Inshore Ireland Vol 3 nr 6 December 2007 by Inshore Ireland Publishing

Bimonthly

incorporating

News from the coast and inland waterways

Aquaculture Ireland

Budget 2008

Interview

Is the Cawley Report in tatters?

World leader in aquaculture feed supply Pages 12 & 13

Shipping Spotlight Global shipping finance market Page 33

Page 2

December 2007 Vol 3 Issue 6

Inshore fisheries . . Sea angling. . . . . . Aquaculture News Marine R&D . . . . .

.... .... .... ....

.... .... ... ...

. . 8-9 18-19 20-25 30-31

Is the ‘Celtic boom’ behind Courtmacsherry algal bloom? Report by Gery Flynn AN investigation commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which was completed last March but has still not been published, blames domestic sewage as the main cause of green tides over the past decade in Courtmacsherry Bay. The investigation, the results of which have been seen by Inshore Ireland, was funded by the EPA and carried out by scientists from the Irish Seaweed Centre (ISC), which is part of the Martin-Ryan-Marine-Research Institute at NUI Galway. The investigation involved the use of an advanced technique called ‘Stable Isotope Analysis’, which has proved successful in tracking the source of nitrogen pollution in coastal ecosystems. Once the source of the pollution is pinpointed, remedial measures can be introduced to remove or reduce it.

Blight on landscape Inshore Ireland reported in December 2006 that the common green seaweed, Ulva, found around the Irish coast, was first noticed on beaches in the inner part of Courtmacsherry Bay in the mid-1990s, mainly on the sheltered tidal flats onto which the Argideen and Kilbrittan rivers drain. Since then beaches in the area — which contain 10 habitats listed in Annex 1 of the Habitats Directive and also a designated SAC — have been blighted every summer by huge

EPA responds

FAMILY CHRISTMAS PRESENT * Alice Creedon christens Kaligarian J, a Cleopatra 33 built by Trefjar, Iceland, for eastcoast fisherman, Bobby Creedon. Full feature in the February edition. Photo: S Cullen

swathes of rotting and foulsmelling Ulva. An earlier EPA Small Scale Study, completed in 2004, highlighted the scale of the problem in the area. It reported blooms in the Argideen river estuary of over 13kg per square metre, and estimated the total biomass to be more than 10,000 tonnes. That study speculated that the contributing factors causing the

blooms were likely to include agricultural run-off, sewage input and natural environmental nutrients.

Remedial plan Noting the importance of ‘source identification’ as the crucial first step towards a successful remedial plan, the study recommends using Stable

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

Isotope Analysis as the most effective tool to monitor the movement of dissolved nutrients in an environment like the Argideen river basin. Noting some of the likely consequences of the problem, the report states that ‘noxioussmelling agglomerations of algae can influence local fisheries and tourism industries and can persist for years and may per-

vasively and fundamentally alter ecosystems.’ In the meantime, a debate has raged in the Courtmacsherry area as to what has been causing the problem and local residents are anxious that the source of the high levels of dissolved nutrients is found and addressed. * To page 2

IN a written response to questions from Inshore Ireland, the EPA confirmed that it had received a ‘draft report’ [of the ISC’s findings] on 13 March. Some nine months later, however, the report still has not been released by the EPA, and a stand-off of sorts has developed between the EPA and the ISC as to whether all of its terms of reference have been complied with. Dr Stefan Kraan, manager of the ISC, confirmed to Inshore Ireland that it had completed the report for the EPA, and that ‘it was now up to them to release it’. Standing over the report’s findings, Dr Kraan confirmed that Courtmacsherry Bay has been affected by an ‘ulvoid bloom’ (green tides) since the mid-1990s, which has worsened progressively in the years since. Explaining that it was ‘a complicated matter’, he said the reasons for such blooms were often influenced by ‘a wide variety of environmental factors, such as temperature and light intensity, and by the inherent biological cycles of the species involved’. He confirmed, nevertheless, that the ISC report showed that the levels of Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) and Orthophosphates in the waters of Courtmacsherry Bay were above the levels set for eutrophic full salinity waters by the EPA * To page 2

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

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

NEWS

EPA responds *

From page 1

And he added that fresh water entering the bay through the Argideen river and from a nearby spring were also above EPA limits for nutrient levels in freshwater. ‘‘These sources have very high levels of DIN and reasonably high levels of Orthophosphate which they carry downstream into the bay,’’ Dr Kraan explained. ‘‘The high levels of DIN recorded in the Argideen river could potentially cause harm to humans who drink the water, and the levels of Orthophosphate recorded have the potential if they continue, to downgrade the river from its current status of unpolluted to polluted,’’ he added.

Holiday homes As to what exactly is causing the pollution, Dr Kraan said that the report’s findings were clear, and he ruled out local agriculture as the main cause. ‘‘The population of Courtmacsherry, Timoleague and Kilbrittain has risen by 20% over the last 15 years, and the summer tourist population increases by 1,000% in Courtmacsherry town,’’ he said. ‘‘This report shows that the waters in and entering Courtmacsherry Bay are eutrophic and that excess nutrients in the system are responsible for the annual algal blooms in the bay. Isotope analysis shows that the major source of the nutrient enrichment is provided via sewage and animal waste. ‘‘Farming in the area has been stable over the last 15 years. However, residential and tourist populations have grown in the same period. The inherent

increase in sewage waste is most probably responsible for the nutrient enrichment in the Argideen River estuary and the lack of adequate sewage treatment facilities in the area has further enhanced the problem.’’ Dr Kraan concluded that remedial work to upgrade the current sewage treatment plant, and to construct new facilities ‘must be made a top priority’.

Written response The EPA provided the following written response to requests by Inshore Ireland for information on the issue: ‘‘The Argideen estuary has been experiencing elevated levels of green seaweed growth for some years now. EPA-commissioned research in 2004 identified this area as having very high levels of seaweed biomass. Based on these, and other observations, the area was classified as eutrophic in the EPA’s water quality in Ireland 2001-2003 report and most recently in the EPA Water Quality in Ireland 2006 report. This area is now included as part of the national monitoring programme for the Water Framework Directive. Monitoring of the spatial cover and biomass of the green seaweed accumulations is undertaken annually. Associated physico-chemical parameters (i.e. nutrients, chlorophyll concentration, dissolved oxygen) are measured four times a year. Data from this monitoring programme will feed into the SW River Basin District management plan. This plan will require the implementation of measures to tackle environmental problems such as excessive algal growth.

Developments such as the installation of sewage treatment facilities and the implementation of the nitrates directive will, hopefully, have a positive effect on the environmental conditions in the Argideen estuary. The EPA has also funded a small-scale study to assess the potential of Stable Isotope analysis for assessing the nutrient sources fuelling the algal growth. This report should be available shortly. A draft report was submitted to the EPA on 13 March 2007 in relation to this project. Having reviewed this report, comments were provided to the authors by the EPA. The EPA is now awaiting submission of the final report for approval. The EPA does not consider it appropriate that the findings of this study be reported on in advance of completion of the final report.’’

Study terms of reference * Literature review of the use of stable isotope analysis for monitoring nitrogen inputs into marine systems * Analysis of seasonal and spatial variation of 15N and %N in macroalgal tissue in the Argideen river estuary * Report examining the application and effectiveness of stable isotope analysis for examining the potential causes of macroalgal bloom in Irish coastal waters.

Local reaction LOCAL resident, Dr Patrick O’Mahony of the Harbour View Bay Action Group, confirmed to Inshore Ireland that the problem of green tides in the Courtmacsherry Bay area had continued through 2007, but ‘on a different scale’. ‘‘It is likely that the relatively cool summer was probably the main factor why we saw an overall reduction in the mass of the weed, but its incidence across the whole area has probably been greater,’’ he said. ‘‘In other words, there has been less major concentration of it in key areas like Harbour View beach, but there is definitely more of it spread around. ‘‘A notable change for the worse this year has been the area around Courtmacsherry village itself, which saw a large coverage of algae across the

estuary region when the tide was out. Adjacent bays, like Inchydoney, also had very significant build-ups, requiring constant clearing, and their amenity value has been seriously affected.’’

Diverse causes Dr O’Mahony added that it was difficult to expect local residents to address the underlying causes of the problem ‘in a systematic and sustained way’ because of the range of interests, such as farming, tourism, amenities, residential, etc, involved. ‘‘It has been very hard to get cross-community agreement on this matter because people have different interpretations as to what the causes are,’’ he explained. Despite this, he said

that he was optimistic that a solution could be found, adding that there was mounting evidence that the local authority ‘may be taking the matter more seriously’. ‘‘It seems that Cork Co Council is beginning to move in the right direction, and it’s clear that the level of monitoring which they have been carrying out has been stepped up in the last couple of years. This is the right approach because investment in the overall knowledge base is essential if we are to build on any plan or have any consensus. It has to be relatively unequivocal,’’ he said. ‘‘Scientific results must be produced for the area so that people cannot continue to argue indefinitely about the causes. This has been the ongoing problem.’’

French consumers to subsidise fuel inefficiency ‘FRENCH President Nicholas Sarkozy shows his environmental colours: true blue neo-liberal, with the poor and eco-friendly paying for the excesses of the rich capitalists. In his latest proposal for an ‘eco-tax’ on fish, all fish sold in France, including from Africa, and that caught by small-scale, low energy fishing, is to help subsidise fuel greedy trawlers. President Sarkozy recently proposed to slap an ‘eco tax’ on all fish sold in France to help French fishermen cope with high fuel prices. If approved, this will apply a tax

(1% or 2%) on the final sale price of fish sold to the consumer, in order to compensate rising fuel prices for its fishermen. This mechanism, baptised ‘eco-contribution’, would apply to all fish sold for consumption in France (frozen, in restaurants, by fishmongers, etc). It will include the 85% of fish imported to France from third-countries, including developing countries. Given France’s 20 000 or so fishermen, if this mechanism is adopted, a sum of between €2,500 and €5,000 per year could be made available per fisherman. The plan

is to allocate these funds to fishermen on a pro-rata basis according to the level of the fuel costs in their turnover — those consuming more fuel, get a greater share of the ‘eco tax’ pie. For some trawlers, the price of fuel represents more than 30% of the turnover. But France must now ensure that this mechanism will be compatible with the EU community rules. These strictly regulate the way aid can be applied in order to avoid any unfair competition.’ Source: CFFA and Article de presse, Romandie Info

* Clew Bay, which has 365 islands, has designated shellfish water status under the Shellfish Waters Directive and is also a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive.

Council seeks permission to dispose of leachate into Clew Bay MAYO Co Council is seeking ’emergency’ permission again from the EPA to dispose of partially treated leachate containing pesticides, solvents and heavy metals into Clew Bay. Last March (Vol3/Issue1), Inshore Ireland reported that the Council released 2,346 tonnes of partially treated leachate into Clew Bay via the Westport sewerage plant. The Irish Shellfish Association and local shellfish farmers oppose the plan because they are concerned it will reduce the water quality of Clew Bay due to the presence of pesticides, solvents and heavy metals in the raw leachate. Clew Bay has

designated shellfish water status under the Shellfish Waters Directive and is also a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive. Ireland failed to comply with a ruling by the European Court of Justice in September 2003 requiring Ireland to establish pollution reduction programmes for the 14 areas along the Irish coast designated as shellfish waters under the EU Shellfish Waters Directive. Clew Bay is one of the foremost areas in Ireland for mariculture investment and production. The shellfish farming industry and natural oyster beds produce 540 tonnes of oysters,

10 tonnes of native oysters and 400 tonnes of mussels annually, worth over €1.5m to the local economy. On 8 January at 11am in Hotel Westport, An Bord Pleanála is holding an oral hearing on Mayo Co Council’s proposals to build a leachate and sludge treatment plant in Derrinumera. Fifteen people have made submissions to the agency following the publication of an Environmental Impact Statement by Mayo County Council. At the time of going to press, Inshore Ireland had learned that shellfish farmers in Clew Bay were considering legal action against the Council.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

NEWS

Cawley Report ‘in tatters’, says fishermen’s leader Report by Gillian Mills STEERING a New Course — Strategy for a Restructured, Sustainable and Profitable Irish Seafood Industry 2007-2013 (aka the Cawley Report) — launched with much fanfare in Government Buildings less than twelve months ago and heralded as a ‘visionary roadmap’ — is faltering at the first and most critical hurdle, vessel decommissioning. Under capital expenditure of €96m, a figure of €66m was earmarked for vessel decommissioning. According to the budget estimates just released however, only €21m has been allocated, and this includes a budget day addition of €10m. ‘‘If it transpires this allocation of €21m is the total amount available in 2008, it means the Cawley strategy, which has been adopted as government policy, is in tatters,’’ says Seán O’Donoghue, chairman of the Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF).

Speaking to Inshore Ireland, key industry representatives have said that until there is full decommissioning, many of the other recommendations cannot be initiated. (see ‘Cawley Report’ sidebar) An integral part of the national strategy is the removal of a significant number of vessels to enable the remaining boats a chance to be remain viable. ‘‘This announcement allows for only 36% of the required money to be spent in 2008,’’ O’Donoghue contends. The commitment to tax efficient decommissioning payments through changes in the Finance Act has been welcomed by the FIF; however the organisation is disappointed that no advance was made in relation to a Fishermen’s Allowance: ‘‘This allowance is a total and necessary recognition of the extraordinary working conditions faced by those in the industry, compared to any other workers in the economy,’’ O’Donoghue says. The FIF is now seeking an

The fleet at Union Hall

urgent meeting with Finance Minister Brian Cowen and Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister, Mary Coughlan.

Aquaculture anger IFA Aquaculture has also reacted angrily to the allocations, noting that BIM funding was ‘‘particularly disappointing.’’ Richie Flynn, the organisation’s executive secretary contends that with €21m of BIM’s budget committed to the whitefish-decommissioning scheme, ‘‘this leaves just over €8m to spend on other schemes, [representing] a sharp drop in available resources on previous years. This will surely result in an inevitable reduction in service and support for the seafood industry.’’ According to Flynn, the aquaculture sector is ‘‘extremely concerned’’ at the negative signals that this budget has sent out: ‘‘It leaves a major question-

Minister Cowen and the fishing industry: extract for from Budget Speech 2008 Uncertainty seafood THE fishing industry in Ireland is facing major challenges at present. Earlier this year, the Cawley report provided a blueprint for the future of the fishing industry. It confirmed the need for restructuring of the industry including a significant reduction in the number of boats in the white fishing fleet. My colleague, Ms Mary Coughlan TD, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food successfully secured EU State Aid approval for a decommissioning scheme for fishing vessels. Given the importance of the fishing industry, and the role it plays in our coastal communities, I am allocating €21 million for this scheme to begin next year. I can indicate today that the tax code will be

processors

Brian Cowen

amended to assist in maximising the take-up of the decommissioning payments. Full details will be provided in the Finance Bill.

Cawley Report Core theme 4: Fleet restructuring and development The future profitable and sustainable development of the whitefish sector can only be achieved when the significant imbalance between the available resource and catching capacity has been eliminated. This requirement forms the background to the following recommendations: * extend and develop the current whitefish fleet decommissioning programme and provide support for crewmembers * further investigate the need for a targeted decommissioning scheme for vessel less than 18m in length * pelagic RSW fleet restructuring * undertake restructuring of the polyvalent pelagic fleet * Review entry-exit regime for all fleet segments * Establish a register of commercial sea fishermen

COMMENTING to Inshore Ireland on the Budget provisions for BIM’s capital and current expenditure, Tom Geoghegan of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association (IFPEA) indicated that his Association was endeavouring to ascertain the precise implications of these provisions for the processing and marketing sectors. Mr Geoghegan added that on the information available when Inshore Ireland was going to press, ‘‘The only specific allocation within the overall amount of approximately €49m provided to BIM was €21m for the whitefish decommissioning scheme. ‘‘The Association also notes that provision was made in a separate fisheries sub-head for a total of €6.3m capital investment in fish processing and aquaculture projects.’’ Mr Geoghegan emphasised the vital necessity for adequate government funding in 2008 to give an effective start-up to the implementation of the seafood processing and marketing programmes currently at ‘‘an advanced stage or preparation.’’ He says: ‘‘Monies were set aside in the government approved ‘Cawley Report’ for the development of these vital areas, which are critical for the success of the overall seafood strategy programme in 2008 and succeeding years.’’

Photo. G Mills mark over the government’s support for the Cawley plan. If this budget is fixed for 2008, aquaculture operators will leave the sector for better opportunities elsewhere; jobs will be lost, our competitive ability will erode even further and it will be impossible for the industry to attract much-needed inward investment. ‘‘The industry calls on Minister Coughlan to redress the serious inadequacies in the budget and prove that the governm e n t ’s c o m m i t m e n t t o ‘Cawley’ is real, by ensuring enough money is made available to start the new NDP and enhance the schemes and services offered to the industry.’’

Neglect of Foyle fishermen FISHERMEN are being totally neglected by Fianna Fáil and the Green party, says Fine Gael Donegal North East deputy, Joe McHugh. Following a PQ to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, ‘‘no fishermen operating out of Lough Foyle has been paid under the salmon h ard ship sc hem e’’, McHugh contends. ‘‘This is outrageous and once again the fishing community has been ignored by the Irish government. ‘‘This scheme was set up to provide relief for the hardship suffered by fishermen as a

result of the closure of the interceptory fishery seaward of Lough Foyle and the reduction of commercial licences within the Lough. There has been a significant drop in the number of drift and draft nets in the Foyle area, yet no money has been paid to any fisherman to date,’’ he says. ‘‘Action needs to be taken, and I have sent a letter to Commissioner Borg stating my concerns. I find it ironic that no draft net fishermen has been paid, given that the EU has committed to further inshore funding following the cessation of drift-net salmon fishing,’’ he contends.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

NEWS

Irish MEP queries EC's stance on a European Union Mapping Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inshore territory: - prioritised suite of integrated marine mapping surveys - delivery of integrated knowledge, products, services and competencies

coastguard IN a Written Question to the European Commission, Fine Gael

MEP

Gay

Mitchell

asked the European Commission if would take steps to propose a European Union Coastguard

assist

with

combating drug importation, and would the Commission make

statement

this

matter? In response, Mr Frattini, on behalf of the Commission, replied:

Bantry / Dunmanus entry

Galway Bay lidar coverage

www.gsi.ie

www.marine.ie

`It should be noted that the primary responsibility of the control at external borders lies with the national authorities. To coordinate the efforts undertaken at national level, some structures exist at European Union level in the area of protecting our borders against threats of various kinds. These include Europol (crime), Frontex (border control), and the European Maritime Safety Agency. There are other agencies which play a protective role but not in a specifically law enforcement context. In addition there are a number of regional cooperation arrangements between Member States such as the Baltic Sea Task Force (which

covers drugs as one of its priorities) and MAOC-N (Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre - Narcotics). There is also ever closer operational and strategic cooperation between European police forces through Europol and the Comprehensive Operational Strategic Planning for the Police (COSPOL). The Commission itself applying EC customs and internal market legislation plays an active part in international cooperation worldwide (e.g. Project PRISM) to prevent the diversion of chemical precursors used in the production of drugs. This is done with operational assistance from national customs and police forces. The Commission monitors the situation closely and is exploring ways in which it could act as a facilitator to achieve enhanced cooperation in this field. It should, however, be noted that national coastguards as such fall exclusively within the legal competence of the Member States. The Commission does not intend to make a formal statement on this matter at this stage.'

Fishing quotas are a recipe for discarding and lack credibility Report by Gillian Mills THE

recommends

European Commission has

catches) and quotas proposals for 2008 and they are not good news for Irish Fishermen, with recommended cuts of 10% to 25% in of

whitefish

(e.g.

cod,

haddock, monk fish) and pelagics (e.g. mackerel and herring), according

chairman

Sean

the

O'Donoghue, Federation

Irish Fishermen (FIF). Seventy per cent of the stocks of fish species of interest to Irish fishermen face being cut; the final decision will be taken at the EU Council of Fisheries Ministers the week before Christmas. ``These proposals are a recipe for

discarding,

lack

credibility

and ignore the recommendations emanating

from

the

Regional

Advisory Councils (RACs). Fishermen

have

option

but

discard some stocks of fish that are caught as part of an overall haul in situations where insuffi-

incredible

Commission

has

put

that

the

forward

these proposals giving the impression that most of the stocks in our waters are in trouble,'' he added. According

O'Donoghue,

this is not the real situation as

no scientific basis whatsoever: is

unbelievable

that

the

proposing

far

smaller

in-

reduction

crease.'' The

proposed

25% in Celtic Sea cod will lead to a major discarding problem, suggests

O'Donoghue,

and

ignores industry advice and the fact that a box closure to protect spawning cod has been in place for the last number of years: ``The

TACs

and

quotas

for

certain pelagic stocks (mackerel, blue whiting and Atlanto Scandia h e r r i n g)

have

already

been

decided, and here again the Commission has ignored the advice from the industry and the Pelagic RAC. ``It is extremely frustrating to witness the Commission agreeing to a 9% reduction in the mackerel TAC, and blindly following the scientific advice when the real situation on the fishing grounds is showing unprecedented levels of juvenile and adult mackerel. `` To

her

credit,

Minister

Coughlan was the only voice to oppose this reduction,'' he said.

