Inshore Ireland Vol 8 nr 1 Feb-Mar 2012 by Inshore Ireland Publishing

News from the coast and inland waterways

€2.20/£1.90 Bi-Monthly

February/March 2012 Vol 8 Issue 1

WIN 2 days free angling on drowse fishery - page 9

In Conversation

News................................... pages 1-4

Aquaculture News................ page 17

with Commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn

Your View.......................... pages 6-8

Seafood Desk........................ page 20

Freshwater Focus...............page 8-12

Marine R&D................... pages 22-23

pages 14&15

Sceptic Tank charges..... pages 10-11

Coastine News...................... page 26

Dalkey Island Report..... pages 12-13

Outside Ireland..................... page 27

Government invites public input to form a marine policy for Ireland Gery Flynn

he launch this month of Our Ocean Wealth – Towards an Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland, has been welcomed across maritime circles. In a tightly choreographed move, this is the first time an Irish government has sought public opinion to feed into a long overdue integrated marine policy for Ireland, set to launch in mid summer. Commenting in the forward, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny throws his weight behind the new initiative declaring that ‘for too long our maritime resources have been a blind spot in our national focus. Whether we are from urban, rural or coastal communities we all have a real interest in the social, cultural and economic impact of our coasts and seas’. He added he wants to see Ireland ‘reconnect to the sea in a way that harnesses the ideas, innovation and knowledge of all our people, at home and abroad. I want to see us setting out to secure for ourselves and our children the social, cultural and economic benefits that our marine assets can deliver’. And he appeals to the public “to get involved and to share your ideas on how we as a nation can

move from generating only 1.2% of our GDP from this vast and diverse national resource up to levels that we can be proud of and will generate jobs four people’.

Employment potential

In his introductory comments, the Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food, Simon Coveney speaks of the little known fact that by taking our seabed area into account, “Ireland is one of the largest EU States with sovereign exclusive rights to one of the largest sea to land ratios, ten to one, of any EU State”. He adds: “The State of Ireland comprises 90,000km2 of land resource, and 900,000km2 of marine resource. And at 7,500km, our coastline is longer than that of most European countries. “These figures make Ireland the third largest EU state in the North Atlantic. Our ocean is a national asset with vast potential to tap into a €1.2bn global marine market for seafood, tourism, oil and gas, renewable ocean energy and new applications for health, medicine and technology – not to mention the many non-commercial benefits of amenity, biodiversity and a mild climate.” »» page 2

Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine aboard MFV Syracuse with vessel owner Ivan Wilde and crew and Lorcán Ó Cinnéide, to see a selective fishing net in operation, which will reduce unwanted bycatch cod in the prawn fishery (see page 4).

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News »» from page 1

Marine Institute • Foras na Mara

Global market

Labeling this €1.2 trillion global market as ‘The Opportunity’ the report breaks it down into three sections: »» Resources: €337bn (seafood; seaweed; marine oil & gas; energy; minerals and aggregates) »» Services: €786bn (shipping; commerce; tourism; ocean survey; submarine telecom) »» Manufacturing: €96bn (marine equipment; ICT; biotechnology; shipbuilding)

Do thairseach chuig taighde mara, monatóireacht, forbairt teicneolaíochta agus nuálaíocht

www.marine.ie Your portal to marine research, monitoring, technology, development & innovation

Marine Institute Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway +353 91 387 200 +353 91 387 201 institute.mail@marine.ie

Foras na Mara Rinn Mhaoil, Uarán Mór, Co. na Gaillimhe

Skipper Expo Int. Galway 2012 BIM Seminars Galway Bay Hotel 24th & 25th February 2012 All talks will take place in the Conservatory at the back of the Foyer Friday February 24th 12:00 The BIM Seafood Stewardship Standard – Delivery and Industry Experience. Owen Doyle, BIM, Frank Fleming, Responsible Irish Fish 14:00 Branding and Differentiation of Irish Seafood. Donal Buckley, BIM 14:45 How to Avoid Cod and Discards and Keep Fishing in 2012. Daniel McDonald, BIM 15:15 Wear your Lifejacket Campaign Workshop. Lt. Cdr. John F. M. Leech, Chief Executive, Irish Water Safety (IWS), Galway

Saturday February 25th 10:30 PFD Awareness Workshop. Robert Walsh & Declan Donohoe, BIM 11:15 Inshore Fisheries and Natura 2000 – Lessons from Roaringwater Bay. Dr Vera O’Donovan, BIM 12:00 Local Action Groups – Rolling Out Axis 4 EFF Funding to Coastal Communities in 2012. Seamus Breathnach, BIM 14:00 The BIM Seafood Stewardship Standard – Delivery and Industry Experience. Owen Doyle, BIM, Frank Fleming Responsible Irish Fish 14:45 Branding and Differentiation of Irish Seafood. Máirtín Walsh, BIM

It notes that for 2007, Ireland generated €3.4bn in turnover and €2.4bn in direct and indirect GVA [gross value added] from its ocean resources (1.2% GDP) but declares that it is now widely believed ‘we can achieve substantially more’.

Low GDP contributor

Regarding ‘value’ it estimates the global ocean market to be worth €1.2bn annually, with global marine economic activity contributing just 2% of the world’s GDP. ‘The European Commission estimates that between 3% and 5% of Europe’s GDP was generated from sea-related industries and services in 2007. In that year while Ireland’s ocean economy contributed 1.2% of GDP the UK equivalent was 4.2%. On the other hand, Norway (with a population like Ireland) derives 1.2% and Iceland 8% respectively from their seafood sector - alone.’ Looking to ‘employment’, the report states that in Ireland, 17,000 people, or 1% of the workforce is currently employed in the ocean economy. This compares with 2.2% in the United Kingdom; 6% in Norway; 2.2% in the Netherlands, followed by Portugal at 3.3%. “While these countries currently outperform Ireland, the potential of the Irish ocean economy means there is a substantial growth opportunity available to us,’ the report finds. As for creating the conditions necessary to increase future growth, the report points to governance; planning and licensing; and marine research, knowledge and innovation as being the areas where the state can best ‘facilitate economic growth in the marine sector’.

Efficiency deficit

It suggests that a key role for the State will be ‘to deliver a businessfriendly yet robust governance, policy and planning environment. This will require it to deliver more efficient and more effective services, and remove impediments where appropriate, in order to enervate the momentum to encourage private sector investment and growth. This will require integrated cross-government planning and delivery.’ Notwithstanding, these actions alone will not be enough. ‘A skilled and experienced workforce - flexible and capable of adapting to change and new opportunities will be essential’ to develop an Irish indigenous industry that will attract foreign direct investment and provide efficient public services.’ Looking to marketing as another key factor, the report states that Ireland’s clean, green image ‘can play a critical role in the promotion of marine products and services”. Singling out ecotourism it declares the sector is ‘steadily becoming an important aspect of the wider tourism market. The future sustainability and growth of our marine industries will depend on protecting the credibility of our clean, green image.

Marine roadmap

Speaking to Inshore Ireland Marine Minister Coveney compared this new initiative with Food Harvest 2020 which was, he said, a roadmap for that industry to set targets and agree ways of meeting those targets. “The entire agri-industry, the academic world and the arms of the State are all working collectively; pushing in the same direction on the basis of agreed targets and of an agreed business plan essentially to build and expand the agri-food sector in Ireland. Now we need the same for our marine resource,” he said.

Public participation

He noted however that public dialogue was critical to “hopefully distil the very best and most imaginative ideas” which will then appear in the final plan. “I’m hoping that people will take this seriously, and I can assure them we’ll be taking their suggestions seriously.. “So whether you’re in the Naval Service, or in the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, or involved in the Irish Maritime and Energy Resource Cluster in Cork or with the Marine Institute in Galway. Or maybe you’re a fisherman, a sailor or angler, or you’re somebody who is only interested in the cruise liner business, or are involved in marine research, you’re not going to get a second chance to impact on government policy. “That’s why I’d say people would be mad not to take an interest in this if they’re involved in the marine from an interest point of view or from a commercial or work point of view”.

inshore ireland February/March 2012

News

Fishermen’s organisation rejects mackerel comments as ‘unfounded’ Gillian Mills

New horizon for fifth generation family business Gillian Mills The first vessel built in Ireland specifically to service offshore wind farms in the UK was launched recently in Arklow, Co Wicklow. Built by Arklow Marine Services for Gardline Shipping, the 20 metre aluminium catamaran cost £1.7m and created 10 new jobs during the built and re-fit. The project which involved an innovative design was part financed by Enterprise Ireland’s R&D fund. A second vessel currently under construction at the yard again for the export market is due for delivery in July. The project required new shipbuilding processes, “which has taken our business to a new level,” commented Billy Tyrrell, Arklow Marine Services. In a comment to Inshore Ireland, Tom Kelly, head of Cleantech with Enterprise Ireland said that one of the agency’s main goals was to build a ‘strong culture of innovation’ within companies. ‘By investing in new ideas

and new ways of doing things, companies can better compete in international markets; they can grow sales and increase their demand for skilled jobs.’ He added that sectors such as the marine could benefit from Enterprise-Ireland assistance: ‘For example, we can provide support to companies who wish to explore the feasibility of new ideas, assess a new market or to explore the potential of a new product or service. ‘We can also provide R&D funding to support projects that have the potential to develop novel products and services with a clear competitive advantage in their target market.’ Kelly added that in addition to financial support, clients also benefit from management training, competitiveness programmes, advice and introductions to experts, buyers and potential customers. ‘How will my ideas and plans generate jobs and exports?’ This is a company’s most important consideration, he said.

The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation has moved to distance itself from recent ‘personal comments’ by Joey Murrin, former head of the KFO, on mackerel negotiations as ‘unfounded, scaremongering and giving the incorrect impression that he is the only one who is actively campaigning to stop the reckless and irresponsible behaviour of Faros and Iceland in setting unjustified enormous autonomous mackerel quotas.’ In a statement, the KFO says is has been ‘very active in attending and participating in all mackerel negotiations over the last two years, and has had several meetings with Minister Coveney and his predecessor on an agreed national position.’ It adds that the organisation has ‘full confidence in the Department’s negotiator’ and sees ‘no basis whatsoever of the claim that Irish pelagic fishermen could lose €30 million in 2012. Furthermore the KFO has been instrumental in conjunction with EU pelagic industry colleagues in

Pelagic trawlers in Killybegs, Co Donegal.

May they rest in peace.

Photo G Mills

BIM wish to announce that applications are now being sought for grant aid under the following Schemes for 2012: ● Marine Environment Protect Measure ● Seafood Environmental Management & Certification Grant Aid Scheme ● Lobster V-Notching, Shellfish Discard & Live Return Reduction Scheme ● Fleet Safety Scheme ● Special Assistance for Young Fishermen Scheme ● Marine Tourism Safety Scheme All of these schemes are provided on an ‘open call’ basis and remain open to applications unless otherwise notified. However, for budget programming purposes, projects under the Marine Environment Protect Measure and the Seafood Environmental Management & Certification Grant Aid Scheme will be assessed and approved periodically in light of the funds available to BIM. ●

●

The first of round of assessments will occur in March 2012 and to guarantee inclusion in this round of approvals applications should be submitted to BIM not later that 5pm on Wednesday 29th February 2012. The second round of assessments will take place in April 2012 and to guarantee inclusion in this round of approvals applications should be submitted to BIM not later that 5pm on Friday 30th March 2012.

The bodies of Kevin Kershaw, Wael Mohammed, Attia Shaban and Michael Hayes have been recovered and returned to their heartbroken families. The search continues for Saied Ali Eldien.

negotiator that attends the Coastal States meetings. He not only fully understands the importance the mackerel fishery for Ireland but has a very clear negotiating mandate from the Minister and has remained in constant with the KFO during meetings.’ Note: Further discussions scheduled will have concluded by the time Inshore Ireland publishes. Should no agreement be reached, the EU and Norway will set the final TAC based on the ICES scientific advice for 2012 which is almost identical to 2011 advice. It is anticipated that Ireland’s final quota will be only slightly down on 2011.

European Fisheries Fund National Development Plan 2007-2013 Sea Fisheries Development Programme 2012

‘Tit Bonhomme’ As Inshore Ireland goes to press our thoughts are with the families and friends of the five fishermen drowned when the ‘Tit Bonhomme’ sank at the mouth of Glandore Harbour, off Union Hall, Co Cork in the early hours of January 15th last.

getting the EU Commission to bring forward its sanctions proposal on the 12th December 2011.’ The KFO’s chief executive Sean O’Donoghue said he was ‘surprised’ at the comments made by Joey Murrin. ‘He has neither been party to any of the negotiations nor been in touch with the organisation to get updates on the negotiations, and seems to be unaware that the sanctions proposed by the Commission were published before Christmas and discussed at the December Fisheries Council.’ He added he was ‘at a loss’ to understand how Mr Murrin arrived at an estimated loss of €30 million in 2012 for Irish mackerel fishermen. ‘Furthermore I have full confidence in the Department’s

In respect of the Lobster V Notching, Shellfish Discard & Live Return Reduction Scheme, projects received by 5pm on Friday 16th March 2012 are guaranteed inclusion in the first round of approvals. Depending on funds available to BIM a second round of approvals may take place in June 2012. Applications under the Fleet Safety Scheme, Special Assistance for Young Fishermen Scheme and Marine Tourism Safety Scheme will be assessed monthly in light of the funds available to BIM. Full details of each scheme are available on the BIM website www.bim.ie or by contacting: An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Fisheries Development Division, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Tel: 01 2144100. Fax: 01 2300564. E-mail: Fisheries@bim.ie Or by contacting you local BIM Area or Inshore Officer.

Agriculture, Food and the Marine This measure is part-financed by the European Community

Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara

inshore ireland February/March 2012

News

New Protocol to fisheries partnership agreement between the EU and Greenland The EU and Greenland have agreed on a new 3-year protocol to implement a partnership agreement that will enter into force on January 1, 2013. The Member States with interests in this Protocol are: Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Germany, the UK, Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal. The Protocol foresees that Greenland will provide the EU with a total fishing opportunity of 85, 765 tonnes – down from 91,700 tonnes under the current Protocol. As a counterpart, the EU will pay Greenland up to €17.8m annually, including the payment of sectoral support to the Greenlandic fisheries sector. In addition, vessel owners will have to pay a licence fee for authorisation to fish in Greenland waters, as is the current situation.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, (centre) in conversation with Lorcán Ó Cinnéide on board the MFV Syracuse

Marine minister gets hands-on demonstration of selective fishing net

imon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, spent a day aboard the Skerries-based prawn trawler, MFV Syracuse to see how innovative fishing nets that significantly reduce unwanted cod catches operate. Vessel owner Ivan Wilde has pioneered this new type of fishing gear in Ireland. “I was very pleased to have the opportunity to join Ivan Wilde and his crew on a fishing trip in the Irish Sea where I saw the positive impact of using this pioneering grid that allows cod escape from prawn fishing nets. He added it was “critically important” that these methods of fishing are developed to minimise cod catches. “This grid is one good example of an effective option. In this way we can continue the very important prawn fishery while protecting and rebuilding the Irish Sea cod stock.” The Irish Sea prawn fishery is economically very

important for the Irish fleet. The stock however has collapsed and in order to rebuild it, catches of all cod particularly juveniles, need to be reduced to a low level. Using traditional nets in the prawn fishery in the Irish Sea has resulted in a by-catch of mature and juvenile cod which is being discarded. “I am committed to developing practical and effective measures that reduce discards to a very low level across our fisheries,” Minister Coveney said.

