Inshore Ireland 2.3 July 2006 by Inshore Ireland Publishing

Bimonthly

incorporating

News from the coast and inland waterways

Aquaculture Ireland

1,000 kms of inland waterways

Marine archaeology survey

Page 9

Pages 18 to 19

Water recirculation Page 24

July 2006 Vol 2 Issue 3

Inshore fisheries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 - 12 Aquaculture news . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 - 24 Marine Institute new headquarters .30 - 31 Marketing and retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Lack of transparency in sea lice data - Report By Gery Flynn and Gillian Mills

A report in this newspaper calls for ``new thinking and a new approach'' to be adopted in the State-funded investigation into the causes of sea lice infestations on wild sea trout. It suggests also that there has been a lack of transparency in the way results from the programme have been handled and interpreted to date by Government scientists during the past decade-and a-half. In a hard-hitting exploration of the subject, Dr Martin O'Farrell of Aztec Management Consultants, implies that data collected at tax-payers expense is not being released by State agencies as quickly as it should be. He writes that his attempts to interpret the results of this ongoing investigation ``would be more thorough'' if he had access to relevant fisheries data collected since the turn of the century. And he claims that the data is ``in the hands of Government scientists and will probably remain there until they are published in some peer reviewed journal.'' Dr O'Farrell also describes as ``meaningless'', the past and continued sampling of sea trout post-smolt in esturaries and the lower reaches of rivers with the objective of determining sea lice burdens. He claims: ``It is possible to have high sea lice burdens on sea trout post-smolt and high sea trout rod catches in the same river in the same year, and it is also possible to have no adult sea lice reservoir in a marine

IPN outbreak confirmed By Gery Flynn

PLAYING THE LINE ON LOUGH CURRANE, CO KERRY

* On his first attempt at catching an Irish salmon, Dr John Sutphen of Noank, Conn., USA, struck it lucky when he found a Ghillie with the magic touch and more than a bit of knowledge of the `hot spots' on Kerry's Lough Currane, near Waterville. (See also pg 13) Photo: Tim Magennis

environment and to have relatively high juvenile sea trout levels on sea trout post-smolt in the same marine environment

and at the same time.'' He much less in esturarine areas concludes that sampling effort and the lower reaches of rivin the future should be focused ers.'' This, he says would result in more on the open sea ``and

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

a ``more balanced appraisal of the sea lice infestation status of sea trout post-smolt populations in the west of Ireland.''

IPN - Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis - is a disease found in wild and farmed fish has been detected in 2006 salmon fry hatched from eggs imported into Ireland from Scotland. According to the EU and national authorities IPN is not considered to be a serious disease and is not controlled by legislation. There have been several outbreaks of IPN in Ireland over the past 10 years, but measures taken to control it managed to curtail its impact. IPN is prevalent in Scotland and Norway. Since 2004, the Irish salmon farming industry, in co-operation with the Marine Institute, requested a testing regime from suppliers of eggs and fish from abroad, involving individual parent testing of broodstock for IPN. This is believed to be the most effective test for IPN.

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

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

NEWS

Lack of transparency United dismay * Continued from page 1

Responding by email to a request from Inshore Ireland for specific information on the migratory patterns of sea trout on named rivers in the west of Ireland, an official from the Central Fisheries Board wrote that this information would be published ``later this year'' and that it would be ``inappropriate to select out aspects of the work without presenting the full scientific evaluation.'' He added that ``to forward selected information'' would lead to ``confusion and misrpresentation.''

No response

The CFB did not respond to this paper's invitation to submit a clarification for publication. Responding to questions from Inshore Ireland on the above issues, Donal Maguire, Aquaculture Development Manager with BIM Ð the State agency responsible for aquaculture development, said

that this research has not been adequate to date. ``The research being carried out is an attempt to prove a particular hypotothesis and has not been based on sound scientific principles. ``For example, we still do not even have a clear understanding of the basic population dynamics of the sea trout, because of the poor standards of the research which has been carried out.''

Over simplification

He added that it was ``oversimplifying the issue and misleading to say that there is a direct link between lice on salmon farms and poor sea trout catches.'' Maguire contends that ``analysis has shown that there is more than one factor at play, and to lay all of the blame at the feet of the salmon farmers is not right and will not begin to solve the wider problems being faced by our sea trout stocks.'' Responding to similar ques-

tions, Richie Flynn, Executive Chairman of IFA Aquaculture, the organisation representing the interests of salmon farmers declare that the debate about the cause of sea lice on sea trout ``had become poisoned through the peddling of deliberate misinformation.'' ``People should always be suspicious of anglers or the regional angling boards declaring `extinction' and `destruction' Ð it's a deliberate ploy to confuse the issue. There's never going to be an end to this debate as long as the facts are hidden and individuals or bodies using our taxes need an excuse to draw attention away from the real issues affecting wild fish and their inability to tackle them.'' He demanded: ``First, drop the by-law preventing sea trout angling in Connemara, and then install and monitor that electronic counters on important sea trout rivers, rather than letting them rust in a warehouse.''

IPN outbreak confirmed * Continued from page 1

A spokesman for the ISGA confirmed that Marine Institute, veterinary professionals and egg suppliers were working intensively to ensure that

enough fry and smolts are available for the Irish industry so that there is enough fish to go to sea in Autumn 2006 and Spring 2007, while minimising the risk of spreading IPN

to other farming sites. The August issue of Inshore Ireland will report in detail on IPN and the implications it could have for the salmon farming industry here.

with latest salmon talks Report by Gillian Mills

A recent meeting with an independent group established to review the effects of a cessation of drift net fishing for salmon, has been described by fishing organisations as ``useless''. Representatives of the commercial salmon fishing industry made the presentation to Padraig White, former IDA chief executive; John Maloney, former secretary general, Department of Agriculture and Tim Collins. Central to it was the importance of the salmon fishery to small-scale fishermen and the domino effect of a cessation on inshore fisheries in general. The delegation stressed the need for a management approach with better stock monitoring, rather than a ``totally unwarranted attempt to follow flawed advice in one fatal step'', commented LorcaÂn OÂ CinneÂide, Irish Fish Producers Organisation.

became clear that the independent group felt they were ``totally constrained'' by the terms of reference set by marine minister John Browne, ``which were purely to assess the degree of hardship that would arise by meeting scientific advice in total by 2007.

Impossible task

``This independent group comprises people of the highest calibre, but they have either been given a totally impossible task, which is simply to delay the bad newson behalf of the Government or they have been `got at' by vested interests.... which is leading them to believe they can only consider the issue in `all or nothing' terms.''

Clarification

OÂ CinneÂide nevertheless paid credit to the group for clarifying their position: ``But the basis of the exercise they are engaged in is totally futile and is a travesty. If there is no change in the ToR or the independent group, or their perception of those ToR, or in Constrained the process of assessing the According to OÂ CinneÂide it effects of a total ban on so

called mixed stock fisheries rather than a graduated and imaginative management approach over a number of years, I believe [they] should in all conscience refuse to continue to participate in such a charade,'' he said.

Disappointment

Mike Fitzpatrick of the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation also expressed his disappointed saying the process was ``of little or no use to commercial fishermen as it merely rubber-stamps the recommendations of the Standing Scientific Committee. ``We have very serious concerns with the way the scientific advice is generated. Even the scientists themselves.....acknowledge the fact that the data gathering process is compromised due to lack of resources. It is based on a series of inappropriate assumptions and generalisations.'' He added there was still time for Minister Browne to redraft the ToR ``so that our legitimate and well-founded concerns can be taken into account.''

Next issue August 2006

Aquaculture Inshore fisheries Island living Marine Tourism Seafood processing Marketing and retailing of seafood Marine engineering & technology Support industries and ancillary services Marine and freshwater policy and regulation Marine and freshwater research and development * National and international legislative frameworks regulating seafood production * The issues pertaining to the commercial exploitation and development of the marine and freshwater environments * * * * * * * * * *

Inshore Ireland keeps its readers updated on these and other such important matters. It's also the most cost-effective means of communicating with the industry and represents the perfect opportunity for you to get your message to this hugely influential audience.

Editor: Gillian Mills - 01 2354804 / 087 2902045 - mills@inshoreireland.com Features: Gery Flynn - 091 844822 / 085 7475797 - flynn@inshoreireland.com Advertising: Roger Cole - 01 2859111 / 087 2611597 - silchester@eircom.net

w w w. m a r i n e . i e

Foras na Mara

35,000 copies distributed to coastal communities on an all-island basis Contact us with your editorial and ad requirements

telephone 353 91 730 400

Marine Institute Galway Technology Park Parkmore Galway facsimile 353 91 730 470 email institute.mail@marine.ie

Don't miss out

INSHORE IRELAND

July 2006

NEWS

* The photo looks north and shows scenic Broadhaven Bay and the Scruwaddacon estuary in Erris, Co Mayo where the proposed Corrib gas pipeline comes ashore on the lower left hand side of the photo where the land

meets the sandy area. Here the pipeline crosses the sand dunes from left to the right edge of the sand, and crosses the estuary to the green fields. The pipeline route then follows through the south facing fields parallel to the edge of the shore along the Rossport peninsula

`Substantial safety margin' - provided recommendations are followed

Shay Fennelly reports from north Mayo IN

early

May,

Minister

Communications,

for

Marine

Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey TD, published an independent safety review by Advantica of the proposed onshore pipeline through Rossport for the Corrib gas project. To

reduce

risk,

recommends

that

Advantica pressure

(345bar) in the onshore pipeline be limited to 144bar and that

the pipeline design be revised

accordingly. They also recommend a full

reliability analysis on the sub

sea pressure control and isola-

tion

systems

demonstrate

effective limitation of the pres-

sure in the onshore system.

The consultants also looked the

potential

for

ground

movement that might damage

the pipeline due to instability of

the peat bog. They said that

ground stability issues would be

appropriately

vided

that

managed,

pro-

recommendations

made by AGEC Ltd are fol-

lowed

full

and

that

the

proposed construction methods

are revised.

Conditional safety Advantica point out that if it can be demonstrated that the pres-

sure in the onshore pipeline will be limited effectively and the

other recommendations are fol-

whether

proposed

garded as acceptable but notes

legislation is passed to give the

fairs

lowed, there will be a substan-

project is likely to be permitted

`there is a significant level of

Commission for Energy Regu-

Department of Communications

tial safety margin in the pipeline

and to ensure consistency of

uncertainty in the risk calcula-

lation (CER) responsibility for

Marine & Natural Resources in

design in terms of the accept-

decisions

tions at pressures as high as

gas safety on upstream installa-

the management of the project.

ability of risk. They conclude

sues''. The unusually high de-

345bar.'

tions.

PAD appears to have failed to

that the proposed design and

sign pressure (345bar) resulted

route

from a cautious approach to the

Consent pending

1,000 voters on the Corrib gas

the

meeting or exceeding interna-

pipeline design, such that the

pipeline conducted for The Irish

sent, safety and environmental

tional best practice and stan-

pipeline is designed to with-

Minister Dempsey has accepted

Times found only 20% believed

issues.

dards

stand

should

for

accepted

high

pressure

not

made

the

highest

safety

is-

pressure

could possibly experience.'

pipelines. from

the

landfall

Glengad 9km inland via Rossport to the proposed gas terminal at Bellanaboy bridge. (Five local people spent 94 days

prison

last

year

for

contempt of court for failing to obey a Court Order, awarded to Shell, not to interfere with the construction

the

pipeline.

The proposed onshore pipeline passes close to several houses and has caused concern over a safety

risk

due

its

high

pressure.) The

report

states

safety

review

only

the

design

and

that

the

addresses

route

the

onshore section and does not include

any

alternative

examination

project

design

of or

route options. One

the

review's

main

findings identified that Ireland had `no formal framework for decisions on the acceptability of different levels of risk, which should be in place to enable potential developers to gauge

Advantica

recommenda-

tions, and has requested that tional technical measures before

Fit for purpose

further consents can be given.

Advantica contends that, pro-

The Minister's Technical Ad-

vided its recommendations are

visory Group (TAG) is to act as

followed, the pipeline will be

the monitoring authority until

should

current believed

ahead

planned it

with

route;

should

its

(PAD)

the

adequately manage aspects of project's

Advantica

inspection,

suggests

con-

that,

44%

ahead of future projects, Gov-

ahead,

ernment should review the reg-

but on a different route. The Advantica report points

ulatory system so as to ensure that

integrity is

management

to serious questions about the

system

included

conduct of the Petroleum Af-

pipeline design stage.

from

the

`fit for purpose', but also states: `There

insufficient

evi-

dence at present to conclude with confidence that integrity management plans will be sufficient to ensure that the integrity

the

maintained high

pipeline

standard

sufficiently

throughout

its

life.' The report recommends that a formal integrity management plan

established

prior

construction and that an independent

audit

and

inspection

regime for both the construction and operation of the pipeline is established. Advantica also undertook an independent assessment of the levels of societal risk, which shows a significant increase in risk with increasing pressure. It concludes that the societal risk level

would

normally

re-

DCMNR answers Inshore Ireland's questions on foot of Minister Dempsey's statement of May 3:

Q: What is the timeframe We understand that Shell's for `imminent legislation' to experts are currently working place responsibility for gas to provide this additional insafety on upstream installa- formation. tions with the Commission Q: The Advantica report for Energy Regulation? states, inter alia : `Provided DCMNR: Certainly this year. that it can be demonstrated Possibly by the end of the that the pressure in the current term. onshore pipeline will be limQ: What is the timeframe ited effectively, and that the for implementation of advice recommendations made elseof the TAG, in particular by where in this report are requesting Shell to under- followed, we believe that take additional technical there will be a substantial measures and to provide safety margin in the pipeline documentation detailed in design, and the pipeline dethe Advantica and TAG re- sign and proposed route should be accepted as meetports? ing or exceeding internaDCMNR: No timeframe has tional standards in terms of been set by DCMNR. Shell the acceptability of risk and has to respond, and no further international best practice consents will be issued until for high pressure pipelines.' satisfactory information is reWhat is meant by `proceived and is approved by vided it can be demonTAG.

the

Shell E&P undertake the addi-

Shell E&P plans to lay this pipeline

In late May, an MRBI poll of

Division

strated...' and will it be the responsibility of CER to ensure that the pressure in the pipeline will be limited effectively?

DCMNR: It is expected that TAG will still be the safety monitoring

authority

when

further design information is received from Shell. Detailed design information, yet to be provided, must

provide cer-

tainty to TAG that the design of

the

wellhead

and

beach

valve assemblies both provide pressure limitation. CER

will

monitoring

the

authority

safety when

construction takes place, and will be responsible for ensuring that the systems are built and installed as per the approved design. CER will also be

responsible

for

ongoing

monitoring when the pipeline is in operation.

Public Consultation The European Commission launched a public consultation on Maritime Policy on 7 June 2006 on the basis of a Green Paper, called 'Towards a future Maritime Policy for the Union: A European vision for the oceans and seas'. The aim is to allow Europe's citizens to contribute their views on the subject of extracting more benefit from the oceans in a sustainable manner. The initiative is a response to the growing awareness of the vital role which the sea already plays as a driver of Europe's prosperity, and of its potential for providing more jobs and greater well-being. Many economic activities of Europeans (such as transport, shipping, trade, coastal and port-based industries, off-shore, traditional and alternative energies, fisheries, aquaculture, marine research and tourism) are linked to or impact on the oceans and seas. Yet currently these sectors often operate independently. The Commission hopes the Green Paper will launch a broad public debate both on the principle of the EU adopting an integrated approach to maritime activities and on the many ideas for action with a view to ensuring that we avoid conflict and optimise our returns from the sea, combining economic growth with effective protection of the marine environment and greater stakeholder participation. The Commission intends to spend the next year listening to what stakeholders have to say. The European Commission Representation in Ireland will also be holding an event to debate the issue later this year. To find out more about the public consultation on Maritime Policy and to submit your contribution, please visit this website: http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy_en.html. The Green Paper and supporting documents can be downloaded from the same site.

The public consultation closes on

30 June 2007.

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

NEWS

Exchange of opinions over alleged over-fishing IN

recent

Da Â il

exchange

is not on record in this House;

a point of clarification, the cut-

marine

no proof has been offered to

back

spokesperson, John Perry, and

support these allegations, which

companies offering marine survey services

marine minister, John Browne,

have led to 30,000 tonnes being

current

deputy Perry referred to a letter

cut from the quota this year.''

30,000 tonnes.

for the 2006 INFOMAR programme.

from former marine minister Pat the Cope Gallagher to Commis-

Response

and has come about as a result

sioner Borg regarding alleged

In response, Minister Browne

Invitation for Expressions of Interest from

The Marine Institute and Geological Survey of Ireland are commencing an integrated mapping programme of Irish inshore bays and harbours. Operations are planned in the Shannon Estuary, and Bantry, Dunmanus and Dingle Bays between July and October 2006. Submissions of interest are sought from vendors of the following services: . Inshore geophysical and Order 1 hydrographic survey - vessel / equipment / operators . Marine geological and benthic sample acquisition and/or processing . Vessel supply for marine environmental monitoring in support of LIDAR airborne survey . Underwater engineer, hydrographic surveyor, multibeam data processing and marine geophysical consultancy . Marine survey equipment hire - multibeam & single beam echo sounders, tide gauges, magnetometers, sampling equipment and ROVs. Suitable vendors will be added to the Marine Institute vendor list and considered should the above services go to Tender.

between

Fine

Gael

over-fishing by Irish vessels. ``The former Minister alleged he

had

information

file

which he would bring to the attention

Commissioner

Borg. Why was this information not put on the record in the Da Â il?

said the information was in the public domain and that it was being dealt with under Scottish jurisdiction. ``I attended a meeting with Commissioner Borg. The Commission intends to take 6,500

Marine Institute, Renville, Oranmore, Galway, Ireland. Email:

pauline.flaherty@marine.ie Subject : INFOMAR EoI

tonnes

2003

figure

[sic]

whereas

was,

the fact,

of unproven allegations. Why was this matter reported to the EU

without

any

proof

being

offered?'' he asked. Minister Browne retorted that the actual figure was 37,500 tonnes. ``A total of 6,500 tonnes is being deducted at the moment, while the remainder is up for

Public domain

fishing.

dealt with under Scottish jur-

about matters being dealt with

``If the Minister is in possession

isdiction so we cannot inter-

over the last number of months

of this information, could he

fere.''

by the Scottish authorities is in

place it in the public domain? It

The

matter

being

Deputy Perry replied that, on

negotiation.

The

information

the public view,'' he said.

Agreement reached on new 4bn European Fisheries fund AT

the

June

fisheries

council, agreement was reached

protect

ticularly relevant to the Irish seafood

sector,''

commented

Minister Browne said he was ``particularly

enthusiastic''

natural

* *

Minister

include

eco-tour-

regeneration

coastal areas and measures to

re-

fishermen under the age of 40

Funding for aquaculture, inland

who

fishing

assistance to buy their first boat

and

processing

and

marketing of fisheries products.

would

eligible

for

under certain conditions.

Funding for fishery ports and

Significant funding will go

the promotion and develop-

towards stock conservation and

ment of new markets.

the protection of vulnerable fish

Sustainable

development

``These priorities embrace all

projects,

also

nity fishing fleet.

relating to sustainable developInitiatives

Browne

ferred to the support for young

coastal areas.

ism

shellfish sector.''

Measures to adapt the commu-

about new elements in the Fund ment of the coastal sector.

methods, development of aquaculture in new species and the

main priority areas:

Enthusiastic

enhance

The agreement contains four

on a new 4 billion European initiatives that will ``prove par-

and

heritage.

marine minister, John Browne.

Pauline NÏ Fhlatharta,

6,000

``This cutback relates to 2005

tonnes of stock back from Irish

Fisheries Fund, which contains

Interested parties should send their requests for terms of reference and submission to:

stocks. This will include vessel decommissioning

schemes,

in-

the areas in which Ireland has

vestment to improve on board

an interest, i.e. stock conserva-

safety, working conditions, pro-

tion, development of more en-

duct and hygiene quality and

vironmentally-friendly

more selective fishing gear.

fishing

INSHORE IRELAND

July 2006

Publically funded Information and our right to it

Maritime circles and CJ Haughey

THIS paper notes the passing of Charles

sure way of gauging how far any society

very hard to come by, and there are those

the tax-payer should be available to all which

has travelled along the path to maturity is to

who would like to hold on to it and use it for

is mark of a mature society

observe the way it deals with the flow of

their own advantage. Conversely, there are

What were they afraid of?

information.

those who want information and often have

Could it be simply a natural instinct - often

Information

has

always

been

prevent the public from knowing too much?

paper that information, collected over many

If it was as benign as this then perhaps it

access it, has achieved unprecedented status.

years by publicly-funded bodies, has been

might even be excusable.

information

and

the

freedom

slow

Ireland has come a long way from the days when

access

practically

any

kind

finding

domain

its

because it.

way

those

This

into

the

public

Any suggestion that the public is being

were

denied access to information which has been

controlling itself

information was reserved for the rich and

preventing

powerful.

unusual but surely, information that has been

not

circles

from

Carlingford

of Dingle. There

funding

was the

responsible

Harbour,

that

for it

the

might

provide benefit to the fishing community, and for the 50 berth marina so that yachtsmen could enjoy safe anchorage while sailing the rugged waters off the West coast of Ireland.

Ð Gery Flynn

paid for has to be challenged.

really

Features Editor

gathered by public servants and paid for by

History shows that information is often

maritime

Kerry and especially in the fishing port

Allegations have been made in this news-

internet,

J Haughey. He would have be known in

lampooned - among some public servants to

to go to great lengths to acquire it.

very

valuable commodity. But in the age of the

tnemmoC

COMMENT

OBITUARY Ð Charles J Haughey OBITUARY Ð Capt. John Allen intuitive seamen who is always and personal capacities and was

THE Irish maritime community

is a great sadness for the fishing

greatly

lost one of its best known and

whether big or small, irrespec-

and coastal communities of Ire-

their futures.

most

tive of weather conditions. He

THE

death of Charlie Haughey

committed

securing

flamboyant

characters

total

control

his

craft,

John

was a superb ship handler, even

na an iar-Thaoisigh - agus is mo Â

E. Allen on 9 May last. Affec-

in the most restricted sea-room

locht a bhõ Â air - ach i bhfad na

tionately known as Phatz (the

or potentially dangerous situa-

bered many in the fishing com-

h-aimsire,

spelling was his own), he was

tions

munity as his closest and most

tuiscint nõ Âos fearr ar an iliomad

born

time to time in the course of the

trusted friends.

maitheas a dhein se Â don tõ Âr le

Road, Sandymount, Dublin.

land. He had a lifelong passion

Ta Â mora Â n de Â anta do lochtan-

for the sea and a huge interest in marine

and

fishing.

num-

bhfe Âidir

mbeidh

As Taoiseach, he gave prac-

linn saol fada poiblõ Â. Bhõ Â gra Â

tical expression to this commit-

speisialta aige do lucht farraige

ment

insisting

the

agus

establishment of a Cabinet level

marine

portfolio,

and

the

marine

terms

national

his

succes-

ge Âarchu Â iseach, development of the port which proved

sors. CJH

course

indelibly

associated with west Kerry and

significant

and

enormously

beneficial

in-

vestment.

Dingle. The fishing community

However, his interest and his

of Dingle erected a bust in his

deep knowledge of all aspects

honour

of marine was experienced all

last

August

and

re-

mained among his most staunch

over

supporters

particular

and

admirers.

the

coast

and

affinity

off-

from

his

the late 1940s and as Taoiseach

annual retreat to Inishvickillane,

was

fishing

and

marine

major

tourism

visited

Apart

had

the

shore

for

islands.

for

visited the area annually from responsible

agus

Â hEochaidh, fear sal e Â Cathal O

ment at the subsequent downof

fe Âin,

Go pearsanta, ba dhuine ua-

he expressed deep disappoint-

political

fharraige

iascaireachta.

Marine Institute. In latter years,

grading

don

bhõ Â ard-mheas air i measc lucht

practically

all

the

cinea Â lta,

tuisci-

neach, comhluadar iontach, fear go raibh re Â imse leathan a Â bhair a raibh mion-eolas agus suim aige iontu.

cailliuint

mo Âr

e Â

da Â

mho Â ra Â n cairde agus go ha Â irithe da Â

bhean

Eimear, agus

Ma Â irõ Ân,

chlann

Conchubhair,

Ciara Â n.