``The

Commission

continu-

ally advocates more stakeholder involvement in the EU decision-making

process

and

has

committed to fully supporting the RACs. ``Nevertheless,

many of the proposed cuts have ``It

increase.

such as with Rockall haddock, it

cient quotas exist.

``It

20%

sion does recommend an increase,

issued the TACs (total allowable

stocks

Furthermore, where the Commis-

this

commit-

ment has to be questioned, and it

will

now

fall

Fisheries

Commission is proposing a re-

Ministers to sort out these unac-

duction in Western horse mack-

ceptable

erel when the scientific advice

ghue concluded.

proposals,''

O'Dono-

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

COMMENT

ON the face of it, the communities of Courtmacsherry, Timoleague and Kilbrittain in Co Cork have every reason to believe that they have more than a bone or two to pick with the Environmental Protection Agency. To put no finer point on it, they have been let down by what would appear to be the EPA’s lack of vigour in getting to the bottom of a serious and ever worsening pollution problem that has blighted beaches in their area each summer for the past 10 years. Inshore Ireland understands that the results of an investigation commissioned and paid for by the EPA, which for the first time pinpoints

the cause of green tides in Courtmacsherry Bay, has been availble since March. The study seems to have been gathering dust in the EPA’s in-tray ever since, and it appears that a stand-off has now developed between the EPA and the authors, the Irish Seaweed Centre. The EPA told this newspaper that the report, as presented, fails to comply with the terms of reference which it had stipulated at the outset. The agency also said it had advised the ISC of this shortcoming, and is awaiting a response. Nine months later the EPA appears to be

Minister Dempsey’s folly DEAR Editor, LIKE the automation of the lighthouses before them, the proposed closure of Malin Head and Valentia Island coastguard radio stations would result in the loss of irreplaceable local knowledge and experience accumulated over decades. The ‘eyes and ears’ of our shores have been retired and it is no longer possible for mariners to radio Tory Light or Arranmore Light for weather updates, navigation advice, or to feel secure in the knowledge that someone is watching over them as they go about their business. The very idea of closing our two longest serving marine radio stations represents to many a lack of understanding of coastal communities. There is adespair that the building blocks of essential coastal infrastructure are being eroded by a negligent minister, backed by a bureaucratic monolith of a Department based far from the realities of life on our Atlantic seaboard. Fr John Joe Duffy, Árainn Mhór’s priest whose family originally hails from Inishfree, said recently that Minister Dempsey will endanger lives with these closures. He added that the proposal was a reversal of the government’s own policy of decentralisation and goes against recommendations by highly paid consultants in 2003. ‘‘What is required, he said, was an upgrade and expan-

sion of both radio stations as recommended by Deloitte & Touche and for all coastal communities to row in behind Malin and Valentia. ‘‘We depend on Malin Head for our safety and similar closures in the UK have been blamed for an increase in maritime fatalities by a Commons Select Committee,’’ he said. From the perspective of Árainn Mhór islanders who come under the safety umbrella of Malin Head Coastguard Radio, the idea that the personnel based there are to be made redundant and replaced by new staff based on the East coast, and a yet to be disclosed location in the West, is ludicrous. Malin Head Coastguard Radio is responsible for cocoordinating emergency services, including air and sea cover for a large area including the Donegal Islands.The record of the service speaks for itself with both Malin Head and Valentia Island having a tradition of exemplary service since before the foundation of the state. Each of the 35 jobs at the two stations should be guarded closely as they represent vital, highly-skilled employment in geographically isolated areas. Proverbial babies and bath water comes to mind, some common sense is needed for a change. Yours etc

mills@inshore-ireland.com 01-2354804/087-2902045

Features editor Gery Flynn flynn@inshore-ireland.com 091-844822/085-7475797 Production & imaging

Irish Farmers Journal Advertising manager Roger Cole cole@inshore-ireland.com 01-2859111/087-2611597

DEAR Editor I recently declined an invitation to a meeting hosted by Coastwatch because I could not find one good reason why I, as an ordinary small-boat fisherman, should have anything whatever to do with Coastwatch. I know some within that organisation work extremely hard to improve things for everybody and indeed some of their ideas contain merit. However, fishermen have learned through bitter experience to mistrust environmentalists in general. This is a tragedy and we are all the poorer for it. We should be working together to try and solve the problem of dwindling fish stocks, but how can we work with people we don’t trust? How can we work with people who want to get us off the water and who want to destroy our traditional way of life? The anglers, not to be confused with environmentalists, although they do wear the environmentalist hat if it suits their cause, appear to be very much against the inshore fisherman.

What is wrong with what we do? We are involved in what might be termed ‘subsistence fishing’. Our boats are generally small, low horse-power and fuel-efficient. Most of us fish all year round, when the weather allows. We fish pots, lines and nets that do not damage the seabed. Our fishing gear is selective and usually results in zero by-catch. Most of us are law abiding, tax paying and hard working. We pay our mortgages, feed our kids and support our bit of the coastal community, and we are unlikely to die rich. What is wrong with that? As far as I can see, inshore fishing is an honourable way to earn a living. Unfortunately however, we have been the target of much bad propaganda. Some people probably believe that I am ‘hoovering up the herrings’ and ‘raping the seas’. There is nobody to counter this kind of nonsense. No highly paid representative to fight the small-boat fishermen’s case. Among the fishermen there are no journalists; no politicians; no lawyers; no academics; no

Publication dates for 2008: Printed by the Irish Times, 24 - 28 Tara Street, Dublin 2 The publishers do not accept responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors and advertisers. While every care is taken to ensure accuracy of information contained in Inshore Ireland, we do not accept responsibility for any errors, or matters arising from same.

The vacuum caused by ignorance has already had a corrosive effect as one vested interest group blames the other. Whatever sensitivities are at stake here, they should be put to one side in favour of the local environment. It should not be forgotten either that the Habitats Directive has listed the area in question as an SAC. The people of Courtmacsherry, Timoleague and Kilbrittain and their public representatives should be knockng on the EPA’s door and demanding immediate action. — Gery Flynn

Look at the real problems, don’t blame the inshore fisherman

Seámus Ó Cnáimhsı́ Árainn Mhór Co. Dhún na nGall

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

Editor Gillian Mills

content to wait? How long more must the affected communities wait before the go-ahead is given for immediate remedial measures to bring their beaches back from the dead? The tragedy is further compounded by the fact that tensions are already high in the locality — and getting higher. The fingerpointing and blame game as to who is responsible is gathering pace. Surely, the onus is on the EPA to move things along? And surely, it is in everyone’s interest to know exactly what has been causing the problem at Courtmacsherry?

Comment

Pollution: Nine-month-old report pinpoints cause but remains on the shelf

" February 23rd " June 21st " October 25th

" April 18th " August 23rd " December 13th

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bankers and no gentlemen-ofleisure. The environmentalists and angling lobbies have all of the above and more besides. Fishermen are an obvious and easy target and are always going to lose the war of words. The lobstermen objected to the dumping of dredged silt within their restocking area; all they wanted was for the dumpsite to be located three miles further off. Instead, the dredging company was granted a licence to dump five hundred thousand tonnes of spoil from Waterford Harbour virtually onto their doorsteps, right in the middle of the best lobster habitat. A barge comes down river to dump its cargo three/four times a day and while this is going on, the mud-plume can be seen stretching for miles over what would normally be clean, kelp covered rocks. How many immature shellfish are being buried and suffocated? Like so many things that are dumped into the sea, the damage and the killing is unseen. The inshore fisherman is highly visible and so it is easy to blame

him instead of looking at the real problems. The recent motion calling for a total ban on commercial fishing in Tramore Bay, which was passed unanimously by the Town Council, would if implemented, seriously impact upon the small boats’ ability to earn a living. We have been neglected by governments, ignored by certain ministers and solddown-the -river by others. We are truly an embattled minority struggling for survival, and yet would you believe it? Several hundred fishermen around our coast are environmentalists too. For more than twelve years they have been buying in and returning female lobsters to the sea. They are actually doing it, not just talking about it. They are doing it because they believe in sustainable fishing and they hope that there will be lobster fishing for future generations. So what’s wrong with that will somebody please tell me? Yours etc Trevor Simpson Dunmore East Co Waterford

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

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

YOURVIEW

This issue sees the start of an opinion page in which Inshore Ireland invites commentary from its readers for consideration. This week’s columnist is Roderick O’Sullivan

‘Organic’ farmed salmon O

rganic is a buzz word, conjuring up commodities produced ‘without additives and antibiotics’ and ‘raised in natural conditions. Because organic products carry expensive price tags, unscrupulous operators have jumped on the profit bandwagon by labelling anything from cottonbuds to cosmetics as ‘organic’. Regularly besmirched with reports of ‘organic’ fruit and meat contaminated with pesticides and antibiotics, because the organic industry lacks clear and binding legislation, those abusing it rarely suffer criminal prosecution. But ‘organic’ salmon is different; the flesh is much paler than normal farmed stuff — right? Wrong. Salmon farmers choose whatever flesh colour they like from a shade guide. By adding the dye Astaxanthin (E 161j) — which originates from yeast — to its feed, salmon flesh transforms from grey to orange. All Astaxanthin-containing products, including salmon, MUST be so labelled in the USA; not so in Ireland. Surely, ‘organic’ salmon are reared without pesticides? Wrong again. To combat lice-

infestation, the farmer adds pesticide to salmon feed or hoses his stock with it. Historically, he used Di-chlorvos and Malachite Green. Although both pesticides are banned worldwide as cancer-causing, the latter is still being detected in farmed salmonids — including the ‘organic’ variety. In spite of its manufacturers recommending that it should NOT be used on salmon farms, the pesticide Ivermectin is added to feed. Britain’s Veterinary Inspectorate regularly finds it in supermarket salmon. But antibiotics are surely banned in ‘organic’ salmon? Afraid not. Reared in batteryhen conditions, caged salmon are stressed and disease-prone, hence antibiotics are essential. The penicillins, tetracyclines, sulphonamides, etc, are identical to those dispensed in doctors’ surgeries. Britain’s Veterinary Inspectorate regularly finds antibiotic residues in farmed salmon. The ‘organic’ salmon diet must be natural, no? No chance. Salmon feed calories are sourced from fish oil and animal blood; protein from abattoir poultry feathers and fish offal.

Some Norwegian operations ‘recycle’ dead salmon by grinding the bodies into pellets. Farmed salmon contain high concentrations of tumour-promoting PCBs (Poly-Chlorinated Biphenyls) and dioxins. Because these compounds may damage brain development, the British Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends eating only one portion of farmed salmon weekly. A US authority recom-

mends eating farmed salmon once every three months. Remember, farmed salmon flesh can contain 20% fat — hardly healthy eating. If what ‘organic’ salmon does to humans doesn’t bother you, what about its environmental effects? Aggressive, escapee salmon have eradicated neighbouring wild stocks by disease-transfer and by interbreeding. By simply swimming past disease-ridden

farms, wild salmon (endangered in Europe and parts of the USA) sign their own death warrants while farm lice destroy neighbouring sea trout and immigrating young salmon. Salmon farming is outlawed in Alaska. Organic’ salmon? Don’t make me laugh: food dye to pink its flesh; x-rays for sterilisation; hormones to eradicate sex drive; sprayed with medicament and pesticide; dosed with antibio-

tics; imprisoned in packed cages; vaccinated; genetically manipulated. The faeces of the hobbyhorse and ‘organic’ farmed salmon share a common attribute — you’re unlikely to find either. * Dr Roderick O’Sullivan is a London-based environmental scientist who has been a vociferous critic of the salmon farming industry worldwide for a number of years.

BIM responds Donal Maguire, Aquaculture Development Manager, BIM INSHORE Ireland invited BIM to address Roderick O’Sullivan’s opinion piece. The agency replied as follows:

We would like to wish all our readers, contributors & advertisers a Happy Christmas & prosperous New Year

RODERICK O’Sullivan’s personal opinion piece about organic farmed salmon is one of the most ill-informed rants that I have ever seen about seafood production in Ireland. Mr O Sullivan is, of course, entitled to his opinion, but it would be nice if he got his facts straight. One only has to look at the final paragraph of his piece to see how utterly wide of the mark he is. For example, he asserts that x-rays, hormones and genetic modification are used in salmon farming. This is plain wrong and the claims are an outlandish fiction invented by Mr O’Sullivan. Such objectionable activ-

ities are not and have never been used in the Irish salmon farming sector. The rest of his offering is similarly littered with untruths, mistakes and malicious distortions. One is forced to conclude that Mr O’Sullivan is trying to frighten people away from an excellent Irish seafood product. His views are so extreme that they would be laughable, were it not such a serious issue. We know from the recent World Seafood Congress that the populations of the west urgently need to eat more seafood to address the crises of obesity and mental illness that are threatening to cripple our society. Farmed salmon, a so-called oily fish, is an excellent source of Omega-3 PUFA oils and people need it and other farmed seafood products in their diets. Scaremongering, such as that being engaged in by Mr O’Sullivan, puts consumers off eating seafood, ultimately damaging their health and the health of their children.

To put the record straight: Irish organic farmed salmon is a superb seafood product that has won awards and is acclaimed by top food writers and chefs both at home and abroad. The fish are reared at low densities; the product coming to market is free of contaminants or residues, and it is lean and extremely healthy. The Irish Organic Salmon Scheme is accredited to the highest international food product standards and it is rigorously policed by independent inspectors. This is a premium Irish seafood product that is pure, safe and traceable from net to fork. The full facts about Irish seafood production, including Irish organic salmon, can be obtained by logging on to www.bim.ie The truth and people’s health should not be sacrificed on the altar of selfish personal agendas and I say shame on you Mr O’Sullivan for attempting to do so in this piece of blatant propaganda.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

MARINE INSTITUTE

SEA CHANGE

Fish genetics: assessing the evolutionary impact of human activities By Barry McCall A research project funded by the Beaufort scheme will expand our knowledge of the impact of various evolutionary genetic factors on commercially-important fish and shellfish species. The research will be carried out by a team led by Prof Tom Cross of Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science at University College Cork and Drs Paulo Prodohl and Walter Crozier of the School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, in collaboration with Drs Phil McGinnity and Ken Whelan of the Aquaculture and Catchment Management Services section of the Marine Institute (MI). Using advances in molecular genetic research, the project aims to assess the impact of such diverse human-mediated evolutionary factors as climate change, fishing and aquaculture on the biodiversity of the different species to be studied, and ultimately to assess if these factors are having a detrimental effect at the genetic level. These findings will assist in the development of remedial actions that could be used to offset such effects. Prof Cross points out that advances in molecular genetic research are the key enabler of this project. ‘‘We can now take DNA from just a few scales of a fish or a drop of blood and identify

what family of fish it came from. This can tell us how many fish in a population are contributing offspring; whether there are super-mothers and super-fathers in the population or if parental contribution is more evenly spread.’’ But this is only part of what they can do with these technologies. For example, the MI has salmon and trout scale collections going back to 1928 from a number of rivers and DNA can be extracted from these for comparison with contemporary samples. This can be used to trace any changes that may have occurred in the salmon population in that particular river in the intervening 80 years. A sister project at the Marine Institute, funded under the government’s Science Technology and Innovation Programme, is also looking in fine detail at the salmon scales to trace monthly changes in marine growth patterns over the same period and linking this with changes in the ocean. The UCC section of the project team in conjunction with the MI will be initially looking at salmon and cod. According to Prof Cross, these two species are very important for different reasons: ‘‘The impact on wild salmon populations of the escape of farm salmon has yet to be measured and assessed fully. Farmed salmon are selected for various characteristics, which make them less fit for survival

in the wild. If they interbreed with wild salmon they may pass these characteristics on to offspring. ‘‘Vital to the work on salmon are the unique experimental field facilities at the MI’s Newport site in Co Mayo. Access to these facilities will allow the continuation of major common garden experiments — where foreign fish and natives are compared in the same stream — thus eliminating environmental effects and allowing exclusive focus on genetics.’’ As a key marine species, the research into cod genetics should attract major interest. The near extinction of cod stocks on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland is well known, and there are currently fears of the same thing happening in the North Sea. These effects are almost universally attributed to the impact of fishing. Nevertheless, other factors may be at work, including climate change. Historical climate variations may have occurred over very long periods, giving fish time to adapt and move to cooler or warmer waters as the case may be. Rapid change, such as is predicted to occur in the next few decades, may cause severe problems by not giving the species enough time to react and adapt. This climate change concern applies equally to salmon. Worries about increasing marine mortality of salmon have resulted in a major international

programme to address salmon mortality at sea in which Ireland is a major player (www.salmonatsea.com ). Finally, cod farming, which is predicted to increase substantially, may also impact genetically on both wild cod populations (by interbreeding) and farm salmon (by transfer of common disease organisms). Queen’s University will initially be looking at the genetics of trout and lobster. Trout present issues concerning stocking, with anglers and others wanting to stock lakes and rivers so as to improve angling. This practice may detrimentally affect native wild trout through genetic issues similar to those in salmon. More research is urgently needed. Lobster is very interesting because it has been ranched successfully in the open sea (unlike many other species). Everyone wants to stock the oceans but it is not always biologically possible (or desirable). Our studies may help us understand why this can be done with lobster. According to Prof Cross, among the greatest benefits of the Beaufort Award is its duration and the fact that it is an ‘allisland’ project: ‘‘This is a vitally important aspect. We have worked successfully on many projects with Queens University Belfast and the MI over the years and this is the culmination of a long and fruitful history of co-operation’’.

Seafood industry given €5.2m research boost By John Joyce IRELAND’S marine food industry has received a €5.2m boost with the announcement of a multidisciplinary research consortium involving universities on both sides of the border. The Marine Functional Food Research Initiative (MFFRI), which is led by Teagasc under the direction of Dr Declan Troy of Teagasc, will identify novel marine food ingredients and products, allowing Ireland to become players in what is already a $74 billion worldwide market for functional foods. The initiative involves University Colleges Cork and Dublin, NUI Galway, University of Limerick, and the University of Ulster Coleraine. ‘‘Both the Marine Institute and the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (DAFF) see the need for new ways of thinking and diversification into new markets in the seafood sector,’’ said Minister Coughlan at the launch of the initiative aboard the research vessel RV Celtic Explorer in Galway on November 30. Ireland has both the natural resources and the expertise to become significant

Declan Troy, Minister Mary Coughlan and Peter Heffernan at the launch aboard RV Celtic Explorer.

contributors in the new and expanding market for marine functional foods and food ingredients. This is why our two organisations have agreed to cofund significant research in this new and exciting area.’’

Research priorities The MFFRI will focus on three themes: the use of fish processing waste, the sustainable exploitation of underutilised species of fish and seaweed, and the development of value-

added products from aquacultureboth for finfish and shellfish. These themes were identified as research priorities in a workshop hosted by the MI in January this year, attended by food companies, food ingredient suppliers, seafood processors, biotechnology firms and researchers from industry and other institutions. ‘‘The potential of marine functional foods which give health benefits as well as tasty eatingwas identified as an op-

portunity for Ireland through the consultation process around Sea Change - A Marine Knowledge, Research and Innovation Strategy for Ireland,’’ said Dr Peter Heffernan CEO of the MI. ‘‘Our aim is to create a strong interdisciplinary research team, capable of exploring marine animals and plants as a source of materials for use in functional foods.’’ The consortium will provide new additional research staff including two principal investigators at professorial level; seven post-doctoral posts and seven PhD places. A Professor of Marine Natural Product Chemistry will be recruited internationally and located at the Teagasc Ashtown Food Research Centre-UCD axis of the consortium. A similar internationally ranked Prof of Marine Functional Foods Biochemistry will be recruited at the Moorpark Research Centre-UCC axis. The strategic positioning of Ireland’s marine foods sector to become more research-intensive supports the enhancement and strengthening of Ireland’s knowledge economy and is also in line with the EU Lisbon Agenda.

Cork students get unique insight into marine exploration By Pauhla McGrane FINAL year undergraduate students from University College Cork got a unique insight into marine exploration with scientists from both the Marine Institute’s new Integrated Marine Exploration (IME) Team and UCC onboard the RV Celtic Explorer in Cork on December 6. The IME programme was identified as a priority through Sea Change - A Marine Knowledge, research and Innovation Strategy for Ireland 2007- 2013 and is funded under the government’s ‘Strategy for Science, Tech-

nology and Innovation’, which also provides grant-aid for ship-time. The students used a combination of geophysical technology and sediment sampling equipment to ‘map’ the seabed and the animals that live there, with the collected data used for a variety of projects. Transition year students from Douglas Community College and Presentation College, Cork, also spent a few hours at sea on board the Celtic Explorer in an outreach exercise funded by the MI and coordinated by UCC. The students were shown how to tell a

fish’s age by extracting and dissecting its otoliths; measure the temperature and salinity of water at different depths, take grab samples of sediment from the seabed and learn how 3D maps of the seabed are created using the latest technology. This programme, which is the first of its kind, brings together a field-team of a geophysicist, benthic ecologist, sampling biologist and an oceanographer to provide dedicated training at sea for third level institutions, as well as multidisciplinary research support to both third level and industry research sectors.

