Inshore Ireland Vol 4 nr 2 April 2008 by Inshore Ireland Publishing

Bimonthly

incorporating

News from the coast and inland waterways

Aquaculture Ireland

Salmon compensation

Interview

Shipping Spotlight

The final package Page 7

Architect of marine food R&D Page 8

Maritime festival centrepiece Page 27

April 2008 Vol 4 Issue 2

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

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

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

10-11 16-17 18-22 28-29

Decommissioning: last chance Report by Gillian Mills AS the closing date for application to the whitefish decommissioning scheme approaches (April 30), the agency charged with administering the scheme is confident that the target to permanently withdraw 11,140 gross tonnes (GTs) from the polyvalent and beam trawl segments will be reached. Speaking to Inshore Ireland, Michael Keatinge, fleet development manager with BIM, believes the alternative to decommissioning would see market forces driving operators out of business and that ultimately a new equilibrium would emerge: ‘‘That may not be the best solution for the Irish fishing industry. Decommissioning offers the possibility of managing change in an organised way,’’ he says. Keatinge points to the Scottish fishing industry which has already embraced change: ‘‘Their industry is now operating in a much more stable environment, and although it also faces mounting fuel bills and other similar problems, because they tackled the economic fundamentals, they are in a much stronger position today.’’

The package Government has made available €58m to decommission a total of 11,140 GTs of capacity from vessels 18 metres or more in length. The scheme comprises two elements: a basic payment of €1,000 per GT, plus €2,500 per GT for those with tradable or transferable tonnage and a pelagic premium of €1,000 per GT for vessels over 65 feet who decommission a vessel licensed without a ‘mackerel and herring preclusion’ The second element is deter-

Queries

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mined by the amount of quota historically caught by each vessel: ‘‘But as every fisherman knows, a tonne of whiting is not worth the same as a tonne of monk; therefore all catch has been standardised using a conversion factor based on price,’’ he explains. Non quota species have also been included but only with a very low weighting. ‘‘So, it is those owners with greater historical catches of specified stocks who will re-

ceive more than the average of €5,200 per GT. Keatinge believes these conditions are fair: ‘‘If instead the scheme was run on a simple ‘even split’ of the pot, owners with good historical catches of specified stocks would not be rewarded. Instead everyone would be offered €5,200 per GT and many would have to settle for less than currently on offer in the scheme in order to make more money available to owners with poor historical catches. Ultimately it is a zero sum game:

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11,140 GTs and €58 million!’’

Equality for all As to whether bigger boats are at a disadvantage, he believes the scheme is fair and equitable to all applicants: Clearly in respect to the tonnage payment, the ‘constant’ rate for all is a considerable change from previous schemes and gives an advantage rather than a disadvantage to bigger boats. As for historical catch, is it designed to reward vessels with greater historical catches,

regardless of size? ‘‘No. Everyone who brings a boat into the whitefish fleet knows the quota management rules. To change the rules to selectively allow non-quota species historically caught by a larger vessel count for more would undermine the fundamental principles of the scheme, and would mean other owners would have to meet the cost of this by taking smaller payments themselves,’’ he says.

INSHORE Ireland put the following queries to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: II:In the event that the scheme is under subscribed and the target 11,140 GTs is not reached by vessels above 18m, will the scheme be opened to vessels under 18m in order to achieve the ultimate goal of reducing effort in the polyvalent and beam trawl segments? II:If the target is not reached and the above scenario is not permitted, what will be the situation? REPLY FROM DAFF: BIM is administering the current scheme as it stands. The Cawley report prioritised vessels over 18 metres for decommissioning and set down the target capacity to be removed from the fleet (11,140 GT). The Cawley report also notes that a specific economic or social impact analyses should be carried out in relation to vessels under 18 metres to determine the eligibility, urgency, scope and cost of carrying out a targeted decommissioning scheme for such vessels. Such a scheme would be additional to the target set down for over 18 metre vessels. * To page 2

* To page 2

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INSHORE IRELAND April 2008

* Castletownbere. If total decommissiong target is reached, the whitefish fleet of vessels over 18m will be reduced by one-third. * from page 1 Industry opinion Speaking to

Inshore Ireland, the

Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF), comprising the four fishermen's producer organisations, said it was ``urging'' fishermen who have an interest to apply before

the

deadline

the

``substantially increased'' rates of

decommissioning

the

``FIF fought long and hard

age available, FIF was acutely

meters

for a decommissioning scheme

aware that certain owners were

said.

the

deeply disappointed at the rates

Mr Walsh emphasised it was

commissioning is the only op-

that would apply to their in-

a ``sad day'' that Ireland has to

tion available under the current

fought for a substantially larger

dividual circumstances due to

decommission a large part of its

European fisheries management

budget and had substantial in-

the way payments are to be

fleet in order to remain viable

system.

put to getting rates increased

calculated.

but noted that other countries

``It remains to be seen what

essential

strategy

for

the

part

industry.

will

not

Photo: The Irish Skipper

change,''

quota in the short-term is an unlikely

proposition

then

de-

have already gone down this

the level of applications will be

the chairman Michael Walsh.

``actively pursuing'' the exten-

road

and of course final decisions

sion of decommissioning to the

industries around.

Disappointment

under 18 metre sector, which it

and tax concessions,'' remarked

``The

scheme would not be available

indefinitely:

efforts to secure the best pack-

that

organisation

despite

also

and

have

turned

their

will only have to be taken by

``Given that an increase in

applicants later in the year.''

deems is essential.)

inevitable added

(The

best

decided BIM

payment by

and

the

rates

are

Minister

and

financial

para-

decommissioning scheme may relieve some financial

for the restructuring, sustainability and profitability of the Irish fishing industry 2007-2013. ``The chairman Dr Noel Cawley, Ruan O'Bric and I gave a lot of time, thought and sympathy to this particular issue but could find no enabling mechanism (such as a redundancy payment)

that

would

allow

deck

hands

compensation for their retirement,'' he told

direct

financial

Inshore Ireland.

incur charges if the decommissioning payment exceeds

only

tonnage.

have

The

been

balancing

charge, which cannot exceed capital allowances previously claimed, will be spread over five the

years, year

commencing

payment

was

in re-

ceived and will be subject to marginal rate of tax of 46.5% Decommissioning ments

that

exceed

pay-

the

in-

dexed cost of the vessel will be subject to capital gains tax of 20%. Certain costs, such as scrappage, may be considered a deductible cost when

Self employed

computing CGT but not the

Mr Murrin added he was ``in no doubt whatsoever'' that the

costs associated with transfer

legal decision taken many years ago that defined deck hands as

to a yard.

self

employed

people

was

centrally

blame

for

Conditions considered for

many

relief include:

fisherman having to walk away empty handed: ``This was a serious miscarriage of justice. After this, I could never understand how a self employed deckhand who failed to turn up for work could be sacked by the skipper,'' said. ``I know that Minister Coughlin is sympathetic to the plight of these fishermen and has allocated part of the decommissioning money for training. I am not sure however that the powers that be will have the same sympathy and could possibly find 100 different reasons why these men cannot get direct financial compensation.'' A programme of retraining may be fine for fishermen of a certain age ``but to propose retraining to a man who has given

The brochure can also be downloaded from the BIM website at www.bim.ie

pre-

claimed on vessels and not

review group appointed by Government to formulate a strategy

Tel: 01/2144232, 01/2144244, 01/2144245 . Fax 01/ 2300564. or E-Mail ﬁsheries@bim.ie, or by contacting your local BIM Area or Inshore Ofﬁcer

have

allowances on vessels may

should

So says Joey Murrin, who was part of the three-person

An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Fleet Development Section PO Box 12, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin

who

viously claimed some capital

financial compensation

have given the best part of their lives to skipper/owners.

Full details of this scheme can be found in the brochure “2008 Decommissioning Scheme” which can be obtained by contacting;

fishermen

the vessel. Capital allowances

debt free but will do little or nothing to help deck-hands who

Vessel owners intending to apply under the recently announced decommissioning scheme are reminded that the closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday 30th April 2008.

For the purposes of taxation,

the tax written down value of

pressure for many skipper/owners and allow them to walk away

A scheme to permanently withdraw capacity from the Whiteﬁsh sector of the Irish Fishing Fleet

outlined

Murrin calls for direct THE

2008 DECOMMISSIONING SCHEME.

Taxation

nearly 15-20 years of his life to a skipper/owner would be an insult to his dignity at this stage of his life,'' he added. Mr Murrin has written to Minister Coughlin requesting that she sympathetically re-examine the possibility of setting up some kind of `special scheme' with enabling legislation that

loss/destruction

asset

and a capital sum is received as compensation

compensation

acquiring ment

applied

another the

replace-

destroyed/lost

asset

a claim is made

by an

owner that the consideration received for the old asset is an amount that will give rise to no gain or loss, and

the acquisition cost of the

new asset is reduced by the excess of the compensation received

over

the

original

cost of the old asset

would allow fishermen with a long and dedicated track record

to walk away with some form of financial compensation for

duals of 45 years and older

their retirement.

on payments up to 750,000

retirement relief to indivi-

relief will not apply to a

`wasting asset' (i.e. predict-

* from page 1

able

Queries to the Department

lue

life not

exceeding 50

years). When considering the va-

DAFF REPLY continued:

important

that

any

decommissioning is targeted to take account of the overall strategy to achieve a balance between available resources and the fishing fleet. The decommissioning of under 18m vessels over and above that envisaged in the Cawley report to replace a possible shortfall in the current scheme which targets the larger vessels would have to be very carefully considered as it would not be in accordance with the future fleet profile envisaged in the Cawley report.

boat,

the

current

market value will apply at the time of decommissioning. Speaking

seminar

outline the tax implications, Joe McGovern of the Revenue

Commissioners

advised

individuals to seek personal advice as the market value could be open to interpretation.

Full

details

www.revenue.ie

from

INSHORE IRELAND

Fishing issues outlined to Oireachtas Committee Report by Gillian Mills

THE Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF), which comprises of Producer Organisations (KFO, IS&WFPO, IS&EFPO, IFPO), continues to develop its umbrella role working on behalf of fishermen across the entire range of major issues affecting the sector. According to its chairman, Michael Walsh, while results might appear frustratingly slow, ``this co-operation and often under-appreciated hard graft is proving extremely effective in putting forward a coherent message, rather than the fragmentation of before, as exemplified by the recent FIF meeting with the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food''. The FIF delegation tabled a number of key issues with the Committee that it has been pursuing with the Minister and the Department, including: * The establishment of a working group to examine the vital issue of administrative sanctions for minor fishery offences, and reform of the `infamous' 2006 fisheries legislation. * The negative effect of record fuel prices. and the need for a task force to address the short-, mediumand long-term options.

* Third-country imports and

the urgent need to introduce a labelling system that will enable consumers to distinguish between high quality Irish fish and imported product. ``We need to review the entire marketing issue and will be holding a fish awareness day in various ports during the summer to promote Irish fish and fishermen,'' Michael Walsh said. ``I am confident that FIF members will strongly support the idea.''

SFPA concern

The FIF also highlighted ongoing deep concern regarding some operational aspects of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) Ă? in particular, the consistently negative presentation of the industry, elements of its strategy and its ``one-dimensional approach''. ``The FIF wishes to work with the SFPA in the overall interests of good management on an even basis, rather than it wielding a big stick against the Irish industry,'' Walsh said. The FIF chairman noted especially the ``keen interest'' expressed by the all-party Committee that it would take up all the issues raised on behalf of the industry. Further information on FIF activities is available from their website, www.fif.ie.

April 2008

Conservation and monitoring central tenet of fisheries protection agency Report by Gillian Mills

AT the opening of the SeaFisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) headquarters in Clonakilty, Co Cork, last month, chairman Peter Whelan said that the Authority's goal was to ensure the existence of a sustainable, profitable fishing industry and to work in real partnership with industry representative organisations and individual fishermen. ``Stock conservation and effective fisheries monitoring are essential elements of a thriving fishing and seafood sector,'' he said. The Authority is charged with promoting compliance and deterring contraventions of sea fisheries law and operates under its mission statement: ``to enforce and

the

legislation

consistently,

marine

fish

and

fairly

that

the

shellfish

re-

sources from the waters around Ireland are exploited sustainably,

and

may

consumed

safely for the long-term benefit of all.''

Public support for regulations

According to the SFPA, a recent TNS MRBI survey revealed that 88% of people agreed that fish stocks in Irish seawaters were under threat and needed protection; a similar 88% agreed that the Irish sea-fishing

industry needed to be properly regulated to ensure it has a viable future, and 91% agreed that Irish seafood should adhere to quality assurance guidelines. ``Fishermen are handling an excellent food product in terms of health benefit and nutritional value. They should look to the shellfish sector where compliance with food safety regulations has been used to great commercial advantage,'' Peter Whelan said. ``The SFPA will continue to engage with fishermen's representative organisations to build an industry of excellence, where added-value products targeting niche markets will increase viability. ``Compliance with seafood safety and quality measures is imperative for the development of Ireland's image as a `seafood island', as recommended in the

Cawley report, and as required by customer demands and expectations,'' he added. Officiating at the event, Mary Coughlan, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, said that Government was committed to protecting fish stocks and the fishing industry. ``I see the SFPA at the forefront of the efforts to protect and sustain Ireland's overall fishing sector,'' she said. ``The fishing industry can have a bright future. A buoyant and growing market exists throughout the EU for fish and fish products. Across all mar-

kets, seafood enjoys an extremely positive image and is associated with a healthy lifestyle. Here too, the SFPA has a vital role to play in ensuring that our seafood products are produced to the highest possible food safety standards.'' Minister of State John Browne said he was ``confident'' there was an acceptance among all operators that compliance was in everybody's interest: ``I look forward to continuing a strong culture of support for compliance, and for the work of the SFPA around the coast,'' he said.

The role of the SFPA

The SFPA was established under the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 to be an independent body in the exercise of its functions. The Authority provides a 24-hour seven day control and enforcement service around the coast to regulate sea-fisheries conservation and seafood safety.

* Mary Coughlan, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at the

opening of the SFPA headquarters in Clonakilty, Co Cork.

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INSHORE IRELAND April 2008

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CEO of the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation. Mr O'Flynn also called for total transparency in relation to any economic intervention by individual countries: `It is essential to realise that Irish fishermen are targeting the same fish in the same waters as major players such as France, Spain and the UK. ``Accordingly, any interventions that convey an unfair advantage on a single group would completely undermine the integrity of the Common Fisheries Policy,'' he said. Mr O'Flynn also called on the MEPs to help initiate an

immediate review of the 2008 cod quota for the Celtic Sea, highlighting the gulf between the current scientific assessment and real time experience of fishermen: ``Ireland is facing a situation where the quota will be exhausted in mid year, which will only contribute to increased discarding. ``It simply defies logic that fishermen are being asked to dump perfectly good fish caught as part of a typical mixed catch in order to stay legal. Clearly the stock is in a much stronger state than is reflected in the current quota,''

he said. The need for improved consumer information in relation traceability was also outlined: ``Increasing imports from outside the EU is undermining our EU and national fish producing industries. I have little doubt that consumers would make locally caught fish their purchase of choice if the information was made available. Too many people are buying fish assuming it to be local, when in fact it may be have been sourced as far away as Asia or South America. Fish was never meant to fly,'' he added.

New team gives boost to marine and freshwater emergency response capability

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Galway Bay lidar coverage

www.gsi.ie

DURING a fact-finding visit to Castletownbere last month, European MEPs were told that rising fuel costs were having a ``crippling effect'' on the fishing industry, and were absorbing in excess of 60% of sales income. ``Many fishermen are facing economic ruin. Immediate intervention at both national and European level is necessary to prevent an `unprecedented' crisis. ``Unlike other industries, fishermen are unable to set a price for their product, and are entirely dependent on external forces,'' said Gerard O'Flynn,

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THE first Marine Ambulance Response Team, comprising Irish Coast Guard and Health Service Executive staff for deployment to major emergencies offshore and on inland waterways, has commenced service. MART will provide experienced, self-sufficient pre-hospital care at marine incidents nationwide. Speaking at the launch, Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Transport, said MART would make a ``big difference'' in a marine emergency situation:

``It could mean the difference between life and death. I am certain that it will prove to be a very valuable asset for the professional marine and leisure sectors as well as for the general public.'' He added that the MART team would build on the expertise gained from the HSE National Ambulance Service Incident Response Team set up in 2004. ``The new teams have received rigorous training in major incident medical

management and support; chemical decontamination; rope access; helicopter operations; prolonged entrapment casualties and restricted breathing apparatus training. The work that these highly trained individuals will conduct will be enormously important in saving lives.`` Frank McClintock, head of the HSE National Ambulance Service said that MART was a ``very significant development''. We are delighted to be working so closely with our

colleagues in the Coastguard and as a result be able to provide a vitally important new service. ``Our paramedics providing this service will be able to triage patients and initiate advanced life support on board, meaning that patients will start treatment before they reach hospital Ă? part of the overall HSE commitment to developing pre hospital emergency services. This is the first of a number of MART teams that we are developing across the country.''