Aurora Borealis February 2012

The Marine Institute and BIM are working with fishermen to develop eco-friendly and practical fishing nets to minimise “unacceptable” discards of juvenile and other unwanted fish. “This gear is a good example of what can be achieved… and I would like to see a wider take up of these types of measures and approaches across many of the fisheries around Ireland, so as to reduce discards and rebuild many of fish stocks on which our industry depends.”

Thanks to Martina Gardiner for this wonderful glimpse of the Northern Lights, taken from Ballyliffen Strand, Inishowen, Co Donegal www.martinagardinerphotography.com

inshore ireland February/March 2012

Comment

Is Ireland on the threshold of a ‘Maritime Era’ ?

f the old adage is true that ‘timing is everything’, the February publication by government of Our Ocean Wealth - towards an Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland could be very significant indeed. And perhaps in the not too distant future when the ink is drying on another chapter of Ireland’s maritime history it might be that this brief document will have drawn a line in the sand under the sloth-like pace to national recognition of the economic potential the marine environment offers - right here on our doorstep. Reading it you can’t but get a warm feeling that something is about to happen – really happen. Imagine! Government is now seeking public opinion for new

ways to develop new approaches and to open our minds to new thinking on how best to harness the marine resource. An Taoiseach’s commitment to the process on page 3 should send out a subtle but clear signal and silence those who have cited a lack of leadership at the top that hereto would not have been misplaced. Who will forget Inshore Ireland’s front page in May last year reporting criticisms by senior international figures in the marine renewables sector who claimed that the race between Ireland and Scotland for dominance in this multi-million euro sector was all but lost to Ireland if it didn’t significantly ‘up its game’ at senior political level. They made it quite clear they wanted Enda Kenny to be more akin to Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond, and be seen to take action by personally driving the marine agenda. Mr Kenny would appear to have heard that

criticism. So the clock is now counting down to March 31, the closing date for submissions that will feed into ‘The Plan’ which is expected to be launched in mid-summer. This may be the ONLY time Joe and Mary Citizen, along with stakeholders and anyone with an interest in things maritime will have a chance to influence or input into a marine policy for Ireland. And indeed if timing is everything, then comments on RTE radio recently by John Palmer, a former political director of the European Policy Centre, will have a bearing on this initiative too. Palmer strongly believes that the European Union is about to embrace an investment-led’ recovery strategy – much sooner than anyone thinks. He says the German Council of Economic Experts has already made it known that the current austerity strategy will not work,

and in fact, will cause Europe’s economic situation to become even more precarious – with deficits more likely to increase than decrease. Palmer believes that enormous pressure is building for what he says will be a major change of gear in EU economic policy. The result will see the EU Commission – similar to FD Roosevelt’s ‘New Deal’ in the 1930s America – making available up to €90 billion from unused European funds from within the existing budget. This massive economic injection, Palmer believes, will kick-start a sustainable recovery through investments in a variety of human and infrastructural projects – including marine renewables. If he’s right and this is in fact about to happen, the timing – for Ireland – could hardly be better. We might just be on the threshold of the long-wished for ‘maritime era’.

comment

Gery Flynn & Gillian Mills

Dalkey Drilling Public Meeting 24th January 2011

Dear Editor

solicitor representing the Dalkey business community opened the public meeting, unconcerned that the published notifications for the meeting were highly defamatory. Then the next presenter was an architect with some experience in environmental assessment, who admitted he had no experience in the relevant subject matter of drilling, but continued to talk at length about it – badly. The technical presentations continued with a barrister with scuba diving as a hobby. As an amateur he would not be allowed inside the exclusion zone around such facilities, but he knew all about the flora and fauna to be found on rigs. Except nobody in their right mind would build a production rig at that location, when a simple subsurface valve block and pipe to shore would suffice. The party political broadcasts followed, with the decibel level increasing.Yet not a single official from a state agency turned up to explain the situation, despite it being the law (Aarhus Convention) that public authorities actively and systematically disseminate environmental information.This is to ensure that the public can understand what is happening in the environment around them and is able to participate in an informed manner. I tried to explain from the audience that approximately four million tonnes of petroleum fuel enter Dublin Port each year, with limited liability. For drilling in Irish coastal waters under the Environmental Liabilities Directive, damage must be reinstated and/or complementary and compensatory remedial measures might also be required. The financial exposure of the insurers is huge; therefore it’s a very professional activity. A young geologist, who also spoke up, pointed out the relevant geological structure concerned is gas bearing. However, we were shouted down. Dalkey may be too posh to drill, but posh doesn’t pay bills. A country needs an industrial and manufacturing base. As a professional, I cannot recommend that anybody spend time, money and effort on such projects in a situation where parish pump politics dictate and political patronage ensures that the technical and legal considerations in permitting are ignored.

Pat Swords Glenageary, Co Dublin

Inshore Ireland is published by IIP Ltd

Dún Laoghaire’s RNLI lifeboat during a drill in Dublin Bay.

Photo G Mills

RNLI answer almost 1,000 calls throughout 2011

NLI lifeboats in Ireland launched 980 times to a varitety of callouts throughout 2011, rescuing 905 people by volunteer lifeboat crews who spent more than 9,826 hours on service at sea. Howth RNLI lifeboat station in Dublin was the busiest coastal station, launching to 48 requests for help, bringing 60 people to safety. This was followed by the Crosshaven station in Cork which launched 46 times, assisting 43 people. Enniskillen – one of Ireland’s two inland RNLI lifeboat stations operating on both Upper and Lower Lough

Erne launched 52 times, bringing 46 people to safety. The busiest month for rescues was July with 155 launches followed by August with 124 calls for assistance. February 2011 was the busiest February, May and October were the busiest months for Irish launches in the RNLI’s history. Statistics show that launches to vessels suffering machinery failure still account for the largest number of callouts (187) followed by vessels in trouble (78), grounded (74) and capsizing (73). “Our lifeboat volunteers continue to show selfless dedication and commitement to saving lives. Some stations

are extremely busy while others have less callouts but spend long hours at sea in awful conditions. There were some outstanding rescues last year including that to Rambler 100 in which Baltimore RNLI recovered 17 crewmembers off the upturned hull of the racing boat during the Fastnet race. Sadly, there were also long searches for missing loved ones,” commented RNLI Deputy Divisional Inspector, Gareth Morrison. He added that the work of the volunteer lifeboat crews could not be made possible without the generosity of the public “who in difficult times continue to support Irish lifeboat crews.”

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The publishers do not accept responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors and advertisers. While care is taken to ensure accuracy of information contained within Inshore Ireland, we do not accept responsibility for any errors or matters arising from same.

inshore ireland February/March 2012

YOURVIEW

Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs launches the Irish Ramsar Wetland Poster on the steps of the Tralee Wetland centre which is due to open shortly

Ireland’s green image blackened by loss of wetlands Karin Dubsky, Coastwatch

s everyone knows, Ireland gets a lot of rain which makes the landscape very lush and green. This matches the green image we want to portray. Bord Bia too draws heavily on this image, with the best meat produced from cattle that graze outdoors nearly all year round. Notwithstanding this, when you look at how we fare using other environmental indicators such as shellfish water quality; timely implementation of water pollution control legislation or designation, and management of Natura sites, our image is less green. Indeed, have you ever tried to relate the number of pigs seen outside with Irish pork steaks in supermarkets? Ireland’s record of breaches in environmental laws set

down by the European Court of Justice is another warning that green image and reality need to be better synchronised. Until very recently, an unresolved ECJ ruling on wetlands looked like landing us with daily fines, not least due to woefully inadequate wetland protection law. Thankfully changes were finally implemented, in the form of two separate statutory instruments each with its own legally binding guidance document.

Wetlands

The definition of wetlands found in the Ramsar Convention (www.ramsar. org) and also adopted in EC literature is: ‘Areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres.’ Ramsar information then sets out a long list of wetland types

with a definition and guidance on each. Our estuaries, reed beds, ponds and ditches, valley fens with bulrushes, which are now popping up new shoots, are all wetlands. A recent survey of wetland types in Wicklow carried out for Wicklow County Council, identified 34 types!

New wetland protection law

New farm regulations S.I. No. 456/2011 — European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Agriculture) Regulations 2011 set out to protect wetland habitats. They also cater for the farmer’s need to deal with water logging problems on agricultural land. For example, a farmer can address a wet patch or blocked drains in his barley field as before; however he/ she must seek planning permission to infill a pond, in that field, or an adjacent marsh as these are wetland habitats protected under

the new planning S.I. No. 454/2011 — Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2011. In addition to the above there are extra requirements when works might affect a protected site or species and if it is above a threshold size. There is also a screening provision whereby farmers can request an official check as to whether works can go ahead or may need planning permission or an environmental impact assessment. The aim of the two regulations is to preserve wetland quality and avoid loss. In essence, this new law, in addition to other regulation, should enable the sustainable use of wetlands. My concerns around our wetlands now are threefold. Firstly, we have decades of passionate and widespread belief that it is justified to infill, drain, or cut away wetlands especially bogs, small ponds, parts of flood plains. These practices won’t change, simply

by bringing in new laws. Secondly, when wetlands are infilled or drained illegally, authorities may halt it; however restoration of wetland functions is rare. Thirdly, by casually losing such wealth and beauty we are undermining our own green image and thereby job opportunities in the food and tourism sectors and render the land increasingly vulnerable to flooding. Let me spell this out. We still have land owners including local authorities who are infilling wetlands. There is a lack of transparency regarding the screening process in the Agricultural SI that is driven by the desire to produce more food. Given the reduction in enforcement staff and the lack of reward for farmers who have top quality wetlands, this creates a significant danger of further wetland loss rather than an improvement in the status of wetlands. For the coastal Inshore Ireland reader that could mean the

inshore ireland February/March 2012 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.

Should we have poster and website information along following lines? Ireland is steeped in wonderful wetlands To find out more see irishwetlands.ie

1 - 3 Tralee - Ramsar site and SPA, taken on World Wetland Day.

Photos Tim Smith

4 - 5 Dungarvan - Fresh infill of reed bed beside Dungarvan harbour SPA and Ramsar site Youghal - Slob lands being infilled; see earth and stones and further to the right is mixed waste dumped last year which has settled and is now used for tar and stone storage. Photos K Dubsky risk of pollution bleeps and eutrophication of local bathing or shellfish waters increasing. My call is that in spite of financial constraints, we need to address these concerns fast. Hopefully we have come far enough as a nation and now have the right leadership and networking in place. At the recent ‘wetlands of international importance’ poster launch for example, Minister Jimmy Deenihan was so committed to wetlands that everyone there felt lifted.

So what is needed?

Accessible information, including a national wetland inventory along with education/ training to enable wise and decisive protective action. Wetland restoration. The short film by Éamon de Buitléar shown on World Wetland Day of the life brought back to a canalised stream at Annestown Co Waterford once its bed and soft edge were reinstated, demonstrates how results can be achieved in some wetland types.

Cherish and improve our wetland stocks and the jobs they support

In the current climate of job shortages, wetlands themselves could help deliver many more jobs than they are currently supporting. Take the interplay of tourism, the fishing industry, recreation and farming sector for example. If carefully handled, each could support and reinforce the green quality image of the other. If visitors could see cattle grazing outdoors at the right density; water full of fish, shellfish that can be sold as caught or after minimal local depuration; restaurants and markets with a wide range of the finest wild and grown food, they will not only rave about Ireland but by word of mouth help bolster Irish products on the global market. If on the other hand however the tourist meets a bulldozer lovingly pushing demotion waste into a wetland, or bog sausage machines in full flight, or counts the number of signs

warning that streams on bathing beaches are too polluted for children to play in, then these eco-tourists will spread another kind of message... The Ramsar Convention has a tourism and recreation theme for 2012 and we in Ireland have the opportunity to showcase our wetlands on that world website, and to the ecotourism companies that are working with Ramsar this year. In addition, representatives of the 160 country ‘Ramsar family’ gather every three years for an international meeting, which many combine with a holiday. This time the Ramsar COP is in Europe (Romania) and Ireland could attract some of the business… We could guide visitors towards our stunning wetlands and Ramsar sites, intertidal mudflat areas with sea grass beds and a rocky shore edge full of edible life? But how do you prepare them for other sights (see photos of Dungarvan and Youghal) if they do come across them?

If interested in wetlands and nature we especially recommend you visit… Insert list of areas and contacts to lead the visitor to good quality wetlands and information such as the National Heritage Centre in Wexford with its wet woodland walks or the super new Tralee Wetland Centre (photo 2). The list excludes areas with wetland infill/drainage problems. Please help with wetland protection As new law has only recently been passed and wetland appreciation needs further encouragement, please help by telling us and others about your good experience – whether it is the sight of an otter or taste of fresh native oysters. Reports of good ecotourism guides, clean shellfish waters and beautiful dune slacks all help to protect wetlands. Reports of wetland damage and risk are also of critical importance. Please send location detail and any photographic evidence to help us address the problems. Despite the state of the nation’s purse, I believe we now have an opportunity to spearhead change. While many of us are grappling with lack of information and farmers are penalised by not getting single payments for wetlands, we can change all this. There are enough citizens who appreciate wetlands and have wonderful stories of their traditional uses or depend on them for their daily jobs, or depend on intact floodplains to be safe in their houses . If ‘Joe Citizen’ supports a new wetland protection policy, we could have better wetland quality that will underpin employment even this summer and help secure green jobs in the fisheries, food and tourism industry. Further information on the Irish Ramsar Wetlands Committee from www.irishwetlands.ie

inshore ireland February/March 2012

YOURVIEW Geochemical

surveying of border counties almost A fractious complete issue T 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.

