Inshore ireland vol 10 nr 4 aug sep 2014 by Inshore Ireland Publishing

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

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High-energy offshore Marina development salmon farming pages 12-13

page 14

August/September 2014 Vol 10 Issue 4

ONLINE EDITION

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Overwhelming support for emergency action by Connemara salmon farmer Gery Flynn

arine Harvest Ireland (MHI) has defended its decision to extract fresh water from a Connemara lake to treat farmed salmon in nearby sea cages for a potentially fatal gill disorder. In a statement to Inshore Ireland, the company stands over its actions that involved

the laying above ground of a 3km temporary pipeline through which freshwater was occasionally pumped from Loch an Óir to a wellboat, which in turn delivered it to the cages at Aird Mhóir.

Salmon cages at Aird Mhóir

Describing the action as ‘short-term, and taken on the advice of aquaculture veterinary surgeons’, MHI says it ‘should be seen as an urgent and essential measure to

save the lives of its fish stocks’. The statement also confirms that on July 24 it had applied to Galway County Council for temporary planning permission to retain the above ground water delivery pipe. ‘Due to the urgent nature of the situation and the potential negative impact on the welfare of the fish stocks, Marine Harvest was duty bound to treat the affected fish with freshwater, pending the decision by Galway County Council.’ MHI also contends there

Life is Puremagic! Super moon August 10, 2014 at Keel Beach, Achill, Co Mayo.

could have been serious financial and socio-economic consequences if the freshwater treatments had been stopped for any reason: ‘Up to 60 direct jobs rely on the survival of these fish stocks. Fifteen on the actual farm and 45 in the processing and packing plant, with up to 40 more in the downstream value-added smoking and portioning plants preparing the product for export. ‘The treatment itself is natural, simple, environmentally-friendly

and sustainable, in keeping with Marine Harvest Ireland’s organic standards. The process will have no impact on domestic water supply’. MHI subsequently announced in August it had signed a €20m agreement to have its farmed organic salmon from Cill Chiaráin Bay processed by Cill Chiaráin Éisc Teoranta, part of the Irish Seafood Producers Group, between March and »» page 2

Photo: Sharon Prenton Jones/ Pure Magic Achill (www.puremagic.ie/achill)

inshore ireland August/September 2014

NEWS Amoebic Gill Disease is a naturally occurring condition that often affects young salmon soon after they are transferred to seawater. It is caused by microscopic organisms called Amoeba. These are naturally part of the plankton and can often ‘bloom’ during periods of warm weather. The most effective and natural method of removing amoeba from the gills is to immerse affected fish in pure fresh water for up to three hours. This action, which does not involve the use of any chemicals, kills the amoeba.

July 2015. It currently employs fifteen staff at the salmon farm site which it has been operating since October 2013.

Injunction sought

Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) has challenged MHI’s actions and has sought a High Court Injunction against the company, demanding that it remove the pipeline and restore the site to its natural condition. FIE’s injunction comes after Galway County Council ruled that the development was unauthorised and required

planning permission. Galway County Council’s press officer did not return calls from Inshore Ireland to clarify MHI’s actions from a planning point of view. The environmental group maintains that in spite of this, the Council has taken no action and that Marine Harvest has applied for retention of their pipeline. FIE argues that the application is invalid, “as retention cannot be sought when a development requires assessment under European law. “Marine Harvest is gaming the system,” FIE Director, Tony Lowes contends. “We believe they have support from the highest levels and that neither the Council nor Irish Water will take any action against this multinational, in spite of the threat to public water supplies in the area.” Highlighting the “environmental importance of the area” Lowes added that two salmon rivers enter Aird Mhór Bay and that the seabed at Aird Mhóir Point hosts rare corals and anemones. He cites research by the Heritage Council and by the National Parks and Wildlife Service that shows protected birds, vulnerable to the slightest disturbances, nest along the coastline.

“ Cill Chiaráin is one of two of the most valuable coastal sites in Ireland. It is madness to run pipelines across the area to support an industrial- size fish farm,” Mr Lowes said.

Petition

Meanwhile, a petition supporting the temporary pipeline while treatment of the fish is required has been signed by up to 1,000 people in the Cárna/Cill Chiaráin area. The idea for the petition resulted from a public meeting organised by community activists in support of the economic importance of aquaculture to the local economy. Richie Flynn of IFA Aquaculture told Inshore Ireland that the number of signatories in the locality ”truly reflected how the people of Cárna and Cill Chiaráin value the economic benefits of sustainable aquaculture”. “Young people in remote communities looking for jobs are angry at being misrepresented by outside groups, and that anger has boiled over. They really are very annoyed at people who, for whatever reason, have the luxury to tell them what kind of jobs they should be taking, and also to belittle jobs such as fish farming and fish processing,” he said.

Marine Institute Foras na Mara

Press Release: From Galway Bay Against Salmon Cages (6/08/14)

Farmed Salmon Before People Local water hijacked by multi-national Once more the multi-national salmon farming company Marine Harvest is abstracting water from the local water supply source of Loughaunore at Kilkieran Co Galway without planning permission and despite their receipt of a warning letter from Galway County Council on the 11th July threatening Marine Harvest with an Enforcement Notice under Section 154 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Marine Harvest are abstracting the water because their open pen salmon rearing installation at Kilkieran has been once again been hit with Amoebic Gill Disease and requires the farmed salmon to be bathed in fresh water for three hours in order to kill the parasite which attacks the fishes’ gills and can lead to high mortalities. There is a belief that the well boats/ tankers used by the operators of these salmon installations may be bringing the growing list of diseases from one site to another along the western seaboard, from Donegal to Kerry, as they are not decontaminated after each site visit. It is known that Amoebic Gill Disease can be passed onto other species of fish as well as wild salmon and sea trout who are unable to run into fresh water due to low water levels in many rivers as the rains have by passed the Connemara region. Fishermen are now becoming fearful that wild fish stocks will become infected from diseases from these open pens and lead to mortalities that will be unnoticed by government departments. Many people in Kilkieran and the extensive hinterland which get their water supply from the Loughaunore source are extremely annoyed with the situation and calls have been made to local councillors and TDs’ to take action and safeguard their dwindling water supply. Many businesses, tourism outlets and houses keeping Irish students, at this time of year, place increased pressure on the rate of abstraction and with no rain forecast in the near future, they are fearful that they will be left high and dry. Udaras have also come in for criticism because of their substantial investment by way of shareholding in the operation at Kilkieran and the vast amounts of money they have invested over the past 30 years in what appears to be a failing industry. People on the Aran Islands, with reduced water supply, are asking why Udaras are putting large amount of taxpayers monies into supporting an industry with little employment and environmental concerns while they suffer each year from inadequate water infrastructure on the islands and which is damaging to their tourist industry with its much needed employment.

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It is believed that no account of the amount of water being abstracted by Marine Harvest is being kept by Irish Water nor is the multi-national paying for their unauthorised supply unlike other commercial businesses in the area. A large new pump has been installed at the side of the lake and this will be used to drain the water out of the lake quicker and in larger volume . Galway Bay Against Salmon Cages has asked B.I.M. to clarify where they would get the substantial supplies of fresh water to bath up to 14million salmon for their proposal for a 30k ton capacity salmon rearing installation in Galway Bay should it be approved by Minister Simon Coveney. No decision has yet been made by the Minister on B.I.M.’s proposal but it is expected when the Dail reconvenes after the summer holidays.

Inshore Ireland put the allegations contained in the Galway Bay Against Salmon Cages press release to Marine Harvest Ireland. The company’s responses are available to read on our website at www.inshore-ireland.com

inshore ireland August/September 2014

NEWS working on the fish farm and in a local processing factory.

Single source

According to MHI, the only fresh water readily available in the quantities required for treating the salmon was from Loch an Óir. Friends of the Irish Environment however have challenged MHI’s action on the basis of environmental sensitivities, and have lodged a formal objection with Galway County Council. There is no doubt that MHI’s action has saved not only their valuable fish stock – due for harvest between March and July next year – but also secured the 15 jobs on the fish farm. It also means that a fish

processing factory at Cill Chiaráin is guaranteed at the very least a six months supply of fish in 2015

December decision

Meanwhile, Galway County Council, having decided that MHI’s planning application for the pipeline is invalid, has passed the matter to An Bord Pleanála. A decision is expected from the Bord in December, at the earliest. For the time being, an unpleasant incident that had the potential to divide a tight-knit community has done nothing of the sort. Following a meeting of community activists in August to discuss the situation, over 1,000 local residents signed a

petition in support of MHI. Interestingly, this event was not picked up by the national media. The real resentment now in the Cárna/Cill Chiaráin area appears to be the fact that whatever opposition there is to MHI’s temporary solution, it is coming from outside. This resentment to outside interference is said to be particularly strong among young unemployed locals who see aquaculture as an economic life-line for their area. MHI confirmed to Inshore Ireland it has not had to abstract any water from Loch an Oírr since August 7, but would not rule out having to do so if the amoeba parasite returns.

comment

he media flareup that briefly accompanied Marine Harvest Ireland’s decision to occasionally draw fresh water from a small Connemara lake in a desperate bid to rid its farmed salmon at Aird Mhóir of an external parasite requires some examination. Despite not having the permission of Galway County Council to lay a 3km temporary pipeline above ground from the lake to the shoreline, MHI has robustly defended its action. They describe it as an ‘urgent and essential short-term measure’ undertaken to save the lives of its valuable fish stocks ― and to safeguard the jobs of those

Gery Flynn

Asgard Commemoration

he 100th anniversary of the landing of arms from the yacht Asgard for the Irish Volunteers was commemorated in Howth in July, preceded by the unveiling of an exact replica of the vessel’s dinghy. Events began over the winter of 2011/12 when six local volunteers built, assembled and partly funded the rigging and spars for the conserved Asgard, on display at the National Museum of Ireland in Collins Barracks, Dublin. Asgard was built in Norway in 1905 by Colin Archer, the renowned Norwegian naval architect and shipbuilder. The yacht was a wedding present for Erskine and Molly Childers from her parents in Boston. Under the direction of John Kearon, traditional boat conservator, Asgard was conserved and restored to her original design and is on public view at the barracks. A notable missing component of the exhibit however was the dinghy that was part of Asgard’s inventory when launched in 1905.

Local commitment

While researching in Norway, Kearon discovered the plans of both Asgard and her dinghy and along with colleague Ollie Ward began building the dinghy but due to financial constraints the project was halted. Six Howth volunteers again rose to the challenge and undertook to recreate the dinghy; they included: Wally McGuirk; Pat

Murphy; Mike Alexander; Neville Maguire; Rory McGuirk and Paddy Barry. Fingal master boat builder Larry Archer provided the technical expertise and craftsmanship and George Elliott applied the finishing touches over twelve months. The community, individuals, clubs, organisations and businesses of Howth and the surrounding areas contributed to raising the necessary funds. Paying tribute to the committee, team and wider community, Raghnall ó Floinn, Director of the National Museum of Ireland, said they were delighted to accept the replica dinghy. “This is truly a community effort, combining solid research, local fund-raising, traditional boat-building skills and enthusiasm of a dedicated team of volunteers. It will be a magnificent addition to the Museum’s exhibition.”

Landing re-enactment

Later, on Sunday July 27, a symbolic landing of arms and a dramatisation of the Irish Volunteers in uniform took place on Howth pier Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins, addressed the gathering, joined by the Irish Defence Forces and the Army Number 1 Band. “It is a great pleasure to join you in the presence of some of the relatives and descendants of those who are [being] commemorated for their actions. Howth harbour and village have a rich history of sea-faring and also a rich military history that includes Viking

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and Norman conquests and settlements and, admittedly the more legendary visit of Gráinne Mhaol in 1576. “But we are here to mark the anniversary of an event that occurred during one of the most turbulent and seismic periods of Irish history, and one whose ultimate significance could not have been anticipated at the time. “The arrival of Asgard on July 26 was an event that was to change the course of our history, As we commemorate the event it is tempting to speculate on what motivation gathered this extraordinary crew who belonged to the different traditions of Ireland. I think that they had one aim in common, and that was the mounting of a defence, realistically this was a symbolic defence, against those who would oppose Home Rule by force of arms. I think that their motivation was defensive rather than offensive. “Today we rightly recognise the bravery and idealism of Erskine and Molly Childers who risked their lives in the name of an Irish republic. Their personal stories remind us too of the complexity of that period. Molly’s role at Howth reflects the important contribution of the United States to the Irish nationalist cause as both a source of continuity and a practical ally. Erskine’s death by execution during the civil war stands as one of the many tragedies of that period. “The group of people we are commemorating came from many different traditions, reflecting the fact that the

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movement for independence was a very broad church. The group included a distinguished British civil servant, a knight of the realm, a member of the family of the archdeacon of Meath, and Darrell Figgis who had been brought up as the son of a merchant in London. “We also remember and recognise the part played by Roger Casement, Conor O’Brien, Mary Spring Rice, Patrick McGinley and Charles Dugan in the planning and execution of the operation to bring arms to Howth. Their harrowing journey brought them through terrible storms in difficult circumstances,

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trying to avoid, as they were, the entire fleet of the British navy called into active service in anticipation of the outbreak of the war. “We also remember the many Fianna Eireann and Citizen Army members, led by Countess Markievicz, who received them with handcarts and wheelbarrows, and the efficient removal of arms during what was a daring task executed under pressures of time and discovery.” Paddy Barry, Chairperson of Asgard 100 described the event as “a pivotal event in Irish history to be remembered and celebrated”.

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inshore ireland August/September 2014

NEWS

Different minimum landing sizes disadvantage the Irish crawfish industry By Pauric Gallagher

lthough the demand for crawfish on the continent is extremely high, Irish fishermen say that prices are the worst in living memory, as low as €20 €22 a kg - and that these record low prices are having a major impact on the viability of inshore vessels engaged in the fishery. Until recently, fishermen received around €30/kg - and sometimes as much as €42/kg. Because so few crawfish are caught in any one trip, fishermen say they need at least €35/kg to make the fishery feasible. The reasons for these poor prices are uncertain, but one factor highlighted by shellfish buyers is the increasing amount of spiny lobsters from African waters on the European market.

These shellfish, Royal Spiny Lobster, look very different to Irish crawfish being much greener when alive and are supplied frozen to the market. This is a completely different market and price point to Irish crawfish. According to CSO figures, 80 tonnes of crawfish was exported during 2013. France is the main export market, and has grown steadily over the last four years, accounting for 75% (56 tonnes) of export in 2013. About 112 vessels target crawfish on the Irish coast, and although European regulations call for a minimum landing size of 95mm, Irish fishermen are only allowed to retain crawfish of 110mm or more, according to the Irish minimum landing size. “I would like to see a level playing field for Irish fishermen in line with their European counterparts. It is unfair at present because of the different size limits and I have continuously lobbied the Minister for Agriculture, Food

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and the Marine about this,” Michael Healy Rae, Kerry South TD told Inshore Ireland. He added that not only were Irish fishermen getting a poorer price for their catch, they were also disadvantaged by a minimum landing size that was larger than that applied to fishermen in Europe. “Inshore fishermen are the backbone of our coastal communities but they have been decimated over the years by successive governments. It has to stop,” he said.

