

to all waters by 2015.

improve the status of all threa-

where little life was to exist.

Climate change

Benthos

*

Deep water corals were also investigated under EU-funded

vastates native oyster popula-

The marine species that make

mammals and seabirds.

*

Bonamia - a parasite that de-

tions - was also introduced with

isms, plankton, benthos, fish,

The EU Water Framework Directive aims at maintaining

of

dependant on light they can be

rocky

diversity.

information gathered from this survey has been used to help

common way

sea-

estuaries,

*

BioMar-LIFE project: the largest survey of the marine animals and plants in the benthos, was completed in 1997. The

introduction is by shipping (on

Because zooplankton are not

tion and conservation of the

Research projects

shores, muddy and sand sea-

murky

from land-based sources, off-

Nigel Motyer

including sea lice, attach them-

Zooplankton are tiny marine

lar niche, or habitat, that they

marine environment; from the

Nigel Motyer

Other species, are caught while

ine environment.

create a network of Special

a

make up 141 species.

#

*

waters is now increasing.

bow trout) and shellfish (mus-

for

over 600 miles west of Ireland.

Nigel Motyer

of

additional pressure on the mar-

Fishing activity in the deeper

develop a more ecosystem-

*

development

plants, they are confined to the

position

are anemones, while sea slugs

#

Nigel Motyer

Increased

Fish (Atlantic salmon and rain-

2

#

#

* Common seal.

Phytoplankton are tiny mar-

of Europe, beside the largely

due to overfishing.

greatly on the seabed and the

*

terrestrial plants and animals.

housing and industry places

fishing and are discarded (up to

biodiversity, both on land and in the sea.

Ireland's marine biodiversity

*

Fish stocks in the shallower waters are declining, mainly

*

The areas behind the coastal zone also provide habitats for

aquaculture

loss

to

species

diversity.

duced across Europe to reduce the amount of waste entering the marine environment, directly and indirectly.

In Ireland, these include the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Birdwatch Ireland and Coastwatch Ireland.

If

you

are

very

enthusiastic

you

could

Ireland: http://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/ index.html?item=about European marine biodiversity

* * * * *

Biodiversity in the EU: http://europa.eu.int/ comm/environment/nature/home.htm OSPAR: www.ospar.org Council of Europe: www.coe.int Bonn (of CMS) Convention: http://www.cms.int Bern Convention: http://www.coe.int/T/E/Cultural_Co-operation/Environment/Nature_and_-

always become a marine biologist!

biological_diversity/Nature_protection/

Additional sources

*

Irish marine biodiversity

General sites

* * *

*

* * * *

Irish Whale and Dolphin Group: www.iwdg.ie Birdwatch Ireland: www.birdwatchireland.ie National

Parks

and

Wi l d l i f e

Service:

www.npws.ie Irish Wildlife Trust: www.iwt.ie Marine Institute: www.marine.ie Irish Marine Digital Atlas: http://mida.ucc.ie/ Encyclopaedia of Marine Life of Britain and

* * *

WWF marine health check: www.wwf.org

Marine

Conservation

Society:

http://

www.mcsuk.org/ Joint

Nature

Conservation

Committee:

www.jncc.gov.uk/marine Centre for Marine Conservation: www.cmcocean.org Fish

Species:

home.htm

h t t p : / / w w w. f i s h b a s e . o r g /

18

INSHORE IRELAND February 2006

AQUACULTURE NEWS

* Salmon farmers Joe Lee, Dara-beag OÂ Flatharta and Damien OÂ CeallachaÂin (Trosc Teo) discussing the

technicalities of transferring young cod to sea cages. The plastic container can hold between 5,000-6,000 cod

* Dr Mark Harvey, MRI Carna and Kieran Ridge of Trosc Teo supervising the transfer of young cod to sea cages.

Gery Flynn reports from BradaÂn 2005

Questions raised

Farmed cod: a step closer A report published in 2002 by the Aquaculture Working Group on New Species Development, which signposted a strategy for diversification into the farming of new marine finfish, is likely to bear fruit this year when the first Irish-farmed cod are harvested for sale in December.

Speaking at BradaÂn-05, Declan Clarke of the Martin Ryan Marine Research Institute,NUI-

Galway, who chaired the Working Group, highlighted the fouryear research and development programme for cod, describing it as ``a story with many chapters and very many authors.''

He added: ``Our group comprised 19 individuals who represented all of the stakeholders in the Irish aquaculture sector Ð including regulators, development agencies and the aquaculture industry itself.''

Clarke complimented the group for its united approach, and singled out representatives

of Taighde Mara Teoranta, UÂdaraÂs na Gaeltachta, the Marine Institute and BIM for wasting no time in setting the parameters for an exciting r&d programme. ``They quickly recognised that cod, turbot and halibut have the greatest potential for commercial cultivation. But it is the opportunities offered by cod in particular that are the most realistic in the context of a dynamic r&d environment, both at home and abroad,'' he explained.

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Clarke added that if cod culture is to become a commercial reality in Ireland, two key questions have to be answered: * Could cod be farmed commercially in Ireland, which is at the southern limit of its natural range? * As a country now acknowledged to have high operating costs, and rising, would cod farming be economically viable?

After a purpose-built hatchery was installed at the old Carna Shellfish Research Laboratory (re-named MRI-Carna Laboratories in 2001), the r&d programme began in earnest. A nursery unit was also completed in 2004.

According to Clarke, one of the technical issues that had to be solved was consistent production of large volumes of high-quality live feed.

He indicated that weaning four millimetre long post-yolksac larval cod onto a planktonic diet of microscopic rotifers and brine shrimp can be tricky, and demands skill and patience.

Ensuring that the feed supply kept pace with the young fish's voracious appetites was essential if cannibalism was to be avoided, he emphasised.

Another difficulty encountered was taking the rotifer culture from a standing stock of around 60 million rotifers past the critical biomass of 200300 million. ``After consulting with INVE and other proprietary feed companies, however, we now have a standing stock in the region of 12 billion rotifers. This has greatly enhanced our capacity to feed the cod, and is reflected in better survival rates,'' he explained.

A measure of how well the project has progressed is the fact that during 2004, up to 400 million rotifers a day were being fed to the cod. A year later, however, that figure had increased by 50% to 600 million per day.

Technological advances

Similar technological advances were made with the brine shrimp, Artemia. In 2004, 112 million were fed each day. This more than doubled to 250 million per day last year.

According to Clarke, the Carna facility now has the best blend of technologies currently available, and he stands by the decision to build the hatchery as a re-circulation unit instead of, a

* Newly-hatched cod larva 3-4 mm in length. Cod larvae are much

smaller than salmon alevins of the same age. They feed on live rotifer and brine shrimp added to the water in the hatchery

straightforward flow-through, which is the case internationally. ``From our international travels we found that, while most hatcheries were using flowthrough systems, their percentage survival was actually quite low. So, in consultation with the group, we took the gamble and went for a re-circulation unit,'' he added.

At two grams plus in weight, the fish were transferred from the larval unit to the nursery for on-growing. According to Clarke, this type of nursery unit is considerably cheaper - not only from a capital investment point of view - but also in terms of overall maintenance and running costs. Despite that, Clarke acknowledged that even with irradiation and filtration at a high level for intake water and effluent, the level of control in the nursery is somewhat reduced. ``About half of the fish already in the cages were grown in the nursery and the other half in the recirculation unit. But looking at the whole cost-effectiveness, we found no significant difference either in growth or survival between the two groups. So the nursery unit is very much a cost-effective option,'' he emphasised.

Commercial harvest

In February 2005 the first fish 6,500 from the 2004 cohort made the successful passage from nursery to sea cages.

These fish - the largest of which are already averaging more than a kilo in weight - are expected to be ready for commercial harvest in December, and will average 3.5 kilos. ``We expect to produce about 65,000 fish in total from the 2005 cohort. Last October we put out 10,500 fish of around 14g average weight, and in November 19,000 fish of 13g

went out. A final batch of 25,000 averaging 35g are ready to go to sea very soon,'' Clarke explained.

He described these transfers as ``very successful, with no difficulties at all.'' He said that the early positive feeding response by all fish now in sea water is a significant confidence-boost for the project. ``From the hatchery perspective we would aspire to getting fish to sea at around 5g while farmers seem to prefer fish closer to 10g. Nevertheless, I expect that we will agree somewhere in the middle,'' he said confidently.

Thanks to the success so far with cod, Clarke was in no doubt that the marine finfish diversification programme is ``well on track. Cod, as a template, shows that we can address the technological issues Ð particularly at hatchery stage. Obviously though, further issues such as the commercialisation of the project need to be addressed.''

To this end,Taighde Mara Teo and UÂdaraÂs na Gaeltachta are actively involved in the formation of company (Trosc Teo), which includes a consortium of salmon farmers who will take the project to a commercial level.

Clarke is excited about the future for cod farming in Ireland, and acknowledges that state policy has been a major motivator in getting the project off the ground: ``The work of the New Species Group shows we have an underpinning state policy that supports diversification. That, combined with an innovative aquaculture sector and a dynamic r&d environment, brought us to a `proof-ofconcept' stage at last for cod.

The next stage will be securing investor confidence, and all of us in this industry know how difficult that can be,'' he said.

INSHORE IRELAND

Pure, safe and traceable the Irish Quality Salmon Donal Maguire, BIM when scheme reached that milestone aquaculture in 2001.

That European stanmanager dard is the ideal that the Food PURE, safe and traceable that's how BIM's range of quality assurance schemes is keeping Irish farmed seafood.

The Irish consumer can be assured that products labelled with the Quality Seafood Programme (QSP) logo meet the highest standards of food safety and quality in the EU.

In fact, Irish farmed salmon has led the way for the food sector in this country. It was the first Irish food product to achieve the prestigious European Norm 45011 standard,

Safety Authority of Ireland plans to see applied to all food, and other food sectors are now emulating what has been achieved by our progressive salmon farming industry.

Since then, Irish farmed mussels, wild salmon and trout have achieved the standard. Oysters will follow soon. This stable of schemes is being marketed under BIM's seafood quality umbrella, QSP, and more seafood products will follow as they too make this exacting quality assurance grade.

The QSP bar is set high schemes are solid, and adher- How can we be sure to their standards is strictly about all of this?

Products certified under the ence enforced.

QSP scheme have had to pass a range of tests, which are carried out by an independent assessor. This system is known as `third-party certification' and lies at the heart of the EN45011 standard. A company called IFQC (Irish Food Quality Certification Ltd), which has itself been through a rigorous examination process carried out by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB), administers the quality assurance schemes without fear or favour. In this system the consumer is king and the consumer's interests are paramount. These quality

Producers must prove their excellence to receive certification in the first place. Once admitted to the scheme they must retain this status. Certification has been withdrawn from companies who have slipped from the standard, and seafood buyers can see, on a day to day basis on the Fish Quality Group website: www.irishqualityfish.com, whether any particular supplier is in good standing or not. Full transparency is a key element for inspiring confidence in the scheme.

which can be used as control sites to validate newly developed virus detection procedures.

the test method and are consistent with results found in shellfish from other harvesting areas throughout Europe.

The next step is to determine the environmental conditions responsible. A second aim of the project and related work being undertaken by Institutes throughout Europe is to establish if there is a level of virus in the shellfish, above which they become a risk to consumers.

The project will finish by the end of 2006 when the goal is to provide a framework to develop procedures that will add security for industry and consumers alike, allowing production of the highest quality shellfish.

Because every year, IFQC in their turn, has to prove to the national body, INAB, that they are continuously monitoring and policing the seafood schemes to the highest level of product quality assurance. They are heavily scrutinised and must show that they are unflagging in their commitment to maintain high standards. Otherwise they will not be allowed by NABI to certify producers. For their part, Ireland's seafood producers work hard to meet the exacting quality standard set for them by the QSP requirements and every

February 2006

19

AQUACULTURE

step in their process is checked and documented. In this era of food scares it is comforting to know that no Irish food is more checked or controlled. As a result, BIM can promote these schemes to the Irish consumer, confident in their integrity. Irish seafood products carrying the QSP logo are quite simply: pure, safe and traceable. *

For further information about BIM's range of seafood product quality assurance schemes, visit www.bim.ie and follow the links to QSP.

Research underway to identify triggers to viral contamination in shellfish Report by Fergal Guilfoyle and Bill DoreÂ, Marine Institute

THE Marine Institute is carrying out research in Clew Bay, Co. Mayo, to identify triggers to viral contamination in shellfish, to reduce risk and increase consumer safety.

The project, REDRISK (reduction of contamination risk in shellfish harvesting areas), is EU-funded with parallel research being carried out in the UK, France and Spain.