Sea Ân

Deinimõ Âd

comh-

bhro Â n leo in am seo a mbuartha. Beannacht De Â le hAnam na Marbh.

populated islands in his official

with

the

death

Capt.

and reared on

St John's

confined inshore work. When M.V. Atlanta was sold

sea,

replacement

before

closing

the

years

mast,

the

Gray

Second

chosen way of life like a duck

Dun

Laoghaire

used

enthusiasm

for

regularly

and

house-

temporary

replacement

and

John, who was now the Servi-

seafaring in its traditional care-

boat. An invitation aboard guar-

ce's

free sense was further fired by a

anteed a lively evening for he

pointed in command. It was a

spirit of great exuberance which

loved

large, powerful vessel, techni-

he carried with him to the end

Mariner's `Jolly'.

nothing

better

than

senior

cally

John then passed his Master

of an eventful life.

the

and

captain,

was

operationally

traditional

buoy

ap-

unlike

tenders,

Mariner's examination and took

particularly in that all its poten-

shipping companies during the

tial

1940s,

1st Officer in the Dublin Gas

were on its afterdeck, as distinct

ship and trading to many dif-

Company's

from

ferent parts of the world, in a

plied between Dublin and Li-

working

period when a sailor could pick

verpool.

existing ships.

remained

with

moving

British

from

E v e n t u a l l y, on

ship

the

completion sea-going

early of

his

time,

temporary

employment

steamers

December,

which

l958

buoy-working the

John

traditional

facilities foredeck-

arrangements went

ahead

the

and

per-

joined the Steamer Service of

fected the use of this ship, not

the

Irish

only in general buoy work but

Lights as 2nd Officer on board

also in heavy cable and anchor-

Commissioners

Isolda.

the

S.S.

the

long that he had made a change

sis.

for the best as he enjoyed the

pioneering

preparation for his Second Of-

frequent

the

regard that the stern deck work-

ficer's examination.

unusual

inshore

ing alternative was adopted in

studying

Irish

Nautical

West

Pier,

College

Dun

Laoghaire,

commenced

knew

boat-work nature

before

and

the

handling work on contract baSo

successful

were

operations

his

this

John was a very bright stu-

operations. In due course, and

the

dent and had no trouble assim-

soon after his marriage to Pau-

sioners new Granuaile, which

building

the

Commis-

and cohesive course through the

ilating

line, he was transferred to the

was launched in 2000, and has

Chile on 22 March of Dr Vigfu Âs

challenging

subjects, giving him ample time

S.S. Ierne which was based at

since

Jo Â hannsson.

dustry was experiencing.

to enjoy a boisterous shore life.

Castletownbere, Co Cork, from

future state-of-the-art buoy ten-

In the relaxed atmosphere of the

where the vessel serviced all the

ders.

class-rooms of the period, how-

lighthouses

ever, his dog,

southwest coast of Ireland. Here

Irish

accompany him during college

the newly-married couple set up

1992,

lectures

an of

Icelander fire

and

from

ice'

the

try difficulties, coupled with his enormous

industry that included high seas,

management

and

course

all these sectors was immense,

of Stofnfiskur Ireland Ltd based

and

at Corrandulla in Co Galway.

recognised

the

impor-

Vigfu Â s became MD of Stofn-

fiskur

Iceland's

largest

mily-selection

programme

that

was available to the whole Irish

salmon Industry and the vision

its foundation in 1991 and lead

he had then is now bearing fruit

the company up to his untimely

as this work continues.

producer

death.

established

links

with

salmon

the

eggs

As president of the Interna-

commercial

tional Salmon Farmers Associa-

and

tion

mid-1990s

strong Ireland

within

three years he became a director

the

from

2000

vice-president

2002

from

(and

1998

the

most

Tostal, used

bimonthly

Agricultural

Farmers Journal and the

Field, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12

Editor Gillian Mills

mills@inshoreireland.com

Production & imaging

01-2354804/087-2902045

Irish Farmers Journal

Features editor

Advertising manager

Gery Flynn

Roger Cole

flynn@inshoreireland.com

silchester@eircom.net

091-844822/085-7475797

01-2859111/087-2611597

the

for

When John retired from the Lighthouse he

Service

promptly

eschewed

the

spect and continued his seafar-

stewardship of the ISFA a very

day

that beautiful coastal area, with

ing

real

Walsh, trod on the dog's tail and

gusto.

various

achievement

during

evolving process.

his

Iceland

friends and

colleagues

Ireland

Tom

and

captain

the

ferries

that

the mainland. He remained in

ejected onto the East Pier and

by the nature of the ship's ever

this employment for a further

sat,

changing

selective

fitting tribute to the work that he initiated. Peter McGovern.

Tostal

was

thereafter,

dow

nearest

desk,

where

to he

consoled

comfort,

and

odd

under the

the Irish Times, 10

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

was

Marietta

years,

bringing

his

total

regularly

arranging

ible period of 61 years Ð surely

words

thrown

biscuit,

shortly

active sea service to an incred-

of the

filched

the

afterwards

building

racing skiff and the training of a

crew

John will be remembered for

oarsmen from among the ship's

many things: he made numer-

tional

very

a record?

enthusiastic

company.

He sailed through his examand

schedule.

this end he was instrumental in

from the janitor's kitchen. ination

work

master's

his

John's

win-

extremely

passenger

service the Aran Islands from

tion.

worked

career

hard

breeding programme will be a

Capt.

pro-

but enjoyed the leisure afforded

A successful Irish aquaculture based

principal,

armchair-and-slippers

summarily

particular those at Corrandulla.

industry

the

would

was promptly bitten in retalia-

Ð 16 D'Olier St, Dublin 2

Irish

prototype

work pattern and shore life of

Printed by

Trust, publishers of the Irish

buoys

home and John entered into the

is published the

and

become

snooze

and

Ierne's

The

requirements

opera-

frequently

ous good friends, loved life and, in

passing,

fitted in with the various sum-

legacy

left

behind

stories

him

about

his

on the

mer regattas around the south-

unconventional and sometimes

Wexford Steamship Company's

west coast, where John and his

hilarious lifestyle that will far

M/V Menapia, which was en-

crew

enter

outlive his generation. He was a

gaged in the foreign and home

for every skiff-racing event on

fine seaman and a clever crafts-

trades. For the following seven

the card. His crew were very

man

years,

skilful

build a boat, repair an engine or

joined, as 2nd

Inshore Ireland

complex

quietly on the floor until one

Vigfu Â s will be deeply missed

He introduced a salmon fa-

tance of their interactions.

knowledge

aquaculture industry made his

rive r

aquaculture. His knowledge of he

in-

awareness of, individual coun-

pursue a career in the fisheries d eve lopm ent,

the

His genuine concern for, and

was

only natural that Vigfu Â s would

ins hore

that

clear

harbour

record here the tragic death in

times

M.V. diving

2000),

steered

the

former

Clansman) was purchased as a

Empire Coral, and took to his His

ship, (a

support vessel named Seaforth

World War, on the RFA tanker,

water.

Seal,

IT is with great sadness that we

`land

Vigfu Âs

from

out of the Service in 1988, a

mandatory

OBITUARY Ð Dr VigfuÂs JoÂhannsson

arise

drew's College and first went to

1950s,

Producers Organisation.

could

He was educated at St An-

and chose exotic destinations.

Â Cinne Lorca Ân O Âide, Irish Fish

which

when

Officer

not

home

for

oarsmen

and

won

would

number

who

could

carve

timber,

study leave, he became a well-

prizes but were never quite up

turn

known

tireless

to the standards of the best of

thing. He lived a long, exciting

evening reveller at the various

the local Cork and Kerry row-

and colourful life and was never

sea ports in Spain, Portugal and

ing teams.

known

caller

and

the near continent, as well as his

the

served

home ports.

following

Second

years and

then

his

hand

hold

almost

any-

grudge

speak ill of his fellow man. His

colleagues

extend

their

college for

Chief Officer on all four of the

deepest sympathy to his wife,

further study he bought a small

Lighthouse Service's ships, and

Pauline, and his family, and to

all who held him dear.

returning to

fishing

boat,

which

when

Pride of Bantry, ashore

kept

moored alongside the quay in

1979

pointed

was in

eventually

command

apM.V.

Atlanta. John was one of those

May he rest in peace. O.M.D.

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

REPORT

Sea lice infestation of sea trout Ă? so what have we learned? Dr Martin O'Farrell explores the issue

ESTABLISHED in the early 1990s, an ongoing programme of investigation into sea lice burdens on sea trout post-smolt captured at various locations (open sea, estuaries, lower reaches of rivers) by various methods (gill-nets, seine nets, upstream traps, trawls) and funded by the Central Fisheries Board has been in operation throughout the west of Ireland. The programme was initiated after the collapse of sea trout populations in the west of Ireland in 1989/1990. The collapse was characterised by the premature return to freshwater of sea trout postsmolts with heavy sea lice infestation; lice infestation predominated by juvenile lice; a collapse in sea trout rod catches and a change in sea trout population structure. (Sea lice infestation levels higher than 55 per sea trout post-smolt are considered detrimental to the survival of the host.) Various publications have linked juvenile sea lice infestation on sea trout post-smolt to sea lice emanating from nearby salmon farms (<20km distant). Interpretation

This article attempts to interpret the results of this ongoing investigation and makes recommendations for the future. This interpretation would be more thorough if I had access to relevant fisheries data collected since the turn of the century (e.g. fish counter data from the Erriff and Casla river systems; fish trap data from the Invermore and Gowla). These data, however, are in the hands of government scientists and will probably remain there until they are published in some peer reviewed journal. God be with the days of the Department of the Marine's Sea Trout Working Group (19921995) when sea trout data of all types were shared openly between government and nongovernment scientists. Nowadays, important fisheries data Ă? collected at the taxpayer's expense Ă? remain undisclosed until their eventual publication. It is useful to quote the field sampling statements in these sea lice monitoring reports:

`Sampling was carried out in the middle and upper reaches of estuaries. Observations at a number of sites in Ireland since 1989 indicated that post-smolts can be present in estuaries in May and June. These fish may be representative of the general post-smolt population although there is also strong evidence that fish that have heavy infestation return prematurely to freshwater and are therefore more likely to be captured in estuarine locations.' Key consideration

The statement that the fish sampled in estuaries `may be representative' of the general sea trout post-smolt population is a key consideration. Before the 1989/1990 collapse, in the region of 140,000 sea trout smolt migrated annually from sea trout-producing

* Various publications have linked juvenile sea lice infestation on sea trout post-smolt to sea lice emanating from nearby salmon farms.

catchments throughout Connemara and south Mayo. Survival to post-smolt (finnock) averaged 21% over many years on the Burrishoole River system. In the past decade or so, salmon smolt survival has decreased significantly. So has sea trout smolt survival. Judging from recent reports and publications, sea trout smolt survival to first return as post-smolt depending on which catchment is being intensively interrogated - is in the region of 10%. Thus, almost nine out of every 10 sea trout smolt die within three months of migrating to sea. Before salmon farming commenced off the west coast of Ireland in the early 1980s, what caused almost four out of every five sea trout smolt to perish within three months of migrating to sea? Where did they die, and where would we have found these `compromised' (dead or dying) fish if we had looked for them? The present reality is that there are two sea trout postsmolt components during the period May 1 to June 15. One component is healthy and at sea, and the other is compromised. As the dead/dying component outnumbers the healthy component by perhaps nine to one, it might be expected that we have a better chance of locating the dead/dying component. Assessment location

In assessing the summaries/conclusions of the CFB reports, sea trout post-smolt infestation mean abundance levels were examined for one geographic area, Killary Harbour. Mean abundance equals the mean number of sea lice on all fish examined for lice infestation. The available data on sea trout rod catches and sea lice infestation levels on sea trout post-smolt are given in Table 1. The rod catch data are taken from the Delphi Fishery website (www.delphisalmon.com) and from the Erriff fishery annual newsletter (www.wrfb.ie). The objective of this analysis is to see if there are any trends/ relationships in sea trout postsmolt infestation data and to relate these data to sea trout rod catches. It is important to note that sea trout post-smolt predominate in the catches of recreational fisheries in the west of Ireland.

TABLE 1 SEA LICE INFESTATION AND SEA TROUT ROD CATCHES

Year 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Sea Lice Mean abundance Erriff Delphi Killary 0.0 31.3 32.1 18.2 14.7 19.0 60.1 55.2 88.1 82.4 106.8 21.5 11.0 42.2 87.8 20.1 30.2 1.2 0.3 41.4 40.2 11.2 42.5 24.9 67.1 63.8 10.3

Rod catches Erriff 293 217 318 202 263 466 520 637 321 344 282 142 127 79

Delphi 484 660 709 181 412 446 769 667 345 519 568 128 174 98

There is a significant positive relationship between sea trout rod catches on both fisheries (figure 1). There is also a significant positive relationship between sea lice infestation levels on sea trout post-smolt captured on the lower reaches of the Erriff and Bundorragha (Delphi) rivers (figure 2).

In 1992, Killary Salmon Company had no adult salmon in cages, and salmon smolt were stocked at the usual time during spring. Therefore, no adult sea lice reservoir associated with salmon aquaculture activities existed in Killary Harbour during the spring of 1992.

Relationship trends

High infestation

Having regard to the difficulties encountered in the interpretation of sea trout rod catch data (fishing effort, available stock, catch and release by-law etc), the relationship between rod catch and sea lice mean abundance data for the same year was examined. In the case of the Erriff (figure 3) no significant relationship was found. Similarly, no significant linear relationship was found between sea lice mean abundance and sea trout rod catch in the same year on the Delphi Fishery (figure 4). The conclusion to this analysis must therefore be that sea lice infestation levels on sea trout post-smolt examined in the estuary/lower reach of a river have no bearing on the health status of the sea trout post-smolt population of that river. Finally, the sea lice mean abundance on sea trout postsmolt sampled at sea in Killary Harbour in the years 1992, 1996, 2004 and 2005 were compared with sea trout rod catches on the Erriff and Delphi fisheries in those years. There is no evidence to suggest that years of low sea lice mean abundance on sea trout postsmolt sampled in Killary Harbour correspond with high rod catches or vice versa.

Nevertheless, the mean abundance of sea lice on sea trout post-smolt sampled in Killary Harbour during the period 1 May to 15 June 1992 was 31.1 per fish (a relatively high mean abundance sea lice infestation level). Where did these juvenile sea lice come from? Where did the sea trout post-smolt come from? Gargan et al. (2002) explained the above relatively high infestation level as follows: `This may be due to the

model above treating bays as isolated units and variation around the model may be due to movement of fish out of the bays where different lice infestation may be encountered and subsequent return to the bay, or the inclusion of sea trout not native to the bay in the sample.'

Some explanation that! Codswallop! Note that in 1992, with no sea lice reservoir in Killary Harbour, sea trout rod catches on the Delphi and Erriff fisheries remained relatively low. This fact has received little or no attention from government scientists investigating the collapse of sea trout populations in the mid-west of Ireland. Interestingly, in a paper soon to be published, Gargan et al. (2006) describe exceptionally low sea trout post-smolt survi-

val rates for the Owengowla River over a 10 year period (1992-2001) with the exception of a single year when prolonged whole-bay spring fallowing of marine salmon farms took place in Bertraghboy Bay. In that one year, marine survival rates of sea trout smolt increased and it was concluded that whole-bay spring fallowing had a positive effect on sea trout smolt marine survival. Conversely, they suggest that the sea trout stock collapse on Ireland's west coast was contributed to by sea lice infestation from marine salmon farms. Meaningless sampling

This article demonstrates that sea trout events following a period of fallowing do not run true and should be interpreted with caution. It also demonstrates the meaninglessness of past and continued sampling of sea trout post-smolt in estuaries and the lower reaches of rivers with the

objective of determining sea lice burdens. It is possible to have high sea lice burdens on sea trout postsmolt and high sea trout rod catches in the same river in the same year. It is also possible to have no adult sea lice reservoir in a marine environment and to have relatively high juvenile sea lice levels on sea trout postsmolt in the same marine environment and at the same time. The thinking behind the government-sponsored sea trout/sea lice programme of investigation/monitoring needs to be addressed and a new approach needs to be adopted. Future sea trout post-smolt monitoring should devote much more sampling effort to the open sea and much less to estuarine areas and the lower reaches of rivers in order to obtain a more balanced appraisal of the sea lice infestation status of sea trout post-smolt populations in the west of Ireland.

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

REPORT

Poor public awareness of pending impact of water rules

Report by Gery Flynn MANAGERS of the Western River Basin District Project one of the eight all-island bodies charged with ensuring that Ireland complies with tough EU-prescribed deadlines in the run-up to full implementation of the Water Framework Directive in 2015 - have acknowledged there is low public awareness of the issues involved. Dr Paddy Kavanagh, project manager of the Galway-based WRBD Project and a senior consultant with ESB International, says that a key challenge now is to ``get the message out to the man and woman in the street that this Directive is going to impact on them sooner or later.'' He says that despite the fact that many of the specialist focus groups and NGOs are quite well-informed about the Directive and its implications, ``this is a very small percentage of the total. We have to reach the public who are so busy getting on with their daily lives that they seldom think about water and even take it for granted.''

Timescale of the WFD Key Dates December 2003 December 2004 December 2006 December 2008 December 2009 December 2015 ESBI Computing

Poor attendance

Kavanagh says that proof of this was evident at a recent presentation by the WRBD project to the Corrib-MaskConn Angling Federation in Oughterard which attracted an audience of 400. A similar event held in Galway city, however, was poorly attended.

Requirement National and Regional water laws to be adapted to the WFD. River Basin co-operation to be made operational. An analysis of pressures and impacts on our waters has to be completed including an economic analyis - Characterisation Report. Monitoring programmes have to be operational as a basis for the water management. River Basin Management plans to be presented to the public. First River Basin Management Plans to be published. Waters to meet 'good status'

``These people around the lakes would be very well aware of water quality problems particularly because that is the source of their drinking water and they are already concerned. But we now have to start

gone into ensuring that local authority personnel throughout the region are being kept up to date about every aspect of the pending legislation. ``We have been integrating with the local authorities at every opportunity through a series of technical open days where their staff have come in and have seen at close hand how the WRBD project does its work. The local authorities are also involved in the steering group, and they have a say in what's happening nationally so they know what the implicaplanning a campaign to make tions are likely to be,'' Kavathe public at large more aware nagh says. of what this Directive is all Potential contentious about and of what is coming down the track.'' Kavanagh says that a lot of issue time and effort had already Addressing the issue of resour-

cing for local authorities, Pat Canney, project co-ordinator and local authority employee concedes that this has the potential to become a contentious issue. Criticisms have already been voiced that problems will arise once the local authorities take over from the consultants in 2008 and attempt to drive it to completion in 2015. Canney is optimistic, however, that it is only a matter of time before Government deals with this issue and that there will be no danger of any slowdown due to the lack of funding or expertise in the local authorities. ``From the start date in 2000, none of the projects were fully resourced but the Department of the Environment stepped in and allocated the extra funds to keep

them going to the end of 2008. So I would be confident that if it allocates the necessary infrastructure in relation to the management of natural water, they will hardly let it go by the way now,'' he contends Pointing to the variety of expertise among those employed in the project already, Canney says that this was what ensured that all deadlines were met. He is confident that this will continue. ``It has been incredible seeing how this work has been done so far. The way the Characterisation Report was prepared, and how everything was so well streamlined by the national coordination group and the technical group of the EPA so that duplication was avoided and deadlines were met.''

Water Framework Directive implementation poses challenges ADMINISTRATIVE issues as opposed to technology issues are those most difficult to surmount on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, according to a presentationĂ&#x201A; at Eco-Imagine. GearoĂ&#x201A;id O Riain of Dublinbased Compass Informatics outlined the progress on a range of technical issues and noted how these are dependent on various people and organisation-related issues. Under the Directive, which aims to create good quality surface, ground and coastal waters throughout Europe, there is a great need for new and accurate datasets to be created and also shared. This has led to the initiative to establish a range of national standard data structures and datasets by Compass and the setup of data exchange systems by the EPA. This departure is challenging many organisations to alter their mindset - from creating and keeping data for their own use - to designing data with the uses of others in mind and in opening up that data for those others. The

challenges arise from personal to national and European level, where policies on obligatory data sharing and freedom are being pursued by a range of Directives - including Freedom of Information, but also a Directive on Reuse of Public Sector Information, and the proposed INSPIRE directive on spatial data sharing.

Implementing the Directive

Implementation of the Directive is bringing these issues to the fore and is progressing in a hands-on way the development of many new and practical datasets and systems including seamless islandwide registers of rivers, lakes, coastal waters, protected areas, as well as national registers of point features such as licensed discharge points to rivers and sewer overflows which are fundamental to robust water quality management. It is also bringing the use of some technologies from being theoretically useful to a point where they are practically very useful - such as field

data recording systems and GPS, highly detailed aerial digital photography, telemetry and sensor technologies. These approaches offer efficient and high quality systems for data collection. At the same time GIS is also playing an indispensable role in management, analysis and presentation of data, and linking for example to catchment and coastal models for predicting water quality and impacts of human activities. Over the coming years there will be a greater focus on monitoring of our waters and also in actions planning to ensure good quality water. This will both increase the workload and roles for geographic technologies such as those that Compass Informatics specialises in, and will focus a critical eye on the data and methods used to decide on measures - measures that are likely to impact significantly on agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, industrial discharges, rural housing, and urban planning.

The PRISM webmap system for showing wind, waves, currents and temperatures for the Irish Sea illustrates the value of digital data analysis and presentation systems. (www.prism.ie - live mapping system for the public forthcoming).

GIS and integrated coastal zone management THE important role of GIS in the Water Framework Directive was the primary focus of a recent conference entitled Building Coastal Knowledge and Geographic Information. The conference explored how Geographical Information Systems (GIS) can be used as a tool to analyse, visualise and share data collected from water quality sampling sites, in addition to

other datasets pertaining to land-use, geology and waste disposal, for example. Expert speakers who presented their views on current state-of-the-art approaches included Philippe Crouzet, European Environment Agency and Roger Longhorn, EU MOTIIVE project. The event was hosted by UCC's Coastal & Marine Re-

sources Centre and the Department of Geography, leaders in the application of GIS to coastal scenarios. The event was one of a fouryear series of European conferences and workshops on Coastal GIS entitled Eco-Imagine, led by GISIG and ICCOPS in Italy and funded by the Marie Curie Programme.

INSHORE IRELAND

July 2006

WATER MANAGEMENT

1,000 kilometres of navigable inland waterways By Aoife Morrissy, Waterways Ireland

WATERWAYS Ireland is one of six North-South Implementation Bodies established in 1999 under the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999, and the supplementary North/South cooperation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999. Waterways Ireland is responsible for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of the inland navigable waterway system throughout the island of Ireland, principally for recreational purposes. The waterways under the remit of Waterways Ireland are the Lower Bann Navigation; the Erne System; the Shannon-Erne Waterway; the Shannon Navigation; the Barrow Navigation; the Grand Canal and the Royal Canal. The aim of Waterways Ireland is to develop the potential of the inland waterways, and hence provide the incentive for local development to complement the boating industry and general tourism industry. Waterways Ireland aims to maximise the potential of the waterways resource by attracting visitors to local areas and thus enhancing local development opportunities.

* Jamestown Canal.

Photo: G Mills

* Completed works at Abbeyshrule, Co Longford. Photo: Waterways Ireland

Royal Canal restoration in Longford

The third and final phase of the Royal Canal Restoration Programme is currently underway. This phase will see the Royal Canal restored from Abbeyshrule to the Shannon Navigation at Clondra, and involves dredging the Navigation, restoring * lock chambers and installing lock gates, bog restoration work and a bridge replacement pro- Canal to navigation in 1961, were built on. To restore the gramme for culverted bridges. sections of the canal were filled Canal as a waterway, it is After the closure of the Royal with pipes and concrete and necessary to remove these culverts and to re-establish the navigation route. The third phase of the bridge replace`One-stop-shop' for ment programme involves the following restoration works: * Carnadoe Waters.

information on biological invasions in Europe

THE European Commission * other factors involved. and summarise ecois supporting the establish- Assess economic and health ment of an Alien Species logical, and impacts of the most Expertise Registry to gather risks and/or noxious data on species alien to Eur- widespread species in Europe. ope or likely to become so. * invasive data and the The registry, which is Use distribution of the individual being co-ordinated by DAI- experiences states as a frameSIE (Delivering Alien Inva- member for considering indicasive Inventories for Europe) work for early warning. aims to gather information tors Within a couple of months from experts in all world DAISIE to have the regions covering all biota. majority ofhopes experts and their In particular, the registry area of expertise entered into will: * Create an inventory of inva- the database. A main purpose sive species that threaten of the project is to evaluate European terrestrial, fresh- areas where taxonomic exwater and marine environ- pertise may need to be develments. * Structure the inventory to oped. The DAISIE registry is provide the basis for preven- open to the public, Governtion and control of biological ment bodies stakeholders invasions through the under- and can beandaccessed on standing of the environmental, social, economic and www.daisie.ckff.si.

Photo: G Mills

Waterways Ireland recently completed work on a new lifting rail bridge and a fixed road bridge with Bord na MoĂ&#x201A;na, to replace two low level fixed crossings over the Canal. * In the village of Abbeyshrule

the low level culvert which was used to carry the road across the canal has been removed. Work on re-opening Webb's Bridge, which involved realigning the road to approach the masonry arch bridge, has been completed. * In Ballymahon, the existing Longford Bridge and the road leading to it is nearly at water level, preventing the passage of boats. Work has just com-

menced to build a new bridge and approach roads. * At Begnagh, a fully automated lifting bridge will be installed to replace the existing low level culvert. Work is due to commence in the summer with completion due by the end of 2006. * At Mosstown and Lyneen Bridges, various options are currently being considered to remove the obstructions to na-

vigation, with completion due in 2007.