INSHORE IRELAND

April 2008

COMMENT

tnemmoC

The salmon hardship fund Payments to former salmon drift-net licence holders should be exempt from tax DOES a man on 100,000 who loses his job suffer more hardship than a man on 20,000 who loses his? To my mind, in a situation where two men lose their livelihoods or a part of their livelihoods, regardless of how dependent they were on the income, they will suffer equal hardship when that income ceases. I have previously questioned the validity of the logic of the `three wise men' in their allocation of the salmon hardship fund to commercial salmon licence holders. Those licence holders who caught the highest numbers of salmon over the period 20012005 received the highest levels of `hardship' funding. In March 2007, the government established a 25m fund to address the hardship likely to be experienced by commercial salmon fishermen following the termination of the salmon drift-net fishery. The scheme was open to all commercial salmon licence holders. Drift-net licence holders could transfer

to other catching methods provided the state issued new licences; otherwise, acceptance of the scheme was mandatory for drift-net licence holders. The scheme was administered on behalf of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources by BIM and the regional fisheries boards, and by the Loughs Agency in the Foyle area. A final closing date for receipt of completed applications from licence holders participating in the scheme was set at 31 December 2007. At the end of January 2008, BIM published what is entitled on www.dcenr. gov.ie as the `Final report on performance of the Salmon Hardship Scheme' where the scheme is described as `essentially completed'. The Independent Salmon Group report details the number of commercial salmon licences in existence in 2005: 877 drift-net licences; 518 draft-net licences; 139 snapnet licences; 15 loop-net licences; two bag-

net licences and two head-weir licences (a total of 1553 licences) The BIM report states that a total of 1,332 letters of offer were made, totalling 25m; 994 of these have been accepted, totalling 22m, while 338 did not accept the letter of offer, totalling 3.15m. Presumably, the 994 licence holders who accepted their letters of offer were drift-net licence holders (877) and other commercial salmon licence holders (117). This is not stated in the BIM document however. Thirty of the 994 have appealed the amounts on offer and an additional 25 licence holders who did not receive a letter of offer have also appealed to the Independent Appeals Officer. It is estimated that a further 500,000 will eventually be paid to appellants. A total of 127 Lough Foyle commercial salmon fishermen have accepted their letters of offers totalling 3.6m, of which 50% ( 1.8m) will be paid by the Irish

government. Thus, the total amount of the hardship fund comes in as planned at 24.3m. Of course, the bulk of this money will be taxable. Revenue has decided that the hardship fund payment element which related to six times the licence fee ( 2,022 in the case of drift-net licences and 1,140 in the case of draft-net licence holders) will be exempt from taxation. WOW! What a concession from Revenue. Meanwhile, many recipients of hardship fund payments have requested that payments be spread over three years in an attempt to minimise their tax liabilities. Could the Irish government have made hardship payments to former salmon driftnet licence holders in a manner that would make the payments exempt from tax? Maybe call them dig-outs or something like that? Ð Dr Martin O'Farrell

Chance to move from past Compensation received for DEAR

Editor,

mistakes when they are made. Other countries have had the

safety and quality regime could be accomplished by new tech-

The current difficulties in fish-

foresight to formalise planning

nology

such

eries

and

quency

Identification

must

not

seen

use

opportunity for empire building

sources;

vast

any

one

group,

but

their

this

marine

country

marine

re-

with

reserves,

its

should

Radio

Fre-

(RFID)

tags. This would satisfy the `one

chance to move away from the

certainly be doing the same. A

step

failed policies of the past. The

system

requirement of food chain reg-

aim should be to seek a way to

areas

ensure

around

that

fisheries

are

sup-

marine

should our

protected designated

coastline

aid

forward,

ulations

provide

vital

provide

and

employ-

including

inshore

fisheries.

DEAR

Editor,

for

numbers

haps in zones around our off-

branding and certification sys-

fishing gear.

tainable manner.

shore

tems, such as the Marine Stew-

Some scientific research has indicated

possible

global

ex-

islands,

Biodiversity

Loss

Ecosystem

Services ,

Vol.

November

314,

Ocean Science 2006).

itiative,

political

that's all taken away from me

their rivers.

rural communities.

now.

Lobster fishery

here for our children to return

crabs,

I fear for the lobster fishery as

to.

salmon

well. There's no way in hell that

recreational

and so would have a stake in a

their produce and better seafood

successful outcome.

products for consumers.

their

the

servation

measure

such

veniles and developing alternative fisheries in association with

for island fisheries, and inshore

state agencies. They would be

fishing

paid accordingly for their time

where and

and expertise and as stewards of

work

the sea. New ideas, marketing

together to manage and promote

and product development could

fishing in a sustainable way.

then

fishermen, all

other

state

officials

stakeholders

carried

out

trolled manner from these areas

tion, research and conservation

in the form of pilot or research

are given pride of place, where

projects.

than avoided and learning from

Inshore Ireland bimonthly

Farmers Journal Field,

today's

and

Irish

Irish Farm Centre,

Bluebell, Dublin 12

Editor

Printed by

Gillian Mills

24 - 28 Tara Street, Dublin 2

the Irish Times,

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

This summer I'll be fishing pots

for

instead which

lobsters of

are

and

catching now

the

quarry

the river angler who'll land it,

Publication dates for 2008:

Irish the

but

food

Agricultural

Trust, publishers of the

summer,

Traceability, the all-important component

is published

the

every

con-

It is a future where innova-

precedents are sought out rather

Ð Is mise, Â Cna Se Â amus O Â imhsõÂ, Â rainn Mho A Âr

new

general,

result

better prices for fishermen for

future

end

management

input

will

The

tagging fish; implementing con-

possible

Rouge.

would be sustainable fisheries,

in-

implement

hope more

Label

fishermen,

users and the state would have

needed

One

I a

doing

Council

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.

" " "

February 23rd June 21st October 25th

" " "

April 18th August 23rd December 13th

To advertise in Inshore Ireland contact Roger Cole Email: cole@inshore-ireland.com Tel: (01) 285 9111 or 284 1544

nurseries,

industry.

killed

notching shellfish; releasing ju-

our

they even got a chance to leave

human and financial resources

strategy.

construction

pollution

planning, and

who have lost their jobs in the

pening close to the rivers, near

ward

the forefront of gathering data;

some

the development that was hap-

always something I looked for-

commer-

now

with

this fishery from a lot of men

quality labels such as France's

i ncluding

not be too late if action is taken

act

There is also an influx into

all

and

with

fishery label (www.msc.org) or

groups,

communities,

Fishermen with their wealth

about

Relevant

of local knowledge would be at

time

salmon

came

beds

was

the

fishing

sand, it just can't last.

spawning

twenty years ago, but we may

Clearly,

been

since I was a boy and it was

cial

(Impacts

I've

price

fisher-

minimum

sustainable

eries by 2050 if current trends reversed

the

Every a

ardship

coastal

not

then

cover

managed in a sustainable way.

tinction of all commercial fish-

are

could

500 pots, some up to a thou-

We were never the salmon's

fisheries are worked in a sus-

that

neighbour or local restaurant.

problem; the decline in salmon

table

even

ensure

fishing

nothing

data. This could then facilitate

closure.

man

livelihood

boat

Fisheries in these areas, per-

and

salmon

boot of his car and sell it to his

more than an insult as it doesn't

from

all

ment

hit it on the head, hide it in the

for

resources,

biodiversity

would

the form of valuable scientific

life;

information

as well as fishery managers in

consumers

fact,

back'

I got as compensation

management of various marine

preserve

step

WHAT

ported and encouraged in order

way

one

livelihood fails to cover the cost of fishing gear

them

before

added

extensive at

plan the

Otherwise,

this fishery can sustain the extra pressure

government

since

the

has

than

what

moment

there

it's help

nothing

J Gallagher, Donegal

INSHORE IRELAND April 2008

YOURVIEW

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

Give your nose an education Johnny Woodlock takes a trip down a famous street

* The Moore St sellers get their fish fresh from the market each morning.

Photo: J Woodlock.

IF you live in or anywhere near

St and get your nose educated.

worth a visit. The street sellers

Dublin, you will be familiar with

This holds true to this day.

get it fresh from the market each

Moore Street. Although it has

Although the `Corpo' (Dublin

morning, and you never know

changed over the past twenty

Corporation) has done a lot to

what you will find. Last Sep-

years or so, it still remains one of

keep the street clean and free of

tember, tub gurnard was on sale

my `must visit' places whenever

old vegetables and fruit, I still

alongside

I go to the city.

find the smells amazing.

mackerel, whiting, plaice and cod.

The fresh flowers, fruit, ve-

In my own dark past, I myself

create an odour unique to Moore

sold fresh fish from a van on the

Street. At one stage, around 25

streets of Dublin and enjoyed

butchers added to the smell in

every minute of it. In those days,

their own way. Now there are

we could get away with things

just two, but both are worth a

you could not do today. as cod, from skinned pollock to

spiced beef in the run up to

conger eels Ð all perfectly good

Christmas and those parts of

substitutes for cod in any recipe.

pig,

pigs cherished by my Granny Ð

One day, I was challenged on

the trotters, tripe, and the bits

a piece of coalfish which still

other

had its skin attached. I explained

butchers

seem

have

it was `black cod' that lives very

indeed,

many

ethnic

shops now cater for everyone,

Before going afloat, always wear a personal flotation device and get training to stay safe

mix.

following an

angler's

point

worth a visit. In the past I've seen

pike

for

sale

Marine Safety Working Group Links

In an emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard Marine Safety Working Group AIM To use its collective expertise and experience to create and communicate marine safety information and messages to endeavour to reduce accidents and to prevent the loss of life in Irish Waters.

lady

returned

the

week

looking

for

`black cod' and would settle for nothing less! So if you are in `town' this

now

year, talk a stroll down Moore

black

Street and get your nose educated Ð you might even get

steaks.

``five for a euro, the mackerel''

with

catfish,

The fresh fish stands are also

Maritime Safety Directorate

the

tilapia, Indian rohu and kingfish

replaced

If unsuitable, cancel your trip and stay safe.’

Of course, this plan backfired when

view, Moore Street is always

‘Before you go out, check the weather and tides.

deep in the sea where it is dark.

adding their own smells to the From

THE MARINE SAFETY WORKING GROUP SAYS

We sold everything we could

prize-winning

And

•

getables and fish combine to

forgotten.

•

fare

It was Jimmy O'Dea who said

suckling

Plan your trip carefully and never go out alone Let someone ashore know where you are going and when you will be back Carry a means of communication and for raising the alarm should you get into difficulty Check the Safety on the Water web site links (right) for advice and the full range of safety guidelines

usual

that you should go up to Moore

browse to see the wild game

• •

the

for future use as pike bait!

Who are you calling a fisherman? By Johnny Woodlock

case Ð they did start off as a deckhand.

At a recent meeting held to

obvious question, but since I

discuss the possibility of intro-

have become involved on the

ducing Marine Protected Areas

edges of the commercial fishing

to Ireland, I raised the point of

industry in my capacity as a

owners not actually fishing on

member

their boats. This question was

THIS

might

Advisory

seem

the

Sea

Group

Fishery the

Irish

Seal Sanctuary, I believe it is a

objected to by some representatives on the RAC.

question we should all consider.

One individual explained that

At meetings of the Regional

he had been a driftnetter but was

Advisory

Council,

the

atten-

now a trawlerman, and could

dance is mostly made up of

verify

`men

very destructive to the seabed.

suits';

however,

the

purpose of the RAC is to get

that

trawl

later

netting

was

discussions,

`stakeholder' input on the deci-

emerged he actually managed

sions made about the fishing

a trawler based in the southeast

industry in Europe, and the main

for

`stakeholders' are fishermen.

Dublin. While both he and the

owner

who

lived

This brings me back to the

owner might make a living from

original question: just who are

what the boat catches, it is my

you calling a fisherman? Maybe

belief that fishermen's organisa-

I am being very naive, but in my

tions do not represent the true

opinion

`fishermen'

the

fisherman but instead represent

To establish strong working relationships with other National and Local Organisations to create/promote accident prevention programmes

skippers

and

who

companies that are looking after

•

To establish cause and trends in accidents at sea

owned by individuals and com-

have a distinct group to repre-

panies who often own more than

sent

•

To develop accident prevention programmes

one boat and employ skippers

meetings.

•

To measure effectiveness of prevention programmes

•

To provide a coordinated approach to the dissemination of safety information in response to individual enquiries

OBJECTIVES •

are

deckhands

actually go to sea. Increasingly, large boats are

and crew to work for them.

their own interests. Inshore

fishermen

their

Potters,

interests

should at

RAC

half-deckers,

small

These larger boats often op-

inshore trawlers and recreational

erate as a part of a company, but

anglers or `eco-tourism' boats,

the owners will still insist they

are much less harmful to the

are fishermen.

seabed

I believe these owners should

larger

and

fish

commercial

stocks boats,

than but

be called businessmen, not fish-

they don't have a voice at the

ermen, even if Ð as is often the

negotiating table.

INSHORE IRELAND

Government drift net ban reduces viability of inshore fisheries ticised for not using their

By Shay Fennelly EAMONN Dixon is an inshore lobster and crab fisherman with a young family, fishing from Frenchport and Ballyglass near Belmullet, north Mayo. Every year he would driftnet for wild salmon in June and July, and this would form a significant part of his income, until the government ban in 2006. Dixon explains how, in 2000/1, many driftnet fishermen accepted the introduction of a national gill tagging scheme for salmon, to allow scientists to count the number of salmon being caught. At that time, the total allowable catch (TAC) was 150,000. The tagging scheme was to be phased in over three years, to be followed with a quota system. Individual quota however was introduced in the first year of the tagging scheme. ``A lot of fishermen who had a bad year got a poor quota,'' Dixon told . It was said that if the TAC was brought down to 140,000 there would be a sustainable fishery. In subsequent years the TAC was reduced from 140,000 to 110,000 to 90,000. Some fishermen were criInshore

Ireland

allocated number of tags, and subsequently a Salmon Commission was formed to represent all sides of the resource. ``Fishermen accepted poor years as part of the fishing pressure Ð climate change was a new factor. Salmon were coming later each year, with almost no fish running in June. Many fishermen couldn't see the evidence visible to the scientists. The scientists were saying that the salmon was decreasing while fishermen were seeing an increase in catches''. In 2006, the Salmon Commission recommended an end to fishing at sea. Fishermen preferred it to be a voluntary opt-out of the salmon drift net fishery. ``To be honest 60:40 wanted to get out'', Dix says. Then Minister for the Marine, Noel Dempsey, put a complete ban in place. Compliance has been widespread, but some areas, like the islands, have not touched the compensation. Islanders contend there is no alternative activity to the income derived from seasonal drift net fishing. Fishermen attempted to put a stay on the hardship scheme in the High Court, but were refused.

Allocation of funds

LEADER company Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teoranta ComhdhaÂil OileaÂin na hEÂireann

Wexford Organisation for Rural Development

,000 788 207

100

Waterford Leader Partnership

776

East Cork Area Development Ltd

100

West Cork Leader Co-op

South Kerry Development Partnership Tuatha Chiarrai Teoranta

West Limerick Resources Ltd

777

374 176

200

Rural Resource Development Ltd

200

Comhar Erris LEADER Teoranta

118

Galway Rural Development Company County Sligo LEADER Partnership Co

201 150

Donegal Local Development Company

300

Louth Leader

100

Inishowen Rural Development Ltd

Meath Community Partnership Company Total Funding

308 100

4,975

The Salmon Hardship Scheme THE scheme will be made available through 15 LEADER

companies, ComhdhaÂil OileaÂin na hEÂireann (islands communities) and Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teoranta (Gaeltacht areas). Commenting on the scheme, Eamon Ryan, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, said it will focus on retraining of the affected labour force, diversification into non-salmon fishing activity and projects to promote the quality of the local environment. ``It is imperative local economies can continue to benefit from their skills.'' Eamon O'Cuiv, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs said that the dispersion of the funding though the LEADER companies ``will ensure local input into decision making and should help people to diversify and reduce the effect of the loss of income from wild salmon.'' A report detailing payments made under the Salmon Hardship Scheme is now available on the website of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Details are also being made available through the Regional Fisheries Boards. The scheme was established in 2007 following a recommendation by an independent group established to examine the implications of alignment with the scientific advice for the commercial salmon sector in 2007 and beyond. Over 1,000 applicants (including 127 in the Foyle area) will receive payments under the scheme ranging in value from under 10,000 to over 100,000. Commenting on the report, Minister Ryan said that over 22m will be paid to applicants over the next three years, as well as 2m under the Loughs Agency Scheme and 500,000 with the Appeals Officer. ``Therefore, payments overall will total over 24m. I am pleased to see that the majority of applicants were satisfied with the amount offered. The Scheme is now concluded.

April 2008

Widespread discontent over community salmon fund scheme

NEWS

Report by Gillian Mills MANY inshore fishermen have reacted angrily to the government's Community Support Scheme of 5m `to develop additional economic opportunities for crews and employees', which has been announced following a recommendation of the Independent Salmon Group. The scheme, which is in addition to the 25m Salmon Hardship Scheme announced last year, is directed at processing and ancillary sectors in communities where commercial salmon fishing `has been a wellestablished activity and where its withdrawal demonstrably impacts on the economic and social fabric', according to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Poor compensation

Neil Kavanagh, AÂrainn MhoÂr, however, told that the salmon compensation scheme was badly thought out: ``They forgot about the crews and the nominees, and are only coming up with something for them now 15 months later. If you are the crew of a boat that didn't take the buyout, you won't get anything,'' he said. He added that the level of compensation was very poor: ``The department went by the amount of tags you got, and if you had a couple of bad seasons you lost out. When the tags were brought in we had very few tags to begin with. Then the department started cutting back the amount of tags we got by a certain percentage every year. In some seasons we had used up all our tags early on, and we had to stop fishing.'' Of the 16 licences on the island, only one person has accepted the compensation scheme, Kavanagh said: ``Fishing is our livelihood; it's either that or emigrate, there's nothing else. ``The boats we use are small and are not suitable for other fishing. Dog fishing was closed Inshore Ireland

* Salmon fishing.

lately too and there is nothing families their traditional way of life: ``Not since the great tenant else to take their place.'' clearances in the 18th century has there been anything comparTragedy unfolding tragedy,'' he said Sentiment on the south coast is ableAndto this he added that portrayal equally scathing. that the scheme was SeÂamus de Burca, of the was far from the truth:voluntary Salmon Commission and chair ``If fishermen do not accept of the Cork Driftnet Associa- the money there's nothing else tion, told that there. Our constitutional rights the ban was denying 849 fishing have been trampled on.'' Inshore Ireland

The types of projects that may be carried out under the Scheme include: *

re-training of labour force previously involved in drift/draft net salmon fishing * retraining of labour force previously involved in ancillary activities associated with the commercial wild salmon fishery * diversification into non-salmon fishing economic activity * diversification from ancillary activities previously dependent on the wild salmon fishery * education and employment preparation * projects to promote the quality of the coastal environment * any other appropriate community project identified during the course of the Scheme.

Photo: J Rafferty.

de Burca is also highly critical of the criteria for determining compensation: ``The calculation is based on figures for the previous five years, during which fishermen accepted massive cuts in quotas in order to reach sustainable fishing. ``And the irony is that the scheme is not even called `compensation' it is called hardship; therefore it can be taxed.'' He said that fishermen are very bitter when they see the amount of fish available for anglers: ``This year the river Moy has a total of 25,000 salmon surplus to spawning requirements, which will be slaughtered only by anglers. Government policy seems intent on leaving the inshore fisherman to wither away. They have refused to make exception for island fishing communities that have nothing else except fishing.''