Preliminary results were presented by Fergal Guilfoyle at the Annual Shellfish Safety Conference in Galway last December.

Where shellfish growing waters are impacted by sewage, microbiological contamination of filter-feeding bivalve shellfish such as oysters and mussels

can occur. This can present a health risk when such shellfish are consumed raw. Extensive regulations for controlling these health risks exist, based on assessment of the sanitary conditions in a harvesting area through bacterial monitoring.

While on the whole these controls are very effective, on rare occasions viral gastroenteritis can be associated with shellfish consumption.

Clew Bay was chosen as the study area because the water quality in general is good, showing only intermittent low levels of contamination in some areas. This was a requirement in order to isolate single factors responsible for viral contamination and to distinguish them from background levels found at more polluted sites. Within the bay, there are also areas directly impacted by sewage,

Taighde Mara Teoranta - Oifigeach Forbartha, Co. Mhaigh Eo. Is mian le Taighde Mara Teoranta oifigeach forbartha a fhostu do Cho. Mhaigh Eo. Beidh caÂilõ ochtaõ 3u leibhe al ag an iarrthoÂir rathuÂil in UisceshaothruÂ, Eolaõ ocht Bia, Forbairt Tuatha no aÂbhar gaolta agus nõ folaÂir ar a laghad taithõ trõ bliana i bhforbairt tionscnaimh no sa Tionscail Biamara. Ta scileanna ginnearaÂlta rõ omhaireachta ag teastaÂil.

Ta se riachtanach a bheith saÂsta coÂnaõ I Maigh Eo chomh maith le bheith in ann obair trõ Ghaelige. Ta se taÂbhachtach go mbeadh an te a cheapfar in ann oibriu ar a chonlaÂn feÂin agus beidh taisteal go forleathan i nGaeltacht Mhaigh Eo agus thar lear nuair is gaÂ.

Beidh luach saothair tarraingteach, a le ireoidh taÂbhacht an phoist, ar faÂil don t'iarrthoÂir rathuÂõ l.

Is fostoÂir comhionannas deiseanna e Taighde Mara Teoranta.

NõÂ moÂr iarratais don phost a bheith faighte roimh an

16u Mea n Fo mhair, 2005 ag ; An Bainisteoir. Taighde Mara Teoranta, Carna. Co. na Gaillimhe.

Trigger conditions

The project is currently investigating the environmental conditions under which viral contamination can occur. Many data sources are being collected to provide information on possible sources of contamination including historical bacterial results, weather data, river flow data, animal and human population distribution and hydrographic modelling. If conditions causing viral contamination are identified, it may be possible to introduce management procedures that take account of the risk and may have the potential to be introduced in a number of harvesting areas.

Shellfish have been placed at four test sites, two of which are very close to the outflow from sewage treatment plants and two are distant from possible sources of contamination (see map). Shellfish from active harvesting areas were not used.

The Clew Bay Marine Forum has been actively participating in this project by providing logistic support during sampling etc. Samples for viral and indicator organism analysis are taken on a weekly basis.

The research is ongoing and only initial results are available; however relatively high levels of viral contamination have been detected at the control sites. This result is consistent with the level of sewage treatment at each site and does not reflect poor performance of the treatment plants. Disinfection of the effluent at such sites would reduce these levels. In the other sites, occasional low-level viral contamination has been detected. Levels have been just above the limit of detection for

Taighde Mara Teoranta - Development Officer, Co. Mayo

Taighde Mara Teoranta is a subsidiary of UÂdaraÂs na Gaeltachta that supports the UÂdaraÂs' economic and social development objectives by providing technical support and business advise to the Gaeltacht aquaculture and related marine industries.

We are currently recruiting to fill a vacant position in Mayo. The "Mayo Development Officer" will report directly to the Manager and will liaise closely with UÂdaraÂs na Gaeltachtas's regional staff in Mayo.

The successful candidate will have a third level qualification in aquaculture, food science, rural development or related discipline and a minimum of three years experience working in development or in the marine food industry. General IT skills are required. An ability to work through Irish is essential as is a willingness to live in the Mayo Gaeltacht.

The position requires the successful candidate to work on their own initiative and to be prepared to travel regularly within the region and occasionally overseas as required.

Good communication and facilitation skills are key to the success of our mission.

An attractive remuneration package reflecting the importance of this position is available to the successful candidate.

Taighde Mara Teoranta is an equal opportunities employer.

Applications should be made to,

The Manager, Taighde Mara Teoranta, Carna, Co. na Gaillimhe, on or before 16th September 2005.

The Irish Seaweed Centre, Martin Ryan Institute The Irish Seaweed Centre, Martin Ryan Institute, is an R&D centre dedicated to maximizing the sustainable use of one of Ireland's valuable natural resources, seaweed. Its primary research focus is on applied phycology, which partially takes place at the University's marine research station MRI, Carna.

A multidisciplinary approach is followed incorporating, aquaculture, biology of seaweeds, surveys, taxonomy and biotechnology. The Centre uses applied research technologies to promote and develop the use of seaweeds, while acting as a liasing body between the seaweed industry, research institutions and other universities. The ISC can assist, develop or help you with mariculture of novel seaweed species, seed stock development, aquaculture, survey work, nutritional analysis, seaweeds for human and animal food, fine chemicals for cosmetics, harvesting and resource management and bioremediation.

For further information contact:

* Sample being taken in Clew

Bay, Co Mayo as part of the research being carried out by the Marine Institute

Dr Stefan Kraan, Irish Seaweed Centre, Martin Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland Ph: 353-91-493920 http://www.irishseaweed.com

20

INSHORE IRELAND February 2006

AQUACULTURE NEWS

LNS completes Chilean business buy-out from Marine Harvest dent salmon breeding company totally focused on supplying salmon producers worldwide with top quality eggs produced to their individual specification,'' Hugh Currie added. ``This has meant breeding for taste, texture, flesh colour, growth, robustness, maturation and many other traits, in direct response to customer requirements. ``As a result, we're now producing eggs and salmon smolts that we believe are genetically at least one complete generation ahead of most other breeding operations around the world.''

THE salmon breeding company, Landcatch Natural Selection Ltd (LNS), has completed the purchase of Marine Harvest's 50% stake in Landcatch Chile. The deal gives the Scottish-based LNS approximately a 14% share of the world Atlantic salmon egg market in 2006, and sets the company on target to achieve its aim of a global market share of 30% by 2011.

The purchase is part of a wider expansion of egg production by LNS, which will involve a significant increase in output in Scotland and Chile and possibly the establishment of an additional location in either Ireland or Scotland.

LNS already has extensive sales in Ireland, and continues to run breeding programme trials with customers on marine sites. ``Over the past 10 years we've invested £17m in salmon breeding and have thus created a world-class scientific and technology base,'' remarked Hugh Currie, LNS chairman. ``Our acquisition in Chile means we now have whollyowned broodstock egg production facilities in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

We are the only independent specialist salmon breeding company in the world to be able to make this claim.''

Landcatch Chile's smolt and egg supply business was previously run under the jointownership of Landcatch Ltd

Background

* Egg sorting for LNS at Ormsary.

and Marine Harvest, a structure which dates from 1997 when Landcatch entered into a joint venture business with Pesquera Eicosal who was subsequently

A partnership programme between Trondelag (Norway), Galicia (Spain), and BMW (Ireland) 2003 - 2006 AquaReg has funded more than €980,000 for aquaculture and fisheries projects in the BMW region.

Ireland is participating in 10 of a total of 12 projects funded by AquaReg. AquaReg aims to design strategies and provide opportunities for sustainable development of peripheral coastal communities through interregional co-operation in aquaculture and fisheries.

For information on projects and participants visit www.aquareg.com AquaReg is an INTERREG IIIC initiative

taken over first by Stolt Sea Farm and then by the Dutchowned Marine Harvest.

Current annual egg production at Landcatch Chile of 30

North East South West

egg production capacity to 75 million eggs per year. ``Our objective throughout the past 10 years has been to create a dedicated and indepen-

Anti-dumping measures: ``victory for common sense'' Report by Gery Flynn

A punitive EU regulation imposing definitive antidumping measures in the form of a minimum import price (MIP) of 2.80/kilo on imports of Norwegian farmed salmon has been welcomed by the Irish Salmon Growers' Association as a ``victory for common sense''.

The measures were adopted on 17 January last by the Council of the European Union in response to an antidumping investigation initiated by the Commission in October 2004.

Irregularities uncovered

INTERREG IIIC

million is set to double to 60 million over the next two years.

LNS has also begun a 50% increase in output in Scotland, taking its northern hemisphere

Landcatch was founded by the family-run Lithgow business 25 years ago at Ormsary Estate, Argyll, initially for operation as a land-based salmon production unit. The company made its first major investment in advanced breeding technology for stock improvement in 1996 to concentrate on the specialist production of eggs and salmon smolts.

The business today comprises Landcatch Ltd based at Ormsary and LNS based at Alloa. Landcatch Ltd manages the LNS company's broodstock in its land-based breeding units, as well being a smolt producer in its own right. LNS is Lithgows' specialist breeding business, controlling all breeding advances and egg production developments.

Irregularities uncovered led the Commission to introduce provisional anti-dumping penalties on Norwegian farmed salmon in the form of ad valorem duties ranging from 6.8% to 24.5% between April 27 and 4 July 2005.

These duties were suspended last summer and replaced by a MIP of 2.81/kilo that was maintained for three months.

Further investigation by the

Commission in the meantime has resulted in a definitive anti-dumping duty until 2010. ``Effectively this puts the Irish farmed salmon industry back on its feet and prepared for rational development over the next five years,'' Richie Flynn, ISGA executive secretary told Inshore Ireland. Efforts of our farmers, the minister and his officials in securing this five-year deal were tremendous,'' he added.

Feet dragging

Anticipating the 17 January announcement at BradaÂn-05, Angus Morgan of the European Salmon Producers Group (EUSPG), which has represented Scottish and Irish farmers at EU level since 2002, accused Norway of dragging its feet in relation to finding a solution to the problem of dumping and of using unfair tactics to promote its case: ``The Norwegian government has maintained an aggressive stance by consistently refusing to enter into meaningful discussions. Together with some of the large multinationals, it has also put considerable effort into propaganda campaigns to persuade

member states of their innocence., On the issue of competitiveness, Morgan argued that Norwegian salmon farming had many questions to answer: ``In the period September 2001 to mid-2004, the Norwegian industry consistently dumped salmon onto the EU market. ``In doing so they have lost 150 per annum for each of three years. This is a phenomenal amount of money. Norwegian salmon farming has received massive support from quarters as yet undetermined and undefined, which has allowed it, despite those gigantic losses, to increase production year-on-year.''

Exhaustive investigation

Wondering how this was being sustained, Morgan confirmed that the EUSPG had ``commissioned an in-depth investigation into the apparent subsidisation of the Norwegian industry by the Norwegian State.''

Contrasting the level of support given to Norwegian salmon farmers with what has been happening in Scotland and Ireland in the same period,

Morgan said that ``with the numerous bankruptcies and closures, our industry has become unattractive to investors.''

He added that in 2001 Norway produced 411,000 tonnes, while joint production in Scotland, Ireland and Faroe was just under 200,000 tonnes. ``By 2005 however, Norwegian production had risen by 39% to 571,290 tonnes while we had dropped to 148,000 tonnes. We have all suffered the same market prices and we have all lost a load of money.

But Norwegian production has shot up and ours has collapsed.''

Welcoming the new measures, however, as a positive move, Morgan said they were an improvement on past efforts by the EU to protect salmon farming from unfair competition: ``The last MIP was based on Norwegian undertakings, but it's entirely different now because these new measures will be at the barrier. An importer will have to prove that he bought his salmon at nothing less than the 2.80 level Ð otherwise it's fraud, and the EU Commission will be able to investigate.''

INSHORE IRELAND

February 2006

21

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Noticeboard . . Noticeboard . . Noticeboard . . Noticeboard

Biotoxin rules explained THE Irish Shellfish Association has hailed the latest changes in the biotoxin regime as being ``scientific, sensible and consumer-safe''.

These changes mainly relate to the rules allowing bays to open in the presence of AZA toxins on the basis of chemistry results ALONE. These changes were brought last November when the ISA made strong arguments in favour of specific tests taking precedence for specific toxins at specific times of year. This followed an intensive study trip by ISA members of the MSSC in Galicia to observe the Spanish biotoxin system in October.

ISA executive secretary, Richie Flynn, who is also on the MSSC and the Management Cell, said: ``While the regula-

measuring the presence of the AZA. ``ISA and the FSAI agreed that it did not (the bioassay being designed to detect DSP toxins) and that the LC-MS method was giving a more accurate indication of the levels of toxin present, and therefore was a better basis for taking decisions, hence the opening of areas by the Management Cell over the winter period.''