SAFETY & SECURITY

EDUCATION & TRAINING

SHIPPING, TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

Exploring the potential of Irish farmed seaweed for global seafood market The potential to develop ‘farmed’ seaweed in Irish waters as a human usage commodity on the international market will be explored during a conference and interactive forum organised by BIM in November. Farmed Irish Seaweed: An Ocean Wonder Food? which takes place on November 19-20, includes national and international speakers and commentators from the science and food conference circuit. Keynote speaker Amarjit Sahota will deliver key findings from BIMcommissioned research into Ireland’s potential to develop farmed seaweed as a mainstream farming diversification/ food production option for supply into selected EU markets. Sahota is the founder/ director of Organic Monitor, a specialist UK market research, consulting and training firm focussing on the global organic and related niche-product industries. Human consumption The latest scientific advice from leading seaweed academics and specialists on ways Ireland might best farm seaweed crops for human consumption will be led by Professor Susan Brawley, professor of Botany at the School of Marine Sciences at the University of Maine, USA and a world renowned expert on the cultivation of sea vegetables. Dr Helena Abreu, research and development director of Algaplus, the Portuguese-based pioneer in the production of marine macroalgae (marine vegetables) will address the conference session on market-led expert opinion from food production specialists on the development of innovative farmed seaweed-based food products for the global seafood market. The conference programme will also feature an investment session for potential investors and will look at recent trends in the global farmed seaweed commodities market. A BIM-led information session ‘Routes to Farming Seaweed will give advice on how to grow farmed seaweed business from

start-up or into the next stage of development. “Through initiatives like the forthcoming conference and forum BIM is working to raise awareness of and encourage inward investment into Ireland’s emerging farmed seaweed sector. “BIM has led a number of technological breakthroughs in seaweed culture techniques and as a result, Ireland’s high value seaweed species such as Alaria esculenta, Saccharina latissima among others can now be reliably cultured in large volumes around our shores,” explains Donal Maguire, BIM’s aquaculture development services director. “In addition, groundbreaking culture techniques are under investigation for Porphyra and Palmaria. These highly nutritious and very valuable species have the potential to bring unprecedented growth and development to Ireland’s seaweed farming activities.” He added that this scale of development should provide an alternative source of farmed raw material from which Ireland can eventually produce “a range of seaweedbased foods for human consumption that should be traded competitively in EU markets where the nutritional benefits of eating seaweed are gaining solid and increasing recognition.” Who should attend? This event should be of interest to people employed in Ireland’s seafood sector interested in starting or continuing to farm and produce seaweed for national and global food markets; farmers interested in receiving the latest cutting-edge market intelligence on seaweed consumed in the EU; national and international academics and researchers working in the seaweed or related area of maritime farming; food companies seeking new product development opportunities for farmed seaweedbased food products and investors looking for the ‘newest thing’ in Ireland’s seafood sector. For early bird rates go to: www.bim.ie/our-services/ seaweed-conference/

inshore ireland August/September 2014

NEWS

Funding announced for rehabilitation of wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout stocks

BEFORE

AFTER

‘Before and after’ photos of the river bank protection works undertaken on the Colligan River by IFI Clonmel

wenty-four projects have been approved under a €230,000 funding package to rehabilitate wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout stocks. This year’s scheme includes angling clubs, private fishery owners, riparian owners and tourism organisations. Funds will be distributed across the country with the main beneficiaries undertaking projects on the Rivers and tributaries of Castletown; Fane; Dee; Boyne; Vartry; Nore; Suir; Cork Blackwater; Lower Shannon; Newport; Glen and Crana. Announced by Joe McHugh, Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources, the fund was open to contributors to the scheme with works to include: fish passage improvement; spawning enhancement; in-stream

Quality concern in some inshore waters

All areas in Killary Harbour from Rusheen Point to Rossroe Quay are currently classified for the production of Live Bivalve Molluscs. Photo Gillian Mills

o Clare again tops the water quality league in the annual national review of shellfish waters, and counties Mayo and Galway once again traded places as two of the most important counties for shellfish production. Cork and Donegal are the largest producers with the rebels beating their northern neighbours in the clean waters stakes. But a reduction in quality in bays with waste water treatment plants built nearby in the last decade “was most surprising,” remarked Richie Flynn, Irish Shellfish Association spokesman. “The reasons for this are complex but could be ageing

equipment, lack of training and poor management of treatment plants, he said. The national annual review of shellfish waters classification is a major part of IFA Aquaculture’s work on behalf of 250 small and medium sized mainly familybased companies producing oysters and mussels around the coast.

Annual inspection

Each year the Association works with four national agencies: BIM, Marine Institute, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Sea Fisheries protection Authority to assess, investigate and make crucial decisions on shellfish waters

classification which can have potentially very severe or beneficial impacts on producers incomes. IFA uses this informal league table approach to highlight problems for growers to contact their local authority and now also to deal with Irish water and the EPA. Bays are classed according to EU regulations as A, B or C and attainment of these credentials dictate whether a shellfish producer can sell directly to the market (A), or through a processor (B) or must relay their product in clean waters for a period before consumption (C). “Consumer safety is our number one priority and the reputation of quality Irish shellfish is linked directly to how clean our waters are”, Richie Flynn said. Irish farmed shellfish is currently in huge demand with markets in Asia and America opening up to fresh live oysters which are specially sent by air to highend hotels and restaurants. A full list of all bays with maps showing area covered and sampling points is available on the website of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority: http://www.sfpa. ie/SeafoodSafety/Shellfish/ ClassifiedAreas.aspx

structures (such as repairs to weirs, insertion of deflectors, rubble mats, random boulders); river bank protection; fencing to restrict livestock access to the river; tree pruning along with the removal and control of exotic invasive species. These works will contribute towards the rejuvenation of Ireland’s wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout stocks with a view to opening further rivers in the coming years, to facilitate angling and commercial fishing activities. The works are seen as an important initiative to conserve, develop and protect the country’s valuable natural resources. “The Salmon Conservation Fund is an annual fund open to contributors to the scheme and I would encourage all those interested in the promotion of our wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout fisheries to consider suitable projects for consideration under the fund for 2015 and beyond.” Full details of the Salmon Conservation Fund can be obtained on the Inland Fisheries Ireland website at: http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/SalmonManagement/salmon-conservation-fund.html

inshore ireland August/September 2014

YOURVIEW King’s Island, Limerick – a disaster waiting to happen again Dr Martin Kay

n 1 February 2014, a combination of adverse weather effects flooded the lower levels of King’s Island. Only one life was lost, thank God but one life too many – an elderly lady, whom we suppose died from shock at having to be rescued from her home by boat. But I argue that geography, climate change and failures within the public system were the real cause. Limerick City sits astride the most dangerous river in Ireland. Even 56 miles inland, it is tidal. The River Shannon is oriented to the prevailing weather and it pursues different courses through the urban zone. Upstream it drains the heart of Ireland, down through the City from as far away as Co Fermanagh. And there is a hydro-electric power station, just two kilometres upstream, capable of releasing up to 400m3 of water per second without notice. Some knowledgeable local people maintain that the design of an inappropriate marina, constructed in 2,000 and unprotected by an upstream lock, has made things worse. There are other Irish, coastal locations where risk profiles give rise to similar concern. It is the question of a combination of adverse factors that is the key indicator to grasp. The weather forecast for Saturday 1 February was poor; 16mm of rain had fallen in the previous 24 hours, accompanied by moderate winds. On that fateful Saturday however, both the rainfall and wind strength almost doubled. Perhaps more significantly, the previous month’s rainfall just 100km further upstream was 25% greater than the same month last year – and 200km further upstream, it was 33% greater than the same month last year. Ireland was very wet - wetter than normal – and there was only one course this torrent of water could flow…. Without warning and within 30 minutes, the combination of the highest ever Spring Tide at Limerick (7.5m), a sustained 60-knot sou’westerly, a following surge of water

coming up from the Estuary (a ‘bore’ wave), and a greater than normal volume of water coming down the River collectively served to rapidly submerge large parts of King’s Island. It is not yet in the public domain what volume of water the power station may have contributed. Following the event, local residents prepared reports that critically analysed events at the time of the flood and since, from the perspectives of flood defences, responses and compensation. A review of their mounting conclusions and recommendations was made available to the climate change debate at this year’s MacGill Summer School – and is available at www. magillsummerschool.com In brief, the first report (25 February) explained that in Limerick’s case: Flood response preparation was deficient and not in line with Departmental Guidelines; flood victims had been exposed to public health dangers and left to cope without specialist support; decontamination was similarly left to untrained, poorly equipped residents to deal with; the insurance response was haphazard and needed to be gripped urgently; and a strategic approach to the question of the affected housing stock was needed, rather than a policy of patching up decided by some unknown local decision-making process. The second report (10 April) called for: An early meeting with the residents to explain the post-flood plan; participation in that meeting from local government, the insurance

industry and from organisations controlling the flow of financial aid; a working group to be set up, controlled by the DoECLG; a communication plan for the affected area; and an urgent review of flood response preparedness. But all we got was silence. And sandbags. We pointed out in February that the ring of sandbags would be psychologically unhelpful in this most deprived area of Limerick and, most worryingly, weaken the existing defensive wall on which they had been placed. And within a few months, residents were petitioning the Council to take the sandbags down… One section of perimeter wall had collapsed, too. A repair was undertaken and, as far as can be seen, rubble dumped in the adjacent River – without consultation, it seems, with Waterways Ireland or the National Parks and Wildlife Service. And then, without comment or explanation, they took the sandbags away from the lowest part of the perimeter wall where locals insist that most of the flooding came in on 1 February. All we could do in response was to place a series of detailed questions on the public record, to show that critical opinion within communities at risk has at least noticed and was still waiting for answers. How vulnerable do you feel in your coastal location? How willing are you to ask difficult questions? And if you live in an exposed low-lying area, are you really not at risk?

The picture shows St Ita’s Street a few hours after the flood hit. On nearby Athlunkard Street, one resident reports that the water reached 9 inches above her kitchen door handle – which is about the level of the nose of Ger Hogan’s horse.

The dreary, depressing, deteriorating state of the inside face of the defensive sandbag wall.

Inshore Ireland invited Limerick County Council to respond to the following questions but did not receive a reply: »» What calculations have been carried out on the possibility of repeat flooding and the height of flood defences required around the lower levels of King’s Island? Which agencies have participated in that process? »» Were regeneration funds used for any part of the costs incurred when installing perimeter sandbags at King’s Island when removing those at Verdant Place, when repairing the collapsed perimeter pathway beside the Abbey River, and when installing the armoured defences at the collapsed section? What proportion was used and with what consequences for existing riverside regeneration programmes »» What calculations were undertaken with respect to the current state, integrity and safety of the wall at Verdant Place – that is, after supporting the weight of large sandbag defences for 5 months? »» What was the reason for removing the sandbags from that same section of perimeter wall at Verdant Place? Was it concern at the integrity of the wall underneath the sandbags following collapse of a similar section further up the Island Bank? Was it simply a response to a resident petition or was it to improve the sense of amenity and to facilitate access to the River during the summer months? »» By removing the Verdant Place sandbags, is the Council saying that flood water cannot / will not come into King’s Island by that route, or is it saying that the sandbags will be replaced before the winter months? »» Has the fact of a petition by residents for the removal of the Verdant Place sandbags affected the flood insurance available to residents, whether Council tenants or homeowners? »» Is the Council underwriting insurance for the time being – and, if so, from what funds? »» What steps are planned for the restoration and cleaning up of the perimeter pathway amenity around the Island Bank? »» Why was a straight armoured wall not erected along the route of the collapsed perimeter path rather than the threesided rectangle now in place? And is it intended to ‘crop off ’ the irregular top edge to improve appearance? »» What calculations were undertaken, and what discussions completed with Waterways Ireland and the National Parks & Wildlife Service, before waste material from the works at the collapsed perimeter wall was dumped in the Abbey River? »» Is the Abbey River to be dredged and restored to a safe navigable state, or abandoned? If the Abbey is to be abandoned, what are the Council’s plans for opening up the Shannon to through navigation? »» What warnings are being given in the meantime to those planning to navigate along the Abbey River using the information currently published by Waterways Ireland? »» Where can records of calculations and discussions be inspected?

inshore ireland August/September 2014

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

Can we expect a ministerial u-turn to protect the wild Atlantic salmon? Noel Carr, FISSTA

e enter the Autumn with renewed hope for the wild Atlantic salmon in Ireland. The Autumn season in salmon terms is called the ‘back end’ salmon run period. It is a time when the more important part of the wild Atlantic salmon numbers arrive from the far North Atlantic to take up tenure in the main spawning or natal rivers of Ireland. Thankfully, for our federation, they still arrive albeit in reduced numbers. For that, we acknowledge the efforts of our FISSTA colleagues in the Atlantic Salmon Federation and North Atlantic Salmon Fund in brokering the Greenland and Faroes buyout agreements over the years. This has made a huge contribution to both North American and European natal rivers. The general overview for wild Atlantic salmon in Ireland is, as always, hopeful, but we are at a very low base with much to be done as 80 of our 143 rivers are below

conservation level and still closed to taking fish. The recovery process this season seems a little more encouraging as we record some small improvements taking place, despite the usual threats to the species that State management could resolve if the will was there. The lifting of restrictions on commercial draft net fishing into August proves we are still not managing this valuable salmon resource properly. There are many examples of how the conservation system needs to be improved on rivers with dwindling fish numbers. One is Donegal’s River Eany where a 1,000 salmon surplus in the not too distant past has all but collapsed to a mere 200 fish. Despite this decline, the Eany is still allocated ten draft net licences to carve up a dozen or so salmon each while most local and visitor rod licensed anglers are denied their right to take even one fish for the pot! Sadly, the migrating smolts into Inver Bay from this river have to run the sea lice infested gauntlet of a myriad of salmon farm cages where Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) calculates that a massive

39% will never return. Last year, the Independent Standing Scientific Committee for Salmon (SSCE) assessed 143 of the IFI rivers and advised that for the 2014 season: • 57 rivers were to open • 30 rivers have been classified as open for angling on a ‘catch and release’ basis only • 56 rivers are closed, as they have no surplus of fish in them available for harvest The conservation system in operation has caused great controversy as the closures impact greatly on local economies. Many fear for the wild salmon habitat if the ‘Coveney ten fish farm plan’ gets approval. The first of these will be decided on shortly in the iconic Galway Bay, close to Inis Oírr. Following the recent ministerial reshuffle, we now have a new Minister of State with responsibility for natural resources, Joe McHugh TD, to defend the very wild Atlantic salmon against the ‘Coveney ten salmon farm plan’ he previously worked so hard to develop. He has been like Simon Coveney, a most amenable

The salmon leap falls on the angling waters of the Sliabh a’ Liag club in Donegal. public representative who listened intently to our case and then decided that our salmon species, our sport and angling tourism business can be sacrificed for the greater good of salmon farming that favours foreign investors. Now that Minister of State McHugh is charged with the protection of our wild salmon resource, the question is: Will he do a complete U-turn to protect our species on behalf of the Irish people or, will he retain his policy of salmon farming development in contravention of his brief? His appointment may turn out to be an inspired choice

by An Taoiseach. Sadly however, it was greeted with outrage by a small group of Gaeiligoiri protesters. Having met him recently in Gleann Cholm Cille, I can verify that he has already made great progress learning to speak fluent Irish, but the question is will he be able to speak our salmon language and deliver the changes we need to keep angling’s €1billion industry alive and thriving in Ireland by the time he heads to the polls in 2016? If he correctly maps this course, FISSTA and many others will wish him a fair wind.

