Inshore ireland 12 1 2016 winter

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

€1.90/£1.50 Bi-Monthly

Flooding Crisis pages 8-11

“Live to tell the tale” - BIM Sea Safety campaign pages 12-13

Winter 2016 Vol 12 Issue 1

ONLINE EDITION

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

‘Battle won but war continues’ against open net salmon farming Gery Flynn

B

IM has withdrawn its licence application for a salmon farm in Galway Bay because the proposed production capacity exceeds the maximum annual harvest for individual farms as recommended in the government’s new strategic plan for sustainable aquaculture.

The seafood development agency’s chief executive, Tara McCarthy, said her board had taken “swift and

decisive action” on December 21 to match the agency’s activities to the new Plan.

She said they would now “re-assess delivery of this project in the context of the new operating environment and examine the operational and commercial impacts which would take time and a significant amount of engagement and consultation”.

The Federation of Irish Salmon and Trout Anglers (FISSTA) which opposed the project from the beginning is skeptical of the reason given

by BIM for acting now.

“BIM says it withdrew the

licence application because the new strategy reviews the production capacity of individual farms. But the real reason is because of the strength of public objections emanating from our public awareness events,” Noel Carr, FISSTA’s secretary told Inshore Ireland.

Regulation rules

Under current legislation, a fish farm licence application cannot be altered during the planning process, and the Galway Bay project would not have qualified for grant aid from the European Maritime Fisheries Fund because its

production capacity was more than double the revised cap in the new strategy.

First put forward in November 2012, the Galway Bay project has had a stormy passage with BIM regularly having to defend its proposal against a well-coordinated opposition comprising anglers and environmentalists who feared it would damage the local marine environment and be the source of parasitic lice that would ultimately decimate local migrating wild salmon and sea trout.

Two state agencies – the Marine Institute and Inland Fisheries Ireland - also

disagreed publicly on the impact a salmon farm of this size was likely to have on local salmonids.

Research by the Marine Institute indicates that liceinduced mortality in wild salmon is tiny - less than 1% of the overall marine mortality rate. IFI however disagreed and said the scale and location of the farm would lead to the extinction of the wild salmon population and the destruction of an angling/tourism sector estimated to be worth more than €140m a year. »» page 16

Lough Feeagh, Co Mayo, one of 235 lakes worldwide included in a study on the effects of climate change on lakes, published in Geophysical Research Letters.

(See page 27) Photo, Mary Dillane, Marine Institute.

2

inshore ireland Winter 2016

news

€240m investment in seafood sector to 2020 and beyond Gillian Mills

A

griculture, Food and Marine minister, Simon Coveney, has launched eight schemes to kick start implementation of Ireland’s €240m Seafood Development Programme to 2020, co-funded by the Exchequer and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

This Operational

Programme more than doubles the funding commitment for the next six years at least.

“It will be the tool to implement the new Common Fisheries Policy; to deliver on FoodWise 2025 and to deliver the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development,” Minister Coveney explained.

He added that critically, the funding would also support the ‘landing obligation’ thereby ensuring

NOTICE: Funding opportunity for marine bio-discovery research Have you an idea for a research project in marine bio-discovery?

A call is now open for transnational joint research projects under the topic Bioactive molecules from the marine environment – Biodiscovery within the framework of ERAMarineBiotech.

This is the 2nd transnational call under the Marine Biotechnology ERA-NET framework and aims to stimulate joint European research and development activities within marine biotechnology.

The Marine Biotechnology ERA-NET (ERA-MBT) is a consortium of national funding agencies working to promote complementary research activity between national organisations by pooling resources to provide joint funding for transnational projects in marine biotechnology. The aim is to support the development of the European bio-economy.

The Marine Institute held an information day at their HQ in Oranmore, January 22 with presentations by Dr Ciaran Kelly – MI Office of Research & Development, and Dr Dermot Hurst ERA-MBT member.

Closing date for proposals is 16 March 2016 (15:00 CET) Proposals can be submitted through the ERA-MBT online submission system: www. submission-marinebiotech.eu Further information see http://www.marinebiotech. eu/second-transnationalcall or contact funding@

marine.ie or call 091 387 200 The Marine Biotechnology ERA-NET (ERA-MBT) is funded under the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme.

Grant Agreement Number 604814 | December 2013 - November 2017 biotechnology.

The Marine Biotechnology ERA-NET (ERA-MBT) is a consortium of national funding agencies working to promote complementary research activity between national organisations by pooling resources to provide joint funding for transnational projects in marine biotechnology. The aim is to support the development of the European bio-economy.

The Marine Institute held an information day at their HQ in Oranmore, January 22 with presentations by Dr Ciaran Kelly – MI Office of Research & Development, and Dr Dermot Hurst ERA-MBT member.

Closing date for proposals is 16 March 2016 (15:00 CET) Proposals can be submitted through the ERA-MBT online submission system: www. submission-marinebiotech.eu Further information see: http://www.marinebiotech. eu/second-transnationalcall or contact funding@ marine.ie or call 091 387 200 The Marine Biotechnology ERA-NET (ERA-MBT) is funded under the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme.

Grant Agreement Number 604814 | December 2013 - November 2017

Inshore Ireland is published by IIPL Ltd

the industry’s future. €67m is earmarked for the sea fishing sector of which €45m will go towards implementing the CFP. “A key element will be a €16m Sustainable Fisheries Scheme that will support the fishing fleet to make the necessary adjustments to reduce - to the maximum extent possible - unwanted catch or undersized fish.”

Sustainability

Investment will also go towards modifications on board vessels and onshore to assist the industry move to a more “sustainable and secure future”.

Two schemes in the aquaculture sector will receive €29m, and a further €6m is targeted at inshore fisheries conservation.

A Fisheries Local Development Scheme involving €12m investment will support local development initiatives in coastal communities. And three schemes will be underpinned

by €24m to develop the seafood processing sector.

“This Government is fully commitment to the seafood sector and the coastal communities who are dependent on fisheries and aquaculture. I have provided almost €36m in 2016 to my Department and [other] implementing agencies to begin implementing the new Seafood Development Programme.

BIM will receive €22m in 2016 to implement these eight and other new schemes, including support for Producer Organisations to prepare and administer Production and Marketing Plans.

Green & blue economy

Welcoming the announcement, IFA Aquaculture noted the importance of a national strategic focus on food, jobs and exports that combine the blue and green economy.

“If the aquaculture licensing issue was addressed and all companies involved… could access this funding, there is no doubt the fund

Inshore Fisheries Conservation Scheme (€6m) The first element of this new Scheme is a specific initiative providing up to 75% of market price for lobsters which are v-notched and returned alive to the sea to contribute to maintaining the lobster stock. A further initiative under this scheme will follow in the coming weeks.

Fisheries Local Development Scheme (€12m) Expressions of interest from local groups will be sought to establish new Fisheries Local Action Groups and prepare local develop strategies to identify economic development needs and opportunities in their fishing communities and in turn provide financial supports to local actors to develop business opportunities and infrastructure to deliver on that potential.

Sustainable Aquaculture Scheme (€20.6m This Scheme will support investment to promote the sustainable growth of output, value and employment in the aquaculture sector. Supports will be focussed on increasing the productive output of aquaculture enterprises, new aquaculture enterprises entering the sector, scaling up of aquaculture enterprises to improve their competitiveness and efficiency and diversification into new species and methods. The Scheme will also encourage organic production and will provide assistance to enterprises significantly affected by naturally occurring biotoxin events.

Knowledge Gateway Scheme

Editor

Features Editor

Gillian Mills

Gery Flynn

mills@inshore-ireland.com

flynn@inshore-ireland.com

01 235 4804

091 844822

– aquaculture (€8.2m) This new Scheme will support applied research, new species development and commercialisation, research into managing diseases and parasites, the provision of environmental and business planning advice, and training for the aquaculture sector.

Seafood Capital Investment Scheme (€13m) This Scheme will support capital investment by seafood processing enterprises to develop an added value processing sector which is competitive and sustainable. Supports will be focussed on capital investments which reduce energy costs, improve safety, health, hygiene and traceability and also add value through processing, presentation and packaging.

Seafood Innovation and Business Planning (€7m) The Scheme will support investment to enable entrepreneurs and seafood companies to innovate and grow businesses; to build capability in the sector through improved leadership, and management & business planning practices. Supports will be focussed on new product and technology development, R&D and Business Planning.

Seafood Scaling and New Market Development (€4m) The Scheme will support investment to promote scale and collaboration in the sector and to fund projects which address key sector issues. Supports will be focussed on Industry collaboration forums, Joint Ventures between companies, producers and processors and projects which address common sector issues.

Sales & Marketing sales@inshore-ireland.com

087 290 2045 085 747 5797

for aquaculture could be comfortably doubled to meet demand around the coast and produce a lot more in terms of jobs and exports,” remarked Richie Flynn.

He added that aquaculture businesses such as oyster, salmon and mussel farmers were keen to move forward: “They want to meet consumer demand and continue to develop our international reputation with the highest quality standards.

Companies that have invested decades in this industry want the ability to clearly plan for succession to the next generation and go further by promoting every advantage of our clear environmental and geographical advantages.”

He added that the importance of export-oriented businesses in peripheral areas was well recognised, whereby each fish farm job supported two and half more in the local economy: “Food production is the backbone of rural Ireland and needs a cohesive approach by

Design

Durgan Media info@durganmedia.ie

074 91 77893

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

inshore ireland Winter 2016

3

Comment

Finger pointing and quick-fixes won’t solve the flooding crisis

I

t’s hardly surprising that this issue of Inshore Ireland focuses on the widespread flooding that has been in the headlines since early December and continues to bring hardship, misery and cost to dozens of families in the Shannon flood plain and elsewhere.

It should be no surprise either that the first response towards solving this recurring event is a lot of finger pointing: find someone to blame and find a quick-fix solution.

Some people – understandably desperate at this stage – have begun digging their own drainage channels in a bid to relieve local flooding and save their property from further damage.

Contributors to our flooding feature (pgs 8-11) are experts in their own area, and have outlined solution-based answers that should mitigate and eventually eliminate the worst effects of flooding.

the DAFM... Commitment in the department’s Foodwise 2025 document to review licensing of aquaculture is crucial to removing the logjam…” he said.

Market demand IFA has been calling for several actions within the EMFF which are included in the new suite of schemes.

These include developing capacity to meet market demand through investment in capital projects; assisting new entrants and support for shellfish producers closed by natural algal bloom events.

“It is vitally important having decided not to introduce the EU insurance premium scheme for producers in Ireland, that the Minister makes definitive plans to enable producers to access national aid where stocks are lost due to algal blooms or storms.”

This is particularly important for small and medium enterprises who cannot cope with the costs of restocking after a catastrophe and for whom no affordable insurance is available”, he said.

Regarding access to funds by people and companies waiting on licence renewals is still very urgent, he added: “There is a real possibility that even by 2021 there will be farmers who cannot access funding, simply because they are in a bay that has yet to be considered for licensing applications within DAFM’s own system. The action plan for

Janice Fuller highlights the fact that despite the Office of Public Works being the lead agency for flood risk management in Ireland there are others– all of whom have some responsibility for waterbased issues. Her list includes the National Parks and Wildlife Service; the Environmental Protection Agency, Waterways Ireland; Inland Fisheries Ireland; Local Authorities and the Electricity Supply Board.

She contends that past attempts to introduce effective long-term flood management have been reactive and piecemeal. The tendency has been to look to ‘hard engineering’ solutions such as flood walls, embankments, channels and drains.

Anyone in favour of such action should examine Cara Augustenborg’s piece in which she reminds us this approach failed to solve the flooding in the Los Angeles River – in the 1930s! Her description of a river encased in a concrete straightjacket travelling at 72km an hour leading to deaths and destructive flooding further

licencing agreed with Brussels under the birds and habitats directives has been extremely slow, and hundreds of renewal applications still await action.

“The government has unilaterally decided that these people should be excluded from consideration for funding; it is unacceptable that it has taken so long to address this problem.”

Acknowledging the schemes outlined, Flynn however noted that up to 60% of the necessary funds will have to be raised privately.

“To do that, farmers must be able to show there is clear security of tenure and a robust and responsive licensing system underpinning government policy,” he said.

“To that end, it is important the review of licensing committed to by this government in its policy document Foodwise 2025 is undertaken immediately.

“It is vital that producers, who have been waiting an extraordinarily long time for licence applications to be renewed, are allowed access to all schemes.

“The last thing that industry or the country needs is a situation where this programme of measures is underutilised and funding is handed back - particularly considering that our European competitors have access to the same schemes in much larger measure but without the licensing problems that beset the Irish industry,” he warned.

downstream is truly frightening…

Both writers believe there are more imaginative, and effective, solutions to flooding. They cite the examples of the Yorkshire town of Pickering and Pontebren in Wales – both flood blackspots.

And instead of heavy-handed ‘hard engineering’, locals have instead opted for the softer ecological approach of slowing down the pace of the rivers upstream. And it’s working!

Tom McDermott writing on the economics of flooding reminds us that over the past 30 years, flooding has globally killed more than 500 million people and displaced 650 million more.

He argues that solutions are neither cheap nor politically easy and suggests the best response would be to limit our exposure to flooding in the first place, and where the risk of flooding is repeated, relocation may be the least costly option in the long run.

Patrick O’Brien takes a wider view, noting that despite having transposed the EU Water Framework Directive of 2006 into Irish law, we still have not transposed the EU Directive on

the Assessment and Management of Flood Risks of 2007.

Why not? This is a scandalous delay for which many people are now paying a very big and personal price.

Development greed or political ignorance?

O’Brien also believes that up to now in Ireland, little thought has been given to the obvious risks and hazards of building on flood plains. And he pulls no punches by condemning the so-called developers whose only motivation is greed.

And despite his assertion that there is no shortage of river basin management and hydrological expertise in Ireland, these people are not being listened to or heeded.

What emerges from these contributions is clear: We can now expect future weather patterns of more intense rainfall, and unless government acts immediately to implement long-term and holistic management and control measures, major flooding with devastating consequences will become the norm.

comment

Who’s in charge?

Gery Flynn

Marine Institute Foras na Mara

Our Ocean - A Shared Resource Ár n-Aigéan - Acmhainn Comhroinnte Ireland’s National Agency for Marine Research and Innovation An Ghníomhaireacht Náisiúnta um Thaighde Mara agus Nuálaíochta

www.marine.ie

4

inshore ireland Winter 2016

news

€131m in whitefish quotas for fishermen in 2016 Gillian Mills

A

deal brokered in the early hours of December 16, 2015 on this year’s fishing opportunities in European waters, sees a 10% increase on 2015 quotas for Irish fishermen. For the third consecutive year, the value of whitefish and prawn quotas has increased, and has been welcomed by the fishing industry which had feared major job loses if prenegotiation proposals had materialised.

An overall 8% increase in the prawn quota (valued at €4.8m), one of Ireland’s most valuable fisheries, includes a quota ‘uplift’ to counter the introduction of the discards ban that comes into force on January 1.

“The phasing out of discards is a challenging policy for the fishing community to implement. A discard ban

will apply to prawn, whiting, haddock and hake fisheries in 2016. Fishermen are being given additional quota [uplift] to cover the increased landings with an 18% overall increase for these stocks (valued at €9m) if more selective fishing methods are used to avoid juvenile catches,” remarked Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Under the new Common Fisheries Policy, quotas are set at the highest level possible while ensuring stock sustainability under ‘maximum sustainable yield’ (MSY).

“This will result in increased quotas and stability for fishermen in the coming years,” he added.

For some stocks, moving towards MSY will result in short-term quota reduction as stocks are rebuilt, as reflected in a 4% reduction in cod in the Celtic Sea and a 13% reduction in the haddock in the Celtic Sea.

“The benefits of this policy however are visible in the Celtic Sea where we now have a 26% increase in the whiting stock. Overall, this is a very positive and balanced package for the fishing sector.

I am confident the deal will support further growth in the seafood sector while underpinning long-term sustainability of fish stocks.”

Industry reaction Welcoming the package overall, Francis O’Donnell, CEO of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation however warned that decreases in haddock and cod in the Celtic Sea will cause “significant difficulties” for fishermen.

“But the 14% increase in the whiting quota in the Celtic Sea will somewhat help offset this reduction,” he said.

Noting the 8% increase in the prawn quota, he said more important was the 40% increase in the haddock quota that otherwise could have potentially “choked” the prawn fishery.

“Prudent management of the haddock fishery for 2016 will be critical - and a 55% cut in the common sole quota will mean this species will become a small by-catch only for the Irish fleet,” he added.

And he acknowledged Minister Coveney’s “very committed and significant effort” to secure a fair deal for northwest herring.

“This is a very valuable fishery for Ireland. A deal could not be reached as the UK resisted the minister’s request for 50% of the TAC in Area VI. One has to remember that Ireland had no quota for herring in VIa south in 2015.”

O’Donnell also describes as “Machiavellian” the bilateral agreement reached between the EU and Norway on blue whiting which will see both parties fishing to separate TACs. Norway has increased its share of the stock while also increasing its access to European waters.

“The European Commission was instrumental in making the deal which has left most Member States and their respective ministers furious,” he said.

Signalling “disastrous consequences” if the Commission’s proposals were realised, Sean O’Donoghue, Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation, said the outcome was in fact “very positive”, especially for the whitefish sector.