The Restoration of the Royal Canal will create a triangular route that will enable boats from the Shannon Navigation to travel to Dublin via the Royal Canal, and back to the Shannon via the Grand Canal. In doing so, the Royal Canal will provide new and attractive recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

"Protect ourWater"

A new approach to protecting our Water Resources

Water resources across Europe are facing increasing pressures. Now is the time to face the challenges and preserve water quality and supplies for future generations. As part of the Water Framework Directive, the island of Ireland has been divided into eight River Basin Districts. The Western River Basin District includes parts of Clare, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo. Under Article 14 of the Water Framework Directive, the Western River Basin District is obliged to provide a timetable and work programme on the development of a River Basin Management Plan for public consultation. You should be prepared to participate whether you are involved in agriculture, waste disposal activities, forestry, tourism, quarrying, peat harvesting, general industry, fishing, or as a citizen using water everyday. For further information, please visit our Website: www.westernrbd.ie or www.wfdireland.ie Telephone 091-746804.

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

Recirculation technology may enhance lobster prices INSHORE FISHERIES

Gery Flynn reports

STORAGE systems using sophisticated recirculation technology are likely to become more common in Ireland to hold back lobsters from the marketplace when production is at its highest and prices to producers are at their lowest, a conference on the management of lobster fisheries heard. ``The huge seasonality in the market price of lobster can vary from 12-33 per kilo, a range of more than 100% that reflects the unevenness of supply and demand,'' Oliver Tully of the Inshore Fisheries Section of BIM said in Galway. ``As production increases in the UK, France, and Ireland in summer, prices fall. Production declines in September due to decreasing fishing activity, and demand increases in OctoberNovember in preparation for the Christmas market. Prices remain high from January to March, again due to very low production.'' Tully said that with European lobster production totalling 3,000 tonnes annually, the 20 to 30 tonnes maximum which Irish producers hold back would not influence the capacity of that market in any way. ``Technology currently used in Ireland to store lobster generally does not allow storage for more than two to three months and is not generally used for

more than two weeks. This is insufficient time to allow Irish producers to take advantage of seasonal price variation. The fact is, with figures like that, we are not even at the races,'' he added.

Available options

Outlining the options available, from the simplest and cheapest low-density flow-through units to the most expensive high density stacked systems, incorporating control and advanced recirculation technology to maintain conditions at a premium,Tully said that careful handling was crucial from the moment of landing to the time of storage. He predicted that appropriate holding systems in the future were likely to be ``land-based and self-contained, with up to 99.9% recirculation and be custom-designed for different capacity requirements, with lobsters housed in stacks of trays which have individual compartments, at densities equivalent to 300 kilos per square metre of floor space. ``Lobsters can be stored for up to six months if water temperatures are reduced to 2oC and if they are held in individual compartments and water quality is optimised,'' Tully added. ``They don't require feeding during this time, and over 95% of them can survive. And though condition declines

* Holding system. slowly, after six months, it is not significantly different when compared to freshly-caught lobsters.'' He estimated the cost of a 1-2 tonne capacity system would be around 25,000, and he revealed that BIM had already

purchased a 1.5 tonne capacity customised demonstration unit from aquaBiota Habitats of Quebec. This unit had been installed at MRI Laboratories Carna where its performance under Irish conditions is to be assessed.

* Berried female lobster.

The status of lobster stocks in Ireland Oliver Tully, BIM inshore fisheries co-ordinator

IN November 2005, BIM produced a report evaluating the status of lobster stocks around the coast. This report was presented to the Lobster Advisory Group at their first meeting in late 2005 and formed the basis for the management recommendations contained in the management plan produced by the group. Data on catch rates, recruitment, v-notched stock size, growth and reproductive biology, size of lobster in the landings and fishing effort have been collected in the southeast

since 1995 and in other areas since 2002. Landings continue to increase and reached a record high of 853 tonnes in 2004 with a first sale value of 12.8 million. The increase in landings is due to an increase in total fishing effort. Catch rates and recruitment are declining in the south-east and south-west coasts but are increasing on the mid-west coast. There is very little data available for the north-west. Trends in catch rates are correlated with conservation measures, suggesting that stocks respond positively to conservation. The average size at maturity varies regionally between 93

and 96mm carapace length. Hatching of eggs occurs in the period May-July. New eggs, which are carried by the females over winter, are spawned mainly in September. Data from tag recoveries suggests that growth, spawning rates and stock productivity are higher than previously assumed. Fifty-four per cent of lobsters moult once per annum and 5% may moult twice. Thirty-four per cent of lobsters spawn annually and 21% may moult and spawn in the same year. V-notched lobsters represent between 10-30% of legal sized lobsters caught at sea but this percentage declines quickly following cessation in notching.

This is due mainly to repair of the notch at moult. The high percentage occurrence of vnotched lobsters in the catch suggests that stocks are relatively small and that between 40-50% of the legal sized stock is removed each season. The vast majority of lobster landed are just one moult above the minimum size and will not have spawned before being captured. As a result, egg production appears to be low and may limit recruitment. V-notched lobsters, of which approximately 12,000 are released annually, are, however, providing a safety net and at present, in the absence of other measures, are important sources of recruitment.

The management plan for Irish lobster fisheries Vera O'Donovan, BIM, reports

WILD

aboutSALMON

F R E S H F RO M T H E S E A TO YO U R TA B L E Want to drive your taste buds wild? Then may we recommend salmon, wild Irish salmon to be precise. Caught from the sea and served fresh to your table, wild Irish salmon is the natural choice for the discerning palate. With the season starting in June and lasting for a limited period only, this

is the time to enjoy the king of fish. Tender and succulent, wild Irish salmon is a delicious and memorable alternative when dining out. Once you taste it we think you will agree that it is the crĂ¨me de la crĂ¨me of Irish seafood. When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got something this good, it really should be savoured.

www.bim.ie/ws

THE Lobster Advisory Group drafted a Management Plan for Irish lobster fisheries during meetings held between June 2005 and March 2006. Initial consultation with industry groups on the recommendations proposed in the plan was completed in May 2006. The management objectives outlined in the plan are to maintain stocks at a level that ensures viable economic returns in relation to capital and labour investment in the fishery. To achieve these objectives a number of strategies have been proposed: * The fishery should be managed in eight geographic units recognising that lobster stocks are local or regional in scale

and that the profile of the fisheries are different in each area. This will also allow management to proceed towards achievement of the objectives at a pace suitable to local industry. * Access to the fishery should be managed and limited in order to provide a sufficiently secure environment within which control of effort by vessels in the fishery can take place. Licensed vessels fishing for lobster would require a specific authorization to do so. Certain conditions would also attach to the authorization and, after the initial round of issue, certain groups or applicants would be given priority access to the fishery. * Effort would be managed in the first instance by stabilising the number of pots fished. There would be an agreed number of pots used per ves-

sel and this may be related to the size of the vessel. These numbers would be determined locally, within each management unit, and be based on current effort levels in the fishery * A maximum size limit of 125mm carapace length (equivalent to a weight of 1.3kg) would be introduced in order to protect spawning and, in particular, to protect lobsters that had previously been v-notched. It would be illegal therefore to land lobsters less than 87mm and greater than 125mm. * Each authorized operator would be required to fill and return a logbook. * More strategic marketing and promotion would be used to increase demand and prices by:

a. promoting the upgrading and installation of state-of-the-

art lobster holding systems so that Irish producers can take advantage of seasonal price variation and compete with UK companies currently developing in this direction. b. promoting, through education, increased quality and handling of the live product c. promoting the use of labelling of the product, eventually leading to accreditation as a sustainably managed and responsible fishery. This preliminary consultation will influence the next draft of the Lobster Management Plan. Detailed strategies and work programmes for the implementation of the objectives outlined in the management plan will be developed later this year, following a period of public consultation on the contents of the plan.

INSHORE IRELAND

July 2006

INSHORE FISHERIES

New approach to lobster marketing is required Gery Flynn reports

DESPITE producing 850 tonnes of lobster in 2004 and generating around 15 million a significant income for the Irish inshore sector - the structure of the industry here, with a large number of small suppliers and traders is `fragmented'. Speaking at the BIM lobster conference, Nicolas Ranninger, their marketing adviser in the Paris office said that even though lobster was still ``one of the most emblematic seafoods consumed in Europe with a strong positive image associated with quality, luxury, status and pleasure,'' it relied on a precarious ``just-in-time-market'' which was characterised by a short life-span and limited stocking capabilities. The consequence of this, according to Ranninger, is ``a strong price variation throughout the year - with prices doubling between June and December - and even on a daily basis.'' He added that lobster was the classic `hot potato' which has to be passed on along the production chain as quickly as possible before it dies in someone's hands.

Marketing issues * Live shrimp en route to the French market.

Photo: John Rafferty

Authorities failing shrimp fishermen at the lack of intervention by nurseries at low tide during the sea fishery officers to reports closed season. The problem of bait collecSHRIMP fishermen in Dungloe that small shrimp are being Bay, Co Donegal, are outraged collected as bait from known tors using nurseries as a basis for their supply has been repeatedly highlighted but still nothing has been done about the practice. Since 2003 it is illegal to catch or be in possession of shrimp between the first day of May to the first day of August inclusive. SI No. 232 Shrimp (Fisheries Management and Conservation) Order, 2003. Speaking to Inshore Ireland, a marine department official, Ireland's Quality Seafood Supplier however, said they were unaof a problem: ``People Sofrimar Ltd are fish processors ware should come forward and report sort of activity as it will be and exporters based in Kilmore this dealt with. I will be checking into the Dungloe problem,'' he Quay. said. By John Rafferty

We buy all types of shellfish and whitefish including Whelk, Scallops, Crab, Crab Claws, Clams, Prawns, Monk, Ray, Sole and Turbot. We also buy live lobster, live crayfish and live prawns.

For the best prices and the best service please contact us: Telephone 053 9129660 Fax 053 9129699 Email sofrimar@eircom.net

Destroying stocks

Salmon anglers who fish with bait prefer their shrimp to be approximately 1-2 inches in length, although some smaller and slightly larger shrimp are also used. A large percentage of those caught are around two inches long and are carrying eggs, which is detrimental to next year's stocks. These are in most demand and salmon anglers will and do, pay considerably more for egg-carrying shrimps of this size. On average, 10-20 kilos are caught by each bait collector per day during the spring tides. This may not sound like much but if they became adults they

would weigh five to 10 times more. Bait collectors are coming in from Northern Ireland and are catching huge quantities of small shrimp in large fine meshed landing nets. A quantity are then dyed and cooked, and used the same day whilst others are bagged with salt and sold to bait suppliers or directly to tackle shops.

``This makes planning in the marketplace very difficult because if you are in a situation of over-supply or under-demand you cannot hold back the product in the hope of better days, and you have to pass it on. So, with everyone trying to get rid of it as fast as possible, a panic situation is often created, and the price crashes even faster.'' The price of lobster reached a high of 33/kg last year be-

tween Christmas and New Year, corresponding to a period of strong demand and little supply; however, during the Irish, UK and French fishing season, delivered prices were as low as 15/kg but demand was, relative to production, weak at this time. ``Unfortunately, the market for lobster remains highly dependent on price structures established by the balance between supply and offer. In the context of profitability in the Irish inshore lobster fishery, where catch rates are in most areas stable or declining and fishing costs are increasing, optimising price obtained in the market is hugely important,'' Ranninger declared.

Responding to demand

Outlining two possible future marketing strategies, Ranninger indicated that the most obvious thing to do was to concentrate on finding ways of holding back product from the marketplace when supply was at its highest: ``Basically, this means skimming the over-supply during summer, and then releasing it gradually at times of the year when prices are very high,'' he explained. According to Ranninger there was another marketing strategy that could be developed: ``A cheaper product like the American lobster could be used to stimulate demand among consumers. Once they are hooked on lobster and no longer think of it as a `not-for-me' elitist product, it's the right time for a co-ordinated campaign to persuade them to move to a superior product like the European lobster.''

Irish Fish Producers' Organisation

Undersized shrimp

``When we see shrimp bait collectors in any of the known nursery areas, some of us walk down the beach and explain to them that it is illegal to catch shrimp before the beginning of August,'' commented a shrimp fisherman from Dungloe Bay. ``We have a marine department that keeps bringing in new legislation but then does nothing to implement it. This shrimp ban should be enforced by the fishery officers and not us fishermen,'' he added. Fisheries such shrimp sustain rural communities and need protection. The department of the marine through its fishery boards must show willingness to act swiftly and forcefully against those who are plundering it into oblivion, and inevitably putting it beyond any commercial value to the fishermen. Each year Irish fishermen catch approximately 400 tonnes of shrimp, averaging 16 per kilo, which are shipped live to the French market.

SERVING THE NEEDS OF IRELAND'S INSHORE AND OFFSHORE FISHERMEN

SHOULDN'T YOU BE A MEMBER? 11 Elgin Road Dublin 4 Ireland tel: +353 1 6687077 fax: +353 1 6684466 mobile : 087 6299522 email: ifpo@eircom.net

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

INSHORE FISHERIES

End of commercial fishery alone will not stop salmon decline By John Rafferty

AT the annual meeting of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) on June 8, Alan Gray, head of the EU delegation said that Ireland has given ``a firm commitment to meet scientific advice in 2007, which means that fisheries will only take place in estuaries and rivers on stocks that have been shown to be above their conservation limit''. Cornerstone The 2006 report of the Standing Scientific Committee of the National Salmon Commission has made it clear that the continuation of mixed stock fishing (drift netting and some draft netting) is incompatible with a science-based approach to the management of the salmon stocks. Most fishermen believe, however, that salmon are the cornerstone within the inshore sector, and contend that if the commercial salmon fishery comes to an end then other stocks will suffer as a result especially lobsters and crabs which are left untouched until their season ends. Reduced season The decline in salmon landings is a major cause for concern and one the fishermen themselves would like to see redressed. Commercial salmon fishermen were among the first to notice a decline in catches. Conservation measures have seen their season decrease from 24 hours, five- * Most fishermen believe that salmon are the cornerstone within the inshore sector. days-a-week (February 1 to Photo: John Rafferty August 15) to four days-a week between 4am-9pm (July and NASCO has also confirmed (Salmon at sea) project, which sing the problem until we July) - and yet numbers are still declining. its commitment to the SALSEA researches salmon in the marine understand it.'' Salmon poaching on many stage of their life, to establish the causes of increasing mortal- rivers and estuaries is already at epidemic proportions as the ity rates at sea. Dr Ken Whelan, NASCO demand for cheap wild Atlantic president said: ``We simply salmon soars. It can only be must solve the mystery of why expected that the end of the so many Atlantic salmon are commercial fishery will intensidying at sea, never getting the fy what is already a very opportunity to return to their lucrative business, in order to home rivers to reproduce. We satisfy restaurant and hotel medon't have a chance of addres- nus.

Cockle update AT the latest meeting of the Dundalk Cockle Local Advisory Committee on May 10, the industry requested that the DCMNR formally close the fishery until June 1 2007 or until a comprehensive management plan was introduced for the fishery, whichever was the sooner. As a result, a Statutory Instrument to close the fishery is currently being drafted. Under the Shellfish Management Framework established in 2005, BIM has worked with the local stakeholders to develop representative structures. The Dundalk LAC first

met in February 15, 2006. The stakeholders are all agreed that management measures are required. The Dundalk LAC met again on March 29 to consider the available scientific information, to plan stock surveys for the coming year and to discuss possible management measures. ``BIM will continue to work with the LAC over the coming months to develop a concrete management plan that is consistent with the areas designation as an SAC and SPA,'' Ian Lawler, BIM Inshore Fisheries executive told Inshore Ireland.

Mackerel fishery closed since April ON April 13, the Department of Communications Marine and Natural Resources closed the mackerel fishery to all Irish polyvalent sea fishing vessels. Under Fishery Management Notice (FMN No 5 of 2006), such vessels could only retain on board mackerel as a by-catch not exceeding 5% by weight of all quota species retained on board.

To facilitate the inshore summer handline mackerel fishery promoted by BIM in recent years, however, the fishery has been reopened to polyvalent vessels under 15m fishing by means of hooks and lines only. Under Notice (FMN No 16 of 2006), these vessels can retain on board 500kg at any one time. The 5% by-catch limit still applies to all other vessels.

Strategic planning puts southeast processor into poll position SOFRIMAR Ltd in Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford, commenced trading in 1979 processing fresh whitefish and shellfish for sale in the French market. As time evolved, the company diversified into processing frozen products, and in the 1980s, cooking facilities were established in the factory, enabling the company to process cooked shellfish products. At the beginning of the 1990s, Sofrimar began processing whelks for the Far Eastern market. Sofrimar has also been buying lobsters from fishermen for over twenty years and is currently installing a long-term storage system for live shellfish. This will allow Sofrimar to sell an increased quantity of higher quality product to its markets

and will enable the company to diversify into selling other live products such as prawns and crayfish. Throughout the years, Sofrimar has actively followed a strategy of focused capital investment in order to support its ongoing development programme, resulting in the company currently having one of the most modern fish processing plants in Ireland. Currently, Sofrimar has fiftyfive employees and exports to European and Far East markets. The company purchases and processes all types of shellfish and whitefish including whelk, scallop, crab, lobster, prawns, winkles, crayfish, clams, monkfish, ray, sole, mullet, and turbot.

IFPO appoints inshore manager THE Irish Fish Producers Organisation, has announced the appointment of John Ward IFPO services to members: of Dungloe, Co Donegal, as their inshore development man- * and working groups within one-to-one basis to assist in collates information on new ager. the EAPO. new projects, financing, busiregulations, policies and meaFounded in 1975, the IFPO is ness planning etc sures that affect fishermen, ``IFPO Inshore is a major a national fishing organisation and represents their views at * provides inshore fishermen new initiative of the organisawith membership in all parts of Irish and EU level with a forum with regard to tion to extend its service Ireland. It is an EU recognised * both inshore species advisory specifically to inshore vessels. provides professional repreProducer Organisation, and a groups sentation for its members at The IFPO recognises the crimember of the European Assodepartment and ministerial le- * representation on all official tical importance of the inshore ciation of Fish Producers' Orvel consultative bodies in Ireland sector and the specific proganisations (EAPO). It is a * assists with vessel licensing and at EU level, e.g. EU's blems that this sector has, with Advisory Committees, the Pe- regard to inshore management, and advises on tonnage registered co-operative organi* provides a confidential, prolagic and Northwest Waters salmon, lobster crabs or insation owned by its members. Regional Advisory Councils shore whitefish. fessional advisory service on a Membership is open to the owners of any registered Irish fishing boat. For inshore vessels, membership is open on an through association with local seeking memberships from in- membership can be made availindividual basis; however group inshore organisations or co-op- shore fishing co-operatives, able to all their members in membership is available eratives. The IFPO is actively through which the benefit of turn.

INSHORE IRELAND

July 2006

REPORT

Salmon drift net fishery essential to west Kerry region

Report by Gillian Mills

A report on the impact of the Corca Dhuibhne salmon drift net fishery on the west Kerry region finds that more than 95% of the catch is sold either directly to local restaurants or to fish processors who freeze most of the catch for the Christmas smoked salmon market. In terms of employment for fishermen and for fish processors and the restaurant trade, the

Main conclusions

impact is `significant' the report adds. According to the report, the total landed value in 2005 was 610,000 with an average value of catch-per-licence of 15,600. The local fishery is based primarily around two ports, Baile na nGall and CeÂ BhreÂanainn, where 39 fishing licences were issued in 2005 allowing fishermen to operate between June and July up to the limit of their designated quota of 18,000 fish for that year. The area in which fishermen can operate is roughly defined

by a line north of OileaÂ n Blascaod running in towards BaÂ ThraÂ LõÂ; they must also fish within the inshore six mile limit (see map). Three major salmon processors - Iasc UõÂ MhathuÂna Teo, De BruÂ n Iasc Teo, and OÂ CaÂ thaÂin Iasc Teo - provide employment to almost one hundred local people and generate an annual income of approximately 1.1m. In 2005, approximately 16,000 salmon provided total revenue of 1.8m in salmon products.

* Ghillie Dominick McGillicuddy, who's also a three handicap golfer on the Waterville course directed Dr John (Sutphen) to a line of reeds where he hooked a 10 pound salmon and played it for 40 minutes on a very light line before boating it. Photo: Tim Magennis

Online directory of marine and coastal heritage

IRELAND holds a rich natural and cultural heritage in its marine and coastal zone. With increasing pressure on resources in both marine and coastal areas, it is vital that knowledge of this heritage is made as widely available as possible in order to manage and protect it appropriately. The Heritage Council recently launched an initiative to pull together all the significant information in a Marine & Coastal Heritage Directory. This online, illustrated directory provides substantial information on topics and resources related to natural and cultural heritage in the marine and coastal zone. Details are presented under 12 main thematic areas dealing with topics as diverse as climate change; integrated coastal zone management; legislation and policy and research. Extensive

links are provided to related relevant resources including the Marine Irish Digital Atlas (MIDA), where maps can be seen and geospatial data may be downloaded. Lists of relevant

organisations and points of contact for additional information are also provided. The directory, which allows easy navigation via a drop-down menu and is fully searchable,

Heritage Council

LAST Autumn, Dick Roche, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government appointed a new Heritage Council. Since then, the Council has been setting up the committees, the most recent of which relates to marine and coastal matters. Chaired by Nioclas OÂ Conchuchair who sat on the former committee, other members include Billy Colfer, Ted Creedon, Susan Steele and Cian de BuitleaÂr. Representing a wide range of interests, the committee will now be drawing up a work programme, which will build on the forthcoming policy paper on maritime heritage and the Heritage Council's emerging strategic plan 2007-11. High on the priority list is traditional and heritage boats, and other aspects of cultural maritime heritage.

THE report notes that a range of forces - internal and external- continue to work towards eliminating the entire drift net fishery and that further reductions in quota sizes are inevitable over the coming years. It acknowledges that Ireland shares the EU wide concern over stock conservation but adds that major differences of opinion exist regarding how to address this issue. Drift net fishing for salmon is a significant income earner for the local fishing community and its demise will have a major impact on those that depend on the sea for their livelihood, the report notes. In this context, the report suggests that a proactive approach should be adopted in terms of seeking solutions now rather than waiting until the situation is more difficult to rectify. Most people from within and outside the region agree with the importance of ensuring the continuation of the culture and way of life of the region. It is likely, therefore,

that any measures taken in pursuit of this agenda would receive support from a wide cross-section of the community, the report adds.

those fishermen who wish to voluntarily relinquish their drift net licences, so as to enable them invest in alternative economic and marine activities. * All relevant State agencies Recommendations should collaborate on an in* Although limited by statutory itiative aimed at ensuring that remit, UÂdaraÂs na Gaeltachta, salmon fishermen are given should assist where possible satisfactory access to alternato develop the fishery as an tive species in the event of ongoing source of income in total removal or further curthe Gaeltacht area. This tailment of the licensing reshould be undertaken in cogime. operation with FaÂilte Ireland, * UÂdaraÂs na Gaeltachta should the South Western Regional work with other State agenFisheries Board and BIM. cies to investigate the possiThis would involve providing bility of salmon ranching. support to enable the commuThis would ultimately help to nity develop additional ecoincrease salmon stock levels, nomic activities based on thus ensuring the continuatheir skills and experience. of this resource. * To build on the unique Gael- Thetionstudy commissioned tacht personality and the fish- by Taighdewas Teoranta in ing tradition by developing a response toMara requests from sea fishing tourism co-op fishermen at Baile na nGall where licences would be is- to carry out an appraisal of the sued in return for investment economic, social and heritage in the project, which could impact of the Corca Dhuibhne operate beyond the two months of the current salmon salmon drift net fishery on the west Kerry region. fishing season. * All relevant State agencies It was compiled by McIver should support the case for Consulting and published by adequate compensation for UÂdaraÂs na Gaeltachta.

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

Mayo awarded largest State investment National Development in islands Plan 2000-2006 ISLAND LIVING

ON Friday 30 June, EÂamon OÂ CuõÂv, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DCRGA), will open new piers on Clare Island and Inishturk off the Mayo coast. This development, at a cost of more than 12m, is the single biggest investment ever made by the State in the islands. Funding for island development has risen from under 2.5m in 1997 to over 19m in 2006. ``For the past nine years, this Government has been committed to revitalising the islands. This is being achieved through investment in infrastructure and services, such as ferry and air transport, piers, roads, electricity and water supply, health and education,'' Minister OÂ CuõÂv told Inshore

UNDER the current programme, a particular emphasis has been placed on developing island access piers. Pier improvements have been carried out at Cuas a' Dubhghlais on OileaÂn CleÂire in the Co Cork Gaeltacht while 2.6m has been spent on the mainland pier at Machaire Rabhartaigh serving Toraigh and Inis BoÂ Finne in Co Donegal. Major dredging works costing in the region of 0.8m are currently underway at Inishbofin harbour while plans are afoot for the development of the three piers on the Aran Islands and their mainland pier at Ros a' MhõÂl at a cost of approximately 50m. ``The Department will continue over the coming years to invest in the development of essential island infrastructure,'' Minister OÂ CuõÂv added.

