Inshore Ireland 3.1 March 2007 by Inshore Ireland Publishing

Bimonthly

incorporating

Seafood Strategy Report Interview and vox pop Page 14

Aquaculture Ireland

News from the coast and inland waterways

Seaweed

Workshop

Commercial cultivation Page 22

Functional foods Page 35

March 2007 Vol 3 Issue 1

World Wetlands Day . . . Inshore Fisheries . . . . . Aquaculture News . . . . Marine R&D . . . . . . . . .

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10 - 11 12 - 14 20 - 25 32 - 33

Authorities approve ‘emergency’ leachate release into shellfish waters By Shay Fennelly

LAST December, Mayo Co Council (MCC) transported 2,346 tonnes of leachate (liquid waste) contaminated with dangerous substances from Derrinumera landfill site to Westport sewage treatment plant and released it into Clew Bay’s valuable shellfish waters. Leachate is the liquid formed when rainwater passes through waste in a landfill site. The release of this partiallytreated leachate between 7 and 20 December has alarmed shellfish growers and the Clew Bay Oyster co-op because they see it as threatening their investments — the production of safe seafood. Derrinumera landfill includes hospital, domestic, commercial and industrial waste, which makes this leachate potentially hazardous. If not dealt with properly it can pollute groundwater, cause health problems and affect the environment. Results of leachate analysis (2006) from Derrinumera are available from MCC and the EPA, and show the presence of pesticides, solvents and heavy metals in the leachate.

SEAFOOD STRATEGY

Steering a new course

Heavy metals

A report by BIM in 2002 on a risk assessment of microbiological contamination of shellfish in Clew Bay says that the effects of heavy metals, PCBs and hormone-mimicking compounds in leachate are of grave concern to shellfish stocks. [Guilfoyle 2002] Between 1974 and 2000, leachate was allowed to flow into the Glaishwy river, which enters Lough Beltra and then into the Newport river. Local concerns over the impact of this leachate on the drinking water

* Farming oysters in Westport Bay with Westport sewage plant in the background. The shellfish sector is characterised by the predominance of small businesses, often family-owned, employing between 3-15 people and with a reliance on exports for the vast majority of their income. In 2005, Clew Bay Native Oysters were awarded the top prize in their category in BIM Guinness Quality Oyster Awards. Photo: Shay Fennelly supply in 1998 led to it being transported off site for treatment and disposal. Since 2000, between 6070,000 tonnes of leachate have been transported annually to Castlebar sewage treatment plant where it is partially treated before being released into the

Castlebar river. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Inspectors’ Report (Waste licence register number 21-1,Section 5) for Derrinumera in 2004 states that groundwater and the Glaishwy River have been contaminated due to leachate.

Senator Frank Chambers from Newport complained to the EPA in 1998 that ‘‘large amounts of leachate have made their way into the main drinking water source for the community.’’ Inshore Ireland has learned that on 14 December, shellfish

farmers discovered only by accident that MCC had been transporting leachate to the Westport sewerage plant since 7 December. Together with the Clew Bay CLAMS Group (representing seafood businesses)

THE Seafood Strategy R e p o r t l a u n c he d la s t month, which sets out a seven-year course that must be steered in order for the sector to achieve maximum development potential, has been broadly welcomed by representatives on behalf of fishermen, processors and the aquaculture sector. Cautionary undertones have been sounded, however, of lack in continuity of raw material, unworkable EU policy and regulations and licensing as being some of the key challenges that need to be resolved. Lorcá n Ó Cinné ide, chairman of the Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) said that whilst they were encouraged that the recommendations reflected many of the ‘‘real and pressing concerns’’ they had expressed, ‘‘its detailed prov i s i o n s a n d implementation will be the true test of its long term benefit.’’ * To page 15

* To page 2

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INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

NEWS

Between 7-20 December 2006, Mayo Co Council partially treated 2,346 tonnes of leachate from Derrinumera landfill in Westport sewerage plant before releasing it into Clew Bay’s designated shellfish waters. MCC sought and obtained approval from the EPA to prevent the leachage polluting surrounding rivers and a local drinking supply. Photos: Shay Fennelly.

from page 1

they immediately complained to the local authority, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the EPA. The transport of leachate to Westport ended on 20 December.

Lack of consultation

Richie Flynn executive secretary of the Irish Farmers Association aquaculture section told Inshore Ireland he had been alerted to the leachate disposal by members in the area: ‘‘We immediately contacted MCC and told them it was unacceptable to do this, because no prior consultation had happened with the shellfish industry. ‘‘The main thing is that they did it without talking to anyone, even though they are aware Clew Bay has a very important shellfish industry, and know it is a designated shellfish growing area.’’ Niall O’Boyle, secretary of the Clew Bay Marine Forum (a group representing shellfish, finfish farmers, and fishermen) sent a letter dated 22 December to Mayo County Manager, Des Mahon, protesting that, ‘no prior warning of the event which represented a high risk to health’ had been given to his members. It continued: ‘‘The short cut to due process engaged upon by the MCC and EPA caused the exclusion of all other stakeholders and resource users. This led to a decision being made by the EPA, which was not theirs alone to take. This series of events is being viewed by many as a breach of trust which reflects poorly on the credibility of both organisations,’’ he said. ‘‘The CBMF membership strongly supports the precautionary approach adopted in the

UK whereby any discharge into a food production area must be guaranteed to be 100% safe to the receiving waters 100% of the time. Westport sewage treatment plant was not designed to fully treat landfill leachate and is not effective for that purpose,’’ O’Boyle told Inshore Ireland.

Clew Bay Marine Crunch meeting Forum calls for: on future of EU *

Public authority responsibility In a written reply (17 January) to representations made by Mayo TD Michael Ring on behalf of oyster farmers, marine minister John Browne stated that as the bay was designated a shellfish water under Regulations SI268/2006, the onus was on listed public authorities, i.e. the local authority and the EPA, to protect and improve waters so designated. The minister added that his Department had written to both authorities reminding them of their obligations under the Regulation, and asked the Council to consider alternative arrangements for the disposal of leachate, should a similar situation arise in the future. A council engineer told Inshore Ireland that MCC proposed to build a sludge hub centre and leachate treatment facility at Derrinumera and a waste water treatment plant in Newport. ‘‘Two Environmental Impact Statements (originally due to be made public in November 2004) and a risk assessment of the leachate will be published in the coming weeks,’’ he said.

Imminent overflow On 22 January, MCC wrote to the CBMF explaining the situation, saying that due to heavy rainfall in November and December (2006), leachate storage capacity at Derrinumera had been used up and was in danger of spilling over into local rivers.

an end to the transport of leachate to Clew Bay details of the leachate discharged all monitoring data that has been collected during the event a statement on the monitoring that was put in place the action that was taken to determine the impact that

As a temporary emergency measure, it sought and obtained the agreement of the EPA office in Castlebar to use the Westport sewage treatment plant, ‘to avoid leachate contamination of surrounding waters which would have flowed untreated down the Glashwy River, into Lough Beltra, and down the Newport River (source of the drinking water supply) and into Clew Bay.’ MCC has refuted the charge that the discharge constituted pollution, stating: ‘There is no evidence of any pollution having been caused.’ The Council’s letter also

the discharge has had on Westport Bay a statement outlining the steps MCC has considered or has taken to prevent rainfall becoming contaminated by landfill leachate so as to reduce and prevent ‘emergency’ situations arising during periods of excessive rainfall.

states there was insufficient time to consult with every interest group to receive their approval. An EPA report (2005) referring to the National Implement a t i o n o f Wa t e r Q u a l i t y (Dangerous substances regulations), 2001, recommends that local authorities should monitor monthly at high risk surface waters to eliminate sources of pollution. The report however notes that no monitoring data is available for lakes or tidal waters in the area covered by Mayo Co Council.

Award-winning production area CLEW Bay is one of the foremost areas in Ireland for mariculture investment and production. The shellfish farming industry and natural oyster beds produce 540 tonnes of oysters, 10 tonnes of native oysters and 400 tonnes of mussels annually, worth over €1.5m to the local economy.

cod recovery THE failing EU Cod Recovery Programme has prompted the North Western Waters and the North Sea Regional Advisory Councils to host a joint symposium on 9 and 10 March in Edinburgh. The symposium, one of the most critical debates ever held on EU cod recovery, is expected to feed into advice from the RACs on the EU Fisheries Commission’s Cod Recovery Programme. The Symposium’s two-day programme will be officially opened with a message from Commissioner Borg, followed by a keynote speech from Fokion Fotiadis, the EU Commission’s recently appointed director general of Fisheries. He will be joined by colleagues, Ernesto Penas Lado (DG Fisheries) and Jose Rizo Martin (DG Environment) who will speak respectively on the CFP and cod recovery and on recovery from an environmental perspective. Their presentations follow the session’s initial address by Martin Pastoors, chairman of the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) Advisory Committee on Fishery Management. Flagged as one of the programme’s most controversial topics will be a paper on the effect that climate change has on fish stocks, presented by UK science environmentalist, Chris Reid. The Canadian and Norwegian approaches to cod recovery will also be discussed, by

Canadian fisheries scientist, George Rose and Norwegian expert Peter Gullestad. Day two will consider the future of the cod industry and will highlight future management objectives and recovery measures. Delegates will participate in a series of working groups and in discussions on how closer co-operation can be established between all stakeholders. Closing remarks will be given by Ambassador Steffen Smidt, former Director General of Fisheries and now Permanent Representative of Denmark to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD. Commenting in the lead-up to the symposium, Barrie Deas, chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations and member of the NWWRAC said that the huge interest shown in the symposium clearly demonstrated ‘‘the active and very real interest we all have in making cod recovery work effectively.’’ A post-symposium report will be available from either the Secretariat of the North Sea RAC ann.bell@aberdeenshire.gov.uk, or the Secretariat of the North Western Waters RAC nwwrac@bim.ie. A full and detailed document on the EU Cod Recovery Programme is available at www.nsrac.org

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

NEWS

Concerns over effluent discharge pipe in Broadhaven Bay SAC Shay Fennelly reports from Mayo

EDDIE Diver, secretary of the Erris Inshore Fishermen’s Association, has told Inshore Ireland that at a meeting with the Department of Communications Marine and Natural Resources in February, the Department said it could do nothing legally to move the proposed effluent discharge point because the foreshore licence consents had already been issued to Shell E&P Ireland Ltd in 2002. Erris fishermen want its position moved further out to open waters to prevent the effluent plume entering Broadhaven Bay. A Shell spokesperson said they would have to appeal their own plan to vary the discharge point. The gas refinery discharge pipe is due to be laid in the same trench as the gas pipeline to the Corrib gas field later this year.

Discharge point

The fishermen contend that, based on their working knowledge, the tidal currents around Erris Head will bring any outfall effluent back into the bay. The North Western Fisheries Board, in a submission to the EPA, also called for the discharge point to be located several kilometres beyond the headlands of the outer bay. Responding to a query about relocation, Shell E&P told Inshore Ireland that both the discharge point and the discharge were subject to an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Licence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In a draft licence issued to Shell last January, the EPA proposed licensing the discharge point at the position indicated by Shell in their application, which is also consistent with the Foreshore Licence issued in 2002. The Shell spokesperson told Inshore Ireland they propose to carry out a study of the currents off Erris Head.

Licence The EPA said it intended to issue a licence to Shell to

develop a gas refinery and combustion plant at Bellanaboy Bridge in Erris, Co Mayo. If approved, the gas refinery would process 9.9 million cubic metres of natural gas per day, which would be exported to the Bord Gais Éireann (BGE) distribution network.

No risk The EPA is satisfied that emissions from the refinery, when operated in accordance with the conditions of the proposed licence, will not adversely affect human health or the environment, and will meet all relevant national and EU standards. Conditions imposed include: strict controls on emissions; a high standard of treatment of waste water prior to its discharge via a submarine pipeline off-shore at a depth of 65 metres and that the discharge will be outside the Broadhaven Bay Special Area of Conservation. The EPA received over 35 public submissions to Shell’s application for an emission’s licence, several of which highlighted concerns on the impact on the marine environment and in relation to the proposed location of an effluent discharge point, 2km north of Erris Head and 500 metres outside the boundary of the Special Area of Conservation.

Frustration Eddie Diver, who represents over 100 fishermen, told Inshore Ireland of his frustration at Shell E&P’s refusal to concede to the fishermen’s concerns, at a meeting in January. ‘‘The discharge outfall point does not go out far enough; the outfall point is just on or outside the boundary of the SAC.’’

Background In a letter obtained under the Freedom of Information Act (9 February 2001), Inshore Ireland has learned that Duchas (now the National Parks and Wildlife Service) strongly recommended to the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources that permission to locate the discharge outfall within the SAC should be

refused and that an alternative, acceptable location should be sought. This was due to concerns based on the level of information provided regarding the discharge effluent.

Predicting a problem The letter added that while the difficulty in predicting exactly what this effluent will contain was accepted, ‘nevertheless the problems of predicting what will be in the effluent, how it will change over time and how it will impact on marine communities make it exceedingly difficult to accept the current proposal for it to be discharged within the SAC. The hydrology of the coast needs to be studied so that it can be convincingly demonstrated that the discharge plume will not enter the SAC or be pushed onto the coast to the east or west of Broadhaven Bay’. The EPA Inspector’s Report on Shell E&P licence application states that ‘the emissions to Broadhaven Bay underwent dispersion modelling and the predicted impact of the treated produced effluent at the proposed discharge point indicates that the water quality standards will be observed’. The closing date for submissions on the EPA’s proposed IPPC licence for the Corrib gas refinery closed on 21 February and the EPA may hold an oral hearing.

Broadhaven Bay: the facts BROADHAVEN Bay is a shallow coastal bay on Mayo’s north west coast significant to the local fishing industry and for sea angling tourism. In 2000 it was designated as a candidate Special Area of Conservation to protect wild-

life because it contains excellent examples of four habitats listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive, namely Atlantic salt marsh, tidal mudflats, reefs and large shallow bay. Broadhaven Bay also has five whale and dolphins species.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

NEWS

Over-fishing results in quota reductions for Ireland and UK THE European Commission has adopted a Commission Regulation that provides for the reduction of certain fishing quotas for the UK and Ireland over the period 2007 to 2012. This is in response to over-fishing of herring and mackerel quotas between 2001-2005. The decision follows on from indepth investigations conducted by the UK authorities in 2005 and 2006. According to a statement from the European Commission, the reductions will be spread over a number of years in order to avoid ‘undue negative social and economic impacts on the fleets and processing industry affected by the reductions’.

Maximum annual reduction The maximum annual reduction will be 15% of the annual quota set by the Council in future TAC and quota regulations. The Regulation will take effect seven days after its publication in the Official Journal. European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Joe Borg said that over quota landings had a cost not only on the impact of fish stocks but also in economic and social terms for the industry concerned. ‘‘I welcome the full co-operation of both the UK and Ireland in this matter.

We now need to move forward to ensure that this type of activity cannot happen again.’’

Background Investigations by the UK authorities revealed that between 2001-2004, the UK’s national quotas were exceeded by 112,546 tonnes in the case of mackerel and 43,961 tonnes in the case of herring. Over the same period, the Irish mackerel quota was over-fished by 33,486 tonnes. In 2005, the UK mackerel quota was again exceeded by 5,090 tonnes.

Whelan appointed as chairman of Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority MARINE Minister Noel Dempsey has appointed Peter Whelan as chairman of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (S-FPA), the new independent statutory body established on 1 January 2007. Peter Whelan, who previously held the post of director, Service Contracts Division in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, has a background in environmental health. He joins Andrew Kinneen, who moved to the SFPA from his role as seafood control manager in the Department of the Marine The S-FPA is wholly independent from the Depart-

ment of Communications, Marine & Natural Resources and is legally charged with the State’s sea fisheries law enforcement functions. The Authority will enforce the EU Common Fisheries Policy and sea fisheries law generally, as well as food safety law relating to fish and fishery products. A fully representative (14 person) statutory consultative committee will be appointed by the Minister to ensure the sector can formally input to the work of the new Authority. The Minister has invited nominations from relevant interested parties.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

COMMENT

THE seafood industry Strategy Review Group report is timely and insightful. I would not call it visionary but it does for the first time pull together those ideas, comments, and recommendations that have been discussed for years, and put them between two covers. Industry and the supporting Agencies will recognise many of the recommended actions as they have been piloted and trialled over the years. Quality programmes and Environmental Management Systems are examples that have been tried but not universally adopted — mainly because communication with the marketplace has not happened. The Strategy emphasises self-reliance within the sector: more competitiveness, efficiencies, response to the marketplace, responsibility to manage quotas, and environmental management systems. Yet, it also recommends more State involvement. The message, of standing on our

own feet, is mixed with a high level of Departmental and Agency direct involvement and co-operation. The Review shows clearly that the production base of the Irish seafood industry is composed of five almost equal parts: pelagic; whitefish; inshore; aquaculture and processing. The fragmentation and inefficiencies within the processing sector are carefully analysed. Recognition of the contribution and importance of each sub-sector is very welcome, as is recognition of aquaculture as being an essential part of the industry, and not something to be viewed in isolation or with suspicion. Notwithstanding, major rationalisation of the State agencies or the re-allocation of functions to ensure smooth delivery of services to industry surprisingly are not among the recommendations.

The common thread throughout the recommendations however is the call for new or improved co-ordinating structures between the various agencies. Is this pragmatic or is it fence sitting? Sectoral reviews in the past that have called for rationalisation and simplification of the State side have rarely been implemented (who remembers the 2005 FGS Review of the Inland Fisheries Sector, and where is the major shake-up of the State sector that it recommended?) We now have a blueprint to re-structure and develop the seafood industry, and we have an NDP that commits the financial resources to implement it. We also have Noel Cawley’s acceptance to chair a ‘high-level Implementation Group’. There are however some further ingredients key to ensuring a smooth passage ahead: a senior minister in the next Government whose

December ’06: 2.3m litres of landfill leachate discharged into Westport Bay

Dear Editor, RECENT events expose areas of concern and highlight shortcomings in procedures that protect the quality of our coastal waters and the environment in which food is produced. Landfill leachate contains many dangerous and toxic substances. There are very real concerns that shellfish destined for human consumption may become contaminated, posing a direct risk to human health. Landfill leachate nationwide is routinely ‘treated’ in Waste Wa t e r Tr e a t m e n t P l a n t s (WWTP), despite the fact that they are not designed or suitable for the purpose. Indeed, leachate impairs WWTP’s ability to treat ‘normal’ sewage. Discharge by Mayo County Council (MCC) commenced on December 7th without consulting or notifying either the Dept of Marine (DCMNR) or the National Parks and Wildlife Service, despite Clew Bay’s designations as a Quality of Shellfish Waters (QSW) area and a Special Area of Conservation. 1979 QSW Directive specifies ‘....measures taken pursuant to this directive may on no account lead either directly or indirectly to increased pollution of coastal or brackish waters.’ DCMNR responded by re-

minding MCC of their obligations under the QSW Directive, and advised them to make alternative arrangements should this situation reoccur. MCC claim that they did not take shortcuts in obtaining approval for the discharge, and the Environme ntal Protection Agency (EPA) felt justified in taking a decision that was not theirs alone to take. Effective local bay management procedures and structures are clearly not in place. MCC & the EPA’s combined actions may have exposed DCMNR to an EU Commission complaint for again not enforcing the QSW Directive. MCC has not prevented rainfall from becoming contaminated by leachate, but allows rainfall to dilute the leachate to bring it closer to statutory discharge levels. MCC has ‘ambitious’ proposals to partially treat the leachate, dilute it with sewage effluent and finally discharge the end product into Newport Bay. These proposals will not allay the concerns of bay users or contribute to improving Clew Bay’s water quality. MCC’s proposal is the only one of its type in Europe and must receive close scrutiny. An inadequate national standard of ‘how not to do it’ cannot be set.

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

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Printed by the Irish Times, 24 - 28 Tara Street, Dublin 2 The publishers do not accept responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors and advertisers. While every care is taken to ensure accuracy of information contained in Inshore Ireland, we do not accept responsibility for any errors, or matters arising from same.

The future consequences could be serious and expensive. Where human health is involved we must if necessary err on the side of caution and ensure that discharges to food production waters are guaranteed 100% safe 100% of the time. This is not just a local Clew Bay issue; it has implications for all marine communities and users. Water quality must be afforded adequate status. All bay activities hinge on sustainable environmental management so it is fundamental. Unfortunately, we are not at that point and it appears that MCC are on a collision course with bay users. Yours sincerely Niall O’Boyle Coastal Zone Services Ltd Knockbreaga, Newport, Co. Mayo

primary focus is the marine; and a Department that will be adequately resourced, pro-active and co-operative as envisioned in the Strategy (of the 49 specific recommendations it is envisioned that DCMNR will play a lead role in 19, and a supporting role in a further six). At the launch, Minister Dempsey emphasised the great risk of failure if all the stakeholders do not cooperate. The industry and the development agencies are, I believe, committed to co-operation and what we now need is the full co-operation of the marine department in effecting the strategy and rolling out the plan. There will be pain in consolidating, processing, rationalising the white-fish fleet and implementing many of the recommendations. Strong, focussed leadership and willing industry participation are required. Is the political will there to see it through? — Mark Norman

Comment

We need leadership but is the will there to see it happen?

BIM ceo to step down BIM’S chief executive Pat Keogh is to step down from his post with effect from June 30, 2007. BIM, which is charged with the sustainable development of the Irish seafood industry, is now commencing the process of recruiting his replacement. Pat Keogh recently completed his second five-year term at the helm of BIM. Before his appointment as CEO in December 1996, he was deputy CEO for the previous seven years and prior to that had served in various managerial/executive roles within the organisation. Chairman of BIM, Rose Mc Hugh, paid tribute to the ‘‘tremendous contribution’’ he has made, both to BIM and the seafood industry, culminating most recently in his work with the Seafood Strategy Review Group. ‘‘Thanks to Pat’s dedicated stewardship of BIM, the organisation is well positioned for the implementation of the ambitious programmes set out in the new strategy,’’ Ms Mc Hugh remarked. Commenting on his decision to step down, Pat Keogh said he had ‘‘thoroughly enjoyed’’ his time at BIM. ‘‘I am proud of the

* Pat Keogh, who recently completed his second five-year term at the helm of BIM, will step down at the end of June.

organisation’s achievements. The new strategy maps out a dynamic role for BIM in the sustainable development of the seafood industry over the next seven years, and it is a good time for a new chief executive to take the helm,’’ he said. Paying tribute to Pat Keogh, marine minister John Browne said that his leadership had

ensured that BIM had risen to the occasion and had met every challenge it had faced over the past decade. ‘‘Pat leaves behind a number of significant accomplishments that his replacement will undoubtedly further develop and enhance. Pat has distinguished himself as a fine public servant,’’ he said.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

REPORT

Ireland’s environmental scorecard EU Directives are passed on to member states to be incorporated into their national legal system. In this way, the rights of its citizens and its environment are maintained. When States fall down on following these rules, the EU looks to imposing penaltie. So, how has Ireland fared out in staying within the ‘laws of the EU game’?, asks Diarmaid Mulcahy TO be frank, our compliance with EU Environmental Law leaves a lot to be desired. Between 1998-2003, Ireland had the second highest number of environmental infringement cases in the EU, after Spain. As of December 2002, Ireland has received 85 Letters of Formal Notice for which a first legal warning has issued and the European Commission has commenced infringement proceedings. A significant number of these cases relate to water and habitats areas. According to Dail records, the European Commission corresponded with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government regard-

ing 53 cases relating to possible infringements of EU Environmental legislation. These cases are at various stages of proceedings. Under Article 226: * * *

21 at Letter of Formal Notice 15 at Reasoned Opinion 5 referred to the European Court ofJustice 4 before the European Court of Justice

The European Court of Justice has delivered judgements in eight cases under Article 226, and under Article 228, three are at Letter of Formal Notice and one is at Reasoned Opinion stage. Dáil records show too that in December 2005, the number of possible infringements stood at

49, but this had dropped to 34 cases by Dec 2006. Cases relating to habitats, urban waste-water treatment; nitrates; quality of drinking water for human consumption and groundwater are included. It appears therefore that Ireland is making progress in improving its behaviour on the European field of environmental play. But there is a cost. According to Dáil records, the Irish State has defended actions in relation to non-compliance or non-application of European Union directives. The Chief State Solicitor’s office has paid out €88,643.36 to counsel in 18 cases listed between 1996 and 2004. In

ENVIRONMENTAL BAD APPLICATION CASES HAVE REACHED, AT LEAST, THE LETTER OF FORMAL NOTICE STAGE (27/10/03) Year A B D DK E EL F FI I IR L N P S U L L K 1998

16 3

13 2

1 7 1 3 2 4 1 7 1

2 5

1999

19 6

13 1

2000

21 1

17 10 5

2001

2002

97 32 44 14 71 8 5

31 9

10 7

14 4

0 3

2 5

2 0

1 1 4

3 3

9 1 6

3 8

1 4

3 4

TOTAL

16 27 50 8

eight of these cases however, either no external counsel was

used or no demand for fees has been received as yet. Detail on

defending cases from 2004 to the present day is not available.