Not only would averted cuts have a positive impact, “it will safeguard employment and investment in the processing

Clogherhead on the east coast will benefit from a 40% haddock increase in the Irish Sea. Photo Gerard Collier sector. We congratulate Minister Coveney and his team, including BIM and the Marine Institute, for the huge effort.”

He added that negotiations throughout 2015 to agree pelagic quotas had been difficult.

“We appreciate the effort Minister Coveney has put into making sure that by the end of February we will have a TAC of 2,000-3,000 tonnes to facilitate a rebuilding programme for this stock.

Regarding blue whiting, the KFO “is pleased” with the quota of 24,500 tonnes but O’Donoghue believes their position has been “completely undermined by the actions of the EU Commission” which concluded a separate agreement with Norway “unbeknown” to the Council of Ministers, and transferred a further 25,000 tonnes of blue whiting to Norway.

“This has resulted in a two-tier blue whiting TAC, with one for Norway and another lower one at the MSY [Maximum Sustainable Yield] for the EU. This is

not acceptable and should not have been done by the Commission even though they have the power to do so,” O’Donoghue stressed.

Eibhlin O’Sullivan, CEO of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation said that while the 13% reduction in haddock and 4% in cod were less than initially proposed, the cuts would result in “significant economic loss” for whitefish fishermen who relied on these stocks.

“For haddock in particular, this 13% reduction equates to five weeks less fishing in a fishery that has seen increasingly selective gears since 2011 - an increase to a 120mm square mesh panels implemented in 2015.”

And she welcomed the reversal in the proposed prawn cuts, the most valuable whitefish stock for the Irish industry. “It should be pointed out that if not for the additional quota uplift for prawns due to the obligation to land all catches, there would in fact be a 2% reduction in this stock.”

Key changes for Irish ports Northwest (Greencastle and Killybegs) 20% increase in whitefish quotas: megrim (26%); monkfish (20%); north –west haddock (42%); Rockall haddock (25%); horse-mackerel (48%) Southwest and west (Ros a Mhil, Dingle, Castletownbere, Union Hall and Dunmore East) 7% increase in total whitefish quotas, notably whiting (26%); megrim (5%), hake (21%); albacore tuna (3%) Irish Sea (Clogherhead, Howth and Kilmore Quay) 40% increase in haddock Further scientific advice is being sought in relation to herring off the west and northwest coast with a view to establishing a small commercial fishery later in the year.The Council of Fisheries Ministers also agreed to strengthen conservation measures for sea bass including a catch and release recreational angling fishery to June and a ‘one fish bag’ limit to December 2016.

See link for table at foot of release: http://www.agriculture.gov. ie/press/pressreleases/2015/december/title,87921,en.html

inshore ireland Winter 2016

5

news

Government publishes report on nonEEA workers in Irish fishing industry Gillian Mills

A

government task force on nonEEA workers in Ireland’s fishing industry recommends the establishment of a new sector-specific Atypical Worker Permission System to enable employers in specific parts of the fleet ‘under a structured and transparent framework’ to source and employ workers

from non-EEA countries.

The scheme ensures that employees ‘will be guaranteed at a minimum, the national minimum wage and statutory terms and conditions in accordance with national law’, underpinned by a requirement for employers to provide a legally binding contract of employment.

Announcing the details, Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said the scheme would provide a “clear pathway” to employ non-EEA workers while ensuring such workers

“cannot be exploited”.

The Task Force was established in November following reports of alleged abuses of migrant workers on board Irish fishing vessels by the Guardian newspaper, in consultation with the Migrants Rights Centre, the International Transports Workers Federation and stakeholders.

“I hope to have the new arrangements, which will provide for up to 500 nonEEA workers to work legally in Ireland’s fishing industry, in place very early in the New Year,” he confirmed.

Ged Nash, Minister of State for Business and Employment said the scheme should address the problem of illegal migrant workers and the potential for abuse of these workers: “What is key now is the enforcement and inspection element. I am chairing a group to agree a Memorandum of Understanding to provide for effective enforcement across all relevant State Agencies.”

Industry reaction Francis O’Donnell, CEO of the Irish Fish Producers Organsation told Inshore Ireland they were waiting further information from government,

in particular a template for non-EEA contracts: “All in all I am happy to see this issue progressing towards a satisfactory conclusion.

Minister Coveney and Minister Nash have delivered on the recommendations of the task force in a very short time frame.

This has given us confidence and more importantly those non-EEA workers affected by the proposed scheme.

“The IFPO was unequivocal from the outset and fully supported a mechanism to deal with this issue and in particular to root out any rouge elements that may have been mistreating individuals.

“We were all committed to finding solutions and in particular to regularising the situation to give protection to both employee and employer alike.”

Key recommendations

»» A typical worker permission scheme specific to nonEEA workers. During the first three months after commencement, permissions will be limited to those nonEEA workers already operating in Ireland »» Employers (who must be licensed vessel owners) will be responsible for ensuring that a valid contract of employment, certified by a solicitor and drafted in accordance with national and EU employment rights legislation, is in place for all workers. Employees will be guaranteed, as a minimum, the natiional minimum wage; will be repatriated at the conclusion of a contract where no new contract is in place, and will be provided with adequate health care coverage for the duration of the contract »» Establishment of a pre-clearance system, including a depository of contracts to monitor overall numbers, capped at 500 »» Establishment of an MoU before commencement of the scheme

EUROPEAN UNION This project is part-financed by the European Union

No good fisherman plans to end up in the water.

Wearing the new GPS-enabled PFD (Personal Flotation Device) lifejacket means you can be found - and found alive – the day things don’t go to plan.

And if the worst happens, and you don’t make it, it means you can still be reunited with your family for a last goodbye.

6

inshore ireland Winter 2016

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.

Mega fish-farm application withdrawal could herald new era for wild salmon

Noel Carr, FISSTA

A

s our politicians lay out their stalls for General Election of 2016, we must welcome the December 21 BIM press announcement that it was withdrawing the application for a 15,000 tonnes open-sea system of over seventy-five net cages.

As FISSTA was the first to mobilise opposition to the plan in 2011, we take comfort from our ability to conduct another successful campaign, against the odds.

Success has many fathers but we are satisfied the body of opposition built up from the Galway Bay Against Salmon Cages marches of 2013,

coupled with the legal notice served on Government last April ‘to immediately cease all considerations and actions to aprove the Galway Bay application’ was the final straw of objection that prompted the rethink.

By then, BIM’s application had become politically toxic in every sense of the word. The application was not making any progress due to weekly public outrage and had become an embarrassment internationally as we and our NGO colleagues raised it repeatedly at NASCO and EU meetings.

Moreover, it had become an impediment to BIM and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, over potential new licences such as Shot Head against which we have also lodged an objection.

Battle won; war continues

While national headlines such as ‘Campaigners say BIM may submit smaller scale fish farm application for Galway Bay’ summed up our feelings that a small battle had been won, but that the war on wild salmon continues, as government policy plans a production level of

Artist impression of salmon cage at sea level and under water

43,000 tonnes by 2023, as published in the National Seafood Strategy last June.

Of the ten licences chosen for the 15,000 salmon farms, Galway Bay had to be the first application, due to the proximity of underground fresh water supplies that no other location could provide.

The new limits were cited to convince us, the general public, that the ambitions of Minister Coveney and BIM were now moderated, and they would be applying for smaller salmon farming licences in future. But we remain on guard as a licence can now be approved for what is termed ‘standing stock/biomass’ or annual production.

(A standing stock/biomass licence means that the total fish weight - referred to as standing stock or biomass - is limited to a set figure and is a very different way of limiting a licence.)

Sadly, this does not mean that future salmon farms are going to be smaller. In many cases it may actually result in larger farms. For example, a 5,000 -7,000 tonne standing stock licence could result in a final production of 15,000 tonnes at least, to the detriment of the marine environment.

The rearing process could now be manipulated to produce 3,000 tonnes of salmon every two months, which would potentially give an annual production of 18,000 tonnes.

Justified expenditure?

In reality, political effort along with considerable financial and human resources have been invested in the licence application which Minister Coveney announced in the summer of 2011. Later that year, he increased BIM’s current expenditure budget by €2m per annum, specifically for work on the ten new mega salmon farms.

This funding was taken from the capital expenditure budget which would have benefited Irish SMEs in the aquaculture industry.

The question now is: Should BIM be allowed to spend more taxpayer’s money on another application that could fail?

While the buck must stop with the top line minister and An Taoiseach, they (and BIM) can claim they were following expert scientific advice from the Marine Institute.

As the Inisturk application

is now being processed

by BIM, I expect the Marine Institute will have no significant problems with it, just as they found none (not even escapee impact) with the Shot Head licence for Bantry Bay. The same I expect will be the case for sites as outlined in the strategic plan to develop major deep-water open net cages.

If this seems overly cynical, please consider the conflict of interest that is built into Ireland’s licensing system.

Our clear objective now must be to convince a new Minister to sever the apparent conflict of interest link between the Marine Institute and the Fisheries Division of DAFM. Only then, will a new era in unfettered scientific research emerge – one that may end the squandering of State resources.

With fresh thinking from a new Minister, more productive options would be considered on their merits. Ireland could then become a world leader producing farmed fish in an environmentallyfriendly way in land-based systems rather than making the same net cage mistakes again and again.

inshore ireland Winter 2016

7

freshwater focus

Lough Corrib gives up the largest trout ever for two long-time anglers Brendan Connolly

F

ishing memories can last for years. A beautiful location; an unusual way a trout took a mayfly or catching that fish of a lifetime, can all bring back a fishing moment many years later, with a clarity as if it happened yesterday. Such moments are etched in an angler’s memory.

Upper Lough Corrib has as backdrop of overlapping bluegrey pastels of the Maamturk Mountains. It was here that two anglers set out one calm and misty September morning.

Oily ripples rolled lazily across the water surface; sounds across the lake were muffled and remote.

The outboard engine was soon switched off so as not to shatter the serene mood. The first angler took the oars and rowed the boat, trolling a lure on one rod and a cast of wetflies on the other.

After an hour or so, the mist thickened to such an extent that the anglers could no longer see the shores of the lake. They remained within metres of islands in order not to get lost. They were inside a grey sphere. The only sound was the creaking of the oars, it was a Zen-like experience.

Angry jerk Rowing in a tight circle around the point of an island, the rod with the flies suddenly whipped over with an angry jerk. The line ran off the reel. The second angler quickly took his rod and struck the trout. The line stretched away from the boat, cutting the surface some distance away in the mistcovered waters.

Corrib trout are strong for their size and it took some time before a fine trout of about 1.5lb was lifted into the boat. Trolling was resumed in hushed surroundings.

An hours went by, then the fly rod of the second angler arched over again. This trout was more powerful, and when the fish was eventually netted, it turned out to be a very fine trout of 2.5lb.

At this point the second angler took over the oars. He also changed his flyrod for a trolling rod and put on a Rapalla plugbait.

The mist then started to lift and they ventured further away from the islands.

Suddenly, one rod swept back as if the bait had caught in the bottom. The slip on the reel zipped as the line ran out. Once again it was the rod belonging to the second angler.

The first angler grabbed the rod as the second was on the oars. He then noticed that the line did not stay in the same spot but was moving across the back of the boat to the other side. He announced that his rod was not stuck in the bottom but that he had a fish on the line and immediately offered the rod to its owner.

The second angler refused to take the rod, saying he wanted to take photographs, which he preceded to do.The first angler continued to play his friend’s fish, which was now steadily cruising off one side of the boat and overtaking it.

Both anglers realised that this was a large fish, but was it a pike or a trout?

The fish was now ahead of the boat, pulling away, so the first angler tightened the slip a little and immediately the fish jumped clear of the water. A deep golden side glistened in the sun before it plunged back with an impressive splash. It was a very big trout.

Battle of nerves Both anglers’ jaws dropped when they saw how big it was. The first angler quickly lossened the slip, and again offered the rod to its owner. Not only did he decline to take it, but also informing his friend that the leader between the main line and the plugbait was only 4lb braking strain.

Hearing this piece of information, the first angler handled the rod even more delicately. Braking strain of 4lbs is a very light line for a trout of this size. He wished that his friend would take his rod as well as the responsibility of playing such a large and unique trout…

Fishing the shore of an Upper Corrib island

The fish stayed far from the boat, swimming around in large circles. The anglers stepped around each other as the fish circled the boat. This battle of nerves lasted a full half hour without the trout coming any closer to the boat.

Then the first angler sensed a slackening of the tension and slowly but surely started to draw

the fish closer. Slowly the fish came into to view. It truly was a trout of a life time!

It took another 10 minutes before the trout could safely be guided to the surface and into the landing net. This was a moment both angler will never forget.

It was a 7.5lb brown trout - a magnificent fish, and the biggest trout either angler had ever caught.

But, which anglers could claim the trout? The first angler played the fish on the rod of the second angler. They decided they had both caught the fish but that the second angler ‘owned’ the trout because it was caught on his rod.

It mattered little as this was definitely one of those fishing experiences that neither angler would ever forget.

Lough Corrib is famous for producing large trout.

Appointments to Inland Fisheries Board J oe McHugh, Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, has appointed Patrick Gibbons to the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland for a five-year term. Mr Gibbons is a commercial lawyer with experience on the board of a life and

pensions insurer and is chairman of its audit committee. He is also a member of the board of the National Treatment Purchase Fund.

“Mr Gibbons brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the board, particularly in the areas of legal, regulator, corporate governance and commercial

affairs. I wish him well in his role as a board member,” Minister McHugh remarked.

Sean Coady was also appointed, as a ‘worker representative’, fora five years. Two further vacant positions exist on the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland which are currently being filled through the Public Appointments Service (PAS).

IFI board members January 2016 Member

Date Appointed

Expiry Date

Term of Office

Fintan Gorman (Chairperson)

10 September 2013

9 September 2018

5 Years

Peter John Nally

10 September 2013

9 September 2018

5 Years

Martin McEnroe

25 February 2014

24 February 2019

5 Years

Niall Greene

1 July 2014

30 June 2019

5 Years

Dr Frances Lucy

24 March 2015

23 March 2020

5 Years

Sean Coady

17 November 2015

16 November 2020

5 Years

Patrick Gibbons

13 January 2016

12 January 2021

5 Years

Ciaran Byrne (Chief Executive) Ex-officio member of the Board

1 July 2010

Ex officio

8

inshore ireland Winter 2016

Flooding Crisis

Environmental legislation is not to blame for latest flooding disaster

I

n the aftermath of widespread flooding throughout many parts of Ireland in late December when a month’s average rainfall fell in matter of hours, the European Commission has responded to accusations that habitat directives are partly to blame.

‘Any suggestion that EU environmental rules are somehow to blame…..is completely without foundation’. EU law does not ban dredging. The Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Floods Directive do not include detailed rules on how Member States manage their water courses. That is decided by the Member States themselves. The Irish Government does not need to notify the European Commission about plans to dredge rivers as there is no such obligation in EU legislation. EU Nature Directives (Birds and Habitats) do not prevent measures being taken to protect lives and property. In particular they provide for situations of ‘over-riding public interest’ to permit activities that might damage a Natura 2000 site but which are necessary for human welfare. The Directives do however require an assessment of the options available before a conclusion is reached that such damage is unavoidable. Dredging is not always the solution for flooding. It may help to sort out a local problem but it may also transport the problem downstream, sometimes from rural to urban areas where the damage on properties and economic activities can be much higher. Therefore the basin-wide approach included in EU policies is essential to find effective and long-term solutions. compiled by Gillian Mills & Gery Flynn

EU funds

The EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) was established to respond to major natural disasters and to express European solidarity to disasterstricken regions in Europe. The conditions for compensation are set in the EUSF regulation.

As well as the EUSF, many of the programmes co-financed by the European Structural and Investment Funds for 20142020 aim to invest in flood

prevention and to mitigate against the impact of climate change. In 2014-2020, Ireland will receive almost €705m for investments in climate change adaptation and risk prevention.

EU legislation:

EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) (WFD) promotes sustainable management of water courses with the aim of reconciling environmental protection with human uses, including flood protection and by providing drinking water and clean water for industry, agriculture, etc. The WFD’s general objective is to achieve

good ecological status in water bodies but provides for exceptions such as flood protection. It is up to Member States to apply such exceptions according to the conditions provided in the Directive.

The Floods Directive (2007/60/EC) aims to reduce adverse consequences from significant flooding and foresees managing flood risk through measures for prevention, preparedness and protection.

The directive is a stand-alone.

Implementation needs to be coordinated with the WFD and other related policies.

Nature Directives:

Birds Directive 2009/147/ EC and the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC are the principal EU legal instruments for the conservation and sustainable management of nature These Directives do not prevent measures being taken to protect lives and property.

In particular they provide for situations of ‘over-riding public interest’ to permit activities that might damage a Natura 2000 site but which are necessary for human welfare. The Directives do however require an assessment of the options available before a conclusion is reached that

such damage is unavoidable, as well as a consideration of any compensatory measures that will be taken.

The Directives also permit derogation from species protection measures ‘in the interests of public safety’ and for other reasons including socio-economic ones – again, provided no satisfactory alternative is available.

Therefore, EU environmental legislation does not prevent taking action to address the problems of flooding but rather provides a framework to help ensure the environmental sustainability of any such measures.

The economics of flooding - why do floods affect so many people?