A biological early warning system By Barry McCall A RESEARCH programme in sensors and communications under the Beaufort scheme has the potential to lead to the development of a network of bio-sensors that could be deployed in marine environments and water treatment plants around the country, sending back data on the condition of the water in real-time to a central processing station. The research will be carried out by the National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR) at Dublin City University, led by Prof Dermot Diamond. The Beaufort award will significantly strengthen the ongoing research programme in the field of Advanced Technologies funded by the MI. Within this programme, the SmartCatchment project has the potential to provide an early warning system which could avert situations such as the recent cryptosporidium contamination of Galway’s water supply. This project is being carried out by the NCSR at Dublin City University.

Bio-diagnostics The National Centre for Sensor Research is a major research institution comprising 250 people. The centre has worked with the MI on a number of projects over the years, and has received funding from Science Foundation Ireland for projects in areas such as bio-diagnostics. In addition, the centre is engaged in research in the bioprocessing area, funded by the IDA and Bristol-Myers Squibb. ‘‘Our work is about making sensors a source of information and making that information available to people. That is the fundamental theme,’’ says Prof Diamond. ‘‘The research that will be facilitated by the Beaufort award is about access to environmental information on the water and air and so on. ‘‘We have worked with both the MI and the EPA on many funded projects in the marine area over the years. The largest of these is the SmartCatchment/ SmartCoast project, which is looking at how to deploy antennae on sensors in the environment to enable the data to be sent from remote locations back to a central base.’’

Data variations The SmartCatchment/Smartcoast project has the potential to have data on various matters such as rainfall, temperature, wind direction communicated in real-time to a central location. The work that the Beau-

* Professor Dermot Diamond, National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR) who will lead the research team.

fort award will support will take that one stage further and look at the water and its contents at a molecular level and report the findings back. ‘‘We will be looking specifically at the biological side of things,’’ Prof Diamond explains. ‘‘Part of the vision is that the project would ultimately involve the deployment of sensors to perform complex biological measurements and report back. ‘‘An important target in this regard is microbial contamination of water and its analysis. E. coli is one example of what could be measured while cryptosporidium is another. We could have an early warning system for these things? an environmental news system if you like.’’ One of these sensors placed at the outlet of a water treatment plant could provide instantaneous alerts of any microbial contamination, thus enabling the plant to be shut down and preventing the contaminant getting into drinking water supplies. The value of the Beaufort funding is in the strategic sense. ‘‘This is strategic funding over seven years to allow research team building,’’ Prof Diamond points out. ‘‘It will enable us to put in a concerted effort over a longer period of time than normal. Institutes like ours are continually at the mercy of short-term funding and this causes problems. ‘‘Nevertheless, the nature of the Beaufort scheme is different. We will be able to put a team of senior people together for the programme. This will include a senior academic position, a senior research fellow and five PhD students. We hope to start recruiting these people shortly and kick off the project in the very near future.’’

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

INLAND FISHERIES

Pic: Lough Conn.

Photo. G Mills

Overall restructuring of inland fisheries sector pushed back another 12 months Report by Gillian Mills

>> I would take

IN an effort to establish the status of the proposed restructuring of the inland fisheries sector, which has been postponed, Inshore Ireland asked the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to address the following questions: What is the function now of the FGS report (commissioned in 2003) and recommendations therein, and what was the cost of its compilation? Does this mean that establishment of the NIFA is now delayed, awaiting this new review? In response, Inshore Ireland received the following transcript of Minister Ryan’s address to the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (28/11/07). ‘I welcome the opportunity to come before the Joint Oireachtas Committee today to outline the rational for this motion. ‘At present the management and development of the inland fisheries sector resides with the Central Fisheries Board and the seven Regional Fisheries Boards. You will be aware that elections to the Regional Fisheries Boards are due to take

this opportunity to stress that the changes to the inland fisheries sector will be progressed on an open and transparent basis. place on the 18 December 2007 following an extension agreed by the Oireachtas last year. However, I propose, subject to the approval of the Dáil and Seanad, to make an Order postponing elections for a further year. ‘In 2005, on foot of an independent Review of the Inland Fisheries Sector in Ireland my predecessor announced plans for the restructure of the sector. ‘Under that policy the sector was to be re-organised by subsuming the existing central and regional fisheries boards into a single national inland fisheries authority, the NIFA. ‘Due to the complexity of the

legislation required for the establishment of the new body and competing priorities, not just within the Department but also across Government Departments generally, for time in the Oireachtas’ legislative calendar, it has not proved possible to introduce the required legislation to date. ‘In the context of providing the legislation necessary to facilitate the new structures, an examination is also being undertaken as to how the existing seventeen pieces of legislation governing the inland fisheries sector, which date back to 1959, can be modernised and consolidated into a single Statute. As the Commit-

tee will appreciate there is a considerable amount of work involved in such an exercise. ‘A sub-group of the National Fisheries Management Executive has been established to ensure that those dealing with the legislation at an operational level will have an input into proposals for the new legislation that will govern the sector and this group is working closely with the Department on developing legislative proposals. I would hope to be in a position to bring forward proposals next year in this regard. ‘The Committee may be aware that the Government has recently appointed an interdepartmental group who are charged with overseeing the independent review of inland fisheries. This should ensure that significant progress is made in the coming year in advancing proposals to restructure the inland fisheries sector. ‘A new initiative being undertaken by the boards of the inland fisheries service in relation to the proposed restructuring of the sector has recently been brought to my attention. I look forward to hearing the detailed proposals for the future management of the sector at a meeting with the Chairpersons of the Central and Regional

Fisheries Boards, which is scheduled for this coming Friday. ‘My objective is to deliver an effective legislative and regulatory framework and value for money management for the inland fisheries sector. This will be best accomplished by putting in place a new modernised management framework for the inland fisheries sector and by providing the necessary legislative and regulatory support to deliver the new structures. ‘Given the significant changes envisaged for the sector, I am anxious that, in view of their valuable contribution, the existing members of the regional fisheries boards would be given an opportunity to play a key role, not only in ensuring a continuing input to the work of the regional boards, but also in advancing the proposals to restructure the sector. ‘Accordingly, I am proposing to postpone the elections to the regional fisheries boards for a further year in accordance with section 15 of the Fisheries Act 1980. This will facilitate the continued contribution from those individuals directly involved in overseeing the service, whom I feel will have a key role to play in advancing the restructuring

of the sector. ‘This Order, when made, will also result in the postponement of elections to Co-operative Societies. The position of the Co-operative Societies will be addressed in the context of the new legislation to be introduced. ‘It is my firm belief that, through the newly appointed Interdepartmental Group, proposals to restructure the sector can be significantly advanced over the coming year thereby allowing the sector to reach its full potential through more coherent and consistent policy making and resource allocation, better decision making and better value for money. ‘While I am committed to the restructuring of the sector, I recognise that there will be significant challenges in bringing it about. I would take this opportunity to stress that the changes to the inland fisheries sector will be progressed on an open and transparent basis so as to ensure as much involvement as possible by as wide a range of stakeholders as possible. ‘I trust that the Committee will recommend that the Oireachtas should pass a motion approving the Order to defer the elections.’

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

INLAND FISHERIES

DCENR website: Review of frequently asked questions Q. What is Government policy in respect of the Review of the inland fisheries sector and its findings? A. The Government has decided that the inland fisheries sector should be restructured. The Government announced that the new model for the sector will be based on the following four key principles: * Subject to appropriate regulation, local users and beneficiaries will be empowered to take responsibility for the management, promotion and development of the fisheries; * The role of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources will, in the future, focus primarily on the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource; * Subject to appropriate regulation, regional management structures representative of all users/beneficiaries and stakeholders, will be created to manage access, development and maintenance of fisheries; * The establishment of a regulatory regime to oversee appropriate mechanisms governing the transfer and use of and access to fisheries. These include licensing, including distribution of rights of fishery activities in the commercial and recreational areas and the determination of fishing effort and TACs etc in relation to fish stocks. In order to develop and implement the above principles, the restructuring will take place over two phases, the details of which are: Phase 1 * The establishment of a single strengthened National Inland Fisheries Authority (subsuming the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards) whose primary role will be to move the inland fisheries regime to the new model. * The establishment of strong regional advisory boards whose primary role will be to provide shareholder input into policy formulation and sectoral development in addition to advising on an ongoing basis in respect of local developments. * The transfer to the Marine Institute of the current resources and responsibilities of the Inland Fisheries Sector in the areas of scientific research. Discussions will be held on the better co-ordination of the role of the inland fisheries sector with the strategy and policy of the Departments of the Environment Heritage and Local Government, Arts Sport and Tourism and Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Phase 2 * The realignment of NIFA’s regional executive structures and the regional advisory boards on the river basin districts * The establishment of an independent regulatory entity whose primary role will be to regulate matters relating to fisheries ownership, transfer and access, the quota and licensing regime for commercial and recreational users and total allowable catches. * The development of a model whereby local users and beneficiaries of the inland fisheries sector will be empowered to take responsibility for the effective management of fisheries and the fisheries resource subject to appropriate regulation. An extensive consultation period will be an integral part of the restructuring process and will be an open and inclusive pro-

cess designed to achieve buy-in from all stakeholders. Q. Why was the review commissioned? A. The Review was commissioned to deliver a root and branch examination of the State’s role and objectives in the inland fisheries sector, to evaluate the adequacy of the current model for the governance of the inland fisheries sector and to define the current relationship between the Government, the Departments and the inland fisheries sector. The Review was also commissioned to put forward new and more effective models and to recommend a structure that will contribute to the optimum development of the inland fisheries resource in Ireland. Q. When was it commissioned? A. Following a competitive tender process, independent consultants were appointed in November 2003 to undertake a Review of the Inland Fisheries Sector in Ireland. Q. Who was appointed to undertake the review? A. Farrell Grant Sparks (FGS) Consulting in association with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) and the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis (NIRSA) at NUI, Maynooth. Q. What was the total cost? A. The tender value of the contract was €140,123 for Stage 1 of the Review. Q. Why was there such a delay in publishing the Consultant’s report? A. The Minister considered the report in detail and consulted with other Government Ministers in advance of bringing his proposals for the reform of the sector to Government. The Report could not be published until the Government authorised its release. Q. What are the key recommendations? A. The review recommends that the services and resources within the Boards dealing with water quality, angling tourism and research be transferred from the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards, respectively to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism and Failte Ireland and the Marine Institute. The review suggests that the inland fisheries sector should be further reorganised along the following lines: * The creation of a single executive body, the National Inland Fisheries Authority (NIFA), subsuming the executive functions of the Central and Regional Boards; * The creation of regional and national advisory boards replacing the boards themselves; * The creation of a statutorily independent regulatory body to take over from the Minister his regulatory responsibilities (in the inland fisheries area) as set out in the Fisheries Acts; * The alignment of the regional executive structure of the new National Inland Fisheries Authority on the River Basin District structures already adopted for the Water Framework Directive. The Review also recommends that the role of the State should be concentrated on the provision of the public goods of conservation and protection of the inland fisheries resource and that the current users and ben-

eficiaries be empowered to take on the ownership and management of the fisheries and the fisheries resource, subject to appropriate regulation. Q. Why didn’t the Government accept all of the Report’s recommendations? A. The Government adopted the bulk of the FGS recommendations but decided the new Authority would continue to have a role in water quality and angling tourism, which would be defined in consultation with the Government Departments with responsibility for those areas. The Government also decided to introduce changes on an incremental basis so as to allow for a comprehensive, open and inclusive consultation process on the implementation of the principles underpinning the restructuring in phase 2 of the process. Q. How long will the restructuring of the sector take? A. It is anticipated that the process will take 3-5 years to complete. Q. Will stakeholders be given an opportunity to express their views in relation to the restructuring? A. Yes, stakeholders will have an opportunity to express their views in a comprehensive, open and patient consultation process, which will take place in the second phase and which will address the principles and structures required to deliver the new model. Q. Will all staff be retained in the new regime with same pay and conditions/working hours and credit for number of years service? A. Yes, terms and conditions of employment will be unchanged, but staff will be working within a new organisation. Q. How will the research units of the CFB be utilised or are there plans to incorporate them into the Marine Institute? A. The Government has decided that current resources and responsibilities in the areas of scientific research should be transferred to the Marine Institute. The location of the research staff will be the subject of detailed discussion between CFB, DCMNR and the Marine Institute. Q. What will be the role of the Board Members of the Regional Fisheries Boards? A. Board Members of the Regional Fisheries Boards will have a strong advisory role. While the boards will be relieved of their corporate governance functions, their advisory role will be crucial in terms of preserving a strong local input into policy making. Q. How does the restructuring affect the National Salmon Commission? A. The National Salmon Commission is not immediately affected by the restructuring of the inland fisheries sector. The Minister has recently appointed a new Salmon Commission whose term of office is due to run until 31 May 2008. Under its the terms of reference, the National Salmon Commission has a significant role to play in advising the Minister on the best mechanisms to be adopted to bring about the alignment of salmon exploitation with the scientific advice as well as conservation and management measures to aid the recovery of salmon stocks within that time.

5-6 March 2008 RDS Dublin The all-island event for water, energy and the environment Ireland’s only all-island exhibition showcasing water, energy and environmental products and services: Water and waste water treatment, analytical services, energy management, sustainable energy solutio ons, pollution & odour control, environmental management. IWWE & IRWM provide information and solutions for a sustainable future for the public sector, industry and commerce – can you afford to miss it?

To register for free visit www.environment-ireland.com stating reference AA16 To exhibit call Oonagh Colligan on +44 (0)20 8651 7068 • • • • •

Technology • Services Networking • Seminars Knowledge • Legislation Best practice • Awards Innovation • Inspiration • Answers •

www.environment-ireland.com co-located with:

Supported by

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

WATER MANAGEMENT

Major environmental show for RDS in March THE free national trade exhibitions: Irish Water Waste & Environment (IWWE) and Irish Recycling & Waste Management (IRWM) take place on 5 to 6 March at the RDS, Dublin. Guided by steering committees comprising representatives from the Department of Environment; Sustainable Energy Ireland; CEWEP, CIWM and Northern Ireland Water, new features are proposed for this two-day event. The free seminar programme at IWWE 2008 will focus on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, which

will be opened by Dr Jim Bowman. Other speakers include Pascal Sweeney, who will talk about ‘Q Indices and how to determine water status in rivers and lakes’; Dr Suzanne Linnane of the Dundalk Institute of Technology and Sean O’Breasail will give an insight into public response and participation in the implementation of the WFD. For the first time, the event will have a dedicated energy zone, supported by Sustainable Energy Ireland, to showcase innovative products and ser-

vices in sustainable energy, energy efficiency and energy management, especially for large energy users. Exhibitors will include TEAM (EAA) Ltd — a British-based company specialising in energy management, and Kedco — providers of sustainable energy products including wood pellet boilers and solar panels.

Details For full seminar details, an up-to-date list of exhibitors and to register, visit www.environment-ireland.com.

Innovation awards EXHIBITORS will also have the opportunity to take part in the ‘innovation awards’ for the most innovative product or project on display to celebrate excellence and innovation within the environmental and energy sectors. The award will be presented at the end of day two and will be adjudicated by a panel of industry experts as well as visitors.

One-stop-shop website

Visitors who register in advance receive a free light lunch on the day and all visitors will be entered into a draw for a weekend in an Irish hotel. Companies interested in exhibiting should contact Oonagh Colligan on 1800 927 161 (RoI) or + 44 (0) 20 8651 7068 (outside Ireland). The exhibitions are co-located to the free trade exhibitions Civilex for Civil Engineers and Road Expo Ireland, which deals with traffic and road issues.

EDIE.NET, a European website for environmental professionals, has launched a specialist service focusing on the Irish industry. The website provides daily news on the important environmental issues of the day, from climate change and legislation to the management of waste, water resources and pollution. It also provides details of the latest technological advances and the companies that provide them. For those seeking work, Edie Ireland has a jobs board that lists employment opportunities in the environmental sector and also offers a service giving details of available tenders for companies looking for environmental contracts. Edie Ireland is produced by publisher and events organiser of the IWWE and IRWM exhibition. Further details from: www.edie.net/ireland

Integrity of Clarinbridge water supply under question THE Boil Water notice in the area served by the Clarinbridge water supply which was imposed by Galway County Coucil as ‘a precautionary measure’ following a notification by HSE West of high levels of Clostridium perfringens detected during routine water sampling in the area, is still in place seven weeks after it was first issued on November 2. Responding to a query from Inshore Ireland, Gerard Scully, senior executive officer water

services with Galway County Council referred to an ‘information update’ issued by Galway County Council on 21 November and said that ‘‘nothing had changed in the meantime.’’ He confirmed however that the Council had not been notified of any cases of the illness Cryptosporidiosis in the area as a result of the finding. The release states: ‘Although the most recent test results have been satisfactory, the boil water notice will remain in place until

works have been completed to enhance the treatment process at Clarinbridge which will further ensure the integrity of the supply.’ It confirms that senior officials from Galway County Council have met with representatives from the Clarinbridge Development Association and public representatives ‘‘to apprise them of the progress in this matter’, adding that the meeting was ‘‘very useful and [that] the Council will continue

to keep the people in the Clarinbridge area updated’’. The release states that works involving ‘the complete rehabilitation of the filtration process and measures to improve source protection are well advanced’, and that these works, ‘which will result in a more robust water supply for the area will be completed within a number of weeks.’ The release reminds the public in the affected areas to continue to boil water intended

for drinking, food preparation, and brushing teeth while notice is in place. It concludes that Galway County Council will continue to liaise closely with the HSE West and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Areas covered by Notice: * * * *

Clarinbridge Public supply Kilcolgan No. 2 Killeely/Kilcolgan Roveagh

* * * * * *

Slieveaun/Tarramud Stradbally, Clarinbridge The Weirs, Kilcolgan Tonroe Tyrone Ballindereen

Further Information: Members of the public who have any queries regarding the Boil Water Notice can telephone the Water Services Section, Galway County Council on 091-509214. Updates are posted on the Council website: www.galway.ie

LATE NEWS

Galway confirmed as only British Isles stopover in Volvo Ocean Race IRELAND’S Green Team is the latest entry into the world’s most extreme race, the 39,000 nautical miles Volvo Ocean Race, which will call into Galway — the only stopover for Ireland and Britain — in May 2009. The stopover is expected to be the biggest sporting event in Ireland since the Ryder Cup with up to 140,000 visitors set to converge on the city, generating an estimated €43 million for the local economy. ‘‘We are working hard to ensure Galway hosts the best stopover of the race. We must give thanks to the principle sponsors, Failte Ireland, for seeing the Volvo Ocean Race as the great sporting event it is, and enabling the race to come to Ireland for the first time in its 24 year history,’’ remarked Jamie Boag, Green Team CEO. ‘‘This is no pleasure cruise. What the brochures don’t tell you is that this journey involves sleep deprivation, debilitating cold and gasping heat and where freeze-dried food is the

set menu. You live in a cramped carbon fibre box with 10 fellow crew members in temperatures ranging from -5 to +50oC and at times are 2,500 miles from the nearest landfall. You must also contend with mountainous seas, 70 knot winds and the constant pounding of the waves,’’ he added.

Showcase for Ireland Speaking at the launch, Seamus Brennan TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, said he was delighted Ireland was able to attract such a high profile event: ‘‘It is fantastic that our island nation with its century’s old maritime tradition will showcase this world’s premier sailing event. Through the efforts of

Fáilte Ireland at home and Tourism Ireland abroad, the west of Ireland and especially Galway is set to gain from one massive sporting party and an occasion that we’ll never forget.’’ According to skipper Ian Walker, the aim is to have the boat commissioned in June 2008: ‘‘Everybody I’ve spoken to enthuses about these boats and this race. I’m really looking forward to this new challenge,’’ he said. Enda Ó Coineen, Green Team chairman said that the Irish entry was ‘‘dynamic, adventurous, and technology driven in this ‘greenest’ of sports, which is ecologically-friendly to the environment and harnesses the power and beauty of nature.

STARTING from Alicante in Spain, this 10-month race will call into around 11 ports including ports in Asia for the first time. The inaugural race, ‘The Whitbread Round the World Race’, which departed England in September 1973, was conceived over a pint of beer more than 30 years ago and has been held every four years since then. Construction of Green Team Volvo Open 70 is underway at McConaghy Boats in China.

