Inshore Ireland Vol 6 nr 5 Dec 2010-Jan 2011

News from the coast and inland waterways

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ZERO TOLERANCE TO ILLEGAL FISHING ON LOUGH NEAGH page 8

December 2010/January 2011 Vol 6 Issue 5

WIN FREE CAUTERETS SKI PASS FOR ONE WEEK! - SEE PAGE 11

2010 Industry Review

10 industry decision makers review 2010 and look forward to 2011

News...................................... page 2-3 Your View................................ page 4 Comment................................. page 5

page 12-15

Fisheries Reform............... page 16-17 Marine R&D...................... page 18-21 Seafood Desk......................... page 22

Industry claims ‘civil service incompetence’ behind licence holdup Gery Flynn

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FA Aquaculture, the representative body for Ireland’s finfish and shellfish sectors, has pledged to renew pressure on government to resolve the long-running saga of licencing in marine areas designated as NATURA 2000 sites.

A spokesman revealed to Inshore Ireland that during a “high level meeting” this month, it was made clear to officials from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG) that delays in publishing Conservation Objectives for dozens of designated conservation areas were creating extreme pressure and lost opportunities for jobs and exports.

At issue are aquaculture and fishery activities within Natura 2000 sites in relation to recent judgments of the European Court of Justice which found Ireland in breach of the requirements of the Habitats and Birds Directives.

Commenting further, the spokesman said that departmental officials “were left in no doubt” that the holdup had created “a range of difficulties” for an industry that was now “effectively in a state of limbo and unable to develop any further”.

DISCRIMINATION He added that the aquaculture sector was being discriminated against by being subjected to an environmental screening process – an Appropriate Assessment – under Natura 2000, in comparison to European aquaculture sectors and other coastal projects such as local authority discharge licensing.

Disgruntled fish farmers and others in the aquaculture sector who contacted Inshore Ireland are frustrated by what they see as the slow progress by civil servants in resolving the licensing issue.

None would go on the record but claim that Appropriate Assessment was unnecessarily complicated and had slowed the licensing process to a standstill.

And they criticized the Natura site designation process itself, labeling it as “less than transparent, and designed to facilitate the powerful terrestrial farming lobby at the expense of coastal-based industries such as aquaculture and inshore fishing”.

Some believe too that the terrestrial farming lobby used its powerful political clout early on in the process to ensure that mainly coastal rather than mainland sites were designated to lessen the impact on their members.

AGENCY REBUTTAL Conor Ó Raghallaigh, a director of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the agency at the centre of the licensing issue flatly rebutted these criticisms in a written response: In case C418/04, the European Court of Justice found that Ireland had failed to adhere to the requirements of the Habitats Directive by not subjecting aquaculture licence application to appropriate assessment in accordance with Article 6 of that Directive »» page 2

Ireland’s designated continental shelf. The area highlighted in yellow represents the part of the Atlantic seabed that is connected to mainland Ireland by continental crust.

The exact limits of some of these areas are still subject to international negotiations with neighbouring countries. ©2010 ESRI. See pages 20& 21 for further images from the Atlas of the Deep-Water Seabed: Ireland just launched.

Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year from all at Bord Iascaigh Mhara This year in lieu of Christmas cards, BIM will contribute to RNLI Ireland.

www.bim.ie 49902 BIM Inshore Ireland ad 2.i1 1

16/11/2010 15:41:31

2 INSHORE IRELAND December 2010/January 2011

NEWS »» fom page 1

Such assessment is required for any consented activities in or impacting upon Natura 2000 sites. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food cannot issue or renew such licences until he is in a position to undertake an appropriate assessment.

To satisfy the requirements of the judgment in this regard, Ireland is working with the European Commission and has proposed a roadmap to compliance for aquaculture and fishery activities.

This provides for a number of stages before licensing decisions can be made. Firstly, adequate ecological information is required to better understand the ecological make-up of the sites and the potential impact of proposed activities. In 2009 and 2010, the Marine Institute and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government have undertaken extensive survey work in coastal sites for this purpose. Further work will be undertaken in 2011.

The Department of the Environment is setting detailed conservation objectives for each of the sites. This has been underway for some time and the first of these conservation objectives has been completed. Again, work on these is being priorities based on the importance of sites for aquaculture and fisheries.

Next the Marine Institute will, on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, undertakes an appropriate assessment on a bay by bay basis for fisheries and aquaculture consent applications impacting Natura 2000 sites.

This assessment will also take into account impacts of other consented activites on the sites in question.

Licensing decisions will be informed by these appropriate assessments. It is expected that the first bays for which this procedure will be completed will have licensing decisions made early in 2011.

Ireland was also found to be in breach of both the Birds and Habitats directives in separate judgments, by failing in its designation of SACs and SPAs to include an appropriatre area, extent and types of habitats/species within the Natura 2000 network. As a result of these judgments, Ireland was required to designate additional coastal and terrestrial areas.

There is no question of designations in coastal areas having been made in lieu of terrestrial designations. The Habitats and Birds Directives are prescriptive in regard to the types of habitats and species that require protection.

Inshore Ireland has sought an interview with the appropriate agency

to fully explain the complexities surrounding Natura 2000 site designation and screening and hopes to carry this in its next issue at the end of January.

DoE responses to Inshore Ireland questions: II: Why was a more ‘generic screening system” not used to draw up conservation objectives?

DoE: The Commission would not accept an approach that was not underpinned by relevant site-specific data, which was absent in the Irish context.

II: Is it true that DAFF has now had to hire consultants – at unnecessary expense - to catch up and to provide the baseline data upon which Appropriate Assessment will be built?

DoE: The data is being collected under contract to the DEHLG and the MI. The cost of the data collection is being paid for by both Departments. The expense is necessary to meet the requirements of the judgment and Directive.

II: Is it true that to date no specific conservation objectives for any of the SPAs or SACs have been set?

DoE: No that is not true. Detailed conservation objectives have been set for the first of the sites and final agreement of the Commission to the methodology used is imminent.

Once that agreement is reached conservation objective for the remaining sites can be set, relatively quickly, using the data collected.

Marine Institute • Foras na Mara

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

Ireland’s polyvalent fleet awarded good governance certification

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n recognition of sustainable fishing practices, the Celtic Sea Herring Management Advisory Committee (CSHMAC) has achieved Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certification.

Presenting the award to Gavin Power, chair of the CSHMAC, Peter Whelan, chair of the SeaFisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), said the achievement was significant as it recognises and rewards sustainable fishing and promotes the best environmental choice in seafood overall.

“Good goverance and management frameworks safeguard jobs; secure fish stocks…and help protect the marine environment. The MSC standard means sustainable fisheries can be recognised and rewarded in the marketplace, and gives an assurance to buyers and consumers that

their seafood comes from a well-managed and sustainable source.”

Accepting the award, Gavin Power said that certification was part of a structured approach towards improving management and added-value return from the polyvalent mackerel fishery.

“Importanly, this certification initiative represents the first such award for the Irish polyvalent sector and would not have been

possible without the full support of the SFPA, the Marine Institute, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food and BIM. “MSC certification recognises sustainable practices in this important fishery, rewards robust governance, environmentally responsible and sustainable fishing practices and empowers consumers through the use of the label to make the best environmental choice,” he said.

Gavin Power receiving award from Peter Whelan

Retirement of GSI director, Dr Peadar McArdle On Friday November 5 over 200 people gathered at the Beggars Bush office of the Geological Survey of Ireland, to wish a happy retirement to long standing director, Dr Peadar McArdle. The huge turnout was testament to his standing in the geocience and research communities and the wider public service, with visitors travelling from all over Ireland and overseas to mark the occasion.

Peadar was born in Dublin in 1945 and educated at St. Joseph’s CBS Fairview after which he graduated from UCD with an Honours B.Sc. in Geology in 1967. From 1967 to 1970 he carried out postgraduate research on mineral deposits in southeast Ireland at UCD under Professor James Brindley, leading to a Ph.D. For the following three years he worked as a geologist on contract at the Geological Survey of Malawi on mineral exploration and mineral deposit assessment. In 1975 he returned to Ireland and took up a position as senior geologist at the Silvermines Zinc-Lead Mine in Tipperary where he reported to Eamonn Grennan who was mine geologist at the time.

Later in 1975 he commenced his public service career, when he was engaged as a geologist at the GSI working on mining geology and mineral

deposits where he gained an in-depth knowledge of Ireland’s operating metal and coal mines during this period.

In particular, he worked extensively at Avoca Mines and the surrounding area of Ordovician metasediments and metavolcanics, an interest he actively pursued until retirement.

In 1992 Peadar was appointed Director GSI and has served with distinction in that position to his retirement. He was tasked with implementing the recommendations of an external Review of GSI concluded in 1991 and achieved this and much more.

He oversaw the publication of a comprehensive new series of 1:100,000 bedrock geology maps and memoirs, and the new 1:500,000 bedrock map of Ireland. He was pivotal in securing and delivering the critically-important Irish National Seabed Survey and its successor INFOMAR over the past decade, now acknowledged as a world

leading project in integrated marine mapping.

Peadar also succeeded in promoting the concept of a geoscience sector and in securing SSTI funding for geoscience research under the National Development Plan 2007-2013. He was centrally involved in developing a medium-term strategy for geoscience education, research and services in 2007, published by the Royal Irish Academy.

Recognising the limited resources of GSI, he forged many strong alliances, particularly those with the Marine Institute and the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland and the British Geological Survey.

Finally, he has displayed in abundance the vision and leadership skills to continuously transform GSI over the past 20 years so that it remains relevant to the needs of Irish society and provides a valuefor-money service to the Irish taxpayer.

Pat O’Connor, GSI

Minister Conor Lenihan (centre) in conversation with outgoing GSI director, Peadar McArdle (left) and Peter Heffernan, CEO, MI.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2010/January 2011 3

NEWS

Record EU funding for Irish marine research in 2010

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reland’s marine science community more than double its performance in attracting funds under the European Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) in 2010. Thirty-two Irish marine research groups, including 21 SMEs were awarded over €17.5 million in grant aid, with an additional 14 projects valued at €5.5 million under contract negotiation, bringing the total of EU research funds secured by Irish marine projects to a potential €23 million.

“This represents more than a doubling of EU grant aid awarded under the previous Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), when 59 collaborative projects from Ireland were awarded €10.6 million in grant aid,” Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO Marine Institute told Inshore Ireland.

TEAMWORK APPROACH Acknowledging this success at a recent meeting in Galway, Brendan Smith TD, Minister

for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said it was the result of a national teamwork approach, based on the foundation of collaboration and planning: “It [underpins] the solid foundation put in place by a wide cross section of Ireland’s marine community in creating the National Marine R&D Strategy, Sea Change – A Marine Knowledge, Research & Innovation Strategy for Ireland 2007-2013, which was a key component of the Strategy for Science and Technology in Ireland (SSTI).

He noted that this achievement at European level was assisted by Ireland’s “proactive approach” to influencing European policy through inputs to such documents as The Galway Declaration, the European Green Paper on maritime policy and the shape of FP7 itself which accommodates marine topics as a cross-cutting theme in all its programmes.

WIDE RANGING PROJECTS Included in the 43

collaborative Irish marine research projects being funded are studies on generating sustainable energy from ocean waves and seaweed; monitoring harbour pollution with shoals of robotic fish; conserving Ireland’s fish stocks and managing the health of farmed fish and shellfish.

“Each of these projects not only has the potential to create new jobs and revenue streams for Irish businesses but collectively are already providing jobs for an estimated 130 graduates and researchers – employment that is of even greater benefit in these challenging economic times,” Dr Heffernan said.

In line with the Irish government’s renewable energy policy and Ocean Energy Strategy, Irish researchers are particularly active in the study of generating sustainable wave and tidal energy.

Researchers from the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre (UCC) are leading two major European FP7 wave energy projects (CORES and MARINA)

N OT I C E

European Fisheries Fund National Development Plan 2007-2013 Sea Fisheries Development Programme BIM wishes to inform applicants for grant aid under the schemes of the Sea Fisheries Development Programme1 of the following important change to the terms and conditions under which grant aid is made available and which now apply in every case.

and are participants in others (EquiMar, ORECCA).

The Irish ocean energy device developer Wavebob Ltd is leading a major industry project (STANDPOINT) with partners from Spain, Portugal, Germany and Sweden on new developments in wave converter technology.

Meanwhile in Cork, ways of extracting ocean energy from common seashore and microscopic seaweeds are being developed at the Daithi O’Murchu Marine Research Station in Bantry.

In the sea-fisheries sector, researchers from the Marine Institute are participating in the MEFEPO project, with partners from UK, Portugal, Netherlands, France, Norway, Denmark and Spain, to deliver new ideas on seafisheries management. Back in Cork, researchers at the Tyndall Institute of UCC are working on Project SHOAL – a research programme to develop robotic fish equipped with chemical sensors to find pollutants and build up a broad picture of any pollution

Peter Heffernan, CEO, MI. Marine research projects were awarded an unprecedented €23m in EU research funds in 2010. incident in real-time.

“I am pleased to report that over the past year, Ireland’s marine science community continued to build on the respect gained at European level in the past through its contributions to key EU strategy documents including The Galway Declaration and the Integrated Maritime Policy and Marine Science Strategy.

“Our scientists and marine science administrators continued to play prominent roles in many European and international marine science bodies and I had the privilege

European Fisheries Fund National Development Plan 2007-2013 Sea Fisheries Development Programme 2011 BIM wish to announce that applications are now being sought for grant aid under the following Schemes for 2011:

n Marine Environment Protection Measure, n Seafood Environmental Management &

Funding for all projects under these schemes is subject to monies being available to BIM on a yearly basis through the Estimates process and the Board will not approve or pay grants beyond the budget that has been allocated to a project in a given year. In consequence: n Applicants must, in every case, indicate

clearly the single calendar year to which their application applies. n Multi-annual applications and/or any

application which seeks to create, or might be construed as creating, an expectation beyond a single year will be deemed not to have met the Mandatory Criteria of the Scheme and will be returned forthwith.

For its part, BIM will:

n Provide a framework wherein applications

may be made to the Board in a timely manner mindful of the above constraints on funding.

In addition, please be advised that from the 1st January 2011 only work undertaken after the commencement date of any project, as set out in the letter of approval, will be eligible for grant payment.

An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Fisheries Development Division, P.O. Box 12, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Tel: Fax: E-mail: Web:

01 2144100 01 2300564 Fisheries@bim.ie www.bim.ie

Or contact your local BIM Area or Inshore Officer.

which every approval applies. n Indicate clearly the final date by which claims

must be received by the Board in respect of every approved grant. Failure to submit claims by the date set may render claims void for the purpose of grant aid.

Certification Grant Aid Scheme, n Lobster V-Notching, Shellfish Discard & Live

Return Reduction Scheme, n Fleet 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 Protection Measure and the Seafood Environmental Management & Certification Grant Aid Scheme will be assessed and approved periodically in light of the funds available to BIM. n The first of these assessments will occur after

n Indicate clearly the single calendar year to 1 Including the Marine Environment Protection Measure, the Seafood Environmental Management & Certification Grant Aid Scheme, the Lobster V-Notching, Shellfish Discard & Live Return Reduction Scheme, and the Fleet Safety Scheme and any other schemes or sub-schemes introduced under this programme going forward.

the Board’s budget for 2011 has been finalised, and to guarantee inclusion in this round of approvals applications should be submitted to BIM not later than 5pm on Friday 3rd December 2010. n The second round of approvals will take place

in March 2011 and to guarantee inclusion in this round of approvals applications should be submitted to BIM not later than 5pm on Friday 18th March 2011.

In respect of the Lobster V-Notching, Shellfish Discard & Live Return Reduction Scheme, projects received by 5pm on Friday 18th March 2011 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 2011.

Applications under the Fleet 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, P.O. Box 12, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Tel: Fax: E-mail: Web:

01 2144100 01 2300564 Fisheries@bim.ie www.bim.ie

Or by contacting your local BIM Area or Inshore Officer.

This measure is part-financed by the European Community

This measure is part-financed by the European Community This measure is part-financed by the European Community

This measure is part-financed by the European Community

49733 BIM Grant aid terms ad-M T1 1

of making a keynote address at the prestigious Belgian-EU Presidency EurOCEAN 2010 Conference in Oostende, Belgium in October, outlining progress in European maritime and marine science policy since the event was hosted by Ireland in Galway in 2004 during the Irish EU Presidency,” Dr Heffernan added.

Further details on all the FP7 project awards go to: http://www.marine.ie/home/ Publications/Publications/EU +Framework+Research+Progr ammes.htm

18/10/2010 14:07:55

49732 BIM Grant aid application 1 1

18/10/2010 14:05:05

4 INSHORE IRELAND December 2010/January 2011

YOURVIEW

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

Bandon finally gets early warning system Almost a year to the day, Cork CoCo has launched a flood early warning system for Bandon, Co Cork, which a risk town of fluvial or river flooding.