Tom McDermott, UCC

R

ecent events have demonstrated again the cost and misery associated with exposure to flooding. At the same time, a growing awareness of rising sea levels and climate change is adding to the challenge for policy-makers in relation to managing flood risk.

A recent study on the effects of flooding in cities worldwide shows that low elevation urban areas concentrate a greater density of economic activity, in spite of their much greater exposure to flooding.

Furthermore, in the aftermath of large urban floods, economic activity tends to return to flood-prone low

lying areas, rather than relocating to safer areas.

Extreme rainfall during December resulted in widespread flooding across Ireland and the UK, affecting thousands of people. Sadly this is just one example of a major global problem.

Over the past 30 years, flooding globally has killed more than 500,000 people and has displaced more than 650 million people.

As we witnessed in recent weeks, floods cause misery and involve substantial economic costs.

UK estimates are already running to billions of pounds, while in Ireland the final costs will likely be in the tens if not hundreds of millions of euros.

Relocation In a new study published by the Centre for Economic Performance at the London School of Economics, my co-authors and I examine why so many people are hit by floods year after year. In particular, we ask whether urban populations respond to large-scale floods by moving to safer areas.

We study the effects of more than 50 large floods that displaced at least 100,000 people each and affected over 1,800 cities in

40 countries worldwide from 2003 to 2008.

We find, not surprisingly, that low-lying urban areas are hit much more often by large floods – some three to four times more often than other parts of cities. We also find that these areas concentrate a higher density of economic activity.

Also, when cities are hit by large floods, these vulnerable low-lying areas sustain more damage; but like the rest of the flooded cities, they recover rapidly and economic activity does not appear to move to safer locations.

So why do so many people live in flood prone areas?

And when these places are hit by devastating floods, why do people not move to safer locations?

Part of the problem is historical: many towns and cities were built near rivers and coastlines in order to benefit from the trading advantages of being near waterways. With modern efficient land and air transportation, some of these historical benefits are less important today.

Once established however, cities don’t tend to move, while rising sea levels and a changing climate are putting more of these cities’

residents at risk of flooding.

Developer responsibility But history is not the only reason why flood-prone locations are overpopulated; there is also a more modern problem. Since the responsibility for building and maintaining flood defences and compensating flood victims often falls to government, private developers can build on cheap flood-prone land without taking full account of the cost of their actions.

As a result, too many homes are built in areas that are prone to flooding. Once built, people will move in especially in a market where so many are struggling to afford a place to live - and the population exposed to flooding will continue to grow.

Solutions are neither cheap nor politically easy.

More investment in flood defence is clearly required, particularly to protect densely populated areas.

But flood defences are expensive, and may not be suitable in every case.

The best response would be to limit our exposure to flooding in the first place. In some places, where there is a risk of repeated flooding, relocation may be the least costly option in the long run.

Understandably people are reluctant to abandon their homes once they have invested time and money in a location. Essentially, once development of a flood plain is allowed, the risk is locked in for the long term.

This pattern of long-term exposure, along with the fact that much of the cost of flooding tends to fall on governments, puts further emphasis on the need for tighter restrictions on the development of flood prone areas, in order to avoid everincreasing exposure and spiralling costs of flooding.

The full research paper is available at: http://cep.lse. ac.uk/_new/publications/ abstract.asp?index=4873

Dr Tom McDermott is a lecturer at the School of Economics and a Principal Investigator at the Environmental Research Institute, UCC. He is also a visiting fellow at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics. He is co-editor of a forthcoming book on The Economics of Climate Resilient Development to be published by Edward Elgar in 2016.

inshore ireland Winter 2016

9

flooding crisis

Flooding in Craughwell, Co Galway

picture: courtesy of John Conaghan

Working with nature to solve the flooding problem Janice Fuller Consultant Ecologist

A

s soon as the country was hit with the latest flooding crisis, the blame game started.

The usual suspects were cited: ‘the government’ for lack of action since the last major floods and ‘the planners’ for poor planning decisions (i.e. the councillors in many cases). Lip service is also given to climate change as the reason for the unprecedented weather events.

Increasingly, there is a perception that wildlife is prioritised over people in the management of flooding and that nature conservation legislation is partly to blame for the lack of action regarding flood control.

According to John Comer, President of the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), “Farmers believe that birds, frogs and fish are getting priority over humans and human suffering.”

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is the lead agency for flood risk management in Ireland; however there is a plethora of other organisations with some responsibility for water and watery issues (National Parks and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Waterways Ireland, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Local Authorities, Electricity Supply Board). The lack of a single authority to deal with water is also blamed for the abundance of red tape and confusion underpinning a lack of co-ordinated action.

Flooding is a part of nature and is a natural phenomenon.

Draining wetlands; building

in flood plains; deforestation; agricultural intensification; interfering with the natural course of rivers and streams, and climate change, have intensified the impact of flooding with devastating effects for the communities.

Flood plains are flat plains along the course of rivers or streams that are naturally subject to flooding and therefore extensive building in these locations - as is the case in many parts of Ireland - is bound to lead to problems.

Vegetation, especially woodland, intercepts rainfall, and the loss of woodland, hedgerows and in particular wetlands on the landscape, as well as poor management of riparian vegetation, has led to greater run-off of water into streams and rivers.

We lost most of our native woodland resource long ago but continue to drain, infill and build on wetlands with little regard for their function on the landscape as natural sponges. Planting of native woodland is on the increase but much more is needed.

Global climate change is undoubtedly having an impact on Ireland’s weather patterns. The current flooding crisis came at the end of the warmest year globally on record. A very strong El Niño on top of ongoing climate change hit Ireland with six storms resulting in an entire winter’s worth of rainfall falling during December alone.

Past approaches to flood management have been piecemeal and reactive.

The focus to date has been on land drainage schemes (mainly for agricultural improvement) and ‘hard engineering’ solutions, such as flood walls, embankments, channels, drains etc.

Many local politicians, farm

organisations and flood-affected businesses and communities are calling for further land drainage and flood control measures with the apparent aim of finding the fastest method of getting water through the country’s rivers and out to sea.

In many cases however, slowing the water down - especially in the upper catchment - would do more to mitigate the impacts of flooding as high rainfall events would be less likely to overwhelm natural or man-made defences.

There will always be a need for the traditional flood control measures but a more sustainable and cost-effective approach is long overdue in Ireland and urgently required.

Sustainable flood management is achieved by a catchment-based approach that aims to protect existing natural defences such as wetlands and woodlands (that hold water and release it slowly), and promotes ‘soft engineering’ solutions (e.g. restoring and creating wetlands, planting trees, reconnecting rivers with their floodplains, restricting development in flood plains).

The aim is to restore a river’s natural capacity to cope with floods via its wetlands, floodplain and riparian woodland. Traditional flood control measures will still be required where they are the only option, as in many urban centres.

In addition, innovative techniques can be utilised to hold water upstream and release it slowly, by creating water storage areas and using porous dams to release water slowly, for example.

Hard engineering solutions focus solely on the symptoms of flooding and not on the cause. The symptoms are felt downstream in towns and villages, but the actual causes

usually begin upstream.

The current Irish National Flood Policy (http://www. cfram.ie/national-floodpolicy/) strongly emphasises catchment-wide flood risk assessment and management (CFRAM); however development of CFRAM plans still appear to be at an early stage. Soft engineering solutions are mentioned as an option in the Policy but there is little evidence that this approach has been adopted to date.

The policy states: ‘The contribution of wetland eco-systems to flood attenuation needs to be formally recognised, but there has been no action to capitalise on this natural resource. The OPW has produced flood maps as part of the Policy but there doesn’t appear to be any assessment of natural flood defences.

A national survey of wetlands should be conducted to assess the extent and condition of this resource and to determine the potential for restoration and enhanced flood mitigation. It is impossible to completely control flooding but it is possible to mitigate the impacts if we adopt a sustainable approach to flood management based on the whole river catchment, and employ flood control and mitigation measures including

soft engineering techniques as well as the traditional solutions.

This approach is likely to be more cost effective with additional benefits for biodiversity and the environment.

If we accept that soft engineering solutions, which recognise the value of wetlands and riparian woodlands, are part of the way forward in flood management, a multidisciplinary approach is essential i.e. engineers, hydrogeologists, hydrologists, ecologists and planners working together.

In addition, a mechanism that allows all the relevant state agencies and organisations to work together and develop a common policy framework in relation to flood risk management and the protection of water quality, biodiversity and the environment is urgently required to avoid contradictory policies, confusion and delays.

Finally, we have to accept that there are unlikely to be any solutions that will completely cope with extreme weather events and there will always be flooding to some extent. In the current era of climate change we need more than ever to work with nature rather than against it.

10 inshore ireland Winter 2016

Flooding Crisis

Friends of the Earth respond to flooding

Cara Augustenborg

Chairperson, FoE Ireland

R

ecent flooding across the country has put climate change at the front of many people’s minds. Record-breaking rainfall demonstrates how our warming climate is intensifying the water cycle and putting us at greater risk of storms and floods.

Risk of extreme storms on the west coast of Ireland is now up 25% due to climate change, and the OPW says up to 70,000 properties could be at risk of flooding from increased rainfall and sea-level rise as a result of climate change.

Adaptation is the only response for the impacts that will occur over the next several decades before climate mitigation measures and greenhouse gas reductions can have an effect. Flooding is an urgent climate impact we must address immediately.

Many suggestions have been made to prevent future flooding, most of which advocate a ‘hard engineering’ approach such as flood defence walls, dredging and channelling rivers. Previous experience in other countries however demonstrates that these costly measures only serve to speed up the water, and may even worsen

flooding downstream while damaging ecology, tourism and recreation in the process.

Readers may be familiar with the concrete-lined rivers of Los Angeles made famous by car chase scenes in movies such as Terminator II and Grease. In response to a series of catastrophic floods in the 1930s, the US Army Corps of Engineers dredged the Los Angeles River’s channel and encased 80% of its banks in concrete to fix its path and move the vast quantities of water arising in the rainy season out to the sea as fast as possible.

Some refer to this as the river’s ‘straight jacket’ because these engineering works caused more problems than they solved, ruining aesthetics and ecology along the river and creating a dangerous environment and many accidental deaths when water travelled up to 72km per hour in peak flow.

Having learned a hard lesson, the City of Los Angeles has been working to remove these concrete channels since the 1990s and to restore the river back to a living landscape.

Contrast this experience with those of Pickering in Yorkshire and the Pontbren project in Wales where ‘soft engineering’ was used to slow down upstream instead. As a flooding blackspot in the UK the residents were told the only solution was costly dredging and aesthetically unpleasing river channelling that would damage their tourism industry. They opted instead to spend one tenth of the money by constructing so-called ‘leaky dams’ out of logs and hay bales, and bund walls to store floodwater.

They were one of the few

areas spared from flooding in the UK this year.

In the Pontbren project, farmers planted mixed native trees in their uplands and reinstated hedgerows and ponds to allow water to flow into the soil instead of rushing downstream, demonstrating the potential to reduce flooding by 29% if all farmers in the catchment adopted such practices.

Such ‘soft engineering’ features improve the ecology and recreational use of the river, and demonstrate the cost-effectiveness and ‘win-win’ opportunities of working with nature instead of against it.

Residents along river banks here are calling out for dredging and channelling to clear the blockages and speed the flow of water to the sea, but such measures will only put those living downstream at greater risk and damage our rivers’ ecology and aesthetics with knock-on effects to tourism, recreation and fisheries. As rainfall intensity is predicted to increase, hard flood defences would have to be continually raised at great cost to cope with ‘new normals’.

A softer, cheaper, and more immediate approach is required - one in which flooding is addressed on a catchment-wide scale, and farmers upstream are paid to be our first flood defenders, slowing water down and allowing it time to percolate into our soils.

While we cannot stop the rain from falling, we can address how our landscape copes with that rainfall, but we must do so in a holistic manner that works with our natural landscape rather than against it.

Dr Cara Augustenborg is Chairperson of Friends of the Earth Ireland and an environmental scientist lecturing in climate change at University College Dublin.

Web: www.CaraAugustenborg.com | Twitter: @CAugustenborg

Los Angeles River

Gabriela Sosa, MOLA Productions

inshore ireland Winter 2016 11

flooding crisis

Environmental Pillar publishes twenty flood alleviating measures A

s communities continue to deal with the aftermath of this winter’s devastating floods, the Environmental Pillar is calling for “immediate measures” to be taken to protect communities.

Key to the proposals ‘soft measures’, such as developing wetlands, native forestry and rewetting bogs to slow down water in river catchments.

The EP also proposes ending “poor planning” by making public representatives and

officials “take responsibility for their decisions; develop river catchment agencies and adopt long-term plans that account for the impact of climate change”.

The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) programme currently being carried out by the OPW “is a positive development.

We look forward to the implementation of its recommendations in a way that benefits and protects communities and their natural

environment,” remarked Donna Mullen.

“Six years ago we released a policy document almost identical to the one we are now releasing. In the intervening time, few if any of our recommendations were acted upon. It is galling to see the human cost of this inaction.

“Examples in other countries show us that using soft measures - such as native woodlands, hedgerows, wetlands and

bogs to slow down water in areas away from homes - can be an effective and relatively cheap way of dealing with flooding in rural areas.

She acknowledges that ‘hard engineering solutions’ will be needed in towns and cities “but we must start dealing with the problem as far up the catchment as we can”.

The “disjointed approach” to development in catchment areas is a major contributing factor, she added. “We need

to stop this kind of decisionmaking - and when poor decisions happen, we need to highlight them.

Future-proof planning is also critical, Mullen advises: “Scientists have been telling us for years that high rainfall events in Ireland will increase because of climate change. We need to ensure plans are for the weather we will experience in 50 or 100 years, and not just at the levels we have just experienced.”

Latest flooding is a consequence of learning very little from 2009

Pat O’Brien

T

he recent apocalyptic flooding episodes that inundated large parts of the country during December 2015 and early 2016 were for those affected, a case of déjà vu - mindful of the 2009 floods.

Granted, we are all aware that flooding is a natural process that can happen at any time in many different locations.

Flooding from the sea and from rivers is probably best known; however, prolonged, intense and localised rainfall causes sewer and drain flooding; overland flow and groundwater flooding with significant impacts on human activities such as housing, transport, public service infrastructure, commercial, industrial and agricultural enterprises.

The health, social, economic and environmental impacts can be significant and cause wide community impact, evinced from the recent scenarios - notably in the Shannon catchment, which by comparison with the rest of the country, had terrible consequences in terms of loss of property and personal deprivation.

Few lessons learnt Have any lessons been learned,

let alone implemented, from the deluge of 2009 when we were assured by the then Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, that flood mitigation measures would be implemented against future events?

Some were, but not enough.

Granted, many CFRAM (Catchment Flood Risk Assessment Management) plans were drawn up, but very few were implemented in flood-prone areas.

For decades, the main problem regarding flood control in river basins has been interference with natural hydraulic patterns such drainage of wetlands, most notably within the Shannon Catchment, which has five wetlands of international importance.

Development can also exacerbate potential flood zones by accelerating and increasing surface water run-off, altering watercourses and removing floodplain storage.

Wetlands, or the lack thereof, were a significant factor in the severe flooding in the Upper Mississippi and Missouri River Basins in the summer of 1993.

Damage associated with the flooding was undoubtedly worse than would have been if floodplain wetlands had still been in place. Human modification of the original wetlands destroyed their ability to modify flooding. Flood control, however, is only one of the values that wetlands have for society.

Crucial wetlands In order to protect wetlands, the public must first recognise their value. People need to understand what is lost when a wetland is changed into an agricultural field, a car park, or a housing development.

Understanding the functions of wetlands will make it easier to evaluate wetlands when other uses are considered.

In the case of the Shannon catchment, decades of successive Irish governments have shown a lack of concern for the negative impact of large-scale drainage schemes. But of course, such schemes were aided and abetted

by Brussels and Dublin by way of subsidies, resulting in largescale farming development on reclaimed wetlands exacerbating the risk of flooding.

As a consequence of the 2009 floods, the situation regarding wetland development changed; however farmers then reacted angrily to proposed new environmental regulations that required planning permission to reclaim swampy scrubland or wetlands.

Directive breach At the time, the European Court of Justice ruled that Ireland’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening for certain agricultural development was in breach of EU directives.

The regulations also allowed the removal of field boundaries, seminatural areas and drainage and irrigation projects.

The president of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association at the time described the new regulations as “an outrageous assault on property rights and the concept of freedom to farm”.

That statement must now ring hollow in the ears of many farmers in the Shannon catchment who find themselves totally waterlogged as a result of their interference with wetlands.

The Dutch, despite most of their country being below sea level - and unlike Ireland where the vast majority of the country is

above sea level - are well capable of managing flood episodes. They have undertaken ‘de-poldering’ - lowering or removing the dikes in some areas of farmland and designating the land as a flood zone.

In other areas, retreat is being managed by protecting farm houses and acknowledging that the farm land itself will flood.

This is being done by demolishing existing farm houses, constructing giant man-made mounds (~20 acres each) and rebuilding farm houses on top of them (hopefully) higher than the flood waters would reach (~7-8m high).

One example is the Overdiepse Polder where sixteen farms have been designated as flood zones to protect the 140,000 residents of Den Bosch.

Adaptable and openminded The most important advice we can take from the Dutch experience of flood risk management is the need to be adaptable, open-minded to changing historic land-use patterns and be prepared to take radical solutions.