ost people living in the west of Ireland have by now encountered the word ‘fracking’. It is a term used to describe the extraction of gas from shale rock deposits that lie underground. There is no fracking as such in Ireland, but even the possibility of it happening has started much discussion along the west Coast. Some County Councils have voted to ban the process. While this may be as useful as putting wheels on a tomato, it is a declaration of intent by the premier decision making body in each County. Clare County Council has agreed to amend their County Development Plan in an attempt to put some bite into their decision not to allow fracking, pending the introduction of greater regulation and oversight. The process of fracking” is unlike conventional gas extraction which is extracted from fairly porous rock. Gas from shale deposits needs to be accessed by opening fractures in the rock with a high pressure, water/chemical mixture - a process known as hydraulic fracturing. The most effective way to do this is to build ‘horizontal wells’, which burrow kilometres underground and then turn, spraying the mixture into the shale rock through tiny holes. Also unlike conventional natural gas, many drilling sites are needed - with the possibilities of serious environmental impacts, if the experience from the USA is repeated where there has been a rapid expansion in the Shale Gas extraction industry. In the US in 2008, 1,600 drilling sites were in operation , I don’t have up to date figures but it is a given that this number has increased. Currently in Europe there are only around 100 drill sites, mainly in Poland which is anxious to exploit any gas resource and reduce their dependence on Russian gas. In Ireland, three companies: Lough Allen Natural Gas Co; Tamboran and Energi Oil have been granted licences to explore for shale gas. There has been a lot of activity and public announcements from one company. Tamboran recently announced that Leitrim has $55bn gas reserves (http://www.irishtimes.com/ newspaper/finance/2012/0201/1224311046794.html) . I view this more as an effort to boost share price and investor confidence rather than any practical results. So far, no gas has been extracted. As of yet there is no evidence that shale gas in Ireland can be economically and sustainably harnessed by fracking. Companies are basing their assessments on the shale gas extraction industry in America. Costs are higher in Europe and shale deposits tend to be deeper. There is no history of land-based drilling for oil and gas here, i.e. no support industries or know-how. Even though there are regulatory gaps in Europe, it is a less friendly place for this type of industry compared to America. Most importantly, in America the mining rights to property rests with the individual, and the land owners see huge profits. In Europe, mining rights are vested in the State, keeping windfalls for the landowner to a minimum, and realising profits for the State. This makes it more likely for resistance from landowners who will have to live on the land long after the gas has been extracted. I believe this to be a cul-de-sac solution that will do nothing to wean society off its gas addiction. But that is only my view. What is clear is that the communities that may be impacted by fracking will be divided. There is trouble brewing. Cllr Brian Meaney Green Party Councillor Ennis Town Council Clare County Council

he Tellus Border project is a European Union INTERREG IVA funded mapping project that will collect scientific data on soils, waters and rocks across the six border counties of Ireland (Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth) and integrate these with existing data collected in Northern Ireland as part of the Tellus project. Geochemical surveying recommences this month; soil sampling began last August 2011, and by January 97% had been completed. High ground in counties Sligo and Leitrim will be completed when weather conditions improve. Drainage sampling began in September 2011 but the survey stopped for in late October due to high water levels in streams. The geophysical surveying commenced in late October and to February 1 had successfully completed over 17,000 line km in the border region. The survey aircraft flies at an altitude of 60m in daylight hours, 7 days-a-week. Onboard geophysical instruments comprise: »» two electromagnetic coils which measure the electrical conductivity of soil, rocks and groundwater »» magnetometer that measures variations in the Earth’s magnetic field, and »» a gamma ray detector that measures the natural radioactivity of soil and rocks. As part of the outreach programme, the Tellus Border team is continually working with local landowners and farming organisations to keep them informed of the surveys and to minimise disruption to activities on the ground.

2012 activities »» Tellus Border Open day at St. Angelo Airport, Enniskillen, 31 March 2012 (2pm – 4pm). Opportunity to see the plane, meet the pilots, find out more about the project and its many benefits, and take part in a fun, activity-filled day out. »» Tellus Border annual technical seminar at Geoscience 2012 conference, Dublin Castle, 19-20 April 2012. »» The geochemical and geophysical surveys are set to finish in May 2012, weather permitting. Following survey completion, a phase of data interpretation and mapping will begin.

The project is led by the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, in conjunction with project partners the Geological Survey of Ireland, Queen’s University Belfast and Dundalk Institute of Technology. The Tellus Border project is funded by the INTERREG IVA programme of the European Regional Development Fund, which is managed in Ireland and Northern Ireland by the Special European Programmes Body (SEUPB). The project is co-funded by the Department of Environment (NI) and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (RoI).

Minister Fergus O’Dowd pans for gold with Tellus Border team members Kate Knights (L) and Mairéad Glennon (R) at the BT Young Scientist Exhibition, 13 January 2012.

inshore ireland February/March 2012

Freshwater Focus

Salmon ‘double-landing’ on first day of 2012! Brendan Connolly

he early days of the New Year can be dreary, with little daylight and long dark nights. But for anglers, this time of year is not as gloomy as it heralds the start of the trout and salmon season just a few short weeks away. Indeed, some salmon fisheries open during January and a handful as early as the first day! The two salmon fisheries that are open and also have a run of fresh salmon on January 1 are the Drowes River on the border between Donegal and Leitrim, and for one day only, the River Liffey in Dublin. Salmon fishery management has seen major changes in the last decade; perhaps the most significant of which is the drift-net ban at sea since 2007. The number of specimen salmon (over 20lb or 9.072kg) recorded per year from 20002009 with the exception of five recorded in 2004 were ones and twos, and none in 2001. The number of specimen salmon in both 2010 and 2011 however rose to four. It is hoped that these new management measures

will result in a consistent rise in the number of specimens.

A winter’s tale

Two anglers had planned to fish the Drowes from first light on January 1st; however still being in a relaxed Christmas frame of mind they instead decided to just visit the river ‘to see how the fishing was going’. So they set off to Lareen Estate where the Drowes River flows from Lough Melvin, armed only with a camera on the off chance that the first salmon would be caught on the first morning of the season. The river was very high – so high the wooden walkways were submerged and water was encroaching on the riverbanks. These conditions did not augur well for catching an early salmon. Driving up the laneway to Lareen Estate they saw a group of men at the Blackwater Pool staring fixedly across the river, and joined them. This pool is a favoured spot and was where the first salmon of the season was caught last year.

The chase begins

On the far bank an angler was playing a fish. The long doubled-handled salmon rod was bent in a strong arch.

The fly-line zipped through the water as the fish moved from side to side in the strong current. First the salmon held its position in mid-current; then it moved closer to the bank and moved away again into mid stream. Some of the other anglers stopped fishing, abandoning their rods so as not to miss the unfolding drama. In such a strong current a salmon could easily be lost. The fish was giving a strong fight and therefore was more likely to be a fresh run salmon rather than a spent kelt from the 2011 season

Prized landing

After about 15 minutes, another angler waded on the water covered walkway with a landing net, ready to net the salmon. Slowly, the fish neared the bank. The net was gently maneuvered beneath the salmon and a fresh bar of silver was lifted from the river. A cheer went up! It looked to be a fresh run salmon and was later confirmed by Inland Fisheries Ireland staff. But who was the angler? None other than Ian Martin from Co Tyrone, who had landed the first salmon of the season last year on the Drowes – again using a tube fly. This all happened just after midday on the January 1st; however the first salmon of the year had already been caught at 09.45hrs that morning on the Liffey at Islandbridge, Dublin. The angler was Declan Briggs from Lucan who landed a fine 8lbs spring salmon on yellow and red devon lure. If two salmon being landed within hours of each other on the morning of the first day of 2012 from opposite sides of the country; and driving to a river, stepping out, and instantly seeing the first for that river being caught are part of a trend, then the signs are very positive that the new management regime for Irish salmon populations is proving effective.

2012 regulations and bylaws for the management of the wild salmon fishery Announcing the 2012 regulations, Fergus O’Dowd, Minister of State at the department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources said that whilst 2010 saw some “dramatic changes”, the past year saw more “modest improvements” such as the return of salmon to the Tolka River in Dublin “We can be justifiably proud of the management of our rivers, not only by Inland Fisheries Ireland but by all stakeholder and anglers. Forty-nine 49 rivers will be ‘open’ and a further 32 will be open for angling on a ‘catch & release’ basis. The Standing Scientific Committee assessed 141 rivers and have advised as follows: »» 49 rivers are open as a surplus of fish has been identified in these rivers (i.e. 1 less than in 2011) »» 32 rivers have been classified as open for angling on a ‘catch and release’ basis only (i.e. 3 more than 2011) and »» 60 rivers are closed as they have no surplus of fish available for harvest in them (i.e. 2 less than 2011). The Minister also announced a reduction in ordinary licences fees; district licences; twenty-one day licences; juvenile licences and special local licences, on the recommendation of IFI. “My aim is to encourage sales of annual ordinary licences and increase the perceived value of that licence. I have also decided to reduce the twenty-one day licence by 13% to incentivise angling tourists to avail of the first-class angling product offered in Ireland,” Minister O’Dowd explained.

Summary of main changes

The five rivers reopened on a ‘catch & release’ basis are: »» Slaney (Wexford fishery district) (note: river is closed until 17 March 2012) »» Corock (Waterford fishery district) »» Srahmore (Burrishoole) (Bangor fishery district) »» Bungosteen (Ballyshannon fishery district) »» Dee (Dundalk fishery district). The two rivers open in 2011 but limited to ‘catch & release’ in 2012 are: »» Argideen (Cork fishery district) »» Castletown (Dundalk fishery district). Three rivers open for angling on a ‘catch and release’ basis in 2011 but closed in 2012 are: »» Grange (Sligo fishery district) »» Glenna and Glenagannon (Letterkenny fishery district).

Competition The Drowse fishery has generously offered two days fishing for two people (four rod-days) as a competition prize. Question: What was the weight of the salmon landed from the Drowse on January 1, 2012? Ian Martin holding the Drowes Trophy with Shane Gallagher of the Drowes Salmon Fishery

Answers to: mills@inshore-ireland.com or by post to 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin. (pls include contact details and address) Closing date: 23/03/2012

10 inshore ireland February/March 2012

Freshwater Focus

Widespread inspection of septic tanks unlikely John Hearne

t is now thought unlikely that all 440,000 septic tanks and treatment systems in the State will be subject to individual inspections. Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD has said there will be a ‘risk based’ and ‘evidence based’ approach to inspections. Evidence of pollution will prompt the inspection of registered septic tanks in the affected area; ad-hoc or random inspections will not form part of the government’s response to the issue. The controversy has arisen as a result of a European Court of Justice judgment made against Ireland three years ago. The ruling stated that Ireland had broken EU law for failing to enact legislation to deal with domestic waste water – not just from septic tanks but from other individual treatment systems. If the legislation is not enacted, the State will become liable for a lump sum fine of €2.7m and daily fines of €26,173 thereafter. In order to avoid these charges, the Water Services Amendment Bill was introduced. It is currently making its way through the Houses of the Oireachtas. The recent reduction in the septic tank registration fee to €5 from €50 has been welcomed by the broad coalition that opposed any action on septic tanks. Under the terms of Minister Hogan’s climb-down, as long as householders register their septic tank between March and June of this year, they will escape with the reduced charge. Registration fees will now bring in a maximum of €2.2m, assuming everyone registers within the three month period.

Media reports suggest that the drop in revenue will mean that additional exchequer funds will have to be found to cover the cost of inspections. Speaking after the fee reduction was announced, however, Minister Hogan said it was a recognition that we don’t need to charge people as much as was originally intended “because we now have a better outcome with the European Commission to comply with the European Court of Justice judgment.” He added that existing local authority staff would be trained by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff to carry out inspections. The debate has now shifted away from the registration fee onto the cost of any remedial works that faulty tanks will require. Fianna Fáil deputy leader Éamon Ó Cuiv has suggested that repair bills could run to as much as €20,000 per householder, a figure that the minister has branded “absolute nonsense”. Minister Hogan nonetheless conceded that in a worst case scenario, a repair cost in the order of €8,000 would be realistic. He has since modified his position, stating that faulty tanks could give rise to maintenance costs of between €50 and €100 every two years. While registration fees will become payable next month, no inspections will be carried out until next year. Minister Hogan has expressed confidence there will not be major problems with septic tanks. He has also raised the possibility of providing financial help for any repairs works that may be necessary. Guidelines on criteria for septic tanks are due to be published before the end of the month. These will then be open for public consultation for four weeks, by which time they will be approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, TD

Public consultation on reforming Ireland’s water sector Gillian Mills

six-week public consultation on reforming Ireland’s water sector centres on the establishment of a new public utility IrishWater; introduction of water charges and an independent economic regulation under the Commission for Energy Regulation. Announcing the plan in mid January, a statement on behalf of Phil Hogan, Minister of the Environment and Fergus O’Dowd Minister of State with responsibility for NewERA says that through a ‘steady level of capital investment of potentially €600m per annum, the water sector will create and sustain 2,000 construction jobs.’ Background Fine Gael’s Programme for Government committed to the creation of IrishWater, a State company to take over water investment and maintenance programmes of the 34 existing county and city councils with the key aim of supervising and accelerating investment needed to upgrade the State’s water and sewerage networks. Key benefits set to arise include: • creation of 2,000 long-term construction jobs • specific focus on fixing the current leaks in the system • attracting foreign investment to support new businesses, industries and jobs • responsibility for investment and the delivery of services • protecting the environment and public health • meters to encourage water conservation • supporting implementation of

River Basin Management Plans • An independent assessment highlighted problems with the current model of water services provision; these include: • fragmentation of current structures • inability to achieve real economies of scale in delivery and operation • No independent economic regulation • significant overheads in managing water services • costly operational expenditure • full potential for industry standard IT systems management not being exploited • poor development of national water services projects due to funding constraints • unaccounted for water is well above international standards • current funding model for water services is unsustainable According to Minister Hogan, whilst Irish Water will be a national company it will have a regional and local focus. A phased transition is also proposed ‘to ensure continuity of service and the building of a fitfor-purpose organisation within a reasonable timescale.’ The Programme for Government also provides for the introduction of a ‘fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water with the objective of installing water meters in households and moving to a charging system’ based on use above a free allowance. ‘We are the only country in the OECD where households do not pay directly for the water they use. Our current model of water provision, where unlimited quantities of an expensive product are provided at no charge, is simply not sustainable,’ Minister Hogan outlined. And he added that government intends to embark on a ‘universal

metering programme with installation of the necessary infrastructure to commence this year, creating 2,000 jobs each year for the next three years in the construction industry.’ Economic regulation of the water sector will be undertaken by the Commission for Energy Regulation. Customer protection ‘The primary duty of the economic regulator will be to protect the interests of customers. This will be achieved by having an appropriate regulatory framework that is clearly enforced with the aim of ensuring that efficiencies are driven, costs are reduced and that these benefits are passed on to consumers,’ remarked Minister Hogan. He added that cutting costs significantly from their current levels would be a ‘key objective’ for the regulator. ‘The Government will also ensure that policies are in place to address affordability for those on low incomes or those that have medical conditions that necessitate a high level of water use,’ he emphasised. The position paper Reform of the Water Sector in Ireland highlights some of the weaknesses in the current model. Meeting the challenges of the Water Framework Directive, and requirements for treating drinking water and waste water ‘will require very significant levels of investment and concerted action,’ the Minister said. In 2010, water services cost more than €1.2bn of which operational costs accounted for €715m and capital costs over €500m. Full details on the Department’s website: www. environ.ie under ‘public consultation’. Closing date for public consultation is close of business Friday February 24.