Island Living articles compiled by G Mills.

gramme aimed at improving the standard and safety of access to the mainland for island communities. This programme required the implementation of a two-pronged approach: the first to improve the reliability of transport services and the second to improve the standard of ferry landing facilities, both on the islands and at mainland ports serving them. Considerable progress has been made to transport services since 1997, with 17 Stateassisted island ferry and air services now operating, comIreland. pared to just five in 1997, the latest being Clare Island and Island access Inishturk. The introduction of a cap of In 1997, the Department embarked on a long-term pro- 8 on the cost of an adult return

NDP Investment in Co Mayo

* Inisturk.

fare and 5 for students and children on the DCRGA subsidised ferry services since 1 November, 2005 has had a hugely positive effect on the cost of living on both Inishturk and Clare Island along with

many other islands around the coast. The Department will shortly be seeking expressions of interest from ferry companies interested in operating subsidised cargo services for the first time to Inishbofin and Toraigh.

Bere Island's boat club ROWING on the Beara Peninsula will soon enter a new league when the men and women of Bere Island take to the seas again. After a period of over 40 years, St Michael's Rowing Club has been reformed with plans to revisit the island's past glories in gig racing. Two years ago, Dutch students on work experience with the Bere Island Project Group carried out a survey among the youth of the island to determine which recreational activities they would be interested in. One of the main findings was the overwhelming interest to restart a rowing club. Funding was obtained from the Ireland Fund and together with a donation from Catherine and Gerard Sullivan of Bere Island Boatyard, a new gig was built by O'Sullivan Marine in Tralee.

The original St Michael's Boat Club had its inaugural meeting on 2 September, 1961, chaired by John F O'Sullivan. Funding was raised through donations from islanders both at home and abroad, and through a dance and raffle. Local boat builder, Finbar Murphy, built the gig on the island, which was the first fibreglass gig built in Ireland at the time. The inaugural crew comprised Donal D Sullivan; Kieran Murphy; Leo K Sullivan; Padraig Sullivan and Joe Sullivan. The crew had never rowed together before but in this new light and fast fibreglass gig they achieved second place in their first race in Castletownbere's annual regatta of 1962. Rowing has traditionally enjoyed a loyal following in Ireland's coastal communities. For many it has been the only sport available to them because of the geographical restrictions

First in fibreglass

A major investment in pier infrastructure serving the Co Mayo islands is currently nearing completion. New piers have been built on Clynish, Inseghort, Inishlyre and Islandmore, while the first phase of new slipways serving Inis Bigil have been completed. At the request of DCRGA, Mayo Co Council has brought forward proposals for further development of the piers serving Inis Bigil and a decision is expected soon. Just over two years ago, Minister OÂ CuõÂv opened the extension to the mainland pier serving Inishturk and Clare Island at Roonagh. ``Roonagh was the first piece in the Inishturk/Clare Island access jigsaw, and coupled with an improvement in ferry services, the final pieces of the jigsaw will now be in place. ``The new piers on Clare Island and Inishturk were largely funded by DCRGA, with assistance from Mayo Co Council and in particular their team of engineers who made an invaluable contribution - not just in this project but with the full programme of pier developments in Co Mayo under the current NDP,'' Minister OÂ CuõÂv emphasised. At the time of publication, Minister OÂ CuõÂv will have launched a marketing plan for the islands of Ireland. Full report in the August issue of Inshore Ireland.

Bere Island photography competition *

Bere Island gig crew 1962-63. Cox: Joe Sullivan; stroke: Leo K

Sullivan, Donal D Sullivan, Kieran Murphy, Padraig Sullivan.

of living in remote coastal areas. The last few years have seen a growing interest in this sport with many old clubs starting up again and new clubs being formed. The new Bere Island gig is now ready, and plans are being put in place for training crews

of all ages. It is hoped that the island will once again be a force to be reckoned with in local regattas. For further information on joining St Michael's Rowing Club contact the Bere Island Projects Office on 027 75099.

ine all the relevant schemes available to farmers in the Irish context, i.e. REPS, The National Scheme (DuÂchas), the Organic Schemes Corncrake Initiative and others, especially those relating to island farmers. The views and recommendations of farmers and environmentalists will be sought. The European context will also be evaluated, i.e. how are REPS implemented in partners countries; what are their views for the future?

advice across Europe. Online internet and video conference links and discussion boards will be established between the island partner farm advisors. Potential role models and exchanges of staff between islands will also be investigated. Opportunities for farm advisors to exchange views, approaches and methodologies will strengthen and benefit the farming community and their ability to raise finance to manage their island farm landscapes. In addition, REPS 4 proposals will be looked at along side an examination of the whole island concept of one plan for each island in the Irish context.

BERE Island in conjunction with the ISLA project is holding a photographic competition that is open to all amateur photographers, both resident and nonresident of the island. The island has to be the subject of all photos and the central theme of the competition is `On my island through the eyes of a child.' There are two age categories: under 16 and over 16. The closing date for entry is 15 September, 2006.

A new approach to farming

ISLA was established by five European islands to encourage sustainable social and economic development on islands in north-west Europe. Those involved include Bere Island, Shetland Islands, Argyll and Butte, Tiengemeten in the Netherlands and Kemenez and Quessant in France. For further information on the competition contact the Bere Islands Project Office at 027 75099.

MaireÂad O'Reilly

, CoE, explains

COMHDHAÂ IL OileaÂ in na hEÂireann is participating in the `European Island Farm Landscapes Project', led by the Isle of Wight (Leader +) and other European island groups: Netherlands (Texel), Spain (Menocra), Sweden (Styrso) and UK (Shetlands). The project will involve a partnership of islands in Europe. Each island partner will explore the four project elements: biodiversity, information sharing, diversification and landscape, and work towards a European island farm landscape approach.

Project aims:

* To promote the special needs

scapes, by linking community, environment, economy and culture across different islands. * To explore how farmers can best use new agri-environment schemes under the new Common Agriculture Policy so as to maintain rural businesses and support landscape and wildlife integrity through sustainable land use. * To encourage know-how cooperation, better communication and sharing of experience between farming communities and environmental organisations.

Biodiversity and landscape monitoring/ assessment

Farming advice and information awareness

This scheme will provide the

opportunity for sharing knowfor rural farmland managehow between islands on the ment in order to maintain island biodiversity and land- Locally, ComhdhaÂil will exam- various approaches for farm

Farm diversification

Farmers will be encouraged to promote practices that promote long-term sustainability of island biodiversity and landscapes, thereby broadening income sources beyond agrienvironment scheme grants. Specialist issues such as island farm brands promoting sustainable landscapes; island dairy produce; transport constraints; commercially viability and slaughter house issues will be taken into account as appropriate. Comparisons of approaches in the other European islands will be explored. In Ireland, this will be difficult given that many island farmers are elderly and not interested in diversity. Never-

theless, local initiatives may benefit through the promotion of hedgerows, native tree growing, native orchards or other tourism initiatives.

Island farm landscape initiative

This element will explore steps towards continued international co-operation and a framework for securing sustainable island farm landscapes by building on existing island initiatives and exploring the opportunities for developing an island farm landscape strategy model and/or action plan under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The findings will be presented to European and international policy makers.

INSHORE IRELAND

Delivering essential services to island communities

July 2006

ISLAND LIVING

Ciara Cullen

, ESIN project manager explains

ISLAND

representatives from

the six ESIN countries (Scotland, France, Finland, Sweden and Denmark) met recently on Inis

Mo Âr

`public

under

services

the and

theme, commu-

nity'. The meeting focused on how

Â rann, A

Athchursa Â la

the

sive presentation about the pro-

facility,

vision of water on the island

and

island's nursing/care Â ras Ro A Â na Â in.

and the wind powered desalina-

Cathy NõÂ Gho Â ill, manager of the

Comharchumann

gave

tion plant. Mikael

Grannas,

from

the

comprehensive presentation on

island of Houtskar in Finland

its role in the community.

then spoke about their waste

Aodha Â n MacCormaic of the

and

water

management

pro-

Islands Section, Department of

grammes and Thomas Chiron's

services, with the ComharchuÂ rann (Develmann Forbatha A

Community,

Gael-

outlined the difficulties of water

tacht Affairs, outlined the de-

provision and management on

opment

gree

some of the French islands in

the

island

delivers

essential

Co-operative)

Rural

and

which

Government

study.

services on the islands, eliciting

As always with ESIN net-

a great deal of interest from the

working meetings, themes high-

other ESIN countries who do

lighted

not have a similar structure.

reveal

other

gave

their

ESIN

countries

perspectives

and

were impressed by the role of

involved

the Isles du Ponant.

providing a best practice case The

was

central

by the

the

case

studies

inter-connectedness

Ann Mallaghan, Comhdha Â il Â ireann board na hE

with the issues that affect all

gard to delivery of public ser-

Oilea Â in

islands: dwindling `native' po-

vices. On Inis Mo Â r especially,

member and Galway Co Coun-

pulation; increasing tourist and

there is a very high degree of

cil, explained the other model

summer

co-operation

State

of island development being the

apathy

agencies and the island commu-

Community Development Pro-

and

nity. The meeting visited two of

grammes (CDPs).

(though this is not the case at

the local community with re-

the

between

Comharchumann's

most

Â Murchu On day two, Niall O Â,

successful community projects:

chairman

Comharchumann

the waste recycling plant, Ionad

Inis Mea Â in, gave a comprehen-

populations; or

neglect

national

general

from

local

Government

present in Ireland) and the finite and

fragile

nature

natural

resources.

An Roinn GnoÂthaõÂ Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta

Tourism on small islands

MoÂ raÂ n pobal - foÂ cas coiteann

Anne-Sophie Brosseau

, on work placement with

ESIN, explains Ex-

cluded that small islands should

nificance

change Project, part of an Inter-

strive to develop a more sus-

Discussion

also

reg III programme, organised a

tainable type of tourism.

marketing and promotion using

THE

ESIN

Inter-Island

the

island.

focused

networking meeting about tour-

Access and island infrastruc-

the internet. It was agreed that

ism on small islands in March.

ture: Proximity of an island to a

this is the best way to target

Held on the Scottish island of

main

com-

visitors; however it is not al-

Arran,

bined with short-travelling time

ways easy to put in place on

countries spoke of their experi-

encourages

islands.

ence of tourism on small is-

although these are usually day

In conclusion, while specific

lands. (Tourism is one of the 18

trippers who tend to primarily

examples of good practice were

topics that the island network is

benefit the ferry companies.

suggested it

participants

from

six

investigating.)

population

the

centre

other

visitors,

hand,

while

was

felt that in

general, tourism should be the

result of co-operation between

the

providers and the island com-

water

munity, taking into account an

presentations from each coun-

and generation of rubbish can

island's specific characteristics

try.

negatively

and needs.

The first day was spent visit-

overnight

visitors

larger

ture,

extra-consumption

followed

Discussions

main

issues

short

covered

faced

the

small

source

provide

ing Arran's tourism infrastruc-

affect

income, of

island's

economy as well as its environment. Proliferation of holiday

islands. Seasonality:

affects

the

homes was also discussed.

local economy as well social

Most agreed that while con-

life and the environment. While

tributing relatively little to an

tourism is only a second indus-

island community considerable

try

negative effects are evident in

most

islands,

over-

crowded sites and concentrated

terms

pressure on natural areas during

sources as well as increasing

a short season often have nega-

rents and house/land prices.

tive consequences on the daily

utilising

Branding:

limited

Regarded

re-

lives of islanders as well as the

useful tool to promote tourism

local

Extending

in a sustainable way by enhan-

the season is often not possible

cing the traditional and local

due to weather conditions, in-

characteristics of an island, and

sufficient ferries/piers and lack

benefiting not only the tourist

accommodation

industry but also the local com-

and facilities. The meeting con-

munity's awareness of the sig-

environment.

available

Development challenges

THE European Small Islands' Network (ESIN) was set up in 2001 to raise awareness of the development challenges experienced by Europe's smallest inhabited islands and to promote inter-island co-operation on the subject of sustainable island development.

TaÂ se d'aidhm ag an Roinn tacuÂ le Pobail ar fud na tõÂre agus iad achothuÂ le linn doÂ ibh bheith ag dõÂriuÂ ara bhforbairt feÂ in. PrõÂomhfheidheanna na Roinne Forbairt na Gaeltachta agus na nOileaÂ n agus polasaõÂ na Gaeilge Forbairt na Tuaithe, CLAÂR, LEADER agus SceÂ im ShoÂ isialta na Tuaithe san aÂ ireamh ClaÂ ir Forbartha AÂitiuÂ la agus RAPID ComhorduÂ na StraiteÂ ise NaÂ isiuÂ nta DruÂ gaõÂ ClaÂ ir Thacaiochta don Fhorbairt Pobail, Cuntais DhõÂomhaoine, RialaÂ il CarthanachtaõÂ agustacaõÂochtaõÂ don GhnõÂomhaõÂocht Dheonach

FoÂ n: 01-6473000 Facs: 01-6473051 FoÂ n: 091-592555 Facs: 091-592595

LaÂithreaÂn GreÂasaÂin: www.pobail.ie

RõÂomhphost: eolas@pobail.ie

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

COASTLINE NEWS

Summer appeal by water safety body LAUNCHING a poster campaign, ‘A Stolen Ringbuoy - A Stolen Life’ during National Water Safety Awareness Week at the end of May, Minister for the Environment Dick Roche said the absence of a ringbuoy due to theft or vandalism ‘‘can have tragic consequences’’. Irish Water Safety is appealing to the public to assist in maintaining these vitally important lifesaving appliances in good condition at all times. Any person seen tampering or in possession with these lifebelts should be reported to

A capital asset that cries out for proper management

Vandalism of lifebuoys ‘can have tragic circumstances’.

the local authorities and/or the Gardaı́. For further Information contact: Irish Water Safety, The Long Walk, Galway, Tel 091-

56.44.00; Fax 091-56.47.00; info@iws.ie. Mobile: John Leech: 0876789600; Roger Sweeney: 087-6789601.

President McAleese to be patron of the Irish Water Safety Association

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese has accepted an invitation to become patron of the Irish Water Safety Association. Expressing ‘‘delight’’ at the announcement, IWS chief executive, John Leech, said that the organisation has enjoyed a long association with Áras an Uachtaráin.

‘‘In 1950, the late president of Ireland, Sean T Ó Ceallaigh, presented the much coveted ‘Presidents Trophy’ for the overall winner of the National Lifesaving Championships. This silver trophy has been keenly competed for ever since, and it is appropriate that last year the trophy was won by the

Clare ladies team. ‘‘It is an honour for the 1800 volunteers nationwide who teach swimming and lifesaving skills to have our president as our patron. It will incentivise and motivate these volunteers to give more of their time and energy to drowning prevention,’’ he said.

Before going afloat, always wear a personal flotation device and get training to stay safe THE MARINE SAFETY WORKING GROUP SAYS ‘Before you go out, check the weather and tides. If unsuitable, cancel your trip and stay safe.’ • • • •

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

Maritime Safety Directorate Marine Safety Working Group Links

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

OBJECTIVES •

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

•

To establish cause and trends in accidents at sea

•

To develop accident prevention programmes

•

To measure effectiveness of prevention programmes

•

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

Ciarán Cuffe TD, Green Party, speaking at the ‘Save our Seafront’ rally in Dun Laoghaire last September.

Declaration reached at the conference to discuss the future of Dublin Bay

Report by Gillian Mills DUBLIN Bay is under threat. Dublin Port is proposing to infill an area between the docks and Clontarf and there are major development plans for the Poolbeg peninsula. The next few years may also see thousands of people living on lands currently occupied by oil tanks and container parks. On the southern side of the bay, cranes dominate the skyline. Meanwhile the old sea-baths at Dún Laoghaire, Blackrock, Sandymount and Clontarf lie derelict and covered in graffiti. These and other issues were discussed at a conference in April to debate the future of Dublin Bay. According to Ciarán Cuffe, Green Party TD and conference organiser, the event was timely given the announcement that the Dublin Regional Authority is to commission a master plan for the bay. ‘‘The bay urgently requires a strategy and vision. Some groups want a Special Amenity Area Order for part of the bay whilst others feel under-used land could provide affordable housing. The proposals need not contradict each other. All groups need to engage in dialogue,’’ he said. Cuffe stressed that the fractured governance of the bay was reflected in its ad-hoc development: ‘‘Most European coastal cities have a plan or a body whose only function is to look after the coastal area and amenities of the city. Dublin Bay,

Recognising the environmental, historical, economic, and amenity value of the waters and lands surrounding Dublin Bay. Acknowledging the improvements in water quality that have occurred in recent years due to investment in sewerage infrastructure. Concern at the pressures on the bay from Dublin’s growing population; increasing port traffic; loss of green space; lack of baseline date; climate change and ongoing development. Aware of the lack of co-ordination and need for greater integration between the different remits and objectives of Dublin City, Fingal and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Co Councils; Dublin Docklands Development Authority; Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company; Dublin Port; the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and other agencies. Appreciative of the work undertaken by the Dublin Regional Authority in setting up a Dublin Bay Discussion Forum, and of the many voluntary bodies that have nurtured and protected the bay over the years.

Resolves that: *

A statutory body be set up to co-ordinate, manage, develop and protect the waters and lands surrounding Dublin Bay. Greater provision and protection of the public amenities and biodiversity of the bay, and access for recreational purposes is required. A building height and land-use master-plan be drawn up for the lands around Dublin Bay in partnership with the communities, general public and bay users. This plan shall be developed in conjunction with a Coastal Zone Management Plan for the bay that would protect the foreshore. Such plans shall be drawn up with full public participation as provided for under the Aarhus Convention.

however, is administered by several government departments, three local authorities and numerous statutory agencies. Meanwhile proposals by government for a Coastal Zone Management Plan gather dust,’’ he said. Cuffe envisages a renaissance for the bay. ‘‘The seabaths can, and must be restored

as a resource for all; plans for a coastal cycle-way deserve funding and support; anglers, bathers and boat-owners need better access; bird habitats and other wildlife need greater protection; industrial areas and oil storage facilities could be put to better use as a mixture of public and private housing....People want a bay that is well-managed.’’

Dún Laoghaire baths update DÚN Laoghaire/Rathdown Co Council has agreed to fund a technical examination of the breakwater as part of an overall plan to redevelop the baths. Following major opposition last year to a proposal for a high-rise development on the site, the new plan includes a public swimming pool; renovation/landscaping of the existing walkways; a restaurant/tearooms and facilities for alternative therapies. The plan has been generally welcomed. However, concerns were raised in relation to the level of detail and funding source, suggested as being a combination of State, EU and a development levy.

New plans for the Dún Laoghaire baths include a swimming pool.

With options diminishing, Europe's pelagic fleet looks to Peru INSHORE IRELAND

July 2006

OUTSIDE IRELAND

By Brian O'Riordan, International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF)

bility of no new agreement with

Mauritania, and with the Morocco agreement still pending, the eyes of the EU's pelagic trawler industry are turning to Peru, where fishery agreement

IT is ironic that at a time when

negotiations have recently been

the EU's fisheries agreements

initiated. According to official

with

sources, these are

two

sub-Saharan

West

still at an

African countries are due for

exploratory stage; however on

renewal, fishermen from those

the

countries are migrating to Eur-

pelagic resources (horse-mack-

ope in unprecedented numbers.

erel and mackerel), tuna, and

These

giant squid.

migrations

may

herald

the repatriation of the supertrawler and Europe's other distant

water

with

fleets,

diminishing

confronted options

African waters. Ironic also are the suggestions of the Spanish government that future fisheries agreements with

West

African

countries

should be linked directly to the migration

policies

those

countries. This echoes the action plan from a recent international summit on migration in Dakar,

Senegal,

proposals

that

includes

encourage

local

employment creation in fishing

activities as a way of stemming

the migrations. But, according to many mi-

grants,

fishing

longer

viable, mainly due to depleted

resources and high fuel costs; problems that we are only too

familiar with in Europe, and for

which

Europe

must

take

its

share of the blame. The model

of fishing that European fleets

engage in is simply not compa-

tible with sustainable develop-

ment, particularly when there is

direct

competition

small-scale

with

fisheries

for

local high

value stocks. But to survive, the European pelagic super-trawler fleet must

secure access to resources out-

side EU waters. European quo-

tas are too small to be viable,

and recent allegations of quotas being exceeded with impunity

may lead to further reductions.

With

the

prospect

quota

tightening in Europe; the possi-

table

access

small

No consultation

In May, the general secretary of Peru's

federation

artisanal

fishing organizations (FIUPAP) visited Brussels to raise concerns over the fact that Peru's 80,000 coastal artisanal fishermen had not been informed or consulted

about

agreement

the

fishery

negotiations.

Yet,

there is almost complete disorder

Peru's

fisheries,

with

significant declines in most of the

r esources

traditionally

exploited by the artisanal fishermen. Since the mid 1990s, catches of these many different species have

been

almost

completely

replaced by a single species: the giant squid, known locally as `pota'.

While

Peruvians

are

gradually getting used to a diet of

squid,

disturbing

new

phenomenon is the demand for imports

low-cost

horse

local food requirements (some 40,000 tonnes in 2005).

Policy vacuum

Peru's fisheries; the impact of the el Nin Ă&#x201E; o (ENSO), and the impact of the anchovy fishery for fishmeal. The latter is responsible for the extraction of 6-9 million tonnes of fish per fishing season. In 2006, the quota was totally than

saw

record

levels

with

fishing

130,000

tonnes of fish extracted daily.

order are the policy vacuum in

less

and 155 for 2004. 2006 also effort,

The main reasons for this dis-

facilities, often spending 10-15 days at sea, in very difficult conditions (weather wise, cold waters, etc).

mackerel from Chile to meet

fished

* Landings from Peru's deep water artisanal fishery. Fishermen operate 100-200 miles off shore in 8-10m wooden boats, with very rudimentary

days,

compared to 105 days for 2005,

The

Peruvian

anchovy

also

forms the basis of the marine food chain, and with the fishmeal catch taking more than 80% of the estimated biomass, little is left to feed the food chain that supports the other fisheries. A prerequisite condition to any

fisheries

agreement

with

the EU, therefore, is the establishment of a proper fisheries management

system

Peru,

within a policy framework of integrated coastal area management.

Investment

gently

required

is in

also the

ur-

local

food fish sector; to train and equip

artisanal

fishermen;

add value to squid and other fishery

products,

and

im-

prove the port, cold chain and transport infrastructures. These are all issues that could be addressed through a Fisheries

Partnership

Agreement

with the EU, so long as local sustainable development inter-

* The morning catch: women fish vendors prepare `pejerrey' (smelts), a popular local fish.

* The illicit catch: `Viking' fleet of small anchovy purse seiners.

ests are afforded a higher priority

than

gain.

short-term

economic

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

HERITAGE COUNCIL/INSHORE IRELAND

INSHORE IRELAND/HERITAGE COUNCIL

Ireland's maritime cultures and traditions that

proach to the exploitation of

to an organised management of

fields where they grew crops

ships

terri-

these towns were on interna-

maritime resources. In the 18th

oyster beds, particularly along

ten thousand years ago, the first

and herded cattle.

tional trading routes (silks, wal-

century, Ireland's larger ports

the west coast bays and inlets.

Christian monks lived out on

rus

saw growth and development

Ponds,

Ireland's Atlantic

were

(e.g. Cork, Galway).

used

arrived here by boat. Since then,

Bronze Age and Iron Age (2500 BC - AD 400)

tories to Scotland. Early Irish

people

The spectacular cliff-top fort of

ishmurray, Co Sligo and many

travelled and buried their dead

Du Â n Aonghusa,

on the Aran

other

islands,

around Ireland's coastal land-

Islands, Co Galway was prob-

huts,

churches

terraced

Anglo-Norman and Gaelic lordships (1100-1550 AD)

scapes, using the sea as a source

ably

fields cling to the steep, rocky

Bronze Age. The fort's inhabi-

means of travel and communi-

tants gathered shellfish on the

cations and as a place to build

island's

communities.

fished the ocean below using

communities

houses

enabled expansion of maritime

known

lines. During the Iron Age (400

and fields located on coastal

trade. The safe navigation of

towers and signal towers, while

Blacksod Bay and Donegal to

BC-400 AD), Roman

lying land, and increased erosion of intertidal

plains,

the forts of Cork Harbour and

obtain oils for ointments and

deposits in estuaries and bays will damage or

Bere Island were designed to

lighting as well as whale bone

protect the British Navy fleet.

Archaeology of the modern coastline (AD 1840-2000)

for corsets and costumes.

The western coastline was de-

the coastline. Emigration ships

maritime economies were estab-

vastated by the Famine of the

left from many of our ports and

massive tide mills on Strang-

lished

1840s, yet many of its earlier

a number of these were lost

ford Lough to process grain,

fleets that operated offshore.