Sea change – building a new maritime safety culture Norman Kean, Editor, Irish Cruising Club Sailing Directions; Co-author, Cruising Ireland

‘

Majority of maritime casualties relate to recreational craft’ (Inshore Ireland, July 2014). The headline was based on the DTTAS figures quoted in their new - and welcome safety initiative. But how did they arrive at 66 fatalities out of 134 in 11 years (49%) being on leisure craft, and how does that affect the response? The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) reports list 42 incidents involving craft other than licensed commercial or fishing vessels. These incidents resulted in 51 deaths most of which (28, 55%) occurred when the purpose was not recreational boating per se.

Twenty-two people lost their lives while out fishing; five while ferrying or as passengers, and one on a hunting trip by boat. The remaining 23 comprised eight kayakers, three jet-skiers, five sailing and seven powerboating, each activity being carried out for its own sake. There is circumstantial evidence to suggest that of the 22 ‘recreational’ fishing casualties, 10 may have actually been out for commercial purposes. The same applies to two of the ‘passenger’ category. Sixteen casualties, including the eight kayakers, lost their lives in rivers or lakes, and 35 in tidal water. Sixteen of the 51 deaths occurred between November and April - not a time of year normally associated with recreational boating. Perhaps the most telling statistic is that in 32 cases,

lifejackets were inaccessible, faulty or badly adjusted, or not worn when they clearly should have been. This, and much else described in the MCIB reports, betrays a disturbing recklessness and lack of awareness. Perhaps two responses are appropriate. The first is to enforce the existing lifejacket law. As the RNLI aptly says: ‘Useless Unless Worn.’ Secondly, we must have a programme of education, involving but not confined to schools, to teach skills in dealing with water and waterborne activities. This must include a focus on those going out fishing, to impress upon them that they are actually also going out boating, and that requires skills of its own; and it must emphasise the importance of lifejackets. Education trumps regulation: we do not need any more laws.

But where did the DTTAS get 66 leisure-craft-related deaths? They used Coast Guard reports to add in fatalities from diving and surfing accidents, not within the MCIB’s remit. No less tragic and unnecessary - but in different pursuits entirely and requiring

significantly different responses. Diving accidents have nothing to do with the boats, and surfboards aren’t boats. Why not go the whole hog and include swimmers? Is this an attempt to unfairly brand leisure boating as unacceptably dangerous?

Fishing trip in a currach off west Mayo, 2011. Six people, no lifejackets worn. And is this really a “recreational craft”, or could it possibly be a commercial sea-angling trip? Photo Geraldine Hennigan

inshore ireland August/September 2014

YOURVIEW

Seal culling is unsupported by science and society

Seals in Clew Bay Johnny Woodlock, Brendan Price

he Irish Seal Sanctuary is calling on government to ban tangle Nets within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone to protect marine heritage, biodiversity and sustainable fisheries. The Irish Seal Sanctuary has relied on the support of inshore fishermen since its foundation. Without their support our work would not survive. A cull is

simply not on the cards, and it is unsupported by science and the Irish public. In our efforts to assist the industry, we work with the Marine Institute Seal Depredation Group and fishery stakeholders to resolve conflict. Seals eat fish! Nobody doubts for a moment that seals are taking fish from nets. It makes sense for them to do this, after all why chase fish when dead ones are hanging in nets, sometimes for days. The fact that fish stocks have been at an all-time low up to recently cannot be blamed on the minimal impact of seals.

How do we know this?

Seals, fishermen and fish have co-existed for millions of years. Predator numbers are governed by the availability of their prey. This leads to an obvious question and anomaly? How have seal numbers increased if fish stocks are low? Seal-cull calls were being made before the numbers were even estimated. We believe some fishing practices have made fish easily available to seals by the methods employed. Internationally, it is well established that set nets near

Young seal caught in a tangle net seal colonies are the hardest hit yet operators resist advice from BIM and Marine Institute to reduce soak time of these nets. Some may be in place for days, and then fishermen feign shock that seals have damaged their catch. Likely so have crabs and other marine scavengers.

Seals are visible, so they should be shot! We think not! As to the legal position.

Marine mammals are protected under national and international law. Ireland has signed up to international agreements and is required to monitor seal populations and ‘conservation status. Some of the fishing methods hardest hit by seal depredation are tangle nets which are used around the coast primarily to catch Crawfish. Tangle nets pose a risk to protected seals and to many other protected marine species. While

Public water fluoridation in Ireland 2014 Owen Boyden Coordinator West Cork Fluoride Free Campaign & Fluoride Free Towns Project

reland is the only country within the EU to mandate a national public water fluoridation policy which legally obliges all County and City Councils to dose public water with hydrofluorosilicic acid, commonly known as fluoride. Many other European countries at one time would have had similar policies but ceased the practice due to serious health or environmental concerns. Fluoride was banned by the EU as a biocidal product in 2006; was classified as an endocrine disruptor by the US Government National Research Council also in 2006, and listed as a neurotoxin by the medical

journal, The Lancet in 2010. The European Food Safety Authority has also raised concerns stating systemic fluoride ingestion causes dental and bone fluorosis at an undetectable threshold. Reputable authorities around the world have also linked fluoride to skin irritations; mouth ulcers; headaches; stomach upset; irritable bowel syndrome; bone fractures; osteoporosis; bone cancer and genetic damage. Many of these illnesses were raised by opposition parties here in 2010, and yet today while in power they turn a blind eye to the practice.

Impact truth

Public water fluoridation is carried out to prevent dental decay and in Ireland the organisation responsible for advising Government is the Irish Expert Body which maintains it continually monitors new and emerging information on public water fluoridation. Many questions however hang

over the way this group assesses the true impacts of public water fluoridation. The mantra that fluoride is safe and effective at the optimal dose is a misnomer, especially when one considers that the level of fluoride added to public water was reduced in 2007 from 0.8-1 ppm to between 0.6 -0 .8 ppm. The reduction was obviously carried out due to concerns; however a layman would be left wondering what difference to adverse risk posed by ingesting this poisonous substance would be brought about by such a small change. Public water fluoridation also breaches Irish and European commercial law. Listed on the FSAI (Food Safety Authority of Ireland) website, EU Directive 2000/13/EC. Article 2, 1 (b) states: ‘The labelling and methods used must not: subject to Community provisions applicable to natural mineral waters and foodstuffs for particular nutritional uses,

attribute to any foodstuff the property of preventing, treating or curing a human disease, or refer to such properties.’ Article 3 of the same Directive also mandates that all ingredients and their quantities be listed on product labeling.

Labelling required

The WHO (World Health Organisation) also states that the presence and quantity of fluoride should be marked on food and drink products to allow all persons assess their daily intake for which an UL (Upper Limit) is from 0.01mg to 0.05mg per kilo live weight per day as recommended by the WHO and others. Authorities in the US also advise the public not to use fluoridated water for making up baby formula milk, and despite Irish authorities dosing public water supplies the same as their US counterparts, no such public warnings are given by either the FSAI or the Department of Health.

The CDC (US Centre for Disease Control) which is one of the biggest promoters of fluoride worldwide, in addition to SCHER (The European Scientific Committee for Health and Environmental Research) has publicly acknowledged that the effects of fluoride in the prevention of dental decay is due to topical application as opposed to systemic ingestion. The EFSA also states no known fluoride deficiency is known to exist in human beings. So while every other European country maintains the opposite position to this outdated and dangerous public health policy, we in Ireland currently maintain the policy as ‘a major plank of public health policy’. Using the public water supply to involuntarily and indiscriminately medicate the entire Irish population violates legally-binding UN and European human rights for which the Irish State is a party.

inshore ireland August/September 2014

Ireland is obliged to monitor the ‘conservation status’ of these animals, the fishing industry refuses to disclose the numbers killed as by-catch. Seals get caught in tangle nets by accident but we have no idea how many each year. The public are collecting this essential data for the ISS Dead Seal Database. A recent onboard observer study using set nets over 91 days at sea record 68 dead seals; 6 whales, dolphins and porpoises; 114 protected fish species, including critically endangered Common Skate and Spurdog, 5 birds and an ocean sunfish. This study (check the BIM website www.bim.ie) states that seal by-catch was particularly prevalent in tangle net fisheries. Co-incidentally, the price for Irish Crawfish has crashed in France undercut by imports from West Africa.

DAFM responds

esponsibility for the wild seal population rests with Department of Arts, Heritage and the

Gaeltacht. The European Commission (EC) Habitats Directive requires maintenance of seal populations on a long-term basis as viable components of their natural habitats. As required under EC regulation 812/2004, BIM and the Marine Institute work with the Irish fishing Industry to monitor incidental catches of protected species in fishing nets. Since 2005, an annual report on the results of this monitoring has been submitted to the EC and the International Council for Exploration of the Sea which scientifically assesses and publicly reports

the impacts of such catches at population level. The MI is currently conducting a risk assessment on the impacts of fisheries on protected species in Irish waters in line with requirements under the EC Habitats Directive. Recent population surveys carried out by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht suggest that seal populations are increasing in Irish waters. Ireland’s current grey seal population numbers approximately 7,824 – 9,365 animals of all ages compared to 5,509 – 7,083 in 2005 while recent surveys of the harbour seal resulted in counts exceeding the 2003 figures by 18%. A report produced by BIM in 2013 on interactions between seals and set net fisheries has shown that the economic impact of seal damage to fishermen’s catches has increased substantially since the 1990s. Seal mortalities due to entanglement in fishing nets was identified as an issue primarily in a tangle net fishery targeting crawfish off the mid-west coast.

Following a detailed analysis of factors affecting interactions, the report highlighted a number of measures which have potential to reduce both seal mortalities and damage to catches. These include: • Smart fishing techniques such as deployment of gear for short periods and working gear in relation to changes in tidal currents are essential to reduce depredation in inshore waters. • Faster hauling speeds could reduce depredation and a variety of operational practices can be examined in this regard. • Systems which actively deter seals from the vicinity of vessels such as acoustic deterrents have strong potential to further mitigate seal depredation in deep set net fisheries. The BIM report can be accessed online at www.bim.ie/our-publications/fisheries/

The welfare of whales in Irish waters Paul Kiernan, Welfare Officer IWDG

f the greatness of a nation and its moral progress really can be judged by the way its animals are treated, how do we, in Ireland, compare to other nations and to what do we aspire? In the main, the welfare of our companion animals can be judged to be quite high. Similarly, the welfare standards of our farm animals are among the highest in the developed world - a valuable marketing tool not overlooked by Ireland’s agri-food sector. But, there is much to be done to protect and improve the welfare of many of our wild animal species. Nowhere has this been more evident than at Ballyness, Falcarragh, Co Donegal, during the stranding of 13 Pilot whales, all of which eventually died.

Complex science

Animal welfare is a relatively new and complex biological science that draws from a great number of extraordinarily specialised scientific disciplines. It is therefore quite remarkable how quickly and completely it has been embraced by the masses, scientist and nonscientist alike. A key driver behind this welfare revolution is the recognition of sentience in non-human animals.

Sentience refers to the ability to experience sensations and emotions such as pleasure, happiness, fear and distress, to feel pain and suffering, and to experience a state of well-being. The recognition of sentience in animals and the associated moral and ethical obligation to avoid unnecessary pain, suffering and distress forms the basis of the animal welfare ethic. Human beings are capable of extraordinary compassion towards animals, particularly animals in distress. This has been graphically demonstrated during recent cetacean (whales, dolphins and porpoises) live-strandings which have occurred along the Irish coastline. The stranding of a 12-metre Fin whale at Baltimore Harbour, Co Cork in August 2012 generated unprecedented attention from the public, and local and national media. Many of those who witnessed this event had not experienced such a level of animal suffering before, and the call for intervention from the public and the media was overwhelming. But we were entirely unprepared for such a complex event and this resulted in extraordinary suffering and an unacceptable time-to-death for a terminally ill whale.

Inadequate response

There was much discussion in the aftermath of the Baltimore stranding, but in truth little was actually done

to better prepare for the ‘next time’. This was brought to light in July of this year at Falcarragh, Co Donegal. The response was again massively inadequate and as a direct result, all 13 whales endured unacceptable levels of suffering over many days, before eventually expiring. The event highlighted a total disconnect between the authorities, those with the knowledge and experience of these events, and the concerned public. The backlash from the media and the public was again understandably unrestrained. Live-strandings of cetaceans are becoming more common and there is no doubt there will be further strandings along the Irish coast in the future. To respond effectively to save the lives of viable animals, and to prevent prolonged suffering and distress in non-viable animals, will require a live-stranding response network that is fit for purpose. This service must be coordinated by the competent authority for wildlife in Ireland. Due to the unpredictable nature of live-strandings however, the effectiveness of this network will be determined by the availability and cooperation of trained volunteers. People willing to dedicate their time and effort for no greater motive than humane concern for an animal in distress. If we can build a network of volunteers capable and

Simon Berrow, IWDG, talks to students at a live-stranding course, Falcarragh, Co Donegal. willing to respond to a stranded cetacean then we can greatly improve the welfare outcome for many of these compromised animals.

Stakeholder cooperation

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has committed to cooperating with all stakeholders to resolve the inadequacies of our live-stranding response and to provide a better, more effective programme that will ensure improved welfare outcomes for all stranded cetaceans. The IWDG recently published a Cetacean Welfare Policy that provides basic guidelines and recommendations for live-strandings, including refloatation and euthanasia. These guidelines can be expanded and adapted for use by trained responders as part of an improved response programme. The IWDG can also provide training in the assessment of live-stranded cetaceans, as well as refloatation techniques and the use of floatation equipment.

Without the assistance and cooperation of the competent authorities however, the IWDG cannot provide this service on its own. It will require a level of personnel and resource provision that is currently beyond the capabilities of the group. If the greatness of a nation and its moral progress really can be judged by the way its animals are treated, and we aspire to be placed high on this list, then we must protect and promote the highest welfare standards for all our animals, including our wild animals. Failing to address the issue of cetacean live-strandings by denying responsibility for these events will undoubtedly lead to further animal suffering and death. We have a responsibility to do all that is within our power to protect these animals. The first step is to recognise and accept this responsibility. For further information on cetaceans in Ireland and for a copy of the IWDG Welfare Policy Document please log on to www.iwdg.ie and join to support and contribute to the work of the IWDG.

10 inshore ireland August/September 2014

YOURVIEW

Is one of the last outposts of wild Atlantic salmon in terminal decline?

Finlough, one of the Delphi lakes in Connemara, offers salmon fishing throughout the whole season. marine phase of their lifecycle is the main driver behind the decline in adult numbers of Atlantic salmon returning to the Irish coast. (A smolt is a juvenile salmon that leaves their native river to feed at sea before returning as an adult to its native river). In the past, smolt survival from Irish rivers was estimated to be between 8 % - 15%. In some cases, research indicated that survival was as high as 20%. Research is now indicating however that this has dropped to between 1%- 8% and it is not fully understood what is causing this decline. Climatic and oceanic temperature changes coupled with changes in food availability are possibly the main drivers. Juvenile populations of salmon in most Irish rivers are healthy. What is happening to salmon smolts when they leave Irish rivers – that is the question.