Central to the system are river level gauges and a rainfall gauge; computer hardware and software, telecommunication equipment and a public website.

The Western Road.

Photo Pat O’Brien

Twelve months on and Cork still awaits proper flood plans Pat O’Brien, Cork

T

welve months ago, Cork City suffered an appalling flooding catastrophe as a consequence of a massive release of accumulated flood water from the ESB River Lee Hydroelectric Dam at Inniscarra, 13km west of the city.

The last time such an event occurred was in 1948, and on both occasions my family home,19 km downstream of the Lee dam was flooded to a depth of 1 metre.

As a consequence of the 1948 flood episode, measures were implemented by an order of the Oireachtas for the construction of the Lee Hydroelectric Scheme to control the waters of the Lee catchment of 1,139 sq km; 48 km long and 23 km wide.

HEAD OF WATER Upstream of the dam, an area of about 1,500 hectares acts as a reservoir to provide the necessary head of water for power generation and also to contain and regulate the upstream catchment waters, which in the absence of the dam would create the flood problems that occurred in 1948.

Commissioned in 1956 the hydroelectric dam served to generate electricity and control River Lee flood waters downstream of the dam.

Regardless of individual functions, most dams like the Lee dam are designed to

form reservoirs. The objective of dam operation is to alter (regulate) the shape of the discharge curve of the river downstream from the dam; this amounts to a redistribution of total annual discharge over time.

SO WHAT WENT WRONG ON THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 19, 2009?

Prior to that date there had been heavy rain throughout the month and consequently the build up of reservoir water should have been properly controlled by allowing for minimum discharge capable of producing undesired flooding downstream but not catastrophic flooding.

Moreover, the EU Water Framework Directive and the EU Floods Directive are very implicit in stating what EU Member States must do by way of good river basin management practices to mitigate flood episodes. This calls for a risk assessment of vulnerable catchment areas and mitigation procedures and flood defences.

Remedial actions or flood alleviation projects must be undertaken on a catchmentbased approach where all factors influencing the potential flood hazards in river drainage basins are taken into account.

AUTHORITY INACTION This approach has been adopted by the Office of Public Works and mandated to local authorities under EU legislation. But it stops there because for all intents and

purposes, nothing has been done to date as far as Cork is concerned with regard to implementation of flood mitigation measures.

For instance, and dealing with incompetence of our public bodies, the OPW underspent €25m of its flood relief allocation in 2008 even though a major flood assessment report for Cork was underway!

The Lee Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study (CFRAMS), published in February 2010, came up with predictive River Lee model flood scenarios and relevant mitigation measures, at a cost of €100m according to Martin Mansergh Minister of State at the OPW. Nearly a year later however, Mansergh states that a national flood warning system for floodprone locations such as Cork, Galway, Clare and Tipperary will not be ready for another 12 months…

There is something radically wrong when a public body such as the OPW is prioritising immediate installation of flood mitigation measures.

The system of openness and transparency regarding information is wholly inadequate and goes against the three pillars of the Aarhus Convention, which Ireland is yet to ratify after 12 years and is one of only a few countries yet to do so.

MITIGATION TO SAVE MONEY If measures had been correctly designed, constructed

and implemented according to the relevant Directives in the EU Environmental Acquis, would Cork have ended up under water?

Probably not, and the cost of adopting such measures would have been relatively little compared to the ensuing costs caused by the flooding.

Such intense rainfall events are not unknown in Ireland and indeed are very likely to occur again because of weather patterns. So the public needs to be better informed and measures implemented to militate against the consequences of such rainfall.

Had reservoir water been released in accordance with good dam reservoir management practices, undesirable but noncatastrophic flooding would have resulted and could have been forewarned so that appropriate measures could have been put in place.

Twelve months on and no mitigation measures of any sort - let alone repairs to breached quay walls - have been undertaken, with the exception of some minor repairs.

There are families in Cork facing into a second Christmas without being able to return to their homes – all because of an incompetent system of public administration.

So, just who precisely is to blame? It seems that none of the competent authorities is taking responsibility and in that absence, a similar flood disaster cannot be ruled out.

RPS Consulting Engineers were appointed to analysis over twenty years of river level data from five existing OPW river gauges in the catchment to establish a relationship between upstream levels and subsequent downstream levels during a flood event.

Antecedent conditions or catchment wetness, were also examined using rainfall data available from Met Éireann ‘’to optimise the flood warning potential of the system’.

According to Cork Co Co, the system will monitor river levels at two locations in the Dunmanway area upstream of Bandon.

‘When predetermined levels and antecedent conditions arise that will result in a downstream flood event with a risk of flooding in Bandon, the system will automatically raise the alert – initially to designated Council staff.’

The system comprises four flood alert levels: green indicating all clear; yellow indicating risk of minor flooding; orange indicating risk of serious flooding and red indicating risk of severe flooding.

‘While the flood warning system will not reduce the probability of a flood event occurring, it will reduce the impact by giving people time – up to 5 hours – to put their flood plans into action/ safeguard property and move to a safe location,’ Cork Co Co contends.

When accessible to the public ‘in the coming weeks’ at www.bandonfloodwarning.ie , it will provide real-time information on river levels, flood status etc and contain information on flood impacts, advice on flood action plans, information on historical flooding and ongoing and proposed flood relief works.

The public will be able to register to receive a flood alert via text message.

A information evening is planned for December at which the public will be able to pre-register on the Internet to receive text alerts.

Flood Warning Codes A set of 4 easy recognisable flood warning codes are issued by the Bandon Flood Early Warning System (FEWS).

Flood Warning Code

Flooding Type

Green

All Clear, No Flooding

Yellow

Minor Flooding

Orange

Serious Flooding

Red

Severe/Extreme Flooding

INSHORE IRELAND December 2010/January 2011 5

COMMENT

Budget 2011 confirms water charges by 2014 and limiting waste.

In the foreword, Minister Gormley describes water as ‘a precious resource’ and reaffirms the [government’s] goal ‘to deliver quality drinking water and effectively treat wastewater consistent with sustainable development’.

Looking at capital expenditure, he notes that ‘substantial benefits have accrued’ from the investment of €4.6bn over the past decade – €3.7bn of which from the multiannual Waster Services Investment Programme.

That plus another €900m from water services authorities’ own resources he claims has covered the completion of 480 major water and wastewater projects between 2000 and 2009.

The Minister is of course

Dear Editor, The recent Geoscience 2010 conference in Dublin Castle was notable, inter alia, for the high quality of presentations by a succession of experts of tender years in a wide variety of marine subjects, and also for the high level of enthusiasm they displayed for their work throughout the two-day event.

Beyond the auditorium itself, a splendid display of information posters gave evidence of the depth of intense study currently being undertaken in Irish waters.

But for this attendee, the highlight was undoubtedly the introduction and presentation of Ireland’s first Atlas of the Deep Water Seabed. Not only Ireland’s first but the world’s first-ever production on this engrossing subject.

The authors declare that the main objective of the Atlas is to take the reader on a journey to the largely unexplored and fascinating areas of Ireland’s deep sea ocean. And what a journey it is, with brief, well-written essays in totally uncomplicated language and illustrations and close-up photography of nature’s brilliant creations in fauna and coral.

It might seem an idle suggestion in the times in which we live but this Atlas, representing as it does the new geography of Ireland, and suitably adapted to purpose, should be in the possession of every primary school in the land. Educationally, it is a gem of great value. Tim Magennis, Killiney, Co.Dublin

Dear Editor, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Inshore Ireland via the competition prize for introducing me to Cauteret. Cauterets is a spa town, a ski resort and an excellent fishing destination in the Haute Pyrenees. We arrived late at night and woke up to be surrounded by these imperious mountains and headed straight down for breakfast which was the first of several delicious meals and reasonably priced as well. The people were fantastic and the hospitality we enjoyed was first-class. People make holidays and the genuine people we met with a deep passion for their area and of course the fishing ultimately made our holiday. I must admit, going to fish a lake via a cable car and a stair lift was something to behold and then there was the lake itself set in a glacial valley with snow clearly visible in the distance, mind blowing. The hill walking available is stunning and the health spa is renowned throughout France so there is something for everyone. I will be back in Cauteret in July 2011 when the fishing is at its peak. But just one word of caution you can only get half pints of Guinness…!

Gerry McMonagle, Derry City.

entitled to point to such successes; however when stripped of its ‘motherhood and apple pie’ sweetness, such affirmations are surely no more than what any progressive society should expect?

Drilling deeper into this report a harsh reality quickly emerges: it is the sheer scale of the capital expenditure required to provide sustainable water services.

Prioritising projects that target public health and environmental compliance issues, the report details more than 130 contracts and water conservation contracts in progress valued at €1bn, and another 340 contracts between 2010 and 2012 to a value of €1.8bn. Planning work is also projected on a further 190 schemes and water conservation projects in the same period.

Dear Editor Documentation relating to the Public Consultation on Offshore Renewable Energy on the website of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) does not address the requirements of Directive 2001/42/EC on Strategic Environmental Assessment.

There is a complete failure to: • identify the projected environmental objectives and benefits of this programme • consider any alternatives in which those environmental objectives and benefits could be achieved • consider in the assessment on population, the socio-economic impact of the enormous financial burden of up to 6,000 MW of renewable energy within Irish waters, in which each MW has an installed cost of over €3.5 million.

In other words, if the two questions: how much does it cost and why are we doing it cannot be answered and billions of taxpayers’ money – through direct financial subsidies and compulsory power purchase agreements at three times the market price – is being funnelled into this programme, then its implementation is completely unlawful.

EU Directives are clear. The promotion of renewable energy as a priority measure must be based on their contribution to environmental protection and sustainable development; local employment; positive impact on social cohesion; security of supply and meeting Kyoto targets.

There are eleven different technologies listed as renewable. It would therefore appear logical to compare the various renewable technologies

Inshore Ireland is published by IIP Ltd

Attempting to bring such enormous figures to a scale that the public can grasp, I recall another report published in these pages in 2007.

It quoted Dr Sue Scott, then head of the Environment Policy Research Centre at the Economic and Social Research Institute, who revealed that the real cost to Irish consumers of domestic water and sewage services was in fact being obscured.

In a straightforward and clear presentation to a Water Framework Directive conference in Dublin, Dr Scott dismantled the figures to show that as well as being one of the few developed countries where domestic water was provided free-of-charge, most of us were in fact blissfully unaware that the cost to produce

modern water services was very expensive.

“Even allowing for the €132.8m approximately which industry pays annually for its water and waste water services, the level expenditure in Ireland is quite high. It actually means that every employed person in the State is being charged €580 a year in income tax for water services, regardless of how much they use,” she revealed.

The question now is: Will taxpayers continue to pay by stealth through their income tax as well as be expected to pay outright water charges set to be introduced in 2014?

I think I know the answer to that one!

comment

Publication by Environment Minister John Gormley of his ‘Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012’ – a three-year funding plan to provide major water supply and wastewater infrastructure – could signal the end of dishonest posturing by all parties on the thorny subject of water charges.

If so then the Green Party should be commended for leading the way in facing up to a harsh economic reality, and for dragging their coalition partner, Fianna Fáil, into acknowledging that domestic water charges - based on usage – must be introduced without delay.

In doing so Ireland will be coming into line with most of Europe in recognising that paying for water usage is the most effective way of controlling costs

Gery Flynn

and develop supporting mechanisms based on the performance criteria of the different technical solutions.

Furthermore, EU guidelines on State aid for environmental protection are clear in that aid is considered to be proportional only if the same result cannot be achieved with less aid; the amount must also be limited to the minimum needed to achieve the environmental protection sought.

By checking ‘Decisions’ on the website of the Commissioner for Environmental Information’s website one can see DCENR does not have; (a) a ranking system for technology alternatives in terms of their ability to meet the criteria in the Directive and (b) options to reach the objectives in legislation.

Furthermore, the recent Renewable Energy Action Plan for Ireland prepared for the EU Commission simply does not quantify any environmental benefits, such as greenhouse gas reductions, alternatives to achieve these benefits or any details relating to public participation.

Politicians seek the majority view; professional engineers seek the evidence. By the time we would have installed half the turbines on the €30 billion plus wind energy programme, essential thermal plants will be operating so inefficiently due to ‘urban stop/ start’, as opposed to steady ‘motorway’ output, we would be producing more greenhouse gases than if we never installed a single wind turbine.

Indeed, whatever benefits Ireland has achieved to date in its investment of over €4 billion in wind energy, this could have been achieved at a fraction of the cost by utilising waste to energy.

History repeats itself: the big money in the California Gold Rush was in selling the picks, shovels and other supplies.

Pat Swords BE CEng FIChemE CEnv MIEMA Glenageary Co. Dublin

The team of Gill, Gery and Wendy - wish their readers a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New year, and look forward to bringing you the news from the coast and inland waterways in 2011.

Editor

Features Editor

Features Northern Ireland

Advertising

Design

Gillian Mills

Gery Flynn

Wendy Scott

Durgan Media

mills@inshore-ireland.com

flynn@inshore-ireland.com

scott@inshore-ireland.com

01 235 4804

091 844822

00 44 (0)28 91 857721

Gillian Mills Gery Flynn Wendy Scott

info@durganmedia.ie

074 91 94477

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.

6

inshore ireland December 2010/January 2011

Loughs Agency

Striving for sustainable resource management in Foyle and Carlingford areas

T

he Loughs Agency is a cross-border body, exercising a statutory remit for conservation, protection and development across the Foyle and Carlingford catchments. Our objectives for these river systems and sea areas include development of fisheries and aquaculture, conservation and protection of fisheries and sustainable development of marine tourism.

The Agency also has a fishery protection function and fisheries and aquatic environment monitoring and reporting responsibility.

Loughs Agency fishery inspectors and officers enforce parallel primary legislation and associated regulations within those parts of the Foyle and Carlingford areas that lie within Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The Agency operates an evidenced-based management system designed to facilitate sustainability of the fishery and aquatic resources within the Foyle and Carlingford

areas. Traditionally, Atlantic salmon has been perceived as the most significant resource with monitoring focused on their various life history stages, forming the basis for informed management decision-making.

Monitoring methods include electrofishing surveys for juvenile salmonids; electronic fish counters, redd counting; monitoring of recreational and commercial catch returns and monitoring of water quality.

Some of these data sets go back to the 1950s.

Monitoring and reporting functions have expanded from the traditional salmonid base with obligations under the EU Habitats Directive and the EU Water Framework Directive.

Fish surveys on rivers and lakes are ongoing with data collected being presented to both Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency for incorporation into national reports.

In 2010 working collaboratively with Inland Fisheries Ireland, surveys took place on a number of species of conservation importance including river/brook, sea lamprey and European smelt.

These surveys provided a baseline from which future studies can be compared.

Further baseline surveys are planned for 2011.

Ongoing development of aquatic and riparian habitat improvement schemes which have been enhanced and supported through the WFD. It is anticipated that continued partnership development and collaborative improvement projects can be developed to improve the ecological status

of our water bodies.

The fishery information collected has demonstrated that the Foyle and Carlingford areas provide habitats for a significant diversity of native fish species of conservation importance. Having an appreciation of the habitats that these species favour can facilitate ongoing conservation and protection of these areas.

The Loughs Agency series of catchment status reports provides a mechanism to disseminate the extensive data records that have been collated. Fishery and environmental data is presented within the context of a management strategy while maintaining a focus at the individual catchment scale. The 2010 status reports comprise fourteen reports covering seventeen individual catchments.

Copies of the 2010 catchment status reports are available on the Loughs Agency website under the publications section www. loughs-agency.org

Marine Monitoring The Loughs Agency operates an extensive programme of marine monitoring primarily for the purposes of sustainable management of the shellfish resources of the two crossborder sea loughs under its remit. The data collected however has many uses and is used by other Agencies, academia, environmental and fisheries consultants and the public.

Since 2004 the Agency has been intensively monitoring the environmental conditions

in the sea loughs using in-situ instrumentation that was procured under funding from the INTERREG IIIa programme. These systems record water temperature; salinity; dissolved oxygen; turbidity and fluorescence every 15 minutes.

The Agency’s scientific staff conduct annual stock assessments in the sea loughs; the native oyster fishery in Lough Foyle is one of the last remaining wild fisheries in Europe. Landings have varied over the last 20 years and a boom and bust production cycle is evident in the trends.

This is likely to be attributable to heavy fishing pressure, variation in spawning and spatfall success and poor management.

An independent scientific assessment of the fishery by CEFAS in 2006 and 2007 concluded that the fishery was suffering from overfishing and would benefit from regulation.

Regulation was introduced in 2008 and has resulted in a considerable reduction in fishing effort where up to 100 vessels were involved in recent years. Fishing is now limited to September 20 to March 31 and from 6am and 6pm on weekdays only.