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) was established in January 2007 and has a dual role; sea fisheries conservation and seafood safety. Stock conservation and effective fisheries monitoring are essential elements of a thriving fishing and seafood sector. Our aim is to work in partnership with stakeholders in the industry to ensure that the marine resources in Irish waters are exploited sustainably and consumed safely for the long-term benefit of producers and consumers alike. The SFPA’s headquarters in Clonakilty, Co. Cork was officially opened recently by Mary Coughlan, TD, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Food and John Browne, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food. The opening of the SFPA headquarters represents a significant milestone in the development of the recently established Authority. The Authority in its first year of existence has endeavoured to support fishermen who make a difficult living lawfully and to ensure that Irish seafood is safe to consume and continues to enjoy a good reputation internationally.

Unit G, West Cork Technology Park, Clonakilty, Co. Cork. T: 023 59 300 F: 023 59720 E: info@sfpa.ie W: www.sfpa.ie Confidential Line: 1890 76 76 76

safe sustainable seafood

INSHORE IRELAND April 2008

Architect of marine food R&D institute sees `explosion of opportunity' ahead INTERVIEW

By Gery Flynn

years as an architect of change at

tutes, his enthusiasm for the job

twelve, he ``badgered local fish-

1987, Clarke went on to Aberd-

of contacts that he values to this

the institute Ð and still on the

in hand still shines through. It's

ermen'' to take him out to fish

een

Masters

day. But when Professor Mike

IT would be no exaggeration to

right side of 40 Ð Clarke shows

clear that he still relishes the

lobster.

degree by studying the feeding

Guiry spoke enthusiastically of

say that as marine development

no sign of wanting to slow the

helter-skelter

was

that

habits of eels. The next six years

``his hopes and plans for the

manager at NUI Galway's Mar-

pace in what is clearly a highly

food R&D. The path taken by

ignited his passion for all things

were spent working with BIM as

MRI

tin Ryan Marine Research In-

pressurised and demanding job.

this eighth generation Dubliner

marine Ð and marine food in

a senior resource officer, criss-

things'', Clarke admits that the

stitute, Declan Clarke is at the centre of a whirlwind. And even now, after eight

Q&A

pace

marine

Not

this

unsurprisingly,

idyllic

world

and

earned

his

and

doing

new

On the contrary, as a manager

to the MRI starts with family

particular. After completing a

crossing the country, ``meeting

challenge was too hard to resist.

of change at one of Europe's

summer holidays in Connemara

Diploma

Aquatic

and making friends all around

The whirlwind of possibility had

leading marine research insti-

Ð where, at the age of eleven or

Science at the Galway RTC in

the coast'', and building a legion

sucked him in.

Applied

YOU were recruited to find ways of developing the MRI. What were your first impressions when you started work there? For the first time, I began to see and

understand

academic

institution from a different perspective. I saw clever and incredibly interesting people, and I also began to realise that when you put these people together, they can

things.

absolutely There

synergies

were

possible,

amazing enormous and

function was to act almost like a catalyst.

WHAT were your immediate targets? We were keen to see if something could be done with the Marine Research Laboratory in Carna. It had a standing management unit, but it was coming to an end of a cycle. It just had an aged feeling, and clearly it needed to be invigorated. So, after getting some great advice from a number of people Ð including the late Brendan Keegan, Fives

Noel

and,

Wilkens,

Julie

course,

John

Mercer Ð we set up an Aquaculture

Foresight

Working

Group to see what the MRL could do..

WHAT were some of the changes you had to make * there?

`We laid out a development plan that would really change Carna. The capital programme was a massive undertaking' Ð Declan Clarke.

Photo: David Ruffles

It was then decided that Carna should be realigned with the Martin Ryan Institute, and operated not just as a facility of the MRI but also of the university.

then that we told the college that

Casburn of Taighde Mara Teo

stakeholder

wel-

very small and with very little

Finding a business partner who

were also wonderfully helpful

come to sit at the table with

yolk-sac, so they need to have

would take the farmed cod to sea

from the start.

us. When Damian O'Callaghan

live food, and there are several

was also a major challenge. That was where State support systems Â dara Ð like U Â s, MI and BIM Ð

believed

this

facility

had

phenomenal potential.

interest

was

We laid out a development

We told them that with the

The local community forum

and Joe Lee joined the group,

complex steps to growing live

right people and the right man-

also rowed in behind us, saying

they really gave it that crucial

plan that would really change

food.

agement model and the right

they would help us out in any

commercial edge. It was they, as

Carna. The capital programme

approach to it, this place will

way they could. And they were

experienced fish farmers, who

was a massive undertaking.

absolutely fly.

true to their word Ð they are

more than anyone else showed

HOW were the plans for the still helping us out. WAS cod the lead-off to your Carna lab received locally? new strategy? Â dara U Â s na Gaeltachta came on

us where this idea could go. And

We had to look at a human resource

strategy

about

bringing in new people, about re-training the people that we had. We also had to look at creating partnerships. We had to go out there and look at how research teams were being informed by global trends.

WHAT were the time lines?

board right from the start, and

We first had to assemble a team,

indicated to us that they wanted

get a level of understanding and

build a hatchery.

see

Carna

coming

back

when we began to see things from their perspective, it helped us to inform our reserch.

WHAT were the main challenges of the cod programme?

Marine

Undeniably, the main challenge

Michea Â l Corduibh and John Â dara Lowry of the U Â s were

Institute were very supportive.

was the lack of experience in the

The

country for dealing with marine

particularly

group grew from that, and it still

together again.

enthusiastic,

and

Our development plan for Carna

have been really helpful ever

was rolled out in 2002. It was

since. Mark Norman and Paul

this cod

stage, culture

the

management

stands today. Anybody who had a genuine

finfish. Cod are very different from salmon and trout. Cod start out

While you are growing rotifers,

you

are

also

growing

certain algae in very significant numbers. With marine finfish, you very quickly realise that you are actually having to grow at least

three

four

different

species Ð and all at the same time. Having

understand

all

those different steps was certainly one of the biggest chal-

all came in. The ISPG helped with the setting up of Trosc Teoranta. All of a sudden we had a really defined purpose Ð there was now a connection from `rotifer to plate'. We had a really successful first harvest last year. They were beautiful fish, and I have already tasted the fish from this year. They are fabulous!

HAVE you reach your full HOW did you attract other progress potential with cod? As yet, we haven't reached its players? lenges we faced.

INSHORE IRELAND

April 2008

INTERVIEW

`We now have a product that is in transition phase to organic status, and people have told us that our

farmed cod is a really fine product'.

full

marketing

potential

with

Photo: David Ruffles

doing, he was very excited.

cod.

He liked the concept, and he

Our

pulses

began to sharpen our thoughts

were very successful, until we

on interacting with the enter-

hit a technical problem that we

prise community.

have

first

couple

probably

solved

the

meantime. That, of course, impacted on our numbers. We now have a product that is in transition phase to organic status, and people have told us that our farmed cod is a really fine product. They seem to like it even more than the wild variety. It has a finer taste, and a firmer

flesh,

and

course

because it's not a bottom feeder, it has no nematodes.

WHAT were the next steps? We had achieved largely what we had set out in our development plan. We had a new policy for HR, and a new management ethos

that

was

beginning

really work. We also had a capital programme coming in, because we got 19 million from the HEA for both this campus and the Carna campus. We were spending 3 million in Carna putting in new water, new services, and a new state-of-the-art building.

We have been looking at the

HOW did he do this? Basically, he told us not to be

We now have great partner-

afraid, but to go for it. And he

ships with Neptune Nurseries

university,

there

was

nothing

wrong with that. He listened to our development plan, and he advised us and guided us on a number of different areas. After that, we started to build a

much

began

bigger

platform.

consider

whole

different level of research, and a

different

level

business

interests and we began to see ourselves

having

partnerships

both in research and in business.

DID Tony Ryan offer to fund any of these ideas? No Ă? and we weren't looking for it at the time. It wasn't about that. He just wanted to see what was going on here. Before he passed away, however, he did give a very defined expression of interest in what we were doing in Carna. We had

people that the university was

talked to him about a `Campus

fully commited to Carna. Then,

of Possibility' to describe what

three

we were going to build there.

ago,

had

expression of interest from Dr

and Mara Beo Teo in Dingle, and we are trying to build a brand

for

farmed

ornamental

fish.

Dr Stefan Kraan will be our principal

investigator

this

area. This

project

has

generated

business, sectors.

scientific

and

dairy

SEAWEED is now seen as a sector with enormous potential. What other areas are

Photo: David Ruffles

being looked at here?

abalone. We have already given

We are looking at a range of different applications. For

example, under a MI-

funded

programme,

looking

the

are

cultivation

Laminaria and Porphyra. We

are

also

community Brandon,

and

down

feasability

report

pointed them in a certain direction. There is a whole range of other

species

that

are

being

a in

enormous experience in here, with Guiry and Kraan.

the

And we are working with the

possibilites of growing Alaria

University of London on cancer-

esculenta

prohibiting compounds.

exploring

some of the possibilities, and

looked at with which we have

partnering

group

them

feedstuff

for

The regulatory environment worldwide

now

such

that

people will not be able to simply take fish from the wild as before. We have identified a need for a high-value species, and if you can

brand

that

Irish

and

sustainable, you are getting a better quality fish. The advantages are that these fish are already used to aquaria, and they can be vaccinated. We see this area, in particular, as an explosion of opportunity.

WHAT is the future for seaweed? Seaweed is an amazing species. It can do so many things, and it crosses so many sectors Ă? from food, to bioenergy, to compound extracton

for

pharmaceutical

applications. We have new projects starting up,

with

number

new

We have had contact with the

companies, and have brought

Ryan family since, and had a

in some great new expertise. The

He wanted to see what was

visit as recent as this year. This

MI and BIM are fully committed

going on at the institute, so we

concept has been presented to

to the whole area of `functional

brought him out to Carna and

them and I understand they like

foods'.

when he saw what we were

it.

foods consortium has just been

Tony Ryan.

of.

huge interest already from the

cies in particular.

said that even though this was a

`Seaweed is an amazing species. It can do so many things'.

launched that we are now part

very high-value ornamental spe-

All of this made it clear to

years

WHAT kind of aquaculture research is being done now at Carna?

marine

functional

`We have been looking at the very high-value ornamental species in particular.' Photo: David Ruffles

INSHORE IRELAND April 2008

INSHORE FISHERIES

Ireland may hold life-line for endangered freshwater crayfish Report by Gery Flynn

EARLY results from breeding trials show Ireland could soon be exporting large numbers of the endangered white-clawed fresh water crayfish throughout Europe. John Smyth, owner of the Co. Down hatchery where an Interreg-funded breeding project has been underway since May last year, told Inshore Ireland that it might not be long before disease-free Irish-farmed crayfish could be available for re-stocking and enhancement programmes in countries where it has been in decline, or even already extinct. ``So far, the results are very encouraging, and hold great promise. This project has obvious ecological importance, and I am convinced that we may be able to assist with reintroducing crayfish stocks

throughout Ireland Ð and maybe even on mainland Europe,'' Smyth explained. ``In less than a year, we have already learned a huge amount about the crayfish's reproduction and growth. We need to keep working hard now to gather as much information as we can, so that we will be in a good position to make a real difference in a totally new field, and on a European basis.'' The cross-border Crayfish Project is facilitated by the Cross-Border Aquaculture Initiative Team (CBAIT) as a partnership between Smyth's hatchery and PDS Irish Waters Perch Ltd in Arvagh, Co Cavan. Longstanding interest

According to Smyth, his interest in the white-clawed crayfish goes back to his angling days on the Erne, where they were plentiful and not in as much

danger as they are today. ``As our only freshwater crayfish species, I always thought the white claw were such fascinating animals. There was something very special about them, and when I read that they had been wiped out in parts of England by the signal crayfish, I began to wonder if I could breed them and sell them for re-stocking,'' he said. With the enthusiastic help of CBAIT, Smyth applied for and was granted Interreg funding for a 14-month project to carry out a breeding trial on the white-claw. With this funding in place, he was able to persuade Dr TomaÂs Policar, a freshwater biologist from the Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrology at the University of South Bohemia in the Czech Republic, to lead the Dundrum project. ``The success so far is due to

* Part of the interior of John Smyth's hatchery in Dundrum, County Down showing a row of juvenile whiteclawed freshwater crayfish rearing tanks.

TomaÂs's expertise, and I will be sad when he has to return home at the end of June. He has taught us an awful lot about cultivating these fascinating animals,'' John Smyth said. Bilateral cooperation

Smyth is clearly optimistic about the future of the project, and is hopeful that it will continue and that the relationship that has been forged between Ireland and the Czech

Republic will develop. ``Ireland has a lot of good quality freshwater for producing white-clawed crayfish, and there is an awful lot of expertise in the Czech Republic. I now want a working relationship to develop between both countries, and I can already see the day when Ireland could start exporting freshwater crayfish for re-stocking worldwide,'' he said. Commenting on the first results to date, Michael Murphy

of CBAIT said they were delighted to have been able to assist John Smyth. ``In relative terms, this may be a small project, but it's a major breakthrough. It's the first time white-clawed freshwater crayfish have been reared in captivity, and like the perch and char projects that CBAIT has also been closely associated with, I see the white-claw as another very important strand in developing real species diversification.''

White-clawed crayfish fact file

* Pictured outside the converted crayfish hatchery in Dundrum, * Juvenile white-clawed freshwater crayfish measuring about 23

millimeters in length at Dundrum, Co Down hatchery.

County Down are Martin Patterson (l.) of East Border Region with John Smyth of Depur Systems Ltd and TomAÄs Policar (r.) of the University of South Bohemia's Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology at Vodnany, Czech Republic who was in charge of production.

THE white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) is Ireland's only freshwater crayfish species. It is a close relative of the three other European species: the rare stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium), a native of the Alps and Balkans; the noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) from Germany and Poland, and the thinclawed or Turkish crayfish ( Astacus leptodactylus ), which is found mainly in south-eastern Europe. Astacus species grow faster and reach a larger final size than those of Austropotamobius. Ireland, Norway and Estonia are unique in having a single indigenous freshwater crayfish species (the nobel in Norway and Estonia). The situation is more complex in other European countries, with France and Germany each with having up to three indigenous species and several introduced exotics. Irish white-clawed crayfish stocks are found mainly in lowland waters below 220m, and are plentiful in the midlands, from the Corrib-Mask and the Erne to Lough Derg and the Barrow Ð or wherever there is carboniferous limestone. They are absent, however, from some apparently suitable western habitats, including almost all of Co Clare. Ireland's largest lakes (over 2,000ha) also contain crayfish stocks, but only near the mouths of inflowing rivers, which may be due to the fact that that they are a favorite food of eels. The white-clawed crayfish is protected under the Wildlife Act, and is classified as vulnerable and rare in the IUCN Red List of threatened

animals. It is also listed under Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive. Because Ireland holds some of the best European stocks of white-claw, the species is under least threat from external factors and are, therefore, of enormous conservation importance. Nevertheless, the whiteclaw is under continuous pressure, and its distribution and abundance have declined dramatically in the last 150 years, due almost entirely to human activities such as over-fishing, habitat destruction and pollution. The greatest threat it now faces is from the lethal plague fungus Aphanomyces astaci, which has already wiped out many stocks of indigenous freshwater crayfish throughout Europe Ð most recently in Spain and Britain. Imported farmed signal crayfish from that source were the likely vector. With no resistance to the fungus, European species usually die within two weeks. The absence of American crayfish in the wild in Ireland provides a plague-free environment for the native species. Despite this, so far the only diagnosed outbreak of plague in Ireland wiped out stocks in several midland lakes in 1986. Fungal spores may have been introduced by fishermen, on fishing gear, or on the hulls of pleasure craft brought from Europe. Fungal spore can also be carried by water fowl and fish. Increasingly, exotic crayfish in private aquaria are a threat to the white-claw. Constant vigilance and control measures, such as regular disinfection of fishing gear before use in Irish waters, is therefore essential.

INSHORE IRELAND

April 2008

Long-term lobster storage: fact file freshly caught lobsters. The spawning and ovary resorp-

* Fishermen contend that holding system will affect the high price for fresh lobster at Christmas

Mixed opinion over benefit of long-term lobster holding systems Photo J Rafferty

By John Rafferty MANY inshore fishermen remain at odds with BIM over the benefit of long-term live holding systems for lobsters, saying that prices offered in the normally lucrative Christmas market will be greatly reduced due to a glut on the market. Speaking to , one fisherman explained that he relied on high prices at the beginning and end of the season to offset the poorer prices offered during the summer. ``If buyers release onto the Christmas market a glut of

lobsters they bought at low cost during the summer, the market will be flooded, and the prices offered will be below the seasonal average,'' he said. He added that BIM needed to ``grasp the severity of the situation'' and should strive to get them a better price during the summer months by marketing Irish lobster as a premium product.

Report by Gery Flynn DEPUR Systems Ltd, providers of water purification solutions to the aquaculture and fishing industries, installed its first purpose-built live shellfish holding unit this month for Ward Seafoods of Burtonport, Co Donegal, who will use it to maintain lobsters in peak condition prior to sale. Incorporating sophisticated water recirculation technology, this unit is comprised of eight vertical storage bays, each with the capacity to stack up to 19 plastic holding trays. Lobsters can be held for up to six months in systems like this, if water temperature is kept at 2ëC and they are held in individual compartments, with water quality kept at an optimum. ``I believe that more and more of these units will be installed around Ireland, because they allow shellfish Ð and lobsters, in particular Ð to be held alive and in peak condition right through to the Christmas period, when demand and prices are traditionally at their highest,'' John Smyth of Depur Systems told .

this have already been imported from companies based outside Ireland, and I wonder about the kind of back-up service they will be able offer down the road,'' he explained. Smyth is full of praise for the support that his company received from BIM during the critical developmental phase of the project, and he describes as ``considerable'' the contribution from Oliver Tully in particular. He added that JFC Manufacturing Co Ltd of Tuam, Co Galway Ð the firm that manufactured the plastic holding trays Ð had been very professional.

