Inshore Ireland 2.5 October 2006 by Inshore Ireland Publishing

Bimonthly

incorporating

News from the coast and inland waterways

Aquaculture Ireland

Habitats Directive

The Flynn interview

Outside Ireland

Page 6

Pages 18

Page 27

Ireland in breach of regulations

We talk with the IFA's Richie Flynn

EU/Chile fisheries deal - no miracle for workers

October 2006 Vol 2 Issue 5

Inshore fisheries . . . . . . . . . . . 12 - 14 Island living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 - 17 Aquaculture news . . . . . . . . . 19 - 23 Marine R&D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 - 33

Questions to State agencies:

* Do you think that continua-

NATURE'S CRUEL BEAUTY * Rocks close to Burtonport, Co Donegal, where the 128ft Skifjord went aground in 1981 with the loss of five lives. Report, page 4.

Photo: J Rafferty

Questions on sealice debate elicit one-sided response By Gery Flynn

CONFIRMATION that the Department of Communications Marine and Natural Resources is to re-examine the sealice issue will be welcomed by salmon farmers, anglers, fishery owners and conservationists alike as a way of finally solving a problem which has created

bitterness since it came to the fore in the early 1980s. Responding to nine questions (see sidebar) which Inshore Ireland submitted to it and other relevant State agencies on foot of a series of articles published in this paper on the subject of sealice, the Department only released a statement, as follows: `The Department and the

Marine Institute are acutely aware that the increase in the incidence of sealice poses a major challenge for both the fish farming and wild fishery sectors. This is despite the fact that the level of monitoring undertaken in Ireland compares very favourably with other states. A high level group has been re-convened by the De-

Strength in Unity for all Aquaculture Producers Join to-day - call 01-4508755 or visit our web site www.ifa.ie

has resulted in the entire sealice issue being brought forward once again for discussion and, hopefully, resolution. Meanwhile, one of the country's best-known salmon farmNew broom ers has hit out at how the This statement appears to bear Department has handled the out speculation that personnel issue of sealice over the past changes at a senior level within decade. the Department of the Marine To page 2 partment to examine all aspects of the issue. The re-convened group has met once and is expected to agree an interim report shortly.'

tion of the sealice monitoring programme on Irish salmon farms is warranted? *Do you think that continuation of the sealice monitoring programme on sea trout postsmolt in estuarine/lower river reaches is warranted? *Do you think that the by-law prohibiting the retention of rod-caught and commercially-caught sea trout in the West of Ireland is warranted? *What is the current status of sea trout in the West of Ireland? *If you believe that sealice from salmon farms infest wild salmonids in Ireland, where do you think this infestation occurs now? *Do you believe that all Irish salmon farms are guilty of causing the sealice infestation of wild fish, or could it be that geographic and hydrographic circumstances cause some farms to infest and others to avoid it? *If you believe that such infestations occur in or near to river estuaries as wild smolts emerge, how do you think that the parasites get there from the farms? *A list of over 40 reasons is offered for the collapse of wild salmonid stocks, in particular sea trout. What, in your view, have been the five most damaging, and in order? *Some feel that the `statistical hypothesis' did much to incriminate salmon farms in the sea trout collapse. Others disagree. What is your own view of the status of the hypotheses today?

Home of The Irish Salmon Growers' Association The Irish Trout Producers' Group & The Irish Shellfish Association

INSHORE IRELAND October 2006

NEWS * From page 1

In a statement to Inshore Ireland, Jan Feenstra, a former chairman of the Irish Salmon Growers Association and managing director of Donegal-based Marine Harvest Ireland, the country's biggest farmed salmon producer, has appealed for the finger-pointing to stop and real discussion to begin: ``Laying blame gets rid of frustration but achieves little else. Worse still, it narrows minds and perspectives, and it definitely hampers communication. Anybody genuinely interested in saving seatrout should surely come forth now with

constructive suggestions,'' Feenstra declared. He said that the real cause of the decline of seatrout has been blurred by a lack of movement by the Department in bringing the two sides of the debate together because of ``too many other agendas involved.'' Feenstra argued that as a salmon farmer he could be viewed as having a vested interest in the contention that his activities had nothing to do with the lice: ``Yet I am also a scientist and an environmentalist, and on this issue I have little doubt that salmon farms are guilty only by association. I can think of loads

of other parties to blame,'' he said. Arguing his case further, Feenstra called for a study to be carried out on both parasite and host Ă? sealice and seatrout - ``from first principles''. ``Studying sealice on salmon farms will unlikely provide the answers that are required to support our efforts in conserving our wild fisheries. Salmon farmers are extremely interested in studying sealice because liceinfested fish do not convert food effectively. Anglers too should share this interest rather than being focused only on eliminating salmon farms.'' ``The fact also that fishery

boards have consistently objected to new salmon farming licence applications, when such applications were specifically designed to support a farm's control of sealice on its stocks, surely tells a story,'' he said. And he added: ``Why has the regulator not insisted that the farm raises its fallowing practices by providing it with more sites to operate? There are plenty of individuals within the Department who have tried to stimulate this approach. But, as an overall regulatory machine, this just hasn't progressed.'' Feenstra said that despite spending millions of euro on

monitoring sealice levels on salmon farms it has brought little benefit. On the contrary, he said that such action has actually resulted in farmers using more anti-salmon lice treatments and accelerating the imminent resistance that will make such available therapies less effective. Richie Flynn, executive secretary of IFA Aquaculture, the representative body for Ireland's aquaculture industry, welcomed the news of the high-level meeting, and he pledged his willingness to ``work with anybody who is really concerned about solving this issue''.

``My hope now is that we have at last reached a stage where fighting is off the agenda. And now that the Secretary General of the Department and his senior staff have taken this issue on board, I welcome it as a positive move,'' he said. Flynn added he hoped that lessons had been learned on both sides of the argument after the bitterness which the whole debate had engendered. ``As salmon farmers we look forward to when we will be part of the solution because we are looking for solutions and not trying to create problems.''

Mackerel quota reduced following investigation * The pelagic fleet in Killybegs awaits the outcome of discussions.

By John Rafferty

THE Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, John Browne, is to address the reductions to Ireland's 2006 mackerel quota. The timing of this decision couldn't be worse for the pelagic industry, which is currently in a perilous situation. The

fishing town of Killybegs is testament to an industry in crisis as boats are tied up, factories are closed and even some local businesses are facing imminent closure. In an attempt to address the situation, the Government has decided to deduct mackerel quota from vessel owners who have breached EU regulations by landing undeclared macker-

Photo: G Mills

el. A statement from the Department reads: `The Minister

will write immediately to the individual vessel owners involved in order to examine such representations as may be made on an individual basis. Having considered same, he will make the requisite adjustments in respect of the management of the autumn fishery. Any balance of the 6,578 tonnes deducted

from Ireland's 2006 mackerel quota, which is not met following the application of these reductions to the allocations of vessel owners who the Minister is satisfied breached Community Regulations and landed mackerel illegally, will be applied to the other vessels in the RSW Pelagic fleet on a pro rata basis.'

Sean O'Donoghue, Killybegs

Fishermen's Organisation (KFO) believes that the timing of the decision is ``all wrong. We are extremely annoyed and disappointed that this has not been resolved and so we are calling on Ministers Browne and Dempsey to get it resolved so the mackerel fishermen can get on with their work.'' He added: ``There is a minimum of three to four weeks

when they can fish for mackerel and if this isn't sorted soon there will be no mackerel fishing at all this year.'' Talks are continuing with the EU Commission as a result of the UK investigations into the undeclared illegal landings in the period 2001 to 2004. Any reductions to Ireland's future mackerel quotas will be considered at a later date.

INSHORE IRELAND

October 2006

NEWS

Shell resumes work on gas terminal Report by Shay Fennelly

SHELL Exploration & Petroleum Ireland has resumed work at the Bellanaboy gas terminal site with the assistance of the GardaõÂ who removed protestors from the site entrance. About 100 local people opposed to the location of the terminal and the onshore pipeline route blocked Shell's access to the site at the end of September. Work was suspended in 2003 following the jailing of five local men for 94 days for their opposition to the onshore pipeline route. The Corrib gas partners, he said agreed with the government appointed mediator Peter Cassell's recommendation that the onshore pipeline route be modified within the vicinity of Rossport to address the outstanding concerns about proximity to housing.

Alternative route

* Gardai at the protest in Bellanaboy, Co Mayo. (Photo: S Fennelly)

At a press briefing to announce commencement of work, Shell's manager Terry Nolan said that the process of finding a new route would take at least a year before a formal application would be made to the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. This, he outlined, would involve seven stages: discussions with statutory bodies; identifying possible routes; talking to landowners; technical and environmental studies; wider community consultation; preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and

submitting the new application and EIS to DCMNR. Mr Nolan said Shell's current work plan was to upgrade the water treatment facility on the site and to prepare for the peat haulage (approximately 100,000 tonnes) to restart next spring. The water treatment facility prevents pollution of local watercourses by treating 200 cubic metres of water daily, by removing aluminium in suspension from the site water runoff caused by removing the peat and boulder clay.

Offshore no option

In relation to an offshore platform, Mr Nolan said that to develop an offshore platform installed 83km off the coast ``would have to be as high as

the Empire State building'' and that conditions were ``rougher than in the North Sea''. He added it would be hazardous to fly in the conditions off Mayo. ``No oil & gas company would contemplate putting a rig out there. The Shell to Sea concept is never going to happen,'' he said. Inshore Ireland asked Dr Mark Garavan, Shell to Sea spokesman what was their development concept? ``Shell to Sea never asked for a platform at the wellhead. We have argued for shallow water platform, no more than a few miles from the coast.

Nolan was being ``deliberately disingenuous'', and added that the DCMNR report by the Marine Licence Vetting Committee had also discounted an offshore platform but had never addressed the shallow water platform option: ``When An Bord PleanaÂla refused planning permission for the gas terminal in 2003, the senior planning inspector stated in his report: `In my

Shallow water option

because of a breakdown of trust

Dr Garavan added that Mr

opinion, the development of a shallow water fixed steel jacket option appears a better option from an environmental perspective, based upon the developer's own

assessment

Shell's

position

criteria'. untenable

between them and the community

','' Dr Garavan concluded.

Corrib Gas partners say they have majority consent A statement from Shell E&P (October 9) contends there is `strong evidence that the majority of people in Mayo and Erris support

'. In the first instance it refers to the Peter Cassells report, published in July, which stated: `It is clear a majority of people in Rossport, the wider Erris area and Co Mayo are in favour of the project.' This report was compiled following a sevenmonth mediation process during which Mr Cassells spoke with a wide cross-section of people in the local area and throughout Co Mayo. In the second place, the statement notes that 45 companies from Erris and Co Mayo expressed interest to work on the Bellanaboy terminal: `The Corrib Partners have received more the Corrib Gas project proceeding

than 300 enquiries from people seeking employ-

ment at Bellanaboy. Up to 700 jobs will be

available

once

peat

removal

and

terminal

.' The statement adds it has received `wide-

construction commences in 2007

spread positive feedback from people in the local community following the resumption of work at Bellanaboy last week. There has been public support for the project from many elected community representatives as well as prominent

'. According to its own market research conducted prior to the resumption of work, Shell suggests the results show clearly that a majority of people believe it has been responsive to the local community over the past 12 months. The majority favour the recommencement of work and that given the available options, Corrib gas should be processed at Bellanaboy gas terminal rather than be left untouched at sea.' business groups

CUSTOMS DRUGS WATCH

HAVE YOU SEEN OR HEARD ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS?

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

1800 295 295 CONFIDENTIAL FREEPHONE

INSHORE IRELAND October 2006

NEWS

Ombudsman raises concerns over compensation scheme By John Rafferty

THE Ombudsman is to instigate a formal investigation into the treatment of the Byrne family from Bruckless, Co. Donegal, who were excluded from the government-sponsored compensation scheme, Lost at Sea, following the loss of two family members in a fishing tragedy almost 25 years ago. On the night of October 31, 1981, owner and skipper Francis Byrne aged 40; his sixteen-yearold son Jimmy and three crew members: Des McGovern, Newport, Co. Mayo; Tony O'Brien, Glasnevin, Dublin and Jim Lafferty, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, lost their lives when their fishing vessel the 128ft Skifjord struck a rock and sank close to the fishing village of Burtonport. Four other crewmembers survived the ordeal. Lost at Sea was launched in 2001 by then marine minister, Frank Fahey. It ran for six

months; however just six out of 67 applicants qualified for compensation. The scheme, which was not widely publicised, allowed boats lost at sea to have their capacity registered and transferred to another vessel or sold on, and provided compensation in the form of tonnage quota to families or people who had lost fishing boats between 1980 and 1990. The Byrne family was not informed until after the closing date of the EU-funded scheme. Their application, which was therefore rejected, would have seen the value of 240 tonnes being returned to the family. Two beneficiaries, to the tune of 2m in tonnage/quota, were from Frank Fahey's Galway West constituency. This represented 75% of the replacement tonnage allocated. A letter from the Ombudsman to the secretary general of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources describes the decision as `seriously deficient and flawed'.

MEP calls for simplification of regulation jargon DURING recent discussions in Brussels to simplify Common Fisheries Policy regulations, MEP SeaÂn OÂ Neachtain said that to understand EU legislation, fishermen need to be ``legal experts, have a degree in literature to understand Euro-speak, a doctorate in macro economics and have done a couple of theses on fishery-related scientific issues.''

The three-year action plan (2006-2008) is based on three main objectives:

* making existing texts simpler, clearer and more accessible * reducing the workload and administrative costs and, * reducing the burdens and restrictions imposed on fishermen

``Efforts will be made to focus on simplifying all texts, notably relating to the con-

servation of fish stocks policy and also the monitoring of fishing activities,'' he said. Welcoming the action plan, OÂ Neachtain however outlined the need for more extensive pre-legislative consultation of all the parties affected, and added that the Regional Advisory Councils must also play their full role in this process.

PRAISE FOR PROMOTION OF HIGH QUALITY * Speaking after the annual general meeting in Trinity College, Dublin, of the EU Federations of National Fish Processing and Fish Trading Associations, Marine Minister John Browne praised the emphasis placed on the promotion of a high quality, environmentally positive image. This is in addition to ``ensuring fair competition in relation to fish product imports from Third Countries with regard to hygiene, quality and labelling requirements.'' Pictured (l-r): Pat Keogh, chief executive, BIM; Tom Geoghegan, National Secretary, Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association, Minister Browne and Gus Pastoor, chairman of AIPCE, European Fish Processors Association.

INSHORE IRELAND

October 2006

COMMENT

IT has often been said that when it comes to conflict resolution, as a nation, we are rarely at our best, and few would disagree that we have a lot to learn when it comes to the art of civilised debating. Respect for the other point of view Ð no

matter how unacceptable we might find it Ð is

be whoever manages to be the loudest and most

thing? Will history repeat itself, and are the

ling

abusive.

mistakes of the past to be re-visited?

extent that it has never fully managed to

It was the mid-1980s when salmon farming began to be blamed for the demise of the wild

Despite all the bitter words it's now

Media has replaced the cross-roads, and who-

seatrout. As the arguments began to fly, it wasn't

time to make a united effort and face the

ever wields the biggest stick (loudest voice)

long before the prevailing sound was that of

problem of sealice.

wins the argument!

heels being dug in and bunkers being built Ð on

Fuelled by a lazy and ignorant media which

debate on talk-radio phone-ins.

lice on the national agenda. This time we are

rarely bothered to dig deep enough so that all the

told they are determined to find a resolution.

facts

And with callers gleefully tearing metapho-

The question now is have we learned any-

rical lumps out of one another, the winner will

both

sides

the

the past slights.

more to place the vexed issue of seatrout and sea

that

headed for the abyss, where it remains.

last week that the Department of Marine is once

naturally

hope

argument are big enough to forget about

day of the week and hear the dismal standard of

comes

Let's

both sides Ð as the standard of the debate

Anyone who doubts this should tune in any

that

recover.

Our national approach to debate is actually a

This becomes relevant with the announcement

something

aquaculture industry to such an

type of modern day verbal faction fighting.

us.

not

tnemmoC

Resolution in sight for sealice/seatrout saga?

could

reported,

the

issue

It can be different this time round.

Ð Gery Flynn

Features Editor

divided

communities and managed to hobble the fledg-

Chile salmon farming: no miracle for workers Too many pots chasing limited stock DEAR

Madam,

This summer, the East Water-

This decision was not easily

ford Lobster Fishermen's Co-op

arrived at; it did not suit every-

completed

body but there was goodwill

Lobster

years

the

Conservation

Pro-

gramme. By returning, on average, over 1,000 female lobsters per season back into the sea, the fishermen

hope

heavily-targeted

save

species

this from

being wiped out. Assisted and monitored by officers and staff of BIM, co-op members weigh, measure and then mark each lobster by clipping a `v-notch' to its tail fin. After this process, the lobsters are taken back by boat to as near

possible

the

area

where they were caught. According

law,

notched

lobsters

these

are

caught

again, they cannot be landed and must be immediately returned to the sea. Fishermen pay a 2% levy of

shown

and

agreement

was

reached. Unfortunately, however, the pot limit sought by fishermen and approved of by scientists and by BIM officers has not been implemented. Members of both Waterford and

Wexford

Lobster

Fisher-

men's Co-ops sought licences similar to the salmon driftnet licence could

that

some

exercised

control on

new

entries to the industry. These were

promised

successive

ministers of the marine but to date, nothing has happened and the

problem,

been

parked

appears,

with

has

successive

attorney generals. The

fact

that

time

their gross earnings to enable

longer on the side of conserva-

their co-op to buy in suitable

tion is clearly indicated by the

lobsters at the current market price;

has offered Norway and Chile a

growth,

socio-economic miracle: stabi-

waters, modifying the fishery

ports

show

lity

their

ecosystem, and keeping Chile's

60%

coastal communities as well as

poorest regions poor. Salmon

checked violate the labour laws.

substantial

export

earnings'.

farming may earn Chile vast

In 2005, there were 13 regis-

escaped

This

doubts

about

sums, but it has proved incap-

tered deaths of workers, mainly

region of 1,460 to 1,825 tonnes

able of redistributing the wealth

amongst the divers working at

of native species annually with

generated.

the aquaculture centres.

a high economic value worth

and

prosperity

raises

for

the

economic success in Chile. Last

2005,

year was another record break-

Spanish

ing one, with 383,700 tonnes of

Frontiers

salmon

US$100

exports

earning

polluting

study

NGO

Vets

(VSF)

Without

shows

earned

from

every

salmon

US$4.50 to the labour force.

used for the salmon is carried

Chile's southern regions have

out. Chile uses 75 to 100 times

DEAR

co-defendant

the

incorporated

farming industry. Your failure to

fish

farm

lobby

typified by Neil Bass's contri-

into

the

farm's

do so is not in your interest, and

aquaculture licence). On the basis of their agree-

bution to your September issue Ð

ment, we for our part agreed to

mortally wounds the credibility

suspend temporarily the litiga-

of your publication.

tion and, if (and only if) the deal

(`A

lep

the

dark...')

subsequently

those

describes.

advent of the Killary farm.

bours

with

the

their

South

neigh-

Wexford

Co-op, the Waterford members have maintained their conservation efforts, despite many setbacks and disappointments and when landings have been in-

The question facing the East Waterford

Board

Manage-

ment is this: For how much longer asked

can

our

to pay

members

the levy

when

their investment in money, time and sheer hard work is without any protection? Another question worth ask-

Delphi

Fishery

experienced

before

the

Job done; action dropped.

