Inshore Ireland vol 14 nr 4 Winter 2018

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

€2.50/£2.10

NATIONAL MARINE PLAN FOR IRELAND

PAGES 6-7

MARINE INNOVATION PARK FOR WEST COAST

PAGES 31-31

Winter 2018/19 Vol 14 Issue 4

ONLINE EDITION

You can now view the AUTUMN issue on www.inshore-ireland.com or you can follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/inshore_ireland and Facebook www.facebook.com/InshoreIreland

Guarded optimism from Irish fisheries to Brexit declaration Gillian Mills

C

hief Executive of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO) has welcomed the Brexit declaration which includes specific acknowledgment and reference to linking access and quotas to the wider

trade issue.

Responding to the 36page draft text, which is part of a package alongside the legal treaty on Britain’s withdrawal from the EU, Seán O’Donoghue said the key to a successful fisheries outcome would be this link: Paragraph 75 of the text states: ‘Within the context of the overall economic partnership the Parties

should establish a new fisheries agreement on, inter alia, access to waters and quota shares.’

A new EU-UK agreement on fisheries would form part of the overall new relationship between the two; the sides aim to ‘conclude and ratify their new fisheries agreement by 1 July 2020’.

Building on the momentum of the draft publication

and political declaration, “the Irish fishing industry is currently relatively wellplaced to avoid a disastrous hard Brexit,” he noted.

VIGILANCE REQUIRED

While encouraged by the documents seen to date which set down “strong foundations, we cannot afford to take our eye off the ball.

We’ve begun well but we’re

Local and environmental criticism over mussel seed dredging in Dalkey Sound, Co Dublin. Full story pg 16.

not even at half-time yet.

We know only too-well from experience that fisheries negotiations are multi-faceted and highly complex, and much remains to be agreed.”

Ireland’s fishing industry contends that a future framework for fisheries after the transition period needs to maintain the current »» page 12

(photo Des Burke-Kennedy)

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INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

NEWS

Cork base for world’s first aquaculture accelerator programme

H

ATCH, the aquaculturefocused startup Accelerator Programme and earlystage aquaculture investment firm has named Aquamonk as ‘the most investible business’ to emerge from its first Irish programme.

Aquamonk uses realtime monitoring and data management for shrimp farming, and brings technology inspired solutions, real-time monitoring and data management into the aquaculture industry.

HATCH’s three-month programme, based in Cork, is supported by BIM under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. Six start-ups from the UK, US, Canada, Chile and India benefited from mentorship from experts in the fields of aquaculture, technology, finance and marketing.

BIM CEO Jim O’Toole said the programme represented a new phase of innovation for Ireland’s seafood sector: “Three of six Hatch

start-ups look likely to continue to operate their global aquaculture business from Ireland. This shows we’re making progress in our ambition to lead in aquaculture innovation.

Almost 15,000 adults work in the sector in Ireland. It’s at the heart of many of Ireland’s coastal communities and the focus on innovation will benefit the entire sector.”

Alune, an investment business that allows access to high liquidity investment opportunities in aquaculture, incorporated its business in Ireland days before starting the Hatch Accelerator for Aquaculture. Two further two start-up are at advanced stages of trying to establish their global aquaculture business HQs in Ireland.

“Taking Hatch to Ireland has been a hugely positive experience. All of the startups have gained from the expertise and support they received during the last three months as has been made clear at today’s Demo Day,” remarked Wayne Murphy, COO Hatch.

Carsten Krome, CEO Hatch, Kranti Chand, Aquamonk and Richard Donnelly, BIM.

Our greatest national resource is our ocean marine.ie

The team at Inshore Ireland wish readers and customers a

HAPPY

CHRISTMAS & The Very Best For 2019

INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

3

COMMENT

Brexit dominates conversation throughout 2018

I

rish fishermen have expressed guarded optimism for the Brexit withdrawal agreement that links access and quotas to the wider trade issue.

A new EU-UK agreement on fisheries would form part of the overall relationship between the two parties who ‘aim’ to conclude and ratify the arrangement by July 1, 2020.

Ireland’s fishing industry is now ‘well-placed to avoid a disastrous hard Brexit’ that maintains reciprocal access to waters and markets, as well as sound science-based fisheries management, we have heard.

Irelands’ two biggest fisheries, mackerel (60%) and Nephrops/ prawns are highly dependent on access to UK waters, and all stocks have a 30% dependency.

They warn however that these are very early days and that

vigilance must be applied at every turn. Seafood products would not be covered by the rules relating to trade in goods between the territories, unless the status quo is maintained on access and quota.

Environmental concerns have welcomed commitment to maintaining current levels of protection across the island of Ireland, based on a clause designed to prevent any regression of environmental laws, regulations and practices in the UK or the EU after March 29 next.

The clause relates to access to justice in environmental matters and climate mitigation measures and obliges both parties to continue to respect the ‘precautionary principle’ and the ‘polluter pays principle’.

All of the above, however, is predicated on the agreement passing the House of Parliament less than 24 hours from writing comment.

While the absolute outcome is

therefore unknown, few would argue that the UK’s goose is already cooked on this issue and that December 2018 will not go down as a Merry Christmas for legislators, the commercial world and Joe & Mary Citizen who above all want certainty so they can plan for their future.

Gery Flynn

PÁIRC NA MARA

O

ur interview with Mark de Faoite and Máire Ní Éinniú in this issue on Údarás na Gaeltachta’s plans for Páirc na Mara — a new marine innovation and research cluster ear marked for Cill Chiaráin, 70km west of Galway city — will be welcome news for anyone involved in or interested in Ireland’s blue economy.

Located on a coastal brownfield site 70km west of Galway City, Páirc na Mara will be developed as a state-of-the art, low carbon, Marine Innovation Park to attract a range of marine-related activities.

We learn that already some of the key strategic partners committed to the Páirc na Mara project include the Marine Institute, BIM, Galway County Council, the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, NUI Galway and the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.

Páirc na Mara is evidence that the government’s Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth strategy is working, and that this project will be a driver of economic growth and employment opportunities in one of Ireland’s most disadvantaged regions.

Páirc na Mara cannot come to fruition soon enough!

comment

Gillian Mills

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INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

NEWS

Tech innovation project sinks in Dún Laoghaire Harbour Gillian Mills

P

lans to transform the former ferry terminal in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, into Ireland’s largest technology innovation campus were dashed this week when would-be tenants discovered that Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company failed to obtain the necessary foreshore licence to lease the building — two years after the building had been advertised for lease.

Philip Gannon, project investor, spent more than 12 months negotiating the lease, experiencing long delays waiting for BER certs and planning permission from Dún LaoghaireRathdown County Council to transform the 7,500m2 site.

This unexpected news was the final straw for Gannon who said it was “very disappointing” to be told seven weeks after receiving planning permission

that the landlords did not actually have any legal right to lease the building: “You would think that DLHC would have taken care of such basic requirements before advertising the property in the first place.

When I was told that Gerry Dunne still remains in charge of arranging the foreshore licence, I decided to cut my losses and pull the plug,” he said.

This innovation campus was a described as a ‘oncein-a-lifetime’ opportunity to attract global tech companies to Dún Laoghaire and was set to deliver up to 1,000 jobs and a spend of around €6m per year to the town.

The Ferry Terminal has been empty since the Stena Ferry operators pulled out in 2014. In early October, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company was transferred to DLRCC following a unanimous vote by the councillors to dissolve the company, giving full responsibility to the local authority for management and operations of the harbour.

Concerns however

have been raised over a sizeable debt that comes with the transfer. DLRCC sought to secure funding for capital works required to bring the harbour up to ‘taking in charge’ standard but no funding has been made available as part of the transfer.

The Harbour Innovation Campus was to deliver additional revenue of almost €15m in rent and rates to DLHC/DLRCC over the next 10 years.

Following this news and with the challenges that Brexit will place on Irish ports, calls have been made to reinstate a ferry service at Dún Laoghaire.

“The terminal should be used for “what it was designed and built for”. The reality is there will be some sort of checks and controls on the movement of good and people travelling to and from Ireland to the UK,” remarked Senator Boyhan.

Closure of the Stena Line service in 2014 devastated the harbour financially and ended the historic route first started in 1835.

“The harbour and town has never recovered from the loss of capital and people,” he said.

Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council who are now custodians of the

harbour “should consider inviting expressions of interest from ferry operators to provide a seasonal ferry service…” he added.

Senator Boyhan is appealing to Minister Shane Ross who has overall responsibility for port policy, tourism and sport, to establish a working group involving the local authority, Fáilte Ireland and local business groups to explore “all possibilities” for a new ferry service.

“The best way to preserve the harbour is to establish a working harbour for people to travel, sail and engage in associated water sports, leisure and recreation,” he said.

Statement from DLRCoCo Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, in accordance with the Harbours Act 2015, was dissolved and responsibility transferred from the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council on the 3rd October 2018. The Council is currently at early stages of this transition process and are currently working on all operational and related matters with regards to the Harbour on foot of the very recent transfer.

The original agreement for lease on the buildings associated with the Harbour Innovation Campus project was with the landlord Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company prior to the transfer to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on 3 October 2018. This

Council welcomed the leasing of the former Ferry Terminal building and the proposed use as an innovation centre.

The Council granted planning permission for this change of use on 31 July 2018 (http://bit. ly/2ABUI7t) and following the transfer of the Harbour earlier this month, the Council had visited the building and meet with the new leaseholder.

Approval in principle to the foreshore application was granted by the Department of Housing Planning and Environment on 1st October 2018 and had been referred to the Chief States Solicitors Office for drafting. The Council was taken aback at the press release Monday 29th October from the developer with regards to the Harbour Innovation

centre. Clearly this is a very disappointing development.

The Council is at the early stages of management of the Harbour and will be preparing a fully integrated plan that benefits the appropriate future development of both the Harbour and the town of Dún Laoghaire and surrounds to ensure that both assets support each other. The use of the ferry terminal building will, if this project does not proceed, form part of that plan.

The Council still supports the project and believes it can proceed at this location which would provide a transformative space for business and will also impact so positively on the town of Dun Laoghaire.

The planning permission was not contingent on a foreshore licence being granted.

INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

5

NEWS

Trudy Mc Intyre, Women in Fisheries Network

U Pelagic fishermen say quality assurance system may not be fit-forpurpose

T

he EU, Norway and Faroes have signed a tripartite agreement in Bergen, Norway, setting a Total Allowable Quota for mackerel in 2019 at 653,438 tonnes, down 20% reduction on the current TAC. While the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO) is disappointed with the outcome, it is “not surprised” given that scientific advice issued at the end of September recommended a much larger reduction of 61%.

The organisation is highly critical of the scientific advice which is not only calling for a massive 61% reduction but also states that the stock has been in decline since 2011.

“I am very concerned that ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) does not have a fit-for-purpose quality assurance system in place.

This must be addressed as a matter of urgency.

“There have been far too many mistakes over the last number of years and it is undermining confidence in the scientific advice,” remarked Sean O’Donoghue, chief executive Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation.

2019 RE-EVALUATION

A positive outcome says the KFO is that ICES has agreed to carry out a reevaluation of the mackerel advice in early 2019.

“At least they’ve decided on a common-sense approach

to take the reduction over a two-year period,” adding he was confident phase two of the reduction would not be required as the scientific advice was incorrect.

“I look forward to the outcome of re-evaluation by ICES in early 2019 which I expect will confirm the industry view there is a still a very healthy mackerel stock in the North East Atlantic.

This has been evidenced — not only by the Irish pelagic fleet but also other pelagic fleets that have encountered large shoals of mackerel over the entire distribution area.”

Based upon these observations, the KFO believes the stock size has greatly increased, and is not confined to one area or has been observed

nion Hall has welcomed its new harbour master, Garrett O Mahony, who hit the ground running with a revamp of ‘Fishing For Litter’ campaign in the port. A visit by some Dutch fishermen who explained how they are expanding the actions of the campaign inspired a number of ports here to begin to collectively think improving onboard and onshore waste management.

A first step was to assess what waste had a re-use or recoverable value. Garrett tapped into creative community groups that used the wooden reels as outdoor furniture. This month, the amount of scrap metal around Union Hall was the focus of the discussion.

The local community organised a collection with Cork Waste Metal and the result and effort by the local fleet, county council, community and farming community was amazing.

Inspired by the work of others like Siobhan Faulkner in the Women’s Fisheries Network, liaising with the fleet and onshore support to ensure success, I was happy to take on the role as contact person for circulating details and updates as part of further initiatives for ‘Fishing For Litter’.

Just over 30 tonnes of waste metal was recovered

by only one fleet.

“This is contrary to ICES stated view that the stock is declining since 2011.”

O’Donoghue contends this is “yet another major mistake” in the mackerel advice not to mention the mistakes made in 2017

with a value of just over €4,500. The proceeds will go to Union Hall’s RNLI, the tidy towns committee and towards the next phase of improving onboard and onshore waste management.

AUSTRALIA VISIT

This was hot on the heel of the Irish delegation visit to Australia where we met several businesses that are creating value for locally caught fish.

We met representatives from Two Gulfs Crab which from one fishing enterprise added value to onshore processing and through creating brand and consumer awareness around the provenance of locally caught crab. Their insight on market mix communications was impressive and their story can be found on Instagram, (Twogulfscrab) or their website www.twogulfscrab.com.au

BOAT TO TABLE LINK

We hear a lot about digital transformation and got an inside track first-hand from Tom Cosentino who has developed a platform that links up 20 vessels and 20 restaurants in Adelaide, to communicate, buy and transport fish to clients shortly after landing.

This is a real example of adding value not only for those involved, but also the reputation of Adelaide being the foodie capital of Australia. www.fairfishsa.com.au

and again in 2018 on Atlanto Scandia herring.

This is the final year of the 2014 Three Parties Agreement (EU, Norway and Faroes) however the three parties have agreed to extend the agreement for a further two years.

No bluefin tuna quota for Irish fishermen

S

inn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada has launched a scathing attack on government for their “repeated failure” to even ask for a bluefin tuna quota for Irish fishermen.

The Ireland South MEP was speaking following the International Commission for

Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICAAT) conference in Croatia.

“Following the international conference, countries like Norway and Spain got an increased quota for bluefin tuna, yet our own Government couldn’t even pluck up the courage to ask for any quota for our own fishermen,” she contends.

“It’s outrageous that Ireland

is not allowed to fish for this species in its own waters. The failure to refuse to negotiate for a commercial bluefin tuna quota means that coastal communities in Munster will be particularly affected, especially when it comes to the knock-on effect this will have on the angling tourism sector and employment.

“They haven’t even requested a quota despite the number

of bluefin in Irish waters increasing year on year.”

The MEP added that Brussels has refused to answer her written and oral requests asking if Ireland has ever tried to negotiate, particularly in the December Council meetings on fish quotas.

“There are bluefin tuna quotas for French, Spanish, and Portuguese boats who

are fishing for it just a few miles of the Munster coast, yet Irish fishermen can only watch them land fish that are worth thousands of euro each.

“How galling is this for struggling Irish fishermen and how much hope can they possibly have for the future when their own government won’t even raise the question on their behalf,” she asks.

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INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

REPORT

All-inclusive national plan to influence development of Ireland’s marine territory Gillian Mills

John Leech, Irish Water Safety

Roadshow rollout of NMPF baseline report Gery Flynn

A

t the Dublin unveiling of the report, Irish Water Safety CEO John Leech said he was surprised that ‘safety’ was not mentioned in the report’s foreword or introduction, and first appears on page 35 under ‘Energy-Petroleum’.

Speaking later to Inshore Ireland he said as a nation, we didn’t always think of safety in terms of the marine and the coastal environment: “In terms of marine spatial planning we have to integrate safety into all aspects of development that takes place from now on. It’s just something that’s got to be built into everything.”

The framework primarily focuses on sustainable use of resources, diversity of ecosystems and value creation, he added,noting Ireland’s poor but improving marine and water safety culture: “At a minimum the framework should list all marine and water safety legislation so that when someone applies for planning permission, they are aware of their legal obligations.”

Under the International Organization for Standardization, countries including Ireland have contributed to a marine safety standard on signage to create common practice and understanding around the globe: “When it comes to safety around fixed and floating wind farms, it’s really important to think about the radar shadow cast by the towers and blades. If someone is lost overboard, a ship must be able to turn 180 degrees on its own track to recover that person. We need to look at how these farms operate and maybe introduce wider and vessel traffic separation zones.”

Fast and safe access to a windfarm where boats are performing daily duties is an additional concern especially during an emergency.

“It can be incredibly difficult to evacuate a casualty.

Helicopters can’t obviously get near so lifeboats are used. The Germans, Danes and the Dutch have developed a standard operating procedure whereby all wind farms were retrofitted with a fold-out crane that can lower a stretcher into a lifeboat.

“These are the kind of safety procedures that must be inbuilt into our framework for marine spatial planning.”

A

s the ink dried on this edition of Inshore Ireland, communities living along the coastline and stakeholders with an interest in Ireland’s marine environment had the final opportunity to comment on a plan that would influence development of the marine territory, described as waters (sea area), territorial seas, Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf.

This maritime area comprises approximately 490,000 km2 and extends from the mean high-water mark at the coast seaward to in excess of 200 nautical miles in parts.

Prepared by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the public consultation on the National Marine Planning Framework baseline report aimed to gather information on the range of activities, where these activities take place, when and why, and the associated challenges at individual and collective levels.

Stakeholders and activities include port and local authorities, sports and recreation organisations,

regional and national inshore fisheries, sea fisheries, environmental groups, renewable energy, tourism.

‘When we see the demands being placed on our marine area clearly laid out, we can effectively consider whether those demands can be met simultaneously, or whether some management or governance is required in particular areas,” remarks Damien English, Minister for Housing and Urban Development in the foreword.

Feedback will identify potential synergies and coexistences, facilitate conflict resolution, anticipate future spatial needs, and balance ecological, economic and social elements of the marine in a sustainable fashion, he added.

The NMPF should be ‘strategic, concise and informed’ by effective participation to ensure buy-in regarding implementation, ‘to stand as a parallel to terrestrial planning to Ireland’s longterm terrestrial plan’.

ROADMAP

In 2012, Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth, first outlined the need to develop a national marine spatial plan.

It noted that ‘organisation and regulation of marinebased activity in Irish waters’

National Marine Planning Framework Baseline Report

was being carried out on a sectoral and demand-driven basis without a strategic framework in which sectorial policy objectives could be envisioned, planned and delivered over the long term.

Described as ‘An appropriate, overarching national marine spatial plan underpinned by an efficient and robust planning and licensing framework’ the plan seeks to provide competitive advantage for the marine sector, help realise the full benefit of Ireland’s ocean wealth and assist with managing resources effectively and sustainably.

In 2014, Ireland’s plan was copper-fastened by the EU’s Marine Spatial Planning Directive obliging member states to develop a spatial plan.

‘It is incumbent on us to support the future use, protection and enjoyment of our seas, balancing ecological, economic and social goals,’ the foreword notes.

In December 2017, the principles to encourage stakeholder and agency involvement were outlined in roadmap to develop a marine planning framework: Towards a Marine Spatial Plan for Ireland.

An interdepartmental group involving the Marine Institute, local government and relevant government departments will

Towards a Marine Spatial Plan for Ireland A Roadmap for the delivery of the national Marine Spatial Plan

Prepared by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government housing.gov.ie

INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

7

REPORT National Marine Planning Framework Baseline Report

oversee development of the plan and an advisory group of key stakeholders from economic, environmental and social pillars will ensure cross-sector involvement.

NATIONAL ASSET

Ireland’s marine environment is described as a ‘national asset´ that yields multiple commercial and non-commercial benefits from sectors including seafood, tourism, recreation, renewable

energy, oil and gas, culture, heritage and biodiversity.

Marine spatial planning aims to bring together all stakeholders to make informed and coordinated decisions about how to use marine resources sustainably. It will provide an overarching framework for decision-making that is ‘consistent evidence-based and secures a sustainable.

A key objective is to provide a more ‘integrated governance

structure that will coordinate all of these specific departmental or sectoral areas into an overall strategy.

It is a process by which the relevant public authorities analyse and organise human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives.’

Output over a 20-year horizon will be a national plan for Ireland’s seas, setting out a how they will be used, protected and enjoyed.

12

The real map of Ireland: At approx 220 million acres the area is more than ten times our land mass.