Richie Flynn said he hoped that the FSAI, Marine Institute and Department of Marine would give clear guidance in writing to all producers and processors regarding the priority to be given to the different tests (bioassay or LCMS) when different toxins are present in order to clear up any remaining confusion.

tions state: `The customary biological testing method must not give a positive result to the presence of diarrheic shell fish poison (DSP) in the edible parts of the molluscs (the whole body or any part edible separately)...,'' it is worth noting that LC-MS Chemistry analysis shows no presence of DSP in the waters in November, December or January. Therefore, the bioassay test is not generating positive results because of the presence of DSP, and the shellfish therefore comply with Directive 91/492. ``Our question is: are the positive MBAs actually being caused by AZA, and if so, is that result reflective of the risk presented by the shellfish? In other words, there can only be a discrepancy if the bioassay is

Membership queries DID you know that as well as becoming part of the ONLY organisation that lobbies on behalf of finfish and shellfish producers in Ireland, membership of IFA Aquaculture also includes: * Valuable IFA Personal Accident Cover. * 10% VHI discount with easy payment options. * 30 FBD insurance discount voucher. * 127 IFAC discount (new

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accounts/tax clients only).

Entry into 12 monthly draws for a weekend away with Lynch Hotels.

Free travel insurance for package holidays with CoOp Travel.

10% Discount on Irish Sea Ferry crossing by car with Irish Ferries.

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Enjoy valuable savings on your home/business telephone with IFA Telecom.

* 20% discount on Lynch Hotel short breaks and family holidays. * Car service and tyre discount with Advance Pitstop. * Other special discounts negotiated during the year.

Any queries:

Contact Richie Flynn, IFAAquaculture, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12. ph: 01-4508755 fax: 01-4551043. richieflynn@ifa.ie

Government faces EFF challenge 2006 will require the Irish Government to submit a plan to Brussels on how it expects to implement the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) from 2007 to 2013 - the successor to the

FIFG fund.

IFA Aquaculture is putting a case for the rational exploitation of EU and exchequer funding to facilitate the `maturation' of the Irish aquaculture industry.

OYSTER growers from Donegal, Waterford Wexford and Mayo were saluted as the supreme producers for 2004 at the 10th All-Ireland BIM-Guinness Quality Oyster Awards in November.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, BIM chairman Hugh Byrne said that, through his long association with these awards, he has seen market awareness of Irish oysters increase to become a world-class product. ``Irish oysters are highly prized by the most discerning of consumers. I would advise anyone to try them; they are a sure recipe for health and vitality.''

In 2004 native oyster production increased by 20% yielding 390 tonnes compared to 325 tonnes in 2003. Value increased by 24% from 1.3m to 1.6m and the price per tonne increased moderately by 3% to 4.2 per tonne.

Combined gigas (Pacific) and native oyster production reached almost 5,500 tonnes valued at 16.4m. Pacific oyster output experienced a 6% increase from 4,830 tonnes to 5,103 tonnes in 2004. The associated value increased by 23% to 12.2m, highlighting an increased price per tonne of 18% from 2 to 2.4.

Oysters are a rich source of dietary zinc which is important for a healthy immune system and is also associated with promoting vigour and energy.

They are also a valuable supply source of calcium, iodine, selenium and phosphorous in forms that are readily absorbed into the human body.

This will focus on issues of quality, infrastructure, technology and best practice as well as necessary capital investment in collective projects - a key feature of the new policy.

Trout group joins THE Irish Trout Producers' Group is an official constituent committee of IFA Aquaculture. The Group comprises trout producers north and south and will be active on a number of fronts, including conservation, legislation, abstraction, water quality, etc. IFA Aquaculture is delighted to represent the trout producers and their industry. The organisation is now unique in Europe in representing all aquaculture producers on the island of Ireland Ă? shellfish and both freshwater and marine finfish.

IFA telecom & IFA power

ALL IFA Aquaculture members qualify for exciting benefits and huge savings for phone and energy bills as part of the IFA Telecom and IFA power deals.

Savings of up to 20% on regular bills can be made as a member of these schemes.

For further information call IFA Aquaculture Development Officer, Joe McElwee at 086-2569369.

Mortalities in inter-tidal species AS oyster and clam producers began sorting and harvesting their stocks in the runup to Christmas, it became very obvious that, in some areas, large-scale mortalities had occurred since the summer.

Blame has been laid at the door of the huge karenia m y k i m o t i (gymnodinium) bloom that had occurred along

the west coast from June to August and was visible in satellite photographs spreading from Donegal to Kerry.

ISA is attempting to quantify the losses involved and is calling for measures to be put in place so that adequate warning can be given to the industry when such potentially dangerous blooms occur in future.

Rope mussel report THE industry is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the report on the rope mussel industry carried out by consultants PWC and funded

by BIM and Enterprise Ireland.

The review was initiated by the ISA on foot of a paper presented at the rope mussel workshop in Westport in 2004. The structure and viability of the industry is being studied by the consultants, and direct face-to-face interviews have taken place with producers and processors around the country. A meeting with the ISA to discuss the main findings is planned for later this month.

ISA Conference for Ennis

THE 2006 annual conference of the Irish Shellfish Association will be held in the West County Hotel, Ennis, Co Clare on Friday, 24 March.

Topics this year include the future of the rope mussel industry; the inter-tidal mortalities caused by the Karenia bloom in '05; bottom mussel seed studies; shellfish markets; production in Galicia and microbiological monitor-

ing. The Conference will be followed by the AGM of the ISA at which seats on the new executive committee will be open for election.

The new committee will subsequently elect a chairperson to succeed Mary Ferns who has served the maximum four years.

Further information from the ISA at 01-4508755 or website at www.ifa.ie

Molluscs and porter: a winning combination Gigas Oyster (over 75 tonnes) category:

* 1st - Ed Gallagher, Irish Premium Oysters, Donegal Town. * 2nd - Des Moore, Seabreeze Ltd, Co Donegal. * 3rd - Jim Harty, Dungarvan Shellfish, Waterford.

Gigas Oyster under 75 tonnes category:

* 1st - Noel Roche, Duncormac, Co Wexford. * 2nd - Eugene Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick Oysters, Co Wexford * 3rd - Sean O'Grady, Murrisk Shellfish, Co Mayo.

In the Native Oyster category, first prize was awarded to Sean O'Grady of Clew Bay Oyster Co-op. Irish oysters are available on many wet fish counters in Irish supermarkets. Tips on how to handle and open them, together with recipes and serving suggestions are available on www.bim.ie/oysters.

* BIM chairman Hugh Byrne with Vicky Lyons, BIM and judge, Derry Clarke, L'Ecrivain.

22

INSHORE IRELAND February 2006

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Production of waste materials of organic and inorganic types is a routine feature that must be dealt with.

*

* Marine minister Pat the cope Gallagher and Salvador Guerreo CIMA-Galicia, with Riche Flynn and Joe McElwee, IFA-Aquaculture, at the launch * New laws being introduced through EU regulations and some county of Aquqbyproducts.com website. councils now require very stringent disposal of waste products.

Turning waste into profit industry, production of waste materials of organic and inorganic types is a routine feature that must be dealt with. New laws being introduced through IN Issue II of Inshore Ireland, EU regulations and some I discussed the general procounty councils now require blem of waste products assovery stringent disposal of waste ciated with finfish and products. Some in fact curtail shellfish companies in Ireland disposal of almost everyland, and how we propose to thing! deal with this.

This is a situation that reAs with many industries, and quires not only forward thinkin common with the agriculture ing, but also practical and

Joe McElwee, IFA Aquaculture explains

economic implementation of these stringent laws, allied with sensible economics.

Thus, the Irish aquaculture industry, with assistance from the EU Interreg III project, `Aquareg', which comprises representatives from three European countries: (Trondaleg in Norway; Galicia in northwestern Spain and the BMW region in Ireland), has launched an active website: www.aquabyproducts.com. The site ad-

dresses potential waste product both technological advances concerns and provides informa- and new products becoming tion on disposal companies. commercially available. These products, for instance, include Uses water pipes made from old Estimated shellfish waste from plastic barrels or floats and the Galician region is more than leather purses made from sal150,000 tonnes. This waste mon skins.

The Irish aquaculture induscould be used as road paving and land fertilizers, for instance. try is committed to recycling its Recycling and re-use of waste - not only to earn a `waste products' is a huge commercial return - but to business in itself and is devel- preserve and enhance the enviroping at a phenomenal rate with onment, which as users of it, we

need to be conscious of at all times.

If you have any by-products from your shellfish, finfish farm, or processing facility, please look at the site, fill in the form and become an integral part of the solution.

Aquabyproducts.com - the aquaculture waste by-products website - is a `business to business' website putting aquaculture and seafood companies in touch with each other.

Focus will be lost with `carve up' of inland fisheries Kieran O'Byrne, Irish Char Conservation Group

IRELAND'S inland fisheries constitute an important national resource and the review of the inland fisheries sector has been long overdue. The Irish Char Conservation Group is a non government agency concerned with the conservation of native freshwater fish species such as the Arctic char, which are currently under threat.

In recent years, we have worked closely with the fisheries boards and other agencies mentioned in the Inland Fisheries review report and therefore are familiar with many of the aspects under review.

The report aims to provide clarity to the management of the inland fisheries sector, particularly with regard to government involvement. The report covers a lot of detail that is difficult to go into here, but in short it recommends a new institutional model that would transfer functions mostly from the marine department and the fisheries boards to a range of agencies from local authorities to the sports council.

We are in no doubt that this `carve up' will lead to a loss in focus rather than improvement.

The Fisheries Acts provide

* Male (top) and female Arctic char from Kindrum Lough, Co Donegal.

some of the most useful, even if quite dated legislation for the protection of fisheries. Nevertheless, it appears that the primary function of the review is to reduce the direct role of DCMNR in `regulation, enforcement, management and operations' and `environmental, habitat and water quality matters'.

Perhaps this is appropriate but unless the proposed changes really do deliver in these roles, there will be a further decline in the sector. What this could mean for the rarer and threatened freshwater fish species not covered by European legislation is something that would need to be looked at in this context.

Asset stripping

We welcome the proposed increased involvement of the wider community but again would be concerned if this amounted to `asset stripping' through the sale of State fisheries. If the fisheries are sold off into private ownership, a situation similar to that which exists today in the UK where, in our opinion, it is nearly impossible for the state to legislate and get agreement on and therefore enforce basic conservation requirements.

At the end of the day, fish in Irish lakes and rivers belong to the people of Ireland and it is incumbent on the Irish Govern-

* Lough Dan, Co Wicklow. Arctic char became extinct here in the late 1980s, probably due to acidification of the water.

ment to manage and protect them appropriately. Their value should not be just measured in commercial or recreational terms but also in cultural, aesthetic, heritage, existence and even spiritual values.

No matter which of these we

chose to measure the value of our fish communities in Ireland, what is needed is a coherent system that recognises the importance of fish as part of the freshwater resource and delivers on the Irish state's responsibility so that current and future

generations continue to enjoy what is essentially part of her heritage. Throwing the baby out with the bath water and adopting an even more complicated system may not be the solution required.

Minding the pinkeens Dr Martin O'Farrell explains the small print of the latest inland fisheries review THE third review of inland fisheries since the foundation of the Irish Free State was published last year, the previous two being the reports of the Inland Fisheries Commissions of 1933 and 1975. Interestingly, neither of these reports is listed among the documents researched in the production of the 2005 report.

INSHORE IRELAND

Responsibility

It is also envisaged that responsibility for all aspects of water quality and fish habitat manage- * The author with his son, James, at Lough Derrivara, Co Kerry. ment will transfer to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government The Inland Fisheries Comwhile all matters relating to the mission reports of 1933 and Bio Ð Martin O'Farrell promotion and development of 1975 were essentially all about MARTIN O'Farrell is a graduate of NUI Galway. As a postangling will transfer to the the `nationalisation' of inland graduate student he researched the feeding patterns of Department of Arts, Sport and fisheries. freshwater fish in Lough Corrib tributaries. He worked as a Tourism.