Sound pollution threatens whales and dolphins off Irish coast

* A rare Bottle nose whale is kept cool after stranding alive in Kilalla in August 1999. Since 1936 a total of 20 Bottle nose whales have been recorded as stranded in Ireland. (PHOTO: Shay Fennelly.)

The European Commission has received complaints about the impact of sonar (using sound underwater to navigate or to detect other vessels) on marine mammals, on the basis that the emission of intense, low and medium frequency tone bursts has a disturbing effect on cetaceans. The EU’s Habitats Directive requires Member States to protect all cetaceans in European waters, writes Shay Fennelly THE Commission asked the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to review and evaluate all relevant information concerning the impact of sonar on whales, dolphins and fish; to identify the gaps in current understanding and to make recommendations for future investigations or research. The Commission has also requested advice on possible mitigation measures to reduce or minimise the impact of sonar. The Commission received a report from ICES in February 2006 and is now consulting with Member States and other interested parties. The ICES report found that the full effects of sonar on cetaceans are not well known due to the difficulty of studying the interaction. ICES states there is no evidence of harm from sound sources other than high intensity mid frequency sonar. ICES has called for a survey of all shelf waters and deep water areas of Europe; habitat modelling; identification of critical habitat; research on cetacean responses to low and mid frequency sonars and a specialist review of military use of sonar in European waters. Ireland’s first offshore marine Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Erris Slyne and Donegal Basin was published in June 2006. It identified a threat posed to whales and dolphins and spawning fish from seismic surveys. According to the Petroleum Affairs Division of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, seismic survey activity is set to double that of the 1970s.

In the Erris Slyne and Rockall area, this will amount to 100 days from 2006-2007 and 250 days from 2008-2010. The SEA report states that numerous seismic surveys have been carried out on the Irish continental shelf and in the UK and that no link has yet been made with cetacean population change. No research though has yet been conducted on cetaceans to see if a link exists in Irish waters. The report acknowledges large data gaps about marine mammals offshore and fishing effort data for the Slyne/ Erris/ Donegal basin, making it difficult to make impact assessments. A key recommendation is for additional impact assessment on a site-specific basis. The report concludes that with mitigation measures, the environmental impact of noise from seismic surveys will be insignificant.

European Court of Justice A judgement by the European Court of Justice in January 2007 however, found that Ireland had failed to gather the necessary information on bat, otters, and whales and dolphins to effectively implement a system of strict protection. The Court found that these species are not covered by an appropriate monitoring system and the lack of information on their breeding sites, resting places and the threats to which they are subject, prevents the implementation of the system of strict protection required by the Habitats Directive. Most unusually, five northern bottlenose whales were stranded on the Kerry (2) and Sligo (3) coasts in May and August 2006. Lack of funding by government for post mortems of stranded whales and dolphins prevents the cause of death to be established.

€23m earmarked for coastal protection €23 million has been earmarked for coastal protection under the new NDP ‘Marine and Coastal Communities Programme’, to protect the coastline from erosion and manage the problem of coastal flooding so as to maximise its impact on the commercial and social activities of coastal communities. According to the programme, the planned investment will be a mixture of risk evaluation, development of procedures and guidance for scheme selection, planning and development assistance and capital projects of both a hard and soft engineering nature.

Erosion Funding is also earmarked to complete the National Coastal Protection Strategy Study to identify areas of risk from erosion and flooding. Initial results from a pilot area on the east coast are expected this Spring.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

REPORT

Green Party proposes new body to manage Dublin Bay

Dublin Bay would significantly benefit from Single Bay managment

DUBLIN Bay is an incredible resource. A saucer of water five miles wide, it hosts a range of commercial activities, and provides many amenities for visitors and residents alike. Water enters the bay from the south east and gently scours the sands from Sandymount before adding to Bull Island and heading back out into the Irish Sea past the Nose of Howth. To the south, lobsters spawn their offspring in Scotsman’s Bay near Sandycove. Trawlers land their catch at Dún Laoghaire and Howth, and some of the largest and fastest ferries travel daily to and from the UK. In the summer months the beaches at Dollymount and Sandycove are crowded, and colourful spinnakers can be seen as hundreds of yachts and dinghies skim across the water. In recent years, however, Ireland’s economic success has led to changes in the bay. On the positive side, the Dublin Bay Project has brought an end to sewage discharges, and local drainage schemes at Baldoyle, Dalkey andShankill clean up water further. An increase in port traffic through Dublin, however, has led to controversial proposals

Natural saltwater baths at Blackrock could be restored.

Looking north across the Bay to Howth Head.

Photo: Gillian Mills

€23 million earmarked for coastal protection €23 million has been earmarked for coastal protection under the new NDP ‘Marine and Coastal Communities Programme’, to protect the coastline from erosion and manage the problem of coastal flooding so as to maximise its impact on the commercial and social activities of coastal by the port to reclaim land between Tolka Quay in Dublin Port and Clontarf. Planning applications for high-rise buildings have also been proposed at Booterstown and in Dublin’s Docklands. A confused web of bodies has responsibility for different aspects of activities in the bay. Three local authorities: Dublin City Council; Fingal Co Council and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown control the adjoining lands and the Dublin Docklands Development Authority; Dublin

communities. According to the programme, the planned investment will be a mixture of risk evaluation, development of procedures and guidance for scheme selection, planning and development assistance and capital projects of both a hard and soft engineering nature. Port; Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources have separate responsibilities for other aspects of the bay. Recent work by the Dublin Regional Authority has led to discussions about the need for better management. The public are confused about who manages the bay, and no one body has overall responsibility for improving its amenities. For instance there is no slip-way where you can

RDS, Dublin 7-8 March 2007

Ireland’s leading environmental exhibitions

Funding Funding is also to earmarked to complete the National Coastal Protection Strategy Study to identify areas of risk from erosion and flooding. Initial results from a pilot area on the east coast are expected this spring. launch a boat between Ringsend and the west pier in Dún Laoghaire.

Statutory body Last April the Green Party organised a Dublin Bay Conference in Dún Laoghaire where speakers discussed some of the issues and challenges surrounding its future. A consensus emerged that more needs to be done and that a statutory body should be set up to co-ordinate, manage, de-

Free Water Conference run by esai and SWIG Free advice from industry leaders Latest developments in technology and legislation

velop and protect the waters and lands surrounding Dublin Bay. All agreed that greater provision and protection of the public amenities; biodiversity of the bay and access for recreational purposes was required. In addition, delegates felt that a building height restriction and landuse master-plan should be drawn up in partnership with the communities, general public and users of the bay. Coastal zone management has emerged as an important discipline for the protection and development of sea-side areas in the last decade. Establishment of a body charged with proper manage-

ment could ensure that this valuable resource is properly taken care of and developed. As Dublin’s population increases and as the use of the bay for freight traffic and leisure purposes increases, we need more than ever to agree on a vision for its future. The Green Party currently is drafting a Dublin Bay Bill to provide for the establishment of such a body. We intend presenting this Bill to the Dáil in March. Watch this space! Ciarán Cuffe is a TD for Dún Laoghaire and is the Green Party’s Environment Spokesperson. He can be contacted at Ciaran.Cuffe@Oireachtas.ie

7-8 March 2007, RDS, Dublin

for free entry and a free lunch at www.environment-ireland.com

Management of Ireland's natural resources through mapping 8

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

INTERVIEW

Compass Informatics Ltd, specialists in geographical information systems (GIS) Ð a mapping and information technology Ð talk to Inshore Ireland about developments in the technology since the company began 10 years ago. What is GIS, and how does Compass apply it? GIS is yet another of those

buzzwords but means Geographical Information Systems. It is a mapping and information technology that we use extensively for the management of natural resources and for planning the optimal use of those resources. Our work is all about creating, analysing and presenting information about land and sea, and things that have a link to a place Ð about `spatial' information. GIS and other spatial information technologies are gaining more widespread use and are even incorporated into mobile phones, in-car navigation * The PRISM web mapping system developed by Compass Informatics and other devices. wave and current forecasts to the public and specialist We use these technologies, presentsThewind, system was developed as part of an Interreg Ireland-Wales combined with our skills in users. planning and science to develop project and is available at www.prism.ie information systems. These systems support decision-making, assess risk of pollution, predict or forecast environmental conditions, and so forth. We also then present this information in a userfriendly way, via website maps or concise reports, to the public and other users.

How did Compass start out in this type of work? We started out 10 years ago

nearly this week. We began with research-type projects particularly for the Environmental Protection Agency, and over time have gradually got many more clients and applied our skills to different areas. The technology and the available data has really come of age now Ð for example we have * The Self Service PrePlanning System (SSPS) allows a user to find a just developed a new aerial site where they are likely to avoid planning hitches and to impact less camera system that can capture on their surroundings. Pre-planning is an important aspect of the photos at very high detail - so Planning Act 2000. The SSPS system is being adopted by a number of we look forward to a few counties in 2007 with systems already in Mayo and Donegal. healthy years ahead. managers. Typically, this is example we have been involved What have you done for the and predictive modelling or fore- with is a safety-at-sea project EPA? We have supported and worked casting. But it can be used too where we have developed a with the EPA on a range of for `hindcasting' or working out web-based system to present tasks but we are supporting what might have happened to wind, waves and current forethem in particular with the cause pollution at sea, for casts. This is a project that we are just finishing for the Departimplementation of various reg- instance. Using our mapping systems ment of the Marine. It is an ulations. A lot of our work is ulti- we can integrate information Ireland-Wales project called mately dealing with EU regula- from models with other data PRISM involving the University of Wales and NUI-Galway tions - one of the big ones being and make sense of it all. the Water Framework Directive, Has GIS been applied to running models that predict which impacts on agricultural liquid run-off from agricul- wind, waves, currents, temperatures and other parameters. nutrient management, sewage ture? The idea is for people to be treatment plants, and everything Yes, there are many projects that impacts on water quality. looking at nutrient management able to visit this website if they are looking for a sea forecast We also did some work in support of the National Spatial and potential run-off and the before taking a boat out, say on Strategy. As well as that we risks to water quality from a a Saturday morning. The idea is that it would be extended have worked on projects pro- myriad of sources. We help to make that process around the Irish coast evenviding data on integrated pollution control and licensing of a lot more efficient and accu- tually. industries like piggeries, quar- rate, otherwise it is just guess- Can GIS aid people conwork. We develop tools to ries or pharmaceuticals. predict where there are risk cerned with wastewater disCan GIS be used to trace areas - based on soil-type, posal, leachate or other water quality issues? pollution sources? slope, rainfall and so forth. We work with a number of the Certainly. We use computer models to predict the dispersion How has GIS been applied in marine and inland waters agencies who are using GIS and of pollutants and present that to the marine sphere? the public and specialist users It is used widely. Just one associated technologies to pre-

* Directors of Compass Informatics, Paul Mills and GearoÂid OÂ Riain pictured in the Dublin offices.

dict the capacity of certain bays for aquaculture expansion or to take more urban development. GIS is very strong here because it integrates a lot of information. It deals with point-source and diffuse, often agricultural runoff, which, along with data on tidal influxes and the cycling of water within a bay, will determine very much its carrying capacity. If you tried to do all that in your head it would be a hard job. Our role is to generate critical information and integrate it. Then, it is for others * Using digital map data and fieldwork, the Compass team have such as the policy-makers for mapped habitats across Dublin city thus supporting planning and example to interpret this infor- decision making. Such mapping has also been undertaken for much of mation. Co Clare and proves to be an efficient approach towards getting map

Give an example of how GIS has been used in fisheries?

data appropriate to planners' needs.

Using the tools and data we have we have been able to assist in the calculation of how productive a river should be as regards salmon and trout production. Our very detailed aerial photography plays an important role also. We have used that photo system in both Ireland and England including a survey of about 750km of river in Cumbria a few years ago. You might see us flying overhead these days too as we survey many rivers and roads around Ireland. A few years * back we also worked in the Highly detailed aerial imagery helps to show the many activities in a Burrishoole Catchment for the particular area. This image shows an archaeological site, slurry a river with good riffle sequences for angling, rural housing old Salmon Research Agency spreading, among other things. Such imagery can also be used to on issues of over-grazing, affor- distribution, track crop growth, or progress on an archaeology dig or road estation and fish production. construction.

Continued on page 9.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

INTERVIEW

Thongweed curtain

(Photo: Sarah Varian)

* Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea) a small delicate biennial that grows in grassy places. (Photo: Liam Lysaght)

Open for business, Minister Cullen cuts the ribbon on the NBDC (Photo: Dylan Vaughan)

Starfish college.

(Photo: Sarah Varian)

Budding biologist, Bella Lysaght.

Soft coral.

(Photo: Dylan Vaughan)

(Photo: Sarah Varian)

Centre to house Ireland’s biodiversity data

AT the official opening of the National Biodiversity Data Centre in Waterford in January, Michael Starratt, Heritage Council chief executive said that the importance of the Centre ‘‘cannot be overstated and will give life to data for all users’’, writes Gillian Mills The National Biodiversity Plan (1992) makes a commitment to ‘put in place a national biological data management system....’ and to provide information on where species and habitats occur, which areas are important for conservation and how the status of species and habitats change over time. The NBDC also fulfils a call by the Environmental Protection Agency for the establishment of a ‘‘properly resourced central database as an essential initiative for monitoring species diversity,’’ Liam Lysaght, the Centre’s director told Inshore Ireland. The scope of the NBDC includes species and habitat information relating to the terrestrial, freshwater and marine environment to the boundary of the Exclusive Economic Zone.

Continued from page 8.

Is GIS being applied to issues of terrestrial planning? GIS is most definitely a suitable tool to support proper rural planning. If someone wants to build a house in a rural area in Mayo or Donegal at the moment for example, they can go to a website we have developed and zoom into the area where their house is to be built. The system then ‘looks at’ all the background information and indicates if the proposed site is in the way of a planned new road, or what distance it is from a Natural Heritage Area or

‘‘Much of the existing biodiversity information is currently held by different sources and is not in a readily available format. High quality biological data is already generated by third-level educational institutions. The NBDC will work with them to investigate methods to improve dissemination of the results and to establish systems to improve data capture,’’ he explained.

Compass Informatics The data will be presented by means of GIS (geographical information systems) provided by Compass Informatics Ltd in the form of background maps and aerial photographs. This data can then be used to assess the impact of changing land-uses, climate change and introduction of invasive species, which in turn will feed into decision-making and policy information, research and monitoring and public awareness programmes. ‘‘This information will be essential for underpinning implementation of government programmes such as the NDP, Rural Development Plan, Na-

Special Area of Conservation. It will then guide you as to what might be the likelihood of you getting planning permission — or what might be other key issues of getting planning permission. It helps avoid costly planning work for those looking to build a house, as well as making the work of the local authority more efficient. How is GIS helping the National Biodiversity Centre? This is a major new project for us and one of real national importance. The NBDC manages information on flora and fauna and will make that information available for use in

tional Heritage Plan and the Water Framework Directive,’’ Lysaght added. A North/South Initiative is also envisaged with the objective of encouraging sharing and presentation of data on an allIreland basis.

Protecting our own Speaking at the opening, Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Transport, said that reduction and loss of biodiversity in Europe and worldwide has accelerated dramatically: ‘‘We need to protect our own biodiversity. The EU has set a target of halting this loss by 2010 and in order to do this effectively, it makes sense to have ready access to high quality, reliable information,’’ he said. Chair of the NBDC, Liam Downey, explained that two initial projects would look at vegetation and aquatics (freshwater fish) whereby databases will fulfil a strategic purpose of tracking biodiversity changes, for instance farming practices on the west coast. ‘‘We’re now open for business,’’ he said.

the planning system, for example. We want to take the idea of a data centre beyond a very sterile and inaccessible techie concept. We want to present the huge datasets we will ultimately hold and make them very easily accessible to a range of users, including the public, to help them make informed decisions. We will use the web to help us achieve this. It will of course take a few years to build the systems up but we are keen to provide at one location or one website mapping system, the information which is currently held by dispersed individuals and organisations.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

WATER MANAGEMENT

‘Fish: today, tomorrow and after tomorrow?’ By Karin Dubsky, Coastwatch THIS challenging fish slogan was decided upon by the Ramsar (also known as World Wetland) Convention for 2007. A poster showing a shrinking fish plate can be downloaded from www.ramsar.org The five-day event that started in Carlingford ended on World Wetlands Day (2 February) in Lough Foyle with a public workshop in the context of the Water Framework Directive. In a case study: fish tomorrow?, Boyne fisherman Leo Boyle produced a mussel rake, and described how men would stand in small ‘cots’ anchored in the mouth of Boyne, and would lower the >3 m rake into the water and gently lead it over the top of the mussel bed to collect the largest at the top without damaging the main carpet. He explained that this ancient fishing method was sustainable because only the surface of the mussel bed was raked; the main mussel carpet with its babies (spat) is left intact. In this way, both the mussel bed and the men thrived for hundreds of years; however, six years ago when

the river was deepened to provide access for larger ships, the mussel bed was removed. Repeated reseeding of the deeper channel with mussels from other areas has failed. So as it stands, an ancient and sustainable method of fishing may well be lost. One child asked: Why don’t they put the old river bed back? As the Wetlanders headed off to Monaghan, the children from Carlingford explored the species rich seashore west of the harbour to witness the food chain in action. Meanwhile, the Northern Irish group changed into Adventure Centre wetsuits and took into Carlinford waters by canoe. The World Wetlands Day theme will be continued throughout the year. Coastwatch will be exploring the coastal and estuarine wetland role as fish nursery areas in an effort to seek better protection of these areas.The workshop and outcomes of a survey conducted by the wetlanders will be highlighted in the April issue of Inshore Ireland. If you are interested to become involved contact Karin Dubsky Coastwatch: kdubsky@coastwatch.org or 053 94 25843, 086 8111 684.

Duncan Stewart, ‘The Wetlanders’, salmon, brent goose, frog, otter and marsh marigold and children from Carlingford enjoying WWD.

‘Wetlanders’ cross-border road show celebrates World Wetlands Day By Sinead O’Brien

Ireland’s environment Who does what?

The Environmental Protection Agency’s new guide explains who does what and who to contact about your environmental queries.

Contact the EPA to order your guide to Ireland’s environment. LoCall: 1890 33 55 99 Email: publications@epa.ie Web: www.epa.ie

PRESENTER of the popular environmental series Ecoeye and well-known advocate for the environment, Duncan Stewart, launched an ambitious cross-border road show to celebrate World Wetlands Day on 2 February last, when five lifesize animals embarked on a 5day mad cap tour of the Irish border, highlighting the value of Ireland’s waters and wetlands for people and for wildlife. Collectively known as ‘The Wetlanders’, the salmon, brent goose, frog, otter and marsh marigold, left Carlingford in their customised tour bus and travelled to Monaghan, Enniskillen, Lisnaskea, Ballyshannon, Strabane and Buncrana, finishing up in Derry on World Wetlands Day. The educational awareness campaign was organised by a coalition of environmental organisations that work together to raise awareness of the importance of water and wetlands on the island of Ireland. It comprises the Sustainable Water Network (and constituent groups Coastwatch Ireland and Save the Swilly); WWF Northern Ireland; Ulster Wildlife Trust; Water Service; Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust; Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) and the Loughs Agency.

Whistle-stop tour During the whistle-stop tour, the road show visited schools and town centres along the border where the Wetlanders went out and about talking to people about their local water and wetlands and how they can help protect them. Ireland is the wettest country in Europe. We have the quantity, but not always the quality of water that we need. Industrial pollution; pressures from developers; illegal fly tipping; drainage from agriculture and use

‘Frog’ taking a rest from hopping along the border.

of household chemicals, all have an affect on our rivers and wetlands. We want the public to understand that they can take positive steps to prevent this. Species such as the common frog, newt and many birds are already under threat as their wetland homes disappear. The team also organised specialised focus meetings with farmers, anglers and tourism businesses to discuss the value of rivers and wetlands to their activities, and to gain their perspective on the issues facing waters and wetlands. In Strabane, the team held a meeting with the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU), involving farmers from North and South of the border. Robert Fyffe, Co Tyrone UFU chairman and Keith Roulston, chairman of Donegal IFA both spoke about the challenges

facing farmers, especially in the context of the Nitrates Directive and cross compliance. Farmers feel aggrieved that they have been used as scapegoats for all pollution and believe that the government should bear much responsibility due to its lack of action on illegal dumping and septic tank pollution, as well as pollution from sewage treatment plants and large housing developments with inadequate treatment facilities. Farmers from the South, in particular, said that the rate of development through the economic boom was a time bomb waiting to go off, in terms of future water quality. These concerns were echoed strongly throughout the week by anglers, tourism businesses and the much of the general public.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

WATER MANAGEMENT

Water quality from a third of private water schemes is ‘unsatisfactory’ THE quality of drinking water in public supplies in Ireland is satisfactory, but more than a third of private group water schemes are contaminated with E.coli, and are unsatisfactory, according to a report by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland 2005 finds that 97.6% of the water produced and distributed by sanitary authorities supplied to 83% of the population in public water supplies and public group schemes complies with drinking water standards. Less than 7% of the population, however, receives drinking water from private group schemes whose quality the report declares as being ‘unsatis-

factory’. On closer examination, it blames a ‘worrying drop in compliance in Mayo’ for the marginal fall in overall compliance rate for the E.coli standard in private group schemes — down from 78.1% in 2004 to 77.5% in 2005. Despite that, the percentage of schemes contaminated nationally has actually dropped from 40.4% in 2004 to 36.2% in 2005.