BIM Schedule December 2018/January 2019

Second Hand Certificate of Competency – 07 Jan-27 March 2019, NFC Greencastle – 07 Jan-26 April 2019, NFC Castletownbere

3-day Safety Training – 04-06 December, Arklow, Co. Wicklow, contact 087 2334620 – 04-06 December, NFC Castletownbere – 11-13 December, Arklow, Co. Wicklow, contact 087 2334620 – 18- 20 December, Arklow, Co. Wicklow, contact 087 2334620 – 14-16 January 2019, NFC Greencastle – 15-17 January 2019, Rossaveal, Co. Galway Contact 087 6837134 – 21-23 January 2019, NFC Greencastle – 22-24 January 2019, NFC Castletownbere

Electronic Navigation Systems (Fishing) – 07-25 January 2019, NFC Castletownbere

Enhanced Safety Training – – – –

10 December, NFC Greencastle 12 December, NFC Castletownbere 03 January 2019, NFC Greencastle 07 February 2019, NFC Greencastle

Medical First Aid (3-day)

– 17-19 December, NFC Greencastle – 03-05 April 2019, NFC Castletownbere

Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (3-day) – 12-14 December, NFC Greencastle – 25-27 February 2019, NFC Greencastle

Advanced Fire Fighting (5-day)

– 03-07 December, NFC Greencastle – 25-29 March 2019, NFC Castletownbere

GMDSS GOC Radio

– 07-18 January 2019, NFC Castletownbere – 11-22 February 2019, NFC Greencastle

GMDSS ROC Radio

– 04-06 February 2019, Rossaveal, Co. Galway, contact 087 6837134 Ireland’s EU Structural and Investment Funds Programmes 2014 - 2020 Co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union

GMDSS SRC Radio

– 03-06 December, Portmagee, Co. Kerry, contact 087 6837134 – 11-13 March 2019, NFC Greencastle

GMDSS LRC Radio

– 28 January-01 February 2019, Rossaveal, Co. Galway, contact 087 6837134 – 11-15 February 2019, Rossaveal, Co. Galway, contact 087 6837134

Commercial Diver (5 weeks) – 18 February-22 March 2019, NFC Castletownbere

Surface Supplied Diver (3 weeks)

– 01-19 April 2019, NFC Castletownbere

NFC Greencastle +353 74 938 1068/938 1099 NFC Castletownbere +353 27 71230 CTU 2 +353 87 233 4620 Please contact the CTU instructor for final confirmation of the course schedule.

EUROPEAN UNION This measure is part-financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

www.bim.ie

8

INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

FRESHWATER FOCUS

Fishing the beach on a calm autumnal day Brendan Connolly

A

s September ends, so does the trout and salmon fishing season with shorter days, colder winds and greyer skies.

But Irish anglers are in the enviable position that only the trout and salmon fishing ends, all other species are still fair game.

In fact, many Irish beaches deliver better autumn fishing than at any other time of year.

The water temperatures while dropping will not be at their lowest until February/March.

Offshore, sprat and sandeels abound; flocks of seabirds materialise as if out of nowhere, congregating in dense white blizzards of flapping wings, feeding voraciously on fish driven to the surface by hidden predators below.

Flounder, turbot, and bass patrol the foaming surf along the beaches. This is the high season for beach casting.

AUTUMN LIGHT

On a calm November morning an angler is pushing his fishing wheelbarrow across the beach. The hills on the other side of the bay are shrouded in a pink haze, lit by the low rising autumn sun.

The air is crisp, but the sun is already making its warmth felt.

The angler inhales deeply and revels in the clean air, the calm surroundings, and pristine sands of the broad beach. The white surf, stacked in braking waves one above the other, glistens in the sun.

The rods are set resting against the stand and baited with frozen mackerel strips.

Three coloured plastic beads are threaded above the hook to attract the attention of the fish. Whether this is actually the case is much discussed among sea anglers.

One theory is that coloured beads increase the chances of catching fish if the water is turbid, but not if it is clear. As the surf is charging backwards and forwards stirring up clouds of sand, the angler decides to use the beads.

The Donegal beach he is fishing is wide with a slight gradient. To reach water more than 50 cm deep involves wading quite a distance into the sea. He had heard from an older and wiser angler however that on this beach the fish were shallow, in not much more than 30 – 50 cm of water. He was advised to wear ordinary rubber boots rather than waders as you can easily walk to where the fish are or even past them.

Rubber boots, being shorter, stop you walking too far.

The angler made sure not to walk too far before casting out. The lead leading three trailing hooks soared through the air in an arc. A splash of white foam showed where the baits entered the water.

With the rods back on the stands, the angler took in his peaceful surroundings while keeping an eye on the rod tips.

REEL AND REFRESH

After about 15 minutes he reeled in and refreshed the bait. Then, shortly after casting out again, one rod tip quivered with a short fast tremor — as if an electric pulse ran through the line.

The angler was instantly roused out of his reverie. He waited and watched the rod carefully to see the tip twitch again. He lifted the rod and reeled in about a meter of line. Again, he felt the tremor and proceeded to reel in.

While reeling, he watched the line slice though the waves, hoping to see the white shape of a flatfish. Eventually, with the lead and hooks in no more than a hand’s breadth of water, he saw a tail flick above the water. A fine flounder slid across the sand towards the angler.

A fish emerging from the

Second win of ‘Something Fishy’ by Donegal school

L

etterkenny Educate Together National School is winner of the national education programme, ‘Something Fishy’ for 2018.

The students from fifth class were presented with the ‘Something Fishy’ perpetual

trophy and a monetary prize

by Joe McHugh, Minister for Education and Skills. During the 2017-2018 academic year, 99 national schools and 10 education centres took part in the programme, reaching approximately 3,000 students.

The programme is an

initiative of Inland Fisheries Ireland in partnership with Blackrock Education Centre, which allows students to learn about fish and the environment in a local context. Students enjoy classroom-based activities as well as practical fieldtrips with fisheries. Students submitted projects on their learning, for assessment by an independent judging panel.

DIGITAL EDUCATION

Pupils from Letterkenny Educate Together National School with Minister Joe McHugh, their teacher Cliona Murray, SNA Assistant Nakita Burke, Principal Áine Fabisiak, representatives from Donegal Education Centre, Blackrock Education centre and Inland Fisheries Ireland

Snow-white surf on a Donegal Beach

Letterkenny Educate Together School received the national accolade for their project: ‘Save Our Schools (SOS)’.

The project saw the class build a website aimed at engaging other children and young people to learn about fish and the importance of protecting the fisheries resource. The webpage included digital games and video content, all devised and produced by the children themselves.

Teachers and students participating in the

Coloured beads caught this flounder’s eye waves is truly the moment of magic in beach casting.

Baits refreshed, the rod was cast out again. Then, the second rod twitched.

Reeling in, the angler had a small turbot. Luckily, the mackerel strip had masked the tip of the hook and it could be taken from the turbot’s mouth without any damage and returned to the sea.

The angler then baited the second rod with some fresh lugworm. After some time, he caught two more flounder on the rod with the

mackerel strip, but no fish came to the rod baited with lugworm. Having moved his gear back up the beach a few times ahead of the advancing tide, the angler was now at the head of the beach.

No more fish were caught after that. He pondered the reason why he caught all his fish on mackerel strip and none on fresh lugworm. Was mackerel a better bait or was it just coincidence? The angler packed up his gear and wended his way home, satisfied with his day’s fishing.

programme explore eight different lessons on the fisheries resource after which they are visited by Inland Fisheries officers who introduce them to their local river and the fish and invertebrates who live within. Since its inception in 2005, over 50,000 students have participated in the programme.

“I want to congratulate the students and teachers of Educate Together National School in Letterkenny. This year’s award is particularly special as we embark, in conjunction with countries all over the world, on the International Year of the Salmon, to celebrate the shared cultural and mythological place of salmon in societies around the globe,” remarked Minister McHugh.

“Our international scientists and fishery managers will seek to ‘educate together’ and to investigate new and innovative conservation initiatives. I am particularly proud that Donegal, and especially the Letterkenny area, has built up an excellent pedigree in this competition with this year’s champions following in the footsteps of Gartan NS who won the title last year.”

Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland said Letterkenny Educate Together really impressed the judging panel with their use of digital communications “to highlight significant conservation messages for their peers.

“I would like to congratulate the children and their teachers, Nakita Burke and Cliona Marley, for showcasing important learnings about the local fisheries environment in such an effective manner.

“We’re delighted that the programme has been so well received here in Donegal, and we would like to acknowledge the efforts of our colleagues in Donegal Education Centre and Blackrock Education Centre in that regard.”

Jacqui Dillon, Director of Donegal Education Centre said the centre works closely with the local fisheries officers to raise awareness and develop skills at primary level through the ‘Something Fishy’ Programme.

“This is the second year in a row that a Donegal school has won the national award. This is reflective of the commitment of the teachers involved and the keen interest they have engendered in their pupils.”

INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

9

FRESHWATER FOCUS

Water quality in Irish rivers is going in the wrong direction, warns the EPA Gery Flynn

T

wo reports from the Environmental Protection Agency reveal that despite some improvement, the quality of Irish water has deteriorated between 2015 and 2017, while the failure to treat waste water properly is continuing to damage rivers and coastal waters.

Water Quality in 2017: An Indicators Report for Ireland is the second water indicators report published by the EPA; the first, published last year, related to 2016 data.

The EPA says it intends publishing annual indicators reports ‘to complement and support’ its Water Quality in Ireland reports, produced every three years.

The 16 standard indicators used in the reports are chosen to provide information on the quality of Ireland’s rivers, lakes, canals, estuaries, coastal waters, beaches and groundwaters.

This report notes that 197 river water bodies have improved in quality, but 269 water bodies have deteriorated compared with the last full assessment in 2013-2015. This means a net overall decline of 3% (72 water bodies) and is a clear indication that water quality in Irish rivers is ‘going in the wrong direction’.

The report notes that the long-term loss of high-quality river sites is continuing, with a further 0.6% decline since 2015. It points out that most pollution is still caused by too much nitrogen and phosphorous entering waters.

Despite long-term reduction, new data indicates that levels of these nutrients - mainly the by-products of farming - are rising again. Unless addressed, this is likely to lead to further declines in water quality in the future, the report warns.

On the positive side, the report notes that serious pollution continues to decrease, with only two river water bodies seriously polluted during this reporting period compared to five from 2013-2015.

This is seen as a major improvement compared with the late 1980s when 91 seriously polluted water bodies were reported. Fish kills too, according to the report, are at an all-time low with only 14 reported in 2017 compared to 31 in 2016.

“Clean, healthy water is essential to our health and wellbeing. The signals in this report are not good and tell us that water quality is still getting worse in some areas despite improvements in others.

This is simply unacceptable.

We must do more to halt deterioration in water quality so that we protect this most precious public resource,”

remarked Dr Matt Crowe, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment.

“Substantial additional resources have recently been put in place by the State with the creation of the Local Authority Waters Programme and the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advice Programme.

These programmes will support action to address the issues causing water pollution.

“We now need to start seeing visible improvements in water quality through the work of these new programmes. The EPA will continue to play its part in this by providing the science and evidence to support action on the ground and will also continue to report regularly on progress.”

The Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2017 is based on the EPA’s assessment of monitoring information provided by Irish Water, and on enforcement activities carried out by the EPA. It focuses on the main issues that Ireland needs to address to prevent waste water from harming our environment.

Some of the report’s key findings: • waste water treatment at 28 of Ireland’s 179 large towns and cities failed to meet standards set to prevent pollution and protect public health • waste water from 57 areas caused significant impacts on our rivers, lakes and coastal waters • discharges of raw sewage

from six urban areas have ceased. Raw sewage from the equivalent of 88,000 people in 38 towns and villages however is still flowing into the environment.

While acknowledging some improvements, the report declares that Ireland is still not investing quickly enough to provide the infrastructure needed to treat our waste water. It says that deficiencies exist in many treatment plants and public sewers, due to a legacy of underinvestment resulting in waste water till entering the environment without receiving sufficient treatment.

Dr Tom Ryan of the EPA’s health unit said that Ireland was not addressing the deficiencies in its waste water treatment infrastructure at a fast-enough pace.

“It is unacceptable that 13 years after the final deadline to comply with treatment standards, 28 large towns and cities are still discharging inadequately treated sewage that fails to meet these standards. This is putting our health at risk and is having an impact on our rivers, lakes and coastal waters,” He added it was not possible to fix all of the issues in the short term and that a longterm strategy was required to address the shortcomings.

“It is therefore essential that available resources are targeted efficiently in

the right areas to deliver improvements where they are most needed.”

The report identifies the following as the priority areas for improvements:

• 28 large towns and cities where waste water treatment failed to meet mandatory standards. These account for over half of the sewage collected in our public sewers.

The final deadline to comply with the standards was 2005 and Ireland is before the EU Court of Justice for breaching these requirements • 38 towns and villages discharging raw sewage. The EPA has prosecuted Irish Water for delays in providing treatment plants at six of these areas • 57 areas where waste water discharges are the sole environmental threat to rivers, lakes and coastal waters at risk of pollution.

• Areas where upgrade works are needed to protect 4 beaches with poor quality bathing water. The affected beaches are Merrion Strand, Clifden, Loughshinny and Sandymount Strand.

• 15 areas where improvements are needed to protect critically endangered freshwater pearl mussels or to safeguard shellfish habitats.

• 13 priority waste water collection networks (sewers) that need to be upgraded.

Both reports are available on the EPA website. http://www.epa.ie/ pubs/reports/water/waterqua/

New Minister, new ‘Tuam’ broom?

Noel Carr FISSTA

T

he FISSTA AGM heard anglers from the four corners of the island advocating a north/south joint policy to manage Ireland’s wild Atlantic salmon, as stocks plummet even further. Many pleaded with Minister Canney to seize the initiative and get his staff to explore further the alarmingly high sea mortality of salmon stocks in this, the (IYS) International Year of the Salmon in 2019.

Much of the concern centred around the predation and overgrazing of the very high mackerel stock as outlined in the hypothesis put forward by Norwegian scientist Dr Jens Christian Holst in the Summer

edition of Inshore Ireland.

We all know that a 30 cm mackerel can eat a 12 cm one; this has always been the case, but Dr Holst asks why mackerel populations have moved to the smolt feeding locations more recently.

The suggestion that smolts are in grave danger of being wiped out in the feeding grounds is being debated everywhere and has got a good airing in Ireland despite a reluctance by some scientists to advocate a testing of the Holst hypothesis.

Anglers are not scientists, but the AGM wanted urgent action and unanimously agreed to lobby all concerned - nationally and internationally (including NASCO) - to put a plan into action to have the Holst hypothesis tested without further delay.

Another case of doctors differing while salmon die.

FAILED IFI POLICY

The new draft regulations published by the Minister for Natural Resources make very sad reading and serve as the annual embarrassment for a failed IFI policy. Anger is evident as salmon numbers continue to fall on many rivers such as the Feale with a zero surplus and therefore closed to taking fish for the first time ever.

This decision closes the draft net fishery in the Cashen estuary as well; it is also likely that the thirty- day public consultation process to December 12 will see many submissions registered to convince the Minister to overturn his decision and open up the fishery for at least another year.

This decision to close good rivers showing high redd counts makes no sense and while we acknowledge the data such as the salmon redd counts is there to guide

managers and the Standing Scientific Committee on how to mark up or down a river.

Once again, however, we wonder if they are making it up as they go along.

The Tullaghobegley river in Donegal, with a quota of 59 salmon, is open while neighbouring rivers in the Letterkenny district remain closed despite having superior data. For example, the River Lennon redd counts for 2016/2017 were the highest of all the Letterkenny fisheries, yet it is closed until May 12 next.

The Lackagh river, now with fish counter data since April, showed a surplus of 246 salmon. Despite this, IFI introduced a new bylaw to stop trolling and further restrict angling.

At a recent state function in Falcarragh, Co Donegal, a workplan for Tullaghabegley river was proposed and anglers lost no opportunity to

highlight the problems facing this and other Irish rivers.

While we welcome the promotion of TDs Joe Mc Hugh and now Sean Kyne, we are faced with having to brief a third minister in eighteen months to the Department of Natural Resources.

The frustration of our Federation in having to wait yet again for action while a Minister familiarises himself with a new and very import new job. We are facing a crucial time in salmon management, and one where a person like Minister Canney will have to play the pivotal role as leader of a new policy.

The old IFI policy certainly needs a re-mould. FISSTA left their AGM in Athlone with renewed hope for 2019.

FISSTA plans a very big IYS programme of events in 2019 in which the highlight will be at the Galway Game Fair in June 2019.

10 INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

AQUACULTURE

Sampling at MI research site, Beirtreach Buí Bay Inset: Research vessel Bradán

New funding supports sustainable food production in coastal waters Dr David Jackson Marine Institute

T

he Marine Institute has a strong track record in aquaculture research and innovation with much of the success built on collaborative programmes with state agencies and academic institutions in Ireland and international partners across Europe and North America.

AquaReg, an Inter-Reg miniprogramme, was co-managed by the Marine Institute and partners in Norway and Spain over four years, delivering twelve funded projects covering coastal zone management, new species development and innovation in husbandry and management techniques to the value of over €4m.

Other EU-funded projects include research into the prevention of escapes of cultured fish (Prevent Escape) and policy support projects to develop offshore aquaculture

(OATP) and a strategic research agenda for European aquaculture that resulted in the establishment of the European Aquaculture Technology & Innovation Platform (EATiP).

BESPOKE RESEARCH

The aquaculture team at the Marine Institute has also led applied and fundamental research in support of aquaculture management. The team successfully attracted funding from Enterprise Ireland, the Marine Research Measure and co-funding from other state agencies and commercial entities as well as international (non-EU) funding for collaborative initiatives in Norway, Canada and the United States.

The Marine Institute facilities and staff in Newport have historically played a central role in much of the aquaculture team’s research.

In 2016, a new initiative to link research infrastructure in Newport with a bespoke marine research site in south Connemara and the research team in the

Marine Institute HQ in Oranmore was launched.

Following significant investment to update facilities at both locations, the Marine Institute now has in place unique research infrastructure which forms part of an aquaculture research cluster in the region involving collaboration with BIM, NUIG and GMIT. Since 2016, collaborative initiatives have been put in place with partners in UCC, BIM, Údarás na Gaeltachta, GMIT and MRI Carna. These collaborations have been central to both unlocking funding and the publication of research.

They include peer reviewed papers, technical documents and books on aspects of new technologies for sustainable development of aquaculture as a clean and environmentallyfriendly way of producing food from our coastal waters.

The research team has also developed and expanded its network of international collaboration across the EU, the UK, Norway, Turkey and China.

MULT-DISCIPLINES

Since the initiation of the Aquaculture Strategy in 2016, the Marine Institute has secured competitive funding of over €1.7m from EUfunded research projects.

These include two Horizon 2020 projects, one of which the Marine Institute is coordinating. The projects range in duration from 24 to 48 months, underpinned by significant research funding until 2022, enabling the Marine Institute to take on eight researchers to date.

These posts include postdoctoral researchers, research assistants and highlytrained operatives to manage and supervise the research sites.

The jobs are located in Newport, Oranmore and at the research site in south Connemara. In addition to the current projects the Marine Institute are involved in a series of planned collaborative projects. It is estimated that these proposed new aquaculture projects will bring in a further €1.2 million to the Marine Institute over

the period from 2019 to 2022 underpinning the viability of both the infrastructure and jobs into the future.

Outputs from the research have already borne fruit and are feeding into developments in IMTA (Integrated MultiTrophic Aquaculture) where different species are grown on the same or adjacent sites.

IMTA not only allows several ‘crops’ to be produced from the same area, the nutrients from fin fish production also enhance seaweed growth and provide shellfish with more feed.

This leads to better growth rates and more efficient use of space and local infrastructure.

It can also enhance biodiversity and mitigate against any environmental impacts of the nutrients produced.

One study currently underway at the Marine Institute site in south Connemara is the production of lobster post-larvae for restocking of inshore fisheries in conjunction with the production of salmon. To date, survival and growth of the lobsters are very good.

INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19 11

AQUACULTURE

PRIMROSE project aims to predict risk and impact of harmful algal blooms Dr Lee Hastie Marine Institute

T

he Marine Institute are coordinating PRIMROSE, a collaborative project for predicting risk and impacts of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and microbial contamination events to the European Atlantic aquaculture sector. This EU Interregfunded project involves an international consortium of ten partners located along the Atlantic coast of Western Europe. The objective of the work is to provide an improved system for reporting and forecasting HABs and microbial events in European coastal waters. Building on existing systems, the new forecasting model will include microbial risk and climate impacts, in addition to improving HAB predictions.

Harmful algal blooms have a massive impact on the European aquaculture sector. HAB events

are associated with dinoflagellates and diatoms. These tiny, singlecelled organisms grow in the upper, sunlit layers of the ocean.