In the 1933 report, indiviscientific officer for the Central Fisheries Board during the It is proposed that the Marine duals believed that `nationalisaearly 1980s and was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Trinity College Institute will take responsibility tion' meant the transfer of Dublin during the late 1980s. He has worked as an for all aspects of freshwater effective ownership to local fisheries research. independent fisheries consultant for over 20 years during fishermen. The 1975 report DCMNR through the Inland recommended, however, that which time he has been involved in the management of Fisheries Policy Unit will retain every significant fishery put up Atlantic salmon and sea trout fisheries. He has a particular responsibility for inland fish- for sale should be purchased by interest in fisheries management issues on rivers fuelling eries policy and legislation. It the state Ð in line with calls for hydroelectric generating stations. His commercial interests would be good for Ireland if `nationalisation' of inland fishinclude the manufacture of electric fishing equipment and fish some government department eries. counters, both of which are important fisheries management takes responsibility for inland The 2005 report now urges tools. fisheries policy. `community ownership' of the It is commonly accepted that inland fisheries resource, and this country lacks a national the handing over of all state- word `ownership' over 80 and beneficiaries want control inland fisheries policy and that owned fisheries through long- times, and therein lies definition and effective ownership of the every initiative has been put on leases or sale to local commu- of most inland fisheries issues resource - without having to some dusty shelf by the `dead nity groups (co-operatives, part- in Ireland. The `tragedy of the pay market rates. hand' of the responsible depart- nerships, private companies commons' is again aired withThis latest report devotes too ment. etc). The 2005 report uses the out serious discussion. Users many words to salmon issues to

23

FRESHWATER FOCUS

Terms of reference

IN December 2003, then Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Dermot Ahern, TD, appointed consultants to undertake a high level review of the inland fisheries sector. The consortium was led by Farrell Grant Sparks Consulting and comprised the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis, NUI, Maynooth.

The terms of reference:

This latest report represents stage one of the review and is flagged as a `high level strategic document'. Stage two may or may not be undertaken, and this future possible report is flagged as the one that will detail the nitty-gritty of future inland fisheries governance in Ireland.

The report proposes a National Inland Fisheries Authority (NIFA) supported by five Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) Ð along the lines of the Water Framework Directive's River Basin Districts (RBDs). A regulatory commission will oversee the transition of inland fisheries to a marketled commercial sector.

A National Inland Fisheries Advisory Council will also inform the Inland Fisheries Policy Unit within the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR).

As usual in these matters, all roads lead to and from the minister.

February 2006

1 The review will deliver a root and branch examination of the State's role and objectives in the inland fisheries sector and take into account various reports and international experience as well as involving widespread consultation.

1.1 Consultants are required to evaluate the adequacy of the current model for the governance of the inland fisheries sector having regard to the need to have in place structures and approaches, which might ensure that: the State/ management relationship is conducive to the development of an inland fisheries sector, which conserves the inland fisheries resource in its own right and its viability and economic and social contribution at national and local community level the inland fisheries have access to appropriate funding (preferably from their own resources) to provide for conservation and development in the medium to long term there are appropriate incentives to deliver high quality State fisheries to stakeholders, particularly users, and a specified return on assets to the State appropriate conditions exist within the institutional arrangements and management structure that ensure cost effectiveness and value for money in the delivery of services and allow for revthe detriment of general inland fisheries debate.

The International Benchmarking section is weak (Scotland, England/Wales and Canada are the chosen countries Ð why was Iceland excluded?), and no reference is made to the Environment Agency Report of 2001, which values the inland fisheries resource of England and Wales at over £3bn sterling.

In England and Wales most

enue generation the development of good management and organisational practices including organisational development, flexible work practices etc.

1.2 The Consultants will also be required to define the current relationship between the Government, the Department(s) and the inland fisheries sector and suggest new more effective models.

1.3 Finally, the Consultants will be required to recommend a structure which will contribute to the optimum development of the inland fisheries resource in Ireland and in so doing might: apprise/recommend management/ownership options including enhanced private sector involvement and selffunding options identify other imaginative proposals including the transfer of nonessential activities away from the inland fisheries management to other appropriate service providers with specified service level agreements set out the realistic yet challenging performance indicators and specified outcomes together with expectations of what is to be delivered by the Department(s) and the services' providers and in the timescale outlined set out the roles of affected stakeholders and how these would change in the new arrangements.

1.4 The Consultants will be expected to take into account various reports, international experience and consult widely.

1.5 The Consultants will be expected to consult with all relevant stakeholders.

1.6 In addition to these specific tasks, the consultants will be free to advise the Minister on any aspects of inland fisheries management that merit comment.

1.7 The consultants will be required to prepare a comprehensive report to the Minister in two stages. of the fisheries are privately owned and the most valuable are the coarse fisheries. Can we be far behind? The 2005 report also focuses on the annual paltry state spend of 25m to `minding the pinkeens'.

Ireland spends a similar amount on the removal of chewed gum from the streets annually. Expect another review of Ireland's inland fisheries in 2045, or thereabouts.

Are the new proposals welcomed by all?

LAUNCHING the proposals, marine minister Pat the cope Gallagher said they were necessary to ensure that the inland fisheries sector ``thrives and reaches its full potential.

Everyone in the sector agrees that change is necessary if this is to happen. It will allow the Government to harness the expertise of local stakeholders [...] whilst at the same time providing a coherent and effective strategy for the sector to develop.''

He added that the Government has authorised the drafting of a Bill to establish a National Inland Fisheries Authority (NIFA) to subsume

the executive functions of the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. Responsibility and resources for scientific research will be transferred from the CFB to the Marine Institute. ``The reform process will be open, inclusive and comprehensive [...] We will ensure that those who will be affected [...] will be consulted and will have an opportunity to influence the proposed changes.''

Undermining influence

A statement from the South Regional Fisheries Board on behalf of the seven regional boards said the proposal to

disperse Board functions would `undermine

the

holistic

ap-

proach which is now widely recognised as being essential for the successful conservation and management of the inland fisheries resource.'

The RFBs are particularly concerned that if the proposal goes ahead it will result in a situation whereby water quality, as well as fish and fish habitat, will not be properly protected. `Board members are strongly of the view that fisheries management decisions should be made as close as possible to the communities affected by those decisions. This will not be the

case if the regional boards are abolished. The group is calling on the marine minister to reject the restructuring proposals which have been recommended by the consultants.'

Increased bureaucracy

Deputy John Perry, Fine Gael's marine spokesperson said the reform will not save money and will not make the system more effective: ``Minister Gallagher is taking executive power away from regional boards and will be basing power in one central unit. This runs totally contrary to decentralisation and will

increase the amount of bureaucracy involved. ``He is giving more power to civil servants.

We will no longer have independent fishery boards but will instead have an agency controlled by one CEO.'' Deputy Perry acknowledged, however, that problems existed with the current model but added that staff were doing an ``excellent job'' considering the meagre resources available to them. ``Our fisheries should not be allowed out of state control,'' he said. ``The second phase of this policy will involve a consultation process until at least 2008. This report was commissioned two years

ago and has been sitting on the minister's desk for a year. What has been the delay in publishing it?''

Deputy Tommy Broughan, Labour's marine spokesperson said that anglers were concerned about losing their executive functions to the NIFA: ``Anglers are grateful for the research work of the CFB and for the important reports it has produced on inland fisheries including the seminal Indecon Report on wild salmon in 2003. ``This function is now to be transferred to the Marine Institute whose primary work so far has related to Irish maritime resources.

24

INSHORE IRELAND February 2006

COASTLINE NEWS

Southeast leads on wooden boat restoration A maritime heritage seminar last November brought together wooden-boat enthusiasts from a range of disciplines to discuss the future of traditional boat building in Ireland and focused on projects in the south east.

Maritime heritage project manager with Atlantic Challenge South East, Diarmaid Murphy, opened the proceedings by welcoming visitors from all over Ireland and the UK. On behalf of the Heritage Council, Beatrice Kelly said she was very pleased to see such a healthy interest in maritime heritage in the souteast.

Prof. Kieran Byrne, director of Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) and keen boat man, said he was delighted to be involved in a project that encompassed the values of the maritime history of the region, while at the same time promoting future projects. Prof. Byrne also paid tribute to Michael Kennedy and Bill Crampton, builders of An Seabhac Mara, the Bantry Bay longboat.

Dr Cathy Swift of the `Save Viking Waterford Action Group' spoke about the Viking settlement in Woodstown and the longships that had been built there around the turn of the first Millennium.

Mr. Bill Irish of WIT and author of Ship Building in Waterford spoke of the rich history of ship building in the city in the 1800s and presented excellent slides of Whites ship

* An international crew drop the sails on board the Antrim longboat, Harmonie at `Atlantic Challenge', Fishguard (2004)

yard at Ferrybank. Some of the images from his collection emphasised the historical importance of Waterford as a ship building city during that era.

Pa draig O Du innõ n of Meithel Mara, who runs boatbuilding projects in Cork city, explained the workings of his organisation and how to source funding for future projects. This provided useful information for the following speaker Andrew Doherty of Cheekpoint Fishing Heritage Project who plans to build a `prong' Ð a small vessel native to the Waterford

estuary and nearby areas.

Michael Kennedy, a shipright based in Dunmore East, gave a description of the restoration of Peggy Bawn, a gentleman`s yacht from the late 1800s.

Michael also gave an account of the construction of An Seabhac Mara and the different processes involved in traditional boat building.

Shay Hurley from Clonmel spoke on the history of vessels known as `cots', and in particular those built by Tom Cuddihy. Tony McGloughlin followed this with a description

* Heading for the mark. In the foreground is an `international-crewed' longboat.

of the conversion of the Tyrellbuilt trawler Thomas MacDonagh into a sailing schooner, which is now moored on the quays in Waterford.

Bantry Bay longboats

The final speaker of the day was Diarmaid Murphy who spoke about the Atlantic Challenge organisation and how the design of the Bantry bay longboats has resulted in a demand for traditional boat building skills all over the world on a local level.

The crew of An Seabhac Mara has started training in

preparation for the next international Atlantic event in Genoa, Italy, from July 14-21. The Waterford based-boat will be flying the UN flag at the contest because 50% of the crew will be from the southeast and the other 50% from countries worldwide.

The boat flying the Irish flag representing Atlantic Challenge Ireland will be UniteÂ, which is based in Bantry. Her crew has represented Ireland at Atlantic Challenge events since 1988.

Training for both crews involves learning navigation, knots and general seamanship,

with the latter being achieved on the water once the boats are launched in early spring.The focus at the moment is getting the crews physically fit to ensure that once they arrive in Geona they will rank high in list of the sixteen nations attending.

The seminar was run as part of an INTERREG IIIA maritime heritage project that to date includes building An Seabhac Mara and training people from the southeast in maritime skills.

Further information on Atlantic Challenge visit: www.acse.ie

In recognition of a sea faring nation to massive pollution, glo- Education and schools: critical building work to secure original founding members and attract new members from

By Michael Prior, bute their successors, the Institute across the maritime discipline bal warming etc despair in the School visits used to be an the fabric of the building. president MII face of such malign activity is annual feature of Institute activ- The Institute is now it its simply would not have sur- so as to secure and continue the answer.

THE Maritime Institute of noAwell informed citizenry can Ireland - a wholly volunteer ensure that government adbased, not-for-profit organisa- dresses these matters in internation - was founded in 1941. At tional fora. its core is the civically motivated aim of influencing how Strategy the State responds to marine matters, and also of creating The Institute submitted a comgreater public awareness that prehensive business plan to being an island nation, we government last November with have a maritime history the objective of securing the worthy of far greater recogni- necessary funds to refurbish its tion than has ever been pub- head quarters in the Mariner's licly or appro priate ly Church, Dun Laoghaire, which is an important listed building. acknowledged.

While the age profile of members and volunteers might indicate that a depth of wisdom has been accumulated since its foundation, a dark cloud threatens the future of the Institute if young energetic volunteers are not attracted to participate.

In each of the decades since its foundation, the Institute has identified various critical roles to which it addressed itself with varying degrees of success. Today, a key objective is to promote the role of education at all three levels as being the driving force to ensure that the next generation of citizens involved in marine affairs has an intuitive grasp of how critical to our wider welfare as a nation is a more effective engagement with such matters.

The Institute is also committed to its traditional role of promoting a better appreciation of how critical a role the sea and marine activities has insofar the `public good' is concerned.

Modern marine research clearly demonstrates the part oceans play in the stability of the earth's climate.

While reckless and ignorant behaviour continues to contri-

The Institute proposes that the church should be dedicated to Irish merchant sea men who lost their lives in World War II while bringing essential supplies under a neutral flag to a neutral nation.

Aside from running the museum, the Institute engages in the following activities: The Library contains an important collection of books, documents and charts relating to marine affairs.

A comprehensive review is now underway to ensure that best library practice is observed, and that it arranges its services in such a manner as will attract marine researchers to use its facilities.

The Maritime Museum: Despite the absence of even minimal resources, the museum team cares for a collection of over four thousand items. Reliable funding is needed to secure the future of the collection.