Inshore Ireland

and innovative way'' of maximising lobster prices for inshore fishermen. ``Buyers with these new holding systems will pay over and above the going rate for the lobsters they require for their systems Ð as much as 16 per kilo,'' he said. Reacting to this, the fisherman said that if this price hike comes about, ``then it will be a but Ð and there's alAbove the going rate bonus, ways a but Ð who's going to Ian Lawler, BIM inshore fish- oversee the price hike? Or do fishermen just refuse to supply eries executive, told that the system was the holding systems until they proving to be a ``successful get 16 per kilo?," he said Inshore

Ireland

Oliver Tully BIM ANNUAL lobster production in Ireland has varied in recent years, from 600 tonnes to 850 tonnes. Ireland produces 22% of the European total landings. The unit value, to the catching sector, varies from a minimum of 12 in summer to a maximum of 30 per kilo in winter. Total potential value to Irish producers, therefore, is between 7.2 and 25.5m. The difference in the minimum and maximum potential value is 18.3 million Ð equivalent to the entire value of the national crab fishery. The actual value depends on total production and unit price. Total production can be safeguarded and stabilised with better fisheries management. Unit price can be increased by switching a proportion of summer production to the winter and spring markets; this is where technology for long-term storage comes in. In 2007, long-term storage capacity in Ireland was approximately 50 tonnes, or 6% of national production, and about 1% of total European production. This level of storage capacity is unlikely to upset the current seasonal trends in price, or the forces of supply and demand. Last year, holding trials in cold water recirculation systems were successfully completed by BIM and MRI (NUIG) at Carna. During the trial, mortality over five to six months was 10%, weight loss was 2% and quality was not significantly different to

taste and texture of stored and fresh lobsters were similar. Operating costs of storage, including the cost of mortality, was approximately 4 per kilo. Net profit, excluding initial capital costs per tonne stored, and assuming normal differences between summer and winter prices, is about 8,000. Storage temperature needs to be less than 4ëC and ideally 2ëC, to reduce decline in condition, incidence of

tion. Fish can be transported dry following storage, provided blood protein levels are adequate. Using a very simple measurement of blood protein as a quality control step, guarantees can be provided to buyers on meat content and fitness to survive prolonged dry transport. A detailed report on the trial is available on request. Contact: Oliver Tully, BIM, 0879093272.

* Lobsters in the holding trays of the BIM holding unit in NUIG Carna.

Long-term lobster holding system for the northwest ``I know that systems like and efficiently to the highest material, with no additives or

Inshore Ireland

After sales service

As a family-run business in Dundrum, Co Down, Smyth says that Depur Systems had decided to enter this market because they were well positioned to offer an after-sale service that ``would be second to none.

standards of quality and within budget. SeaÂn Dunleavy, a design engineer with JFC, said: ``We can process projects through R&D, developing prototypes, testing and completing final production all under one roof. ``The trays for this project were made using virgin grade

colouring, and they can be recycled when they are no longer of use. ``New product design is our speciality, and we design products with the marine industry for the marine industry. This partnership has proved to be a winning formula!'' SeaÂn Dunleavy said.

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Complete Range of Ropes in sizes 6mm up to 40mm all types, 3 Strand and Plaited, Marine Hardware, Shackles, Swivels, Thimbles, Green Pin Tested Shackles full range

Suppliers of Used Stud Link and Open Link Chain available in all sizes Galvanised Chains, Grade 80 Chains & Connectors and a wide range of Chandlery/Hardware

Distribution

JFC is a family-owned business, set up in 1987 to supply specialised plastic products to the agricultural industry. The company now has 200 employees Ð around 90 of whom work at the Tuam plant, with the others in Britain, Holland, and Poland. JFC sells to a variety of sectors, including construction, healthcare, recycling, chemical, catering and marine. Exports currently account for 60% of the company's total sales, and the company exports to over 40 countries worldwide. Founder and managing director, John Concannon, believes his company's success is based on its ability to build partnerships with customers, and to work with them as a team to ensure that their projects and products are produced swiftly

Cavanagh Nets Ltd

Complete Range of Shellfish Traps knives, stainless steel, all sizes

Suppliers of Safety Clothing and full Range of Safety Equipment

Rigging and Splicing Service available for all sizes of ropes

We offer a delivery service to all the Coastal Counties in all parts of Ireland. If any person has a specific request for chandlery, fishing gear, aquaculture equipment we will be glad to provide a quotation. ——————————————————————————————

For further details contactCavanagh Nets Ltd Drumaweir House, Greencastle, Co. Donegal * Water is circulated through the system by being pumped from the

20,000L two-metre deep floor sump beneath the holding unit. On the way, it passes through individual flow meters, seen on the left, and a UV sterilization unit, before cascading through the trays and ending up back in the sump.

Tel: 074 93 81178 Fax: 074-93 81014 Code from UK/NI 00353 74 + number email: cavanaghnets@eircom.net

INSHORE IRELAND April 2008

ISLAND LIVING

* Sea view from the west side.

* Bere Island offers many spectacular views.

Photos: Ireland unwrapped

`Bere Island Experience': New pocket-sized heritage guide is published By Gillian Mills

VISITORS to Bere Island this year will be rewarded with a particularly satisfying and fascinating experience. That's according to Winnie Murphy of the Bere Island Projects Group Ltd who spearheaded an initiative that has this month seen the publication of a pocket-sized heritage guide to the island. ``The guide adopts the format of general introductory pages, followed by a comprehensive interpretation of three different walking routes right across the island. ``The text introduces the visitor, in a very engaging manner, to several aspects of Bere Island's rich heritage including its natural landscape, military background, archaeology, monuments, flora, bird life and

* The Holy Year Cross.

island life in general,'' she said. Anybody familiar with the island will agree with the sentiments expressed on the back cover of this beautifully illustrated guide off the coast of west Cork. ``Nestling in the mouth of Bantry Bay lies a magical island of rare beauty and unsurpassed heritage. ``Bere Island is a world-class tourist destination, mixing stunning landscapes, natural beauty, and serene calmness with an array of easy or more taxing activities as well as the full range of modern comforts. And all wrapped up in a genuine welcome from friendly locals!,'' Winne added. Focus on the three different walks is a useful approach as it encourages the visitor to spend significantly more time on the

island than they might otherwise have planned. By empowering visitors to physically explore for themselves the natural beauty of the island, their visiting experience becomes a much more rewarding one. Several sections of the walks are also suitable for cycling or motoring. Joint venture

Production of the guide was a joint venture between the Bere Island Projects Group Ltd and a heritage product development company, Ireland unwrapped Ltd, with support from ComhdhaÂil OileaÂin na hEÂireann and the Heritage Council. In addition to the booklet, interpretative panels will be erected shortly at both island piers, complete with a map of the island plus ima-

* GallaÂn Standing Stone.

gery and information. Speaking from his Sligo office this week, Enda Gallagher of Ireland unwrapped explained to Inshore Ireland the importance of local and external involvement in the project: ``The Bere Island Projects Group Ltd deserves great credit for identifying the need for this project, and for its co-ordination. ``Their passion, together with the enthusiastic support of the islanders, allied with the objective research and design input of Ireland unwrapped has resulted in this fine and detailed publication.'' The guide is available for purchase directly from The Bere Island Projects Group Ltd (Tel: 027 75099) and will soon be distributed to all relevant suppliers.

INSHORE IRELAND

April 2008

ISLAND LIVING

* AÂrainn MhoÂr, Co. Donegal - a possible area for a new type of fishery management programme.

Photo: Nicolas Loncle

Islands conference identifies challenges facing fisheries sector Â Cna Se Â amus O Â imhsõ Â reports from Galway

A RECENT conference on the future of island fisheries asked how jobs, skills and crafts can be maintained in the aftermath of the closure of the salmon and spurdog fisheries, which have been the mainstay of island economy for generations. Organised by ComhdhaÂil OileaÂin na hEÂireann (CoE) and BIM as part of the Irish Skipper Expo 2008, Nick Pfeiffer of MERC Consultants presented the results of a study on Ireland's Gaeltacht Island Fisheries completed last year by MERC and Nautilus Consultants. Commissioned by the Donegal islands and managed by CoE, the report confirmed the

importance of fishing in terms of employment and revenue to island economies. It found that 102 people were employed in the salmon and potting fisheries Ð 39 full-time and 63 part-time fishermen, who generated 2.75m in added-value per annum for Gaeltacht island economies from fishing. The study also identified a deficit in vital fishery infrastructure such as bait storage, shellfish keeps, ice plants etc, which does little to encourage new entrants into the sector. Of all the fishermen surveyed, only one person under the age of 40 was planning to invest in a boat and to embark on a life on the sea.

stitute made a presentation on marine spatial planning in the context of management of marine resources, including fisheries. The European Commission has proposed a Marine Strategy Directive, and member states will be required to develop marine strategies for their waters. He said that other countries, such as Sweden, Finland, Germany and Holland, have been planning ahead on future uses of their coastlines and have statutory, legally-binding management structures in place. Although at an early developmental stage in Ireland, with no commitment to date for its implementation, Dr Nixon believes future planning could be extended beyond the high water Managing resources mark. Instead of issuing licences on Dr Eugene Nixon, Marine In-

a first-come, first-served basis, resources could be identified and exploited in a more scientific manner, and where conflicts arose, there would be a mechanism in place to deal with them. Activities such as offshore energy generation, fossil fuel extraction, fishing and aquaculture would be permitted, based on a development plan drawn up with input from various stakeholders. Marketing standards

Traceability, as outlined at the conference by John Falvey, SFPA, is also important for successful marketing of seafood products. Finnian O'Luasa, BIM informed delegates of the various quality labels available for food products. He said that branding is used to distinguish

Marine photography award

RTEÂ recently presented photographer and journalist John Rafferty with an award for a photograph he had taken early last year depicting Arranmore lighthouse during a winter storm. The award was part of the weather photo competition, and John's photo is still being used on occasions as a backdrop to the RTEÂ weather forecasts Ð especially when bad weather is on the cards! It has also been used in RTEÂ's 2008 calendar. John is considered one of Ireland's top marine and landscape photographers, and much of his work has been published in national and regional newspapers, as well as numerous fishing magazines. He is also a regular contributor to Inshore Ireland. Two exhibitions depicting some of John's photography are currently on display at Donegal Airport and Casadh an tSuÂgaÂin restaurant in Loughanure, with both exhibitions running until May. You can also visit his website at www.john * RTEÂ Weather presenters Nuala Carey and Ursula Bracken pictured with John Rafferty, Burtonport. raffertyphotography.com

seafood from competing products, citing the North American and European lobsters as an example. European lobster is still seen as a distinct product, and commands a much higher price on the market. Labels such as the Marine Stewardship Council for environmental or sustainable fisheries are becoming more and more important as consumers become more aware of unsustainable fishing practices, and

are willing to pay a higher price for fish sourced from a fishery managed in a sustainable manner. Difficulties identified to attain quality labels were effort, complexity and waiting time. The merits of using branding and labels for adding value and allowing collective marketing were also discussed. According to Paddy Crowe, manager of Comhar Caomhan, `Inis OõÂrr lobsters' could soon be seen in a shop near you!

INSHORE IRELAND April 2008

LATE DESK

Annual search and rescue event on Lough Swilly THE Irish Marine Search and Rescue Committee (IMSARC) chaired by the Director of the Coast Guard, is holding its annual SAR exercise at beside the Shore Front Green at Buncrana on Lough Swilly at 3.30pm on Saturday 17 May. (See poster, right). The aim of the exercise is to highlight safety awareness to

the public in general and, in particular, to people who take part in waterborne activities.

Coast Guard The Coast Guard will use a public address system to explain what is taking place. The exercise will involve simulated rescues from local authority beach lifeguards;

windsurfers; canoes; yachts and a fishing vessel. The rescue units taking part will include the Coast Guard Rescue helicopter based at Sligo; MRSC at Malinhead; Greencastle IRCG unit; RNLI Lough Swilly; Air Corps fixed wing Casa; Naval Service; Donegal Civil Defence; Gardai; Ambulance Service; Donegal Fire Service.

Fishermenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s organisation promotes crew safety on board vessels IN its objective to enhance safety standards onboard Irish fishing vessels, the Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) has applied to the Irish Marine Search and Rescue Committee (IMSARC) to have fishing industry representation on this committee. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The practicalities of crew safety need to be addressed,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; commented FIF chairman, Michael Walsh. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;In the interim, however, fishermen themselves need to take

active responsibility by wearing flotation devices at all times when working onboard fishing vessels.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Device Mr Walsh added that the FIF would be actively pursuing a requirement that all fishermen should carry a personal Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB). â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;This device would be far

more efficient in helping the rescue services locate a person/s in the water and give that person/s a far better chance of being picked up.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; He said the FIF was â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fully committedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; to working with all relevant agencies on the entire issue of safety and will leave â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;no stone unturnedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; in addressing issues such as onboard practicalities, funding of safety equipment and training.

Call for register of small boats to combat drug smuggling

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FAILURE by the Department of Transport to establish a register for small craft is leaving the Revenue Commissioners at a serious disadvantage in tackling coastal drug smuggling, according to Fine Gaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transport spokesperson, Fergus Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Dowd. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;This register was proposed three years ago by the then Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, and I am extremely disappointed at the lack of action and lack of will to bring it into effect. Deputy Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Dowd added that the register would enable Customs and Excise to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;immediatelyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; identify small boats that are not registered in Ireland when they enter Irish ports: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;This would be essential to Revenue in the control of coastal smuggling...and I cannot understand why the Department is dragging its heels. Revenue has just two vessels to patrol our coastline and is therefore dependent on the Naval Service and Aer Corps to carry out patrols,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he said. Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coastline of ap-

proximately 4,300km has many points of landing. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Compare this to our relatively small naval service that has responsibility for waters within a 320km radius of the Republic and it is easy to see why Ireland can be seen as an easy entry point for drugs into the EU,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Deputy Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Dowd added. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Last year, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;cultivation, manufacture or importation of drugsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; offences increased by 59% from 2006 (according to CSO figures). Cocaine seizures at â&#x201A;¬119m are up from â&#x201A;¬13m in 2006. Deputy Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Dowd added that as well as fighting drug smuggling, a small boat register would help Revenue ensure that the tax due on imported pleasure craft, which can amount to several million euro per annum, is properly accounted for.

Response In a statement to Inshore Ireland, the Department of Transport said it was currently reviewing Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policy on the registration of vessels on the

Irish flag: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;As part of this process, the Department is looking at the establishment of a single central register which will require mandatory registration for domestically operated vessels, including recreational craft which are not registered elsewhere. It is envisaged that information on the register will be available to other authorities and agencies who need access to its information.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The new proposals for the registration of vessels in Ireland are set out in a consultation document which has been drawn up by the Department and is due to issue shortly. The basis underlying the proposals is that vessel registration on the Irish flag should have, at its core, safety, security and environmental protection considerations. Therefore, the new registration system needs to be as encompassing as possible of all categories of vessels from larger commercial vessels to fishing vessels to smaller recreational craft.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Restructure of DG Fisheries and Maritime Affairs FORMERLY known as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;DG Fishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, the European Commission has restructured the division to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;DG-MAREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The main change involves the establishment of three geographic directorates that will be responsible for managing both the Common Fisheries Policy and the new EU integrated maritime policy (IMP) in Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three main maritime regions. They will be in charge of: * Arctic, Atlantic and outermost regions * Mediterranean and Black Sea * North Sea, Baltic Sea and landlocked countries These will be complemented by a new directorate in charge of co-ordination and policy

development. The other two directorates (External Policy and Resources and Legal Affairs) will remain largely unchanged. Greater focus will be put on Mediterranean fisheries and on control in international waters in line with the EUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to fight illegal fishing. The new set-up took effect on 29 March. The new organisation should reinforce the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capacity to develop and implement policy for maritime affairs and fisheries. It will also allow for the co-ordinated use of all resources and policy tools in relation to each maritime region: maritime policy, conservation of fish stocks, fisheries control and enforcement, and structural policy.

INSHORE IRELAND

April 2008

Annual conference of seafood processors and retailers

IASC NOTICEBOARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IASC NOTICEBOARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IASC NOTICEBOARD

IASC,

the Irish Association of

Seafood annual

Companies, Conference

held &

its

Trade

Show in the Marriott Johnstown House Hotel, Enfield, Co Meath in

February.

The

event

was

attended by seafood processors and retailers from all around the country and key stakeholders in the industry. In the opening address, John Browne TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, highlighted the

developing

opportunities

that exist in the Irish seafood sector

foot

consumer

interest in developing healthier lifestyles. He congratulated the sector on the 2007 sales figures which show domestic seafood sales to the retail sector increasing by 7% to 169m and sales to the food services sector increasing by 5% to 213m.

Conference The AGM followed with the election of the committee and a review 2007.

achievements

Issues

access

raised

Irish

* Derek Davis; Shane O'Higgins, Hooked On Fish; Fergal Feeney and

* Joe Morgan; Michelle Morgan; Conal Molloy, John Boyle; Arthur Morgan TD; Martina Clarke; Minister of

Tony Gunnery, Egan's Ocean Fresh.

State John Browne TD; Martin McLoughlin; Tadgh O'Meara and Mick McHugh, Skillnet.

like-minded businesses to work

Circle initiative which recog-

role of IASC as a `knowledge

the conference with a presenta-

in prawns, smoked salmon, sea

closer together.

nises

and

network'. Mick McHugh from

tion

trout and shellfish.

hospitality businesses that con-

Skillnets discussed the success

planned for 2008 and the com-

IASC aims to build on its

TV presenter and advocate of

and

awards

retail

the

key

activities

the marine and seafood sectors,

sistently

highest

of the enterprise-led model of

pletion of the IASC Strategy

annual event for the Irish on-

included

Derek Davis, opened day two.

standards of seafood and ser-

networked training and the suc-

Report 2008-2010 which will

shore sector and to encourage

He was followed by John Hack-

vice.

cess of IASC securing funding

be launched in May.

all suppliers to get involved. To

catches

and

deliver

the

increasing reliance on imports

ett,

for supply. Members discussed

work programme of the agen-

work, then highlighted the ways

ways to strengthen the network

cy's market development divi-

of overcoming the barriers to

by developing partnerships with

sion, in particular the Seafood

networking

BIM,

who

reviewed

Arthur

the

Coldrick,

and

the

Net-

growing

for

two-year

training

pro-

gramme for its members. IASC tive,

development

Martina

Clarke,

Running IASC

concurrently,

Trade

Show

the

featured

date,

the

membership

has

grown to more than 90 compa-

execu-

more than 40 seafood exhibitors

nies.

closed

and food suppliers specialising

please click onto www.iasc.ie

For

further

information

* Martina Clarke, IASC, receiving the FETAC award from Stan McHugh, FETAC; Sean Haughey, Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science; and Donal O'Rourke, FETAC.

The finest seafood Ð in any language! JOHN Browne TD, Minister of

to customers and staff , and that

funding 2008-09. More details

State

IASC will be looking at other

Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

different formats needed by the

will follow next month.

formally

industry.