They can proliferate rapidly under favourable conditions, resulting in short-term blooms covering thousands of square kilometres. Some species can affect aquaculture operations, through the rapid accumulation of biotoxins in shellfish consumed by humans; and by killing fish due to toxins, physical damage and deoxygenation (biological oxygen demand). Major events often result in closures (harvesting bans) of shellfish production areas for prolonged periods. Entire stocks of caged salmon have been lost following single HAB events. The economic impact of HABs in EU waters may be as high as €919 million per year.

Prevention of natural HABs is not possible, and controlling microbial contamination events can be very difficult in certain situations. However, reliable early warnings can facilitate effective mitigation measures to safeguard public health and private business operations.

Bivalves such as oysters and

mussels are also capable of concentrating certain human pathogens to dangerous levels, particularly when cultured in areas impacted by municipal wastewater or agricultural runoff. The common gut bacteria, E. coli, is an indicator of risk of human consumption of shellfish. Under EU regulation, the sanitary quality of shellfish production areas is determinable by the concentration of E. coli present in shellfish flesh samples. Foodborne illness, following the consumption of shellfish harbouring harmful microbes such as E. coli can constitute a serious health risk.

Scientists analyse biological, oceanographic and hydrological datasets, to predict the onset of major HAB events. It is vital to aquaculture operators that HAB forecasts are sufficiently accurate and reliable. It is unlikely that these will ever achieve 100% reliability, although a reasonable degree of confidence is required. Work continues to develop new HAB models and improve existing ones in order to maximise their predictive power. At present, accurate

Satellite image of gigantic algal bloom off SW Ireland in 2010.

Photo: ESA, Algal Bloom off Ireland - CC BY-SA 3.0 predictive rates >80% have been achieved in certain localities.

The aquaculture sector relies on sufficient early warning of harmful events, so that effective mitigation measures can be taken against HABs. It is essential to engage effectively with the aquaculture industry to explain how an enhanced HAB alert system can assist in planning and adapting harvest schedules and other operations.

Throughout the execution of the PRIMROSE project the intention is to maintain close involvement with industry partners throughout the project.

This will involve inviting fishand shellfish farmers and other stakeholders to participate

in volunteer questionnaire surveys and provide feedback during the critical development phase of the project.

Any ideas and suggestions from potential end-users are welcome, as the team continue to develop this service. To provide feedback please contact Lee Hastie at the Marine Institute on lee.hastie@ marine.ie For further information on PRIMROSE visit http:// www.shellfish-safety.eu/ Partner organisations involved in the PRIMROSE project include the Marine Institute, Indigo Rock (Ireland); PML, SAMS, SeaFood Shetland (UK), IST-Lisbon (Portugal); IFREMER (France); AGAPA, AZTI, IEO (Spain).

Commercial SCUBA & Surface Supplied Diver Training Bord Iascaigh Mhara provides a range of commercial diver training courses leading to QQI Level 6 Awards.

To work as a diver in Ireland you are required to have completed an appropriate training course. Depending on the work being carried out by the diver, a commercial SCUBA qualification or a Surface Supplied Diving qualification is required.

BIM delivers these commercial diver training courses at our National Fisheries Training College of Ireland (‘NFCI’), Castletownbere Co. Cork.

Course costs are supported by grant aid under BIM’s Seafood Training Scheme. Register for grant approval @ https://bim. flexigrant.com. For information on training and grant aid please contact BIM on +353 1 2144 100 or visit us online at www.bim.ie.

Accommodation is not included in the course fee. However, BIM can provide a list of local accommodation options.

The training programme leading to the awards is subject to QQI validation.

Ireland’s EU Structural and Investment Funds Programmes 2014 - 2020 Co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union

Commercial SCUBA Diver Training The commercial SCUBA diving course is the foundation programme for all commercial diver training. It covers the requisite dive theory and practices that are fundamental to commercial diving operations.

Duration: Five-week course, full-time (includes Diving First Aid) 18 February-22 March 2019. Course Fee: €4,500.00

Surface Supplied Diver Training For most commercial diving operations the preferred method of diving is Surface Supply. As the name suggests, the diver’s air or gas mixture is supplied from the surface, unlike Scuba where the air supply is limited by the volume of the cylinder worn by the divers. Surface Supplied Diving (SSD) has many health and safety advantages providing greater protection for the diver, unlimited air supply and a fully independent back-up supply.

Divers with a Surface Supplied qualification can work on all Aquaculture works as well as inshore civil engineering projects, construction works, maintenance, rigging and almost anywhere divers are required.

Duration: Three-week course, full-time. Monday to Saturday (inclusive) 01-19 April 2019. Course Fee: €5,500.00 EUROPEAN UNION This measure is part-financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

12 INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

FISHERIES THE IMPLICATIONS OF BREXIT ON THE USE OF THE LANDBRIDGE

»» from page 1

levels of reciprocal access to waters and markets, as well as sound science-based fisheries management.

“The text presented to date takes the first steps to deliver on this,” he added.

Ireland’s two biggest fisheries, mackerel (60%) and nephrops / prawns (40%) are hugely dependent on access to UK waters alongside overall dependency for all stocks of over 30%.

Maintaining reciprocal access to waters and resources “need to be at the heart of the post-Brexit relationship in fisheries” due to the historic ties and inextricable links between Ireland and the UK. O’Donoghue paid tribute to the effectiveness of the united approach taken by the European Fisheries Alliance (EUFA) which was established less than two months after the British vote, to protect the interests of fleets from national organisations in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden.

The alliance accounts for over 18,000 fishermen and 3,500 vessels and has an annual turnover €20.7bn.

The KFO chief executive acknowledged the “highstakes negotiations” which he described as being “very efficiently managed” by the Irish government, particularly Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Minister Michael Creed as well as the EU chief negotiator, Michel Barnier and their respective officials.

NECESSARY RATIFICATION

Patrick Murphy, chief executive of the Irish South & West Fish Producers Organisation said the withdrawal agreement was a “step back from the cliff edge, dependent of course on ratification by the House of Parliament”.

He cautioned however that fishery and aquaculture products would not be covered by the rules covering all trade in goods between the territories unless an agreement on access to waters and fishing opportunities was established between the UK and the EU. “I fear this implies that fisheries have been left out of the backstop. While the present status quo remains during the agreed transition period, fisheries after this will not be part of a future single customs territory unless both the Union and the UK endeavor to ratify it

afterwards, but this must be agreed before July 1, 2020.”

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

The Environmental Pillar has welcomed inclusion of a commitment in the draft withdrawal agreement to maintain current levels of environmental protection across the island of Ireland, post-Brexit.

The draft also includes a clause designed to prevent any regression of environmental laws, regulations and practices in the UK or the EU after March 29 next.

This ‘non-regression’ clause includes rules covering environmental impact assessment, air quality monitoring, biodiversity conservation, access to justice in environmental matters and climate mitigation measures.

It also obliges both parties to continue to respect the ‘precautionary principle’ and the ‘polluter pays principle’ as set out in the EU treaties, as well as in international conventions.

“The effectiveness of these environmental commitments will depend on the robustness of the measures put in place by the UK by the end of the ‘transition phase’ in order to ensure implementation and enforcement, including in Northern Ireland.

“It is critical that these environmental commitments are fully reflected in the Political Declaration and developed in the negotiations on the longterm future relationship,” remarked Oonagh Duggan.

The UK’s current proposal for an environmental ‘watchdog’ for England does not meet the requirements described in the draft Withdrawal Agreement, she added.

“The political declaration that will frame the negotiations on the future EU-UK relationship will need to ensure the UK cannot undercut EU environmental standards in a future trade deal.”

The Environment Pillar expects clear commitments in this declaration with clear provisions on a “level playing field” for the environment that build on those in the draft Withdrawal Agreement – including a requirement for the UK to match the strengthening of EU rules.

“This is critical to avoiding cross-border pollution and environmentally damaging divergence on the island of Ireland,” the Environmental Pillar Brexit spokesperson warned.

13

Political declaration setting out the framework for future relations between the EU and UK XII. FISHING OPPORTUNITIES

The73. study quantitative and qualitative Thecombined Parties should cooperate bilaterally and methods to determine the volume of trafficlevels, internationally to ensure fishing at sustainable promote conservation, and foster a clean, using theresource landbridge on an annual basis and healthy to and productive marine that environment, noting that the establish the factors drive shipping companies’ Unitedof Kingdom willroute. be an The independent coastal choice transport results of the state.

74. While preserving regulatory autonomy, the Parties study are presented as a series of findings and should cooperate on the development of measures for recommendations. the conservation, rational management and regulation

of fisheries, in a nondiscriminatory manner. They

will work closely with other coastal states and in With the Irish haulage sector shared availing of air international fora,road including to manage stocks. freight services in UK airport hubs,economic via RoRo sailings 75. Within the context of the overall partnership the Parties should establish a new fisheries and from Ireland, this study also explores air freight, agreement on, will interimpact alia, access to waters and quota shares. how Brexit this niche transport option in 76. TheA.Parties will use their best endeavours to Annex conclude and ratify their new fisheries agreement by 1 July 2020 in order for it to be in place in time to be used for determining fishing opportunities for the first year after the transition period.

THE IMPLICATIONS OF BREXIT ON THE USE OF THE LANDBRIDGE

»

The landbridge will continue to be used to the same extent only if transit times and related costs do not increase significantly.

»

Certain industry sectors, including but not limited to seafood, agricultural produce and

21

machinery parts, will be adversely affected by any increase in transit times as exemplified in the case study below.

Figure 1: Ireland’s current link on the European TEN-T network (European Commission 2018)

CASE STUDY: IRELAND’S SEAFOOD SECTOR AND THE LANDBRIDGE •

In 2017, Ireland exported over 235,000 tonnes of seafood.

•

65% of this volume is accounted for by frozen product. These species are mainly exported by container via Ireland’s ports.

•

The remaining 83,000 tonnes must access export markets worldwide via air freight, sea port or transit via the UK. A total of 72,000 tonnes is sold in the EU market (inc UK) It is estimated that circa 36% of the volume (26,000 tonnes) uses the landbridge of the UK to access these markets.

•

Concerns have been expressed that if delays are experienced on this landbridge route it could adcersely affect Irish seafood exporters with uncertainty of delivery time, increased costs and delays.

The volume of fresh fish transported using the landbridge represents around 1,300 vehicles per year.

This traffic will continue to rely on the landbridge because the transit times for alternative routes would place Irish fish exporters at a competitive disadvantage. Whilst transport of fresh fishery products represents a small proportion of overall RoRo traffic, the EU continental market is a key market for those products and the landbridge route to that market is a significant component of that trade.

Significant reductions in shelf life brought about by increased transit times, could make this sector uncompetitive.

Source: Bord Iascaigh Mhara.

INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19 13

FISHERIES

T

his study was commissioned by the Department of TRADE VOLUMES (2016) THE ‘UK LANDBRIDGE’ DESCRIBES THE MOVEMENT OF IRISH IMPORTS 7,760,007Tourism 8m Transport, AND EXPORTS BETWEEN IRELAND AND THE EUROPEAN CONTINENT VIA THE and Sport in recognition of 7m the strategic importance 6m 4,901,984 of the5mUK Landbridge to the Irish economy and the 4m potential for customs or 3m THE IMPLICATIONS border controls to undermine 2m OF BREXIT 1,031,384 the competitiveness of Irish Volume of Landbridge Traffic from Survey Responses 1m IRE ON THE USE OF importers and exporters in 40,000 0 THE LANDBRIDGE accessing the single market.

GB LOLO EU(1) LANDBRID The UK Landbridge describes LOLO LOLO EU 35,000 LOLO LOLO the movement of Irish imports IMPORTS EXPORTS RORO and exports between Ireland and the European continent via the UK roads and ports 30,000 network. Estimated volume of goods transported via the LESS THAN UP TO UP TO TRADE VALUES (2016) landbridge is 3,055,553 tonnes, comprising 1,031,384 tonnes 50m of imports and 2,024,169 tonnes€44,669,000 of exports.

25,000 This study answers two questions set out in its terms 40m of reference.

It quantifies the volume of traffic using the 20,000 HOURS HOURS HOURS UK landbridge and assesses the factors that determine 30m €24,776,000 the transport route to the European continent.

VIA THE LANDBRIDGE ON RORO SERVICES LOLO SERVICES VIA The20mstudy concludes that the landbridge is a strategically 15,000 VIA DIRECT SEA-ROUTE DIRECT SEA-ROUTE important route to market for many Irish importers 10m and exporters.

It confirms that many sectors of the €3,293,000(3) Irish economy, including but not limited to agri-food, 10,000 0 seafood, and other sectors trading in time sensitive EU(1) by any deterioration LANDBRIDG produce, will be adversely affected 5,000 IMPORTS in current transit times orEXPORTS increases in current costs. (1) Not including Great Britain and Northern (2) Estimate based on average value of goo At an operational level, Irish ports and shipping companies (3) Estimate based on average value of goo are preparing for the consequences of Brexit, with many Trade values reflect merchandised trade (see glossary) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 taking a conservative approach by assuming the full reimposition of customs and border controls in Irish seaports.

Response reference Irish ports and shipping companies have demonstrated considerable resilience inTRANSPORT the past inMODES responding (2016)to LAND market challenges.

A number of shipping companies 30m Figure 3: Breakdown of Volume of Landbridge Traffic from Survey Responses have already increased capacity on direct services to the 25m The factors that influence the use of landbridge The majority of the landbridge traffic is routed continent.

Ports are preparing for the consequences of a TO EU isCONTINENTAL PORTS TRANSIT VIA THE UK LANDBRIDGE Unitised Roll-on/Roll-off Load-on/Load-off traffic shipments (see glossary) 20mshift in anticipation of landbridge traffic seeking are shown in Figure 5. Transit time emergesmodal as the through Dublin Port, as shown intradeFigure 4.and The an alternative means of access to the single market. most important factor for choosing the landbridge landbridge volumes reported in our survey7 were 15m Significant capacity currently exists within the Irish route. The “Frequency of Services” variableports is related 45,075 freight units for Dublin port and 6,731 for network to address the problems of modal shift.

10m Major5mconstruction projects are underway at many to transit time and also emerges as an important Rosslare port, which is in proportion to the volume of Irish ports that will increase port capacity and facilitate consideration.

RoRo traffic moving through these ports.

0 a response to the operational problems that may arise.

The study RO/RO* cautions thatLO/LO** Ireland’s economy BULKis significantly LANDBRIDGE * Total = 1,073,403 freight units, Great Britain = 908,665 freight units reliant on theTOTAL landbridge route and that certain GREAT BRITAIN D ** Total = 701,836 TEUs, Great Britain = 91,637 TEUs These findings are consistent with those from The survey revealed that landbridge use is relatively sectors will be adversely affected by any † adeterioration component of the RoRo figures industry consultations that identified that in transit times or increases in costs. In order to evenly distributed across industry sectors. landbridge is used predominantly by time mitigate these effects, the study recommends that: »» Ireland’s access to the UK landbridge is protected in the sensitive traffic. negotiations taking place between the EU and the UK »» technology is deployed, where available, to offset any negative impacts of Brexit on landbridge services »» financial supports, such as those available from Ports used for Landbridge Traffic (Survey Results) development agencies, are made available to ports and 70% shipping companies to prepare for Brexit »» funding from EU programmes should be identified, such as the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), Motorways of 60% the Sea and other EU Funding programmes for research.

Irish Ports and shipping companies should be assisted with preparing applications for projects that would help respond 50% to the challenges of Brexit »» the North Sea Mediterranean Corridor, on which Irish ports are located, is part of the EU’s TEN-T Transport 40% Network (see Fig. 1). This should be reconfigured in the interest of maintaining Ireland’s connectivity to the EU’s single market 30% »» the IMDO continues to monitor trade flows to identify changes in current trading patterns and modal shifts at the earliest opportunity »» more detailed sectoral analysis is carried out to protect the 20% interests of those sectors that will be worst affected by the consequences of Brexit on the landbridge route »» ‘The landbridge route was, and will remain, a vitally 10% important route to market for Irish importers and exporters. Irish interests are best protected by maintaining the status quo to the greatest extent possible.

0% THE IMPLICATIONS OF BREXIT ON THE USE OF THE LANDBRIDGE

TONNES (MILLION)

UK ROAD & PORTS NETWORK

20

40

60

€ (MILLION)

No. of Freight Units

JOURNEY TIMES TO CONTINENTAL EUROPE

OF UNITISED EXPORTS 38% IRISH TRAFFIC VIA UK LANDBRIDGE

IRL

Belfast

TONNES (MILLION)

TIME SENSITIVE PRODUCTS SUCH AS THOSE IN THE AGRI-FOOD SECTOR RELY ON THE LANDBRIDGE

=3 MILLION TONNES

Dublin

Larne

Rosslare

Warrenpoint

†

Other

‘The re-introduction of customs or border controls as a consequence of Brexit will increase transit times and place an additional cost burden on Irish 7 Landbridge survey results should be understood as distinct from IMTE data reported elsewhere in the report. importers and exporters that will undermine their competitiveness in accessing international markets. ‘ The Implications of Brexit on the use of the Landbridge IMDO 2018

14 INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

FISHERIES

‘Hypothesis on overgrazing and predation’ must be tested in Spring 2019 Dr Jens Christian Holst Ecosystembased

D

r Paul Connolly of the Marine Institute and I agree that my hypothesis on overgrazing and predation (Inshore Ireland 14.2 Summer 2018) should be dealt with through proper scientific hypothesis testing and not debated in the public press. I have tried to have the hypothesis tested since 2008 but because of its controversial nature, this has not been possible.

This hypothesis is regarded by some scientists in particular - as controversial because it challenges sea lice as one of the major threats to wild Atlantic salmon in northern Europe. It also challenges the accuracy of the ICES management advice on the NE Atlantic mackerel and the Norwegian Spring spawning herring (NSSH).

In 2013 I resigned from my job as a pelagic fisheries management scientist with the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) in Bergen, Norway, because I disagreed with the management regime I had been part of advising.

My ecosystembased research told me we had built a too large pelagic fish stock, causing heavy overgrazing with serious consequences for the entire ecosystem and the fisheries.

The most visible victims

were the collapsing populations of Atlantic salmon and seabirds, like kittiwakes and puffins.

The criticism of IMR and ICES, combined with my resignation, led to a conflict with my former colleagues at the IMR which made it impossible to cooperate thus, my intention to have the hypothesis tested.

During the period 1991 to 2007, my ‘salmon colleagues’ and I carried out a large study on the important postsmolt phase of European salmon in the Norwegian Sea and neighbouring areas.

This work led to the general description and publication of the migration paths of European post-smolts along the shelf edge currents west of the British Isles and Norway, and the publication of their major feeding area in the Norwegian Sea. Furthermore, it also led to publications on diet, growth, general ecology and potential bycatch of post-smolt. The bycatch observations resulted in the establishment of the ICES Study Group on the Bycatch of Salmon in Pelagic Trawl Fisheries, SGBYSAL, working in 2004 and 2005.

Based on the experience and competence acquired on the marine ecology of salmon since 1991, I was offered the post of scientific coordinator for SALSEA-Merge in 2008.

SALSEA-Merge was a € 5.5m EU project where the issue was clear: ‘Increasing numbers of Atlantic salmon are dying at sea, and we

just don’t know why!’

As the research project progressed, I realised something was very wrong: most of the research money was allocated to genetics while ecology received very little.

SALSEA-Merge ended up as an excellent genetics project but failed to answer why the salmon failed to return.

Based on my experience from SALSEA-Merge, I would strongly warn against the approach proposed in the Atlantic Salmon Blue Book referred to by Dr Paul Connolly. It has many of the same weaknesses as SALSEA-Merge and will, in my view again, not answer the main issue.

While Irish salmon smolts hardly ever met mackerel in the ocean north of Ireland twenty years ago, they meet a wall of hungry mackerel today.

Comparing the measured distribution of mackerel eggs in May 1992 with that of 2016 (Figs 1 and 2) we see a staggering difference.

Today, the magnitude of the geographic overlap between smolts and mackerel is much greater than before the mackerel stocks exploded.

A 40 cm, mackerel can eat a 16 cm salmon smolt, and Irish smolts are typically from 10 to 16 cm when they go to sea. In light of this knowledge, it is important to test in May 2019 if mackerel eat smolts between the north of Ireland and Shetland.

This can be tested by inspecting the mackerel

stomachs in fillet cut-offs from mackerel fished in areas against periods of maximum smolt concentrations west of Scotland in May. A fishery of, for instance, 50 tonnes of mackerel from ten well planned positions and dates would provide about 150,000 stomachs for inspection and would be a good start for testing this part of the hypothesis.