Research and publications: Since 1941 the Institute has published regular newsletters for its members and more recently, an annual full colour journal is on sale to the general public.

ities; however these have had to 65th year. Except for the ded- vived. role that the Institute plays in be suspended to give way to ication and high calibre of the It is vital now however to promoting a sea faring tradition.

INSHORE IRELAND

Northern Australian Spanish mackerel troll fishery Report by Ciaran O'Donnell, fisheries acoustician with the Marine Institute

SPANISH mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), or `narrow-bar' as they are commonly known, are widespread in shallow tropical and subtropical waters throughout the Indo-Pacific to Africa and the Mediterranean. These large pelagic predators can attain a maximum size of 240cm (Fork Length (FL)) and a maximum weight of 70kg.

A more common maximum size however would be 150cm (FL) and 35kg for the larger growing females and 125cm and 19kg for the male fish.

Narrow-bar make up an important component of inshore finfish catches in the Northern territory and northwestern Australian coasts.

Catches are taken by commercial, indigenous, recreational and charter-boat operators all along the northern coast from Port Headland to Darwin. Broome is one of the more important ports for commercial landings of this species.

Narrow-bar range from the shelf edge (around coral reefs, rocky outcrops and current lines), to shallow coastal waters. Inshore, these large fish are often found in areas of low salinity and high turbidity and are rarely encountered in waters deeper than 100m.

Juvenile narrow-bar exhibit

rapid growth in their first year and typically reach 65cm in length and over 2.8kg in weight.

Sexual maturity generally occurs at the end of the second year of growth where they recruit to the fishery at around 80cm. Spawning takes place within the Gulf area from August to March. Eggs and larvae are pelagic, although little is known of the fecundity of females. Females are known to spawn several times over the season, with up to six days interval between successive events.

Juveniles up to 10cm (FL) are found in creeks, estuaries and along sheltered mud flat areas. At sizes of 15-40cm, juveniles are encountered in the nets of fine mesh shrimp trawlers that fish in the shallow coastal waters. At 40cm, juveniles have moved to the inshore reef areas where they continue to grow until recruitment.

Strict management

Narrow-bar are targeted commercially by trolling. The Gulf of Carpenteria Line Fishery (GOCLF) operates under a licensing system and is broken into two management areas: the outer fishery that extends to 25 nautical miles (nmi) offshore, and the inshore fishery that extends out to 3 nmi of the coast and Island areas.

Overall, the fishery spans some 100km of coastal foreshores and includes 25 major river systems and numerous creeks. In total, 117 licences

are in use within a fishery that generates approximately 940,000 annually. The fishery also takes a number of important by-catch species including, various shark species, emperor and snapper species and coral trout. The bulk of the fishery (70%) takes place between August and November, prior to the wet season.

Pelagic trolling is the primary method employed, and uses baited hooks or lures. Prime fishing occurs at dawn and dusk; however moon phase, tidal state, water temperature and trolling speed are also important components. Commonly, 5-6 rigs would be fished on a 2 boom arrangement (1 long boom forward, 1 shorter boom amidships) each side of a 20m vessel. It is also common to fish several rigs fished from the stern.

Bait combinations

A mother vessel may also employ up to six small dories (under 3m) fishing one rig per side mounted on booms. Rigs are fished at various depths from a Bowden main line, connected to wire traces with terminal rigs of ganged hooks.

Bait boats primarily use garfish (Hemiramphidae) as the preferred bait.

Different combinations of bait, lure colours and rigs are used depending on the operator.

Coloured rope, nylon fibre and coloured plastics are commonly used to dress a plain wooden bodied homemade lures.

Narrow-bar are marketed as

THE EU has around 25 bilateral fishing agreements, mainly with developing countries. Six hundred EU vessels fishing outside community waters, or around 22% of the EC25 fleet (by tonnage), benefit from these agreements.

This costs EU taxpayers around 180 million, provides catches worth some 2 billion (about 20% of the EU total), and creates some 30,000 direct jobs (75% of which are non-European).

In the past, these `cash for access' agreements attracted much criticism, allegedly for being `unfair', counter to the principles of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, and incoherent with EU policy objectives for development cooperation.

As a result of the 2002 CFP review, the EU undertook to `ensure sustainable and responsible fisheries outside Community waters with the same commitment as in its own waters.'

issue is how relations should be structured.

In past agreements, EU fishing interests tended to dominate over local development and conservation interests, and nowhere more so than in Mauritania.

With the renewal of the agreement in August 2001, EU access to Mauritania's already well over-exploited cephalopod stocks was increased by 30%. The estimated 25,000 tonnes annual octopus catch from the 55 EU trawlers is well above the TAC of 20,000 tonnes that the scientists recommended in 1998.

This is especially bad for Mauritania's artisanal fishing fleet, who have seen a sharp decline in catches, from over Surplus resources 12,000 tonnes (from 400 vesin 1993 to less than There are two main issues sels) 3,500 (from 1,500 underpinning the negotiation vessels)tonnes in 2002. and implementation of FPAs. The first concerns the issue of Mauritanian octopus surplus resources, i.e. whether or not any surplus exists, and The recent renewal of the EU if so how much access the EU agreement with Morocco (July 2005) does give some should have to it.

The second concerns the hope for the Mauritanian ocpayment to be made by the topus fishermen.

According to CommisEU, and how this should be divided between EU taxpayers sioner Joe Borg: ``It was and vessel owners. A third impossible to include in the

To achieve this, and to promote coherence with its other policies, future bilateral fisheries relations will be based on `Fisheries Partnership Agreements' (FPAs).

From now on, where an FPA is in place, all EU registered vessels will have to fish under them.

Thus, for example, the Atlantic Dawn, currently fishing under a private agreement in Mauritanian waters, would be governed by the provisions of any new EU-Mauritania agreement that comes into force when the old one expires in July 2006. Either that, or if it is to continue fishing, the vessel will have to be reregistered in a non-EU member State.

25

OUTSIDE IRELAND

fresh, frozen, gilled and gutted as whole fish or as trunks. Some of the larger vessels (over 15m) have RSW tanks in which gilled and gutted fish are stored for up to 10 days on the trip. Larger vessels may also employ large fish traps to target some of the larger reef species such as red throat emperors, red emperors, red snapper and sweetlip.

Fish traps can be 2.5 x 1.5 x 2 metres in size and can yield an impressive catch if bait and trap positioning is correct. Soak time is commonly less than 10 hours, during the hours of darkness, with retrieval at first light. For the smaller vessels the catch is landed gilled and gutted and is chilled on ice.

Once landed, the catch is assimilated by the Australian market, with little, if any going for export. Most of the GOCLF catch is sold locally or trucked interstate.

Market prices for the 2005 season ranged from A$2.30 to A$10.20kg for narrow-bar fillets. Price on the pier for whole fish was around A$5.75 per kilo.

Annual targets

Management of this fishery is set to change in the coming years when a strategic management plan with annual targets is put in place. Pre-1980s, Taiwanese driftnetters commonly fished sets of over 30km and are thought to have drastically reduced narrow-bar stocks.

Post-1980s, management measures restrict driftnet lengths to 2.5km and limited

Fishing in distant waters: cleaning up Europe's act Brian O'Riordan, International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF)

February 2006

agreement other high-value species such as shrimps or cephalopods. ``These species are not within safe biologic limits in the waters concerned. Consequently, they are excluded from the agreement.'' It remains to be seen whether in 2006 the EU will again push for access to Mauritania's over-exploited stocks.

As regards access fees and financial compensation there are two main issues to consider.

First is the level of access to be provided, and second is the support needed for the sustainable development of the fishing activities (management, control, etc).

Whilst it may be appropriate for EU taxpayers to foot the bill for supporting the sustainable development of fishing activities, clearly it is the vessel owners should who should pay the access fees.

Thus in future agreements, access levels may have to be reduced in line with depleted stocks.

But compensation payments may have to increase to meet the needs of implementing policies for sustainable fishing.

international entry is permitted.

Current management measures include a licensing scheme, minimum landing size (66cm) and defined management areas.

The overall effect on other

species in terms of by-catch and the impact of this type of fishing in this sensitive and diverse environment is thought to be very low due to the size selective nature of pelagic trolling.

Next issue 13th April 2006 Aquaculture Inshore fisheries Island living Marine Tourism Seafood processing Marketing and retailing of seafood Marine engineering & technology Support industries and ancillary services Marine and freshwater policy and regulation Marine and freshwater research and development * National and international legislative frameworks regulating seafood production * The issues pertaining to the commercial exploitation and development of the marine and freshwater environments * * * * * * * * * *

Inshore Ireland keeps its readers updated on these and other such important matters. It's also the most costeffective means of communicating with the industry and represents the perfect opportunity for you to get your message to this hugely influential audience.

Editor: Gillian Mills - 01 2354804 / 087 2902045 - mills@inshoreireland.com Features: Gery Flynn - 091 844822 / 085 7475797 - flynn@inshoreireland.com Advertising: Roger Cole - 01 2859111 / 087 2611597 - silchester@eircom.net 35,000 copies distributed to coastal communities on an all-island basis Contact us with your editorial and ad requirements

Don't miss out

26

INSHORE IRELAND February 2006

SHIPPING SPOTLIGHT

A national maritime treasure Cill Airne Ð one of Ireland's last remaining rare

examples of shipbuilding and built in Dublin's Liffey Dockyard in the sixties Ð is undergoing preservation work, reports Jehan Ashmore, maritime correspondent

THE only surviving Irishbased vessel in serviceable condition built at the Liffey Dockyard, Dublin is Cill Airne is undergoing a major restoration programme costing 2.5m. Purchased last year by the Irish Ship & Barge Fabrication Company, the former liner/training-tender will be based as a floating restaurant, art gallery and maritime museum on the River Liffey.

ing vessel

Cill Airne

has been

licensed to carry 300 passengers by the Department of the Marine.''

The vessel will also be available for charter in Dublin Bay and Du  n Laoghaire.

Cill Airne

Over the winter underwent

repairs

at

Cork

Dockyard and is now having her

deck

restored

using

new

teak timbers at Liam Hegarty's boatyard in west Cork; internal

``It's the first time that an

timbers are also being replaced.

Irish-built vessel has been pre-

The project is expected to take

served

8-10 months to complete.

as

part

of

Ireland's

maritime heritage,'' commented

Sam Corbett, project manager.

``Cill

Airne

represents a unique

Cill Airne

When

navigated

the Ilen River to reach Skibbereen

last

month,

ing product of a Dublin ship-

approximately 100ft to transit

yard

to the boatyard at Oldcourt. At

in

operating

largest

easily

became

still

the

she

maritime treasure as it a surviv-

condition''.

501 gross tonnes,

Forgotten heritage

powered

Corbett contends that Dubliners are unaware of their shipbuilding

heritage,

and

by

y e a r- o l d

highlighted

her

vessel

Cill Airne original

Grosley

* The Irish-built Cill Airne is undergoing major restoration which will cost 2.5m.

is 44

engines,

which are in pristine condition.

Passenger tender

short-lived as the advent of the

in technology as evidenced by

passenger jet soon took prece-

the 51m state-of-the-art bridge

dence,

simulator installed in the new

resulting

in

a

career

lasting only until 1970.

She

was

National

then

sold

Nautical

National Maritime College of to

College

the at

Cork's Regional Technical College (RTC) for use as a training

the importance of the project

Cill Airne

in comparison to the infamous

passenger-tender

gun-running

trans-Atlantic liners that called

provided engineering and radar

to Cobh. Built in 1962 for the

training on the River Lee.

Asgard

that

still

remains an unresolved issue.

According

to

Corbett,

an

was

built to

as

serve

a

the

Cork Harbour Commissioners,

investor intends to operate the

the

tender in Dublin. ``As a work-

tender's

1,000

role

was

ship.

For many years,

Cill Airne

More recently however her

capacity

role became surplus to require-

somewhat

ments with the rapid advances

passenger

PIC: Irish Ship & Barge Fabrication Company

at

Ireland at Ringaskiddy.

Now

painted

owner's

livery,

in

her

new

Cill Airne

is

strikingly smart, with a resplendent black hull, white superstructure

and

traditional

red

funnel topped off with black.

In fact she strongly resembles the

famous

`ferry

across

the

Mersey' ferry fleet with which she

shares

the

same

architects.

Cill Airne's na, also built

sister-ship

naval

Blar-

ment (DSD) purchased the ship

Island ferry

for £250,000. Built at Harland

Another example of Ireland's limited shipbuilding heritage is the former Aran Islands ferry

Naomh EÂanna Grand

berthed in the

Canal

Basin.

Also

a

product of the Liffey shipyard, the former CIE operated vessel currently serves as a dive training school and shop.