How to ensure your septic tank is working properly »» all septic tanks should be inspected and de-sludged at least annually »» if you never have to empty your septic tank, it may be because it’s leaking and effluent is not being properly treated before it comes in contact with groundwater. This could result in contamination of adjacent drinking water wells and may result in problems for surrounding householders »» if the tank has to be emptied more frequently, then either it’s too small for the number of people in the house or there is an inflow of groundwater into the tank. Either way, the tank should be water-tight »» safety note: Don’t enter a septic tank or wastewater treatment system. They emit dangerous gases and only certified personnel should carry out works. For a list of licensed waste contractors, contact your local authority »» rainwater from roofing should be diverted away from the septic tank into a properly constructed soak-away. »» grey water from washing machines and sinks should be treated in the wastewater treatment system »» fat and grease should not be poured down the sink. Excessive use of bleach and disinfectants should be avoided »» driveways or paved areas should not be located over the percolation area or polishing filter (Guidelines courtesy of EPA)

inshore ireland February/March 2012 11

Freshwater Focus

EPA ‘Special Award’ for septic tank project that could save Ireland millions! ‘Our research into the history of the septic tank shows that systems have changed in Ireland and the EU over time, with newer models developing tocomply with newer standards’ This led us to the two main issues for our investigation:-

Gery Flynn

wareness of the fragility of Ireland’s groundwater resource was evident in this year’s BTYoung Scientist & Technology Exhibition where the team from Ballybay Community College, Co Monaghan: Lauren Murphy, Muireann O’ Rourke Orla Mc Phillips and their teacher, Martin Molloy, scooped the Environmental Protection Agency’s Special Award for their ‘topical and innovative project’ entitled ‘Septic Tanks: Old versus New!’ The girls outlined their somewhat unexpected findings to Inshore Ireland: Living as we do in a rural community we are increasingly worried about future testing of On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (OSWTS). The government will shortly introduce penalties if current systems fail to meet the standards set out. And according to The Farmers Journal the cost of installing a new system could be expensive – anywhere between €5,000 and €10,000. Even the newer septic systems, can cause problems as much as the older ones.

1. Old vs New • have septic tanks improved, changed or unimproved over the years? • the difference between modern percolation areas and the old soakage pits • the effectiveness of septic tanks with installed motors for aeration 2. Has the government chosen the most cost-efficient way of enforcing the new law? We decided that a cluster sample of septic systems would be appropriate because we wanted the data set to have similar a soil type and underlying bedrock.. In our case the soil was loamy clay while the rock type was metasediment. We took into consideration: • the age of the system • the material it was made from • the number of occupants in the house • the impact of dishwasher/ washing machine effluent or bleach • the frequency of de-sludging • whether a motor was installed Properly built and maintained, OSWTS can treat effluent in an ecologically sound manner. They also return water to the environment in an environmentally-safe way. Inappropriately designed, installed, and maintained OSWTS however, are considered to be among the many sources of excessive nutrients in water bodies. (National Rural Water

Services Committee Final Report 2005-2010) In rural Ireland today, approximately 225 million litres of effluent from over 1.2 million people are produced by on-site systems. According to the CSO there are 440,000 OSWTS in Ireland; this is now one of the principal sources of groundwater pollution (Daly, 2003). The EU Court of Justice’s ruling – to be enforced this year – will require septic tanks and waste treatment systems to be inspected to ensure they are not causing pollution. This follows its ruling in October 2009 that Ireland had not properly implemented the EU Waste Directive that focuses on septic tanks and treatment systems in rural areas. Background We began by sourcing houses for testing, and agreed on three local town lands. So as to avoid any significant difference in soil type the houses were all within a three-mile radius. Fifteen householders agreed to complete our survey. Five of these houses were built before1991 (prior to SR6:1991 Wastewater, Treatment Systems for Single Houses) and consequently might not comply with existing standards, although they may have conformed to the standard at the time of installation. Householders were all genuinely concerned about and aware of the sanctions that may be imposed. Two of these had never desludged their systems even though EPA guidelines recommend it at least every twelve months (EPA, 2009). Most of the remaining systems were percolation areas and two had no settlement tank whatsoever. One of the tanks was built of cast concrete; four were of

The winning team from Ballybay Community College, Co Monaghan. Left to right: ‘Martin Molloy (teacher) with students Lauren Murphy; Muireann O’Rourke and Orla McPhillips

concrete blocks; five were plastic, and three were fibreglass. Four of these OSWTS had a motor for aeration. We also sampled groundwater at a set distance (5m) from the actual tank – on the downward sloping side where the percolation or soak pit was located. And we picked eight drains downstream of the OSWTS to measure dissolved oxygen to determine the amount of pollution that may be caused by OSWTS. We used fifteen, two-meter perforated pipes to collect ground water (one for each septic tank) . We also used 1¼” wastewater piping to make the pipes and sealed the bottom using waterproof silicone adhesive. Each pipe was perforated and had a removable cap to prevent rainwater entering. Each pipe was then placed at set distances in the percolation area/ downstream from the soakage pit and each was left for six days. Before repeating the process, the pipes were disinfected. Each septic tank was photographed and visually evaluated; we also examined the amount of surface water and the general condition of the surrounding land. As it was difficult to capture enough groundwater to carry out a dissolved oxygen test we took samples from the closest drain downstream of the OSWTS. Three samples were on different dates. After extensive research we tested the groundwater for Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Ammonia. We also recorded the water’s pH. Our Observations • new houses with new systems were affected by pollution problems with OSWTS just as much as older houses. In one case, a house built in 2009 operating an aeration motor was the 3rd most polluted house in our study • three relatively new percolation areas (two of which were installed in the last four years) have seriously malfunctioned • our cluster sample found that there was not much difference in the effectiveness of a modern septic tank and

an older model. Taking costs into account however it would be more efficent to leave the majority of septic tanks as they are • the cost of installing a new percollation area to an averagesized house ranges between €3,500 and €4,000. The cost of installing a new septic tank could amount to €10,000 It is generally only the percolation area that causes a pollution problem • we have read Cavan County Council’s by-laws regarding OSWTS which were introduced in 2004 and feel that their method of evaluation is inadequate. It is just a visual test and fully dependent upon the opinion of the assessor, and takes no chemical evaluation into account Our recommendations • System maintenance is vital and therefore, the pubic should be educated on their obligations regarding their OSWTS. • A larger study should be undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of soakage pits. We found that a soakage pit would be more site-suitable in some areas. • The correct installation of percolation areas is vital for an efficient system. • To analyse the effectiveness of aerated OSWTS compared to the older type a representative sample should be studied nationwide. • A country-wide assesment of OSWTS is pivotal to solving water pollution problems; however,we believe only a very small percentage of tanks are not in working order, the problem lies mainly with the percolation area or soakage pit. • OSWTS assessment should involve both visual and chemical testing • The percolation test should be stricter for planning permission. • Records of de-sludging and servicing should be mandatory. • A public campaign should be launched to make people aware of the effects of bleach on the effectiveness of a septic tank. Alternative cleaning products should be highlighted.

Praising the Ballybay Community College’s winning project, Annett Cahalane of the EPA told Inshore Ireland that the award is made to the best environmental project in the competition. “We’re delighted to see such a topical and innovative project winning the EPA Award this year. All credit to Orla, Lauren and Muireann. Their ability to apply what they’re learning in school to the science of everyday life is what impressed me most about their work.”

12 inshore ireland February/March 2012

Report

In this view of a vessel passing Dalkey Island, it shows an approximate direction of the proposed exploratory drill-rig some 6km offshore of the Dublin Bay coastline. Photo Jehan Ashmore

A case of ‘NIMBY-ism or justifiable concern? Jehan Ashmore and Gillian Mills

pwards of 500 residents, business people and politicians turned out for two information meetings in Dalkey and Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin last month, and agreed unanimously to call on Phil Hogan, Minister for Enterprise and Local Government, to hold a Public Inquiry into the application by Providence Resources for a foreshore licence to explore the potential of an oil and gas prospect circa 6km off the coast of Dublin in an area known as the Kish Bank Basin. Providence Resources were invited to attend both meetings but declined, saying in a statement they were willing to discuss the issue with small groups at their Donnybrook Headquarters.

Insufficient debate time

Consensus from both meetings was that the public consultation process timeframe was insufficient for a full debate and that the information provided was inadequate and failed to address principle concerns. A major concern was the potential damage from oil spills. It was suggested from the floor that the Providence application had presented only the lowest risk level scenarios for three given examples based on no spill,

minor and major oil spills. The same speaker also contended that under the company’s emergency contingency plan, in the event of an oil spill reaching the shore, Providence Resources would not be legally responsible and that ultimately the clean-up costs would be borne by local authorities and third parties. (See sidebar Q&A) The application for the exploratory licence requires a site and seismic survey in an area that could see a drill rig sited some 6km off Dalkey Island. Providence documentation states that the kind of exploration is at a ‘relatively early stage and subsequent activity would require further licensing’. They claim all activities will be at a ‘significant distance from any Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) with minimal risks to wildlife and marine mammals.’ Other concerns highlighted include proximity to a large population; potential impacts to wildlife, tourism and businesses in Dublin Bay, which is considered a unique amenity held by few European capitals.

Tax benefits

Regarding financial benefits to Ireland Inc. there was confusion over the level of government tax on profits. What is certain is that Ireland has one of the lowest oil tax regimes in the world, claimed People before Profit T.D. Richard Boyd Barrett. (See sidebar Q&A)

The deputy said he was “absolutely opposed” to the proposal “which is not just an issue for Dalkey but for Dublin Bay” and called “at the very least for a public inquiry” before any decision is taken to grant the licence. “The risks far outweigh the benefits” he said, as there were no guarantees that any oil would be discovered or that the potential financial benefits of a find would go to the Irish people, he added. At the Dalkey meeting, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore also supported the general consensus of opinion; however he emphasised that the application was only at ‘exploratory’ stage and that another application would be necessary should oil be find. Green Party environment spokesman Tom Kivlehan said that risks and benefits must be balanced. “I would rather see investment spent instead on developing alternative wind and power renewable technologies.”

Stakeholder comments

Peter Ryan of the Dún Laoghaire Commercial Fishermen’s Group raised concerns over the proposed site for the drill-rig platform claiming it would be in the centre of their fishing grounds in the Kish Bank basin. He felt that the 500m exclusion zone “would be closer to a 1km” radius and close to a “busy shipping lane”. The fishing grounds are an important source for whelks and scallops, whose habitat depends on banks between Dublin Bay, the Kish Bank

and Greystones and as such support livelihoods not just in neighbouring fishing communities but also as far as Kilkeel, Co. Down. Ryan pointed out that “fish don’t like loud noises” adding that the survey area would take up to 85% of their fishing grounds. “Even a minor oil spill would wipe out our fishing grounds particularly during northerly sea swells,” he said. According to a fishing consultant report (commissioned by Providence Resources), fishermen are extremely concerned about seismic surveys involving towing acoustic equipment beyond the 3sq km survey area as the equipment has the potential to snag buoys lines resulting in pot losses or at the very least pot damage.

Dolphin distress

A statement from the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group (IDWG) noted the presence of cetaceans (whales, porpoises, dolphins) around the Kish Bank basin which are ‘important for cetaceans’. Sightings of bottlenose dolphins have increased dramatically in the area since the arrival of a group of three individuals in August 2010.’ The IWDG is also concerned over potential effects caused by disturbance from increased traffic but more importantly due to noise generated from the drilling process. While they say there is considerable data on noise effects of pile-driving, blasting and noise generated by wind turbines “there is little published data on the intensity

and effects of sound generated by drilling”. Joining the chorus of opposition, Birdwatch Ireland said the granting of a licence before “robust screening” was completed would not be in keeping with EU Habitats Directive requirements. The application fails to mention locally important, though undesignated, colonies such as Bray Head, Wicklow Head and Dublin Port, which is part of an SPA, they contend.

No plan

Ireland’s national coordinator of Coastwatch Europe, Karin Dubsky said the drilling proposal once again highlighted how “ill prepared we still are as an island nation to manage and plan wise use of our marine, especially inshore resources”. She added that whilst the government’s move to address deficits within the new Foreshore Bill were imminent, and that coastal zone management and strategic planning were promised, “anyone who now applies for a significant impact marine use, should be told to come back later, when Ireland is ready.” “If I was in government I would refuse the foreshore application as being premature, and focus on the positive and use it as a good foundation for our EU presidency starting in January 2013”. With a need for jobs, particularly in the Dublin area, “oil and gas so close to shore would be a huge national asset in years to come when these carbon resources will have a much higher value, she contends.

inshore ireland February/March 2012 13

Report

Inshore Ireland submitted the following questions to the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government; Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. What is the response of the DoE following the overwhelming call by Dalkey residents for a public enquiry into Providence Resources application for a foreshore licence? What are the potential costs of an exploratory oil drill survey? Should the survey prove commercially viable, will the oil be piped ashore and where would be the landfall and what would be the costs and timeframe? If landfall is not an option, would the oil be transferred by tanker using a floating platform storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel and to where, or would the oil be processed at sea using an offshore oil refiner and if so, where? What would be the minimum number of barrels per day required to underpin commercially viability? In the event of a potential or real oil spill, who would be primarily responsible, what would be the contingency plan and cost of a clean up? Will there be a mandatory obligation for an Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) to be stationed in Dublin Port? What mitigating assurances can be provided given the proximity of the project to a capital city and special areas of conservation including EU recognised protected species in Dublin Bay?

There is confusion in the public domain over the level of government tax (20% or 40%) on profits from the exploration industry. Can you clarify? Secondly, can tax rates rise in subsequent contracts if substantial reserves are found? Thirdly, what are the terms of conditions? What agencies will be involved in the seismic survey and what are the guidelines? What will be the economic benefits to Ireland?

DoE responds:

Primary policy responsibility for the exploitation of offshore natural resources, including the tax regime applicable to such projects, is a matter for the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Such projects are subject to a number of statutory consents under the Gas Acts, and the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act. Projects involving works within the 12 nautical mile outer limit of the foreshore are also subject to consent under the Foreshore Acts. The Department has received an application from Providence Resources for a foreshore licence in respect of site investigations and the drilling of an exploratory well off Dalkey. This is the first such application under foreshore legislation for this type of project. The application was the subject of a public consultation procedure which commenced on 5 January 2012, with a closing date for receipt of submissions by the Department of 2/2/2012. The application has been referred to standard prescribed body consultees including the Marine Institute,

the Marine Survey Office, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, Inland Fisheries Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. In addition, and owing to the nature of the proposal, the application has also been referred to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Wicklow County Council, Dublin Port Company, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Given the nature of the application, the fact that it is the subject of a public consultation process, and that the decision and related documentation, including the submissions received under the public consultation process, will be published on the Department’s website, it is not considered that a public inquiry is necessary. The proposal will be the subject of an environmental assessment by the scientific and technical advisors on the marine licence vetting committee. Their assessment will involve a detailed examination of the application and related information and the issues raised in the submissions received on foot of the consultation process. The extent of the environmental assessment required will also be informed by the issues that may emerge from the prescribed body and public consultations. It would be expected that the environmental assessment will consider impacts on European sites, sensitive species, other legitimate uses within the area that is the subject of the application, and navigation issues. The Minister will make a determination on the application in due course, taking account of the recommendation of the marine licence vetting committee and the Department. Should the project

progress to commercial exploitation, it would be the subject of further applications for consents from the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, in the first instance, and then An Bord Pleanála under the Planning Acts, and a lease or licence under the Foreshore Acts, all of which will require the submission of an environmental impact statement and environmental impact assessments by the relevant consent authorities.