The facts are these: after two and a half days of a High Court

Sadly, of course, lice levels in

hearing to consider our request

the new millennium and under

for an injunction against Killary

different ownership of the farm

Salmon's

have

duction,

substantial it

became

overproclear

that

the presiding judge was hostile

lawyers

interval,

therefore

Killary's

approached

not

been

well

con-

have again collapsed. There is no longer any debate in

serious

scientific

circles

about the certain link between sea lice on salmon farms and

ours looking for a deal. The position of the sea trout

wild fish mortality. While there

fishery owners has always been,

may still be a few luddites, such

``No lice, no problem''. Accord-

as Mr Bass, who continue to

is taken to protect this valuable

ingly, we asked for, and got, a

engage in wishful thinking and

two co-ops. Following meetings

asset and the families whose

binding commitment from Kill-

clutching

and discussions, the two co-ops

livelihood depends upon it?

ary Salmon that their lice levels

straws, the latest peer-reviewed

would not exceed specified very

research from Canada, Norway,

low maxima for three consecu-

Scotland

tive migrations of sea trout.

consistent, clear and irrefutable:

creasing

year-on-year

due

increased effort. Seeking to cap the escalating pot numbers, BIM consulted the

returned a vote showing 95% of the membership in favour of a 400-pot limit within six miles of the shore for all boats fishing

ing is: Must the lobster stock crash before any positive action

Yours sincerely,

Trevor Simpson East Waterford Lobster Fishermen's Co-op

and

overclutched

Ireland

are

all

We further secured a commit-

sea lice from farms are wiping

ment from the Government (the

out wild sea trout and, in many locations, wild salmon, too.

Inshore Ireland bimonthly

is published the

Agricultural

Trust, publishers of the Farmers Field,

Journal

Printed by

Irish

and the

Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell,

Gillian Mills mills@inshoreireland.com

01-2354804/087-2902045

Features editor Gery Flynn

flynn@inshoreireland.com

the Irish Times, 10

Production & imaging Irish Farmers Journal

Advertising manager

the

tongue-in-cheek posturing

the likes of Neil Bass that is responsible for so much of the hostile press that the salmon

The publishers do not accept

farming industry now receives

responsibility

on a daily basis.

for

the

veracity

of claims made by contributors

091-844822/085-7475797

pseudo-scientific

Ð 16 D'Olier St, Dublin 2

Irish

Dublin 12

Editor

01-2859111/087-2611597

and

advertisers.

care

accuracy contained

While

taken of in

every

ensure

information

Inshore

Ireland,

we do not accept responsibility

Roger Cole

for

silchester@eircom.net

arising from same.

any

errors,

matters

Irish Association of Seafood Companies

trolled and our sea trout runs

to the farm's claims. During the lunchtime

Peter Mantle Managing Director Delphi Fishery Ltd

complied

trout were back to over 50% of

Together

Brian O'Riordan, Brussels Office Secretary, ICSF

the industry's own interests.

the laughable fantasy that he

this area.

Socio-economic miracle no, cancer of the coasts yes.

and relocation of the salmon

number of lobsters too small to

longer be a lobster fishery in

equipment

rickettsia U2 (spotted fever).

quently, and without precedent,

1999, the runs of healthy adult

for the future in our area.

other

terpoint, the wilder claims of

of which was vastly different to

growing, so there is some hope

and

chemicals

but, above all, certainly not in

ing a limited stock. Happily, the

nets

in advocating proper regulation

were

of young sea trout at Delphi. By

pro-

being

subse-

(which

was involved and the outcome

the

limits

many pots on the ground chas-

would

well

the

without qualification or coun-

preserve their way of life and

for

obviously not in our interest,

there was a major renaissance

but

US$2.4m.

fishermen,

consume

Frankly, publications such as

and

there

artisanal

fish

yours should be leading the way

the

Killary Salmon, with which I

that

local

proceed-

between

gramme,

their

ings) that it would enforce these

Madam,

Your willingness to publish,

drop indicates that there are too

vinced

from

The serious issue of sea lice

to be cancelled. We believe this

be legally landed seems to be

ecosystem

floating cages. Seen as a plague

spread exotic diseases, such as

high social and environmental

con-

marine

cies, they have introduced and

levels

years is 15% per year, but with

with the deal. Surprise surprise,

firmly

salmon and trout escape into the

ically important local fish spe-

and

ment

are

every

the

nets

to investors' pockets, but only

Xth

that

treatment of effluent, there are

equipment,

growth rate over the last 15

(the

estimated

voracious predators on econom-

the impregnation and cleaning

Region

Lagos Region), returns US$42

2004

relation to the 1997 litigation

They

cleaning

earnings. The average annual

so low that the `v-notching' had

them.

the

water bodies adjacent to where

from BIM.

industry for those who follow

Los

20%

Killary Salmon and the Govern-

also hope to leave a healthy

(RAMA)

Lakes

and

by focusing just on his claims in

pro-

companies

lume

occasion, numbers landed were

hope

salmon

re-

than

high

quently receives a 50% grant this

exports from Chile's southern

action in the third year. Both

Labour

US$1,721.5m, 8% up on vo-

his piece. Allow me to illustrate

fishermen

that

Despite national regulations

the

year, an average of one million

Inspectorate

coastal

enced during August when, on

adhering

salmon than Norway.

of the country.

subse-

more antibiotics per tonne of

Chile is seen as a cancerous

was complied with, to drop the

gramme,

the

claiming that, `Salmon farming

errors and misinterpretations in

then

farming

remain

poorest and most deprived areas

sudden drop in landings experi-

co-op

salmon

they

miracle, salmon aquaculture in

There are literally dozens of

the

but

on sea lice (II Vol 2, Issue 4) by

True, salmon farming is an

for lobster.

boom,

Rather than a socio-economic

rest of his article.

DEAR

witnessed

costs.

Madam,

Dr Neil Bass spoils his article

And, until such time as there

The Irish Association of Seafood Companies (IASC) develops, promotes and represents the interests of independent seafood processors and retailers in Ireland. If you’re interested in joining our ever-expanding network, contact Martina Clarke for further information.

is a more adult recognition of the

need

solve

the

real

problems of the industry, such

iasc Units 14/15, Grays Lane, Park St, Dundalk, Co. Louth

as sea lice, then the interna-

t 042 938 6977 / 087 202 6420 f 042 935 2490

tional

e martina@iasc.ie w www.iasc.ie

hostility

and

consumer

rejection of farmed salmon will continue to mushroom.

6 INSHORE IRELAND October 2006 NEWS

Irish government fails to protect bats, otters, whales and dolphins Report by Shay Fennelly IN

protection: the otter; all whales and dolphins; the leatherback turtle; the natterjack toad; the

a preliminary opinion, the

Advocate General for European Court of Justice has found that Ireland has failed to fulfill its obligations under Article 12 (1)

Coun-

of the Habitats Directive (

cil Directive

92/43/EEC), be-

cause it has not taken specific measures for the effective implementation

system

strict protection for bats, otters, whales and dolphins. The final ruling will be handed down by the ECJ in four to six months and could lead to fines of tens of thousands of euro per day for each day Ireland is in breach of the Directive. The main aim of the Habitats

Directive, which

came into force in May 1994, is to promote the conservation of natural habitats and wild flora and fauna in member states. According to the Advocate General, several animal species

sought

Kerry slug and all bat species,

The

are listed in Annex IV (a) of the

examples cited three projects:

Habitats Directive, because they

EIAs on a hotel development on

are

the Lough Rynne Estate and the

under specific threat from hu-

Ennis Bypass Ă? both of which

man activities.

showed negative impacts on bat

vulnerable

and

According General, for

bats,

not

been

required

authorities

the

Advocate

species

action

plans

otters,

whales

have

completed, under

Commission

way

populations whereby the Irish

Action plans

the

was

Habitats

Directive by September 2003.

had

not

requested

any further information before granting consent, and had failed to make any reference to the need for derogation as set out under Article 16 of the Habitats Directive.

the

The Commission also found

view that the specific measures

that the Corrib gas project was

taken by Ireland are, on the

disparate and patchy and cannot be regarded as an appropriate system of strict protection within the meaning of the Habitats Directive'.

authorised

whole, `

under Article 16. This would

criticises

project in April 2002 without

Ireland for failing to carry out

checking if Ireland was compli-

species impact studies system-

ant with the Habitats Directive.

The

Commission

held

condemolition projects. crete and specific protection ingItorsaid that, where Environmeasures' which will be `co- mental Impact are herent and co-ordinated mea- undertaken, `theAssessments Irish authorisures of a preventive nature', to ties require property developers be devised and implemented by to provide information on prothe National Parks and Wildlife tected species only after develService. opment consent has been granted, thus undermining the Protected species effectiveness of EIAs as a means of information gathering.' The species that require strict found in Ireland require `

Derogation not

atically before approving build-

without

derogation

suggest that the former Minister for the Marine, Frank Fahey, gave approval for the Plan of Development of the Corrib gas

The project involved the laying of a pipeline through Broadhaven Bay Ă? a Special Area of Conservation

where

several

species of whales and dolphins

A friendly bottlenose dolphin in Co Clare. The Commission noted that Ireland is particularly important for

whales and dolphins given the extent of Ireland's offshore and inshore waters and the number of species

listed in Annex IV are present.

recorded. It also highlighted the fact that the NPWS marine conservation resources are especially meagre.

The

Wildlife rangers are focused on terrestrial duties and do not have any meaningful seagoing capacity or

use

explosives

was

proposed for the execution of

experience.

the project. In a letter (3/11/2003) to the Commission,

Ireland

reported

that the Marine License Vetting

Committee stated that the sound caused

the

use

such

explosives would have an adverse

effect

whales

and

dolphins. The deliberate use of explosives

area

containing

species protected in Annex IV is

prohibited

under

Article

(1)(b) of the Habitats Directive. The plan to use explosives by Shell in Broadhaven Bay SAC was dropped after objections by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.

Inadequate monitoring The

Commission

also

found

Marine InstituteRinville, Rinville Oranmore Co.Co. Galway Marine Institute Oranmore, Galway

telephone 353 353 91 387 200 facsimile 353 91 387 201 email institute.mail@marine.ie telephone 91 387200 fascimili 353 91 7201 email institute.mail@marine.ie

otter

enjoys

the

sunshine

Clew

Bay:

September

the

lesser

the

was undertaken between 1991 and 2005 by NPWS. The Commission

natterjack toad, the Irish autho-

concludes that Ireland must adopt measures to avert the decline of

rities `

protected species and not only take steps when a decline has been

horseshoe

bat

and

And it criticises Ireland for

Foras na Mara

Commission found that no systematic and ongoing survey of the otter

do not possess the necessary information on the breeding grounds, resting places and the threats to otters, other bat species and whales and dolphins listed in Annex IV.'

www.marine.ie

that with the exception of the

established.

phins that could enable a sys-

species recorded: `The National

tem of strict protection to be

Parks

devised.

marine conservation resources

Furthermore, sion

noted

that

the

Commis-

Ireland

was

important

for

and

Wildlife

Services

are especially meagre. Wildlife Rangers are focused on terres-

its `ad hoc' approach and failing

particularly

to put in place a comprehensive,

whales and dolphins given the

trial duties and do not have any

adequate,

monitoring

extent of its offshore and in-

meaningful

programme for whales and dol-

shore waters and the number of

or experience.'

ongoing

seagoing

capacity

Legal obligation to protect concerned at a favourable Ireland was also obliged, `to ARTICLE 12 of the Habitats establish a system to monitor conservation status, member Directive placed the Irish Govthe incidental capture and kill- states may derogate from the ernment under a legal obligaing of animal species listed in provisions of Articles tion to take the requisite Annex IV(a). In the light of 12,13,14, and 15(a&b) eg. (c) measures to establish a system information gathered, member in the interest of public health of strict protection for these states shall undertake further and public safety, or for other species in Ireland. These inresearch or conservation mea- imperative reasons of overridcluded: * prohibiting all forms of de- sures as required to ensure ing public interest, including that incidental capture or kill- those of social or economic liberate capture or killing of ing does not have a significant nature and beneficial consethese species in the wild. * Deliberate disturbance parti- negative impact on the species quences of primary importance to the environment. concerned'. cularly during the period of However, where member states breeding, rearing, hibernaArticle 16 states: avail of Article 16(1) they must tion and migration. * Deliberate destruction or `Provided that there is no forward a report on the deroapplied every two taking of eggs from the wild. alternative and gations * Prohibiting deterioration or satisfactory years and the Commission the derogation is not detrimengive its opinion on these destruction of breeding sites tal to the maintenance of the must or resting places. populations of the species within 12 months'.

INSHORE IRELAND October 2006

REPORT

Ballet of the bluefin tuna

Recollection by Dr Martin O'Farrell MY work as a fisheries biologist often takes me offshore where you learn to expect the unexpected and where no two days are the same. Nothing, however, could have prepared me for what I was about to experience a few seasons ago aboard Naomh Cartha, a bluefin tuna angling charter boat skippered by Adrian Molloy. Adrian, my son James, another angler and I, left Glannagearagh Pier near Kilcar, Co Donegal, and headed out beyond Donegal Bay where the wind was a light force two or three and the swell was long and even. Visibility was very good, and all aboard were in a happy mood. To our great excitement, we quickly sighted bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and my adrenaline started to pump. A fish struck one of the lures and a hook-up resulted. Adrian passed me the harness, connected me to the rod and for

Photos: Brendan Corr

two hours I wrestled with this majestic fish from the fighting chair. After fifteen minutes of losing line to the surging fish and attempting to regain it, I was gasping for second breath. Adrian's encouragement and control of the vessel helped me considerably. Quarter tonne bluefin My modest physical strength and endurance, hard earned from my rowing days, kept me going and eventually the fish surfaced with the spreader bar lures signalling his presence. At the boat, the fish was unhooked and released by Adrian who estimated the weight at 250kg. Yes Ð a quarter of a tonne. A long way shy of Adrian's 440kg record fish from 6 October 2001 but a true giant bluefin tuna nevertheless. You know the fisherman's prayer: `Lord, please let me catch a fish so big That even I, When speaking of it afterwards Will have no need to lie.'

ADRIAN Molloy has been the most successful bluefin tuna angling charter skipper operating in Irish waters in recent years. In association with the Marine Institute, BIM and US scientists, his success has facilitated the deployment of satellite tags on a number of giant bluefin tuna whose movements throughout the North East Atlantic and Mediterranean have been assessed. Bluefin tuna appear to frequent coastal waters off the northwest of Ireland from September to November and in some years in July and August. Further details check www.tunacharters.ie

To the envy of many of my friends who are keener anglers than I am, I had caught such a fish. That could be rephrased to read that I was aboard Adrian Molloy's Naomh Cartha when Adrian's skill as a skipper resulted in a bluefin tuna strike and hook-up. Thirty minutes before the strike, Adrian had been the first to sight the distant bluefin tuna on the surf1pcace. The whitewater explosions were obvious to us all Ð once we knew what to look for. At first sight the fish were probably two miles away. Naomh Cartha idled in their direction with four rods set up

and trolling variously coloured artificial squid lures on spreader bars. Slow motion From the bow of the boat, I witnessed what was probably the most amazing sight of my career: a school of giant bluefin tuna on the surface, approaching at about the same speed as our vessel. Their movements were elegant and leisurely Ð they appeared to be moving in slow motion. As they left the water, their dark brown/yellow flanks glistened with a fabulous sheen. We

guessed they would be giant fish because the size of bluefin tuna caught by anglers in Irish waters has ranged from 130 to 440kg. These fish averaged 3m in length and over 200kg in weight. Bluefin tuna are the most endothermic bony fish in the oceans. They are warm-blooded animals whose physiological processes are independent of the temperature of the ocean. They can maintain muscle temperatures in the region of 25oC, and can occupy ocean habitats where temperatures range between 3o- 29oC. Bluefin can regulate their stomach temperatures to allow for rapid digestion of prey when prey is abundant, and like some shark species they have the ability to control brain and eye temperatures. Quite simply, they are magnificent creatures, and are the largest bony fish on the planet. Hunting the saury On this occasion, the state of the tide and slack wind had

combined to allow these giant fish to engage in the leisurely pursuit of what is probably their favourite food in these waters Ð commonly known as skippers (Scomberesox saurus) Ð which are not the fastest pelagic species around. Spectacle of beauty As the school approached the vessel, two or three fish were airborne at any one time. Mouths wide open with saury pike desperately scuttling before them on the surface. The giant fish were oblivious to our presence as they erupted from and returned to the water within 10 metres of the vessel. It was a behavioural spectacle of natural beauty and all on board marvelled at the ballet of the bluefin tuna. After the school had passed beneath and around Naomh Cartha, my son James, eyes wide open like the rest of us on board, declared: ``Dad, that was brilliant''. And you know how difficult it is to impress eightyear-olds these days.

INSHORE IRELAND

October 2006

Waterways Ireland opens regional office in Co Clare

REPORT

Aoife Morrissy reports

THE annual Scarriff Harbour festival this year brought an added dimension to the town with the official opening in August of a western regional

office for Waterways Ireland by SõÂle de Valera TD, Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science. Located adjacent to the Scarriff Harbour with views down the river to the Slieve Bearnagh Mts, the two-storey building

provides office space for 26 staff and is fully wheelchair accessible.

Headquarters

The office is the headquarters for the operations/administrative staff and is also base for

the internal audit and environment sections and technical services division.

Location

The decision to locate in Scarriff Co Clare was made by the North/South Ministerial Coun-

cil in June 2000. The Office of Public Works was then asked to identify and recommend a preferred option for the regional office and ultimately selected the site adjacent to Scarriff Harbour. The project commenced in

April 2005 and was completed within budget and before target last May. The contractor was Brian McCarthy Ltd of Ennis; OPW was charged with management duties, architectural services and contract supervision.

Operational activity on the Shannon Navigation SINCE 2001, Waterways Ireland has provided new moorings on the Shannon Navigation at Carrick on Shannon; Ballinasloe; Boyle; Ballyleague; Shannon-

* Scarriff office.

bridge; Clonmacnoise; Coosan (near Athlone); Mountshannon; Scarriff Harbour and Limerick. Waterways Ireland has also completed projects to

enhance moorings at Spencer Harbour and Cleighran More on Lough Allen, and recently finished schemes at Portrunny on Lough Ree and Garrykennedy on

Lough Derg. These developments now provide 2,800m of mooring, which is an increase of more than 40% since 2001.

* SõÂle de Valera at the official opening of Scarriff Office.

Marketing waterways SINCE launching its marketing and promotional strategy in 2004, Waterways Ireland promotes activities nationally and abroad in a number of ways:

* Development and distribution of new publications. * Promotion of the waterways at boat, angling, consumer and trade shows in Dublin, London, DuÈsseldorf and Birmingham. * Sponsorship and organisation of events, i.e. community festivals and major international sporting events such as the Water Ski World Cup Championship in Enniskillen. * Design and development of the

* Clieghran More, Lough Allen.

* Ballyleague.

* Shannonbridge.

website (www.waterwaysireland.org), created to increase awareness of the inland waterways by illustrating the characteristics of each waterway and the navigation links between them.

The new website, which is fully dynamic and interactive, features the seven navigable waterways and includes information and movie clips on navigation. The site is updated daily with information on development and maintenance projects; up-to-date marine notices and customer, navigational and promotional information.

INSHORE IRELAND October 2006

WATER MANAGEMENT

Ireland's water quality high Ð EPA Report By Gillian Mills IRELAND'S continues

water

tive. The indicators chosen re-

changed between the two peri-

stances of these events remains

(28%), eg algae or unidentified

1,714 samples of groundwater

flect

ods. Nitrate levels in 11 large

at an unacceptably high level.

Estuarine and Coastal Waters: The overall quality in

blooms.

taken

water

quality

conditions

quality

and the report shows that, for

rivers

example,

high

oils

between

2003-2005

were the most frequently iden-

showed bacteriological (faecal

tified polluting substances.

coliform)

fish

across the country with notably higher levels in the south-east

vironmental Protection Agency

and south. Nine of these rivers

tuarine and coastal areas exam-

quality

summary indicator report, en-

our

have considerably increased ni-

ined

showed

waters in Ireland remains very

groundwater

trate levels in 2005 as compared

improvement,

decline

good although the number of

tions in karst limestone areas

with when first sampled in the

from 12 to 10 in the number

late 1970s or early 1980s.

of water bodies being classified

2005'.