The annual stock assessment shows an increasing trend in the numbers of larger oysters and a more normal population structure compared with the situation immediately preregulation. The Agency now hopes to implement some of the recommendations for habitat improvement and reinstatement works suggested

by CEFAS and the annual

1

5

stock assessments.

The Agency also reviews statutory monitoring programmes relating to the shellfish hygiene directive or shellfish waters directive. These reviews provide a one-stopshop for the public, academia, fishermen, other departments and NGOs, in the form of Annual Status Reports for both Loughs which are available from our website.

Marine Tourism The Agency is responsible for developing marine tourism in Carlingford Lough and the Foyle area seaward as far as Malin Head. Activities include: sea kayaking trails; sailing; sea angling; birdwatching; whale watching; locally produced sea food. The regions offer a rich heritage of prehistoric sites, Norman castles, walled settlements of Carlingford and Londonderry and Victorian seaside resorts such as Warrenpoint and Moville.

Not far from the main Belfast-Dublin road is Carlingford Lough – a sheltered inlet of the Irish Sea flanked by the Mourne Mountains and the mountains of the Cooley peninsula.

Viking raiders gave Carlingford its name. This sea inlet exhibits the characteristics of a true fiord: bounded by steep mountains, becoming shallower at its mouth.

The Foyle area runs from Ireland’s most northerly point (Malin Head), eastwards to Mussenden Temple perched above nine miles of Blue Flag beach at Benone and inland to the mountains of Donegal and Tyrone. Whooper swans, geese, waders and duck come from the Arctic to overwinter in the relatively mild conditions of the Foyle valley.

Inishowen is a peninsula bounded on the eastern side by Lough Foyle and the Atlantic.

There are marvellous sandy beaches such as Culdaff and Kinnegoe; towering sea cliffs with caves, tunnels and sea stacks for the kayaker to explore; the iconic Malin Head and the beautiful uninhabited island of Inishtrahull, six miles off-shore.

Angling While the function of the Agency is to promote angling it does not see this function in the narrow sense of promotion by means of publicity alone.

inshore ireland December 2010/January 2011

7

loughs agency 2

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Wider meanings of ‘promote’ are used, such as to ‘support or encourage’ and ‘advance’.

The Agency assists economic development by marketing the angling resource through webbased and hard publications and attending key angling shows.

The social value of fishing (recreation, cultural heritage) benefits all sections of society.

Foyle and Carlingford have many club-based fisheries where fishing offers good value for money. By promoting the resource, the increase in visitor numbers will have a positive economic impact and contribute to the creation of employment.

Budding young anglers are encouraged to take up angling through a series of promotional events.

Game or coarse anglers in either loughs must hold a rod licence (fees vary from £2 for juniors to £16 for adult season). To actually fish a river or lake a permit is required.

(These vary in price: juniors DCAL season permit costs £2, allowing the holder to fish several lakes and part of the River Roe; or on the River Dennet a junior will

7

pay £10 for the season.) This is considered reasonable for a river with good populations of wild brown trout and seasonal runs of salmon and sea trout.

There are also plenty of ‘put and take’ fisheries and several coarse fisheries locally. At these fisheries you need a licence and pay a small fee to fish.

For sea fishing you don’t need a licence or permit, as long as you’re not fishing for salmon or sea trout! You can fish from piers, rocks, charter boats or the beach (although you might need a larger specialised rod for beach casting).

The Agency works with the Youth Justice Agency in facilitating reparative activities for juveniles who have been through the court system.

Results show a 99% success rate in preventing re-offending.

Reparative activities include litter picks, habitat restoration, wheel chair access construction and personal angling development.

Riverwatch The Loughs Agency recognises the value of stakeholder engagement and rises to this challenge through the Riverwatch Aquarium and

Visitor Centre. Riverwatch has welcomed over 90,000 visitors since opening in 2002 and has significantly raised the profile of the fisheries, marine and environmental resources through its outreach programmes.

The aquariums at Riverwatch represent freshwater and marine habitats and are stocked with many species native to our own waters. They provide a window to a wonderful underwater world so that visitors can discover what lives beneath the surface. Lobster, crabs, starfish, coalfish, blennys and lots of other unusual marine fish and crustaceans are kept in the deep sea, lough and seashore tanks. Salmon, sticklebacks, minnows, roach and other freshwater fish reside in five freshwater tanks. As well as the aquariums, display and audio visual interpretation tells the story of the unique resources of Foyle and Carlingford catchments.

To compliment the visitor centre are educational outreach programmes available free to schools and community groups. Through these, Riverwatch has excited and

encouraged its stakeholders to take an active role in catchment management.

For example, ‘Adopt-AStream’ involves groups taking ownership of small streams and rivers; monitoring the water quality; organising river clean ups and campaigning if necessary to make improvements.

The Angling Academy not only teaches young people to fish but also raises their awareness about what legal fishing is all about; how to fish safely and who to contact if they spot poaching or pollution. This ensures extra eyes on the riverbank and along the coast.

Hatchery in the Classroom; River Studies; Habitat Surveys and a variety of workshops and events, provide a platform to engage and encourage stakeholders to get involved and connect with their local waterway.

For further information on Riverwatch and how to get involved contact the Loughs Agency office in Prehen on 028 7134 2100 and ask to speak to a member of the Riverwatch team.

1. Lough Carn, Co Tyrone 2. Wild brown trout at Burn Dennett, Co Tyrone 3. Coaching junior anglers at Baronscourt, Co Tyrone 4. Traditional Foyle punts prepare to set sail 5. Kayaking on the River Foyle, Co Londonderry 6. A wonderful window to an underwater world 7. Inter-tidal mussel bed, Balls Point, Lough Foyle 8. Loughs Agency catchment map

8 INSHORE IRELAND December 2010/January 2011

FRESHWATER FOCUS

Zero tolerance to illegal fishing on Lough Neagh Wendy Scott

I

nshore Ireland spent a day on Lough Neagh with the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure (DCAL) Fisheries Protection Officers to witness one very crucial element of their job: enforcement.

“Like a traffic warden, nobody wants to see us, but we have a job to do none the less,” remarked Seamus Connor, DCAL Senior Fisheries Officer.

Inshore Ireland discovered just how vital their role is in protecting and conserving fish stocks in Lough Neagh. Situated in the centre of Northern Ireland, the lough is the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles with a surface area of 383 km². It is magnificent and easy to see why it has attained a number of environmental designations including: ‘’Area of Special Scientific Interest’; ‘Special Protection Area’ and is also a ‘Ramsar site’. (www.ramsar.org).

Lough Neagh is home to many fish species: perch, roach, pike, bream and pollan, which is a native fish similar to a freshwater herring. There is an abundance of both commercial and private fishing going on in Lough Neagh, much of it following good practice and legal. However illegal activity does occur, putting pressure on stocks, causing fish kills and overfishing.

Many of the illegal nets recovered are monofilament, made from a single strand of nylon that is not easily detected by fish and is therefore much more effective. Fisheries officers patrol the Lough looking for markers which indicate where these nets are set. The markers can be as small as a hen’s egg and

are typically corks; 500ml coke bottles; decoy ducks; party balloons etc making them very difficult to detect. GPS is often used to set and relocate the nets so patrol boats monitor areas they consider may be most active and tow a drag line to snag the nets “It is important these illegal nets are found because sometimes they are abandoned and they continue to ghost fish, resulting in many fish and some birds being caught and therefore dying needlessly,” Seamus Connor said.

“We recently lifted a net that must have been set for over a month as the fish and birds in it were putrid,” remarked another officer.

Some of the nets recovered are 1000 yards long. Such a net was recently discovered

straddling the mouth of the Moyola River near Toome, which is a renowned salmon run.

The position of this net meant fish had no chance of travelling up or down river and if left in place would have had a catastrophic impact on stock levels.

The powers of the fisheries officer are extensive and include vessel searching; seizure of boats, equipment and vehicles, which along with a court case may cost the defendant hundreds if not thousands of pounds.

“If enough evidence is gathered, prosecutions will be carried out, so it is very important that the message is sent out loud and clear that illegal fishing will not be tolerated. ” Seamus Connor stressed.

Northern Ireland Angling in

With Over 60 Game & Coarse Waters Available starting from £8.00 for Three Days Fishing....

Inland Fisheries Group, Causeway Exchange, 1-7 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7EG. Contact (028) 90515117 or Visit www.dcal-fishingni.gov.uk Photos courtesy of NITB and Paul Nash at Coleraine Times

Whats stopping you?

Device that saves water and detects leaks

M

onaghan-based company, Aquawatch, achieved second place in the Environmental Innovation Awards 2010 competition at the Resource Ireland Exhibition in October, and is part of a study on water usage in Trinity College Dublin.

AquaWatch is a water conservation and leak alert device that works in conjunction with a water meter and can be fitted internally or externally.

The average daily use is calculated and programmed into the device and a red flashing light alerts the consumer if they are using excessive amounts or when they have an ongoing leak. It records the previous 24hrs with each hour usage readable. If it detects water usage during the night from 0300-0400hrs for example, a leak is suspected.

Early detection results in a vast improvement in the water metering process, saving money and water for the provider.

“Water leakage is a major issue. Householders, farmers, Local Authorities, industries lose thousands of Euros annually from undetected problems. With the proposed introduction of water metering nationwide, this device when fitted could save vast quantities of water and money for many consumers, remarked Éamonn Hughes, Aquawatch managing director.

Further information from www.aquawatch.ie

INSHORE IRELAND December 2010/January 2011 9

FRESHWATER FOCUS

September charm on Lough Mask a group of anglers headed for the dap in its mouth. It seemed Lough Mask. Four boats set to move and the angler struck; out from Ross Hill, armed with however the hook and line rose dapping rods and a selection of from the water without bait, as a he western insects. trout finned away with three tasty Drifting the shallows needs to daddy-long-legs in its stomach...

Irish lakes are be done carefully to avoid the Very soon again another rise jewels set in rocks; but it there that large fish – just three feet from a large a magnificent can swirl up and take the bait. rock – the dap disappeared in a landscape, and are known for their stock of wild Drifting before a southwest wind, strong surge of water. The anglers the boat maneuvered between waited before striking, and this brown trout. time the hook was set firmly in Throughout the year they feed small islets . Would the trout be put off by the unnatural cluster of the upper lip of the trout. The on a succession of insects. In early Spring, anglers experiment three daddy-long-legs, or are they fight was on, the line slipped from just greedy for a big food item? side to side, plunging downwards with olives and move on to the between the rocks. It took more duckfly, progressing to the famous This was quickly answered mayfly and finally sedges during when a large swirl erupted around than five minutes to ease the 1.5lb the dap and the bunch of daddys trout to the surface to be netted. early and middle summer. As At regular intervals trout rose – September approaches, trout feed disappeared with just the line leading to the centre of the rise. some hooked, some not – creating on large insects such as daddyThis is what attracts anglers to more activity than previous long-legs and grasshoppers. this lake – these magic seconds mayfly days. In all, the four boats And so it is on Lough Mask, caught six fine trout and the lure that glorious lake north of Lough when the ripples of the rise are still circling outwards. The anglers of Lough Mask’s charms will Corrib with its very distinct waited for the line to move, which have these anglers returning to character and atmosphere. would indicate the trout still had this jewel of Ireland’s lakes.

September there can be better than mayfly fishing, dapping with grasshoppers and daddy-longlegs.

Dapping for some is a lazy way to fish – just a long rod with a line and single hook over the side of the boat. That it may be; however seeing trout first take the dap and then striking to set the hook, makes it a fun way to fish.

Returning from a good day’s fishing on Lough Mask On a bright September day, Brendan Connolly

T

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10 INSHORE IRELAND December 2010/January 2011

FRESHWATER FOCUS

Website that is catch of the day The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has launched an online ‘one-stop-shop: www.nidirect.gov.uk/angling to answer every query relating to angling in Northern Ireland.

“Angling has proven health benefits and we are keen to see more people take up the sport and become more active and healthy,” explained Mandy Wilson.

The website brings together information from all departments and agencies, enabling the user to find information and do business with government at a convenient time, she added.

“Information is presented in user-friendly way. Searches can be made by county, for example, to find out what angling waters are available in a local area. At the touch of a button the user can find out which waters have recently been stocked and what sort of fishing is permitted. Maps of fishing waters in the public angling estate are also available to view.”

Remember that a rod licence is required for fishing throughout Northern Ireland and a DCAL Permit to fish the public angling estate.

These can now be purchased at www.nidirect.gov.uk/angling

Administration of fishing licences does not extend to the Foyle and Carlingford catchment areas; these areas are the responsibility of the Loughs Agency who set their own licence duties.

WATERNI

2011 Sustainable Water

3 February 2011 Hilton Belfast

WATERNI.NET

East Belfast set to become a beacon of environmental regeneration Wendy Scott

A

n exciting time for those living in and around East Belfast as work is soon to commence on one of the biggest environmental and engineering projects ever embarked upon in Northern Ireland - the Connswater Community Greenway (CCG).

The £32 million regeneration project funded by the Big Lottery Fund, the Department for Social Development and Belfast City Council, has been developed by the East Belfast Partnership – a social partnership with community, statutory, political and business members who are committed to regenerating east Belfast.

Behind community-based projects like these, you always find a very committed and enthused group of individuals, and the Connswater Community Greenway is no different. From the outset,

the East Belfast Partnership has engaged with the local communities and stakeholders to ensure that what will be delivered exceeds local expectation.

Community Engagement Officer, Sean Brannigan showed Inshore Ireland the very impressive plans which have evolved through community consultation.

The Community Greenway aims to be exactly that – a space for all, including the 40,000 local residents. This linear, multi- use quality space which winds its way down from the Castlereagh Hills to the shores of Belfast Lough will help to reconnect communities within East Belfast, via a network of pedestrian and cycle paths; riverside paths; 40 new or improved bridges; cantilevered boardwalks; community gardens; public realm etc.

It is hoped that the CCG will enable people to become more engaged with and take ownership of their local environment and communities.

Research has shown that

an improvement in social networks can have a positive effect on people’s health and well-being. Over the next five years Queens University Belfast will be carrying out research (Parc Study) to look at what effect if any, the CCG is having on the health and wellbeing of those living on and around it.

For further information on the Connswater Community Greenway or the Parc Study at www. communitygreenway. co.uk; http://parcstudy. blogspot.com

All Santa’s welcome!

Would you like to become a record breaker and have a great day out?

The Greenway Santa Cycle takes place in Belfast, on Sunday December 5, to help raise awareness for Bowel Cancer UK (www. bowelcanceruk.org.uk). Beg, borrow, buy or make a Santa suit and come along and help achieve a new world record for the largest number of cycling Santas.

For further information send an email to greenway@ eastbelfastpartnership.org or check the website: www. greenwaysantacycle.co.uk or call Connswater Community Greenway on 028 9046 7925.

Community engagement officer Sean Brannigan talks to mobility scooter users along the proposed Connswater Greenway site to find out what needs to be done to make their experience more enjoyable.

Positive feedback for Resource Ireland exhibition and conference T he exhibition and conference directed at water, waste and sustainable technology professionals attracted a large attendance over the two-day event in Dublin.

This year marked the launch of the new Irish Sustainable Business Exhibition, which gave the industry a platform to showcase their latest innovations.

Speaking to Inshore Ireland, Nicola Smith of Faversham House said that feedback was very positive: “Joseph Reilly, Senior engineer with JB Barry & Partners said he so impressed by the Resource Ireland exhibition that he has recommended to others they should attend in the future.

“Groundforce, in its 3rd year exhibiting, was equally impressed. With the opportunity to meet local authorities, civil and environmental contractors,

engineering designers and other key decision makers, they received over 50 new enquiries requesting quotations for hire or sale of equipment that was on display. Other exhibitors also commented on the broad range of topics throughout the

seminar programmes and the networking opportunities the event provided.”

The event also featured three comprehensive seminar programmes coving the water, sustainability and waste sectors, organised and hosted by leading

industry associations CIWM Ireland, ESAI, Cleantech Network and foodwaste.ie.

Resource Ireland will again take place on March 7-8, 2012 at the RDS, Dublin. For more information visit: www. resourceireland.net

More than 100 exhibitors showcased their products and services

INSHORE IRELAND December 2010/January 2011 11

CAUTERETS

Cauterets has it all …and we are giving you a chance to experience it!

Wendy Scott

S

kiing; snowboarding; ice climbing; hiking; mountain biking; fishing; beauty/healing treatments and healing treatments and then into a state-of-theart thermal bath to rejuvenate...sounds to good to be true? Well it’s not, the beautiful Pyrenean village of Cauterets has it all; winter and summer there is always something going on (www.cauterets.com).

Approximately 30 minutes drive from Lourdes and located on the edge of the Pyrenees National Park, this town is well worth a visit.

From my experience, one day is not enough to enjoy the beauty of the area, but it does give an insight into what is available. So, if you’re visiting Lourdes, make sure to include Cauterets on your itinerary.