Francis O’Donnell IFPO

n 2006, Ireland imposed the controversial ban on drift netting for Atlantic salmon. At that time it was considered that the Irish driftnet fishery was exploiting mixed stocks, in other words salmon that were destined for other European rivers. It was thought the ban would help to rebuild the dwindling salmon stocks in many of the rivers in the British Isles, especially here in Ireland. In some fisheries, salmon numbers have remained quite steady, and in other cases, returning numbers of adults have improved. The overall pattern however is different. Unfortunately, rivers all over Ireland are experiencing a serious decline in the numbers of returning adult salmon.

Habitat restoration

Even if we eventually get the true picture it may be beyond our control to affect any real change. This is not to say we cannot or should not do more in terms of

Low level marine survival

Experts are now saying that the drop in survival of salmon smolts during the

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controversial article in a prestigious science journal that accuses the Marine Institute of ‘incorrectly’ concluding that sea lice play a minor role in the survival of wild salmon, has been downgraded significantly by its publishers who have also apologised to the agency for denying it a right of reply prior to publication. This is the latest twist in what has been a highly charged debate involving some of Ireland’s environmental State Agencies

as well as the scientific community here and abroad. First published in August 2013 in the respected Journal of Fish Diseases, the article, written by a team of scientists led by Dr Martin Krkošek of the University of Toronto alleges that based on its own research, the Marine Institute incorrectly concluded ‘that sea lice play a minor, perhaps even negligible, role in salmon survival’. Krkošek further states that such a conclusion can be supported ‘only if one is prepared to accept at least three fundamental methodological errors’. And he claims that his team’s ‘re-analyses’ of the same data ‘departs substantially from those reported and interpreted’ by the Marine Institute.

rural be issued to to licences” might island communities and coastal and fishing practices. Rural Coastal is ds Sustainable which facilitate traditional also recommen EU t policy Island Communities The report e projects governmen ‘Whereas they assert that sea lice for publication, rejected food safety, sampling,control. as a ‘Short Communication’, calling for the survival of that aquacultur s should be cause 1% of mortality in Atlantic outright, or returned to audits and fisheries the Krkošek article has been is the submission to focus on and island for fin-fish adherence to the d fishing on a salmon, the correct estimate is the author for re-published by the same when making tteefurther l rural coastales by promoting licensed on inshore fishery, subcommi or amendment.“Unlicense environmenta actually a one-third loss of overall journal - but this time it to a jointclarification norm in the risks and communiti of activities. e, world’s ‘highest for structures March 2013,” Mills and adult recruitment,’ he writes. Gillianhas the Journal posing market been re-classified, and fisheries inSignificantly, , CEO and diverse range that aquacultur standards’ in place to allow ‘We acknowledge that few smolts of Fish Diseases notes that biological instabilitymarket effectively downgraded to Francis O’Donnell Producers It contends sea Fish to be put local ownership. black chair If survive to return in any wild salmon ‘Comments not subject the status a ‘Comment’. of the Irish former a significant Irishofinshore inshore fishing, tourism andare maximum by the The has developed. on the population and that recent declines to theonsameInshore level ofIreland. peer Such a is re-classification Organisati economy angling, marine Issues identified about tacklingto told fishery initiatives ittee are listed in the survival of Irish Atlantic review as Original Articles is highly significant collapsein the of the FIF we are serious Ireland needs and seaweed to vibrant sub-Comm basis, subbrink ofworld eD salmon cannot be solely explained and Review Papers.’ scientific this problem,robust long-term to a lack due to the could contribute areas. areas, on a thematic esourc due three island and into and and by sea lice…… our purpose is The re-classified fact that ‘Comments’ are notunDer-r to this Krkošek put real nt plans in place coastal policy sectioned recommendations suggests that far speaking the the of proper Alsoarticle to highlight that parasites can hasDixon a ‘Noteoffrom subjected to theasso-called manageme by species basis.” The report, support n. Going and specific Eamon stating BIMwhere paper,Publisher’ each section: and, in this case, do have a large regulatio that’s ‘due to on a species peerthe review process pg 13) 1990s, Island ‘proactive government Fishermen follow for and sensible as protocols interview ensure » Rural Coastal and effect on fisheries recruitment… backstrict procedural Dronly Jackson areof observed. Erris aInshore it was (see full with proportionate a number saiderror ies: a sociocontrols’ could that with important implications for produced [the senior scientist at the Foroutlying the resultsinofclear a Association years Communit co-exist. bureaucratic can l anD last two profile to dealto the management and conservation reports Marine Institute whose team scientific investigation in the coasta report es Protection economic such activitiesmust urgently develop pathways 12 terms, Those of wild salmon stocks.’ Krkošek(SFPA) refers to]has wasbeen not given be published in a credible the Sea-fisheri islanD Dixon’s comments ‘Government structure grounded » page this issue. thethis gathered with Authority the opportunity to reply to scientific journal, it must Eamon publication a management for inshore fisheries. s have to address positionbefore blueprint by was published.’ follow the recent first pass ainterim, rigorous in obstacle ARTICLE heitcautions in reliable dataexplore how “heritage in in aCommentBut compiled in the dust problems. ittee course of assessment by a RECLASSIFICATION the decline level of of a report For instance, with as Sub-comm of the tandem that the current panel of experts employed Now however, just four the Joint potential Promoting not a deterrent fisheries. control is is under-resourced, to check lobster for accuracy. months after it first appeared economic on Fisheries: and crab the agency The paper is theofn Irish accepted in the Journal of Fish Diseases page 7 areas to» cover: others “The Federation with too many (FIF) and Fishermen this point clear have made

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Official protection

Inland Fisheries Protection Officers and Inspectors doing an excellent job with what little resources are available to them to protect returning salmon and sea trout. They should be given as much support as possible. These resources belong to local communities. Protection Officers ensure those same resources are available for all to sustainably exploit. Everybody benefits economically from healthy salmon rivers. In 1969 Anthony Netboy published one of his many books: The Atlantic Salmon, A vanishing Species. The book discusses in depth the many challenges facing Atlantic salmon - ranging from over exploitation at sea; obstructions to the upstream and downstream migration of the species, and critically, in-stream habitat destruction. The industrial revolution was certainly a catalyst that led to the extinction of Atlantic salmon in many of the larger European rivers. On the east coast of America, many rivers suffered the same fate, beginning with the steeping of hemp and flax which is poisonous to

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in-stream habitat restoration and to protect adults when they return to their native rivers to spawn. This would certainly improve the smolt output from most Irish rivers. It has to be acknowledged that many salmon rivers in Ireland are subjected to high levels of organised poaching, often going unheeded. This has certainly frustrated those who relied on drift netting before the driftnet ban of 2006 commenced. Driftnet fishermen now see others taking salmon illegally from rivers while they are prohibited from exploiting what was once a very important income stream for them. This is a legitimate argument, and one many wish to ignore. We need to be very clear why, and more importantly, for whom we are protecting salmon. To our shame, Ireland has never been a leader in terms of wildlife conservation. Salmon conservation is unfortunately low on the list of government priorities at present.

Photo Gillian Mills

salmonids and most other freshwater fish species. This was followed by high levels of pollution as America progressed economically and headed towards the end of the nineteenth century. Most of those rivers have never recovered. The east coast of America was a stronghold for Atlantic salmon before industrialisation. References to the steeping of hemp or flax are recorded in the Dáil Éireann records of 1944, Volume 92 - 02 March (Fisheries Amendment Bill). Activity which was detrimental to salmonids was well understood in Ireland by then. In 1929, the first turbines were commissioned on the river Shannon to harness electricity at Ardnacrusha. This was followed in 1945 by the River Erne HydroElectric Scheme Approval Order that enabled power to be harnessed on the river Erne. Two of Ireland’s best salmon fisheries, the Shannon and Erne, went into serious decline post the construction of a number of dams. Both fisheries are subject to annual restocking programmes. Economic development took precedence. Lessons can and should be learned from this. Atlantic Salmon have been declining for the last two hundred years. In many cases they are now locally extinct and most of the famous European salmon fisheries are but a distant memory. Ireland is still regarded as a stronghold for this species – but that is changing. The marine survival phase poses many challenges for researchers, the unknowns as such. There are the knowns however. Habitat destruction, pollution, predator management, and organised poaching, all of which we can act upon. France, Germany, Spain and the east coast of America would give anything to have what we have. But are we in danger of following in their footsteps?

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inshore ireland August/September 2014 11

FISHERIES

Greystones fishermen protest at harbour exclusion By Pauric Gallagher

ocal fishermen staged a protest at Greystones Harbour, Co Wicklow last month to highlight how despite written agreements and assurances from the developer SISK and Wicklow County Council, commercial fishermen of Greystones have

We are fed up waiting for facilities that were promised when the old harbour was closed around 2007 been refused access to the harbour as well as promised moorings. The redeveloped harbour was opened in 2012 after major renovations. The fishermen were also protesting against the terms of draft harbour by-laws published by Wicklow County Council covering commercial fishing. Some of the clauses are so restrictive they would effectively prevent commercial fishermen from carrying on business in the harbour.

Boat park, not harbour

The only rights fishing crews would have under the by-laws would be to moor their boats. No storage facilities, no bait, and no sales are permitted. For fishermen, the harbour would be only a boat park and not a normal harbour where buyers can come direct to fishing boats to negotiate and buy fish. One of the protesting fishermen, Ivan Toole, who skippers the 10 metre catamaran

Golden Venture told Inshore Ireland that fishermen have entered the harbour and landed freshly caught fish against regulations. “Only two weeks ago mooring cleats were removed from the harbour’s north pier in order to prevent boats tying up there. Five generations of my family have fished from Greystones and I believe it’s time Wicklow County Council should do what they promised us at the start. Provide us with an area to tie up and to land our catch and store our gear.” He added that fishermen wanted to return to Greystones after seven years of exclusion. “We are fed up waiting for facilities that were promised when the old harbour was closed around 2007.” Draft by-laws, which the fishermen do not support, propose to limit their use of the harbour by banning lobster pots and related equipment from the area. If passed, the laws will also ban the cleaning of fish within the precincts of the harbour, the storing of any fishing equipment and the sale of fish to the public. “Until we are permitted under harbour regulations, we will continue to fish and land fish here as a protest against our exclusion”, Ivan Toole said.

Wicklow Co Co responds

Speaking to Inshore Ireland, Seán Quirke, Director of Services Transportation and Roads Infrastructure / Special Projects at Wicklow County Council explained that Greystones harbour is operated under a public private partnership. “The fishermen were told that once workmen returned from their holidays they would be able to use the north quay to land their catch and that a gate would be installed in the fence surrounding much of the harbour so there would be land access to remove their catch. That gate has now been installed.” “There is another issue in that we don’t want to commence the operation until such time as we have by-laws in place to control the operation. These are due for consideration by the Council on September 8, so that should resolve the issue.”

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12 inshore ireland August/September 2014

MarinA Infrastructure

Is official Ireland ready to support the potential of marina development? Norman Kean Editor, Irish Cruising Club Sailing Directions; Co-author Cruising Ireland

he launch of ‘the Blueway’ in June, described by Fáilte Ireland as a ‘new perspective on Ireland’s magnificent wild Atlantic coastline’ is a pilot progamme to encourage visitors to engage with the sea in counties Mayo and Galway. While cruising to and around Ireland is not a priority of ‘the Blueway’ Mary Stack , Experience Development officer with Fáilte Ireland told Inshore Ireland that the agency had begun research in the British, French and domestic markets to determine visitor potential and barriers to sailing in the Republic of Ireland. “This research will provide an insightsled approach to the future development and promotion of the sector,” she said. A very welcome initiative, and not before time. Marina development planning in Ireland has all too often been a sorry tale of a haphazard and blundering waste of effort and money, parish-pump politics and a lack of joinedup thinking. Dotted here and there are shining examples of dogged persistence in the face of bureaucracy. As a key part of the sailing scene, marinas are a bit like the proverbial graceful swan – outward appearances are serene, but under the surface, the legs are paddling hard. Economic activity is quiet but intense. Up-to-date financial

The marina business in Ireland shows a large involvement by clubs and the public sector. Of the 23 marinas in Ireland with over 50 berths, four are owned by yacht clubs, and 12 by local and port authorities. In Scotland, all the larger marinas are in the private sector. The difference has a significant impact on pricing. The average price of an annual berth in Ireland is €315 per metre in privately owned marinas; €172 per metre in club or publicly owned ones. numbers are currently lacking, but we may not have long to wait for a new report. A recent Reed’s Marina Guide included advertising from 43 different types of business: riggers, taxis, sailmakers, pubs, banks, haulage contractors and 37 more. The skippers of three foreign-flagged visiting yachts were recently interviewed in an Irish marina. One of them had had his boat entirely re-rigged during his stay. Another crew had rented cars and spent a fortnight touring the country. Between the three boats, total spend amounted to €20,000. This is probably not typical, but nevertheless the average spend from cruising yachts has been estimated at a hefty €120 per person per day.

‘Bread and butter’ foundation

Fáilte Ireland tends, not surprisingly, to focus first on visitor berth-nights; however the bread-andbutter of marinas are resident

Greystones Harbour Marina, Ireland’s newest, opened in April, 2013. Operated by BJ Marine. Currently 80 berths, 60 of them now taken up full-time (Geraldine Hennigan) berthholders. They rent their berths for a year at a time, and provide typically 90% of a marina’s revenue. Much of that may be earned from overseas, but a strong home market is the foundation of the business. Dingle’s former Harbourmaster, Brian Farrell, calls the marina there “as much an advantage to the town as to the sailing community.” In the heart of the town, it provides walks and viewpoints. Tourists get off the bus and head straight for it. New businesses – restaurant, chandlery – have set up. “The marina even enhances the quality of passenger boat and dolphinwatching trips,” he adds. Hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, pubs, shops, transport providers all benefit hugely. Events like the Dún Laoghaire to Dingle and Figaro races bring in more business. Sailing, rowing and kayaking go on all-year-round. Broadcaster Derek Davis,

Rhu marina, in the Firth of Clyde. Independently owned, with 200 berths.

(Mike Balmforth)

referring to Bangor, Co Down, has aptly said that “marinas lift the tone of a place”. At Greystones, where the new marina makes the town a convenient weekend destination for Dublin Bay sailors, restaurants and pubs are seeing a welcome boost to business, and visitors are arriving in their boats from Wales. Three-quarters of Greystones’ berths have already been taken up. And just try to imagine Kinsale without its marinas. Location is all-important. It has been rightly claimed that the marina at Kilmore Quay was the most important development in marine leisure infrastructure in Ireland in 50 years. Although it has only 55 berths, its location near Carnsore Point and its strategic position as a landfall port from England and Wales mean that it receives an impressive 700 visiting yachts each year. Plans already on paper for nearby Dunmore East now

need to be put into effect. Ireland’s marinas offer some tremendous advantages to boat-owners from Great Britain and further afield. Irish marina prices are The average annual rent for a marina berth in Ireland is currently €272 per metre. This is 45% less than at Inverkip in the Firth of Clyde, and a staggering 69% less than at Hamble Point in the Solent. Move a 10-metre boat from the Solent to Ireland and you could save €6000 a year in berthing fees. Ireland should be marketing itself hard as a place to keep a boat — not only because its marinas represent a bargain, the country has some of the most outstanding sailing waters in the world.