Quality in Ireland

gas

kills in our rivers, and the level bacterial

number

differences

and

standard, according to the En-

titled `Water

the

showed

Diesel

contamination

groundwaters

remain

unacceptable levels,'' he said. This

The report, the first of a

report

deals

with

new series of summary statis-

13,200km of river and stream

tics,

channel,

water bodies located at estuar-

has coincided with the demise

Data from the Marine Insti-

waters for the period 2003 to

ine and coastal areas and 307

of the pollution-sensitive pearl

tute's winter nutrient monitor-

2005.

groundwater sources.

mussel in some rivers.

ing

monitoring

``This report sets out 10 core indicators

water

quality,

based on the most up-to-date

data

available,'' said

Jim

Bowman, programme manager,

EPA. ``While

these

data

are

en-

with

results for surface and ground-

lakes,

2001-2005

The increase in nitrate values

based

421

tidal

Lakes: While almost 90 per

Report findings Surface waters

Rivers: The proportion of river

coastal

waters of the western Irish Sea cate no instances of excessive

2005

nutrient

was

condition,

this

satisfactory

deterioration

enrichment

these

waters. The quality of shellfish

compared

waters improved in 2005 with a

represents

to the 2001-2003 period.

water

and southern Celtic Sea, indi-

slight

satisfactory

programme,

of lake

and stream channel length with overall

as eutrophic (over enriched).

surface area examined in 2003-

cent of the 1,050km

notable increase in those waters

couraging there remains an un-

quality status has increased by

Of the 421 lakes assessed,

assessed to be of the highest

acceptable

level

waterbodies

Bathing water:

the 67 water bodies from es-

polluted

1% in the latest period (70.2%)

water quality in 68 of these was

quality for the purpose of shell-

the

country.

compared to the previous period

less than satisfactory, with 13

fish production and the elimina-

Over 30% of rivers, 10% of

of assessment (69.2%). There

lakes classified as being highly

tion

lakes and 22% of estuaries and

was a reduction (-1.2%) in the

polluted.

quality.

coastal waters are in a condition

moderately polluted length but

that will require remedial mea-

a small increase in the propor-

sures if we are to protect our

valuable

the

The overall

131

bathing

sites complying with EU mandatory values in 2005 showed a reduction

when

com-

pared with 2004. 82% of sites complied

with

the

National

Limit Values.

Bacterial contamination. In Ireland, groundwater is a significant source of drinking water supply. The presence of faecal taken

contamination,

11%

grossly

samples

with being

contaminated.

The

monitoring the

loca-

appear

show

degree

contamination,

greatest be-

cause pollutants can move more freely through fissures in the underlying rocks.

Nitrates: Between 2003 and

2005, approximately 23% of the

Groundwaters

coliforms

some

groundwater

evidence

faecal

contamination and provides an indication that pathogens (dis-

groundwater ined

locations

exceeded

the

exam-

national

guideline value for nitrate concentration

for

drinking

water

with 2% breaching the mandatory limit. Elevated nitrate concentrations

were

recorded

monitoring points close to po-

may

tential point source waste dis-

re-

Since 1995 there has been a

distribution of monitoring loca-

corded in the number of re-

general increase in the percen-

tions with elevated nitrate con-

kills recorded in 2005, which

ported pollution at sea incidents

tage of samples showing zero

centrations appear to relate to

tion of slightly polluted channel

were attributed largely to activ-

from 59 in 2004 to 46 in 2005.

contamination and a decrease in

areas with more intensive agri-

and

(+0.2%). In contrast, the overall

ities associated with agriculture,

These

the

samples

cultural practices, which sug-

comply with the requirements

proportion of seriously polluted

industry

and

local

approximately to oil spillages

showing

contamination.

gests that diffuse, agricultural

of the Water Framework Direc-

channel

services.

The

number

(72%)

Approximately

water

resources

has

remained

un-

Fish kills: There were 45 fish authority of

in-

those A

the

reduction

events and

were

other

lowest was

attributed substances

ease-causing

organisms)

be present.

percentage gross

of 30%

the

charges. However, the spatial

sources are the cause.

Government inaction risking the great western lakes

Gillian Mills and Gery Flynn report CHAIRMAN

of the Western

Region Zebra Mussel Control Initiative,

Prof

Michael

Hynes, is urging the Minister

awa ren es s

sin ce

control the movement of boats

for the Environment, Heritage

2004, he said that finding zebra

and angling equipment. This is

and Local Government to act

mussels

also evident with the presence

c am pai gn

(Dreissena

polymor-

promptly to protect Irish lakes

pha)

from aquatic invasive species.

tragedy and clear evidence that

Given the intense media and

in Lough Conn was ``a

regulations are now required to

zebra

mussels

Lough

Slevin and in Hollygrove Lake which has no boats.'' Hynes added that whilst virtually all anglers and boaters are

INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, SLIGO INSTITIÚID TEICNEOLAÍOCHTA, SLIGEACH

aware of the damage caused by aquatic invasive species it was now clear that many people are unwilling to change their behaviour. ``Our own

surveys support

this assertion. It appears that persuasion alone is insufficient to effect the required behavioural changes and that legal sanctions must now be added to our

been used effectively in the US

Fish can see the fly easier but

to halt the spread of aquatic

this simply leads to over-fishing

Priority actions

invasive

Professor Hynes added that the

possible to protect Loughs Cor-

armoury.''

IT SLIGO Innovaters in delivery of education

on campus on-line distance reachout bespoke on-site

business humanities engineering science quality

recently published Quercus Report* outlines 10 key actions that should be taken in this area.

Key Action 4 states: `Legislative provisions should be analysed and new legal frameworks developed specifically for dealing with invasive species.' ``Furthermore, both Northern Ireland

and

the

Republic

zebra

species

mussel,

such

the still

rib, Mask, Carra and Melvin.''

ing international conference in Zaragoza,

Council are actively involved in

entitled: `Zebra Mussel Ð Pre-

the initiative which was estab-

vention and Control Strategies'.

lished

out

County

the

Heritage

Galway

Plan

2004-

wa rning

s igns

2008. The

n ew

launched by RTE's marine correspondent Tom MacSweeney

species issues, principally the

are being erected at both zebra

Convention on Biological Di-

mussel-free and infested sites.

versity, International Plant ProConvention,

Convention

D i r e c t i v e , ''

``Boat-owners

should

Bern

their boats if they are transfer-

Habitats

ring them from one waterway to

Prof

Hynes

another. This good practice will

stressed.

help

``We are requesting that the

prevent

the

further

spread of the mussel and also

Minister prioritises the enact-

ment of regulations and legisla-

weeds and parasites.

tion

clean

the

and

to deal with the threats

other

nuisance

``Already

invasive

Lough

Derg

mussels

have

posed by aquatic invasive spe-

where

cies

thrived since the mid-90s, na-

our

waters.

Recent

Dr Thornton will be making a presentation on the activities

Fisheries Board and Mayo Co

invasive

tection

waters,'' she

of the Initiative at a forthcom-

ligations

address

cleaner

Several organisations, includ-

Ireland have international obto

not

added.

ing the North Western Regional

zebra

events show that unless this is

tive

done soon, none of our inland

populations have been reduced

waters will be free of aquatic

invasive species. Do we really

mussels,'' she added.

wish to be the generation that

swan a

and

direct

duck

result

mussel

zebra

According to Dr Thornton,

Spain

Inshore Ireland report

the

this

will

month

carry

proceedings

the December issue.

Threat to biodiversity Dr

Frances

ecology

Lucy, IT

lecturer

Sligo

and

leading authority on zebra mussels, warned that if they become established in Ireland's lakes, long-term damage to the native biodiversity can be expected. ``Unfortunately, definite

perception

there

out

there

that zebra mussels are good for our

lakes,

scientific

but

there

evidence

prove

that,'' Dr Lucy said. ``That's why I feel that people should be very careful not to spread

them deliberately,

and

also to be very careful when moving boats. The information

western

the sharp edges of shells may

is out there now, and it's easy to

lakes and rivers to the zebra

pose a health risk to bathers

mussel and other aquatic inva-

who may cut themselves and

sive species?'' he asked.

contract

Invasive Species in Ireland prepared for Environment & Heritage Service and National Parks & Wildlife Service by Kate Stokes, Kate O'Neill & Robbie McDonald.

sacrificed

For Further Information contact: Fidelma Conway, Institute of Technology, Sligo Ballinode, Sligo. Tel: 071-9137215 Fax: 071 916 0475 www.itsligo.ie

* Regulation and enforcement are required to halt spread of invasive species.

our

Aoife

great

Thornton,

illnesses

from

dirty

zebra

water. ``The feeding habit of

mussel education officer with

zebra mussels may also lead to

the Initiative, has also expressed

the proliferation of toxic algal

disappointment at finding zebra

blooms,'' she explained.

mussels in Lough Conn. She

``It is impossible to predict

said that the group will continue

the

to create awareness about the

populations

methods to prevent the spread

however, the resulting clearer

water caused by the filtering

the

mussel amongst

boat-

owners in particular. ``Awareness campaigns have

eventual

changes in

Lough

fish

Conn;

action of zebra mussels may lead to depletion of fish stocks.

follow the rules.''

*Quercus project QU03-01: Quercus is a partnership between Environment & Heritage Service, Northern Ireland and Queen's University, Belfast. www.quercus.ac.uk

INSHORE IRELAND

ENGO/ Government partnership for WFD

By SineÂad O'Brien, co-ordinator, Sustainable Water Network (SWAN)

for local participation in water management and have also raised concerns that the voices of their members may not be heard or heeded. Until recently, the environmental groups in SWAN were not sure how many people shared their concerns about democratic involvement in water-related decisions, and the power of these Councils to affect change. The Future for Our Waters event however proved that councillors and ordinary citizens on the Advisory Councils do indeed share these concerns. Implementation deadlines Delegates heard how scientists have already surveyed rivers, lakes, coastal and groundwaters nationwide and have identified many of the major threats to Irish waters meeting our legal requirements of good water quality by 2015. Speakers outlined the implications of the WFD for local authority activities and the practical measures that would need to be built into River Basin Management Plans to address pollution and other threats in each of the seven regions. When SWAN highlighted the practical issues that need to be addressed to ensure that the Councils are more than mere talking shops: Regular meetings; expenses for voluntary members; access to all relevant documentation and plenty of time for open discussion and decision-making, they were met with general support from the floor. Another major concern was how the WFD would succeed when so much existing environmental legislation has fallen short. Questions were raised about the relationship between

* Good water quality is essential for survival of lakes, such as Lough Conn.

(Photo: G Mills)

A unique partnership of a national ENGO Ð Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment (Voice) Ð and a public body, the South West River Basin District (SWRBD) was behind the recent one-day conference: `A Future for Our Waters'. According to Voice, the conference recognised that the Advisory Councils provide a unique opportunity for interested parties across a range of sectors to become actively involved in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. ``Achieving good water quality is a complex task facing everyone and it cannot be achieved without public consultation, awareness and participation by all interested parties, Stephanie McCaffrey told Inshore Ireland. ``By pooling ENGO and government resources, not only did the conference successfully address these issues but it also demonstrated the potential to be found in ENGO Ð government initiatives,'' she added. Conference presentations and proceedings can be obtained from the VOICE and SWRBD websites: www.voice.buz.org www.swrbd.ie

agriculture, forestry and planning regulations and water protection. Funding source By far the burning issue of the day however and one for which there still does not appear to be a definitive answer was: `Where is the money going to come from?' Establishing and implementing River Basin Management Plans and associated measures to address water pollution and other threats will incur substantial costs. Who is going to meet the costs? Local authorities? Central government? Water users? The stage is set for interesting times ahead Ð times of challenge and change for all those with an interest in or impact on water. The spirit of commitment prevailing in Cork County Hall on a Friday evening in September augurs well for the future of our waters.

Agriculture and the WFD ADDRESSING the conference, Tom Dunne, IFA environment committee chairman, said that he was ``delighted to have the opportunity to put forward their perspective as key stakeholders in the implementation of the WFD and the serious challenges it presents: ``At the outset, it is clear that farmers and their families live and work in the countryside and have a central interest in protecting our rural environment, and its water quality,'' he said. He added that Irish farmers were committed to good farming practice and the protection of the rural environment and

* Tom Dunne

its water quality: ``Farming is going through significant structural change driven by policy changes towards agriculture at interna-

WATER MANAGEMENT

Meeting of the waters

FOUR o'clock on a sunny Friday evening, with rush hour traffic building outside, may not seem like the ideal time to engage in a weighty debate on national water policy. And yet on September 29, the County Hall in Cork was the scene of just such a discussion. A large group of officials, councillors, and water Advisory Council members had gathered for a major water conference: A Future for Our Waters that addressed tough issues throughout the day. The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) has been charting changes in Irish water protection and management, resulting from that major piece of water law, the Water Framework Directive (WFD) for several years now. Despite its unwieldy name, the WFD has many very practical implications for water management at national, regional and local level. Key amongst these was the establishment of seven water Advisory Councils around the country in the last year, to facilitate public involvement in water-related decisions. On these Councils, local councillors sit with representatives from the community, farming, business, angling and environmental groups. Spreading the word The purpose of the Cork conference was to get Advisory Council members up to speed on the implications of the new legislation and the role that they as members would play in spreading the WFD message that the waters in their region are valuable resources to be protected and managed in a sustainable way. In this column in previous issues we have highlighted the Council's enormous potential

October 2006

tional and EU levels. The WFD presents significant economic challenges for farmers who are already facing threats from greater exposure to international trade and a new cross compliance regime resulting from the introduction of the Single Farm Payment. ``Good farming is and will continue to be, by far, the most desirable and environmentally sustainable land use option for Ireland. Farming needs a stable policy environment. No additional measures are necessary or should be considered or imposed on farming following the imposition of the nitrates regulations,'' he said.

or Dry Out Your Boat!

nó Triomaigh Do Bhád!

INSHORE IRELAND October 2006

Recreational pot fishing INSHORE FISHERIES

By John Rafferty

UP until recently, commercial and recreational fishermen were under the impression that the latter were only allowed to fish four pots in the inshore fishery and that their catch could not be sold but had to be kept for personal consumption. I too was of this opinion but it seems this is not in fact the case. A spokesperson at the Department of the Marine stated they were not aware of any 4pot rule for recreational fishing: ``The legislation specifies that commercial sea fishing by boat requires a sea fishing boat licence. It is a matter of evidence to determine at a particular time whether any individual is engaging in commercial or recreational sea fishing.'' Under current legislation, commercial pot fishermen must have their vessels fully licensed, registered and carry all the required safety equipment to fish their pots and bring their catch ashore to market. No legislation exists however covering recreational fishing. These fishermen can go to sea and fish as many pots as any commercial fisherman and also bring their catch ashore; however they are not permitted to * Recreational fishermen can bring their catch ashore; they are not allowed to sell their catch, but the reality is different. sell their catch, but the reality is very different. the recreational boats are selling large portion of the illegal landHe added that fishery officers that the lobsters meet the curPoor governance their catch directly to the cater- ings of shellfish Ă? especially have been made aware of the rent required 87mm minimum landing and selling of undersize landing sizes. Commercial fishermen are out- ing trade, and may not be lobsters and crab claws. There is no other way to put a One Donegal fisherman told lobsters on numerous occaraged that this is the case and adhering to the minimum size rightly so. During the summer limits, or releasing v-notched Inshore Ireland that those who sions. ``As yet, no visible action definitive end to this illicit months they see the recreational lobsters. There are also genuine are catching and those that are has been taken against any of trade. Currently the naval service is fishermen hauling lobster pots fears that these laws may not or buying the undersized lobsters the known perpetrators.'' If a complaint is made of letting their presence be known ``must be stopped immediately. in a fishery they themselves cannot be enforced properly. If they are allowed to continue illegal landings, selling or buy- all around the coast by coming have to be licensed to stay involved in, which they help Loophole fuels black then the lobster v-notching pro- ing of undersized lobsters then alongside inshore vessels to gramme and indeed the lobster fishery officers must be given check on licences and making sustain through v-notching and market fishery will be doomed to fail- the powers to go into the sure everything is in order. help protect by adhering to This loophole in the legislation ure and all our hard work will restaurants and catering estabThis is seen as only a small minimum landing sizes. lishments in question and check step on a very steep hill, and Their concern is that some of is almost certainly fuelling a be for nothing''.

Minimum landing size may increase for lobsters By John Rafferty

FISHERMEN in the UK and France could be prohibited from landing lobsters smaller than 90mm under new government proposals. Interested parties in both countries are being consulted on the proposal of increasing the minimum landing size from 87mm to 90mm carapace length and are being asked for views as to whether this should be in one stage or incremental steps. The French authorities seem in favour of increasing the lobster sizes progressively. The current minimum landing size in the UK and France are the same as here at 87mm carapace length; however scientific advice suggests that increasing the minimum landing size would allow lobsters more time to mature and reproduce, resulting in larger numbers. This new consultation comes after DEFRA, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the UK, decided against banning the landing of berried lobsters earlier this year. It is not illegal to land berried females in this country either, although most

boats with little or no safety equipment and are still landing their catches at the market and are receiving the same price as those who are meeting all of the Department obligations. This problem is not isolated Conservation to one particular area and is Banning the landing of berried reported from around the coast. females is used in some coun- Recommendations tries as a Technical Conservation Measure (TCM) as a According to the Marine Inmeans of increasing the num- stitute's Stock Book 2005, the ber of eggs produced by a Fisheries Science Services refemale lobster over her life- commends a cap on entry into time. this fishery; a limit on the Lobsters are facing difficul- amount of gear in use and ties in some areas where num- continuation of current conserbers are seriously low. Adding vation measures (minimum to their demise is the flourish- size and v-notching). ing black market for underIn addition they recommend sized and berried lobsters to that enforcement of the regulathe restaurant trade, mainly tions should be intensified, and during the summer months by that consideration should be a small number of fishermen. given to the introduction of a This is probably the biggest maximum size limit to protect threat facing the lobster indus- previously v-notched females try at present, and is happening whose tail fins have repaired. at a time when a high percenDEFRA in the UK is also tage of inshore fishermen are asking for views on additional now involved in the v-notching measures such as setting a and restocking programme. maximum landing size for Fishermen from around the lobsters. The proposed maxicountry continue to report the mum landing size of lobsters in number of vessels fishing that Ireland for 2007 is 125mm and have not even applied for a that any lobster exceeding that * Regulations must be enforced to protect lobster stocks. licence, or are using unsuitable size would have to be returned.

Photo: J Rafferty

reminds me of an old saying: When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to resemble a nail. Some change in the current legislation is essential if it is to curtail the amount of pots fished by recreational and unlicensed fishermen. If not, then surely the licensing and registering of inshore fishing vessels will have been for nothing.

co-ops and indeed fishermen frown upon landing them and believe releasing berried females is the best way to boost the stocks so as to enhance the fishery.

Photo: J Rafferty

INSHORE IRELAND

October 2006

Fishing Fleet Development Measure REMINDER Safety Grants â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fishing Vessels A considerable number of successful applicants for the 40% safety grants have yet to claim their grant payment. In some cases this is because not all items required to complete these claims have been submitted. To make your claim please ensure that you include a copy of your fishing licence and certificate of registry together with copies of paid cheques and invoices etc. Please submit the relevant documents as soon as possible, and if in doubt as to the outstanding requirements you should either contact your local BIM Officer, or the Fleet Development Section of BIM Tel 01/2144240, 01/2144244 or 01/2144245.

INSHORE IRELAND October 2006

No post-mortem on sperm whale due to lack of funds INSHORE FISHERIES

* Regulations must be enforced to protect stocks. Shay Fennelly

reports from

Ballysadare Bay

NO post-mortem was carried out on a 46-foot sperm whale which stranded in Sligo last month because Ireland currently has no funding in place from the National Parks and Wildlife Service for carrying out such work. The NPWS told Inshore Ireland that due to financial constraints they were unable to continue funding a stranding programme started in 2003, which included post-mortems carried out by UCC. In contrast, the UK Joint Nature Conservancy Council, which advises the UK government on nature conservation, spends 447,000 annually on strandings, in a UK-wide scheme from reporting to postmortem work. Scientist Dr Mark Tasker, head of marine advice with JNCC, told Inshore Ireland that in the UK, post-mortems were conducted as part of its Habitats Directive responsibilities.