Below standard Dr Matthew Crowe, a programme manager with the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement described the poor microbiological quality of the private group water schemes as ‘‘the most challenging issue

facing the authorities charged with responsibility for drinking water in Ireland’’. He added that the improvements required in drinking water quality supplied by these schemes was ‘‘not happening at a fast enough pace’’. ‘‘The relatively moderate drop in the number of schemes contaminated during 2005, while welcome, is not nearly sufficient. ‘‘A seismic shift is required in the pace of change for improvement of drinking water quality from private group schemes. ‘‘To force the pace on this issue, sanitary authorities should concentrate their enforcement efforts on private group schemes that consistently

breach the drinking water standards. It is simply not acceptable that consumers of drinking water from these schemes be provided with consistently poor quality drinking water,’’ Dr Crowe declared. Audits by the EPA on drinking water plants have found improved management practices compared to previous years, but despite this, Dr Crowe has called for the need for ‘‘more effective corrective action’’ to be put in place for plants found to consistently breach standards. The Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland, 2005 is available on: ww.epa.ie/NewsCentre/ReportsPublications/ Water/DrinkingWaterReports/

What is the price of a whiter than white smile? DIARMAID Mulcahy opens the discussion on the controversy over water fluoridation. We are all so familiar with the word ‘fluoride’. It has been part of our daily vocabulary for many decades. We are so used to hearing toothpaste companies mention the benefits to our smiles, and by extension, our attractiveness to the opposite sex. The public face of fluoride, however, hides the very serious debate that has been raging for a number of years; a debate where there are very polarised views on the benefits of fluoride to human

teeth; on its necessity in a balanced human diet and on its association with certain health conditions, namely dental fluorosis, and more recently bone cancer. Future issues of Inshore Ireland will present information on the fluoride controversy, including recommendations from the World Health Organisation and results from studies carried out in the USA. Coverage will also be given to the role of the Irish State in fluoridating all public water supplies - a practice that has been ongoing since 1964.

Latest technologies for the water industry on display

International importance of Irish Wetlands *

There are 64 wetlands of international importance on the island of Ireland, 45 in the South and 19 in Northern Ireland. These include Cork Harbour, Dundalk Bay, Lough Corrib, Galway Bay, the Blackwater Estuary and North Bull Island in Dublin Bay. These are designated by the ‘Ramsar Convention’, an international treaty, of which Ireland is a signatory, which

provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. World Wetlands Day is celebrated internationally on February 2nd by government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and communities to raise public awareness of wetland values and benefits.

Facts about Wetlands *

Wetlands provide a basin for falling rain and surface runoff water and help protect us from flooding during storms by soaking up excess water. Much of the water we drink comes from wetlands. Inland wetlands act like a sponge, naturally filtering the water and removing many harmful pollutants. Irish wetlands sustain a wealth of wildlife, including flocks of migrating birds and

many endangered species. Wetlands are particularly vulnerable to pollution from potentially harmful chemicals in household detergents and pesticides mixing in ground water or run-off into streams, rivers and lakes. Wetlands have, over the years, been used as illegal dumping grounds resulting in local habitats being adversely affected, sometimes destroyed.

For further information on World Wetlands Day and the ‘Ramsar Convention’ visit the website: www.ramsar.org

* Pictured above is Duncan Stewart with the Wetlanders.

MORE than 100 exhibitors at the free Irish Water Waste & Environment (IWWE) exhibition will showcase the latest technology and developments in the water industry at the RDS, Dublin over 7-8 March. Related trade exhibitions will include Irish Recycling & Waste Management (IRWM); Civilex and Road Expo Ireland, offering additional seminars and advice from industry leaders. Entry to all shows is free. Companies will display a wide range of products and services, including water metering, analysis, pumps, valves and water storage, as well as emission control equipment and environmental compliance consulting. Exhibiting companies include Sensus Metering Systems; PCP Group and KSB Ltd, many of which have live demonstrations of their products on their stand.

Presentations Running concurrently will be a

water conference organised by the Environmental Sciences Association in Ireland (esai) and the Sensors for Water Interest Group (SWIG), who will stage presentations on potable water metering; water loss & distribution systems (Wednesday) and sewage treatment plants and optimisation of process & control on Thursday.

Other solutions-based seminars include: *

The Modular Approach to AMR - A Real Cost Effective Solution or Just the Latest Fad? The Sutton and East Surrey Experience. The Use of Particle Counters to Evaluate Risks of Cryptosporidium in Drinking Water. Pioneering Sewage Treatment Solutions.

For the full conference programme, exhibitors list and registration details, view www.environment-ireland.com. All visitors who register in advance will receive a free light lunch.

"Water for Living, Water for Life" Western River Basin District Management Plan (Draft) and Public Consultation The Public Consultation provision in the EU Water Framework Directive requires active involvement by the Public, in all aspects of the implementation of the Directive and in the development of the Western RBD Management Plan (Draft) by June 2008.

Consultation Process & & & &

The timetable and work programme for the production of the plan (June 2006) Interim overview of Significant Water Management Issues (June 2007) River Basin Management Plan (Draft) (June 2008) The Western RBD Advisory Council is a statutory forum to assist the public participation process.

Comments are invited from interested parties in relation to the timetable and work programme for the production of the River Basin Management Plan (Draft) for the Western River Basin District.

Contact Details: Email: info@westernrbd.ie Website: www.westernrbd.ie Tel: 091-746804 Fax: 091-762546

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

INSHORE FISHERIES

Management of cockle fisheries in Ireland

INSHORE Ireland (Vol 2 Issue 2) reported on a European Court of Justice Judgment in 2004 following an environmental impact assessment in the Wadden Sea, and the implications it might have for the Irish cockle fishery, noting Dundalk Bay in particular. The judgment imposed ‘obligations’ including: annual assessment of the cockle biomass; estimate of the number of birds likely to over-winter and determination of a TAC. Furthermore, the MI Stock Book advises that the fishery requires a management initiative; a cap on effort; closed seasons and notes the level of discarding during harvesting. So what has been happening since with regard to Irish cockle fisheries? John Hickey, BIM explains. The main cockle fishery of note in Ireland has been Dundalk Bay, which has seen intense fishing activity leading to over-exploitation due to the absence of a management framework. Dundalk Bay, however, is designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a Natural Heritage Area (NHA) and also a Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds. With the introduction of the inshore management framework for shellfisheries, however, fishermen in Dundalk Bay have joined to form a Local Advisory Committee (LAC) facilitated by BIM. The LAC, comprising representatives of registered fishermen, hand rakers, DCMNR, BIM, the MI and other relevant scientists, has held three meetings since its first in February 2006.

Sustainable exploitation The main objective of the LAC is to draft a management plan for the sustainable exploitation of the resource, with due regard for the natural habitat implications and those arising from the ECJ Judgment. From the onset, the LAC recognised that the fishery needed a breather to recover, and at its third meeting in May

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

2006, agreed to seek a formal statutory closure of Dundalk Bay until June 2007. The ban on harvesting cockles by any means is intended to allow stocks to recover; the LAC time to draft additional proposals (based on an assessment/survey results of cockle stocks in the bay), leading to sustainable fishing once the fishery reopens. Also of concern to the LAC is the potential of removing juvenile seed from around the Irish coast for transplanting into other jurisdictions. The LAC is therefore recommending a preliminary minimum size of 16mm (measured as the smallest dimension) to prevent such activity taking place.

some fishermen that suction dredges being used were more harmful to both the stock and the environment than the box dredges that were historically more commonly used in the area. Two more immediate problems to emerge, however, were the absence of a management framework existed and that the area fished was also within an SAC. BIM recommended that the fishery should also be closed and that an assessment should be carried out to provide management advice. As a result, the Waterford Estuary and the Back Strand in Tramore were also closed by a SI in January to run until the end of May this year.

Bay closure

Stock assessment

Last January, marine minister John Browne TD signed a Statutory Instrument (SI) to close Dundalk Bay until the end of May 2007. During the summer and autumn of 2006, fishing for cockles also took place in the Waterford Estuary by local fishermen and two boats from Dundalk Bay. Serious disagreements between the participants arose when it was suggested by

BIM and the Marine Institute will carry out an assessment/ survey of cockle stocks in both Dundalk Bay and the Waterford Estuary this spring once the over-wintering birds have left. This will avoid negative impacts on the bird populations. An assessment of the impact of the two dredge types will also be carried out. It is hoped that the LACs will then agree management plans

for each area before the fisheries are due to reopen. In light of the small scale of these fisheries, which are found at various locations around the Irish coast, BIM is proposing through the Molluscan Species Advisory Group (SAG) to host a seminar in March of this year. The seminar will examine best practice for the management and exploitation of cockle and clam fisheries with invited guest speakers from the Solway cockle fishery in Scotland for example. It is hoped that the Molluscan SAG will then put forward management proposals that would apply nationally.

A small preliminary survey was carried out in the southern edge of Dundalk Bay in November 2006 to map the distribution and abundance of cockles (Cerastoderma edule). These results will be compared with the main survey to take place this spring. For this purpose, 93 stations were sampled on a network of grid stations. They were selected to cover the area of maximum cockle abundance and were approximately 50 metres apart. Quadrant samples with 5mm mesh size were used to collect samples. All cockles in the samples were measured to the

nearest 0.01 mm. (Figure 1) An average of 35 cockles per meter square (± 31.76 S.D) were obtained in the samples. Figure 2 shows the distribution of cockle abundance for the ground surveyed. Four age groups were observed in the samples. More than 50% of the overall cockle population corresponded to 0+ age group. Age group 1+ and 2+ accounted for 33.4 and 10.5 percent respectively. Cockle corresponding to the age group 3+ accounted for only 0.5% of the overall cockle sample. Figure 3 presents the age structure of the cockle population observed in the samples.

A step closer to commercial viability of spiny lobster

Spiny lobster.

(Photo: R Browne)

SPINY lobster, a species once fished all around the Irish coast but whose numbers began a steep decline 30 years ago could soon be farmed commercially here, but only after some of the mysteries of its life-cycle are solved, reports Gery Flynn. ‘‘Spiny lobsters are probably our most valuable crustacean species,’’ says Dr Ronan Browne, a former researcher at the Martin-Ryan-Marine-Research-Institute in Galway, who has studied spiny lobster over the past few years and who is now collaborating on a new research programme aimed at making them likely candidates for aquaculture. ‘‘In places like Spain and

France, spiny lobster is highly prized around Christmas when it fetches up to €65 a kilo. That’s more than twice what you’d get for clawed lobster,’’ he adds. Browne blames over-fishing for the virtual collapse of populations, which he also links to the introduction of tangle-nets in the early 1970s. He says up to then the annual catch of spiny lobster in Ireland topped 300 tonnes. The figure today is closer to 20 tonnes. ‘‘Spiny lobsters are still a bit of a biological mystery. For example, we believe there could be anywhere between eight and 12 separate larval stages in the life-cycle of Palinurus elephas, the most valuable of the two

palourde species found in Ireland. This compares to just four stages in the life-cycle of its cousin, the clawed lobster.’’

Complicated life-cycle Browne says that the technical side of P. elephas’ life-cycle can get complicated, but in short, they produce microscopic phyllosoma larvae that eventually metamorphose inot another stage called semi-benthic puerulii. These in turn molt into juveniles. The reason that we known so little of the early lifehistory of crawfish is due to the fragile nature and long larval period of the phyllosoma. It is precisely this knowledge gap that has caused attempts to cultivate the crawfish world-

wide to be largely unsuccessful. Nevertheless, advances have been made. According to Browne P. elephas phyllosoma were also reared at the MRI Carna Laboratories in the 1990s. ‘‘During that time we gained insight into the nutritional, environmental and behavioural requirements of the phyllosoma stage, and now we will start building on these findings but this time using state-of-the-art equipment that was not available to the project first time round.’’ As a first step, researchers at MRI Carna Laboratories have begun working on a feasibility study that will examine the commercial viability of cultivating spiny lobster commercially.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

INSHORE FISHERIES

Seafood Strategy Report: Inshore sector at a glance Fleet

A significant challenge for both the inshore sector and the vivier crab fleet in particular relates to the effort management system introduced on foot of the revision of the CFP in 2002 and the establishment of the Biologically Sensitive Area (BSA) off the south and west coasts of Ireland. This management system (designed to protect whitefish stocks) imposes effort or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;daysat-seaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; limitations on crab and scallop boats and many now face severe restrictions on their

normal operating pattern. In respect of the scallop fleet, the recently completed 2005 decommissioning scheme has fundamentally addressed the problem of over-capacity and the remaining fleet is now aligned with the effort allocation available to Ireland. For the crab fleet, however, the problem remains and the scale of the fleet, if operated to its normal capacity, greatly exceeds its effort allocation. The situation is currently being managed and a more long-term approach is being pursued with the EU Commission which

would aim to strengthen conservation while removing the current artificial effort barrier.

Resource management For the major inshore stocks, resource assessments recently completed, have shown that most are fully exploited and declining catch rates have adversely affected the economic viability of the inshore fleet. Clearly the economic as well as the biological sustainability of these fisheries must be considered when formulating any

The South West Cork Lobster Fishermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Co-op Report by Bridget Lehane, BIM THE South West Cork Lobster Fishermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s co-op was founded in 1995 to release v-notched lobsters between the Old Head of Kinsale (near Kinsale) and Sheepâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Head, near Bantry (Fig. 1) and currently has between 30 to 40 members. Fishermen at their own expense volunteered all lobsters in 1995 and the coop has been working with BIM since 1996. Since 1995, the co-op has vnotched more than 16,000 lobsters, with a high of 2,534 lobsters v-notched in 2002 (Fig. 2). In 2006, a total of 901 lobsters were v-notched and returned to sea. Additional measurements such as length, weight, condition of shell and egg, were recorded as part of the v-notching process and a some lobsters were tagged to investigate movements. The information collected will be supplied to the lobster Species Advisory Group as part of the management of inshore fisheries. To further protect the lobster fishery it is illegal to land, possess or sell lobsters smaller

Fig. 1: South West Cork Lobsterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fishermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Co-op area covered

than 87mm carapace length and it is essential that fishermen, buyers, retailers and consumers alike comply with these measures if Irish lobster fisheries are to remain viable. Again, the co-op has been very active in complying with this EU directive in relation to the minimum size of lobster. A member of the South West Cork Lobster Fishermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Coop, Joe Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Regan, RIP, represented the co-op on the Lobster

SAG and a replacement member joined the SAG recently. To date, the lobster SAG has produced a draft management plan that outlines the objectives and strategies for management of the fishery. It is envisaged to continue the v-notching programme within the South West Cork Lobster Fishermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s co-op area in 2007 and to expand it to other areas of the Cork coastline.

future management plan. Given that there are no quotas for the key species targeted in inshore waters (crab, lobster, shrimp, scallop, etc.) there has hitherto been little imperative to curtail the annual landings of shellfish stocks that support Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extensive inshore fisheries. However, the introduction of the Shellfish Management Framework in 2005, administered by BIM, began the process of addressing this recognised deficit. It was designed to provide an integrated co-management structure and the inshore sector, State Agencies and DCMNR

THE lobster â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;v-notchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; programme is a national initiative running since 1994 where inshore fishermen cut a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;v-notchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in the tail of female lobsters and return them alive to the sea so that they can continue to breed and produce young, thus safeguarding this valuable fishery. The readily identified â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;vnotchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; indicates that it is illegal to land, possess or sell such a lobster. In addition, any lobster that has any mark or damage to its tail that might hide a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;vnotchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; must be returned to the

have all been engaged in this process since its introduction.

The inshore sector benefits from an artisanal and environmentally friendly image and an increasing consumer demand for shellfish, particularly in new user-friendly product forms. However, this seemingly positive selling point is not currently being exploited to its full potential. For example, the fact

that the majority of shellfish are landed alive affords the industry the advantage of significant product shelf life; however, this potential is not being fully realised. For the inshore sector, marine tourism, including whale watching and recreational angling, offers some opportunity to diversify its activities and income stream. While the Fisheries Inshore Diversification and Safety Programme has contributed significantly in this regard, there is still room for further development in the marine tourism area.

sea alive if caught. An annual subscription from members in conjunction with a 50% grant from BIM goes towards reimbursement of fishermen who donate lobsters for v-notching. The Shellfisheries Management Framework was launched in February 2005 to advise on Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shellfish management. The Lobster Species Advisory Group (SAG), one of four advisory groups in the Framework has acknowledged that the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;v-notchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; scheme has been very successful in some

areas. The number of vnotched lobsters in the stock, however, declines rapidly if â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;vnotchingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is discontinued because of repair of the notch during moulting so it is imperative that the level of vnotching and re-notching at sea carried out by the South West Cork Lobster Fishermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coop and other co-ops nationally continues. Further details from Bridget Lehane, 13 North Street, Skibb e r e e n , C o C o r k , Te l : (028)23519 or (087) 9093274.

Performance, competitiveness and viability

")- AND 3%!&)3( 5+ WITH ).4%22%' lNANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE .ORTH 7EST 2EGION #ROSS "ORDER 'ROUP ARE PLEASED TO OFFER THE FOLLOWING TRAINING COURSES IN s !QUACULTURE 4RAINING #OURSE # -AR 0ORTAFERRY #O $OWN STARTING IN !PRIL s &ISHING 'EAR #ONSERVATION 7ORKSHOPS ")- .ATIONAL &ISHERIES #OLLEGE 'REENCASTLE #O $ONEGAL AND #LOGHERHEAD #O ,OUTH AT DATES TO BE ARRANGED

&OR FURTHER DETAILS ON THE !QUACULTURE 4RAINING #OURSE CONTACT $R ,YNN "ROWNE # -AR 0ORTAFERRY AT TEL EMAIL L BROWNE QUB AC UK &OR FURTHER DETAILS ON THE &ISHING 'EAR #ONSERVATION 7ORKSHOPS CONTACT -ARITTA #ULLEY 4RAINING #O ORDINATOR 3&)4! .) ,TD 0ORTAVOGIE AT TEL 2O) .) MOB EMAIL CROSSBORDERTRAINING BIM IE

Fig. 2: Total number of lobsters v-notched from 1995 to 2006 (top) and total numbers of lobsters vnotched in each area from 1995 to 2006 (bottom).

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

SEAFOOD STRATEGY

Plenty of room for optimism, says BIM’s CEO Pat Keogh Steering a New Course - a seven-year strategy for a restructured, sustainable and profitable Irish seafood industry, identifies the challenges that need to be addressed if the sector is to realise its full potential. Pat Keogh, chief executive of BIM - the seafood development agency charged with implementing much of the report - talks exclusively to Inshore Ireland.

Ireland’s seafood industry has had many reports. What’s different about this one? It deals with the industry in an integrated way from the market right back to the fisherman, and the fish farmer through to the processor. It looks at a range of measures needed to address the serious problems that the industry has been experiencing, but it also looks at the opportunities. The report was compiled by an independent group with a lot of consultation. It’s not just a report for the industry, it’s a strategy for the next seven years. Appointing Noel Cawley to chair the implementation committee is a very strong signal from government that it is not going to lie on the shelf, but will actually be implemented. Is there significance in the fact that Noel Cawley is staying on to chair the Implementation Group? I think it was a very wise move to appoint someone who was clearly from outside the sector of the stature of Noel Cawley of the Irish Dairy Board as chairman. Now there is reason for optimism that the chairman of the review group is obviously so committed to the recommendations that he himself is staying on to oversee their implementation. I think that is significant. Under ‘Processing Sector Re-

Pat Keogh

structuring & Development’, the Report sees a fragmented structure, and refers to a ‘Step-Up Programme’. What will be BIM’s role there? The reality is that in certain sectors of the processing industry there is excess capacity relative to the raw material supply - particularly in the pelagic sector. The Report calls for an approach whereby we would look at the options that are open to individual fish processing businesses in relation to their existing turnover and cost structure. Quite clearly they have to be profitable, and to be profitable they must either look at other opportunities that could involve different lines of added-value. Or, in some cases, it might involve a company exiting from the sector. This business options programme would enable each

Noel Cawley

company to look at the options that are open to them, on the basis that there is a future for a company. This Step-Up-Programme would help financially and through advice to move in new directions. Throughout the consultative process, the chairman often referred to palpable anger in the catching sector. How was that allowed to develop? That anger stems from the fact that there is a very strong sense of grievance with the deal that the country got under CFP. A lot of anger has to do with that fact that we have had declining quotas. In certain cases, it seriously undermined the viability of sectors of the fleet. First of all, we must address the underlying problems that gave rise to this anger - the fundamental pro-

Inshore fleets like Dunmore East (pictured) set to benefit from NDP funding. (Photo: Gillian Mills)

* ‘‘The report was compiled by an independent group with a lot of consultation. It’s not just a report for the industry, it’s a strategy for the next seven years.’’ (Photo: BIM)

blem of over-capacity. This Report says quite clearly that we need to take out a further 35% of whitefish capacity on top of the 10% taken out last year. There is no way around that, and we are fooling ourselves if we think that we can avoid taking out that level of capacity to restore balance between the available resource and catching capacity and get the industry back to a good level of profitability. The Report refers to fragmentation in the representation of fishermen. Do you want to comment on its recommendation that there should be one representative organization for this sector? It makes sense to have a coordinated, cohesive single voice if possible. I think in fairness to the industry they took a very big step here a couple of months ago when they set up the Federation of Irish Fishermen. That was a very significant step. The Report states that despite State supports to aquaculture there is still some way to go if the sector is to achieve full potential. How will the ‘seed capital’ scheme help? I see it helping the development and establishment of companies that are applying new technologies and trying to farm new species. It’s expecting too much of a new entrant to expect them to pioneer new technologies and to commercially develop a new species without an extra level of state support. Finance is the biggest problem facing a new company trying to commercially apply new R&D. It takes a long time to put a new concept into

practice and test it commercially. The Report says that this should be carefully examined, and that’s what we in BIM intend to do — to examine that proposal and examine the basis for a scheme. The Report talks about a sensible and responsible approach to environmental performance. Is it possible to have a thriving seafood industry without damaging the environment? We can because we have just been talking about taking out a further 35% of catching capacity. That’s going to have a fundamental effect in its own right. The big proposal there is to devolve quota management to the industry itself. That’s a fairly radical recommendation. Going beyond that there are issues to do with discards. It’s the kind of system that we have under the CFP which doesn’t make an awful lot of sense. Some countries - like Norway for example, require their fishermen to land all the fish they catch. But in the EU it’s the opposite. So, there are things in the regulations that are in fact beyond even Ireland’s control. The Report says that State funding of €340m will be used to leverage €263m from the private sector. Do you think there are good reasons now why the private sector should consider investing in the seafood industry? Well, investment depends on the perception of risk and opportunity and likely profitability. Uncertainty is a fact of life in every business but the seafood industry is more regulated than most and is subject to more uncertainty than others.

That said, the record of the recent past proves that the private sector and especially the seafood industry itself has been prepared to invest in its own future. There has been very significant investment in fleet renewal in the whitefish and pelagic sectors and in aquaculture but less so in fish processing due to reduced raw material supplies. Steering A New Course will create a better climate for investment through measures aimed at industry restructuring, fleet decommissioning, better fisheries management and improved marketing. The overall objective is to restore profitability as well as sustainability and I have no doubt that the necessary private investment will then be forthcoming. The Report refers to ‘Seafood Island Identity’. What does that mean? Quite apart from what we are doing for Seafood Expo in Brussels we’ve got to go out and do the quantitative research at consumer level and at buyer level in our main markets. It would be wrong for us simply to come out with an identity that we think is the right identity. We’ve got to come up with proposals and go out to the marketplace and test these proposals as to what would be the best identity that BIM and the seafood industry should use in promoting its products on the European markets, for example. We are going to engage in a very well-thought out market research and consultative process — not just with buyers but also with our own industry here.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

SEAFOOD STRATEGY *

Continued from page 1

He added that much of the detail needs to be hammered out in the coming months and that key funding areas, particularly in relation to decom-

missioning may need to be revisited. ‘‘We welcome the decision by Government to provide substantial funding over the coming years towards restructuring our sector pursuant to

the creation of a sustainable and profitable industry that can support Ireland’s fishing communities,’’ he said. Ó Cinnéide said that the Report follows a period in which ‘‘growing despair, anger

and deep disillusionment’’ has been felt by the fishing community regarding the direction of the industry, and the EU and government’s apparent attitude towards it. Ó Cinnéide added that the

FIF was ‘‘committed to playing a central and positive [role] in the implementation of the recommendations.