Largs Yacht Haven, in the Firth of Clyde. Owned by Yachthavens Ltd, who have eight other marinas in the UK and Holland. At 670 berths the second biggest, and one of the most expensive, in Scotland. (Mike Balmforth)

inshore ireland August/September 2014 13

MarinA Infrastructure down about 10% since 2007. Waiting lists for berths have essentially disappeared, and annual contracts are available in most places. No marinas have gone into receivership, and new ones have been established in both the private and public sectors at Greystones, Monkstown (Cork) and Rossaveal.

‘Blue’ shoots emerging

Overall recreational boat numbers in Ireland (counting all sizes of craft) are estimated to be down by about 40% since the peak in 2008. But after four or five years of stagnation, the first signs of recovery are beginning to show, with a few marinas reporting new enquiries for annual berth leases. ‘Barriers to sailing in Ireland’ include the weather, about which we can do nothing but hope for more summers like 2014. The challenging headlands of the west are literal barriers; however unnecessary administrative ones - more to the point – are the inappropriate Passenger Boat Regulations that make it extremely difficult to operate yacht charter or sail training businesses in Ireland. Standard production boats embody the essentially identical requirements of governments like the French; British; Dutch; Spanish; Italian and Greek. Thus the boats are ready-made for charter work – charter companies are after all the only people who buy them by the dozen. But they don’t come near meeting the requirements of the Irish Maritime Administration. Yachts for Irish

With a population of 6.39 million, the island of Ireland currently has 5,230 marina and pontoon berths available to leisure craft, one berth per 1,220 people. The Republic of Ireland has 3,930 of these berths and Northern Ireland 1,300. For comparison, Scotland has 5.29 million people and 7,900 marina and pontoon berths, one berth per 670 people. commercial use almost need to be custom built, and even then, operating restrictions can be too onerous for a small business to bear. As a result there are only about ten yachts available for charter in Ireland, whereas Scotland has 200. 70% of the customers come from outside Scotland. And as for infrastructure, foreshore licensing in Ireland remains a bureaucratic nightmare - no change there, then.

Scottish model

In general, Scotland provides an easy comparison and in many respects a good model to follow, bearing in mind that while Scotland’s weather is a little bit cooler and windier than Ireland’s, the Hebrides provide shelter to most of its west coast – shelter which the west of Ireland lacks – and almost endless scope for choice in island-hopping. Infrastructure is much better planned and promoted, and proportionate to existing and potential demand.

Locations of marinas in Ireland. Size of dots indicates berth numbers. The way they cluster round large population centres shows how they depend on resident boatowners for their bread and butter.

Dingle, the single most popular port of call for yachts sailing all the way round Ireland. The marina is right in the heart of town and new businesses have sprung up round it (Geraldine Hennigan)

In the Firth of Clyde, Scotland’s most popular sailing area, 950 of the 4,400 boats kept on moorings and marina berths belong to people who travel from their homes outside Scotland to go sailing. The annual value of sailing tourism in Scotland is £101 million (€126m) with 2,700 fulltime-equivalent jobs. When asked why they sail in Scotland, people talk about the scenery and the sailing water. Almost nobody mentions marinas and moorings. But when asked what they’d like to see improve, those facilities are top of the list. Yet Scotland is relatively well-supplied,

compared to Ireland, which goes to show that people take these facilities for granted – they are not in themselves tourist attractions, they’re just part of the basic infrastructure. But if they’re not there, they’ll be missed. And marinas can be a lifeline for rural communities. The village of Sandbank, on the Firth of Clyde, used to build boats; in the 1960s it built three America’s Cup yachts, including (hard as it is to believe now) the first Australian challenger. The US Navy had a submarine base there for 30 years, and when the Americans left in 1991 the boatyards were long gone and

The scope for growth is huge. In 2010 (as reported by John Hearne in this magazine) Ireland had one boat per 157 people. The UK had one per 106; France one per 66 and Sweden one boat for every seven people. It is almost true to say that in Sweden, everybody goes out in boats. And 70% of the Irish population lives within ten miles of the sea. the village was left depressed, run down and shabby. A local businessman leased the pier and the yard and sheds from the UK’s Ministry of Defence, and after facing down the usual barrage of objections, built a marina that now has 200 berths with permission for another 200. The village was transformed. Eleven new businesses sprang up. Twelve jobs at the marina and 50 more in the village were a direct result. Demand for property increased, and Sandbank gained a new vibrancy. Can Ireland take a lesson from all this?

14 inshore ireland August/September 2014

Aquaculture

Is there a future for Irish organically farmed salmon? As Ireland’s aquaculture sector awaits a ministerial decision on the Galway Bay salmon farm, Inshore Ireland spoke to Donal Maguire, BIM’s Director of Aquaculture Development Services, about the agency’s strategy to support organically farmed salmon at high energy offshore sites. Gery Flynn

Donal Maguire, BIM Why has salmon farming in Ireland not been as successful as in Norway and Scotland? The answer is not straightforward, but simply, you could say that God made Norway for salmon farming. Comparatively speaking, it is easier to farm salmon in Norway and Scotland than in

Ireland, or at least it used to be. Norway has deep sheltered water and, relatively speaking, ideal water temperatures ― and the industry is broadly accepted in Norway. Scotland too has deep embayments and long sheltered sea loughs on its west coast, offering sheltered and easy to run sites.

That community exercised considerable muscle in the media, amongst certain influential NGOs and even within statutory national and EU bodies. They continue to doggedly oppose the issuing of new licences and their influence has been a significant constraining factor.

What other factors have mitigated against the Irish salmon farming sector? Unfortunately, just as it got going, the industry got entangled in the bitter rod licence dispute, even though it had nothing to do with it. As a result, and some very poor science purporting to link salmon farming with sea trout declines, a strong anti-salmon farming lobby was formed around the salmon and seatrout angling community.

Has EU environmental law also played a role in production decline? Yes indeed. Just as the industry found a way of trading profitably, a judgment in the European Court of Justice in December 2007 found that Ireland’s aquaculture licensing system was not compliant with the Birds and Habitats Directives. This was nothing short of cruel irony as the industry had found a route to be able to trade profitably, despite its small size and despite the technical challenges. A route-to-market that yielded a good commercial return was now available, and the industry was, it seemed, set for a second wave of potential growth and expansion. We are still dealing with that matter ― either by virtue of proximity or by location in protected areas. No salmon farm licences have been either granted or renewed across the entire national portfolio since then.

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Ireland must surely shoulder some blame for not having sorted out its environmental benchmarking to comply with EU environmental law? The short answer is yes. The issue has nothing to do with the reality of the environmental impact of the aquaculture industry itself. It’s about the Irish licensing system having the correct mechanisms in place to ensure compliance of the system itself with the requirements of the Directives. Unfortunately, when it came to defending the national position in that 2007 court case, Ireland didn’t bring forward any defence at all. So the Irish State was found guilty of operating a licensing system that did not comply with the requirements of the directives. That was a failure by the administration at that time. It was clearly their duty, not the duty of the operators, to have taken into account the requirements of the

Directives and to have amended the system. Is Ireland closer now to having a workable aquaculture licensing mechanism? In my view, there is still some way to go before all of the issues are resolved and the system can be declared fully functional and fully compliant. One of the main reasons why BIM took the unusual step and actually became an applicant itself was to establish whether the combined efforts of two State agencies could succeed in bringing an application through the system. That attempt is still testing the system. Outline the significance of this strategy in context of the Galway Bay licence application? This project has served to bring into sharp focus those areas of the aquaculture licensing system that require to be overhauled, amended and assessed to render them functional in light of legislative changes and requirements from Brussels and national legislation. That process is ongoing and we are still finding out whether or not the system is ready to deliver a sound and final determination to our application. I use that phrase carefully, I don’t necessarily mean an approval – I mean a determination, one way or the other. It has been necessary for the Department to grapple with new law and new procedures and to try to modernise the system. The process has probably also exposed the fact that while the core legislation governing aquaculture licensing - the 1997 Fisheries Amendment Act - isn’t ‘old’ as legislation goes, many changes have occurred in the interim that weren’t foreseen. Are you confident that BIM’s application might soon be determined? I remain optimistic that all applications will be eventually determined but I’m not so optimistic about progress in the short-term. I’m also sure that the final determination by the minister will be robust and solid and will stand up to being challenged. Challenges will inevitably come, either through ALAB

- the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board - or through Judicial Review. Because these applications are being thoroughly processed, it has meant they’re very slow to progress. It has also been difficult to explain this scenario to international potential investors who are used to dealing with regimes elsewhere that are established and able to deliver outcomes more quickly. Certain Irish State agencies and bodies within the EU have been accused of siding with environmentalists against salmon farming. Is that true? Unfortunately I would have to agree with that analysis. We see scientifically unsustainable positions being maintained by certain actors within the State machinery and we also see apparently unreasonable actions emanating from some quarters within the EU. Evidence of this is apparent in the Pilot complaint (Friends of the Irish Environment formal complaint to the Commission) resurrected by DG Environment, even though at a recent meeting in Dublin they acknowledged that the Irish State position as put forward by the Department of Agriculture was sound and acceptable. Yet they still persisted in maintaining the complaint and still haven’t closed it. Ireland’s salmon farming strategy supports production offshore in high energy sites. Does this mean that land-based pump-ashore and recirculation systems have been ruled out? Not at all. BIM attempts to stay at the forefront of aquaculture developments all over the world, and we are not against RAS technologies in any way. For salmon we believe that Ireland’s future is in niche marketing, especially using organic certification as a key differentiator. One cannot have a tankreared organic salmon. So, if we were to pursue the land-based pump-ashore route we would have to abandon the success we have achieved with organic salmon certification. And quite frankly, given the price of energy in Ireland and our distance to market, it doesn’t make economic sense to locate units of that kind in Ireland.

inshore ireland August/September 2014 15

Aquaculture

Seaweed: a possible solution to sealice? attachment. This allows the louse to remain in place on the salmon where it moults to pre-adult stage. Lice also secrete enzymes such as proteases, phosphatases and macrophage inhibitors which also have an immune suppressive effect on a range of factors such as:

Dr Stefan Kraan Scientific Director and MD of OHT

f 2013 was the worst year on record for sea lice infestations on farmed salmon, even now, 2014 is shaping up to be even worse, with some commentators already forecasting a disaster for the industry. Twenty years ago, before the introduction of pharmaceuticals, sea lice infestations were considered the ‘usual disease event’ in marine salmonid aquaculture. If sea lice are not treated effectively they often cause deep skin lesions; a disturbance of the osmotic balance and secondary infections that can ultimately lead to high mortalities. Aquaculture operations in certain geographical areas (including Ireland) now have to be regularly fallowed because of the reduced effect of the common lice treatment drugs. In some cases, sea lice are now showing a total resistance to chemical treatments. The significant stress to salmon caused by sea lice infestation, as well as the treatments used, highlights the obvious welfare implications the industry faces. If this wasn’t enough, it is also documented that sea lice might harbour pathogenic bacteria and viruses such as Aeromonas salmonicida (furunculosis), Piscirickettsia salmonis (SRS), Infectious Salmon Anaemia virus (ISAv) and Pancreas Disease virus (PDv). Intra-cellular parasites like Microsporidia sp. may also be transmitted by sea lice whose role as a vector should not be underestimated. The question is: do sea lice act merely as passive mechanical vectors or as biological vectors? In other words, do viruses replicate within the lice? If so, this would create a much more serious scenario for the salmon farming industry.

of sea lice have concluded that the average annual cost of sea lice infestations to salmonid aquaculture exceeds US$ 300m. In Chile, it was estimated for 2007 that Caligus rogercresseyi infestation of salmon represented a total loss of US$ 222m. This translates to 0.33 US$/ kg of salmon produced! The Norwegian salmon farming industry blames sea lice for two types of expense: direct treatment costs plus losses due to increased Food Conversion Ratio (FCR) estimated to be €5.78m. Oral and bath treatments were estimated in 2007 to have cost the Norwegian salmon farmer €10.63m and €4.14m respectively. Seven years later, these figures are far worse and are having a much higher economic impact.

Mode of action

When sea lice first attach to salmon skin they are known to produce a variety of substances, including Prostaglandin PGE2 which, as an immune suppressant, affects localised immunity around the point of

»» Reduced respiratory burst »» Lower macrophage activity »» Increased apoptosis »» Necrosis »» Decreased numbers of mucosal cells »» Down-regulation of immune genes interleukin IL-1ß and MHC-1 While other sea fish such as cod manage to kill attached sea lice via an immune response, this seems not to be the case in Atlantic Salmon. This is believed to be due to the replacement of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) with omega-6 plant oils which have a profound negative effect on the immune system. Even a moderate lice infestation may reduce immunity even further in salmon which in turn increases their susceptibility to range of other pathogens including an increase in Microsporidian infection. Sea lice are known also to carry a range of bacteria and viruses, and they may even be a vector for Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA). Disease control and lice management is very important as lice and associated disease will strongly affect feed intake, and with this FCR, gut

health and general health. Sea lice infestation compromises the immune system and exposes the fish to many more common diseases and other issues. It all becomes a downward spiral resulting in poor growth and high mortality. This translates in lower income for farmers lower quality product with no health benefits to consumer (very low levels of omega 3).

Early trials using Oceanfeed™ reduces sea lice infection pressure

Large scale trials in Scotland in 2010 of a newly-designed functional feed containing seaweed formulations has been found to reduce sea lice infection levels by 60%. Today, there is no longer any single product that is 100% efficient. There are many reports of resistance to medications that have only been on the market for 8-9 years. One of the most efficient strategies is to attack from several angles as part of integrated pest management and Oceanfeed™ can be a valuable addition to this strategy. Oceanfeed™ is a functional feed ingredient and is added as standard ingredient to the feed. Oceanfeed™ provides farmed salmon with a form of natural resistance to infection due to bioactives that stimulate an immune response and have specific blocking compounds. Oceanfeed™ also caused a profound increase of up to 30% in omega-3 fatty acid levels

in the salmon. This is hugely beneficial and will have a strong stimulating effect on the immune system and may help counteract the increasing problems of substituting omega-3 fish oils with omega 6 plant oils in feed. Over the years, Ocean Harvest Technology has been fine-tuning these in-feed treatments into a standalone palletised feed product that can be used besides conventional feeds. In 2013 OHT conducted several in vitro and in vivo trials with commercial laboratories and commercial farms in Norway. After testing many combinations and single species we have demonstrated that one particular combination of several marine algae developed by OHT called Oceansupport+ has a strong lice suppressive effect. This contains a PGE2 blocker with demonstrated 70-75% reduction. Field trials in commercial farms earlier this year demonstrated that over 90% of the sea lice disappeared after 35 days of use. Furthermore, tests with our Chilean partners and local Chilean University using seaweed extracts have shown a quadruple expression of Interleukin 12, a protein that stimulates an immune response in fish. Therefore, use of specific seaweeds in the diet of salmon not only reduce lice pressure but can also create a healthier fish for the consumer and put more money in the pockets of the farmer.