In 2008 I was the salmon scout aboard RV Celtic Explorer from Ireland to the

Figure 1

Norwegian Sea where we fished more than 400 postsmolts. In 1997 I joined the old MRV Scotia for ground breaking salmon work west of Scotland, and again in 2003 aboard the new MRV Scotia.

On behalf of the wild Atlantic salmon, the seabirds and the large mackerel, we should continue the good Irish-Scottish-Norwegian tradition of successful salmon studies west of Scotland in May 2019.

Figure 2

Figure 3

Cannibalised one-year-old mackerel can be up to 40% length of predator mackerel. Today, Irish post-smolts (≤ 20 cm) are prime food for starving mackerel, according to the hypothesis.

Courtesy of Håvard Kjelsli

Figure 1: Distribution of mackerel egg (proxy for spawning mackerel) during Irish smolt run period 1992.

Left April 13 - May 5; right May 16 - June 13. Area with max mackerel spawning activity in 2016 is encircled in red, north of survey area in 1992.

Figure 2: Distribution of mackerel egg (proxy for spawning mackerel) during 2016. Note: the red encircled area had most concentrated mackerel spawning in 2016, in the middle of the post smolt migration path, see figure 3.

From ICES WGWIDE Report 2018: ‘In addition, […] triennial MEGS survey in 2016 provided evidence that peak spawning of NEA mackerel had moved away from the traditional hotspots between the Bay of Biscay and the Porcupine Bank and instead was dispersed over a large swath of open ocean, well away from the continental shelf to the West and Northwest of Scotland and importantly very close to the Northern and North-western survey boundary... [of the survey area]’.

Figure 3: Catch distribution of European post-smolt salmon in scientific trawl hauls 1991-2011. Note how the main migration path of Irish, Northern Irish, French, Spanish and western Scottish post-smolts pass through the middle of the encircled area.

INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19 15

FISHERIES

A successful year for Irish Fisheries Local Action Groups

I

nvestment in excess of €6m and State aid of €4m in 2018 supported 285 projects under the Fisheries Local Action Groups and was the most successful year since the initiative was established in 2013.

In a major departure from previous fisheries funding programmes, FLAGS is a partnership approach between BIM and coastal communities to develop a Local Development Strategy (LDS) through which funds are allocated to implement that Strategy.

The community, as represented by individuals from various community, State and productive sectors, particularly the seafood sector, determine their own development priorities for local development through the LDS and then select the projects to implement that Strategy.

BIM handles the administration through its network of regional officers and staff in head office including payment of grant claims.

The first iteration of the FLAG Programme (2013-2016)

saw 186 projects funded with a total investment of €1.5m and grant aid of almost €1m.

Its success ensured additional funding of €12m under the Irish Seafood Operational Programme of the EMFF. Following establishment of seven FLAGs in 2016, project funding commenced again in 2017 with support for 170 projects. Investment of €3m and €1.8m grant aid surpassed the entire EFF FLAG Programme in its first year of operation.

Projects aimed at promoting or retaining employment in coastal communities, particularly adding value to seafood products, coastal tourism and fisheries infrastructure, secured over 70% of the funding approved (€2.9m). Community projects were also well supported, primarily improvements to facilities and community events, securing nearly €0.75m. Projects on heritage, lifelong learning and the environment were also funded.

The FLAG Programme is currently open for applications for 2019 projects. Details from BIM Regional Officers

on FLAG web pages or visit www.bim.ie/schemes.

This Strategy sets out the priorities adopted by the local community and your project should fit under one of these. The application

form can be downloaded from the same page; however, it is recommended that projects are first discussed with a BIM Regional Officer who can advise on the application process, eligibility of items

for funding and specific local restrictions that may apply.

Deadline for submission to first round of assessments in 2019 is 17:00 Thursday 31, January, 2019.

L to R: Finnian O’Sullivan, South FLAG; Noel McDonagh, South East FLAG; Gareth O’Brien, North East FLAG; Padraic de Bhaldraithe, West FLAG; Kevin Flannery, South West FLAG; Gerry Gallagher, North FLAG and Gerard Hasset North West FLAG

Know your Plaice!

Dr Ronán Cosgrove Fisheries Conservation Manager, BIM

B Onshore monitoring

IM and the Irish fishing industry have made good progress in developing technical solutions that address the landing obligation.

Selective gears such as the 300 mm square mesh panel, SELTRA, rigid sorting grid, and T90 codends have all been tested by vessels and will be implemented as technical measures in the 2019 discard plan for north western waters.

The plan also includes a survival exemption for Nephrops, caught with highly selective gears based on a study conducted by BIM in 2017. That exemption means undersize Nephrops will not have to be landed nor deducted from quotas, with major biological and economic benefits for the commercially important Irish Nephrops fishery.

Apart from Nephrops, some flatfish species have good potential to survive the trawl capture process. Plaice made

a logical choice for our next survival experiment, due to low quotas and traditionally high discard rates in areas such as the Celtic Sea.

DISCARD SURVIVAL Following protocols developed by the ICES working group on methods for estimating discard survival, the study commenced in mid-July, led by BIM’s Martin Oliver and Matthew McHugh and assisted by Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT). Trawlcaught samples were obtained while targeting fish species in the outer Galway Bay area on board MFV Karen Mary, owned by Padraic and Gerard McDonagh,Ros a Mhíl.

Eighty-eight test fish were caught in normal three-hour tows. Twenty-nine control fish were caught in short half-hour tows. Less likely to suffer mortality due to the capture process, control fish were used to help spot any potential issues during the live holding process. Samples were stored on board in covered trays, stacked in fish bins with a clean seawater supply, before transport to a recirculated seawater fish holding system in GMIT.

Normally used in the medical world to assess the proportion of survivors following treatment, a Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no significant difference in survival after day five when 43% of the test fish were still alive. Twentyeight or 97% of control fish survived the experiment.

Air and water temperatures were at their highest during the summer trial, providing a worst-case scenario.

Water temperatures in Galway Bay are consistently higher than the Celtic and Irish Seas which bodes well for application of findings to those areas.

Results compare well with other plaice survivability studies in north western waters which have been used for exemptions in ICES divisions VIId,e,f, and g.

Our study will be used to provide further information in support of those exemptions and to apply for new exemptions in VIIa,b,c, h-k.

BIM would like to thank the vessel owners, Ian O’Connor and all the staff at GMIT for their assistance with this study.

A full report is available at www.bim.ie/ourpublications/fisheries

16 INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

FISHERIES

Fishermen haul up 190 tonnes of marine litter since 2015

F Siobhan Faulkner, Chair of Clogherhead Development Group, Harry Mc Loughlin, Harbour Master, Howth and Catherine Barrett, BIM

Rodney Long, Waterford and Calvin Garrihy, Killybegs, Donegal

ishermen have hauled up over 190 tonnes of marine litter in Irish waters in three years as part of the voluntary Fishing for Litter campaign. The ports of Howth and Kilmore Quay joined the campaign in October which is being led by BIM and is funded by the European and Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

Established in 2015, Fishing for Litter encourages fishermen to collect litter during normal fishing activities on an entirely voluntary basis. It now operates in 11 ports around the coast. Fishermen has embraced the campaign which now involves all six fishery harbours run by DAFM. “Fishing for Litter is part of our national commitment to help retrieve marine litter.

The appetite for maintaining a clean marine environment among the Irish fishing sector is huge; their livelihoods depend on it,” remarked Catherine Barrett, BIM. More than 90 fishing vessels are actively involved in the scheme. Once marine litter is collected, fishermen alert their harbour master and leave their Fishing for Litter bags on the quayside for safe and responsible disposal by waste contractors.

Harry McLoughlin, Harbour Master in Howth, explained how he became involved in the scheme while Harbour Master in Dunmore East.

“On a practical level, I saw it [Fishing for Litter] as a way to reduce costs for the harbour but most importantly, it has made everyone from

harbour staff to fishermen more conscious about having a good working environment.

One of the first questions I now get asked when boats come in is: ‘Where are the [Fishing for Litter] bags?’

John Lynch, chair of the South and East Fisherman’s Organisation is a fourthgeneration fisherman who is based in Howth. He has been working in the sector for more than thirty years, and spoke of how collecting marine litter at sea was everyone’s responsibility: “We bring in every scrap — whether it’s plastics, shoes, bicycles. I’ve been bringing it in for the last 30 years, since I started fishing. Fishing for Litter has definitely helped to bring about a greater level of awareness and industry engagement.”

Mussel seed extraction metres from busy local harbour Gillian Mills

D

redging for mussel seed in Dalkey Sound in close proximity to a busy shoreline and harbour south of Dublin City, has been criticised

by local stakeholders and the environmental watchdog, Coastwatch.

“What we watched for several hours were three relatively large trawlers dredging almost every square inch of the seabed in this narrow area – at times as close as about six to eight metres

Healthy seabed, 2m east of Coliemore Harbour

Dalkey Sound dredged area outside Coliemore Harbour

Photos: Stewart Andrews

from Dillon’s Park shoreline.

“We fully understand the practice of seed mussel gathering – but not at an industrial level in such a delicate and popular leisure area and so close to the shore,” Des BurkeKennedy told Inshore Ireland.

Local fishermen also recorded a sharp drop in their minimal catches following a period of similar dredging in 2016.

In a statement, the SeaFisheries Protection Authority said targeting mussel seed was an annual occurrence and was ‘open and available’ to operators to target.

No specific preclusion attaches to fishing or more specifically, relating to mussel seed extraction in this location.

‘Nonetheless, in keeping with standard practice for all vessels operating within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), they are actively tracked by electronic means so to location and duration of their activity is monitored fully,’ the statement reads.

Special Protected Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) have particular features of flora and fauna, identified by the National Parks and Wildlife to which protection is afforded under the ‘site specific’ legislation relating to each SAC or SPA. ‘In terms of the Dalkey

area, the SPA is directed to three particular tern species, namely Roseate Tern, Common Tern and Arctic Tern. SAC provisions are in place within the Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC for the protection of porpoise and underwater reef features.

Monitoring is ongoing within the Fisheries Monitoring Centre and by SFPA locally,’ the statement concluded.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE

Coastwatch reported “dozens of calls” of fishing vessels Emerald Gratia, Rona and Branding trawling with heavy iron chain dredges, “delicately draped in ‘sacrifice plastic’ dolly ropes which could turn your stomach,” remarked coordinator, Karin Dubsky.

“This is a biodiversity hotspot where a mix of habitats — from reef with a kelp bed band to boulder, sand and mud — provide a rich supply of food and shelter. Mussel spat tends to settle there when planktonic larvae come into the eddies and currents between Dalkey island and mainland.

It’s like a high protein food carpet that umpteen other species feed on.”

Dalkey Sound is also a feeding for harbour porpoises and the resident seal population. These species are described as ‘qualifying interest’ in the Rockabill to Dalkey Natura 2000 site.

“There are clear legal obligations to protect their feeding and resting ground.

Among the obligations is the precautionary principle: If you cannot exclude that a plan or an activity might have a significant impact, then you should not permit that activity,” warns Karin.

“Initially we thought mussel seed collection in this area was illegal but when plotting the exclusion zone coordinates provided on the DAFM website and speaking to SFPA and Coastguard officers, it became clear that dredging is permitted under licence in this ‘marine protected area’ (SAC), despite National Parks and Wildlife Service advice to the contrary.

“Coastwatch fully supports NPWS advice that this area should be closed to dredging as there is insufficient information to judge the impact on the cetaceans for which the site is protected,” she added.

The activity was closely watched by local Coastwatchers who remarked they saw no official adjacent to the shore or in a patrol vessel and that nobody boarded the vessels to assess what was being dredged and the by-catch.

“Nobody surveyed the sea floor afterwards as two of the vessels steamed off to Belfast.

We will be asking divers to report on the actual position.”

INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19 17

FISHERIES

BIM Launches New QQI Level 6 Commercial Diver Training Programmes

W

ith more than 100 divers currently working on coastal fish farms, the aquaculture industry is now the largest employer of commercial divers in Ireland, many of whom qualified as commercial divers through BIM programmes delivered1993-2000.

Based on renewed demand from the sector for more divers, a survey was carried out in early 2017 to ascertain the needs and to respond accordingly.

The survey confirmed that some fin fish farms wanted current employees to train as divers to meet their growing demands. As no other training facility existed,BIM committed to developing new courses and to establish a fullyequipped Commercial Diver Training facility at the National Fisheries College in Castletownbere, Co Cork.

BIM worked closely with Quality Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish new award standards that would lead to Commercial Scuba and Surface Supplied Diving (Inshore) qualifications.

This process took almost two years to complete during which a working group with the requisite knowledge and skills developed the new awards.

The working group included representatives from the Irish Health and Safety Authority (HSA), BIM, the International Diving Schools Association (IDSA), QQI, specialist diver training consultants and representatives from the diving industry. New award standards for both Commercial Scuba and Surface Supplied Diving (Inshore) were created and are now listed as QQI Awards on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) at Level 6.

UNDERWATER EYES Divers play an important

role on fish farms; they are the eyes of management under the water and report on the condition of fish, nets and mooring systems.

Fish farms need divers to remove dead fish from the bottom of the cages, to prevent disease and to assist in net changing and in-water net cleaning operations.

Divers carry out regular mooring surveys and inspections, checking for wear on chains and vital components. The work can be very demanding, and divers can spend many hours in the water daily.

While diving conditions during the summer may be slightly more comfortable, working under water during the winter months is very challenging. For this reason, programmes are designed to train the diver for working in the toughest of conditions while working safely within legislative guidelines. Irish legislation clearly states that divers at work must have relevant training; therefore divers with recreational qualifications are not qualified to work in the aquaculture industry.

The first step in a career as a commercial diver is to qualify as a QQI Level 6 Commercial Scuba Diver. This training makes the distinction between recreational and commercial diving qualifications. While scuba equipment limits the range of tasks a diver may undertake, working divers learn to use underwater communication systems, life lines and hand tools.

They also learn search and recovery techniques and how to carry out underwater surveys. They will be familiar with a range of tasks, be comfortable working in difficult conditions and be able to work effectively as a team member, providing support and back-up for other divers.

FOUR-WEEK TRAINING The BIM Commercial Scuba Diver course runs over four weeks and while it is preferable

Happy Christmas & A Peaceful New Year from all at Bord Iascaigh Mhara www.bim.ie

and recommended that candidates have some previous diving experience, suitable candidates with no previous experience may be accepted to the course.

Applicants must undergo a commercial diver’s medical and an interview prior to acceptance. A typical day in dive school will start at 08:30 with dive theory lectures and workshops up until mid- morning, followed by scuba training and underwater work tasks.

Evening sessions continue after dinner, and the day ends around 21:00. Four weeks later, with more than 1000 minutes spent underwater, the students emerge as qualified Commercial Scuba Divers.

BIM’s Level 6 Surface Supplied Diving (Inshore) course trains divers to work with air supplied from the surface via an umbilical.

The benefits are significant as the mask typically worn by a scuba diver is replaced with a range of diving helmets that give superior protection, communication and comfort. This allows the diver to spend longer time

and carry out more difficult working tasks underwater.

SURFACE SUPPLIED DIVERS Many jobs on a fish farm are better performed with the use of surface supplied diving equipment and most marine civil engineering projects such as harbour construction, maintenance and repair, subsea pipe laying inspection, salvage operations, require surface supplied divers. Clearly, once qualified to use surface supplied diving equipment, the employment opportunities are greater.

Divers on the Surface Supplied Diving course learn how to operate a dive control panel and the associated equipment to supply air and communications to the diver. They learn about decompression chambers, make test dives and assist in chamber preparation and operations.

They also learn advanced rescue skills should another diver get into difficulty, as well how to use hand and power tools. Surface supplied divers may be

required to weld or cut metal underwater, join flanges and spool pieces, replace damaged components on submarine structures and many more complex jobs. Often working in dark water and hazardous environments, these divers need to be well trained, competent and confident.

Fish farms are not the only place such divers can find work. The marine sciences sector often requires divers to carry out seabed surveys and environmental assessments in advance of coastal or inland waterways works, the film industry frequently employs divers for underwater rigging, safety cover and assisting with special effects.

With experience and some additional training, BIM Surface Supplied Divers can get work in the offshore diving industry as air or saturation divers working on oil rigs and dive vessels in the North Sea and beyond.

For further information on BIM Diver Training Programmes contact the National Fisheries College, Castletownbere on 027 71230.

Dylan Pinder wearing diving equipment with Christian Pinder behind

18 INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

FISHERIES

Landing Obligation – no turning back!

Dominic Rihan BIM

T

he fishing industry across Europe is acutely aware of the far-reaching consequences of the Landing Obligation.

While, considerable efforts have been dedicated to understanding these consequences, many questions remain around how it will work. Five years on from its introduction under the Common Fisheries Policy, there is no turning back now and full implementation will become a reality from January 1, 2019.

From 2015 to 2019, the LO has been phased in across fisheries and species with pelagic fisheries covered in 2015, extending to a limited number of demersal fisheries during 2016-2018.

This gradual approach was designed to allow the fishing industry time to adapt to the significant changes in fisheries management and practices arising from the LO. The impacts to date have been limited. Phasing was also supposed to avoid a ‘big bang’ in 2019 when the LO will apply to all species managed under Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas. For North Western Waters however, the number of additional species and fisheries that will be subject to the LO in 2019 will be quite significant.

Fifty-six individual stocks managed under TACs and of relevance to Irish vessels will be subject to the LO from January 1 next. All catches of these species will have to be landed and counted against

quotas, unless covered under a de minimis or high survivability exemption, deemed a prohibited species or damaged by predators such as seals.

All catches discarded must be recorded in the logbook.

INDUSTRY SEMINAR

In preparation for 2019, BIM hosted a seminar in November where officials from DAFM and the SFPA explained the changes in regulations and the exemptions that will apply.

This was followed by a discussion on the uses for unwanted catches and the logistical difficulties in handling such catches which from January 2019 must be landed on board fishing vessels and ashore by agents, co-ops and processors.

A final session focused on technical solutions to aid implementation based on work carried out by BIM and the Marine Institute over the past few years. This session recognised that significant efforts must be made in research and development to ease the implementation of the LO. The seminar was well attended, with a lively discussion among the participants throwing up many unanswered questions and challenges.

NEW MEASURES

Considerable efforts have been made by the Regional Group of North Western Waters Member States (i.e. Ireland, France, Spain, Belgium, UK and Netherlands) to put in place flexibilities and additional technical measures to assist implementation.

Reaching agreement on the measures was a difficult process, requiring compromise on all sides.

A package of measures was however submitted to the Commission in May

2018, and after undergoing scientific scrutiny by the Commission’s Scientific, Economic and Technical Committee for Fisheries (STECF), a discard plan encompassing the measures was agreed in August.

The Commission has since turned this into a Commission Regulation, which will be adopted into law by the end of the year. This new discard plan will replace existing regulation in place from 2015 to 2018 and will remain in force until the end of 2021.

OTHER MEASURES

In addition to the exemptions and technical measures, other quota flexibility mechanisms (e.g. swaps, inter annual and inter species) permitted under the CFP will also be available to Ireland, to facilitate implementation.

This includes quotas swaps which will become of increasing importance with full implementation of the LO although in practice may be hard to achieve as Member States could become more reluctant to swap if there is a danger of choking their own fisheries.

At the request and with the assistance of the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC), DAFM piloted a ‘quota balancing system’ this year for pelagic species. Quota balancing is a new management tool that aims to ensure coherence between the LO and the national quota management system.

Under this system where a vessel exceeds its catch limit, the excess catches retained on board and landed will be subject to quota balancing.

This means that a balancing adjustment will be made from future allocations of quota. The greater the extent of overfishing relative to

permitted catch, the greater the balancing adjustment that will be made. Quota balancing is operated independently of any action being considered or taken by the control authorities, so it is a management tool rather than a control measure.

The plan is to roll this out to demersal species in due course taking account of any issues arising during the pelagic pilot phase.

WILL THESE MEASURES BE EFFECTIVE?

These measures will assist fishermen to comply with the LO and undoubtedly will solve some of the choke issues identified in earlier analysis carried out by the NWWAC and the NWW Member States Group. The choke risk for species such as skates and rays, plaice, prawns will be largely removed for 2019 with the introduction of high survivability and de minimis exemptions.

At least seven high-risk choke species however could force the early closure of fisheries. These are haddock, cod, plaice and sole in the Celtic Sea, whiting in the Irish Sea and cod and whiting in the West of Scotland.

For five of these stocks (cod and plaice in the Celtic Sea, whiting in the Irish Sea, and cod and whiting in the West of Scotland) the scientific advice is for zero catches. For the other two stocks (haddock and sole in the Celtic sea) there is likely to be a significant imbalance between available quotas and predicted catches in 2019 so again the choke risk associated with these stocks is high.