Implementation ‘‘We are counting on the en-

gagement of An Taoiseach as well as the Ministers towards the effective implementation of the strategy and the other issues that must be faced as a matter of urgency,’’ he concluded.

Recommended priority initiatives

Pictured (l-r): Dr Noel Cawley, Minister Noel Dempsey, Ruán O’Bric, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Minister of State John Browne and Joey Murrin. (Photo: BIM)

Bertie Ahern acknowledges importance of seafood sector

STEERING a New Course, Strategy for a Restructured, Sustainable and Profitable Irish Seafood Industry 20072013, sets out a visionary road map towards achieving an Irish seafood sector that is sustainable, profitable, competitive and market-focused. €334m of public funds will be made available to match private sector funding of €263m to create a total investment package of €597m for the seafood sector.

Speaking at the launch, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern acknowledged the importance of the seafood sector: ‘‘I know how vital it is to the areas where it provides a critical source of year round employment at sea and on shore. It is a sector where the industry and the government both recognised that a new development strategy was needed.’’ He acknowledged the demand in the marketplace for seafood products and the need

to be positioned ‘‘at the premium end of that market’’ to get the maximum value back to the fishermen and coastal communities.

A revolution Minister for the Marine Noel Dempsey said that the plan has the potential ‘‘to revolutionise’’ the seafood industry in Ireland within six years: ‘‘We can ensure that the industry generates over €1 billion for the economy and re-

mains a major source of jobs, particularly in coastal communities. We are rapidly approaching a tipping point where fish stocks are dwindling to dangerously low levels. All must be committed to building a sustainable industry,’’ he said. Minister of State at Marine John Browne echoed these sentiments and called on the representative organisations ‘‘to continue their close and fruitful relationship with us in making this strategy a reality by 2013’’.

IFA Aquaculture welcome commitment

IFA AQUACULTURE and its constituent bodies (ISGA, ISA and ITPG) have welcomed government commitment ‘‘to develop a vision for the seafood sector that identifies aquaculture as an important player in the future success of the industry,’’ remarked Richie Flynn, executive secretary. He added that the strong emphasis on quality, husbandry, collective actions, marketing and training was particularly welcomed by fish farmers: ‘‘The focus on important points of policy with regard to licensing has been a demand of industry for a number of years, and IFA Aquaculture looks forward to working with government to develop and progress these issues, particularly those relating to customer service, licence parameters and the provision of tools necessary to give producers the ‘freedom to farm’ and rise to meet the everpresent challenges posed by

* Minister Noel Dempsey said that the plan has the potential ‘‘to revolutionise’’ the seafood industry in Ireland. (Photo: Gillian Mills)

the market and the environment.’’ Flynn added that during development of the Report, IFA Aquaculture members and representative committees had

produced a set of policy and development targets for the sector that formed the basis of a focused lobby campaign to deliver the maximum benefit to IFA members.

‘‘The result has now been published and endorsed by An Taoiseach and government and sees the direct translation into Government policy of key IFA Aquaculture demands and targets for the whole industry and across all species and sectors,’’ he said. ISGA chairman, Damien Ó Ceallacháin noted in particular that licensing of marine farms had been given ‘‘a high priority as well as the significant increase in investment aid available’’. Irish Shellfish Association chairman, Flor Harrington said that the shellfish industry was ‘‘impressed with many of the proposals, especially those concerning collective actions, CLAMS, shellfish licence renewals, compensation for biotoxin closures and training. Trout Producers’ Group chairman, John Hayden, said the industry ‘‘wants to build quickly on commitments to freshwater licensing policy’’.

SPEAKING to Inshore Ireland, Tom Geoghegan, on behalf of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association, said that the Report comes at a crucially important time for the seafood industry, ‘‘which is facing serious challenges to its potential for development’’. In particular he welcomed the overall market-driven approach and the stress laid on the necessity for a ‘‘cohesive and concerted effort by all stakeholders including fishermen, processors, government and State support services to maximise returns to the industry from all available fish supplies.’’ Mr Geoghegan pointed to a number of priority initiatives recommended that would significantly enhance the development of the fish processing sector in particular: * The need to maximise landings from the Irish fishing fleet ashore for processing in Ireland and where possible, to also supplement these landings from other fishing vessels operating off the Irish coasts. * In the context of new resource management policies and methods of developing the policies recommended for adoption as a priority, that the viability of the shore processing sector should be taken fully into account in quota allocations for fleet segments and that the sector should have active involvement in quota management regimes to ensure the most reasonable possible continuity of fish supplies to processing plants in the main fishing seasons. * Many key recommendations, involving significant State funding support (endorsed in the NDP 2007-2013) for development of markets for Irish seafood should result in: (a) a much expanded and continuous programme of market research and intelligence with close involvement of the processing sector with the relevant State agencies in the planning and execution of the programme. (b) establishment of a reputation for Irish seafood internationally with positive, quality and eco-friendly attributes. (c) an expanded and co-ordinated programme by State agencies to assist new product development and innovation. (d) better co-ordination of export activity on world markets throughout the main product category sectors of shellfish, pelagic and whitefish/salmonid species. (e) consolidation as the necessity arises in the number of processing units catering to these markets and prioritising development of seafood businesses where there is good potential for sustainable long-term growth. Mr Geoghegan added that his Association ‘‘looks forward to full co-operation with the implementing body’’ to give urgent attention and effect to implementing the main recommendations in the Report. Mr Geoghegan outlined some of the current operational problems besetting the processing industry such as that experienced by pelagic processing plants located in excess of 100 kilometres from the port of landing, which cannot avail of modern in-plant flow weighing systems as an alternative to the use of a weighbridge at the port of landing. ‘‘The IFPEA strongly supports the recommendation that this situation should be reviewed and will be re-doubling its efforts to have the matters pressed further at EU level after similar efforts during the December 2006 Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels to effect necessary change to the relevant EU regulations did not meet with success,’’ he said.

‘Critically important’ for IASC to adopt the strategy — Clarke MARTINA Clarke, development executive with the Irish Association of Seafood Companies (IASC) told Inshore Ireland that the report ‘‘demonstrated the key principles of generating maximum value, building and strengthening competitiveness and adopting a customer-focus.’’ She added that it would now be ‘‘critically important’’ for IASC members to adopt the strategy because it ‘‘clearly outlined the path for a restructured, sustainable and profitable Irish seafood industry’’. Clarke remarked that her members were ‘‘delighted at the total investment package of nearly €600m, adding that ‘‘this meant it had the potential to transform the industry and ensure its sustainability.’’ ‘‘We welcome the Step-up Programme in particular, and we look forward also to greater access to the supply of Irish whitefish, and working closely with co-ops to promote sustainable fishing methods to our customers. Implementation of the strategy is now what really matters,’’ she said.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

ISLAND LIVING

COMPILED BY GILLIAN MILLS

Islands federation welcomes NDP programme

COMHDHÁIL Oileáin na hÉireann/The Irish Islands Federation has welcomed the announcement of €126m under the National Development Plan 2007-2017 to support communities to continue living on Ireland’s offshore islands. In particular, Micheál Ó Ceadagáin of Comhdháil has welcomed the commitment of continued investment in infrastructure and services and the promised support for small enterprises on the islands: ‘‘Affordable ferries and safe piers are vital to island communities — they are our bridges to the mainland without which we could not survive. Government investment in this kind of infrastructure began in earnest almost a decade ago and we welcome the fact that the Minister [O’Cuiv] recognises that now that access has improved, it is time to bring in measures to ensure that islanders are afforded other necessary services and opportunities.’’ He added that islanders need to be able to make a decent living to support themselves and their families: ‘‘It is through supporting small indigenous enterprises and the self-employed, including part-time farmers and fishermen and those involved in

aquaculture that the economies of the islands can best be sustained. If we are to maintain or even grow the population on the islands, we also need to ensure that islanders have access to proper health, education and social facilities. ‘‘We welcome therefore the commitment to continue to improve vital infrastructure on the islands, to invest in services and to promote and support small enterprises.’’ Comhdháil is itself involved in supporting enterprise on the islands, including tourism operators and those involved in other small business, through the funds it distributes under the National Rural Development Programme. In order to encourage more islanders to develop their own enterprises, Comhdháil will run a series of short courses in Enterprise Development in conjunction with the Galway and Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) in February and March. Majella Nı́ Chrı́ ochá in, Comhdháil’s manager explains: ‘‘Islanders are perhaps inevitably enterprising people and these courses are aimed at giving those who have an idea for a small business or are maybe looking to develop an existing business or even to

Achill Island, Co Mayo.

branch out the kind of practical skills needed. The courses will run over the weekend and will look at: * *

How to develop ideas. How to carry out market research. Writing a business plan.

Photo: Fáilte Ireland * *

How to finance ideas. Basic information about the law as it applies to setting up a business.

The next court takes place in the West Lodge Hotel, Bantry, Co Cork from 2-4 March and An Chúirt Hotel in Dunlewy in

Co Donegal from 9-11 March. Further information from Majella Nı́ Chrı́ocháin: 087 977 6852 majella@oileain.ie. Comhdhá il Oileá in na hÉireann is the representative body for the inhabited offshore islands of Ireland.

Representing islanders on 33 islands, populations ranging from just one person to under 800. The total population of the islands is under 3,000.

Cuireann Comhdháil na nOileán Fáilte Roimh Chaitheachas an NDP ar na hOileáin Tá fáilte curtha ag Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann roimh an ráiteas sa Chlár Forbartha Náisiúnta go gcaithfear €126 milliúin thar thréimhse an phlean le tacú le pobail maireachtáil ar na hoileáin. Chuir Mı́cheál Ó Ceadagáin ón gComhdháil fáilte ar leith roimh an ráiteas go leanfar ar aghaidh leis an infheistı́ocht i mbonneagar, seirbhı́sı́ agus i bhfiontair bheaga ar na hoileáin. ‘‘Teastaı́onn céanna sabháilte agus seirbhı́sı́ farantóireachta ar phraghas réasúnta ó phobail na n-oileán — s’iad na droichid idir na hoileáin agus an mórthı́r agus nı́ fhéadfadh muid maireachtáil gan iad.

Tosaı́odh ag déanamh infheistı́ocht sa mbonneagar seo thart ar deich mbliana ó shin agus is cúis áthais dúinn go n-aithnı́onn an tAire, anois go bhfuil cúrsaı́ rochtana feabhsaithe go mór, go bhfuil an t-am tagtha breathnú ar bhearta eile le cinntiú go mbeidh fáil ag na hoileánaigh ar sheirbhı́sı́ agus deiseanna riachtanacha. Caithfidh oileá naigh a bheith in ann airgead a shaothrú le go mbeidı́s in ann iad féin agus a gclann a chothú. Is trı́ d tacaı́ ocht a thabhairt d’fhiontair bheaga dúchasacha, dóibh siúd atá féinfhostaithe, d’fheirmeoirı́, d’iascairı́ páirtaimseartha agus dóibh siúd atá páirteach sa tionscadal dobhar-

shaothraithe a gcoinneofar géilleagar na n-oileán faoi sheol. Má táthar chun daonra na noileán a choinneáil nó fiú a ardú, caithfear cinntiú go bhfuil fáil ag na hoileánaigh ar sheirbhı́sı́ ceart sláinte, oideachais agus sóisialta. Fá iltı́onn muid mar sin roimh an gealltanas atá tugtha sa Chlár go leanfar ar aghaidh ag feabhsú bonneagar agus seirbhı́sı́ ar na hoileáin agus go dtabharfar tuilleadh tacaı́ochta d’fhiontair bheaga.’’ Trı́d an clár maoinithe a bhı́onn á riaradh acu (Clár Náisiúnta Forbartha Tuaithe), tugann an Chomhdháil tacaı́ocht d’fhiontair bheaga ar

na hoileáin, fiontair turasóireachta san áireamh. D’fhonn tuilleadh oileánaigh a spreagadh lena gcuid fiontair féin a fhorbairt, tá an Chomhdháil ag reáchtáil sraith cúrsaı́ i bhForbairt Fiontair i gcomhar leis an Institiúid Teicneolaı́ochta na Gaillimhe-Maigh Eo mı́ Feabhra agus Márta. Mar a mhı́nigh Majella Nı́ Chrı́ocháin, Bainisteoir na Comhdhála: ‘‘Is daoine fiontracha iad na hoileánaigh agus is é aidhm na gcúrsaı́ ná scileanna praiticiúla a thabhairt dóibh siúd a bhfuil smaointe acu faoi ghnónna beaga a fhorbairt. Beidh na cúrsaı́ ar siúl le linn na deireadh seachtaine

agus pléafar conas smaoineamh ghnó a fhorbairt, taighde margaı́ochta, dréachtú plean ghnó , conas gnó a mhaoiniú agus buneolas faoin dlı́ mar a bhaineann sé le bunú ghnó. Nı́ theastaı́onn aon cháilı́ochtaı́ ar leith le páirt a ghlacadh — a fhad is atá smaoineamh agat agus fonn ort gnó imharthana a fhorbairt!’’ Beidh na cúrsaı́ ar siúl sa West Lodge Hotel i mBeantraı́, Co. Chorcaı́ ón 2-4 Márta agus sa Chúirt, Dún Lúiche, Co Dhún na nGall ón 9-11 Márta. Gearrfar táille €30 an duine agus is féidir tuilleadh eolais a fháil ó Majella Nı́ Chrı́ocháin

ag 087 9776852 nó majella@oileain.ie. (Is é Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann an comhlacht ionadaı́ochta do na hoileáin amach ó chósta na hÉireann a bhfuil cónaı́ orthu. Is é ár n-aidhm ná tacaı́ocht a thabhairt do phobail inbhuanaithe, bhuana ar na hoileáin. I láthair na huaire tá 33 ball-oileán againn, agus an daonra ar na hoileáin sin ag réimsiú ó dhuine amháin go dtı́ faoi 800.) *

Tuilleadh Eolais: Majella Nı́ Chrı́ocháin 087 9776852 majella@oileain.ie

Agallaimh: Mı́ cheá l Ó Céadagáin, Oileán Chléire Co Chorcaı́ 086 8123779

Call for higher payments Majella Nı́ Chrı́ocháin, CoE reports

FARMERS on offshore islands are calling on the Mary Coughlan TD, Minister for Agriculture, to increase payments to take account of the added costs associated with island farming. The government has announced a package of over €7bn for rural development for the next seven years. Increasing payments to islanders would represent a tiny fraction of this expenditure but would level the playing field so that they were no longer at a disadvantage compared to mainland farmers. Mı́cheál Ó Céadagáin from Cléire in Co. Cork explains: ‘‘Between the cost of taking animals out on the ferry to the market, maybe having to house them in another farmer’s place overnight and the fact that buyers know it is not worth our while taking the animals

back to the island, we are at a real disadvantage. It is often a buyers’ market and unless we can be compensated for added costs, my fear is that younger people will simply opt out of farming.’’ Simon Murray, chair of Comhdháil supports the call for compensation: ‘‘We are the only farmers in the country caught for VAT twice. All stakes, wire, machinery, feed, bag manure etc. is subject to VAT at the point of purchase and also on the freight out to the islands. I’ve been farming sheep (and cattle) on Inishbofin and Inishshark for over 20 years and it’s getting harder to stay in the business. Farming on the islands goes back thousands of years. It would be a shame if it were to die out completely because of a lack of support from the Minister.’’

The draft National Rural Development Plan (NRDP) and EU directives on the environment and rural development recognise the importance of farming — not only in sustaining rural populations but also in taking care of the environment and ensuring biodiversity. Farmers are crucial to maintaining island landscape. Where farming ceased on Scottish and French islands the land soon returned to scrub and brush. The compensation available under the Less Favoured Areas scheme currently includes three categories of disadvantaged farmers: Those farming on Mountain Type Land; More Severely Handicapped (lowland) and Less Severely Handicapped (lowland) lands. Simon Murray proposes a fourth category: Land on Offshore Islands (not connected by a bridge or causeway to the mainland).

Jim Vaughan with people of Clare Island at an exhibition of the islanders’ work during the project.

This time, this place AN exciting new Public Art Project has been taking place throughout 2006. Mayo Co Council commissioned photographer Jim Vaughan from Galway under the ‘Percent for Art Scheme’ to work with the people of Clare Island on a project that was open to everyone on the island. Jim’s proposal was to produce a body of

work that would ‘‘challenge stereotypical ideas about life on an island’’. During his time on Clare, Jim worked with community groups, encouraging the islanders to take their own photographs concentrating on familiar aspects of their dayto-day lives. At the same time, Jim was taking photographs, focusing on the everyday details of life.

The resulting work will be published in a special limited edition book that will be presented to everyone on the island. A paperback edition will be available for further distribution. Alongside the publication will be a website. This project was funded by the development of a new pier on the island, through the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

ISLAND LIVING

* Dr Susan Steele of BIM and Dr Terri Maguire, head of lifelong learning, Institute of Technology Tallaght with some of students joining BASS. Over 40 people from Castletownbere have registered for this pilot course.

Bringing lifelong learning to the seafood sector *

Na hOiléanaigh is a large (two metre) bronze concave dish representing the sea and the horizon.

Tá na hOiléanaigh ag teacht IN 2006, Mayo Co Council commissioned sculptor Eamonn O’Doherty to produce a sculpture for the Island of Inishturk. After consultation with the islanders, the artist’s brief expressed a preference for a figurative sculpture taking into consideration the lifestyle of the community, past and present; the importance of the sea and

the heritage of the island. His sculpture, Na hOiléanaigh is a large (two metre) bronze concave dish representing the sea and the horizon and a currach floats over the void as over the depths of the ocean. The dish itself is reminiscent of the basic form of the currach and also forms a ‘mappa mundi’ of the islander’s world.

From Co Wexford, Eamonn is best known for his large-scale public sculptures. Among these are the James Connolly Memorial and The Tree of Gold, in central Dublin; the Quincentennial Sculpture and Fountain in Eyre Square, Galway, and The Great Hunger Memorial in Westchester, New York. He is also a painter, printmaker and

photographer and has won awards for painting at the Irish Exhibition of Living Art, the Claremorris Open and Arnott’s National Portrait Competition. This project was funded by the development of a new pier on the Island, through the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, under the Percent for Art Scheme.

CoE annual general meeting in April COMHDHÁIL’S agm takes place in Inis Meáin Friday/ Saturday 20/21 April and begins with a social night with music from island musicians on Friday evening.

A seminar on agriculture and food production at 10am on Saturday will include a presentation by Ger Gunning, the IFA’s director of rural development.

Speakers will also discuss REPS, and papers will be delivered on organic horticulture; farmers markets; organic farming; alternative fuel production (bio-fuels, wood pel-

lets, michanthus grass etc) on the islands and the development of island branded high quality food products. A tour of the island will also take place at 8.30am.

NDP: Development Programme earmarked AN Island Development Programme of €126m has been earmarked under the National Development Plan, 20072013, with the objective of improving the fabric of island life through support for environmentally-sustainable social and economic development, so as to enhance the attractiveness of the islands as places to live and work and as tourist destinations.

Issues Issues to be addressed under this Sub-Programme include: *

Completion of a programme of pier construction commenced under NDP 20002006. Provision of modern facilities for tourists and islanders using ferry ports. Continued improvement of ferry and air services. Promotion of small enterprises, and Development of environmentally-sustainable energy solutions.

Primary goal

The primary goal is to continue to respond to the challenges that island communities face in a changing society and to provide the necessary supports to ensure that critical infrastructural and service deficiencies are overcome so that real and sustained progress can be achieved. A continued programme of investment in island infrastructure and services is considered a prerequisite if the full potential of the islands as part of the national heritage is to be realised.

Investment is also pledged in social, health and educational facilities. A flagship measure under this Sub-Programme will be the implementation of major improvements to the piers and harbours of the three Aran Islands. Resources will be concentrated on the measure with the aim of ensuring that these improvements will be completed within the current decade.

BIM has joined forces with Lifelong learning in the Institute of Technology, Tallaght, to deliver training for the Irish seafood industry. Lifelong learning is described by the European Commission as ‘all learning activity undertaken throughout life, with the aim of improving knowledge, skills and competencies within a personal, civic, social and/or employment-related perspective’. The pilot course, known as BASS — Building Advanced Supervisor Skills, is the first module is advanced communications. The course is run at HETAC level 7, which means that it can count towards a degree. Dr Susan Steele, aquaculture training executive told Inshore Ireland she has received many requests from the seafood industry looking for supervisor training and was ‘‘delighted’’ to be able to work with the institute on this initiative. Local interest has been extremely high. To date, over 40 students have registered for the

Sherkin Island Marine Station’s 23rd Annual Environmental Conference

Enforcement of Environmental Regulations

course. Dr Terri Maguire, head of lifelong learning at the institute said that the new teaching methods would deliver expertise to the seafood industry. The course will be delivered by video conferencing one night a week. Susan Sweeney of the institute is carrying out a Masters project on the pilot methods being used, and has developed web support for the students on the course. Students based in Castletownbere are excited about being able to learn as a group from a distant college. There is also delight at being able to get student cards. Local businesses are supporting the training by encouraging their staff to attend. The course is scheduled to start in the first week in March. ‘‘This method of accessing information will allow the course to be rolled out in other coastal locations once we have assessed the pilot version,’’ Susan Steele commented. Details on + 353(0) 27 71640

CONFERENCE SPEAKERS: DR MARY KELLY, Director General, Environmental Protection Agency, Johnstown Castle Estate, Wexford, Ireland. MR BRYAN MOHALLY, Managing Director, Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd, Little Island, Co. Cork, Ireland. MR NORMAN FITZGERALD, Solr., Partner, Litigation Department, O'Donnell Sweeney Solicitors, Dublin, Ireland. PROF NEIL A. BELLEFONTAINE, World Maritime University, Malmö, Sweden & former Director General, Maritime Region, Fish & Oceans, Canada. MR WALTER MUGDAN, Director, Division of Environmental Planning & Protection, US EPA Region II, New York, NY, USA. MR PHIL ROTHWELL, Head of Flood Risk Policy, Environment Agency, Peterborough, UK.

Environmental enforcement in Ireland is still in its infancy. Over the past 50 years we have paid lip service to problems in the environment. With the establishment of the EPA and strict regulations from EU in Brussels, progress is being made. However, this is mainly in waste management. The speakers at the conference will highlight many of the issues that need addressing in Ireland, with the international speakers giving an insight into enforcement in their own countries. We believe the programme will provide interesting and informative debate on the subject, from which we all can learn.