Economic Impacts

Researchers who have reviewed the economic impact

Brown seaweeds with high levels of secondary metabolites may play a role in fish feed to combat sea lice infestations

16 inshore ireland August/September 2014

Aquaculture

Offshore salmon farming in Ireland Benen Dallaghan, BIM, outlines how and why Ireland is leading the way in farming salmon in offshore sites Salmon production data 2013

Source: Kontali & BIM Production database Country

Production Tonnes 2013

Ireland

10,000

Scotland

158,000

Norway

1,144,000

Chile

468,000

What is meant by offshore aquaculture and how are these sites selected?

The term ‘offshore aquaculture’ simply means farming fish in so-called high energy locations that are characterised by frequent exposure to strong winds and large waves. Ironically, geographical

distance from a main landmass is almost irrelevant in this context because a farm located just 1km off the Irish coast will have a more aggressive wave climate than one 15km off the coast of Turkey for example. Site exposure is generally defined in terms of the frequency of large waves arriving on site. In order to compare one site with another, significant wave

height is the key metric used. Significant wave height is a summary figure and represents an average of the larger waves experienced during different weather events. In an Irish context, sites that are regularly exposed to significant wave heights of 4 metres and over are classified as ‘exposed, high energy sites’. These are often referred to as ‘offshore sites’ as they are usually in exposed and remote locations. During the site selection process, when assessing locations with potential for offshore aquaculture, a crucial first step is to gain an understanding of the energetics and exposure associated with the area in question. In order to do this, sophisticated monitoring equipment is deployed to measure wind, waves and currents.

The term ‘offshore aquaculture’ simply means farming fish in socalled high energy locations that are characterised by frequent exposure to strong winds and large waves. Why go offshore?

There are many reasons for moving aquaculture into offshore locations. Firstly, there is generally more space available for fish to swim and grow, and organic standards dictate that fish should be grown at a low stocking density. This means that larger cages are required and therefore these farms have a larger spatial footprint and are thus better suited to offshore environments. Secondly, salmon are active fish and prefer cool, well oxygenated, flowing water. Offshore sites are sufficiently deep, and coupled with larger waves, stronger currents and tidal flushing helps to keep fish healthy. The mass movement of water on these sites also serves to maintain the pristine nature of such offshore environments. Another reason for going offshore is ‘because we can’! Recent advancements in structural engineering and ICT technologies allow for exploitation of these treacherous environments.

Background

The Irish government supports aquaculture and has set goals to increase aquaculture output over the next decade. In this context, salmon aquaculture is seen as a key sector with excellent potential for expansion. Salmon farming in Ireland started in the late 1970s and marine finfish production peaked at 23,200 tonnes in 2001 falling back to about 10,000 tonnes in 2013. Of this, the vast majority is now certified organic and most of the industry today is located

in offshore, high energy sites. Compared to Norway, Scotland and Chile (see table), Irish farmed salmon production is small. Despite this relatively low output level, there is vast experience of offshore salmon aquaculture in the country. Ireland has been extremely successful in targeting the niche organic salmon market where premium quality Irish farmed organic salmon consistently achieves record prices.

How rough does the sea get on exposed Irish aquaculture sites?

Ireland’s location on the western fringe of Europe means that offshore farms are exposed to the full force of the Atlantic during storms. As a general rule, fish farms will have some degree of protection afforded by land with most farms being located close to headlands or islands. That being said, there will always be compass bearings from which sites are completely exposed or open to storms from certain directions. An understanding of the degree of exposure and vulnerable directions is essential. On-site rearing structures are engineered to face into storms in much the same way that a boat might point its bow into oncoming waves in order to maintain stability. The winter of 2013/2014 was a particularly stormy season for Ireland during which M4 marine data buoy recorded a 23.5 metre wave off the Irish coast in February 2014.

inshore ireland August/September 2014 17

Freshwater Focus

Donegal Bay Delights Brendan Connolly

he Irish coastline harbours more idyllic spots and unique locations than one person has time to experience in a lifetime. From Mizen to Malin heading east or west, there are coves and cliffs; islands and inlets; peninsulas and promontories; beaches and brakewaters; salt pans and sea stacks. Anglers enjoy the fantastic variety of the Irish coast more than most, as they explore out-of-the-way and hidden places. One such location offering a wide variety of scenery is Donegal Bay. One Sunday in July, four men set a course out of Mullaghmore harbour. Three of the men had experienced the inland route from Mizen to Malin, as they had cycled it non-stop in under 31 hours. Now the time had come to relax and enjoy a day out on Donegal Bay. Slicing through choppy waves, the rib headed for Inishmurray. This intriguing island lies 7km offshore about 14km southwest of Mullaghmore.

Iron Age dwellings

Inishmurray has a monastic settlement dating back to the 6th century. A promontory fort on the western side indicates human settlement as early as the Iron Age. The monastic site, which includes a stone beehive hut, is surrounded by a wide stone wall that predates the buildings within. Up to 100 people lived on Inishmurray in the 1880s. The inhabitants of Inishmurray were so well know for their poteen making skills, the Jameson family spent a number of months on the island to learn from them. The last inhabitants left in 1948, and names of the Brady family can be seen written on the wall of one old house. Having nosed into the straight-sided cut that forms a small natural harbour on the island, the boat was tied up and the four men stepped ashore to explore the island. Nowadays, Inishmurray is inhabited by a great variety of seabirds, which swooped and swirled over the heads of the visitors. Some brown-feathered remains of young sea gulls attested to the possible presence of a Peregrine Falcon. A rabbit hopped into the brambles at the side of the path, seemingly unperturbed by the four men.

Admiring the medieval crosses carved into flat stone slabs and the amazing craftsmanship manifested by the waterproof stone roof of the beehive hut, the men leisurely explored the island. With lunch eaten at the old primary school, the men returned to the boat to head out for some fishing.

Jigging for mackerel

Drifting in the lee of Inishmurray, the four started to fish. Jigging mackerel baits, small patches of mackerel were discovered. One of the men had never caught a fish before and was amazed by the beautiful mother-of-pearl sheen on the fish. Next, one of the rods bent over in a stronger arch and pumping the rod while retrieving brought two medium sized pollack to the surface. Another first for the new angler! The men spent time drifting near Inishmurray, fishing in water as shallow as seven metres and as deep as 25 metres. Mackerel were found scattered over a wide area, but no big shoals were contacted. Having enjoyed the visit to Inishmurray and with a few mackerel to bring home, the boat headed back to Mullaghmore. As they were

Funding to improve angling facilities in the Midlands

ngling clubs and organisations in the Midlands are set to benefit from a €50,000 Midland Fisheries Fund (MFF), introduced by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) earlier this year and announced by Joe McHugh, Minister of State with special responsibility for gaeltacht affairs and natural resources.

Mary Harkin, Rory’s Fishing Tackle Shop, Dublin, with a 6lb trout caught and released on Lough Sheelin

The fund comprises angler contributions set aside from the Permit income received by the IFI in the Midland Fisheries Group permit area. Applications were received from various clubs and organisations in June in the Westmeath, Roscommon, Offaly and Cavan county catchments. Successful projects on Loughs Sheelin, Glore, Ennell Derravaragh and the River Suck will improve angler accessibility to fisheries, develop and install new fishing stands and tackle terrestrial invasive species. “It is through these sustainable funding schemes, such as the Midland Fisheries Sustainable Development Fund, that anglers and communities are empowered and can benefit hugely. Essentially it is money raised in the locality through the purchase of permits that facilitates a funding injection back into the catchments, increasing revenues to communities and creating jobs - funds raised in the locality staying in the locality,” Minister McHugh said. Full details of the Midland Fisheries Fund can be obtained on the Inland Fisheries Ireland website at: http://www. fisheriesireland.ie/Angling-Information/ midland-fisheries-fund.html.

coursing over the waves, a fin was spotted. It was brown, about 40 cm above the water, and even-sided with a round tip. It moved from side to side, like an oar sculling a boat. The rib slowed to a crawl and circled around the fin. The men tried to see the fish below the fin, but couldn’t catch a glimpse. As the boat began a second circle, the fin dipped below and disappeared. They waited for some minutes to see whether it would reappear and what they saw was the top of the dorsal

fin of a sun-fish (Mola mola). These fish can grow up to 1500 kg or 3,300lb in weight. They move slowly, and have a relatively small mouth and eat jellyfish. They are quite flat in shape and swim upright, with a long dorsal and anal fin sticking up and down from the body. It was the tip of the dorsal fin that the anglers saw. Having gutted the mackerel at sea to the delight of the sea gulls, the anglers returned to Mullaghmore having enjoyed a variety of experiences on Donegal Bay.

Mackerel fishing off Inishmurray

Illegal aquarium releases threaten native wildlife

he recent discovery of decaying remains of an exotic fish specimen in the River Suck at Correen Ford in the Midlands has raised concerns of the threat to native wildlife from aquarium releases by ‘otherwise well-meaning individuals’. This latest discovery follows that of a yellow-bellied slider turtle on the River Maigue, Co Limerick, according to Inland Fisheries Ireland. The six-inch sharp-toothed dragonfish or Violet/Dragon Goby) is native to North and South America and can be purchased in Ireland for private aquariums. Many non-native, exotic species to Ireland are sold for the aquarium trade. “These include freshwater fish, crayfish and aquatic plants. If released into the wide they can seriously threaten our native biodiversity and ecosystem function and conservation of internationally important native species in our rivers and lakes,” explained Dr Joe Caffrey, IFI. “It is imperative that the public and all stakeholders are aware of the potential damage that exotic animals or plants deliberately introduced into the wild can inflict upon our wildlife and habitats.” Any sightings found in or around the waterways can be reported to the IFI through the IFI Invasive Species smartphone app which is available to download from Google Play and iTunes App stores.

Six inch sharp-toothed dragonfish.

Photo Oisin Naughton, IFI

18 inshore ireland August/September 2014

Marine R&D

Scientists make important new discoveries during Rockall Bank expedition

Cushla DromgoolRegan

here is a wealth of information to learn and discover about the landscape, habitats and animals under the sea and how the oceans ecosystem affect our daily lives - ranging from the food we eat; new discoveries of medical properties found in corals and species, mineral exploration - to the effect the ocean has on climate change. It is therefore important to study our marine habitats and geology so that scientists can provide better forecasts, understanding and management advice of our ocean and its resources. A team of scientists led by Dr Aggeliki Georgiopoulou from University College Dublin (School of Geological Sciences) and Dr Veerle Huvenne from the National Oceanography Centre, UK (Marine Geoscience), recently completed a twoweek expedition on the Marine Institute’s research vessel RV Celtic Explorer. Using the remotely operated vehicle ROV Holland I and the new gravity corer, the scientists made some new discoveries relating to the geology and habitat of the Rockall Bank. Why do scientists want to research this area of the ocean? The Rockall Bank is an oceanic plateau that rises from the deep sea floor at 1600m water depth up to 500m below the sea surface. The plateau area is almost the same size as Ireland. It is located in Irish waters in the North Atlantic, about 450 km away from the Irish west coast. The scientists were interested in researching an area called the ‘Rockall Bank Slide Complex’ (RBSC) which is a series of escarpments on the slopes of this plateau. It is believed that the RBSC landscape was formed around 15,000 years ago, when landslides under the sea surface occurred on the slope, and hundreds of tonnes of sediments and rocks collapsed into the deep sea. The scientists want to confirm if the RBSC area was caused in one single catastrophic event, where material (such as rocks and sediment) from the slope became

unstable, caused by fracturing of the seafloor – like an avalanche. Or alternatively, they want to find out if these escarpments have been caused by separate landslide events taking place at different times over many centuries. Why is it important to learn about submarine landslides? Although, submarine landslides under the sea commonly occur in the oceans all around the world, they can vary in size and more than often happen without our knowledge. Much like if a landslide happened on land, sub-marine landslides can be dangerous for infrastructure under the sea, such as telecommunication cables as well as oil and gas platforms. Such slides can affect the habitats below the sea as well as cause large volumes of water to be displaced, which may impact our coastal areas. “If the RBSC was a single massive slide that happened 15,000 years ago in one incident, then perhaps there is no reason to believe it will happen again. However, if the area was formed by separate slides over a long period of time, scientists need to be able to determine when the last submarine landslides occurred and how it happened – and possibly predict if there might be another one in the near future,” said Dr Aggeliki Georgiopoulou. Using the new gravity corer during on the recent expedition allowed scientists to take larger samples of the earth from under the sea. The cores contain layers of sediments that can tell you all about the geological history of an area and events that have taken place. By examining the cores, this will help scientists establish if there is a risk in the RBSC area of the Rockall Bank collapsing in the near future. What did the scientists find? Deep sea research is not that different to researching in space, in that we can only go as far as the current technology will allows us. During the recent expedition scientists used the Irish Remotely Operated Vehicle Holland I, a robot the size of a mini-van, that has several cameras, two robotic arms that are used to take samples, sliding compartments to put the samples in as well as a portable echo sounder that was able to go down to depths of

more than 1000m. Operated from the RV Celtic Explorer, the Holland I gave scientists the opportunity to see the escarpments and take video footage and collect over 50 samples of rocks. The video footage taken by the Holland I revealed a dramatic landscape of high vertical cliffs as much as 150 m high left by the landslides and areas of volcanic lava flow deposits in the form of mounds scattered around the slope. “We also mapped the cliff face with the echo-sounder, creating essentially maps of walls. Normally a multi-beam system looks downward under a research vessel and sweeps the seafloor in stripes that are collated to make a seafloor map. We however positioned the multi-beam on the front of the ROV Holland I, looking forward and sweeping the vertical cliffs, creating essentially maps of walls,” explained Dr Veerle Huvenne. The more abrupt the topography, the more marine life seemed to be living there. This expedition has shown that the Rockall Bank may be providing shelter for commercial fish as well as rare species such as the Orange Roughy. “The inaccessible terrain probably acts as refuge for seafloor dwelling animals, including clams, crabs, squat lobsters and many more,” Dr Georgiopoulou further explained. Importance of using innovative new methodology and technology: Aodhán FitzGerald, the Marine Institute Research Vessel Program Coordinator thanked the ROV engineers and pilots and vessel crew and technicians for their successful configuration and deployment of the Holland I, corer and other equipment, which enabled optimal sample and data acquisition. Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute congratulated the team of scientists, highlighting the importance of using innovative new methodology and technology during the expedition saying, “this expedition is a further example of the importance of cooperation between universities, institutes and countries in researching our ocean and increasing our knowledge of its dynamic systems.” Activities during the expedition are documented on the Marine Institute blog: scientistsatsea. blogspot.ie This research survey CE14011 SORBEH is supported by the Marine Institute, and is funded under the Marine Research Sub-Programme by the Irish Government with a contribution from the ERC CODEMAP project.

The scientific team and crew cut 1m long segments of the new gravity corer to retrieve samples taken from beneath the seabed Photo Leo Chaumillon

Clams on steep wall of layered sedimentary rocks - Rockall Bank Marine Institute

ROV manipulator sampling a coral - Rockall Bank photo Leo Chaumillon

inshore ireland August/September 2014 19

Marine R&D

For the first time, using larger volumes of water samples (~100 L) taken by deck pumps, the students analysed the distribution and abundance of natural radium isotopes as tracers of submarine groundwater discharge within the Bay.