Post-medieval maritime landscapes (AD 15501840)

coastal traditions survived and

around the coast. One famous

were

recent

tragedy was the loss in 1853 of

times. Irish coastal communities

over 400 lives when the Tayleur

While some beaches, sand dunes, estuary

Ð such as those on the Aran

sank off Lambay Island, Co.

mudflats or cliffs are being eroded by the sea

and Blasket Islands Ð devel-

today, they may be forming through coastal

With the collapse of the Gaelic

Dublin. The two World Wars

oped their own maritime tradi-

order and the Munster and the

(1914-18

tions, using boats (e.g. currachs,

Ulster Plantations, new coastal

hundreds of ships lost in the

naomho Â gs) to gain a livelihood

seas off Ireland, while observa-

natural coastal processes should not be inter-

towns (e.g. Londonderry, Coler-

from the sea.

tion posts and pillboxes were

fered with or obstructed, in case this causes

built to monitor the coast.

unforeseen problems elsewhere.

island story is

human settlers Ð hunter-gatherers of the Mesolithic era Ð have

food,

raw

lived,

worked,

materials,

Mesolithic hunter-gatherers to Neolithic farmers (7000 - 2500 BC)

found

amidst

first

the

ancient

occupied

rocky

the

shorelines

and

objects

northeast

Ireland

sailing

past

watched

their

islands. On

gical

evidence

ivory,

indicates

Threats to our

written on its seashore. About

IRELAND'S

amber

brought

and

from

slaves distant

lands).

significant source of income Ð producing iodine for glass-mak-

Surveillante in Bantry Bay, Co

ing, bleach, soap and as fertili-

The Anglo-Normans developed

Cork, were lost in Irish waters.

ser. Gathered from the shore, it

slopes of the island, testifying

the ports of Carrickfergus, Dro-

The English government built

was slowly burned in rectangu-

to the presence of these monks.

gheda,

fortifications along the coast of

lar stone ovens known as kilns.

Ireland,

and

stone

Other early medieval coastal lived

herding

Doonloughan,

Cork,

Limerick,

the

shipping into

pastures.

man

cattle

summer

ford,

Dublin,

ports

Water-

Galway

that

the Anglo-Nor-

Waterford

and

Ballycon-

New Ross was facilitated by a

neely, Co Galway, they gath-

lighthouse built at Hook Head,

ered

and

on Waterford Harbour. In the

near

For Mesolithic hunter-gatherers (who lived here between 8000-

ing

4000 BC), the sea was a place

spectacular

Broighter

oysters on the seashore; to eat,

western Gaelic lordships of the

of huge importance. Archaeolo-

boat model, dating to the first

to bait fish-hooks or to make

O'Sullivan Beares, O'Driscolls,

gical excavations at Ferriter's

century BC, can be seen in the

purple

O'Malleys, O'Donnells, native

Cove, Co Kerry have produced

National Museum of Ireland.

the

(4000-2500

In the early medieval period,

and coastal waters.

seals, whales and waterfowl and Neolithic

tools. period

During

BC) the first farming commu-

archaeology

nities

sources

navigated

between

Ire-

and

provide

historical

exciting

in-

bringing

sights into the lives of coastal

cattle, cereals, stone axes and

communities. On the promon-

other objects to this island. At

tory fort of Dunseverick, Co

Neolithic landscapes like Ce Â ide,

Antrim, the kings of the sea-

Co Mayo, megalithic tombs can

kingdom of the Dal Riada tribe

land

and

Europe,

also

Early

people

exploitation of shellfish, fish, stone

dyes.

mussels

Early Medieval coastal life and traditions (AD 400-1100)

evidence about their tents, their

their

golden

limpets,

built

medieval and

used

and fish traps on the Shannon estuary to catch fish in estuarine In the Viking Age (AD 8001100), Ireland was drawn into the maritime cultures and traditions of the north Atlantic, with the development of urban ports of Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Cork and Limerick. Archaeolo-

relating

the

fishing

aine, Belfast, Newry, Youghal) brought an entrepreneurial ap-

including Napoleonic

prevalent

the

19th

the

well-

Martello

until

century

nascent

developed

whaling on

maritime archaeology

were

transport

French military ships such as La

ancient

mercenaries or by refugees fleeThe

piers

and

the French Revolution of 1789.

brought by merchants, returning Britain.

and

collect

the oyster catch. Seaweed was a

lush

walls

Ireland was also affected by

Skellig Michael, Co Kerry, In-

found in Ireland may have been

warfare

Climate and sea-level changes *

global climate and rising sea-levels and this

industry

Iniskea

Island,

The 19th century also saw a

Peoples' concerns and political pressure may

coastal heritage.

Natural coastal erosion *

saw

* Traditional Gandelow boat on Shannon estuary.

development of aquaculture led

destroy archaeological sites.

could destroy or damage traces of our past

thousands of shipwrecks around

the

Predicted increases in storms, flooding of low-

defences (e.g. building of sea-banks) that

and trade, leading to tens of

1939-45)

will impact on Ireland's coast.

lead to inappropriate engineering of coastal

massive rise in coastal shipping

and

The world's oceans are changing because of

Coastal erosion is a natural, on-going process.

deposition elsewhere. Marine scientists often emphasise that such

So, while sometimes we may not always be able to prevent the destruction of coastal

* Cahercarbery Beg promontory fort, Kerry Head.

Coastal developments and other human pressures *

Fishing and shell-fish farming Coastal communities often depend on fishing, fish farming and shell-fish farming for their

unknowingly by people driving their vehicles

damage intertidal and submerged archaeological sites (e.g. shipwrecks, ancient ports). Archaeologists, working with government authorities, can identify sites of interest and suggest means of protecting them or investigating them prior to their removal.

Off-shore developments *

across them. Farming and industrial pressures on sand-

appropriate

that

local

Photo: Mary Dillon

Ireland's maritime archaeology Living by the sea All around the coastal landscapes

the Kerry, Clare and Waterford

for ships and boats. Large fishing

coastlines. Medieval castles are

harbours and piers Ð as well as

regularly

prominent

their sheds and waterfronts Ð

coastal locations (e.g. Granuaile's

provide evidence for this maritime

castle on Clare Island) and you

heritage.

may find landing places or har-

hundreds of small piers and jetties

bours

19th

were built by the Congested Dis-

century, military forts and Martel-

trict Board to support local fishing

lo towers such as those along the

boats, the transport of turf and

Dublin coastline and around Cork

other economic activities. These

Harbour testify to the need to

piers may no longer be used but

watch for invading armies and to

can be recognised as rectangular

impress the locals with British

stone structures jutting out into the

military power.

water.

doned `Famine' villages like those

Ports and fishing

Beacons and

villages

Lighthouses

are

prehistoric,

medieval

and

modern settlements where people lived, farmed and worked the sea. On the Connemara, Mayo and Donegal

coastlines,

ancient

houses, field-walls, churches and burial places lie buried in the sand dunes and under the sandy machair soils. With the growth of Ireland's population in the 19th century,

rural

settlements

in-

creased on the west coast. AbanAchill

Island

have

ruined

houses, fields, roads and testify to life and work of dead genera-

found

near

Around

them.

Ireland's

the

coastline

are

Ireland's

the

19th

earliest

century,

known

light-

Energy concerns will lead to increasing con-

* Medieval towerhouse, Carrickkildavnet, Achill Island.

sunk during storms, high winds

edge of sand dunes and looking

and other accidents. Most of these

out for thin layers of shell, stone

are not visible as they lie sub-

and earth exposed in the eroding

merged under deep water; how-

cliff sections.

ever there are many thousands of inshore shipwrecks; old rotting

Ancient stone walls running down the foreshore may be evidence of

Fish traps

organisation of seaweed-gathering

boats and abandoned craft lying

Archaeologists

discov-

rights owned by different people.

around on the intertidal zone of

ered ancient wooden and stone

On the land, small rectangular

estuaries, bays and inlets. Almost

fish traps on Strangford Lough

stone structures may be the places

none

and the Shannon estuary. These

where the seaweed was dried, or

archaeologists. If you discover an

survive today as large V-shaped or

where kilns were used to burn the

old wreck, you should photograph

L-shaped structures partly enclos-

wrack. In some coastal districts

it, mark its location on a map and

ing a large space on the foreshore

(e.g. on the Aran Islands), there

report

have

been

the

recorded

recently

archaeological

fishing fleets and other coastal

Most

light-

Shellfish meat has been used as

economies. Many, such as Ard-

houses were built in the 19th

food, as fish bait and as a raw

glass, Co Down, have been used

century. They are often connected

material since earliest times to the

since the Middle Ages.

to houses, other buildings and

modern era. Shell middens are the

walled yards, testifying to the

rubbish dumps of the unwanted

Promontory forts, med-

that have long been centres for

ieval castles and mili-

Ireland's

other

wrecks under 100 years old) are afforded

coastal archaeological heritage.

protection under the National Monuments

Coastal Zone Management

(Amendments) Acts 1987 and 1994. All activities on underwater (including intertidal) archaeological sites are subject to licensing

lives of the keepers and their

shells from oysters, limpets, peri-

Text by

families. Other signal towers also

winkles. Shell middens can be

Island, the Aran Islands, and along

vide useful evidence for use of sea

survive from the 19th century.

identified by walking along the

UCD School of Archaeology

Sailing the sea ways

system. Any person wishing to dive on, or

CZM has emerged as one potential approach

inspect, an archaeological site `lying on, in or under the seabed or on or in land covered by

In practice, this encourages all the institutions

water' or who interferes with any site in any

and stakeholders involved in the coast to

way, must apply for a licence from The

manage the sea and the land in an integrated

National Monuments Section of the Deptart-

erosion patterns.

will a licence to dive be refused). Any archaeological site or object that is found

Harbour dredging, dumping of spoil offshore

underwater (including the intertidal zone)

and maintenance of shipping channels may

must be reported to the authorities. The finding

lead to the damage or destruction of under-

of an object should be reported to the director

water archaeological sites.

of the National Museum of Ireland, while sites

Off-shore sands and gravel extraction may

discovered should be reported to the National

also be immensely destructive of underwater

Monuments Section. It should also be emphasised that underwater, intertidal and coastal

* Shell-midden, Doonloughan, Co. Galway

archaeological investigations, are also located in potentially dangerous contexts.

How to get involved

Aidan O'Sullivan,

archaeology is not

to the coast to visit. Sites on

held in Universities, Institute's of

Historic Monuments, Waterman

just for experts. Given that Ireland

private land should only be visited

Technology and other centres (for

House, 5-33 Hill Street, Belfast,

has

coastline

with the permission of the land

example, www.achill-fieldschool.-

7,500km in length (longer than

owner. Your county's RMP (Reg-

com ). Perhaps you might even

Northern Ireland, BT1 2LA (web-

most European countries), it is

ister of Monuments and Places) is

become a professional maritime

vitally important that local com-

available for consultation in your

archaeologist!

munities are involved in protect-

county library.

extensive

archaeological heritage.

If you discover a previously unknown monument in the RoI you should report it to the National Monuments Service, phone

could encourage the appreciation

built/mbr/monuments_database/

gical monuments in the maritime

01-8882000 (website at www.en-

of maritime archaeological heri-

mons.asp. Many archaeological

and coastal zone in the RoI is

viron.ie). If you find an archae-

tage amongst tourists, walkers and

excavations have been carried

available

National

ological object in the RoI you

other recreational users of seas-

out on coast sites (see www.exca-

Monuments Service of the De-

capes. You could help to trace the

vations.ie).

must report it to the National

partment

Museum of Ireland, Kildare St,

Further information on archaeolo-

from of the

the

Environment,

The best way to get involved is

Heritage and Local Government,

historical

to join a local archaeological and

Dun Sce Â ine, Harcourt Lane, Du-

sources, folklore, early maps and

historical society to learn more

blin 2. (website at www.enviro-

photographs.

about your own region's maritime

n.ie)

using

Dublin

phone

01-6777444

(website at www.museum.ie/) You can contact the Heritage

You

In Northern Ireland, informa-

Council, Rothe House, Kilkenny,

1:50,000 maps, you can locate

could also enrol in local adult

tion is available from the Envir-

Phone 056-7770777: www.herita-

known archaeological sites close

education classes in archaeology

onment and Heritage Service at

gecouncil.ie/

Using the Discovery Series

Photo Aidan O'Sullivan

t.asp).

consulted at www.ehsni.gov.uk/

landscapes

* Killeaney church and graveyard, Inis Mor.

A database of Northern Ireland's archaeological sites can be

Where can I get further information?

site at www.ehsni.gov.uk/defaul-

Your own coastal community

historical development of coastal

The Heritage Council

Ireland's harbours and piers pro-

and headlands around Ireland's

old (and some historically important ship-

do this in ways that encourage respect for our

Museum of Ireland (only on rare occasions

ing and understanding coastal

An initiative of

coast Ð such as those on Dalkey

fortresses across the promontories

archaeological sites and objects over 100 years

scapes; however it should also be possible to

ment of the Environment and the National

MARITIME

Kelp walls and grids

and maintained by local monks.

ing the resource in Europe. In the RoI, all

have yet to be recorded.

processed before being exported.

Head,

Photo: Sharon Greene

sea-bed around the coastline Ð

period to the modern times. Most

Wexford. It was built in 1172

Since prehistory, people have built

as 10,000 shipwrecks lie on the

Working the seashore

(e.g. Killybegs, Kilkee, Skerries)

tary forts

Archaeologists think that as many

doned kelp factories, where it was

Hook

amongst the most powerful legislation protect-

Shipwrecks

may also be the ruins of aban-

heritage, the Republic of Ireland has enacted

Photo A. O'Sullivan

dated from the early medieval

nature of Ireland's maritime archaeological

directly impact on archaeological sites, or

merged landscapes).

to catch fish. They have been

house

Recognising the fragility and non-renewable

resources.Such industrial developments may

archaeological sites (e.g. shipwrecks, sub-

authorities.

hundreds of towns and villages

tions.

communities

indirectly though alteration of currents and

* Medieval fishtrap (c.AD 1410), Fergus Estuary.

Legislation in relation to maritime archaeology

to coastal heritage.

wind-turbines for oil, gas and wind-farms

RIA funded excavations of Mesolithic hunter-gatherer site, Belderrig, Co Mayo. Photo Graeme Warren

archaeological site.

continue to live and work in coastal land-

struction of off-shore platforms, pipelines and

of a strategy for the management of the

and gravels.

develop-

survey or excavation, leading to development

grazing and the quarrying of dunes for sands

major

ments to be preceded by an archaeological

dunes may include intensive sheep or cattle

development of ports and harbours; the use of of the sea-bed by fishing gear can seriously

Growing human pressures on coastal land-

like shell middens may also be damaged

economy and livelihood. The modern rebeaches for shell-fish farms and the scouring

Legislation requires all

links golf-courses. Fragile archaeological sites

through archaeological excavations.

range of ways.

velopments, caravan parks and the building of

record them before they disappear Ð often

Photo: Aidan O'Sullivan

way. Archaeologists are involved in CZM in a

scapes include urban expansion, tourism de-

archaeological sites by the sea, we must

archaeological

heritage.

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

AQUACULTURE NEWS

`Root and branch' restructuring of salmon farming industry Report by Gery Flynn

AN anti-dumping investigation by the EU Commission that concluded in 2005 and led to the imposition last January of definitive measures on Norwegian-farmed salmon has also brought about a root-andbranch restructuring of the salmon farming industry in the UK and Ireland in order to make it more competitive. ``The dumping of Norwegian-farmed salmon on EU markets at prices below the cost of production had serious implications for Irish salmon producers, forcing them to compete in an unfair environment, MõÂcheaÂl Corrduibh, projects manager with UÂdaraÂs na Gaeltachta in Furbo told Inshore Ireland. ``So, once the dumping case had been dealt with we set about restructuring the way salmon is produced here in the southwest Connemara region.'' According to Corrduibh it began with the establishment by UÂdaraÂs and the Cill ChiaraÂin-based Irish Salmon Producers Group (ISPG) of a new company, MaoiniuÂ Mara Teor-

anta (MMT), to oversee the logistics of harvest schedules and marketing: ``Historically, harvesting was driven by cashflow with the farmer selling when he ran out of funds. But when several producers sold at the same time it created a fluctuating supply base of over and under-supply, resulting in sub-optimal prices. We realised that marketing had to be better co-ordinated, and that the farmer had to be able to plan effectively. That meant they had to get cash by being able to pre-sell product before they actually had it, and they needed to build up customer confidence that their product would meet buyer specification. This became MMT's role.'' MMT was funded in its first year by ISPG and UÂdaraÂs each investing 600,000. A further 500,000 came from the Western Development Commission (WDC) as a long-term loan. In year two, UÂdaraÂs and the WDC provided another 500,000 each, and Corrduibh anticipates that by 2008, with a proven track record, total funds under MMT control could top 5 million.

* MõÂcheaÂl Corrduibh of UÂdaraÂs na Gaeltachta.

He believes that the appearance of MMT is a welcome development from a banker's point of view because instead of having to deal with only one or two farms, they will now be dealing with seven or eight - but through a single entity. So, if one farm defaults, MMT will still have adequate funds to repay the bank. Central to the restructuring process was the in-depth analy-

sis by consultant Peter Quinn who's report highlighted the need for a more united approach by farmers in the area. ``It was clear from this analysis that there was too much duplication of effort going on, and if there could be amalgamation into a single operating unit, significant savings would be the result,'' explains Corrduibh. ``So far, two farms - Muir

Gheal Teoranta and Muir AchmhainnõÂ Teoranta - have come together to form a single new company, Meitheal EÂisc Teorant (MET), and another three producers in the region are negotiating entry into this arrangement.'' He emphasises that involvement in MET could take different forms with some individuals acting as sub-contractors, and others, perhaps because of complications regarding licences or the value of shares will prefer to be part of some federal relationship: ``The intention in the longer term is to have one operating unit with production streamlined and market-focused. Marketing will be in the hands of ISPG, which will be the cement that holds the entire thing together,'' he points out. Looking to the future, Corrduibh is confident that a formula is being put in place which will enable salmon farmers in south-west Connemara to compete on an even playing field : ``Our target is to have about 9,000 tonnes of salmon produced in the Gaeltacht region of

south-west Connemara by 2009. This will be driven by the amount of funding available and of course all the usual factors such as an absence of disease.'' Nevertheless, he foresees huge possibilities: ``This is only a temporary arrangement to make sure the nuts and bolts fit together. But in the long-run, the obvious direction for this to go is for it to merge into one single structure - ISPG, MMT and MET one large operating unit totally independent of State bodies.'' And while focused for the time-being at least on salmon, Corrduibh says that once trials with farmed cod and other species have been completed, these are likely to become part of this process: ``I can see this model being applied to shellfish too and a whole range of other activities in this area. MMT will support any fish farming company willing to produce a product to ISPG specifications. And, for reasons of competition this cannot be restricted to the Gaeltacht either, it's available to all suppliers of ISPG,'' he says.

Ensuring safe

shellfish for the plate ESTABLISHED in 2002, De- Authority unveiled its refurpur Systems Ltd in Dundrum, bished mussel dock and depuraCo Down provides a full range tion centre, with the intention of of purification and recirculation having the facility available to systems for bivalve mollusc mussel producers from the beproducers and processors ginning of October. The system, which was dethroughout Ireland, the UK signed and built by Depur and further afield. According to the company's Systems Ltd, is partly based technical director, John Smyth, on smaller systems developed the company has responded to by Seafish but differs in that it has a water treatment plant market demand: ``Our initial systems were which enables operators to rebased on the standard Seafish use the water a number of times Industry Authority design. They with full quality control. Mehave been well tested and are chanical filtration as low as 5 used by leading research estab- microns is possible, and sterililishments (QUB; UCC; UU and zation with ozone makes the BIM) and satisfy EU standards entire system ultra efficient. Ozone is used in the water and requirements set down by the Food Safety Authority. Our treatment plant only. The plant systems meet full hygiene stan- is independent of the main dards, achieving a 4-log inacti- system and uses UV sterilizers. vation of bacteria cells such as Systems do not have backup E.coli. Commercial customers power except the very large include Ireland, UK (Shetland) industrial units. Running costs of the standard range of systems Devon, Wales and Iceland. ``Nowadays we can provide based on a five-year costing tailor-made systems for both including capital, grants and marine and freshwater custo- renewals should be less than 1 mers. Our largest standard sys- cent per kilo. The system at Warrenpoint tem was specifically designed for mussels and is based on a will simply charge for the multi-tank system of 10 per operation, but the final cost module. Nominal capacity is 3 per tonne has not been finatonnes (10x300kg). We have lized. The depuration system, also provided a system for a which will handle approxipilot abalone project developed mately 35-40 tonnes per cycle, by QUB research. Another is capable of an output of 150 awaits planning approval,'' he tonnes per week. Some 800 tonnes (800,000 litres) of water explained. The company has progressed per hour are circulated by 4 to producing industrial-sized centrifugal pumps through twin systems, which can be stacked 2 kW UV sterilizing units in a and therefore save space for the closed recirculation system. ``This system is the largest in grower/processor. Stacking systems are based on a single stack Ireland and probably the UK, of three bins holding a total of 1 and will significantly assist tonne with a 1.25m - footprint. producers with quality control Depur Systems Ltd can also and added value. With so much supply lobster and shellfish of Ireland's coastal waters having a `B' classification, there is holding systems. a requirement to depurate (or Product launch pasteurise) before marketing,'' Smyth, director told InIn May, Warrenpoint Harbour John shore Ireland.

Large scale deep layer system. Maximum 60 storage bins at approximately 40 tonnes.

* Medium scale multi-layer. Biomass 750kg (50 baskets) all biShallow tank. Small-scale nominal biomass 90kg (6x15kg valves. Tank capacity is approximately 2,600 litres UV. 220w-440w. baskets) all bivalves. Available with 25w or 50w UV. *

Depuration Ð the facts per 100g of flesh. SHELLFISH feed by filtering can be a serious health risk to * B: from 300 to 6,000 f. colismall particles - mainly natural humans. forms per 100g of flesh (in In order to protect public phytoplankton - from the surrounding water. If the water health, Council Directive 91/ * 90% of the sample). C: from 6,000 to 60,000 f also contains certain natural 492/EEC stipulates that the coliforms per 100g of flesh. biotoxins, or viruses and bac- areas from which shellfish are teria as a result of being harvested must be designated Prohibited: above contaminated by human or and classified according to animal sewage, these too will how much, if any, bacterial 60,000 f. coliforms be ingested by the shellfish to coliforms can be detected in per 100g of flesh accumulate - and even con- their flesh: Shellfish from category `A' centrate - in its blood or the best designation - can go Classifications muscle. direct human consumption Untreated, these shellfish * A: less than 300 f. coliforms for without treatments of any

kind. Shellfish from areas designated `B' or `C' however must undergo a process of depuration for specific periods of time in order to purge them of contaminants before they go for human consumption. Depuration can take place in man-made tanks through which clean or treated water is pumped continuously or, by re-laying the shellfish in naturally clean areas (class `A') for certain periods.

INSHORE IRELAND

July 2006

IFA lobby wins fisheries fund approval

AQUACULTURE NEWS

IFA Aquaculture lobbying has succeeded in getting the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) back on the agenda for the June Council of Fisheries Ministers meeting with full approval, bringing forward the start of this vital fund for fish and shellfish farmers by at least three months. IFA began its campaign after the May Council failed to reach agreement on the EFF, following which the Federation of European Aquaculture Produ-

cers agreed an IFA resolution that strongly criticised European Fisheries Ministers for lacking the economic foresight and political will to agree the EFF. IFA also lobbied Minister John Browne and got agreement from the European Mollusc Producers Association to join the campaign for an early decision on the EFF. Ministers agreed this month, under pressure from an EUwide campaign, to reverse their

decision to delay the EFF item until September and finalise the details at the June Council. The proposed EFF will use 3.8 billion over six years to develop Europe's under-resourced fisheries sector and in particular boost sustainable aquaculture to redress the EU's large seafood deficit. The IFA predicted that continued low priority for the EFF by EU governments would result in a delay of up to one year in the activation of the

fund and that resources for improving environmental management, marketing, increasing efficiency and developing output would completely dry up in 2007. IFA Aquaculture executive secretary, Richie Flynn told Inshore Ireland said: ``Irish aquaculture producers operate in a market without subsidies, and our taxes go to the central fund for the good of the community. The EFF will help small and

medium sized enterprises develop their businesses to achieve the high EU standards of food safety and environmental management and push new boundaries to meet the challenges of increasing costs in the areas of fuel, labour and marketing. IFA welcomes the agreement on the EFF and the response of the Irish Government in helping to achieve a conclusion to this issue.'' Mr Flynn urged the Irish

Government to now ensure that negotiations begin immediately between industry and the authorities on the National Strategic Plan for Ireland for submission to the Commission as soon as possible: ``We have to aim, in partnership, to ensure that there is the minimum gap possible between the FIFG and the EFF, particularly considering that there will be no further FIFG funding available in 2006,'' said Mr Flynn.