For the zero catch stocks it is clear the Commission will not set zero TACs, recognising this would essentially choke all fisheries in the whole of the NWW early in 2019, as avoiding catches would

be extremely challenging.

Severity of the choke risk however will lie with the outcome of the December Fisheries Council when the TACs and quotas for 2019 will be agreed by Member States. Regardless of the final agreement, quota available to Irish vessels in 2019 for these stocks is likely to be somewhat restrictive, requiring intensive monitoring and management throughout the year to keep fisheries open.

Further de minimis and high survivability exemptions may be needed, along with additional selectivity improvements in certain fisheries. Other chokes may also emerge during the year, depending on quota uptake and fishing patterns.

By shifting fishing effort from one species because of its potential choke risk to other species, may accelerate quota uptake leading to closures. These types of choke risk are much harder to predict but highlight the need for close monitoring of quota uptake during the year.

All this points to a challenging year for the fishing industry —not only in Ireland but across the Member States fishing in North Western Waters.

Only time will tell whether the Landing Obligation will achieve its overall sustainability objective and full implementation clearly represents a huge challenge not only for the fisheries sector, but also for the legislators and the scientific community.

BIM working closely with DAFM, MI and SFPA, will continue to support the fishing industry to ensure successful implementation through technical trials, EMFF funding and dissemination of information on the Landing Obligation.

INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19 19

FISHERIES

Exemptions and Measures Relevant for Irish Vessels HIGH SURVIVABILITY EXEMPTIONS: »» Prawns caught using pots, traps and creels in the West of Scotland, Irish Sea and Celtic Sea »» Prawns caught in the Celtic Sea and the Irish Sea by bottom otter trawlers with either: »» a codend mesh size of more than 100mm; or »» a codend mesh size in the range of 70-99mm using defined gears »» Skates and rays for all gears in the West of Scotland, Irish Sea and Celtic Sea »» Plaice caught by trammel nets or bottom otter trawls in the Celtic Sea and the English Channel »» Plaice caught by beam trawlers in the Irish Sea, the Celtic Sea and the English Channel and »» Fish caught in pots, traps and creels as a bycatch in the West of Scotland, Irish Sea and Celtic Sea

DE MINIMIS EXEMPTIONS: »» 6% of the total annual catches of whiting by vessels using bottom otter trawls and seines using a mesh size of less than 100 mm; pelagic trawls; and beam trawls in the Celtic Sea »» 3% of the total annual catches of black sole by vessels using beam trawls with a mesh size in the range of 80-119mm and fitted with a ‘Flemish panel’ in the Celtic Sea and English Channel »» 3% of the total annual catches of black sole by vessels using trammel and gill nets in the Celtic Sea and English Channel »» 7% of the total annual catches of haddock by vessels using bottom otter trawls, seines and beam trawls with mesh size greater than or equal to 80mm in the Celtic Sea »» 7% of the total annual catches of cod by vessels using bottom otter trawls, seines and beam trawls with mesh size of greater than or equal to

80mm in the Celtic Sea »» 7% of the total annual catches of horse mackerel by vessels using bottom otter trawls, seines and beam trawls in the West of Scotland and the Celtic Sea, and »» 7% of the total annual catches of mackerel by vessels using bottom otter trawls, seines and beam trawls in the West of Scotland and the Celtic Sea

NEW TECHNICAL MEASURES From 1 July 2019, for whitefish vessels using bottom otter trawls or seines in the ‘Celtic Sea Protection Zone’ one of the following gears must be used: »» »» »» »»

»» »» »» »» »»

»» »» »» »»

110mm codend +120mm square mesh panel 100mm T90 codend, or 100mm codend +160mm square mesh panel For prawn vessels operating with bottom otter trawls and with a catch composition containing more than 5% of prawns, one of the following gear options should be used: 300mm square mesh panel (vessels under 12 metres may use a 200mm square mesh panel) SELTRA box trawl with 270mm diamond mesh 300mm square mesh panel Sorting Grid with 35mm bar spacing or similar net grid, or 100mm+100mm square mesh panel For whitefish vessels with a catch composition containing more than 55% of whiting or 55% of anglerfish, hake or megrim combined, one of the following gear options should be used: 100mm codend +100mm square mesh panel 90mm T90 codend and extension 80mm codend + 160mm square mesh panel, or 80mm codend + 2m x 100mm square mesh cylinder

A snapshot of RNLI activities over a very busy year

2

018 was another busy year for RNLI lifeboat crews and their volunteer teams across Ireland as their work continued in saving lives at sea and on inland waters at 46 lifeboat stations.

Communities welcomed new lifeboats at their stations and also bid a fond farewell to retiring lifeboats that had served locals and visitors for many years launching, searching and rescuing those in need.

Carrybridge RNLI on Lough Erne officially named their Atlantic 85 class lifeboat Douglas, Euan and Kay Richards at the start of June while Fethard RNLI in Co Wexford named their community fundraised D-class lifeboat Naomh Dubhán, at the end of the month.

In Kinsale, Co Cork, a new Atlantic 85 B-class lifeboat was officially named Miss Sally Anne Baggy II - Never Fear, Baggy’s Here - during a ceremony at the lifeboat station in August, while in October at a special naming ceremony and service of dedication in Belmullet, Ballyglass RNLI officially named its new D-class

lifeboat, Clann Lir, in the Mayo coastal town.

TELEVISION EXPOSURE

Several rescues and the work of volunteers and their surrounding communities was highlighted in the BBC’s third series of ‘Saving Lives at Sea’. The series highlighted the selflessness and dedication of volunteers along with their bravery and courage and was brought to life thanks to actual rescue footage captured by the crews.

One event saw the inshore lifeboat crew at Courtown, Co Wexford, keep a young girl with a suspected spinal injury immobile and afloat for 40 minutes. Further up the coast at Howth, Co Dublin, crew responded to an emergency call from a family on a beach who reported that a teenage girl on a sailing dinghy had capsized and was being swept out to sea.

The series also followed the Dunmore East RNLI when the crew’s evening was interrupted by an urgent call to a motor boat that was stranded several miles out and was taking on water.

Footage also covered dramatic scenes of Storm Ophelia when the Rosslare

Harbour responded to a small yacht with three people onboard that was caught in one of the worst storms in living memory. The programme also followed the Rosslare Harbour RNLI on New Year’s Day when the volunteers had to go to the aid of a surfer who had got caught in a rip current.

This year also saw the RNLI launch a Healthy Clubs Programme in partnership with the GAA, along with the major national drowning prevention campaign, Respect the Water in June. RNLI volunteers visited GAA clubs to share drowning prevention advice with young players.

Now in its fifth year, the Respect the Water campaign and the RNLI urges anyone who finds themselves in trouble in cold water to follow the FLOAT message: Stay calm and float on your back for a short time to regain control of your breathing. The RNLI calls on the public to practice the ‘float survival skill’ – a simple skill that could save a life.

For the second year running, the RNLI was given permission to promote the partnership at Croke Park during the All-Ireland football semi-final.

For whitefish vessels with catches below 10% of cod, haddock and whiting in ICES division 7f east of 5 degrees a codend of at least 80mm codend + 120mm square mesh panel should be used.

FROM 1ST JANUARY 2019 IN THE IRISH SEA:

Prawn vessels operating with bottom otter trawls with a codend mesh size in the range 70-99mm and with a catch composition containing more than 5% of prawns, one of the following gear options should be used: »» 300mm square mesh panel (vessels under 12m may use a 200mm square mesh panel) »» SELTRA box trawl with 270mm diamond mesh or 300mm square mesh panel »» Sorting Grid with 35mm bar spacing »» CEFAS Net grid, or »» Flip-flap trawl For whitefish vessels operating with bottom otter trawls and seines with a catch composition containing more than 10% of haddock, cod and skates and rays combined, one of the following options should be used: »» 120mm codend, or »» An eliminator bottom otter trawl with 600mm large mesh panels and 100mm codend For whitefish vessels with a catch composition containing less than 10% of haddock, cod and skates and rays combined, a codend mesh size of 100mm+100mmm square mesh panel should be used. This is not applicable to vessels with more than 30% of prawns.

20 INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

SEAFOOD AWARDS

BIM Best Student and BIM Lifetime Achievement, were also presented to Kate Dempsey (Irish Mussel Seed Company, 2nd from left) and Margaret Downey-Harrington (2nd from right)

Top achievers celebrated at BIM National Seafood awards Gillian Mills & Gery Flynn

I

ndependently adjudicated winners from fishing, aquaculture, processing and retail sectors of Ireland’s seafood industry were recognised at a gala event last month in Dublin’s Christchurch Cathedral.

Two special awards, BIM Best Student and BIM Lifetime Achievement, were also presented to Kate Dempsey (Irish Mussel Seed Company) and Margaret Downey-Harrington respectively (see sidebars).

Addressing over 200 guests, Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said the strong focus on sustainability, innovation and upskilling was helping businesses connect with marketing opportunities world-wide: “The demand for seafood and moreover for high quality seafood places Ireland in prime position. The women and men being honoured here tonight are the driving force behind the successes of the industry. Because of them, the ambitious targets set out in FoodWise 2025 look set to being achieved.”

The biennial awards are dedicated to recognising the achievements that are “revolutionising” the Irish seafood sector, Minister Creed emphasised.

The Awards included four categories that reflect BIM’s strategic priorities: Innovation, Sustainability, Competitiveness and Skills.

This year’s trophies carried the theme of sustainability, made using the fish sculptures that featured in the BIM Sustainable Seafood Garden which won overall prize at Bloom in June.

GLOBAL SEAFOOD LEADER

Speaking to Inshore Ireland, BIM chief executive Jim O’Toole said the agency’s ambition for Ireland was to become a global leader in sustainable seafood, and outlined the importance of seafood to the Irish economy: “In our Business of Seafood report published earlier this year, we estimated the sector’s contribution to the Irish economy at €1.15bn — an increase of 6% on the previous year and representing a steady growth trajectory.

Perhaps what is not immediately clear is the importance of the sector to coastal communities. A key analysis of the report shows that employment across production, catching and aquaculture involves over 14,500 people.

“Drilling down into the data, the rate of employment provided in coastal communities is significant.

In Donegal for example at 12% this is the highest rate, demonstrating the importance of the seafood sector to the local economy,” he added.

Another example is in Connemara where an aquaculture business currently employing 30 people has expansion plans in an area that has few alternative job opportunities.

“Of course, tourism is also very important to local economies, but it is seasonal whereas this aquaculture business offers year-round employment. Without those jobs, this community would struggle and bring about migration, and this scenario is mirrored in many coastal communities.

Contrasted against other sectors, while the bottomline contribution to the national economy may be relatively small, “the seafood industry plays a very vital part in the national economy and shouldn’t be judged by the headline number alone”, he emphasised.

“Seafood is a very positive story in terms of growth potential. When you combine the economic and socioeconomic impacts, you begin to understand why the seafood sector is very special and very important.”

At the heart of BIM’s Statement of Strategy 20182020 is sustainable growth and this reflected in the award structure of the Seafood Awards.

“What we’re focusing on is skills, sustainability, competitiveness and innovation. I suppose what we’re saying is that those priorities are interlinked. For example, a group of seafood industry participants were recently in the Far East as part of our skills initiative programme, which is about developing people at a leadership level. People from the catching, aquaculture and processing sectors also attended a leadership

development programme at one of the top business schools in the region.”

This is a new departure for BIM in terms of broadening their portfolio of skills and training to equip the current and next generation to lead their businesses in a changing and challenging environment, he stressed.

“We also acknowledge the first graduates from our Higher Diploma in Business in Aquabusiness from the Wexford campus of Carlow IT. That’s another example of encouraging people to upskill and of helping them prepare for the future.”

A recent seminar aimed at the catching sector focused on implications of the final phase of the landing obligation from January 1, involving the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, the Seafisheries Protection Authority and the Marine Institute.

The event highlighted the work that BIM has done to develop new gear technologies which can be categorised in terms of innovation and sustainability.

“Ultimately, the landing obligation is about improving overall sustainability demands, which is a regulatory requirement, but it is also about looking at new ways of targeting specific fish more effectively, based on trials we’ve done.

“We’re consistently looking at how to innovate, and at new ways to solve problems.

We know that if Ireland is to develop its business and is to capitalise on opportunities in the global marketplace,

we have to underscore what we’re doing in terms of sustainability of our product because that’s a key driver in the market.”

INDUSTRY DOYENS

Returning to the awards ceremony, Jim O’Toole said the agency was “delighted” with the very high interest from the sector wishing to attend the event: “When we launched the seafood awards two years ago, we had very good attendance, but the numbers increased by one-third this year to over 200.

“And the purpose? Simply to recognise and celebrate what individuals and businesses are doing to develop their reputation and the value of the seafood sector in Ireland.

“I think it’s often the case that people focus on the challenges and problems. I think however it’s important to take a step back and to reward and recognise publicly, the great achievements that individuals and businesses are making because sometimes these challenges can be quite daunting and might seem overwhelming.

“When you think about the growing sector, we think of the progress that we’ve made; it’s driven by great leaders, by great individuals, and by people making extraordinary efforts to succeed. Be they students, be it a lifetime achievement, be it across all the sectors. Under these categories that I’ve described, there are people who we want to publicly recognise and acknowledge their efforts and celebrate their success.”

INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19 21

SEAFOOD AWARDS »»Finalists INNOVATION

Best in Aquaculture Innovation: Best in Fishing Innovation: Best in Processing Innovation:

SUSTAINABILITY

Best in Sustainable Aquaculture: Best in Sustainable Fishing: Best in Sustainable Processing:

Moyasta Oysters Ltd, Kilrush, Clare Galway Bay Inshore Fishermen’s Assoc, Bohermore, Galway Ocean Veg Ireland Ltd, Ballycastle, Antrim Marine Harvest Ireland, Letterkenny, Donegal Alex Crowley, MFV Emma Lou T450, Cahersiveen, Kerry Connemara Seafoods, Westport, Mayo

(6) BIM CEO Jim O’Toole, Donal McGreal, Connemara Food and BIM Chairman Kieran Calnan

COMPETITIVENESS

Aquaculture Enterprise of the Year: Bells Isle Seafoods Ltd, Donegal Town, Donegal Fishing Enterprise of the Year: McBride Fishing Company Ltd, Letterkenny, Donegal Processing Enterprise of the Year: Keohane Seafood, Kinsale Road, Co Cork Best Seafood Retailer (Multiple category) Dunnes Stores, Swords, Dublin Best Seafood Retailer (Independent category) Galway Bay Seafoods Ltd., New Docks, Galway

SKILLS

Student of the Year: Lifetime Achievement Award:

Kate Dempsey Margaret Downey-Harrington

(2) BIM CEO Jim O’Toole, (Centre) Patrick Oliver, Galway Bay Inshore Fishermen’s Association, Minister Michael Creed

(9) BIM CEO Jim O’Toole, Colman Keohane, Keohane Seafoods Ltd, BIM Chairman Kieran Calnan

(7) BIM CEO Jim O’Toole, Des Moore, Bells Isle Seafood Ltd and BIM Chairman Kieran Calnan

(1) BIM CEO Jim O’Toole, Thomas Galvin, Moyasta Oysters Ltd, and Minister Michael Creed

(3) BIM CEO Jim O’Toole, Kate Burns, Ocean Veg Ltd, and Minister Michael Creed

(11) BIM CEO Jim O’Toole, Kevin Hynes and Andrew Keady, Galway Bay Seafood Ltd and Minister Michael Creed

(4) BIM CEO Jim O’Toole, Catherine McManus, Marine Harvest Ireland and BIM Chairman Kieran Calnan

(8) BIM CEO Jim O’Toole, Hugh McBride, McBride Fishing Company Ltd and BIM Chairman Kieran Calnan

(10) BIM CEO Jim O’Toole, Linda Galvin, Claudia Antkowiak and Liz Hogg, Dunnes Stores Swords and Minister Michael Creed

(5) BIM CEO Jim O’Toole, Alex Crowley, and Minister Marine Michael Creed

BIM CEO Jim O’Toole, BIM Student of the Year Kate Dempsey and Minister Michael Creed

22 INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

SEAFOOD AWARDS

BIM Best Student

K

ate Dempsey completed a higher diploma in Aquabusiness in IT Carlow earlier this year. She is director of Irish Mussel Seed Company and has recently established an aquaculture analytics company.

“My interest in aquaculture and seafood production really comes from a history of fishing.

I’m from a fishing family in Arklow. I went to college and studied law

and then came back home and realised there was really very little left in terms of activity in the harbour that I was from.

“So, I decided I would create a new company and a new business to promote seafood development on the east coast. I want to see coastal communities thrive, particularly rural communities like the one that I’m from.”

Inshore Ireland asked Kate what it meant to receive this award:

“For me as a new entrant in the aquaculture industry, being winner is helping me to highlight not just my hard work but the hard work of my company.

We’re grateful to BIM for the award but also for designing the Higher Diploma in Business in Aquabusiness which they run in partnership with IT Carlow. It was a fantastic experience and we have gained so much from it.”

She added that IMSC was trying to change the way

the mussel industry worked, by effectively giving it the raw materials it needs, by means of environmentallyfriendly methods.

“The industry is struggling for a seed source now that dredging for wild seed is producing less and less.”

Kate Dempsey acknowledged BIM’s assistance in achieving their commercial goals: “BIM has a lot of resources, and I’m not talking just about grant-aid, it’s more about the people

within the organisation.

“When we started the IMSC, someone from BIM came out and worked with us right throughout our application until it got to a point where we had to go it alone.

“Even now, after our licence application has been approved, BIM are again ready to help us with set up and everything else. BIM is instrumental for any new entrant in the seafood industry.”

Optimistic for the future, she said that new developments would change the way the sector operated: “Projects like the Hatch programme, and newcomers developing innovative technologies for aquaculture — not just at a European level but in Ireland itself — will make massive differences and will be unexpected by most within it.

“It will help us access new licences and produce healthier fish. So, I’m very optimistic for the future of the Irish seafood industry particularly when agencies like BIM are developing new courses like the HDip in Business in Aquabusiness.

“It means there are people who are equipped to take their companies into the next phase and can implement changes to ensure their businesses are not just operating in a sustainable way but will be sustainable for future generations.

BIM Lifetime Achievement Award

V

eteran seafood professional Margaret DowneyHarrington from Castletownbere, Co Cork, was recognised for her contribution to the Irish seafood industry and was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Margaret’s career has spanned more than 60 years; she is a founding member of Mná na Mara — the first national network for women in fisheries.

“Early on we [Mná na Mara] procured the availability of postal votes for fishermen. Postal votes had been there all of the time but were exclusively for the diplomatic core.

They weren’t open to the general public.

“We wanted to get them for our fishermen because inevitably a referendum or voting day would take place during the week and of course the boats would be out fishing. The fishermen were losing out on having a say in political arguments.

And we [Mná na Mara] got it and in getting it, it became open to everyone which is a good thing.”

“This award is a huge honour for me,” she remarked to Inshore Ireland.

I’m thrilled with it, and I accept it graciously.

“To me, the award is a recognition of our fishing industry, and I dedicate it to our fishermen and to our mná na mara who are involved in a traditional occupation and are the backbone of our coastal communities.”

BIM Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Margaret Downey-Harrington

INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19 23

MARITIME

Whiddy Island Disaster: 40th Anniversary Michael Kingston

I

n a disaster that should never have happened, the failures that took place on MV Betelgeuse and at the Oil Terminal at Whiddy Island were some of the worst derelictions of duty in relation to safety in world maritime history, by the tanker owners, Total Oil S.A, the terminal operators, Gulf Oil Corporation, the Irish government and other world governments.

The Whiddy Island disaster is the leading example of why doing nothing is never a good idea regarding safety. While international regulation agreed by world experts including Ireland at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) fails to be ratified, putting innocent lives are at risk, is not good enough.

So the 40th Anniversary is a stark reminder of why it is so important to act, not just in Ireland, but internationally, as the world’s maritime community leaders descend on Bantry.

Simple inert gas systems for oil tankers, to prevent

explosion were agreed by world delegations and industry experts in 1974 when the IMO adopted SOLAS 1974.

Systems were not carried on board MV Betelgeuse however because the Convention had not then been ratified by enough national legislatures. In the absence of regulation, best practice in industry was not applied.

Failure to ratify SOLAS 1974 was compounded by the terrible safety regime that resulted in all personnel waiting for almost 30 minutes to die with no fire equipment and no safety boat present.

Following the Whiddy Island disaster, Ireland ratified SOLAS 1974 and consequently the world brought it into force.