RV Celtic Voyager crew members with (LtoR) Niamh Cullen; Mark Adams; Ethan Kane; Alina Wieczorek; (Front LtoR): Clynton Gregory and Peter Croot - Chief Scientist on Board. Right: Niamh Cullen analyses water samples collected from the CTD profiler (an instrument that determines the conductivity (saltiness), temperature, and depth), to examine the distribution of coloured dissolved organic matter, alkalinity, nutrients and dissolved organic carbon. Water samples were also taken for picoplankton and bacteria within Galway Bay. All photos Andrea Woods

Marine Institute communications bursary student Andrea Woods, reports on joining a group of third-level students and researchers during the SMART (Strategic Marine Alliance for Research and Training) training programme on board RV Celtic Voyager in Galway Bay.

Celtic Voyager hosts third-level student training in Galway Bay Andrea Woods

he SMART training programme introduces thirdlevel students to a multidisciplinary approach to studying the marine environment, using the core disciplines of oceanography; benthic ecology; fisheries biology and geosciences while at sea. Members of Earth and Ocean Sciences at NUI Galway, Prof. Peter Croot; Dr Rachel Cave and Sheena Fennell, oversaw work on projects which provided students with hands on practical experience. “The programme’s focus is to provide cross‐ disciplinary skills in taking and processing samples as well as learning how to deploy and operate equipment and instrumentation on the research vessel. The students also carried out survey planning and conducted

post survey data analysis,” explained Prof. Peter Croot. Postgraduate student Niamh Cullen, who is studying Environmental Science at Trinity College Dublin, collected and analysed water samples with help from other students and researchers. Her study aims to assess and compare the buffering capacity of the coastal waters in Galway Bay in the summer months to the changes in seawater alkalinity and the carbonate system. “Assessing samples of sea water for dissolved organic matter (DOM) and coloured dissolved organic matter (CDOM) allows me to determine whether there is any relationship or variability between the different study sites,” Niamh explains. Identifying the areas of high or low alkalinity in the water is crucial to predict the buffering capacity of estuarine and coastal waters to changes in ocean pH. This is important to help predict future changes in ocean acidification.

Bursary students showcase their enthusiasm for the marine sector

The projects aim is to provide oceanographic data on the integration of physical, chemical and biological processes in the marine environment which will be used to assess our national marine resource and contribute to Ireland’s Ocean Wealth. The SMART programme is a marine science partnership programme designed to further develop capacity in carrying out offshore operations onboard research vessels for third-level students of marine-related science and technologies. “The training programme is unique as it gives students like me the opportunity to carry out research during actual survey operations. This provides us with a competitive edge – particularly in the national and international Marine research job market,” Níamh added. Further information http://www.smartseaschool. com/ and http://www. nuigalway.ie/eos

wenty-two 3rd level students highlighted the value of the Marine Institute Bursary programme at the annual Bursar Seminar on July 24 when they show cased their skills and experience gained at the Institute. This year’s programme provided work experience for students from seven different third-level Institutes and universities across Ireland, (NUI Galway; Dublin City University; Dundalk Institute of Technology; University College Cork; Sligo Institute of Technology; Institute of Technology Tralee; Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology) in areas including fish and shellfish assessments and survey;, corporate communications; sampling salmon and commercial fisheries in ports; assessments of maritime economics and oceanographic

technology development. “The students clearly demonstrated their understanding and skills developed over the summer and I am confident this group of marine scientists will continue to ensure Ireland retains its high reputation of developing a strong marine sector. “It is encouraging to also see the students understand the value of engaging and promoting their work and the marine through story-telling and imagery when giving presentations. Developing these skills will help foster a deeper understanding of the value of the marine,” remarked Marine Institute CEO, Dr Peter Heffernan. Bursary students came from the following third level institutes: More information about the bursary programme can be seen on the Marine Institute Facebook www.facebook. com/marineinstituteireland

Winning bursary students pictured with Dr Peter Heffernan. (L to R back): Aoife Walsh; Barry Christy; Ciaran McKenna; Sorcha Cronin-O’Reilly and Christina O’Toole (L to R front): Meabh Nic Guidhir; Kathy Parkinson and Andrea Woods.

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inshore ireland August/September 2014 21

Marine R&D

The ‘real’ map of Inishbofin Eoin Mac Craith

n July 2012, the Geological Survey of Ireland vessels RV Keary and RV Geo arrived at Inishbofin, off the coast of Co Galway, with the goal of mapping the underwater terrain surrounding the island. This work took place as part of the INFOMAR seabed mapping programme - a national project that ultimately aims to map all of Ireland’s inshore waters and offer the data freely available to the public. RV Keary is a 15m aluminium catamaran purpose-built for inshore mapping, while RV Geo is a 7.5m RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) used to enter very shallow water adjacent to intertidal areas and to put the finishing edges to INFOMAR’s marine maps.

Latest technology

These vessels are equipped with modern sonar survey systems that reveal the underwater landscape beneath them as they move back and forth, progressively mapping a given area in a

series of parallel tracks. This was to be the first time that Ireland’s national marine mapping project, INFOMAR, carried out a seabed survey encompassing an island. The seabed survey has primarily focused on 26 priority bays and 3 priority areas around the Irish coast, each selected due to its importance for a variety of maritime factors. What makes island mapping distinctive however is that it is essentially the inverse of mapping a bay.

Testing conditions

Rather than survey vessels steaming up and down a grid of planned lines within the confines of a sheltered bay, sometimes they find themselves in open, unforgiving seas, circumnavigating rugged islands such as Inisbofin, on the western edge of Ireland, hugging its coast as large swell waves crashed on exposed cliffs and jagged rocks around them. Inishbofin’s island community is famously welcoming, helpful and resourceful. They were a great help to the crew as they sought anchorages, harbour berths, accommodation

and supplies. Without their help, the survey would have been much more difficult. The island’s coastline and inshore waters however presented a difficult challenge in terms of safe navigation and the vessels’ ability to gain sonar coverage of its surrounding seafloor. Greeting an Atlantic swell that rarely relented in its attack, Inishbofin’s craggy coast was a labyrinth of shallow, hidden rocks, gullies, blowholes and ravines. While the Keary navigated the waters further out from the island and mapped over a larger scale, itself carefully mapping shallow breakers and hidden rocks, RV Geo skirted closely along these coastal features in an effort to produce the most complete survey possible of this fascinating and complex seabed. The RIB made use of high tides to gain access to areas that would otherwise be too treacherous, from steeply-sloping beaches to shallow, rocky reefs. The final result was a striking, three-dimensional map of the seafloor surrounding Inishbofin and its neighbour, Inishark. Spanning a depth range from zero to a hundred metres, with plains

of gently undulating sediment separated by rugged, fractured and faulted outcrops of bedrock, this area of seabed is a varied and contrasting underwater world – much like Inishbofin itself. Perhaps now the ‘real’ map of Inishbofin will be a useful tool for the people to present their rich and diverse island to visitors in the context of its equally majestic maritime landscape. The survey data are freely available for download at www.infomar.ie.

As an adjunct to the published ‘real’ map of Ireland showing Irish seabed territory extending to ten times the country’s landmass, the crew of the survey vessels decided to square off the island with additional coverage, allowing for a more complete overview of the seabed around Inishbofin as seen in the image below.

The final result was a striking, threedimensional map of the seafloor surrounding Inishbofin and its neighbour, Inishark.

22 inshore ireland August/September 2014

Marine R&D

Atlantic Power Cluster Accord: Marine Energy Partnerships

Compiled by Cormac MacGarry

he Halpin Centre for Research and Innovation at the National Maritime College of Ireland, a constituent college of the Cork Institute of Technology who are a partner in the IMERC Cluster (www. imerc.ie) represented the Cluster at the All Energy Conference in Aberdeen on May 22 where they signed up to the Atlantic Power Cluster Accord an agreement between clusters and institutions in the Atlantic Area to cooperate and share resources in the marine renewable energy area. IMERC is Ireland’s

Cormac Mc Garry, representing the IMERC partners, and John Gowdy from Regen South West putting first signatures on Atlantic Power Cluster Accord Maritime Cluster. The Accord is part of efforts by the Halpin Centre to establish such a partnership under The Atlantic Power Cluster (APC) project, an INTERREG IV Atlantic Area project. The project partners include 15 regions from Portugal; France; Spain; Ireland and the UK, as well as two institutions, CPMR and CIEMAT (Madrid). These regions represent the Atlantic Arc of Europe where there is huge potential for marine renewable energy, particularly wave, tidal and offshore wind energy generation. The scale of this resource is significant in terms of achieving EU energy policies for secure, clean and

green electricity generation. Development of such a sector provides not just the chance for renewable electricity but will also contribute to the prosperity of the industries and populations in the Atlantic regions, while meeting the objectives of economic, social and territorial cohesion. To exploit this potential, the objective is to build a transnational marine energy strategy in the Atlantic Area through creating an adequate political and social environment for the marine energies and therefore enhancing the competitiveness and innovation capacities of the industrial community in the Atlantic regions. The project has consulted

widely amongst its partner regions. From this work it has been established that the best way to facilitate the clustering of MRE interested parties in the Atlantic Area would be to link the clusters and organisations that already exist within the regions. By linking existing clusters there is an added benefit for the clusters to establish or strengthen transnational links. To show a willingness to engage in such a transnational agreement, the Cluster offered a non-legal document for signature. This willingness was reciprocated by the Halpin Centre for Research & Innovation who signed the Accord on behalf of the IMERC Cluster partnership.

Maritime mechatronics

he Halpin Centre is working to build capacity in the ‘maritime mechatronics’ space. The Centre’s research is looking at innovative ways to combine mechanical; electrical; telecommunications; control and computer engineering technologies together to deliver reliable, durable, safe and cost effective equipment and service solutions for use at sea. Halpin is working closely with engineering, electronic, software, control and electrical colleagues in the Cork Institute of Technology - an internationally recognised education, training and research centre for such activities ashore, and with our NMCI partners, the Irish Naval Service.

IMCORE (Maritime policy)

Scientists and practitioners involved in coastal management from Ireland,

the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands worked together as expert couplets assessing how local government authorities and research groups could work together to identify the key processes that lead to the socio-economic consequences of climate change of their local area, supported by a network of trans-national cooperation. Coastal managers and policy makers from across NW Europe were mentored and assisted to plan responses to climate change scenarios through training of trainers and a multimedia online learning tool. This included a variety of tested and evaluated tools, methods and approaches, examples of adaptive management strategies and guidelines. The thesis of the IMCORE project was to ensure the regional viability of our coastal communities and sectors through developing common decision support tools and techniques for future planning.

Cormac Gebruers, head of Halpin Centre with Michael Delaney who recently retired as Head of College at NMCI

inshore ireland August/September 2014 23

Marine R&D

Could kites and sails propel vessels while monitoring the environment?

he Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is funding a publicgood study to investigate the viability of using kite-based propulsion technologies aboard vessels that engage in special operations. Named after the Greek God of wind, the AEOLUS study is looking into ‘kite traction’- a propulsion enhancement technology that has been demonstrated to yield fuel savings aboard traditional merchant vessels voyaging between ports. The concept is however unproven for use aboard vessels such as naval, research, fishing and rescue vessels that have very different operational requirements.

The Halpin Centre, working closely with the Nimbus Centre at the Cork Institute of Technology and facilitated by the Irish Naval Service, is investigating whether there is a prima facie case for the use of kite-based propulsion technologies aboard such vessels. If the case is established, the potential fuel saving and positive consequential environmental benefits for vessels operating in both Irish and international waters will be significant. In a related development, Enterprise Ireland is funding a market assessment to consider the commercial potential for innovative maritime airborne sensor platforms.

Irish Naval Service, could use kites for propulsion

Simulating RIB and lifeboat motion at sea

he Halpin Centre has been working jointly with Virtual Marine Technologies Inc. based in St. John’s Newfoundland, on creating a simulator suite that would essentially replicate a fast moving RIB as well as a slow moving lifeboat. Part funded by the SMACs (Small Arctic Craft Safety) project, this research is in an early phase with preliminary feasibility studies underway. The SMACs project is developing training materials for the growing body of small craft mariners who are travelling to the waters of the far North. This study, however, would go a step further and replicate the actual motion of the navigation. How? Take a disused Naval Sea-Rider RIB, cut it in half and bolt it to either hydraulics or robotics which

The FreeFall Lifeboat simulator ready to drop at NMCI

ARCOPOLPLATFORM

could replicate harsh movement of the water. The NMCI has enjoyed huge success with its state-ofthe-art simulation suite with an ethos that removes the danger element of training and saves on at-seaexpenses such as fuel and staff-time. This is also the ethos driving such research in the Halpin Centre. Although this particular project is far from implementation, it is a fine example of the kind of innovative thinking at the core of the Halpin Centre’s applied research mission.

he ARCOPOLPLATFORM project builds on the success of the ARCOPOL+ project recently completed in the Halpin Centre. The project is concerned with combating oil and Harmful Noxious Substance (HNS) spills through technology transfer, training and innovation. The project’s aim is to reinforce the preparedness and response to oil and HNS spills in Atlantic Regions.

Maritime training & education The Halpin Centre has closed a number of projects in the education and training sphere. Here are some examples: E-MARLANG

A maritime web-based platform to integrate existing (webbased) courses into a Learning Management System. The current E-learning system consists of a set of two e-learning courses that can be used by teachers as well as students with the MarEng English language course used as a best practice.

MARENG Plus

The web-based maritime English learning tool MarEng was finished in the spring 2007 as a result of a transnational Leonardo da Vinci

project MarEng. During subsequent widespread use by the maritime education community, various enhancements to the learning tool were identified. The MarEng Plus project was set up to deliver these enhancements.

MARTELPLUS

Maritime English Learning used the standards already created for Officers in the MARTEL project, the MARTEL Plus project will created an additional standard for Maritime English at foundation level for Ratings (Phase R).

MARLEANET

The Marine Learning Network implemented a maritime training network for the benefit of the relevant stakeholders in the Atlantic area. The relevant sectors are fishery, merchant navy, Navy and offshore activities. The project also saw the development of common training programs and an e-learning platform for public and private sectors, maritime companies and institutions which meets new teaching and seafarers’ requirements.

MARTINS

The MARTINS project contributed to preventing maritime risks by improving a maritime safety knowledge base, improving maritime safety, professional training and improving public participation in risk prevention.

MARITIME EDUCATION PLATFORM

The main idea of this project was to produce and share high quality educational material. This was done by developing a virtual learning space and organizing seminars. Each partner developed a high standard of up to date e-learning courses on a certain subject which was then made available to the other partners by means of a virtual learning space. Moreover, the seminars gave opportunities to share and discuss courses and content within the group of partners allowing knowledge sharing and course improvements. The project provided improvements in quality of maritime educational material, co-operation between maritime educational institutions and an innovative virtual learning space filled with high quality e-learning courses.

24 inshore ireland August/September 2014

Coastline News

Dalkey Rowing Club celebrates its 80th anniversary!