Purchase posters

posters

the

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IASC at its conference in Feb-

through

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2006-2007,

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Entitled Know your Seafood

was funded by member compa-

Ð Whitefish; Oily fish, Sharks

nies and the Training Networks

please contact Michelle at IASC

and Rays; and Shellfish, and

Programme Ð an initiative of

with the strapline: `The finest

Skillnets Ltd funded from the

michelle@iasc.ie

seafood in any language', these

National Training Fund through

12 per poster or 30 for the

multilingual

the

set of three, (plus 5 P&P).

posters

feature

more than 50 different species of fish from Irish waters.

Department

Enterprise

processing unit or retail shop,

Trade & Employment. IASC

delighted

042

9386977

The

e-mail cost

an-

poster

frames

that

have

gains FETAC quality assurance approval THE

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is delighted to announce that F E TA C awarding

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body

national

for

further

that lead to FETAC awards.

``This approval allows us to

National standards

continue to build on our initial

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the seafood trade and raising

certification

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steps of life-long learning in

education in Ireland Ð has

national standards for learning

standards

approved their quality assur-

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nounce its success in the highly

attractive silver finish and can

ance application to continue

place in the workplace across

programme

Minister Browne said the pos-

competitive application process

offering training programmes

all sectors.

IASC Skillnet.

ters would be of ``huge benefit''

for the new round of Skillnets

cleaned.

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Martina manager

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INSHORE IRELAND February 2008

SEA ANGLING

* There are many reefs around Owey Island.

* Reef fishing at Arranmore Island.

Once experienced, reef fishing is a hook to the keen sea angler By John Rafferty

REEFS are comparable for sea anglers as an oasis in the desert is for the thirsty traveller: they are very similar to wrecks for attracting fish and they are ideal for providing the sanctuary that fish need from currents and predators. Small baitfish, sand eels and juvenile shoal fish use them for cover and safety whilst bigger fish congregate there for shelter and to feed on the smaller fish, and so the cycle of life and death begins. Ireland's rugged coastline provides an array of reefs Ð some can only be measured in feet while others are several miles wide. They support an abundance of marine life and each one a potential Mecca for the sea angler. Inshore and offshore reefs are excellent fishing marks, their gullies and ledges holding many of the best sporting species. Many countries, most notably the USA and Spain, currently runn grant-aid programmes to assist the construction of artificial reefs to help conserve fish stocks in areas where fish numbers have declined drastically from over fishing. The US army for instance has donated many decommissioned ships, tanks and artillery for this purpose, and old subway rail cars are also being used to create suitable habitats. Some of these reefs now support an abundance of life, proving that these types of projects can and do work. Whether you have your own boat or you are part of a charter boat trip, reef fishing offers a range of species that can be readily caught if the right baits and tactics are employed. Reef fishing is a hands-on affair requiring more assertive actions compared to the laid

back approach adopted for sand fishing. Tackle losses can and will be high during reef fishing sessions unless the angler is totally focused on the task; however the quality and size of fish makes the prospect of any possible tackle losses well worth while. If you are angling from a charter boat then you won't have to worry about drifting or being correctly anchored over the reef Ð that's the job of the experienced skipper who knows what is required. If on the other hand you are on your own boat then reef fishing can be a little trickier. A fish finder or some form of sounder is a great benefit to show when the reef begins to rise. If you are anchoring, make sure your anchor has more than enough rope attached; this will allow you to drop your anchor as it begins to rise, to fish the top of the reef for pollack, wrasse and coalfish. By letting out more anchor rope you can then fish the downward side and the bottom of the reef for ling and conger.

* Kids love spinning over reefs.

* The colourful cuckoo wrasse.

(no strike necessary). If you see other buoys around the reef then this usually indicates that a fisherman has either nets or pots out so be careful and avoid Drifting this area otherwise your tackle Drifting over the reef is an losses will be high from snagexcellent way of catching pol- ging. lack, coalfish and the occasional cod. First, using a fish finder, Baits find the top or the highest point Preparing baits and tackle beon the reef, then using a plastic fore going to sea is very bottle or an old buoy, attach a important and usually starts 12oz weight and enough string several days ahead. A good to reach the highest point of the supply and range of baits is reef. The float now marks the essential and if possible, collect top of the reef. Next, drift past you own bait. This not only the bottle at different distances guarantees top quality but will to it until you find the fish. also save you a lot of money in Once located it is very simple to judge your drift each time by the long-term. Top of the bait looking at the distance between list are sand eels, which predatory fish will eagerly take. you and your float. On a windy day or in strong (Sand eels commonly shoal on tidal conditions there will be a or around reefs; mackerel and fast drift over the reef; pollack ragworm or lugworm are also will take your bait much faster excellent baits when they're in than normal and will hook top condition.) themselves almost every time Sand eels are also good to

* Sea anglers preparing to reef fish at Arranmore Island

catch pollack that shoal slightly above the top of the reef; they might also attract the occasional coalfish, cod and ling. Worms on the other hand are necessary to catch wrasse, and mackerel is essential to catch ling and conger at the bottom of the reef (sometimes during the summer months fresh mackerel can be caught on reefs). At the bottom of the reef lies the bonus of a possible brill or even a turbot. The most important thing to remember however for a successful day's reef fishing is that the bait must be as fresh as possible and in the case of worms, they must be alive.

Tackle

The tackle varies greatly in strength, depending on the species being targeted. For pollack, coalfish etc the gear needs to be around 15lb. I personally like to go a little lighter; I use a 12lb Shakespeare ugly stik original and a Penn GLS 25 lever drag loaded with 12lb trilene line. This arrangement affords great sport with your catch. Using this particular setup has been tried and tested on more than one occasion; the ugly stik rod has a very sensitive tip and the lever drag system on the Penn reels is one of the best in the world. Compared to the star drag structure, the lever drag system allows you to apply extra or release pressure without having to take your hand off the reel handle. For fishing on the bottom you need to increase the weight

HAMPIDJAN GROUP

KELLY’S QUAY, KILLYBEGS, CO. DONEGAL, IRELAND

* Brill: one of the many species found around reefs.

Tel: +353 (0)74 9731180 / 9731100 Fax: + 353 (0)74 9731574 / 9731486 Website: www.swannetgundry.com E-mail: enquiries@swannetgundry.com

Swan Net Gundry Supply Clothing Guy Cotton and Stormlin Oilskins, Steel Toe Wellies, Chest and Hip Waders, Showa and Mapa Gloves, Lifejackets, Bouyancy Aids and Floatation Suits, Aprons and Sleeves.

Rope & Twine In all sizes from 4mm - 80mm in 3 Stand or Multiplait

Chandlery & Chain

Killybegs James or Malachy 074-9731180

* A ling makes a bid for freedom.

of the gear because the conger is an unforgiving adversary and going after these deep water creatures with anything less than 50lb class gear will just be a waste of time. I like to use a Team Diawa all roller 50lb class rod with a Penn GLS 45 lever drag reel. This gear can also be used to catch ling and bull huss, and is also excellent for pirking. Reef fishing is also an excellent way of catching many species without having to move about too much. (Once you fish on a reef a few times you will build up a mental picture on how the reef rises and falls from your weight hitting on the bottom. This will reduce tackle loss to a minimum and will also let you target individual species. Always practice conservation

on all species and only kill the fish you really want for the table; also use as light a tackle as you are comfortable with to allow the fish a chance to fight back. This way you are assured of a good day's sport. Finally, remember to handle with care the fish you catch; those that are released carefully today will be there for tomorrow's sport.

Rossaveal Tony Moore 091-572637

Aquaculture Material Oyster Bags, Mussel Mesh, Mussel Pegs and Mussel Bags, Oyster Hooks and Rubbers, Joncs, Bird Nets and Salmon Cage Nets/

Paint Anitfouling, Top Coats, Marine Tar, Primer, Deck Paints etc., Paint available for steel, aluminium, wooden and fibreglass boats.

Skibbereen Donal McGuire 028-22388

Saftey Department of the Marine approved Liferaft Service station, approved Lifejacket Service Station Stockists of Liferafts for Sale and Hire, full range of Pyrotechnics and EPIRBS, Fir Extinguishers, VHFS, etc.

Castletownbere Tony or Rodney 027-70502

* If you would like to see

drawings of any of the traces that I use on the reef or need any further information you can contact me by e-mail jrafferty@eircom.net or alternatively you can get all the information you need for all types of sea angling in my book called Sea Angling in Ireland which is out on sale now.

All types of Marine Hardwear, Blocks, Swivels, Thimbles, Connectors, Hot Knives, etc. Chain Galvanised or Tested, Heavy Stud or open link chain.

Delivery Service using Company Vans all over Ireland. C.O.D and Postal Delivery Service available for smaller items.

Kilcar - Netting Direct Seamus Gillespie 074-9738406

* Tub gurnards are found at the bottom of a reef.

Quotations on request so please contact any of the listed depots nationwide

SWAN NET GUNDRY SERVICE DEPOTS: Ireland: Killybegs; Kilcar (Costal Cages); Rossaveal; Castletownbere; Skibbereen; UK: Fraserburgh; Shetland (Net Services); Lerwick; Brixham; USA: Gloucester, Mass

INSHORE IRELAND April 2008

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Micro-algae in the battle against diseases * Green microalgae in mass cultivation systems. A quick and * Fish farming of cod could benefit highly from oral vaccines through feed. Photos: Stefan Kraan cheap way to produce large amounts of vaccines. Photos: Stefan Kraan

By Stefan Kraan, Irish Seaweed Centre, MRI

APPLIED phycology Ă? the uses, applications and utilisation of seaweeds and microalgae Ă? is a fascinating subject area. A research group at Ohio State University, lead by Professor Sayre, has developed novel algal vaccines through bio-engineering, and has discovered ways to genetically modify single-celled algae to create specific vaccines against fish diseases. By modifying chloroplasts inside each algal cell of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii they can get these algae to produce recombinant proteins (antibodies) that can be harvested and used as vaccines. These vaccines can be easily adapted for both humans and industries such as aquaculture, where thousands of fish have to be inoculated against disease. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses and some other diseases, and are often only partially absorbed by the fish. Oral algal vaccines are a very cost-effective alternative. For example, inoculating a fish by hand can cost up to 50 cent per vaccination compared to simply adding a vaccine to their food source, which would cost less than one cent per treatment. Professor Sayre's team is looking at a variety of recombinant vaccines and vaccine delivery systems, as alternatives to vaccines produced in animals. These non-animal oral alternatives do not transmit pathogens associated with the use of syringes. They can also be developed in a short time at large scale and at low cost. Another major advantage of algal vaccines is the extended shelf life of the algal cultures. Often not requiring refrigera-

* Clorella ellipsoidea mixed with Desmococcus olivaceus. Chlorella is a genus of single-celled green algae, belonging to the Phylum Chlorophyta. It is spherical in shape, about 2-10 ?m in diameter and is without flagella. It may be an ideal candidate for algal vaccine delivery systems and has already a reputation as food supplement. Photo Fabio Rindi

tion, they are thus applicable in developing countries. A patent is currently pending for this microalgal antigen delivery system.

Packed programme

Dr Richard Sayre will present one of the keynote addresses at the 11th International Conference on Applied Phycology at NUI Galway, June 21-27. Programme details are available on www.conference.ie and click the Applied Phycology link. Besides novel algal vaccines, the five-day programme will include presentations on the use of microalgae and seaweeds in the production of bio-diesel and bio-ethanol, and the application of algae in plant, animal and human nutrition. Globally, microalgae and seaweeds are being used more widely as new products, technologies and markets are discovered. Cultivation of commercially important microalgae and seaweeds

* Single-cell algae producing vaccines suitable for oral applications in fish. Photos: Stefan Kraan

has become a lucrative industry and are becoming more and more important as source material for the algal industries.

INSHORE IRELAND

April 2008

AQUACULTURE NEWS TomaÂs Burke: An Appreciation

* Sons of the late Dr TomaÂs Burke, Lorcan (left) and Stephen, with their mother Olivia, at the official naming ceremony.

* Sea trials off Kinsale.

Survey vessel named in memory of past colleague BIM has launched a new inshore aquaculture survey vessel to assist with gathering data in support of the bottom grown mussel sector. The 33ft vessel `T Burke' was named after Dr TomaÂ s Burke, BIM's aquaculture technical specialist, who passed away in 2006. In particular, the vessel will

be used to search for seed mussel beds and to estimate their extent and volume. Survey work begins this month and it will continue for most of this year. The vessel will also be engaged in the UISCE project, which is a detailed bay modelling initiative with which TomaÂs was keenly involved.

Also involved with the project were Peter Sutherland and Hugo Van Der Swann who worked on behalf of BIM on the boat's registration.

Latest technology

Built by Fitzgerald Marine, Kinsale, `T Burke' is fully equipped with the latest marine research technology and sam-

pling capability including `roxswathe' sonar technology; dredge and grab equipment and sophisticated underwater cameras. Powered by a Caterpillar 3126 350hp engine, the boat can achieve a general cruising speed of 15 knots. The vessel will be operated by a team of professional fish-

Aquaculture Initiative builds key contacts at seafood show show SINCE the announcement by BIM that domestic seafood sales to the retail sector increased by 7% in 2006, producers in the northwest are now looking to access this growing market and ten producers from Donegal recently attended the IASC (Irish Association of Seafood Companies) conference and trade show in Enfield, Co Meath where producers show-

cased their produce as well as networked with a range of seafood retailers and processors. IASC has a network of over 90 retailers and processors and, as a result of attending this show, producers have received new orders from retailers all round the country. Speaking to Inshore Ireland, Louise Collins, resource officer,

* Eany Fish, Inver, Co Donegal with IASC member Terry Giles and RTEÂ presenter Derek Davis.

with the AI said the show was a great opportunity for producers and to promote the northwest to John and Sally McKenna, authors of the Bridgestone Â presenter, Guide and to RTE Derek Davis: ``It was also an opportunity for local producers to make key contacts with training agencies like FAÂ S, BIM and various other marketing consultants and trainers that

can assist with the implementation of the NW Strategy 2008.'' The strategy, which was recently launched by AI with a major input from producers, states that its main objective is to increase the profile of aquaculture in the northwest and to develop initiatives in business, marketing and training, for farmer's rights across the region.

* Patrick Diver, Crocknagee Oysters, Clonmany Co Donegal with John McKenna, Bridgestone Guide.

ing skippers from locations where the vessel is operating. A BIM scientific staff member will also be on board to look after sampling requirements. These operations reflect the recommendations of The Rising Tide review of the bottom mussel sector that the marine minister will be launching in the near future.

TOMAÂS grew up and went to school in Galway, graduating from UCG as a zoologist in 1979; he went on to gain a PhD, also from UCG, in 1986. TomaÂs was a much respected and popular member of staff with BIM and served with the organisation from 1994 until his untimely death in 2006. He had many interests, all centred in and around the marine and aquatic world. He was also a keen bird watcher and naturalist and was particularly involved in bringing marine research to life at a community level. In this regard, he worked closely with Leo Hallisey, the national school headmaster in Letterfrack, Galway, where they established a demonstration oyster farm for the school. He was also involved in local community broadcasting and in other communication and education initiatives. TomaÂs was noted for his endless good humour, his love of the Irish language and music, and conversation. Thus, it seems fitting that the boat should carry his name, to keep the memory of both his warm personality and the legacy of his work on behalf of the industry alive.

ÐDonal Maguire Aquaculture Development Manager, BIM

West Cork abalone farm fighting for survival 20

INSHORE IRELAND April 2008

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Report by Gery Flynn

FEIRM EÂisc ChleÂire Teoranta, the company that has been trialing abalone farming on Cape Clear island (OileaÂ in ChleÂire) since 2002, has had to seek the protection of an examiner after a failed bid to raise investment funding. ``The plan by our business partner, Neptune Resources, for a floatation on the London Alternative Investment Market (AIM) didn't work out the way they thought it would,'' a clearly disappointed MaÂirtõÂn OÂ MeÂaloÂid, who has managed the fledgling project from the start, told Inshore Ireland.

Funding

``Failure to raise £2 million in external funding in 2005 through an AIM listing meant that production capacity was not achieved in the projected time frame, which in turn lead to the appointment on 7 February last of KPMG's Kieran Wallace as examiner of the company.'' According to OÂ MeÂ aloÂ id, Feirm EÂisc now has a 70-day period* of protection to enable it ``to achieve the continuation of the company and the survival of some or all of the business, and to put a proposal for an arrangement to the creditors and members of the company''. OÂ MeÂaloÂid added that new investment was urgently required ``to take us to the next stage so that we can become fully commercial. ``I am hopeful that there are investors out there prepared to take a long-term view, who will see the attractiveness and viability of this project''.

* Juvenile abalone are called spat.

Cash injection

OÂ MeÂaloÂid is convinced that an injection of new capital would enable the current facilities to be turned into a successful commercial abalone production unit. ``I firmly believe the model that would best suit Feirm EÂisc Teoranta involves converting the current unit into a spat production facility, and having a smaller capacity for out-growing abalone to full size,'' he explained. ``To achieve this, we estimate the cost of converting the unit at approximately 350,000. A further 200,000 would then be required to cover the ongoing running costs until the spat production facility is in full production, so the total requirement is 550,000.'' With funds in place, he believes Feirm EÂisc would then need between 18 months and two years to bring production up to full capacity.

Background

OÂ MeÂaloÂid's track record as an aquaculture project manager on Cape Clear goes back to the mid-1990s when he pioneered turbot and halibut farming on the island. More recently, he has been closely involved in the production of native polycheate rag worm (Nereis virens) for sale to Seabait of Newcastle. He is proud of his achievements with abalone, saying that five years of growth trials with Haliotis discus hanai (Ezo awabi) have shown that this species had all the right elements for farming. And although clearly disappointed with the current turn of affairs, OÂ MeÂaloÂid is confident that abalone production on Cape Clear still remains a

viable proposition and one that can be put back on track with the right investment. ``Basically, we began to run into difficulties from the middle of 2006 because of the failure to find adequate funding to proceed. Up to then, we had been developing along nicely, and had proved the hatchery process. We were also satisfied that we had the ability to produce viable abalone spat,'' he explained.

Asian delight

About 15 of the 90 species of abalone found worldwide are harvested commercially. They are particularly popular in the countries of the Pacific Rim and among ethnic Asian communities as a seafood delicacy. After caviar, abalone is the most expensive seafood on the market today. Some abalone species regularly fetch between US$60-$100 per kilo in Japan. Neptune Resources, the lead partner in the Cape Clear project, is a joint venture between London-based Meridian Equity Investments and Global Ocean Recirculation Technologies of South Africa. Grant funding of 169,277 was approved by UÂdaraÂs na Gaeltachta in March 2005 for the initial hatchery phase.