DCENR responds

The operational elements of the query (specifically questions 2-5) relating to costs and development options in the event of a commercial discovery being made are primarily a matter for the operator. The attached briefing note [with editor, space restriction] sets out the background to the licence and the regulatory framework surrounding the drilling of an exploration well and answers a number of the queries, in particular Q6 in relation to the oil spill contingency plan and Q8 approval of seismic surveys. A tax rate of between 25% and 40% would apply in the event of a commercial discovery. The actual rate would depend on the profitability of the field. If the exploration drilling were successful and resulted in a commercial discovery then the principal economic benefit would be in the form of the tax paid on profits from the field. Before any project could proceed from the exploration to production stage the developer’s proposals would be subject to a number of statutory consent processes, including assessment under the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and these processes would involve a comprehensive public consultation phase.

Q&A with Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport Providence Resources Oil Spill Contingency Plan refers, inter alia to: Section 1.6 ‘Roles and Responsibilities of Interested Parties If an oil spill was to occur during operations, the fundamental legal responsibility for clean-up would rest with Providence as the Operator. Government Authorities would in most cases monitor the clean up activities while reserving the right to intervene actively if the operations were not being appropriately carried out or if it became apparent that the problem was beyond Providence’s capability to resolve. IRCG have the oversight role as far as cleanup is concerned and would monitor the clean up activities in all cases whether at sea or on the shoreline Further Section 4.4.4. ‘Inshore Oil Spill Clean-up’ states inter alia: In Ireland, the local authorities are responsible for onshore clean-up of spills via

the Joint Response Committee. The details of the shore clean up priorities are given in the national and local authority oil spill contingency plans… Q: Can the department confirm and clarify the above that Providence has no liability to the clean-up operation whatsoever if a spill reaches the shoreline? DTTS: The company does have liability in the event of a clean-up operation. The reference to Section 4.4.4. is incorrect. It should read: (The Local Authorities are responsible for oil coming ashore. The details of the shoreline clean-up operations will be in accordance with the Authorities’ Oil Spill Contingency Plans [OSCPs]).

Q. Please outline liability in the context of the corrected Section 4.4.4. DTTS: The Company has to have insurance in place to cover the eventuality of a spill and subsequent clean-up. The Company does have liability. Q. The reference is directly quoted from Providence’s Oil Spill Contingency Plan. Is there a difference in the interpretation of responsibility as stated by Providence and your clarification? DTTS: The Irish Coast Guard is consulted on foreshore licence applications and its interest centres on the safety of life at sea e.g safety of navigation. In the processes involved with oil and gas exploration, the company first need to do a survey

of the area being considered, and it is during this survey that the Irish Coast Guard needs to monitor the movements of the survey vessel and to safeguard other maritime traffic in the area. There is no need for an Oil Spill Contingency Plan (OSCP) at this stage. Further down the line the company will need to submit an OSCP to the Irish Coast Guard for consideration and approval before proceeding with drilling. This cannot be done until the survey is completed. As Providence have not submitted a plan for this prospect the one that they appear to be showing is an EXAMPLE of what would be contained in their final submission to drill. The wording that has been quoted in your question would not be permitted to be included in an OSCP.

14 inshore ireland February/March 2012

Interview

Commissioner confirms “research and innovation policy now top EU’s political agenda”

n November 2009 when European Commission President José Manuel Barroso offered Ireland’s Máire Geoghegan-Quinn the powerful Research, Innovation and Science portfolio it’s probably true to say that a few eyebrows were raised at home. And while few doubted Geoghegan-Quinn’s ability to survive in the Brussels hot house, the question was how would someone like her, with no obvious interest or experience in science research, come to grips with one of the Commission’s most wide-ranging, energy-sapping and intellectually-demanding jobs. Two years on however, such doubts have long disappeared and Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn shows no signs of being a fish out of water. On the contrary, she continues to demonstrate a phenomenal energy and an enviable ability to master even the most complex brief, and is seen to be one of the Commission’s best performers. Just as importantly, she is still clearly enthusiastic and fully dedicated to her responsibility for EU-wide research, and seems determined to improve conditions amongst the EU research community. Inshore Ireland spoke to Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn about how her portfolio impacts on the wider aquatic environment. Gery Flynn What do you hope to achieve during your term as Commissioner for Research Innovation and Science? I have set ambitious targets in the Innovation Union Flagship – my contribution to delivering the EU 2020 Strategy. I’m pleased to say that research and innovation policy are now firmly at the top of the political agenda as critical factors for European

economic recovery, growth and job creation. It’s important in times of economic crisis to look to growth-enhancing measures.. Innovation Union, which I launched last year, is having an impact and has set the scene for Horizon 2020 - the EU’s new programme for supporting research and innovation (2014-2020). Above all, I would like the public to see the impact of EU- funded research and innovation on their daily lives and on Europe’s future.

What are the highlights of Europe 2020 – the EU’s growth strategy for this decade?

Stimulating the ‘bioeconomy’, including freshwater and inshore water economic activities, is part of the Europe 2020 growth strategy, and shortly I will be launching a major initiative in this area. It is vital we maintain the health and productivity of our freshwater and inshore ecosystems, which are subject to many natural and man-made pressures. We

need research and innovation to tackle challenges and opportunities presented by climate change, scarce resources, and in some cases, poor water management.

You often refer to the ‘i-economy’. What do you mean, particularly regarding the marine and fresh water environments?

I want researchers to work with business and commercial partners to bring innovative ideas to market quickly and

efficiently. It will take time to break down existing barriers and tackle the problems affecting small businesses such as access to finance and research. This is an objective of the Innovation Union initiative. In fact, under our current programme, we earmark a significant proportion of our budget to help small businesses. A good example in the freshwater and marine environment area is the European Aquaculture and Innovation Technology Platform where research

inshore ireland February/March 2012 15

Interview and industry work together on industry-driven research needs.

Can you sketch some key elements of Horizon 2020?

In essence, Horizon 2020 will concentrate European research and innovation efforts in three closely related areas: supporting excellence in the science base; creating industrial leadership and boosting competitiveness and tackling societal challenges. Access to financial support will be simpler and quicker and there will be one-stopshop assistance especially for newcomers.

The current economic climate is impacting negatively on the R&D community. How best can crucial research be prioritised and funded through a recession?

Innovation Union will improve conditions and access to finance for research and innovation in Europe – particularly important in these difficult economic times. It operates at local, regional, national and EU level. During times of austerity we have to concentrate on issues that have a real impact on the current and future prosperity of Europe. This is the rationale behind Horizon 2020. We also need to ensure we’re not duplicating efforts needlessly across Europe. We still have some way to go before we really have a fully operational European Research Area.

based policies in Europe. We must move towards an ecosystem approach to fisheries management where research and innovation is key to reducing the ecological footprint of fisheries on the marine ecosystems. The reforms proposed by Commissioner Damanaki include transition to the maximum sustainable yield and reduction of unwanted bycatch. Studies are on-going to change fishing practices and develop innovative techniques such as new selective gears and devices. My services in the Joint Research Centre (JRC) have particular expertise in this area, and are working closely with colleagues in the Directorate General responsible for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs.

You say that ‘getting smart’ about our maritime economy will play a vital role in Europe’s economic recovery and that the Smart Seas initiative is critical to underpinning the European economy. What do you mean?

Sea and ocean-related business account for as much as 5% of Europe’s total economic activity. It covers maritime transport, tourism, fisheries, aquaculture and associated food processing. But the potential is even greater, with more than 90% of marine biodiversity remaining unexplored. In fact, the seas and oceans represent one of the few areas where we can add substantial

and sustainable growth to our economy. For example, marine-based biotechnology industry is expected to grow by 10% annually in the next decade. The seas and oceans also offer enormous potential for offshore renewable energy generation, and of course they contain untapped mineral resources. I believe that Ireland has a unique opportunity – not only because of its strategic location – but because of its particular expertise and research capacity in the Marine Institute and many of our universities and institutes of technology. Our seas and oceans also play a crucial role in climate regulation and they are heavily affected by human activities and climate change. This is why we must use these resources intelligently. This is what I mean by getting smart. For example, we need to make sure that offshore wind farms have minimal impact on the marine environment, and this means research and design innovation. The same holds for mineral extraction.

The European Research Area (ERA) has been declared. What steps have been taken to ensure that researchers work more closely together?

The European Energy Research Alliance (EERA), between fifteen leading European Research Institutes, supported by the European University Association and the

European Heads of Research Councils, has been set up to do exactly that. The EERA conceives and implements Joint Research Programmes in support of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan to pool and integrate activities and resources at national and EU level. In fact, the EERA Joint Programme on Marine Energy has just been officially launched at the SETPlan Conference on 28-29 November 2011.

course this is underpinned by sound scientific advice based on research. Over the years, many EUfunded research projects have addressed this type of hazard and have improved detection technologies. I am convinced we must also work with the aquaculture industry itself. We will soon be funding projects to help the European mollusc industry access research results and use them to improve product quality.

What do you mean by ‘bio-economy’?

Inshore Ireland regularly covers the marine renewable energy industry, and the opportunities are said to be enormous. How do we avoid duplication of effort and in R&D in this sector?

This encompasses economic activities using biological resources from land and seas for production and processing of products – both in the food and non-food sectors. In the maritime area we have projects on managing deep-sea fisheries; traceability of fish products; escapees in sea-cage aquaculture and even projects investigating how marine bioactive compounds might be used in new drugs against cancer, for example.

The European shellfish sector in particular has suffered from incidences o fmarine biotoxin outbreaks and public health issues. How do we allay consumer fear of consuming shellfish?

The EU has a strong regulatory framework for food safety to provide the highest standards of protection. The European Food Safety Authority carries out regular risk assessments on marine biotoxins in shellfish and of

I mentioned earlier the Strategic Energy Technology Plan. One of its main objectives is to create synergies and to avoid duplication of efforts between the EU and the Member States. A steering group comes up with joint actions through coordinating policies and programmes, makes resources available and monitors and reviews progress in a systematic manner, all fully geared towards reaching our common objectives. Strategic planning and implementation is assisted by the SETIS - the European Commission’s Information System for the SET-Plan led by the Joint Research Centre, which follows all energy technologies, including marine energy.

Climate change is now an accepted reality. Where should research be directed in order to minimise infrastructural damage?

Europe has 89,000 km of coastline and is very vulnerable to rising sea levels, so we need to improve our understanding of natural processes and how they are affected by human activities. This means being able to predict and quantify the impact of climate change especially on sea levels, where we are at constant risk of coastal erosion and flooding. Research in this area is essential to provide the evidence necessary for better policy-making and to find innovative ways to minimise the impact. Climate change is one of the major societal challenges that Horizon 2020 will address.

Overfishing is a persistent ecological problem. As Research, Innovation and Science Commissioner how are you contributing to this critical debate?

I am actively involved in this debate, since the Common Fisheries Policy is probably among the most science-

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation & Science at the the Galway Science & Technology Festival in November 2011

16 inshore ireland February/March 2012

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inshore ireland February/March 2012 17

Aquaculture News

Small fish being tested with seaweed protein pellets

Making small pellets with seaweed protein

Seaweed protein, properties and possibilities in aquaculture Dr Stefan Kraan Ocean Harvest Technology

eaweed is a natural and sustainable ingredient with a lot of different functional biological properties, amongst them protein. Protein are biochemical compounds comprising one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form that facilitate biological functions in the body. Although the structure and biological properties of seaweed proteins are still poorly documented, the amino acid compositions of several species have been known for a long time. Habitat – and especially seasonal variation – has an effect on proteins, peptides and amino acids in seaweed. The protein fraction of seaweed varies with the species but is generally low in brown seaweed, <15%. Higher protein contents are recorded for green and red seaweed, up to 40%. These levels are comparable to those found in highprotein vegetables such as soybeans. Essential amino acids Most seaweed species contain all the essential amino acids and are a rich source of the acidic amino acids, aspartic acid and glutamic acid and in general are higher than those found

in terrestrial plants. One bioactive protein present in algae are lectins, which are a structurally diverse group of carbohydrate binding proteins. Marine algal lectins exhibit antibiotic, mitogenic, cytotoxic, anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antiadhesion and anti-HIV bioactive properties and are currently commercially produced for a variety of purposes. Peptides are 2-20 amino acid long chains which once a protein is broken down are released and become bioactive and fulfil certain functions in the body. The depsi-peptide kahalalide-F from Bryopsis sp. – a green alga is active in the treatment of lung cancer, tumours and AIDS. Many other bioactive functions have been ascribed to algal peptides. When protein and peptides are broken down to their individual building blocks we have amino acids. The eight essential amino acids (cystine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine and valine) cannot be synthesised by animals, nor can they be replaced by other ‘less valuable building blocks. All essential amino acids are present in brown and red seaweed species; red species feature uniquely high concentrations of taurine – an ingredient found in a well-known energy drink.

Extracting protein Ocean Harvest Technology in association with several universities has already embarked on optimising extracting total protein - finding and isolating bioactive peptides for applications in aquaculture and animal feed. Why is this important? Because a global protein crisis is looming. Currently, about 5 million tonnes of fishmeal is produced and used as feed ingredient in livestock and aquaculture. Virtually all fishmeal is used as a high protein ingredient in feed for farmed land animals and farmed fish. The typical inclusion rate for fishmeal in farm animal diets is 1-5% of dry matter, mainly in specialist diets – e.g. for weaner pigs. A typical farmed salmon diet contains 20-30% fishmeal. Fishmeal components In the ten years to 2002, aquaculture expanded worldwide by more than 9% per annum and since then at a slightly slower rate. While the use of fishmeal will consequently increase – improved efficiency and some substitution means this is likely to be at a slower rate. Nevertheless, fish stocks used for fishmeal are diminishing and prices are rising. A lot of work has taken place on plant protein as replacement; however, often these plant proteins like soya are less suitable for use in aquaculture due

to anti-nutritional factors or lower performance. The large fish-feed manufacturers currently purchase more than €1bn in fish protein and oil per year, sourced primarily from South America by harvesting wild fish from around the world. Two of the biggest financial and environmental costs for these companies and all fish-feed processors are increasing shortage and the spiralling cost of fish protein. It takes 3-4 kg of wild fish (herring, capelin for example) to create 1kg of fish meal. This is a completely unsustainable scenario that has a major negative impact on the ocean environment. Seaweed purity Seaweed protein extracted for example by Ocean Harvest Technology has a

high purity, comprising over 80% protein in contrast to fishmeal at about 65%. It is also extremely popular amongst aquaculture feed manufacturers because of its excellent amino acid profile. When large-scale production of seaweeds starts in earnest (e.g. in Ireland), it most definitely could help alleviate the problem currently experienced with fish meal and plant protein replacements. Moreover, seaweed protein is derived from a sustainable marine resource and does not have the stigma of being a food crop. These attributes make seaweed protein an excellent source for use in aquaculture feeds and show great potential for it in the future.