The buses leave regularly from Lourdes Train station and take an hour meandering through the many beautiful villages en route before heading up the mountain towards Cauterets. Once there, depending on the time of year and how much time you have, you’ll find plenty of things to do. The first I would recommend is a trip to the Tourist Office in the centre of the town where you’ll find information in English on things to do in the region.

December heralds the start of the ski season and there’s a sense of anticipation in the air, hoping for good snow. Last year more than five metres fell in the area, exceeding many of the Alpine resorts.

The region boasts two ski areas: Cirque du Lys and the magnificent Pont D’Espagne. Cirque du Lys (1730-2450 metres) has over 36 km of piste: 2 black; 7 red; 7 blue and 4 green runs and a beginner’s area. There are also three freestyle zones for snowboarders and skiers to practice their jumps and tricks. Pont Espagne offers over 36 km for cross country skiing, snow shoeing and sledging/tobogganing.

Things to see and do: • Visit the new Spa, Les Bains du Rocher • Visit the Pyreenean National Park (in the summer take the chair lift up to lac de Gaube for a Gateau Basque!)

• Buy a one day fishing permit (€10) or a 15 day holiday permit (€30) and try your hand at catching one of the many wild trout in the local rivers; or walk to a choice of lakes and fish for species including the Fario trout or a Canadian fish, Criistivomer.

• Watch the local sweets ‘Berlingots’ being made in the town • Enjoy a meal in one of the many local restaurants; for example L’assiette Gourmand, A La Bonne Franquette or La Reine Hortense and a great night out at Le St,Trop bar.

• Visit nearby places of interest: Lourdes; Pic du Midi; Cirque de Gavernie. The scenery in this area is second to none!

There are many activities that can be carried out in Cauterets depending on the season for example: Hire mountain bikes and go down the ski runs in the summer or ski/snowboard down them in the winter. Also ice skating; swimming; tennis; basketball; snowshoeing: bouldering; rafting; high ropes course; par ascending, ice climbing – can all be carried out or arranged locally.

Les Grands Raid des Pyrenees

-2 Rue de la Raillere – the ultimate endurance event!

An endurance race, the like of which I have NEVER seen before, ‘Les Grand Raid des Pyrenees’ takes place each year in the heart of the Haute Pyrenees. Over 1300 runners from 22 countries, including Ireland, started one of two races – the 80 km route, or the Ultra Trail of 160 km and 10,000 metres of positive ascent! The races start and finish in the town of Vielle-Aure. Starting at 5 am, the runners snaked their way through the mountains, towns and villages; stationed at Caurerets, Inshore Ireland asked one of the competitors Purna Gurung, originally from Nepal but now living and working in Cauterets, how he felt when he arrived into his home town and saw the support?

“I had completed almost 100km by the time I arrived into Cauterets. It was so good to see my family and friends there to support me, it helped to keep me going!”

Watching some of the competitors at 12 midnight, looking so fresh, knowing they still had another 62km to the finish line was unbelievable. Race winner was a newcomer to

Ultra Trail, Carlos Sa from Portugal who completed the course in 26 hours 40 minutes. The first female over the line was British woman, Nicky Spinks, who finished in 30 hours 14 mins (19th overall). Purna finished an amazing 73rd in approximately 35 hours! If you visit Cauterets, head to the ski shop ‘le Sherpa des Pyrenees’ which is run by Purna and his wife Karin (2, Rue de la Raillere, 05.62.91.38.93 ) who both speak excellent English.

(Look out for photographs of Purna competing – it’s exhausting just looking at Purna leaves Cauterets at midnight them!) with another 62 kms to do!

Soaking up winter sunshine – it could be you!

Your chance to win an amazing prize!

Inshore Ireland in association with the Tourist Office in Cauterets (www.cauterets.com) is giving you the chance to win a ski pass for the week AND entrance to the new Spa ‘Les Bains du Rocher’.

There is simply no better way to end a day on the slopes than to relax in the natural thermal waters.

(See letter page 5) Throughout 2010, Inshore Ireland in association with the Cauterets Tourist Office has offered competition prizes of: A trip to the luxury Spa; family passes to the National Park; fishing permits and luxury accommodation for a week staying at ‘Mulcares in the Pyrenees’ (www.mulcares.com).

We have two prizes on offer this time: Two winners will each win a free ski pass for one person, which also includes entrance into the new ‘Bains Du Rocher’ Spa (available until the end of 2011).

For your chance to win answer the following question The annual endurance race in the Pyranees, the ‘Grand Raid’ involves two races: a shorter course of 80km and a longer race; what distance is the longer race?

A: 15 km B: 90 km C: 160 km Please send your answers to scott@inshoreireland.com or by post to the office at Rockfield, Athenry, Co Galway Entries must be received by 4pm on December 14, 2010. GOOD LUCK!

Inshore Ireland competition winners have a “fantastic time” in Cauterets

G

erard McMonagle from Derry/Londonderry was the lucky winner of 3 x fifteen days fishing permits in the Pyrenees and a week’s luxury accommodation staying at ‘Mulcares in the Pyrenees’ in Cauterets (www.mulcares.com). His brother Peter and friend Brian accompanied him.

Inshore Ireland was on hand to ensure the winners had a fantastic time. The weather was glorious and the local tourist office, fishing federation and fishermen went out of their way to ensure the three Irish men enjoyed their trip.

“I can’t recommend enough a visit to Cauterets for the

wild trout fishing in crystal mountain rivers with the amazing backdrop of the Pyrenees,” Gerard told Inshore Ireland.

Both river and lake fishing was arranged and a day’s fishing and eating at Lac de Gaube, surrounded by the beautiful Pyrenees was the highlight...crepe suzette to die for! A few fish were caught, some from ‘unlikely places’ but Gerard vowed to return, to catch the one that got away!

“The whole package is right here in Cauterets: great fishing; great people; great food and superb scenery, I will be back in 2011!”

Peter McMonagle; Brian “Leitrim” Gallagher; Stephane Pellegrenelli President of the Tourist Office; Michel Poulot, President of the Fishing Federation; and Gerard McMonagle(winner of the Inshore Ireland competition).

12 inshore ireland December 2010/January 2011

industry comment

Despite the economy optimism prevails for 2011 For this, the final issue of Inshore Ireland in 2010, we have again invited some well-known key decision makers from the sectors that we cover to provide a brief review from their perspective of the past year and a prediction of what 2011 might bring. Those who contributed need no introduction to regular readers of Inshore Ireland. In their own way each has contributed either directly to the paper during the year, or were featured or reported on in some way or other. They are the real people who, day in day out, toil in the marine and freshwater sectors. And as we have now come to expect, the responses were all interesting, thought-provoking but, above all, they provide an honest assessment of the way things are for them at the end of 2010 and how they might turn out in 2011. Only time will tell. The common thread running through each contribution is a large measure of enthusiasm and optimism so essential to these sectors. And what is clear in this current economic and political doom and gloom is that with some honest and imaginative political leadership, there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel.

Jason Whooley CEO BIM

2010 has been a challenging and demanding year for the Irish fishing and aquaculture sectors. Nevertheless, from a global perspective, demand for seafood continues to grow and there is a realistic opportunity for Ireland to realise revenue of €1bn and account for 14,000 full time jobs from its seafood offering by 2020, as projected in the Government strategy for the food sector, Food Harvest 2020.

To ensure the seafood sector is poised to exploit this potential, BIM announced a businessfocussed three- year strategy, Delivering on the Potential of Irish Seafood.

The strategy outlines 70 specific actions to be undertaken by BIM, involving a substantial realignment of activities and ongoing consultation and communication with industry groups to ensure we are staying right on track. I have already chaired the inaugural sessions with industry groups to get their feedback on prioritising these actions and we are working to incorporate this information into our work programmes for 2011. In order to achieve our objectives, BIM is working to streamline its services to industry, focussing on key objectives such as adding value; developing significant differentiation of Irish seafood through traceability and environmental quality schemes; developing a sharper commercial focus; delivering specialised training places and achieving objectives in relation to sustainable job creation.

Although commodity production will continue to be an important factor, particularly in the pelagic sector, BIM is actively working with industry through our newly established network of Regional Business Development Officers and our Seafood Development Centre (SDC) to facilitate innovation and new product development with a strong focus on adding value. A primary areas for job creation will stem from valueadded sales and we have set a target of creating an additional €50m in value-added seafood sales by 2012. A necessary increase in aquaculture production is also essential in order to meet the growing demand for seafood and is the other key area for job creation.

BIM is working to increase

output by 10,000 tonnes by 2012 and we will investigate offshore production in 2011 to establish the potential of this type of farming.

In seafood processing during 2010, nine project applications were approved on an investment programme of €4.5m and are expected to yield additional sales of €26m and generate 82 new jobs by 2013.

On the aquaculture side, a total of eight projects were approved on an investment of €1.37m and will generate 37 full time jobs in the sector by 2013. Seafood processing companies have indicated significant expansion plans in 2011. Undoubtedly, this level of potential investment is a very positive message and many of the companies are competing very strongly in the marketplace, even in the current difficult environment.

Some 175 seafood companies have visited BIM’s Seafood Development since it opened in October 2009. The SDC has the potential to deliver additional seafood sales of €45- €50m and 74 new jobs across the seafood sector by the end of 2012. We are also working closely with some fishermen to have their vessels certified under the Seafood Stewardship Scheme, allowing the wild catch to join in BIM Quality Accredited Schemes along with aquaculture producers. Ultimately this will mean 40,000 tonnes of seafood, with a market value of €120m can be uniquely differentiated as top quality Irish produce in the marketplace. BIM will work with the industry to transform the perception of Irish seafood into an international leader in environmental management systems and as a supplier of eco-certified products. Of course, in order to achieve these objectives, we must begin with people. Internally, BIM’s frontline staff will be receiving ongoing training to sharpen business focus and innovation skills. Within the industry, upskilling will be a key element of our training programmes and we will be providing industryspecific courses to equip the sector with the know-how to compete effectively on a global scale. Our target is to deliver 3,500 training places over the three year period in over 30 coastal locations annually.

Arlene Foster

Minister of Enterprise Trade and Investment, Northern Ireland 2010 saw significant progress in our plans to develop Northern Ireland’s offshore renewable resources. Our strong offshore resource, combined with a long engineering tradition, first-class research facilities at our Universities and excellent port infrastructure make NI an attractive proposition for offshore renewable development.

Over the last two years, my Department has been leading cross-departmental work on a major programme to assess the resource potential, develop a targeted plan and identify possible impacts of this plan on the environment and other marine users.

The draft Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan (ORESAP) 2009-2020 and its associated Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) were the subject of a public consultation earlier this year. The draft Plan, based on the results of the SEA, proposed targets of at least 600MW of offshore wind and 300MW from tidal resources by 2020 which, with appropriate mitigating actions, could be developed without significant adverse impact on the environment or other marine users.

The main resource zones for commercial development are off the north and east coasts for offshore wind and off the north coast for tidal developments.

Opportunities also exist for test sites, which would allow developers to test early stage prototypes, particularly in the wave and tidal sector. This is an important stage in the development of this sector and could lead to R&D and prototype development for NI companies.

Invest NI is already working with local companies to optimise the business opportunities at all stages of the supply chain.

In conjunction with The Crown Estate, as owners of the UK seabed, Invest NI held a major event in Belfast in March 2010 for international offshore wind

developers to meet potential supply chain partners. Over 200 companies and organisations engaged in a range of meetings and discussions demonstrating how NI companies could meet their supply chain needs.

The successful deployment of Marine Current Turbine’s ‘Seagen’ project in Strangford Lough – the world’s first grid connected commercial scale tidal energy device – continues to draw international attention to NI waters. Positive results to date from an extensive environmental monitoring programme enabled the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to gradually increase SeaGen’s operating times over the last year to now generating 24 hours-a-day, seven days-aweek.

In September I published the Strategic Energy Framework which sets the goal for NI to achieve 40% of its electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020. In the short to medium term, onshore wind will continue to be our main source; however, the development of offshore renewables is expected to make an increasing contribution both by 2020 and beyond. This will contribute to the key energy goals of increased security, diversity and sustainability of supply, contribution to climate change mitigation and business opportunities for local companies.

Finalisation of our draft Plan in early 2011 will provide the necessary framework for The Crown Estate to launch an Offshore Leasing Round in NI waters later in 2010-2011.

I believe the opportunities are there and that the next few years will see an increasing level of activity to develop the offshore renewable sector in NI. The successful realisation of this work will contribute to the sustainable and productive use of the sea, provide clean energy and jobs and business for local companies.

Derick Anderson CEO Loughs Agency

The Loughs Agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission is a North/ South Body (Implementation Body) established by the British/Irish Agreement in 1999. Through the Board of the Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission it reports to the North/ South Ministerial Council most frequently in its sectoral format for marine and aquaculture matters. This format generally comprises the ministers from our sponsor departments – the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development with additional ministerial representation as appropriate.

In doing our business we endeavour to inform stakeholders of the complex situations that ecological based resources, such as fisheries and aquaculture occupy, by publishing the extensive information collected in status reports and other means.

This information provides the basis for consultation and discussion with our customers and other interests through the Foyle and Carlingford Area Advisory Forum (an independently selected 48 member body representing the interests of those who directly and indirectly use or enjoy the resources of the Foyle and Carlingford Areas) and its focus groups who evaluate the issues in specific areas such as salmon, shellfisheries, marine tourism or aquaculture. We also hold regular meetings with producer organisations, angling organisations and other interest groups.

Where possible our objective is to identify agreed management interventions through regulation or other means by identifying issues that arise and by creating a partnership solution. We recognise that this is not always possible but we believe this approach will at least develop some understanding of the issues with our customers.

When management actions such as regulations are introduced, we enforce these rigorously in a transparent, fair and accountable ma; to this end we process in excess of 100 prosecutions annually through the court system in both jurisdictions. Where other actions are taken, such as habitat reinstatement schemes, we conduct postproject evaluations to ensure the investments we make or support are effective and value for money.

We also are outward looking with regard to improving our information palate. Perhaps one of the most notable was the work undertaken on the genetic diversity of the Foyle salmon stocks that started in 2001 and has formed the basis for similar work throughout Ireland and indeed the North Atlantic developing the ‘genetic atlas’ of salmon stocks, which is the basis of the Salsea Merge International project.

Similarly, we are developing sophisticated ‘carrying capacity’ models of both sea loughs to assist protection of the wild shellfisheries while developing sustainable aquaculture.

This work, where we aim to take ‘academic research’ and integrate it into practical management tools, is achieved in partnerships with among others the Marine Institute, AFBI, Queens’s University Belfast and Glasgow University.

Mission Statement: To provide sustainable social, economic and environmental benefits to the communities of the catchments the effective conservation, protection, management, research, promotion and development of the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford Areas.

inshore ireland December 2010/January 2011

13

industry comment

Aidan Cotter CEO, Bord Bia

Michelle Gildernew

Jan Feenstra

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, NI

MD, Marine Harvest Ireland ‘Keep the Faith’ is a phrase I perhaps use a little too casually considering I am not religious, but then it is aimed at our working lives rather than beliefs.

In that sense it is really meant as a wink of encouragement to those I encounter in my everyday working life. The phrase seems particularly fitting to the concepts of a ‘vision’ and ‘mission’ that leaders of companies use to communicate where their business was going, or is meant to be going, a path that can become all absorbing.

Comhlucht Iascaireachta Fanad Teo (trading these days as Marine Harvest Ireland) has put its faith in raising salmon from egg to fork for some 30 years and I am very proud to report that the company is doing well.

Over the last three years between 10 and 15 staff per year have joined the company, reaching a total workforce of some 255 this year, and for time our total sales exceeded the €50m mark and our exports increased to close to 80%. Good for us, good for the country, refreshing as it has been for the Irish food sector in general – people have to eat, like to eat well and healthy, the outlook is positive.

This year saw the coming together of two major leaps of faith taken several years ago as the company committed to a full-time charter of a 1200m3 well-boat and the acquisition of Silver King Seafoods in the southwest.

Both these measure were aimed at enabling a much improved biological platform for farming our stocks, greater separation of stocks and instant access to a big boat to help us manage the fish. Needless to say, these moves brought new people with new and refreshing ideas into our company which has greatly added to our strengths.

The number one driver of our business success concerns the biology of the fish; when the fish are healthy they thrive and pay the bills. Healthy fish can only be raised in pristine waters with excellence in stock husbandry – salmon farming is like any other farming except that it is best done at sea in cold to temperate water conditions (that also explains why we don’t mind a wet and windy summer!)

Since Ireland’s coastal waters are not for the faint hearted, that does mean salmon farming has become big business by necessity to cope with a very challenging marine

environment. So it is big in terms of the boats, rearing pens, mooring systems and trained staff participating to make it all work; but also in terms of the finance it takes to grow a salmon to market over three years (compared to a chicken that takes as little as 35 days)!