There is no point applying mitigation measures in one riverine locality to the detriment of another. What is needed is an integrated approach comprising a fit-for-purpose programme of mitigation measures.

Ireland has transposed into law the EUWater Famework Directive 2006 and the EU Directive on the Assessment and Management of Flood Risks 2007, but is falling far short of implementing the key requirements of those directives that relate to flood management in river basins.

It is little comfort to people affected by flooding to have ministers assuring them that

everything will be done to prevent such future catastrophic floods. And happen they will as we are now in a cycle of much more frequent extreme weather events.

There are simple, basic practices to be followed to mitigate flooding in river basin catchments, such as noninterference with wetlands and non-felling of trees on high ground to promote sheep farming.

As pointed out by Dr Tom McDermott from the School of Economics and the Environmental Research Institute at University College Cork: “We appear as a society to be overly-exposed to flood risk.

There are various reasons why developers and house builders do not take full account of flood risk when deciding where to build.”

As a small island nation replete with a network of lotic and lentic systems (lakes and rivers) this stands to reason.

Despite the severe flooding, there are still Irish local authorities and developers who are either wilfully or blissfully ignorant about allowing developments on flood plains.

This will continue unless existing flood plain regulations are enforced and complied with.

The message: interfere with natural flood plains - by way of drainage, tree and hedge clearing, or building - and you will suffer the consequences.

Pat O’Brien

is a professional environmental scientist of 40 years’ experience in industry and consultancy in Ireland, UK and internationally.

12 inshore ireland Winter 2016

fisheries

BIM urge fishermen to ‘live to tell the tale’

F

ifty-three fishermen have lost their lives at sea over the last ten years. In 2015 alone, four fatal fishing-related accidents occurred in the sector. Against such stark statistics, the seafood development agency has launched a national advertising and PR campaign: Live to Tell The Tale to encourage more fishermen to complete mandatory BIM safety survival training and to wear their personal flotation device (PFD) lifejacket at all times when at sea.

Supporting the launch, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney said it was a very effective campaign with a strong and hardhitting message: “I hope that fishing families across the country will get behind it and encourage their loved ones to wear their PFDs when they head out on their boats, to help ensure they return home

safely. The fishing industry is an integral part of our coastal communities and too many families have already suffered the loss of a family member to the sea.

“I fully support BIM’s exceptional safety training programme which not only delivers mandatory training to fishermen… but also new technology such as the compact PFD lifejacket that further increases survival rates in what is a dangerous occupation.”

According to research commissioned by BIM and undertaken by Behaviour and Attitudes, more than 36% of fishermen personally know a colleague who has been lost at sea. Despite this however, over half still do not wear a PFD at sea.

The Live to Tell the Tale campaign is looking to reverse this trend by promoting a behaviour change to motivate and encourage fishermen to participate in survival training and to wear their PFD at all times while on board a fishing vessel.

The campaign features

radio, press and outdoor advertisements designed to be thought-provoking and to make fishermen think of the consequences of not wearing a PFD lifejacket.

“This campaign is crucial to improving the survival rate of people working in the fishing industry, and to give their families peace of mind each time they take to the seas,” remarked Tara McCarthy, BIM’s chief executive.

“Fishing is an important industry, directly employing over 3,500 people. As the agency responsible for providing safety training, we are determined to make the sector as safe as possible.”

Dangerous occupation

According to national figures, fishing is approximately thirteen times more dangerous than construction and 36 times more dangerous than general employment. Fishermen have to battle bad weather and hostile sea conditions which increase the risk of accidents.

“With this in mind, vital

survival training and necessary safety equipment worn correctly by all crew at all times is paramount. I strongly urge fishermen to complete their BIM safety training and to wear their PFD every time they go to sea – if not for themselves, for their families and loved ones,” she stressed.

The PFD with an integrated Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is a Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled lifejacket available through BIM’s Safety Training programme.

“The PFD which activates in the water means fishermen can be found swiftly in the event of an accident and hopefully found alive.

Traditional life jackets don’t use this technology meaning searches at sea can last days longer than is necessary, adding to the anxiety felt by families.”

Personal experience

Wicklow fisherman David Massey was one of three crew on the fishing vessel MFV Lavicca that capsized off the Wicklow

coast on April 15, 2015.

“We headed out to sea on what was a beautiful day. Next thing I knew the stern of the boat was under.

Then I hit the water…

“My BIM PFD lifejacket went off straight away. My next thought was my son who passed away three years ago.

I wondered was this it…was I going to be reunited with him?

“Next thing I heard was the sound of a helicopter. We were saved thanks to the GPS signal on my lifejacket and on board the boat. Without this new equipment, I would quite simply not be here, and I would not have seen my wife and kids again.”

The Live to Tell the Tale campaign runs until mid-February nationwide and is supported by BIM safety training courses around the coast which are available through BIM’s National Fisheries Colleges in Greencastle, Co. Donegal; Castletownbere, Co. Cork and on board their mobile Coastal Training Units.

See www.bim.ie for full schedule.

inshore ireland Winter 2016 13

fisheries

BIM Safety at Sea Training Courses: BIM Coastal Training Unit

3 Day Safety

19-21 January Lettermore, Co Galway 26-28 January ““ 16-18 February ““ 23-25 February Kilronan, Aran Islands, Co Galway 22-24 March Carrigaholt, Co Clare

Opposite: ‘Nicolas Chopin, BIM, takes the plunge in Howth Harbour’ Top right: Tara McCarthy with Wicklow fishermen Gerald Copeland and David Massey, two of three crew on the fishing vessel ‘MFV Lavicca’ that capsized

Enhanced Safety Scheme

22nd January Lettermore, Co Galway 9th February ““ 11th February ““ 19th February ““ 15th March Carrigaholt, Co Clare

Middle right David Massey and partner Sallyann Farrelly, one of three crew on the fishing vessel ‘MFV Lavicca’ that capsized

Regional Fisheries College, Castletownbere, Co Cork 3 Day Safety

26-28 January 2-4 February 1-3 March 22-24 March

Enhanced Safety Scheme 21st January

National Fisheries College, Greencastle, Co Donegal 3 Day Safety

9-11 February 8-10 March

Enhanced Safety Scheme

4th February 15th March

53 fatalities as a result of accidents on fishing vessels from 2005-2015 Type of Craft

2005

2006

2007

2008

3 Fatalities

5 Fatalities

3 Fatalities

2 Fatalities

9 Fatalities

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2 Fatalities

2 Fatalities

4 Fatalities

4 Fatalities

5 Fatalities

1 Fatality

1 Fatality

1 Fatality

5 Fatalities

1 Fatality

2015

Fishing Vessels < 15 metres 15 - 24 metres > 24 metres Sub total

1 Fatality 3 Fatalities

7 Fatalities 12 Fatalities

4 Fatalities

5 Fatalities 1 Fatality

None

3 Fatalities

5 Fatalities

9 Fatalities

4 Fatalities

Figures referenced are from the Marine Casualty Investigation Report commissioned by the Department of Transport, Trade and Tourism.

The ‘Live to Tell the Tale’ safety information awareness campaign was funded by the Irish Government and part-financed by the European Union under the National Development Plan 2007-2013 through the Marine Environment Protection Measure.

14 inshore ireland Winter 2016

fisheries

Main function of fisheries enforcement agency in 2015 was implementing the ‘landing obligation’

O

ver 2,745 fishing vessel inspections were undertaken within the Irish EEZ during 2015, according to provisional figures released by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) - the State agency responsible for the verification and enforcement of EU and national sea-fisheries and food safety legislation.

Ten vessels were detained for infringements by the Naval Service which carries out all inspections at sea for the SFPA under a Service Level Agreement. These ranged from electronic reporting infringements (e.g. under-recording of catch) to incorrect equipment on board.

All vessels operating within the Irish EEZ are continuously monitored electronically and their declared catches are reviewed and assessed by the SFPA. All inspections are undertaken using Risk Analysis system guidelines to identify fishing activity and fishing vessels that are considered ‘high risk’ and require focussed inspections.

Detecting illegal fishing

Monitoring and inspections on landing are carried out exclusively by the SFPA. During 2015, SFPA officers

carried out 1,476 inspections while the Naval Service and Air Corp carried out 1,078 boardings and inspections at sea. These included vessels from Belgium; Denmark; the Faroe Islands; France; Germany; Lithuania; Netherlands; Norway; Russia; Spain and the UK. “Ireland’s sea-fisheries and seafood sectors together are worth an estimated €850m annually to the Irish economy, and over 11,000 people rely on them for their livelihoods. The SFPA is committed to playing its part in ensuring a strong future for the Irish fishing industry through the detection of all illegal fishing,” remarked Susan Steele, SFPA chair.

In 2015 with the support of the Irish Naval Service, the SFPA prioritised implementing the new Landing Obligation for pelagic fisheries which effectively bans the discarding of fish overboard.

“The generally low level of non-compliance reflects the genuine effort on the part of many fishermen to comply with the regulations.

The Landing Obligation extended to demersal fisheries on January 1, and we will be working to ensure that compliance is the norm for all vessels operating in our waters,” she added.

The SFPA will be prioritising efforts aimed at deterring

LÉ Niamh, an Irish Naval Service vessel, inspects fishing vessels at sea under a Service Level Agreement with the SFPA

those who won’t comply and supporting those who do.

In addition to their role within the Irish EEZ, the SFPA is chairing the North Western Waters Control Expert Group, leading on formulating recommendations to ensure compliance with the Landing Obligation for all pelagic fishers in North Western Waters.

As well as inspections on landings and at sea, the SFPA carried out over 146 inshore inspections across the south, west and north-west coasts from May to October, supported by the Naval Service and Air Corps and Inland Fisheries Ireland.

The patrols are part of conservation measures introduced by the SFPA to help protect the long-term sustainability of Ireland’s valuable crab, lobster and whelk fisheries.

The SFPA also worked closely throughout the year with the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) and the regulatory authorities of other relevant Member States to develop the annual Joint Deployment Plan (JDP) for pelagic and cod fisheries. (The JDP co-ordinates the pooled national resources across

Member States’ waters to ensure efficient monitoring, control and surveillance of vessels engaged in the fishery.)

During 2015, the SFPA also carried out Common Control Programme (CCP) inspections relating to the hake fishery with Spain, France and United Kingdom.

This included the exchange of sea-fisheries inspectors with SFPA inspectors to observe landings in Spanish ports and time onboard on Spanish patrol vessels. These exchanges are designed to enhance the SFPA’s knowledge of Member States vessel activities in the Irish EEZ. The SFPA participated in 45 inspections at sea as part of JDP and CCP patrols over the course of the year.

The SFPA also enforces the EU Common Fisheries Policy and sea-fisheries law generally, along with food safety law relating to fish and fishery products. Its mandate covers all fishing vessels operating within Ireland’s 200 mile limit; over 2,115 Irish registered fishing vessels wherever they operate, and all seafood produced in Ireland’s 170 seafood processing companies.

inshore ireland Winter 2016 15

Fisheries

Smart solutions to problems posed by seals to Irish fisheries

By Dr Peter Tyndall and Dr Ronán Cosgrove, BIM

A

BIM study entitled Seal depredation in bottom-set gill net and entangling net fisheries in Irish waters” recently published in the scientific journal Fisheries Research confirms that seals pose a major threat to the livelihoods of fishermen operating along the western and southern Irish coasts.

Damages to catches caused by seals (depredation) ranged from 59% of monkfish; 18% of pollack and 10% of hake catches over the course of 12 months of extensive on board observations on inshore and offshore vessels.

The study concluded that major increases in seal depredation and associated economic impacts on Irish fisheries since the 1990s are not unexpected, given substantial increases in the grey seal population over the same period.

Furthermore, the study suggests that effective acoustic deterrent signals deployed from vessels have major potential as a practical method to reduce depredation in deep set-net and jigging fisheries.

Study results, combined with knowledge of seal diving behaviour, suggest that seals wait until fish are close to the surface during hauling to remove fish from deep

set-nets while depredation is obviously localised in the case of jigging vessels.

Having documented, analysed and proposed candidate solutions to the seal depredation issue, BIM set about solving the problem. Scientists at the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) in Scotland recently developed a new ‘smart seal deterrent signal’ which produces a startle response rather than an aversion to a very loud noise in seals.

In contrast to more traditional seal deterrents used on fish farms, the new signal is transmitted at a sound level that is not harmful to seals even at very close distances.

In addition, the signal has been shown to have no significant impact on harbour porpoise due to differences in hearing thresholds.

The cetacean-friendly aspect of the device is desirable given the growing network of SACs for these species in Irish waters. SMRU successfully tested this new system on a fish farm on the west coast of Scotland. Seal numbers were observed to drop sharply within a distance of 250m during sound exposure but were unaffected at greater distances.

In collaboration with SMRU and Dr Michelle Cronin who heads up the marine ecology group at Marine Renewable Energy Ireland (MAREI) in Cork, BIM tested the system in jigging and gill-net fisheries off the southwest

coast in late summer 2015.

Under licence from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, four individual days of fishing trials were carried out on board the Dingle jigging vessel Genesis, targeting pollack and skippered by Paul Hand. Paul was pleasantly surprised by the absence of any depredation in spite of a number of seals clearly visible in the vicinity of the vessel.

Once the signal deployment commenced, the seals moved out to between 200m and 300m from the vessel.

When the transmission was switched off, some seals approached the vessel but gave a splash and rapidly moved outside the effective range of the speakers once the transmission recommenced.

Paul, who has seven years jigging experience, had never previously seen this type of behaviour. A similar pattern prevailed through the remaining days of the trial with no fish being taken by seals.

The day after the trials were completed and the equipment removed, normal service resumed. Paul confirmed he had 14 traces (at a cost of about €15 each) plus the fish, taken by seals. Paul is completely convinced of the effectiveness of the deterrent.

The device was also tested on board Tom Kennedy’s Atlantic Fisher (skippered by Johnny Connor) during a week’s gill-netting trip off the Kerry and Clare coastline.

During the trip, gear was

deployed in depths from 24 to 106 fathom and 18 sets of gear were hauled with each set approximately 2.4miles long.

Pollack was the main quarry in the shallower water while hake was targeted in the deeper water. Results were inconclusive with little difference observed between hauls when the acoustic signal was deployed and not deployed. However, in contrast to observations of gradually increasing levels of depredation in the previous study, we observed a gradual decline in depredation over the course of the trip to a few individual damaged fish per haul.

SMRU video footage of acoustic playback trials recorded the reaction of a captive feeding seal to the deterrent signal. A few seconds in advance of the deterrent sound being transmitted, a buzzer was sounded. After only a few

plays, the seal learned to associate the sound of the buzzer with the deterrent sound, and the buzzer produced a similar response to that of the deterrent.

Trying to explain the decrease in the quantities of depredated fish in the gill-net trial, we wonder if it’s possible that the seals are learning to associate the engine or gearbox noise with the deterrent signal?

BIM remains committed to developing solutions to the significant problems posed by seals to Irish fisheries. In 2016, we will continue to work with industry to assess and better understand the effectiveness of this ‘smart seal deterrent system’ in jigging and gillnet fisheries.

As the deterrent system is still an experimental setup, we will also work with MAREI to develop a robust market-ready device with a broad range of potential fisheries applications.

Top tips on ‘fishing for litter’ initiative from UK organisation Local industry groups in Castletownbere and Union Hall met with Tom Piper (KIMO UK) to hear about their ‘fishing for litter’ programme and what lessons could be learnt to ensure the programme gains traction in Ireland.

KIMO (Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation) proactively lobbies governments to acknowledge and take action on issues threatening the marine environment.

IM has already established the ‘BIM Fishing for Litter’ programme in three ports: Castletownbere, Union Hall and Clogherhead.

The initiative encourages fishermen to collect their litter while at sea, both on board and litter caught in nets or drifting at sea.

The response has been extremely positive, and local representatives including the respective harbour masters;

B

fishermen, community groups and Cork County Council, have been instrumental in its progress to date.

The UK programme has demonstrated that the cost of marine litter is not only borne by the marine environment but has a direct cost to the fishing industry, averaging €12,000 per boat, each year, through catch contamination, broken gear and fouled propellers. Each boat is calculated to use 41 hours –per-year removing marine debris from their nets, which is a significant amount of a boat’s allocated days at sea.

“We’re delighted to take part in this initiative which fits well with our existing marine waste collection facilities.

Through BIM and Frank Fleming of ‘Responsible Irish Fish’, we’re confident we can continue to get fishermen to sign up and take part in this worthwhile programme,” remarked Cormac McGinley, Castletownbere harbour

master.

During KIMO UK’s visit to Union Hall, retired fisherman and current BIM Board Director, Bill Deasy welcomed volunteers from the Union Hall Tidy Town/ Coast care group and Mary Stack of Cork County Council’s Environmental Awareness & Research Unit, who actively promote waste prevention and resource conservation.

Teresa Shanahan, Union Hall Coast Care, offered her support to the initiative: “By removing waste from the sea and preventing the discard of further litter, our beaches will become cleaner and safer. The impact on marine wildlife through ingestion, entanglement and contamination, will also be reduced.”

Union Hall harbour master John Minihane has designated a space in his compound where filled bags can be kept and collated, ready for safe and responsible disposal.