Jenny Dilley

kiff rowing in Dalkey was passed down from the hobblers. Hobblers were men in the 18th and 19th centuries who rowed fishing and pilot boats that guided bigger boats to their moorings. As the large boats neared port, the hobblers would compete to get there first and secure the job! The skiffs worked mainly between Lambay Island just north of Dublin Bay and Wicklow Head, and required considerably skilled oarsmen. These boats were

much bigger and heavier than the present day skiff. . Towards the end of the 1800s as work started to dry up, instead of racing to the ships they started to race between themselves and this is how it all started. The tradition is honoured today through the many skiff regattas along the coast during the summer months. The competing clubs are based in the old pilot stations, such as Ringsend and East Wall in Dublin Port, Dun Laoghaire, Bray, Greystones, Wicklow, Arklow as well as Dalkey. There is evidence of a Regatta taking place in Dalkey as early as August 17, 1878, but the club

wasn’t officially started until 1934, by locals including Patrick White, John Doyle the barber, Fred Hill (father of Harry Hill), his brother ‘Gutney’ (both top class footballers) and Tom English.

Fatal aircraft connection

The club’s first official boat was financed by the owner of a small aircraft that crash landed into the sea just south of Dalkey Island. The senior crew, who were practicing in an old rowing boat called The Sarah, saw the accident and raced over to help. They successfully pulled both the pilot and the passenger from the plane – uninjured! In an act of gratitude,

the owner bought the club their first boat, which they named Blath na Farraige (The Flower of the Sea). This boat was a lucky charm as their first season was a huge success when the senior crew finished the season as East Coast Champions. Although this success carried on through the 1930s, tragedy struck when two of the great oarsmen of this period enlisted for the WWII. They were sent to the Pacific and while they survived the duration of the war, sadly, both lost their lives only day after peace was declared. In the late 1930s the first ladies crew was established. At the same time as the new crew, the new boat arrived.

This boat was called St Malachy and it is this name that is still used by the boats today. The name came about because when the Priest who was blessing the boat asked the name, no one had one so he picked the first one that came into his head. The ladies crew were a great success and have won many events. The 1950s was also a successful time for the club when the senior crew of 1951 became the undefeated winners of the East Coast Championship! The ‘golden era’ for Dalkey Rowing Club really came in the 1970s when they won several East Coast Championships. The key oarsmen of this period were Colm Dermot; Michael Comerford; the Newbank brothers; Pat Dalton; Terence, Seamus and Brian Keogh; Com and Eoin Condon; Michael and Declan Mullen; Ken, Johnny and Gerald Cunningham. It wasn’t just the men – the women enjoyed lots of successes too. Their key players were Michelle Brady; Eimear Comerford; Christine Walsh; Geraldine Greene; Helen Seix; Ann Golden; Linda Cunningham; Elaine Farrell; Jacinta and Tine Kelly; Carol Condon; Liz Bailey and Yvonne Rooney.

The wonders and nutritional benefits of sea spaghetti

Sally McKenna

t often comes as a surprise to learn there are no evil toadstool-like, poisonous seaweeds on our shorelines. There’s no death cap specimen that will kill you in a matter of hours; or innocent-looking hemlock water-dropwort to catch you out at the water’s edge. Seaweed is not going to poison you; some of it may not be especially palatable, but it’s all healthy, if collected from a clean coastline. Approximately 500 species of seaweed are available for

picking off Ireland’s coasts, and of these, seaweed enthusiasts pick and eat about fifteen or so. How and why we’ve chosen to eat only these fifteen has a lot to do with their abundance, and certainly, a lot to do with their taste and texture. When I first came across the beautifully-named tuning fork weed, Bifurcaria bifurcata, I got excited at the thought of finding new rarely used delicious-looking seaweed. It appeared to have everything: it was succulent, appetising and grew in relative profusion. But one taste revealed a background bitterness that wasn’t pleasant. I went back to the familiar patch of sea spaghetti and picked that instead. Oven-ready convenience food Hilanthalia elongata (thong weed or sea spaghetti) is like some sort of oven-ready convenience food from the sea. You could say of it:

“Nature did it, so you don’t have to!’ Eaten raw, or cooked to a vivid green, it is prized especially as a gourmet treat in France where it is often marinated or pickled.

Sea spaghetti is the seaweed chosen by Stefan Kraan, scientific director of Ocean Harvest Technology, to flavour a gouda-style cheese he is developing, which I first tasted at Slow Food Clare earlier this year. “I chose sea spaghetti [to flavour the cheese] because it gives a really apple/nutty flavour,” he tells me. It also has a delicious crunchy texture, and is a brilliant

partner in a cheese. Himanthalia elongata grows from a distinctive buttonshaped globule. The ‘button’ is perennial, and each year a long strap frond grows from its centre. The only seaweed you might confuse it with is Chorda filum or mermaid’s tresses; however even a passing glance will reveal that sea spaghetti forks as it grows, and mermaid’s tresses grow straight, and have no button from which they emerge. Bath additive Snorkelling earlier this year (before the arrival of the scary jellyfish), I was struck by the sight of little rocks floating from tresses of seaweed, like little side cars in the surf. These were living pieces of Chorda filum, giving some fun buoyancy to their rocky base. Cf is an exceptionally mucilaginous seaweed with many tiny, furry hairs. It’s great for the bath, but not so good for eating. Like all seaweeds, sea

spaghetti not only tastes good, it’s good for you too. It is high in protein, and particularly strong in calcium and magnesium. All seaweeds draw sea minerals direct from the ocean, and most of the population are deficient in these essential nutrients. Eating sea spaghetti is a delicious way to supplement your mineral diet. The easiest way to enjoy sea spaghetti is to eat it raw in a salad. Probably the most fun way is to chop it the length of act\or tomato sauce. It will amuse everyone, and it will taste delicious.

For details on all McKenna guides go to: www.guides.ie/books Review of Extreme Green: Understanding Seaweed http:// www.inshore-ireland. com/News/extremegreens-understandingseaweeds.html

inshore ireland August/September 2014 25

Coastline News Silverware aplenty

More recently, one of the club’s greatest achievements came in 1994 when the school-boys won the All Ireland Championship in Carnlough Regatta. The winning crew was David Cunningham; Colm Harper; Darren Hughes; Garrett Duffy and cox Frank Duffy. Having re-launched last

year, Dalkey Rowing Club is starting to enjoy some successes again, particularly with the new novice and under-18 crews coming through. This year they ended the season with 6 Gold, 5 Silver and 7 Bronze. Dalkey Rowing Club is out on the water every night, at Coliemore Harbour, throughout the summer

and absolutely everybody is welcome. It’s a great hobby because you don’t have to be young and fit to be good. Last May, four women in their 40s picked up an oar for the first time; by that September they won Gold in the Hope Cup – a 14km row along the Liffey, - even beating some all-male crews. It’s great fun and there

is a lovely atmosphere down at the harbour. The rowing club share the harbour with fishermen; swimmers; scuba divers and visitors to Dalkey Island as well as all the wildlife. On many occasions dolphins and porpoises have been spotted out in the bay and of course the seals are regular followers!

Rowing along the bay on a calm evening under a warm, setting sun is a pretty amazing experience. The club has regular social events which anyone is welcome to attend. Further information at www.dalkeyrowingclub.com or look us up on Facebook.

Swinging the lamp Tom Lawlor

laddagh Mor is the new secure harbour on Inishmaan. The breakwater and brightness of the new concrete pier gives the illusion of a background to a Hockney painting. It is important to position your craft on the far end of the pier so the ferry can manoeuver alongside the steps without hindrance. A walking tour of the island gives great rewards. Dun Conor Fort is hidden from the road. The approach begins from a narrow walkway opposite John Millington Synge’s cottage. Good footwear is essential to negotiate the stone walls while you make your way to the top of the fort. The views from the top are spectacular. A visit to the Harry Clarke stainedglass windows in the church of Mary Immaculate is essential.

Winter storm damage

Visiting the old harbour,

we see the damage caused by the winter storms. The power of the sea to move walls and roads inland is a reminder to all sailors. In the graveyard we notice how fishing nets are used to hold down personal ornaments on the graves. We arrive in Roundstone to a backdrop of magnificent scenery. In O’Dowd’s bar some denizens, tired from the Celtic tiger, trailed their designer labels from the bar stools as they eyed every visitor. A young American lady paraded past wearing green leggings so tight you’d swear she was dipped in liquid polymer. “Should have gone to Specksavers,” someone muttered. Joyce Sound Pass is SW of Doomawaul and is a testing channel for any yacht and crew to attempt. It should only be attempted in daylight and in perfect conditions. It is short and very narrow and in bad weather, its rocks will be impossible to see. Once you commit to entering, turning back is impossible. Watching Tommy and Mikey navigating between

Joyce Sound Pass should only be attempted in perfect conditions; Donal and Mickey steer us through

the rocks was an exercise in great seamanship. Dick is familiar with these waters and his notes from old logbooks were invaluable. Not a course to be attempted by the novice.

Island of the white cow

The approach to Inishbofin Harbour requires us to line up two white towers. This keeps us on a safe course passing Gun Rock and past the ruins of Cromwell’s Fort. A friendly wave from sunbathers among the ruins is returned as we ease into the inner harbour and tie alongside the ferry. Aisling Rooney of Day’s House Hotel gives us a warm welcome and access to the showers in their Marine Spa. Showered, soaped, shaved and shampooed some of the crew enjoy the echo of this tiled temple and risked a few verses of ‘I did it my way.’ In the garden we enjoy an evening of a fading sun and Guinness while across the still water a goose hoots its head off -surely an omen. Killary Harbour takes care to navigate. Our approach was on a grey rainy day. Navigating between the fish farm cages requires all our alertness. Cloud and mist rolls down the slopes of

Distinctive stones walls, typical of the Aran Islands Mweelrea Mountain. Who built the stone walls reaching vertically from shore to sky? It’s Michael Viney country. I remember when he let go of city living and fell into nature’s arms. At the top of the fjord we anchored off near the Leenane Hotel. In horizontal rain we trudge towards the glow of the hotel. On the road we pass a spa inviting us to a session of relaxation and renewal with a window poster of a shark wearing lipstick. The subtlety of the marketing passes over my head. Later that evening we swing the lamp in the cabin below. In the gloom of the fading light, Donal reaches into a locker and produces a bottle of Bila Haut. “How can he read it in the dark?” I ask. “The label’s in brail,” comes the reply. The crew: Donal O’Boyle, Dick Lincoln, Tommy Dwyer, Mikey Dwyer and Gillian Mills.

Harry Clarke’s stained-glass window, Church of Mary Immaculate, Inishmaan

26 inshore ireland August/September 2014

Crows nest

Islanders John Reihill, Marcy McBrien and Nancy Durien on the shores of Lough Erne

Friday 12th September

The Last Islanders of Lough Erne and Inniscorkish: Special feature from the shores of Lough Erne in County Fermanagh. This area has a long history of habitation on the many islands of its Upper and Lower Lough from the 15th Century to the present day. We hear about the once thriving island community as told by the last remaining native islanders - Mary McBrien, John Reihill and Nancy Durnien.

Friday 19th September

Michael O’Connor on a return trip to the Glencarr Valley

The Oldest Radio Officer in the World. In part one, Michael O’Connor from Kerry recalls a career as a Radio Officer prior to the outbreak of World War II and his adventures on the high seas and the kindness of strangers.

SEASCAPES

RTE Radio 1 @ 22.30

Friday 26th September

The Oldest Radio Officer in the World. Part Two continues with the remarkable tale of Michael O’Connor on his exploits following the outbreak of World War II and adjusting to life ashore.

Whales Can Get Emotional The brains of whales have recently been shown to contain the same ‘spindle cells’ that humans and the higher apes possess that allow complex emotions such as love. Wommitting Whales Strike Gold Examples of these emotions Whales sometimes vomit up lumps of the solid, have been observed in the way waxy, flammable substance they produce in their guts to protect them from the sharp beaks of squid Killer Whales teach complex on which they feed. This ‘Ambergris’ has unique hunting behaviour to their offspring, as well as social properties that make it extremely valuable in the manufacture of perfume. One beachwalker and his behaviour and mutual support dog in Morecombe, Lancashire, recently found a in other whales species. 6 lb lump of ambergris on the shore which was In 2011, a humpback whale subsequently valued at £100,000! that was freed from fishing nets by three men put on an hour-long display of what seemed to be gratitude, including at least 40 ‘breachings’ or jumps out of the water, before departing - waving its tail as it went. One of the whale‘s rescuers later said. “We all believed it was at least a show of pure joy, if not thanks.’ For these and more FunFacts check out: www.spindriftpress.com

inshore ireland August/September 2014 27

Book Review

No Flowers on a Sailor’s Grave

erome Lordan’s book No Flowers on a Sailor’s Grave Shipwrecks of Kinsale and Courtmacsherry’ was very well received at the launch in July by Marcus Connaughton of RTE Seascapes in the Speckled Door Pub and Restaurant, Kinsale. Jerome runs the only activity in Kinsale whereby the historic town can be seen from a maritime perspective from his highly successful historic cruise tour which he has been operating for 12 years. He has multidisciplinary skills, having been a fisherman for 28 years, so knows the coast really well. His perspective is probably unique having grown up on the Old Head, Kinsale, fishing with the older men. He has a lifelong interest in history, folklore, and completed a thesis on shipwrecks that included a 1927 shipwreck in Garretstown. Jerome researched over 100 shipwrecks, mostly 19th century to the present day, for No Flowers on a Sailor’s

Grave. Around the 19th century, shipwrecks were so common place and most went unreported. In the time before newspapers, ships went missing at sea and that was that. After studying Heritage Management at Coláiste Stiofán Naofa, Cork, Jerome completed a BA in Archaeology and Celtic Civilisation at University College Cork, where he was awarded an M.A. in Local History with First Class Honours in 2012 for his thesis on the local placenames of the Old Head. Hiram Morgan of UCC’s School of History, in his foreword to the book, states: ‘In this book Jerome Lordan provides a valuable record of the known shipwrecks in the area during the modern period. In doing so, he has located many primary accounts and original illustrations and has deployed these to good effect. ‘Above all, he has brought his own local specialist knowledge to bear on the subject. It is his knowledge of local people, local places and local sea conditions, his expertise as a mariner and indeed his eye for a

Figure head of the Swallow wrecked in Kinsale Harbour 1692. Courtesy Kinsale Museum good story that makes this book. As a result, it stands as an important contribution, not just to local history, but also to the burgeoning maritime history of Ireland.’ No Flowers on a Sailor’s Grave is available from local book shops in West Cork and on line from www. madeinwestcork.ie Carol Gilbert

Astrid on the rocks.

Courtesy of Michael Prior photography

COMPETITION

The author has generously offered two copies as competition prizes:

what year did Jerome Lordan awarded an MA in Local Q InHistory with First Class Honours? Answers to mills@inshore-ireland.com or by postcard to: 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin Closing date: OCTOBER 10

Good luck!

Scene from the sinking of the Spanish trawler Baron of Vigo, 1938. Courtesy of The Cork Examiner

JUNE/JULY COMPETITION WINNERS Wild Atlantic Way Brendan Walshe, 11 Curragh View, Brownstone, The Curragh, Co. Kildare Gerard Hehir, Bruff, Co Limerick Kinsale Harbour Rose Twomey, Wilton, Co Cork Eileen O’Connor, Beann Beara, Churchyard Lane, Well Road, Douglas, Cork.

Bull Island: Eileen O’Sullivan, Blackrock Cork

Congratulations to all our competition winners

Correction 10.3 Review Kinsale Harbour: A History Old Head of Kinsale looking north to the harbour mouth. Photo: Kevin Dywer, author of Ireland: Our island home

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