Making things work in 2011 and beyond will be about doing more of the same but doing it all a little better than before, and a little more. The usual key words apply - quality, traceability, food safety, environmental responsibility and sustainability, taking care of our customers, and of course our employees – all these are critical and within our own control to a large extent.

Worryingly though, costs in Ireland remain inexplicably high. We must become more competitive relative to our neighbouring competitors in Scotland and the Faeroe Isles as they continue to expand more rapidly than the Irish industry.

That brings us back to Ireland Inc., and participating in a more frugally minded economy where wealth comes from lots of hard work and small margins and from delivering value as opposed to cute deals or strokes in which one party gets ripped off somewhere along the way.

Efficient and competitive regulation is a key element to creating a competitive framework for Irish business in general; this has been a major challenge for our business and towards where my faith will be directed for the time being.

The potential of our fisheries sector is so much greater than currently realized; it is indigenous and in harmony with the marine environment when well managed and regulated, and provides jobs in remote coastal communities.

I trust and hope that our economic crisis and realisation will focus our Ministers to show greater leadership and understanding of their portfolios so as to provide civil servants with the necessary support to work towards a more pragmatic and competitive regulatory framework that encourages responsible development.

Looking forward to next year with an increased level of recognition towards the fisheries sector would be well deserved and compliment our efforts – another year of progress is awaiting hard work by all.

The fishing industry in the island of Ireland continues to make a significant contribution to the local economy particularly in the coastal communities.

Landings in 2009 were worth approximately £23.5m with aquaculture output adding a further £11m. Given the economic difficulties we are facing, my objective continues to be to develop a sustainable sector that maximises the wealth it generates while safeguarding the stocks on which it depends.

2009 saw reductions in the nephrops quota, controls on fishing effort and low prawn prices combining to put pressure on the profitability of the fleet. This highlights the need to develop a long-term strategy for both the sea fishing sector and all other parts of the industry.

I was pleased during the year to be able to accept the recommendations of the Fisheries Forum Report on how we should address the fundamental problems facing the industry. These included ways all stakeholders could work more constructively together; how to best make use of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF); how to improve marketing and how to address structural problems within the industry.

A key issue addresses balance between fleet capacity and fishing opportunities and I have asked my officials to examine the need for a decommissioning scheme that will focus on value for money; how it will be structured and its impact on all sections of the industry. I expect to receive the outcome of this work at the end of the year.

To date we have committed £5.4m for 35 projects under EFF. These grants are helping the processing sector to modernise, improve harbour facilities and support a range of actions including improvements in gear selectivity and tackling fuel efficiency.

Specific projects have also been supported to examine the development of aquaculture and the inshore fisheries. I have made available £2.5m to modernise the fleet and for equipment to improve quality, efficiency and improve health and safety on board. I would encourage the sector to take full advantage of this scheme.

An important part of our work is the maintenance of a high fish health status. It is vital that we protect fish stocks

from the threat of both listed and emerging diseases. I am particularly pleased that a recent inspection by the EU Food and Veterinary Office praised the way in which we operate disease control measures and our implementation of the EU Fish Health Directive. We cannot be complacent however and maintaining our health status should continue to be a priority throughout the island.

Looking ahead, the immediate challenge is the December Fisheries Council. I am determined to achieve an outcome that is in the long-term interests of both fish stocks and the fishing industry. I met with Sean Connick TD Minister for Fisheries in October and we agreed to work closely together in the run-up to the December Council to ensure the best possible outcome for our industries.

Nephrops in the Irish Sea is the main fishery for the Co Down fleet and the Commission has now proposed that all stocks from the Irish Sea to the west coast of Ireland should be managed on a functional unit basis. We are considering this approach carefully with stakeholders.

I am disappointed however at the inconsistent way the Commission has applied its own rules for setting quotas and has ignored clear evidence that would justify an increase in the Irish Sea herring TAC. We will be working hard to change the Commission’s mind between now and the Council.

In the first half of 2011 we expect to see draft proposals from the Commission for a new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) from 2013. When I met Commissioner Damanaki in June, I stressed that reform should make the CFP easier to operate, provide for more decisions to be made at regional level, recognise the importance of local coastal fleets and reduce discards.

Ensuring that the new CFP delivers real improvements to the way fisheries are managed is an important objective for me and one which I know is shared by my counterparts in Dublin, Edinburgh, Cardiff and London.

I have no doubt that 2011 will be another challenging year.

I believe however that we are at a crucial stage in setting the framework within which important decisions can be made which will determine the future prosperity of this sector.

Since the transfer of responsibility for the marketing and promotion function of seafood in June 2009, Bord Bia has continued to consolidate its contribution to the sector, providing a range of marketing and promotional initiatives to support sales and export development of the sector.

Irish seafood companies have benefitted from Bord Bia’s broad food expertise and international network of offices to penetrate wider international markets while maintaining loyalty in core markets. Our approach has been a combination of targeted market research and assistance in reaching potential customers for Irish seafood, in the development of new markets as well as focused promotional and communications activities.

Our objective is to realise the full potential value of Irish seafood through a market-focused, customer-led development strategy supported by enhanced trade and promotional activity.

One of the highlights of our programme of activities during 2010 was the launch of our first domestic fish campaign from May 17 to June 6. This media campaign, fronted by wellknown TV personality Daithí O Sé, focused on increasing fish consumption in Ireland, in particular hake. Bord Bia commissioned a consumer research study in advance which found that Irish consumers have a very limited repertoire of seafood dishes that they are confident about cooking at home. Our promotional campaign aimed to counteract this challenge by showing people that cooking fish doesn’t have to be daunting and encouraging them to try some new simple recipes. . Themed ‘Fish, Surprisingly Simple’ the campaign seeks to reposition fresh fish as a quick and easy option for everyday meals.

We are delighted with the consumer and trade response to the campaign, with consumers commenting that the featuring of lesser known species such as hake caught their attention and the ‘curiosity’ factor drew them into the category. Trade feedback was also very positive with reports of sales increasing by 180% during the course of the campaign and a sustained increase in hake sales post campaign.

The next phase of the campaign commenced on November 8 and focused on haddock. Our strategy for 2011 will continue to focus on increasing consumer’s knowledge of, and confidence in, how to prepare and cook lesser-known species of available Irish caught seafood.

Other major initiatives during 2010 included Bord Bia’s first showcase at the ‘European Seafood Exposition’ during which 16 innovative Irish seafood

companies exhibited under the Ireland banner. Many of these companies used the show as a platform for showcasing new and innovative product lines to an international audience through a Trend Zone which was represented in the hospitality section of the Ireland Pavilion.

Demonstrating to buyers the Irish industry’s ability to recognise and respond to emerging market and consumer trends, an estimated 40 products from the exhibitors were on display, giving buyers a firsthand opportunity to catch up on key global lifestyle trends in minutes and to review the latest innovations from the Irish seafood industry.

We are now in the planning phase for ESE 2011, having completed its canvas with a total of 18 Irish seafood companies committed to exhibiting on the Ireland Pavilion.

We will work closely with these companies in the run up to ESE to generate buyer awareness, promote new product launches or innovations and maximize the number of target trade buyers visiting the Ireland Stand.

One final highlight worth mentioning from 2010 was ‘Marketplace Ireland’, probably our first major initiative for the seafood sector. In total, 16 of Ireland’s leading seafood companies participated in this international trade buyers one day networking event. In total, the seafood companies held almost 380 one-to-one meetings with buyers from a range of different export markets. Bord Bia has actively worked with these clients to ensure any potential opportunities are capitalised upon and all assistance is given to facilitate the follow up contact. To date, the seafood participants have reported incremental sales in markets such as Ireland, UK, Holland, Spain, Russia and Eastern Europe, with estimated annual sales secured in excess of €500,000 and further leads in development.

In 2011, Bord Bia will continue to target its marketing support in key domestic and export markets; research emerging/ alternative markets for certain species and product forms; engage in customer relationship development and focused promotional and communications activities to generate new business for the Irish seafood sector. Our priority markets will remain France, Spain, Italy, Germany and the UK, whilst new research and trade initiatives will be undertaken in Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Russia and the Far East. Ireland will continue to be a priority market for the generic promotion of Irish seafood, and other markets will be investigated on a customised, responsive basis for individual clients.

14 inshore ireland December 2010/January 2011

industry comment

Pádraig Ó hAoláin CEO Údarás na Gaeltachta We have long recognised the aquaculture sector as having major potential for development and employment in the Gaeltacht. Our role in its development goes back to the 1970s and today An tÚdarás is involved in supporting a range of activities including fish farming and processing, seafood and seaweed processing.

The pioneering of aquaculture development continued during 2010 with Feirm Mara Oileán Acla Teoranta championing the production of turbot in a recirculation system in Bun an Churraigh, Achill, Co Mayo. After a number of unsuccessful efforts to farm turbot in Irish waters, Michael Flanagan recognised the use of recirculation technology as the only answer.

We are delighted to report the first fish from Achill Island Turbot farm is due on the market in time for Christmas and An tÚdarás is very pleased to be associated with this project.

The support received through the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food under FIFG in 2009 and the National Operational Programme (OP) in 2010 will allow the company produce in excess of 100 tonnes per annum from 2011 onwards.

Another recipient of FIFG and OP funding in Co Mayo is Ezo Teoranta. That company’s principal, Anthony Blowick, continues his efforts to farm abalone and has now begun to farm sea urchins at his plant in Na Muingí, near Béal an Mhuirthead on the Erris peninsula. His facility also uses recirculation technology and his efforts thus far show that the abalone and urchins are indeed complementary. Údarás wish him every success in his endeavours.

Salmon farming is the most extensive fish farming activity in the country and the majority of it is carried out along the Gaeltacht coastline by Meitheal Éisc Teo in Conamara and Marine Harvest in Donegal.

Although salmon farming in Connemara has seen turbulent times, I am confident that the efforts by Meitheal Éisc Teoranta during 2010 will ensure that salmon farming can continue in south Connemara and recovers from what was a particularly bad year in 2009.

We are particularly pleased with the success of Donegal-based Marine Harvest Ireland which now has production sites from Lough Swilly in Co Donegal to as far south as Inishfarnard off the coast of Co Cork. The company’s activities involve every step in the production process – from

its own broodstock programme to a state- of-the-art processing facility in Rinmore in north Donegal producing oven-ready meals. Annual production is roughly 10,000 tonnes of salmon, the bulk of which is processed as high value-added products. And with a staff of more than 250 it is proof of the potential that the aquaculture sector can do to help the recovery of Ireland’s economy.

Other growth areas include seaweed processing and the work being done under the Marine Institute’s Eircod Programme. Fish processing continues to provide important employment in Gaeltacht communities and the development of new innovative products is central to growth in the sector. Údarás na Gaeltachta requires the active support and co-operation of other State agencies, particularly BIM and the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, in order to maximise the development potential of the marine sector in the Gaeltacht.

“Annual production is roughly 10,000 tonnes of salmon, the bulk of which is processed as high value-added products. And with a staff of more than 250 it is proof of the potential that the aquaculture sector can do to help the recovery of Ireland’s economy.”

Suzanne Monaghan EPA

In March 2007, the drinking water supply to Galway city became focus of international attention for all the wrong reasons. The water was affected by the largest Irish contamination of public water supplies by the Cryptosporidium parasite in the history of the State.

This was the wake-up call long dreaded by every public authority– the public health of a major conurbation under serious threat from contamination of its drinking water supply.

Now, three years later, these events have resulted in the completion of the country’s first World Health Authority-backed Drinking Water Safety Plan by the Environmental Protection Authority, with the Galway City water supply the target of their pilot project.

The EPA has adopted the WHO drinking water safety plan (DWSP) approach to ensuring drinking water supplied to consumers is both ‘safe’ and ‘secure’ from the perspective of human health. Drinking water is considered ‘safe’ when it meets the required standards at the consumer’s tap.

A supply is deemed ’secure’ if a management system is in place where all the potential risks are identified – from catchment of the source through the treatment works and distribution network – to the consumer. The adoption of the DWSP approach advocates a move away from the traditional approach of monitoring drinking water quality at the customer’s tap towards development of a comprehensive management system. The approach has strong links with similar systems used in the food production industry and applies equally to small and large drinking water supplies.

The main tasks associated with the development of a water safety plan are to: • Assemble a team with experience and knowledge of the supply, including the catchment, treatment plant and distribution system • Document and describe the supply, identify the infrastructure in place • Identify the hazards, (everything that can potentially go wrong that may impact on human health e.g. a breakdown in the disinfection system) • Perform a Risk Assessment of each hazard

• Define control measures to reduce the risk score and reassess risk based on the control measures • Establish an improvement plan for unacceptable risks • Carry out regular reviews of hazards, risks and controls To help with the production of the DWSP, the EPA provided a master list of all potential hazards that could occur at each stage of the supply.

One of the biggest challenges centred on the fact that the source water supply was Lough Corrib which lies outside the functional area of Galway City Council; therefore representatives from Galway, Roscommon and Mayo County Councils were brought in to assist the team with hazard identification in the catchment.

Following hazard identification, a risk assessment was performed to establish whether each hazard was low, medium, high or very high risk. Through this process it became evident where controls were absent or insufficient, and action plans were developed to reduce the risk.

Galway City Council completed their DWSP in November 2010, the first to be completed in Ireland, and the plan is used in the day-to day running of the Galway City supply. The main advantages are that risks to the supply are identified and can be controlled.

Water supplied to the consumer is safe and secure and the number of incidents is reduced. Deficiencies in control measures, procedures and training are highlighted through the DWSP process and clear prioritised investment programmes are developed.

The implementation of a DWSP also leads to improved regulator and consumer confidence in a supply.

The EPA has used the pilot project with Galway City Council to develop an Advice Note for local authorities on DWSPs. The Advice Note is still in draft format but will be published shortly.

“This was the wake-up call long dreaded by every public authority – the public health of a major conurbation under serious threat from contamination of its drinking water supply. ”

Tom Geoghegan National Secretary, IFPEA

In the world market recessionary years of 2008-2009, overall performance of the Irish fish processing and export industry was a very creditable one despite sluggish consumer demand conditions across a range of the country’s fish export products.

In 2008 the total value of all fish exports and products was €339m. With the deepening of the recession into 2009 and the resultant decline in the unit price of main fish product exports, the total value fell some 3.5 per cent to €327m. Key product areas that significantly maintained overall export value growth during 2008-2009 were salmon – fresh, chilled frozen, smoked and preserved – and frozen mackerel.

Consumer demand reflected adversely, howevever, on the higher value fresh and processed shellfish trade generally, particularly for the valuable export trade of Dublin Bay prawns and processed mussels. The very welcome growth in recent years in the volume fishery for blue whiting and in its processing ashore was maintained and has shown increase in 2010.

Market challenges being met Against the difficult background that has beset the export industry, the challenges of increasingly competitive world market trading conditions are being met by the very committed endeavours of Irish exporters. The first seven months of 2010 witnessed a very encouraging uplift in the overall fish exporting scene with exports increasing by 18% to €218m compared with exports in the same period in 2009 at €185m. In particular, salmon exports significantly maintained their growth and total shellfish exports were already on a strong upward curve.

Current difficulties arising internationally in the pelagic/ blue whiting areas threaten the continued excellent progress of recent years. This arises in particular in relation to blue whiting as a result of an agreement reached between the EU and coastal states of Norway, Iceland and the Faroes which would see the overall TAC in 2011 for blue whiting fisheries being reduced from 584,00o metric tonnes to 40,000 metric tonnes.

The Irish quota on that basis would be consequently reduced to roughly 12% of its current level and the markets gained for processed product produced by

Irish pelagic plants would be of greatest risk.

Even at this late juncture it is hoped that industry efforts at EU level and the initiative by the Pelagic Regional Advisory Council (comprising representative organisations in the pelagic industries of EU member states) seeking to have what the Council maintains is the questionable scientific advice on which the agreement was based called into question at the highest levels, will meet with some success.

Maintaining growth The shellfish export trade is set for strong development with encouraging signs that already in 2010 it has made considerable progress in substantially increasing export performance.

Continued growth in the export trade of all Irish seafood to main EU markets will call for increased involvement of representative organisations in various EU Commission and other fora, as well as the coordinated efforts of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and other departments and agencies concerned with assisting export trade in fish and food products generally to help prevent possible undermining of established and developing markets by import tariff concessions on cheap volume imports of competing products from countries outside the EU. Special attention will have to be given to developments at the negotiation stages of bilaterial EU/Third Country Trade Agreements so that whatever action might be taken at national level can be taken in time to seek to prevent any serious threat to Irish fish export trade by such tariff concessions on competing imports from non EU countries as they may be mooted or contemplated in the course of the negotiations.