Sligo stranding

In mid-September, an emaciated-looking adult sperm whale stranded alive off Cullee-

namore Strand to the south of Strandhill in Ballysadare Bay, Sligo. The whale had swum into the channel of the almost enclosed bay early in the morning to the astonishment of local people. It stranded on the dropping tide on a sandbank surrounded by a deep channel and was confirmed dead that evening by National Parks Wildlife ranger, Tim Roderick. The Civil Defence, in association with the NPWS, declared a 200-metre exclusion zone around the whale to discourage people from approaching. Over the five days the whale was in the bay and attracted a steady stream of onlookers curious to see what a whale looked like up close. The tidal channels in Ballysadare bay discouraged most from approaching closer than 300 metres but some people tried with body boards and canoes in the absence of anyone with authority and a boat to enforce the exclusion zone. According to Dr Don Cotton, a biologist at Sligo Institute of Technology and member of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, the 14m whale, was a male (originally thought to be a female) and appeared emaciated. A skin sample was taken

(Photo: J Rafferty)

for DNA analysis. From 1993 to 1995, Dr Emer Rogan, marine scientist at UCC, carried out most of the postmortems on whales and dolphins under a Heritage Council funding. Additional funding was subsequently found through an EU/Interreg Wales/ Ireland project in 1996 and through BIOCET Ă? a study of bioaccumulation of contaminants in marine mammals, in 1999. Dr Rogan told Inshore Ireland that she was currently seeking funding for a 2007 programme. To date, the NPWS has merely funded a one-off post mortem of `mass' stranding in Killala in 1994 and a six-month marine mammal strandings project in 2003. Dr Simon Berrow of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group told Inshore Ireland that in 2006 the NPWS, the Heritage Council and the Department of the Environment, Northern Ireland, was funding the `ISCOPE II' project ``to raise awareness, monitor 10 sites, carry out surveys at sea, and to train and encourage the public to record sightings and strandings of whales and dolphins.'' Conservation rangers in coastal areas also participate in this scheme.

Maximum lobster landing size proposed for 2007 Update by Oliver Tully, BIM inshore fisheries coordinator

SINCE 2002, a lobster v-notch programme has been funded by the NDP and industry on a 50/50 basis and will continue in its present form in 2007. The number of lobsters released has been relatively stable for the past four years at about 10,000 per year. A proportion of these have been tagged, and very important information on growth and reproduction is now being obtained from recapture of these tagged lobsters, particularly on the Clare coast and in Galway Bay. The objectives of the programme are to increase spawning and recruitment and to provide information on growth, reproduction, movements/migrations and stock size. Although the benefits to spawning and recruitment are difficult to quantify, the data suggests that v-notched lobsters are a safety net for spawning in the current climate of increased fishing effort. The catch rate suggests that between 10 and 25% of adult lobsters and double that percentage of female lobsters may be v-notched. This percentage depends on the number of lobsters v-notched in an area and the

size of the total stock in that area. In addition, these lobsters are now at least 10mm larger than lobsters that are not vnotched in the stock, and produce more eggs per lobster. The data on catch rate, moulting and reproduction suggests that Irish lobster stocks are smaller but more productive than previously thought. Although 10,000 lobsters are on average released annually, the number of v-notched lobsters in the stock declines relatively quickly over time because of repair of the notch and natural mortality. For instance, of over 13,000 released in Wexford since 1995, only perhaps 4,500 may remain in the stock. Protection of v-notched lobsters is important as there are currently no other measures to conserve egg production. The minimum landings size is well below the average size at maturity. This is the main reason why the draft management plan for lobster (2007-2011) proposes to introduce a maximum size of 125mm (1.3 kg) in 2007. As lobsters are v-notched at an average size of 92-95mm and require three moults to repair the notch and increase in size when they moult by 8 to 10mm, they may be close to 125mm when the notch is repaired. The maximum size would then give them permanent protection.

INSHORE IRELAND

COMPILED BY GILLIAN MILLS

October 2006

ISLAND LIVING

European small islands meet to discuss transportation

By MaÂire UÂi MhaÂolaõÂn, ComhdhaÂil OileaÂil na hEÂireann

THIRTY-SIX participants from the six ESIN countries: France, Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Ireland, met to discuss transport issues for small islands, on the island of GraÈsoÈ, Sweden in August. The aim of the meeting was to get an understanding on a European level of common problems and possibilities regarding transport issues for permanent small island residents. Through sharing of information regarding regulations, and by sharing good examples, the participants had a chance to view the challenges from a new perspective. Special consideration was given to the Swedish Road Administration, division Ferry Operation, to see how this organisation operates and works. All their ferries are free and considered as extensions of the state-owned so called `B-roads'. Well-functioning transportation services are essential for a living small island society. Transport systems/conditions in the ESIN-countries vary quite a lot. Ownership of ferries, public support and cost can be quite different, and often this can differ even within the same country. Other factors include the distance to the mainland, sea conditions as well as piers and harbours. Major differences exist between the way transport services are developed and run; however, the need for transportation among participating islanders is alike. Geography and landscape are important factors too. Ireland and Scotland in particular, together with France, with a windy climate and rough seas produce tougher conditions than Sweden, Finland and Denmark. Longest route is 15 hours (Scotland) and shortest only three minutes (Sweden).

Ownership and funding

Most of the countries have a mix of state, private and semiprivate ownership of ferries. The state can be the government, regions or municipalities. Since income from the ferry services almost never covers the cost to operate the ferry services on a year-round basis, all countries need and receive some public regulated funding. France `Departments' within the municipalities (most often each island is a small municipality of its own) are responsible for

Transportation report

THE Transportation Report, to be published in the autumn, will include a broad perspective of each country's recent situation, together with examples and policy recommendations from ESIN meeting. The report will also include general details about ESIN and the Inter Island Exchange Projects themes of which `transport' is one of 18. Details from www.europeansmallislands.net

Transporting goods

* Ferry service for the island of Gullholmen on the western coast of Sweden.

ferries. Involvement can vary from being: a) both ferry owner and manager b) ferry owner but management leased to a private company c) management leased to a private company who has its own ferries. Islanders in France get lower fares, which are set by each department. Price levies are quite expensive compared to other ESIN countries. Too many small ferry companies only operate during the tourist season whereas all-year services therefore need to charge more and this affects the price for permanent islanders. Ireland Of the 11 Irish offshore islands with populations of more than 50, all have some form of regularised and subsidised transport; the services falling under the Island Section of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. All ferries, except for one, are privately-owned. In 2005, EÂamon OÂ CuõÂv, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs implemented a price ceiling of 8 return passage for islanders. Scotland The majority of ferries are operated by a private limited company, Caledonian MacBrayne (www.calmac.co.uk), whose share capital is owned by the State. The company receives an annual grant from the Scottish Executive as normal market forces would not ensure a sufficient level of service to island communities all year round on the less profitable routes. Scotland has the most expensive fares among the ESIN countries. For example, a return journey with a car and one passenger between the Isle of Barra and mainland Oban costs

Facts about participating countries

* France: 16,000 permanent residents on 15 small islands around Bretagne * Ireland: 3,000 permanent residents on 33 islands * Scotland: 32,000 permanent residents on 32 islands * Denmark: 5,300 permanent residents on 27 small islands * Sweden: 32,000 permanent residents on 580 small islands * Finland (part): (Pro Turunmaan Outermost Islands in southwest part of Finland) 4,400 permanent residents on 160 islands

£167 ( 244). Although this is one of the longer ferry routes, it is still costly to use a shorter ferry route Ð the five-minute crossing between the Island of Cumbrae and the mainland costs £19 return ( 28). Denmark Most ferries are public-owned, run by municipality or the county. All ferries depend on public funding, along with the few private ferry lines. Since 2001, all permanent islanders travel for free but cars and cargo costs extra. Sweden Almost all ferries carrying vehicles are public-owned. Known as `yellow ferries', they are state-owned by the Swedish Road Administration, Ferry Operations (VaÈgverket, faÈrjerederiet) and offer a free service. A few are owned by municipalities and one is privately-owned. For more information see www.vv.se Passenger ferries are owned by municipalities or are privately-owned. Other car ferries operating lines between public roads on the mainland and on the island get economic support from the Swedish Road Administration and charge the rest from the drivers. Passenger ferries that are operating for a municipality usually get a percentage of the costs as a subsidy (varies between 30 and 80%), and charge the rest from the passengers. The cost of transport, when not free, is considered acceptable by most islanders. Finland The Finnish state owns most of the passenger ferries and buys services from the few private companies to run certain routes. The road ferries are also stateowned, except on the lakes, where private road associations take care of the traffic. Usually the state pays about

ESIN conference

Policy recommendations from this and other meetings will be covered under in conference on November 21 and 22 in Islay, Scotland under the theme: `What Future for the Small Islands'.

80%; the municipalities pay a portion and the rest is collected through fares. Travelling with the stateowned ferries is free of charge for islanders, but summer guests pay a fee. The state-owned road ferries are free for everyone while the private road ferries usually charge everyone. It is anticipated that the state is going to offer free transport for everyone.

France, Ireland (except for Aran Islands), Scotland and Denmark have no reduced costs for goods transportation. The Scottish Caledonian MacBrayne ferries carry no freight at all. In Sweden, there is no charge for goods on the `yellow' ferries. On other car ferries costs can be quite high. For goods on regular passenger ferries there is usually economic support, which is decided on at regional levels. Swedish goods support is under consideration as it may conflict with EU state aid rules. In Finland, goods transportation is free for permanent islanders, for both private and professional purposes. All delegated at the meeting agreed the need for subsidised

transportation for goods to try and reduce the solely geographic costs of island living. A Danish participant concluded the meeting with a useful thought: ``To be able to treat islands equal, you need to treat them different from one another''. This is a relevant point amongst the regions but also within our regions.

The Irish participants:

* SeÂamus Mac Giolla Chomhail, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs * Dominic Sweeney, Arranmore Ð ferry operator * Jim O'Neill, Rural Transport Initiative, Cape Clear * Paddy Crowe, Comhar ChaomhaÂn, Inis OõÂrr * Niall O Murchadha, Comharchumann Inis MeaÂin.

What is it about the weed? 16

INSHORE IRELAND October 2006

ISLAND LIVING

COMPILED BY GILLIAN MILLS

Dr Susan Steele, BIM, explains

THE weed in question is not the illicit substances but something that is even more compelling and in a way addictive. I am writing about the weed that has been gathered around Ireland since the Middle Ages for food and for several centuries for animal fodder. In fact, weed is a terrible term to use for the huge variety of colours and types of seaweed that are around our shores. At this time of the year, gardeners Ð especially on the islands Ð are busy gathering bags of washed-up weed. Once used on a garden, few stop collecting it. The use of the weed is addictive; many the gardener will testify to the giant size of carrots or in the case of islanders from Inis Bofin who passed on the secret of growing spuds in less than three months to the Bere Islanders (the secret is using seaweed buried into the soil). Many have also participated

* Dr Stefan Kraan from the Irish Seaweed Centre with Freddy Dr Susan Steele showing the types of washed up seaweed on the O'Mahony, BIM (centre) and students looking at different seaweed products. shore to seaweed course students on the shores of Beara. *

in the courses organised by BIM to develop seaweed farms and to learn about new seaweed products. Interest in seaweed as a commercial product began in 2004 when some local people

from Beara approached BIM and asked about the weed, which they were already using for body care in baths and for food and wanted to learn more. This was the birth of specialised seaweed training.

The high cost of island living

DURING January to August 2006, Cliara Development Company on Clare Island conducted a consumer survey to identify cost comparisons between living on an island and the mainland. According to the report, major disadvantages still exist that preclude islands from attracting enterprise from either within the islands themselves or from outside, leading to loss of young people to the mainland. The report notes: `There is no doubt, for people to continue to live on islands, incentives like the islands to become corporate tax-free areas and have better tax breaks for workers, must be put in place.'

Survey aims and objectives

* To ascertain the difference in the cost of living for groceries between the islands and the mainland * To ascertain the difference in the cost of living for nongrocery items between the islands and the mainland * To ascertain the total difference in the cost of living between the island and the mainland * To make a comparison between the difference in the cost of living on the islands and the mainland in 2006 and the difference found in a similar survey carried out in 1994.

Methodology

A written questionnaire was sent out to the development officer at each of the 10 large islands that had a shop. It included 23 grocery items that would be purchased regularly and five non-grocery items (building, fuel and fertilizer items), deemed essential but not purchased on a regular

The seaweed course is accredited by FETAC and has run very successfully over the last two years. Comments from students include: ``Fantastic course''; ``Great practical work''; `Hugely enjoyable''

and ``What is the next course that we can do?'' In fact, such has been the demand that later this year we are running two courses Ð one in Castletownbere from November 20 to 24 and again from

December 4 to 8, and a second course in Galway from November 27 to December 1 and again from December 11 to 15. So, what can you expect from a training course in the weed? Well, you can expect to eat it, try facials made from it, and learn about growing it in a sustainable way. You can also expect to learn as much about it as BIM can train you, with the help of the Irish Seaweed Centre, MRI and seaweed producers in both Galway and Castletownbere. You will also learn about the past and about the future. According to Paul MacArtain of the Irish Seaweed Growers organisation: ``The future for seaweeds is bright and interesting. The possibilities are numerous and although some are commercial, most involve education and presentation of seaweeds as an interesting food source, and demystifying these algae that are so abundant yet so unknown.''

Course details from Susan Steele (steele@bim.ie; 027-71232).

* Major disadvantages still exist that preclude islands such as Inishbofin from attracting enterprise. (Photo: Island West Toursim) 2006 ISLAND

* Inis Mor

basis. Each development officer was responsible for the shopping survey at the local shop and the mainland supermarket mainland most used by islanders.

Participants

* Inishbofin: Simon Murray, Mary Day Lavelle, * Inishturk: Mary Catherine Heanue * Inish MoÂr: Cathy Gill * Oileain Chleire: Eibhlin NõÂ Lionain * Bere Island: John Walsh * Oileain Thorai: Bridget NõÂ Gairbheith * Clare Island: Kathy Gallagher, Shauna Hennessy and Tracey O'Leary

(Photo: Island West Tourism) Seven of 10 questionnaires were returned and although each questionnaire was not fully completed, enough information was supplied to get a very accurate picture of price differences. As the islands in the 2006 survey were not all the same as those in 1994, a comparison was achieved by using the four large islands common to both surveys.

Results

According to project coordinator Donal O'Shea, the results showed an overall cost difference in favour of the mainland of 35%. The difference regarding the purchase of groceries was 15.5% and non-groceries of 36.5%, whereas the 1994 survey showed an overall differ-

MAINLAND

Diff.

1994 % Diff. ISLAND

MAINLAND

Diff.

% Diff.

INISHBOFIN CAPE CLEAR INIS MOÂR CLARE ISLAND TOTAL

923.46 688.37 235.09 1281.91 1060.35 221.56 390.72 354.53 36.19

36.7 20.9 10.2

686.1 966.8 714.35

566.22 664.96 423.09

119.88 301.84 291.26

21.2 45.4 68.8

1269.85 911.79 2006 ISLAND MAINLAND

504.06

224.49

44.53

Diff.

39.3 728.55 1994 % Diff. ISLAND

MAINLAND

Diff.

% Diff

Groceries Non Groceries Total

225.1

36.31

19.2

161.17

143.17

12.8

18.5 26.9

2934.63 2061.22 873.41 3095.8 2204.39 891.41

188.79

358.06

3636.81 2854.58 782.23 3861.91 3043.37 818.54

ence of 52.1% and a difference in groceries of 54.4% and nongroceries items of 16.6%. `Although there has been a significant reduction in the difference between 1994 and 2006, the difference is still quite large and needs some kind of compensation to maintain a viable population.

The improvement in the difference has been brought about no doubt by the improvement in ferry subsidies by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. This is seen very much in Inis Mor where there is an excellent ferry/air service and the difference in groceries is only 8.3%. How-

42.37 40.4

ever, the larger population and larger supermarket on the island would also be a factor in this.' The survey was part-funded by the NDP under the areabased National Rural Development Programme administered by ComhdhaÂil OileaÂin na hEÂireann.

INSHORE IRELAND

October 2006

COMPILED BY GILLIAN MILLS

ISLAND LIVING

Renewable energy options to combat rising prices

SeĂ&#x201A;amus OĂ&#x201A; CnaĂ&#x201A;imhsĂľĂ&#x201A;, ComhdhaĂ&#x201A; il OileaĂ&#x201A; in na hEĂ&#x201A;ireann, reports

KILOWATT hours; Net metering; BTUs (British Thermal Units), geothermal; the Kyoto Protocol; heat pumps and photo voltaics (solar power technology) Ă? this is just a small selection of the often confusing jargon associated with renewable energy. Irish islanders from around the coast recently joined forces with their counterparts from Denmark, Scotland and Wexford to investigate practical renewable energy systems that can be used in their homes and communities. Recent increases in the cost of energy highlights the urgent need to look at alternative sources for heating, transport and generating electricity. The project, which is funded by the National Rural Development Programme (NRDP) under the auspices of ComhdhaĂ&#x201A;il OileaĂ&#x201A;in na hEĂ&#x201A;ireann (The Irish Islands Federation), aims to cut through the jargon, dispel some of the myths, hype and misinformation that exist around

* Group on SamsĂš. (l-r) John Barron, Wexford; Seamus O Drisceoill, OileaĂ&#x201A;in Chleire; Andrew, Islay; Eugene Ă&#x201A; Cna Houlihan, Inis OĂľ Ă&#x201A;rr; Aonghus Dillane, Inis Mo Ă&#x201A; r; Se Ă&#x201A;amus O Ă&#x201A;imhsĂľ Ă&#x201A;, Ă&#x201A; Arainn Mho Ă&#x201A; r; George, Islay; Gilbert Stevenson, Islay; Mary Heanue, Inis Turk; Bridget McGarvey, Tory; Noreen Muldowney, Ă&#x201A; Arainn Mho Ă&#x201A; r; SĂšren Hermansen, SamsĂš; Jackie Sullivan, Bere Island.

* Islanders examine solar panel production on the island of SamsĂš.

renewable energy, so as to enable islanders to see working systems that can be easily replicated on their own islands.

Danes lead the way

The first phase of the project was held on three islands in Denmark Ă? the 100% renewable energy islands of SamsĂš and AerĂš and the smaller island of OrĂš. Nine islanders spent a week there examining renewable energy systems as well as consulting with other islanders

who for years have been using renewable energy to heat water, warm their homes and ultimately save money. Participants subsequently visited Wexford Town where WORD Ă? the Wexford Leader group Ă? has been promoting renewable energy for many years. They saw a number of interesting projects including a rape seed oil biofuel project run by Rapoleum Ltd and a waste matter biogas plant where methane is used to generate electricity and heat for cheese

production. Along with our partners under the NRDP, we have been researching the practical measures that can be used to reduce our dependence on imported gas, oil and electricity and to reduce our household energy bills at the same time.

ample: David Andrews of Bere Island who lives independently of the electricity grid; Jackie Sullivan, also of Bere Island, who plans to use elephant grass as a renewable heating source to

The project continued on the Irish islands with information seminars to inform the public on energy conservation and to define islanders' renewable energy needs and the equipment options that are tailored specifically for island living. The seminars were accompanied by site visits to island pioneers who have been using renewable energy in their homes and businesses. For ex-

* WORD (Wexford Leader) * Islay Energy Trust, Scot-

Energy conservation

Participants

* ComhdhaĂ&#x201A; il OileaĂ&#x201A; in na

hEĂ&#x201A;ireann, land

* Argyll & Bute Council,

Scotland

* Danish Small Islands

Group, Denmark

* SamsĂš Renewable Energy

Island, Denmark

* VE Organisation, AerĂš,

Denmark.

heat water in an onshore abalone farm; the Yoga Retreat Centre of Clare Island, which uses solar water heating, and the energy sub-committee on Inis OĂľĂ&#x201A;rr, which is piloting wood chip boilers and solar heating on the island. The aim of the project is to educate islanders on the benefits of using practical, smallscale renewable energy in their homes and communities while informing them of the benefits and drawbacks of currently available renewable energy equipment. As part of the project, ComhdhaĂ&#x201A;il OileaĂ&#x201A;in na hEĂ&#x201A;ireann will be making recommendations to Government and other State agencies to enable the uptake and use of renewable energy on the islands and elsewhere.