Double Olympic medallist Ian Walker is named as skipper of Green Team.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

Supporting Measures for Sea Fisheries Development Towards Innovation and Sustainability in the Fisheries Sector Bord Iascaigh Mhara wish to announce that applications are now being sought for a further tranche of grant aid under the Supporting Measures for Sea Fisheries Development as part of the National Development Plan 2000-2006. Since the programme’s inception in 2001, ninety seven projects have been approved with a total investment of over »23 million. Building on the success of the programme to date, BIM now invites proposals for the next round of aid under the following headings: N E-Trade and other IT Policies N Small Scale Coastal Fisheries N Producer Organisations N Quality Certification, Added Value, Traceability and Working Conditions N Collection of Basic Data for Fisheries N Improved Knowledge and Transparency N Sustainable Fisheries Management N Experimental Fisheries/Technical Conservation Measures. On this occasion priority will be given to projects where the applicant bears a varying proportion of the costs – those projects categorised as ‘private’ – and those considered to best support the aims of the programme. Private projects, that meet the mandatory requirements of the scheme, can receive grant aid of up to 40% of total eligible costs. It should be noted that all projects must be completed by 31st December 2007. Full details are contained in the programme brochure “Towards Innovation and Sustainability in the Fisheries Sector” which is available on the BIM website www.bim.ie or by contacting: An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Fisheries Development Division PO Box 12, Crofton Road, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin Tel: 01 2144100 • Fax: 01 2300564 • E-Mail: fisheries@bim.ie Or by contacting your local BIM Area or Inshore Officer. Completed application forms should be returned to BIM Head Office at the above address. This measure is part-financed by the European Community under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance

Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources An Roinn Cumarsáide, Mara agus Acmhainní

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

INTERVIEW

World’s leading aquaculture feed supplier committed to ‘sustainability’ Gery Flynn reports from Westport SKRETTING, the world’s leading supplier of feeds to the aquaculture industry, and an arm of animal nutrition giant, Nutreco Holding NV of the Netherlands, has crowned a successful year by announcing that its salmon feed business worldwide has produced more than one million tonnes for the first time in a calendar year. ‘‘Skretting has 15 production facilities, supplying feeds for around 50 species of farmed fish in all major fish farming regions,’’ Anthony Murphy, the recently-appointed general manager of the Westport plant tells

Inshore Ireland. ‘‘Breaking through the million-tonne threshold for salmon feed is a collective achievement for us all. And, while in terms of production, Westport is currently a very small member of the Skretting family globally, our team here is nevertheless very proud in the knowledge that output from this plant enabled the company to pass such an important milestone. It’s really a phenomenal achievement when you think of where the industry was just a few years ago.’’ Although only six months at the helm of the Westport plant, Anthony Murphy could be described as a veteran of the seafood sector, with nearly 20

years experience in both animal feed production and salmon farming. ‘‘I first started here in sales and technical back in 1989, when I was just out of college in Galway,’’ he explains. ‘‘And, apart for a couple of years in the salmon farming sector where I worked as a consultant mainly with Killary Salmon, my time has been spent in fish feed production.’’

Major makeover Murphy confirms that the Westport plant is now earmarked for a major makeover, expected to cost over €1 million. This will mainly involve the creation of extra storage facilities in the

plant to allow the company to significantly step up the production of organic fish feeds. He says that Skretting’s decision to increase organic feed production at Westport is in line with a growing awareness in Nutreco of sustainability issues relating especially to sourcing its raw materials worldwide. ‘‘Nutreco has already implemented initiatives at corporate level to address the environmental and social issues of production and supply, both now and for the future,’’ he explains. ‘‘Looking forward, not only will we be thinking in terms of organic, we will be going that critical step further, which will enable us to assure our custo-

mers that a business like ours is actually operating in a sustainable way in relation to the environments we operate in.’’

Sustainability Proof of Nutreco’s determination to embrace the concept of sustainability, according to Murphy, can already be seen by the fact that in 2006 the company participated in international conferences aimed at improving the sustainability of the key raw materials — soya, fishmeal and fish oil. He adds that as a member of the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS), Nutreco has been in dialogue and is co-operating with industry partners and

NGOs to ensure that growing and processing soya in South America will be conducted in a responsible way, without causing deforestation or creating social injustice. According to him, the end result of all of these moves at corporate level means that aquaculture can be a means of meeting the demands for fish ‘without depleting the wild fish stocks further’. ‘‘The future growth for aquaculture will depend on the feed producers’ ability to supplement key raw materials like fishmeal and fish oil without compromising the health and welfare of the farmed fish and without lowering the nutritional value of the fish produced,’’ he says.

Speaking to Inshore Ireland, Anthony Murphy explained how the company was addressing sustainability in terms of raw material and production, and how committed Skretting is to maintaining organic status.

Q&A WHAT was the origin of fish feed production in Westport? THE Westport plant opened in the late 1980s and was known then as BP Nutrition. In 1994 after BP sold off its non-core businesses, the name changed to Trouw Aquaculture. That is still our legal name but we trade as Skretting, which is the global trading name for all of Nutreco’s salmon feeds businesses. Our parent company, Nutreco Holding N.V., is quoted on the Official Market of Euronext Amsterdam. We used to report directly to the UK, but from May of this year we report to Norway, as does the UK. We are now more of a stand-alone company. WHEN was the million tonne of salmon feed produced? IT happened around December 4 this year, and it could be from any of our plants worldwide. Symbolically therefore, on that day a tonne of feed was delivered from each plant to one of its customers. Ours went to Clare Island. WHAT do you hope to achieve from the major investment announced for the Westport plant? IT will enable us to cope better with organic raw materials. When you move into organic production and still carry out conventional production, you require a much bigger range of products. We currently have two fish meals, but from now on we will be required to have three or four. We will also have different

soyas and wheat — organic and conventional — and it will be the same also with the micro ingredients. We will have to have organic versions of these. This can really make life difficult for us in terms of storage space. There has been no real investment in Westport in the last seven years, so now we will be increasing bin space. Interestingly too, we will also be increasing the use of seaweed in our formulas — one of the more unusual products we’ll be using. WHEN did you first begin producing organic salmon feed? THIS goes back to 1996 when David Baird of Clare Island Salmon made the first moves to farming organic salmon. We were closely associated with them in making it a reality. Back then, less than 15% of their production was organic. You had to have pigmentation — otherwise people wouldn’t buy it. So we used Ecotone, made from the red yeast Phaffia. This made it economically viable for Clare Island to produce roughly one thousand tonnes. The Irish organic farmed salmon sector grew out of that. About 6,000 tonnes is now organic, or just under half the national production. We expect organic production to account for 75% of the Irish farmed salmon harvest by 2010. IS it difficult to source Irishgrown raw materials that are also certified organic? YES, that is a real problem. We can’t get Irish-grown wheat, for example, because what little there is nearly all goes for human consumption. The problem too is that with conventional wheat currently fetching €300 per tonne, it becomes very difficult to convince farmers to go organic because they first have to go through a two-year period of conversion. During conversion their productivity drops and so does their income. In reality, we shouldn’t have to

Anthony Murphy, the recently-appointed general manager of Skretting’s Westport plant.

be bringing organic wheat in from Eastern Europe because of the transport distances involved. Consumers have to have confidence in organic food, so we must consider the carbon footprint of what we do and the way we source our raw materials. NUTRECO is putting a lot of emphasis on the sustainability of its raw materials. Is this practice being echoed in Ireland? NUTRECO has a very strong policy on sustainability. Company philosophy is to ensure that it makes sustainable products. In Ireland we see also that Teagasc is putting more resources into having qualified advisers who will try and convince Irish farmers to consider the organic option. I have also found the people in the Organic Unit within the Department of Agriculture to be very dynamic. They are very involved and really understand what we, as a feeds manufacturing company, are trying to achieve. It is essential to convince the politicians that farmers who wish to convert from conventional to organic production should be helped financially through those

difficult transition years. IN the move to sustainability for a fish feed manufacturer like Skretting, what are the key issues associated with sourcing raw materials? WE are moving away from fish oils and fish meal to vegetable matter, and we are also ensuring that the soya we use is sustainable. Wout Dekker, CEO of Nutreco, is to the forefront in making sure that as a company we understand where our soya is coming from. We have now agreed with other producers that our soya cannot be purchased from areas that have been deforested, and we ensure that soya producers in the Amazon area for example are not actually deforesting the area they are living in. WHAT areas of research are being looked at by Skretting to help make the feeds sector more sustainable? FOR more than 20 years, the Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre in Stavanger in Norway has been identifying sustainable alternatives to fishmeal and fish oil. The result is that by 2006, the overall level of fishmeal and

fish oil in Skretting fish feeds had been reduced from 2004 levels by 15% or more. The reduction in these marine ingredients was achieved without compromising the performance of the feeds. DO you have to be independently audited in order to prove that you are complying with international organic standards? THE one thing about being an organic producer is that you have to stand up to scrutiny, and I have no difficulty whatsoever with regular audits or answering questions from anybody. As an organic feeds producer we are audited probably about five times a year. Currently, we comply with the standards of Naturland; Bio Suisse; La Label Rouge; IOFGA; the Soil Association; and the Organic Food Federation. In November, we were audited also for the new Irish Quality Organic Salmon standard. That’s seven standard bodies — each of which has a massive reputation to protect and to ensure that their good name stays intact. Any one of them can arrive here any time unan-

Photo: David Ruffles

nounced to carry out spot audits. They also take away feed samples from the fish farms and test these to see if they comply with organic standards and do not contain any genetically modified material, for example. It’s quite a detailed process — particularly when you consider that you have got to comply to seven standards. We have an audit at least every two months from one standard or another. ARE you subject to being audited by the retailers who sell organic salmon reared on Skretting diets? YES, we are also audited by retailers like Tesco and Marks & Spencer. They send their agents in, and believe me, they are extremely strict and know exactly what they are looking for. In fact, they are as strict as the organic certification bodies. It has to be understood that the retailers are the ones at the front tend. If there is ever a health scare about a food commodity on their shelves they are the first to be affected, so food safety is an increasingly critical issue for them. That’s the way food safety is going.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

INTERVIEW

Staff at Skretting’s Westport plant (from left): Michael Walsh, Joe Lydon, Michael Moran, George Forde, Leslie Oosten, Fidelma Conway, Deirdre O’Donnell, Lorna McNally, Seán Sheridan, Declan Keane, John Lally, Bill Galloway, Owen O’Malley, Damien Gannon, Clive Smith, John Gibbons and Hugh Cattigan. Photo: David Ruffles

Facts and figures: Nutreco Holding NC Business divisions: Compound feed (Hendrix and Nanta) Premix and Speciality feed (Trouw Nutrition) * Fish feed (Skretting) * Meat (Sada and Inga Food) * *

Revenue in 2006: Workforce (Dec, 2006): Production plants: Customers:

€3,009m 7,919 75 in 20 countries 80 countries

Actions by Nutreco in 2006 to enhance the sustainable management of natural resources * Participated in the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) * Signed RTRS covenant stipulating that no soya will be purchased from newlycultivated (deforested) land or from suppliers connected to forced labour * Succeeded in putting soya issues and the RTRS high on the agenda of the European

Compound Feed Manufacturers association (FEFAC) * Together with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Netherlands National Committee of the the World Conservation Union organised a second international fishmeal and fish oil conference in Rotterdam that focussed on sustainable practices of sustainable fisheries and the processing of fishmeal and fish oil * Skretting engaged in co-operation programmes that voluntarily seek independent verification and sustainability certification.

United Fish Industries Manufacturers of fishmeal and Fish Oil - main suppliers of Organic fishmeal and Oil to Skretting Westport

The future growth for aquaculture will depend on the feed producers’ ability to supplement key raw materials like fishmeal and fish oil without compromising the health and welfare of the farmed fish and without lowering the nutritional value of the fish produced’’ — Anthony Murphy

Donegal Road, Killybegs Co. Donegal Phone 074 9741800 Fax 0749741847

ENTERPRISES PLC

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

INSHORE FISHERIES

Inshore representation under new quota management proposals ONE of the more important recommendations contained in the report of the Seafood Strategy Review Group, ‘Steering a New Course’, is the establishment of a devolved quota management legal entity to manage quota species. The precise structure and modus operandi of such an entity, however, has not yet been finalised and is currently being discussed and examined by the Seafood Strategy Implementation Group (SSIG), which was established to oversee the implementation of the recommendation.

>> In the UK, official underestimates of whitefish catches by under 10m vessels resulted in inadequate quotas being allocated.

Representation While the inshore sector already has two representatives on the SSIG, they were drawn from the Species Advisory Groups (SAGs) established under the Shellfish Management Framework. In order that the inshore sector — most of which is not aligned to the producer organisations — is adequately represented in any new quota management entity, it is important that a representative group is established to put forward the views of the inshore whitefish sector in relation to management of quota and other issues. To enable the sector to prepare for its participation in any new quota management structures, BIM arranged information meetings of registered inshore fishermen to select local representatives who, together, would form an advisory group which would function in a way similar to the shellfish advisory groups. Furthermore, representatives from this whitefish advisory group would also communicate the work of the group to the legal entity overseeing the management of quota.

Local meetings All polyvalent licence holders with under 15m vessels were invited by letter to the local

* Concern has been expressed about the potential impacts of the proposals on the ability of inshore fishermen to access whitefish stocks.

meetings. These were held between 6 and 8 November and attended by over 150 fishermen: * 6 November — New Ross and Claregalway * 7 November — Howth * 8 November — Donegal Town and Macroom. At these meetings, proposals developed by the POs were presented. These were the only proposals that had been developed up to that point. Concern was expressed about the poten-

tial impacts of the proposals on the ability of inshore fishermen to access whitefish stocks. An example alluded to at every meeting was the situation that has arisen in the UK, where official underestimates of whitefish catches by under 10m vessels resulted in inadequate

quotas being allocated. These quotas were used up by the sector in only a few months, resulting in the under 10m vessels being excluded from participating in whitefish fisheries. A further concern expressed was the apparent exclusion of

inshore representation from the structures dealing with pelagic quota. Because of this, and the lack of detail on the proposed new structures, two of the meetings, Claregalway and Donegal, did not select representatives, and BIM was requested to convene further meetings to keep the inshore sector updated on the progress being made on the establishment of the quota management entity. At the other meetings, representatives were nominated and it is hoped that once all areas have nominated representatives, BIM will facilitate the group in developing its proposals on quota management. Some additional points expressed were the need for the inshore sector to a have representative structure and for communication of information to the licence holders on existing regulations and new policies. This will enable the inshore sector to better develop informed views on policies that can best serve its future.

Leading supplier of marine products celebrates 40 years NEXT year CH Marine Ltd enters its 40th year of supplying the marine industry in Ireland. This progressive company acts as a distributor and retailer of many of the world’s leading brands of marine products, such as Jabsco; Rule; Baltic, Teleflex—Morse; Webasto; Isotherm; RFD; Pains Wessex; Plastimo and many more. In fact, CH Marine carries more than 12,000 items of active stock, making it one of the largest suppliers in the country and very comparable with the best in the UK or Europe. The company operates from five outlets within Ireland. The headquarters and warehouse distribution centre is based in Skibbereen, Co Cork, and stores are located in Cork, Belfast, Newry and Kilkeel. CH Marine also supplies goods via a nationwide network of high quality chandleries, boat dealers and marine engineers.

Large stocks and expert technical knowledge are the essential elements of the CH Marine philosophy. To maintain this high level of service, the staff are routinely involved in product training exercises at the headquarters of many of their suppliers worldwide. The company also runs a specialist ‘Safety at Sea’ section, with all the very latest in safety products. This department also covers life jacket and life raft servicing and EPIRP programming and maintenance. The Belfast and Kilkeel depots house fully approved service stations. Focusing on the future, the company has a number of projects for 2008. The start of the year will see the launch of its new computer system that incorporates the latest technology in warehouse handling and barcode scanning for stock control and serial number traceability.

SKIBBEREEN 028 23190 *

CH Marine carries more than 12,000 items of active stock.

CH Marine also runs a very successful online shop that is experiencing healthy year-onyear sales growth and exposes the company to markets in Europe and worldwide. Recent orders have come from regions as diverse as Argentina, Dubai and Hawaii. CH Marine recognises the future importance of the web and plans to commit considerable development to its website. Full details at www.chmarine.com where not only will you find a growing range of products, but also helpful information, such as product updates, new product releases, maritime links and even the tide and weather. CH Marine’s latest catalogue of 400 pages full colour is free with orders placed over €150. CH Marine can be contacted on 028 23190 or by e-mail: sales@chmarine.com

* The Baltic Argus is available in black or red in sizes from 40kg to 150kg and is guaranteed for five years. The jacket uses zip burst technology which makes it more robust and has greater longevity than traditional Velcro closures.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

ISLAND LIVING

Excavation at Doon in progress. The stone scatter in the interior (foreground) and on the outer bank in the background can be seen.

Clare Island survey: 6,000 years of settlement patterns archived THE Royal Irish Academy has issued Volume 5 (Archaeology) in the New Survey of Clare Island series. Dr Peter Harbison, honorary academic editor of the RIA, provides a sketch. The New Survey of Clare Island brings together experts from all over the island of Ireland to document changes in all aspects of Clare Island’s heritage, environment, and biology over 100 years since the Academy’s first survey, which was completed in 1911. Clare Island, located on the extreme Atlantic fringe of Europe - an island off an island represents an important habitat with a pure and pristine environment that can be used as a baseline monitoring site for the rest of the sub-continent. In many ways, this beautiful island is a microcosm of all that is the west of Ireland: unpolluted, yet sensitive to fundamental global changes. This multidisciplinary project co-ordinates the work of over 100 academics in many disciplines including: archaeology, botany, geology, history and zoology. This latest contribution concentrates on the archaeology of the island and is edited by Paul Gosling, Conleth Manning and John Waddell, all of whom have written for the volume. The volume reports considerable progress having been made; for instance, the unexpected location of a megalithic tomb which helps considerably in filling out the picture of the earliest inhabitants of four or five thousand years ago. Unlike its predecessors, the New Survey of Clare Island includes a number of smallscale excavations, which have

helped elucidate particularly the prehistoric sites for which dates have now been provided through radiocarbon determinations. The majority of these digs, and much of the research published here, concerned the fulachtaı́ fia those mysterious, often u-shaped, earthen enclosures, nowadays frequently referred to as burnt mounds because they contain burnt material that gave them the popular connotation of having been cooking places. But, like Chesterton’s Donkey, they keep their secret still, and the excavations gave little help in determining whether they were used for cooking or for washing — or for some other purpose. The radiocarbon dates indicate that they are up to 3,000 years old, and, as Paul Gosling notes, their comparatively undisturbed surroundings provide — rare instances in Ireland of how they were spatially related to nearby prehistoric settlement complexes. The excavations also uncovered an apparently unfinished promontory fort, as well as some stone walls found under bog covering, suggesting that the peat had begun to form on the island much later than at Céide Fields and at other sites on the mainland in the same county. This volume is not only a welcome addition to the New Clare Island Survey publications but shows also how the cooperation of amateurs and professionals in examining a small microcosm produces refreshingly new findings that can be projected to many other areas of the country. Clare Island is, indeed, turning out to be an Aladdin’s cave for the scientific researchers.

* View from the north-east of the megalithic court tomb at ‘Poirtı́n Fuinch’, in Lecarrow townland.

* Aerial photo taken in September 2001, looking south along the isthmus labelled ‘Doon’ on the southern coast of the island. The isthmus is occupied by a promontory fort, and the positions of the defences and the houses/huts in the interior and the defences are visible. (Con Brogan, DEHLG).

Clare Island from Westport.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

ISLAND LIVING

COMPILED BY GILLIAN MILLS

Island immigration required for long-term sustainability Report by Majella Nı́ Chrı́ocháin, COE COMHDHÁIL Oileáin na hÉireann has embarked on a campaign to publicise the attractions of island life. Inspired by the Look West campaign organised by the Western Development Commission, Comhdháil has produced profiles of the islands for prospective new islanders or indeed islanders wishing to return. During a Look West expo on jobs

and enterprise opportunities in the West in Dublin at which Comhdháil had a stall, fourteen people spoke to us about the possibilities of moving to the islands. They all had one thing in common: they were looking for a better quality of life, particularly those with young children. All were currently employed, mostly in Dublin, and they enquired about work and enterprise opportunities on the islands. Facilitating these potential new islanders and islanders who may wish to return will be a major chal-

lenge for Comhdháil. It is however essential for the longterm sustainability of the islands, particularly islands that are vulnerable to depopulation and for which further decreases in population may impact on schools and other services.

Population decline According to the census figures, the total combined population of the islands has dropped 3.5% since 2002. This downward trend has been consistent over the last 50 years

although the decline has slowed down within the last 15 years. Comhdháil is currently establishing a register for those who wish to record their interest in living on the islands; a list of job opportunities will be posted with information supplied by the local coops and development companies. It will also be necessary to support those who are interested in establishing a small enterprise but lack ideas about what products or services are needed. Comhdháil will work in conjunction with local island representatives to

make this information available. Of equal importance in terms of sustaining viable communities is the question of sufficient housing. Comhdháil has secured funding from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to carry out a survey of housing needs and existing housing available for rent, purchase and renovation. The results will be published next Spring. Further details from: http:// www.oileain.ie/en/TheIslands/AboutIslands

Separated but connected by water By Paula Nı́ Riogáin, EWM co-ordinator THE Equality for Women Measure administered by Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann closes at the end of December with nearly 100 registered participants from the offshore islands. Women resident on islands from Thoraı́ in Co Donegal to Oileán Chléire in Co Cork have participated in courses aimed at increasing involvement, job prospects and inter-island links. Meetings were held with the women earlier in the year to find out what interests they had. These meetings were held in locations as varied as the island people themselves. We sat in the back of a car to get out of the cold having been locked out of the house; in a chapel in an old folk’s home because it was recreation time; in a community hall and a posh mainland hotel. Courses range from modules in a Higher Certificate in Business Development through Galway Mayo Institute of Technology to BA in Social Care through NUIG; driving lessons; boat handling; IT courses; organic gardening/horticulture and first aid. Forty-two people have taken part in the GMIT Higher Certificate in Business Development, completing business marketing and attending individual mentoring sessions (2% of the entire

population of the islands for this course alone). Women, 13 in all, from Thoraı́; Árainn Mhór; Inis Mór; Inis Turk; Clare Island; Oileán Chléire and Bere Island registered for the BA in Social Care through NUIG. They travelled by boat and up to 10 hours by bus to meet together and discuss assignments. They attended a weekend of workshops and lectures — which for many was their first time sitting in a lecture hall with other student peers. ‘‘If this is college life then I could do it all the time!,’’ was the satisfied remark of one mother who enjoyed the novel pleasure of discussing ideas and concepts in a challenging academic environment. Clare Island women who missed out on what has become a regular summer activity for children — swimming lessons — got their group ‘women on track’ to go for regular swimming lessons, and despite a morbid fear of water have progressed to being comfortable in the deep end of the pool. Cooler island water awaits! The quilters on islands from Oileán Chléire; Inis Oı́rr; Inis Mór; Inisbofin; Árainn Mhór and Thoraı́ have created a network that will meet up and share information and techniques once the weather improves! Digital photography courses on Inis Mór and Árainn at-

tracted 14 participants and 16 on Sherkin. Information technology training enabling women to work from home was in great demand — particularly the Adobe Photoshop held on Oileá n Chléire, attracting women from Bere Island, Sherkin, Heir and Cléire. The women are enthusiastic, great fun, imaginative and, clichéd although it may be, they’re simply inspirational. They could run the country and still have time to go for a walk to look at the wind.