Further along the canal lies

Riasc, a modern barge also built by

the

Irish

Ship

&

Barge

Fabrication Co and which operates

as

a

restaurant/excursion

famous White Star Line, she served as a passenger tender to

R.M.S. Titanic.

Perhaps Cill Airne's

Another historic vessel saved

arrival

will herald the beginning of a floating maritime quarter on the River

Liffey

and

serve

as

a

reminder of traditions past in the neighbouring financial and residential district that was once her home. Indeed, the last of the

Lady PatriMiranda Guinness Ð

Guinness ships Ð

cia

and

(the

charter barge venue.

in Dublin, was

& Wolff as the last ship for the

worlds'

first

purpose-built

and

stout

only

tankers),

sold in the 1970s to Bermudian

from

interests and was subsequently

ship-breakers torch is the Bel-

early 1990s, could have also

renamed and sold to Canada

fast built

In late

provided a visitor attraction to

owners. In 2004 the tender was

January, Northern Ireland's De-

explain how the world famous

again up for sale in the US.

partment

`black stuff' is made.

almost

certainty

of

S.S. Nomadic. for

Social

the

Develop-

which

were

scrapped

in

the

Fallout from Irish Ferries dispute Jehan Ashmore reports

support our volunteer crews

In

AFTER one of the most controversial Irish industrial disputes of modern times, the dust at Irish Ferries finally settled down in December.

Over 500 Irish seafarer's jobs were replaced by non-unionised cheaper foreign crew.

further

effort to

reduce

sailings of the fast ferry

nathan Swift

between

Jo-

Dublin

and Holyhead.

Up to 7% of scheduled sailings are affected. The company cites high fuel costs and decreasing tourist traffic. A full service is due to resume in the summer.

Meanwhile

Ulysses

at the Welsh port that security staff

took

Inishmore

of

Isle of

cade by engine-room crew.)

Irish

C o n t i ne n t a l

G ro u p

(ICG), the parent company of Irish

Ferries,

ships

to

has

P&O

leased

Ferries

two until

2007.

They are the former Baltic

to the Cypriot registry marks a

company has slashed fares: a

complete transfer of the fleet;

car

on the company's Irish Sea fleet

the

French-route

mandy

vessel

Nor-

was re-flagged in the

Bahamas in 2004.

continues to operate as normal.

In

a

fare-sales

drive

the

overnight ferry, and

59

the first custom-built ferry for

single (a web-fare) was on offer

Irish Ferries after ICG acquired

last

the

and

driver

month

on

for the

only

Rosslare-

Pembroke Dock route. (It was

ailing

Line.

Telephone: 01 - 2845050 Fax: 01 - 2845052 Email: lifeboatsireland@rnli.org.uk www.lifeboats.ie

Saving Lives at Sea

siege

resulting in a barri-

Pride of Bilbao, Pride of Cherbourg, originally Isle of Innisfree. She was

The demise of the Irish flag

Royal National Lifeboat Institution 15 Windsor Terrace Dun Laoghaire Co Dublin

a

losses, Irish Ferries has reduced

* Reflagged! Irish Ferrives MV Normandy berthed at her French port of Cherbourg

State-owned

B&I

INSHORE IRELAND

February 2006

27

SHIPPING SPOTLIGHT

The pros and cons of airborne laser coastal surveying Roger Millard, UK Hydrographic Office, explains IN October 2005 I was appointed to succeed Martin Wakefield as the head of the branch responsible for charting both Ireland and Scotland at the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO). I have over 30 years experience within the UKHO in the production and manufacturing of charts. This is my first opportunity to work in a geographical area where source information for charts has to obtained directly from it original source.

The UKHO publishes and maintains approximately 3,300 charts covering the world. Data for a majority of these charts is derived from information sup-

plied by the respective foreign Government Hydrographic Office.

The UKHO produces two types of electronic chart: raster which is a scanned image of the paper chart delivered as ARCS, and vector delivered as ENCs. All the charts of Ireland are available in the Admiralty Raster Chart Service (ARCS); however it is currently planned to create ENCs of Ireland when the paper charts referred to WGS84 datum are published.

The majority of current charts are referred to the old 1930's `Ordnance Survey of Ireland Datum', which differs from WGS84 by around 55 metres.

In order to save users having to change back and forth between datums, we plan to work progressively down the east coast and then along the south coast. Elsewhere, we will re-

graduate at the same time as updating for new surveys, if time allows, and thus avoid creating a mixture of datums.

Of course ENCs will be published in areas where they are of most use such as the main ports. In the latter part of 2005, ENCs were published covering the Port of Cork. As WGS84 editions of 1431 of Drogheda and Dundalk, and 1447 of Dublin and Dun Laoghaire are in hand, it is planned that ENCs will follow soon.

Laser technology

A very recent development is that the Irish National Seabed Survey kindly supplied the UKHO with survey data of Mulroy Bay. The survey data was collected using airborne laser technology in just two days. The data is very extensive as the system works at a very

Ports, shipping and maritime safety portfolios move to Transport Department

In a joint statement, ministers Noel Dempsey (marine) and Martin Cullen (transport) said that integration of maritime transport and safety functions under the Transport Policy framework made ``strategic and operational sense. We are in full agreement that this move is in the interests of integrated transport policy delivery; the users of ports and shipping services and the sectors themselves''.

Minister Cullen added that the move made ``obvious sense in the context of the implementation of Transport 21 in the coming months and years''. The associated changes to budgets and Estimates will be reflected in the Revised Estimates Volume to be published in February 2006.

Deputy Tommy Broughan, Labour spokesperson for the marine, has however severely criticised the move: ``This action is yet more evidence of the Ahern/PD government's total disregard for the marine and maritime matters Ð which is astonishing given the fact we are an island nation. Three years ago the Taoiseach declined to appoint a marine minister and only did so because of the severe criticism that the decision generated.''

The deputy added that ``cannibalisation of the

Changes note on Chart 2699 warning mariners of significant changes to depths in the entry to the bay is confirmed. The chart will be updated when the survey data has been validated.

The Mulroy Bay airborne laser survey demonstrates the changes in the way data is collected and charts are updated. The publication of elec-

tronic charts, especially ENCs, allows vessels to navigate using digital methods. The UKHO has to plan, adapt and develop quickly to meet these future requirements. *

If you have any comments or questions please call me on 0044 1823 337900 or email roger.millard@ukho.gov.uk

Ireland lags behind implementing port waste regulations DEPUTY Tommy Broughan, Labour's marine spokesperson has criticised the government for failure to establish adequate structures in Irish ports to deal with ship-generated waste and cargo residue.

Last October the Commission sent `reasoned opinions' Ð the last step before a formal complaint to the Court of Justice is lodged Ð to Belgium, Finland, France, Italy, Portugal Slovenia and Ireland for failure to respect the EU legislation.

Ireland had until December 18 to comply, having failed to

reach an earlier deadline in 2002.

Inshore Ireland understands that the Department of Transport has responded to certain issues relating to this directive. ``It is unclear at this stage [however] whether this response will be deemed sufficient by the European Commission, or whether they will still proceed with some form of action against the Irish government in this regard,'' deputy Broughan told Inshore Ireland.

He added that Ireland has already received one warning:

``It is astonishing that nearly five years after the directive was established we appear no closer to having proper plans in place to protect the environment in our ports.''

The Directive aims at reducing discharge of ship-generated waste and cargo residues into the sea from ships using EU ports.

It obliges member states to develop, approve and implement waste reception and handling plans for all ports, including fishing ports and marinas.

BIM and SEAFISH (UK) with financial support from the North West Region Cross Border Group are pleased to offer a

Fishing Gear Conservation Technology Course

* Marine Surveyors and Minister Pat the Cope Gallagher cut the cake at the new building in Ballyshannon: (l-r) Kevin O'Rourke, Nick Connell, Robert O'Brien, Brian Hogan (Chief Surveyor), Pat the Cope, Gordon Adamson, David Taylor and Dan Hamilton.

RESPONSIBILITY for maritime transport and safety has been transferred to the Department of Transport with effect from January 1.

Functions include: commercial ports; shipping policy regional ports and harbours; the Maritime Safety Directorate and the Irish Coast Guard.

high resolution for data collection; however this leaves the problem of cleaning the information. As the depth data is collected it picks up all floating objects. Therefore, extensive work is needed to determine the difference between a floating yacht and a shoal depth, for example. Initial examination confirms that the Depth

BEFORE the transfer came into effect in January, the Department of Marine, Communications and Natural Resources opened a new branch of the Marine Safety Office in Ballyshannon. The MSO is responsible for the implementation of all national and international legislation in relation to safety of shipping and the prevention of pollution from ship-based sources. ``Ballyshannon Harbour, overlooking Inis Saimer has been an important port, since its beginnings in prehistoric times. Settlers arrived during the stone, bronze and iron ages, attracted by the Erne Waterway. Later, Christian missionaries, Vikings, Normans, Gaelic Chieftains, Spanish Traders, plantation settlers and shipping merchants all traversed these waters,'' Minister Gallagher commented.

The staff comprises six surveyors and two administration personnel. Their work includes safety inspections of vessels; approving designs and drawings for new vessels or modifications to existing vessels and port state control inspections of all vessels calling at Irish ports to ensure that they meet the highest international safety standards.

maritime functions'' would ``irreparably damage the marine sector in Ireland and make tackling the challenges that lie ahead for the fishing industry and maritime communities around the country all the more difficult.''

at SEAFISH’s Flume Tank in Hull.

Two 3-day intensive workshops are being offered to experienced commercial sea fishermen resident in coastal border counties of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This is an invaluable opportunity to gain an in depth understanding of how fishing gear works and learn innovative conservation technology developments to improve sustainability in fisheries.

Application forms for the course may be downloaded from the BIM or SEAFISH websites at www.bim.ie or www.seafish.co.uk, and may be obtained by contacting the Training Co-ordinator Maritta Culley at the contact details below. An allowance of €20 per day will be paid in support of accommodation costs for each day's attendance.

Contact Maritta Culley at 048-42771556 (ROI) or 028-42771556 (NI) Mobile 00 353 (0)87-2904157 E-mail: crossbordertraining@bim.ie

28

INSHORE IRELAND February 2006

MARINE R & D/TECHNOLOGY

Inshore mapping using laser technology

Xavier Monteys, Geological Survey of Ireland, explains

FOR the past 10 years or so, the exact location and size of Bar Rocks Ă? a prominent group of rocks in the mouth of Mulroy Bay (Co. Donegal) Ă? has been debated; however the mystery is now solved.

During September 2005, the airborne laser survey company, Tenix LADS Corporation completed a short survey of Mulroy Bay in order to update the nautical chart of the area, dating from 1856.

The result: improved safety for the mariner, new multidisciplinary mapping and general advantages for a wide range of public activities.

Although local boat owners are well aware of the presence of submerged hazards, it is important to ensure that the local charts are accurate.

Tenix LADS Corporation is an Australian company providing airborne laser hydrographic survey services, (LADS is an acronym for Laser Airborne Depth Sounder.) The LADS system has been used around the world to survey shallow coastal waters. In fact, the Mulroy Bay survey is the third time the LADS team has worked in Ireland for the INSS. Previous surveys included: Clew Bay (2002 and 2003)

inside the bay and 30m outside the bay. The entrance to the bay was surveyed to greater resolution to provide better accuracy for the revision of the navigational charts.

End users

* 3D overview bathymetry of Mulroy bay from the entrance color scale: Blues below zero (-30), greens and reds above zero ( 45m).

and Killala Bay (2003).

Laser pulses

Traditionally, hydrographic surveys are completed using acoustic echo sounders mounted on vessels. The use of aircraft leads to significant increases in speed of surveys, and more importantly safety in shallow waters. Laser technology is based on firing short pulses that are partially reflected from the sea surface

Source, GSI

but in the main penetrate through the water to the seabed.

Then, very accurate receiver systems in the aircraft measure the time difference between reflected light from the sea surface and seabed to determine water depth. In addition, the LADS aircraft includes a digital photo camera, which allows a mosaic image of the survey area to be generated and provides a valuable dataset in itself.

Mulroy bay is intricate in

A range of users in and around Mulroy Bay will benefit from the project. An extensive aquaculture industry predominantly aimed at salmon, mussel, scallop and oyster production exists there. In addition to bathymetric charts, laser backscatter data can be used for sediment type identification, and used for marine habitat mapping. Leisure activities such as sea diving and windsurfing are carried out throughout the Bay. The importance of this survey has been recognised by the rapid use of the data by other organisations such as the Donegal County Council, hydrographic offices, the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

The National Monuments Service who has an interest in marine heritage of the area, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have also expressed interest in the datasets. In addition, laser technology opens a door for onshore-offshore data integration as it allows for mapping areas both above and below sea level.

shape with a complex tidal regime; surveying by vessel would have been difficult and lengthy. The airborne mapping was completed over three days on September 11, 12 and 15.