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INSHORE IRELAND October 2006

INTERVIEW

FLYNN: direct and uncompromising Richie Flynn, Executive Secretary of IFA Aquaculture Ð the representative body of Ireland's shellfish and salmon farmers Ð occupies one of the hottest seats in country. After 10 years in the job he has become the recognisable voice and face of an industry that has had to weather more storms than any others of its size. Despite being the lightning conductor who regularly attracts the ire of an often hostile and ignorant media and others opposed to any further expansion of the aquaculture industry, even his enemies would say that Flynn has never shirked the hard questions. Leading from the front, he champions the causes of his members in a style that some describe as direct, while others see as uncompromising. In this exclusive interview with Inshore Ireland, Richie Flynn answers some questions. Q. Has the Irish aquaculture bad today but we still have a job Q. Why have you been so industry achieved its full po- of re-education to do with critical of the Department of politicians, policy-makers and the Marine? tential? A. No. Not in terms of fulfilling the demand for product, or in terms of fulfilling the niche that it should be occupying as an employer, or even as an economic player in Irish society it hasn't. There are many reasons for that, but it's not the fault of the industry. A lot of these reasons were beyond our control such as licensing, Norwegian dominance, and the lack of a coherent strategy.

Q. Hasn't our salmon farming sector failed to deliver on the massive public and private investment it has received since the early 1980s?

A. I disagree. The income that aquaculture has generated in coastal areas since the early 1980s in terms of wages and the revenue is close to 1bn. This far exceeds the public and private investment that went into it. More important however is the fact that aquaculture has played a key role in keeping families together. In terms of policy and political support which aquaculture deserves, this has not been recognised. We are caught up in the political quagmire that is Ireland's marine sector, and the seeming inability of politicians to galvanise support around our greatest natural resource. Apart from a few notable exceptions, nobody has championed the industry effectively and for long enough at the highest levels in order for it to realise its potential. We have lacked a champion.

Q. Are you saying that it was a failure of political will that has held back the aquaculture industry?

A. Political will in the 1980s was often scared off by vested interest groups such as private fisheries owners and those involved in the difficult job of wild fish conservation. They had a political agenda to look after their own interests, and aquaculture happened to be in their way. I don't think it's as

the general public on the im- A. One of the constant comportance of aquaculture in the plaints that I hear is the lack of 21st century. cohesion at Departmental level. Q. Can Ireland's aquaculture My members may get two or industry catch up with its three different people ringing competitors? them from the Department for A. In terms of value we could the same information. Or, they catch up, but never in terms of may be given two different volume. The industry isn't stories by two different people! thinking in terms of volume There's a lack of joined-up either, it's thinking in terms of thinking, and a lack of customer how to increase value from service. Since the Strategy Rewhat we can produce. The view however I am heartened atmosphere has changed within by recent contacts with the the industry itself in terms of its Department, so maybe that prothinking that we are not a cess was important in kickcommodity producer. starting change. The system is In fact, we now have to take a at fault, not the people in the good look at our position and at Department. There are some the major commodity producers excellent people in there, and I in other countries, and agree have never personalised my that it's pointless and futile to criticisms. try and out-compete them. The Q. The Seafood Strategy Irish salmon industry is never Review Group was given a going to go head-to-head with short time by government to the Norwegian salmon industry report back. Are you optimisin terms of lower costs due to tic that the report will be economies of scale. We do beat comprehensive enough? them hands down however in A. It's a tough job, but no terms of quality, brand image, better men to do it. I have the and customer satisfaction for height of respect for all three our products. For both shellfish people, and together with the and finfish farming, the future BIM Secretariat I believe that if will be to compete on quality any one can do it they can. Our and value. to the Group was to Q. Is it a strategic failure or approach present solutions at the same perhaps a lack of imagination time as presenting the problems. that salmon has been the basis We know what we want the of the Irish aquaculture in- aquaculture sector. Thein last dustry for so long? we want is to be part of A. No, because you needed a thing `something must be done backbone sector on which to the Ð those who jump up hang others such as turbot or brigade' and down that so-andcod farming. That's the way it so has to shouting about evolved in other countries as this. That'sdonotsomething our style in IFA well. We work out in a Strategically, the problem Aquaculture. very clear way ourwas that we missed a window selves what needsamongst to be done, of opportunity from 2000 to what we need to achieve, and 2004, which was clearly identi- how to get there. That comes fied in the 1999 CIRCA Report. from a tradition within the IFA, Everything came right for us: and I think it has stood to fish the market side, the demand, the investment atmosphere, the li- farmers very well. censing sector. The whole lot Q. Are the problems of was just primed for it, but the shellfish biotoxins that threapush never came. Part of the tened public health now problem was that we over- sorted out? estimated the ability of the A. A truly remarkable amount licensing sector to adapt to the of effort went into solving the problems. We have turned that needs of the industry. strength and experience into

* Rope mussel lines in Killary Harbour: `we are one of the very few countries in the world where shellfish and finfish aquaculture are now together under the one roof'.

trying to come to a resolution on the microbiological and virological side of things. I am proud to say that by our members putting their shoulders to the wheel, not only did we keep the rope mussel sector going, we now have a biotoxin system that can respond to the needs of the industry. I can put my hand on my heart and know that I'm not going to get a phone call from somebody on the continent or in Asia saying we have a biotoxins problem associated with Irish shellfish. It was a long struggle Ð five years really it took to sort that out to everybody's satisfaction.

Q. You have been ten years as IFA Aquaculture executive secretary. How has the focus of your job changed in that time?

A. When we started off we were only dealing with salmon, and one of the achievements is that we are one of the very few countries in the world where shellfish and finfish aquaculture are now together under the one roof. That's very important. Ten years ago at national level we didn't have licensing legislation; we were still paying rates; there was still a salmon dealers' register that had to include farmed fish; we were using the mouse bioassay in a couple of bays; classification of shellfish waters was not on anybody's agenda; the threat of Norwegian dumping was ever-present, threatening to strangle the salmon farming sector. We had no contacts in Europe, and there was no European shellfish as-

sociation. We managed to change all those things Ð plus countless more in terms of the relationships that we have built nationally with the likes of the Food Safety Authority, and internationally with the European Commission.

Q. What are your hopes for the finfish and shellfish sectors?

A. I wouldn't separate them. In fact, over the past few months I have come to the conclusion that we need to work together closer rather than sectionalise the industry. We are very focused on reminding people how important the industry is. And looking at the products, I'm very encouraged now by the huge interest there is in food: where it comes from; quality; locally-produced produce; niche products etc. It is wide open for the aquaculture sector to take advantage of. We tick all the boxes of sustainability, quality, traceability, local produce, freshness Ð all the buzzwords that are there today. We should see all this as a fantastic opportunity.

Q. What will happen once the current agreement on Minimum Import Price (MIP) expires in four years?

A. I would hope that by then we would be sufficiently protected by our margins and markets and not have to worry about having to go down that route again. There will be challenges along the way. I'm currently dealing with a challenge to the MIP from Denmark which has the support of six

countries attempting to get back to a position of cheap salmon. The Danes are arguing that consumers are paying for the MIP because the price of salmon has doubled. That's a total lie. The price of salmon from the farmer has doubled but the price of salmon to the consumer has stayed exactly the same Ð it hasn't even matched inflation across Europe. The processors are annoyed because they are no longer making the super profits they made between 2001 and 2003. At that time, the price on the retail side was the same but the price they were paying the farmer was half of what it is now. So their annoyance really is the fact that their margins have been squeezed from 50% to 10%.

Q. What will IFA Aquaculture be seeking from Government in the run-up to next year's general election?

A. Top of our wish list is to prioritise the whole marine area, and I'd like to see a lot more cohesion between all the interest groups who are dealing with the sea and with seafood in particular. We want to try and invigorate all political parties to make sure that the marine is given a focus Ð whatever government comes in after the next general election Ð I don't care, we are not party political. We want a minister at the cabinet table with full responsibility for the marine Ð our greatest natural resource. We are going nowhere otherwise.

INSHORE IRELAND

October 2006

MYTHS AND LEGENDS

Busting the myth that farmed salmon is full of dye.

(Photo: BIM)

It is important that Irish consumers are told the truth about the food they eat. All too often they are misled by glib phrases and sound bytes that make for exciting journalism but do not give the true facts

12 reasons for interregional cooperation

Myths and legends of aquaculture exploded! The pigments used in salmon feed are

By Donal Maguire,

manufactured

BIM aquaculture

produced

development manager

farmed Atlantic salmon in particular, have been the subject of more than their fair share of sensationalism. set

coming

the

issues

record

straight,

Inshore

Ireland

over will

the be

running exclusive articles that separate fact from fiction so that the consumer can make healthy eating choices.

salmon actually have higher levels than their farmed cousins. These pigments are

diet, which would be small crustaceans such

also powerful antioxidants, making a posi-

as krill.

tive contribution to the health of humans crustaceans

use

are

not

the

major

food

is full of dyes The first thing to understand is that the pigments which are used to make the meat of quality assured Irish farmed salmon pink are identical to those which make wild salmon pink. So if farmed salmon are full of dyes, then so are wild salmon! Exactly the same dye. Two pigments are commonly used to make salmon flesh pink: astaxanthin and canthaxanthin. Both are naturally occurring

The levels of pigment in salmon feed are

hake as well as wild salmon. Synthesising

controlled by the EU and in Irish law under

the pigment artificially not only ensures that

the Additives in Feeding stuffs (Amendment)

the product is of consistently high quality,

1998 S/I/98/205. Their use is very strictly

but

controlled and the amount in the flesh is

also

indirectly

safeguards

the

food

Farmed

and

wild

salmon

need

Some years ago there was a controversy

pigments because they are essential to their

when the consumption of canthaxanthin at

health and wellbeing. The pigments are

very

needed for the reproduction, growth and

associated with eye disease. It has been

survival of salmon ova and fry, and they

calculated, however, that an average person

provide antioxidant protection to the tissues

would have to eat more than 10kg of wild

and the membranes of the fish. The fact that

or farmed salmon a day for several weeks to

they also give the flesh of the salmon the

get the same load as from a tanning pill!

pills

was

in itself.

diet fed to farmed salmon, but the same

Pigment levels

development, and these are found almost

make

tanning

So much for the farmed salmon are full

crustaceans

which

of dye myth! Yes, there is a pigment in the

one form or another for proper growth and

krill,

levels

come to expect is a by-product, not an end

pigments absorbed through the diet from as

high

characteristic pink colour, which we have

All living organisms require carotenoids in

such

both safe and beneficial to the consumer.

these

carotenoids. In the wild it is these same

salmon pink.

when they eat salmon.

source for wild fish such as herring and

sources for these wild species as well.

Myth No 1: Farmed salmon

wild and farm-raised salmon are essentially

source of the pigment in the farmed salmon

would

those

the same although some species of Pacific

practice

natural

These

nature.

identical

sustainable

AQUACULTURE products in general and

levels of pigment found in the flesh of both

everywhere in both plants and animals. The

4 Projects extended until June 2007 • Juvenile production of marine finfish • Lobster Restocking • ICZM • Regional Exchanges/Sea wo-men For further information visit www.aquareg.com

pigment is in the diet that wild salmon feed on themselves. The good news is that it's good for them and good for you! Further information about Irish seafood is on the BIM website: www.bim.ie

North East South West

INTERREG IIIC

INSHORE IRELAND October 2006

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Photos: Stefan Kraan, Irish Seaweed Centre

Seaweed to solve heavy-metal pollution * Polysiphonia lanosa Ð a brown seaweed seen here parasitizing the egg wrack Ascophyllum nodosum.

Gery Flynn reports

A low-cost environmentallyfriendly biofiltration system that uses seaweed to control heavy metal pollution in industrial waste streams has the potential for widespread application, a meeting of the seaweed industry was told. Dr Eddy Fitzgerald of the Estuarine Research Group at Waterford Institute of Technology told the Irish Seaweed Industry Organisation (ISIO) annual meeting and symposium in Galway that seaweeds were likely to play an increasing role in bioremediation of waste waters Ð a process where dissolved poisonous heavy metals like copper, lead and chro-

functional groups Ð especially the carboxyl Ð on a particular seaweed, its metal-holding capacity would be enhanced: ``Basically, we are also trying to discover which of the seaweeds' genes are involved in metal adsorption, and whereas a lot of plant genes have already been identified, very little similar work has been done on seaweeds,'' he explained. The ERG has been carrying out strategic research into estuarine and coastal ecosystems since 2002. Dr Fitzgerald said that a lot of effort had already gone into identifying which Metal holding were the best species for use capacity in biofiltration processes. He added that if a way could be He described an experiment found of increasing certain where several native species mium are removed, and in some cases may be concentrated and even re-cycled. ``It's already well known that the so-called functional groups such as carboxyl, sulphate, amino and hydroxyl found on the surface of seaweeds cause metals to be absorbed or attached to them. Our group has been using different analytical techniques to identify as many as these functional groups as possible in a variety of native seaweeds,'' Dr Fitzgerald explained.

* Corralina officianalis, a red seaweed which rapidly removes chromium from solution

specific metals that could be concentrated, recovered and recycled: ``We have experimented with both live and dead seaweed; however, in practical terms we currently use tiny particles of dried seaweed in our filter units. It would be nice to use live seaweed of course but it cannot be used in our system at the present time,'' he stated. Commenting on the ERG research, Dr Ross Campbell, who chairs the ISIO, agreed that the scope for such a process in bioremediation was likely to Specific metal be enormous. indicators He said that the results of a According to Dr Fitzgerald, the recent internal ISIO study on result indicates that certain sea- industrial bioremediation had weeds could be used to target revealed that, ``in Ireland there were tested for their ability to adsorb dissolved copper and chromium from solution and retain it over a 21 day period: ``We found for example that while the brown seaweed Polysiphonia lanosa had quite a rapid up-take and a good holding capacity for copper, the red seaweed Corallina officinalis, had a very poor uptake. With chromium, however, the result was astonishingly different, with Corallina performing the best''.

The hidden treasures of the humble seaweed Dr Lynn Browne, Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture

RAZOR clams, purple urchins and edible seaweeds were just a few of the topics under discussion at this year's CMar Aquaculture Workshop. More than 70 delegates from across the UK and Ireland travelled to Portaferry, Northern Ireland, to participate in the event in August. The session on Seaweed Aquaculture and Industrial Applications included speakers from Canada and Ireland giving fascinating insights on the seaweed business from an industry perspective. Alan Critchley (Acadian Seaplants Ltd, Canada) introduced his company's activities in the cultivation of Chondrus crispus (Irish moss). He gave

an interesting insight into Acadain's Chondrus cultivation for the Japanese sushi market, whereby the dark red seaweed is now being cultured in pink, green and yellow. He also explained how Ascophyllum nodosum (knotted wrack) is harvested for production of animal supplements and horticultural extracts, and highlighted the importance of environmental stewardship and management of this important natural resource. Mark Norman of Taighde Mara Teoranta outlined both the opportunities and constraints for seaweed farming in Ireland, while Paul MacArtain, of Cybercolloids Ltd and Irish Seaweed Industry Organisation, gave an overview of seaweed commercialisation in Ireland and around the world. Mark and Paul's presentations were extremely useful, providing an excellent synop-

is an awful lot of factories not doing what they should be doing''. And he added that with the Water Framework Directive soon to be implemented throughout the EU, concern was growing that the polymer resins which are being used currently in industrial filtration systems are not biodegradable, and will therefore not comply with the law. ``Once this legislation is in place, how are materials like these to be disposed of? The idea therefore of replacing them with an organic material like seaweed, which can be taken away after the metals are removed, makes increasing sense,'' he concluded.

sis of areas where future seaweed research would make economic sense. Home-grown talent in the form of Queen's University Belfast postgraduate students presented results from the well-established programme of applied seaweed research in QUB and C-Mar. Maeve Edwards described new developments in the cultivation of dulse (Palmaria palmata). Amanda Guy and Claire Campbell presented their research on the use of seaweeds in the bioremediation of agricultural effluents and as integrating biomonitors of nitrate and phosphate pollution in coastal waters. For further information on C-Mar and future workshops contact Dr Niall McDonough (niall.mcdonough@qub.ac.uk), Dr Lynn Browne (l.browne@qub.ac.uk) or check out the * Dr Clive Askew, Shellfish Association of Great Britain; Dr Lynn Browne, C-Mar; and Dr Dai Roberts, Cwebsite www.c-mar.eu Mar (background).

INSHORE IRELAND

October 2006

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Oyster season is upon us again! * Irish-produced Pacific oysters.

By Michael Murphy, Cross-border Aquaculture Initiative EEIG

NATIVE oysters Ostrea edulis have been fished since September 1 in places such as Loughs Foyle and Swilly in the northwest and in Galway, Clew and Tralee Bays in the west and south-west. Due to over fishing in the past, however, combined with a lack of regeneration until recent years and the major setbacks associated with the parasite Bonamia ostrea in a number of these areas, native oyster beds are greatly diminished. The native oyster harvest is now roughly between 400 and 500 tonnes. Oyster farming on the island of Ireland began in the 1970s using the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, and has risen to a production of just under 6,000 tonnes in 2005.

European demand

Despite the fact that oyster consumption is steadily rising in the home market, the majority of sales are bulk to Europe, particularly France, which has been a major producer of oysters with consumption of

120,000 tonnes. French production has had to switch to C. gigas as the onset of Bonemia badly affected their native oyster supplies. Such is the case now that most young consumers in France have never eaten native oysters; these are mainly consumed by the older generation. Production on the island of Ireland has increased due to available markets in France; however, this market is largely dependant upon production cycles in France, i.e. in good production years in France, oysters from Ireland achieve sluggish prices and in years of poor production in France, oysters from Ireland are in demand. Early reports this year indicate that French production is well down on last year with losses reported from the Mediterranean coast of between 40 and 50% to roughly, 11,000 tonnes.

French field trip

At the end of August, members of the Cross-border Aquaculture Initiative EEIG team linked up with Nicolas Ranninger of the BIM Paris office to visit Marennes in France to get a feel for the potential French market. Over a two-day period, pack-

ing stations were visited as well as finishing ponds (or claires). During discussions with those who source oysters for the retail outlets etc, quality was the basic issue with shape and meat content Ð as always Ð being most important. What apparently was unusual is how oysters from the island of Ireland have been gaining an even more positive name in France, and that this one again is looking to be an excellent year for sale into France. Production in Ireland for the French market of sterile oysters that do not go milky during the summer has also helped this scenario. The potential for oyster production in Ireland looks quite positive and is bolstered by ongoing French interest in buying both oysters and production units. This has been demonstrated by regular French visits to Ireland over the last few months. Continued efforts to improve the quality of oysters produced on the island of Ireland coupled with the forthcoming BIM quality scheme will assist in guaranteeing recognition of oysters from the island of Ireland by the French and other European markets in the years ahead.

Ag obair ar son phobal na Gaeltachta agus na Gaeilge Responsible for the economic, social and cultural development of the Gaeltacht Na Forbacha Co. na Gaillimhe / Co. Galway

Teil:/Tel: (091) 503100 Facs:/Fax: (091) 503101

Baile Mhic Íre, Maigh Chromtha,

Páirc Ghnó Ghaoth Dobhair Doirí Beaga

Co. Chorcaí / Co. Cork

Co. Dhún na nGall / Co. Donegal

Teil:/Tel: (026) 45366 Facs:/Fax: (026) 45423

Páirc Ghnó an Daingin An Daingean,

An Phríomh Shráid, Béal an Mhuirthead,

Co. Chiarraí / Co. Kerry

Co. Mhaigh Eo / Co. Mayo

Teil:/Tel: (066) 9150100 Facs:/Fax: (066) 9150101

Teil:/Tel: (074) 9560100 Facs:/Fax: (074) 9560101

Teil:/Tel: (097) 81418 Facs:/Fax: (097) 82179

e: eolas@udaras.ie

w: www.udaras.ie

INSHORE IRELAND October 2006

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Public health expert highlights risk of human illness from drinking water By Dr Frances Lucy, Department of Environmental Science, IT Sligo

A world expert on public health has highlighted that we may risk illness on a daily basis from drinking water, even in developed countries like Ireland. Dr Thaddeus Graczyk, who recently delivered a Fulbright lecture at the Institute of Technology Sligo, said that a microscopic parasite called Cryptosporidium, which causes gastro-enteritis and diarrhoea, could contribute to death in young children, the elderly and people with a weak immune system. ``The parasite cannot be inactivated by the chlorine used in drinking water treatment and there is no medication to cure the infection,'' said Dr Graczyk, an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, United States. For the first two weeks in September he acted as a Fulbright Senior Specialist at the School of Science, Sligo IT.