Confident outcome

A spokesman for UÂdaraÂs na Gaeltachta told Inshore Ireland that the development agency was confident the examinership process will have a successful outcome and that investors would be found to secure the future of abalone farming on OileaÂn ChleÂire. ``Ireland is in a unique position to avail of the opportunities surrounding abalone farming,

* Adult abalone, almost fully grown and ready for market,

Facts about abalone ABALONES belong to the Phylum Mollusca Ð a grouping that includes clams, scallops, sea slugs, octopuses and squid. All of the 90 or so abalone species live in most of the world's temperate oceans, usually inshore on rocky substrates, reefs and in crevices. Species can live in water temperatures ranging from 2ëC to 30ëC. Collectively, abalones are known as the Haliotidae , which means `sea ear', and refers to the flattened shape of their shell. The name abalone is probably derived from the Spanish-American word aulon or aulone. Abalones have a soft body, surrounded by a mantle, an anterior head and a large muscular foot. The calcareous shell is often attractively shaped and can be beautifully coloured. Countries with a large aba-

and the work done thus far by Feirm EÂisc ChleÂire and other abalone farmers in the country has shown that there is, quite clearly, a basis for a strong Irish

* Hard building in foreground with three of the four polytunnels supplied by Polydome in background. Each polytunnel measures 65 metres long by 11 metres wide.

lone fishery include Australia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Korea and China. Only about fifteen abalone species are harvested commercially. In the last 20 years, the legal commercial catch worldwide has declined from 18,000 tonnes to just over 10,000 tonnes. The illegal catch is estimated to be 5,000 tonnes. Abalone farming began in the late 1950s and early 1960s in Japan and China, and is now a highly regulated and managed industry worldwide. From 1989 to 1999, wild abalone fisheries declined by approximately 30%, while the global production of farmed abalone has increased over 600% to about 10,000 tonnes today. China is the world's largest producer of cultured abalone, with over 300 farms and a total production of

abalone industry. The UÂdaraÂs is confident that abalone farming can go on to become a successful and important economic activity on OileaÂn ChleÂire.''

about 4,500 tonnes, followed by Taiwan with 3,000 tonnes. In the wild, abalones are natural herbivores, feeding mainly on the kelp seaweeds. Adult abalones feed on loose pieces seaweed drifting with the tides, while the juveniles graze algae from rocks. When they are farmed, abalones are also fed seaweed and/or specially manufactured dry foods. The type of food will depend upon the species, the availability of a food type and the design of the facilities. Many farms now use high quality manufactured food, which is healthy, efficient and produces very high quality meat. Recent prices for some abalone products have included US$40 per kg (live abalone in the shell); US$66 per kg (fresh, processed); US$45 per kg (frozen) and US$80 per kg (canned). *At the time of going to print, the waiting period had not expired; Inshore Ireland will report the outcome in the June issue.

* Some of the rota-moulded tanks supplied by Global Ocean Technologies of South Africa.

INSHORE IRELAND

April 2008

AQUACULTURE NEWS

* The European Edible sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus, is a native of Ireland.

All photos: AFDC, UCC

Development of artificial feeds to benefit sea urchin farming By Gery Flynn

SEA urchin farming as a viable and potentially lucrative contributor to Ireland's aquaculture sector could be a step closer with the news that purposemade feeds have been developed in Cork which could also have an impact world-wide. Dr Gerry Mouzakitis, a senior research scientist at UCC and former manager of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Unit (AFDU) who has pioneered a tank-based grow-out system for sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) told Inshore Ireland that the new feed was the result of spin-off research from this project but was already showing signs of becoming a significant commercial success in its own right: ``The UrchinPlatter System which we have been working on for a number of years has now been patented world-wide and we are still very much involved in developing sea urchin aquaculture with it. While we were busy developing it, however, we realised there was no commercial sea urchin feeds available. So, we got together with some people from UCC's department of food chemistry and decided to make our own.'' The result, according to Mouzakitis, ``is the RediBind System which we are now developing further in a joint on-campus project that has received the backing of BIMAquaculture and Enterprise Ireland''. Describing the long-term commercial potential for RediBind as ``enormous'', Mouzakitis says that its attraction is that it can be formulated and mod-

ified to suit the specific demands of a range of other shellfish species apart from sea urchins: ``We first made up a feed specifically for sea urchins but we soon began to realise that the system could be adapted to make feeds for just about any type of marine animal, both shellfish and finfish,'' he explains. ``The key point to remember with the RediBind System is that it allows us to make up new diets not only very quickly, but we think, very inexpensively as well.'' Mouzakitis is keen to point out that the RediBind project has a real commercial edge and that it should not be viewed merely as academic research that will eventually give rise to a plethora of scientific papers: ``The end point for us will be to make a commercial product that the Irish aquaculture industry will want to buy,'' he declares. ``More importantly, however, is that RediBind will be recognised as a product that the international feed industry will also want eventually,'' he says.

Campus company

With this in mind, Mouzakitis says that his goal now is to have a final formulation ready for sea urchin and abalone by the end of this year. And he is determined also to see the establishment of an oncampus company at UCC that will drive the RediBind project to its full commercial potential. He is full of praise for the support the project received Ð and continues to receive Ð from BIM-Aquaculture and En-

terprise Ireland. ``Enterprise Ireland in particular has given us a lot of support, not only in terms of funding, but also in other crucial ways such as help with writing patents and advice on commercial strategies. They took a holistic and strategic approach right from the start that went way beyond mere financial support.'' Mouzakitis is confident too that the search for investors will see positive results by the end of the year, and reveals that he is already looking closely at how best to develop a business finance model: ``The ultimate aim now is to develop a business plan with which we can approach appropriate investors Ð be they venture capitalists, private equity firms or even other Irish companies.'' Looking to the future he believes that Irish-produced sea urchins are likely to be farmed Ð not only for sale in Japan Ð but also to supply local ranching and re-stocking programmes here in order to return the species to areas where it has been fished out completely: ``We have shown that you can take sea urchins from the wild and enhance the roe which is the part that is eaten. We have already seen post-spawning urchins with a roe content of less than 7% doubling within about 12 weeks in the system, he explains. There are almost no wild stocks of Paracentrotus lividus left in Ireland. In 1996, the natural population practically collapsed, and since then Ireland has produced between one and five tonnes a year through a ranching programme.

* Using the RediBind technology, feeds of all types can be easily produced, including crumb, pellets/ pieces, sheets and blocks. Also, any nutritional ingredient can be incorporated into the feeds: seaweeds are used for making crumb and pellets for sea urchins and abalone, fish meal and waste fish are used for producing blocks for finfish aquaculture.

* The new RediBind sea urchin and abalone diet.

INSHORE IRELAND April 2008

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Notice-board . . Notice-board. .

Suspended culture Ð what has stopped development in the Irish shellfish sector? in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport on 15 May. ISA chairman, Flor Harrington and the ISA executive members invite all ISA members and everyone associated with the Irish shellfish industry to attend this event, which will also include technical sessions

on shellfish markets; production in other countries; research and environmental work on shellfish production in Ireland. Speakers will include the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, John Browne; IFA president, Padraig Walshe; De-

partment officials; state agencies, experts from overseas and Irish producers. Details of the conference are on the IFA Aquaculture website: www.ifa.ie (click on `aquaculture'). Valuable networking and business with shellfish service and equipment

suppliers will be provided in a special exhibition area and a chance to catch up with colleagues and friends will be encouraged at the ISA dinner in the evening. Places will be limited, so book early to avoid disappointment!

WHY has the development of the Irish shellfish aquaculture sector been paralysed? Why is there no movement on licencing? Why is legislation not protecting coastal water quality from inappropriate zoning and development? Why has the

Government failed to introduce the new NDP schemes for aquaculture a year and a half after into the Cawley plan? These topics will head the agenda at the most important event in 2008 for the Irish shellfish industry Ð the ISA's Annual Conference and AGM

Check your licence!

IFA urges MEPs to support aquaculture

IFA Aquaculture urges all finfish and shellfish members to check their licences and to ensure that they apply for renewal before the term of operation expires. While the difficulties with resources and appropriate assessments remain at the time of going to press, producers need to ensure that they submit their re-application in good time before the expiry date in order to qualify for the exemption granted in the 2006 Act.

IFA Aquaculture executive secretary, Richie Flynn, has told the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee that an EU strategy to support a sustainable fish and shellfish farming sector was vital to redress the balance of seafood imports into the Community. Speaking at a special hearing of the Parliament on the `Situation and Perspectives of the Aquaculture Sector', Mr Flynn said: ``We are all aware of the growing importance of food production and food security. We see growing numbers of health professionals urging

consumers to eat more seafood as a matter of priority to promote the development of mind and body and prevent modern diseases. We see a rise in interest in food that sustainable, organic, eco-friendly and convenient. All of these factors have contributed to an evergrowing demand from European consumers for more and more quality seafood.'' He continued: ``We know how to grow fish and shellfish in Europe. We have decades of European experience, available waters,the rightclimate and the world's most advanced tech-

nology. EU aquaculture produces 1.5 million tonnes of seafood and supports 80,000 jobs. Yet the Community today still imports almost 50% of its seafood needs. He added that aquaculture worldwide Ð in Asia, South America and elsewhere Ð was the fastest growing food sector in the world. ``But here in Europe we are in danger of starving in a land of plenty. Our aquaculture sector is stagnant. Production in some sections of the industry is actually falling. ``Small and medium enter-

prises are facing difficulties.'' that the development of aquaculture in Europe is led by Untapped potential common-sense legislation, research and developMr Flynn added that MEPs practical and recognition that our visiting fish farms in the west ment, sea and freshwater of Ireland over the Easter valuable resources be used effiperiod had seen at first hand ciently for must food production.'' the value and potential of Mr Flynn concluded: ``The farming salmon, mussels, oy- EU Strategy being developed sters, trout and cod and the by the Commission must refuture opportunities to farm lease the potential of the aquadifferent kinds of fish in the culture sector, not restrict it. If deep, clean waters of the the Parliament and the ComAtlantic Ocean on the EU's mission have the foresight and western extremities. courage to let us reach that ``The Parliament has a hu- potential, the aquaculture secgely important role in ensuring tor will not disappoint you.''

Questions at the Forum 11th International Conference on Applied Phycology National University of Ireland, Galway 21 - 27 June 2008

IFA Aquaculture representatives submitted a long list of unresolved issues to the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food and the main state agencies at the April meeting of the Aquaculture Forum. ``Minister Coughlan is not going to get her wish to have shorter agendas unless the issues raised by IFA are actually dealt with,'' Richie Flynn, executive secretary told Inshore Ireland. Discussion items

* aquaculture licencing and the backlog of licence applications * the aquaculture elements of the `Cawley Report', includ-

Uses and applications of micro and macroalgae (seaweeds) in:

Biofuels Nutraceuticals Animal Feed Fertilisers

Cosmetics Health Supplements Functional Food Biodiscovery

A forum to discuss the latest research and to develop new synergies. Rural development of a sustainable resource. Manufacturers, researchers, students, economists, industrial representatives and policy makers are attending. Irish and International Industry and companies present.

www.conference.ie

ing the capital investment programme; communications; venture capital fund and compensation for biotoxin closures * a special scheme for intertidal producers affected by Karenia * implementation of the Shellfish Waters Directive * status of the bottom mussel sector review * status of the Sea Lice Management Plan The IFA team, which is a cross sectoral group selected from the three associations within IFA Aquaculture, expressed its deep frustration at the lack of movement across all areas on aquaculture-related issues with the Department. ``In particular, the NDP and licencing issues are causing

huge distress and actual hardship on the ground with our members and we have to see progress on them soon. ``The industry is increasingly disillusioned with the overall lack of government commitment to the non-decommissioning elements of the Cawley plan, and the lack of any energy behind the very sound and widely supported investment proposals contained in the Steering a New Course report,'' Richie Flynn added. A comprehensive overview of the status of Irish aquaculture including reactions from the Minister and the Department at the ISA conference on 15 May will feature in the June issue Inshore Ireland.

LATE NEWS

BIM appoint UK market advisor BIM has appointed Ian Mannix as marketing advisor for its new UK office. This role will involve working with Irish seafood companies and key UK food industry contacts to develop and grow this sector in a profitable and sustainable manner. Central to his role will be to act as a single point of contact for UK-based buyers of Irish seafood, providing information and support while at the same time playing a vital role in helping Irish companies identify new opportunities to UK market. Ian points to a number of challenges that companies tar-

geting the market face: ``The actual route to market is a challenge in itself, as it is such a large market. It is also important for companies to get to know the market and its key players. Gathering market intelligence is obviously very important, and I will be on the ground gathering information and feeding this back to Irish companies. He adds that trends in the UK are continuously changing ``so being based here means I can monitor and chart these shifts''. Mannix belives that understanding the varying price points, customer demographics,

* Ian Mannix

etc, from high-end retail to cash & carries/wholesalers will enable Irish companies to produce products that are relevant and appropriate to the specific market. Ian is already well-known to many in the seafood industry, having worked with BIM since 2005. He brings a wide range of relevant experience to this role, particularly in the areas of foodservice, retail and new product development.

INSHORE IRELAND

April 2008

FRESHWATER FOCUS

Low public confidence in agencies responsible for WFD implementation By Gillian Mills PUBLIC consensus on water management issues that need to be addressed to achieve `good status' under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) by 2015 suggests that unless proper resources (both human and financial) are put in place, then the process will fail. A series of public meetings in October last year initiated a period of consultation on the `Water Matters Ð Have your Say' booklet produced by the Shannon International River Basin District (ShIRBD) that concluded in December. Comments on the report ranged from being supportive to deeply critical, e.g. that the language was ambiguous; that no concrete actions were actually proposed and that where measures were put forward, they were qualified by phrases such as `if appropriate' and `where necessary'.

Mistrust

According to Enda Thompson, project co-ordinator for the Shannon IRBD, the meetings revealed a degree of mistrust towards the `competent' authorities, An Bord PleanaÂla and the Environmental Protection Authority. ``Past decisions made by these agencies were particularly questioned at one of the meetings and would appear to have led to a lack of trust in these bodies to safeguard the environment,'' he said. ``The clear message from this meeting was that if the ordinary people were being asked to change their ways, then the local authorities would have to be seen to do likewise.'' Thompson added that enforcement of existing regulations and the need for infrastructure to be put in place ahead of development was also seen as essential. ``There was a feeling too that too much red tape involved in the provision of infrastructure meant that wastewater treatment plants were already at their design capacity by the time they are in place. Joined up thinking between all the various plans and programmes was seen as essential,'' Thompson emphasised.

Inadequate awareness programmes

A shortfall in education/awareness programmes and events were themes also highlighted by many attendees. One farmer declared that he and many of his colleagues did not fully understand why their sector had to adhere to so many regulations and guidelines. He said it would be helpful if the improvements to water courses resulting from the changes which they were now being asked to make to their farms and farming practices could be demonstrated to them.

Overall support

Thompson, however, told Inshore Ireland that, overall, there had been widespread support for the Water Framework Directive. He was encouraged by the general acceptance of the over-

all logic in the process: ``The need to `think outside the box' by embracing the use of alternative technologies (such as sludge digestors and reed beds to treat waste) was expressed, with one suggestion that farmers should have fish tanks in streams on their farms Ð acting as bio-indicators for water quality,'' he said. ``The public is now beginning to realise the huge financial and resource issues involved in ensuring that Ireland's waters are up to standard, whether that is in their local river or comes out of the kitchen tap.''

The situation so far

Enda Thompson believes that people are now beginning to realise the `real value' of water and the huge financial and resource issues involved in ensuring that it measures up to standard. He says that the implementation stage of the Water Framework Directive has been about finding out the facts in detail and setting out: * all the waters in each district including the surface waters (rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs, estuaries and coastal waters) and the underground waters (groundwaters) and the lands that drain into them * all the human uses of those waters and the human activities that affect them Ð including everything from the provision of drinking water, through industrial and agricultural discharges to the construction of quay walls and harbours * all the non-human uses: not just the animals and plants that live in the waters, but also those on the fringes. Some important and vulnerable species and habitats need particular attention * all the existing controls on the human uses of water Ð everything from EU Directives through national legislation and industry codes of practice to conditions on planning permissions * all the threats to the quality of the waters, ranked in order of importance. This work was started several years ago. The significant water management issues which put our waters at risk of not meeting the requirements of the WFD were identified and summarised. These are published in the booklet Water Matters.

What happens next?

Draft management plans will be drawn up for each river basin district and will be published for consultation during the latter part of 2008. These management plans will set out the actions necessary to ensure that all waters will meet their environmental objectives by 2015. All comments received as part of the recent consultation process will feed into the draft management plans. A total of 31 written submissions were received on the Water Matters booklet. Of these, 18 were from private individuals, eight from sectoral interest groups, four from public authorities and one from the Shannon RBD Advisory Council.

The Water Framework Directive

THE Water Framework Directive (WFD) is about managing our waters in natural, geographical units called River Basins. To make management practicable, neighbouring river basins have been grouped into River Basin Districts (RBDs). If a basin district crosses a national border, it is called an International River Basin District (IRBD), and both jurisdictions must cooperate in its management. This island has eight districts: four RBDs wholly within Ireland; one wholly within Northern Ireland and three cross-border IRBDs. Each RBD or IRBD will have a management plan for its waters; a draft of each plan will be issued in December 2008 and the public will have a six-month period to comment on it. The WFD requires a structured approach: find out the facts: decide which of them need action, make a management plan, and carry out the plan. The management plan has to be based on the facts, and that means using the knowledge, understanding and views of people who use water in their everyday lives Ð whether drinking it, fishing, feeding cattle with it, swimming, using it in manufacturing or power generation or even just walking the dog alongside it. That is why the process includes consultation at every stage.

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INSHORE IRELAND April 2008

FRESHWATER FOCUS

* Winners alright! Ceri Jones, trout fisherman; Julie Gerry, trout fisherman and Maynooth Fishery; Josie

Mahon, ERFB and Brian Nally, Annamoe Trout Fishery.

* 3rd place: Philip Lawton, Irish Countryman's Weekly; Josie Mahon, ERFB; Brian Nally, Annamoe Trout

Fishery and David Wilkinson, Irish Game Fairs Ltd.