Strengthening of quality assurance programmes across the range of processed and fresh fish products for markets at home and abroad will remain an essential element in the entire industry’s efforts to meeting increasingly challenging competition. BIM’s quality assurance programmes, and Marine Stewardship Council initiatives are particularly important to maintain top quality in Irish fish products at all stages of distribution –from catching and handling of fish on board the vessel to its progress through the distribution network and eventual sale on the market.

inshore ireland December 2010/January 2011

15

industry comment

Icelandic ash cloud pays dividends for ferry traffic John Hearne

Tommy Furey,

Marine Institute/INFOMAR Joint Programme Manager with GSI Nearing the end of its first 5 years, INFOMAR, has made excellent progress with the national inshore survey programme since it commenced in 2006, and is the recipient of an ever- increasing support network, both domestically and abroad, in both the public and private sector.

In 2011, data acquisition is expected to focus on the priority bays of Waterford and Wexford, with expected completion of mapping in Dingle, Broadhaven, Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly.

Subject to ongoing discussions with NPWS, it is also hoped to resume mapping in the Shannon Estuary.

In terms of deeper water areas, work will continue in the southern Irish Sea, between Wicklow Head and Wexford.

The programme will also support the new InterReg initiative INISHydro, with mapping offshore Dundalk and Carlingford. An important milestone is the expected production of a new Dublin Bay chart, based on mapping completed in 2010.

While maintaining field data acquisition momentum in 2011, significant effort will concentrate on promoting and nurturing development of

associated data analysis and visualisation tools, technologies, and services.

Encouraging researchers and industry to direct effort towards marine environmental, renewable energy, smart-ocean and spatial planning strategies will stimulate development in niche areas across a range of markets. Integrating ICT, geological, engineering, and marine science disciplines will allow us to build on the marine foundation that is INFOMAR, and identify and target the opportunities it presents.

To stimulate innovation and optimise the programme beneficiaries, the INFOMAR team will coordinate strategically aligned research projects during 2011 that will develop strong partnerships, and deliver key data, tools, and technology solutions and services to multiple marine sectors.

Details on the 2011 research programme will be posted on the INFOMAR website in Feb 2011, www.infomar.ie.

F

igures just released by the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) show that positive growth trends across a range of indicators continue to strengthen.

Ferry passenger numbers through Irish ports rose by 16% in the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Just over 1.4 million passengers were carried in the period, while the number of cars carried increased by 13% compared to a 4% drop in the first six months of last year.

Much of this increase came of course as a result of the ash cloud, which disrupted air traffic during the spring. In the worst week of the crisis, most operators noted a threefold increase in foot passenger traffic on all main corridors.

The IMDO estimates that in this week alone, an extra 106,000 passengers used ferry routes compared with the same period in 2009.

Passenger numbers up RTÉ Radio 1’s weekly maritime programme, providing comprehensive coverage of the marine sector, is presented by Marcus Connaughton.

SEASCAPES is broadcast each Friday night at 10.30 pm and at 05.02 am on Monday mornings and is also available on RTÉ’s digital service RTE CHOICE

SEASCAPES ON THE WEB

There is also a SEASCAPES news service on the RTÉ website at:

www.rte.ie/radio1/seascapes and on

RTÉ Aertel page 190.

Dublin Port recorded the largest percentage increase in traffic during the first half of the year, with a 25% increase in passenger volumes. Ferry passenger numbers were also boosted with the reopening of the Cork-Swansea route; the ferry operator Fastnet Line reports that in its inaugural season, passenger numbers exceeded forecasts during the high season by 10%.

Over 13,000 passengers were carried during July, with 15,000 passengers availing of the service during August.

Reports from tourism sources in the southwest suggest that the ferry is providing a strong tourism dividend as the numbers of UK visitors in the region has increased markedly since the service resumed in March. With eight weekly sailings during the

Whilst grey skies loom over Dublin port, figures releases suggest growth trends are © Gillian Mills emerging. high season and six during the winter, tourism revenues are heavily supplemented by the MV Julia’s substantial freight capacity.

Staying in Cork, 2010 was another busy year for the port, with a total of 52 cruise liners calling at the dedicated cruise berth in Cobh. In total, cruise liners carried more than 100,000 passengers and crew into Cork.

Speaking at a recent Port of Cork cruise seminar, commercial manager Captain Michael McCarthy said the port aims to grow the number of cruise liner visits to 75 over the next five years.

“This will mean further investment in Cobh cruise berth from the Port of Cork, to handle even larger ships and to increase the number of current overnight stays.”

In a recent study carried out

by UK cruise consultants, GP Wild, the spend per in-transit passenger is approximately €73 on average per day while in port.

Trade stabilises The IMDO also reports that trade volumes in the first half of the year have stabilised, and continue to indicate strong underlying trends. The IMDO

midyear data in particular points towards trade volume growth in the principal freight segments. The office estimates that both Ro/Ro and Lo/Lo export trade grew by 5%, while dry bulk volumes through ROI ports increased by 15% for the first six months compared to the same period last year.

The most significant change in volume has been in the main lo/lo trades. Overall total volume, including export and imports, fell only marginally by 1% to June, compared to a massive 24% reduction for the same period last year. Exports have been the big driver here; as noted they rose 5% year on year, while weak domestic demand saw a 2% decline in import volumes. The 15% increase in dry bulk has been attributed to stronger domestic demand for grains, fertilizers and other agricultural products, while improved global demand for steel and other ore aggregates also pushed up volume throughput.

Port policy consultation Meanwhile, the public consultation period for the national ports policy has just closed. In September, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey announced the launch of a national ports policy review

with the publication of a consultation document designed to kick-start the process of shaping future ports policy.

Speaking at the launch, the minister pointed out that since 2005, Irish ports have experienced both record highs and more recently sharp declines in tonnage throughput.

“The ports face considerable challenges and it is important that national policy helps address these. The indications are that the country’s return to economic growth will be export led. In this regard, it is vital that the ports are in a position to facilitate this and to make their contribution to improving national competitiveness,” he remarked.

The consultation document provides an overview of developments in the sector since 2005 and poses a number of questions on the continued validity and future direction of national ports policy. Issues addressed include planning and funding future port developments; competition within the sector; corporate governance and the role ports have to play in delivering the ‘smarter travel’ agenda.

16 inshore ireland December 2010/January 2011

Green Paper on Fisheries Reform

CFP reform must centre on global food concern Between now and 2050, the world’s population is expected to rise by one third, and ensuring an adequate sustainable protein supply, ‘is one of the greatest challenges facing mankind.’ Such is opinion of a steering group in summary of Ireland’s view on the European Commission’s Green Paper on the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. The group contends that the process must culminate in a strategic blueprint for the European fishing industry for the next decade and that ‘substantial change in the CFP is required.’

And it makes recommendations that ‘must be incorporated into the current policy if Ireland’s vision for the seafood sector is to be delivered and, more importantly, if fish stock and the coastal communities that depend on them are to be sustained on a viable basis after 2012.’ The FAO projects that fish consumption in the EU will rise by 9% between 2005 and 2030, and average per capita consumption by the 28 countries (including Norway) will move from 22 kg per capita per year in 1998 to 24 kg per capita per year in 2030. Ireland contends that maintaining current levels of supply – and supplying an extra 1.6m tonnes of seafood to the European seafood market – poses many challenges for Europe.

‘It is unlikely that it will be either a viable or acceptable policy for the Community to simply seek to source this supply from increased imports from capture fisheries where supply limits are reached or where supply is already declining. To do so would undermine the supply of seafood to those in traditional domestic markets outside the Community.

To minimise import concerns, Ireland contends that the revised CFP needs to ensure that Community fisheries are managed sustainably and that stocks are rebuilt to maximise domestic supply; enable the Community’s fleets to fish sustainably and trade competitively in the EU market; provide enhanced support for knowledge and technology while reducing energy impacts, wastage and discards, and embrace a more active and developing aquaculture policy. Ireland further argues that the reform process must actively align with other policy areas to ensure there is a ‘vibrant, competitive, sustainable EU seafood production sector’ which maximises Community seafood production and contributes to the Union’s and global food security objectives through the 2012-2020 period.

Gillian Mills The following is a summary of the main recommendations; the full document is available for download on http:// www.fishingnet.ie/CFPR/ CFPgreenpaperresponse0310. pdf

STATUS OF FISH STOCKS Ireland contends that fish stocks ‘are the bedrock of the seafood sector and their good status and sustainable exploitation are central to the realisation of the vision Ireland has set for its seafood industry. Ireland also recognises that many fish stocks are in danger of collapse: ‘Some stocks have been fished at unsustainable levels and have collapsed; others have been fished at moderately high levels for decades yet maintain stable levels of catches whilst still others have been fished at low levels, or intermittently, but are unstable because of normal environmental effects on recruitment.

Generic statements on the state of the fisheries resource can be misleading.’

Discarding Discarding comes in many forms: Over quota species; undersized and juvenile animals; high grading; unmarketable species and other unwanted marine species. The reasons for discarding are both legislative and economic and often operate simultaneously.

‘The overwhelming majority of fish discarded are dead and the bulk of these are fish much smaller than the maximum size to which they might otherwise have grown.

These undersize fish are, usually, sexually immature. Thus discarding inevitably means that future spawning stock biomass (stock size) is constantly being eroded in many European fisheries.’

Ireland contends that a key element to achieving sustainable fisheries, avoiding waste and making the best use

of harvested resources is to gradually eliminate discarding.

Ireland recognises discarding as a major issue in European fisheries that must be addressed…. Ireland does not support the concept of landing all discards from all fisheries, on the basis it could create even greater environmental problems and would subject the industry to unreasonable demands. Ireland would support a discard ban for stocks in a much depleted state.

Ireland contends that gradual elimination of discards is dependent upon a strong industry, science, gear technology partnership particularly when identifying problem fisheries and implementing effective remedial actions.

Management plans Ireland supports the establishment of area-based management plans that embrace an ecosystem approach which encompasses fisheries management within the context of the ecosystem and preserves the ecological relationship between species and introduces governance to ensure both human and ecosystem well being and equity.

Maximum Sustainable Yield In 2002, EU Member States (MS) committed themselves to maintaining or restoring fish stocks to levels that can produce MSY no later than 2015, to obtain the maximum long-term catch whilst simultaneously ensuring the stock size is kept large enough to maintain productivity.

Accepting the MSY principle, Ireland contends that transition from the current management framework to another based on MSY should be on a phased

basis beginning with the scientific advice in 2010.

improved use of swaps.’

Knowledge, data and scientific advice

Ireland contends that any changes leading to international transferability of national quotas by private operators would ‘directly reduce the benefit of quotas to the coastal state to which they were granted and be detrimental to the operation of Ireland’s fishing industry which is mostly family owned.’

Ireland strongly opposes any attempt to introduce an ITQ management system at European level and will not support any arrangement that leads – either directly or indirectly - to privatisation of national ‘public resource’ fish quotas. An enforced ITQ or similar system will result in the concentration of resources into the hands of large corporations which will have no link with the coastal communities’ dependent on fishing.

Historically, scientific advice has been a source of friction and distrust between science and industry; the situation has improved however since the introduction of the Regional Advisory Council (RACs).

‘Ireland strongly supports increased transparency in the scientific advisory process, through increased stakeholder participation and through the capture and use of fishing industry knowledge. Industry and science must work together in a spirit of mutual cooperation and trust in order to capture and use this valuable knowledge to improve scientific advice.’

Ireland contends that scientific knowledge, data, and credible and reliable scientific advice are of vitally important.

Policy decisions must be based on robust and sound scientific advice on the level of exploitation that stocks can sustain, of the effects of fishing on marine ecosystems and on the impacts of climate change.

Stock management The primary tool for fisheries management is total allowable catch (TAC) and quotas based on the principle of relative stability (share out of fish stocks). Ireland believes that relative stability and its attendant TACs and quotas, whilst imperfect, must remain the primary community mechanism to managing fish stocks.

Ireland advocates that adjustments can be made to relative stability of a number of white fish and pelagic stocks so that the future allocation ‘is better adjusted to match today’s needs and is seen to deliver increased shares of stocks adjacent to shores for coastal Member States through a range of mechanisms including the

Quota management

Effort management While Ireland remains dissatisfied with the share out of TACs, it does not believe an alternative effort-based regime would be any more equitable.

‘On the contrary, the discrepancies apparent in the current system would, in all probability, be exacerbated….

Unless the number of days is severely limited or fishing fleets are substantially reduced, the catch of key commercial stocks would be much higher than at present and could lead to stock collapse.

Ireland accepts that effort restrictions, TACs and quotas may be necessary in certain circumstances to rebuild seriously depleted stocks.

Where recovery plans are required, these should take account of the specificities of each fishery in association with stakeholders, and that recovery should be delivered using technical conservation measures to promote recovery and to rebuild the stock.

Hague Preferences In October 1976 in The Hague, the Council formally approved a resolution to the effect that from January 1, 1977, MS would extend, by means of concerted action, the limits of their fishing zones to 200 miles off their North Sea and North Atlantic coasts. From the same date, exploitation by fishing vessels of non member countries would be governed by agreements between the Community and the countries concerned.

Given the size and the rich fishery resources of the waters within 200 miles of Ireland’s North Atlantic coasts, there can be ‘no doubt that their inclusion in this action has been of considerable benefit to the Community as a whole.’

In framing their Resolution, the Council sought to reflect this; Annex VII states: ‘having regard to the economic relationships which characterise fishing activity in Ireland, it (the Council) declares its intention to apply the provisions of the [CFP] as further determined by the Act of Accession and adapted to take account of the extension of waters to 200 miles, and to secure the continued and progressive development of the Irish fishing industry’.

In each year since 1975 when Ireland was ensured a doubling of its catch, and for those stocks whereby Ireland’s share would be less than the reference levels determined by relative stability, Ireland has sought and traditionally obtained an appropriate adjustment to the base key (applicable when Ireland is awarded a quota greater than its Hague preference).

In short, Ireland only assented to the unanimous Community agreement required to create the new 200 mile zone in return for specific provisions set out in Annex VII

of the Hague Resolution, to which all MS agreed. Ireland contends it is not possible to reopen or diminish the principles set out in Annex VII without re-opening the whole issue of access.

Ireland maintains that any revision of the CFP should, alongside the retention of relative stability provide that the Hague Preferences as traditionally applied be given permanent automatic entitlement.

ACCESS Ireland contends that MS coastal waters should be reserved for their national fleets to secure a future for coastal, inshore, and recreational fishermen. Furthermore, coastal waters are sensitive habitats for juvenile fish species and are subject to a large range of human impacts including pollution, tourism and leisure activities.

Ireland recognises that many small-scale coastal fisheries have limited environmental impact. ‘In certain cases however, aggregated impact can be significant with real consequences for stocks and sensitive coastal habitats.’

Ireland considers that consideration should be given to an extension of the 6/12 mile limit to 10/20 miles whereby the access rules currently applicable to the former be extended to the latter, and that the current rules apply to the 10-20 mile zone. Any such extension would facilitate the introduction of management measures including restrictions on the type and intensity of fishing activity in order to protect local coastal communities dependent on inshore coastal fisheries.

Ireland also believes that MS must develop integrated coastal management plans.

These plans could be

inshore ireland December 2010/January 2011

17

Green paper on fisheries reform developed separately for the inner (currently 0 – 6) and outer (currently 6 – 12) zones, involve strong stakeholder engagement and be based on the ecosystem approach to fisheries management.

Biologically Sensitive Area The BSA is situated off the west and south coasts of Ireland and contains important spawning and nursery grounds for exploited northeast Atlantic fish species. The BSA was established under Article 6 of Council Regulation 1954 of 2003 and replaces the ‘Irish Box’ set up under the Iberian Act of Accession of 1986.

Its primary intention is to ensure that the level of fishing intensity in this vulnerable area does not increase.

Ireland believes that the BSA must be retained and a regional management plan(s) developed for its future management.

TRADE AND MARKETS Fishermen face increasing costs from rising fuel prices and declining fish prices.

Ireland contends that part of the decline is directly and substantially caused by competition from imports of both wild and farmed product which is not subject to strict conservation and hygiene standards.

Ireland recommends a substantial review of the current arrangements for market organisation to deliver a better and more consistent financial return to fishermen and the fish processing sector.

Ireland considers that Producer Organisations (POs) must have a strong role in all aspects of fisheries management so that they are appropriately placed to adapt production in line with demand and thereby maximise the price return to fishermen.

AQUACULTURE Ireland’s aquaculture production is currently fifth highest of the EU-27 MSs, and the FAO predicts that Ireland could see a 61% increase in production by 2030 – the second highest growth level of all MS. This growth potential is reinforced by the fact that domestically, the sector contributes just 38% of the value of primary seafood production, while the worldwide figure is closer to 50%.

Nevertheless, it is facing many challenges: European shellfish markets are under pressure; continued resistance to rebuilding the finfish sector where production levels

collapsed following a period of dumping onto the EU’s salmon market and a negative relationship between the sector and environmental interests.