Increasing contamination

According to Dr Graczyk, less than 0.3% of global fresh water is available for human consumption and therefore water has to be recycled, but technology for cleaning water contaminated by this parasite is deficient. ``The growing incidence of contamination and the manner in which this organism can pollute source waters are very threatening to the drinking water industry,'' he said. Infection from Cryptosporidium has been identified as a common cause of gastro-enteritis in recent years and has been a notifiable disease in Ireland since 2004. The level of infection is monitored by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, a unit of the Health Services * Waterborne oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum identified by Executive. In 2004, 233 cases hybridization (FISH) and immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) assay. were notified, 546 in 2005 and 70 in the first quarter of 2006. water shed this parasite in their in the introduction of Cryptosfaeces, which can be easily poridium to our potable waters. Spotlight on The organism forms a cyst introduced via surface run-off agriculture into lakes or reservoirs used for (oocyst) that is long-lasting in Farm activities are a major drinking water abstraction. the environment. Contaminapoint source of environmental Land spreading of manures, tion of surface water by animal contamination. Cattle and sheep animal slurries and human sew- wastes can easily result in grazing close to the source of age on farmlands can also result subsequent human infections.

* Dr Thaddeus Graczyk

the combined fluorescent in situ Cryptosporidium multiplies rapidly in the cells of infected hosts. Experts estimate a contamination level of approximately 6,900 oocysts per square metre of pastures and cattle grazing lands in the United States. The waste of one

infected human can produce up to one million Cryptosporidium oocysts. People can become ill from ingesting less than ten oocysts. In Ireland, the recent report on drinking water quality by the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) said that local authorities should carry out a risk assessment of the danger of Cryptosporidium infection in their water supplies and carry out monitoring if necessary. The provision of good quality drinking water is one of the legal requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive (2000).

* Mature farmed cod

Viable finfish farming of novel species a step closer * Self-cleaning larval tank

Report by Gery Flynn

THE recent decision by the AquaReg steering committee to extend its OPEL sub-project means that Ireland, Spain and Norway could be a step closer to realising a viable marine finfish farming sector for novel species such as cod. OPEL Ð which stands for Optimisation of Environmental conditions for cultivating marine finfish Larvae Ð was among only four AquaReg subprojects to be given the funding goahead for another year. A total of eight projects had applied for an extension. Also successful were CZM Ð Coastal Zone Management, a common framework for sustainable aquaculture; restocking of lobsters Ð a regional strategy for stock enhancement of clawed lobsters and RegEX Ð an amalgamation of the Regional Ex-

* Larval cod.

change and SEAWOMEN projects. Confirmation of the OPEL extension will be welcomed in Ireland in particular because of its close association from the beginning with the MartinRyan-Institute Carna Laboratories where much of the research work was carried out.

High quality juveniles

Outling OPEL's achievements to date, and looking to the future, Alan Drumm of the Marine Institute, and Ireland's AquaReg representative, told Inshore Ireland that the focus from the start had been to try to establish a reliable supply of high-quality juvenile fish for on-growing at sea: ``Phase one of the OPEL project succeeded in establishing a bi-lateral information exchange, which resulted in significant advancements in auto-

* Juvenile farmed cod.

mating live food production and reducing production costs. Phase two will also aim to continue the valuable information exchange partnership between Fosen Aquasenter in Norway and MRI Carna and to extend this partnership with Luso-Hispana de Acuicultura, in Spain.'' According to Drumm, Fosen Aquasenter and MRI Carna recently invested in the latest version of AquaOptimas self-cleaning larval tank which uses a mechanical rotating arm to slowly clean the tank floor. He revealed that a previous model of this tank had been used Ð with encouraging results Ð to successfully rear pollack larvae (Pollachius pollachius) in Luso-Hispana de Acuicultura under the AquaReg Poltank project. ``They reported survival rates of between 4.3% and 5.3% among pollack larvae reared using conventional

flow through tanks compared with 9.6 to 12.8% among larvae reared in selfcleaning larval tanks supplied with water from a water re-use system,'' he explained.

Performance comparisions

Drumm stressed that the extension will also allow the three participating countries to investigate the production of juvenile cod year-round, by comparing performance of seasonal batches produced. It is known already that there is a significant difference in survival and growth of cod throughout the year, something which may be strongly season-dependent. ``This work is essential in establishing commercial viability, and a suite of water quality parameters including temperature, salinity, pH, redox potential, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, carbon

dioxide and total viable counts will be routinely measured during the larviculture,'' he explained. There will also be a tri-lateral information exchange network between Luso-Hispana de Acuicultura, Fosen Aquasenter and MRI Carna. The bilateral information exchange network already established between Fosen Aquasenter and MRI Carna, during phase one of OPEL, proved valuable in a number of key areas to both partners. ``Key husbandry and managerial staff from all three facilities will attend this workshop along with other national and international delegates to exchange information on water reuse systems and operating of self-cleaning tanks. Staff from Isidro will spend time working at the MRI Carna to gain hands-on experience of operating a pilot commercial scale marine recirculation unit,'' Drumm concluded.

INSHORE IRELAND

October 2006

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Notice-board . . Notice-board. .

IFA & Dept to address licence issues AQUACULTURE licence issues have impacted on practically every aquaculture operator over recent years and have been high on the list of priorities for IFA Aquaculture to resolve. Despite having a new legal framework in place under the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, aquaculture operators have complained of long delays; lack of communication; inconsistency in application of policies; confusion as to decision-making processes; misunderstanding of practical issues and unexplained decisions which have negatively effected existing operators. The Coastal Zone Administration Division of the Department of Marine and IFA Aquaculture have agreed to a structured problem-solving process to address the industry's concerns through a semi-formal and professional

discussion and negotiation process. This will take the form of high-level contact between DCMNR and the organisation, and regular meetings to address an agenda put forward by the aquaculture sector to work through any difficulties Ă? real or perceived. Welcoming the move, IFA Aquaculture executive secretary, Richie Flynn said he noted the Department's constructive and open minded approach to having a responsive and transparent licensing system. He added that the IFA looked forward to working with the new Principal Officer, John Quinlan and his team, who are in the process of phasing in a complete transfer of the service to the Department's new offices in Clonakilty.

Aquaculture Forum THE Minister's Aquaculture Forum met early this month to review a number of issues raised by IFA Aquaculture including:

* Licensing problem-solving framework * Natura 2000 site pre-assessment * Carrying capacity studies update * Ministerial Strategy Group and National Development Plan 2007-2013 * Minimum import price for salmon: Developments in Brussels * Follow-up on recommendations of the Pricewaterhouse Coopers report on the rope mussel sector * Inter-tidal mortalities caused by Karenia bloom * Scheme for inshore bottom shellfish site maintenance vessels * Bottom Mussel sector review

A full report on shellfish issues raised at the meeting is included in the ISA newsletter circulated

* Further information from Susan Steele on 027-71232/ Steele@bim.ie or full-time application forms are available from the Regional Fisheries Centre, Castletownbere. Part-time courses are also available in Rosmuc and Letterfrack, Co. Galway.

Other discounts

* Discount deals on travel up to 10% off best quotes * Discount deals on car hire of up to 10% off best quotes with Hertz * Discount on IFAC accountants/ finance services * Discount deals on phones, PC software including anti virus, firewall, parental control with IFA Telecom shop * 10% off best quotes with Lynch Hotels & other short holiday destinations * 12.5% off best quotes with Stena Line on Irish Sea ferry crossings

For full details call IFA on 014500266 or visit www.ifa.ie

IFA Aquaculture membership benefits AS an aquaculture producer and member of the ISGA, ISA or ITPG, you can avail of all these benefits today:

* Access to professional staff * Membership pack * Access to IFA website, newsletters * Ongoing contact via text, website and newsletters

Utility benefits

* Best home, phone and Internet deal with IFA Telecom * Exclusive and unbeatable Mobile Phone Tariff with IFA Tele-

Training to improve efficiency and quality in aquaculture A KEY observation to emerge from the seafood strategy review road show last July was that aquaculture is yet to reach its potential in Ireland. To assist the development of the sector, BIM provides training to improve efficiency and quality in both shellfish and finfish farming in a safe, sustainable way. A range of courses are available through BIM's regional fisheries centre in Castletownbere, VTOS Rosmuc and VEC Letterfrack. These courses are accredited, and students can choose either FETAC level 2 or level 1 courses. Subjects covered include first aid; fire-fighting; personal survival techniques; health and safety; slinging and crane arm operating and radio courses. Practical courses in engineering and workboat handling are also available. On the aquaculture side, finfish, shellfish and hatchery production are covered. Courses are run on a part-time or full-time basis. The fulltime course runs for 15 weeks and begins again 15 January.

free to ISA members with Inshore Ireland.

com/O2 Mobile

Insurance benefits

* Member personal accident insurance * Members personal legal liability insurance Cover * The best car/home insurance quotes from FBD * 10% VHI/BUPA Health insurance group discount

Banking & finance

* Best negotiated car/home finance deals with GE Money * Credit Card deal with MBNA

Irish Shellfish Assoc. AGM: Farm Centre 26 Oct BY decision of the ISA executive committee, the AGM originally scheduled for the annual conference in Ennis earlier in the year was postponed to allow time to bring forward and agree new rules for the organisation to function to the best of its ability within the IFA, and to deliver the best results for its membership throughout the country in a democratic and transparent structure. The ISA has included a number of presentations that will be of interest to all members and welcomes the IFA President, Padraig Walshe, to the event as the first ever sitting IFA President to attend an ISA AGM. Elections to one bottommussel and one novel/minority species seat on the ninemember executive committee will be held, and the committee will elect a chairperson from among their number at its first meeting following the AGM.

The next AGM will take place in the first half of 2007, where three seats will be vacated (2 rope mussel and southern region novel/minority species).

Itinerary

* Welcome address: Irish Shellfish Association chairwoman, Mary Ferns * Address by IFA President: Padraig Walshe * Representing the Irish Shellfish Industry Ă? Lessons from the past looking towards the future. Pat Keogh, BIM chief executive * Market Opportunities for the coming season: BIM Marketing Division * Live Shellfish Import/Export Issues: Marine Institute * A Partnership in Planning: Coastal Zone Administration Division, Dept of Communications, Marine & Natural Resources

MRI Carna seeks to support the sustainable commercialisation of our marine resources by Ireland's coastal communities through its active programmes in:

Investigating new species for environmentally sustainable cultivation. . Adapting and trialling the most advanced new technologies as they emerge. . Facilitating mergers between the commercial and applied-research sectors. . Clustering expertise in a range of marine disciplines. In the past four years a number of new companies have clustered around MRI Carna providing the ideal environment for entrepreneurs to avail of the most advanced scientific methodologies and thus enabling community-based enterprise to flourish. .

Dr Susan Steele training Mihael Illipe in opening oysters and measuring condition indices.

* Turning oyster bags at Kush Sea Farm, Kenmare.

For further information contact Declan Clarke at 091-493422, 095-32201 or declan.clarke@nuigalway.ie

INSHORE IRELAND October 2006

FRESHWATER FOCUS

* Padraic Traynor, John Healy, Barry Kelly and Liam Gavin electrofishing on Difreen River, Co Leitrim.

Photo: SeaĂ&#x201A;n Coady

Fisheries course proves to be a winner

Gery Flynn reports A certificate course in fisheries management which was developed jointly by the Central Fisheries Board and the Institute of Technology Sligo, where it is taught to fisheries employees, has proved so popular that it is to be offered to the general public on the CAO from 2008. In addition, a spin-off diploma in science with a fisheries emphasis is being planned. The Higher National Certificate in Fisheries Management has been taught to full-time employees of the fisheries boards at IT Sligo since October 2003. Thirty-two fisheries staff have completed the progam so

far, with another intake expected this month. Mary O'Reilly, Human Resources Manager with the Central Fisheries Board told Inshore Ireland how the course originated: ``It was developed in response to staff requests for relevant and specific learning that would capture and harness the wealth of knowledge, talent and skills that existed within the fisheries service,'' she says. Information forum According to O'Reilly, development of the course ``provided a forum to share information and learn new skills and knowledge, and set new improved standards that would raise the

profile of the organisation and the professionalism of our staff.'' Describing the course content as ``wide ranging'', O'Reilly says that it was developed ``with expert input from the Fisheries Service and IT Sligo. We have plans to review the course regularly to ensure that the quality of the programme is maintained,'' she says. From the teaching side, Dr Frances Lucy, a lecturer in ecology at IT Sligo for the past 13 years, and co-ordinator of the course comments: ``We cover many aspects of work in the fisheries service with subjects ranging from Environmental Studies, Fisheries

* Pictured (left to right): Killian Chute, Henry Keating, Padraic Traynor, Declan Cullagh, Mike O'Mahony, Frank O'Reilly (instructor), Fionnuala McCabe, John Hederman, Brendan Mundy, Barry Kelly, Martin O'Dwyer, Paul Gallagher, Pat Armstrong, Liam Gavin, Paul Condon, Frances Lucy (course co-ordinator) and Myles Roban. Photo: SeaĂ&#x201A;n Coady

Law, Fisheries Biology, Catchment Management, Health and Safety, Fish Stock Assessment and Enhancement, Management and Accounting, Angling Tourism and Information Technology.'' Diverse programme Highlighting its varied nature, Dr Lucy describes the programme as ``a combination of lectures, lab-work and field work to be undertaken on a full-time basis, over 18 months. And she is keen to praise the quality and commitment of the students who have completed it: ``These students are tremendously motivated, and they are quick to formalise the knowl-

edge already acquired in their daily jobs. Knowledge is shared and everyone benefits. It is a very dynamic course to be involved in,'' she says. Barry Kelly, a fisheries officer with the Western Regional Fisheries Board in Castlebar who recently completed the course is fulsome in praising it and the teaching staff: ``As a course it really did measure up to my expectations, and really opened my eyes to other opportunities in this field. The back-up and support we all got from the teaching staff was also first-class. You were encouraged to contact them any time with questions to do with our assignments and projects.''

And with regard to his dayto-day work with the WRFB where he has been employed since 1997, Kelly is not in any doubt that the course has given him the confidence to seek new career challenges: ``Regarding the Water Framework Directive for example there will be a huge degree of monitoring in rivers, and I feel now that I have both the skills and the confidence to do such work. ``In fact, several of us who completed the certificate course now feel that we'd like to go further and do diploma and even degree courses in fisheries management at IT Sligo,'' he concludes.

IRELAND COMPETES IN WORLD FLY FISHING EVENT * Despite a disappointing ninth place for the Ireland at the Mouche Fly Fishing World Championship in Portugal, team captain Peter Driver said he was ``proud'' of the young anglers' achievements: ``Over the last few years I have travelled to many of these events and this one was by far the toughest. There was not one person on the team that didn't give 100%. They did their country proud.'' The Irish team comprised three youths from Munster: Bryan Berry, Conor Myres and Richard Willis, and three anglers from Connacht: Alan Walsh, James Purcell, and Padraig Kerrigan. The event, which took place on three rivers in the Minho region: the Gandaha, the Mouro, and the Coura, attracted teams from England, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, USA, Canada and the Czech Republic. Sponsors included the Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland, Milbro Sport and G-Loomis.

INSHORE IRELAND

October 2006

FRESHWATER FOCUS

Impressive display

Competition results First Overall: Troy Francis (16), Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare

by youth anglers at

Second Overall: Stephen O'Flaherty (16), Clonsilla, Dublin Third Overall: Frank Folan (16)

world casting event

Lucan, Dublin

SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD Troy Francis from Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare, scooped top prize at a fly-casting and troutfishing competition, held in conjunction with the World Casting Championships in early September. Casting 85' 3'' in the long distance event and scouring 690 points in the accuracy event secured him top place ahead of 50 young anglers aged 13 to 18 from around the country. Des Chew of Dublin Angling Initiative said the event offered an opportunity for young people to learn a new skill and to compete under pressure. ``It is important for the angling community to encourage young anglers to participate in all angling disciplines, to ensure the sport is carried on by future generations. A great deal of work went into the organisation, and none of it would have been possible without the help of over 20 volunteers, including staff from the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board.''

Longest cast event winner: Frank Folan,

Individual Event winners 92ft Accuracy cast event winner: Troy Francis, 690 points The event was organised by the Dublin Angling Initiative in conjunction with Avonmore Tackle Products and was sponsored by the Emerald World Masters.

(l to r:) Des Chew, DAI; Pat Cullen, Avonmore Tackle Products; Peter Driver, Avonmore Tackle Products; Stephen O'Flaherty, second place overall; Troy Francis, first place overall; Steve Rajeff, 13-times World Casting Champion; Frank Folan, third place overall, and David Wilkinson, Emerald World Masters.

Pictured at the recent Dublin Angling Initiative (DAI) Youth Fly Casting Event, sponsored by the Emerald World Masters, are some of the young competitors and DAI stewards.

Conservation by-laws

Catches of wild salmon

NEW conservation by-laws to protect Ireland's coarse and pike fisheries came into effective in August and are available in eight languages: Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, German, Hungarian, Russian, Irish and French. The new by-laws provide the regional fishery boards with improved legislation to prosecute offenders more effectively, necessitated by increased poaching and excessive killing of coarse fish by rod and line. According to the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board: ``Anyone found guilty of poaching or illegal fishing can expect to face prosecution, a substantial fine\costs and confiscation of fishing equipment and fish caught.'' The ERFB is also looking to anglers to report any incidences of illegal activity.

drop 45% in five years

Pike

Pike thrive in the large undisturbed waters with large stocks of fodder fish such as roach, rudd, skimmer bream and perch. Best results are achieved

By Gillian Mills

* Improved legislation to protect coarse and pike fisheries. by fishing on the surface/subsurface along weed banks in the summer, while deeper fishing will yield good results in the colder winter months. In the interest of conservation it is recommended that all pike are returned alive to the water. Coarse angling is permitted all

year with best results in spring and autumn. In the pike and coarse angling by-laws `coarse fish' means any fresh water fish other than pike, salmon, trout, eels or minnow.

Further information on www.fishingireland.net

By-laws explained By-law 806 provides for

* a bag limit of four fish per day * a ban on the killing of coarse fish greater than

25cm in length * a ban on the sale of any coarse fish in Ireland (excluding Northern Ireland). This provision will not apply to tackle dealers and bait suppliers who have been granted an exemption from their local regional fisheries board. By-law 809 provides for

* a bag limit of one pike in any one day * a ban on the killing of any pike greater than 50cm in length

* a ban on the possession of more than one pike

less than 50cm in length or more than 0.75kg of pike flesh. This provision does not apply to anyone storing pike or pike parts subject to conditions * a ban on the possession of more than 12 coarse fish for use as bait subject to conditions The by-laws are available in English and in the languages mentioned above by request to the EFFB at info@erfb.ie, subject: `By-Law Request'. Alternatively, you can contact the ERFB on (01) 2787022.

FIGURES released by the Central Fisheries Board show a decline of 15.5% in the number of salmon caught by both fishermen and anglers in 2005. Since 2001, catches across both sectors have dropped 45%. The Wild Salmon Commercial and Angling Catch Statistics Report provides information to fisheries managers, scientists, policy advisers/makers, and assists with designing and implementing strategies for the conservation of salmon and sea trout stocks in Ireland. In 2005, the total number of salmon caught was 143,541: * drift nets (70.5%) * anglers (15.6%) * draft net (11.7%) and * `other engines' (2.2%). The commercial catch of 121,180 salmon and 864 sea trout (over 43cm) was 12.8% under the Total Allowable Catch. The angling salmon catch of 22,361 represents a decrease of 15% on the 2004 season. Almost one-third of the total salmon angling catch was taken on the Moy River system. Catch and release figures indicate that 12% of all salmon caught were released, representing an increase of 3% on 2004. A total of 28,738 salmon rod licences were sold in 2005 to anglers from 40 countries. Almost 60% of the anglers were from the Republic of Ireland, 15% from Northern Ireland and 13% from the UK. From a marketing perspective, the angling statistics provide an insight into trends and

* A wild Atlantic salmon being carefully returned alive to the water. help form strategies to develop future initiatives. Data collection

In 2001, the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme was introduced under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1999. The principal aims are to provide a means of collecting accurate nominal catch statistics and estimates of salmon and sea trout stock exploitation; to develop best management strategies and to ensure these species

are exploited in a manner consistent with long-term sustainability. According to the CFB chairman David Mackey, the initiative has been an ``outstanding success. Use of tags and the operation of the quota system is now well established in Ireland,'' he said.