* Runners up: Derek Evans and Denis Coughlan, The Irish Times; Josie Mahon, ERFB and Brian Nally, Annamoe Trout Fishery.

Welsh flair lands top prizes at media fly-fishing competition

THE annual media fly-fishing competition last month organised by The Irish Times, Eastern Regional Fisheries Board and Annamoe Fishery, involved 16 anglers from Irish and British broadcast and print media who battled in out on a brisk day on the four-acre site in Co Wicklow. Once again, it was a close contest that saw the Trout Fishermen team of Welsh angler Ceri Jones and Julie Gerry winning the perpetual Waterford Crystal trophy sponsored by FaÂilte Ireland with a total of 465 points from 10 fish recorded, closely followed by

team, also recording 10 fish. Ceri Jones continued his winning streak by catching the largest fish (53cm), earning him a mounted display of trout flies tied by Jimmy Tyrell of Irish Fly Craft and sponsored by Irish Countryman's Weekly, and a weekend at the Glendalough Hotel for catching the tagged fish. Second and third place winners respectively were Derek Evans and Denis Coghlan (The Irish Times) and Philip Lawton and David Wilkinson (Irish Countryman's Weekly). Unexpectedly at the presentaThe Irish Times

tion dinner, Brian Nally of Annamoe Trout Fishery announced his retirement after 30 years working in the sector: ``Apart from developing Annamoe into one of the most popular fly-fisheries in Ireland, he has contributed a great deal to the local community by employing generations of young people from the Wicklow area. Brian was a pleasure to work with and is a true gentleman. ``We wish him all the very best in his retirement,'' remarked Hazel Dobbyn, outgoing marketing coordinator for the ERFB.

Landfill leachate Ð what exactly is it?

AS EU environmental legislaton begins to bite deep, Irish people are learning a new vocabulary as we are increasingly forced to face up to some stark realities. How do we deal with everincreasing volumes of domestic and industrial waste and how can we protect our precious groundwater from becoming irreversibly contaminated by leachate? Dr Roderick O'Sullivan, an environmental scientist describes leachate and explains why we should ask questions about how it is handled.

Water matters Help us Plan! The next consultation phase of the river basin planning process will be the publication of draft River Basin Management Plans by the December 2008, which will be available for public comment for a six month period before the Plan is finalised. The Shannon IRBD Project is currently working on the production of this draft Plan for the Shannon IRBD on behalf of its constituent local authorities: Cavan, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Mayo, Meath, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, North Tipperary, South Tipperary, and Westmeath County Councils, and Limerick City Council To find out more please visit our website www.shannonrbd.com or email info@shannonrbd.com (tel 061 337914)

One of mankind's most polluting liquids Ð leachate Ð is the poisonous black material that leaks from municipal dumps or landfills. It results from the inter-reactions of compacted organic and inorganic wastes such as: paints; batteries; plastics/resins; hospital and industrial refuse; tannery washings; dairy/farming slops; dead animals; oils; cosmetics; solvents; rubbers; benzene; wood-preservatives; detergents; pharmaceuticals; herbicides; fungicides; medicines; rancid food; tampons; heavy metals; contraceptives; abattoir and fish-farm offal Ð the list is endless. Until recently, Ireland's toxic wastes were treated little differently from household refuse so landfills were `unofficially' used to jettison unmentionables such as radioactives, clinical wastes, infected syringes etc. The physical and chemical breakdown of these materials will take a hundred years, perhaps longer. Heat production is accompanied by the release of gases Ð methane, ammonia and the oxides of hydrogen and sulphur. Leachate has a very high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), which is a rule-ofthumb measurement of polluting potential; e.g. treated sewage's BOD is 20; leachate's BOD is 50,000. Either relatively harmless or extremely toxic, leachate's toxicity depends on * rainfall * volume/type of waste, and * landfill size.

Because leachate tracks toward the nearest water-table, it poses serious water-pollution problems. The soil-type beneath the landfill is crucial. If the soil is porous, leachate easily escapes; if made of clay, then the leachate can be contained and continually re-pumped back into the landfill. Collected via extraction-wells or ducts, leachate inevitably causes clogging of the pipes. Due to its toxicity, leachate is cannot be discharged into sewage treatment plants (STP) but in an emergency, it can be dripfed into human sewage thereby avoiding damaging STPs. Because complete de-toxification is impossible, lab analysis of leachate is essential prior to treatment. Leachate may be partially treated in many ways. It may be stored in holding pools for three months to allow gases to disperse and for primary settlement to take place. Odours are reduced by pumping the leachate through peat or seaweed. Whereas gases are stripped by using electrical aeration or trickling filters, the iron within the leachate must be removed to reduce pipe corrosion. Using flocculants Ð activated carbon or ferric chloride Ð removes many organic compounds. Adding hydrogen peroxide also helps. Blowing high-pressure micro-bubbles precipitates toxins in the form of scum. The most successful method of detoxification is via Reverse Osmosis (RO) whereby the leachate is pressurised through a system of membranes of de-

creasing mesh-sizes. Because it removes 50-90% of toxins, RO involves heavy capital investment, state-of-theart specialised plant and high energy inputs. By far the most expensive mode of treatment, RO is used throughout Europe where more than 100 plants have been operational for over 10 years. Whereas leachate's global environmental problems have not been solved, in Ireland they are only coming to the fore. Because they generally plump for cheap rather than environmentally-sound solutions, most county councils have poor records in waterway protection. Because most Irish landfill sites were probably chosen for convenience rather than suitability, the EU may insist that older sites be dug up and either impermeable bottoms installed or the landfill wastes be relocated elsewhere. What happens to the partially detoxified leachate, still laden with dangerous compounds, carcinogens, pesticides and noxious bacteria? Ideally, these should be burnt in an incinerator at a temperature of 1.200C. Failing this, they should be released into deep tidal waters, far removed from environmentally vulnerable areas. And the heavy metals, chemical sludges, and toxic scums removed from the leachate? These will be transported back and re-interred into the original landfill-site.

INSHORE IRELAND

April 2008

FRESHWATER FOCUS

Inter-agency effort to curb spread of alien freshwater plant the Western Regional Fisheries R e p o r t b y G e r y invasive plant.' No one knows for sure how Board, Galway County CounFlynn Lagarosiphon got into Lough cil, the Office of Public Works A specialist weed-cutting boat is spearheading a renewed effort to rid Lough Corrib of a highly invasive aquatic plant that is spreading at such an alarming rate it now threatens other major freshwater bodies in the region. The Italian designed and built OSMA weed cutter this month began preliminary trials to see if it could halt the progress of Lagarosiphon major or African curly-leaved water weed, which was first spotted in 2005 in Rinneroon Bay on the western shore of Lough Corrib about six kilometres from Oughterard town. The project is being co-ordinated by the Central Fisheries Board and involves the cooperation of the Western Regional Fisheries Board and National Parks and Wildlife Service which sponsored the new boat.

Specifications met

A media release by the Central Fisheries Board claims that the specially designed boat `meets many of the critical specifications required to effectively tackle Lagarosiphon.' `It is a major step in the battle to control and, if possible, eradicate this highly aggressive,

Corrib but it is believed it was unwittingly introduced to Ireland some years ago as an ornamental plant for garden ponds and aquaria. It is now regarded as a dangerous and aggressive alien that can take over the habitat of native Irish plant species very quickly and can significantly alter the ecology of any watercourse it infects. Growing rapidly, it displaces native aquatic plants and insects and the density of its growth can restrict the movement of fish, angling boats and cruisers.

Dense vegetation

On the surface Lagarosiphon produces dense vegetation often growing to depths of four metres and more. It blocks out sunlight and the native water plants beneath it soon die off. With these go the invertebrate communities that depend on them for food and shelter. Next to go are the trout that feed on the invertebrates. These are replaced eventually by coarse fish such as roach, bream and pike, so there is a complete change in the fish community of the lake.

United action

An Action Group comprising

and the National Parks and Wildlife Service has been developing strategies to eliminate it and prevent Lagarosiphon from entering other waterways in the area. Attempts to eradicate it have included the use of an approved herbicide, and divers have been sent down to cut it at the root but with little success to date. Dr Joe Caffrey of the CFB has been working in close cooperation with the WRFB, NPWS, OPW, Western River Basin District and the Galway County Council in combating the threat posed He is quite pessimistic however that Lagarosiphon will ever be fully eradicated from Lough Corrib. Nevertheless, he is adamant that a concentrated effort must be made now if there is to be any chance of success and he has been following the New Zealand experienece closely. ``After forty years combatting Lagarosiphon in New Zealand they still haven't managed to remove it,'' Dr Caffrey says. ``They are just managing to control it and if we act very swiftly and put the required funds to deal with this problem we might just be able to bring it under control too,'' he believes.

* The Italian designed and built OSMA weed cutter started preliminary trials this month.

Sales prohibition

He is hopeful that garden centres will be forced by law to halt the sale of Lagarosiphon. ``We are now encouraging garden centres to use alternative plants for oxygenating purposes. Legislation will have to be brought in to outlaw the sale of Lagarosiphon, but at the moment people are not breaking the law buying it, and most of

them have no idea anyway of the potential damage it can cause.'' In New Zealand Lagarosiphon has caused similar problems to those now being witnessed in Lough Corrib. Dr John Clayton, a Senior Scientist with the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric research (NIWA) who has spent 30 years addressing the problems posed in New Zealand by Lagarosiphon re-

cently told a public meeting in Galway that the eradication of invasive species should be a top priority. ``In Ireland you will have to ask yourselves the same questions we had to ask: just how much are these high-value water bodies worth to us? ``You may not be able to eradicate this weed but you should be able to retain it where it is now.''

Local community takes safety into its own hands By Gery Flynn LOUGH Mask has received a major boost to its search and rescue capabilities with the launch of its own designated lifeboat and purpose-built boat house all paid for by the efforts of the local community. The lifeboat Ð a Halmatic RIB with a price-tag of 40,000 which has an impressive track record of service in the North Sea Ð is powered by a 150hp turbo-charged diesel engine and is the first of its kind in Ireland. It will be stationed in the village of Tourmakeady on the western shore of the lake in a boat house built entirely by voluntary labour and materials. The new boat is a welcome addition to the 6.1m Red Bay RIB and D-Class lifeboats that have been involved in search and rescue on Lough Corrib from the village of Cong for some time. At the launch ceremony, keys of the new boathouse were formally handed over to Tim Clesham, area director of units for the Irish Red Cross which will be responsible for its operation.

``It just makes common sense to have rescue boats stationed on our lakes because they are now being used more and more by the general public,'' Clesham tells Inshore Ireland.

Track record

``We picked the Halmatic RIB because of its excellent track record in the North Sea as a rescue craft. We knew also that it would be an ideal boat in all weathers on an exposed area like Lough Mask,'' he says. ``Its diesel inboard engine means also that it doesn't have as deep a draft as a propellerdriven boat and, therefore, it will be much better around rocky shorelines.'' Training of fifteen local people to crew and maintain the lifeboat has already begun under the supervision of the Irish Coast Guard. Currently, they are learning basic boat-handling skills but later they will be trained in navigation and radio for search and rescue purposes. According to Clesham, the lifeboat brings a new dimension to safety on Lough Mask. He

* The lifeboat Ð a Halmatic RIB is powered by a 150hp turbo-charged diesel engine and is the first of its kind in Ireland.

adds, however, that people must take steps to minimise danger when they are out on the lake and even the simplest actions

can save lives. ``In the dark, it can be very difficult to spot a boat or a person in the water and you

could be almost on top of them before you'd see them. ``A couple of reflective strips along both sides of the boat and

on their clothing would hugely increase someone's chances of being picked up half a mile away with a floodlight.''

High attendance at two-day environmental trade show THE environmental trade exhibitions Ð Irish Water Waste & Environment (IWWE) and Irish Recycling & Waste Management (IRWM) Ð attracted over 2,000 industry professionals to the two-day event in Dublin last month, which provided an opportunity to network, source and meet suppliers, keep up-to-date with industry and legislative developments and get free professional training. Crowded seminar rooms were evidence of the popular-

ity of the free CPD accredited seminar programmes hosted by CIWM Ireland, the Irish Composting Association CRE, the Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland (ESAI) and the newly formed training network, EnviroSkillnet.

Seminars

Seminars hosted by CIWM Ireland, the Irish Composting Association CRE, the Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland (ESAI) and the training network, EnviroSkillnet ad-

dressed the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, updates on waste water standards, leadage prevention and SUDS as flood management tools. Overall, consent emerging from the waste seminar programme was that the waste industry needs a responsible body to develop and enforce a national strategy and that the expertise present in the Irish waste sector needs to be brought together effectively. Environmental and energy

presentations centred on display energy certificates; how energy management can help companies save money; climate change; help for companies who want to reduce CO2 emissions and the implementation of the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD) in Ireland. IWWE & IRWM 2009, which takes place on 24 to 25 March 2009, is moving to the Simmonscourt complex of the RDS to offer better facilities for both exhibitors and visitors.

* P&M Pumps demonstrating and explaining their product.

INSHORE IRELAND April 2008

SHIPPING SPOTLIGHT

Shipping industry profile affected by skills shortage By John Hearne

CONCERN is growing that a shortage of skills in the Irish shipping industry is eroding Irish competitiveness, and limiting the development of the sector. ``The Irish marine industry must provide maritime professionals capable of implementing world-class projects,'' said Captain Dave Hopkins, president of the Irish Chamber of Shipping, ``whether at sea or in a supporting role on-shore. ``Increasingly, the industry finds itself recruiting these professionals from abroad, and this is an unsatisfactory situation Ð particularly since Ireland now has an exceptional National Maritime College in Cork.'' This shortage of skills is not just an Irish problem. Current estimates place the number of vacancies for marine professionals at 10,000 worldwide. In Ireland, however, the irony is that the solution to the problem is within our grasp.

Skills exodus

decline of the fishing industry has prompted an exodus of highly valuable resources from the broader marine sector. ``We have very experienced fisherman, who are highly qualified and highly proficient in the use of small boats, and this should not be lost to the marine industry,'' he said. According to Clarence, the trouble is there is no natural route between these closely related sectors. ``It's not brain surgery. There are routes available in other countries, as opposed to actually having to deal with it on a one-to-one individual basis,'' he said. ``There are a lot of people who would be of use to the marine industry globally, due to their experience on fishing boats, but because this crossover route is not apparent to them, they are turning to painting and decorating and other trades, and are being lost to maritime.''

Low profile

Confidence

The sector cannot, of course, Captain John Clarence is head rely exclusively on the transfer of the National Maritime Col- of resources out of fishing. John lege. He pointed out that the Clarence believes that ship-

``Skills shortages are, of course, problems that arise from success. The jobs are there Ð we just need more people to do them. Moreover, indications suggest that the transfer of shipping jobs east is levelling off, and that operators are increasingly returning to the west to fill positions. We're now seeing a return to western Europe, and it's not just the demand for senior staff, but also a matter of the sophistication of the ships that are being operated.'' ping's failure to attract more school leavers has a lot to do with its low profile. ``It's a sad reflection that you can go out to schools and ask, `How did your runners come to Ireland?', and most of them think they've been flown in from China, as opposed to coming in on the back of a ship,'' he explained. ``The Irish shipping industry's slow drift eastwards over the past fifteen years has played a significant role in reducing its visibility. Conversely, the rise of the services sector has deflected attention away from

traditional career areas. ``The wider industry is a global industry, and has been for the past twenty years. A lot of the national companies in Britain Ð for example BP, Shell Tankers, P&O even Ð that used to be aligned to a particular country now have global aspects to them; BP crewing is based in Singapore and Shell have crewing offices around the world. They're no longer associated on a national level Ð the whole business is global.'' As a result, the Maritime College has been working hard

promoting marine careers in Irish schools. As John Clarence is keen to point out, that does not necessarily mean spending a life on the ocean wave. ``Acquiring the qualifications opens up a whole plethora of jobs for the future. You can go into port operations, you can go into port management, into pilotage of ships, you can look at financial areas of shipping. ``The outlook now is you do not have a career at sea for 35 years Ð it's more like six or seven years at sea and, within that time, you're gaining the language of the maritime world and you're gaining the experience of what's going on with ships, and you can then transfer that ashore. ``Skills shortages are, of course, problems that arise from success. The jobs are there Ð we just need more people to do them. Moreover, indications suggest that the transfer of shipping jobs east is levelling off, and that operators are increasingly returning to the west to fill positions. ``We're now seeing a return to western Europe, and it's not just the senior staff Ð the masters and the chief engineers

that are needed, though they are in huge demand and very short supply Ð but it's also a matter of the sophistication of the ships that are being operated. ``You will find that container vessels and general cargo-type vessels are still crewed and manned by Far Eastern companies and Far Eastern crews, whereas the more specialised vessels, as in anchor handlers, liquid natural gas carriers and tankers, because of their sophistication, are largely manned and operated by western European resources,'' John Clarence said. Similar trends are discernable in the cruising sector. ``The operating companies have found that this sort of discrimination is there, and unless they actually cater for that, then their passengers will not pay the money to go with those particular companies.'' He believes that times are positive within the whole industry, despite the fact that ``the main problem that we suffer from in Ireland is the lack of awareness at school level and school leaving level to the opportunities that are there within the maritime world''.

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INSHORE IRELAND

April 2008

SHIPPING SPOTLIGHT

* The historic Cill Airne was built to serve those great ships that called to Cobh en route from England to the United States. Photo: J Ashmore / ShipSnaps.

Floating hospitality venue to feature in docklands maritime festival CILL AIRNE,

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aptly recalls those times in the ambiance of the art-deco period. With Quay

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for

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formal

fine

Stormont Wharf extension

THE Port of Belfast has begun work on a 12.1m extension of its deep water facilities at Stormont Wharf. A central part of the port's 808m long-term plan to double capacity by 2025, the 250m extension, when completed, will lengthen the berth to more than 1km.

Dublin Port expects 17% cruise growth THE Port of Dublin expects to grow its cruise business by 17% this year, with the anticipated arrival of 82 luxury

food

Background Cill Airne the

was built nearby in

former

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vessel was sold in 1970 and was used

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radar-training ship for students in Cork until it was purchased by

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ings that are stylish and tasteful.

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also

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dining experience in surround-

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come. For further information,

the upper deck can accommo-

liners bringing with them some 75,000 tourists. Next year will also see the first international cruise begin its voyage from the capital's port. The Tahitian Princess will leave Dublin for Britain before sailing on to Estonia and Scandinavia.

are

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groups

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including gift vouchers, please contact www.mvcillairne.com.

while also establishing a presence in Singapore. The IMDO currently estimates that Dublin's share in the global ship financing sector could grow to 15bn by 2010.