Notice-board . . Notice-board. . Notice-board . . Notice-board

IFA Aquaculture and the National Seafood Strategy

FOLLOWING the announcement by Ministers Dempsey and Browne of the preparation of a National Seafood Strategy, Minister Browne has asked IFA Aquaculture to play a full role in the development of the terms of reference, which will set the pace and policy for development of aquaculture from 2007 to 2013. The main output from the Strategy is to form the national strategy, which will be lodged with Brussels as part of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF). Draft ToR were being discussed by IFA Aquaculture officers and committees as Inshore Ireland went to press. IFA Aquaculture executive secretary, Richie Flynn, said

that while the bulk of the work would be carried out in the consultation and negotiation stages over the summer months, it was important that the strategy addresses the potential for development in the context of: * Market potential for its products.

* Successes and failures of successive government approach to the industry's development to date. * Structural challenges brought about by outside economic and environmental forces across all species.

Specifically, IFA's priorities for the coming years to ensure delivery of a sustainable sector by 2013 must be: * Provision of adequate licensing policy for a profitable and

sustainable industry in the salmon sector - the low-impact high-quality approach. Addressing carrying capacity and licensing challenges in the rope mussel sector (see this and all other recommendations in the PwC Report). Addressing efficiency and customer delivery in licensing across all sectors to ensure security of tenure, legal requirements and reduce frustration and conflict over licensing delays and decisions. Making adequate provision to ensure production potential in the face of environmental challenges to the intertidal sector (algae blooms and pollution). Tackling the need to introduce proper and fair management to the uncoordinated approach to

the bottom mussel sector in terms of seed supply while addressing the difficulties faced by those vessel owners tied up by the CoC regulations. * Supporting and encouraging the development of a modern, competitive and efficient freshwater sector. * Addressing cost competitiveness across all species in relation to competing industries abroad, especially in terms of logistics, juvenile production, animal health protection, efficient production methods, new technology * The need to co-ordinate industry at local level through an active and effective CLAMS network.

``It is important that the strategy also addresses and

clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the various state agencies and departments that interact with industry, and that it contains specific plans to improve and develop the state's service and communication with aquaculture businesses, eg. in the context of decentralisation,'' Mr Flynn told Inshore Ireland. IFA Aquaculture welcomes an open and thorough debate on all the issues set out in the draft ToR. It will also provide a national co-ordinated response and input during the process of developing the strategy, under the auspices of the Aquaculture Forum or another agreed body involving all species and subsectors.

Battle continues on Classification HAVING been shocked at the `zero tolerance' recommendations for e-coli sampling contained in the proposed Good Practice Guide for the Microbiological Monitoring of Bivalve Mollusc Production Areas, the Irish Shellfish Association has fought the imposition of this potentially disastrous policy through the executive secretary in his capacity as chair of the EC's Aquaculture Working Group and the European Mollusc Producers Association in Paris. According to analysis carried out by Dr Bill Dore, even a 5% tolerance level of results would reduce `A' areas from 21 to 4 in the

entire country, while 6 current `B' areas would slip into `C' category with little or no hope for any `B' areas being upgraded. This approach will cost the Irish shellfish industry millions in sales and lost markets. ISA is campaigning hard for a return to the 10% tolerance level for `A' and `B' areas and has met directly with the Commission officials responsible for implementing the monitoring regime. News is awaited in September of the success of ISA lobbying and that of the French industry who has been equally concerned with the proposals.

Karenia mortalities

WHILE everyone in the industry is aware that mortalities in the summer/autumn of 2005 were caused by the Karenia bloom, the full extent of the damage was not clear until late April after farmers had the chance to check all generations of their stocks. Having made a call through Inshore Ireland and at our conference in Ennis for those affected to come forward, IFA Aquaculture development officer, Joe McElwee visited 18 affected producers along the west coast to investigate the reported losses. ISA estimates that approximately 20 producers had losses of over 1 million across three generations: seed, half grown and fully mature. Some producers will not feel the full effect of the 2005 bloom until next year when the shortage of 2005 seed leaves a huge gap in their production. ISA has submitted a preliminary report to BIM and recently met with their chief executive, Pat Keogh, in Connemara. A full report and request for compensation for growers is now being compiled for submission to Minister Browne.

PwC report follow-up ISA AGM to take place in September FOLLOWING a meeting between the ISA executive and IFA general secretary, Michael Berkery, the deferred ISA AGM will now take place in September. The ISA executive will use the summer months to examine organisational issues, and draft rules of the Association to be discussed by the full membership at the AGM. IFA president, PaĂ&#x201A;draig Walshe, and other invited guests will ensure that the AGM will be of interest to all members and deal with all of the important issues facing the shellfish sector today.

IFA Aquaculture and BIM have produced a `matrix' of the recommendations of the PwC report, outlining which agency or organisation is responsible for each recommendation and the timeframe involved in delivering an outcome. The ISA believes that this report is extremely important, which is why the Association and its members invested so much of their time into its production.

Therefore, the ISA executive and the Association's 18 members who were directly involved in the production of the report welcome the `ready reckoner' and eagerly look forward to getting down to business on the meat of the recommendations. The biotoxin recommendations are due to be discussed at the next MSSC meeting with the Marine Institute and the Food Safety Authority on July 18.

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Regional co-operation to boost coastal communities Alan Drumm, AquaReg reports

OPENING the second AquaReg forum in Ireland last month, MEP SeaÂn OÂ Neachtain noted that while differences existed between the regions in the inshore fisheries sector [Galicia, Spain; Trùndelag, Norway and the BMW region in Ireland] ``regional cooperation clearly is a benefit, and helps development of the sector within all three regions.'' The forum, hosted by the Marine Institute, brought together politicians, researchers and inshore fisheries/aquaculture representatives to continue the process of developing coastal communities.

The 12 co-operative projects range from recycling/re-using aquaculture by-products to development of innovative packaging for transportation of fresh mussels, cultivation of cod and restocking clawed lobster. According to Mark Norman, Taighde Mara Teo, the success of AquaReg is its focus on bringing together people with a common interest:

Bottom-up approach

``There is a strong bottom-up approach focused on the needs of businesses on the ground. Gaining experience from other regions and learning from their practical experience, and indeed mistakes, is very valuable. ``We should continue to sup-

* Crowding fish for slaughter and transport.

port these links to help develop our own resources,'' he said. Susanne Bratli, cabinet member of Nord-Trùndelag Co Council, and Fatima Linares, general director for Innovation in the Galician Ministry of Fisheries (Xunta de Galicia) believe that AquaReg has met its objectives: ``The introduction to new cultures, languages, markets and people, creates innovative thinking and we really need that to be able to develop - AquaReg is a good instrument for putting into practice regional development policies related with the marine sector.'' AquaReg differs from other INTERREG funded programmes whereby it involves small businesses, allowing them

* Geir Tevasvold, Trondelag; Jorn Ekrem, Trondelag;, SeaÂn OÂ Neachtain, MEP; Dave Jackson, Marine Institute; Yolanda Molares and Gabriel de Labra, Galicia and Alan Drumm, Marine Institute.

to build strong working relationships with their counterparts. ``The programme has yielded successful results. Our aim now is to further develop

these projects and working networks,'' remarked Jorn Ekrem, a steering committee member. The steering committee is to propose future co-operation in

coastal zone management and to broaden participation within the Atlantic region (including Canada), which already has links with Ireland and Norway.

* One of the new `concrete' farms in Jutland.

European fish farmers assess production in Copenhagen * Collecting live trout for transport at the farm

Richie Flynn, IFA Aquaculture reports

DELEGATES from 18 fin-fish producing countries (including ISGA and the Irish Troup Group) met at the AGM of the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers for two days in Copenhagen at the end of May. The Associations present represented every European producer of salmon, trout, seatrout, carp, seabass, seabream, eels, cod, pike, perch, sturgeon, turbot and halibut. In 1998, production of European finfish was 816,343 tonnes worth 2.404 billion.

On the sides of the meeting, delegates held sectoral commissions on the major species

SEA-REARED TROUT

By 2005, production has risen to 1.3 million tonnes worth 4.333 billion at first sale value. EU production had actually fallen year on year by an average of 1.6% since 1998 from 525,067 tonnes to 475,628 tonnes in 2005. If you include non-EU countries such as Norway, Turkey, Croatia, the Faroes and Iceland, overall European production has grown annually by an average of 5.5% from 1 million tonnes in 1998 to 1.387 million in 2005. The Danes, who hosted the meeting, have seen their trout industry return slowly from a point of near extinction, thanks to a government that interprets

Country Finland Faroes Denmark France Norway UK Spain Turkey Sweden TOTAL

2005 13,000 4,500 6,000 9,000 60,000 3,000 1,500 2,000 3,000 102,000

SALMON PRODUCTION Country UK Faroes France Iceland Ireland Norway Totals

2004 150,000 33,000 700 7500 15,000 512,000 718,200

EU legislation very literally and has implemented Water Framework Directive regulations faster and more stringently than anywhere else so far in the EU. While Danish marine farming has been strictly constrained at around 6,000 tonnes of large trout since 1998, the freshwater trout industry has been forced to

FRESHWATER PORTION TROUT

2005 123,000 19,000 800 5,000 11,500 588,000 747,300

invest in a huge amount of new pipework, pumps and concrete to replace traditional pond culture to meet new discharge demands. Across the countryside in Jutland, overgrown and abandoned pond farms slowly return to nature (with most of the equipment left to rust in situ)

Pink Rainbows >400grm Country 2005 tonnage Cyprus 70 UK 12,500 Belg-Luxbrg 150 Denmark 6500 France 24000 Germany 1000 Ireland 1100 Italy 17000 Portugal 1500 Spain 22500 Turkey 250 Total pink trout Total white trout

while next door new recirc or low-flow farms produce 500 to 1000 tonnes of fish in concrete raceways or ponds at relatively high densities. The changeover has not been simple or without its problems; extra electricity costs and problems associated with some diseases have only been kept

White portion trout Country 2005 tonnage Croatia 800 Austria 1600 Belg-Lixbrg 250 Czech Rep 597 Denmark 22500 France 4000 Germany 22000 Greece 3000 Hungary 25 Italy 22000 Poland 14000 Spain 9000 Sweden 200 Turkey 38000 86,570 137,972

at bay by decent prices in the last year. The FEAP AGM dealt with a range of issues - most notably the European Fisheries Fund delay (see separate report) and the habitual supply/demand problem of the Mediterranean seabass and seabream sector.

BIM and Irish Aquaculture

Harvesting the Best!

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

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

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

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

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

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

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Water recirculation using energy-saving moving bed filters Gery Flynn reports

IVAR Warrer-Hansen has been active in Ireland's aquaculture sector since he arrived here in the early 1980s from his native Denmark to spearhead the transformation of three rundown rainbow trout farms in the Aughrim and Woodenbridge areas of Co Wicklow into an efficient and fully integrated operation that today includes a processing facility. Acknowledged as an expert in fish farming recirculation technology, Warrer-Hansen contends that recent advances especially in the key area of intank bio-filtration - means that these systems now often outperform conventional flowthrough and pump-ashore production systems in a variety of ways. ``Recirculation in fish farming used to be perceived as too complex and too expensive especially in terms of the capital cost - but this is no longer the case,'' he told Inshore Ireland. ``Not only are they simpler to operate today, the development of moving bed filters means that energy costs have been cut dramatically because water no longer has to be pumped to a high head. And, in terms of performance, the nitrification rate for a moving bed is 3-4

times higher, so this gives the filter greater capacity to tolerate any peak loads that are common when farming fish. In other words these sudden peaks will not cause the system to `crash' as was often the case in the past, and that makes it much more reliable overall.'' Warrer-Hansen says that recirculation is becoming the production system of choice for fish farming worldwide and points out that the range of species that can now be farmed successfully using the technology is on the increase.

Environmentally friendly

A key advantage of recirculation, he says, is the ability to control every parameter of water quality within the system. This, he argues, will have enormous knock-on benefits overall - for the environment in particular - because all waste materials can be retained and disposed of safely. And unlike the so-called conventional flow-through and pump-ashore systems which can be located only where there is a ready supply of suitable water, Warrer-Hansen says that ``being location-flexible, a recirculation system can be estab-

lished just about anywhere even in industrial estates.''

Expensive pump ashore

With turbot farming as an example, he claims that the cost of a pump-ashore system in Spain is a third more expensive than a recirculation system producing the same tonnage. ``Despite the fact that Spain, with its high seawater temperatures, is probably the most attractive place in the world today to farm turbot, there are still times during the year when ambient water temperature falls below the optimal 18 degrees,'' he explains. ``This means that the length of time required to produce market-ready fish is eighteen months. On the other hand, however, a recirculation system running all year at 18 degrees will have the turbot ready for market in just twelve months, or in fifty per cent less time.'' Warrer-Hansen states that in other words, the recirculation system requires 50% less space to produce the same tonnage of fish.

DEPURATION SYSTEMS FOR BIVALVE MOLLUSCS. SMALL SCALE TO INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS ALSO RE-CIRCULATION & SHELLFISH HOLDING

Inter aqua Advance 3rd generation recirculation aquaculture system at Kinloch Damph Salmon smolt

facility has a main stream pumping head of only 1.2 meters.

* Advance's 3rd generation clearwater Low-Space Bio-reactors in operation in a 600-tons marine system.

LATE NEWS . . . . .LATE NEWS SEA public consultation fails but licensing recommended Report by Shay Fennelly

THE first Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in Ireland for a new round of oil and gas exploration has been published by the Petroleum Affairs Directorate of the Department of Communication, Marine and Natural Resources. The SEA report concludes, that the plan to issue offshore exploration licences in the Slyne/Erris/Donegal basin can be adopted without causing significant environmental impacts provided mitigation, monitoring measures and 35 recommendations are implemented. The report was commissioned by PAD to comply with the SEA Directive, which was transcribed into Irish law in 2004. The objective of the SEA Directive is to ensure, ``an environmental assessment is carried out of certain plans and programmes which are likely to have significant effects on the environment.''

DEPUR SYSTEMS LTD

MONEYCARRAGH FISH FARM PHONE: +44 (0) 28 43751860 60 DROMARA RD, DUNDRUM, FAX: +44 (0) 28 43751940 CO. DOWN, N.IRELAND, BT330NS E.MAIL: depursystems@yahoo.co.uk

WEB SITE: depursystems.com

The SEA identifies seismic surveys and the impact they have on whales and dolphins in addition to atmospheric emissions, which have a potential major effect on the environment. The report identifies large gaps in knowledge about mar-

ine mammals offshore and on fishing effort for the Slyne/ Erris/ Donegal basin, making it difficult to make impact assessments. A key recommendation is for additional impact assessment on a sitespecific basis.

Disturbance to whales and dolphins to increase

Chronic noise exposure to marine mammals is thought likely to cause auditory damage. Behavioural responses in whales, dolphins and seals include fright, avoidance and changes in behaviour - in some cases at ranges of tens or hundreds of kilometres. Fish also move away from areas where seismic surveys are undertaken. A typical seismic survey ship emits the most intense man-made noises directed at the seabed. The intensity of sound waves produced by the firing of seismic air guns can reach up to 250 decibels (dB) near the source and can be as high as 117 dB over 20 miles away. The sound intensity produced by a jack-hammer is around 120 dB, which can damage human ears in as little as 15 seconds. Between 2007 and 2008 PAD plan to license seismic surveys for a maximum of 157 days and 194 days re-

spectively. The SEA failed to identify the lethal threat posed by new low frequency navy sonar implicated in the stranding of beaked whales.

Lack of public input

No submissions were received from fishermen, coastal local authorities, western regional development bodies or and local representatives, indicating a lack of awareness about the SEA Directive and its significance. Article 6 of the SEA Directive requires that both the environmental authorities and the public must be given an early and effective opportunity to make submissions on the draft plan and the accompanying environmental report before any final decision is made. The SEA guidelines for planning authorities state that, ``Submissions received on the Environmental Report must also be listed, summarised and analysed as part of this process. Those who make a submission are entitled to know what consideration has been given to the points made. While it may be desirable to group similar submissions, individual submissions should be identified, e.g. by reference number.'' No public submissions are listed in the final report.

INSHORE IRELAND

July 2006

CHAR FISHERY

Charr-ming fish to delight palates

Stofnfiskur has extended its highly successful family breeding programme to include the production of out-of-season salmon smolts, the first of which are expected to go to sea by Autumn 2007. Speaking to Inshore Ireland from the port town of HafnarfjoĂ&#x2C6;rÂ&#x2026;ur on the west coast of Iceland, Dr Jonas Jonasson, MD of Stofnfiskur HF - which wholly-owns the Irish operation - welcomed this development saying that it paved the way for ``a more streamlined and more cost-effective salmon farming industry''. Report by Gery Flynn. ``WITH

BIM support of Arctic charr

salmon eggs available

almost year-round and the ability to put salmon smolts to sea

Lucy Watson explains

more than once a year, these developments are the future of salmon farming,'' he declares. ``It

will

benefit

freshwater

lowing them to get more use

from their facilities throughout

the year, and this in turn will

have important knock-on bene-

fits for the entire industry.'' Jonasson confirms that he is

``very satisfied with progress''

Corrandulla in north Co Gal-

* Charr - a popular fish for generations in Iceland.

way, and he praised in particu-

lar the way they had introduced

Arctic

charr

(Salvelinus

alpi-

nus) to fish farming to Ireland. ``Charr farming has a very promising

future

Ireland;

however, despite the fact that

you have plentiful supplies of

good quality freshwater, limita-

tions will arise if you wish to

farm large volumes,'' he explains.

Key recirculation

been developed that set out

relatively

growth and profitability of 50

comparatively

is set out in a manual entitled

tonne

flow

producers compete with Ice-

`An introduction to farming

through and recirculation sys-

Arctic charr in Ireland'.

tems.

landic, Norwegian, Swiss and

cies,'' he adds. Jonasson admits

preferred by consumers. ``In the

that compared to Iceland, where

past,

an abundance of wild charr in

marketed

rivers and lakes means that it

now,

has

for

prefer to serve a fillet per plate

so you are talking about har-

particular, it remains practically

vesting fish ranging from 300g

unknown in Ireland and in some

to 800g weight,'' says Jonasson.

been

generations

popular with

fish

anglers

lakes is actually extinct.

wild

charr

was

often

2kg.

But

restaurants

particular

Jonasson says that the pro-

An industry-led strategy for

trials

Ireland, a proposed strategy

mer,

Gold, as well as our own Irish

for production and marketing'

charr per week will be har-

Kindrum

was written by Peter McGo-

vested out of Cool Springs

vern, Stofnfiskur Ireland Ltd

Arctic Charr Ltd in Co Sligo.

(SIL);

LMR

(See Inshore Ireland, vol 2:

and

nr2, pg. 22 April 2006) and

and

Coomasaharn

strains. These

trials

looked

growing conditions. Since the

Valerie Dujardin of the ISPG.

early days, BIM has worked with

individual

farms

and

strains to establish definitive growth

data

and

husbandry

guidelines.

over two years ``from egg to

is a quality food. Nevertheless,

plate and as a northern fish, it

consultants

BIM has also worked with to

develop

pro-

technical advances in recircula-

was no longer a seasonal fish

ence in Iceland has been that it

der various grow-out scenar-

tion

technology

available only during the sum-

does very well between 8-10 C.

ios, to establish best practice

that

water

mer when the ice had left the lakes. We find now that the

charr

tion in Ireland. He thinks that

national consumption of charr

says that despite its reputation

results from their own tests in

has actually increased in line

as being a highly sensitive fish

Iceland indicate that recircula-

with increased farmed produc-

that is easily stressed, it has not

tion would play a pivotal role in

tion, and I am confident it will

been a problem for them.

such an industry here.

happen in Ireland too.''

ability to protect the environ-

Consumer demand

ment

Increasing

``Quite apart from that, the by

controlling

effluents

makes recirculation look like a realistic

option

for

this

spe-

availability

Comparing with

the

rearing

salmon,

Jonasson

``Compared to salmon it's a very different fish and the eggs are of course much smaller. But of

farmed charr in Iceland has also changed the size of fish now

apart from requiring a bit more attention

start-feeding,

it's

quite straightforward,'' he contends.

Profiling the management of inland fisheries THE Central Fisheries Board has

published

looks

book

that

improvement

and

management of inland fisheries. Compiled by Dr Martin O'Grady, Channels & Challenges is primarily a training manual aimed at stakeholders in river restoration and enhancement. Launching the book, Marine Minister John Brown TD commended the CFB for the initiative, saying it would be of great interest to anyone concerned in the future of the salmon resource and protection of the environment: ``Many

fishery

enhance-

ment programmes were undertaken nationwide in both public

and

public/private

partnerships over the course of the National Development Plan. The marine department along with the Central and Regional

Fisheries

Boards

played pivotal roles in these schemes, and I am pleased to see that this book provides examples of just how successful

individual

pro-

grammes were, and in doing so demonstrate how the benefits of future investment can be maximised in this area,'' he said.

Roche,

Management

analyses of charr growth un-

not

Liam

variety of growing sites and

duction models and economic

would

being

ment, entitled, Arctic Charr in

have to be convinced that charr

limiting factor for charr produc-

marketed into Europe by the

is now finalised. The docu-

duction cycle for charr is just

Currently

charr

Labrador; Nayauk `Yukon Ă&#x192; ; Icelandic Omble Gold U

as low as 2 C. But our experi-

proven

product.

Arctic

Irish

charr farming sector in Ireland

can tolerate water temperatures

have

Irish

and

small.

N-type;

Swedish Yivgves;

``In Iceland people did not

German

specialised

Canadian

tional work to inform folk that it

that

tonne

the development of the Arctic

we did have to do some promo-

believes

100

This document details the

recent

Jonasson

and

results of comparative growth Swedish

at the Stofnfiskur (Ireland) sal-

mon hatchery near the village of

trial data relating to

Arctic charr farming in Ireland

ALL

producers in particular, by al-

production

methodologies.

Specifically,

models

have

Services

This document, however, is confidential to the identified industry

stakeholders

who

participated in its production. Suffice to say there is considerable interest in farming

ISPG and market reports are very positive. During the sumtwo

tonnes

Stofnfiskur Galway.

Ireland

The

fish

Arctic

Ltd

will

available both for the home and export market. BIM

committed

programme to diversify aqua-

charr among existing farmers

culture production away from

and some new entrants at sites

the more traditionally farmed

with

finfish species such as salmon

good

freshwater

sup-

plies.

and

Specialised market

been identified as a species

The market for Arctic charr is

land.

trout.

Arctic

charr

has

offering good potential in Ire-

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

REPORTS

Marine photography exhibition at Fish Ireland 2006

PHOTOGRAPHER, former oyster fisherman, mussel farmer and current contributor to Inshore Ireland, Shay Fennelly, has been documenting Ireland's marine sector and coastal communities since 1986, telling their stories in pictures and words. Since 2000 he has contributed to the fishing press - The Irish Skipper, Marine Times, Fishing News and Fish Farming International (UK). His feature articles have also appeared in the Irish Independent Magazine, the Irish Times and Ireland of the Welcomes magazine. In 2001 he was awarded a John Healy National Print Award for a feature article in the Irish Times on how the Shetland Islanders benefited from the development of Sullom Voe Oil Terminal/North Sea Oil. His first report was published in Fish Farming International, and was based on his experience mussel farming in Clew Bay, Co Mayo. His first travel photographs illustrated a book: Sailing to Leningrad, published

in 1987. This told the story of the first visit by an Irish yacht to St Petersberg and the Baltic States before glasnost, since the Oriana in 1859. He also shot the film footage for 40 Degrees West - a Channel 4/Ulster television documentary and in 1991 he photographed the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race in South America. Recent features include photojournalism reports on the Corrib gas project; coastal zone management; marine enterprise in Newfoundland; the Prestige oil spill in Spain; satellite tagging of bluefin tuna off Donegal and tourism photo features on the Mullet peninsula, Achill Yawls, and the Sceiligs off Kerry.

* Shay Fennelly also runs

AQUAPHOTO - a niche photo library specialising in Irish maritime affairs. He will be displaying his photographs for sale at Fish Ireland 2006, from 29 June - 1 July in Killybegs. Further information: shayfennelly@eircom.net / mobile:087 6428902 / www.aquaphoto.ie

Seafood on the school menu

* Galway hookers racing at Kinvara, Co Galway.

* Ă&#x201A;Aine Patricia is welcomed home to Erris.

* Prestige oil spill clean up volunteers

* Surveview to Achill Head, Co Mayo.

Skills display by Irish Coast Guard & HM Coast Guard volunteers Borrisokane Community College student Jennifer Hodgins was in high spirits after getting to grips with a Gurnard fish at the Bord Iascaigh Mhara's `fish at the heart of a healthy diet' campaign in the Tipperary school.

BORRISOKANE Community College in Tipperary is the first school in Ireland to participate in the BIM `fish at the heart of a healthy diet' seafood and health education drive, and has secured certification from the HSE Western Area. Visiting the school, BIM consultant dietitian Sarah Keogh stressed the importance of seafood as part of a healthy balanced diet. The students received a series of life-stage health brochures that BIM is developing as part of its national health information campaign. College principal, Matthew Carr said that healthy eating was firmly on the school agenda:

* Tall ships becalmed.