W

which I have presented with Norway, Denmark, and Finland on behalf of the eight Arctic States and at the request of the IMO to the rest of the world as an example of how to implement regulation elsewhere.

This would not have happened was it not due to the death of my father and those he died with, and it is a development that Ireland should note.

In acknowledgement of this the Canadian Ambassador to Ireland along with other leaders will be in Bantry for the Commemoration, January 8.

It is extremely important to

acknowledge these lives and to highlight the importance of always adhering to best practice in the absence of regulation (throughout all industry sectors) and to implement agreed IMO standards in our jurisdiction — to protect our seafarers and our environment, including our rescue services so that they do not have to be called out unnecessarily.

(January 8 at 11am, followed by wreath-laying ceremony in the Abbey Cemetery - all welcome.

For further information please email kingston1928@hotmail.com

AFTERMATH

The families take solace in the fact that such a positive difference has evolved out of a tragedy that continues to have a profound impact on improving regulation today, and many lives have been protected.

Working first-hand in international maritime regulation, as a Special Advisor to the Arctic Council, having carried out reviews into international regulation

Whiddy Disaster - the human side hat also makes the Anniversary so important is that so many people came into our jurisdiction to work, and perished. One French family lost both parents as the baker’s wife was on board visiting her husband.

A Dutch diver was lost too during the operation to remove the wreck, performed by the salvage company Smit & Co, at that time the most complex in maritime history. It is hard to explain the enormity of the pain that these people have suffered: 23 of the French bodies were never recovered, Bantry is forever their resting place.

Supported by the French Ambassador, and the French Navy, many French relatives will make the difficult journey to Bantry. Many of these are aging wives, brothers and sisters of those who died, and it is necessary for Ireland

with Lloyd’s of London following the Deep Water Horizon and Costa Concordia disasters, and working on the finalisation of the hugely important Polar Code for world shipping at the IMO, I cannot emphasise enough the impact and importance of lessons learned from the Whiddy Island Disaster and the deaths of those who died and the positive change that it has led to.

We have developed a new Forum and Web portal for education and the implementation of the regulation (www. arcticshippingforum.is),

and our maritime community to put our arms around them.

Sadly, this has not been supported appropriately by successive Irish governments.

It requires great leadership, and simple humanity, and we have impressed this upon our political leaders in Ireland who have been invited. This time will be different, we hope. We are thrilled with the heartfelt support of community - in particular Cork County Council’s Executive Team.

Michael Kingston is a London-based lawyer from Goleen, Co Cork. He is a special Advisor to the Arctic Council’s Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment Working Group, working closely with the United Nation’s International Maritime Organisation.

He was on the organising committee of the Arctic Council’s Forum in London in May at the Irish Cultural Centre, where he is a Director.

Scene at Whiddy Island

Photo credit: Ian Vickery Snr

BREAKFAST INFORMATION EVENTS 2019

SAFE SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD DATES FOR BREAKFAST EVENTS 2019: • Waterford: WIT Sports Arena West Campus, 6th February Join us at our special Information Breakfasts for fishermen, processors and shellfish producers.

Get the latest news and help on matters from quota management to food safety and trade.

Learn more about the changes taking place and have your queries answered by experts from the relevant organisations. Plus talks on risk analysis assessment and the implications on fishery regulatory compliance from Brexit. www.sfpa.ie PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS

• Dublin: Venue TBC, 6th March • Donegal: Venue TBC, 10th April • Cork, Bantry: Venue TBC, 29th May

Venues and additional dates to be announced.

For information or to reserve a place email: events@sfpa.ie

24 INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

ENVIRONMENT

Is fluoride exposure contributing to reduced IQ in children?

Declan Waugh*

W

ater fluoridation is like climate change: no matter how much evidence is produced documenting harm, most politicians continue to ignore the science and carry on regardless, forsaking the next generation of children to harm.

Last month, the findings of three important human epidemiological studies were published in peer- reviewed scientific journals and have important and far-reaching implications for this country.

The first study published in the journal Environmental International by leading researchers in the United States, Canada and Mexico, found that maternal fluoride exposure during pregnancy, as measured by urinary fluoride concentrations, was significantly associated with Attention Deficient Hyperactive Disorders (ADHD) in offspring.

This study is consistent with previous findings published in 2015 in the journal Environmental Health, which found that exposure to fluoridated water was associated with increased prevalence of ADHD in the United States.

Furthermore, this current study supports previous findings by the same authors published in Environmental Health Perspectives in September of 2017 which found that that maternal exposure to fluoride during pregnancy

among women residing in Mexico City was associated with reduced IQ in offspring.

Earlier this year, a further study by Professor Strunecka and colleagues published in Surgical Neurology International highlighted that fluoride exposure may also be associated with autism spectrum disorders.

FLUORIDE EXPOSURE

The second study published this month, also in Environmental Health Perspectives, found that maternal fluoride exposure among pregnant women in Canada was comparable to that found in pregnant women in Mexico City which was associated with lower IQ in offspring.

This study also found that community water fluoridation was the major source of fluoride exposure for pregnant women living in Canada. Finally, the third study published this month, also from Canada, found that among adults living in Canada who had moderate to severe iodide deficiency and higher exposure to fluoride, were at increased risk of hypothyroidism.

It is also acknowledged that hypothyroidism in pregnancy is associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment in offspring as well as increased risk of ADHD autism, behavioural and emotional problems, schizophrenia, asthma, obesity, epilepsy and seizures.

It is well recognised that iodine deficiency is a major public health problem in Ireland along with hypothyroidism. Unlike

Canada however, eighty per cent of dwellings in the Republic of Ireland are provided with artificially fluoridated drinking water, compared to approximately thirty per cent in Canada.

Moreover, per capita consumption of tea (which contains high levels of fluoride) is 3-4-fold higher in Ireland than Canada.

Tea beverages in Ireland are also invariable made with fluoridated tap water, along with coffee or any other beverage than requires water.

Available evidence would therefore suggest that fluoride intake in the Republic of Ireland significantly exceeds that of Canada. Furthermore, as Mexico has the lowest per capita consumption of tea in the world, it is also predictable that fluoride intake among women in Ireland exceeds that reported among pregnant women in Mexico City.

The persuasive evidence from these well controlled studies by leading international epidemiologists and environmental toxicologists linking maternal fluoride intake in pregnancy to lower IQ and ADHD, would imply that the dramatic increase in ADHD prevalence witnessed in Ireland in recent decades may be causally associated with water fluoridation as well as uncontrolled fluoride intake from other sources such as tea.

Worthy of note, while the Republic of Ireland have never undertaken national surveys to assess the prevalence of ADHD in infant, adolescent or adult populations, it has been documented that among children with

intellectual disabilities, the prevalence of ADHD is an astounding 55.9% in the Republic of Ireland.

Among adults attending psychiatric outpatient clinics, 33.8% meet the criteria for childhood onset ADHD. Collectively, these findings are consistent with the growing body of evidence that fluoride is both neurotoxic and an endocrine disruptor, and that early life exposure as well as long-term exposure

among adults, is contributing to the burden of childhood neurological disorders and other diseases associated with hypothyroidism, which are highly prevalent in the Republic of Ireland.

Moreover, these findings also suggest that fluoride exposure may also be contributing to reduced IQ among children in Ireland. *Declan Waugh works freelance in the field of environmental science, due diligence and risk assessment.

Declan Waugh

Ireland ranked worst country in Europe on climate change action

T

he 2019 Climate Change Performance index launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 24) last week ranks Ireland the worst performing country in Europe for action on climate change for the second year running.

Jennifer Higgins, Policy and Advocacy Advisor at Christian Aid Ireland, said citizens were consistently calling for “more action” and show a willingness to take on the “radical changes” required to tackle climate change: “It’s time for Government

ministers to wake up and listen — not only to the science and to the criticism we continually face at the bottom of the pack, but also to the people, both at home and in countries worst affected by climate change. Government needs respond immediately to the strong recommendations from the Citizens’ Assembly.”

Publication of the report comes one month after Minister Bruton announced a new ‘all of government’ climate action plan that will set out obligations, department by department, with specific actions and timelines, modelled on the Action Plan for

Jobs. During the presentation in the Dáil, three Ministers of State however left the chamber without responding to questions from deputies.

WIDENING GAP “This report highlights the gap Minister Bruton has to close between his new rhetoric on climate change and reality of Ireland’s approach to climate action. His ministerial colleagues don’t seem to have got his memo.

Minister Bruton has successfully raised expectations in recent weeks but as yet he hasn’t taken actions that will actually

lower our emissions,” remarked Clodagh Daly, Friends of the Irish Environment.

The Climate Change Performance Index 2019 highlights the continued growth and competitiveness of renewable energy globally. The gap however between current emission levels and what is needed to put the world on track for a well below2°C or even 1.5°C pathway, is widening, says the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition.

‘Polluting emissions are on the rise again and continued investments in fossil fuel infrastructure are leading to a

major risk of a lock-in into high emissions pathways.’

‘Ireland’s polluting emissions are on an upward trend, the state is failing to meet EU obligations and the Government is not joining other member states in calling for the EU to raise its ambition in line with the Paris Agreement.

A special all-party Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action is currently considering the recommendations on climate action from the Citizens’ Assembly and will produce proposals for the development of Ireland’s new National Energy and Climate Plan.

INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19 25

ENVIRONMENT

Climate change – Ireland’s Arctic momentum gathers pace Michael Kingston

I

n Inshore Ireland’s Summer edition, I wrote that Ireland must, without hesitation, apply for ‘observer member status’ of the Arctic Council.

I focused primarily on climate change and the obvious necessity to make this application as a matter of priority, to gain the critical knowledge needed to help make informed decisions about coastal erosion and flood defences, planning, agriculture, fisheries and safety, all of which depend upon local weather predictions.

I said we needed the best information which we do not have without speaking to our Arctic neighbours. I also noted the significant economic opportunities for Ireland by attending these meetings.

Since then, much

progress has been made.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, supported by Ambassador Vickers of Canada, and Ambassador Eikeland of Norway, have embraced this initiative whereby Ireland is now on the cusp of making this application (deadline December 31).

ECONOMIC BENEFIT

Following a trade mission the government of Maine emphasised how Ireland could benefit economically by being an Arctic Council observing nation. With Brexit looming, and government’s Global Ireland 2025 project and climate change at the top of the policy agenda, this application could not be timelier.

Between September 1014, a full government trade delegation from the State of Maine came to Ireland.

The trade mission was a direct result of working the room for Ireland at

just one Arctic Council Working Group meeting and is a small example of what Ireland can gain from Arctic Council meetings.

Ireland would not have featured, or the mission at all, had I not as an Irishman been in Arctic Council meetings with a British delegation, when I took the opportunity to broker the relationship and put Ireland at the forefront.

The Irish leg of the mission included meetings in Dublin, Kildare and Cork. Meetings with DFA, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Na Móna, Cork Co Council, CIT, Port of Cork, NMCI, the MaREI Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy, the Irish Naval Service, Skibbereen Heritage Centre, West Cork Arts Centre, A Taste of West Cork (including a tour to Mizen Head showcasing the Wild Atlantic Way).

Many leaders in Ireland assisted, including the chairman and CEO of

Brian Fitzgerald, Naval Service, explains the strategic importance of Ireland as a maritime nation to Maine government delegation, with Head of delegation, Commissioner Denise Garland, and Head of Maine’s International Trade Office, Wade Merritt.

BIM and the chairman of Tourism Ireland.

TRADE DEALS

An Economic Partnership Agreement was signed between Cork County Council and Maine. In Bantry the delegation visited Keohane’s seafood plant (turnover €40m) to promote trade and support the fishing industry between Ireland and Maine and to learn about using by-products of the fishing industry. The relationship is being followed up with energy on both sides.

As Inshore Ireland goes to print, Ambassadors Vickers and Eikeland are hosting an important dinner in Dublin to solidify Ireland’s approach, demonstrating great support from two of the leader Arctic nations.

Following other work with the Arctic States, a link has been created between NMCI and Norut, Norway’s Northern Research Institute, to join on a significant project

Michael Kingston receives the Challenge Coin Award from Captain John Mauger, Commanding Officer USCG Maritime Safety Centre HQ.

The Arctic Council,

established in 1996, is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States on common Arctic issues sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic, in particular. The Arctic States are USA, Canada, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark (Greenland), Finland, and Iceland.

The Arctic Council is not a lawmaking body, but much of the consensus reached is pursued in national legislation, and in international forums.

Mayor of Cork County, Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy, speaking following signing of Economic Partnership Agreement between Maine and Co Cork, with Cork Co Co CEO Tim Lucey and Head of Maine government delegation, Commissioner Denise Garland.

regarding implementation of the Polar Code for world shipping, putting Ireland at the forefront of best practice using our leading institutions. The potential in all this is endless.

Now is the opportune time for this application by Ireland, to capitalise on the developments and goodwill towards Ireland by the Arctic States, and is a positive development much needed in this time of Brexit uncertainty.

It shows Ireland being as progressive as possible and sits well with the Global Ireland 2025 policy and climate change policy. It gives Ireland the best chance to take her rightful place at the Arctic Council table with our neighbours, cousins and friends to the North.

We do not want to miss the chance. It is also noteworthy that the Maine visit was a UK-Ireland trade mission, demonstrating our positive relationship with the UK at this time of uncertainty.

The Arctic Council allows, without a fee, Observer Member Status. States have joined for access to

discussions and information about the effect of Arctic weather patterns on the lower latitudes, but also for access to discussions and economic collaboration There is a huge focus in active Working Groups on monitoring the Arctic Environment – all aspects- including ice melt and changing ocean flow and weather patterns.

Current Observers are France, Germany, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, China, Poland, India, South Korea, Republic of Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Despite being such a close neighbour and indeed with natural historical links with the Arctic nations, Ireland is not a member.

26 INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

MARINE R&D

Scientists discover rare ‘shark nursery’ in deep waters west of Ireland

M

arine scientists have discovered a very rare shark nursery, 200 miles west of Ireland while investigating Ireland’s deep ocean territory.

The announcement was made at the 2018 INFOMAR seabed mapping seminar in November where video highlights were debuted of this rare occurrence, discovered during the ‘SeaRover’ (Sensitive Ecosystem Analysis and ROV Exploration of Reef Habitat) survey in July by the Marine Institute’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Holland 1.

Speaking at the event David O’Sullivan, INFOMAR and chief scientist on the SeaRover said the discovery was on a scale not previously documented in Irish waters.

“This discovery shows the significance of documenting sensitive marine habitats and will give us a better understanding of the biology of these beautiful animals and their ecosystem function in Ireland’s Biologically Sensitive Area.”

CORAL AND REEF SYSTEMS During the SeaRover survey, the shark nursery was discovered while exploring Ireland’s deep-water coral reef systems. The exploration initiative was a collaboration jointly funded by the Irish Government (DAFM & DCHG) and the EU’s European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, supported by Marine Institute, NPWS, Geological Survey Ireland, & NUIGalway.

Koen Verbruggen, GSI Director said the discovery demonstrated the importance of mapping seabed habitats to understand and manage Ireland’s vast and valued ocean resources.

“Our data and team continue to make significant contributions to harnessing our ocean wealth.”

Very large numbers of egg cases, commonly called mermaids purses, were filmed on the seafloor at depths reaching 750 m. Such large concentrations of egg cases are rarely recorded and indicate females may gather in this particular area on the seafloor to lay their eggs.

A large school of

Blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus), abundant in the northeast Atlantic were present at the site; it is likely the eggs are of this species.

A second more unusual and solitary species, the Sailfin roughshark (Oxynotus paradoxus) was also observed.

“Both species are of scientific interest as Ireland has an obligation to monitor deepwater sharks under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive,” added Maurice Clarke, Fisheries Ecosystem Advisory Service, Marine Institute.

The Sailfin roughshark is listed as ‘Near Threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, meaning it may be considered threatened with extinction in the near future. The species grows to a length of 1.2m and is usually observed moving slowly with deep water currents, feeding on small benthic invertebrates.

The individual may have been feeding on the eggs although this was not observed by the science team.

“No pups were obvious at the site and it is believed that the adult sharks might be using degraded coral reef and exposed carbonate rock on which to lay their eggs. A healthy coral reef in the vicinity may act as a refuge for the juvenile shark pups once they hatch.

“It is anticipated that a further study of the site will

answer some important scientific questions on the biology and ecology of deepwater sharks in Irish waters,” explained David O’Sullivan.

SACS The shark nursery was observed within one of six offshore Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in Irish waters designated under the EU Habitats Directive for Annex 1 reefs.

SACs host a diverse range of marine animals including sea fans, sponges, worms, starfish, crustaceans and a variety of fish species. Many of these species were apparent in the newly-discovered nursery, highlighting the importance of conserving key areas of our oceans to sustain and support marine biodiversity.

“Our key objective is to assess, protect and monitor Ireland’s rich offshore marine biodiversity so we can begin to manage our marine resources effectively. Without knowledge of what lives in our seas we are at risk of never fully understanding and appreciating Ireland’s marine environment,” Dr Yvonne Leahy (NPWS) explained.

Scientific expertise and the high-resolution, deepsea mapping dataset used in survey planning and design was provided by the national seabed mapping programme INFOMAR. This enabled targeting potential locations of reef habitat in the form

of seabed features, including submarine canyons and seabed mounds, frequently host to cold-water coral reefs and associated habitats in Ireland’s rich offshore waters.

‘SeaRover’ was the second of three surveys commissioned and jointly-funded by the Irish government and the EU’s European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. The cross-government initiative is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM), Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht (DCHG), and Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment as part of the Marine Institute’s implementation of the Marine Biodiversity scheme.

Survey operations were coordinated and led by the INFOMAR programme, a joint venture between the Geological Survey Ireland and the Marine Institute, funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, deliverable under Project 2040, Ireland’s National Development Plan.

Scientists from the Marine Institute, National Parks and Wildlife Service, National University of Ireland, Galway, Plymouth University and Aquafact participated in the survey which this year extended coverage to include Ireland’s farthest offshore area within its Exclusive Economic Zone at the Rockall Bank.

INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19 27

MARINE R&D

Investment in national weather buoy infrastructure

M

inister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Minister Creed has announced investment of over €0.7m in the Marine Data Buoy Network. This additional funding will support ongoing operations and a significant upgrading of the existing infrastructure.

“I am delighted that the government has been able to provide significantly increased funding for this vitally important element of our weather and oceanographic observation system,” remarked Minister Creed.

“With the impacts of climate change ever-more apparent, the government recognises the importance of increased investment in the system.

This increased expenditure will greatly assist our ocean and weather forecasting capabilities in the years ahead, as well as supporting vital climate change research and improving safety at sea.

“Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing nations, Governments and decision-makers world-wide.

With the incidences of extreme weather conditions increasing, this investment in the Irish Marine Data Buoy Network is very significant but essential.

“This ongoing and additional funding will enable the Marine Institute to provide essential national services in ocean observation

and weather forecasting programmes and will have regional and local impact on our livelihoods, safety and the growing blue economy.”

CRUCIAL DATA

The Network is managed by the Marine Institute in collaboration with Met Eireann. It provides crucial data for weather forecasting, risk management for shipping, the fishing community and coastal towns and villages with advanced warnings as well as oceanography research and data on Ireland’s deep waters.

This additional injection of €300,000 brings total investment to over €700,000 in 2018 and will enable upgrade of the Network with new generation buoy platforms and a suite of sensors, replacing the current technology that has been in use since 2008.

“Investment in the observation buoys and other infrastructures and research capacities will enable Ireland to be at the forefront in providing critical research capacity and overcoming infrastructure gaps which in the past have reduced our ability to address questions of national and global importance with respect to climate and ocean change,” remarked Dr Peter Heffernan.

During hurricane Ophelia in 2017, waves were recorded at a maximum height of 17.8 metres by the M5 weather buoy off the southeast coast. In 2011, M4 weather buoy, located 75km

north of Belmullet on the northwest coast, recorded the largest waves recorded in Irish waters, at maximum height of 20.4 metres.

The most westerly buoy, M6, located hundreds of kilometres off the west coast is a sentinel buoy that gathers critical early data reported hourly on weather approaching Ireland and Europe from the Atlantic.

The data buoys provide vital information on atmospheric and sea conditions that influence Ireland’s weather such as atmospheric pressure, air and sea temperature, wind speed and direction.

“The data buoys provide vital information about our weather such as atmospheric pressure, air and sea temperature, wind speed and direction,” explained Evelyn Cusack, Head of Forecasting, Met Éireann.

“This information is used in the weather forecasting models run by Met Éireann and guide national emergency planning efforts during extreme weather events including storms such as Ophelia and Emma.”