L to R: William Deasy, BIM Board Director; Tom Piper, KIMO UK; Catherine Barrett, BIM and Martin Deasy, Owner/Skipper Brian Eoin “Cork County Council provides a number of facilities on the pier for effective waste management for local vessels. Being the first county council-managed pier to participate in ‘Fishing for Litter’ is a pleasure. It’s a win for the marine environment and a win for those whose livelihoods depend on quality seafood,” he said.

Fishermen working out of Clogherhead , Union Hall and Castletownbere wishing to join the scheme should contact Catherine Barrett, BIM Project Officer on barrett@bim.ie or 087 2897651; Oliver Kirwan, on 086 8307331 (Clogherhead) or the harbour masters in Union Hall (028 34737) and Castletownbere (027 70220)

16 inshore ireland Winter 2016

Aquaculture News

INFOMAR data of Galway Bay »» from page 1

According to BIM, the proposed location at an exposed deep water site near Inis Oírr would have ensured a high volume of water exchange and no build-up of waste. Regarding, the more contentious issue of lice infestation, the agency said there was no evidence that salmon farming has a significantly negative impact on wild salmon and trout.

The agency also highlighted the effectiveness of the National Sea-lice Monitoring Programme and the European Commission’s confirmation that Ireland’s sea lice control system was the ‘safest in the world’.

“We were also committed to applying additional standards to our licence application for the Inis Oírr project that would exceed existing environmental and safety regulations,” a BIM spokesman told Inshore Ireland shortly after the proposal was announced.

Decision welcomed

Welcoming BIM’s decision, IFA Aquaculture Executive Richie Flynn told Inshore Ireland the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development was “the

right platform to launch a new era of development for the aquaculture sector.

“The scene is now set to make serious progress on the outstanding licence renewals and applications being sought by commercial companies with over 30 years’ experience in the business”.

He said Ireland’s aquaculture industry “looked forward” to implementing the new strategy and to regaining its position as a world leader in quality farmed organic salmon which, he said, was in demand worldwide.

“With that focus comes the prospect of more secure jobs in the farming, processing and service sectors - right up the west coast in areas crying out for direct investment and employment.”

Nevertheless, the BIM decision will be seen by some in the aquaculture sector as a set back for the already ailing fin fish farming sector where annual production flat-lined some years ago and has been on virtual life - support for some time - mainly as a result of tough, but necessary, EU environmental directives.

“This outcome is the result of people power as seen in our successful protest marches all around the country. Right from the start we recognised

that BIM’s plan for Inis Oírr was unsustainable, and that momentum created widespread national and international controversy,” Noel Carr contends.

FISSTA’s notice last May that it planned to take legal action against the government and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to prevent it issuing a licence “also put pressure on Minister Coveney to review this ill thought out plan.

“BIM’s announcement ends the long wait for the

Salmon cages

Attorney General’s response to FISSTA, and we’re delighted that our national campaign which saw thousands of anglers and supporters of the wild salmon on the streets of Galway, in Castlebar at the Taoiseach’s office, and in Carrigaline at Minister Coveney’s office,” he said.

Carr said his organisation would continue its campaign against the government’s open net sea cage salmon farming policy.

“While no war has been won as yet, FISSTA acknowledges

this is the first of many battles to come. Minister Coveney granted a licence for Bantry Bay in October to which we have also lodged an objection.

“So now we’re calling on him to further review such damaging and polluting cages.

We want him to bring salmon farming on shore where it can be properly monitored and managed under the current and more stringent EU Waste Management Directives.”

Inshore Ireland invited DAFM to comment but none was received.

Anchor publication for the marine, maritime, seafood and freshwater sectors

15% DISCOUNT ON ALL ADVERTS (PRINT AND WEB) UNTIL FEBRUARY 27TH 20%

EARLY BIRD OFFER UNTIL FEBRUARY 13TH

1SUBSCRIPTION YEAR +UNTIL 1 FREE YEAR FEBRUARY 27TH

osE o ch orE h Ins AnD l IrE

InDustry lEADIng InDEpEnDEnt publIcAtIon InshorE IrElAnD proVIDEs:

IMPARTIAL NEWS & ANALYSIS ACROSS ALL MARINE SECTORS INCLUDING MARITIME, SEAFOOD & FRESHWATER SECTORS AVAILABLE IN PRINT PUBLICATION OR ONLINE AT INSHORE-IRELAND.COM DISTRIBUTED TO ALL COASTAL COUNTIES ISLAND WIDE COMPETITIVELY PRICED AND DEDICATED TO PROVIDING THE BEST COVERAGE IN THE MARKET

www.inshore-ireland.com 12

€1.90/£1.50 Bi-Monthly

insh

ore

FisheR

irel

ies

and

dece

r 2015

The Marine & Freshwater Environment Publication

Flooding

mbe

/Janu

“Live to tell the tale” - BIM Sea

Winter 2016 Vol 12 Issue 1

ONLINE EDITION

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

ary 2016

23

on Crisis Safety campaign ucati Sinn e ed pages 8-11 pages 12-13 maRin Ombu to lo Féin call inel Repo dsman us… bby y sent ’s s ask HER! gove s for fish lin Ba ‘Battle won but war continues’ rt adds an‘analysi ET alway F rnme e r Dub othe s and ople TE TOG r laye ay fo findi pe nt an rmen to hd co … mmentgo r of co ngs’ on UCA T e u ite n birt d against open net salmon farming nfus re w om ED newsEu ropeGolnde ion erSU BAWwe’re fr ywMhe S Ev are… ary 2016

P

e advich cuts 16 tific tc Scienoses ca ks in 20 prop ss 28 stoc acro

B

t

F

for Li

tter’

initia

tive

itute e Inst a

Marin Foras

na Mar

ce Resour te Shared hroinn an - A nn Com Our Oce - Acmhai igéan Ár n-A

ww

e.ie w.marin

ore

licence application because the new strategy reviews the production capacity of individual farms. But the real reason is because of the strength of public objections emanating from our public awareness events,” Noel Carr, FISSTA’s secretary told Inshore Ireland.

Regulation Rules

Under current legislation, a fish farm licence application cannot be altered during the planning process, and the Galway Bay project would not have qualified for grant aid from the European Maritime Fisheries Fund because its

irel

y Flyn

and

dece

and

irel

dece

mbe

n

r 2015

/Janu

refere by an nced in a forma group Irish enviro l comp of sea on the potennmental laint stock lice on wild tial impa invests. The so-ca salmon ct lasted igation of lled EU

he Omb has ruledudsm an Depa that Com rtment of the Ener mun Reso gy and Natu icati justi urces (DCE ral ons, Irelan fied in refus NR) was

reason of the s, it considers the “fullreport which that the version it and

ary 2016

3

y theor beam , multi ples room

report ed exam how final” holds is class were five years this comp Pilot ten-yd acce disagreed on the production capacity was ss undeingpublicly porat the wild; use Inshor made and no laint as the Depar sought by the version of not incor s s in A decad again fund ear-old repo r FOI e ‘final findin up with pulse whale the Omb ed by impact art,salmon more than double the revisedCom version tment further applicant. the repor to farmit of of sonar came appea e since st Ireland. gs short were ins and part- a the pdf udsman t’. Neve miss thesize they which of the report stated that The ter and dolph ocation and cterise have rs no one it published, cap in the new strategy. ion. Eurowas In Dece this peanlikely to succe the Depar this is r which copy of finds thatrtheless, Quar about howdifferences of theeded in obtai has echol d to chara the MBES it mber DCE tment the only version ideas d and the like tion unde from was conve SUMBAW Final on local First put forward in NR refuse 2014, salmonids. repor holds.” using INSH ning of soun FOI reque S ts, much ion to ation forme wave forma t from SUMBAW a copy 2009 DCENR yed via email d Inshorthe by the Marine RespORE IRELA in Irelan navig objec m, in addit Research November 2012, the Galway repor – three to DAFM of officia st for e Irelan ond in sand tion, EU Com piles the l sourcS d; years A letter it are ed: ND syste d’s unica Depar t on theInstitute after in July basis SUMindicates the sea.built small r’s edge missio advis those reque es that Bay project has had a stormy it - is from Com Univeliceed that BAWS for comm location.pilot provid tment is not not the n had the a the Europ “We on the wateday, and rsity of to conta sting e the in a positio‘the The accep Irelan mission, seen final s mortality Europ in wild passage with BIM regularly of the to develop and food Follow reportinduced find we stone start of our ean UnioSt Andr ct the that thisOmbudsm version. ted reques n to (projed, to Dr Neil by Inshorean The aim e was the children us to ter the DCEing ansalmon versio an finds less than having to defend its proposal n for ews or the amm at the Vera told of our trip, subm internted’. is tiny - atpub Europ ct co-ordinat Hazon e ps Quar n a copy. progr curiosity in about our s

by Inshor NR decisi itted al review lic Fun when at the end how far up and states to the had not been 5 May ean Com or) from ats, Bisho the overall marine against a well-coordinated e Irelan 1%onof lled. keen to learn nt. It seem SUM that depar of missio 2006 the them n’t believe had trave d Workp d – an – requested that “a Commissio BAW ding the repor ore habit a worki st to inform n dated origin to wante environme tmen mortality ackage S, which officia rate. IFI subseq however opposition comprising anglers n tricke they from intere could t ng t al s Inshor 8 00730 affirm (ref l had over €2.3mbudg ring seash that ‘the decision marin is a huge ing both at no: him that e Irelan was comple uent ed the ofand said et of had the versio the beach ht she exercise Explo and final– SUMBAWQ5RS-200 on disagreed and environmentalists thewho d believ ted”. payerthe scale just there this learn teachers record Department the basis great tides!” s more cost the EU n of SUM provi We thoug er es that repor S – Third 2accept Itthe does not t was a furth involv nts andte together.rers than ts) ed location offrom farm feared it would damageThro the sought by theand Mari ded under us, it rstanding €1.5m tax ed The by the Comm“have been ne Instit FOI BAWS repor ughout 2015, el, a paren applic hold the stude Educa t ‘Explo e’ Irelan participant . pdf versio Rach ant’. in unde by the lgan the erlan extinction states Commissio ission service local marine environment ute d, Scotla s copy ted its effort would rked Inshor lead to Neth Kilco d on a recenprogramm five DCE n that is the same of the rema ng out. s”. e Irelan comple : “The final n letter ds and nd, Base education Institute les of The population the wild salmon and be the source of parasitic passe nlan SUM s toofobtai e 2009. NR and DAFM e helpi took sampof litter on e na d quality te and is of report further d betwe BAW analy Ombudsm Norway. a Qui elus That marin the Marin that many S repor sis states wher We en be exam Ver thet .destruction of :anan’s lice that would ultimately in versio is excelle. The structuhigh scienti is very ive Repo and July MAR ssed it ‘The Depar ent types ls run by apparent Two fic n, which ined re nt….T Irelan discu of , differ INFO project earlie and schoo a the report on it receivesector tment IFA Aqua r requeRt angling/tourism decimate local migrating he it was primary and howand have ing referr d website, the Inshor may ng rain–yearthe beach knowl has generatedSUMBAW report d a version stated that, from als sts by is the cultur the trout. a ed to pouri e other ers alsost. Creat S FOI mech consid the interestimated toThe be from worth of the SUMin 2009 aquacuedge on the interac wild salmon and sea very one t was eight, 12 6th e - throu and excha it came both anim “It was ” erable failed intere science and ty ts nt. and teach version Inland Fisher lture and gh 5th and as they It bears departmen nged icant affec twen fish, regard tion betweenew onme held a crab! unear anism – also of more than Depar €140m a the year.

Two state agencies –tothe ies IrelanBAWS A furthe wild salmon from in ng the signif of marine of the e envir 5.

I tment report the th numb tal ing n Norwa the olds singi SUM d. email is a report holds same r attem which Aqua Inland n aged are nt day; a love rstanding d’s marin is y, Scotla sea lice infecti id Marine Institute unde and to in er as the versioidentificatis. cultur pt by BAWS. we congra brilliaimed Roha class way downre. prepar indicates that the comple nd on an unde e Irelan onment ghmo letter. the EU Com n referr on r the e to secur IFA ed their Prof Todd tulate Dr and Ireland….in excla rtanc SUM tion of Workp Fisheries IrelandInfor - also »ed follow page 16[it] ing the e the & impo missio ed slosh of Mulla trip we and envirval.

Hazon BAW Work This matio Public of the S project ackage 7 of the by the report had not,. This version to the Department, when receive Europ been submi d ean Comm Furthe SUM rmore, accord ission. tted ing to websit BAWS and both 8 of thees, a subseq EU CORD the Depar project wasuent Workp IS ackage tment stated completed. that for The these

we who

i

the excelle and the and packa version conta n’s nt quality consortium ge And it We ins for is the 8. the Mari suitab will consider of their work. versio the final to defen ne Instit n that Dissemle for publication report taken d the Pilotute used as funded inating the again results it stands…. st IrelanCase Why You are research project of Comm the Mariwould DCE d. contin therefore encours is essenti unity al. outda ne Instit NR provi aged of thisue to dissem ted and ute with inate the to de of SUM while project as widely results BAW incomplete an such Comm acknowledging as possib S to an versio unity n Why important defend In May research support of le, it does is DCENR case?

2006, programme.”the accep ted by SUM and finalnot have claiming the EU BAWS versio this full SUM was Com n BAW missio S reporof the n t?

ent

‘Fishi ng

/Janu

r 2015

mbe

ore

insh

insh

Ger

comm

also . Kish ntal onme m (AIS) isher Syste ds live envir and ary 2016 stake men and speed erature; /Janu recor r 2015 d, and gath holders data (wind sea temp ure), mbe ered our resou press nn and beyon ed its dece Co WateDungarva in direction; rce so Éirea and stock Britains have watchguide them dity and n, rford irel inter that both humi ble to Met is have s and the fishin , for ore natio other ming flash in Bay. nt. a conferen our , and an on AIS, availa insh nal fishe veme welco into Dubl Lighthouse “Fish sustainable g indus 2 e achieconcrete are reluc

by Liad ce orga ries forecasters d to users rkabl net. custo ermen are future. try safely Kish Lish a suite of tant to caree Inter MEP h Ní Riadnised a rema reinforced ructed transmitte r it’s in dians of our the rises The pursu ation er and ur const a, The chall , to discu comp every navig ea “The in fishing, ael Twitt harbo we prote ss the one’s sea, and ure was today rn aids to light gover EU and she added fishi enges facin struct Laoghaire opic to ent Mich d takin the livelihct fish interest that nmen the 1 . mode a 22 mile n) and resid ins joine by decla stock even ng industry. g the t justify of telesc towed the in Dún page approg a pro-a r beaco ion s and MEP oods, including from D Higg d and e ctive, were oned, main ring that these facts majot focussed The n (radaIdentificat as a series decisive action” on December unde ach» and unitinholist emph Liadh Níhe said. aim is ns that the CFP’ level Raco the boar sedicschem Gery Flynn r one Europe’s regu r themes: on three asised to prote of the Irish Riada sectio Once positiflooded matic icant gover propo g a bann latio s specif 21 to match the agency’s the Auto staff rs of the envir seafood ct all nmen Theer, to a signif d’s on fishi n and fisheries ic focus necessity the site.section was opic and devel and invest t and sentslobby ione mber to Irelan nised onme industry, of abou to the ng; addi its impa for activities to the new Plan. repreto ident miss ice rt for lower the telesc until they nt. that take op soluti along ing in on developing Com ts in Noves of serv ifyally recog fisher t protecting But what and voice sector andng value ct with rpin ons to floatns verticallytheir final into of suppo se. econo men?

She said they would IM has withdrawn unific the industry, ng offici unde “Our Ligh 50 year thou in mic diveraccou Euro at governm havin ” she Ireland’s Sinn existint and will ation ed fishin the sectio prote Ligh only pean asked Féin g . tive secur mark Kish ding g indus ers politi sifica a now “re-assess delivery of its licence POs In the level ent and a nistra were ons, provi e room commction of fisher tion, cal will,believes . and shadow of try is of thethouse keep r until admi ation of and coope that with eting Senat opening . a positi tower, engintion. men, suppo unity devel the this project in the context application for shot gover that’s prima its poten or David addre .