``Our Millennium project was to build a state-of-the-art canteen and dining hall. Last September the idea of a Collegebased healthy eating policy became a reality, and students can now purchase a healthy main course dinner at lunchtime for 2. Students are very satisfied with the results and continue to put forward their views for more healthy eating options and choices.'' For further information on BIM's seafood and health initiative visit the BIM website www.bim.ie/wellbeing, which contains information on the nutritional aspects of seafood, tips and hints for buying, preparing and cooking fish.

THE inaugural Joint Search and Rescue competition involving the Irish Coast Guard and HM Coastguard Northern Ireland took place in Greencastle, Co Donegal, over the weekend of May 19-21. The purpose was to demonstrate the skills of volunteer lifesavers through friendly competition; participants also exchanged information and ideas and were recognized for their work as dedicated volunteer lifesavers. The event stems from a visit in 2005 to the Canadian Coast Guard in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island by volunteers from the two services. Speaking in Greencastle, minister for transport, Pat the Cope Gallagher praised both services for their `steadfast' voluntary commitment to search and rescue and marine safety awareness within local communities. ``Very often, we read or hear about various rescue operations carried out by the Coast Guard around our coastal waters and on the cliffs. These operations are often carried out in the most extreme conditions and inclement weather. It is a pleasure for me to acknowledge and

thank the volunteers for their professionalism, skill and dedication to public and community service,'' Mini ster Gallagher added.

Participants

A total of 48 Coast Guard members from each of the Divisions - Dublin, Malin, Valentia and HM Coastguard Northern Ireland - competed in a range of disciplines. Teams were tested in leadership, teamwork, search planning, co-ordination and execution - both ashore and afloat. The initiative was another step towards developing a joint training programme between the Irish Coast Guard and the Northern Ireland Coast Guard that started in December 2005. A pilot training programme will involve 10 volunteers undergoing a week's training at the National Fisheries Training College in Greencastle in sea survival techniques, manual handling, basic seamanship, radio procedures fire fighting and first aid. Further practical training is planned at the new Maritime and Coastguard Agency facility under construction near Coleraine.

A total of 67 Coast Guard units operate throughout the Island - 54 units with the Irish Coast Guard and 13 units with HM Coastguard Northern Ireland. A further 1,200 full-time and volunteer personnel make up the full complement. Callouts to the Coast Guard for 2005 were fractionally less than in 2004 at 1,802, giving assistance to 4,709; however assistance to pleasure craft (at sea and on inland waterways) was up 15%. Minister Gallagher said this `worrying trend' reflected the growing popularity in water activities. More people are now wearing Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) and lifejackets, a fact that Minister Gallagher attributed to increasing pubic awareness to safety, changes in legislation and promotion of water safety. ``Training and proper maintenance of equipment is central to survival while engaged in activities at sea, on inland rivers and lakes and other outdoor activities. Wearing an approved, properly serviced, PFD or lifejacket may allow the time necessary for rescue services to reach you,'' Minister Gallagher added. Irish Coast Guard volunteers (comprising approximately 1,000 members) at 54 locations around the coast answered 663 calls in 2005. RNLI Lifeboats were called out on 754 occasions. The Irish Naval Service assisted the Coast Guard on 33 occasions while the Irish Air Corps assisted on 17 occasions. Callouts for community rescue boats were up 36% to 105 compared to 77 in 2004. Irish Coast Guard S&R helicopters based at Dublin, Shannon, Sligo and Waterford Airports were called out 452 times - up from 374. There were 27 pollution/salvage incidents in 2005. Hoax calls were down from 23 to 20 in 2005. Information on safety on the water from website: safetyonthewater.ie or use the in an emergency call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard - don't assume someone else will.

INSHORE IRELAND

July 2006

REPORTS

GOVERNMENT NOTICE SPECIAL AREAS OF CONSERVATION

This could be your space

A box ad like this onlycosts E150!!! +VAT (E181.50)

It's a great way to stand out from the rest.

OFF-SHORE WEST AND SOUTH WEST IRELAND NOTICE TO ALL SHIPOWNERS, FISHING VESSEL OWNERS, AGENTS, SHIPMASTERS, SKIPPERS, FISHERMEN,YACHTSMEN and SEAFARERS Mr Dick Roche,TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, wishes to notify marine users that it is proposed to designate marine sites off the West and South-West Coast of Ireland as Special Areas of Conservation in accordance with the ‘European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997’ SI 94/1997 as amended by SI 233/1998 & SI 378/2005. These regulations provide a mechanism for formally designating and protecting important ecological areas of significance. SACs will form part of ‘‘Natura 2000’’, a network of protected sites throughout the European Union. The sites (as listed below and indicated on map) have been identified as being of ecological importance and are being proposed as Special Areas of Conservation. The relevant areas are indicated on the accompanying map. Under the provisions of the ‘European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations’, users of the areas designated are obliged to consult with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government before undertaking certain activities which may adversely effect these areas. Marine users and others, identified by the National Parks & Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, as holding rights or licences in Special Areas of Conservation are notified directly in writing. They are provided with a site map, site description, list of activities that may damage the sites, procedures for objecting to the designation proposals and details of compensation provisions. Objections (on scientific grounds only) to the proposals may be submitted within 3 months from the date of this notice. Marine users and those affected by the designation in the following areas, who have not received formal notification may contact National Parks & Wildlife Service at Freephone 1 800 40 5000, e-mail natureconservation@environ.ie or contact the local National Parks & Wildlife Service Conservation Ranger (listed in the State Directory pages of the Phone Book). The grid references listed identify the boundaries of each Special Areas of Conservation (Geographic Co-ordinate System:WGS84) Site Code 002327

Special Area of Conservation name & co-ordinates

Area

BELGICA MOUND PROVINCE

411 km2

51° 29’ 24”N, 11° 51’ 36”W; 51° 32’ 24”N, 11° 41’ 24”W; 51° 13’ 48”N, 11° 44’ 24”W; 51° 17’ 24”N, 11° 33’ 00”W 002328

To advertise your product with Inshore Ireland contact the ÐÐÐÐÐÐÐ Advertisement Manager:

Roger Cole

Why not book a pre-paid classified advert with Inshore Ireland.

email:

Box Ads Let us set your ad for Inshore Ireland All you need is your text,......................

12”N, 13° 48”N, 12° 00”N, 13° 12”N, 12°

12’ 54’ 10’ 52’

36”W; 52° 00”W; 52° 48”W; 52° 48”W; 52°

24’ 16’ 09’ 04’

00”N, 12° 48”N, 12° 00”N, 12° 12”N, 12°

58’ 29’ 56’ 29’

12”W; 24”W; 00”W; 24”W 329 km2

SOUTH-WEST PORCUPINE BANK 51° 54’ 36”N, 15° 07’ 12”W; 51° 54’ 36”N, 14° 55’ 12”W; 51° 49’ 12”N, 15° 06’ 00”W; 51° 42’ 00”N, 15° 10’ 12”W; 51° 42’ 00”N, 14° 55’ 12”W

002330

716 km2

NORTH-WEST PORCUPINE BANK 53° 53° 53° 53°

Dep th (m )

35’ 45’ 31’ 30’

24”N, 14° 36”N, 13° 48”N, 14° 36”N, 14°

27’ 49’ 14’ 32’

36”W; 53° 51’ 36”N, 13° 53’ 24”W; 48”W; 53° 35’ 24”N, 14° 10’ 48”W; 24”W; 53° 24’ 00”N, 14° 28’ 48”W; 24”W

100 200

E150 +VAT

500 1000 1500

002330 0 20

To advertise in InshoreIreland contact the

0 20

Advertising Dept

Advertisement Manager: Roger Cole Tel: 01 285 9111 or 284 15440 Mobile: 087 261 1597

you can even include a picture.

002329

16’ 16’ 09’ 04’

Bathymetric contours

silchester@eircom.net

Classified

52° 52° 52° 52°

Your customers will be hooked

Tel: 01 285 9111

284 1544 Mobile: 087 261 1597

1,086 km2

HOVLAND MOUND PROVINCE

email: silchester@eircom.net

002328

0m 50

002329

0 10

0m 100 0m 150

002327

Bathymetric contours are derived from Irish National Seabed Survey Data. © Geological Survey of Ireland

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

SHIPPING SPOTLIGHT

Report highlights vital role of Irish seaports By Jehan Ashmore, maritime correspondent

A report on the state of Irish ports warns of the increasing capacity deficit faced throughout the country. Compiled by Indecon International Economic Consultants on behalf of the Irish Ports Association (IPA) and published last month, the findings conclude that two thirds of exporters believe the 11 commercial seaports require urgent investment in infrastructural development. Irish exporters want investment to be clearly earmarked as part of the Government's next National Development Plan. The report for the IPA - the State's Commercial Seaports representative body - highlights the significant net contribution to the Irish economy played by Irish ports. In 2004, total exports reached almost 56 million tonnes of merchandise. Exports accounted for more than twothirds of Gross National Product (GNP) realising a combined value of exports and imports totalling some 135 billion.

Independent verification

Eamon Bradshaw, chairman of the IPA, welcomed the report saying it provided ``independent verification that the State Commercial Seaports are significant net contributors to the Irish exchequer; form a substantial part of Irish economic life and generate significant employment, particularly in coastal areas. Mr Bradshaw also outlined the vital role that seaports play in Irish commercial life, and warned of the conse-

Oireachtas input

* Irish exporters want investment to be clearly earmarked as part of the Government's next National Development Plan.

quences of neglecting them in relation to infrastructure. In conclusion, he called on Government to make investment in Irish seaports ``a central pillar of the upcoming National Development Plan''. In response, Minister of State for Transport, Pat the Cope Gallagher who attended the launch, said that the report would no doubt provide a useful source of information on the significant economic impact of the ports sector at a national level. ``The initiative taken by the IPA to commission such a report from Indecon is to be commended.'' The report concludes that trade with other countries con-

Maritime Ireland, connecting Irish industry with the Global Market Place

www.imdo.ie Ireland Rotterdam

Roscoff Dublin

Holyhead

Shannon Galway

Antwerp

Dundalk Sligo Nantes

Bilbao

Piraeus Cork Helsinki

Hamburg

Drogheda Oslo

Aarhus

Limassol

Cherbourg

Le Havre

Salerno Rosslare

Liverpool New Ross Arklow

Waterford

Irish Maritime Development OfďŹ ce 80 Harcourt Street Dublin 2 Ireland telephone 353 1 476 6500 facsimile 353 1 478 4988 e-mail imdo@marine.ie

Setubal

tributed a net 33.2 billion to the Irish economy during 2004. Sea-based transportation accounted for 84% of total volume, and 58% of the total value of goods traded by the Irish economy. To put this into perspective, in 2004 the 11 ports accounted for almost 700 jobs and spent 38.7 million on wages engaged directly through port activities. The report concludes that the net economic impact arising from their activities to be in the region of 5.5 billion, supporting approximately * 57,500 full-time employees across the Irish economy.

Photos: G Mills

In 2004 the 11 ports accounted for almost 700 jobs and spent

MEANWHILE, Fine Gael's marine spokesperson John Perry is urging the Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to investigate the potential loss of capacity at Ireland's ports: ``The report by Irish Exporters Association (IEA) warning that capacity at some of our ports may be exhausted within the next three years merits proper Oireachtas scrutiny and real answers.'' He added that the Committee should hear from exporters, IBEC, the Chambers of Commerce, the Ports and the Department to establish the scale of the problem and to come up with answers so as to avoid serious problems down the line. ``Most importantly, immediate provision should be made to ensure Dublin Port - whose roll on-roll off capacity will be exhausted by 2008 according to the IEA - does not become a liability for the national economy. While there are plans for the development of the Port, these are simply not progressing at a fast enough rate. It is vital now that the Oireachtas acts to protect our Ports at the earliest opportunity.''

Joint submission for boundary extension beyond continental shelf 38.7 million on wages engaged directly through port activities.

IRELAND, France, Spain and the UK have lodged a joint submission with the UN's Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf claiming an area of continental shelf about 80,000 km2 in size (equivalent to the size of Ireland) in the area of the Celtic Sea and the Bay of Biscay that lies beyond 200 nautical miles from shore. This submission is the first of its kind. The four States have unresolved maritime boundaries, and began a consultation process in October 2003. Ire-

land has already made a submission in relation to an area off the south west coast, which is currently being considered in the Commission. Under the terms of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, a coastal State exercises over its continental shelf sovereign rights out to 200 nautical miles from the coast, or further if the shelf naturally extends beyond that limit, for the purpose of exploring and exploiting its natural resources including oil and gas deposits,

as well as minerals and biological resources in the seabed. Where the submerged prolongation of its land territory extends beyond 200 nautical miles, a State is required by the Convention to make a submission to the Commission, which was established by the Convention specifically for this purpose. Such a submission sets out the co-ordinates of the outer limits of the shelf claimed and is accompanied by supporting technical and scientific data. The Commission cannot con-

sider submissions in respect of areas of the continental shelf where more than one State claims sovereign rights, without the consent of all the parties to the dispute. Therefore, the four States have made a joint submission without regard to the delimitation of boundaries (carve up of the area) between them. Delimitation will be agreed on the basis of applicable principles of international law after the Commission has concluded its consideration.

Tracking the fleet around the globe SCHOOLCHILDREN across the country will soon be able to navigate the world from their desks using a package designed by the Irish Maritime Development Office and the Marine Institute. The interactive programme is a modern version of the Irish Shipping `Follow the Fleet' scheme of the 1970s/80s. It enables pupils to track the course of the Irish merchant fleet (including the MI's research vessels, Celtic Explorer and Celtic Voyager), through animated graphics and real-time data streams instead of wall charts and coloured pins. The project is based on the Purple Finder Satellite Tracker System, which uses satellite

GPS and land-based communication services to provide position and situation data. According to the designers, the system will bring elements of the school curriculum together, by providing real-time information on where goods are produced and how they make their way around the world by sea. ``Over 130 billion worth of goods travelled in and out of Ireland by sea last year, representing more than 90% of all traded goods. `Follow the Fleet' is a wonderfully innovative way of teaching this message through subjects as diverse as geography, mathematics, science and history,'' commented Glenn Murphy, IMDO di-

* At the launch of Follow the Fleet were the Minister for Agriculture; Pat the Cope Gallagher with pupils from Glebe School, Donegal Town, their teacher Allison Taggert, Lt Commander Patrick Rankin of the naval

base

Cork

and

Sally

Education Centre, Donegal Town

rector. Twelve schools in Donegal participated in the pilot scheme, which will be rolled out nationwide from September

Bonner;

manager

the

Donegal

2006. Schools interested in the scheme should contact IMDO via their website at www.imdo.ie.

INSHORE IRELAND

July 2006

SHIPPING SPOTLIGHT

Recognising excellence Largest Irish ship-owner marks 40th in short sea shipping SHIPPINGSNIPPETS BY JEHAN ASHMORE, MARITIME CORRESPONDENT

IRELAND'S largest privately owned shipping company, Arklow Shipping Ltd, celebrates 40 years of operations this year. The Co Wicklow-based company was established in April 1966 after the amalgamation of several ship-owners to form the company which is based on the

banks of the River Avoca. Arklow was an important mineral-exporting and fishing harbour during the 1800s and 1900s on the Irish Sea, with many sailing schooners using the east coast port. It became apparent with the transition from sail to motor-ships during

the 1960s, however, that single ship operators such as the Tyrrells, Kearons and the Halls, would need to merge in order to survive. Today, the company has a fleet of 37 vessels, ranging from 3,000-13,000 tonnes. The newest ship, Arklow Rainbow, was

Limerick in the dock!

THE port at Limerick, which comprises a single dock basin and dry-dock, is up for sale by owners Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC), despite objections from shipping and business interests in the city. Up to 200 jobs and 11 firms could be directly affected in the move to sell off the substantial riverfront land-bank at the city's docklands site of 40 acres, of which 11 acres make up the dock basin. The sale is part of an ambitious plan by SFPC to review its property portfolio, with a proposed investment of 100mplus, which could see an upgrading of the company's other main deepwater port facility downstream at Foynes. If the sale proceeds, which would require a formal decision by the company board, it may see commercial shipping no longer gracing the quays of the port, set 60 miles from the open sea. Expressions of interest by

delivered in January from The Netherlands. A further five 'R' class vessels are currently under construction - the last ship is due in 2007 to complete the 13-ship series. Arklow Shipping also has a Dutch subsidiary that manages and operates the fleet.

In the pipeline

* Celtic Tugs fleet based at Foynes.

Photo: Jehan Ashmore/ShipSnaps

tender were due by mid June. The site is to be sold as two lots, offering redevelopment of prime waterfront property. The proposed 100m investment plan for Foynes is to upgrade existing port quays and jetty facilities in addition to increasing shore-side capacity and improve cargo throughput for the larger vessels of modern shipping. (Foynes is strategically located midway along the estuary and is closer to the mouth of the Shannon compared to Limerick.) SFPC operates the country's largest bulk handling port and

the second largest port. The company reported very healthy returns in 2005 with total volumes reaching 11.4m tonnes, representing an increase of 7% compared to 2004. Total throughput by 2010 is expected to reach 14m tonnes. At over 100km long, the estuary has the largest pilotage waterway at 500 sq km in Ireland and the UK. There is the potential to develop Shannon as a major trans-modal port on the western approaches to Europe, thus helping to ease large and increasingly congested continental ports.

ALSO under the port authority of SFPC are the jetty facilities at Aughinish Alumina, Co Limerick and the ESB Power Station at Moneypoint, Co Clare. This coal-fired plant is undergoing major refurbishment, whereas its southern oil-fuelled counterpart at Tarbert, Co Kerry is scheduled to shut down between 2008 and 2010. Plans are in place to develop a neighbouring 281 acres site midway between Tarbert and Ballylongford. The proposed site is five miles west of Tarbert on the southern shores of the estuary. The 400m project would be the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) import plant in the State and is a joint venture between US energy group, Hess, and a subsidiary of New York based shipbrokers, Poten & Partners. The project comprises a terminal with an unloading jetty, storage tanks and related structures. The plant would provide up to 40% of the country's gas requirements and employ up to 50 staff.

* Don Moore IEA president (left) with Glenn Murphy, IMDO director.

THE Exporters Associations Export Industry Awards for 2006 were recently launched by Don Moore, IEA president and John Whelan, chief executive, at a function in the Dublin Port Company. The awards recognise the strategically important role that competitive and innovative short sea shipping plays in an open island economy such as Ireland. In 2004, merchandise exports valued at 85 billion were exported from Ireland, with approximately 90% of these goods estimated to have used the Irish maritime supply chain. Commenting on the awards, Glenn Murphy, director of the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) and sponsor of the Short Sea Shipping Company award, said that during the three ``short years'' as sponsor, ``there has been huge interest from the sector in competing to obtain this prestigious title''. The awards are the premier showcase for the best in Irish export activity, and recognise

the achievements of small and large export companies as well as innovation in design and service delivery of export products. ``No other field of endeavour adds more to an image of Ireland abroad than that of its exports,'' commented Don Moore. ``I hope [the awards] will encourage more exporters to come forward and have their special performance recognised; encourage their peers in the market to keep going in tough times and continue to show that, despite recent set backs, Ireland is still a nation of top class exporters.'' Previous winners are Portroe Services and Stena line Ireland, current holders of the award. A new, specially commissioned trophy designed by Joseph Butler of Celbridge, Co Kildare was also unveiled. The Awards Ceremony will take place in O'Reilly Hall, UCD Belfield on the November 22. Entry forms available from: www.irishexporters.ie and www.imdo.ie

CUSTOMS DRUGS WATCH

HAVE YOU SEEN OR HEARD ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS?

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

1800 295 295 CONFIDENTIAL FREEPHONE

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

MARINE INSTITUTE

Eddies, waves and water droplets inspire design of marine research hub

* Home Sweet Home: The new 50m Marine Institute headquarters at Rinville, Oranmore which overlooks the peaceful waters of Galway Bay.

After our success in the last ten years, I think similar bodies are all looking at our model, rather than us looking at theirs! - Peter Heffernan

* An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in conversation with Dr Peter Heffernan (left) and Noel Dempsey, Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources. Photos: Gillian Mills

Gery Flynn and Gillian Mills report from Galway IRELAND'S

position

development

innovation firmly Marine

(RTDI)

endorsed

and now

through

Institute's

new

the

50m

headquarters in Rinville, Oranmore. Boasting 11,000 sq metres,

* Sarah Woods, Athenry enjoying World Ocean Day. Photo: Andrew Downes

The Taoiseach added that the

seat auditorium and a childcare

building also presented a ``tan-

centre.

gible demonstration of the great

The final design, based on

world leader in marine research, technology

cent-shaped office facility, 150-

`the common geometry of the wave' drew on 50 sketches of the beach and shore, and the effects of ripples on the sand. Officiating earlier seach

this

Bertie

facility

the

month,

was

Ahern a

opening

Taoi-

said

testament

the to

marine researchers ``who have

process that has been made in achieving

the

commitment

Government's to

establish

world-class capability in marine research

and

development

Ireland.'' The

facilities

are

also

ex-

pected to assist in the implementation of Sea Change Ă? the

the building was designed by an

a vision of a thriving maritime

`expert' team from the Office of

economy in sympathy with the

Public

prize-

ecosystem. It is a symbol of that

Ciaran

vision in its use of sustainable

Strategy for Ireland, 2007-2013,

materials, energy efficiency and

which is due to be launched

design.''

shortly.

Works

winning O'Connor,

led

architect and

features

scientific laboratories, a cres-

new National Marine Knowledge, Research and Innovation

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

INSHORE IRELAND, July 2006

MARINE INSTITUTE

Eddies, waves and water droplets inspire design of marine research hub Gery Flynn and Gillian Mills report from Galway IRELAND'S

position

world leader in marine research, technology

development

innovation firmly

(RTDI)

endorsed

Marine

and

now

through

Institute's

new

the

50m

headquarters in Rinville, Oranmore. Boasting 11,000 sq metres, the building was designed by an `expert' team from the Office of Public

Works

winning

led

architect

O'Connor,

and

prize-

Ciaran

features

scientific laboratories, a cres-

* One of the 54 scientific laboratories. Photo: David Branigan/Oceansport

cent-shaped office facility, 150seat auditorium and a childcare centre. The final design, based on `the common geometry of the wave' drew on 50 sketches of the beach and shore, and the

* Above: An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in conversation with Dr Peter Heffernan (left) and Noel Dempsey, Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources. Photos: Gillian Mills * Below: Design reflects the old walled gardens that surrounded the nearby derelict manor house.

effects of ripples on the sand. Officiating earlier seach

this

the

month,

Bertie

facility

was

Ahern a

opening

Taoi-

said

the

testament

marine researchers ``who have a vision of a thriving maritime economy in sympathy with the ecosystem. It is a symbol of that vision in its use of sustainable materials, energy efficiency and design.'' The Taoiseach added that the building also presented a ``tangible demonstration of the great process that has been made in achieving

the

commitment

Government's to

establish

world-class capability in marine research

and

development

Ireland.'' The

facilities

are

also

ex-

pected to assist in the implementation of Sea Change Ð the new National Marine Knowledge, Research and Innovation Strategy for Ireland, 2007-2013, which is due to be launched

* Home Sweet Home: The new 50m Marine Institute headquarters at Rinville, Oranmore which overlooks the peaceful waters of Galway Bay.

shortly.

* Sarah Woods, Athenry enjoying World Ocean Day. Photo: Andrew Downes

In an exclusive interview with Inshore Ireland, Dr Peter Heffernan, Marine Institute chief executive, outlined his vision for marine research, and addressed key questions as helmsman of a 30m plus annual budget.

Q:WHAT does the Oranmore facility mean to you personally? After our success in the last ten years, I think similar bodies are all looking at our model, rather than us looking at theirs!

marketplace, just like any other commercial company?

body, however we are keen to

is that we don't get into that

tion

provide best value both to the

territory. We have very strong

Marine Data Centre staff, and

government

project-management

the staff of the former SRA in

tomers

are

govern-

holders, so we compete for a

the teams here, and we pro-

Newport.

ment

departments

with

very small number of commer-

ject-manage very carefully so

track record in being able to

that we come in on budget.

manage change successfully.

Generally no. Our main cusprimarily

cial contracts each year Ð and we do so in line with public

the

corporate governance.

gency

the Gulf Stream, where climate

sciencesness of marine Ireland

these

and

Acres

commercial sector as long as

Q: Does the MI engage in trading of 3rd-party services when operating in the commercial survey sector?

Then we have to agree with

change impacts will be measur-

sur-

government views as the high-

veys we are not in a position

est priority service within the

to supply all elements of the

time window.

survey ourselves, and we wel-

Q: What interest has the freshwater sector for the MI?

being

available

the

Under the Sea' is growing all

it's in the national interest, and

once-in-a-lifetime

opportunity

portunities

the time, both politically and in

within meters.

natural

to be involved in a project of

laboratory. Ireland will be per-

the

this

public

awareness,

along

the

ceived internationally as a hap-

with the realisation that there

commitment and energy of our

pening place to do research - a

are real and significant interna-

staff

happening place for innovation

tional business opportunities in

world-class team of OPW archi-

in business and in research.

the marine sector.

tects. The work by everybody

Q: What was the turning point for marine R&D in Ireland?