The aircraft was based at Knock airport from which survey flights were conducted. The total area surveyed was approximately 45 sq km. Water clarity throughout the survey area was good, such that data Improving safety were collected down to 20-25m Welcoming the completion of

the Mulroy Bay Lidar survey, Captain Robert McCabe of the Commissioners of Irish Lights said that through joint collaboration the GSI and Donegal County Council have made a very significant contribution to improving the safety of navigation in Mulroy Bay and its approaches. ``The absence of reliable survey data for this area had prevented the publication of a new edition of the Admiralty Chart and has delayed the provision of improved Local aids to Navigation, which can now be provided. The high quality survey data obtained represents good value for money with a very direct benefit to local users and the wider marine community. ``I would hope that the example set by this practical cooperation can be followed in other areas around our coast to bring our marine charts up to modern standards. Well done to all concerned,'' he said. * The survey was part of the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS), and was jointly funded by the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and Donegal County Council. It represents an excellent example of how pooled funding and expertise from national and local bodies can bene fit the community.

Second programme of seabed mapping is unveiled Report by Glenn Nolan and Fiona Fitzpatrick, Marine Institute

IN only six years, Ireland has developed a world-leading reputation for seabed mapping, which including methodologies, human capacity, knowhow and physical infrastructure. This was accomplished through the successful implementation of the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS), which has mapped over 87% of the Irish continental marine area.

The INSS came to an end in December and from January 2006, the comprehensive follow-on strategy, Integrated Mapping for the Sustainable Development of Ireland's Marine Resource (INFOMAR) will be implemented.

The Marine Institute and the Geological Survey of Ireland prepared the INFOMAR strategy after a detailed preparatory phase.

This involved commissioned research, independent assessment, and extensive consultation with stakeholders.

Designed as a 20-year endeavour, this project again takes a highly innovative approach to seabed mapping. It is scoped to address the development potential of the marine resource, which was valued at approximately 3 billion in 2003, and aims to fulfil some of the requirements to diverse legislative obligations to which Ireland is a signatory.

The follow-on strategy builds

* Figure 2: Stakeholder input identified 26 priority bays and three

priority areas, including the Biologically Sensitive Area, which have been targeted for survey in the first phase of INFOMAR. The surveys will be all-inclusive, and mapping techniques will be selected to deliver the individual requirements identified for each bay, for example priority hydrography, priority environmental, etc.

* Figure 1: Map showing the phases of INFOMAR and areas covered by the INSS project. Many of these previously mapped areas will be revisited for biological and oceanographic sampling.

on existing investments in infrastructure, expertise and know-how. It also takes into account the research priorities that have been identified under the draft National Marine Research and Innovation Strategy 2006-2012.

INFOMAR will establish three core programme elements: data acquisition, data manage-

ment and interpretation; data exchange and integration and value added exploitation. In addition, to the direct benefits associated with mapping the priority inshore areas, major national benefits will also be derived from an expanded focus and enhanced capabilities related to fully developing the potential of the INSS database.

In particular, there are opportunities to be targeted in the marine data integration field where Ireland has the potential to be a significant world player, and in the areas of added-value research and commercial services.

One of the applications of INFOMAR will be in Oceanography. Ocean models are now

routinely used to provide forecasts of ocean conditions and to look back at previous events to better understand them. This is known as model hindcasting.

High quality global ocean models exist but as one approaches the coast, these models become more complex.

Downscaled models of local bays are used to predict harmful algal blooms, recruitment of juvenile fish to a particular fishery, salmon migration, pollution and search, and rescue at sea operations among other applications.

Where coastal models often fall down is in the availability of good quality bathymetric data to drive the model.

Recent comparisons of newly surveyed data and older data sets used by modellers reveal

some startling disparities between the data sets, the newly gathered data being significantly more reliable than the old.

The INFOMAR project will prioritise key bays around the Irish coast where we are developing models and will acquire the badly needed bathymetric maps for these bays in advance of the model grid being formulated.

The ocean modeller will then be equipped with the best possible seabed bathymetry available, and the model performance will benefit immensely from this.

The end product will be a suite of local models for Irish bays that can be used for the myriad of applications discussed above.

INSHORE IRELAND

A year in the life of a polar survey ship

INFOMAR Ð mapping Ireland's near shore

Dublin discussed and reviewed developments in multibeam and

1999 was an historic year for

IN

April 2005, a meeting in

acoustic systems fitted to re-

Ireland as it was in that year

search and other ships. The JCR

that

subsequently worked with the Geological

Survey

of

study

exclusive

needed

for

economic

the

multibeam

bathy-

possible to map the areas not

already

undertaken

by

* James Clark Ross breaks through the remaining winter ice heading towards the wharf at Rothera Research Station.

other Sonardyne

reference

spite very rough seas at times,

volved

system for use in deep water

there were several opportunities

ROV deployments.

to see polar bears on the sea ice

work

in

the

Arctic and Antarctic.

On passage to the UK last

acoustic

The first science cruise after

and other wildlife. The scienti-

survey

the refit was sponsored by the

fic data acquired was extensive

was completed around the is-

Scottish Association for Marine

and ranged from marine biology

land of Montserrat in the Car-

Science (SAMS). Twenty-five

to oceanology to marine geo-

ibbean.

Soufriere

scientists from a range of in-

chemistry. (Further info:www.-

Hills volcano erupted in 1995

stitutions investigated how dif-

sams.ac.uk/news/jcr_2005.htm)

it has become one of the largest

ferent

marine

The ship then made passage

dome eruptions to be scientifi-

ecosystems react to past envir-

to the Antarctic again loaded

cally documented in detail. The

onmental changes. This work is

with materials to start the build

JCR was used to undertake a

important to establish accurate

of a new structure at Rothera

bathymetric survey of the new

predictions of the effects of any

station. (Visit www.antarctica.a-

deposits and to take sediment

future climate changes.

c.uk for cruise details.)

May,

an

opportunistic

Since

the

northern

cores. (The Montserrat survey

As the full instrumentation

Another success last year was

was in collaboration with col-

and survey equipment suite was

confirmation by Earthcam that

leagues from IPGP in Paris who

needed,

Stornaway

JCR's webcam sites was one of

undertook an initial bathymetric

confirmed the refit work had

the top 25 in the world. To view

survey in 2002.)

been completed to specification.

data visit www.antarctica.ac.uk/

The

Living_and_Working/Trans-

Each year the vessel returns

trials

ship

off

sailed

beyond

the

used to develop charted sailing

bathymetric data are as many

routes

as those who use the sea, and

Ireland,

include

and points of interest. These

shipping,

fishing,

aquaculture, seaweed harvest-

would

ing,

sailing

natural

neering,

resources,

engi-

around and be

the

coast

detail

used

activity

of

harbours

to

promote

beyond

the

infrastructure,

traditional sailing centres, thus

renewable ocean energy, mar-

supporting the leisure indus-

ine archaeology, and leisure

try.

sectors, as well as providing stimulus

and

data

to

those

Survey data may be used to develop the offshore boat-an-

the Irish National Seabed Sur-

involved in marine research.

vey (INSS).

gling sector by providing in-

Multi-purpose uses

formation

on

identifying

sandbanks

Detailed

help

other features suitable for an-

reduce conflicts in the coastal

gling. Mapping will facilitate

zone by providing information

improved

on the different potential re-

based leisure activity by deli-

sources and options available.

vering more accurate and up-

This will allow a more en-

to-date charts.

The late Dr Ray Keary of the Geological Survey of Ireland

(GSI)

championed

this

magnificent project. The INSS finished in 2005 but the energy and momentum created has

generated

a

successor

project known as INFOMAR (INtegrated mapping FOr the sustainable Ireland's

development

MArine

of

Resource).

INFOMAR builds on significant expertise developed at the GSI and the Marine Institute (MI) during the INSS. The

focus

of

INFOMAR

mapping

will

lightened approach to be taken when

designating

areas

for

safety

reefs

in

and and

water-

Mapping the inshore is vital due

to

increasing

around

lighting

notably with regard to ship-

areas

in

need

of

the

activity

different activities and high-

coastline,

most

ping, fishing, and aquaculture

special protection.

It will supply policy and

where in many places charts

decision-makers with the ne-

are

cessary tools to provide for

generated from data collected

relied th

upon

that

were

century. Modern

responsible sustainable man-

in the 19

will switch from mapping the

agement of our offshore re-

bathymetric data is essential -

deep

sources,

shore

to

mapping

areas.

A

the

total

near

of

26

priority bays and three priority

many

areas have been identified (see

above.

Marine

Institute

article,

and

development of

the

will and

assist

the

not only to fully realise the full

growth

of

potential of our offshore re-

listed

sources - but most importantly

sectors

for safety at sea.

this

Products and services that

edition). One of these bays,

will flow from the data col-

GSI and MI look forward to

The

INFOMAR

team

at

lected will assist the marine

keeping you informed about

sector

our progress during 2006 and

before returning to the UK in

technology and engineering,

Mulroy Bay was expedited for

possible to elaborate on the

the middle of September. De-

British Antarctic Survey.

new Kongsberg Simrad multibeam

a

for example, the data could be

The beneficiaries of modern

ing the INSS. The mapping of

then onto northern Greenland

and

a

benefits to all the sectors but

area.

Mulroy Bay was mapped dur-

Arctic Circle to Svarlbard and

refit included installation of a array

for

the safety of navigation in the

David Blake is the head of

to the UK for a refit. The 2005

transmit

need

seabed territory, and approved

vessels. JCR activities also insurvey

Government

tunities for Ireland's extensive

zone

metric system on board, it was

the

to map and identify the oppor-

the

(EEZ) survey around Ireland.

Using

Irish

comprehensive seabed survey

(GSI) to complete the bathymetric

the

recognised

Ireland

29

MARINE R&D/TECHNOLOGY

Dr EibhlõÂn Doyle, Geological Survey of Ireland, reports

By David Blake

February 2006

port/Ships/Webcam

*

to

grow.

It

is

not

beyond.

30

INSHORE IRELAND February 2006

MARKETING RETAIL

Salmon producer wins `Food Processor of the Year' award MARINE

Harvest

Ireland

was presented with the national `Food Processor of the Year' award at the 2005 Excellence Ireland awards ceremony

in

D e c e m b e r.

The

company was judged the best food processor in the country for hygiene and food safety.

Catherine McManus, technical and food safety manager, said they were delighted to be a Donegal

winner

at

a

major

national awards ceremony.

Great achievement ``It's a great achievement for everyone involved in the factory

that

we've

been

judged

number one out of all the food processors

in

the

country

in

terms of food safety and hygiene.''

The

awards

ceremony

was

held by the Excellence Ireland Quality Association, which carries out about 2,000 audits a year under the official hygiene and

food

safety

programme.

Marine Harvest was one of four companies short-listed on the basis

of

exceptionally

high

marks in the audit.

Plant manager Pat Connors said the award was a tribute to all the staff: ``This is a surprise audit, and it not only covers food handling but

a

whole

including

range

of

areas,

management,

train-

ing, plant and equipment and staff

areas.

Everyone

works

*

Catherine McManus of Marine Harvest Ireland receives the `Food Processor of the Year' award from Paul O'Grady of Excellence Ireland. Also pictured are Joe Ruddy, Marine

Harvest Ireland and Martin Higgins of Safefood.

that effort is being recognised at national level.'' Managing director of the EIQA, Paul O'Grady,

said

it

all

very hard on hygiene and food

dedication

safety

the highest standards.

and

this

award

means

to

was

about

excellence

and

Howth seafood restaurant is king of them all AIDAN and Joan MacManus, owners of the King Sitric Seafood Restaurant, have scooped the Seafood Restaurant of the Year Award as part of Georgina Campbell's Ireland 2006-the Best of the Best.

Overlooking

the

harbour,

the

King

Sitric provides a birds-eye view of lobster pots on one side and fishing boats landing catch on the other. It is renowned for its fresh seafood dishes, combining the finest local produce with competitive prices.

Aidan MacManus is also president of the Restaurants Association of Ireland and deeply committed to his local seafood suppliers. ``We

#OME AND SEE US AT OUR #OURSES #AREERS %VENTS 3AT TH -ARCH AM PM

h&ISH &ISH &ISH v %VENT ON 3ATURDAY TH -ARCH SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS

Where do you train?

The industr industryy kno knows! ws!

are

delighted

to

this

*

continuing to bring top class Irish seafood

Georgina Campbell and Helen Brophy, market development manager, BIM, with Aidan

MacManus

to our guests, he said.