Ligh on the towe the secto rationsolid vision rts for the confe and Markare a nmen 1992 opme ment moda to say s snAp s ss, 31m and socia any semb ts haverily becau tial, SME imple nt ction lived mation in is not just osAl EUfarm of the new operating aprop salmon stock as rence Cullinane unific r, along throughou Irish nt Produ (PMPs) which startceded se and accom be truens of lance sover reme Sinn l enterprises t ups but such Sea auto lighthouse some indus ation, “the with say onfisher men was about said ed the It would millio environment and examine the in GalwayFor Bay because MSY, Agric Féin’s spoke water eignty overof real .Plans atory requiCMO havin The to navigationeering fisher watch econotry can be Irish fishin dy at the Northin European n ean new ies policy g their have horizon CIL, that many Mart ulture and spersmand alrea ims lack ofs, combinedour own in mic grow a sourc g the proposed production on onr the organisatioation, rs, operational and commercial erel an aid icant engin ngers the in Ferris the and could he Europ “I have and natio at a e of day, says the secto trail to passe fade over mack ern Wate to th ission maintain vision investment with a megr , echoe Mariunde a signifark of its a series of ne, mon et) regul the gover effect nationally” the sessio no doub nal level. horse the ration and the to comm impacts which would take capacity exceeds ses r West (Com , “in neede Kish d a appro of ed nmen and ively s ses emig that mark cing the propo s in t that s. landmcing one n and n on urban lack of mark . fishin lobby t and Irelan propo fish quota e create common d to unite of the as finan the PMP on their ‘susta ission econo ach taken Iberia stock -focu time and a significant maximum annual repla hips that had 1811 as despi d’s fisher the EU. reduc inabl fisher g without ase ssed well a mic devel regar of CommTACs. Cod Celtic since and diver e “It’s powerful cause” to as s in ration the MSY amount of engagement to meet or increstocks and poten te significanties, lights on howmen’ will criminalisi opme ding Bank n is noted ase harvest forthe individual stock prepa designed National gover no secret lobby: tial, “are incre Hund sification.” nt Sea and below grow A we can hear views ng for 35es for 28 scientific the most nmen desig is the Kish that and and will Irish It are reds its th of EU amon 30%. y, busin and consultation”. farms as recommended on t the best mana ver does fishin of of nts ent catch , based of our underdeve g Toda string requireme EMFF that has g as a stronnot think gener esses that family sed for The Federation of Salmon Sea howesee a cut ge 2016 e received. inforthe government’s espec natural indus loped the first fished ation to propo to be with. audit before the amme and today s have and will100% is Sea due for for all recko g sector advic proposed agric ially comp tries, of for and Trout Anglers (FISSTA) ned plan issues There are be putational Progrmittee for ulture ’s youn disappeare ared ‘top ups’strategic cut men Also quota new the Irish rmance. to In gover ,” she g peop fisher new d, val. g Com agree on which basic Oper is perfo ock sole in which opposed the project sustainable aquaculture. le would nmen said. time ies, to help to the comes and appro the wider hadd social : rights for we can all Monitorin Sea very poor e for and wellfocus on t, Sinn Féin ssion as part of POs fisher transition fisher Thethat seafood development safety welfare provi discu Advic in the Celtic le from the beginning is on men; as the communitie MEP in the g obligation demersal derab 30% In additi programme, down prote at sea, and sions; probl Liad extra executive, agency’s and cod some Thischief ction ional able draw g and ems, s landin on ses consi and skeptical of the reason given above ry. of operat h Ní by Riadafundin “The e propoherof 27% bring them and exhau Janua McCarthy, into forcein Tara re is a stocks… all, ensat

by BIM for acting now. also be said of that fisher es ly, to TAC cuts myth fish could willstingsignificant speci aims to comp s, ctive s. ntial rates out men further “BIM says it withdrew the board extra had taken “swift stock respe and preferes. Howte relatedPOs are thethat are overfthere be of stock level quota men for the land. separa er avail true to when to MSYmany of these ishing most ones under support res great rt fisher who have ation will we to will For e is forg techniques are reduclosesuppo whichthe c measu they landing oblig pelagic d wheneshave specifi schem with theentstock the advic ed?” isher s are not The tive fishin implem Light in 2015 being phase their plans. on tohe asked selec young fish can the Cloghmen in ied in s based began ies and is y, Irish man, it will cer identif . scheme nish Castl erhead, so that before they ony Care Chair fisher 2019 whenercial reple etow Direc A further/2015 Produ Anth Delamer, will be caughtduce and particularly tive (MSFD takin and unio nbere in untilto all commto the p. d legisla scheme 2016 ins and the 2014 n repro s. This is ries in the initia g part in ) - Europ Higg back) Davi de Com isation apply ies subject under a protec tion that suppo a Bimhall are Aide Organ t forward for rt the ael D. e’s stock t for fishe Western fishe tive that enco tion and pilot e or are ls of the fisher Mich hed by (atKiernan, the marin brough Detai y by ds to suppo sustainrts the dent other pick out urgen Sea and big effort they rmen to colle urage TAC regim Presi Lead, watc Col. Mick able object e enviro s and anyset up over um size. , fisher in and onwar ct the Cloghthe catch.

Celtic where a and tobring up nmen use of ment ed g POs minimmentation Buoy Lights and ocean ive is to reduc in theirlitter t. A key mme, may be existin ures Group erhead We work waters ed to imple with take it ashor or in imple y, will be includ which of the progra .” nets Irish meas a very which this e plastic with heavy to keep Developme POs l plans are happy e is need tivity tists. to colle schem in -duty e. Arme the pier fisher annua plans when Micha practical level,” nt lifetim available budget e can the selec scien bags the to do d keep multi fishe ct this the el rd tidy do in ing by the Keatin is the our part our and of Fisher , ed rmen litter ge, BIM’sexplained at within fic disca plan and healthfishing groun of it appr , advis recent meeter Vella then to also speci annual Alan ies Developme Direc ission ulture, n At a ds clean opria dispose quay Fisher y.” es tor no multi Clogh Smith, skippe side.

Comm tely on nt. . e speci catch Clogh men worki with ter for Agric e, Simo “This the place ls includ Warrio eread-based r of on Castle erhead, Unionng out of Marin scheme under r, Minis and the Marinoutlined Celtic um Detai provisions e Strate “We explains how minim sizes ed; join thetownbere wishinHall and Food ney, said he enges gy Framepins the cover entation; conve have the bag it works nce that schem BIM projec work Cove of the challfishing the e should g to documrvation refere fish crew yor and it’s set near the: t office Barret to s (for contac some Ireland’s ularly for conse and throwpick out easy for the ption returning 087 289t, on barret r, Catherine t facingtry, partic n fleets it into the marine and exem e afterfic de t@bim (Clog 7651; Olive litter the bag n of the .ie indus fish and praw ance herhe may surviv uctio as they and speci allow the Harbo ad) 086 r Kiraw or white the introd . to sea us discard tions). and Castle ur Maste 830 7331,an with ng obligation minim certain condint will also ban will to townb r in Union or landi discards year ere. under manageme le in its Hall “The apply next n fleet Quota e more flexib ate the tly praw direc rtant whiting becomation to facilit . our impo Sea ing nt applic g obligation work Celtic cil curre and I will be Coun landin of the Policy fleet. December s that A pillar Fisheries ates catch on at the ve quota this new es Comm-2020) stipulset that are fish nt of all catch to achie (2015 should be maintain accou e be take wher must limits inable and term by situation fisheries susta s in the long- ple of . said. the in these yield’ stock cting the princi d,” he s inable s that lande supporting respe mum sustalevels allow e, While n of quota advic ‘maxi g at MSY try to take uctio introd ct scientific said he Fishin g indus nt of fish a respe ter Coveney the fishin st amou keeping n ng for highe vatio Minis be looki the new while the sea the the healthy. would ing in” of and Inno aíochta ed by from s clear arch some “phas recommend Nuál tive is Rese fish stock e for agus limits tific advic stocks” “My objecious. I wants to Marine Mara ambit all stock cy for scien economic d by fleets ghde and Agen inable bring “key be fishect to the um Thai us to and susta possible,” National iúnta hy that will subje healt as soon as Vella, enu er Ireland’s aireacht Náis becoming levels Parti rd ban. rked Karm ission cipat omh disca rema ean Comm Maritime ing skipp t, An Ghní Europ er, Alan nmen ries.

Fishe Smith, for Enviro s and Clogherh Affair ead

on de cKs rce WRe hillsi e the field session resou l to its surviforget, teach e class sHip ibeAM Befor and room crucia me and I , involv class iques MUlt and 4th classise ballsack min ‘Tell I remember had a ing techn Historical exerc 3rd – Benja ced on lent feedb mapp d features. lines me and I learn’ the excel boun seabe ing with leaddiscussed ssed Ocean me andlin. and gave rntic we discu mapp its were Frank St to mode and after t ‘first’ Atlan from and trans ared to GPS recened survey land rine. and comp ing with seab in Newfound w.ma . day mapp ewson map beam Johns ay. http://ww ea/n multi we were a and Galw me/site-areleases/ re with Now ghmo (and GPS) ie/Hots/press-r ntic-ocean ass geological Mulla even tains-atla ationalto the the and comp hill ultin aring moun ed-m comp tures of this off the Co beam mapp-celtic. multi struc features ite the ed team recks and on the high seab coast. Desp Shipwwere also s werebeat the y Clare we d to g her, spirit theor da. when summit! weat Policy amon cially agen were so excite espe ers to the da the in any any EU vessel “We that we were to see es,” ed e teach author pilote where region’s EU can fish realis children d imag The school seab e with r vessel they have waters ry 10. amm the firsttlantic seabe comp prima ing progr nts from Junio aged it to fishhas a quotaquota. This mid-Arked Fern t the fisher liance with at mapp Mack for Scad entitling EU sea186 stude Class rema ing abou Jack’s (aged and allies legislation. over ts to Sixth ate Together h and is erel) within (Horse was Learn Irish vessels opera Margiris so recks Infan lgan Educ From Marc e (Elect water fishin authorised EU water shipw rite part.there were to ting in contin ronic s are g activi s to Kilco nal School. programm Repo The As with ty in condu 10) favou knew I’m going Servic uously by monitored rting ct Natio 2015, the to ensurSFPA is comm all vesselthis area. ct requi System “I neverIreland, es from conta Moni e through the Naval red in s). to June eight and three are fairlying that itted and set to record s it is ded hours many load the imag.infomar. ry Nava toring Centrthe Fisheries EU quota them its inclu and mana l histo sustai again catches room down ite (www satelli Base, Haulbe at the st quota class ay field trips. for my year, ged contin nably s R the websdo this with Automte Vessel Moniowline, uousl in half-d the Nava the suppo y. This ine litte ie) andct!” toring using System atic Ident & MAR l l Servic rt priori , ificati (AIS) l pinG proje e, we of and and ERSon MAp primary schoo of the tized the imple & have ntal s tiDA The Environme (SESE) HoRe menta by all new Land tion l, seAs Ry were topic Socia tific Educa referenced, within vessels operaing Oblig tion ted tHeoand 2nd class ation focal the Irish ting Scien ulum was ed reflec 1st mad so one ats, and EEZ ed very curric al . s coverbut differ habit ore trip to the anim . and topic ulum range was seash ed a field an Beach ples the curric on age ct areas exam sh, nding Subje includ ctive Gratt ing; depe great es. produwe found rfish starfibut at mapp and class ed habit wave Here y, Butte to name includ and sand onmental Editor crab of Blenn Inshore p and dune tion; envir Burren Gillian shrim Ireland easily with formane Litter); mapping mills@i Mills is publ a few. theory is Grattan ; 01 235 nshore-ireland (mari gy; tides; multibeam on Featur ished Tidal ted on 4804 .com es Editor nstra shelving beach geolo iques and were run ps

by IIPL Gery rm for The publis demo Flynn w Ltd accura platfo ed flynn@in techn y. Field tripsClare; Bisho hers and its shallo a great we align shore-i do 091 84482 cy of theor ghmor Co Co Clare, reland.

Sales inform not accept is also g, so of the sun, it , com 2 ay. ation respon sales@ & Marke gs carvin Mulla Beach Galw gs ting contai ter sibility sand carvin for sprin 087 290inshore-ireland ned within Quar n Beach Coing, sand for our sand .com 085 747 2045 d Inshor the veraci and earthsomehow Grata at mapp marine litterr Design e Ireland ty of claims 5797 moon s and Mars ende Habit tides and the JunioWe Durga , we do made for n and s and neap not accept info@d n Media by contrib Satur dune the topics t classes. was Pluto there too! fun respon 074 91 urganmedia.ie utors r infan a habitat were and sibility 77893 up in such is the and then for any advertisers. what and Senio seven in the But errors ssed sea, andown While Back or matter discu and at ing with care our olds. work find land s arising is taken yearon Lough Feeagh, Co Mayo, one of 235 lakes worldwide included in a study on the effects of climate change on lakes, published in Geophysical Research Letters. out to ats. to from eight same. ensure we setore habit d rolled p’s (See page 27) Photo, Mary Dillane, Marine Institute. seashstudied-ans on Bisho We -the dune down repor Acces mech t s to anism n on the Envir Notw also unde ithstandingfailed. onment repor rstands that , Inshore t – or Irelan d parts the SUM BAW of it S were

Statem

T

ent fr om th

he Sea-F isher Prote ies Auth ction vesse indepority, the regul entry l Margiris, for theator respoendent since keep to IRL wate its nsibl the Stateenforceme e rs. prac ing with stand In tice ’s sea-f nt of regul it is beingfor all ard awar ations, has isheries mon conti vessels, been of thee of the prese Serv itored by nuously ice.

Lithu EU-regist nce the Nava anian The ered l flagg within vessel is opera ed fishin ting econo the Irish g mic zone exclusive the Comm (EEZ on Fishe ). Unde r ries

e SF

PA on

Margi

Happy

ris (1

r?

What

’s sona

2/11/1

5)

Chris Peac tmas ef Bord ul New Ye and a Iascai ar from gh M hara all at

www.

bim.ie

QuErIEs to: sAlEs@InshorE-IrElAnD.coM gIll: 01 235 4804 / 087 290 2045 gEry: 091 844 822 / 085 747 5797

18 inshore ireland Winter 2016

Aquaculture News

Licensing and regulation continue to hamper full potential of Ireland’s oyster industry O

ysters contribute €58m to the rural economy and support 760 full-time jobs, according to a new report published by IFA Aquaculture. A further €6m and an additional 77 jobs could be produced with every 10% increase in production, says the author and leading agri-food economist, Professor Alan Renwick.

Jerry Gallagher, chair of the Irish Shellfish Association (a part of IFA) however said that challenges regarding regulation and licensing continue, particularly for application processing at new and renewed sites.

“Shellfish stock health and food safety requires ongoing attention with continuously improving water quality in our inshore areas being the key to the future of the

sector. Oysters are so highly dependent on clean water for every aspect of their business that the sector is effectively Ireland’s first line of defence against threats to our coastal environment.”

Recommendations

Alan Renwick’s recommendations following on-site interviews and farm visits are ‘strong and pragmatic and should be the compass for the sector in the medium term to grow successfully,’ a statement reads.

Recommendations include simplifying regulation; introducing contingency plans; strengthening market identity and creating more added-value outlets. More effort towards improving technical efficiencies, and greater collaboration between producers on common issues,

are also identified.

“Each subsector of the seafood industry has its peaks and troughs, and oyster farming is no exception.

It it vital that government supports the sector in times of crisis, such as during the recent very serious vibrio mortality issue or when Karenia blooms hit certain bays during the summer months,” Gallagher added.

“The medium to long-term analysis of the industry here shows the huge potential for us to grow and market a unique seafood production internationally, based on a significant network of people and businesses at local level.

“We continue to rely on the best advice available from both BIM and the Marine Institute to deal with challenges posed by the environment, but our goal is to become a self-sustaining, export-led business, beating off any competition by virtue of the quality of our shellfish and our coastal waters.”

“The board of BIM is a key partner with industry in moving the sector forward and creating jobs and exports in line with its own strategic plan and Foodwise 2025,” Gallagher added.

Percentage share of production by county (2014)

http://www.ifa.ie/ sectors/aquaculture/ oysters-in-the-nationaleconomy/ Fresh Irish Oysters

Oyster farm, Co Mayo

Output value by county 2014 (€)

inshore ireland Winter 2016 19

Aquaculture News

Macroalgal minerals for a healthier diet

Simon Faulkner, OHT

M

acroalgae contain nutritional components such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals; however, the levels of these components are dependent on seaweed species, geographical location and a number of additional environmental factors.

In recent years, much attention has been given to the unique composition of macroalgae; in particular, the high levels of bioactive compounds including polysaccharides, proteins, amino acids and polyphenols.

Seaweeds however are perhaps best known for their high levels of minerals and trace elements, represented by the crude ash content of up to 50% for certain species.

Sufficient consumption of these minerals is important in order to achieve a healthy and nutritionally balanced diet but also to prevent serious chronic diseases such as cancer and Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease.

Seaweed mineral content

Overall, the ash content in seaweed is high when compared to land vegetables, inferring a higher level of minerals and trace elemnts.

As an example, the level of iron in the red seaweed Palmaria palmata (dulse) is 10 times higher than the levels found in sirloin steak.

In addition to iron, macroalgae are also an excellent source of additional mineral and trace elements such as iodine, calcium, zinc, manganese, potassium magnesium, sulphur and phosphorus.

With the exception of calcified seaweed, the level of calcium can often exceed 3% of the dried weight.

Calcium has important roles in bone and teeth formation and is the most abundant element in the human body.

Calcium is also required for vascular contraction and vasodilation, muscle function, nerve transmission, intracellular signalling and hormonal secretion.

Like calcium, potassium is also present at high levels in seaweed, with levels sometimes as high as 11%.

Besides the well-known role of potassium in the regulation of blood pressure and water balance, potassium is also important for muscle contractions, nerve impulses and the proper functioning of the heart and kidneys.

The elements magnesium, sulphur, phosphorus (and others) present in seaweed also have important biological functions.

Seaweed is also an

The Irish seaweed Fucus vesiculosus is high in a number of minerals and trace elements such as Iodine. This seaweed, harvested along the west coast, is used by Ocean Harvest to produce extracts for various applications

excellent source of trace elements, examples of which include zinc, manganese and iodine. Macroalgae represent the best natural source of iodine â&#x20AC;&#x2022; an essential trace element that affects almost every physiological process in the body.