* ABOVE: Participants who attended the Adobe Photoshop training courses on Oileán Chléire.

* RIGHT: Signs in the West Town of Tory as you arrive into the village from the boat.

Photos: Paula Nı́ Rı́ogáin

Delay in much needed enterprise grants TWELVE months after an EU enterprise regulation increased the maximum grant from €100,000 to €200,000, the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DCRGA) with the Department of Enterprise,Trade and Employment (DETE), has still not implemented the regulation, delaying much needed investment on Ireland’s offshore islands, reports Shay Fennelly.

According to the current de minimis regulation, state financial support for less than €100,000 over a three year period in favour of a given company is deemed to have no substantial effect on competition and trade between member states and therefore does not constitute state aid. Raising the ceiling to €200,000 takes into account economic developments since the de minimis ceiling was last

increased. Contrary to the current Regulation the new Regulation will also apply to the transport sector and to the processing and marketing of agricultural products. (An enterprise scheme for non-Gaeltacht islands run through the County Enterprise Board is currently limited to €100,000.) A spokesperson for DCRGA told Inshore Ireland that the department was in discussion

with DETE about raising the limits and that an extra category may be added so that grant could be used for tourism vessels. One islander told Inshore Ireland that non implementation of the regulation was delaying initiatives and was undermining the purpose of giving grants. The fact that this grant is handled by two separate government departments has also

created confusion and delay, he added. The County Enterprise Boards are the first port of call for micro enterprise development on the offshore islands. A spokesperson for DETE told Inshore Ireland that the island scheme ‘‘has to be reviewed between the two Departments. ‘‘DCRGA has made certain requests to reflect the increased de minmis regulation. It’s a matter for the Department of

Enterprise, Trade and Employment to respond to that. It is likely to be early in the New Year before we sign off on it, and there is no obligation to increase the grant level,’’ he added. Last week according to the mate on O’Malley’s island ferry, three school leavers left Clare Island in the autumn to seek work on the mainland because there were no job opportunities on the island.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

ISLAND LIVING

Incentives needed to reverse drop in island population Shay Fennelly reports

These are essential to maintaining viable populations on the islands.’’

THE population of Ireland’s offshore islands is still declining, 11 years after a Government report was published on the development needs of the islands. Donal O’Shea, the island development officer on Clare Island, told Inshore Ireland that offshore islands needed three things: ‘‘Enterprise grants, a tax incentive scheme linked to job creation and a social access scheme to improve social life.

Tax incentive After 15 years in the job, O’Shea believes it would be a great incentive if the Government would bring in an island tax incentive scheme tied to job creation. ‘‘Altogether it would encourage more marriages, more children and increase a sustainable population on the islands. ‘‘The non-Gaeltacht islands have caught up with the Gael-

tacht islands regarding infrastructure, but do not have the grant aid facilities from Údarás na Gaelatchta, who have a special scheme for building houses on Gaeltacht islands.’’ O’Shea arrived on Clare Island in 1995, after two years on Inishmaan. When he arrived, the island’s population was 150 people; now it’s 138. Inishmaan has also suffered a decline. In 1992, its population was 200 — in 2007, it is 120. According to O’Shea, this pattern is repeated on the islands around the coast.

Problems of offshore islands outlined SMALL islands, such as Clare Island, have a multieconomy based on farming, fishing, tourism, accommodation and services. According to O’Shea, two things are happening due to ‘EU bureaucracy’. ‘‘The small farmers are becoming unviable. As well as that, young people with second and third level education are not interested in available wage earning opportunities in fish farming or farming. The young qualified people are looking for wellpaid jobs, as found on the mainland. So when they qualify, they are not returning to

the islands and populations decline.’’ Island enterprise grants administered by Mayo County Enterprise Board for manufacturing and cultural tourism are there to encourage islanders to start their own businesses, or attract businesses from the mainland to create employment.

Support According to O’Shea, the islands need more support: ‘‘Apart from needing a job creation programme for real jobs, you also need to support access to the type of social life

An 18x7m polythene-covered tunnel for growing fruit and vegetables.

young people have become accustomed to. This could be done by grant aiding a disco boat and a bus on a Friday or Saturday night to bring people to the social area of a nearby town. Having a bus service would be a major safety aspect, whereby people would not have to drive their car.’’ In his role as development officer, O’Shea has initiated two new island tourism products: a Clare Island singles weekend where single people are invited to spend a dating weekend on the island, and a three-day island hopping package on Clare Island, Inishturk and Inishbofin.

Photos: Seamus Ó Cnáimhsı́

Donal O’Shea, island development officer on Clare Island.

Construction of the polythene-covered tunnel.

Warm climate vegetables can grow in exposed environment By Séamus Ó Cnáimhsı́ ÁRAINN Mhór is famous for its tunnel tigers — the iron men who built tunnels worldwide — and, as the band Goats Don’t Shave sing: ‘One can do the work of four’. Árainn Mhór, however, has never seen the like of the tunnel erected on the island last year. The construction consists of an 18x7m polythene-covered tunnel for growing fruit and vegetables.

Florence Calais, originally from the Champagne region in France, bought the tunnel with financial assistance from the National Rural Development programme administered by Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann. In addition to providing funding, Comhdháil also ran a series of organic horticulture courses and workshops on the islands under their Garraı́ na nOileán project (www.garrainanoilean.com). These covered organic growing techniques, pest control and specific tips

for growing in polytunnels.

Site considerations The tunnel was provided by Polydome Greenhouses in Co Offaly, and it took two men roughly two weeks to prepare the site, install the concrete foundations, erect the galvanized steel framework and cover the tunnel with polythene. The main consideration for any site is that it must be reasonably level and, if possible, have some shelter from prevailing winds. In this in-

stance, the tunnel was built in an area known as An Chrannóg, close to an Iron Age promontory fort that most likely had been cultivated for thousands of years. The result is a rich clay soil, suitable to cultivate a wide variety of produce. As the field in which the tunnel is located had lain fallow for many years, the first step was to clear the thistles, rushes and rough grass. Florence experimented with a range of different vegetables in year one, to get a feel for what

would grow well and to gain experience with the peculiarities of polytunnel growing. One of the first things she noticed was the heat inside the structure — over 40ºC on many days during the temperamental summer of 2007. The plants loved their new environment, providing delights throughout the summer and autumn of fresh salads, cucumber, courgettes, vine ripened tomatoes, peas in the pod, sweetcorn and raspberries. Florence now plans to sow potatoes in January for a March

harvest, and is busy collecting storm-washed seaweed from the shore to fertilize the new crop. Encouraged by her success, Florence is considering applying for organic certification next year, and plans to increase her production in 2008 as there is no shortage of demand from neighbours, family and friends. ‘‘I would recommend anyone who has a bit of time to grow their own vegetables; the work is not overly hard, and the fresh produce you get at the end is well worth the effort,’’ she said.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

The lightning fast predator that is a lure to sea anglers SEA ANGLING

By John Rafferty

THE pollack, a streamlined hard fighting predator, is one of the most likely medium sized fish that any sea angler will encounter while out for a day's fishing. These fish are capable of growing to more than 20lbs in weight; the Irish record stands at 19lbs 3ozs. They provide superb sport on light tackle, and even a small pollack will give a good fight if it is given a chance with light gear. Pollack are active hunters and are capable of sudden bursts of terrific speed. If they are caught in shallow water and on light gear, it will get the adrenaline rushing in even the most experienced angler, but isn't this what the sport of fishing is all about? Baits, tactics and traces for fishing pollack are as wide ranging as the fish they are meant to catch, although there are a few that stand out above all the others. I have three favourite ways of fishing for pollack: the flowing trace; spinning with a lead head and spinning with a ball shot. The flowing trace is the most successful method I have used and has proven to be more consistent at catching than any other. The flowing trace consists of a hollow plastic boom, fed onto the main line, followed by a plastic bead and then a snap swivel. The reason for the plastic bead is to act as a shock absorber between the boom and the snap swivel. The trace itself should consist of at least 8ft of monofilament line, and can be as much as 18ft. I usually use around 12ft to the hook. The hook is one of the most important pieces of equipment, but it is one that a lot of anglers take for granted. Rusted and/or blunt hooks must be dumped. My hook preference for catching pollack is a Kamazan B940 in sizes from 2/0 to 4/0. These hooks are chemically sharpened and are very strong. Caution should be taken when handling these; by the time you feel the jab it is already too embedded and will require a doctor to remove it.

On the hook

My first choice bait is sand eels; however, occasionally rag worm will outfish sand eels, especially in the early months of the year. At other times, a thin back strip or belly strip of mackerel will take some beating. Putting the

SEA ANGLING

sand eel on the hook can be done in several ways: put through the mouth, pass it underneath the gill cover and then nick it through the underside of the belly, or just pass it through both eyes. Other baits include mussels, shrimps, squid strips, sprats and herring. Fishing artificially is another very successful method. Artificial eels, especially redgills, can prove to be deadly on any given day. The only thing that can fish better than these are the live sand eels which they are designed to imitate. Jelly worms are another successful type of artificial bait; there are thousands of different types of worms, but Berkeley's firetails are the favourite among most sea anglers.

Reels

Lever drag reels are fantastic for pollack fishing; the drag can be easily adjusted with your thumb as you fight a powerful fish. First, put the trace in the water and then the weight and boom; keep the boom just below the surface. You must give your trace enough time to straighten out across the surface before you let it go to the bottom at a nice steady rate, Let it go too quickly and it will end up twisted around the mainline and you will have to waste valuable fishing time untangling it. Once you feel your weight hit the bottom or your line going slack, it is time to start reeling in. The speed at which you retrieve will vary from day to day, depending on the fish, so it is all trial and error until you feel a bite. Once you do, and if you are using artificial eels or jelly worms, just keep reeling until you feel the weight of the fish before you strike. If you are using bait, however, stop reeling. To strike at this stage would be a big mistake; a lot of the time pollack will hit their food to stun it before picking it up headfirst and then swallowing it. Strike when you feel the weight of the fish on the rod in the form of a heavy pull, as though you were stuck on something. A lot of the time the pollack will hook itself as it crash dives towards the bottom after feeling the hook. Once the fish feels it is hooked, its initial burst of speed is virtually unstoppable; this is where a correctly set drag will win or lose you your fish. After this first run, the pollack has little stamina left and each run thereafter it

gets weaker and weaker. After a few minutes, your fish should be on or near the surface; you must remember that your boom may be at the tip of the rod but the fish will still be another 12ft away. A good landing net is a must in any boat; if you do not have one, then do not try to lift the pollack directly into the boat by the line. This is probably okay with a small fish, but with larger pollack, the hooks will rip through the mouth. Instead, get the fish alongside the boat and put your fingers under its gill covers to lift it in. If you have played the fish out properly, this should be no problem.

Spinning

Spinning with a lead head and a jelly worm attached is a method

* A specimen 14lb pollack caught on a sand eel.

* ABOVE: Anglers on the move in Arranmore bay.

* RIGHT: Kayleigh Gallagher and

Emma Rafferty enjoying a bit of sea angling in the mild October weather.

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Photos: John Rafferty I use regularly for catching pollack. There is less of a skill factor required for spinning than that needed for fishing with the flowing trace. All that is required is a lead head and a jelly worm. The lead head is roughly 1oz to 1.5oz and is merely a hook with lead moulded onto it in such a way that the hook sits upright in the water. The reason for this is to keep the hook from snagging on the bottom and for giving the hook a better hook-up in the fish's mouth. Before casting out your lead head, always check that the drag is set correctly on your spinning reel, then cast out your lead head and give it time to sink to the bottom. Once it hits bottom you can start to retrieve. The speed of retrieval is trial and error; however, once you feel a bite you must keep retrieving at the same speed. The pollack will usually chase the jelly worm until it catches it. When you feel the weight of the fish, strike, and let the fight begin. Always check the line on your trace just above the hook or lead head for bite marks; the pollack sometimes takes the bait straight down into its stomach, leaving your line in the way of its sharp teeth. If it feels even slightly worn then cut off the hook or lead head and re-tie again.

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Another simple trace consists of a one ounce ball shot weight (one of those with the hole through the centre) running freely on the mainline followed by a bead and then, at the end of the mainline, a swivel is tied on. At the other end of the swivel, I like to use about 4ft to 6ft of line, finished off with a Kamazan B940 size 4/0 hook with a sand eel on it. This rig is used for spinning and when it is cast out, the ball shot starts to sink rapidly, as well as working its way back along the outgoing mainline. This allows the sand eel and hook to descend much slower than the ball shot. When

the ball shot hits the bottom, the hook and sand eel may only be half way down. So once you start to retrieve your line, the sand eel first has to head towards the seabed until it catches up with the weight, then it starts to rise towards the surface with the ball shot. Many times the pollack will take the sand eel as it descends to the bottom. I have found this technique very successful, especially on clear calm days when the fish seem easily spooked. Other methods of catching pollack include trolling a lure after the boat; float fishing and, when conditions are right, fly-

* Hooking on a sand eel for catching pollack.

fishing. As night approaches, the pollack move closer to the surface and sometimes they can be seen splashing on the surface as they feed on sand eels or small fry; this is when you can catch them on a fly-rod. This technique is the same as for catching salmon or trout, but the fly needs to be slightly

bigger than that used in fresh water. The fly I use is made with a white turkey feather; when it is wet, it is about three inches long and, as it comes through the water, it looks remarkably like a small sand eel. Great care must be taken when fishing pollack this way; fingers can get badly hurt on the fly-reel or on the line

Competition winner

CONGRATULATIONS to Cecil Whitford, winner of a year's marine insurance from insureme.ie

* ABOVE: A nice pollack. MAIN PICTURE: A shoal of sand eels.

as the fish takes it screaming towards the bottom. For float fishing at sea, a sliding float rig works best. Slide your float onto your mainline with a small stop-knot to cock it. Rubber power gum used by fresh water fishermen makes a great stop-knot; being soft it can be moved up or down the line without getting damaged. Float fishing is only good in fine weather; if it is windy you cannot see it, unless you use a large float and these tend to alarm a taking fish to such an extent that it will drop the bait long before the hook strikes home. I find that fishing with an

elongated float with a tube through the centre works really well, and I find that more often than not, the float disappears with a real bang. These are just some methods of fishing pollack. And remember, whichever method you select, choose as light a tackle as you are comfortable with and allow the fish a chance to fight back. This way you are assured of a good day's sport. Only take home what fish you require; there's no point in killing everything you catch. Remember, those you release today are there for tomorrow's sport.

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INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

AQUACULTURE NEWS

* Kelp or Laminaria species are abundant on the Irish coastline with an estimated 10 million tonnes available. Could this be a potential sustainable resource for bio-fuel production?

Ireland has a large sustainable resource of Ascophyllum nodosum (knotted wrack or Feamhainn buı́) which may be harvested in the future for the production of bio-fuels.

Seaweed: tomorrow’s source of sustainable energy? Report by Gery Flynn

“Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year from all at BIM” Bord Iascaigh Mhara Irish Sea Fisheries Board, BIM/Irish Sea Fisheries Board Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Tel: (01) 214 4100. Fax: (01) 284 1123. www.bim.ie

THE Irish Seaweed Centre is participating in the SUPERGEN Bioenergy II project, a British-based research consortium whose work programme has been extended to 2011 to examine a range of renewable technologies including seaweed biomass as a possible source of sustainable energy. According to the SUPERGEN website, the programme will also devote more attention to finding lower cost and more varied sources of biomass, like rape straw and bark. Defining biomass as ‘any plant material which can be used as a fuel, such as energy crops, wood, agricultural waste and vegetable oils’, the website notes that biomass currently accounts for just 0.43% of Britain’s energy. As a source of renewable energy, biomass — whether from a terrestrial or aquatic source - is being flagged as a way of helping the EU to reach its targets for the reduction of CO2 emissions.

Major opportunities Speaking to Inshore Ireland, Dr Stefan Kraan, manager of the Irish Seaweed Centre said that marine biomass like seaweeds ‘‘offered enormous opportunities’’ as a source of sustainable energy for the future. ‘‘The highest productivity of kelp forests is found along the North American Pacific coast. Nevertheless, off the coasts of Europe the Laminaria-dominated communities have an annual productivity of around 2 kg carbon per m2, which is still higher than, for example, temperate tree plantations or grasslands with a productivity of generally less than 1 kg carbon per m2.’’ He points out that while

some seaweeds in warm climates can grow up to 60m in length, European species were more likely to be closer to 3 metres in length: ‘‘The average photosynthetic efficiency of aquatic biomass is much higher (6-8%) than that of terrestrial biomass (1.8-2.2),’’ he explains. ‘‘The growth rates of marine macroalgae, or seaweeds, can far exceed those of terrestrial biomass. ‘‘The large brown kelp forests found on rocky shores, for example, grow in an environment of vigorous water movement and turbulent diffusion, which allows very high levels of nutrient uptake, photosynthesis and growth.’’ According to Kraan, production figures have been reported in the range of 3.3 — 11.3kg dry weight m-2 yr-1 for noncultured, and up to 13.1 kg dry weight m-2 over 7 months for cultured brown algae. This, he says, compares with 6.1-9.5 kg fresh weight m-2 yr-1 for sugar cane which is regarded as a most productive land plant.

Cost effective development ‘‘The challenges ahead now include developing cost-effective methods for large-scale harvesting, transporting and processing of macroalgae and, most crucially, in determining whether culture or collection from the wild represents the most environmentally favourable means of obtaining large quantities of marine biomass. So far, using indigenous kelp species, a total of 7.4 kg wet weight per metre cultivation rope has been achieved. And an experiment using hybrid strains produced 40 kg wet weight per metre of cultivation rope.’’ An indication that Ireland has

the potential to become a major supplier of marine biomass was highlighted in a study carried out some years ago by the Marine Institute. ‘Mapping and Assessment of the Seaweed Resources off the West Coast of Ireland’ (Marine Resource Series, No. 5, 1998) claims that the area surveyed has the potential to sustainably yield nearly 75,000 tonnes per annum of the knotted wrack’ Ascophyllum nodosum. The report describes the five main kelp species (Laminariaceae and Alarinaceae) as ‘an enormous natural resource covering 56% of the west coast, and one of our most valuable natural assets’, and it is critical that ‘the full harvest value and potential of this resource has scarcely been identified and certainly not realised’.

Double output potential Summing up the commercial potential of the inter-tidal wracks (Fucaceae) — especially Ascophyllum nodosum — the language of the report is forthright in stating that the area surveyed could easily sustain an annual yield of at least 75,000 tonnes — or double the current harvest. Putting this in perspective it notes that in 1996, the total Irish harvest of this seaweed was slightly more than 35,000 tonnes — less than 50% of the annual potential. Over 85% of Ireland’s seaweed output is exported for use mainly in the European alginates industry. Compared to a world-wide seaweed production of 7.5 million tonnes, worth more than US$4 billion, the Irish harvest is small at 40,000 tonnes.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Aquaculture industry dismayed by negative Budget THE representative body for the country’s fish and shellfish farmers, IFA Aquaculture, has said the sector was ‘‘seriously dismayed’’ at the negative direction of the 2008 Budget: ‘‘The estimates indicate that no new

capital projects will be funded and in fact some existing schemes will have to be cut back. This was the year in which the ‘Cawley Report’ was supposed to get off the ground. Now we find that no funds have been made

available for the industry to make any progress whatsoever under the plan,’’ remarked the organisation’s executive secretary, Richie Flynn. He added that a statement by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and

Food, Mary Coughlan, reveals that only €6.3m in development aid will be available in 2008 to share between the aquaculture and processing sectors: ‘‘The aquaculture industry alone needed €6 million in 2008 just to

finish off projects under the last National Development Plan. So not only do we not have enough funds to begin investing under the new NDP, we can’t even finish off projects begun in the last one,’’ he said.