Ireland contends that these issues ‘must be addressed and overcome if the true potential of the sector is to be delivered.’

Structural supports must be made available and financial incentives will be required to maintain a growth rate consistent with expansion in other parts of the world.

Ireland would support incentives designed to promote the development of offshore, high energy, fish farming in more oceanic conditions than currently practiced.

Ireland supports the proposition that European aquaculture products should be positioned at the higher value end of the marketplace by differentiating Community derived seafood from imported products, through third-party certified assurance schemes operated to internationally accredited standards (such as EN45011 or ISO65).

Whilst any development of the Community’s aquaculture sector should be environmentally sustainable, Ireland contends that appropriate generic research should be commissioned to demonstrate from an environmental impact perspective the essentially benign nature of wellpracticed aquaculture activity (especially in the case of shellfish aquaculture) in comparison with other commercial uses of the sea.

STRUCTURAL POLICY Structural assistance has been an important element of the CFP since its inception.

The current fund, the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) is available to all sectors of the industry as well as to fisheries dependent areas.

In particular the EFF focuses on four key areas: • supporting the major objectives of the CFP including sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources and achieving a stable balance between resources and Community fishing fleet capacity • strengthening the competitiveness and viability of operators • promoting environmentallyfriendly fishing and production methods • providing adequate employment support Ireland believes that structural assistance must remain indefinitely and that

any new fund must build on lessons learned and be designed as a real tool to deliver sustainability.

Ireland contends that reform must fundamentally address the cost-benefit imbalance that currently exist either through greater allocation of fishery resources or through a more even-handed distribution of the funds necessary to implement and enforce the common policy.

THIRD COUNTRY AGREEMENTS AND NEW MEMBER STATES These agreements can be separated into two categories: Northern Agreements and Southern Agreements. A key aspect of both is the exchange of fishing opportunities involving financial payments in respect of Southern agreements and

actual exchange of quotas in Northern Agreements.

Additionally, the agreements allow for the joint management of stocks, setting of overall TAC levels, and long-term management plans.

Ireland contends that the Commission ‘appears to concern itself solely with Southern Agreements and the influence the CFP can have on improving the fishery sustainability and the socioeconomic conditions of the partner country.’

And that the process for determining the exchange in fishing opportunities entered into in the Northern agreements should be reviewed.

For example, the transfer of fish stocks to Norway is done at a Community level.

‘This sees ‘payment’ to Norway – a resource transfer - based on the relative stability share of [MS] in the stocks of interest, whereas, the apportionment of the transfer of opportunity back to the Community

from Norway is based on a historical track record of [MS]. Thus we find that the net contribution of some [MS] is disproportionately large.’

Historically, Ireland, along with other MS has been a net contributor to the balancing arrangement and contends it is an ‘unfair and unequal situation and against the tenet of the Treaty of Rome which espouses an even handed treatment for all [MS]…

Regionalisation Existing decision-making processes are substantially set at Council level and have lead to an ‘inflexible and cumbersome system’. Ireland contends that too often the current system results in decisions relating to regions being made remotely from the operators and relevant coastal communities.

‘In addition, the process has the impact of determining detailed

arrangements which are applicable across Community waters but without the capacity to take into account the specificities of fisheries or regions. This situation is further compounded with the expansion of the European Union and Ireland has a role in developing and supporting management plans in, for example the Baltic Sea, an area of which it has little if any experience’ Ireland supports a more regional and holistic approach to management whereby arrangements are set by the Commission in association with MS and stakeholders and implementation is delegated to them.

The structure, operation and performance of the existing Regional Advisory Councils should be reviewed against their existing mandate to assess whether and how their role could be strengthened to enable a more active and effective advisory role in management arrangements.

Increasing industry responsibility Ireland contends that the current CFP is based on a ‘top down, detailed control model where it is assumed that fishermen will act irresponsibly unless they are scrutinised and supervised on a constant basis by the [MS] and, or the Commission’. It is clear that strong, effective, transparent, and equitable fisheries control and enforcement will continue to be a necessary feature of any new CFP. This single approach has given little incentive to the fishing industry to play a constructive role in the CFP. Any new policy must motivate the fishing industry to take greater direct responsibility for the rebuilding and sustainable management of fish stocks.’

Culture of compliance Under the terms of the new control regulation adopted in October 2009, implementation is phased over a number of years and thereby will take time to determine the possible need for further strengthening.

Ireland contends it has a heavy burden of responsibility of controlling fishing activity within its 200 mile EEZ and considers that additional initiatives are needed to strengthen the effectiveness of control and to promote a level playing field across the Community. Control measures conducted at sea are generally hampered by practical issues arising from cramped conditions frequently encountered when inspecting fish storage rooms.

Ireland recommends that that the requirement to store certain species separately should be extended to species not subject to multi-annual plans. This would increase effectiveness and ease inspection of catches at sea.

Ireland also recommends the introduction of an additional requirement to store catches made outside Community waters from those made inside the 200 mile limit.

Under the current CFP it is not possible for the regulatory authorities across MS to access up-to-date information on the uptake of TAC entitlements by other MS and to entitlements of individual fishers to a portion of their national TAC. Given the different systems in place to distribute national TACs, it is not possible to determine entitlement to one or more quota species and what the actual limit (kg) of the entitlement is.

Observations/ recommendations at a glance:

• R outine exchange of detailed information on entitlement is a critical issue for Ireland as a significant portion of the EU’s commercial fisheries take place within Ireland’s economic zone (EEZ)…

The current lack of realtime information contributes to the perception, by Irish fishers, that there is no level playing field when it comes to the application of the CFP. • In order to promote a level playing field and confidence in the control systems in operation across the EU, the Commission should make available publicly the audit/ control reports carried out by the Commission on the controls within Member States.

• The current lack of transparency in respect of evaluations carried out

by DG MARE on the application of Community Fisheries law must be addressed.

• Ireland believes that an Integrated Maritime Policy will make a substantial contribution to alleviating socio-economic consequences of reduced fishing capacity and reduced fishing opportunities.

Coastal community development cannot be addressed by the CFP alone but must be seen as a wider undertaking within the context of the Integrated Maritime Policy as well as European environmental and structural policy.

Climate change and related impacts Ireland concurs with scientific evidence and broad acceptance that climate change is a reality, leading to a warming of the atmosphere and oceans; acidification of sea water and changing wind patterns, and that these climate changes affect ocean currents, which in turn impact on the distribution and abundance of marine life, particularly plankton and fish.

Ireland contends there is ‘urgent need for a European supported development of an integrated, North East Atlantic, monitoring system. This must combine temperature, current, and atmospheric data with correlated analysis of fish stock trends and developments in the relevant areas of the North East Atlantic. Such a move would prove an invaluable tool for both monitoring and preparation for climate change impacts on Europe.’

‘This review must place global and EU food security concerns at the centre of that examination.’

18 inshore ireland December 2010/January 2011

marine r&d

Geoscience & INFOMAR impress Koen Verbruggen, GSI

A

n option appraisal report into the INFOMAR mapping programme (see Inshore Ireland November/ December 2009) estimated at €440m over a 20-year period puts the current value of project benefits, at a ratio to cost of roughly 4/5:1.

And if any doubts remain, perhaps they can be reassured by the discovery this summer of a shoal just 12m below the water surface in an area chartered at over 30m just north of Slyne Head by RV Keary. This area is both a transit route and point of shelter, so avoidance of a potential pollution incident from an environmental and clean up cost to the State cannot be over stated.

This was one of the key messages at Geoscience 2010 hosted by the Geological Survey of Ireland, which combined the annual GSI/

MI Seabed /INFOMAR seminar with updates on the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources NDP/SSTI Funded and GSI managed Griffiths Research Awards, and Geoscience initiatives infrastructure projects, in a packed two-day agenda of over 40 talks and poster displays.

Research for recovery Addressing the conference, GSI director Dr Peadar McArdle emphasised to delegates they were part of an active ‘geoscience sector that they must promote and develop. In his opening address, Minister of State, Conor Lenihan reiterated this sentiment and stressed the key role that research could play in recovery of the Irish economy in activities such as SSTI support; the commitment to overall R&D spend and the securing of the EC Research Commissioner portfolio by Ireland.

Day 1 focussed on marine and geoscience, with updates

on the 2010 INFOMAR programme and mapping by the Celtic Voyager in the Irish and Celtic Seas and an aerial bathymetric lidar campaign on the west and north coasts.

Senior French researcher Gilbert Camoin, then outlined developments in the new science plan for the next phase of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Programme. This initiative is one of the world’s largest international scientific endeavours and is the largest in the field of geoscience.

The session on seabed mapping reviewed the Atlas of the Deepwater Irish Seabed, a new publication resulting from collaborative research between UCC and GSI (see pages 20&21) Presentations followed on how this same dataset was contributing to discovery and designation of new reef areas to be protected as SACs, and how researchers at Maynooth were taking novel statistical approaches to producing new seabed geology maps of the deeper seabed, including the utilisation of data not previously processed.

BRING CLARITY TO THE WORLD BELOW

Broad usage of data The seabed geology of the Porcupine Bank down to the 500m contour and covering an area in excess of 70,000 km2 was the subject of another presentation. Seabed type information has been derived from high resolution sonar data, mapping the seabed in distinct classes ranging from gravels and rock outcrops on the top of the bank down to fine silt on the deepest parts.

Results have already been used in fisheries research where seabed type is an important factor in habitat mapping for Nephrops (prawn) distribution.

The session on marine research provided a snapshot of a range of ongoing work – from ground-breaking investigations using new isotopic equipment at UCD to study the origins of offshore sedimentary basins – to an initiative to link this and other new equipment to create a virtual core lab among a group of Irish universities.

Griffiths funded postdoctoral research at NUIG outlined how additional seabed information could be extracted from existing research vessel equipment, while TCD- based researchers explained how

I The Kongsberg EM 3002 multibeam echo sounder is capable of 3D inspection of underwater port structures, with the highest resolution.

The system is capable of resolving details as small as 10 cm, using up to 508 simultaneous, focused and stabilised narrowbeams. The dual head version can do concurrent mapping and inspection over a 180 degree sector.

The system operates reliably also in difficult geometrical environments.

EM 3002 will detect debris and other objects on the bottom, will map the seafloor according to the strictest IHO regulations, and has a maximum operating range 250 meters or more. www.km.kongsberg.com

environmentally significant submarine groundwater discharge could be detected by satellite imagery and confirmed by novel ship-based radon gas detection.

University of Limerick researchers updated progress on their ROV Latis which

is being use in the Shannon estuary, and Coleraine University researchers revealed exciting results from reprocessing of data in the Rockall Trough using INSS datasets.

Researchers from OGS Trieste then outlined work

Marine renewable energy – history in the making?

Eoin Sweeney, SEAI

Precision survey

A tanker is modelled approaching a shoal of 12.2 metres recently found north of Slyne Head. This data will now mitigate against an expensive oil spill off Image Charise McKeown, GSI. Connemara.

n November this year, the Minister for Energy, Communications and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, issued the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan. This accompanies a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) which is currently open for public consultation. This is a landmark waypoint in what may prove to be an historical period for Ireland’s relationship with its surrounding seas.

With the stark realities of carbon-induced climate change becoming progressively apparent, and fossil fuels becoming scarcer and more expensive, the age of the fossilfuel economy, that underlay the industrial revolution of the last two centuries, is coming to an

end. There is a growing belief that the world is now entering the era of the electricity economy, where electricity will be the primary source of power for homes, industry and transport.

In July, Ireland in common with other European countries published detailed and binding plans (NREAP) for the decarbonisation of their energy sectors, and the replacement of fossil-fuel energy generation and use by renewable energy sources, by 2020. In the case of marine renewable energies, the NREAP provides for 550MW of offshore wind generation and 75MW from wave and tidal. These figures, however, should be seen in the context of a much longer roadmap.

While for too many people, 2020 may seem a long way away; however in the world of energy-infrastructure planning, 2020 is ‘tomorrow’.

All electricity utilities operate

in planning periods of several decades. Given the scale of adjustments required to control climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels, energy companies are anticipating that electricity generation will have to be virtually completely carbon-free by 2050 and are now planning the huge adjustments and investments that this entails. This is where the opportunity lies for Ireland.

Our ocean territory extends to 89 million hectares and encompasses a wealth of natural resources. The sea area is around 10 times the size of the land area and has one of the best wind and wave resources in Europe.

Our marine environment can provide a vast amount of energy through offshore wind, wave and tidal energy technologies. The SEA outlines a potential to generate over 60GW of electricity from offshore Ireland. While there are many qualifying

inshore ireland December 2010/January 2011

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Marine R&D understanding petroleum basins, based on the spectacular coastal exposures of South West Clare. Deep water sedimentary research is another project building on INSS data and multiple other information sources to gain a greater understanding of processes off our western seaboard, while the Sand Provenance Centre is a facility built around a new paradigm in micro-analytical equipment and its smart research application to understanding the source of sediments that are now found in offshore basins.

Day 2 had a more terrestrial approach, but with obvious linkages to the work showcased already. Professor Stewart Fotheringham, NUI Maynooth, presented on ‘The National Centre for Geocomputation and the Strategic Research Cluster in Advanced Technologies (StratAG): Role models for Geoscience Research’.

In a thought provoking address he outlined how the collaborative SFI funded group were structured, funded and assessed; how they are tackling some of the ‘grand challenges for society’ and illustrated some of the novel approaches being taken across research from sensor technology, to algorithms, visualisation and location based services.

While successful linkages

have been established with groups including the INFOMAR team at GSI, there is clear scope for collaboration based on complimentary skill sets with many other groups active in the geoscience sector.

The first session focussed on groundwater protection, with a talk on Ireland’s National Groundwater Vulnerability Mapping Programme, followed by well linked presentations from Queen’s University Belfast on research on poorly productive aquifers and NUIG on their Coastal Aquifer Project, the latter two both funded under the Griffiths Awards.

This session gave a really good example of how practical applied geoscience infrastructural support – in this case developing planning tools for use by EPA and local Authorities – can feed into and benefit from research targeted on particular aspects of the work.

This was followed by the Basin Studies of UCD under the Griffiths Research programme, with a series of linked talks all seeking to address very clear research goals and leveraging additional opportunities such as industry interest, equipment grants and ship time availability.

The Clare drilling initiative is seeking to develop a world class field visit locality for

Carbon capture and storage is recognised as a ‘transition technology’ that can help deal with fossil fuels emissions as we move towards a greater deployment of renewable energy. The third session focussed on CCS with an outline of initiatives GSI is engaged with and hopes to develop further, as well as summaries from two research projects focussed on modelling behaviours in this area at UCD and University of Ulster.

Later sessions dealt with geohazards, specifically landslide susceptibility mapping being carried out in response to the GSI-led Landslide Working Group

which focussed on the economic activity in East Leinster and the greater Cork area.

The final session comprised three presentations that dealt with the critical area of GeoEducation and Communication. Talks covered the benefits of properly organising and cataloguing data by the CMRC group at UCC, who have now developed a ‘geoportal’ for showcasing available research datasets.

The GeoSchol initiative, where a consortium led

by TCD has developed geology-based teaching aids and a website targeted at primary school students; and at the opposite end of the spectrum, DIAS have led the development of a 4th level training programme of modules for post graduates under the Irish Geology Graduate Programme.

The conference showcased the best of current geoscience and related marine infrastructural initiatives as well as highlights of latest research and development in this area.

The book of abstracts is available for download from www.gsi.ie and www. infomar.ie websites; pdf copies of most talks will also be available shortly from the GSI website.

considerations around this scenario, the fact is that if it is viable to generate and export electricity on this scale, there is an associated employment potential of over 70,000 jobs, many of them along the western seaboard.

Clearly, marine renewable energy development will be a major new ‘player’ in terms of space and access to resources in the marine environment.

On the one hand it will involve

some curtailment of other activities in the immediate vicinity of wind, wave and tidal developments, though we can only guess at these, at this point. On the other hand, marine renewable development may synergise positively with conservation and other aspects of the reform of the fishing industry, and it will certainly offer huge opportunities for employment in ports and harbours and significant

development of engineering and other infrastructure.

Development of our sustainable energy resource, therefore, is of huge potential social and economic importance. Without a doubt, there will be a move to harness our huge offshore renewable resources. The challenge for Ireland today, is whether we are leading participants in this process, using this historical opportunity to

transform our grossly neglected marine industry sector or whether we stand back while other countries develop the technology and know-how while we merely derive a ‘rent’ from the resource and supply sandwiches to the guys offshore.

As the Minister says,” If we get this right, and get it right quickly, Ireland can be at the forefront of developments in this area, internationally.”

carried out in the Celtic Sea last year.

The final session on day one focussed on adding value to the datasets use in EU funded projects; how seabed data was being incorporated into ocean energy projects and MI fisheries research.