The Irish Wild Salmon Commercial and Angling Catch Statistics Report 2005 is available from the CFB website: www.cfb.ie/pdf/salmstat05.pdf

INSHORE IRELAND October 2006

Wicklow lifesavers Saving lives in Donegal awarded plaudits COASTLINE NEWS

WICKLOW'S Junior Surf Rescue Team took podium honours at the Junior National Surf Rescue Championships in Galway at the end of August by winning gold in the sea swim and canbuoy rescue sections; silver in the medley section and bronze in the board rescue and board race sections. Under the expert guidance of their coach Joan Morton, the team also took fifth place in the final flag race event. Testing conditions of a stiff westerly and a strong tidal flow were the order of the day, and the mixed team of boys and girls competed against very strong opposition from Donegal, Clare, Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford and Galway. Surf rescue is a growing sporting discipline in Ireland that is already hugely popular in Europe and further afield. The Under-16 National Championships are part of Irish Water Safety's programme to promote water safety and have a particular focus on the necessary skills required by lifeguards nationwide. The championships serve to encourage youngsters to enrol in swimming, rescue and lifesaving courses, and many go on to work as lifeguards in swimming pools, leisure centres and on beaches home and abroad. ``It is from these young competitors that Ireland recruits

(l to r) Joan Morton (coach of both teams); Sorcha Howley; Emer

Corcoran; Miriam Ferguson; Neasa Howley; Lara Nolan; Jessica Nolan. (Gary Morton Jnr also competed but is not pictured).

(l to r) Lynne Duffy; Katie O Neil; Aidan Maguire (Captain); Ian Banaghan; Eoin O'Loughlin; Chris Kinsella; Padraig Naughton. (Claire Morton also competed but is not pictured).

its finest lifeguards,'' commented Jim Lawlor, chairman of the Irish Water Safety Sports Commission. ``Lifeguards require a strong training regime in order to maintain a high standard of fitness ... These competitions help us select the most suitable candidates and it is a credit to

the IWS coaches nationwide to have such commitment to honing these lifesaving skills in both nippers (aged 12-14) and juniors (under-16).'' Wicklow's nipper team were awarded a silver medal in the sea swim event and also achieved a good placing in the flag competition.

OFFICIATING at the opening of a new coastguard station at Bunbeg, Co Donegal, Pat the Cope Gallagher, Minister of State for Transport, called for new volunteers in the run-up to winter. ``Almost every week one of our coastguard units is called to assist with a search and rescue operation. It is true dedication to give of their time and to be selfless enough to carry out sea and coastal rescues. This work of the volunteers, together with the support of their families, makes up the admirable service associated with search and rescue,'' he said. The Bunbeg Unit Ă? one of 54 located around the coast and at inland points Ă? is led by Timmy Boyle, who along with 26 volunteers answers up to 30 callouts each year. Missions would include vessels going aground, cliff incidents, missing persons and surfers. Minister Gallagher also acknowledged the interaction between the Bunbeg Unit and local schools and visitors holidaying in the area: ``Educating people, making them more aware of and prepared for the difficulties to expect on our seas, is as vital as saving them when in danger. Our coastguard and its units is a lifeline in every community in every corner of our country,'' he concluded.

* Capt Geoff Livingstone, director of the Irish Coast Guard and Pat the Cope Gallagher, Minister of State for Transport, at the opening of the coastguard station at Bunbeg, Co Donegal.

THE station was constructed at a cost of 800,000 as part of the Government's building programme for coastguard units. It was designed to sit into the natural landscape and to be easily absorbed visually within the built fabric of the harbour. The accommodation comprises two sections: the Boathouse storage area and a three-storey operational and administrative unit. A tender process is underway to provide a Foyle Class

(Photo: J Rafferty)

Rescue Boat, which will have the capability to operate as far as Tory Island. The unit also has a transit van for carrying its cliff climbing equipment and an `all terrain vehicle' with trailer to transport cliff equipment. The Irish Coast Guard is responsible for the Irish search and rescue; the Irish pollution response zone; inland waters, mountains and caves; cliffs and off-shore islands. It has 82 full-time staff and almost 1,000 volunteers.

Black skies fail to dampen festival spirit

(l to r): Phil Hallsworth; Dave Timms, (overall winner); John Browne TD, Minister of State for the Marine; Steve Mills (overall winner), and Norman Dunlop, Central Fisheries Board.

OVER 90 UK anglers in 30 boats competed in the Rosslare Small Boats Festival in midSeptember, which recorded the worst weather conditions in its 21-year history. Steve Mills (Gosport and District Sea Angling Club) and Dave Timms (Portsmouth) took the honours with 20 species and a total weight of 10.54kg. In second place were Richie Stead and Keith Pemberton (Wirral Boat Angling Club) with 19 species and a total weight of 17.22kg. Third place

went to Mike Woods, Alan Johnson and Colin Cooke (Southport and Sefton Boat Angling Clubs) with 19 species and a total weight of 15.06kg. The species caught included coalfish, cod, conger eel, dogfish, flounder, gurnards, ling, plaice, pollack, pouting, ray, smoothhound, tope, whiting and wrasse. Attending the prize-giving, John Browne, Minister of State for Marine said he had ``no doubt'' that the growing popularity for the event was as a

result of the great sea fishing and hospitality in Rosslare. The event was organised by John Meaney, Phil Hallsworth, the Central and Eastern Regional Fisheries Boards, plus UK and local sponsors. Next year's event takes place from September 8 to 14. Further information from Josie Mahon, Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, 01-2787022 or josie.mahon@erfb.ie. For information on east coast fishing visit www.fishingireland.net

INSHORE IRELAND

October 2006

OUTSIDE IRELAND

* Purse seiners at Valdivia in Chile's X region.

Free trade agreement raises alarm in Chile Report by Gillian Mills

Key recommendations

A report commissioned by a French NGO on the EU-Chile Association Agreement which entered into force in February 2003 warns that the economic success story of Chile masks the `very serious state' of most (76%) of Chile's 17 main commercial fisheries whereby `10 are in a critical

munities and artisenal fisheries, food lished between coastal communities, security, public health, scientificartisanal fisheries and social organitechnical development and the prosations in Chile and Europe to assess tection of water resources and aquato what extent the Agreement will biodiversity. impact upon the environment, public * tic European investment companies health and labour standards with should be encouraged to implement regard to fisheries, aquaculture and the aims of the Agreement for conregional development. servation and improvement of the * Existing provisions of the Agreement environment; prevention of contamshould be used to initiate developination and degradation of natural ment of a National Food Policy resources and ecosystems in the through which Chilean marine ecointerest of sustainable development. systems and resources could be strategically linked to regional coastal * A condition of financing should conform to strict environmental, sanitary development, democratic participation, strengthening of coastal comand labour standards and norms * Formal dialogue needs to be estab-

state, three are in decline and only

three are considered to be in a healthy

'. Key features of the Agreement include trade liberalisation, market access, financial services, investment, sanitary regulations, technical norms and standards, transparency and dispute settlement processes. Under the trade provisions, liberalization of trade in fish and fishery products exists on a reciprocal basis. For 95% of fishery products (except for hake, some salmon and tuna products), tariffs will be reduced to zero over 10 years on products exported from Chile to the EU. A separate Protocol on Fisheries Investment establishes conditions on a reciprocal basis for European investment in the Chilean fisheries sector. European owners of Chilean companies may register vessels, buy licences and quotas and transfer vessels to Chile. European investors can acquire 100% ownership of fishing vessels operating in Chile's EEZ, thus offering them direct access to diverse marine resources linked to fishing quotas. The report warns of an `active state

* Salmon farm.

.' Heavy reliance on industrial fishing The report, which was commissioned by the ComiteÂ Catholique Contre le Faim et pour le DeÂ veÂ loppement (CCFD) and produced by the Centro EcoeÂanos in Chile, notes that 33% of trade in Chilean marine produce comes from the industrial production of fishmeal and fish oil: `These commodities have a low

from 12% in 1992 to 335 in 2004. By 2013, production is targeted to reach 1.3m tonnes or 40% of world supplies, placing Chile as the leading producer of salmonoids. Fishing and aquaculture are the most dynamic sectors of the Chilean economy, experiencing an increase of 13.4% in 2004. Estimates indicate further growth of between 5.5% and 6.5% in 2005. Salmon farming alone represents 50% of the total value of fish exports and 5.6% of total national exports. The report however raises added-value and a heavy environmen`serious questions concerning the ecotal and social impact, and work involvement of large European owned nomic, development and environmental against the interests of artisenal fishing companies in the overexploitation of benefits' of salmon farming, and sugand food sovereignty.' several of Chile's most important fishgests that the industry operates `as an Industrial salmon farming has grown economic enclave'. eries and the degradation of marine from 71,000 tonnes in 1990 to almost and inland water ecosystems'. And it `On the one hand it uses the country, adds that this is in `direct contradiction 600,000 tonnes in 2003, and the value its local labour force and its natural of exports has grown by almost resources (water, energy and feed from to the promotion of sustainable eco1000%. Chile is now the second largest fisheries and agriculture production) nomic and social development, and the salmon producer worldwide, increas- and on the other it occurs major equitable distribution of the benefits that are claimed to be in the Agreeing its contribution to global supplies environmental, sanitary and social ment's guiding principles

'. Poor governance The report adds that State regulation is weak and that government only effectively controls 12% of the salmon industry: `There is evidence of widespread costs

abuse

environmental

and

labour

lawsThe government does not compile statistics on the quantities of antibiotics used in salmon farming and there is no supervision of veterinary control. The industry uses between 75 and 100 times more antibiotics per tonne of

.' Speaking on the conclusion of negotiations in 2002, Juan Carlos CaÂrdenas, director of EcoceÂanos noted that the negotiating process had excluded the participation of Chilean civil society organisations: ``This effectively denied coastal communities, artisenal fishermen, fish workers and consumers access to information on issues with a direct bearing on their fishing and aquaculture dependent livelihoods.'' salmon than the Norwegian industry

The Brussels-based Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA) works to supply detailed

information to coastal fishing communities with a view to promoting their active and informed participation in the decision making processes affecting their livelihood, with a special focus on fisheries relations between the European Union and ACP countries. www.cape-cffa.org The EcoceÂanos Centre for Conservation and Sustainable Development is an independent, non

governmental, non-profit organization based in Chile, working to promote conservation and sustainable management of coastal and ocean ecosystems; the strengthening of public participation in decision-making related to those ecosystems and the sustainable development of artisanal fisheries and local costal communities. www.ecoceanos.cl

INSHORE IRELAND October 2006

OUTSIDE IRELAND

Greater integration of fisheries and aquaculture — ICSF

THE International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF) has called on the Food and Agriculture Organisation to promote small-scale family based aquaculture to ensure that irresponsible aquaculture practices do not undermine sustainable coastal livelihoods. The call was made to representatives of more than fifty countries attending an FAO Aquaculture Subcommittee meeting in New Delhi last month. According to the FAO State of World Aquaculture 2006 report, in 1980 nine per cent of fish consumed came from aquaculture; today it is 43 per cent. The ICSF notes that whilst fisheries and aquaculture play an important role in meeting the growing demands for fish and in creating and sustaining livelihoods for coastal communities, there is a need for greater integration of fisheries and aquaculture: ‘Indiscriminate development of aquaculture, notably of shrimp and salmon in Asia and Latin America, has led to serious socioeconomic problems. Some aquaculture developments have caused severe conflicts, and even violence against local communities.’ The ICSF praised the action by civil society in India to highlight these problems, which

Impact on mangroves in the Philippines

resulted in a landmark Supreme Court judgment and has influenced State regulation of irresponsible shrimp aquaculture. ‘At the same time the over-

dependence on fishmeal, and the social and environmental problems associated with reduction fisheries for fishmeal in Latin America is a cause for

Inshore Ireland is a marine/freshwater environment newspaper compiled by marine journalists Gillian Mills and Gery Flynn and published by the Irish Farmers Journal. Inshore Ireland reports on all marine/freshwater-related activities from the coastal rim and inland waterways. These zones support a range of commercial activities under the following headings:

————————————————————————————— . Aquaculture . Island tourism . Inshore fisheries

. Marine/freshwater engineering & technology . Marine/freshwater research and development

. Water management . Marketing and retailing . Sea/freshwater food processing . Marine/ freshwater policy and regulation . Support industries and ancillary services

. National/international legislative regulatory frameworks . Issues pertaining to the commercial exploitation and development of the marine/ freshwater environments

————————————————————————————— Inshore Ireland keeps its readers informed on these and other important matters. It is also the most cost-effective means of communicating with these sectors, and is the opportunity to get your message to this hugely influential audience. Inshore Ireland has a circulation of 35,000 copies and a readership of 135,000. It is also mailed directly to the members of IFA-Aquaculture Contact: Roger Cole, Advertisement Manager: Tel: (01) 2841544 / 087 261 1597 silchester@eircom.net

Brazilian fish products banned from EU market

(photo: Tambuyog Development Centre) concern, as is the use of lowvalue fish species (inappropriately called ‘trash fish’) for fishmeal in Asia. This has increased the conflict between

the use of low value fish as fishmeal and as food, while compromising food security and livelihoods, notably of women in coastal communities’.

EU Member States have endorsed an EU decision to impose restrictions on Brazilian fish products due to serious concerns about food safety, following a Food and Veterinary Office inspection last June. The main concerns relate to the possible level of histamine; hygiene practices in the production process and reliability of Brazil’s approval procedure for fishery plants. Under the Decision, which was agreed on September 22, suspect products entering the EU must be tested and certified to show they have not exceed the limits set out in the EU’s food hygiene legislation (Regulation 853/2004 on hygiene for food of animal origin and Regulation 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs). Member States are now stepping up controls at their borders and will carry out testing on non-certified consignments — at the expense of the operator responsible for the consignments. Test results will be reported in quarterly reports to the Commission. Five fishery plants identified by the FVO to be noncompliant with EU hygiene rules are to be removed from the list of authorised exporters to the EU.

INSHORE IRELAND SUBSCRIPTION RATES Issue Issue Issue Issue Issue Issue

6 ISSUES Ireland E29 Britain E34 European Union E40 Rest of World E45

10 11 12 13 14 15

December 2006 March 2007 April 2007 June 2007 August 2007 November 2007

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INSHORE IRELAND

October 2006

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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RNLI promotes sea safety message as summer figures show slight drop RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews in Ireland launched 408 times this summer, down from 477 during the same period in 2005. Dun Laoghaire lifeboat was again the busiest lifeboat station with 27 call-outs. The second busiest was Bangor with 23 calls, followed by Crosshaven in Cork with 20 launches. The two RNLI inland stations at Lough Derg and Enniskillen received 31 in total. The release of the summer statistics coincides with an RNLI education drive for young people to become more beachwise and safety conscious when they are on or around the water. A special website has been created (www.rnli.ie/shorething) featuring specialist sea and water safety information and an outline of the work of the RNLI and its volunteer crew members. Specially trained education officers are also visiting schools and speaking to children about water safety, the work of the lifeboats and how the RNLI trains its volunteer lifeboat men and women to save lives at sea.

Top five sea safety tips

* Always wear a lifejacket. * Check your engine and

fuel.

* Tell others where you are

going.

* Carry some means of call-

ing for help (preferably a VHF radio). * Keep an eye on weather and tides.

Commenting on the figures, Kevin Rahill, RNLI divisional sea safety manager said that while it was always difficult to predict trends, he cautiously welcomed the slight drop in the number of callouts. ``Speaking to various volunteers around the country it is clear that the sea safety is slowing getting through. As always there is no room for complacency and it is vital that we continue to promote sea safety with young people and

* DuÂn Laoghaire lifeboat making waves in heavy weather in Scotman's Bay.

adults who are using the water for leisure and commercial activities. As a charity, the RNLI relies on public support and the courage and dedication of its volunteers. Crews are on-call 24 hours-a-

day, 365 days-a-year in all weathers. RNLI Ireland consists of 43 lifeboat stations, two of which are based inland and 55 lifeboats In 2005 RNLI lifeboats in Ireland launched 1,161 times, rescuing 916 people

INSHORE IRELAND October 2006

SHIPPING SPOTLIGHT COMPILED BY JEHAN ASHMORE, MARINE CORRESPONDENT

Strong performance in rollon roll-off shipping sector

THIS month sees the introduction of two vessels with much needed freight capacity on the intensely competitive `central corridor' routes between Dublin and the UK. Stena Seatrader will join RoPax Stena Adventurer on Stena Line's Holyhead route whilst Celtic Link Ferries is introducing Kilmore to accompany Celtic Star on the Liverpool route. The boost in freight capacity, sailing frequency and competition has been fuelled by strong market conditions in the ro-ro shipping industry sector. The

Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) expects the trend to continue Ð not just confined to the central corridor but also on the other main shipping corridors across the Irish Sea. The latest figures from the IMDO confirm strong growth in the demand for the freight market in the first half of this year. On the central corridor, freight is up 8% compared to the same period last year. On the northern corridor between Northern Ireland and Scotland, freight is 6% up on the same period. On the routes from Rosslare to south Wales on the

THE Royal visit last month of Norway's King Harald and Queen Sonja to Ireland emphasised the strong and close maritime links between the two countries through shared Viking heritage. The Norwegian Royal Yacht KS Norge began the three-day official visit to Ireland with a ceremonial cruise from DuÂn Laoghaire to Dublin Port.

After a series of public engagements in the capital, the KS Norge sailed overnight to Cork, escorted by the Norwegian naval ship, HNoS Alta. KS Norge moored off the Naval Base at Haulbowline, and at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) in Ringaskiddy, King Harald addressed a conference on Maritime Governance-A Legacy. ``The marine

Boost

southern corridor, the figures show an increase of 10% in traffic.

Growth

``Between the three corridors combined, we are seeing a 7% growth in the freight market for the first half of 2006,'' Glenn Murphy, director of the IMDO told Inshore Ireland. ``If this growth is maintained, growth will be up again on the overall picture for 2006. The market looks to be very buoyant.'' Against the positive freight market, the decline in passenger and private car traffic on the Irish Sea continues with a fall in

Norwegian Royals note Irish maritime links

Maritime Ireland, connecting Irish industry with the Global Market Place

www.imdo.ie Ireland Rotterdam

Roscoff Dublin

Holyhead

Shannon

environment is very vulnerable. Climate change in the Arctic will have a significant impact on life in the big ocean basins. Scientific monitoring and analysis of these changes are important,'' he said. King Harald added that Ireland and Norway were two countries with a proud maritime tradition. ``Both of our countries were among the original explorers and harvesters of the North Atlantic. Although the Vikings are clearly remembered in popular Irish folklore, it is less well recognised that they were also great traders and did much to develop commerce in medieval Ireland. ``Today, Irish and Norwegian mariners are to be found in all the major shipping companies and in many senior positions in world shipping,'' he said. A memorandum of understanding signed between NCMI and Vestford University College in Norway will establish a student exchange programme between the two institutions. In existence is the co-operation

the first half of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005. This sector has shown a steady decline over the last few years and recorded a 7% decrease on vehicles and a 5% drop for passengers on key routes last year. This downward trend could continue through to the end of the year, Murphy emphasised. A mini-boost, however, was recorded in traffic in early August due to the terrorist threat at UK airports. The chaos that ensued led to an unprecedented demand for both vehicle and passenger space, particularly on the central corridor routes.

* King Harald and Queen Sonja are welcomed to the National Maritime College by Cmdr John Kavanagh. (photo: Maxwells)

of the Marine Resources Centre at UCD with the Nansen Institute in Bergin, whilst the Marine Institute is working

closely with the Ocean Research Institute, also based in the western Norwegian city. The conference also covered

topics from modern ship design practices, marine research and innovation, safety at sea and maritime governance.

Galway

Antwerp

Dundalk Sligo Nantes

Bilbao

Piraeus Cork Helsinki

Hamburg

Drogheda Oslo

Setubal

Aarhus

Limassol

Cherbourg

Le Havre

Salerno Rosslare

Liverpool New Ross Arklow

Waterford

Irish Maritime Development Ofﬁce 80 Harcourt Street Dublin 2 Ireland telephone 353 1 476 6500 facsimile 353 1 478 4988 e-mail imdo@marine.ie

* KS Norge in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

(photo: ShipSnaps)

INSHORE IRELAND

October 2006

SHIPPING SPOTLIGHT

Competition

Ireland is offing readers the opportunity to win a spot prize of a special polo-shirt celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Naval Service. INSHORE

Questions

In order to have a chance to win, please answer the following two questions: * Q1. What is the name of the Naval Service flagship? * Q2. How many Naval Service patrol vessels are in the fleet?