Cultivating specific high protein kelp for the extraction of protein

18 inshore ireland February/March 2012

Interview

Inshore fleet in Dunmore East, Co Waterford

Former fishing industry representative recalls the complexities of the sector Gery Flynn

ocán Ó Cinnéide’s career path has never vered far from the the heart of Ireland’s seafishing industry: whether as a commercial fisherman; a fishing industry development executive; or independent business man.

Lorcán Ó Cinnéide

By now this Kerryman’s face and voice are recognised in every port in Ireland – as one of the fishing industry’s most senior representatives. He is highly respected at home and abroad. After completing an economics degree at Trinity College Dublin in 1989 the Ballydavid native began fishing his own boat. This was when he first became involved in the complicated politics

of sea fishing, and where his formidible negotiating and representational skills were honed. By 1999 he was working as a local Inshore Fisheries Development Officer for BIM , and by 2002 elevated to chief executive of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation. When the four main Irish fishing organisations merged as the Federation of Irish Fishermen, Ó Cinnéide was its innaugural chairman. It was in this key position that he was to become the voice of more than 90% of the ‘offshore fleet’. In that role he will be remembered for his passionately articulate and unflinching demands of government to value and develop the industry. Often critical of politicians for their “weak and ineffectual policies” regarding marine development, he regularly highlights the “lack of joinedup-thinking” for the current malaise affecting the sector. “It is in crisis because of Byzantime and complex regulations,” he believes.

Now however, after eight eventful and sometimes stormy years at the IFPO, Ó Cinnéide is changing course and has set his sights “on new challenges”. Shortly before clearing his desk he spoke to Inshore Ireland about is time at the heart of Irish fishing.

Looking back on your time with the IFPO how do you read the current status of Ireland’s fishing industry?

It is really very diverse, and it’s hard to say exactly where it is as a whole. We have multimillion euro operations at one end of it and part-time potfishermen working in small punts at the other. The pelagic side of the business is looking very good with increasing herring stocks in the Celtic Sea and the northwest and record prices in the past year for mackerel herring and horse mackerel. There are uncertainties however. The 2011 prices are unlikely to hold, and the situation where Iceland and the Faroe Islands have

been taking 300,000 tonnes of mackerel annually in the past few years poses a serious medium-term threat to the North East Atlantic stocks. Internally, we have the continuous battle for access to pelagic fisheries; however these are all problems arising from good resource situations. Regarding whitefish the situation is far more problematic. The complexities of regulation; the high cost of fuel dampening profitability; the volumes of third-country imports depressing prices; difficulty finding crew for vessels in many parts of the whitefish industry - are just some of the problems the industry faces. Yes, there are real and positive signs of improvement in stocks such as cod and haddock, as well as a healthy hake stock. But we do not have a level playing field in shared EU waters - and certainly not in EU markets on imports. The Nephrops sector Ireland’s second largest earner worth €50m in landed value – which has improved in price and in demand terms

inshore ireland February/March 2012 19

Interview

The majority of pelagic vessels fishing for mackerel, herring, horse-mackerel are based in Killybegs, Co Donegal from a disastrous period throughout 2010 is stymied by high fuel costs. And despite an abundance of quota it is threatened by splitting management into small areas, as witnessed by what has happened on the Porcupine Bank. Inshore fisheries – apart from a healthy shrimp fishery last year – are a total mess due to the complete failure to introduce proper management. This has lead to a developing situation where in the absence of sensible management and fishing data, the EU Natura conservation criteria are in danger of becoming a de-facto substitute. This will not help long-term rational exploitation, in my view

Regarding regulation and policy – have you grounds for optimism?

Inconsistency of regulation at EU and local levels in framing and implementing policy and management remains. And while we have justifiable fears of CFP reform and the EU, many of our problems have their roots here in Ireland. In my view we are too slow to change and take charge of our circumstances. The industry is its usual fragmented, argumentative self. The majority of fishermen are struggling to varying degrees of success, and a small but vocal minority are as grasping and greedy as ever. At the same time, Minister Coveney, BIM, as well as the Harvest 2020 Strategy which I was involved in, collectively paint a bright future. It certainly is better today than in the dark days of 2006 under Minister Noel Dempsey. That was when the State used the media and succeeded somewhat despite our best efforts, to blacken the fishing industry and its communities in support of some very illjudged legislation.

What are your reflections as former head of the IFPO?

It was a really amazing job. For the range of subjects and diversity of situations, I don’t think you could think of a

more challenging position. You could be discussing longterm EU policy and meeting a Commissioner; dealing with the minutiae of how to divvy out the ‘loaves and fishes’ in quota management, to dealing with some desperately difficult personal situations - all in a day! I’ve seen the best in people – when they will go more than the extra mile. But I’ve also seen some appalling selfishness, jealously and greed.

Outline some of the difficulties you faced on a daily basis

I always found it hard to get used to the pretty constant criticism I heard - or heard about. It’s a small industry and everyone knows everyone else involved in it, by and large. I know I have a reputation for having a sharp and fairly profane tongue, which is something I’m not terribly proud of – and I am not very thick skinned, despite what people think! In the end, there were no punches thrown which is probably a miracle in itself. But harsh words were often spoken – by all sides. Nevertheless I was very lucky with the IFPO Boards and the Chairmen I worked to, led in turn by Brendan O’Rourke from Brandon and latterly Frank Doherty from Kincasslagh. They were both wonderful to me; gave me very good advice and watched my back. I am very grateful to them and the various Board members too over the years. Trying to keep track of the roguery, some of which was hilarious was a full-time job in itself ! The humour and sense of mischief; the wind-ups, the slandering - a finely developed art- which is common throughout the industry is an essential antidote to its more dark and difficult aspects. I suppose you could say I was steeped in it all having been around the business for a good few years and also being from a coastal community myself.

How do you think you coped with these challenges?

Being the head of a PO in Ireland is difficult. You

have responsibility to its members; however your actions are scrutinised daily by people who don’t pay your wages. You have to reconcile completely opposing viewpoints within and without, as well as navigating all the agencies, departments, ministers, the press and all that. It will be for others to judge whether I did that well or not. I certainly was poor at the administrative side of the business but I probably made up for that in some other

Roundstone, Co Galway is the base for some of the west coast’s whitefish and inshore boats areas. I certainly made a lot of mistakes, and no doubt others will point them out! All I will claim is that I tried to do my job fairly, not following geographic or sectional factions within the IFPO. I think that principle was clear from the beginning.

What does the industry require to offset the challenges it faces?

The structures in Ireland require a radical overhaul. People must be encouraged to get involved and not allow

the vocal minorities always to have their way, as seems to be a growing trend. A vital industry like fisheries, which faces major challenges from environmental lobbies, EU regulations, complex Irish regulations, challenges to manage stocks and retaining Ireland’s communities, needs to merge a culture of real enterprise with a new culture of co-operation. That will determine its success or failure in the years ahead.

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Multibeam echo sounder water column data collected with EM 302 from NOAA Ship, Okeanos Explorer, July 2009. Deep sea plumes observed at depths of ~1200–1900 m. Data processed using IVS3D Fledermaus.

20 inshore ireland February/March 2012

Seafood Desk

Membership of ‘seafood circle’ tops 200

eafood restaurants and retail outlets throughout Ireland that meet stringent criteria to achieve membership of the BIM Seafood Circle now number 219. Of these, 15 outlets have been singled out as award winners in 2012 across a range of categories set by the seafood agency. The Seafood Specialist of theYear Award, went to Kish Fish, Smithfield Dublin; Scally’s SuperValu, Clonakilty Co Cork picked up the Supermarket Seafood Counter of theYear award and QC’s in Cahirciveen Co Kerry is the Seafood Restaurant of theYear. Congratulating the award winners, Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, said these seafood outlets were a testament to their dedication: “Despite the difficult economic climate they are consistently improving what they do and achieving the exceptionally high standards set out under this initiative.” He added that the scheme was a great benefit to consumers who can be assured that the seafood is of a high standard. “I would encourage people to look out for the

BIM Seafood Circle branding to support these local businesses.” Apart from providing excellent seafood, outlets seeking membership must demonstrate to independent assessors that they have superior knowledge of their product offering; have excellent customer service skills and comply with the strictest storage, handling and presentation requirements. “We received a phenomenal amount of entries this year, clearly demonstrating that Irish seafood businesses see the value of the scheme,” remarked Donal Buckley BIM’s Business Development and Innovation Manager. The Seafood Circle was developed by BIM to support and champion retail and hospitality outlets that continually offer excellent quality seafood and service to their customers. The Seafood Circle plaque is presented to members on an annual basis and BIM encourages customers to seek outlets with this badge of honour in order to be assured of the best seafood available. For a full list of the top places to buy and eat seafood this year, visit www. seafoodcircle.ie

Seminar identifies scale and route-to-market inefficiencies in seafood sector Gillian Mills A networking seminar organised by BIM explored new and innovative ways to achieve better market share of Irish seafood on the European market. Increasing scale through pooling individual company resources, will ‘boost profitability, reduce time to market and improve customer service,’ the agency contends. Opening the event, Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said that whilst seafood exports continue to perform well with estimated growth of 13% to €420m in 2011, challenges existed that need to be overcome.

“We must find ways to compete more competitively at market,” he said. Performance obstacles The minister acknowledged the difficulties that have beset the industry, singling out dogged political debate, quotas and regulation; however he identified three strategies to deliver growth: • added-value – a move away from exporting raw product • greater landings to Irish ports by non-Irish vessels, and incentives for Irish boats to land more product to Irish ports • aquaculture development Notwithstanding difficulties over Natura 2000, SACs and Habitats Directive, Minister Coveney said that

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Marine Simon Coveney, with Aodh O’Donnell, MD Errigal Seafoods and Birgitta Heidin-Curtin, MD Burren Smokehouse.

progress was being made, underpinned by the recent granting of some licences being the first in four years. He also referred to the application currently before him from BIM for an offshore salmon farm project (see Inshore Ireland November/ December) and said that two further applications were in progress. “It galls me to see processors having to import salmon to meet their needs,” he said. Lack of scale Regarding competitiveness, he said that currently only 40 out of 138 seafood companies had a turnover of more than €5m, while 70 had sales of less than €1m. “In contrast, a typical European competitor has a turnover of €20m. This lack of scale limits our ability to invest in the market place and maximise profitability.” Noting that the seminar was a “step in the right direction” Minister Coveney said he would be providing “significant funding to BIM” to deliver a support package to facilitate companies achieve economies of scale. “Adding value is also required if we are to differentiate ourselves from our competitors,” he said. The challenges Peripheral location: whereby the time-to-market for companies relying on

Kish Fish, Dublin: Seafood Specialist of the Year, 2012 Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney presents Fedelmia O’Meara and Carlos Saralegue with their award.

Scally’s Clonakilty, Co Cork: Supermarket Seafood Counter of the Year, 2012. Pictured receiving their award from BIM’s Donal Buckley are: Milos Korivnek and Anatolij Butylkin with Eugene Scally. Scally’s also picked up the Supermarket Seafood Counter Innovation and Development Award

QC’s Restaurant and Bar, Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry: Seafood Restaurant of the Year, 2012. Donal Buckley, BIM, presents the award to proprietors, Kate and Andrew Cooke and chef Eddie Gannon. group logistics can be 4-6 days in comparison to 24-48 hours for mainland Europe companies. According to BIM, the effect of this is reflected in average net profitability of 0.94% compared to their competitors who average 4%-6%. Access to raw material: Indicators suggest that in the medium to long-term, wild caught fish quotas will not increase. ‘As a result, Irish companies are faced with the challenge of adding value to existing resources, sourcing sustainable raw material, improving scale and efficiencies and integrating their route to market,’ BIM contends. Jason Whooley, BIM chief executive said that a major

market opportunity existed, driven by increasing global demand for seafood from Asia, Africa and China. “Our international competitors are gearing up for that opportunity and we need to think long-term and get ahead of the game.” The agency charged with developing the industry contends that Ireland’s market share can expand by pooling company resources that will ‘boost profitability, reduce to market and improve customer service.’ Over 50 companies gathered in the Dublin to hear presentations on global and European market prospects and BIM’s concept of an ‘Irish owned European Seafood Hub’ as a solution to current route-to-market issues.

inshore ireland February/March 2012 21

News

Dawn breaks on an Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland Gery Flynn

n an exclusive interview with Inshore Ireland, Minister Simon Coveney outlines some of the finer points of the government’s document Our Ocean Wealth, which invites public opinion on new ways, new approaches and new thinking to develop Ireland’s maritime resources. Why has government undetaken this public consultation process? A number of months ago we embarked on putting together an integrated marine plan for Ireland, and one of the things I wanted to do was to dramatically increase the priority and focus on the marine resources that we have. Taking our seabed into account, Ireland is one of the largest states in the EU with sovereign or exclusive rights over one of the largest sea to land ratios at ten: one. Our land resource is 90,000 km2, but our marine resource is 900,000 km2. And at 7,500km, our coastline is longer than that of most European countries. Much government policy development focuses on the marine sector - be it shipping; offshore energy; fisheries; marine leisure; research; seabed mapping or aquaculture. We’ve never before actually put a plan together that is a ‘statement of intent’ from government as to the levels of ambition we want to instill into exploring and delivering on the potential of our marine resource. Why is it the right time now to be doing this? I think it’s long overdue. Look at the success for example of the Food Harvest 2020 plan, which is a roadmap for the agri-food industry in terms of setting targets and furthermore it is an agreed way of achieving targets. We need the same for our marine resource. I chair the government interdepartmental marine group which is about corralling ten departments to explore new ways of delivering the growth potential that is there in Irish waters. And as part of The Plan which will be launched in mid-summer by An Taoiseach, we want a strong public consultation element that reflects the views of stakeholders and where possible, accommodate their concerns and ambitions to develop the sector.