Top chef brings Donegal salmon to US DONEGAL

Salmon

fish are the future. Wild salmon

from the Marine Harvest opera-

Silver

is increasingly hard to get. It

tion in Lough Swilly was flown

probably

out to New York late last year for

one

of

prestigious

the

world's

food

most

events.

The

salmon was used by Michelin chef Derry Clarke to showcase Irish cooking at the Gourmet Institute weekend. The event, organised

0RACTICAL #OURSES IN &ISHERY 3TUDIES FROM &IRST $IPLOMA TO $EGREE !LSO 3HORT #OURSES IN &ISHERY -ANAGEMENT

receive

prestigious award and look forward to

by

Gourmet

maga-

peared

would

at

this

have stage

the pressure. The same is true for other types of fish as well.

The fortunate thing is that we're getting

real

improvements

like

Swilly,'' he added.

critics

from

throughout the US. salmon

and

Jameson

whiskey dish was well received. ``I usually use wild salmon for this dish but I tried Donegal Silver and I was impressed with it. The quality is excellent. It's a very good example of how fish farming gressed

in

Ireland

over

the

salmon

from

Lough

Eve-Anne McCarron, head of

The combination of Donegal Silver

in

the quality of some farmed fish,

chefs

food

the

farmed fish wasn't taking off

zine, brings together celebrity and

disapif

has

years,''

prore-

marked Clarke. ``The reality is that farmed

marketing at Marine Harvest, explained that the company was in

the

process

Donegal

of

Silver

marketing

worldwide.

``We're fortunate that we have the resources of Marine Harvest internationally, but it's still a big challenge world

to

reach

markets

from

out this

into far

western corner of Europe,'' she said.

*

One

of

Ireland's

top

chefs,

Derry

Clarke

of

the

Michelin

star

restaurant L'Ecrivain in Dublin, and US travel operator Jay Warren with a

display

of

whiskey-cured

Donegal

Institute weekend in New York.

Silver

salmon

at

the

Gourmet

INSHORE IRELAND

February 2006

31

MARKETING/RETAIL

Fishy winter warmers

By Ian Mannix, BIM

AT this time of year many people are watching their figures after the festive period and taking more of an interest in the foods they are eating.

But when it's cold outside, it's important that we eat warming, filling food, which will help us to cope with the rigours of winter, and the unpredictable Irish climate.

A healthy body needs a wide variety of nutrients: protein, fats, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals and all in the right balance. When thinking about getting to a healthy weight, beware of any weight reducing plan that advises you to cut out any food group or nutrient. You also need to be careful when you are reducing your portions.

If you are eating less food you have to make sure that the foods you are eating are rich in the nutrients you need.

Fish is an excellent food to eat at any time and particularly when you are trying to reduce

the calories while keeping all the nutrients. Fish is naturally rich in protein and is needed to help the body repair itself and to build muscle. This is especially important if you decide to exercise to help your weight loss.

Nutritious and healthy Fish is also a rich source of vitamins and minerals including iodine, selenium and B vitamins. Iodine is needed for a healthy metabolism and selenium is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect against diseases such as heart disease and cancer. B vitamins are important in helping your body to release energy from food.

Oil-rich fish such as trout, mackerel and salmon have high levels of omega-3 fats and vitamins A and D. Omega-3 fats are essential fats found in very few foods and oil-rich fish are a major source of omega 3 fats. Omega-3 fats help to protect against heart disease and may help protect against

IASC Conference & Trade Show 2006 THE Irish Association of Seafood Companies (IASC) is the national development association representing the independent retailers and processors supplying the Irish market.

The IASC Conference & Trade Show 2006 will take place in the Corrib Great Southern Hotel, Galway on Saturday & Sunday February 18 & 19, 2006.

The conference is the key event in the Association's calendar and will be formally opened by the marine minister Pat the Cope Gallagher on the Saturday evening. This will be followed by a drinks reception and sponsored seafood buffet.

On Sunday morning the conference will include presentations from guest speakers on key issues in the Irish

retail and processing trade.

After lunch the trade show will continue for the rest of the afternoon, hosting a range of manufacturers and service suppliers' stands.

The IASC Conference & Trade Show 2006 is an opportunity for seafood retailers and wholesalers to catch up on what's new in the industry and network with fellow members from around the country.

Equally, it's an opportunity for those who sell to and support the trade to renew their acquaintance with customers, old and new, and do business both on the day of the show and afterwards.

We look forward to seeing you in Galway!

* Left to right front to back: Martina Clarke (IASC); Nicki Holmyard

(North Sea Women's Network); Trish Slater (NIWFN); Brid Duncan (Mna na Mara);Jean Carson (NIWFN); Clare Butler (BIM); Standing Second Row: Maritta Cullety (SFITA); Catherine Barrett (BIM);Joanne McCullough (NIWFN); Lou Henning (NIWFN); Shelia White (Mna na Mara); Lilly McKee (NIWFN); Betty Armstrong (NIWFN); Peigi Ryder (Mna na Mara); Jacqui McConville (Board Member of BIM); Marie TheÂreÁse Molloy (BIM); Third row Standing: Patricia Comiskey (BIM); Jennifer Annett; Tanya McCullough (NIWFN); Susan Steele (BIM).

other diseases such as arthritis and Alzheimer's. Vitamin D is very important at this time of year.

Lack of sunlight during the winter means that people are low in vitamin D, and oil-rich fish is one of the few foods that contain vitamin D. Shellfish have all the benefits of other fish as well as being good sources of iron. White fish such as whiting, haddock and cod are very low in fat and, like all fish, are quick and easy to cook. So when you start to think about getting to a healthy weight, think about fish as a healthy, nutritious option.

Smoked fish is particularly suited to creating these delicious winter meals, perfect for everything from hearty stews to chowders and pies. Smoked fish such as cod or coley has a distinctive taste, and can be used in recipes with a variety of other fish, such as shellfish or white fish.

One of the easiest ways to prepare smoked fish is to sim-

ply poach it in enough milk to cover it and allow to simmer over a medium heat for six or seven minutes. The poaching liquid can also be used to create a parsley sauce, which is a perfect accompaniment for the fish. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables for a quick and simple meal solution perfect for feeding the family on a cold winters eve.

The chowder in the recipe can also be served in a scooped out sourdough bread, which is a famous dish in San Francisco. If you cannot find sourdough bread, any crusty round loaf would be fine Ð simply use a sharp knife to carefully cut a `lid' off the loaf; scoop out the bread inside and fill with piping hot chowder.

It's a great way to serve it, and the bread can be eaten towards the end. It tastes delicious after it has soaked up all the lovely juices from the chowder.

Seafood chowder Serves 4

* 450 g fish, filleted, skinned & cut into 2cm cubes ie. pollock, * * * * *

smoked fish, haddock 500 ml milk 4 rashers of rindless smoked bacon.

1 large onion, diced.

1 small tin sweet corn, drained.

Small knob butter.

2 large peeled potatoes cut into small cubes.

Handful chopped fresh parsley.

* Salt and pepper.

Method Boil potatoes until soft. Remove one half and mash the other half. Set aside.

In a saucepan melt the butter, and gently fry the onion and bacon.

Add sweet corn, potatoes, fish and milk.

Stir gently and simmer for four to five minutes. Season to taste.

Serve sprinkled with chopped parsley.

Marine Harvest invests in worldwide sales operation LEADING Donegal-based fish farming company, Marine Harvest Ireland, has set up a new sales and marketing team in Fanad as part of plans to boost worldwide sales of its salmon brands. The company acquired complete control of Donegal Silver in Ireland and internationally last month and has also had responsibility for the Clare Island organic brand since late summer. Previously both brands were represented by the Irish Seafood Producers Group.

The new sales and marketing unit at Rinmore is headed up by sales director Pat Connors who also has overall charge of processing; Eve-Anne McCarron was appointed marketing and business development manager last year; Deirdre Waters is the sales co-ordinator and Bernie Power is the sales administrator.

According to Connors, Marine Harvest Ireland needed to get closer to its customers in order to develop the brands and new products: ``Fish farming, like many

other sectors, is getting more and more competitive. It's vital that we build up good relationships with the people who are buying the fish from Dublin to Paris to Boston,'' he said. ``If we know their needs, the pressures they're under and the customers they're supplying, we'll have a much better idea how to look after them. We'll also be able to think of new ways of doing business with them.''

Connors added that the company wanted to do more than simply process salmon at the plant at Rinmore: ``You hear a lot about `adding value' these days, and that's what we have to do. We must move towards supplying not just whole salmon but also salmon fillets, salmon portions for supermarkets, salmon dishes for the microwave. That's more profitable and means that you're in a better position to weather the rising costs in Ireland these days.''

Good year According to Connors, 2005 was a good year for the company. ``Donegal Silver brand performed very well, particularly in Ireland and France. It also received a boost from one of Ireland's top chefs, Derry Clarke of L'Ecrivain in Dublin when he chose the brand for a dish he cooked to showcase Irish cuisine at a major gourmet weekend in New York late last year.''

Demand for Marine Harvest's organic brand, Clare Island, is also growing fast. The Clare Island farm off the coast of Mayo has been working at capacity for months. According to Eve-Anne McCarron it was a big challenge to take over the sales and marketing a few months ago, but it has worked out well. ``Thankfully Clare Island salmon is flying out the door and we've built up great links with our customers in Ireland, Europe and also now in the US. It's

Women in fisheries conference

WOMEN from both sides of the border working in the fishing industry recently met to discuss common issues and to build bonds for future co-operation. The representative groups were the Northern Ireland Women in Fisheries Network (NIWFN) and Mna na Mara.

The one-day seminar was part of a cross-border fisheries training programme funded under INTERREG IIIA, involving BIM and SEAFISH with the support of the Sea Fish Industry Association (Northern Ireland) Ltd. (SFITA) BrõÂd Duncan (Mna na Mara and joint chair) explained that although the role of women in fisheries communities was vital it was not always recognised. Mna na Mara is a national group set up in the 1960s to support fishermen and their families and has evolved to meet

new challenges in an industry that was often the only substantial employer in remote rural areas.

The group is in regular contact with similar networks in other countries for inspiration and guidance.

Trish Slater (joint chair) explained that NIWFN was established in 2003. Their aspiration is to strengthen cross border ties, organise training, and arrange learning visits and exchanges with women in other countries to find common solutions to common problems.

Patricia Comiskey, BIM, spoke about the North Western Waters Regional Advisory Council of which Mna na Mara is an active member. Nicki Holmyard, leader of the North Sea Women's Network told of her experiences on the

executive committee of the North Sea RAC and the socio-economic watchdog role that her group is responsible for.

Eileen Sun, DARDNI, discussed the importance of cross-border networking and outlined the grants available for project work. Clare Butler, BIM, provided an overview of the technical options available to set up cross-border communications using IT networks.

Catherine Barrett also of BIM spoke on food safety aspects of seafood production and the importance of traceability and labelling.

She spoke of BIM's Quality Seafood Programme, which is being put into practice across the seafood sector and is making important strides in improving quality and safety of seafood.

BIM's Dr Susan Steele spoke on

* New members of Marine Harvest Irealnd team: Deirdre Waters and Bernie Power.

been a very positive few months and very encouraging for the new sales team in Fanad.''

McCarron added that trying to drive sales and marketing from the western tip of Europe was a challenge but also had advantages: ``We've two brands in demand and that's a brilliant start for our sales and marketing efforts. The fact that we're now part of the the world's largest aquaculture company, Nutreco, is also a big help in terms of marketing internationally.''

aquaculture and fisheries training and the opportunities for women in these sectors. She explained that in 2003 women made up just 4% of BIM's student base but by 2005 this number had risen to 18%.

(Seaweed farming is attracting a record number of women.)

Funding is available for a variety of training courses under the BIM/ SEAFISH Cross-Border Fisheries Training Programme (INTERREG IIIA) and will continue until the middle of 2007.

BIM, SEAFISH and the Sea Fish Industry Training Association (Northern Ireland) hopes that new bonds and friendships will be forged throughout the year to improve the future of fishing communities in Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland.

32

INSHORE IRELAND February 2006

From coast to counter, we know where they've been.

In these days of increasing consumer awareness, it's vital to give reassurance about product origin, quality and freshness.

BIM's Quality Seafood Programme has been designed to do just that, introducing a system of traceability from farm all the way to the shop or supermarket shelf. This valuable programme already applies to salmon and mussels, and will soon be extended to other seafood products.

For more information on our Quality Seafood Programme, visit www.bim.ie/qsp.

T H E

S O U R C E

O F

E X C E L L E N C E