Iodine deficiency is a common global problem and is currently considered to be the primary cause of impaired cognitive development in children by the World Health Organization.

In 2010, a published scientific paper estimated that 50% of Europeans do not consume sufficient iodine as part of their daily diet.

Another study conducted in 2015 reported that 39% of schoolgirls surveyed in Northern Ireland were iodine deficient, and this agrees with a previous UK-based study that found 68% of UK schoolgirls were iodine deficient.

Therefore, incorporating seaweed and/or seaweedderived products into the western diet would go a long way towards helping people meet their Recommned Daily Intake of iodine, thus having a significant impact on human health.

Another trace element present in seaweed, zinc, is important for the function of many enzymes and has important roles in the metabolism of RNA and DNA, signal transduction and gene expression.

Insufficient intake of zinc can result in liver damage and other chronic diseases;

however, it is important to note that too little or too much of any element/ trace element can have negative consequences for human health.

Incorporating seaweed minerals into our diet Seaweed can be consumed in a variety of forms including raw, as part of a salad; in a drink; stir-fry or even

incorporated into bread.

Ocean Harvest Technology is currently developing novel, seaweed-derived, functional products for the human food sector. These include those that have been developed by isolating and extracting key minerals or trace elements from Irish seaweed which are often lacking in the human diet - including iodine.

These products will launch later this year.

20 inshore ireland Winter 2016

Marine R&D

Ireland’s young scientists get hands-on with INFOMAR Aileen Bohan, GSI

T

he INFOMAR stand was a hive of activity at 2016 BT Young Scientist, as part of the Geological Survey of Ireland exhibition. With various different displays on show, including gold panning with TELLUS and groundwater modelling with the hydro-geologists, the star attraction was the Augmented Reality Sandbox, which brings bathymetry to life.

Other displays at the GSI stand included a globe model displaying the inner workings of the earth, demonstrating some of the environments in which our seabed features can be formed. This was complemented by a seismometer, operated by DIAS, which measures the intensity and duration of a

force applied to the earth normally earthquakes but in this case, a school of young scientists jumping!

The GSI bedrock quiz, which encourages participants to match the six common rocks of Ireland to their approximate location and to identify the byproducts of the elements within the rock, rounded off the GSI stand nicely and confused parents, teachers and students alike.

Geophysics seemed to be the science of the day, with David and Paul Hamilton from Ardscoil Ris in Limerick, taking home the geology prize with their project: Exploring and Evaluating 3D Model making as a Learning Technology for Stimulated Experimentation of Abstract STEAM concepts in Geophysics and Astronomy.

Thinking outside the (sand) box The Augmented Reality Sandbox was launched at the INFOMAR conference in November and is the first of its kind in Ireland. It was first developed as part of a National Science Foundation funded project lead by KeckCAVES at the University of California.

INFOMAR plans on using the sandbox as a scientific education tool to help users explore and understand topography, bathymetry, contouring, geology and hydrography. The AR Sandbox consists of a computer running simulation

and visualisation software, and Kinect 3D camera that detects depth data.

A projector is then used to project the topography to match the sand’s real topography.

As the sand is moved around, the depth data is continuously recomputed and keeps the topography updated. This allows the student to observe the nature of the relationship between slopes and contour lines, while encouraging the student to think about the dynamic seabed, the dramatic features that occur there and the importance of mapping (and remapping) the Irish sea territories.

Students, teachers and members of the public all showed great enthusiasm for the mapping work being carried out by the INFOMAR vessels, and were delighted to learn that all the data is available to download for free.

The educational application of the sandbox is phenomenal and was clear from the beginning of BTYSE. The sandbox (and the rest of the GSI exhibit) attracted many primary and secondary students and even a few scattered dignitaries and curious scientists.

2016 BY Young Scientist was a great start to what promises to be an intriguing and challenging year ahead for the INFOMAR team. The first acquisition plans of Phase II are soon to be published, with mobilisation of the vessels due to start in the coming months.

Shay Walsh, Merayla Dale, Eoin Mac Craith, and Aileen Bohan outline the sandbox to Minister Alex White

Archie Donovan, GSI presents Minister Alex White with INFOMAR merchandise

’Hands-on’ view of the sandbox in action

“This AR sandbox was constructed as part of the education and outreach programme for INFOMAR and we believe it will help share the story, the science and the adventure that is INFOMAR.” Vera Quinlan, Marine Institute

Close-up of the sandbox model which is imitating the topography of the Aran Islands

inshore ireland Winter 2016 21

Marine R&D

Tidal derivations, mapping challenges and hydrographic work flows discussed at Hydro 2015 Vera Quinlan, Marine Institute

H

ydro 2015 was held in the vibrant city of Cape Town, under the impressive presence of Table Mountain. The conference opened with a welcome from Steve Smith, president of the Hydrographic Society of South Africa) and a keynote speech from Robert Van de Poll. Robert heads up all Global Law of the Sea activities for Fugro Group (Netherlands).

Overall the technical programme aimed to ‘Define the extent and ownership of maritime real-estate for the development of Africa.’

There were many talks from European delegates who have made inroads to mapping and defining their EEZ, mostly though commercial operators such as Fugro.

In South Africa, the navy conduct the hydrographic surveys for the State, so many presentations and conversations took place between INFOMAR and their representatives, including Capt. Abri Kampfer and Genieve Lindy Hornby (now ex-Navy) as to how to emulate the success of Ireland’s mapping programme INFOMAR (and other EU nations).

Topics such as advances in GNSS for tidal derivation; shallow-water mapping challenges; hydrographic workflows in CARIS; training for hydrographers and mapping with autonomous

vehicles were discussed.

Of specific interest to INFOMAR was Andy Hogwarth, CARIS, who explained the new algorithm (available CARIS version 9.1) for multibeam backscatter which aims to automatically produce fully compensated MBES backscatter mosaics.

Another interesting presentation was by Mark Roberts, Fugro, who outlined the logistics and challenges involved in the seabed search for the MH370 Malaysian airline in the southern Indian Ocean.

There are many challenges facing South Africa; however it seems government commitment is definitely the first major challenge to overcome. From an INFOMAR perspective, many contacts were made specifically in the areas of academia to progress INFOMAR’s commitment for third-level collaboration.

In addition, research was progressed into how INFOMAR could advance the developments in autonomous mapping, especially surface vehicles for large shallower areas.

There was a little time at the end of the conference for R&R and since this author loves to hike, sail and swim, being in Cape Town and looking up through the glass of the impressive waterfront conference centre at Table Mountain was, at times, almost too much to handle.

So post conference I explored the area and can say without hesitation that Cape Town is a top destination for the outdoor enthusiast!

Steve Smith president Hydrographic Society of South Africa

Roberts, Fugro, shows a transect of the search area for MH370

Author on summit of Lions Head, Robben Island and Capetown in the background

TUGS & PONTOONS JACK UP BARGES WINDFARM SUPPORT VESSELS DIVE SUPPORT VESSELS MULTICATS

WWW.FASTNETSHIPPING.COM

Sailing onboard Nitro, a Corby 49.

22 inshore ireland Winter 2016

Marine R&D

Marine opportunities in EU funding Lisa Fitzpatrick

M

ore than 60 marine researchers from third-level institutes, government agencies and SMEs attended a briefing at the Marine Institute, Oranmore in January, for information and advice on EU funding opportunities for marine research. The workshop: Cross Cutting Marine Opportunities in EU Funding was organised by the Marine Institute’s Research Office.

Welcoming the participants,John Evans,

Director of Policy, Innovation and Research, highlighted the success of Ireland’s marine researchers to date in winning competitive EU funding.

“Irish researchers have won 3.6% of the available funding for ‘blue growth’ topics under the most recent round of results announced by the European Commission for Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 2, and rises to 4.6% when marine-related topics relating to sustainable food security are considered. This is becoming a consistent pattern with Irish marine researchers winning more European competitive funding than would be expected from a country of our size.”

He also identified the need to focus on national research collaboration to maintain and improve this competitive positio, and the importance of relevant national strategies as tools for researchers preparing funding proposals, specifically Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth – An Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland, and the National

Gerry Finn, Director, Northern & Western Regional Assembly and NCP Ireland for Interreg Atlantic Area; Dr Fiona Grant, International Programmes, Marine Institute; John Evans, Director, Policy Innovation & Research Services, Marine Institute; Dr Séan McCarthy, Hyperion Ltd and Michael O'Brien, Programme Liaison Officer, Northern & Western Regional Assembly and NCP Ireland for Interreg Atlantic Area highlighted the opportunities for EU funding for marine research.

Photo Marine Institute

Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2015-2020.

Dr Fiona Grant, Marine Institute and National Contact Point for marine aspects of Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 2 gave an overview of the priority topics for ‘blue growth’ which has €148m available funding [with contributions from climate, energy and transport parts of the Horizon 2020 programme. Unclear] ‘Linking healthy oceans and seas with healthy people’ was one of the key topics covered. Dr Grant mentioned the concept of the ocean as a ‘blue gym’, citing a recent European Marine Board position paper that shows the significant impact of the oceans on human health and wellbeing.

Dr Sean McCarthy, Hyperion Ltd, gave very practical advice on ‘How to write a Competitive Horizon 2020 proposal’ with lots of insights for both new and experienced funding applicants. He told scientists to focus on the potential impact of the research proposal.

“Begin your proposal with impact – the impact is the big issue. Then write the science around the impact.”

Other advice he gave included contacting the

National Contact Point to ensure a better success rate.

“When writing your proposal it’s important to understand how the research priorities have been selected and the national contact point can give you insight into this,” he explained.

Gerry Finn, Director, Northern and Western Regional Assembly and National Contact Point for Interreg Atlantic Area gave an overview of the INTERREG Atlantic Area Programme 20142020 and success stories from the 2007-2013 ERDF programmes.From 2007–2013, €12.9m in ERDF funding was approved to 56 Irish projects.

Michael O’Brien, EU Programme Liaison Officer, gave an overview of eligibility criteria and guidelines on what makes a successful proposal under this financing mechanism.

Four priority areas have been identified:

»» Stimulating Innovation & Competitiveness »» Fostering Resource Efficiency »» Strengthening the Territory’s resilience to risks of natural, climate and human »» Enhancing Biodiversity and the Natural and Cultural Assets Over €140m will be available under the call from 2014-2020 which is expected to be launched in the middle of 2016.

“The technical parameters I spoke about are not formally agreed yet by the Member States and there may be further changes over the coming weeks.

The Working Group for the programme meets again shortly to advance the progress on the Programme Manual and application process,” he added.

Busy year ahead for national research vessels, RV Celtic Explorer and RV Celtic Voyager

By Lisa Fitzpatrick

T

he Marine Institute’s ShipTime Programme will fund 256 days at sea in 2016 for researchers to carry out surveys that will further our understanding of the ocean;

support policy development and provide essential training opportunities to young researchers and undergraduates.

This is the tenth consecutive year of the programme which will provide €3m in funding.

The initiative provides access to the national research vessels, RV Celtic Explorer, and RV Celtic Voyager, as well the ROV Holland I

(remotely operated vehicle).

The programme represents just part of a very busy schedule of research vessel programmes that includes statutory fish stock assessment, environmental monitoring, and seabed mapping surveys.

Ship-time demand Dr Peter Heffernan, Marine Institute CEO, said the demand

for ship-time and the quality of the applications was an indication of the standard of marine research being carried out in Ireland.

“Marine research in Ireland is being carried out to the highest standards and the strong demand for ship-time shows that Ireland’s scientists are answering the challenge to better understand our oceans.

“At a time when we can all see

the impacts of climate change, it’s more important than ever to carry out research at sea, including oceanography, fisheries, and environmental monitoring.

We know that the ocean plays a key role in controlling the earth’s climate and we know that the microscopic plankton in the ocean produce half of the oxygen we breathe. The ocean is the life support system for the planet

inshore ireland Winter 2016 23

Marine R&D

A look back at 2015…

A major upgrade was carried out to the RV Celtic Explorer in JANUARY 2015. This included the installation of state-of-the-art sonar systems for bathymetric mapping in deep and shallow waters, and the installation of a deepwater sub bottom profiler.

You can follow progress on http://scientistsatsea.blogspot.ie.

Access to ship-time is identified as a key priority in Harnessing Our OceanWealth- An Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland. The Ship-time Programme is funded under the Marine Research Programme 2014-2020 by the Irish Government. Applications for Ship-time funding are evaluated by a panel of 15 independent international experts (UK, European and US) and each application was reviewed by two or three evaluators.

The research vessel schedules are available to view on www.marine.ie and therefore it is essential we understand its impact on us, as well as our impacts on the ocean.”

The Ship-Time Programme funds surveys across three broad categories: research, policy support services and dedicated training programmes. CelticVoyager will be the platform for 15 Higher Education Institute led training programmes over 73 days.

Last year over 390 students participated in training onboard RV CelticVoyager through this programme. The opportunity to spend time at sea on a working research vessel, planning, designing and carrying out research at sea, is essential and invaluable experience for young scientists.

RV Celtic Explorer will be the platform for eight research surveys while RV CelticVoyager

will support ten research surveys under the initiative. Marine Institute scientists will lead seven of these surveys on both vessels in areas that support policy development and implementation.

Among the surveys this year are a survey by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies that monitored part of the Irish shelf using ocean bottom seismometers in an innovative research programme which uses the noise from ocean waves to generate seismic images of the earth’s crust (January 13-22); identifying the location of sea bass spawning areas (MI – March 16-29); exploring submarine canyon ecosystem services (NUI Galway June 1-20); and mapping and creating high resolution images of World War I ship wrecks (University of Ulster,September 3-9).

In APRIL, a subsea cable was laid in Galway Bay for Ireland’s first subsea ocean observatory.

The cable deployed from RV Celtic Explorer connects the Galway Bay Ocean Observatory and Ocean Energy Test site to the shore at An Spidéal. In August, cable end equipment was deployed from the Commissioner of Irish Lights vessel ILV Granuaile.

The new marine research infrastructure will allow ocean energy developers to monitor how their devices perform in the ocean and will give ocean researchers unique real-time access to monitor ongoing changes in the marine environment.

The Prince of Wales came to visit in MAY. During his visit, (May 19), Prince Charles met Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister Simon Coveney, Marine Institute CEO, Dr Peter Heffernan, as well as many staff who he talked to about their work analysing the impact of climate change on the ocean; sustainable fisheries; marine bio-discovery and international collaboration on ocean research.

In JUNE, a Marine Institute led multinational team mapped a transect of the Atlantic Ocean on RV Celtic Explorer as part of the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance. Among the new features they mapped was a subsea mountain taller than Carrauntoohill, Ireland’s highest mountain.

JULY saw SeaFest attract 10,000 thousand visitors to Ringaskiddy to celebrate

Ireland’s marine and maritime heritage. SeaFest is coming to Galway in 2016, June 30 – July 3.

The Cullen Fellowship Programme was launched during SeaFest Se in memory of Anne Cullen (1958-2013), who made a significant contribution to the work of the Marine Institute over 35 years. It provides research training opportunities for scientists in marine and related disciplines leading to Masters and PhD degrees.

Hall to win Workplace Choir of the Year directed by choirmaster Carmel Dooley.

In OCTOBER Dr Ruth Plets, School of Environmental Sciences at Ulster University, led a team on RV Celtic Voyager, to capture detailed images of World War I shipwrecks in the Irish Sea. Some of the ships mapped are too deep to be dived on and had not been seen in 100 years.

In AUGUST, we moved office. Our Dublin office moved from 80 Harcourt Street to Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, where the Irish Maritime Development Office is now based.

In NOVEMBER, Dr Jens Carlsson, University College Dublin, and his team on the RV Celtic Explorer discovered a field of carbonate chimneys supporting a range of deepsea life during an expedition to research mud volcanoes in the Gulf of Cadiz.

In SEPTEMBER the Marine Institute Singers preformed at the National Concert

You can read about these and more on www.marine.ie

24 inshore ireland Winter 2016

Marine R&D

Widespread education, communication and awareness required to deliver a ‘blue society’ concept

E

U decision-makers and stakeholders gathered in the European Parliament last November to discuss the project Sea for Society and the ‘blue society’ concept, which envisions a new governance model aimed to make the ocean an integral part of society.

Hosted by Ricardo Serrão Santos MEP and Co-Chair of the Working Group, the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services conference concluded with recommendations to further promote and implement a blue society. Stakeholders also endorsed the concept by signing the Blue Society Stakeholder’s Commitment, advocating the transition towards a ‘blue society’.

Ricardo Serrão Santos MEP presented the outcome to the stakeholders which included policy-makers, the scientific community, youth organisations and others and outlined the recommendations of a threeyear ‘mobilisation and mutual learning action plan’, funded by the Commission/DG Research & Innovation FP7.

Climate regulator The meeting highlighted the importance of the ocean as it provides a multitude of services (e.g. oxygen, food, raw materials) as well as being an important climate regulator.

Manuel Cira, Nausicaá explained that the project included consultations across Europe that involved over 500 stakeholders and young citizens, and that mobilisation activities so far had reached 200,000 people.

A Blue Society Expert Group was also established to analyse the outcome of

the consultation phase and has made recommendations for improved ocean governance and research.

“Common responsibility and common heritage is the guiding principle of a blue society,” remarked Francois Simard, IUCN Global Marine and Polar Programme as he outlined the backdrop for the Blue Society goals.