How long will the consultation process take? It closes on March 31. I want people to be as ambitious as they can be but at the same time to be realistic in terms of what’s possible. That way government can then create a plan that actually puts the kind of governance, the kind of regulations, the kind of planning systems and spatial strategy systems required to deliver growth. What’s the next step after the consultation phase? Once we have this in place it will allow me to constantly beat the drum around the cabinet table for the marine to deliver sustainable exploitation of this extraordinary resource on our doorstep which is Irish, is the property of Irish people and which can provide wealth-generation capacity if it’s managed properly. This is what it is really about. It isn’t just about fishing or just about cruise liner traffic or offshore energy, or offshore exploration, it’s about pulling all of that potential together into one statement of intent supported by a plan for actually outlining how we can get there. Can you give a practical example of how things will improve? We’re going to merge the foreshore process with the planning process into one department so that when somebody wants to build a piece of infrastructure - either on the shore or offshore – they’ll be dealing with the one department, and dealing with the one time line in terms of decision-making. Or that Ireland can become an attractive place to come and invest if you want to spend money developing a commercial opportunity at sea, or research opportunity at sea or an exploration opportunity at sea. There’s an awful lot of work to do but all of the departments who feed into this process are very excited by this initiative. You want the public to interact with the accompanying website. How will they do that? This document is called ‘Our Ocean Wealth’ (www. Oceanwealth.ie) because I really want to get the message across that we are a very wealthy nation in terms of natural resources. People can access the actual consultation document which is limited to ten questions to focus attention on the kind of

Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine launching Our Ocean Wealth in Government Buildings. Photo G Mills questions we want answers to. Of course if people have other issues they want to raise they can do that too. There’s also other background documentation on the website that is already on line. Why should the public should care or be interested in this process, and will their contributions really make a difference to government policy? Yes, absolutely. I’m sure we’ll get some feedback that reflects what we already plan to put into this documentbe feedback that just isn’t possible to implement for whatever practical or legal reason. But I’m hoping people will take this seriously, and I can assure them we’ll take their suggestions seriously. We’re not looking for detailed proposals, because we already have mechanisms to deal with that. My department deals with fishing; Pat Rabbit’s department deals with energy; Leo Varadker’s department deals with transport and tourism. What we’re looking for are ways in which we can facilitate the expansion and growth of these sectors in a broad sense. Inshore Ireland last year reported criticism by the marine renewables sector that An Taoiseach is not seen to be driving the marine agenda – renewable energy in particular. Is that fair?

Enda Kenny is full-square behind this project, and he will launch this strategy when it’s finalised. Don’t forget it’s his department that drives the Marine Co-ordination Group which involves 10 government departments, and the Secretariat also comes from the Taoiseach’s Department. We’re blessed with a Taoiseach from the west of Ireland who understands the awesome potential of a marine sector that we now plan to develop in a way that is responsible but ambitious. And we will get strong support from the very, very top of government for that – as long as it makes sense and as long as it protects our resource from an environmental point of view as well as develops its potential. There are those who will say this is just another report to show government is doing something for the marine but that nothing much will come of it? I think we’re all getting a bit sick of negative responses to what are genuine good initiatives to try and move agendas forward. If people don’t believe I’m serious about this well, they’ll have to wait and see the document when it’s produced, and they’ll have to wait and see the government response to that document in terms of delivering on its contents.

Instead of being cynical I would encourage people to be positive and contribute to it. I’m someone who is absolutely passionate about the marine sector, I know and understand its potential and I want to be the minister that actually delivers. I want this government to be remembered for really delivering on our marine resources in a way that has never been done in the past. And I want all of the stakeholders who are interested and want to be partners in that effort to contribute to it. The Union Hall tragedy has shocked everyone, reminding us just how dangerous working in the marine can be. This has been a traumatic time for many people in Union Hall and their families. But it really does lift the soul to see how strong the community effort is there to support the families, to try and give them some comfort at a really, really, difficult time. It’s also extraordinary to see the combination of the professionalism of our rescue services - Garda; Navy; Coastguard; RNLI; Civil Defence; medical staff and the numerous volunteers that took time off work to help in the search. It’s been an incredible community effort.

22 inshore ireland February/March 2012

Marine R&D

INFOMAR 2012 Programme Koen Verbruggen, GSI

he INFOMAR Programme partners, Geological Survey of Ireland and Marine Institute have announced details of their proposed 2012 programme. Survey work conducted by INFOMAR partners, the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Marine Institute to map Ireland’s valuable seabed resources, will once again use the MI’s RV Celtic Voyager and GSI’s inshore vessels RV Keary and Geo, all of which are equipped with multibeam or swath mapping systems. RV Celtic Voyager will map remaining areas in the south Irish Sea, as well as East and Central Celtic Sea priority areas.

May 13 – June 5: South Irish Sea, outside Arklow Bank July 9 – August 5: SouthIrish Sea off Wexford to Carnsore Aug29 – Sept 19: Central Celtic Sea, Ballycotton to Saltee Islands

Separately, in March the INFOMAR programme will assist Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in mapping off the Clare Coast in support of investigating offshore renewable energy opportunities. RV Keary and Geo will work together in the following priority Bays and areas and in the approximate order from April through to October (subject to approvals). Listing also includes dates of when it is expected one or more vessels will be available for public visits in conjunction with outreach at maritime events.

April/May

Dundalk Bay/Carlingford, as part of the InterReg funded INIS Hydro Project.

May/June

Waterford Coast/Annestown/ Dungarvan, in support of InterReg Atlanterra Project and Copper Coast Geopark

June/July Dingle Bay

July/August

Galway Bay (Volvo Ocean Race,) Blacksod Bay/N of Achill Broadhaven Lough Foyle

August 23-26

Cork Harbour, Sep-October In addition, in collaboration with Ordnance Survey Ireland, trials will be held using airborne terrestrial lidar to map drying areas at low spring tides. Areas may include Dublin, Dundalk, Dingle, Shannon and Bannow Bay. Trials will also take place, with both industry and academic partners on applicability of satellite mapping for shallow water areas in the same areas, based on new research, imagery and technology. INFOMAR Annual Seminar will be held at University College Cork on Oct 11-12t, immediately preceded by the EC GEOSEAS Project final meeting and conference on October 9-10. The public and all stakeholders are actively encouraged to attend both free events. Details will be advertised closer to the time. The programme seeks feedback from anyone with potentially useful information or advice in relation to known hazards, shipwrecks, relevant mapping, site investigations or data in any of the areas listed.

Dublin (Tall Ships 2012

2012 proposed survey areas are coloured in blue Priority Bays and Areas are outlined in black

Please contact Linda Grealish with details at linda.grealish@marine.ie or linda.grealish@gsi.ie Tel: 091 387 509

REF

Title

Project Leader Organisation

Topic

INF-11-06-CAV

Sea surface alklinity across the lrish shelf from underway temperature and salinity data collected during the INFOMAR project

Rachel Cave

NUI Galway

Oceanography

INF-11-11-WHE

Appraisal of Irish Sea Seabed Imaging for Tidal Energy Generation (ISSITEG)

Andy Wheeler

UCC

Energy

INF-11-12-WAL

Integration of multiple offshore and onshore datasets from NE Ireland and the Irish Sea: an integrated 3-D model of geological structure.

John Walsh

UCD

Geology

INF-11-24-DOH

Foundation Risk & Geotechnical Uncertainty Mapping for future Offshore Wind Farm Developments

Paul Doherty

Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions

Energy

INF-11-07-GIB

Integrated Coastal Mapping of Dublin Bay: Geomorphology based on geophysical data, Satellite inferred bathymetry and 3D integration with INFOMAR datasets

Paul Gibson

NUI Maynooth

Geology/Technology

INF-11-10-WHE

Celtic Sea Sedimentary Proceses, Quaternary Stratigraphy and Offshore Renewable Energy Andy Wheeler Development (CeSQuORE)

UCC

Energy

INF-11-31-DUF

A popular online marine resource management game’

Gavin Duffy

RealSim Games

Education/Technology

Web based geospatial encoded marine video and image demonstrator project

Gearoid O’Riain

Geotech Technologies

Technology

INF-11-23-MCC

COLDSTORE: Enhanced facilities for the extension of sediment core shelf life

Stephen McCarron

NUI Maynooth

Technology/Geology

INF-11-08-KEL

Carbon Cycling in Dunmanus Bay pockmarks: Data generation and interpretation from the INFOMAR ground truthing program on the Porcupine Bank and Dunmanus Bay, Ireland (CE11_017)

Brian Kelleher

DCU

Geology/Biology

INF-11-27-KOZ

Development of online webGIS educational portal about Ireland’s Coastal and Marine Geology

Maxim Kozachenko

UCC

Geology

INF-11-02-TYR

Geochemical constraints on the age, affinity and history of the Porcupine High

Shane Tyrell

UCD

Geology/Energy

INF-11-17-TRI

Coastal Seabed Observatory Platform (COSOP)

Phillip Trickett

Techworks

Technology Geology/Infrastructure Biology

INF-11-15-ORI

INF-11-03-CHE

The Bedrock Geology of Dublin Bay

David Chew

Trinity College Dublin

INF-11-05-SZP

Organic characteristics of aerobic microbial communities in deep sea sediment from the South Pacific Gyre

Michal Szpak

DCU

INF-11-21-FLA

Scaling Hydrographic Education & Training through Interactive E-learning and ScenarioBased Operational Simulation Integrated with INSS/INFOMAR Datasets and Operational Procedures

Francis Flannery SonarSim

INF-11-19-MAR

Integration of INFOMAR data products and auxiliary data with handheld GPS devices and shipbourne navigation systems

Ivor Marsh

Monterrey Software Solutions

Technology

INF-11-20-CUR

A Study of the Effect on Seabed Sediments at Ocean Energy Sites of Storm Waves and Currents using a Coupled Wave and Hydrodynamic Numerical Model

Marcel Cure

Numerics Warehouse

Energy/Oceanography

INF-11-30-MUR

Geological and geophysical description of the Arc Mounds, southwest Porcupine Bank

John Murray

NUI Galway

Geology/Biology

INF-11-32-TOA

Smart Event Triggered Ocean Monitoring Platform, (lander/mooring/databuoy)

Dan Toal

Technology

INF-11-13-JOH

Modelling the beta diversity of the continental margin

Mark Johnson

NUI Galway

Biology

INF-11-18-LYS

Development of an integrated environmental on-line mapping system for the marine environment, to support the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and to Highlight the Value of Infomar Data

Liam Lysaght

National Biodiversity Data Centre, Ireland

Biology/Technology/ Education

INF-11-25-RIO

Delivery of a Real-time Survey Planner for Online Multibeam Quality Control

James Riordan

SonarSim

Technology

Education/Technology

inshore ireland February/March 2012 23

Marine R&D

Assuring seafood safety through constant monitoring and quality control

Cushla DromgoolRegan

he Marine Institute’s recently published report, Assuring Seafood Safety: Contaminants and Residues in Irish Seafood 2004 – 2008, reassures consumers that Irish seafood is of high quality and is safe to eat. Although the health benefits of consuming seafood are well established, it is also recognised that certain contaminants – either naturally occurring or introduced into the marine environment as a result of human activities – can accumulate in fish and shellfish tissue. Substances of potential concern include trace metals, dioxins and man-made pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). Therefore, to ensure continuity of quality and safety of seafood, scientists from the Marine Institute, in collaboration with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), measure chemical contaminants in seafood, including fish that is landed at Irish ports; shellfish harvested from around our coasts and fish farmed in Ireland. “The concentrations of contaminants such as

mercury, dioxins, and dioxinlike polychlorinated biphenyls found in fish and shellfish depend on various factors such as species specific accumulation and elimination processes; diet; age and fat content in conjunction with proximity to natural or pollution sources. Levels of contaminants in Irish seafood were consistently compliant with regulatory limits set by the European Commission and, where EC limits are not set, the strictest standards applied in other European countries. This reflects the clean seawaters surrounding Ireland,” explained Dr Evin McGovern, senior chemist at the Marine Institute and coauthor of the publication. When combined with data on Irish seafood consumption patterns, the data also indicated that dietary intake of mercury, dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs from seafood were within safe limits. “Research evidence confirms the clear health benefits of regularly eating seafood and that this outweighs the risks associated with these contaminants,” said Dr.McGovern. Seafood, and especially oily fish, is a primary dietary source of long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Data presented in the report suggests that the Irish dietary intake from seafood were close to or even below the recommended levels of various national and international bodies. These findings support current advice from the report’s co-authors, the FSAI, that consumers should eat two portions of fish per week, one of which should be oily (e.g. mackerel, herring, salmon). Data on imported predatory fish also supports the FSAI’s advice to consume certain predatory fish and recommends that breastfeeding women; women of childbearing age and young

Pictured at the NSAI Excellence Through People awards event are John Perry TD, Minister for Small Business, with Caroline Bocquel, Director Corporate Service; Catherine Johnston, Human Resources Manager, Marine Institute; Maurice Buckley, CEO NSAI & Paul O’Toole, FÁS.

Marine Institute receives highest level of excellence through People Award Cushla DromgoolRegan

he Marine Institute – Ireland’s national agency responsible for marine research, technology development and innovation – received the highest level for Excellence Through People award, at a recent event hosted by the National Standards Authority of Ireland held at Dublin’s Convention Centre. Excellence Through People is Ireland’s only national human resource management quality standard dedicated to the role of people and their impact on business. “Receiving the ETP Platinum award – one of only three currently received by a public body - provides

children should continue to eat a wide range of fish but not to eat swordfish, marlin and shark, and to limit consumption of tuna to one fresh tuna steak or two 8oz cans per week. The report also highlights the positive trend in the aquaculture sector’s compliance with the EC

the important recognition of the investment made by the Institute in its staff, and an equally important recognition of the staff ’s tremendous effort in continuing to provide an excellent service for our customers,” said Catherine Johnston, HR manager of the Marine Institute.

Improvement model

The scheme recently transferred to the NSAI from FÁS provides a business improvement model for organisations to enhance performance and realise strategies through the development of their staff which is attainable by all organisations in both the public and private sector regardless of their size. Since the award was first developed in 1996, more than 800 companies in Ireland have been awarded certification.

Residues Directive during 20042008. As with other farmed animals, farmed finfish are subject to veterinary treatments to maintain healthy stocks and can also take up environmental contaminants from their feed or the environment. Following better industry awareness, ongoing

“Excellence Through People underpins the ethos of continuous learning in the Marine Institute. Taking part in the programme since 2005, the ETP processes help us continually improve our business and the services we provide to our customers, industry and stakeholders – particularly in working towards an Irish economic recovery through innovation and development,” Ms Johnston added. Celebrating 20 years in service, the Marine Institute continues to seek, assess and realise the economic potential of Ireland’s 220 million acre marine resource. The Institute promotes the sustainable development of the marine industry through strategic funding programmes and essential scientific services. It also safeguards the marine environment through research and environmental monitoring. surveillance monitoring has indicated 100% compliance of the fish farming sector with the Residues Directive since 2006. Assuring Seafood Safety: Contaminants and Residues in Irish Seafood 2004 - 2008 is available to download from the Marine Institute website www.marine.ie

24 inshore ireland February/March 2012

Coffee Break

Across

Down

1. Located (6)

1. Winged horse (7)

4. Flatulent (5)

2. Crash (7)

8. Score (4)

3. Fuel oil (6)

9. Doorway (8)

5. Crew of an aircraft (7)

10. Wither (7) 12. Prevail (5)

6. Submerging (7)

13. Gammy (4)

7. Sharp (4)

14. Locations (5)

11. Bodies of water (5)

17. Earnings (5) 20. Bottom of ship’s hull (4)

15. Final part (4,3)

22. Succulent (5)

18. Loud enough to be heard (7)

23. Having all tickets sold (4,3)

6 7

13 14

16. Horizon (7)

19. Diabolical (7)

24. Province in E China (8)

21. Lives in rented rooms (6)

25. Oxidize (4)

22. New Orleans music (4)

26. Having an edge (5)

27. Pertaining to scenery (6)

Stuck for an answer? You’ll find the solution on www.inshore-ireland.com 1

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to the two winners of a copy of Glorious Galway: Z N N E Hookers, Curachs, Lake & River-Boats, published 26 27 by Meitheal Mara and Galway County Council D GCashel, E CoDGalway S C SeamusE O’Donnell, Stehen Hynes, Oranmore, Co Galway

Across

he distinctive features of black tumblehome hull and tanned sails would be a common sight on the west coast of Ireland. Not perhaps so thousands of miles away, but such was the scene in the port of Abu Dhabi 11 12 with the arrival of Nora Bheag following a six week container voyage to the UAE to participate in a cultural exchange programme between that city and Galway, hosts of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012. This was a joint initiative involving the Irish Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Emirates 17 Dhabi 18Tourism Authority and 19 Heritage Club, Abu Tourism Ireland. Owned by Cóilín Hernon and accompanied by his family, 21 crew Mike and Sue Fahy and Galway Hooker Association founder Padraic de Bhaldraithe, Nora Bheag was based at the Emirates Heritage Club during her stay in Abu Dhabi. 23 The return exchange will see six Abu Dhabi dhows in Galway Bay racing against a fleet of Galway Hookers during the celebrations marking the finale of the gruelling 39,000 mile global yacht race in July.