Thursday 29th & Friday 30th March 2007 VENUE: Carrigaline Court Hotel, Carrigaline Co. Cork, Ireland Organised by: Sherkin Island Marine Station, Sherkin Island, Co. Cork, Ireland. Tel: 028-20187 Fax: 028-20407 Email: sherkinmarine@eircom.net

For further details visit: www.sherkinmarine.ie

MR WIEK SCHRAGE, Secretary to the EIA Convention, UNECE/EHLM, Geneve, Switzerland. MR MICHAEL LUDWIG, Ocean and Coastal Consultants, Trumbull, Connecticut, USA. MR JOHN SADLIER, Principal, Water Quality, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland. MR PAUL GOSLING, Dept. of Humanities, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway, Ireland. MR MARCO KREEFT, Senior Consultant, IWM Support, Woerden, The Netherlands. MR BRENDAN DEVLIN, Former County Engineer, Cork County Council, Cork, Ireland.

What is Ireland's coastal heritage?

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

INSHORE IRELAND/HERITAGE COUNCIL

THE island of Ireland has a long and complex coastline in relation to its land area. This interface between land and sea contains some of the finest parts of our natural and manmade heritage. The natural heritage includes rocks, marine and coastal habitats and marine life, including plankton, shellfish, fish, seabirds, whales and seals. Our human heritage is rich and varied including coastal and island communities, traditional boats, historical fishing methods, shipwrecks, and coastal archaeology.

Biodiversity

The coastal fringe of the island is one of our richest areas for biodiversity as it marks the interface between land and

marine habitats. A great variety of plants and animals can occur in a relatively small area. For example, a simple rock pool in a limestone area is one of the richest areas for intertidal marine animals.

Rich feeding area

Ireland's location on the edge of the European continental shelf makes it a rich feeding area for seabirds, whales and dolphins. Fishing and the exploitation of other natural resources such as seaweed, seabird, seals and whales have sustained coastal communities over the ages. Our human heritage began with the first coastal settlers over 9,000 years ago. Then early farmers left their imprint of stone walls on the coastal landscape. In sheltered estu-

INSHORE IRELAND/HERITAGE COUNCIL

aries, early settlers constructed fish traps and tidal mills. Traditional boats such as the currach were designed especially for the sea conditions of the Atlantic. Shipwrecks and abandoned boats give archaeologists information on the how early sailors navigated the seas. Waves of invaders such as the Vikings and Normans all left their mark on the Irish coast.

Resilience and creativity

Islands have a special place in our Irish heritage due to the resilience and creativity of their small communities. Our lighthouses, piers and harbours are a distinctive and attractive part of the coastal landscape.

Facts about Ireland's coast * At over 7,500 kilometres, the Irish coast is longer than the Amazon River. * There are over 300 islands large and small around the Irish coast. * No part of the island of Ireland is more than 100km from the coast. * The earliest human settlements in the Irish coast are over 9,000 years old. * Over half of the present population of Ireland lives within 10km of the coast. * Irish lighthouses were once manned by keepers but are now fully automated. * More than 460 species of marine fish have been recorded from Irish waters. * At least 24 types of whales and dolphins have been recorded around Ireland. * Up to the nineteenth century, coastal commu-

* Little Skellig seen from the monastic remains on Skellig Michael off the Kerry Coast.

nities used seaweed to make fertilizer. * Native oyster beds, once a common resource, were almost wiped out in Ireland. * Ireland is internationally important for its breeding seabirds. * Large marine turtles swim into Irish waters every year to feed on jellyfish. * Traditional boats like the Galway Hooker and the Currach are unique to Ireland. * In the Spanish Armada in 1588, at least 26 ships were wrecked on the Irish coast. * Atlantic waves can reach more than six metres in height on the west coast. * Climate change will cause sea level to rise by up to a metre in the next century. * Marine storms are now more frequent and intense due to climate change.

Threats to the coastline Climate change:

The release of man-made carbon dioxide to the atmosphere is causing an accelerated rise in global temperature. This is leading to the melting of the polar ice and a rise in sea level estimated to reach between a half and one metrest higher by the end of the 21 century. Combined with increasing frequency and intensity of marine storms, this is already causing increased erosion and coastal flooding on Ireland's coast. Especially vulnerable areas are the south and east coasts, which are already subject to rising sea level as the land readjusts to the last Ice Age. The coasts which are most vulnerable to marine flooding include all of our major cities which are in low-lying estuarine areas.

Coastal protection:

The effects of climate change call for a new approach to coastal protection. Traditional hard engineering structures, such as sea walls, may still be needed in certain urban areas where settlements are threatened by the sea. However, in rural areas, where land is less valuable, the

policy should be one of accommodating and adjusting to the effects of the sea. Natural habitats such as offshore bars, shingle beaches, sand dunes and saltmarshes can act as buffers, absorbing and dissipating the destructive energy of the waves. The dynamic and flexible nature of these areas needs to be retained to give the best coastal protection. Fixed developments such as golf courses, coastal roads and piers should be avoided to maximise the benefits of these ``energy sponges''.

Reclamation of estuaries:

Historically, many of our urban areas have been developed by infilling and reclamation of nearby estuaries. This has reduced the areas available for the rising tide causing it to flood elsewhere on the coast. It has also caused a major reduction in the area of intertidal habitat available for wildlife. For example, brent geese, which traditionally fed on the shoreline, are now forced to feed in coastal parks and sports pitches. Estuaries are also important spawning areas for fish stocks and of major amenity value

for sailing and other water sports.

Water pollution:

The discharge of untreated waste water to rivers and estuaries can ruin shellfish beds and bathing water. The most toxic effects come from chemicals such as those released in mining or industrial waste. However, organic enrichment from sewage effluent can also cause a major imbalance in coastal eco-systems leading to massive growth of nuisance algae and the disappearance of sensitive coastal species. The removal of phosphates and nitrates from our waste water is the only way to solve this problem.

Dumping and litter:

Dumping of waste at sea or on the coast can ruin beaches and other amenity areas. The sea has a limited capacity to absorb waste. Plastics and other non-biodegradable waste can persist for years in the marine environment and may end up on our beaches, causing a serious hazard to people and wildlife. Always remove any litter or waste from the beach and dispose of it safely.

* Sandy beach in Portnoo, Donegal. There are over 2,300 kilometres of sandy coast around Ireland.

For further reading * Ireland's Coastline: Exploring its nature and heritage by Richard Nairn (Collins Press, 2005). * Oilean: A Guide to the Irish Islands by David Walsh (Pesda Press, 2004). * A Beginner's Guide to Ireland's Seashore by H.Challinor and others (Sherkin Island Marine Station, 1999). * Rural Beach Management: A Good Practice Guide by John McKenna, Michael MacLeod, James Power and Andrew Cooper. (Donegal County Council 2000). * Underwater Ireland: Guide to Irish Dive Sites by John Hailes (Irish Underwater Council,

1999). * Boats and Shipwrecks of Ireland by Colin Breen and Wes Forsythe (Tempus Publishing, 2004). * Ireland's Islands: Landscape Life and Legends by Peter Somerville Large (Gill & Macmillan, 2000). * Bright Light, White Water: The

story of Irish lighthouses and their people by Bill Long (New

Island Books, 1993). * Conserving Ireland's Maritime Heritage: Policy Paper of the Heritage Council (2006) * Review of Integrated Coastal

Website info

* Galway Hooker, one of the unique traditional craft surviving on the Irish coast.

Zone Management and Principals of Best Practice by V.

Cummins, C. O'Mahoney and N. Connolly (CMRC Cork: Available as pdf download on www.heritagecouncil.ie/marine/).

An initiative of

The Heritage Council Text by Richard Nairn,

NATURA, Environmental Consultants

* Puffin. Ireland holds internationally important numbers of breeding seabirds (Photo: Oscar Merne).

All photographs by Richard Nairn except where indicated (rnairn@natura.ie)

* Lighthouse on Arranmore Island, Co Donegal, now fully automated.

* http://bibliomara.ucc.ie - an annotated bibliography on the cultural and built heritage of the Irish coastal zone. * www.coastalheritage.ie Ă? a summary of information on Ireland's coastal heritage with links to other sources. * Further information available from: The Heritage Council, Kilkenny: www.heritagecouncil.ie * National Parks and Wildlife Service: www.npws.ie * BirdWatch Ireland: www.birdwatchireland.ie * Irish Whale and Dolphin Group: www.iwdg.ie * Coastwatch Ireland: www.coastwatch.org

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

AQUACULTURE NEWS

A proud Irish salmon farmer with a prime Irish salmon.

The myth: that a salmon farm creates as much sewage as a town full of people

THIS myth is downright mischievous and so utterly untrue it is actually laughable when the true facts are revealed. Trying to make a comparison between people and fish is like comparing apples with teddy bears,

contests Donal Maguire, BIM aquaculture development manager. Let’s look at a few really important facts: humans are warm-blooded terrestrial animals. Fish, or in this case

Planet Aqua Helping 5th and 6th Class teachers to deliver the SESE primary science curriculum using aquatic examples

Teachers Manual / Website / Exhibitions Visit WWW.PLANETAQUA.IE - download teacher’s resources (manual, worksheets, posters) - find contacts around the country using the Regional Directory - try the Virtual Expo - explore the recommended links Coordinated by AquaTT (www.aquatt.ie , TEL: 01 644 9008)

Many thanks to our sponsors and partners: Discover Science and Engineering, Marine Institute, National Centre forTechnology in Education (NCTE), Irish Sea Fisheries Board (BIM), Primary Curriculum Support Programme (PCSP), Taighde MaraTeo, EPA, Irish Water Safety, Central Fisheries Board, Lifetime Lab Cork and AnTaisce.

salmon, are cold-blooded marine animals. Their metabolisms are totally different and as a result, so are the products of that metabolism, ie. their excretory products. Indelicate as it might seem, we need to turn our attention to the tricky subject of poo. Not all poo is the same, there is a world of difference between fish poo and human poo! What do we worry about when we think about human sewage and its effects? The smell and the dangers of infection come to mind. The bulk of human faeces are made up of bacteria, mostly of the E-coli type, and it is these gut microbes that create the odour and pose the contamination risk.

Food contamination Most people are familiar with E-coli and the dangers it poses from the excellent advertising by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and, more recently, Safefood Ireland. The problems with potential E-coli contamination can come from the sewage of many warm-blooded land animals, particularly our domesticated farm animals, such as cattle, pigs or sheep, which produce

very large volumes of slurry. Fish digestion works in a completely different way to humans or farm animals. Fish excretory products pose no danger whatsoever to humans because they do not contain E-coli or any of the other potentially pathogenic bacteria or viruses that are found in human or farm sewage. After all, fish have been swimming about in the sea for countless millennia and the marine ecosystem has evolved to deal with their excretory products as part of the natural cycle of life in the oceans. Healthy oceans contain healthy fish that have always eaten and excreted in the sea, that is the way it is supposed to be. In fact, in times gone by when wild fish stocks were more plentiful than they are today, there would have been greater numbers of fish in naturally occurring shoals, swimming and excreting in our bays than there are now, even taking into account the presence of salmon farms. So, the use of the word ‘sewage’ in connection with fish farms is completely misleading and gives the wrong impression altogether. This myth is busted. The false impressions created

by this crazy myth have in turn spawned more misunderstandings. For example, and contrary to a notion expressed in some local newspapers, the presence of a salmon farm cannot affect the microbial status of a nearby ‘Blueflag’ beach. Whether or not the prized ‘Blue flag’ is given is determined by the presence or relative absence of E-coli bacteria, which in turn can only come from human or farm sewage sources. So, self-styled ‘friends’ of the environment would do better to get their facts straight and go after the real problems, like the shortage of treatment plants around the coast and the thousands of faulty septic tanks, rather than wasting their energies huffing and puffing about salmon farmers.

Organic waste Having said that, salmon farms do produce some organic waste and it can have a negative impact on the seabed directly under the cages. Notwithstanding, there is a very strict regime controlling this called the Benthic Impact Monitoring Protocol, which is overseen by the Marine Institute on behalf of the Minister for Communications

Marine and Natural Resources. The results of this monitoring system are reported annually, along with many other interesting facts in a document called the Status of Irish Aquaculture, which is jointly published by BIM, the MI and Údarás na Gaeltachta. The 2005 review is now on the public record and it shows an excellent level of compliance with the stringent standard that has been set to protect Ireland’s marine environment. It can be seen on the websites of any of the three organisations. It is also worth pointing out that if a salmon farm is removed or fallowed for six months or a year then the seabed reverts back to exactly how it was before the farm was ever there. The footprint is ephemeral and very short lived. Unfortunately, this cannot be said for the environmental changes brought about by the proliferation of holiday home building that is blighting our coastline. For a more in-depth discussion on the contribution of salmon farming to the bioenergetics of our coast line, please go to the BIM website www.bim.ie and follow the links to ‘Salmon the Facts’.

Seafood Strategy Report: Aquaculture sector at a glance THE aquaculture industry still has some way to go to achieve its development potential — despite State support, the absence of quotas and the scope at national level that exists to influence this sector’s development. Currently the Irish aquaculture sector contributes 38% by value of total primary production and in this respect is

lagging behind the worldwide trend where close on half of all fish supplies now emanate from farmed sources. Due to a range of issues, including growing competition in key markets, disease outbreaks/bay closures, supply chain failures, competing demands and opposition from other stakeholders and poor financial performance, the

aquaculture sector has failed to reach its potential. Difficulties experienced by promoters with licensing and regulation have contributed to this failure. Recommendations with a view to enhancing this sector’s contribution to the overall seafood industry and to the income and welfare of coastal communities include: *

A sustained, fact based, com-

munications programme, run by State Development Agencies with industry support should be undertaken to engender greater acceptance of aquaculture as a sustainable and legitimate activity by other stakeholders in the coastal zone. Review the current licensing and regulatory regime. Implementation of an aquaculture industry development programme.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

Cultivating lobsters, suspension style Report by Gery Flynn

LOBSTER juveniles survived and grew well when they were cultured for a time suspended beneath mussel rafts in a project aimed at finding more costeffective ways of re-establishing lobster in areas where their numbers have disappeared altogether or are in decline from over-fishing, a new report claims. ‘A regional development strategy for stock enhancement of clawed lobsters (Homarus gammarus)’, by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) summarises the work of a three-way partnership between researchers in Spain, Norway and Ireland in an AquaReg-funded programme within the framework of the Community initiative, INTERREG IIIC.

On-growing techniques

Four different rearing techniques were examined to see which was best for on-growing tiny 2cm long post-larval lobster juveniles to an overall length of about 5cm — the critical size at which they can be released into the Wild. Two of the on-growing techniques involved suspending batches of juvenile lobsters in oyster baskets and speciallydesigned sea cages under mussel rafts where they fed on phytoplankton and fouling organisms. Survival and growth performance were then compared with two other groups reared

Life cycle of a clawed lobster from egg to Stage VI.

in land-based facilities — one a communal group with a flowthrough water supply, and the other where the lobsters lived separately in compartments and were fed intensively. The report notes that of the two suspended groups, the basket-reared ones had a higher rate of survival (more than 80%) and a better growth rate (reaching 4cm between 180 and 210 days) compared to those reared in cages. Comparing the suspended groups with the land-based groups, the communal ones had a lower rate of survival, but a comparable if more varied growth.

Growth differences The report finds that the individually-reared lobsters ‘were significantly larger than lobsters cultured in baskets, sea cages

or communally. However, the growth differences were not large in relation to the basket and sea cage cultured lobsters that were not fed and communally-reared lobsters that received only minor amounts of food. It suggests that this methodology would represent a costeffective way of producing lobster juveniles for re-establishment or enhancement efforts since expenses to labour, constructions and feeding is minimized and since the production efficiency is high.’ The report cautions nevertheless that even though the results from this project were positive ‘there is still a range of unanswered questions before a large-scale production line for lobster juveniles and a successful restocking and enhancement activity can be established’.

* Lobster that has been grown in a cage at sea (these lobsters feed on naturally occurring plankton and fouling organisms.

Aquaculture gathering for 20/20 industry vision

THE first ever event for all sectors of the aquaculture industry is being hosted by the IFA at the Marriott Johnstown Hotel in Enfield, Co Meath on April 3-4, 2007. AQUA 20/20 will see salmon, oyster, mussel, trout, cod, perch, and clam farmers meet under one roof to discuss: where the industry is going; the main issues facing Irish aquaculture; to analyse recent developments and to put a question to Government: ‘‘Where will Ireland and the EU be sourcing its seafood by the year 2020’’? Day one will examine the current state of seafood production and aquaculture’s potential contribution to that harvest. Author of the definitive world report on aquaculture production, Dr Rohana Subaisnghe of the FAO, will describe global aquaculture production today while other speakers such as Lorcán Ó Cinnéide of the Federation of Irish Fishermen will outline the catching sector’s contribution and outlook. EU production and the Government’s development plan to 2013 will also be analysed, and the importance of communications will be debated. The role of research and development will lead into the launch of an initiative to make Ireland a centre of excellence for offshore farming.

Other events will include the official launch of the Irish Organic Standard for Farmed Salmon by Minister John Browne TD and a culinary feast of the best that Irish aquaculture has to offer by award-winning Irish chef, Neven Maguire of McNean’s Bistro. Day two will be devoted to industry workshops for shellfish and finfish farmers on technical topics as diverse as oyster seed production and fish health management. Both the Irish Shellfish Association and the Irish Salmon Growers’ Association will hold their agm on 4 April. A trade show featuring Irish and international suppliers of goods and services will run concurrently to the conference and a trip down memory lane is also on the cards as the industry is being asked to contribute to the establishment of the ‘Irish Aquaculture Archive’ with key documents and images of the development of the industry from its infancy 30 years ago. AQUA 20/20 is aimed at producers, the seafood trade, State agencies and anyone with an interest in the future of Ireland’s seafood and aquafarming industry. Further details and booking forms from www.ifa.ie. Accommodation at the Marriott Johnstown is available at 0469540000 quoting ‘IFA Aquaculture conference’.

Martin Ryan Institute Institiúid Mhairtín Uí Riain

Marine Enterprise and Community Development Sustainable use of the Seas Dynamic applied Marine Research

National University of Ireland, Galway Ireland Telephone 091 49 2325 Fax 091 525 005 http://mri.nuigalway.ie

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

AQUACULTURE NEWS

PICTURE SOURCE: IRISH SEAWEED CENTRE

Porphyra growing on maerl beach.

Porphyra dioica grown in tanks.

Is seaweed aquaculture a viable alternative to inshore fishing?

FISHERMEN anxious about declining resources in the inshore sector are being encouraged to look at the possibility of harvesting native seaweeds as a realistic and viable economic alternative to catching fish and shellfish, reports Gery Flynn Dr Stefan Kraan, manager of the Irish Seaweed Centre at NUI-Galway, says that farming seaweed could replace fishing for some people, and provide

sustainable employment in the inshore sector. Kraan refers to two of the latest projects undertaken by the ISC to assess the feasibility of growing the kelp, Laminaria, on ropes, and Porphyra in landbased tanks. The ISC has already built up an impressive track record in seaweed cultivation over the past five years — especially with the brown seaweed Alaria esculenta, and the red seaweeds

dulse (Palmaria palmata) and carrageen moss (Chondrus crispus).

Health supplement In Ireland, according to Kraan, Laminaria is being used to feed farmed abalone and sea urchins, and its natural sugars or polysaccharides (fucoidan and laminarin) are seen as effective health supplements. Kraan told Inshore Ireland:

BIM Seminar Programme at the Irish Skipper Expo ‘07 All seminars will take place in the Burren Room, Corrib Heights Hotel, Galway ■

Income Tax Compliance for Inshore Fishermen – Michael Slattery, Revenue Commissioners. 11:00, 2nd & 3rd March

■

BIM Grant Aid for Inshore Fishermen – Padraig Gordon, BIM Fleet Development Executive. 11:45, 2nd March

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Social Welfare Entitlements for Inshore Fishermen – Seosamh Ó Cuirrín, Cumas Teo., Connemara Gaeltacht Partnership. 11:45, 3rd March

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How to Licence and Register your Fishing Vessel – Owen Doyle, BIM Inshore Section. 12:30, 2nd & 3rd March

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Steering a New Course - Report of the Seafood Industry Strategy Review Group – Michael Keatinge, BIM. 13:15, 2nd March

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Sales Notes and their Implications for Inshore Fishermen – Kevin Moriarty, DCMNR. 14:00, 2nd & 3rd March

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Inshore Vessel Fuel Efficiency – Brian Vaughan, BIM National Fisheries Training College, Greencastle. 14:45, 2nd & 3rd March

■

Update on the Status of Crab, Lobster, Scallop and Shrimp Stocks – Oliver Tully BIM Inshore Section, Eoghan Kelly and Antonio Hervas, MRI Galway. 15:30, 2nd & 3rd March

‘‘I see the demand for Laminaria increasing dramatically in the near future. If we can make it grow on ropes — and no one has managed to do this yet — we will not only be making the supply more reliable, we will also avoid any controversial issues surrounding its mechanical harvesting.’’ Kraan says that as part of the Laminaria research — which began in September last year and is scheduled to end with a detailed report in May — his team will examine the life-cycle to see if there is a way of making it available year-round: ‘‘A simple transverse cut in the plant’s growth region, just above the stipe or holdfast, can change the flow of certain hormones in the plant,’’ he says. ‘‘This simple procedure actually fools the plant into thinking that it is Autumn so it starts producing spore patches. This way we think we can make the plants fertile throughout the year, and have seed available whenever it’s needed for planting on.’’ If the technique works, the idea would then be to maintain a stock of seed at MRI Laboratories Carna that would act as a national hatchery and supply base for anyone needing Laminaria for on-growing. ‘‘Initially, we will be working with just one native Laminaria strain but we may yet go on and use strains from the northern or southern hemispheres to see how their performance compares here,’’ Kraan explains.

Fossil fuel alternative Looking further down the line, he is optimistic that kelps are likely to play an increasingly important role. He says that the crisis in the supply of fossil fuels means that seaweeds — especially kelps — are being seen as more sustainable sources for biofuels: ‘‘Up to 50% of the dry weight of Laminaria can comprise carbohydrate that can be converted into bio-ethanol and used as an sustainable energy source,’’ says Kraan. He is quick to add, however, that from an economic point, if this is to be worth considering it will require large, bulk quantities of seaweed. ‘‘A new technique now exists to extract carbohydrate direct from the wet seaweed biomass; however, to make it commer-

Laminaria forest at low tide.

cially feasible you are talking about having to deal with up to 100,000 tonnes. Realistically, if you could grow 10 tonnes per hectare, you would require up to 10,000 hectares to supply such quantities. But it is certainly worth looking at,’’ he says.

Sea vegetable Turning to Porphyra, the other native seaweed under investigation Dr Kraan says: ‘‘Porphyra is in fact the world’s most popular sea vegetable. The aquaculture market for it is worth US$2 billion annually, and it makes between €10,000 and €20,000 a tonne dry weight. It is particularly popular in Asia where it is dried and then made into sheets of Nori and sold as a healthfood or to wrap sushi.’’ Kraan says that Porphra grows well in Ireland and

Photos: S Kraan

flourishes if the temperature stays between 6-12oC. Nevertheless, of the 70-or-so species found worldwide, only a few can be used commercially as food, and there are other issues that make harvesting it difficult. A wet kilogramme of Porphra would yield a maximum of 200 grams when dried. The six-month programme of research on Porphyra began in January and will run for an initial six months. According to Kraan, the possibility of intensive tank cultivation of selected Porphyra species has yet to be explored in Ireland: ‘‘We will be working with three species: Porphyra umbilicalis, P. dioica and P. purpurea to see if it’s possible to produce a large biomass in land-based tanks. Our report will then be available to anyone interested in taking this a step further into the commercial sphere,’’ he concluded.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Notice-board . . Notice-board. .