The need to increase education, outreach awareness and better basic knowledge of the ocean among the public, industry and decision-makers was agreed by all participants.

Tiago Pitta e Cunha, Cabinet of the President of Portugal, added that the health of the oceans was underestimated whereby “humans live in a world separate from the Oceans”.

Participants called for ‘ocean literacy’ to be included in curriculum and the need to effectively communicate research results to decisionmakers and to promote behavioural changes.

Philippe Galiay, European Commission, said Horizon 2020 recognised that science and society were “interlinked” and in order to have a systemic approach. “Responsible research and innovation is needed, working with science for and with society”.

Niall McDonough, European Marine Board, said that science was a “critical component of the evidence base” that we do have to manage our oceans. “There is a need for a more systemoriented interdisciplinary approach”.

‘Partnerships and collaboration’ were underlined as ‘essential’ to achieve a new ‘ocean global governance system’.

Puri Canals, MedPAN,

highlighted their success in identifying the gaps hindering organisations from working together, and how to overcome these by building trust and working in a systemic manner.

Participants also called for more effective enforcement as well as integrated policies, and encouraged the creation or reinforcement of ‘adapted mechanisms’ and ‘dedicated agencies’ that would foster marine research and innovation, and better maritime governance at regional, national and European level.

It was suggested that the EU should be at the forefront of creating a ‘blue society’ and must put more emphasis on the contribution of ‘natural capital, economic deterrents and cross-sectoral collaboration across policy sectors’.

The Sea for Society project also involved youth groups, whose representative said they wanted to see a system of governance that respected the “imperative needs of human society and our planet; a system [that] encompasses the blue society”.

The need to recognise the role of the ocean at COP21 was stressed. Francis Vallat, European Network of Maritime Clusters said politicians and scientists “must acknowledge at a global level the oceans’ pivotal role as the most important climate regulator in the world”.

The meeting concluded with the signing of the Blue Society Stakeholder’s Commitment in support of the vision of a ‘blue society’ and the need to continue to work in dialogue and partnership to improve human-ocean dynamics globally.

inshore ireland Winter 2016 25

Marine R&D

COP21: EU pressure on Ireland for a ‘credible plan’ Gillian Mills

T

he landmark Paris Agreement last December will not deliver the climate stability it promises, without consistent public pressure for action and accountability, according to Friends of the Earth.

It will however increase the pressure on Ireland as the attention turns to negotiations in Brussels in 2016, to agree each country’s 2030 target, added the environmental justice organisation.

Speaking from Paris, FoE, Ireland chair Dr Cara Augustenborg, said the Agreement was too weak to deliver climate justice and safety on its own and that the gap between ambition and action was too big:

“The goal of limiting warming to 1.5˚C is welcome but delaying our zero carbon future until the end of the century would be deadly,” she warned.“The 1.5˚C goal puts fossil fuels on the wrong side of history but leaders don’t quite have the courage to say so in the deal.”

Commenting on the impact for Ireland, FoE director Oisin Coghan believes the target will increase pressure on Ireland to deliver a “credible plan” to cut omissions.

“With a 2˚C goal, the EU already had a target of reducing emissions by 80-95% by 2050 compared to 1990, and the Irish government has adopted the objective of reducing net national emissions by at least 80% now underpinned by the Climate Action Bill.

€18m for development and storm repairs at Ireland’s fishery harbours

A

nnouncing the 2016 investment package, Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said he was “setting aside” €16m towards safety, maintenance and new development works at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle Ros an Mhíl and Killybegs.

“I am also making available €2m for a Local Authority Harbour Programme, and [will be] assessing specifically what is required to address storm damage…”

Flagship projects in the 2016 Capital Investment Programme include ferry pontoons on the West Pier in Howth; infrastructure upgrades in Dunmore East; commencement of the Dinish Wharf expansion Project in Castletownber; expansion of the small craft harbour in Ros an Mhíl and the Smooth Point pier extension in Killybegs.

Of equal importance he said was preparatory work for “significant potential projects” in Howth, Dunmore East, An Daingean and Ros an Mhíl.

The 2016 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Programme also contains €2m to assist Local Authorities to repair, maintain and develop piers, harbours and slipways under their ownership.

This year’s programme is significant on a number of fronts as it enables continuation of the government’s strategy to develop and improve the facilities at our fishery harbours, he added.

“Secondly, it prepares the groundwork for potential projects in the coming years, all of which will benefit the fishing industry, seafood processing sector, other ancillary marine industries.”

“With the government so far exempting agriculture for making any pollution cuts, that puts huge pressure on home-owners, businesses transport and power generation, to reduce their emissions. Otherwise the taxpayer faces fines running into billions of Euros from 2020,” he warned.

Meanwhile, the latest figures from the Environmental Protection Agency indicate that Irish emissions in 2014 were still marginally above 1990.

“These figures make it all the more credible that this government will complete its 5-year term without producing either an Action Plan to reduce emissions or an Action Plan to cope with the impacts of climate change.

“While Ireland continues to plead for special treatment for

Location

Howth

Dunmore East

Castletownbere

An Daingean

Ros an Mhíl

Killybegs

Cape Clear

agri-business, I see no reason to believe that either the Commission or other Member States will be in any mood to

reward Irish inaction, especially now that we’re the fastest growing economy in Europe,” Coghlan warned.

Project

Cost €m

»» Traffic Management Works »» East Pier Repairs »» Pontoons to west pier for ferry landings »» Engineers office »» Preparation of Dumping at Sea licence »» Provision of Berthing Face to Middle Pier »» Electric Works West Pier »» Gas Main »» Other Services (Sewers,ducting,watermains) Total »» Harbour Office Upgrade »» West Wharf upgrade »» Breakwater (Design Report) »» Harbour Road re-surface Total »» Harbour User toilet and Shower facilities »» Dinish Wharf Expansion »» Harbour Slipway »» Quayside Electrical Upgrade »» Harbour Offices Upgrade »» Replacement of water network Dinish »» Dinish Bridge Survey »» CCTV Total »» Workshop Design ,Planning and commence works »» Capital Dredging Navigation Channel – Dumping at sea »» Licence, tender preparation and preparation works »» Net mending area Total »» Quay Development – Design, Evaluations, Consulting, EIS, Permitting and preparation works »» Small craft Harbour – Dredging Total »» Repairs to Blackrock/Auction Hall Piers »» Small Craft Harbour »» Smooth Point Pier Development »» Landing Pier Fendering »» Landing Pier Electrical Design/Works »» Boatyard investment Total »» Pontoons Total

0.150 0.050 0.400 0.050 0.100 0.100 0.300 0.150 0.150 1.450 0.700 0.200 0.160 0.100 1.160 0.090 1.000 0.040 0.150 0.250 0. 450 0.080 0.070 2.130 0.400 0.500 0.100 1.000 0.800 1.800 2.600 0.175 0.900 2.500 0.300 0.190 0.0 70 4.135 0.400 0.400

Total Departmental Owned Marine Infrastructure projects

€12.875

Safety and Maintenance and Non-Discretionary and Contractual Capital Commitments 2016 (incl Disability Access)

€3.120

Total Local Authority Harbour Development and Marine Leisure

€2.000

Total Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Programme

€17.995

26 inshore ireland Winter 2016

coastline news

January/February

Friday 29th January, We’ll bring you Sail Training Ireland’s Annual Launch and Prize Giving Event at The Mansion House in Dublin.

Friday 12th February We bring listeners highlights of the Irish Sailing Association Awards held recently in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland with ISA Youth Sailor of the Year; ISA Training Centre of the Year; Mitsubishi Motors Sailing Club of the Year; AFLOAT Sailor of the Year and much more.

Also in February, Seascapes brings you a feature on The Naked Shore: Of the North Sea by Tom Blass plus we preview a series of lectures being hosted by The National Maritime Museum of Ireland on 1916 and maritime affairs.

We’ll feature contributions from regulars Hugh Oram and Norman Freeman and our regular visits to the islands with Olwen Gill and news from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution with Niamh Stephenson.

Marcus with the patron of the National Maritime Museum of Ireland -President Michael D Higgins.

Photo Margaret Brown

Seascapes is presented and produced

by Marcus Connaughton and is transmitted every Friday evening at 10.30pm on RTE Radio 1

‘Professionalism and dedication’ underpins coast guard service to the community

I

rish Coast Guard helicopter missions reached 1,000 in a single year for the first time since the service commenced in 1991, when Rescue 115 and Rescue 118 were tasked to Inis Mór and Sligo respectively.

Gerard O’Flynn, ICG national manager for Search and Rescue (SAR) services said west coast helicopters in particular were very busy throughout 2015, transporting critically ill or injured patients from rural areas to the major trauma centres at Cork and Galway university hospitals.

“Our helicopter SAR crews are highly trained and dedicated to serve the people of their communities. Their professionalism and dedication, as well as high aircraft availability, allows our crews to return people home safely from an even greater number of dangerous situations.”

Shannon helicopter Rescue 115 has completed 330 missions; Dublin Rescue 116, 148 missions; Waterford Rescue 117, 179 missions and Sligo Rescue 118, 343 missions.

“High aircraft availability is one of the main reasons behind the high number of missions,”

Sea Gastronomy – fish and shellfish of the North Atlantic Ruth Walsh, Tallaght Co Dublin

Congratulations to our competition winner

O’Flynn explained. This year [2015] we achieved in excess of 96%, 24/7 operational availability at 15 minutes notice (0730 to 2130) and 45 minutes notice thereafter at all of our four basis. This is an exceptional achievement, and I thank all of the coast guard crews for their fantastic work.”

The ICG operates one of the

most sophisticated SAR services worldwide. In addition to long range and improved cruising speeds, the new helicopter fleet is equipped with enhanced mission equipment including forwardlooking infrared (FLIR) low-light cameras; night sun’ searchlights; ambulance level paramedic care facilities and satellite communications systems.

Epic contest predicted for 18th Volvo Round Ireland yacht race

T

Dec/Jan COMPETITION WINNER

ICG helicopter display at Leenane, Co Galway in 2011.

Photo Gillian Mills

his year’s event is set to be the most heated competition in the race’s history with the inclusion of a number of prestigious international sailing champions.

Race Organiser Theo Phelan announced that Michael Boyd, RORC commodore and current holder of the international Commodore’s Cup, will be in contention, marking the 20th anniversary of his Big Ears win in the 1996 Round Ireland, with many of the same crew.

Phillip Johnston, current holder of the Round Great Britain and Ireland Race record for 60ft monohulls, with Artemis-Team Endeavour, has also confirmed he will be entering the Open 60 under skipper Michael Ferguson.

Meanwhile, current holder of the Fastnet Roger Justice

trophy, Rónán Ó Siochrú, has also confirmed he will be back to contest the Volvo Round Ireland for the fourth time.

At the end of 2015, renowned sailor and US businessman, George David, also announced his intention to enter his yacht, Ramble 88. The canting keel maxi yacht is said to be a strong contender to break the Volvo Round Ireland Race record of 2 days 17 hours 48 minutes 47 seconds, held by Mike Slade in ICAP Leopard 3, achieved in 2008.

Following the announcement that 2016 will be the first time multihulls are invited to compete, Team Concise indicated their intention to enter their world-class fleet. Ned Collier Wakefield, team director and skipper, has indicated they will be entering their three boats in the MOD 70 and Class 40 classes.

Race organiser Theo Phelan: “We have further expressions of interest from some really exciting names that we hope to announce in the coming weeks. Already the competition is heating up and we expect many previous race entrants to return to contest what is set to be one of the most exciting races ever,” “The Volvo Round Ireland is one of the most gruelling but spectacular sailing challenges in the world, bringing entrants through widely different sea types and coastlines from the Atlantic Ocean to the more sheltered Irish Sea with difficult tidal gates, particularly around the north-eastern coast and navigational challenges requiring day and night tactical decisions at every change of forecast.”

The 2016 Volvo Round Ireland departs Wicklow Bay on Saturday June 18 with the first start at 13.00 hours.

inshore ireland Winter 2016 27

Freshwater Focus

Irish lake features in global analyses on climate change

C

limate change is rapidly warming lakes around the world, threatening freshwater supplies and ecosystems, according to a new study spanning six continents.

More than 60 global scientists participated in the research which is now published in the journal, Geophysical Research Letters.

Lough Feeagh, Co Mayo, which has collected data for more than 25 years, is one of 235 lakes worldwide included in the study.

The study found that lakes are warming on average 0.34˚C every decade ― and at a greater rate than either the oceans or the atmosphere ― with profound effects that threaten freshwater supplies and ecosystems.

While representing a fraction of the world’s lakes, they contain more than half of the globe’s freshwater supply.

Ecological monitoring

The Marine Institute measures the surface water temperature of Lough Feeagh as part of long-term ecological monitoring of the Burrishoole catchment. The research station is an internationally important index site for diadromous fish monitoring, and water temperature is a crucial variable controlling growth, migration and survival of salmon, trout and eel in the catchment.

The surface water of Lough Feeagh warmed at a rate of 0.35° C per decade between

Lough Feeagh

1985 and 2009 although at a lower rate than some other northern hemisphere lakes.

“We want to be careful that we don’t dismiss some of these lower rates of change,” remarked coauthor Stephanie Hampton, director of Washington State University’s Center for Environmental Research, Education and Outreach.

“In warmer lakes, those temperature changes can be really important. They can be just as important as a higher rate of change in a cooler lake.”

Increased methane

The study warns that at the current rate, algal blooms, which can ultimately rob water of oxygen, are projected to increase 20 per cent in lakes over the next century. And algal blooms that are toxic to fish and animals will increase by five per cent. These rates imply that emissions of methane - a greenhouse gas 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide - will increase four percent over the next decade.

“Lakes are important because society depends on surface water for the vast majority of human uses,” she added.

“Not just for drinking water, but manufacturing, energy production and crop irrigation. Protein from freshwater fish is especially important in the developing world.”

Temperature is one of the most fundamental and critical physical properties of water. It controls a host of

other properties that include intricate living processes that have evolved within strict boundaries. When the temperature swings quickly and widely from the norm, life forms in a lake can change dramatically and even disappear. “‘These results suggest that large changes in our lakes are not only unavoidable but are probably already happening,” added lead author Catherine O’Reilly, Associate Professor of Geology at Illinois State University.

Funded in part by NASA and the National Science Foundation, the study is the largest of its kind and the first to use a combination of longterm hand measurements and temperature measurements made from satellites, offsetting the shortcomings of each method.

Satellite measurements

Study co-author Simon Hook, science division manager at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said satellite measurements provide a broad view of lake temperatures over the entire globe. But they only measure surface temperature, while hand measurements can detect changes in temperature throughout a lake. Also, satellite measurements go back only 30 years while some lake measurements can go back more than a century.

“The inclusion of data from Lough Feeagh in this study highlights the value of collecting local environmental long-term data to inform

Elvira de Eyto and Joe Cooney, on Lough Feeagh global analyses,” said Dr Elvira de Eyto, a biologist at the Marine Institute facility in Burrishoole and one of the studies co-authors.

“Sharing of such data with global scientific networks makes an important contribution to worldwide climate change analyses, and our understanding of how the warming climate will affect our valuable aquatic resources,” remarked the institute’s CEO, Dr Peter Heffernan.

The researchers noted that various climate factors are associated with the warming trend. In northern climates, lakes are losing their ice cover earlier and many areas of the world have less cloud cover, exposing their waters more to the sun’s warming rays.

Many lake temperatures

are rising faster than the average air temperatures.

Some of the greatest warming is seen at northern latitudes where rates can average 0.72˚C per decade.

Warm-water tropical lakes may be seeing less dramatic temperature increases; however increased warming can still negatively impact fish. This can be particularly important in the African Great Lakes - home to one-fourth of the planet’s freshwater supply and an important source of fish for food.

In general, the researchers found that “pervasive and rapid warming observed here signals the urgent need to incorporate climate impacts into vulnerability assessments and adaptation efforts for lakes”.

All photos Mary Dillane, Marine Institute

OceanFeedTM is a feed ingredient, specifically formulated from blended seaweeds for each animal group. Developed by Ocean Harvest Technology, the OceanFeedTM range comprises of complex blends of seaweeds sustainably harvested from the oceans of the world.

USING NATURES GOODNESS TO MAKE HEALTHIER ANIMALS AND HAPPIER OWNERS

• Helps increase herd fertility • Greater nutrient absorption • Increases milk protein content and milk yield • Improves your animal’s immune • system • Improves skin and coat condition • Improves hoof health

• • • • •

Promotes gut health Stimulates immune system Improves fertility Healthier skin, coat & hooves Better conditioning

Available In: 20kg bags (lasts 10 cattle 28 days on average) and 1 tonne bulk bags

Available In: 3kg bucket (lasts 1 horse 67 days avg.), 10kg bucket (lasts one horse 222 DAYS AVG.)

Feeding Guide: (Simply add to current feed), Calves less than 100kg: 30-40g daily, Young Cattle 100-250kg: 50-70g daily, Cows and Cattle over 250kg: 70-100g daily.

Feeding Guide: Adult horses: 45g daily, Ponies: 30g daily, Foals: 15g daily

Produced by:

Tel: 00353 93 51220 www.oceanfeed.ie

Ocean Harvest Technology welcome any enquiries about their products or the science behind our formulations. If you would like to contact us, please go to www.oceanfeed.ie or call +353 93 51807