10th international conference on shellfish restoration Mark Norman, Taighde Mara Teo, reports from Vlissengen THE conference, which was hosted by Wageningen IMARES in Vlissengen in the south of Zeeland and close to the main mussel production areas, was more scientific than the US hosted ICSRs as a result of it being the only shellfishfocussed conference in Europe this year. The theme centred on Carrying Capacity and the multiple demands on estuarine bivalves to sustain food webs or to provide commercial harvests. Some very detailed long-term studies and models — built on solid field data — were presented from Canada, France and Holland. Other presentations concentrated on the process by

which beds of shellfish deplete food supplies at both the micro and macro level. This should be taken on board by shellfish farmers in devising the most appropriate way to lay out plots to ensure adequate horizontal space for phytoplankton growth. On the other hand, if the productivity in a bay is poor, a large-scale experiment in a Norwegian fjord showed that the productivity of deep water can be unlocked by pumping down surface water and forcing an up-welling. This trial tripled primary productivity over a 10 km2 area. The ongoing conflict in Holland between conservation and commercial production for estuarine resources (and in particular the Waddensea) was not avoided but was dealt with by plenary speakers, oral presenta-

tions and through visuals.

Conflict resolution Wouter van Dieren of the Institute for Environment and System Analysis, Amsterdam gave a particularly telling plenary on the Waddensea conflict. He outlined how their Institute had been invited to contribute to a debate on the potential impact of the exploitation of the natural gas resource in the region. Using a cascade model they looked at the full range of human activities on the Waddensea; gas exploitation was well down the impact list, which was topped by the cockle fishery, followed by the seed mussel fishing. Subsequently, the cockle fishery was discontinued (with compensation paid from the fund put in place from the gas exploitation) but the lessons for

the seed mussel fishery are still being learnt. One of these is the depth of the conflict in Dutch society ? so deep that it even splits the scientific community. A key lesson to take from the Waddensea is that if you are using a resource you must be willing to listen to the views of the other stakeholders and be prepared to accept some change.

Field trips The two ‘Farmer’s Days’ held in parallel to the conference were well attended by the Dutch industry. The programme was organised in such a way that many of the conference’s key international speakers also gave talks for the farmers (country overviews, market analysis and alternative techniques). An innovation that helped bridge the knowledge and opi-

nion gap between the farmers and the scientists was a five minute ‘sneak preview film’ shown each morning before the plenary speaker. These film shorts showed the Dutch industry in action, combined with straight talking interviews with farmers, resource managers and conservationists. The impact of invasive species was another important theme. While we have been concerned in Ireland about the potential spread of food competitors such as Crepidula or pests of commercial shellfish species, we have not given much thought to the potential of gigas oysters as an invasive species. Wild populations of gigas are now firmly established in France, Holland, Germany, Denmark and Sweden. In some areas they are viewed as a welcome resource in others they

are seen as invasive and in need of control.

Production potential The conference was a great opportunity to consider all aspects of shellfish production and ecology. It confirmed that there is great potential for Europe to increase its production of bivalve shellfish for its own lucrative markets. Nevertheless, we need to increase our knowledge of the interactions of shellfish farming with the environment so that we can manage our estuaries for shellfish production and for other ecological services in a sustainable manner. To achieve this we need to take on board the best available international practice, ensure we create and maintain adequate data sets, and apply good science at a bay management and individual farm level.

Postcards from Capetown . . . . . . . Postcards from Capetown Shark spotters above Fish Hoek beach alert local artisinal fishermen when shoals appear in the bay. Today’s catch in ‘haddon’ and Rita is directed by VHF as she rows around the shoal. The net is landed through the surf and the fishermen are joined by everyone on the beach to begin the haul. One or two boxes may be netted per effort and these are sold immediately on the beach for 3 rands (30c per fish. These fish are destined for the local bars and restaurants and the good aul fish braai. Photos: S Cullen *

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology Applied Research Enhancement

Shellfish Technology Centre Funded by Enterprise Ireland to provide innovative research and development support to the Irish shellfish industry Contact point: Dr. M. Robinson 091 742430 (Martin.Robinson@gmit.ie) Funded by the Irish Government and part-financed by the European Union under the National Development Plan 2007-2013

EUROPEAN UNION STRUCTURAL FUNDS

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

AQUACULTURE NEWS

ABOVE: The grader has a relatively small deck footprint, here being used to grade whelk in Malin Head.

RIGHT: The height of the grader can be adjusted to remove the need for excessive lifting of pots to clear.

Prototype shellfish grader developed with efficiency in mind Report by Gery Flynn A mechanical grader designed to handle a range of shellfish species aboard inshore vessels is undergoing final tests at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. ‘‘A review of the graders currently in use around the coast showed that many were not particularly efficient or effective, says Dr Martin Robinson, project manager of GMIT’s ARE SHELLTEC Research Centre who headed the team responsible for developing the new grader. ‘‘This was the case also in terms of their safety, ease of use, the amount of space they required, and in particular, their ability to grade shellfish. Our

aim therefore was to come up with a safe, robust and relatively inexpensive unit that could be adapted to suit particular fisheries and vessels.’’

Non selective gear According to Robinson, the types of dredges and pots used to capture molluscan species are often ‘‘relatively unselective’’ and catch both legal and under-sized individuals. The result, he believes, is that considerable quantities of undersized individuals are being landed and then dumped: ‘‘Even if individuals under the legal or market minimum size are subsequently returned to the water, they are often already dead or moribund because they have been exposed to air for too long. Resource

wastage of this kind reduces both potential spawning stock biomass and the economic value of the resource,’’ he explains. He reveals that the GMIT project team has been working closely with a Donegal-based engineering company to produce a number of grading units for use as demonstration models around the coast in 2008. ‘‘We developed the new grader to have a ‘quick release’ drum that can be easily removed and exchanged within minutes for another one with a different bar spacing. This gives it greater flexibility for grading a variety of shell morphologies and species. And even though the base unit is fairly standard it can be customised to suit a variety of requirements such as

pot shelves, height etc. Its portable power unit also means that it can be hooked up to the vessel’s own power supply. And we have tried to reduce the price as much as possible.’’

Robust design He adds that when his team set out to design an effective grader, they also wanted to ensure that it would be able to with-

stand a harsh marine environment. For this reason, he says, a lot of thought had to be given to the type of material used to build it: ‘‘We are working at the moment to replace some components with high grade plastic, as this reduces both the weight of the unit and the production cost, while providing very high durability in the marine environment.’’

The grader project is being conducted in collaboration with Dr Patrick Delassus from GMIT’s Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. It was funded by the Irish government and part-financed by the EU under the National Development Plan 2000—2006 through the programme for Innovation and Sustainability in the Fisheries Sector.

Update on designation of Irish shellfish waters Report by Gillian Mills INSHORE Ireland sent the following questions to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food regarding the status of designation of Irish shellfish waters: * What criteria will the Shellfish Waters Management Committee use to designate the remaining bays? * What resources are in place to carry this out? * Are there plans to divert money from the industry NDP fund or Operational Programme

to put the designations in place? How are local authorities being advised about their responsibilities under the Directive? * Has formal contact been made with An Bord Pleanála to this effect? * What is the estimated cost of upgrading sewage and waste water facilities in areas currently protected by the Directive? * What is the cost of upgrading facilities in every bay where shellfish is produced? * Will Government prioritise bays where shellfish are harvested for the fresh trade or live *

consumption on the basis of a higher risk than for bays where shellfish are harvested for the processing sector? * What co-operation is planned with local shellfish operators, the ISA and CLAMS groups in relation to protection plans, sampling point selection and mapping of new designations? * Why has it taken over 20 years and to the doors of the European Court of Justice for government to uphold its obligation under the 1979 Directive? The following response was submitted by their Coastal Zone

Management Division: ‘The current process of designation was commenced by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources following the Government decision of 30/7/ 2007 in which the criteria for designation was determined. The Government subsequently decided to transfer responsibility for this directive and the associated functions to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food pending their further transfer to the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Govern-

ment, (EHLG) as part of a wider reorganisation of Departmental functions. The Department is currently putting in place the necessary arrangements to ensure the efficient and effective transfer of the Directive to the Dept. EHLG. In the meantime, work is ongoing towards full transposition.’ Inshore Ireland invited Fine Gael to comment. The following is the response from Deputy Tom Sheahan: ‘‘Minister Browne has promised he will tackle the backlog

of applications for aquaculture licences by December 2008. I asked how many licences had been issued since January 1 2007 and was told the answer was 12, including three issued by the Aquaculture Appeals Board. ‘‘That’s 12 in 11 months and it suggests that if the Government keeps going at this rate, there is no way that Minister Browne can tackle a backlog of 254 applications by the end of 2008. The Government has to get serious about this as some of the people have been on the waiting list for five years.’’

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Aquaculture now offering new opportunities to finance houses Report by Gery Flynn MAOINIÚ Mara Teoranta (MMT) — the company formed by the Cill Ciaránbased seafood marking body, ISPG, and Údarás na Gaeltachta specifically to co-ordinate production and sales of aquaculture produce, is having a positive impact after less than four years in operation.

Speaking to Inshore Ireland, Richard McNamara, managing director of ISPG, traces the origin of MMT to discussions early in 2004 with Údarás na Gaeltachta’s Micheál Corrduibh about the creation of new initiatives to support aquaculture production in southwest Connemara. It was in the wake of consultant Peter Quinn’s in-depth analysis of salmon farming in

the region which, among other things, highlighted the need for more co-operation among producers: ‘‘Micheál and I both were aware of the difficulties that salmon farmers were having at the time with profitability, prices and production. We wanted to be able to provide them with financial support between harvests, and we also saw the need to co-ordinate and

Lough Swilly CLAMS group.

Aquaculture Initiative builds strategy for north-west THE Aquaculture Initiative EEIG (AI) team in the northwest, with active participation from the area’s producers, has produced its vision for aquaculture for Donegal and Sligo, where more than one-third of the country’s aquaculture at 19,129 tonnes of shellfish and finfish is produced. With a portfolio of 42 clients generating €35m in the local economy, AI is confident that direct employment of 400 jobs currently in the sector is set to expand. Commitment of both Northern and Southern governments to work on initiatives on an allisland basis is already proving to be a strong synergy, whereby cluster approaches are underway, such as navigational plans and a €325,000 real-time monitoring project in Mulroy Bay.

Joint initiative According to Louise Collins, Resource Development Officer with AI, the launch at CLAMS meetings throughout the area signifies the important role that AI in conjunction with BIM is playing in delivering the strategy: ‘‘This strategy is being launched at an exciting time for the sector, with a new minister from Donegal at the helm of the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan; a new CEO of

Lough Swilly CLAMS group chairman Daniel Gallagher, Atlanfish, and Louise Collins, resource development officer, AI.

BIM, Jason Whooley, and Dr Noel Cawley’s Seafood Strategy report, which was endorsed by the government earlier this year, and with the new era of funding for 2008-2013’’. The strategy’s main objective is to increase the profile of aquaculture in the northwest and to develop initiatives in business, marketing and training for farmers across the region. ‘‘The strategy also includes commitment by the AI to work with tourism, the national Parks & Wildlife service and in the education of aquaculture and to

strive to implement best environmental practise through ECOPACT on all farms,’’ Collins told Inshore Ireland. The launch coincided with the publication of an AI working wall planner 2008 for the northwest, which incorporates tide tables. ‘fishy facts’ on the region and a directory of all producers in the northwest. Sponsors of the wall planner, include Ace, Aquatech Stunners, All in a Shell, BIM, Glan Uisce Teo, IFA Aquaculture, Inishowen Engineering, JFC Plastics, Marketetch Oxygen and Sterner Aquatech UK.

streamline production and sales. The idea for MMT grew from there, and in effect, this is exactly what it does now. Its ultimate objective is to produce fish when the market wants them, and not when producers are under financial pressure to sell.’’

Irratic production Prior to this, says McNamara, little or no effort had been made by the producers to co-ordinate their production and sales schedules. As a result, harvesting was driven almost solely by cashflow requirements — often at the worst times, when prices were at their lowest. The situation was aggravated if several producers sold at the same time. The resulting flood of fish on the market created a fluctuating supply base of overand under-supply, causing chronically sub-optimal prices. ‘‘There’s no advantage for a producer harvesting a lot of fish and bringing them to market in January/February if the price is likely to be at a premium just a few weeks later in the run-up to Easter,’’ explains McNamara. ‘‘In reality, this is what was happening. With no financial comfort zone to allow them to postpone harvesting by a month

or so, most producers had to sell. Pressing financial commitments left them with no choice, and they were forever trapped in a downward price cycle.’’

State seed captial In its first year, MMT was funded by ISPG and Údarás na Gaeltachta both investing €600,000 each as seed capital. Another €500,000 came from the Western Development Commission (WDC) as a long-term loan through the Western Investment Fund. In year two, Údarás and the WDC added another €500,000, and it is expected that by 2008, with a proven track record behind it, total funds under MMT control will exceed €5m. As MMT notchs up its fourth successful year operating in what sometimes can be a difficult and volatile business, McNamara hopes that their achievements will not be lost on private sector investors — the banks and finance houses, in particular — who might once again see aquaculture as an attractive investment vehicle. In this regard, he sees as a move in the right direction the fact that some of MMT’s finance is now being provided by the Bank of Scotland. ‘‘There’s no doubt that the

aquaculture industry has suffered over recent years because the financial institutions, while not taking a totally negative view of it, have been very cautious in their approach to investing in it. ‘‘They have tended to look for a lot of security in return, and unfortunately, stock at sea has not been seen by them as adequate security.’’

Finance house With Bank of Scotland (Ireland) leading the way, McNamara is optimistic that other finance houses can be persuaded to go the same way: ‘‘There’s a huge job of confidence-building to be done in this regard,’’ he acknowledges. ‘‘With Bank of Scotland (Ireland) however, we’ve brought the bank back into the framework of dealing with producers so that ultimately, over a period of time, they may end up becoming more comfortable with the whole industry again. And eventually, when MMT comes to the end of its natural life, it will be replaced by the banks, who will be able to pick up and become production entities themselves.’’

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Notice-board . . Notice-board. .

IFA welcomes Ministers’ pledge on licensing AT the November meeting of the Aquaculture Forum in Dublin, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan TD gave a commitment to IFA Aquaculture that the necessary resources would be applied and action would be taken from 1 January, 2008, to begin clearing the backlog of

254 licence applications currently in her Department. The Minister, along with the Minister for State, John Browne TD, was responding to IFA Aquaculture’s repeated demands for action to address the backlog, which was causing serious economic and business difficulties for its members in

finfish and shellfish farming. IFA Aquaculture pointed out the extreme difficulties producers were having with raising investment, protecting businesses or planning for the future, in the absence of decisions on applications for new sites, renewals, reviews and assignations of aquaculture li-

cences. IFA Aquaculture has led a sustained campaign for a reform of the licencing regime due to the lack of action by successive ministers, which was a key recommendation of the Seafood Strategy report endorsed by Government earlier this year. Minister Coughlan made it

clear that ‘‘things would be different’’, now that aquaculture licencing was a part of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The Minister said that the licencing division would have the required resources to deal with the backlog, and that a Task Force had been assigned to implement a

clear strategic plan to deal with licencing issues. IFA Aquaculture has welcomed the Ministers’ commitment, and said that the Association would work closely with both the Ministers and the Clonakilty-based Coastal Zone Administrative Division to ensure the speedy turnaround of the applications.

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN EU urged to Plea for substantial funding in 2008 ensure water quality after 2013 THROUGH the European Mollusc Producers Association (EMPA), the ISA has called on the European Commission to produce new legislation to ensure that the present protection afforded to producers under the Shellfish Waters Directive is not removed when the Water Framework Directive comes into full force in

2013. At a recent conference in Brussels, EMPA pointed out to Commissioner Joe Borg that because the WFD did not contain any specific microbiological standards, unscrupulous governments or local authorities could turn their back on their obligations to protect shellfish waters.

AT the recent Aquaculture Forum, IFA Aquaculture made a strong plea for sufficient and substantial capital and current funds to be made available to the industry in 2008 to cover areas such as equipment investment, wellboat provision for the salmon industry, a communications/PR programme, and funding of CLAMs groups. The association said the industry would play its part, and invited Minister Coughlan to participate in a major investment conference that would take place once the shape of the NDP was clear. The level of funding avail-

able should be clear in Minister Cowen’s budget details. (see pg 21). No schemes for aquaculture or any other seafood support measure involving EU funding can be opened until the European Commission signs off on Ireland’s Operational Programme. At a separate meeting of the Aquaculture Working Group in the European Commission in Brussels at the end of November, IFA Aquaculture established the state of play in Europe regarding the implementation of the European Fisheries Fund in the various member states. DG FISH in-

formed IFA Aquaculture that: 20 countries had submitted their final Operational Programmes for approval * 50% of these were likely to be approved before the end of 2007 * One (Finland) had already been approved and signed off, and that Luxembourg has said it does not require EFF funding * Six countries had yet to submit their final OPs and therefore it would be ‘impossible’ to approve them within three months * The six countries that had not submitted final OPs for approval were Hungary, Malta, *

Belgium, Slovenia, UK and Ireland * Block exemption regulations for state aid will be completed in January 2008 * DG FISH received Ireland’s National Strategic Plan in November IFA Aquaculture has urged Ministers Coughlan and Browne to ensure that Ireland is not left lagging behind the rest of the EU in implementing the EFF and for Government and industry to swiftly, jointly and confidently approach the investment market to develop the sector as a modern, qualityled seafood production sector.

New shellfish sampling requires effort and understanding "Providing a range of support services for the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector, increasing volume, value and employment in the six counties of Northern Ireland and the six border counties of the Republic of Ireland"

For Further Information Please Contact: 14-15 Grays Lane, Park St, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Tel: (+353) 42 938 5074 Fax: (+353) 42 935 2490 Email: info@aquacultureinitiative.eu Project part financed by the European Union Peace and Reconciliation Programme

FOLLOWING four successful regional meetings in Carlingford, Waterford, Bantry, Galway during November and the ISA/BIM national oyster workshop in Sligo, the views of industry were focused on the practical implications of the changes to the classification and sampling regime from 2008 onwards. With a three-year spread of samples being taken into account for full classification and tighter limits on the interpretation of results, shellfish produ-

cers have been focusing on the ‘quid pro quo’ issues that first encouraged them to support the new Good Practice Guide on Microbiological Monitoring. In particular, shellfish farmers want to see prompt action where pollution is identified as the cause of particular spikes, with full participation from the sector in sanitary surveys and identification of point source pollution problems. In addition, the sector is very interested in the way in which ‘out of character’ results are (a)

dealt with immediately and (b) interpreted for classification purposes. The addition of a ‘management cell’ type structure, which has been such a successful Irish initiative in the biotoxin regime, is welcomed as is a clear and transparent decision process and co-ordination with results between the SFPA and local growers. ISA particularly wants to ensure that growers are encouraged to fully participate in the classification system and that all the resources necessary are

made available to allow local groups and the national association to participate in the sampling process. ISA members have welcomed the participation and full co-operation of the SFPA, the FSAI, BIM and the Marine Institute in all of the regional meetings, which have proved extremely useful in focusing all minds around the table, Richie Flynn told Inshore Ireland. A further and final regional meeting is planned for Letterkenny next January.

Irish shellfish safety scientific workshop By Micheal Ó Cinnéide and Joe Silke, Marine Institute OVER 90 people attended the workshop, which was held in the MI’s headquarters and cohosted by the agency, BIM and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. This workshop is an annual forum at which Irish shellfish farmers, scientists and regulators meet to discuss the latest in monitoring and research of shellfish safety in Ireland and internationally. The first session focused on

shellfish microbiology. Marie Henson, SFPA, presented the new Code of Good Practice and outlined the regional meetings that have been held with producers to build awareness on the new hygiene regulations. Kieran Burns, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food (DAFF) reported on the developments this year regarding the Shellfish Waters Directive. Early this year, the government proceeded to designate over 50 areas; this programme will be led by the Department of Environment from 2008. Bill Dore and Dr Sinead

Keaveney from the MI presented new data and opportunities for managing the risks of viral contamination in shellfish. Ireland makes a major investment in ensuring the safety of our shellfish industry. As in previous years, MI staff (Joe Silke and Leon Devilly) presented the trends in biotoxins during 2007, and Dr Philipp Hess outlined new research work planned on Azaspiracid. Dr Robin Raine, NUI Galway, covered recent work on Irish and EU funded projects on ‘harmful algal blooms’, including data on thin layers of dinophysis from a survey

off the Cork coast this summer. A guest speaker from the CEFAS laboratory in England, Dr Miriam Algoet, explained the evolution of the UK monitoring programme. The number of samples tested in Scotland has increased dramatically and their toxicity levels were much higher in 2007. Delegates felt it was a very informative meeting. The Marine Institute will send the proceedings to all Irish shellfish producers early in the New Year. Proceedings from previous workshops are available on the MI website: www.marine.ie

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

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The people of our world are eating more and more fish, and much of this fish has thrived on feed from Skretting. We are the world’s largest producer of feed for farmed fish, with feed plants in ten countries. So far this year we have produced one million tonnes of salmon feed – enough for 2.9 billion salmon meals. We would like to thank our customers, the fish farmers who contribute to feeding millions. And thanks to all of you who dine on fish! www.skretting.com

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

FRESHWATER FOCUS

Lough Boderg.