Taoiseach endorses IFA proposals in new seafood strategy

IFA Aquaculture and its constituent bodies (ISGA, ISA and ITPG) welcomes the commitment of the Irish government to a six-year plan for the seafood industry to develop a vision for the sector that identifies aquaculture as an important player in the future success of the industry. ISGA chairman, Damien Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;CeallachaĚ in welcomed the publication of the seafood strategy report and noted in particular that licensing of marine farms has been given high priority as well as the significant increase in investment aid available. Irish Shellfish Association chairman, Flor Harrington said that the shellfish industry was impressed with many of the proposals, especially those concerning collective actions, CLAMS, shellfish licence renewals, compensation for biotoxin closures and training. Trout Producersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Group chairman, John Hayden, welcomed the investment package and said the industry wanted to build quickly on commitments to freshwater licensing policy. During development of the report in 2006, IFA Aquaculture members and representative committees produced a set of policy and development targets for the sector which formed the basis of a focused lobby campaign to deliver the maximum benefit to IFA members. These results, endorsed by An Taoiseach and Government, see the direct translation into policy of key IFA Aquaculture demands and targets across all species and sectors of the industry. In the areas of marketing and processing, the report includes major commitments of relevance to aquaculture operators

that will be closely monitored by IFA. An implementation committee will ensure that the commitments outlined by An Taoiseach would be followed through and IFA Aquaculture will be playing a full role in this committee and will report back to its members throughout the NDP era. In the report, IFA has delivered for its members:

Investment *

A trebling of the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investment commitment to aquaculture since the last NDP to â&#x201A;Ź101m. Investment in aquaculture should be supported at the maximum permitted level of grant aid allowed under the new regulations.

Production by 2013 *

Farmed finfish to increase to 35,300 tonnes. Farmed shellfish to increase to 70,800 tonnes.

Administration of investment aid *

Minimum two calls per annum for applications. Publication of a full schedule of application and draw down dates. No delay between previous NDP and the next. Unwieldy regional secretariat bureaucracy removed to return to State Agencies.

New types of aid to industry *

Funding set aside for prolonged biotoxin closures. Contingency fund for disasters/ disease and R&D. Aid targeted at CLAMS groups. Seed capital scheme for new species and new technology.

Marketing *

â&#x201A;Ź55m towards marketing of Irish seafood. Extend and promote aquaculture quality labels. Implement organic and ecolabel schemes for fish and shellfish farming. Assist novel species commercialisation to market. Promote the biotoxin regime and other safeguards as a positive marketing tool for Irish seafood on export markets.

Shellfish *

Proactively create â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; class areas as sub plots for relaying. Prioritise the carrying capacity project. Support consistent with EU rules to enable owners of traditional and older bottom mussel dredgers to meet Certificate of Compliance requirements.

* Pictured at the launch of the Seafood Strategy report are (l-r): Noel Cawley; Ruan Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Bric; Minister Noel Dempsey; Martin Howley (KFO), An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern; Richie Flynn (IFA Aquaculture); Minister John Browne and Flor Harrington (ISA Chairman).

Oversight *

The Aquaculture Forum receives new ministerial mandate to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;drive effective reform and encourage constructive dialogueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

implementation of the current licensing regime to deliver an improved service to customers. Adhere to the legal time-limits set out for the processing of applications. Extend renewals of aquaculture licences to at least 20 years duration. Base all marine finfish licences on standing stock limitations. Establish better communication

between DCMNR and ALAB. Fast-track the facilitation of fallowing sites for salmon farms. Remove shellfish aquaculture licence renewal blockages. Implement and agree â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;appropriate assessmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for licences in SACs. CLAMS involved in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;whole bayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; reviews and proposals for shellfish licences.

All new applications to have maximum scrutiny of business plans. Provide a consistent national technical back up to DCMNR for assessing applications. Local authorities harmonise approach to aquaculture licence applications. Aquaculture operators viewed as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;tenantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with defined rights to protection of their businesses.

Customer service *

Appropriately structure and resource the seafood administration and regulatory responsibilities in DCMNR by adopting a more responsive customer-facing approach. Better co-ordination between agencies responsible for R&D.

3UB !QUA -ARINE 0RODUCTS

Aquaculture services *

Expand aquaculture training services. Provide benchmarking services to improve competitiveness. Develop a sustained communications effort to gain greater public support for the industry.

4OP 1UALITY -USSEL &LOATS AND .AVIGATION "UOYS

Licensing *

Review the administration and

AQUA 20/20 has been announced THE decision to merge the ISA and ISGA conferences in 2007 has resulted in the announcement of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;AQUA20/20â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a conference, trade show and industry workshop which will cover the broad issues crucial to the future of all seafood producers as well as providing a forum for technical workshops, a trade show and oyster seed

fair, a showcase for the best of Irish aquaculture products and, of course, the essential networking aspect familiar to all those who attend our events. As Inshore Ireland was going to press, final details of the programme are being put in place. There will be something for everyone with an interest in the industry and particularly for

IFA members who will see two special workshops focusing on shellfish and finfish aquaculture as well as both the ISGA and ISA annual general .eetings. The event of the year for all aquaculture producers is on 3/4 April, Johnstown House Hotel, Enfield. *

Full details at www.ifa.ie

Marine aquaculture training course THE Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture (CMar) in collaboration with BIM/Seafish cross-border training are running a new marine aquaculture training course from April to July. The course will cover shellfish, finfish and seaweed aquaculture, as well as culture of novel species; shellfish depuration; licensing of aquaculture sites; food hygiene and business planning. Optional courses in workboat handling; navigation and safety at sea will also be offered. All

aspects of the course will be fully certified. Dr Susan Steele, aquaculture training executive of BIM told Inshore Ireland that the course offers cross-border students a great opportunity to undertake FETAC accredited aquaculture training.

Fun and learning â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The course promises to be good fun, with a great chance to learn about the growing aquaculture industry,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; she said. C-Mar has received generous

funding for this training course primarily through the Fishing Villages Initiative administered by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland (DARDNI). Further funding and support for the course will be provided by BIM, Sea Fish Industry Authority and the Sea Fish Industry Training Association (NI) Ltd. Further information from Dr Lynn Browne on +44 (0) 28 4272 9648 or Dr Susan Steele on + 353 (0) 27 71232.

!DVANTAGES 3UPERIOR CROP PERFORMANCE -AXIMUM STABILITY IN THE WATER 9IELD INCREASES OF POSSIBLE 3UBSTANTIALLY REDUCED RISK 3IGNIFICANTLY LESS MAINTENANCE /UTSTANDING VALUE FOR MONEY *&# -ANUFACTURING ,TD

7EIR 2D 4UAM #O 'ALWAY 4EL &AX % MAIL INFO JFC IE

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

AQUACULTURE NEWS

30% crop increase with new Irish mussel farming system Ireland is moving to the forefront in making mussel production more profitable with the introduction of the revolutionary new sub-aqua float that can increase yields by as much as 30%, explains Tom Gilmore.

TRADITIONALLY, the mussel farm industry used barrels to grow the shellfish; however this system may soon become outdated following the development of this new product by JFC Plastic Manufacturing Company in Tuam, Co. Galway. The firm has designed a float that can withstand the pressures of high waves and will sit steadily on the water when loaded with a full crop of mussels. Up until now, a major and very costly problem with the old barrel system has been that when the crop is mature it is so heavy that in storm the floats often sink or break up and the complete crop can be lost. It would not be unusual for a mussel farmer to lose a complete crop costing as much as €150,000 in one stormy night. The JFC sub-aqua float has a patent stabilising ring around the side to stop it from bobbling up and down in the water. This will stop the mussel holding lines from brushing up

The sub-aqua float received substantial support from Enterprise Ireland which has been associated with the Tuam firm for the past two years. JFC has also produced a new marker buoy with a light that is solar powered which can be used for marking all floats at sea and fish farms. (It is now compulsory for all fish farms to be marked by such a safety light.) Local authorities and coastal protection organisations with responsibility for marking and mapping dangerous rocks and other coastal dangers are now starting to use the JFC marker buoys. These lights can be seen for up to two nautical miles in the dark, resulting in safer waterways both inland and along the coasts.

The fin design helps mussel floats remain stable in the water

and down, and stops the crop from falling back into the sea. ‘‘We’ve made a major breakthrough in the fish farming industry with a quality designed product that will solve many problems for producers,’’ re-

marked John Concannon, managing director of JFC. ‘‘The stabilising ring will ensure better buoyancy and less chance of the mussel getting traumatised while growing. In order to grow fast, the mussel

needs to be in a relaxed state. The tests that have been carried out show a production tonnage increase of up to 30%,’’ he added.

Collaboration The new JFC float is the result of collaboration involving the dedicated research and development team at JFC and many people in the industry including Danny McNulty from Achill and Noel McGreal from Castlebar. It has taken three years of research and trials for the company to create what JFC claims is a better quality float than anything on the market: ‘‘Our team has designed a float that can deal with the harsh climate we experience off the west coast of Ireland. We’re confident that this product is superior to the outdated system of using

unsightly barrels or cheaper lightweight imported products,’’ John Concannon explained. The aquaculture industry has grown considerably over the past few years, resulting in calls for all outdated existing floats to be replaced. Blue barrels used in many bays for mussel farming are viewed as unsightly by environmentalists; however the new JFC floats are manufactured from a grey colour plastic that is far less visually intrusive. BIM has a grant scheme in place to encourage producers to move away from the old fashioned barrels method to a more environmentally-friendly system and JFC, with its fully certified recycling facilities, has BIM approval to participate in this scheme: ‘‘The end result is that JFC can now replace old fashioned

or inferior imported floats with a much better quality product that is manufactured in Ireland,’’ declared John Concannon. Trials have taken place in Clew Bay in Mayo (Danny McNulty); along the coast of Donegal (Hugh Wilhare and John McClusky) and in Bantry Bay (Ger Hanley of Bantry Bay Mussels) in Cork and the results to date have been excellent. Trials are also being carried out in Scotland and the Shetland Islands (Willie McClean). *

For further details please contact: Colin Concannon or Michael Haverty, JFC Manufacturing Ltd phone 093 60056 or email info@jfc.ie.

12 reasons for interregional cooperation The AquaReg Interregional Cooperation through the exchange of knowledge and experiences has proven to be an effective measure for the progress of the participating coastal communities. Twelve Aquaculture and Fisheries projects funded to a value of €3.1 million, of which €1.1 million was allocated to BMW Region in Ireland. For further information contact alan.drumm@marine.ie www.aquareg.com

North East South West

INTERREG IIIC

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

FRESHWATER FOCUS

Bertraghboy Bay: sea trout lies, damned traps and statistics By Dr Martin O’Farrell

I am rarely surprised by the content of correspondence from Save our Seatrout members, and the article by Kennedy et al.(2007) in last January’s The Irish Skipper proved to be no exception. Two sea trout producing rivers discharge to Bertraghboy Bay (Owengowla (also called Gowla) and Owenmore (also called the Ballynahinch River). The authors of the article claim that in the absence of salmon farming from Bertraghboy Bay in 2005 and 2006 sea trout had recovered and that significant rod catches were now being made by anglers. The accompanying table 1 details sea trout rod catches on these river systems since 1985 — accepted as the best sea trout year ever in the west of Ireland in terms of rod catches. It is assumed that these catches represent 15% of the sea trout run size (an average rod exploitation rate for west of Ireland fisheries). The data are from the following sources: *

Owenmore River system rod catches (1985-2003) (Gargan et al. 2006) Owenmore River system rod catches (2004-2006) (Kennedy

et al. — 2007) Owengowla River system rod catches (1985-1988) (Gargan et al. 2006) Owengowla River system run size (1991-2003) (Gargan et al. 2006)

Declared catches In the presence of salmon farming in Bertraghboy Bay, declared sea trout rod catches on the Owenmore River system were 959 (1996), 775 (2000) and 1,110 (2001). In the absence of salmon farming in 2005 and 2006, declared sea trout rod catches were 1,115 (15 fish more than in 2001) and 1,292 (182 more than in 2001), respectively. The average declared sea trout catch for 2005 and 2006 (1,204 sea trout) was 27% of the average declared sea trout catch for the years 1985 and 1986 (4424 sea trout), years when salmon farming was in its infancy in this country. In the absence of salmon farming in Bertraghboy Bay during this period (2005 and 2006), why is the Owenmore River system producing to the rod only a quarter of the number of sea trout it produced to the rod in the halcyon days of the mid-1980s? Now let us switch to the Owengowla River system. The average declared sea trout catch

for the years 1985 and 1986 was 951 sea trout. The run of sea trout required to produce this average catch would approximate 6,340. Since 1991 an upstream/ downstream trap has operated on the Owengowla River close to the sea. The numbers of sea trout counted upstream through this trap for the years 19912003 are detailed in table 1 (data from Gargan et al. 2006). The very low numbers of sea trout counted upstream through this trap (shown in the Owengowla run size column in table 1) would, if the Owengowla fishery were open for angling, produce very low rod catches — in comparison with the neighbouring Owenmore River system.

Main determinant In my opinion, the operation of this trap and the level of interference with sea trout that this entails has contributed to the failure of the Owengowla to recover as a sea trout producing system. Is there any other explanation? In summary, the presence or absence of salmon farming in Bertraghboy Bay is of no consequence in the determination of declared sea trout rod catches on the Owenmore River. An-

gling effort and stock level will always be the main determinant of catch. Stock levels on the Owengowla remain critically low (data available up to 2003) and this scenario has much to do with the presence of a trapping system on that river. Is there any explanation for the obviously different sea trout status of the Owenmore and the Owengowla rivers? Year 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Owenmore rod catch 5196 3652 3399 1922 64 100 237 140 100 418 730 959 300 224 347 775 1110 441 507 77 1115 1292

References Gargan,P.G., Roche,W.K., Forde,G.P. & Ferguson,A. (2006) Characteristics of sea trout (Salmo trutta L.) stocks from the Owengowla and Invermore fisheries,Connemara, western Ireland, and recent trends in marine survival. In: Sea Trout: Biology, Conservation and Management (Harris,G.S. & Milner,N.Owenmore run size 34640 24347 22660 12813 427 667 1580 933 667 2787 4867 6393 2000 1493 2313 5167 7400 2940 3380 513 7433 8613

Inshore Ireland is a marine/freshwater newspaper compiled by journalists, Gillian Mills and Gery Flynn and distributed by the Irish Farmers Journal. In news, feature and advertorial format, Inshore Ireland reports from the coastal rim and inland waterways under the following headings:

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. Aquaculture . Island tourism . Inshore fisheries . Water management

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Inshore Ireland has a circulation of 36,000 copies and a readership of 145,500. It is also posted directly to key individuals in the marine sector and is available six times a year by subscription. Editor: Gillian Mills: 01 2354804/087 2902045; mills@inshore-ireland.com Features: Gery Flynn: 091 844822/085 7475795; flynn@inshore-ireland.com Advertising: Roger Cole: 01 2841544/ 087 2611597; cole@inshore-ireland.com

J.,Eds). Proceedings of the First International Sea Trout Symposium, July 2004, Cardiff, Wales, UK. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, pp.60-75 Kennedy.M., O’Flaherty,P. & Mantle,P. (2007) Rod catches prove a point — no salmon farm, no sea lice! The Irish Skipper, January 2007, page 2

Owengola rod catch 1035 867 266 210

Owengola run size 6900 5780 1773 1400

13 1 6 637 322 117 24 16 117 57 489 61 158

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

FRESHWATER FOCUS

Something fishy going on

Budding anglers, Tara and Angus Corp.

THE Central and Regional Fisheries Boards have launched a new nationwide programme for primary schools to create a greater awareness of ‘things aquatic’. Commenting on the initiative, the marine minister John Browne TD said he was particularly interested in ’something Fishy’ and has watched its progress with interest since he launched it in 2004. ‘‘The Regional Fisheries Boards protect our fisheries stocks and habitat... to ensure that future generations will con-

tinue to enjoy amenities that are sometimes taken for granted. Young people’s interest and imagination can be captured when they become aware of these habitats, the fish species and what is needed to protect them.’’ John O’Connor, chief executive officer of the Central Fisheries Board said that the need to educate young people about fisheries conservation and angling was becoming increasingly important: ‘‘We hope this national programme will encourage young people to investi-

gate what their local river or stream has to offer,’’ he said. To compliment the existing ‘Something Fishy’ education resource, the new programme will include presentations and field trips to more than 20 schools in each fishery district and a competition element in association with 12 education centres to promote the importance of local environment, fishery habitat and fish species. An education pack aimed at fifth and sixth classes comprises nine double-sided activity cards that explore different aspects of fish life, e.g. water, fish, life cycle of a salmon, fish stocks, angling, conservation of rivers and lakes, and fish as part of the food chain. The pack is accompanied by a poster to aid the learning process in order to keep children interested once activity cards have been completed. Each school will be asked to produce a class project based on the lessons in the pack and based on one of four main themes: * * * *

Art, literacy, IT, and practical conservation.

The top two schools in each region will compete in the national final and the winning class and teacher will be awarded with individual certificates, a school certificate and prizes including microscopes and digital cameras. *

Further details from: www.somethingfishy.ie.

2nd year students from Colaiste Iosagain, Stillorgan, Co Dublin at Owenmore River.

Down on the river bank THE Eastern Regional Fisheries Board is currently running its annual educational fishing programme through the ‘Dublin Angling Initiative’ (DAI). The programme targets secondary schools in the Dublin area, where students learn about all aspects of environmental awareness and their local aquatic environment. The Source to Sea video produced by the Fisheries Boards gives students an insight into to the story of an Irish river on its journey from source to mouth. The video also covers the

For further information on the DAI and the Board’s education programmes, please visit the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board website: www.fishingireland.net

life-cycle of the north Atlantic salmon, trout spawning, and the effects of agriculture, forestry and industry on the river system. The programme allows students to look at catchment management and new ways of conserving natural heritage. The practical side involves a field

trip to a local river where students study fauna and wild life along the river banks. Occasionally, short sections of the rivers are ‘electro fished’. This is a controlled method used by the Fisheries Boards to capture fish safely. The students participate in a mini survey of the river by measuring the trout and learning about the different age classes of fish. Following the field trip, the students write a report on what they have learned about their local river and the wildlife and trees that occupy its banks.

NEW SALMON CONSERVATION LAWS Please note the following regulations in relation to salmon and sea trout angling for 2007 on rivers in the EASTERN REGION In the rivers, that are open or where catch and release applies; OPEN FOR ANGLING

River Fane CATCH AND RELEASE

River Castletown CLOSED FOR ALL SALMON & SEA TROUT ANGLING

" River Slaney " River Liffey

CLOSED TO ANGLING FOR ALL SALMON & FOR SEA TROUT OVER 40CM AND OPEN TO ANGLING FOR SEA TROUT UNDER 40CM " RIVERS DEE, GLYDE & FLURRY (DUNDALK) " RIVER BOYNE (DROGHEDA) " RIVERS DARGLE, OWENVARRAGH & VARTRY (WICKLOW)

there is a ban on the use of worms and anglers must use single barbless hooks. Annual angling bag limit: 10 fish per angler for salmon and sea trout (over 40cm) subject to certain conditions. Please refer to our website www.fishingireland.net or e-mail info@erfb.ie for further information

Des Chew DAI and Fionnuala McCabe, Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, electrofishing on the Owenmore.

Decision to transfer element of Central Fisheries Board is criticised OPPOSITION spokesman on the Marine, John Perry TD of Fine Gael, has called on the government to reverse a decision to transfer the Research Unit of the Central Fisheries Board (CFB) to the Marine Institute as recommended by the Farrell Grant Sparks Review which was made public in 2005. In a written statement, Perry accuses the government of ‘‘mismanaging inland fisheries’’, adding that the move would have a ‘‘disintegrating effect on the services provided by the CFB’’. Describing the 2003 FGS Review as a ‘‘disaster from the start’’, he also accuses former Marine Minister Pat the Cope Gallagher, of withholding it for six months before publishing it in No-

vember 2005 ‘‘to widespread condemnation’’. He says that ‘‘serious cherry picking’’ of the Review has taken place and that some elements of it are not being carried out ‘‘in a fully transparent manner’’. ‘‘Since the initial Ministerial announcement, CFB research staff have received two visits from the CEO of the Marine Institute. But they were shocked when shortly before Christmas they received notice that Minister Browne had signed a draft order to transfer their Research Unit to the Marine Institute in the early months of 2007.’’ Perry adds that the CFB’s scientific work ‘‘is an integral part of a national fisheries

management structure’’ which requires it to have its own dedicated Research Unit. ‘‘The structure is not perfect but it does form the basis for a holistic, integrated and highly productive national service,’’ his statement continues. He says that it is ‘‘not realistic’’ to transfer the research component while leaving the development component within its current structure. ‘‘There is no recognisable national benefit in moving the CFB Research Unit into the Marine Institute. While the Marine Institute is a fine institution, which does excellent work, much of its operations are on a major scale with a strong commercial mandate.’’

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

COASTLINE NEWS

Bantry Bay longboat for Cork City By Diarmaid Murphy, Atlantic Challenge

MEITHAL Mara, a city-based organisation better known for exploits with currachs, is the most recent group to join the Atlantic Challenge Ireland family and is in the process of completing a longboat at their premises at Crosses Green, Cork. The group intend to be on the water by June, in time for the ‘Ocean to City’ race when they will be up against other longboat crews from Bantry, Waterford and Antrim.

Experience In the meantime during the

Waterford crew in Bantry last summer.

build, the crew will travel to Bantry and Waterford to gain valuable experience on board other longboats to learn the necessary skills to row and sail these dynamic vessels.

boats have been built worldwide, all of which are replicas of the original boat that was captured from the French Armada led by Wolfe Tone in Bantry Bay in 1796.

Busy and successful year

‘Original’

2006 was a very busy and successful year for Atlantic Challenge Ireland, especially when the Bantry-based Irish crew were victorious in Genoa, Italy, winning the prestigious Atlantic Challenge International contest with style. There were 16 boats in the contest with representatives from over 20 different countries. To date, 60 Bantry long-

The ‘original’, as it is referred to in ‘AC’ circles, is on display in Collin’s Barracks, Dublin, and is the oldest surviving vessel of the French navy. *

For further information on Atlantic Challenge Ireland. Contact Diarmaid Murphy at: diarmaid_murphy@hotmail.com; www.acse.ie; www.atlanticchallenge.org; www.meithalmara.com

Bright future for ‘mariners’ church Looking from the lighthouse at the end of the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire landward, the town skyline is dominated by two church spires. On the right is St Michael’s and on the left is that of the former Church of Ireland place of worship erected in 1837 to serve the needs of the maritime community, especially the crews of ships in the harbour, known locally as ‘the Mariners’, writes Pat Sweeney, former President of the Maritime Institute of Ireland.

AN 1835 document speaks of ‘the want of an Episcopal Church contiguous to the Harbour in Kingstown, for the benefit of the sailors in menof-war, merchant ships, fishing boats and yachts frequenting it.’ The church opened in 1837 and the Deed of Trust laid down that one-third of the seating be reserved for seafarers, the rector was provided with a boat and crew by the harbour master so that he could visit vessels at anchor. At that time, a Royal Navy vessel was permanently anchored in the ‘bight’ (or bend) of the East Pier as a guard ship, as Kingstown was a State harbour and the Irish end of the Royal Mail route from London via Holyhead. The names of such vessels as HMS AJAX, ROYAL GEORGE and MELAMPHUS were well known. Indeed, two prisoners’ docks were provided at the back of the gallery to cater for the spiritual needs of ‘men under punishment’ from HM ships who were taken under escort to attend Sunday Service. The docks still exist in the church today.