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Mick Finn highlighted the importance of the weather buoy infrastructures to local communities: “As an island nation, the data provided by the buoys is particularly important for communities, coastal and inland, where impending storms may have serious knock-on impacts on local economies. The investment

Cullen Fellowship highlights importance of developing blue economy skills

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he Marine Institute’s Cullen Fellowship held its twoday annual meeting in late November. Now in its fifty year, 19 Fellows presented their marine research which

highlighted innovation and contributions being made towards the growth of Ireland’s marine sector.

Over four years, the Cullen Fellowship programme has provided grant aid of €1.9m to support 24 PhD and three Masters students

James Fahy (University College Dublin and Philip Stephens (NUI Galway) with Martina Maloney, Research Office, Marine Institute.

Photo: Cushla Dromgool-Regan

in their research. This has involved 15 research themes identified in the National Marine Research & Innovation Strategy 2017-2021, ranging from marine technology, fisheries management to oceanographic research, as well as aquaculture, fish health, food safety, seabed mapping, marine technology, shipping and maritime transport, marine environment, marine economics, law and policy, education and outreach.

“We are extremely pleased with the high calibre of skilled marine researchers who have been involved with the Cullen Fellowship. The opportunities they have gained has helped further support the government’s national Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth strategy to develop a thriving maritime economy, build healthy marine ecosystems and create engagement with the

in this technology serves to both warn in the short term, while informing over the longterm forecasts. This will help planning for future- proofed protection and safety measures to reduce damage and losses to businesses and infrastructure.”

Minister Creed also welcomed the significant progress made by the Marine Institute to implement its strategic plan, Building Ocean Knowledge, Delivering Ocean Services (2018-2022).

“Initiatives by the Institute which enhance the area of research in forecasting ocean and climate change, places Ireland in a unique position to better understand and contribute to national climate adaptation as well as international climate policy.

“Increasing Ireland’s scientific research capacity in key areas such as sea-level change, ocean circulation and carbon sequestration, is essential and has been highlighted in the Galway Statement on Atlantic Cooperation, the emerging European Ocean Observing System (EOOS) and the Atlantic Ocean Observing System (AtlantOS).

“Continued investment in the Marine Data Buoy Network will further contribute to building Ireland’s national capacity in physical oceanography and ocean climate science.

The ongoing investment targets capacity building, and delivery of relevant knowledge aimed at better understanding the complex interactions between the ocean and climate change is welcomed.”

Minister for Agriculture, Food & Marine Michael Creed with Marine Institute CEO Peter Heffernan and Evelyn Cusack, Head of Forecasting at Met Eireann.

Photo: Darragh Kane sea,” said Martina Maloney, Research Funding Office.

Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO Marine Institute congratulated Philip Stephens (NUI Galway) and James Fahy (University College Dublin) who recently completed their Masters in Science: “The graduates and other Fellows’ high level of accomplishments are welcomed in Ireland, particularly when the ocean sector is one of the fastest areas of economic growth, outpacing progress in the general economy in recent years.”

OCEAN ECONOMY INVESTMENT

Growth of Ireland’s ocean economy in 2017 had a direct impact of €5.5bn turnover, employing more than 32,000 people.

Government investment in the ocean economy is on track to double the value of Our Ocean Wealth to 2.4% of GDP by 2030.

“We are reliant on the ocean for its food through fisheries and aquaculture, ocean transport involving shipping and tourism as well as the societal impact the ocean provides us.

“Therefore, with the trend in changing economies, new forms of energy, transport and food production transforming industries, companies and jobs in the near future, it is important we continue to invest in third-level research for our next generation of marine scientists and researchers,” said Dr Peter Heffernan.

The Marine Institute established the Cullen Fellowship programme in 2014 in memory of Anne Cullen (1958 - 2013), who had made a significant contribution to the work of the Marine Institute over 35 years by inspiring many students through the Institute’s bursary programme and encouraging students to get hands-on experience to support their study.

The Cullen Fellowships are carried out with the support of the Marine Institute and fundedt under the Marine Research Programme. Cullen Fellowship opportunities will be advertised on www. marine.ie, under Research and Funding – Current Funding Opportunities, and through various social media as they arise.

28 INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

MARINE R&D

Renders of the planned 9 hectare marine and innovation site at Cill Chiaráin in Connemara

Páirc na Mara: a potential ‘game changer’ for Ireland’s blue economy Gery Flynn

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áirc na Mara, the marine innovation and research cluster ear marked for Cill Chiaráin in the Connemara Gaeltacht will be welcome news for anyone interested in Ireland’s blue economy.

Located on a coastal brownfield site 70km west of Galway City, Páirc na Mara is being developed as a state-of-the-art, low carbon marine innovation centre to attract a variety of marinerelated business activities.

Its genesis is evidence that the government’s Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth strategy is working, and this project will be a game changer and driver of economic growth and employment opportunities in one of Ireland’s most disadvantaged regions.

Some of the key strategic partners already committed to the Páirc na Mara project include the Marine Institute, BIM, Galway County Council, the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, NUI Galway and the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.

Inshore Ireland spoke to Údarás na Gaeltachta’s

Mark de Faoite, Director of Enterprise, Employment and Property and Máire Ní Éinniú, Project Executive about the new development.

What is Páirc na Mara? Údarás na Gaeltachta, as a key part of its enterprise development role builds advance factories and business parks for sale or lease to companies working in the Gaeltacht.

Páirc na Mara is simply a new business park, but it’s different in that it’s a business park with a focus on marine-based companies with high quality seawater and freshwater available to all sites, and with state-of-the-art effluent treatment. Our plans for Páirc na Mara include, firstly, a Marine Innovation Development Centre - a marine incubation hub that promotes development of new businesses, and which has recently been approved for funding under the Enterprise Ireland REDF scheme. Secondly, we want to develop a world-recognised marine research lab on site.

We’re in discussion with various institutions in higher education here and overseas, to provide a link between the world class research, researchers and technologies that can emerge as new businesses on Páirc na Mara and elsewhere. This is all

about delivering jobs, building capabilities and leveraging intellectual properties. We’re trying to do something new here, it’s not just about rolling out the ‘same old, same old’.

We’re trying to broaden the opportunities, create new companies with innovative products and services, increase exports and establish a pipeline of new companies that will lead to interesting, environmentally sustainable and profitable job creation in the marine.

How will it differ from other Gaeltacht industrial estates?

Páirc na Mara is different in that we’re working very closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, the Marine Institute, BIM, Teagasc and GRETB and other state agencies where new companies can quickly get going in the knowledge that the primary permits and licences are in place. Individual companies and organisations can come here and, provided that they are properly licensed and they fit within the overall environmental envelope we will do our utmost to make it easy for them to start their business and get going quickly. The plan foresees that companies will be required to undertake initial treatment of any

effluent, and Údarás would manage the initial treatment so that environmentally, the place will be of extraordinary high quality. Údarás now has a clear and well-defined strategic focus to develop the potential of the marine? Údarás na Gaeltachta’s clear strategic focus now prioritises the marine. The largest Gaeltacht regions are located on the coast, with communities for whom the sea has been key to their way of life, if not always key to their livelihood. These people understand and value the sea, it belongs to them, there’s a close bond so there’s an opportunity right there from the start. This opportunity is a broad one; it’s not just about primary production, it’s not just about going out there and taking all the fish you can get, or cutting all the seaweed that then leaves for processing. It’s about what you can do with these products - locally. Today the range of opportunity is much wider than in the past.

There’s a challenge to build awareness of the range of opportunity which includes everything from renewable marine energies where you have some well-developed technologies for wind, for example. Projects like Hy-

wind - a floating wind project that Equinor (the new name for Statoil) have off Scotland, and which demonstrated very close co-operation with local fishermen. Other projects in the southern North Sea where there’s very large wind farms, fishermen are now noticing the benefits as large trawlers can't go through, along with artificial reef-type scenarios, where new fish nurseries may actually be enhancing fisheries.

Will aquaculture feature in this plan?

In the biological sphere we’re looking at fish farming onshore - at what can be done to improve environmental impact, such as developing technologies around, ‘cleaner fish for example, which can reduce the need for anti-lice treatments on salmon farms.

We can also look at developing new high-value products such as how to turn fish waste and other bi-products and seaweed into high-value products. There’s a whole range of opportunities that can be developed locally.

What about seaweed, a local resource with huge development potential?

Yes, seaweed is an enormous resource. However, most of the seaweed cut around Ireland’s coast now is simply

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MARINE R&D

Mark de Faoite and Máire Ní Éinniú Draft Marine Campus Layout

Cill Chiaráin pier being dried and exported where value is being added elsewhere. We now have several companies looking at producing high-value-added products and they’re doing that very successfully in Galway, Mayo and Donegal.

Creating high value-added products locally from seaweed is key to our strategy and for Páirc na Mara.

What might be the potential of Páirc na Mara when its occupied and up and running?

Páirc na Mara has the potential to be enormous for the Carna-Cill Chiarán area and more broadly as a national resource for marine development. We have already seen interest around biotechnology, bio-products, marine-based nutrition and marine-based technologies.

We’re trying to support a community where not everybody wants to be a fish farmer or a fisherman or a fish processor. There are people here in the Gaeltacht who want to be lawyers, accountants, technologists and engineers. There has to be a breadth of those skills and of those benefits to keep the bright young people here in the area and to keep “an Gaeilge lárnach i saol na Gaeltachta” .

We believe Páirc na Mara will be a great success and that we will to be able to replicate it in other Gaeltachts and that other state agencies would roll it out to non-Gaeltacht areas. If this works it has the potential to be a game changer.

What is the Marine Innovation Development Centre at the heart of this project?

Within this industrial

park we will build a Marine Innovation Development Centre (MIDC). This is a joint venture with NUI Galway and with GMIT where we will look at encouraging, promoting, supporting and developing marine entrepreneurship. Páirc na Mara is about promoting the development of new marine-based companies, technologies, and services through linking established marine companies on the site with emerging companies and marine entrepreneurs in the MIDC, and supported by a world class marine research centre, providing a fully supported marine business environment - on one site. From an energy and sustainability point of view, we’re also going to make Páirc na Mara a low energy environment. So, to the extent that we are able to, we will be looking at being energy efficient but will also use renewable energy and, hopefully, be able to build on the developments that other agencies, such as the Marine Institute and SEAI, are promoting in terms of marine renewable energy development. Indeed we have already supported the local GAA club in Cill Chiarán on part of the site with a photovoltaic installation.

Is the Páirc na Mara concept modelled on similar clusters around the world?

Cluster economics is now well established, and there’s a range of interesting models worldwide for cluster development. We’re building on the success of a number of cluster models that have been developed around Europe and the US. For example,

the French Technapoles have been very successful in the marine sector; the Americans are doing it in New England and California around the Blue Economy; and the British have done it successfully around the Southampton Oceanographic Centre. There is a great deal of evidence to suggest that this approach works, and we are building on those models.

Have you made any contacts outside Ireland to find interest in the project?

I was in Boston in November for meetings with some of the major teaching and research institutions there who are very interested in this project. I can say too that we are looking actively at co-operation with New England to where an enormous number of Connemara people have emigrated, and there are very strong links to the Diaspora.

I also met with the Mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh, who has close Carna and Ros Muc connections. Mayor Walsh visited the site earlier this year and is very supportive in our plans for Páirc na Mara.

What response did you receive from to calls for expressions of interest?

The response continues to be very positive. We estimate that the expressions of interest we have already received could lead to the development of 200 direct jobs plus private sector co-investment between €30 and €50 million on the site, which, for Connemara, is an enormous figure. Using established economic multipliers we see that leading in turn to 400 indirect jobs.

Seaweed: an enormous natural resource

30 INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

MARIND R&D

INFOMAR 2018 focus on marine resources, environmental concerns and ocean management Xavier Monteys, GSI

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he INFOMAR 2018 seminar took place in Kinsale, Co Cork (November 8&9) and was attended by over 100 people from across disciplines including education, academia, industry, port authorities and agencies. A range of stimulating topics were covered by the twentyseven speakers across the two days.

The overall theme in this year’s conference was demonstrating how the INFOMAR programme has enabled blue growth on a national level, with a special emphasis on marine resources, environmental concerns and ocean management.

The seminar began with an in-depth update of the programme and the main highlights of this year’s mapping efforts in the near shore, east coast and the western shelf, introduced by the joint programme managers: Sean Cullen (GSI)

and Tommy Furey (MI).

A highlight was the launch of the new website www.infomar.ie by Fabio Sacchetti (see below). This introduction was followed by talks from external INFOMAR data users including offshore renewables (iCRAG - GDG), fisheries management (MI), deepwater coral discoveries and a movie about a new discovery of a rare shark nursery on a scale not previously documented in Irish waters (NPWS – DCHG).

The afternoon session

covered topics including marine spatial planning, EU projects (EMODnet), oceanographic modelling, marine spatial planning (DHPLG) aquaculture and analytics.

A guided visit to GSI survey vessels RV Keary and RV Mallet in Kinsale harbour was followed by a reception for kindly sponsored by the Archaeological Diving Company (ADCO).

Day 2 began with novel research talks from the intertidal zone in Ireland and Northern Ireland’s

(UU and AFBI) offshore territories and geological discoveries on the midAtlantic ridge. The seminar ended with an overview of new interrelated projects such as the CHERISH EU Interreg Project (WalesIreland) and the underwater cable interconnector between Ireland and France (EIRGrid), along with coastal drone mapping and the discovery of a new shipwreck during dredging works in Dublin Bay (ADCO).

Integration of INFOMAR data into the junior

Scoilnet & INFOMAR – Educating tomorrow’s seabed mappers Dave O’Mahony Project Officer for Digital Content: Scoilnet

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ver the past year, INFOMAR has made their resources (videos, maps and 3D models) available to Scoilnet which has embedded and integrated them into Scoilnet.ie. Many people who work outside of the educational sphere may not have heard of Scoilnet, however it is an important tool in sparking an interest in the area of seabed mapping among students today.

Scoilnet is the Department of Education and Skills (DES) official portal for Irish education. Originally

launched in 1998, the website is managed by PDST - Technology in Education on behalf of the DES. Scoilnet collaborates with practising teachers to maintain and manage the content on the website.

Scoilnet contains a database of over 19,000 online resources including websites, quizzes, lesson plans, notes, video & audio, games and other multimedia.

Scoilnet was developed as a support for teachers at both primary and post-primary levels. From 2014 it has provided teachers with the option to share and upload their own teaching and learning resources.

Only registered teachers can upload resources to Scoilnet. This guarantees that materials uploaded are from

a reputable source and are of high quality. When uploading a resource to Scoilnet, a teacher must give the resource a brief description, assign the resource keywords and map that resource to the curriculum.

Mapping a resource to the curriculum at both primary and post primary level ensures that the content is relevant and that teachers can search for resources in a focused and timely manner.

Scoilnet also collaborates with practising teachers who are expert in their specific subject area (History, Geography, Science etc) to maintain and manage the content.

To search for a resource, a user can use the dropdown menus in the search bar of the homepage and find the resource they want by subject, strand and learning outcome. The site will then list all of the resources relevant to that subject.

Alternatively, a user can use a keyword search to find resources by entering a term in the homepage search bar.

The keyword search finds term matches in the title and description of a resource as well as keywords specified by the teacher who created the resource.

Scoilnet is not just a repository of good quality educational resources, it has many other sections and functions that help teachers embed digital technologies

into their day-to-day lessons. The site is divided into two main sections: primary and post-primary.

Both the primary and post primary sections address the different needs in the national and secondary school system.

Scoilnet also contains Collection Pages which are collections of resources on a topic gathered together on a page. The site also has theme pages for special events such as major sporting occasions or national holidays.

Learning Paths allow teachers to save their own collection of resources on a topic that they can use in class with their students and share with other teachers.

Scoilnet also has a section on Good Practice Videos that show how teachers around the country have used digital technologies in their lessons to great effect.

Scoilnet has collaborated with both governmental and non-governmental organisations such as RTÉ, French Embassy, Quinnipiac University, independent television production companies and INFOMAR to make information accessible to all pupils at every level of the educational system.

These organisations make their resources available to Scoilnet and which in turn engages teachers to make age-appropriate lessons and activities based around the

information and resources provided.

Over the past year, INFOMAR has provided access to videos, maps and 3D models to Scoilnet to make their material available to students at second level education. One of the challenges of being presented with such a vast wealth of information is to make the material relevant to the curriculum and to present it in a clear and engaging format for students. It was also important to keep all the relevant information in one location and to make it easy for teachers to find.

COLLECTION PAGE To make the INFOMAR material engaging, appealing and easy for teachers to use, Scoilnet created a dedicated INFOMAR collection page.

The page is divided into three sections: To More Fully Understand the Extent of Resources, Hazards and To Map the Landscape of the Seabed.

Many of INFOMAR’s maps, such as Ireland’s Marine Atlas, have been embedded into the collection page and have full functionality along with INFOMAR’s videos.

Scoilnet has also embedded 3D-models of shipwrecks where students have the ability to manipulate images and investigate shipwrecks.

Each page in the INFOMAR collection contains activities and links to resources.

INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19 31

MARINE R&D The INFOMAR Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and is a deliverable under Project 2040, Ireland’s National Development Plan. As Ireland’s national seabed mapping project, it is carried out through a partnership between Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) and the Marine Institute (MI). curriculum was presented

by Scoilnet (see below) which was of great interest to all parents present.

Overall, the seminar was well-received and informative and set the scene for the twentieth anniversary next year in Dublin as announced by Director of GSI, Koen Verbruggen.

Scoilnet has utilised the quiz tool Flexiquiz so that students can test their knowledge and teachers can check for learning. Results from these quizzes and worksheets can be saved in a digital format and added to a student’s digital portfolio.

Feedback can also be provided to students when they choose a wrong answer.

Creating a collection page for INFOMAR and embedding their content into Scoilnet has many benefits. To begin, the burden of preparation and correcting is removed from the teacher. The material is directly linked to the Irish Junior Cycle and Transition Year curriculum (Exploring the Physical World & How We Interact with the Physical World).

The content is interesting and engaging and gives students the opportunity to work in a digital environment.

Working with INFOMAR’s resources and materials hones students’ geography skills of map reading, distilling information while also allowing them the opportunity to practice the skills of critical thinking, collaborative learning and analytics.

New look INFOMAR website Fabio Sacchetti, Marine Institute

A

fter months of hard work and dedication, the INFOMAR team has relaunched their website to reflect recommendations following consultation and trial in 2017, including Risk Solutions as part of a programme review in 2016.

The website had to: provide a professional, clean, engaging and contemporary look that showcases the stunning seabed and marine life that INFOMAR has discovered and mapped over the years give a clear overview of what INFOMAR is, why it’s important, who’s involved and who benefits provide clear and easy access to INFOMAR data and products, in particular for the non-expert audience (2-3 clicks rule) give an overview of survey plans, infrastructure, and mapping technologies highlight the extent of value added, outreach, education and research activities supported by the INFOMAR programme present a clear pathway for different stakeholders on how to engage with the INFOMAR programme (e.g. collaboration, sharing infrastructure and education support paths) It was developed with stakeholders, smart technology and social media in mind, to future-proof the site as much as possible.

The streamlined userinterface provides a more interactive experience, allowing all INFOMAR users to easily find the information they are looking for. Visitors can browse the website based on their own interests and not only learn more about the services, products and data but also explore a portfolio of projects, case studies, education and outreach activities supported by INFOMAR. Particular attention was given to the look and feel of the landing page (figure 1) to ensure that the key INFOMAR products and services were featured, including engaging videos, the best web mapping viewers (e.g. shipwrecks & charts), social media feeds and a mail group link for interested parties to stay connected with progress and plans.

MENU OPTIONS

Top menus take the user across the core components of the INFOMAR website.

First stop are the web mapping

viewers that allow visitors to view the many services, maps and charts, reports and other products that INFOMAR has to offer. This includes easy access to dynamic and split-screen viewers where users can query, investigate and customise the data.

Additional dedicated viewers have been developed to allow easy download of key products such as charts, survey and research reports, Google Earth files and much more.

Particular care was put into developing a series of Story Maps — an interactive nontechnical way to communicate how INFOMAR is relevant to an array of topics such as marine biodiversity and archaeology, maritime heritage and shipwrecks.

One such Story Map allows a user to look through a spyglass to compare historical nautical charts with the fantastically detailed seabed features visible on the modern day INFOMAR data (figure 2).

Next stop on the top menu is the ‘Data’ page which brings the user straight into the Interactive Web Data Delivery System (IWDDS), INFOMAR’s primary data download portal. The way core datasets are accessed hasn’t changed radically but the new website offers streamlined explanations and a demo option to facilitate the data access experience.