The first correct entry received will be the winner. Only one entry per person is permitted.

Entries

Entries on a postcard (with telephone details) by Friday, 3 November to: `Shipping Spotlight' Competition, 35 Coliemore Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin. The winner will be published in the December issue of Inshore Ireland.

* RV Corystes berthed at Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin.

(Photo: ShipSnaps)

Flagship launch Northern Ireland research for Mayo admiral

vessel visits Dublin

THE dedicated research vessel for Northern Ireland, RV Corystes, made a mid-cruise break to Dublin late last month after undergoing scientific fish trawls in Dublin Bay. The 19-year-old vessel is owned by CAFAS based in

Lowestoft; however, earlier this year it was transferred to operate out of Belfast after the company had acquired a new vessel. At 48 metres long, the Corystes measures 1,280 gross tonnes and is considerably larger than her predecessor, Lough

, which was the first research vessel for Northern Ireland. The Corystes has a crew of 12 and can accommodate up to eight scientists, who continue to conduct research programmes such as water quality sampling Foyle

of Dundalk Bay and annual fish-egg production surveys in the Irish Sea. Responsibility for scientific research was originally carried out by the North's Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs but is now contracted to CAFAS.

AN Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was guest of honour aboard the Naval Service vessel, L E Eithne, at the unveiling of a statue of Mayo-born Admiral William Brown. The bronze statue commemorates the Irish founder of the Argentinian Navy, and has been placed on a new street named `Admiral Brown Walk', off Sir John Rogerson's Quay. This

area of Dublin on the south banks of the River Liffey has seen dramatic development in recent years. It was fitting that the LE Eithne attended the event. Earlier in the year, the patrol vessel undertook an overseas tour of South America, including Argentina, under the command of Cdr Mark Mellett, who also hails from Co Mayo.

A visiting `Star' consolidates the cruise ship boom in Ireland

IN late September, Dunmore East welcomed the cruise-ship, Star Princess , which set a record when the 108,997 GT giant became the largest passenger capacity cruise-ship to visit the south-eastern port. This visit was just a year after the world's only cruise-liner, Queen Mary 2, had dropped anchor off the Co Waterford fishing harbour. Although the Cunard liner is larger, at just under 250,000 GT, the ship has a smaller passenger capacity compared to the Star Princess, which can

accommodate over 3,000 passengers. ``We are now seeing cruise ships with larger passenger capacity visiting Irish ports, although this means fewer vessel calls,'' commented Glenn Murphy of the IMDO. ``A ship like Star Princess is like a small town arriving into a small region with significant spending power.

Tourism

``Ireland has a strong and unique tourism product, which has attracted cruise-ship operators but requires further work if we

are to retain this business,'' he added. ``Smaller ships are also providing niche cruising products where there are ample opportunities to be found in regional ports along the west and north-west seaboards.'' The Irish cruise-sector market continues to grow, with passenger numbers rising from 146,000 in 2004 to over 187,000 last year, representing an increase of 28%. ``The cruise market is one of the fastest growing segments of the global tourism industry,'' Murphy noted.

Naval Service celebration THE thNaval Service marked its 60 anniversary on 26 August with an `open day' at its base in Haulbowline, Cork Harbour. The flagship, LE Eithne, was open to the public and a history of the service was displayed throughout the base.

Humble beginnings

The humble beginnings of the Naval Service stem to 1923 with the formation of the Coastguard and Marine Service; however, this fledging `navy' lasted a mere 10 months. In 1938, Britain returned

the Treaty Ports, including Cork, to the Irish State, and the former Royal Naval base at Haulbowline is now the only naval base in the Republic.

Marine service

In 1939, the Irish government ordered motor torpedo boats from Britain, to form part of a fleet known as the marine service; however, its existence ceased at the end of the war. After a short interim period, the origins of the present-day Naval Service were finally addressed in 1946 with the purchase of three Royal Navy

`Flower' class corvettes. The naval cadets trained at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.

Role of navy

Today, the Naval Service has a fleet of eight patrol vessels engaged in various roles including surveillance, fishery protection and drug interdiction duties. The navy also has commitments overseas with re-supply missions to Irish United Nations-based personnel in the Lebanon, Cyprus, the former Yugoslavia and more recently, Liberia.

Notice is hereby given that Invitations to tender w.r.t. purchase of • • •

Hydrographic/Geophysical Survey Launch Multibeam Echo Sounder and ancillary equipment Multi-channel Side Scan Sonar and ancillary equipment

Have been published in the European Journal. Full details are available at

http://www.etenders.gov.ie/notice/notice_register.aspx?id=OCT068778 http://www.etenders.gov.ie/Search/Search_Show.aspx?id=OCT068792 The deadline is 13 November 2006 In addition an Invitation to tender will be published shortly w.r.t. supply of an

Interactive Web Data Delivery System Go to www.etenders.gov.ie and register your interest for automatic updates or contact archie.donovan@gsi.ie for further details.

INSHORE IRELAND October 2006

MARINE R&D

Tri-continent collaboration maps Ireland's seabed from the skies

Example of the type of chart that can be produced using seabed classification. The yellow classes are sands and the red classes are gravels.

By Enda Gallagher, GSI; Rhys Barker, Tenix Lads and Bill Collins, Quester Tangent

SINCE commencement of the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS) in 2000, the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and the Marine Institute have ensured that the level of research into the national marine environment has been second to none internationally.

Indeed, Ireland now holds the accolade among maritime nations as having the most enlightened approach to understanding its marine environment. The outstanding legacy of the INSS programme is being continued under the INFOMAR programme, which was approved by Government earlier this year. For an initial threeyear period, INFOMAR will organise survey operations in certain identified priority bays. Two overseas companies with a history of previous cooperation with GSI and the

* Maps will classify the seabed in a totally novel way. Marine Institute have recently combined efforts in an exciting development that will benefit

Geological Survey of Ireland

w ater ch nic al

c bedro

en t

ground

ua te

Phone: (01) 678 2000 Lo-call: 1890 44 99 00 Fax: (01) 668 1782

n f or m a tion managem

website: www.gsi.ie e-mail: gsisales@gsi.ie

geological h er minerals k e rin

h iris

it a

Beggars Bush, Haddington Road Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

e ot e rnar y/g

both the local and wider international coastal management communities.

Cross-continent Tenix LADS Corporation (Aus- co-operation Leading the way

tralia), the world's leading airborne laser bathymetry survey company, and Quester Tangent (Canada) world leader in seabed classification, have joined forces in a project team with GSI to produce another world first: The GSI will be the first recipient of seabed classification maps based on airborne laser sensing. The information will be delivered to the GSI for three bays: Bantry, Dunmanus and Dingle Ă? which were surveyed over the last two months under the auspices of the INFOMAR programme. The LADS technology has been successfully used by the GSI to produce accurate bathymetry maps of Clew Bay (2002 and 2003), Killala Bay (2003) and Mulroy Bay (2005). The LADS system is based in a de Havilland Dash 8 aircraft that utilises pulses of light to measure water depth in shallow coastal regions. Use of aircraft allows the laser measurements to be made much more efficiently than surveying the same areas with boats and echo sounders. In these previous surveys, only bathymetry maps were provided to the GSI using this technology.

GSI, however, wanted more from the data, and seized the opportunity to encourage Tenix LADS and Quester Tangent into working with them to extend the limits of the technology. As a result, in addition to water depth the GSI will now have maps of sea floor diversity including information on the distribution of sediments and sea grasses. Quester Tangent has worked with GSI since 2002 in support of its mapping activities. The sonar data routinely collected by GSI are further processed by Quester Tangent software to extract information on the nature of the seabed. GSI plans to seamlessly integrate these seabed classification charts with the bathymetry charts simultaneously developed. This new development will provide a rich source of additional information, useful across a wide range of possibilities including habitat mapping, for the marine communities of Co Kerry and Co Cork, and confirms the world leading status of the INFOMAR programme. Armed with this new capability, Quester Tangent and Tenix LADS now have plans to take the technology beyond the shores of Ireland.

INSHORE IRELAND

Real-time weather forecasts to assist deep sea mariners

M6, the latest deepwater weather buoy to be launched in Irish coastal waters was deployed in position 53.06N, 15.93W on 23 September by RV about 300 km west of the Aran Islands. Designed to improve weather forecasts and safety at sea around Ireland, the weather buoy project is a collaboration between the Marine Institute, Met Eireann, the UK Met Office and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. Users of the service include fishermen, air-sea rescue teams, ferries, ships, and those involved in water sports. According to the Marine Institute, data from the buoy network provides information for weather forecasts, shipping bulletins, gale and swell warnings as well as data for general public information and research. Climate data base Data collected will also contribute to the formation of a longterm climate data base and help to establish key baseline information such as temperature and salinity values, which will enable researchers to monitor change and determine climatic patterns. Crucial observations of wind (direction, speed and

Confidence

Celtic Explorer

gusts) air and sea-surface temperature, wave height and period, and atmospheric pressure will be updated every hour from M6, and will provide improved weather forecasts leading to greater safety at sea for mariners. A Marine Institute spokesman explained: ``This is the first time the Irish Weather Buoy Network has deployed a buoy this far out in the Atlantic. It is in a depth of approximately 3,000 metres of water, and is anchored to the seabed using a unique combination of chain and rope with a 3 tonne weight.'' He added that the Marine Institute had worked with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in the US on the mooring and is developing its own expertise in offshore mooring design for operational oceanography and meteorology. ``When combined with other existing buoys run by the UKMO even further out into the North Atlantic, the M6 buoy will provide information on approaching weather systems along with real-time information to increase the accuracy of forecasts,'' he explained. Greater accuracy The first weather buoy, M1, was deployed off the Irish west

October 2006

MARINE R&D

coast in 2000 in response to the 1996 report by the Fishing Vessels Safety Authority which highlighted the need for real time data from around the coast to enable more accurate weather forecasts and therefore decrease the number of lives lost at sea. The weather buoys send hourly information back on: * wind speed and direction atmospheric pressure and tendency * air temperature * relative humidity * sea surface temperature * wave height and period. *

This information is transmitted via the Meteosat system first to a base station in Germany and then on to the GTS (Global Telecommunications System) where it is downloaded for use by the UK Met Office and Met Eireann before being eventually uploaded onto the Marine Institute website. During 2004, oceanographic instruments were added to each of the platforms to measure temperature and salinity 1m below the surface. These enable the development of a climatic baseline for Irish waters. This year, sensors have been deployed at the bottom of the moorings to record near seabed temperature and salinity. Data direct from M6 is available on www.marine.ie/databuoy

* M6 being deployed from RV Celtic Explorer into the Atlantic.

www.tenix.com

Airborne Lidar Bathymetric Survey Tenix LADS owns and operates the latest generation Laser Airborne Depth Sounder (LADS) MkII lidar system, internationally recognised as the fastest, most efficient tool for bathymetric survey in shallow coastal waters. • High Quality Waveforms to depths of 75m • Seamless Coastal Survey Capability to 50m Above Sea Level

• IHO Order 1 Compliant Data • High Quality Hydrographic Products • Globally Proven.

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United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 4 347 3497 E-mail: ladsuae@tenix.com

INSHORE IRELAND October 2006

MARKETING/RETAIL

Competitiveness and pro-activity:

key drivers identified for Irish seafood industry Report by Gillian Mills ``INNOVATION

is the transla-

tion of creativity,'' commented David Baines, Baines Consultancy, during his presentation at the

BIM/Enterprise

Waves of Innovation

Ireland

conference

last month, aimed at assisting the

Irish

seafood

industry

maximise growth potential. The

conference

was

orga-

nised on foot of research findings

amongst

buyers.

international

Consensus

across

all

markets noted that whilst the

quality of Irish seafood was a

major

competitive

advantage,

new product innovations, parti-

cularly in the added-value cate-

gory, was a critical factor for

suppliers to remain in the mar-

ket. The one hundred delegates

from 50 Irish seafood compa-

nies attending the two-day con-

ference heard papers on global

seafood

trends;

branding

and

communications; added value,

and regulatory/technical details

in plenary, case study and work

shop formats. Other key priorities identified

were the need to increase competitiveness and pro-activity in

the

marketplace,

finding

solutions

well

logistics

and supply frequency.

In his paper, The Convenience-Health Taste Triangle ,

Baines

are

added

motivated

pillars

that

consumers

three

consumption:

core taste/

enjoyment, health, and conve-

nience/practicality.

* Tony Hines, David Baines and Richard Donnelly at the Waves of Innovation

``These are key selling points

to be exploited and capitalised

on,'' he said. And he added that provenance has now replaced

ated higher levels of competi-

concerns over GMO, BSE, ad-

tion, and coupled with ongoing

ditives,

globalisation, the playing field

etc.

whereby

today's

consumer is looking for identi-

has

fiable provenance as a signature

marked

of quality.

market development manager.

``Fish and shellfish have pro-

venance

abundance,''

Brophy,

re-

BIM

continues to grow with doubledigit growth in many key Eur-

When developing added-vac o nv e n i e n c e

Baines

changed,''

Helen

She added that the market

suggested.

lue

certainly

advised

opean

p r o du c t s ,

that

seafood

markets

for

chilled seafood.

current

``Increasing awareness of the

flavour trends should also be

health

considered:

and the focus on environmental

benefits

from

seafood

``Consumers desire more fla-

issues all present an opportunity

vour per mouthful, more heat

for Ireland to position itself as a

and more impact on the palate.

consumer-focused,

The days of the `bland' fish dish

niche supplier.''

with insipid sauces are num-

Ms Brophy added that many

bered!'' he warned.

Irish

Unique identification Brian

McGurk,

high-end

companies

have

already

embraced changes in the market and have become world leaders in certain product categories.

Bradley

``BIM

McGurk Consultants, said that

conjunction

Ireland

image that ``you know, want

challenges

facing

and trust. It brings a fresh story

and have already initiated sup-

that is unique and different. A

port programmes to help com-

product can be copied, a brand

panies maximise their potential.

presented

visual

Richard

Irish

Donnelly,

BIM,

ex-

and 2005, seafood imports had by

Management Development Pro-

perspective,

plained that that between 2000

increased

the

companies

``For example, the Strategic

is unique,'' he said. From

realise

with

Enterprise

branding

35%,

and

* Jim Mulcahy, Manager Food & Consumer Products, Enterprise Ireland; James Wilson, Trading Director, Superquinn and Helen Brophy, Market

gramme

Development Manager, BIM

ready proved to be extremely ``With

at foreign ports and domestic

and 90% of whitefish products

ties in sourcing raw material,

sales) by 14% - broken into

from third word countries, most

operating

bulk/commodity

notably China, Ecuador, Nor-

and customer demands, innova-

way and Chile.

tion will be the driver of change

pre-

pared seafood (34%) and live/

fresh (36%). Regarding seafood

BIM

effective.

total

output (exports, direct landings

(30%),

coordinated

and Enterprise Ireland has al-

``Change is

global

affecting

market

market trends he said the EU

trends

all

food

now imports 74% of its seafood

products, and despite difficul-

costs,

competition

Changing future The conference served to high-

and the means to tip the scales

light many of the changes and

from a negative to a positive

challenges now facing the Irish

position,'' he concluded.

seafood industry, such as in-

the

imminent

an-

within

nouncement of a new strategy

Ireland and particularly in inter-

for the Irish seafood industry, it

national markets. It also demon-

is now the time for change, so

strated the increasing range of

that Irish seafood can innovate

opportunities now available to

and claim a unique position in

Irish producers.

the market place,'' Helen Bro-

creased

rationalisation

``These challenges have cre-

phy said.

INSHORE IRELAND

Wide range of topics

The course was launched over two days in the BIM Seafood Development Centre and covered a range of topics relating to the preparation and cooking of oil rich fish, white fish and shellfish. * Increasing the level of customer service. * Versatility of seafood. * Child friendly fish dishes. * Creating sauces and accompaniments for fish and shellfish. * Creating seasonal dishes, from summer barbecues to winter warmers. * Shellfish retailing and safety advice. The course took a `hands on

approach' emphasising the need for retailers to add value to their service. All participants had the opportunity to prepare, cook and taste a selection of different fish and shellfish dishes. The course also involved demonstrations of other preparation and cooking techniques by Ian Mannix and John Hackett, and also an interesting and informative talk from BIM shellfish quality officer, Vicky Lyons.

Resounding success

Participants included fishmongers and retailers from around Ireland and was deemed a resounding success, receiving very positive feedback from all involved. Further courses will be run over the coming months. For more information please contact hackett@bim.ie or mannix@bim.ie or BIM Market Division * John Hackett (left) and Ian Mannix in action during the cookery course on 01 2144100.

Networks: the key to company success

The independent processing and retail sector continues to be an important, vibrant and dynamic aspect of the Irish seafood industry. Nevertheless, its small-scale and fragmented nature contributes to companies not generating optimum results and impact, writes Martina Clarke, IASC

MANY operators are focused on day-to-day issues and as such do not have the time or possibly the resources to devote to developing their businesses. Consequently, management and employees have received little training in the past. Future success will require that businesses trading locally are world- class in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and innovation and must continue to improve products, processes and services. Companies that will succeed are those that: * benchmark their performance. * Focus on meeting customer needs and delivering high quality services cost-effectively. * Use appropriate levels of technology to meet customer requirements, deliver solutions and reduce costs. * Innovate by continually developing their products and services in response to or in anticipation of market demands While this is easier for larger companies to achieve, smaller

SEAFOOD PROCESSING

Cookery course to whet the appetite

BIM has launched a new course that aims to give fishmongers further experience in preparing and cooking a range of fish and shellfish, as well as increasing their levels of customer service and expertise.

October 2006

companies are constrained by management capacity, and in some cases management capability and financial resources. Networks help smaller companies overcome the problem of small scale through: * enhanced learning whereby members can share information on best management practices, technologies, organisational and operational models and markets. * Overcoming issues of scale by encouraging and facilitating alliances and partnerships. * Developing case studies, surveys and global benchmarking for the sector. IASC is in business to serve the needs of its members and

has piloted a range of training for owner managers and their staff. Given this position, it is logical that IASC should develop its relationship with FAĂ&#x201A;S, the national training and development authority, in order to

develop and expand the role of networked training. IASC is delighted to announce that it has received approval from FAĂ&#x201A;S to establish a training and development network, which will be fully supported by the State training agency. Over the coming year, IASC will conduct full Training Needs Analysis within its membership, and deliver a suite of training and development activities for both the processing and retailing sector. If you are not yet a member of IASC, please call Martina on 042 9386977 for further information.

Workplace model

IN the next 10 years, well-developed business networks will become increasingly important mechanisms for driving success. In the new workplace model, the creativity, knowledge and skills of the workforce are recognised as a primary source of value and are continually developed through structured training programmes. (Ahead

of the

Economy, 2004)

Curve

Ă? Ireland's

Place

the Global

Next issue December 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 cost-effective 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

Don't miss out

BIM and Irish Aquaculture

Harvesting the Best!

At BIM there is a commitment to develop an aquaculture industry we can all be proud of. Sustainable job creation in coastal communities integrating all members of the community is central to this pursuit. Through technical, financial, marketing and environmental/quality support services, BIM is actively engaged in promoting the most up to date and cost efficient aquaculture techniques, to produce quality seafood, consistent with the needs of environmental protection and conservation.

Quality products are crucial for successful marketing. To this end, the BIM environmental/ quality programme aims to promote the concepts of quality and environmental awareness with the development of codes of practice for finfish and shellfish, and the implementation of quality assurance schemes.

Financial support for pilot and commercial aquaculture ventures is available through European and BIM grant schemes for both existing farmers and new entrants.

So, what does all of this mean? Simply, that BIM offers a one stop shop for all your aquaculture development needs.

The financial support is complemented by technical expertise and training programmes on best husbandry practice for shellfish and finfish production drawing on home based and international expertise. BIMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technical programme is continuing to investigate the potential of novel species and new and innovative technology. Feasibility studies, site selection and evaluation are also part of our service.

If you would like further information you can contact BIMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aquaculture Development Division at: Tel: +353 1 2144100/Fax: +353 1 2841123 Email: aqua@bim.ie www.bim.ie