Royal visit

It is said that during the Royal visit in 1849 by Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s consort, the royal personage reputedly asked: ‘‘What is that barn of a building?’’ referring to the Mariners. If not from shame perhaps, then ‘taste’ provoked the trustees and clergy in 1862 to offer a premium for the best design for improving the west front of the Mariners. This resulted in the building of the present spire, which is free standing, constructed separately from the main building. Today, it is the maritime museum and headquarters of

The Mariners’ Church, Dun Laoghaire. (Photo: Eoghan Ganley)

the Maritime Institute of Ireland, who have occupied the premises since 1975 and recently purchased the building from the Representative Church Body of the Church of Ireland.

Maritime Institute of Ireland The MII came into existence at the height of the Second World War or the ‘Emergency’ in neutral Ireland. It was established on 31 October, 1941, by Col Tony Lawlor who was one of the founding soldiers of the modern Irish State. Then the commanding officer of the Coast & Marine Watching Service, he involved leading figures in the business, commercial and maritime life of the capital to become founding members. The aim of the new organisation was to foster and create interest among the people of Ireland in the sea, shipping, naval defence, fishing and ports through publications, lectures,

talks and exhibitions. The Institute first came to Dun Laoghaire in 1959 when it obtained a lease of the former British Sailors reading room on St Michael’s Wharf from the Office of Public Works. This small building became Ireland’s first maritime museum and Institute headquarters. In 1965 the building had to be handed back because of development of the new ferry terminal. During the six years, a library was established, models were put on exhibition together with talks and lectures. All these artefacts were dispersed to member’s houses when the building closed. In 1971, the congregation of the Mariners had dwindled to a handful and the church was closed. The Rector, Rev FW Armstrong approached the Institute with the suggestion that his church would be ideal for a maritime museum. Col Tony Lawlor, then retired, formed the ‘Friends of the Maritime Institute’ and approached the business community to assist the project. In 1974, an agreement was drawn up with the Representative Church Body of the Church of Ireland to lease the building for 99 years for a payment of £15,000, with the remaining £5,000 to be used for expenses incurred with the take-over. Following the removal of pews and church furniture, the building was partly opened as a museum. Further work was carried out with the installation of the old six million-candle power optic from the Bailey Lighthouse erected by Irish Lights staff in their spare time. Also, the 39ft Bantry longboat captured from the 1796 invasion fleet of General Hoche was acquired on loan from the National Museum of Ireland. In 1978, Dr Patrick Hillery, President of Ireland, officially opened the building.

Fundraising Over the following years, efforts to raise funds continued and donations of £5,000 were received from British Rail and the Insurance Corporation of Ireland, together with smaller sums from such sources as the Dublin Port & Docks Board and Dun Laoghaire Corporation.

In 2001, a grant of £1m was made by the State towards the refurbishment of the building, and in 2006 a further grant of €1.5m was received from the State for further remedial work. Late in 2006, the Maritime Institute purchased the building from the Representative Church Body.

International crew in Genoa overtaking the Dutch team.

ATLANTIC Challenge Ireland was founded in Bantry in 1988 when Bantry Rowing club was approached by Hal Sisk to participate in an event in Douarnenez, France. Borrowing a boat from the French, the Bantry-based rowers and sailors competed against three other nations. In 1990, AC-Ireland built its own boat, Unite, and has been representing Ireland all over the world ever since. The Cork-based longboat will become part of an extended family that has become well established globally, and will provide many opportunities for people in the city to travel throughout Ireland and abroad. The programme of events for 2007 includes the annual pilgrimage to the Baltimore Wooden Boat festival at the end of May; the ‘Ocean to

City’ race in Cork harbour, 2 June and the Glandore Classic Boat Festival in July. There are also plans to run a mini-Atlantic Challenge in Bantry or Antrim towards the end of the summer. All the events this year will be domestic based, however, next year is a different matter. The official biannual AC event will be held in Finland, while another event will be held in Quebec celebrating the cities 400th anniversary.

Scandinavian defence The Irish boat, Unite, will travel to Scandinavia to defend its title, while the AC south east boat, An Seabhac Mara, based in Waterford, will travel to Canada along with the Cork-based boat to represent the Irish on the St Lawrence waterway.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

COASTLINE NEWS

PHOTOS BY DARINA TULLY

Traditional boats in Ireland IRELAND is fortunate to have a wide variety of traditional boats. Around 70 types of vernacular watercraft and vintage yachts and dinghies have been identified still in use today. This is considerably more than what most people would immediately think of as Irish traditional boats. While Galway hookers and currachs are the names that initially come to mind, many other boat types are still found in reasonably numbers, writes Darina Tully. For such a small island, the variety of types is outstanding in European terms. Clinker and flat-bottomed on the east coast; carvel tradition in the south; the ancient skin boat tradition along the western sea board; the carvel Dutch style tumblehome craft of Galway and the Nordic styles of the north coast give Ireland a huge diversity of types and traditions. One of the first people to carry out research on the modern period of traditional boats is Michael McCaughan of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. Michael compiled data on Irish boats in the 1980s. He concluded that occupying a midway position on the Atlantic seaboard of Europe, ‘Ireland appears to be a cultural meeting-place or crossroads between major European boat-building traditions’.

In print

Until recently, very little had been published on traditional craft in Ireland, however, growing interest has produced some very interesting books on the subject within the last decade.

Ta ke for e xample The Drontheim, by Donal MacPolin; Towelsail Yawls, by Cormac Levis and the Na Saora Bád trilogy by Cian de Buitléar, all of which have added greatly to our knowledge and appreciation, not only of the boat, but of the communities that used them. These books have created awareness within their own localities of the importance of the craft, and have initiated the building of new boats. The rate of change in modern society has taken its toll on all aspects of our cultural heritage, and traditional boats are disappearing fast. Users of traditional craft such as currachs are finding it harder to comply with new strict licensing laws and modern construction and safety requirements. Up until now, the continuity of traditional boats was either supported by an economically viable fishery or a newly found use in the leisure industry. As fisheries dwindle, however, there is a need for some form of recognition at statutory level and fostering of the traditional boats heritage sector, so as to ensure continuity. Recent initiatives by the Heritage Council have been very much welcomed by all concerned. In the coming issues of Inshore Ireland, a series of articles will look at the current position of many of our traditional boats, such as currachs, flat-bottomed river cots of Wexford and the southeast, salmon punts of the Waterford estuary and the gandalows of the Shannon Estuary.

SHELL E&P IRELAND LTD (SEPIL) HAVE TWO SHORT-TERM ADVISORY POSITIONS TO FILL IN RELATION TO MARINE SURVEY WORK TO BE UNDERTAKEN IN AND AROUND BROADHAVEN BAY.

Clare currach.

Waterford estuary prong.

Wexford punts.

Wexford cot.

Ballyhack Yawls.

Shannon estuary gandalow.

This work relates mainly to the search for a modified pipeline route to the terminal at Bellanaboy, and also other survey work including environmental surveys. The person(s) engaged will require appropriate certification, an in depth knowledge of the outer and inner Broadhaven Bay areas and a keen understanding of local fishing practices.

DARINA Tully studied maritime history and maritime archaeology and has been researching traditional boats in Ireland for nearly two decades. Recent projects include: *

To apply for these positions, contact should be made with Padraig McAvock, Fisheries Liaison Ofﬁcer, Corrib Gas Information Centre, Main Street,

The Use and Tradition of the Currach on the Dingle Peninsula, (2003) Biliomara - an annotated maritime bibliography for Ireland, (2004) The Traditional Fisheries of the Waterford Estuary, (2006), and The Cots of the South East, for the forthcoming publication on traditional boats of Ireland.

Further reading

Bangor-Erris, ph. 097 83955.

Applications should be made before end of business on Friday 16th March.

* * * *

Kerry naomhóg.

MacPolin, D., 1999, The Drontheim, Play Print Ltd. Levis, C., 2002, Towelsail Yawls, Galley head Press. De Buitléar, C., 2005, The Galway Hooker, Cian de Buitléar. De Buitléar, C., 2005, The Wooden Currach, Cian de Buitléar. De Buitléar, C., 2005, The Canvas Currach, Cian de Buitléar.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

OUTSIDE IRELAND

* Medium scale/semi industrial vessels, called ‘Vikings’, fish for both meal and human consumption and by exploiting a loophole in the law, in the last 12/20 months, 700-800 new vessels have been built, despite alarming overcapacity. All photos: Juan Carlos Sueiro, Cooperaccion

Peru’s fishmeal fishery: a goose that is not so golden Report by Brian O’Riordan, ICSF

AFTER the boom years of the 1960s that bust in the 1970s, it is boom time once again for Peru’s fishmeal industry. Preliminary figures for 2006 indicate that export earnings from fishery products (both fishmeal and for direct human consumption) reached historic levels of around US$1,761m, representing an increase of 7.9% over 2005. Despite a 30% drop in production, fishmeal retains its place as the jewel in Peru’s fishery export crown. In 2006, estimated fishmeal export earnings of around US$1.136bn, are slightly down on 2005. But behind this export success story lies a huge, unaccounted, cost; a cost that Peru can ill afford. The annual extraction of 8-10 million tonnes of anchoveta — one of the mainstays of the entire marine food web of the Humboldt Current Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) — is homogenising Peru’s rich marine biodiversity and destabilising the marine ecosystem.

Over capacity

In 2006, a World Bank commissioned evaluation report on Peru’s marine fisheries sector described their industrial fishery for anchoveta as being ‘overcapacity in the fleet and processing sectors; displaying low efficiency; causing significant losses in rent and high environmental and social costs for the Peruvian State; and generating huge foreign exchange earnings that benefit a minimal fraction of the industry’. The fishing fleet has the capacity to catch four to five times the anchovy stocks available in years of abundance (i.e. with no ENSO event). In a single day, the fleet can catch in excess of 100,000 tonnes,

A fishmeal plant.

Artisenal fisherman on a stretch of Peruvian coast.

A Peruvian market stall for dried fish, including anchoveta.

catching the annual quota in three to four months. The processing plants have a combined processing capacity of 146 million tonnes — 20 times the allowable catch in years of abundance. Overcapacity is the cause of fierce competition both to fish and to obtain raw material for processing. It also encourages under reporting and illegal fishing (notably within the 5-mile zone reserved for artisanal fishing and conservation, and the use of fish species reserved for human consumption, like mackerel and horse mackerel, for fishmeal). Currently the Peruvian State receives as revenue only around US$1.15 per tonne of anchoveta landed (i.e. a total of some US$9-12m annually, given declared anchoveta landings of 810 million tonnes); revenue that is used to cover the costs of fisheries administration as well as research.

Windfall profits

Assuming that one tonne of fishmeal requires around 4.4 tonnes of anchovy, every tonne of fishmeal exported generates just over US$5 for the State. Given average 2006 prices of around US$600 per tonne, and prices today of around US$ 1,400 per tonne, the Peruvian fishmeal sector is making windfall profits. Put another way, the Peruvian government is incurring a significant loss of potential revenue. The opportunity cost of allowing a privileged few to squander Peru’s rich fisheries in this way, is enormous. Processing such large quantities of fish into fishmeal also raises important questions about equity and social justice. Alongside resource richness and private accumulation of wealth, over half the Peruvian population, some 15 million people, live in conditions of critical poverty — unable to meet their basic needs for food, health, education, clothing, or shelter. Meanwhile, according to UNESCO, one Peruvian

child (under five-years-old) in four suffers from malnutrition. According to Gastón Acurio, a Peruvian chef of world renown, if 10% of Peru’s fishmeal catch was channelled into massive, targeted nutritional camp a i g n s , P e r u ’s l e v e ls o f malnutrition could be reduced by half. Therefore, in a sense, the current model of fishing in Peru, robs millions of Peruvians of their right to a healthy diet. But as Marcos Kisner, a Peruvian fisheries specialist, explains: ‘‘Nobody is proposing that eight million tonnes of anchovy should end up as food, and neither will it replace sea bass cebiche. Rather, what we need is a national policy that assures the possibility for and access to a healthy nutrition for children.

‘‘Anchovy should be made available to the public at a low price in various forms. Mothers have the responsibility for getting their children used to it. Moreover, by encouraging an anchovy eating habit, we are creating conditions for the healthy development of our children. It is this segment of the market, children and pregnant mothers, for whom this resource should be prioritised.’’

War on malnutrition Peru’s recently elected government has declared war on malnutrition. Part of this includes the promotion of mass anchovy consumption. Under Supreme Decree 002-2007 — PRODUCE, the National Food Assistance programme

(PRONOAA) of the Ministry for Women’s Affairs and Social Development is now required to allocate not less than 8% of its budget to the purchase of products based on anchoveta and ‘pota’. The Ministry of Production and the Institute for Fisheries Technology are to work alongside the Defence, Interior, Health, Employment and Women’s Affairs ministries to develop programmes for the production and supply of anchoveta based products. These are to be distributed through the various ministries, to provide food for police and military personnel, as well as for poorer sections of Peruvian society. Commercialising anchovy products for direct human consumption could also make good business sense — both nationally in Peru and in international markets. Canned anchovy from Peru is gaining ground in many foreign markets, notably in Africa, where there is a high demand for low cost products with a high nutritional value. But redirecting Peru’s fishing fleet to catching anchovy and other fish for direct human consumption and establishing the infrastructure and economic support necessary to enable wider consumption of fish, faces many challenges. Perhaps the biggest problem, as highlighted by Marcos Kisner, is that Peru’s fisheries ‘‘are submerged in waters of political indecision. The absence of long term policies with an ecosystems approach leading to a technically based structural reform of the sector, directed by decision makers with the capacity to provide leadership and capable of resisting the temptations that come with power, is what has brought the sector to the sorry state it finds itself in today’’. This makes Peru’s anchoveta fishery for fishmeal look more like an albatross than a golden goose. *

ICSF (International Collective in Support of Fishworkers)

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

SHIPPING SPOTLIGHT

BY JEHAN ASHMORE, MARITIME CORRESPONDENT

New Naval Service vessels

AFTER celebrating its 60th anniversary last year, the Naval Service, the maritime division of the Defence Forces, is set to embark on the State’s largest ever single military contract worth €180m, on a new vessel upgrade and fleet replacement programme. The proposed contract is for three custom-built vessels that may include commissioning the largest ship in the history of the Naval Service at one-third in size larger to the existing flagship, L.E. Eithne. This ‘enhanced naval vessel’ also known as a ‘multi-role vessel’ (MRV) is 120 metres long and is set to cost €90m while the two 80 metres offshore patrol vessels (OPV) come with a price tag of €45m each. While the MRV will be required to perform domestic duties in Irish waters, it will also have the capability to assist overseas in UN peace-keeping missions; humanitarian relief; transportion of military equipment and vehicles and providing emergency and medical supplies.

Design options According to Cdr Mark Mellett, Officer in Charge of the flotilla section in Naval Operations Command and member of the Ship Replacement Working Group, there are options in the type of vessels to be chosen in Phase 2 of the programme. ‘‘We do have other ships down the road to replace, starting with the L.E. Eithne in 2014. Phase 1 was the direct replacement of the L.E. Deirdre by the L.E. Roisin and the ordering of the L.E. Niamh which was the eighth ship agreed in the White Paper on Defence. ‘‘Under Phase 2, it remains open as to whether the contract will comprise just OPVs or a combination incorporating the MRV. Ultimately, the decision is for the Government,’’ he explained. Whatever direction is taken, the new ships will replace the three oldest ships: L.E. Emer, Aoife and Aisling between 20082010. The first completed ship is due in 2009. The balance of the eightstrong fleet comprises L.E. Eithne, the L.E. Orla and L.E.

Images provided by Thyssen Group Marine Systems give an idea of the design and capabilities of future naval multi-role Vessels (MRV).

Ciara (due to be replaced under Phase 3) and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) L.E. Roisin and L.E. Niamh. Cdr Mellett emphasised that the main policy drivers of Phase 2 are based upon: weather/ climatic conditions, which will influence the design of the ships; the expansion of sovereignty where the Navy would operate further into the Atlantic and economic development that could yield potential dividends. In terms of facing the chal-

The Seafloor Habitat Mapping Event of 2007

Foras na Mara

If you are working in the field of spatial planning, environmental management, offshore industries or marine conservation, this conference is of interest to you. The conference brings together all the key aspects of the MESH project's work over the past three years in what will be an important event for those involved in mapping and environmental management of the seabed and intertidal zone. The conference combines presentations and demonstrations of the key products developed by MESH, with talks from our stakeholders on their practical experiences of using maps in a management context. Programme is available at www.searchmesh.net/conference Registration: €100 (includes gala dinner at Guinness Storehouse) payable online at www.marine.ie/estore

Please direct any queries to mesh@marine.ie or for further information visit the MESH website www.searchmesh.net

Territorial extension Another key policy driver in

shaping Phase 2 is the government’s plan to extend its territorial rights with two claims made to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Commission on the Continental Shelf. ‘‘This is the forerunner to a potentially larger claim towards the area of Rockall which could bring us to areas of 650 nautical miles off the coast. The impact of this to delivering marine services further offshore would mean the ability to survive would have to be a consideration in terms of future ship design.’’ The final policy driver influencing Phase 2 is that of economic development, in

which Ireland currently generates 0.8% of Gross Development Product (GDP) from marine-related services whilst the average rate is 3-3.5% in Europe. ‘‘The benefits of further growth to GDP and sourced from the marine arena are immense.

Environment These could be in areas of environmentally-friendly energy in terms of the wind, wave and possibly tidal energy. There is also the whole question of bio-prospecting, bluetechnology, and of course oil and gas and minerals exploitation,‘‘ concluded Cdr Mellett.

International deployments for Irish Naval Service IN 2002, L.E. Niamh was in the Far East acting as a floating platform to showcase Irish businesses. Last year L.E. Eithne visited several South American countries on a humanitarian and goodwill tour which included Argentina, whose

navy was founded by Mayo-born Admiral Brown. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Argentinian Navy. The Irish link will be celebrated with the visit of the Argentinian naval sail-training vessel, ARA Libertad to Ireland in June.

Cobh’s cruise giant THE largest cruise-ship to operate in European waters in 2007, Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas, is set to visit Cobh on three occasions during the ship’s inaugural season. The first visit will be April 24 when the giant vessel, which measures 138,279gt, is 1,020ft in length, accommodates 3,800 passengers, a crew of 1,200 and features a five-storey theatre, will be alongside for one day. The ship will represent somewhat of a challenge for the tourism-sector. However, every effort is being made by the Cobh and Harbour Chamber of Commerce and the local tourist organisations to create a programme of events and entertainment for both visitors and local interests alike.

New cutters for Dublin Port THE first of two new pilot cutter launches for Dublin Port, Camac will be delivered to port this month. The cutter was built by Safehaven Marine Ltd, the Cobh-based specialist small fast-boat builders and is an Interceptor 42 design. The first

INBRIEF >>

Mapping European Seabed Habitats (MESH) Conference A Framework to support Sustainable Management Dublin Castle, Ireland 14 & 15 March 2007

lenges in weather, he said there was a general consensus that sea conditions were quite severe and possibly getting worse: ‘‘Mean wave-heights are consistently getting higher in southwest and north-west coasts, and that’s largely where the main areas of Naval Service operations are.’’ Fishery protection patrols take place in the Exclusive Fishery Limit (EFL) an area that is 132,000 sq. miles (approximately 12% of the EU’s waters), equating to about six times the area of Ireland.

Interceptor 42, Gleann Mor was commissioned for the Port of Cork in mid 2006. The second cutter for Dublin Port is expected to be delivered in the Autumn.

‘Central Corridor’ confidence CELTIC Link Ferries finally introduced additional tonnage on its Dublin to Liverpool route with the Celtic Sun in midJanuary. Despite a delay of several months in starting a two-ship service, a three-year charter from Hellenic Seaways sees the 20,169gt ship, which has a 110-trailer capacity, address the imbalance in service to provide daily sailings in both directions with fleetmate Celtic Star. Meanwhile, another central corridor operator, P&O Irish Sea continues its expansion in

freight capacity. The chartered RR Triumph was replaced on the Dublin-Liverpool route by another chartered vessel, Global Freighter, in late February to accompany sisters Norbay and Norbank. P&O Irish Sea experienced an 8% growth on the route in 2006.

Irish Ferries catches up on rivals THE Irish Continental Group (ICG) has acquired a €44m Scandinavian overnight cruiseferry for its subsidiary, Irish Ferries, on the routes from Rosslare to France. The 31,914gt Kronprins Harald was purchased from Norwegian ferry operator Color Line and in October is to replace the 1982 built 24,872gt Normandy, in service with Irish Ferries since 1998. Although Kronprins Harald was built only five years later than the Normandy, the vessel is 40% larger and offers customers greater luxury in passenger facilities and a superior range of cabin accommodation. Since the arrival of Brittany Ferries’ flagship vessel Pont Aven on the Cork/Roscoff route in 2004, Irish Ferries has been facing increased competition.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

SHIPPING SPOTLIGHT

International action can win war against modern piracy CHITTAGONG is the second largest city of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. It is also the country’s largest land port. The 7th century Chinese poet, Huen Tsang lyricised it as ‘a sleeping beauty emerging from mists of water’. Holiday brochures describe the city of six million people of the Bay of Bengal as an ideal vacation spot with green hills and forests rising from broad, sandy beaches and a fine cool

coast line points, Chittagong is Numero Uno. According to the annual report of the International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC), 33 incidents of piracy or attempted piracy occurred there since January 2006 and almost all of these at a time when ships’ crew attention was focused on preanchoring approaches, despite action by the Bangladeshi authorities’ employment of up to 17 naval patrol vessels and

climate. They might well, in truth, have added that the seaport on the Karnaphuli River claims to own Bangladesh’s only steel mill and oil refinery But one claim they most certainly would not be prepared to make is the unflattering statement that Chittagong is the world’s most dangerous port, writes maritime journalist, Tim Magennis. In the international listings of incidents of piracy at specific

MRV Canterbury Photo: New Zealand Defence Forces.

MRVs abroad: A New Zealand example THE use of Multi-Role Vessels (MRV) has become an integral component within several navies internationally whereby the Dutch, Danish and New Zealand navies already embracing the concept of the MPV. In 2006, the MRV for the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) was launched at the Merwede

Shipyard in The Netherlands to a commercial design derived from the Irish Sea/Isle of Man ferry, Ben-My-Chree. The MPV HMNZS Canterbury displaces 8,870 tonnes, is 131 metres long and has the ability to store vehicles, containers, landing craft, a helicopter deck, and embark 250 troops.

Geological Survey of Ireland

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Beggars Bush, Haddington Road Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

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3,000 coastguard personnel. The latest assessment by the PRC in Kuala Lumpur is ‘very high risk’.

Piracy hotspot But bad though is its international piracy reputation, Bangladesh does not have the worst national reputation in the world. That belongs to Indonesia which, according to the PRC, is the hottest piracy hotspot on the globe, followed by Nigeria, Somalia and Santos in Brazil, which is bracketed with Bangladesh. Indonesia reached a high point of 90 actual and attempted pirate attacks in 2000. Incessant documentation of this situation in IMB piracy reports has resulted in a drop in figures to 79 in 2005, and a further improvement last year when the number of attacks fell to 50. Yet, an average of 70 incidents over a seven-year period up to last year, stamps it as the most dangerous destination for international shipping. The IMB is itself a specialised division of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), which, by its title, represents big business worldwide. The ICC was forced to take action against all types of maritime crime and malpractice because little was being done internationally to protect shipping crews or the cargoes of world trading vessels.