The ‘Survey’ menu was entirely designed; content has been modernised and functionalities have been implemented to incorporate external services such as ship virtual tours, AIS vessel tracking, and YouTube videos (figure 3). Reflecting the fact that most internet users only seek brief snippets of information, most of the technical and detailed content has been summarised and made available as downloadable documents to keep the pages interesting and graphically appealing.

Topics under the ‘R&D and Education’ menu are designed to capture the breadth of activities supported

by INFOMAR, the extent of which may surprise many who think of INFOMAR as an operational programme.

As the programme evolves and its legacy grows, the outreach, education and research components of the are becoming more and more relevant, and the website will continue to showcase these outputs and initiatives.

The new website couldn’t exist without a Gallery page.

INFOMAR is globally known for its array of seabed data and stunning images and the Gallery page showcases some of the best examples.

The ‘News & Events’ menu

www.infomar.ie

Questions, suggestions, feedback or comments, please email us at info@infomar.ie

The new look of www.infomar.ie

The spyglass story map compares old nautical charts against the INFOMAR data and it allows you to observe how the coastline and our knowledge of the seabed as evolved over time

All pages such as the one for the RV Celtic Explorer provide a clean layout of key information and easy access to external services such as brochures, detailed documentation, videos, virtual tour and more where available. contains interesting and informative posts reflecting the wealth of engagement activities that INFOMAR supports. The events page is where a visitor will find the most recent and upcoming seabed mapping related events and team activities.

The ‘About’ menu featured on the right, provides an overview of project partnerships, key contact details for public enquires or data requests, and a glossary.

The path from concept design to delivery of the final website was full of interesting challenges and was a steep learning curve, in particular for the INFOMAR team directly involved in the development phase. We really hope users will appreciate the final outcome and we look forward to your feedback.

Special thanks to Compass Informatics Ltd who provided constant support throughout the development process.

32 INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

BOOK REVIEW

Shipping at the entrance to Dublin Port in early nineteenth century (William Sadler 1782-1839), courtesy of Adams Dublin

Fish sellers on the pier at Howth, early nineteenth century Evening in Dublin Bay (John Coveney)

Dublin Bay Nature and History

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ringed by Howth to the north and Dalkey to the south, Dublin Bay encloses an area of roughly 296km2 that includes an intertidal zone of about 16km2.. The volume of water entering and leaving Dublin Bay on a single high spring tide is 768 million cubic metres – enough to fill 123,000 Olympic swimming pools. And the length of the mainland shore from Sorrento Road, Dalkey, to the Nose of Howth including the Liffey banks to the tidal limit at Heuston Bridge weir, is roughly 65km.

Including natural habitats of sandy beaches, mudflats, saltmarsh, sand dunes and islands, Dublin Bay received biosphere status in 2015 from UNESCO, the global organisation that stands for educational, scientific and cultural values. In ecological terms, the biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction

with the physical environment.

Dublin Bay – Nature and History

by Richard Nairn, David Jeffrey and Rob Goodbody, combines ecology and history and tells the story of the bay, so far. Earliest man ‘almost certainly set up camp on the coast, and Dublin Bay would have offered an attractive campsite with a wide shallow river estuary, dunes and shelter from storms.’

They chart the arrival of the Vikings, first recorded in the Irish annals in AD 841, and widely regarded as the founders of the town of Dublin despite earlier Christian settlements.

They describe the bay as a ‘vital lung’ and how it provides a ‘natural envelope’ for the city but warn it is also a fragile place, ‘easily damaged’ by inappropriate development, mismanagement or neglect’.

Layer by layer over twelve chapters, the authors build up a picture of Dublin Bay and the role it has played as a backdrop to a capital city that is home to over one million people. They explain in referenced detail, supported by maps and

illustrations, how the bay has influenced every element of mankind’s activity – social, commercial, exploratory — and bring us to the present day and to the challenge of climate change, witnessed by hotter, drier summers and stormier winters.

‘The sea temperature is rising steadily, affecting the Irish Sea’s stocks of fish that were once a major source of food for the people of Dublin. Sea level is rising due to thermal expansion of seawater as the temperature rises, and to the melting of glaciers around the world.’

‘It is probable’, they write, that Dublin will see a 0.69m rise in sea levels by 2100, and that the resulting land loss ‘will impinge on expanding urban areas, inundate agricultural land and eradicate coastal wetlands that offer a measure of protection against serious storms and flooding’.

Rare species of orchids that survive in the alder marsh at Bull Island will ‘certainly disappear’ as seawaters enter the water table. Diverse plants in the saltmarshes will be reduced as natural vegetation

narrows to a strip and ‘we can expect parts of the Tolka Estuary and Sandymount Strand to become permanent shallow water, changing the invertebrate life that depends on the rise and fall of the tides each day.’

Nature and history have combined to mould Dublin Bay ‘into the key resource that we enjoy and ultimately depend upon’; however, the authors warn of ‘many threats’ only a few of which can be managed or mitigated.

Dublin Bay faces an uncertain future and when making decisions about its management, ‘we should learn from the mistakes of the past and the lessons that nature and history teach us.

The bay needs to be managed in a sustainable way so that it can go on providing the essential functions of a sea within a city.’

This book is an essential read for Dubliners.

Gillian Mills

COMPETITION Published by Collins Press (2017) ISBN 978-184889-329-0 The publishers have kindly provided two copies as competition prizes.

Q: What is the predicted sea level rise by 2100?

A: to mills@ inshore-ireland.com or by postcard to 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin Deadline: February 8, 2019

WINNERS ‘Women and Children of the RMS Leinster Congratulations to our competition winners: John Leech, Craughwell, Co Galway Tim Magennis, Killiney, Co Dublin

INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19 33

COASTLINE NEWS

Remembering RMS Leinster - relatives visit the site at the Kish Lighthouse Eileen O’Duffy

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hortly before 0900 hrs on October 10, 1918, the mailboat RMS Leinster left Carlisle Pier, Kingstown (now Dún Laoghaire), Co Dublin,

bound for Holyhead in Anglesey with 771 passengers and crew. Shortly before 1000 hrs, roughly 16 miles out to sea, the mail boat was torpedoed by German submarine UB 123. More than 550 people were killed, making this the worst

maritime disaster on the Irish Sea. One hundred years after that fatal voyage, cruise boat St Bridget set sail from Dún Laoghaire Harbour to bring relatives and friends of the deceased - and of a few survivors - to the resting

recovered. Captain Birch had been pulled into the lifeboat Big Bertha with his legs smashed and an eye badly cut. Royal Navy torpedo destroyer, HMS Lively had reached the scene, picking up 127 survivors, but during the mad scramble to catch the ropes, the lifeboat capsized and Captain Birch was never seen again. Siobhan Worn from Shankhill, is a third-cousin-once-removed of the late Captain. She was joined by Dorothy Worn and George Jackson.

and working as a cabin boy on the Leinster when the torpedo struck. His father Philip was working in a totally different area on the ship but managed to find his son and they jumped together. Both Tom and Philip survived. The two sisters hoot with laughter as they tell the story of their father Tom racing into town to spend the halfcrown he had got as a Leinster survivor, boys will be boys!

place of RMS Leinster at the Kish Lighthouse.

About 70 passengers were on board: young and old, Dún Laoghaire and Dublin locals, visitors from as far afield as New Zealand and Australia, friends and relatives of postal workers,

cabin crew, passengers and the ship’s Captain.

The St Bridget followed the route of RMS Leinster, stopping at the Kish Lighthouse where passengers scattered wreaths and remembered their loved ones. Some referred to the Kish as ‘the grave’.

Photos: Gillian Mills LEINSTER 1 Sadly, the victims who were lost at sea included many young children including 15- yearold Gerald Palmer who had spent most of his life in care of the ‘Cripples Home’ (later Sunbeam House) in Bray. He was drowned as he sailed to the UK to start a new job and a new life. Lorraine Newsome and John Giles from Sunbeam House were there to pay their respects to young Gerald.

LEINSTER 2

In a cruel twist of fate, another man who was not supposed to have been working that day was Adam Smyth, a postal worker from nearby Sandycove. He had been asked to stand in for an ill colleague. The family’s story is that his daughter, Mary Claire (Daisy), was the last to see him alive as she ran after him with the sandwiches he had forgotten.

He left a wife and nine children, aged two to 17. Marie Malone, his great granddaughter, was there to remember Adam.

LEINSTER 3

The ship’s Captain William Birch was among the victims and his body was never

LEINSTER 4

Sheila Monahan had travelled from Australia to remember her grandfather Michael Hogan, a postal worker. Sheila had been planning her trip to Ireland for several years to coincide with the RMS Leinster centenary services.

LEINSTER 5

Small rays of sunshine were among the sadness: Dinah Jordan and Olive Gray were there to celebrate the survival of their father Tom Connolly and his father Philip (‘The Greaser’) Connolly. Young Tom was only 16-years-old

LEINSTER 6

“18 roses, one from each of his grandchildren” said Monica. She was joined by Joan, Gerry, Susan and Michelle to remember their grandfather, William H. Wakefield, a postal worker.

Apparently William should not have been working that day but had stood in for a colleague who had the flu. They spoke fondly of how they remembered their mum bringing a rose with her on every boat journey she took from Dún Laoghaire Harbour, throwing it beside the Kish Lighthouse on her ‘Daddy’s grave’. Now it was their turn to visit their grandfather’s grave at sea. They had also brought a small bottle of whiskey and enjoyed a toast to William.

Images of RMS Leinster from the 2015 and 2016 University Ulster/INFOMAR surveys. The 2015 images Leinster 1 (2015) shows the vessel in 3D while Leinster 2 (2016) is a plan view from Caris (marine mapping software) Credit UU/INFOMAR.

34 INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19

COASTLINE NEWS

Launch of HSE Primary Care on Islands Review Rhoda Twombly

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aunched on November 27, the HSE Primary Care Island Services Review is a comprehensive report on the current state of primary medical care on Ireland’s off-shore islands and details several recommendations for future needs.

Formally launched by Cllr Rosaleen O’Grady, chair of Regional Health Forum West, the review “is a framework to lead change and support islanders in their choice to stay on the islands,” she said.

Cllr O’Grady noted that “the ‘one-size-fits all’ approach does not work in the case of the islands.

“A more flexible and innovative means of providing health care needs to be built on a strong framework.”

John Hayes, Chief Officer, CHO 1 and chair of Island Review Steering Group, noted that the review process had endeaoured to answer the question: ‘What is the best way to provide medical care to small populations?’

Flexibility in island care provision is singled out to account for variables such as population demographics, access methods and weather conditions. Individual islands therefore are visited not only to assess physical and logistical

challenges facing health care but for consultation with local doctors, nurses and residents.

While several islands do need additional or improved services, an over-riding concern of residents is that existing services, highly valued by islanders, would be reduced or eliminated.

Islander’s medical care ‘wish list’ is not a long one; however, as health care is a strong factor in community sustainability, it is considered important that a plan for each island is put in place.

Mr Hayes also noted the need for the HSE and local authorities, as well as related agencies, to work together on issues such as access and transportation. This is part of the step-by-step plan for the first year of implementation.

The recommendations of the review are now included in the overall HSE plan for 2019.

PERSONAL DATA

The review also includes data on population profiles, dependency, composition of households, employment, education and general medical services. Ethnicity, language, computer-use and broadband availability were also taken into account in the conclusions that formed the recommendations towards future primary health care.

Review author, Dr Louise Doherty, a specialist in

public health medicine stressed the importance of having systems in place to accurately report population figures, to reflect population increases that occur on islands during the summer months so that services could be adjusted accordingly.

It is also important to establish a national implementation forum as well as interagency forums in each Community Health Organisation area to help progress implementing the recommendations.

Simon Murray of Inishbofin, Chair of Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, praised the depth of the review and noted that once implemented, the review would “go a long way towards securing the future of island living.”

He added that the value of the report lay not just in relation to health “but as a reference point to other State agencies to rediscover the value of islands to the country: Wonderful culture, music, history and art of the islands have been a major part or Ireland’s story — not forgetting the economic value we offer.

“We’re not asking for the moon and stars, just that the islands be recognised for what they are – a national asset. The HSE now has a major opportunity to be a part of our story.”

Front Row l-r: Rhoda Twombly, Cathy Ní Ghóill, Simon Murray, Helena Casey Back row l-r: Corena Ward, John Walsh, Enda Ó Conghaie, Mairtin OMealoid

Front row l-r: Violet Hayes (HSE Director of Public Health Nursing, retired), Rosaleen O’Grady (Chair of HSE West Regional Forum), Maeve MacDermott, (Primary Care Facilitator HSE, CHO 1), Louise Doherty, Specialist in Public Health Medicine and Noreen Lineen Curtis, GP Achill Back row l-r: Paudie O’Riordan (HSE Ambulance Service), JJ O’Kane (HSE Older Persons’ Services), John Walsh, Maurice Power (CEO Saolta Hospital Group), John Hayes, (Chief Officer, HSE, CHO 1)

Ní Riada defends Irish coastal communities in Europe

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inn Féín MEP Liadh Ní Riada has welcomed the approval of a series of amendments (see sidebar) she proposed to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

The Ireland South MEP who is acting as a negotiator and rapporteur on the EMFF, proposed the amendments designed

to improve EU fisheries funding and protect coastal communities, during a Budget Committee vote on the fund.

Ní Riada, who also sits on the Fisheries Committee welcomed the support for her amendments, which she said will prove crucial when it came to future of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

“This vote comes at a critical juncture. With many aspects

of the CFP currently being examined, it is crucial we put protection for fisheries and coastal communities at the heart of that debate.

She explained that most of the accepted amendments had support from MEPs of all nationalities and political groups. “This shows they were sensible” and practical proposals.

“Nobody is better placed to protect our oceans than our fishermen and our coastal communities, which is why before submitting my amendments, I consulted with Irish fishermen and affiliated organisations, producers and local communities.

“Fishermen operate in an increasingly challenging environment, politically, professionally and bureaucratically. Fisheries are vital to the livelihood and cultural heritage of our coastal communities and islands, in particular where small-scale coastal and inshore fishing play an important role,” she stressed.

SUPPORTED AMENDMENTS: 29. Fisheries are vital to the livelihood and cultural heritage of many coastal communities, islands and outermost regions in the Union, in particular where smallscale coastal and inshore fishing plays an important role.

35. It should be possible for the EMFF to support the promotion and the sustainable development of aquaculture, including freshwater aquaculture and closed containment systems, for the farming of aquatic animals and plants for the production of food and other raw material.

Complex administrative procedures in some MS remain in place, such as difficult access to space and burdensome licensing procedures, which make it difficult for the sector to improve the image and competitiveness of farmed products.

Support should be consistent with the multiannual national strategic plans for aquaculture developed on the basis of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013. In particular, support for environmental sustainability, productive investments, innovation, acquisition of professional skills, improvement of working conditions, compensatory measures providing critical land, and nature management services should be eligible.

Public health actions, aquaculture stock insurance schemes and animal health and welfare actions should also be eligible.

However, in the case of productive investments, support should be provided only through financial instruments and through InvestEU, which offer a higher leverage on markets and are therefore more relevant than grants to address the financing challenges of the sector.

36. Including islands and outermost regions.

INSHORE IRELAND Winter 2018/19 35

COASTLINE NEWS

Clean Coasts Ocean Talks and Ocean Hero 2018

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he 2018 ‘Clean Coasts’ Ocean Hero Awards’ celebrated eleven years of honouring the contribution coastal communities have made towards conserving Ireland’s coastline.

Established in 2006, the ‘Merit Awards’ consisted of just only category, the Clean Coasts’ Group of the Year’. Since then the programme has grown to engage over 700 Clean Coasts groups nationwide.

In recognition of this growth,

the number of Ocean Hero categories has expanded to include: Individual of the Year, Beach Clean of the Year, School of the Year and Business of the Year.

Sinead McCoy Coastal Communities Manager with An Taisce’s Environmental Education Unit said “Over the past 12 years, the Clean Coasts programme’s Ocean Hero Awards have really brought to the fore the remarkable work and wonderful coastal celebration events that volunteers have

been involved in along the Irish coastline.

“We hope this year is no different as we look forward to receiving inspirational nominations that show the true dedication of these coastal custodians,” remarked Sinad McCoy, Coastal Communities Manager, An Taisce.

Clean Coasts is operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce and is currently funded by the Department of the Housing, Planning & Local Government and Fáilte Ireland.

2018 CLEAN COASTS OCEAN HERO AWARD WINNERS

»» Keep Our Beaches Clean, Mayo »» Sean Ferguson, Wexford

Ocean Hero Award - Group of the Year Ocean Hero Award - Individual of the Year »» St Colman’s Community College, Cork Ocean Hero Award - School of the Year »» Dive Academy, Clare Ocean Hero Award - Business of the Year »» Havin’ a Laugh, Sligo Ocean Hero Award - BeachClean of the Year »» Galway Atlantaquaria, Galway Ocean Hero Award – Think Before You Flush Campaign

School of the Year - St Colmans Community College, Midelton

Junior marine environmentalist goes from strength to strength!

EU parliament agrees ban on selected single-use plastic items

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ingle use plates, cutlery, straws, balloon sticks or cotton bud, which make up over 70% of marine litter, will be banned from the EU market by 2021. Included in the list are products made of oxo-degradable plastics, such as bags or packaging, and fast-food containers made of expanded polystyrene.

Member States are to draft national plans to encourage use of multi-purpose containers, as well as reuse and recycling.

They are also called on to reduce usage by a minimum of 25% of burger boxes, sandwich boxes or food containers for fruits, vegetables, desserts or ice creams by 2025.

Other plastics, such as beverage bottles will have to be collected separately and recycled at a rate of 90% by 2025.

MEPs also agreed that reduction measures should also cover waste from tobacco products, in particular cigarette filters containing plastic. It would have to be reduced by 50% by

2025 and 80% by 2030.

One cigarette butt can pollute between 500 and 1,000 litres of water; thrown on the roadway, it can take up to twelve years to disintegrate.

They are the second most littered single-use plastic items.

Member states should also ensure that at least 50% of lost or abandoned fishing gear containing plastic is collected per year, with a recycling target of at least 15% by 2025. Fishing gear represents 27% of waste found on Europe’s beaches.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Member stateo have to ensure that tobacco companies cover the costs of waste collection for those products, including transport, treatment and litter collection. The same goes for producers of fishing gear containing plastic, who will need to contribute to meeting the recycling target.

Rapporteur Frédérique Ries (ALDE, BE) said MEPs had adopted the “most ambitious” legislation against single-use plastics.

He said the vote “paved the way” to an ambitious directive. “It is essential in

order to protect the marine environment and to reduce the costs of environmental damage attributed to plastic pollution in Europe, estimated at €22bn by 2030.”

Drafted by Frédérique Ries (ALDE, BE), the report was adopted with 571 votes to 53 and 34 abstentions.

BACKGROUND

According to the European Commission, more than 80% of marine litter is plastics. Due to its slow rate of decomposition, plastic accumulates in seas, oceans and on beaches. Plastic residue is found in marine species – such as sea turtles, seals, whales and birds, but also in fish and shellfish, and therefore enters the human food chain.

‘While plastics are a convenient, adaptable, useful and economically valuable material, they need to be better used, re-used and recycled. When littered, the economic impact of plastics encompasses not just the lost economic value in the material, but also the costs of cleaning up and losses for tourism, fisheries and shipping.’

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nshore Ireland caught up with elevenyear-old Flossie Donnelly who has been beach cleaning and raising awareness at your local beach on her war on plastic. Her message has reached far beyond this Dublin location and is communicating with children around Ireland and as far afield as India: “I’ve had an amazing year where I have spoken in front of 1,700 people at the National Convention Centre about my war against plastic, I fundraised and got the first two seabins in Ireland. I have done a Ted Talk, I got a Pakman Award from Re-Pak who very kindly acknowledged all my work I do in getting the message out about the plastic problem.

“I have very happily continued my weekly beach

cleans and found some cool things while doing it. I had the honour of speaking at Trinity with Mary Robinson about climate change, and I also had so much fun singing on stage with the Riptide Movement on their Clean Coasts tour.

Next year I am going to continue beach cleaning and continue on my path of spreading the word about what plastic is doing to our world, because as ever I don’t want my generation to have to suffer for what my parents’ generation caused.

I hope you all have a great Christmas and thank you for supporting me!

Flossie and the Beach Cleaners’ charity has been established to coordinate campaigns that raise awareness about marine pollution on a national and global scale.’

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Environmentalist Flossie (far left) and friends raise awareness

THE NAME SAYS IT ALL

WEAR ONE NEAR OR ON WATER. ALWAYS.

iws.ie