The MI provided an overview on research in the wider context and this was followed by a 3D visualisation of Galway Bay by Galway based RealSIM and UK based Geovisionary.

Challenges for society

Transition technology

Irish software system to aid coastguard rescue missions CHC, the largest commercial helicopter company worldwide and which successfully bid for the €500m contract to provide helicopter rescue for the Irish Coast Guard from 2012 uses a software system produced by an Irish company.

Decisions For Heroes played an important role in the bid by supporting CHC’s requirements for mission based analytics software to analyse SAR missions, capturing key patterns and trends.

Decisions For Heroes is a new web-based crew management analysis tool available to all emergency response teams globally.

Organisations can instantly get started online at www.decisionsforheroes.com

Robert Blanford, director and Donnchadh Mac Cobb, lead coordinator, emergency response team, Decision for Heroes.

20 inshore ireland December 2010/January 2011

marine r&d

A treasure trove of jewels from the ocean floor Gillian Mills

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Next stop America!’

How many times have you heard this said in films about the ‘old country’ in reference to the New World; or indeed thought it yourself as you stand on one of Ireland’s most westerly islands?

But have you ever thought about what lies beneath the waves that separate these two bodies of land?

All is now revealed in an image rich atlas of a hidden world, and ‘lifts the curtain’ on this deep and dark ocean realm, taking the reader on a journey of discovery. Each page provides a unique insight into the morphology of the seabed along the continental margin of the north-east Atlantic, and for the first time, many features that heretofore have never been seen are showcased.

Inspiration behind the publication stems from a project that located all cold-water coral reefs and associated carbonate mounds on the Irish seabed. The atlas is based on more than 16.5 billion soundings of processed bathymetric data collected during 18 cruises between 2000 and 2002 as part of the Irish National Seabed Survey conducted by the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Marine Institute, using a deepwater multibeam echosounder system (Kongsberg-Simrad EM 120 and 1002) and two midwater multibeam echosounder systems (Kongsberg-Simrad EM1002).

Rift valleys; canyons; mountains, rivers – what you

might expect to encounter on a journey across the African continent – are equally a part of the seabed, formed during the early development of the north Atlantic in the PermoTriassic geology period – about 250 million years ago.

Turning the pages one question keeps reoccurring: Why are cold water corals so brilliantly coloured when they clearly inhabit a world in perpetual darkness where colour has little or no benefit to the organism?

One of the authors, Andy Wheeler, UCC, explains: ‘One striking feature of coldwater corals is the range of colours they exhibit from pinks and oranges through to reds, yellows and whites.

‘The colour pigmentation is contained within the organic tissue of the coral organisms.

In the soft corals this may cover the whole organism, in the calacarous framework building corals (and hence reef forming) the colour is evident in the coral polyp (being the actually feeding organism which looks a bit like an anenome) and also in the mucus covering that encloses the coral framework which the organism secretes and grow on (its colonial skeleton). This means the whole live coral framework can take on a coloured appearance.

Upon death, the mucus covering rots revealing the white ‘boney’ coral skeleton underneath which may, in shallow water, become washed up on the beach.

‘So why are deep-sea corals coloured? Bright colours is often a signal to predators saying,’ yes I am here but I am not green and yummy

but different and toxic, please back-off.’

“That’s all well and good providing predators can see you in the first place. Some deep sea organisms emit light suggesting the vision in deepsea organisms does play a role but they don’t see colour per se so colour has no role in a permanently dark world.

‘Our assumption as to why they are coloured is simple: colour is a throw-back to shallow water living ancestors who lived in the photoic zone. Whilst there may no advantage to being coloured in the deep-sea, there is also no disadvantage and no evolution pressure to stop being coloured.

This is only a theoretical explanation and we have no proof as we know so little about the habitats of the deep-sea coral ancestors.

‘Nevertheless, it is plausible and perhaps the only explanation. If true, this implies that corals evolved in the shallows and went deep rather than the other way round.’

Each page provides a unique insight into the morphology of the seabed along the continental margin of the north-east Atlantic, and for the first time, many features that heretofore have never been seen are showcased.

1

2

3

inshore ireland December 2010/January 2011

21

Marine R&D 4

7

Images 1-3 and 5-7 with kind permission from Marcum – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen 5

1 Some of the coral carbonate mounds are overgrown by thickets of cold-water corals. This colony shows a colony of Lophelia pertusa, one of the main mound-building corals on the Irish seabed.

2 These mounds are potential nursing areas for many fish species.

3 The actual living coral organisms are the orange areas in the centres of the thecae at the ends of the coral branches 4 Fauna in the Porcupine Bank Canyon Head. Image courtesy of the Dept of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the MI and the GSI. 5 Hermit crab and squids found on soft coral.

6 Anemones and hermit crabs, hydrozoans and soft corals.

6

7 Ireland’s designated continental shelf. © 2010 ESRI.

Atlas of the Deep-Water Seabed: Ireland is compiled by Dr Boris Dorschel and Dr Andrew Wheeler (UCC) and Koen Verbruggen and Xavier Monteys (GSI).

Is it published by Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg (ISBN 978-90-481-9375-2) and is available from Amazon.com and www.springer.com

22 inshore ireland December 2010/January 2011

Seafood Desk

BIM hosts meetings across the seafood sector

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s part of its corporate strategy 20102012, ‘Delivering on the Potential of Irish Seafood’, BIM has hosted the first industry consultative group meeting comprising key representatives from fisheries, aquaculture, processing and sales whose mandate is to ‘review and reflect on the implementation of the strategy to 2012.

Each meeting was chaired

by BIM’s CEO, Jason Whooley, and was attended by relevant BIM managers and staff to brief the industry representatives and to listen to their feedback.

“I would like to sincerely thank each and every

representative for taking time out of their extremely busy schedules to attend these meetings and for their valuable contributions on the future strategic direction of BIM. We acknowledge that the current economic conditions make for a highly challenging environment and we in BIM, are conscious that we need to adapt and tailor our suite of services to industry to ensure we are meeting the specific needs of industry, enabling them to secure their future development,” commented Jason Whooley.

This is the first time BIM has published a three-year corporate strategy with specific targets and actions that are measurable in its implementation.

o L et u s t a k e y o!u t t h e is la n d

Fisheries Consultative Group: Back Row (l-r): Michael Kirwan (Clogherhead) Niall Deasy,(Union Hall) Tommy Conneely, (Galway) Alan O’Neill, (Castletownbere) Alex Crowley, (Caherciveen) Michael Kavanagh, (Greencastle) Eamonn McHugh, (Killybegs) Joe Maddock, (IFO) Eibhlin O’Sullivan, (ISWFPO).

Front Row (l-r): Shane McIntyre, (Dunmore East) Sean O’Donoghue, (KFO) Lorcan O’Cinnéide, (IFPO)

Aquaculture Consultative Group: Back row (l-r): Michael Mulloy, (Blackshell Mussels) Mike Sammon, (Fastnet) JP Finlay, (Ballybay Perch) Jan Feenstra, (Marine Harvest) Stephen Kelly, (Crescent Seafoods) Front row (l-r): Edward Gallagher, (Irish Premium Oysters) Richie Flynn, (IFA) John Harrington, (Kush Seafarms) Jim Harty, (Dungarvan Shellfish) George Golden, (Carrowhooly Shellfish)

Proessing & Sales Consultative Group: Back row (l-r): Ted Browne, (De Bruin Iasc Teoranta) Paul Price, (Rockabill Shellfish) Ken Ecock, (Oceanpath) Artie Clifford, (IASC) John McGuinness, (Killybegs Seafoods) Mick O’Donnell, (Island Seafoods) Andy Mulloy, (Connemara Seafoods).

Front row (l-r): Bill Price, (Rockabill Shellfish) Tom Geoghegan, (IFPEA) Diarmuid O’Donovan, (Glenmar Fish) Hugh McBride, (McBride Fish)

Winter Timetable 2010-2011

All sailings subject to weather and other conditions.

Enjoy th e natu ral beauty of Rathlin Isl an d in all sea son s.

Booking: 028 2076 9299 Pre-Booking Advisable Email: info@rathlinballycastleferry.com

www.rathlinballycastleferry.com

Southeast processor awarded global standard

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exford company, Atlantis Seafoods, has joined a handful of Irish seafood companies to be awarded the prestigious BRC (British Retail Consortium) accreditation. This accreditation is internationally-recognised as one of the most stringent and trustworthy technical food safety standards.

To achieve certification, the highest and most rigorous standards in production, packaging, storage and distribution must be met and are independently audited.

BRC accreditation provides reassurance to retailers, manufacturers and customers of capability, competence and dedication when it comes to food safety, and endorses constant commitment to quality and food safety. The accreditation also ensures continual investment in the plant and staff, which are necessary to maintain the highest standards required by BRC. “BRC will help strengthen and expand our core business and has the potential to create new opportunities with our foodservice, retail and export customers. We pride ourselves on our goal, which is to offer the best quality and the best service. The BRC accreditation will further ensure customer confidence in our products,” remarked Atlantis director, Mark O’Connor.

All-island initiative is launched to co-ordinate safe food production from farm to fork Prof. C. Elliott Director of Institute of Agri-food and Land Use, Queen’s University Belfast Although public interest and demand continues to swing towards organic, local and sustainable produce, the rapid expansion of the world’s population and the subsequent depletion of resources will have an enormous impact upon agriculture and food supply, as progressively more intensive practices are used.

With resource depletion and more competitive global markets, the temptation to use fraudulent practices in food production will accelerate. These fraudulent practices include misinformation regarding food origins (i.e. food authenticity); circumnavigating labelling regulations; use of banned or potentially harmful chemicals and the supply of unsafe food to the public.

Alongside this, climate change will result in the appearance of new pests and diseases along with changes in meteorological conditions which could subsequently result in increased chemical usage, thereby increasing the risk of environmental damage and accumulation of these chemicals in food. Thus the challenge to continue to produce aquaculture products of the highest quality and safety economically will be a substantial one.

On the island of Ireland the agri-food sector, including aquaculture, accounts for approx €11 billion sales

annually and is our largest industry, employing around 200,000 people, and its strategic importance to economic growth has been acknowledged by both governments. Therefore, future changes to aquaculture production could have a significant impact upon the livelihoods of many.

It is clear that monitoring schemes, appropriate regulation and scientific techniques are needed to detect problems, to ensure a safe, secure and reliable supply of food. To achieve a coherent approach, individuals at all stages of food production, processing and supply need to work together to achieve these goals. To aid this process, a series of networks which bring together individuals from research, industry and regulatory bodies is being established on the island by safefood.

There are currently six networks being initiated (biotoxins, chemical residues, Campylobacter, Listeria, Cryptosporidium and Verocytotoxin producing Escherichia coli in food) and more are planned. The mission is to bring together representatives of industry, regulatory bodies and researchers as a means to encourage collaboration, cooperation, dissemination of information and to evaluate current and future needs across a range of subjects involved in the production of food from farm to fork on the island of Ireland.

Further details about joining these networks and events that will be held next year will appear in the next edition of Inshore Ireland.

inshore ireland December 2010/January 2011

23

Coastline News

“Ordinary people doing something truly extraordinary”

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orthern Ireland based company, Ocean Event Management, in conjunction Derry City Council and the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners have secured a stop- over of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race for Derry/Londonderry in June 2012. This will be the biggest global sporting event ever for Northern Ireland, aiming to capitalise on the fact that the last Clipper race had over 500 million followers worldwide.

The Clipper Race is the brainchild of first solo roundthe-world sailor and chairman of Clipper Ventures, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and is based on the concept to give ordinary people the chance to do something truly extraordinary.

The event is the longest global yacht race. Ten

identical 68 foot yachts, each representing a city or country take on the circumnavigation with a professional skipper and an amateur crew, 40% of whom have never sailed before but who are fully trained by Clipper prior to the start.

“But there is more to this race than just competing,” Sean Scott, managing director of Ocean Event Management (OEM) told Inshore Ireland.

“It’s not just about bringing a world-class event to Derry/ Londonderry; it’s about taking the City to the rest of the world. From now until July 2012 we will be showcasing the best of what the country has to offer in terms of trade; tourism and culture. So if you have a business you want to promote on the world stage, don’t hesitate to contact us.”

The idea to bring the race to Northern Ireland originated from a conversation between Sir Robin and OEM in Liverpool at the end of the

Sir Rober Knox-Johnston with Sean Scott, Ocean Event Management

2008 race. (Sean Scott was closely involved with the set-up of the Volvo Ocean Race in Galway, and therefore appreciates the impact that such an event can bring to a city both economically and culturally.

At the announcement, Sir Robin said the race would provide an opportunity for ordinary people to get out and do something extraordinary.

“Rather than sit when you are 90 with regrets - you only have one life so paint it with bright colours!,” he said.

“We are delighted to welcome on board the UK’s first City of Culture, Derry/ Londonderry, as a yacht sponsor and host port for the Clipper 11-12 Race. The race offers a unique platform to showcase the city around the world, both for business and tourism. We hope that as other cities and countries have discovered, participation in the race will enable you to build a unique legacy for the city that will last for years to come.

“We hope people from across the city and, indeed, across the country, will get behind the team and support them on their journey.”

Further information about the race from www. clipperroundtheworld. com; further details on the stopover contact: sean@ oceaneventmanagement. com or telephone: - 0044 (0) 2891 857 721; mobile: 0781 7896085 or www. oceaneventmanagement.com

The O’Driscoll clan celebrate a quarter century Mary O’Driscoll

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ince 1986, the O’Driscoll clan has been gathering on an annual basis over the last weekend of June in Baltimore, West Cork and surrounding islands.

O’Driscolls or Ui hEidirsceoil were the chieftains Corca Laoighde since at least the 8th century. (Corca Laoighde is the south-west corner of Co Cork, better known these days as the Diocese of Ross.)

The area can be defined by the area south of a line from Rosscarbery to Schull which includes the islands and Roaringwater Bay. Baltimore was the seat of the O’Driscolls and gets its name from Baile an Tí Mhór – the town of the great house.

The modern Irish name of Baltimore is the actual name of the great house – Dún na Séad. This great house – for many years a home to ravens and magpies – is now restored to its former glory and lords proudly over Baile an Tí Mhór.

The islands played a huge part in the O’Driscoll kingdom. Heir Island, as its name explains, was Inis Uí Drisceoil- the islands of the O’Driscoll heir. Sherkin Island has Dún na Long guarding Baltimore harbour entrance.

Cape Clear has Dún an Óir remote on a rocky out crop facing the Mizen and the Atlantic. Cloghane Castle in Lough Hyne was the last residence of Fineen the Rover – the last Chieftain who surrendered after the Battle of Kinsale.

2010 O’Driscoll gathering

Credit: Cape Clear Museum

Lough Iorral, Cape Clear Castle Haven, also known as Porto Castillo because of its importance in the smuggling industry, shows the international commerce that was being done in the Middle Ages! Dún na nGall was on Ringarogy Island. Mainland strongholds were at Rincolisky, Old Court, Ardagh,and Castle Town.

In June each year, O’Driscolls come from every corner of the globe to meet the O’Driscolls of Corca Laoighde – from Schull, Ballydehob, Caheragh, Ardralla - and although they may not be related on the Friday of the gathering, they are well on the way to being

related by the Sunday!

New friendships are made; old connections re-discovered.

And just through meeting and tracing names and places, more branches in family trees are filled.

So first and foremost we need you, O’Driscolls of Ireland, to share your rich and colourful heritage; your history, knowledge and tales with both visiting and local O’Driscolls so that the next 25 years are guaranteed to continue with new energy!

Contact us Marion O’Driscoll Bushe on info@ bushesbar or myself on 086 3665078

Jewellery Box - Ireland’s Hidden Gems Cushla Dromgool Regan

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aragh Muldowney of Dúlra Photography, renowned nature photographer, recently launched his Jewellery Box – Ireland’s Hidden Gems” in Dublin, which showcases the elements of nature found in rock pools all around Ireland.

Opening the exhibition, wildlife cameraman and presenter Colin Stafford-Johnson, congratulated Daragh on his recent work:

“Daragh’s images capture a modern and abstract take on Ireland’s wonderful marine resource at our doorstep. The outstanding photographs taken in rock pools around the seventeen coastal counties of Ireland and Northern Ireland show his exceptional technique to see beyond the norm.”

The photographs of periwinkles, anemones, urchins and seaweeds show the colours, texture and patterns on our seashore and reflect the variation of the landscape, geology and life of our vast coastline.

Each unique image captures the elements as they present

themselves naturally without the use of artificial light or filters.

“Taking these photographs brought back wonderful childhood memories of exploring pools where tiny creatures in their own magical world kept me entertained for hours. I hope they now provide the same for those interested in our shores,” Daragh remarked.

Photographs from this collection or signed copies of his book are available to purchase from www.dulraphotography.com

Pals? These beadlet anemones are actually battling it out for the feeding hot spot.’ © Daragh Muldowney