Cooperation needed to combat fraud In 1981 the IMB urged governments and all maritime interests and organisations to cooperate fully and to exchange information with a view to developing and maintaining a coordinated action in combating maritime fraud. Their annual reports are

an analysis of worldwide reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships. The statistics of piracy, while revealing, do not tell the whole story as it is believed by the IMB that many ship owners and masters hesitate to report incidents of attack for fear or delay to their vessels during investigations, or threats along the lines of: ‘report this and we’ll watch out for you next time you come this way’. The PRC, however, warns against giving into these threats and is urging masters and owners to report all details of attacks, no matter how small. It was international outrage in the shipping industry at the alarming growth rate of piracy that inspired development of the PRC 15 years ago. Services provided include daily issuing reports on piracy and armed robbery to ships at sea and assisting local law enforcement agencies as well as ship owners and crew members whose vessels have been attacked.

Modern-day pirates These reports amount to an enormous reality check for those whose knowledge of piracy might well be confined to the exotic cinematic thrills of Pirates of the Carribbean. Gone are the days of Blackbeard and the burning matches tied to his long tresses. Today’s pirates operate from speedy craft and tote machine guns. They can

speed up the anchor chains of ships like spiders racing through a web. The latest annual report of the IMB contains a strong note of optimism about the fight against international piracy. It points to a fall in the number of attacks worldwide for the third year in a row and declares:

Ongoing battle

More reporting and greater awareness, leading to increased government reaction, is proving a successful strategy in the battle against piracy. According to the report, 239 attacks took place in 2006 compared to 276 in 2005 and 329 in 2004: The statistics compiled by the PRC show a systematic decline not witnessed at any time since the PRC began its analysis in 1992. This should be seen as a cautious sign for optimism and a signal that continued action can go a long way towards solving the problem of piracy and armed robbery at sea. The report quotes IMB director, Pottengal Mukundam, as saying: ‘‘I cannot emphasise too much the importance that reliable and meaningful statistics have played in recent years in opening up the debate on piracy and in getting governments to take action. Before [the] PRC, most governments did not appreciate the nature or magnitude of the problem. Now they do. Many countries realise it is something they cannot ignore.’’

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

MARINE R&D

Ecosystem based governance: key to marine sector vision THE COREPOINT conference organised by CoastNet, which was hosted last November by the Marine Institute in Galway, clearly pointed out the many challenges and solutions that exist for an integrated maritime policy for Europe as outlined in the recent European Green Paper. Many of those who spoke at that meeting called on the European Commission to learn from the experience already gained in integrated coastal zone management in any future policy development rather than ‘reinventing the wheel’. In this article, Mark Mellett examines the issue from an environment angle, and says the key to getting marine exploration right will mean

that it operates within an ecosystem-based governance with sustainable development at its core. Perched on the edge of Europe’s Atlantic rim, it is easy to take comfort with the belief that Ireland is the centre of a pristine marine environment. But many argue that this generation is overseeing the decline of our seas. In less than 50 years, a growing appreciation of their vulnerability has replaced perceptions of the oceans as systems of infinite capacity and inexhaustible abundance. Concerns such as over fishing, pollution, habitat destruction, species extermination are now the bullet points at almost every marine science and law forum. According to the European Environment Agency, 100% of

economically important fish stocks west of Ireland are outside safe biological limits, and this view is supported by ICES.

EM 3002 Precision Bathymetry The Kongsberg EM 3002 multibeam echo sounder is capable of 3D inspection of underwater port structures, with the highest resolution. The system is capable of resolving details as small as 10-20cm, using up to 508 simultaneous, focused and stabilised narrow beams. The dual head version can do concurrent mapping and inspection over a 180 degree sector. The system operates reliably also in difficult geometrical environments. EM 3002 will detect debris and other objects on the bottom, will map the seafloor according to the strictest IHO regulations, and has a maximum operating range of 150-200 meters. EM 3002 is the result of more than 20 years of accumulated experience with the design and production of multibeam echo sounders. The EM systems from Kongsberg are in daily use by hundreds of hydrographic agencies, ports, private contractors and research institutions all over the world. 2 years warranty and maintenance/ support contracts are offered.

Kongsberg Maritime www.kongsberg.com E-mail: subsea@kongsberg.com

The EU Maritime Green Paper acknowledges that citizens are not always well informed of the oceans and seas in their lives. They know how crucial water is but may not make the link with most of it being recycled from the oceans as rain or snow. They worry about climate change but may not always see the role of the oceans in modulating it. They may know about marine pollution but may not understand that most of it originates on land. While there is general consensus on the need to create new institutional frameworks characterized by ecological sustainability, economic efficiency, and social fairness, for most states, a coherent system of ocean governance remains conceptual.

So where to? Ireland may soon be the first in the world to exercise rights over a continental margin that will extend more than 500 miles offshore. This brings opportu-

nities as well as responsibilities. There is a great deal at stake for Ireland. Getting it right in the coming years is crucial, and key to getting it right is the development of an ecosystem-based governance system with sustainable development as its corner stone. The fundamental norm, sustainability, requires the development of rules that can guide specific human behaviour that are consistent with goals that the norm sets. What happens in the oceans is a public policy issue with local, national, regional and global dimensions. Robert Constanza, head of the International Society for Ecological economics has said that the ocean is too important to our survival to allow its continued exploitation as if it was infinite. For the citizens of Ireland it is too valuable as a resource, and of such strategic national interest not to want to care or not to have a say. In 2020, the Irish marine sector will sell into specialised global and local markets in a

THE WECD reported 20 years ago that: major, unintended changes are occurring in the atmosphere, in soils, in waters, among plants and animals....there are thresholds that cannot be crossed without endangering the basic integrity of the system. Today we are close to many of those thresholds. (Gro Harlem Brundtland, 1988).

dynamic, innovative and technologically driven manner, by means of strong industry research partnerships, a skilled workforce and a strategic capability that responds to markets and technology. It will be internationally recognised for its high quality marine environment and characterised by coherent policy and regulation. Source: Sea Change - A Marine Knowledge, Research and Innovation Strategy for Ireland (2007—2013).

An early warning ‘tsunami’ system planned for Ireland AN inter-departmental committee is to draft proposals for the creation of a tsunami warning system for Ireland, as part of an internationally co-ordinated system. The committee comprises several government departments, Met Éireann, the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Marine Institute. The International Oceanographic Commission (IOC), in co-operation with the World

Meteorological Organisation (WMO), is currently coordinating international efforts to deliver an initial system in the North East Atlantic and Mediterranean by the end of 2007 that will focus on linking up national systems. Making the announcement, Noel Dempsey, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, said despite the probability of a tsunami along Irish coastlines being

‘‘statistically very small’’, the European Union has decided to ‘‘fast track’’ the initiative in order to predict such events. He added that a ‘‘fully designed and costed proposal’’ for the Irish early warning system will feed into the international efforts currently underway. ‘‘Specific proposals for the implementation of the system will be brought to government for approval later in 2007,’’ he said.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

MARINE R&D

Geographical Information Systems: virtually real? By Vicki Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnell, Marine Geomatics, Coastal and Marine Resources Centre, UCC

THE World Wide Web is a curious place. The newest fad online is called SECOND LIFE. This 3-D virtual world is owned by its 3,337,372 (real) residents who are based all around the globe. As a resident you can go to a pub in Dublin or Los Angeles; invest in some land or build up a business. You can buy a little cottage or even an island, all without leaving the comfort of your office chair. SECOND LIFE even deals in real money with millions of US dollars being spent on transactions each month. This fad may seem a bit strange, but for those of us working in the sphere of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), we have been living this second life for years. Here at Coastal and Marine Resources Centre (CMRC) in UCC, up to 10 scientists, working with computer programmers, live in a virtual world every day. On Monday we may be standing on a virtual hill assessing view sheds for planning and construction projects in Cork Harbour; Tuesday we may be virtually diving to assess substrates on the seabed in the Irish Sea; Wednesday we may be investigating salt march habitats in Morecambe Bay in England; Thursday we may be investigating the installation of

sea defences in Belgium and on Friday, well its probably time to visit that virtual pub!

Virtual world How do we enter this virtual world? We access it through GIS. GIS is a computer mapping system that can help solve complex spatial problems while integrating disparate data types that could be satellite photos to information on geology; crime statistics; road information or ecological data. In reality, any data can be added to a GIS as long as it has a spatial dimension. A GIS is more than just a tool to create maps, it allows for visualisation, which enables the user to make decisions that must have an explicit spatial dimension. GIS and associated technologies may be employed to simulate natural circumstances and human efforts before an event to prepare decision-makers for risk management, evaluation of options, hazard mitigation and emergency response. The integration of several technologies, models and spatial and non-spatial data may lead to a more meaningful analysis of particular problems, a more effective distribution of information and better decisionmaking. Accurate spatial information is required in many practical applications such as planning, environmental protection and emergency response manage-

ment to make predictions, to develop alternatives, to provide information to interested parties and to improve communication between managers.

Course in Applied GIS skills

User-friendly Often, information acquired through spatial modelling and other data processing procedures carried out by technical experts may appear complicated, and the visualisation of data, through a GIS, in the form of maps, for example, can make them comprehensible to nontechnical users at a reasonable cost. This is particularly useful in emergency situations such as pollution events or flooding which require a rapid analysis of information and creation of outputs to enable speedy preventative and response measures. In connection with the World Wide Web, a GIS can represent the interface between the emergency warning system and the end user. There is a wide range of applications of GIS, from simple topographic mapping to complex modelling. The use of GIS within the CMRC is extensive and it has proved a very valuable addition to the work that we carry out here. *

For more information on the CMRC visit http://cmrc.ucc.ie/. Access the GIS projects through the Geomatics links.

* Computer generated image of cranes on an aerial photo generated by BKS for their Cork OrthoMap 2006 project.

THE CMRC is running a short course in Applied GIS for Coastal and Marine Management on 10 and 11 April. This course is aimed at professionals whose main remit is not necessarily GIS but who may use GIS from time to time. The course contains a practical element that will give participants the skills to use GIS in their day-to-day job. The CMRC and the Department of Geography, UCC, also runs an MSc in Coastal Management and Informatics with GIS (suited to science graduates) and an MA in Geography with Coastal Management and GIS (suited to arts graduates).

ANNOUNCEMENT! INFOMAR SEMINAR The Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and the Marine Institute (MI) will showcase INFOMAR, the successor programme to the Irish National Seabed Survey, at a seminar on Tuesday, March 13th 2007, at the GSI, Beggars Bush, Haddington Road, Dublin 4. The programme will include a mix of project updates, survey plans and associated projects and research talks. INFOMARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities and the near-shore data being collected are of great strategic importance to the Irish state. The seminar programme is available from both MI and GSI websites - www.marine.ie and www.gsi.ie.

Computer generated image of the seabed and mountains utilising data captured for the Irish National Seabed Survey Photo: INSS.GSI 2006

Or you can contact Enda Gallagher now to request details enda.gallagher@gsi.ie or 01 678 2834.

Dublin Bay Coverage..

.....and sand waves

The Seminar is FREE and will run all day from 10am with coffee available from 9.30.

All with an interest in the Marine Sector are welcome. *

Inch Strand, Co. Kerry as seen from a Landsat Satellite 700km above the earth

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

SEAFOOD MARKETING

‘Radical changes’ necessary to realise full research potential Increased NDP funding for the science and technology sector — including key marine-based research — must be accompanied by radical new thinking if projects are to realise their full potential, a conference in Galway was told, reports Gery Flynn BARRY McSweeney, research co-ordinator at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, told delegates at a workshop hosted by the Marine Institute that two main policy instruments — Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI 2007-2013), and the National Development Plan (NDP 20072013) — showed that the government was making ‘‘an enormous commitment to science and technology’’. He said that the financial resources were now ‘‘in place so that the actions that were outlined last year in the SSTI can be addressed’’, and he observed that of the total €184 billion NDP budget, €19 billion — or just over 10% — was ring-fenced for science, technology, innovation and higher education.

Research cooperation Sweeney pointed out that €6 bn of this would fund the SSTI Programme itself, leaving €13 bn to build an infrastructure that would involve the universities and institutes of technology linking their programmes of research to industry — much of it in the marine sphere. ‘‘It’s appropriate that this should be industry-related because the end-point of everything within the NDP and the SSTI is to increase our national

IN an up-lifting and visionary opening address at Ireland’s first ever workshop on marine functional foods, Barry McSweeney said that if Ireland is to become a leader in marine functional food research, we would ‘‘have to buy into state-of the art technologies — rather quickly’’. A Marine Institute briefing document* circulated at the Marine Functional Foods Workshop, points out that the definition of a ‘functional food’ was tightened by the EU in 1999. It now declares a food as ‘functional’ if — ‘it is satisfactorily demonstrated to affect beneficially one or more target functions in the body beyond adequate nutritional effects, in a way that is relevant to either an improved state of health and well-being and/or reduction in risk of disease’. The document goes on to state that functional foods ‘must remain foods and they must demonstrate their ef-

Dermot Hurst (left) and Peter Heffernan (centre) Marine Institute, with Barry McSweeney, DCMNR.

competitiveness. The only way we know how to do this is by focusing on the productive sector,’’ he declared. ‘‘We make no apologies therefore that this programme has measurable endpoints that have to do with wealth, jobs growth, and more opportunities. We have to do it by increasing our knowledge base and by accelerating knowledge-capture.’’

For this to work however, Sweeney signalled the need for radical changes in the way State bodies managed access to their research results. It was crucial, he said, to increase public access to such information.

Seabed survey As an example, he pointed to the Marine Institute’s five-year seabed mapping programme, declaring that the results of such work would be judged as worthwhile — only if they increased Ireland’s competitiveness. ‘‘Seabed mapping will make no difference to our competitiveness unless we can derive some competitive advantage

from the data contained in the survey,’’ Sweeney said. ‘‘In the past, we have had a tendency to act as gate-keepers to some data or information on the basis that we were either going to commercialise it or get some sort of other advantage from it. But all we ended up doing was limiting access to such data. We will be making an announcement in relation to this very shortly explaining how we are going to digitalise the data from the seabed survey and four related surveys and making them all open-access.’’

Open access He said that a policy decision had already been taken to make

all such databases ‘‘open access’’, adding that when the Canadians adopted a similar strategy, ‘‘the result was a net inward investment in the explorations area.’’ Regarding the expertise that will be needed to bring such research to fruition, McSweeney revealed that SSTI targets would be met only if there was a doubling in the number of researchers over the next seven years. This, he said, would require ‘‘going the international

fects from amounts that can normally be consumed in the diet’. It further emphasises that functional foods are ‘not pills or capsules, but part of a normal food pattern.’ And it declares that ‘unlike dietary supplements, which are taken in pill or capsule form, functional foods also have to meet the taste requirements and preferences of consumers.’ Turning to the marine environment, the document includes ‘materials extracted from fish and shellfish; and extracts from marine plants and other marine organisms and marine bacteria’ as marine functional ingredients, and it sets out what the future research goals in this area are likely to cover in the period 2007 to 2013. *

‘Marine functional foods and functional ingredients’ — December 2006, Marine Foresight Series Number 5 is available from the Marine Institute.

route’’ in order to attract the best people. ‘‘We began advertising in mid-January for bright young graduates and have been inundated with replies from European researchers in particular who have been attracted by what’s on offer here. By removing the barrier that in the past prevented international researchers coming to Ireland, we’re pursuing beds of opportunity which up to now were there only in theory but not in practice.’’

Food for children’s thought Irish Association of Seafood Companies

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. iasc 70B Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth t 042 938 6977 / 087 202 6420 f 042 939 5566 e martina@iasc.ie w www.iasc.ie

Training Networks Programme

By Ian Long, BIM CHILDREN’S mood, behaviour and learning can be affected by what they eat according to Dr Alex Richardson, author of They Are What You Feed Them and Senior Research Fellow of Physiology, Oxford University. Speaking at the recent BIM/ Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute symposium on The Role of Omega-3 in Child Behaviour, Learning and Mood, Dr Richardson reported that the evidence for the role of Omega-3 fats in many disorders was growing: ‘‘Current findings indicate up to 20% of the population may be affected by Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum of disorders (ASD), dyspraxia or dyslexia,’’ says Richardson. ‘‘These conditions have common traits, and research indicates that a genetic tendency to these disorders may be a result of some shared factors that act to heighten the effects of Omega-3 deficiencies.’’ Results of her studies reveal that children with symptoms of behavioural and learning disorders showed signs of improvement when their diets were supplemented with Ome-

ga-3 and other essential fatty acids (EFAs). The Oxford-Durham Study, published in 2005 by Dr Richardson, found children with educational and behavioural disorders (specifically Developmental Coordination Disorder, which overlaps with dyslexia and some autistic syndromes) benefitted from taking fish oil supplements over 3-6 months. In this study, one group of children with behavioural problems were given an Omega-3 fish oil supplement (EPA and DHA) and a second group were given a placebo. The group who received the fish oils showed improvements in reading, spelling and behaviour over the three months. This group made three times the normal gain in reading age and twice the normal gain in spelling age during the study. When the second group were given the fish oils, they also showed similar improvement. ‘‘There are several different kinds of Omega-3 fats including DHA, EPA and ALA,’’ Dr Richardson contends. ‘‘ALA is the type of Omega-3 fat found in plants. DHA and EPA are the type of Omega-3 fats found in large amounts in oil-rich fish and it is these fats that seem to be important in developing and

Helen Brophy, BIM market development manager and Pat Keogh, BIM chief executive with Dr Alex Richardson (centre).

maintaining a healthy brain. ‘‘The only way to get the complex Omega-3 fatty acids directly from the diet is by

consuming large amounts of oily fish and seafood on a regular basis,’’ says Dr Richardson.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

SEAFOOD MARKETING

The Pied Piper of Sirha.

‘Piped’ Irish mussels go down a treat in Lyon AT BIM’s first participation of the bi-annual catering exhibition in Lyon, the agency’s main theme was Irish quality mussels to show the products versatility to the catering sector. Visitors to the stand sampled Irish mussels alongside restaurant owners and catering managers who learned the convenience of Irish cooked frozen mussels. A short interview with images of Irish frozen mussels was subsequently broadcast on French national television. This short documentary explained the benefits of using frozen whole mussels and the advantages of precooked product with their shells closed. During the five days of the show around 80kgs of mussels were served to catering professionals in small tasting

portions. Responses were extremely positive and allowed a large proportion of professional cooks and buyers to learn that Irish frozen mussels are largely available through their regular suppliers.

Exhibition Sirha is a major catering exhibition held in Lyon every two years. It attracts around 1,800 exhibitors and over 165,000 visitors from over 122 countries. Apart from being a major meeting venue for catering professionals, Sirha also hosts a number of major international culinary competitions such as Le Bocus d’Or gourmet creation competition, the world pastry competition, the international Caseus award and a sushi discovery competition.

Tadgh O Meara (Kish Fish), Conal Molloy (Fish Sales Killybegs), John Boyle (Albatross Seafoods), Minister of State Frank Fahey TD, Martin McLoughlin (Nickys Plaice), Martina Clarke (IASC), Priscilla Diamond (Renvyle Fisheries) and Arthur Morgan (Morgans Oceanfresh)

IASC conference & trade Show 2007 DELEGATES at the annual conference of the independent seafood processing and retail sector were updated on the success of an enterprise-led model and training networks programme by Skillnet, the State-sponsored body dedicated to promote and facilitate enterprise-led training networks. Martina Clarke, development executive of IASC (Irish Association of Seafood Companies) outlined the work programme for 2007 and George Howlett, Food Focus, reviewed the development of the IASC processing standard. This forms part of the Skillnet programme and involves a standard development committee from the membership and key stakeholders with FSAI and BIM. Andrew Kinneen from the

Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority reported on the principle functions of the Authority and the pending announcement of the Consultative Committee. Liam Handy, Craft Butchers Association, discussed the growing interest in seafood away from the meat trade and the changing role of the food specialist retailer. In conclusion, Damien Ó Ceallacháin from Muir Gheal Teo, discussed the future role of aquaculture as a source of sustainable supply of seafood, and on the initial harvest of cod last month.

Trade show A trade show of more than 30 exhibitors ranging from equipment to service suppliers ran concurrent to the show alongside seafood producers includ-

Seafood Strategy Report: marketing at a glance ‘A seafood industry capturing the full potential value of Irish seafood through a market focused, customer-led development strategy, supported by enhanced trade and promotional activity and the development of a robust ‘Seafood Island’ proposition with the capability of meeting customer demands into the future.’

Recommendations *

Increase State and industry investment in market research and intelligence capability to inform the proposed strategy on market-led innovation at customer and consumer levels, with particular regard to new product development (NPD) and to

support effective trade and promotional activity in the launch, establishment and marketing of seafood products at market level In conjunction with industry, BIM should focus its marketing support to target key export markets alongside the domestic market in developing plans to assist exporters capture retail, foodservice and ingredient customers in these markets, and where feasible, to shorten the industry supply chain. Outside of the core EU markets, support in research and marketing should be delivered by BIM on a cost benefit basis to the sector. Establish and promote a ‘Seafood Island’ identity to strengthen Ireland’s market

position and establish Irish seafood as a premium proposition with positive quality and environmental attributes, supported by effective customer services and proactive market-led R&D. Adopt a structured approach to providing services for commercially-focused R&D/ NPD more effectively through BIM’s Seafood Development Centre Adopt a twin-track approach to innovation in the pelagic sector to achieve economies of scale and cost efficiencies in the processing of bulk seafood products, combined with a concerted drive to identify alternative market opportunities for pelagic products.

ing Cool Springs Artic Charr, Aran Salmon and Irish North Coast Oysters who offered tasting and recipe ideas. Sally McKenna from the

Bridgestone Guides was also on hand to launch the 2007 IASC Recipe Book, which includes the Directory of all IASC specialist seafood retailers.

Irish processor to export farmed organic salmon A leading Irish seafood processor has confirmed that it is to supply the German and Austrian markets with farmed organic salmon. Atlantic Fare of Cill Chiarán, and Hamburg-based giant Gottfried Friedrichs KG sealed the deal at the recent Biofachs fare following extensive discussions between the two companies over a number of months. Friedrichs is Germany’s biggest smoker and is renowned for its salmon and eel products. The company has been a household name in Germany for nearly one hundred years. Commenting on the agreement, Atlantic Fare managing director Richard Mc Namara said he was delighted with the new deal, which he said ‘‘would come into effect immediately’’. ‘‘With the first delivery already in place this is a significant milestone, not only for Atlantic Fare but also for the Irish aquaculture industry. It is the first time

Friedrichs have had organic produce in their portfolio, and it is testament to the quality of our organic salmon.’’ Tom Mc Loughlin, BIM’s market development executive in Germany said the deal was a tremendous breakthrough. ‘‘It serves to highlight the success stories related by all the other companies participating on the BIM stand at the show.’’ The potential of the market is seen from the fact that €14.5 billion worth of organic food was consumed in the European Union in 2005, and it is estimated that the organic food share of total turnover in the retail food trade will double to 6% by 2010, according to findings of a recent KPMG study. This years Biofach, which took place in the Bavarian city of Nuernburg, catered for 40,000 visitors over the four days and saw 2,455 exhibitors - an increase of 18% on 2006 from 80 countries worldwide.

INSHORE IRELAND March 2007

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