L E

N I

inshore ireland February/March 2012 25

Book Review

The City of Dublin Steam Packet Company’s RMS Ireland

Spirit of Age

Clippers: The Ships that Shaped the World Review by Cian Gallagher

012 will be remembered in nautical circles as ‘the year’ of classic craft visiting these shores, starting with Sir Robin Knox Johnson’s Clipper Round the World yacht race stopping into Derry in June followed by the Volvo Ocean Race final leg to Galway and the finale of the Tall Ships Race in Dublin in August. Many readers will be aware that the Tall Ships races have their origins in the global Clipper races of the early and mid-nineteenth centuries – those grand delivery voyages. They crossed the oceans at breakneck speeds to offload their cargoes of spices, silks, jute, teas, gold, nickel ore, and so much more.

Design development

The merging of the earlier French-style frigates along with the Trans-Atlantic packet vessels brought many industrious and entrepreneurial enthusiasts such as John Willis Griffiths, Donald McKay and others to develop and design the sleek and fast clipper models that we’re familiar with today. It is the history of these races – the participating vessels, the boom periods of construction and many noteworthy sailors who braved the sea to bring about everfaster delivery times in the name of world commerce – that is the topic of Daniel J. Nolan’s self-published work: Clippers: The Ships that Shaped the World. With Loïck Peyron’s recent record-breaking voyage around the planet in just over

45 days aboard the trimiran Banque Nautique fresh in our minds, it is easy to understand their attraction.

Salty racecources

These early Clippers turned the high seas into their racecourses, regularly breaking nautical speed challenges. They delivered perishable goods from China to London, New York, San Francisco, Melbourne, and elsewhere in some of the finest ships of the line ever to sail. Nolan’s study is vast and includes over 700 clipper vessels, granting the reader an insight into their tales, their fortunes, and many of their tragedies. He brings them to life vividly in this first edition of a trilogy of work about clippers and sailing; the enthusiasm for which he gained as a youth hearing stories of great rescues of the Co Clare coast. He describes in great detail the hulls, sails, the reasons for their existence – repealing the Navigation Laws of the mid-seventeenth century. Many might argue that given the subsequent rise in international commerce and trade, this alone may be cited as a catalyst for the development of modern shipping. We can read this book as a backdrop to the rise of the containerisation movement; the expansion of huge cargo shipping lines and the creation of contemporary ports. The forefathers of the modern lines of P&O, Maersk, OOCL, and others were the exciting Black Ball, Cunard, and the famous White Star lines, builder of the Titanic and many more. We also learn the traditional language of the Tall Ship: ‘In addition to the stays

and shrouds that supported the masts, there were hoists, downhauls, outhauls, clewlines, leech-lines, buntlines, gaskets, sheets, vangs, footropes, strops, ratlines, and braces.’ (p.35)

South Street, New York in packet ship’ days

Nautical language

As well as learning about the vessels we gain an insight into the colourful on-shore practices known as crimping, shanghaiing, and more. Nolan also includes explanations of how hogging, raking, and other shipbuilding techniques helped to create the speedier vessels that were demanded by shipping companies. The work is highly meticulous and diverse: examining female captaincy; all manner of cargo types and tonnages; record times and incidents occurring at sea. It also delves deep into the cultured aspect of clipper sailing and how it penetrated the writings of the greats such as Conrad, Joyce, and Yeats. Readers are aided too by high definition lithographs, relief drawings, archived news clippings of famous historical ships, as well as a valuable bibliography for further scholars. For admirers of tall ships who we look forward to meeting this summer in Dublin, this book is a ‘musthave’ addition to the serious sailing library. So when we gaze admiringly at the visiting Lord Nelson, the Brigantine Fredryk Chopin, or the sleek-lined Danmark next August, we might also recall the wonderful adventures of their past peers such as Flying Cloud, Cutty Sark, or Thermopylae, and understand a great deal more about how they were shaped from reading this superb book.

Sobraon, Australian packet ship

Book title: Clippers: The Ships that Shaped the World Author: Daniel J. Nolan Publisher: Malbay Publishing, 2011 ISBN: 978-1-908726-00-1

Available: www.malbay.com

Competition The author has generously offered two copies of Clippers: the Ships that Shaped the World as competition prizes;

Question: How many clipper vessels are referred to in the book? Answers to mills@inshoreireland.com or 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin by latest 23/03/2012

26 inshore ireland February/March 2012

Coastline News

Learning to crack the code… Seamus Ó Cnáimhsí

rainn Mhór was delighted to welcome James Whelton recently for the first session of Coder Dojo (www.coderdojo.com) which aims to teach young people how to programme computers. James travelled with Ian, another mentor from Cork for the inaugural after-school computer club that he cofounded with Bill Liao. The sessions are all free of charge and organised by volunteer mentors throughout Ireland, the UK and now the United States. The workshops were held at Gairmscoil MhicDiarmada and for the first day covered HTML and CSS. Young islanders were amazed to find they could put a sophisticated web page together with just Notepad

and a web browser. The island dojo hopes to use the expertise of the mentors to give young islanders new skills that can be used to develop applications for phones, games and other useful pieces of software. The Dojo is organised by Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh as a follow up to a very successful taster workshop held before Christmas by islander Neil Gallagher. Neil, who founded the online educational games company Pora Ora, has worked with the community group in the past and brought three other startup companies from Tech Hub in London to show transition years what is involved in creating a game. This has fed into the interest shown in the first Coder Dojo session where over forty youngsters showed up after school. CoderDojo was established in James Whelton’s school in early 2011 when James

Failed insurrection lives on in biennial friendly battle on the sea Gillian Mills

eplicas of an 18th century ship’s longboat designed from the lines of the oldest surviving vessel of the French Navy will vie for honours under sail and oar in the biennial Atlantic Challenge, this year in Bantry Bay in July. In December 1796, a French Armada of 48 ships and 13,000 troops under the command of General Hoche and the direction of Wolfe Tone failed to land in Bantry due to adverse weather. Most of the fleet returned to France but a ship’s longboat or gig and her crew were washed ashore onto Bere Island. They were quickly apprehended by yeomanry loyal to the crown of Richard White of Bantry House, and the ‘Bantry Bay Longboat’ was brought to the boathouse where she lay for 150 years until 1944 when she was presented to the National Museum of Ireland. In 1974 the boat was transferred to the Maritime Museum and is now on exhibit in Collins Barracks Museum in Dublin. Eighteen years after the event was last held in West Cork, Atlantic Challenge has grown to involve 16 nations and 300 competitors

who will go head to head in 40ft gigs in an international contest of seamanship. “The event started in 1986 between the USA and France under the shadow of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbour,” explains Diarmaid Murphy, Bantry Harbour Board member and chairman of ‘Bantry 2012’. Bantry 2012 was officially launched by Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, before a gathering of diplomatic representatives from participating countries, and officials from the Defence Forces, Naval Services & Gardaí amongst others. In his opening remarks Minister Coveney expressed his sympathy and support to the bereaved families of the Tit Bonhomme which sank off Union Hall last month. He spoke of the historic links that Bantry has to this competition and the positive benefits that the competition would bring to the area. “Events like the Atlantic Challenge, the Tall Ships & Volvo Ocean Race [all happening again in 2012] have put Ireland before a major international audience that are potential tourists to our country. As a keen sailor, I would love to be taking part myself!” he remarked.

received some publicity after hacking the iPod Nano and some younger students expressed an interest in learning how to code. He setup a computer club in his school where he started teaching basic HTML and CSS. Later that year he met Bill Liao – an entrepreneur and philanthropist who was interested in growing the project into something bigger than just an after-school computer club. In June 2011 the first CoderDojo was launched in the National Software Centre in Cork where CoderDojo saw extreme success. The Cork Dojo saw people travelling from Dublin frequently to attend sessions. Owing to this popularity a Dublin Dojo was launched soon after in Google’s Montevetro building. The increasing success leading to setting up more Dojos around Ireland and subsequently worldwide.

James Whelton & Ian from Coder Dojo teach HTML & CSS

Local west Donegal radio station set to air in mid summer Seamus Ó Cnáimhsí

network of community groups have pooled their resources to put together a training programme to establish a new community radio station to cover the Rosses area of County Donegal. A patchwork of lakes and hills located in the Gaeltacht between the Gaoth Beara bridge to the south; Croithli bridge to the north; An Dúchoraidh to the east and the island of Árainn Mhór to the west. The Rosses has a population of around 17,000 people. The network has secured funding of €30,000 from The Wheel* and aims to start training later this month on all aspects of community radio – from presenting to producing; management to scheduling; fundraising, volunteering and everything else in between. As part of the project, representatives travelled to the very successful Inishowen Community Radio who employ seven fulltime staff from their base in Carndonagh (http://www.

icrfm.ie/) where they were introduced to the practicalities of running a successful community radio station. The group plans to apply for a broadcast licence over the summer with a view to having its first broadcast shortly thereafter. Watch this space and keep an eye on www.rossesradio.com for developments. The community groups involved are Ionad an Machaire; Ionad Teampaill

Chróine; Tionscnamh Forbartha Pobal na Rosann and Comharchumann Forbartha & Fostaíochta Árainn Mhór. The Wheel is a support and representative body connecting community and voluntary organisations and charities across Ireland. Established in 1999, the Wheel has evolved to become a resource centre and forum for the community and voluntary sector.

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Outside Ireland

Turtle tourism and conservation working hand in hand Margaret Scully

he village of Beyin in Western Ghana is perfectly placed between a coconut-palm lined beach and tropical wetlands. Visitors come to the UNESCO World heritage stilt village of Nzulezu on Amansurie lagoon. Watching baby turtles hatch on the beach is becoming an attraction that has very positive long-term objectives of saving the endangered species while generating income from tourism. The community of 500-600 people living in stilt houses on the lake arrived in the area in the 15th century after following a snail God from Mali, according to Nzulezu village councilor, Mr Mensah. The main street is constructed of bamboo and raffia wood and links the stilt homes, school, church, small shops and a simple guest house. The snail temple is a stand-alone structure on stilts.

90-100% humidity

Conditions are extremely hot and humid so people generally laze around while the children spend their time swimming beneath the houses. The village is fascinating but I found the experience voyeuristic as we traipsed through the little community as if it were Bunratty Folk Park. I would have enjoyed spending more time on the lake – meeting locals ‘rowing’ about their daily business. The trip from Beyin to Nzulezu is a stunning one hour ride in a dug-out canoe, silently cruising amid the spectacular scenery of canals and jungle waterways before arriving in the open expanse of Lake Amansurie.

Lifestyle change

Londoner, Patrick Sarpong, swapped the urban jungle for his parental homeland six years ago and set up the ecofriendly Beyin beach resort on a beautiful stretch of coconut plantation. Empathising with my feelings on tourism to Nzulezu, he pointed out that incomes collected have built schools and brought electricity to Beyin. “There’s no soil to grow crops and no industry, so Beyin’s 5,000 inhabitants depend on fishing and tourism to survive,” he remarks. His own tourist venture creates employment, leading to the establishment of Beyin Turtle Conservation Project after he witnessed their butchering on the beach. For generations, these giant creatures and their eggs have been a source of food for local people unaware of the risk of their extinction.

Balancing act

Nesting females that come ashore between September and March and those caught in fishing nets are obvious prey, weighing in at 200 -700 kg of meat per turtle. Given the shortage of money and food locally, this project is sensitive to the needs of the humans and turtles. Turtles are air breathing reptiles and all seven species found today are listed as endangered: Ridleys; Greens; Hawksbills; Loggerheads and Leatherbacks all nest on Ghana’s shores. International turtle conservationist, Neil Davis has been hired by Sarpong to run the project. Work involves patrolling a 10km stretch of beach; ensuring the females return safely to the sea; moving eggs to the hatchery; recording data; excavating nests and co-ordinating educational programmes with the school.

A newly hatched turtle begins its journey to the sea

So far this season, Davis has counted 90 nests, many of which have been moved to the resort’s hatchery.

Alternative food source

Sarpong believes that substituting the food gained from their killing with alternative income is essential. Initially they reimbursed fishermen by helping to fix their nets if they handed over a turtle. “It’s like weaning a child from the mother’s milk – a replacement must be introduced.” Revenue from the ecofriendly resort is invested in the conservation project which is now focused on helping the local community by providing education, and plans are afoot for a community craft centre. At present, tourists support the project by going on fishing trips and guided turtle walks at night to search for females laying eggs. A giant leatherback was spotted laying the night before we left.

Neil Davies excavating a turtle nest

First steps

Visiting in January we witnessed daily hatchlings emerge from the sand and make their first ever journey to the sea. Between 45 -95 baby turtles would be typical, and watching these tiny little creatures head off alone at sunrise into the great unknown of the Atlantic Ocean, with no parents is a moving experience. Patrick said our presence helped to ward off birds, dogs or other predators that may have nabbed the tiny turtles before they reached the water. I was delighted to learn that my early morning voyeurism had a positive effect by increasing the survival chances of an en dangered species. Turtle tourism and conservation is a match made in Ghana.

Margaret Scully

Main Street Nzulezu

VOLUNTEERING

Beyin Turtle Conservation Project takes a limited number of volunteers. Experience in marine conservation and education welcome but not essential. Email Patrick: beyinbeachresort@yahoo.com Phone: +233 242 188240

ACCOMMODATION:

Beautiful sea-view chalets: www.beyinbeachresort.com

VISA:

Advance purchase only from Ghana High Commission, Dublin

VACCINATIONS:

Tropical Medical Bureau for vaccinations and information. Yellow Fever compulsory. www.tmb.ie Tel: 1850 487674

INSURANCE:

www.blueinsurance.ie: Tel: 0818 44 44 49

FLIGHTS:

International airlines fly to Accra. Domestic to Takoradi. www.gohop.ie. Contact 01 2412389 for details.

Turtles seaward bound

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