Photos: G Mills

Hopes that inland cruising strategy will invigorate sector FÁILTE Ireland has joined forces with Waterways Ireland to address the steady decline in the boat hire sector, writes John Hearne. Once upon a time, the river Shannon more or less passed into German hands for the summer months. Tour busses booked by travel agents met tourists at the airports and

transferred them to Athlone, where a thriving boat hire sector operated well into the shoulder season. Tourism, however, has changed dramatically in the last five years. While the number of visitors to Ireland has increased by 9% since 2000, the inland cruising sector has seen a 20% decline. In the millennium year,

the number of boat weeks sold stood at 7,934; by 2005, it had fallen to 5,355. ‘‘What you’ve got to understand,’’ says Steve Conlon of the Irish Boat Rental Association (IBRA) ‘‘is the fundamental change that came very quickly and caught all the operators, and I think a lot of the people in the travel trade,

off guard. That was the move to the short breaks. People are taking more holidays but of shorter duration. Most of our business would traditionally have come from Germany, from travel agents, and travel agents have suffered in the move to online booking.’’ Fáilte Ireland’s new marketing strategy takes as its starting point the view that, despite the sector’s recent difficulties, Ireland’s inland waterways still offer the opportunity for ‘unparalleled visitor experiences’. It says: ‘Consumer research identifies a number of key drivers for destination selection including: a desire for more authentic experiences; the desire to relax, rejuvenate and belong; a search for locations that deliver ‘more than just a trip’ but deliver a memorable and quality-based experience. The inland cruising sector can credibly deliver these needs, but to do so must reposition itself so that it is seen to offer a ‘complete holiday experience’ designed to meet the needs of its targeted customer segments.’ While the raw materials may be there, responding to the changed market conditions that eroded the business in the first place is no easy task. ‘‘The challenge,’’ says Fáilte Ireland’s Siobhan Reynolds, ‘‘is about responding to changing customer needs; it’s about looking at flexibility and transfer patterns and the multitude of things around that.’’ Steve Conlon maintains the

Jamestown Canal.

sector has been facing up to these challenges. He points out that while boat hire weeks declined a further 4% last year, the number of visitors boating on the Shannon actually increased: ‘‘Really all (the new strategy) is doing is re-enforcing our strategy. We’re delighted that Fáilte Ireland has taken a renewed interest in this sector because we believe it’s very much under-utilised and undervalued. It’s a sector that does need developing, and it’s not just up to the six or eight boat operators out there to do that,’’ says Conlon. In addition to ongoing capital investment, the IBRA’s new website, www.boatholidaysireland.com, provides would-be tourists with the single portal that will be vital to the success of the sector. But, as Fáilte Ireland has pointed out, greater flexibility in hire times is as important. ‘‘It’s difficult for us,’’ says Conlon, ‘‘because there’s quite a lead time in turning a boat around. You need several hours to get it ready for the next one coming in; it also needs to be emptied, pumped out and obviously refilled with fuel, as well as cleaning and any maintenance that has to be done. So you’ve got very few hours between a boat being handed back to you and it going out again, and traditionally this was always done on a Saturday.’’ Infrastructure on the water-

ways is also an issue. While boat hire may have been in decline in the last seven years, boat buying has gone through the roof. Waterways Ireland estimates that thanks to our new-found wealth, some 1,000 new boats have been added to the country’s waterways in each of the last three years. Since the authority began its work, some five miles of new jetties have been built, including new service blocks at Garykennedy, Carrick-on-Shannon, Balinasloe and Boyle and new moorings at Portrunny and Kilglass In addition, the authority is in discussions with many of the local authorities to take over maintenance of essential ‘pump out’ stations along the waterways. Despite all of this, the sheer increase in traffic volumes has placed huge strain on the infrastructure, according to Conlon. ‘‘There are still huge problems on the Shannon in terms of overnight moorings. A lot of the new boats are taking up space that should be available for not just the hire boats but the cruising boats in general, so there’s a major problem. Waterways Ireland, in fairness, are doing their best to get over that; they’re putting a lot of money in, but it’s just followed on from years and years of neglect. But I think it’s a superb product. It needs a lot of investment — not only in new fleet but also in the infrastructure. Having said that, what’s there is good and what’s new is excellent.’’

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

COASTLINE NEWS

Oscar Wilde debut on French routes Report by Jehan Ashmore THE last day of November marked the maiden commercial voyage of Irish Ferries’ new luxury cruiser, Oscar Wilde, from Rosslare to Cherbourg. Coincidentally, the sailing occurred exactly 107 years to the day of the death of the Irish dramatist in Paris 1900. Measuring 31,122GT, Oscar Wilde, is the former Scandinavian overnight vessel, Kronprins Harald, which was purchased by Irish Continental Group for €45m for subsidiary Irish Ferries from Norwegian ferry operator, Color Line. Oscar Wilde replaces the 17,043GT Normandy that had

served on the French routes to Cherbourg and Roscoff since 1998. Passage times on these routes will take an hour less as Oscar Wilde has a faster service speed of 21.5 knots. Although Oscar Wilde is 20years-old, the Finnish-built vessel is five years younger than Normandy is in good condition. The ship underwent a €5m refit in Denmark where improvements were made to the facilities and cabins for the 1,458 passengers. * RIGHT: Oscar Wilde, loads vehicles at Rosslare Europort prior to her maiden commercial voyage to Cherbourg on November 30.

Photo: Jehan Ashmore, ShipSNAPS

RNLI launches SOS appeal

Heavy weight lobster returned to the sea

THE RNLI’s national fundraising day takes place on Friday 25 January. According to their fundraising manager, Anna Classon, the RNLI SOS is a day to show support for the ‘brave men and women who crew our lifeboats. We are encouraging people to raise money in any way they can’. Preliminary figures for June,

July and August show that 370 people were rescued by volunteer RNLI crews at the 43 lifeboat stations around the coast and inland. The lifeboats were launched 426 times during those three months. The busiest station was Arranmore in Co Donegal, launching 25 times, rescuing 21 people. Kilmore Quay in Co

Wexford rescued 49 people during 17 launches in the same period. The two inland RNLI stations at Dromineer and Enniskillen launched 18 times, rescuing 10 people. Fundraising packs are available free of charge by contacting 1800 789 589 or you can visit the website www.rnli.ie/sos

By John Rafferty A giant lobster weighing in at over 10lbs was landed at the Burtonport Fishermen’s Co-op in Co Donegal; the lobster was caught close to Arranmore Island by local fisherman Tony Boyle. The lobster has since been vnotched and released into the same area from where it was caught. The Co-op took the decision to release it as part of its v-notching scheme, which has been in operation since 1994. V-notching of lobsters is one of the most important and successful conservation measures for stocks. Over 16,000 locally-caught females have been notched and released to date by a scheme run by Údaras Na Gaeltachta through Taighde Mara, the Burtonport fishermen’s Co-op and the local lobster fishermen. V-notching is proving successful as it introduces fishermen to a ‘hands on’ approach to stock management, enhancement and eventual self-regulation of their own inshore areas. This particular v-notching scheme is set to continue in the northwest until 2011. Other v-notching schemes are also being administered through Údaras Na Gaeltachta in some Gaeltacht areas and by BIM’s inshore section staff around the coast, involving up to 30 co-ops and fishermen’s associations.

tel:1850 60 90 90 24:7 Confidential Emotional Support

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* Manus Gallagher, Burtonport harbour master, watches as Conor Reid applies the v-notch. Photo: J Rafferty

One-stop-shop for potting gear & chandlery AT the Irish Skipper Expo in Galway next March, Cavanagh Nets will be displaying its full of designs and sizes of pots for prawns, spider crab, lobster and crab, and top entry/side entry parlour pots in frames and the fully complete pot. Also on display will be a

range of netting; Polyform buoys in all sizes, and the range of Powerflex potting ropes, both leaded and unleaded. In the netting range will be trammel nets, bait nets, plaice nets, turbot nets, monk nets, skate nets and sole nets, which can be rigged to suit customer requirements. Gen-

eral chandlery on display will include a selection of knives, gloves, clothing, etc. The staff of Cavanagh Nets will be on Stand 41 to meet existing and potential new customers to discuss their needs and requirements for the 2008 season (also see page 19).

www.samaritans.ie jo@samaritans.org

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

COASTLINE NEWS

The few remaining skiffs still fishing Bullock Harbour, Dublin Bay

One of the last lobster fisherman using a skiff in Dublin Bay

Hobbling has turned to skiff racing in Dublin Bay January

CLINKER skiff type boats were once one of the most numerous type of working boats along the east coast; however in Dublin Bay today, their numbers still fishing are down to single figures. Most of the skiffs found along the east coast today are engaged in racing. In 1874, historian E.W. Holdsworth noted that ‘The smaller boats employed for the line-fishery are of the same style as the Norway yawl, sharp at both ends,’ writes Darina Tully. Skiff racing has its origins in the occupation of hobbling. Hobblers were freelance pilots, and competition was strong to be first to board the approaching ships. Not only did the successful hobbler get a payment to pilot the ships into

harbour, they might also be awarded the work of discharging the ship in the port. The skiffs worked between Lambay and Wicklow Head and they required considerable skill on behalf of the oarsmen. The long tradition of rowing is now carried on through the east coast rowing clubs that are based around the old Dublin pilot stations of Ringsend, East Wall, DunLaoghaire, Dalkey, Bray, Wicklow and Arklow. Organised by the East Coast Rowing Council each year, a summer schedule of regattas are held from Ringsend to Wicklow. The skiffs also take part in the ‘Celtic Challenge’, which is a bi-annual race of over 90 miles from Arklow to Aberystwyth in Wales, and other long distance races. The traditional

design is retained in the racing boats. Present day racing skiffs are twenty-five foot long, clinker built, double-enders. The east coast skiffs are part of the wider sport of coastal rowing and are affiliated to the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation. The ICRF is a very important organisation, fostering the sport of coastal rowing. More than 80 clubs are affiliated to the ICRF, mainly based in Cork, Kerry, Antrim, Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford. Each area races its own traditional boat, and they come together annually for the Irish coastal rowing championships where they now use an agreed one- design boat. Coastal rowing helps communities to maintain links with their maritime heritage.

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Two east coast skiffs at Ocean to City 2007.

Photos: D Tully

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

OUTSIDE IRELAND

Not quite in the can Peru’s customs say anchovies cannot be labelled as sardines By Brian O’Riordan, ICSF THE World Trade Organisation (WTO) has ruled that anchovies may be labelled as sardines, if tinned, in line with Codex Alimentarius labelling norms. Not so, say the Peruvian Customs Authorities, thus thwarting all attempts by local companies to capitalise on value-added export markets. Production Minister Rafael Rey, whose brief includes fisheries, has demanded that Peru’s economy ministry modify the certification of canned sardines for export, as a matter of urgency. Peruvian customs authorities insist that canned sardines produced from the species Engralius ringens (locally known as anchoveta) are classified for export under the tariff certification code N. 1604.19. This corresponds to ‘other (prepared and preserved) fish products’

instead of 1604.13, which corresponds to sardines. This effectively blocks entry to export markets, in contravention of the agreement reached between the Codex Alimentarius and the WTO. This allows canned sardines to be prepared from various species, including Engralius ringens (anchoveta). The request sent by the production ministry to the economy minister to modify the tariff code allowing the species Engralius ringens to be used for producing canned sardines for export is designed to enable Peru’s fish exporters to benefit from advantages on the international market. At the same time it is intended to reinforce Peru’s position, where the case for labelling these as ‘canned sardines’ has been successfully defended internationally.

Standard In 2002, the Appellate Body of

Peruvian anchovy vessels.

the WTO acknowledged that Codex Stan 94 was a ‘relevant international standard under Article 2.4 of the TBT Agreement. This standard allows preserved sardines or sardine-type products to be prepared from 21 fish species. But, up to now, the Peruvian customs authorities have refused to accept that anchoveta (Engralius ringens) can be exported when labelled as ‘canned sardine’. They insist that the label must tally with the export declaration form and the code used there. This identifies the product and refers to the origi-

Photo: ICSF nal contents (i.e. anchoveta), as demanded by the Harmonized System (of Tariffs). For them, this takes priority over all other agreements, including the WTO and Codex Alimentarius.

High export earner In recent years, anchoveta has comprised more than 90% of Peru’s six to 10 million tonnes fish catch, with 99% of the anchoveta catch being reduced to fishmeal and oil. In 2006, more than six million tonnes of anchoveta was landed in Peru, producing

around one million tonnes of fishmeal, and earning around €1,600m in exports. Booming fishmeal prices, and the relatively low prices paid for canned anchoveta, make modifying the tariff codes under which anchoveta can be exported a vital factor in the economic equation. This could stymie the upward trends displayed by the anchovy canning sector in recent years. Anchoveta landings for 2006 destined for canning reached 30,900 tonnes, an increase on 2005 of 107.9%. The value of canned anchoveta exports also

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

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Inshore Ireland has a circulation of 36,000 copies and a readership of145,500. It is also posted directly to key individuals in the marine sector and is available six times a year by subscription.

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rose by 512%, with a value of US$ 5.8 million. The customs office reported that between 1 January and 26 August 2007, 3,455.59 tonnes of canned anchovies worth $8.17 million were exported, while for the same period in 2006, 2,936.53 tonnes were sold, worth $6.02 million. Labelling anchoveta as sardines could, therefore, make all the difference between whether or not this highly nutritious fish goes to feed livestock and other fish, or is used for direct human consumption.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

MARINE R&D

Ireland should be responsible for charting its own waters Report by G Mills IN the opening address of a seminar hosted by the Nautical Institute of Ireland, chief executive Philip Wake said that as a sovereign state, Ireland should take responsibility for the safety of navigation around its own coasts, rather than relying on the resources of a neighbouring state. Charting of Irish Waters — Membership of the International Hydrographic Office (IHO), attracted over 70 delegates from Ireland and Britain who discussed the accuracy and currency of the nautical charts covering Irish waters. Captain Michael Purcell of the Marine Survey Office of the Department of Transport outlined plans for the establishment of a hydrographic office in Ireland (HOI) within the MSO, which will be staffed by one hydrographer who is set to be appointed shortly.

Captain Purcell added that the UK Hydrographic Office would continue to be responsible for producing Irish coastal charts and that the Irish office will primarily be a ‘point of contact’ for all hydrographic data being sent to the UKHO.

Inadequate law Addressing the issue of legal responsibility of a coastal state with regard to charting its own waters, Professor Clive Symmons, Trinity College, outlined the inadequate state of Irish law,

Main points agreed the need for a designated marine/maritime affairs department * the need for an Irish Oceans Act, Oceans Policy, action plan and cross cutting initiatives for governance and management of its seas. * the need for legislation empowering the HOI * the need for a clear and accurate definition of Irish baselines * the need to update all Irish coastal charts * the need for cross cutting initiatives within government departments and agencies to ensure the success of the HOI * the need for a timeframe and action plan for the HOI, otherwise the office will become inefficient and irrelevant * that the HOI will need a framework for funding, infrastructure and resources. *

and gave examples of how inadequate charting can leave a coastal state exposed to compensation claims following groundings and oil pollution incidents. Gary Delaney, GPS Ireland, briefed delegates on the need for proper datum legislation to be implemented, and outlined the potential inaccuracies that can be present when plotting a GPS position onto a nautical chart off the Irish coast. And he added that the Ordnance Survey of Ireland should be responsible for defining the low water mark on Irish coasts. ‘‘The definition of the low water mark (LWM) has been problematic for successive generations of marine professionals. Potential difficulties also exist for the law enforcement agencies in determining their jurisdiction at sea, particularly in areas where the LWM is poorly defined,’’ he said.

* Chart of these islands showing the basic leadline surveys in green with modern surveys in red. INFOMAR will be changing this situation in the years to come. Photo courtesy of the UKHO

‘Fleet size must match resource base’ THE Marine Institute has published the 2007 Stock Book, which details the latest scientific advice on the status of and future prospects for the marine fisheries resource. This advice forms the basis for EU proposals that will set the fishing opportunities for the Irish fleet in 2008. The Stock Book covers more than 80 stocks exploited by the Irish fleet, from snow crab off Greenland, to albacore tuna and mackerel in the north east Atlantic, to cod and hake from the waters around Ireland. Launching the Stock Book, Dr Peter Heffernan, chief executive of the Marine Institute said the book was an ‘‘import a n t r e f er e n c e to o l u se d throughout the year by scientists, managers, industry, and all those connected with the seafood industry’’. Scientists from the Marine Institute work with their international counterparts to assess the state of the fisheries resource and to produce scientific advice for managers. The forum used for this work is the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES). ‘‘Fish stocks are the bedrock on which the seafood industry is built and it is essential that we achieve a healthy and sustainable resource base if we are to

build a strong and vibrant seafood industry,’’ added Dr Heffernan.

Unsustainable fishing Dr Paul Connolly, director of fisheries science services with the MI said that many fish stocks are in a poor state and are subject to high levels of unsustainable fishing, ‘‘such as cod stocks west of Scotland and in the Irish Sea. The situation is compounded by poor recruitment of young fish’’. The news is not all bad, however. EU proposals are set to increase hake and Rockall haddock quotas and no reductions are proposed for the prawn fisheries in the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and Aran grounds. The Stock Book also addresses other issues including advisory reforms taking place at ICES; evolving EU policy to reduce discards and the start of industry-science partnership projects. ‘‘This is a challenging time for the Irish seafood industry, but a clear strategy for the future has been mapped out in the ‘Cawley’ report. A first big step is to match the resource base to the fleet, and a second is to ensure a healthy ecosystem. Now more than ever we all need to address these problems together,’’ he said.

* Dr Peter Heffernan, chief executive, Marine Institute, presents Stock Book 2007 to Mary Coughlan, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Photo: Andrew Downes

JOIN THE MARITIME ADVENTURE

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

MARINE R&D

Satellite tracking replaces wall charts when following the fleet By John Hearne THE IMDO has re-launched its popular schools initiative, ‘Follow the Fleet’. As the name suggests, it’s all about linking

primary school children with Irish ships as they ply their trade across the globe. Having first launched the initiative in the late 60s, it’s one of the longest running

programmes in Irish schools. ‘‘A lot of people would have come across ‘Follow the Fleet’ when they were in school,’’ IMDO director Glenn Murphy told Inshore Ireland.

‘‘It was based on a wall chart with a number of small ships that you would stick onto the chart. Every week you’d get a note from the master of the ship, whether it was the Irish

Oak or the Elm or the Ash, the master would tell you where he was, what he’d seen en route and what cargoes he was carrying.’’ Now of course, satellite tracking, online lesson plans specially tailored to the curriculum and dialogue with ships at sea have replaced paper maps and coloured pins in a webbased learning package.

Real-time data

Figure1: IWDDS web interface available at https://jetstream.gsi.ie/iwdds/index.html

Marine and geological data freely available on the internet Grainne O’Shea, GSI ON February 21, 2007, the government announced that open and free access to all of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources digital data would be made available over the internet by the end of 2007. At that point, The Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) had some Map Viewers up and running; these included: * a General GSI webmapping viewer: http://www.gsi.ie/Mapping.htm, * an INFOMAR (INtegrated mapping FOr the sustainable development of Ireland’s MArine Resource) specific webmapping viewer http:// 193.178.1.182/website/INFOMAR/viewer.htm * pre-zipped shape files of data available for direct download via http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/ Spatial+Data/Geological+Survey+of+Ireland/GSI+Spatial+Data+Dowloads.htm. In addition, metadata (information about how the data was created etc) was available on http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/Spatial+Data/Metadata.htm, http:// www.marinedataonline.ie and http://www.isde.ie The Marine Institute also has a range of web map data available via their web site: http://www.marine.ie/home/ publicationsdata/data/WebMapServices/ All of these sites allow the public to visualise and explore

GSI’s data. It is possible to navigate to your area of interest, select information, query the data, generate site specific reports and print maps. None of these sites however provided facilities for the public to browse a catalogue of all the available data and to then pull their own raw data selections onto their own machines.

Web interface The INFOMAR team set about creating just such a web interface. The result is the Interactive Web Data Delivery System (IWDDS), which was developed by Intrepid Geophysics of Australia. The site contains a very basic map covering the entire Irish land and sea area. A user can choose their area of interest by coordinate map extent, or by map number if they already know the area well, or by drawing a map-extent box on the map. When a user is happy with their selected area, they then proceeding to the download the page. The user then selects a data type (vector, gridded or report), a region (onshore or offshore) and a theme (bathymetry, bedrock etc). Depending on the user’s chosen criteria and area of interest, the system then returns a listing of all of the data it contains of that type within that area. The user can browse through and preview this listing. After making selections for

parts or all of the data listed, a user submits their data request. The request gets queued for action by the system. When the request has been acted upon and completed by the system, the IWDDS then emails the user who made the request, giving them a secure FTP link to download the data.