Wind-powered cargo BoI targets twice the ship sets sail A WIND-powered cargo ship shipping presence BANK of Ireland plans to increase its presence in the ship financing market, targeting a doubling of its portfolio over the medium term. With Dublin emerging as one of the pre-eminent locations for shipping finance, the bank reports that it aims to boost its shipping finance team in Dublin,

was launched in Germany this month. MV Beluga SkySails set off from the German port of Bremerhaven for South America powered by a huge, computer-controlled kite. The new technology Ð effectively a large towing kite like a paraglider Ð drastically reduces reliance on oil.

INSHORE IRELAND April 2008

MARINE R & D

Renewable energy: * Wave power: one of the many sources of renewable energy.

Photo: Jonathan White, Marine Institute

the gauntlet is thrown down to Ireland Inc Report by Gery Flynn

THE twin issues of energy security and climate change must be prioritised and placed at the heart of government policy if Ireland is to become a world leader in renewable energy and energy efficiency, senior politicians and energy professionals at Energy Forum 2008 were told. The forum, which took place last month, was the first of its kind here and an attempt to get government and industry to interact on issues of energy. It was attended by 400 key players in the energy industry and was addressed by the Taoiseach and four senior government ministers.

Energy era

Hosting the event, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, said that the forum highlighted government commitment to what he called ``the new energy era''. And referring to a report on energy efficiency, which he launched at the forum, Minister Ryan claimed that the benefits of energy efficiency to the Irish economy ``far outweighed the costs''. He added that energy efficiency was ``the least expensive and most intelligent means'' of making substantial cuts in fossil fuel bills and greenhouse gas emissions. ``Initiatives such as smart metering, building improvements and peak demand reduction will benefit the Irish economy to the tune of 3.6 billion. ``Notably, they will reduce our carbon emissions by over six million tonnes,`` he declared. He cautioned however on the tendency to focus only on the costs of such actions

rather than the benefits they bring. ``I have now undertaken major policy initiatives to ensure that Ireland can take advantage of the global boom in renewable energy and I will be focusing my attention on the demand side of the energy equation - energy efficiency.

Achievable targets

Launching the study Demand

Side Management in Ireland: Evaluating the Energy Efficiency Opportunities he said it

established that the Irish energy savings targets ``while challenging'', were achievable. ``Energy efficiency is the least expensive and most intelligent means of making substantial cuts in our fuel bills and greenhouse gas emissions,'' Minister Ryan declared. Reducing unnecessary energy waste could be achieved through a range of measures: smart metering, building improvements, appliance and lighting improvements, behavioral change and peak demand reduction, he added. ``These will all form central planks of my upcoming National Energy Efficiency Action Plan,'' he said.

Energy crops

On the subject of biofuels, Mary Coughlan, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said that industry would only develop in Ireland if it generated sufficient economic return for investors and producers: ``Last year I introduced a number of incentives to encourage farmers to grow energy crops. These measures are intended to complement the excise relief measures introduced by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. ``I believe it is important that supply and demand side measures go hand in hand if we are

Demand Side Management in Ireland: Evaluating the Energy Efficiency Opportunities was com-

missioned by Sustainable Energy Ireland and undertaken by KEMA. The study examines Ireland's potential for energy efficiency - where the energy and carbon savings lie and how to capture them. The analysis shows that these sectors could reduce their energy use by one quarter based solely on actions that pay for themselves through their energy cost savings. This economic savings potential equates to a CO2 emissions reduction of over six million tonnes. The study also shows that these savings could reduce peak electricity demand by over 1200 MW, bringing significant benefits to the Irish electricity system. to successfully develop this sector,'' she said. In the key-note address, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern confirmed that the Government would be investing over 200 million in energy-related R&D, which he said displayed Ireland's determination to honouring its commitment under the Programme for Government: ``Through R&D, Ireland can take a lead in developing environmental solutions and products. This investment will achieve a win/win situation of improved competitiveness and environmental performance. The 200 million will be made available over the next five years,'' the Taoiseach added.

INSHORE IRELAND

April 2008

MARINE R & D

Seminar delivers results and ambitious plans in marine mapping

* Newly discovered trough in 2007, off Dingle Peninsula, Kerry. Image from 3D visualisation software, showing oblique view east along 40km trough and vertically exaggerated cross section, indicating width of over 400m, relief of 30m on southern scarp and 20m on north. Image Copyright INFOMAR.

Koen Verbruggen, INFOMAR project manager

AT the recent INFOMAR annual seminar, speakers presented updates and outlines on seabed mapping and related projects. Martin Brennan, Dept of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and chairman of the INFOMAR Project Board, welcomed delegates and pointed out the important continuity of the INFOMAR work with that begun by the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS). The NDP project is a joint initiative of the Marine Institute and Geological Survey of Ireland. The author reviewed the achievements of 2007 Ă? the project's first full year of activity. This included over 4,600km.sq. of mapping; five vessel cruises; over 100 sample stations; discovery of new features; new research projects; a new commercial navigation product; a new data delivery website and new equipment commissioning.

2008 survey plans

Tommy Furey (MI), outlined the 2008 survey plans (detailed in the last issue of Inshore Ireland), which include both airborne Lidar and vessel-based mapping and sampling, concentrating on completion of Galway, Donegal, Sligo and Dublin Bays. It is also intended to carry out sampling in areas recently mapped in Bantry and Dunmanus. John Evans (MI), highlighted the research agenda, and how it is addressed within INFOMAR, which acts as an enabler, providing either data, staff, funding, advice, equipment or a mixture of these to facilitate

the best use of the available datasets and expertise. He also explained how the project fits in with the national R & D programmes such as SSTI; National Marine Knowledge & Research & Innovation Strategy (Sea Change); the National Geoscience Strategy and the Beaufort and Griffiths Research award schemes.

Technical session

Tackling the practical implementation of the project, four project members outlined strides made on the operational and data management front. Archie Donovan, Data Manger (GSI) outlined the project's web mapping, and new Interactive Web Data Delivery System (See I n s h o re I re l a n d December), which is providing customised data free over the web. Xavier Monteys, marine geologist, GSI, explained how the acoustic data acquired as part of the multibeam mapping can be processed and interpreted to produce seabed classification maps, which can then be groundtruth sampled to convert into remotely sensed maps of the nature of the seabed. Andre Borovic (Maritech), went through the processing steps employed in the multibeam mapping programme, including troubleshooting and calibration, with real examples from INSS and INFOMAR data. Finally, he reminded the audience that good results require the right combination of equipment, planning, training and, most importantly, people!

Survey equipment

Closing the morning session, Sean Cullen, senior hydrographer (GSI), gave an exciting review of the new equipment being commissioned to achieve the project objectives, including coring and sampling tools; a new RIB, RV Geo, and the

arrival of a new dedicated survey launch later this year. Under the heading `Groundtruthing and Research', speakers dealt with geological, chemical and biological aspects of the sampling programme. Kevin Sheehan (MI) reviewed the report produced by the team's Seabed Sampling Working Group, which provides a practical best practice document for anyone engaged in marine sampling. Michael Szpak (DCU), reviewed Sediment Biogeochemical Studies, including work carried out onboard the Celtic Explorer in 2007, and subsequent analysis, seeking to investigate carbon behaviour in marine sediments. Jason Clarke (GMIT) outlined biological analyses carried out on INFOMAR samples, specifically those from the biologically sensitive area off the southwest coast, which show evidence of diverse habitats and potential to examine the influence of seabed type on habitat.

Related projects

The final session covered INFOMAR related projects that receive either funding, data or assistance from the seabed mapping project. Fergal McGrath (MI), reviewed progress to date on the Joint Irish Bathymetric Survey (JIBS). This cross-border INTERREG funded project consists of joined up mapping from Inishowen to Rathlin, with mapping by MI and the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The data includes some fascinating sandbanks and high current areas. The project concludes in mid 2008, and will hopefully lead to follow on cross-border marine mapping projects. Xavier Monteys outlined the latest results in leading-edge research being carried out be-

tween the project team and Canadian company, Questar Tangent, into classification of LIDAR data. The test areas are Galway and Mulroy Bay, and indications are that the success of acoustic interpretation can be applied to the reflectivity values derived from the laser mapping. Boris Dorschel, of UCC, then presented on the CoralAtlas Project Ă? an INFOMAR funded study into the analyses of the INSS dataset from the deeper waters, searching for further mound features, including cold water corals. This project has catalogued up to 1,600 features, many for the very first time, and will be further worked on as part of associated international projects in this high profile area of research. Gerry Sutton (CMRC) gave an update on the IMAGIN Project, that examines the potential for development of an offshore aggregate industry in Ireland based on an INTERREG funded study of the Welsh and Irish sides of the Irish Sea.

Carbon footprint reduction

In a rare example of a project that ranges from scientific investigation, through economic evaluation, to policy recommendations, the researchers have established that a viable industry could be established and, significantly, that it would result in a considerable reduction in the carbon footprint of the existing industry. A final report is due in mid 2008. Finally, the seminar closed with a series of short updates. Sara Benneti, INFOMAR researcher (MI), outlined plans for a vibrocore campaign later this year on the Celtic Explorer, to investigate the extent and dynamics of the last glaciation off the northwest coast. Captain Michael Purcell gave an update on progress regarding the new Irish Hydrographic Office at the Department of Transport, and expressed his strong support for the work of INFOMAR, which provides the mapping for updates of existing charts. Colin Brown (NUIG) provided an insight into the plans

for their upcoming research work, funded by the GSI managed Griffiths Research awards, and work on marine sediment transport and groundwater-seawater interactions, initially in Galway Bay. This work will leverage existing data sets, including INFOMAR mapping carried out in 2007, to be completed in 2008, and ties in with a range of other initiatives including work by EPA and GSI on groundwater, and MI on the proposed

SMART Bay project. Similarly, Gerry Sutton described CMRC's proposed work programme, funded under Griffiths, in the area of geomatics in geoscience, which will build on initiatives in the areas of data management, data delivery and visualisation of datasets. Copies of all the presentations will be available via the GSI and MI websites, and a book of abstracts will be produced by mid year.

INSHORE IRELAND April 2008

COASTLINE NEWS

Aids to navigation reflected in new headquarter design Report by Gillian Mills THE President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, officially opened the new headquarters of the Commissioners of Irish Lights in Dún Laoghaire in February. Designed by Scott Tallon Walker and built by Bowen Construction, the structure reflects the design brief that it

should incorporate the latest technologies to minimise energy consumption and to have minimal impact on the surrounding environment. According to Michael Tallon, a conscious decision was made to design a building of its time, ‘‘a modern structure reflecting the ethos of the client (a statutory body, utilising the most modern technologies in providing aids to navigation to the marine industry) and also

providing a counterpoint to the various historic structures nearby’’. The result, he said, is a ‘‘unique complex of structures that incorporate current best practice in modern building materials, systems and alternative, sustainable technologies.’’ The structure is three storeys high and has a lantern style roof that floods the building with natural light. A helical staircase links all floors, with an enclosing façade of twin walls.

The new headquarters incorporates the latest sustainable technologies.

Photo: J Ashmore

A guiding light to mariners

* President McAleese opened the new headquarters of the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

* ILV Granuaile and sistership NLV Pharos in Dún Laoghaire for official opening. Photo: J Ashmore

FOR more than two hundred years, the Commissioners of Irish Lights have provided guiding lights to mariners at remote headlands sites and on isolated rocks to improve safety at sea around the coastline of Ireland. First illuminated by large rotating and fixed optics that used gas or incandescent paraffin vapour, lighthouse electrification using large 3kW filament lamps now form the warning beam. Further ad-

vances in light technology have enabled the use of 35W metal halide lamps that can achieve ranges of up to 19 nautical miles. Lighthouse keepers and lightshipmen were regarded as the backbone and lifeblood of the service until automation was introduced. The Baily in Dublin Bay was the last lighthouse to be automated, in 1997. The Automated Identification System (AIS) recently

introduced as a transponder system for shipping is also being introduced as an aid to navigation. It will ‘‘enable real-time information on the status and position of aids to navigation to be transmitted directly to the ship’s bridge,’’ according to Stuart Ruttle, CIL chief executive. ‘‘Irish Lights will be installing AIS on lighthouses and buoys over the next four years in order to achieve a comprehensive network around our coast.’’

Rathcoursey hookers: gone but not forgotten By Darina Tully SITUATED on the eastern side of Cork harbour is the quiet haven of Rathcoursey Creek. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, a thriving fishing community operated here, with its own distinctive style of boats. While very few photographs are known to exist, the remains of some of these boats can still be seen within the creek at low tide. These hookers were similar in shape to Galway hookers — approximately 40 feet in length, with a pronounced tumblehome in the hull, and a distinctive raked stern. The fishery is still remembered locally, and has been preserved for posterity by Norcott Roberts of the Traditional Boats of Ireland Project, who has identified four wrecks.

Historical reference The RNLI and the Crew Training Campaign • • • • • • •

There are over 1,000 highly trained, volunteer crewmembers in the RNLI in Ireland. When we recruit a volunteer, they make a major commitment – which could ultimately include risking their life. Our commitment to them is to provide the equipment and training they need to help them save lives as safely and effectively as possible. Only training can turn someone who’s willing to save lives at sea, into someone who can. The RNLI Crew Training Campaign needs to raise ?14M over the next five years to keep our volunteer crews trained. Each year it costs over ?1,460 per crewmember to keep them trained and ready for action. Please support the RNLI Crew Training Campaign

To find out more about the RNLI Crew Training Campaign, visit www.rnli.org.uk/crewtraining RNLI Ireland, Airside, Swords, Co Dublin, Ireland. Tel 01 895 1800 Email lifeboatsireland@rnli.org.uk The RNLI is a registered charity CHY 2678

Despite being laid up 60 to 80 years ago, these boats have survived through local folklore and are remembered as Katherine, Paris, Flora and Anne — all verified in historical material. An article from The Whitegate Aghada Society Journal names the Paris, Áine and Catherine, while other documents mention Flora, Anna and Paris. Lloyd’s Lists for 1906 refers to Flora: ‘‘a hooker of 22 tons: built Rathcoursey 1885 for Alex Clark’’. These hookers are known to have fished as far away as Bantry, but also operated in the Cork harbour area as general cargo boats. Smaller boats (‘beamers’ or ‘travellers’) also

Remains of a Rathcoursey hooker are clearly visible at low tide.

operated from Rathcoursey. Their last heyday was during World War I, when fish prices were at a premium — a Rathcoursey Hooker is also known to have picked up survivors of the Lusitania. The last of these boats were wrecked in a storm, the year of which remains unclear, with a few possible dates are given from 1924 onwards. In 1996, the Irish Maritime Archaeology Society undertook a survey of two of the boats, Catherine and Paris. Historian Cormac Lowth wrote a detailed description of the bow assemblage, stern and rudder. Interestingly, features identified are similar to those shown in one of the few known photographs of the boats, and again on an early 19th century artist engraving. A reference to Paris was also

found in the local school’s folklore collection, as one story describes smuggling and another a voyage to Roaring Water Bay. In the 1940s, Rathcoursey had two shops and a pub, and attracted many summer visitors, but by the 1970s, all amenities had closed. The area has begun to undergo a revival, however, and is now a suburb of Cork; the nearby harbour of Ballinacurra has been redeveloped as an apartment complex. This rapid change is being repeated around the coast, and makes the recording of local maritime heritage all the more the necessary. Any information on the Rathcoursey hookers would be gratefully received by the author at his email address: darinat1588@eircom.net.

INSHORE IRELAND April 2008

OUTSIDE IRELAND

* *

Two chums on at the same time.

Photo: Mike Murphy

A large chum salmon! Photo: Mike Murphy

A chum went for the orange fly. Photo: J.Cummins

Anglers’ heaven: Harrison River salmon The last issue of Inshore Ireland reported on sturgeon fishing on the first day of a fishing trip to the town of Chilliwack in Canada’s British Columbia. As exciting as the sturgeon fishing was, it was only the beginning. The main quarry was Pacific salmon that migrate up the Fraser River System. The rivers flowing into the North Atlantic from Western Europe and eastern North America only have one species of salmon, Atlantic salmon. This is not the case on the west coast of North America however. The Pacific has five species: chinook or king salmon; chum; coho, pink or humpback and sockeye. By Brendan Connolly NEW to the Fraser River, the anglers noticed that towards one side of the river, the water was clear. This was the water of the Harrison River joining the Fraser River. Without slowing down, the ghillie steered into the Harrison River and then nosed the boat towards the bank and slowed

down, beaching the boat on the gravel shore. At this point, the river is wide, and despite being four to five metres deep, some areas along the bank can be less than a metre where anglers can wade and fish. Most of the anglers were equipped for fly fishing and although the rods were only 9ft long, they were very strong and could be bent into a com-

plete circle, tip to butt, without snapping. These salmon are big and powerful, from 3lbs-50lbs, so between the backing and the fly-line, over 200 metres of line was loaded on each reel.

Mighty chum The fly is cast across the current and allowed to sink and flow downstream. Very soon, one of the anglers hooked his first chum, not a four or five pound

fish, but close to 20lbs. The ghillie warned not to let the chum gain speed but to control it as much as possible without breaking the line. Eventually, the fish was drawn in and with the help of the ghillie, the chum was netted. It was green with dark and pinkish stripes and displayed an impressive set of teeth. Most of the salmon caught were chum, but some coho were

Inshore Ireland is a marine/freshwater newspaper produced 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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Policy and regulation Engineering & technology Research and development Seafood marketing and retail

Inshore Ireland has a circulation of 38,000 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.

www.inshore-ireland.com Editor: Gillian Mills 012354804/087 2902045; mills@inshore-ireland.com

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also landed (their annual run had taken place a little earlier in the season). Some humpbacked or pink salmon and a couple of sockeye were also caught. The large king salmon or chinook kept more to the deeper middle channel, startling the anglers with their huge leaps. They are fished with heavy metal lures rather than flies. The anglers returned to Ireland with experiences that have

been ingrained in the memory. One day, they were standing in the water casting when people in a passing boat waved at them. Thinking this was a friendly greeting, they waved back. Later that evening, however, they were told that a bear was spotted peering out from the trees behind them. You simply don’t find fresh bear prints on river banks in Ireland! Truly, anglers’ heaven.

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