Phase two The IWDDS went live on June 1 2007 with this initial basic functionality. Since then, the development team has been working on phase two of the development, namely, to enhance the functionality with features such as the creation of a super grid, end-user map creation and end user on the fly gridding of the XYZ datasets. All the bathymetry data, plus an onshore digital terrain model will be gridded to create a super grid. This super grid can then be easily clipped to the user’s area of interest. Regarding the end-user map creation on the fly, the aim is to allow the user to create simple maps with scale, title bar and the choice of colour-shaded images, contours or flight/cruise survey pathlines. On the fly gridding of any field in one or more data, surveys will also be available. Another task that the development team is tackling is the creation of a direct link from the webmapping sites to the IWDDS download page. The

IWDDS home page contains a very basic map that allows the user to select their area of interest.

Data visualisation The webmapping sites provide the user with enhanced data visualisation and query tools. Obviously the better the visualisation the better informed the user will be (e.g. density of data points in an area; location of tracklines within an overall survey polygon etc). The link will allow the user to select their area of interest using the GSI’s webmapping site and it will then bypass the IWDDS site’s home page and bring the user directly to the download page. It is envisaged that this added functionality will be available on the system before the end of 2007. Currently, 2Tb of INFOMAR data covering Ireland both onshore and offshore acquired at a cost of over €50m is available free to download. As more data is acquired in the Irish offshore in waters less than 200m deep, it will also be made available via the same system. More than 2,800 individual data downloads were made from the system in the first two months of operation. To our knowledge, this system is one of only a very small group of systems available throughout the world where free web access to a data-store of this extent is available.

Developed by the IMDO, this 21st century version of the programme allows pupils to follow the course of Irish commercial vessels as well as the Marine Institute’s two research ships via desktop computers, animated graphics and real-time data streams. Built around the website: www.followthefleet.ie, Glenn Murphy explains that additional resources are made available to teachers to allow classes to get the most from the initiative: ‘‘Students can log on, follow a ship via the web and track its route. There are a number of lesson plans the teacher can use to support teaching in the classroom that are based around geography, science, history and maths. The crew on board send a regular missive via email into the ‘Follow the Fleet’ postbox and as before, they’ll say what cargoes they’re carrying, what the weather conditions are like at sea and which ports they visited that week.’’ Aimed at students between seven and nine years old, the

programme is designed to complement the Scientific, Environmental and Social Education (SESE) curriculum set out in the primary education syllabus. ‘Follow The Fleet 2007’ also creates interest in the classroom by allowing pupils to ‘adopt’ a merchant ship and to follow it through its voyages on trade routes around the globe.’’ According to Glen Murphy, about 20 schools around the country have trialled the website. As the programme is opened out to the rest of the country, everyone is optimistic that the positive experience of the trial will be replicated on a wider scale. ‘‘It’s been very positive. We’ve gone from a very simple prototype to something that’s more user-friendly in the classroom. Whereas the original site was probably too technical — it was more based around the web technology — the new one is much more interesting and interactive for the children.’’

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

MARINE R&D

Deepsea coral off the west coast of Ireland.

Photo: IFREMER

Commission acts to protect deep water corals off Irish coast THE European Commission has adopted an Irish proposal for measures to protect coral reefs, which will see a ban on fishing with both active and

passive gears in four areas of the Atlantic coast. The areas concerned are: Belgica Mound, the Holyand Mound and the Northwest and

Southwest Porcupine. Together, they cover a total area of approximately 2,500km2. Ireland has already put forward proposals to have all of

Consultation on social legislation in maritime professions A six-week consultation process involving workers’ and employers’ representatives aims to assess whether there is a need for specific regulations for the seafaring profession within EU social legislation. The maritime sector is currently excluded from certain aspects of EU labour and social legislation. Launching the initiative, EU Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs Vladimı́r Špidla said that jobs in the maritime sector should be of the same standard as in other sectors. ‘‘This includes working conditions and social protection. At the same time, the EU has to contribute to consolidating a global level playing field for the maritime sector. This is especially important if the latter wants to attract young, highly skilled professionals. The views of workers and employers in the

re-assessment of any labour and social legislation are essential for any such discussions.’’ The consultation is based on an analysis of existing social legislation governing the maritime professions. ‘Re-assessing the regulatory social framework for more and better seafaring jobs in the EU’, invites the social partners to identify the aspects of EU legislation that should be extended or adapted to include maritime professions. They are also asked for their views on improving the social security protection of workers in seagoing profession, and improving health and safety on board, in particular on small fishing vessels. The Commission’s analysis includes the extensive body of international conventions and standards that already exist, and identifies derogations affecting workers in maritime

professions, and the problems raised by the practical application and interpretation of such legislation. These relate mainly to laws on working conditions (for example, the European Works Council Directive; Directive on Information and Consultation of workers collective redundancies and the Directive on the protection of employees in the case of insolvency) and health and safety at work (for example, minimum health and safety requirements for the workplace, minimum health and safety requirements for medical treatment on board vessels). The Commission is now examining the results of the consultation. If it considers that there is a need to introduce legislation in this area, it will consult the social partners on a legislative proposal.

these areas included in the EU’s network of protected nature areas, the Natura 2000 network, established under the Habitats Directive. Since this procedure will take some time to establish permanent protection, the Irish Government asked the Commission to act immediately to prevent further damage due to fishing in this area. The location of the coral reefs has been identified and

mapped through a number of scientific research efforts, including by an ad hoc group of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). On the basis of the scientific evidence, the Commission considers that there is a good case for taking all necessary steps to prevent further damage to these ecosystems before permanent protection measures can be put in place. To this end, the Commission

proposes provisional measures immediately prohibiting all fishing in those areas under the Common Fisheries Policy. The proposal has been made as part of a regulation proposing a series of mainly minor amendments to EU fisheries legislation. ICES: Report of the Ad Hoc Working Group for Western Irish Natura Sites, 21 June 2007: http://www.ices.dk/reports/ACE/2007/AGWINS07.pdf

Students from Letterfrack National School were among the 300 visitors who recently attended the annual schools’ open day on the national research vessel Celtic Explorer, in Galway. As part of the continuing Galway Explorers collaborative education programme, students were shown the importance of the marine environment, industries and technology in Ireland. Photo: Andrew Downes *

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

SHIPPING SPOTLIGHT

Ireland raises its profile in global shipping finance market In 2003, the global ship financing market was worth about $36bn per annum. Three years later, that figure had jumped by a factor of more than six, to $236bn. The reason? China. John Hearne reports ‘‘CHINA is the underlying powerhouse that’s driving all the growth at present,’’ Glenn Murphy, director of the IMDO told Inshore Ireland. ‘‘Since China entered the World Trade Organisation in 2001, it has opened up its doors for imports and exports. From that time, the Chinese economy has gone into major overdrive. They’re sucking in a huge amount of raw materials, and that, in itself, places a strong demand on the dry bulk container market.’’

Emerging economies In addition, emerging economies in South America and in India are importing much larger quantities of ores and coals to supply their growing manufacturing bases. And because globalisation has driven manufacturing into low cost centres further and further from their ultimate market, the distance these finished goods have to travel has never been greater. It all adds up to a need for more and bigger ships travelling further than ever before. ‘‘The container trade from Asia into Europe and Asia into North America is running at 110% capacity. In other words, they’re short-shipping 10% of everything. And these are big ships, they’re 10 and 12,000 TEU vessels — big container vessels, all full coming into Europe. It’s this underlying trend that’s driving the demand for ships and so for financing,’’ Murphy says. The good news, from an Irish perspective, is that Dublin is well placed to become a centre for the financing that underwrites this explosion in shipping activity.

Full steam ahead From a standing start in 2002, Bank of Ireland, AIB, IIB, Ulster Bank, Fortis and BNPP are all now active in this market, managing a portfolio of shipping assets that the IMDO estimates at ove r $2.5bn. Bank of Ireland alone manages a portfolio running to some $1.5bn.

Future for shipping THE IMDO reports that most shipping economists are predicting continued strong demand patterns over the next 15-20 years, which are boosted by continued global merchandise and manufacturing trades. Currently the volume of global trade is around 7.1 billion tons. This figure is expected to double by 2015. All this growth will require more ships, which will require more funds, which require structured locations to prepare and execute these trades.

It may be only a tiny fraction of the global $236bn turned over last year, but it’s enough to put Ireland at number 14 in the international ship finance and maritime commerce top twenty. Moreover, based on current indicators, the IMDO estimates that this figure could reach $15bn within the next three years: ‘‘We’ve carved out a significant niche in a very short period of time. We’ve gone from 0 to about $3bn in five years, so we’re being taken seriously as a participant. The big Irish banks are driving the campaign overseas: the Bank of Ireland, AIB and Ulster Bank are really in there now. They had taken syndicated participation but now they’re actually starting to be the lead arrangers for some of the big deals. That alone puts Ireland in a different place. We’ve got more visibility on the block,’’ he says. The reasons are manifold. There are the same conditions that facilitated much of the growth of the financial services sector through the 90s: Euro membership; the English language, the legal system’s common law basis and the geographic location that allows us to bridge time zones.

Location Location has been a particular advantage in the development of the shipping finance sector because its European ship owners that are driving the purchasing spree. Some 38% of all new vessels purchased in 2006 were bought in Europe. More particularly however, our recent success and the potential it implies stem from our experience with aeroplanes. ‘‘Ireland has always had a track record in mobile asset finance,’’ says Murphy. ‘‘It’s been the number one centre for the last 15 years in aviation finance and principally, the underlying characteristics of the deal are the same.’’ In addition to deal and contract similarities, the shipping and aviation sectors have other elements in common: ‘‘The banks that come into this business know that these industries can be marked by very long periods of downturn, so they come in with their eyes open. They understand that the markets have a tendency to swing, so the banks that do come in come for the longterm.’’ Of the banks that have moved into the sector thus far, all have deep roots in aviation finance. ‘‘It’s principally the tax, the legal and the finance structuring entities based here that have seen the opportunities in the market because they’re the ones who are skilled in structuring the other deals.’’ CSO data confirm Ireland’s emergence onto the global ship-

* Rory Maguire, IMDO; Jim Healy, KPMG; Glen Murphy, IMDO; Helen Noble, Mason, Hayes & Curran; Paul Packard, BoI, at the Marine Money Dublin Ship Finance & Investment Forum

ping finance stage. Although we were a net importer of commercial ship services in 2001, we are now a net exporter, providing a highly significant source of invisible earnings for the exchequer. Centres in London and Singapore contribute more than $2.2 billion per annum in overseas earnings from shipping commerce activity.

Secruitisation deals Within the sector, Ireland is developing a niche in the structured finance market, offering leasing arrangements that were not generally available heretofore. Traditionally, most owners financed their vessels through simple debt/mortgage arrangements, typically at a debt ratio of around 70%, with the loan subsequently repaid based on the vessel’s charter earnings. More complex structured finance deals are now being arranged in Dublin. Securitisation — a process in which assets are acquired and offered as collateral for third party investment — is becoming more popular. Single securitisation deals are now being structured at an average value of $600m. To promote understanding of these new opportunities for Irish investors, the Marine Money Dublin Ship Finance & Investment Forum was held in Dublin in October: ‘‘This is the first time we’ve had a ship finance conference in Dublin. We had about 130 participants, drawn from all aspects of the ship financing sector. We had bankers, legal and tax people and fund managers’ we also had stock brokers and interested investors. It was a real mix right across the board. If we had tried to run this conference four years ago, it would probably have been just ourselves in the room.’’

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

SEAFOOD MARKETING

Southeast seafood producer scoops prestigious award WEXFORD-BASED seafood processing company, Sofrimar, has been named as the ‘Seafood Exporter of 2007’ for its consistent growth and innovative product development. Based in Kilmore Quay, the Irish-owned seafood business commenced operations in 1979 and currently employs more than 70 people. Its seafood product range includes scallop, lobster, monkfish, and whelks, which it sells to its primary markets of France, Spain, Italy and South Korea. Sofrimar attributes its success to staff dedication, relationship with its buyers and the high quality of its produce. Speaking at the event, Leslie Bates, chairman and managing director said that the company has continued to innovate and

invest in best available technologies: ‘‘This award is evidence of the value we have placed on delivering premium Irish products to satisfy our overseas customers’ needs through firstclass marketing.’’ Congratulating Sofrimar, Jason Whooley, BIM chief executive said that the company was a good example of an exceptional Irish seafood company: ‘‘Sofrimar has firmly established itself as a world-class supplier of top quality products and their passion for what they do is beyond question. BIM has worked closely with the company on various activities, most recently being a major project to develop its brand’’.

* Micheál Martin, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment (second from right) with (from left): Lorcan Bardon and Leslie Bates, Sofrimar, and Jason Whooley, CEO, BIM.

Seafood diet confirmed as fast-track to good health

By Donal Maguire, WSC moderator THE big message that came from the World Seafood Congress, held in Dublin in September, was a simple one: we need to eat more seafood! All sectors of the population — pregnant woman, children, adults and old folk — we all need to be eating more seafood for the good of our health. The startling thing about this message, from the world’s leading experts, was the urgency with which we need to bring this change about. The western world is succumbing to a tidal wave of dietrelated illnesses. The facts are clear and stark. The first phase of that crisis is already upon us and is manifesting itself in the form of obesity-related disorders, such as diabetes and cardio-vascular disease. We are seeing the emergence of a generation of children who may well die before their parents because of what they are being fed.

Health time bomb Even more serious, but harder to detect, is the related upsurge in mental illnesses, such as depression, that are already soaking up more than 25% of the total EU health budget, costing hundreds of billions of Euros to treat each year. That cost is rising sharply, and it does not capture the much greater underlying cost of lost productivity and the impact on the lives of those affected and their families. Ultimately this threat will dwarf obesity as a problem and it has the potential to cripple our societies. A diet rich in seafood has been shown to combat these scourges, but unfortunately that is not what we are choosing to eat. Here in Ireland, for example, only 25% of the population eat seafood regularly (twice a week). In Britain, the picture is similar; a recent survey showed that 75% of the population was eating no Omega-3 rich seafood at all. These facts are very significant because of the double benefit that choosing seafood

represents, which we tend to overlook. We can see the evidence that seafood is actively good for us, but we forget that in making a seafood choice we are also not eating a form of food that is bad for us. Eating seafood does you good, and not eating the saturated fat option that you might have had instead also does you a lot of good. It’s a double benefit. All of the top experts in brain chemistry, child nutrition, and diet for health agreed at the World Seafood Congress that increasing seafood consumption was the best option to combat the obesegenic lifestyle currently overwhelming our society. So, if it’s so clear that increased seafood consumption is crucial, why are we not acting on this information and changing our lifestyles?

Confusing messages That is a complex question with a number of layers to it. First of all, from a consumer perspective, it’s not all that clear that seafood is so good for you. Confusing messages abound.

Things like mercury, PCBs and dioxins crop up in the media and frighten people off. In its recent newsletter, the Food Safety Authority was clear on this subject when it said that the benefits of seafood consumption far outweighed any of the negative factors. This very important information needs to be taken on-board by the health professionals, like GPs, dieticians and community nurses to whom people look for advice. Secondly, seafood can have barriers for consumers, it is sometimes seen as expensive, scarce, and difficult to cook or handle. These perceptual difficulties need to be overcome by the seafood sector. We need to make it easier for Irish consumers to choose fish by making it available in a greater variety of offerings that are convenient and seen as reasonable value for money. Thirdly we need a greater supply that is sourced in a sustainable way. That means aquaculture, or more simply fish farming. I will expand on this theme in the next edition of Inshore Ireland.

Mackerel: rich in Omega-3

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

SEAFOOD MARKETING

IASC members build relations with Grimsby Institute IN response to members’ interest in developing relationships with Grimsby Institute, IASC arranged a trip to the region in November Over the two-day visit, members were given an overview of the Institute’s Strategic Management Development Programme currently running with Enterprise Ireland and workshops on ‘lean refrigeration’, involving the ‘Cells Alive System (CAS)’ and best practice in traceability.

Presentations were arranged by the Grimsby Fish Merchants Association and Young’s Bluecrest, which allowed the members to gain an insight into their growing awareness of conservation and sustainability issues in the market. Visits were arranged to the Grimsby Fish Auction and to key processing companies who are leaders in supplying both the retail and food service market.

* IASC members on a visit to Grimsby Institute: Lynton Perry, Grimsby Institute; Iggy Rodriguez, Rene Cusacks; Limerick; Darren Rogerson, Ocean Marine, Dublin; Michael O’Donnell, Island Seafood, Donegal; Martina Clarke, IASC; Bill O’Meara, Kish Fish, Dublin; Mick O’Donnell, Island Seafood, Donegal; Tony McGrath, McGrath Fish, Mayo; Colman Keohane, Central Fish Market, Cork

Association calls for greater conservation measures AT their first meeting with fisheries ministers Mary Coughlan TD and John Browne TD, representatives from the Irish Association of Seafood Companies (IASC) raised concerns over the level of fish discarding while, at the same time, processors were heavily

reliant on imports. IASC also highlighted proposals on mesh sizes and the role of BIM supporting measures for fishermen to reduce discards and to make fishing gear more environmentally friendly. The representatives also ex-

plained their role in actively working with their membership on compliance with the sales notes regime, and expressed the many difficulties that members were facing. Ministers Coughlan and Browne agreed to prioritise a supporting measure through

FETAC quality assurance approval secured THE national awarding body for further education in Ireland, FETAC, has approved IASC for its quality assurance application, enabling the Association to continue offering training programmes that lead to FETAC awards. As an approved FETAC

provider, IASC will continue to offer modules leading to FETAC accredited certificates allowing participants to gain national recognition for their achievements. ‘‘ F E TA C c e r t i f i c a t i o n drives national standards for learning and training in the

workplace across all sectors. This approval allows us to continue to build on our initial steps of life-long learning in the seafood trade, and to raise standards in the industry,’’ commented Martina Clarke, IASC Skillnet programme manager.

BIM for investment in hardware and to update existing software packages. IASC also raised its role on the Implementation Committee of the Cawley Report, and its desire to be involved in established and existing committees within the Department. IASC was advised that the role of the Whitefish Quota Management Group was currently devolving to the Cawley Committee and that the consultative committee of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority would be reviewed shortly and that IASC would be considered favourably. It was agreed however to nominate IASC to the Sea Fisheries Liaison Group before the end of the year.

€2m grant aid to enhance product quality EIGHT seafood processing companies in counties Donegal, Wexford, Cork, Mayo and Limerick have been approved grant aid assistance of €518,388 under the latest round of the Seafood Processing Development Programme. The announcement brings the total grant aid approved under the Programme to €8.2m, representing an overall investment in the seafood sector of €35.8m since 2000 in respect of 51 companies. John Browne TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said he attached ‘‘great importance’’ to the development of the seafood processing sector. ‘‘Continued development will underpin economic activity in rural economies where alternative opportunities for employment are limited. Investment in innovative and progressive seafood processing companies compliments other economic activities such as farming and tourism’’ The latest projects are aimed at development in production, enhanced product quality, technical innovation, optimum use of raw material and improving international competitiveness. The projects were assessed by The Processing Investment Projects Approvals Board (PIPAB), which includes representatives from BIM, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Enterprise Ireland, The Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly and The Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly.

County

Applicant

Grant Amount € Total Investment € Purpose

Donegal

Bradán Proiseal Teo Leemar Seafoods Ltd

118,838

475,351

39,575

158,300

Cork

Fastnet Mussels Ltd

46,925

187,700

Cork/Mayo

William Car & Sons Ltd

35,250

141,000

Cork

Good Fish Processing (Carrigaline) Ltd

114,750

459,000

Mayo

Connemara Seafoods Frozen Ltd

75,000

300,000

Wexford

Sofrimar Ltd

25,000

100,000

Limerick

Rene Cusack Ltd

63,000

252,000

518,338

2,073,351

TOTAL

Improve intaking of fish - grading machine into the processing plant Investment in plant to facilitate cooking and packaging of shellfish produce to add value to existing output Investment in machinery to increase efficiency and address customer requirements. New cooking facilities with state-of-the-art chilling, cooking and pasteurisation line for shellfish Plant and equipment to cater for increase in demand for a range of value added breaded products Install upgraded facilities to maximise the use of and capacity of a production line for mussels The purchase and commissioning of a complete shrimp processing line Develop new value added range of products and increase production capacity

New market and business development manager for BIM WITH over 27 years in the food industry, Donal Buckley brings considerable experience to the post. He has a background in international assignments, having worked on commercial, business

development and marketing projects in Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Trinidad and Russia. He graduated from UCC with a B.Sc. Dairy & Food Science and an Executive MBA from IMI/Fordham University.

IASC Conference & Trade Show 2008 16 and 17 February, Enfield, Co Meath THE Irish Association of Seafood Companies (IASC) is the national development association representing the independent processors and retailers supplying the Irish market. The IASC Conference & Trade Show 2008 will take place in the Marriott Johnstown House Hotel & Spa, Enfield, Co Meath on Saturday & Sunday 16 and 17 February 2008. The IASC Conference & Trade Show is the key event in the Association’s calendar. It is an opportunity for seafood processors and retailers

to catch up on what’s new in the industry and to network with fellow members from around the country. Equally, it is an opportunity for those who sell to and support the trade, and to renew acquaintances with customers, old and new, and to do business on the day of the show and afterwards. Interested in joining IASC or exhibiting at the IASC Trade Show? Please contact Martina Clarke on 042 9386977 or check out www.iasc.ie

INSHORE IRELAND December 2007

BIM and Irish Aquaculture

Harvesting the Best!

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

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

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

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

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

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