Q: How do you see the future for the offshore survey sector?

standard.

occurred with the arrival of the

for

Q: How will the headquarters help the MI deliver its stated objectives?

research vessels Celtic Voyager

survey

and Celtic Explorer. Together

fantastic

It provides a fantasic oppor-

they have transformed Ireland's

tunity to really step up our work

capability to carry out research.

by a quantum leap in terms of

But, at the end of the day, ships

scale, quality and service. Ire-

and buildings are only tools to

land

do the work. The actual work is

nature,

and

working

involved

has

with

been

see a

truly

immense.

The entire project was delivered within the budget, within the time frame, and to a world-class

now

has

the

kind

crisis will happen, and an emer-

guidelines

in favour of State assets like

Million

There's a great opportunity

I think the real turning point

with this building and investments in the university sector,

infrastructure and expertise that

done by people. So the key

can attract international partner-

to grow the human capacity.

Ireland

offshore

policy

para-

For

Q: Can the MI openly tender for commercial work in direct competition with commercial companies? The

Institute's

some

commercial

come the opportunity to partner with industry to provide these

commercial

amount of money, in fact less

government resources

that

aren't

is if

required. additional

available,

priority call will be made and focus

will

When

services.

income is a relatively modest

response

We believe that this has been

the

successful

put

government

provided

what

created

for

that

that 5% of our annual revenue.

for

potential scope of work expan-

para-

both the Institute and industry,

sion. We are currently working

work

within

strict

relationship

the

FRC

have

staff,

the

proven

Q: With the focus so much on the marine environment, isn't there a danger that the freshwater resource might be ignored? No, not at all. I grew up

beside the River Moy, so how could I forget the freshwater resource? For example, we are leading the preparation of the biggest salmon project in the world Ð SALSEA Ð which encapsulates both the high seas, and the freshwater resource. We also do a lot of work already with inland fisheries scientists and

with

the

CFB.

look

building

the

meters - the rules and regula-

and we have formed some very

to implement the decision by

achievements

the

tions for the operation of State

successful alliances with both

government before Christmas to

* Dr Peter Heffernan in conversation with Gery Flynn. Photo: David Ruffles

Irish National Seabed Survey,

agencies. We rarely find our-

Irish and international compa-

align inland fisheries capacity

strengthening.

and moving forward into the

selves in a direct competition

nies

and amalgamate it with the MI.

scenario,

Q: Ten years on, hasn't the MI failed to impact on the public mind?

believe

avoid it.

Q: In the event of a significant cost over-run on a project, will the government come to the rescue of the MI

the relevant staff in the Central

Q: Is the MI being modeled on any similar bodies that you have seen worldwide?

I disagree. This facility will

help create an identity for Irish

area,

the

prudent

practice

There are occasions when a

concerns. Nevertheless, I'm all

`220

best

central part of that drive. Conour

and

skills

ships. And, being right beside

able, gives us tremendous op-

been

stake-

marine

for

tremendous,

has

our

sector rather than commercial

responsibility

and

phase

that

INFOMAR. Ireland

has

marine research, not only na-

chance to be a world leader in

tionally but internationally. I am

that marketplace.

confident, that as Ireland goes after the knowledge economy, the

marine

sector

will

Q: Does the MI compete for commercial contracts in the

and

would

tend

* North Atlantic Drift 147-seat auditorium.

Photo: Gillian Mills

Q: There might be fears that the MI is able to under-bid for certain very lucrative tenders?

that

would

continue to grow.

to un-

those public good services, and

founded - our business strategy

to utilise State assets that we

is to provide public good ser-

possess to support those pro-

vices; to engage in research and

grammes.

Those

fears

development

would

that

strengthens

are

not

commercial

Thankfully our track record

We will be consulting with Fisheries Board and the Department to have an open process to

forward

that

growing

and

After our success in the last

integrate the relevant staff with

ten years, I think they are all

the MI Ð just as we did three

looking

times before with the integra-

than us looking at theirs!

our

model,

rather

INSHORE IRELAND

July 2006

MARINE INSTITUTE

Q:WHAT does the Oranmore facility mean to you personally?

It has been a tremendous,

once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be involved in a project of this

nature,

and

commitment

and

see

the

energy

our staff working with a truly world-class

team

OPW

architects. The work by everybody involved has been immense. The entire project was delivered within the budget, within the time frame, and to a world-class standard.

Q: How will the headquarters help the MI deliver its stated objectives?

It provides a fantasic oppor-

tunity to really step up our work by a quantum leap in terms

scale,

quality

and

service. Ireland now has the kind of infrastructure and expertise that can attract international partnerships. And, being right beside the Gulf Stream, where climate change impacts will be measurable, gives us tremendous opportunities as a natural laboratory. Ireland will be perceived internationally as

* One of the 54 scientific laboratories.

a happening place to do re-

Photo: David Branigan/Oceansport

search - a happening place for innovation in business and in research.

Q: What was the turning point for marine R&D in Ireland? I think the real turning point

* Dr Peter Heffernan in conversation with Gery Flynn.

Photo: David Ruffles

occurred with the arrival of the research vessels Celtic Voyager and Celtic Explorer. Together with this building and investments in the university sector, they have transformed Ireland's

capability

carry

out research. But, at the end of the day, ships and buildings are only tools to do the work.

main

practice corporate governance.

potential scope of work ex-

customers are primarily gov-

Q: Does the MI engage in trading of 3rd-party services when operating in the commercial survey sector?

pansion.

working

Generally

no.

Our

ernment departments with responsibility

for

the

marine

sector rather than commercial concerns. Nevertheless, I'm all in favour of State assets like

For some commercial sur-

are

currently

implement

the

decision by government before Christmas to align inland fisheries capacity and amalgamate it with the MI.

these being available to the

veys we are not in a position to

commercial sector as long as

supply

it's in the national interest, and

survey ourselves, and we wel-

prudent policy paraQ: Ten years on, hasn't within meters. the MI failed to impact on the public mind? Q: Can the MI openly I disagree. This facility will tender for commercial work help create an identity for Irish in direct competition with marine research, not only nacommercial companies?

come the opportunity to part-

am confident, that as Ireland

The Institute's commercial

some very successful alliances

income is a relatively modest

with both Irish and interna-

amount of money, in fact less

tional

companies

that 5% of our annual revenue.

would

We work within strict para-

grow.

change successfully.

meters - the rules and regula-

Q: In the event of a significant cost over-run on a project, will the government come to the rescue of the MI

Q: With the focus so much on the marine environment, isn't there a danger that the freshwater resource might be ignored?

The actual work is done by people. So the key is to grow the human capacity.

tionally but internationally. I goes

after

economy,

the

knowledge

marine

sector

will be a central part of that drive.

Consciencesness

marine Ireland and our `220 Million Acres Under the Sea' is growing all the time, both politically and in the public awareness,

along

with

the

realisation that there are real and

significant

international

business opportunities in the marine sector.

Q: How do you see the future for the offshore survey sector?

There's a great opportunity

tions for the operation of State agencies. We rarely find ourselves in a direct competition scenario, and would tend to

all

elements

the

ner with industry to provide these services. We

believe

that

this

has

been a successful relationship for

both

the

Institute

and

industry, and we have formed

that

continue

Thankfully our track record

avoid it.

Q: There might be fears that the MI is able to under-bid for certain very lucrative tenders?

is that we don't get into that

founded - our business strat-

There are occasions when a

Those fears would be un-

territory. We have very strong project-management skills

the teams here, and we project-manage very carefully so that we come in on budget.

egy is to provide public good

crisis

will

happen,

re-

services; to engage in research

emergency

offshore

and development that strength-

quired. Then we have to agree

survey area, building on the

ens those public good services,

with government that if addi-

fantastic achievements of the

and to utilise State assets that

tional resources aren't avail-

Irish National Seabed Survey,

we possess to support those

able, a priority call will be

and moving forward into the

programmes.

made and focus will be put on

for

Ireland

the

next phase Ð INFOMAR. I

response

and

We are not a commercial

what government views as the

body, however we are keen to

highest priority service within

chance to be a world leader

provide best value both to the

the time window.

in that marketplace.

government

Q: Does the MI compete for commercial contracts in the marketplace, just like any other commercial company?

holders, so we compete for a

believe

that

Ireland

has

and

our

stake-

very small number of commercial contracts each year Ð and we do so in line with public

guidelines

and

best

We will be consulting with the relevant staff in the Central Fisheries Board and the Department

have

open

process to integrate the relevant staff with the MI Ð just as we did three times before with

the

integration

the

FRC staff, the Marine Data Centre staff, and the staff of the former SRA in Newport. We have a proven track record in

being

able

manage

government

created

the MI it provided for that

nearby derelict manor house.

No, not at all. I grew up

beside the River Moy, so how could I forget the freshwater resource? For example, we are leading the preparation of the biggest salmon project in the world Ð SALSEA Ð which encapsulates

both

the

high

seas, and the freshwater resource. We also do a lot of work already with inland fisheries scientists and with the CFB. I look forward to that growing and strengthening.

Q: Is the MI being modeled on any similar bodies that Q: What interest has the you have seen worldwide? freshwater sector for the After our success in the last ten years, I think they are all MI? When

* * Below: Design reflects the old walled gardens that surrounded the

looking at our model, rather than us looking at theirs!

* North Atlantic Drift - 147-seat auditorium.

Photo: Gillian Mills

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

MARINE R & D

A large moraine offshore Donegal Report by David Hardy, EibhlĂľĂ&#x201A;n Doyle & Xavier Monteys, Geological Survey of Ireland IN

the last issue of

Ireland

Inshore

we described the evi-

dence supporting the existence

of large ice-bergs in Irish waters

formed in the recent geological past. In this article, we show

evidence indicating that the ice

that covered almost all of Ire-

land

also

extended

out

into

areas currently below sea-level. Ireland

large-scale

age'

last

experienced

glaciation

beginning

`ice-

approximately

30,000 years ago and drawing

to an end roughly 12,000 years

ago. This resulted in almost all

of the country being covered by

large bodies of slowly moving

ice

sheets

present

day

example of which can be seen

in Greenland. Due to the large

volumes of water trapped on

land in the form of ice-sheets

and glaciers, many areas of the

globe experienced a significant

reduction in sea-level, exposing

large areas of land that today

are flooded by the sea. Some of the more spectacular

features

left

behind

these

Figure 1: Evidence indicating the flow of large volumes of ice through Donegal Bay during the last glaciation or `ice-age'. The small hill-like features represent drumlins - another feature resulting from glacial action & best presented in the classic examples of Clew Bay. Blue arrows indicate inferred flow directions based on the orientation of these features. trapment

rock

and

other

material in the body and base of the ice sheet; as the ice flows this material is moved closer to the

edge

the

ice

sheet,

forming a deposit when the ice melts. A

survey

area

Donegal Bay in 2002 imaged a spectacular example of one of these

features.

Onshore

evi-

dence indicates that large vo-

have undergone extensive erosion or reworking of material which would lead to a more `bedraggled' look), suggests it is from the later part of Ireland's final glacial cycle. The featureless appearance of the seafloor to the east of the moraine is due to a build up of significant volumes of fine and medium

grained

sediments

Donegal Bay (

possibly

due

the

2 marks the end-point of this ice

the transport of these sediments

lumes

ice

flowed

through

Figure 1). The feature imaged in Figure

moraine

acting as a `dam' and blocking

flow for a significant period of

towards the west. Similar fea-

large mounds of sediment re-

time. Altogether, the moraine is

tures have been observed on

ferred to as `moraines'. A sub-

over 29km long with an average

other areas of our continental

set

and

height of over 20m above the

shelf during the course of the

recessional moraines, mark the

surrounding seafloor. The rela-

Irish National Seabed Survey

leading

sheets.

tively `fresh' appearance of the

Ă? most noticeably north Done-

These are formed through en-

moraine (it does not appear to

gal and the Porcupine Bank.

slow-moving

these, edge

ice

sheets

terminal of

ice

are

* Figure 2: Large moraine feature, surveyed in Donegal Bay - representing the end point of a large sheet of ice during the last glaciation. The moraine is some 29km's long and has an average height of 20m above the surrounding seabed. The `fresh' and `clean' appearance of the moraine suggests a recent origin, when compared to other examples on the Irish shelf. Note the smoother fine grained sediments to the east of the morraine.

Underwater acoustics reveal the world beneath the waves Peter Bennett, Kongsberg Maritime explains THE

Marine

Institute's

two

Celtic Celtic Voyager,

marine research vessels,

Explorer

of accuracy required for assess-

of changes as they occur.

ment and repeat assessment to

interest

made

and

changes

moni-

One of the primary acoustic

integrated acoustic survey sys-

systems on both vessels is the

tored, all the systems need to

tems from Kongsberg Maritime,

Kongsberg Maritime EM1002

be closely integrated into a very

which allow scientists the op-

multibeam echo sounder

accurate vessel positioning and

portunity to explore the world

tem. This allows swaths of the

attitude

beneath the waves. Having the

seabed to be mapped in detail,

Kongsberg Seapath 200 is the

opportunity

primary system.

then

The Kongsberg EM 3002 multibeam echo sounder is capable of 3D inspection of underwater port structures, with the highest resolution. The system is capable of resolving details as small as 10-20cm, using up to 508 simultaneous, focused and stabilised narrow beams. The dual head version can do concurrent mapping and inspection over a 180 degree sector. The system operates reliably also in difficult geometrical environments.

vironment. To provide the level

generating

are equipped with world-class

record

EM 3002 Precision Bathymetry

and

creating a better understanding

form,

the

monitor

and

producing

environment,

and

studying

resurvey

and

monitor

change, allows a greater under-

tion.

and

habitat

and

Within the water column, fish analysis

the

assessment may

The environment beneath the

EK60

scientific

post

processed

species

the vessel before being taken ashore for further post proces-

fishery

echo

Over time, the onshore archives

build

dataset

into

valuable

cause

Maritime

SP70

Utilising underwater acoustics

allow

acoustic

in conjunction with 3D visuali-

sation software allows the en-

around the vessel to be made

ensuring

vironment to be presented in a

and recorded - again to allow

managed

clearly

accurate monitoring of the en-

tected for future generations.

difficult

understandable

see.

visual

the

biomass

Kongsberg

sing and archiving.

sounder

the

surface is easy to ignore beit

and

may

using visualisation software on

performed

and

using the Kongsberg Maritime

environment.

the

The data is stored within a

stock

this

storage network on the vessel

pact

activity

for

For

charts for the safety of naviga-

resource available and the imany

maps

system.

forming

standing of the environmental of

terrain

sys-

sonar.

These

assessment

beneath

and

the

accurately

environment

and

monitor assess

any change taking place, thus the

environment

correctly

and

pro-

EM 3002 will detect debris and other objects on the bottom, will map the seafloor according to the strictest IHO regulations, and has a maximum operating range of 150-200 meters. EM 3002 is the result of more than 20 years of accumulated experience with the design and production of multibeam echo sounders. The EM systems from Kongsberg are in daily use by hundreds of hydrographic agencies, ports, private contractors and research institutions all over the world. 2 years warranty and maintenance/ support contracts are offered.

Kongsberg Maritime www.kongsberg.com E-mail: subsea@kongsberg.com

* Utilising underwater acoustics in conjunction with 3D visualisation software allows the environment to be

presented in a clearly understandable visual form, generating interest and creating a better understanding of changes as they occur.

INSHORE IRELAND

July 2006

MARINE R & D

A `flagship' of maritime colleges Proposals for an integrated European maritime policy are floated Until you have seen it for yourself it is quite difficult to imagine the scale and grandeur of the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), which dominates the Ringaskiddy shoreline opposite the Naval Base in Haulbowline. It is quite the envy of the maritime world, writes Commander Tom Tuohy.

External to the main buildings are the fire fighting/damage control facilities. The fire-fight-

Phone: (01) 678 2000 Lo-call: 1890 44 99 00 Fax: (01) 668 1782

en t

w ater ch nic al

website: www.gsi.ie e-mail: gsisales@gsi.ie

geological h er minerals k e rin

h iris

Beggars Bush, Haddington Road Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

ground

ua te

Outdoor facilities

Geological Survey of Ireland it a

The 14,000sq m college comprises three linked blocks: C Block contains the reception, learning resource centre, IT rooms and the catering facilities; B Block contains classrooms, laboratories and simulators and A Block con-

THE sea has long been at the heart of Europe's culture, economy and environment. But, until now, the European Union and its Member States have managed different aspects of maritime affairs separately, without considering their impact on each other and on the seas and oceans as a whole. For the first time, the European Commission is planning to develop a truly integrated policy to deal with all aspects of maritime affairs, including fisheries, shipping, transport, energy, marine research and tourism. It has published a Green Paper on Maritime Policy, and recently launched one of the biggest consultations in the history of the EU, in order to allow politicians, industry and the general public to contribute to the new approach. ``The European Commission is asking the question of how best to manage competing uses of the same maritime space,'' Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs commented. ``The ocean is the natural resource upon which all maritime activities are based, as well as being part of our history and our identity. But it is coming under increasing pressure as more and more activities compete to exploit its riches. ``The Green Paper on Maritime Policy is built on the need to develop an integrated approach to our interaction with our seas.''

to none and for the INS it has provided facilities and opportunities that could not have been dreamt of a decade ago. The INS prides itself on professionalism and its adoption of cutting edge technology, in order to meet the challenges associated with its range of duties and responsibilities. The NMCI cannot but enhance the INS in its determination to maintain the highest standards in maritime training.

Core elements

ing complex contains a replica engine room where fire scenarios can be set up and monitored. Students learn to fight fires in confined spaces and also conduct damage control exercises in a controlled environment. On the jetty, students practice launch and recovery of different survival craft and lifeboats, as well as practical aspects of boat handling. With the NMCI, the State now has a facility that is second

n f or m a tion managem

The Naval Service and CIT made a joint submission to the task force to establish one college to meet the training needs of the Nautical Studies Department of CIT and the nonmilitary training requirements of the INS. This submission was accepted as the task force's main recommendation. In 1999, the Government appointed an interdepartmental expert working group to examine the proposals. This group included representatives from the Departments of Defence, Communications Marine & Natural resources, Education & Science and Finance and from INS and CIT. The group recommended that the project should be developed through a Public/Private Partnership (PPP), which ultimately comprised FOCUS Education (Ireland), Bovis Lend Lease and HBOS Banking Group. Under this PPP the private operator would design, build, finance and operate the college to the required specifications. In return the operator would receive unitary payments from the Dept of Education and Science over 25 years, after which the college would revert to State ownership. FOCUS Education is responsible for the full operation of the NMCI, including maintenance, front-of-house, cleaning, security etc. This allows both the Naval and CIT staff time to concentrate of their core requirement.

bedro

Joint submission

tains the engineering facilities. The simulation suite is one of the largest in Europe and was provided by Norwegian company Kongsberg Maritime, a world leader in this field. Two full omission obridge simulators (360 and 270 visualisation) are supported by steering, engine control and navigation equipment, necessary to replicate a real ship's bridge. (The importance of simulation is specifically noted for the purposes of education and assessment in the STCW95 Regulations and accordingly a lot of emphasis went into providing top-class simulation equipment.) Large areas of the Irish coast and major Irish ports are now digitally mapped and can be accurately reproduced in simulation. A data base of the world's ports and shipping lanes also means that students can be examined, for example, in bringing a ship into Cork Harbour and berthing at the Naval Base. The simulator instructor can also set different sea and environmental conditions to fully assess students. So accurate and lifelike are the visuals that it is almost impossible not to feel the deck rolling under your feet (as this author can testify). The suite also has three auxiliary bridge simulators and 12 other simulators for navigation training; search & rescue co-ordination; vessel traffic system training; and fleet work. A full engine room simulator, damage control/cargo handling simulators and GMDSS (radio) simulators are also housed in Block C. A Block houses the main engineering facilities, comprising welding, mechanical engineering, heavy electrical workshops and a fully functional ship's engine room. At the seaward end of this block is the shipwright's workshop. Shipwrights are responsible for the repair to the fibreglass hulls of the fast surface craft carried onboard naval ships and for fire fighting and damage control onboard ship. Alongside this workshop is a seamanship training area. Also in A Block are a 20m survival pool, and an 8m dive tank used for basic diver training, underwater welding and free assent techniques. The survival pool, which ranges in depth from 2.5m to 5m, is used for training in sea survival techniques and life raft drills. The pool has a wave generating capacity that can replicate sea states; wind and rain generators add to the realistic atmosphere.

THE NMCI fulfils the needs of both the nautical studies department of the Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and the nonmilitary training requirements of the Irish Naval Service (INS). The genesis of the College was in 1993 when the Department of Defence acquired a 10acre site of reclaimed land along the shore just outside Ringaskiddy. Short of facilities since vacating Spike Island in 1985 the Naval Service submitted plans for a new naval college on the site but the development failed to materialise. At the same time, however, CIT was looking to upgrade its own facilities in Bishopstown. (This department is the merchant navy training school in Ireland). The catalyst for action was the decision by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to revamp the Standard of Training and Certification of Watchkeepers (STCW) Regulations in 1995. These regulations lay down the standards required for all levels of seafarer and the certification and maintenance of these standards. As a member of the IMO, Ireland was obliged to comply with the regulations and in 1997, established a task force on seafarer training and education requirements within the maritime sector in Ireland.

e ot e rnar y/g

The Green Paper sets out a range of tools that the European Commission believes could be used to help do this. These include a comprehensive data collection and sharing system; mapping a European Atlas of the Seas; a single, integrated vessel tracking system that would improve maritime security and the development of spatial planning tools.

Complex task

Bringing all maritime policy together is a huge and complex task, Commissioner Borg added: ``We will not succeed without bringing together the best ideas and the best minds from throughout the Union. And it is precisely because of this that we have decided on an unusually long consultation process of over a year.'' Martin Territt, director of the European Commission in Ireland, is calling on Irish citizens to make their voices heard in this consultation, which runs until 30 June 2007: ``As an island nation, the sea and fishing are an integral part of Irish culture. We need to take part in this public debate in order to make sure we better manage our use of the seas and oceans, combining job creation and economic growth with environmental protection.''

Further information and to submit your contribution, visit http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy_en.html.

INSHORE IRELAND July 2006

MARKETING/RETAIL

Ireland scoops major coup at seafood trade IRELAND

is to host the 2007

owned by the International As-

World Seafood Congress hav-

sociation

ing

Seafood

successfully

bid

against

of is

Fish the

Inspectors.

world's

most

The

event

will

include

conference and exhibition dedicated to the theme of `innova-

strong world-wide competition.

traded food whereby demand

tion

Announcing

the

for fish is set to rise from 133

where exhibitors will showcase

million tonnes to 183 million

the

tonnes by 2015.

trends

European

the

news

Seafood

Expo

Brussels, marine minister John Browne said the event represented an ``exceptional win'' for

Global platform

Ireland and

Jayne

the

would strengthen

country's

position

``serious player'' on the global seafood stage. ``The

key

challenge

continue to meet the increasing global demand while also developing a marketplace that is environmentally and economically

sustainable,''

Minister

Browne added. International seafood trading is worth more than twice the combined world trade of tea, coffee

and

cocoa,

currently

valued at $60bn per annum. World Seafood Congress is

Gallagher,

event, which will be the first to on

seafood

latest in

industry'

technologies new

product

and and

ity assurance and eco-labelling.

president

looking forward to the Dublin held

the

processing development, qual-

IAFI, said the organisation was

global

scale.

``Ireland has an innovative and progressive industry based on a strong history,'' she said. Hundreds of representatives from the catching, processing, aquaculture and marketing industries worldwide are expected to attend the event, which will be hosted by BIM, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and Enterprise Ireland from 24-28 September 2007.

The

Congress

expecting

strong representation from developing countries where seafood

the

most

significant

source of protein, and currently provides the world with 6% of its

needs.

According

the

Food and Agriculture (FAO), seafood

has

been

the

fastest

growing sector of food production worldwide for decades and is

the

most

internationally

traded food. For

information

from:

the

World Seafood Congress website @ www.worldseafoodcongress07.com.

* Joe Somers; Maeve-Aine Earley; BIM; Helen Brophy, market development manager, BIM; John Browne, marine minister and Pat Keogh, chief executive, BIM

Strong Irish presence at premier seafood showcase

Irish participation: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

THE potential to raise Ireland's profile as producer of premium

seafood

products

was

further

bolstered at the European Sea-

food Exposition (ESE) in May,

which attracted 17,000 buyers

from

around

the

globe.

Irish

participation reached an all-time

high when 22 of the country's

seafood companies were part of

a 1,400 strong exhibitor show-

case. Speaking at the Irish Pavi-

lion,

Pat

Keogh,

executive,

said

BIM

such

chief events

provided the ideal platform for

companies

promote

them-

selves as leading producers of

top quality, high value products

that are designed to meet the

exacting requirements of Eur-

opean buyers and consumers: ``As the world's largest gath-

* Pat Keogh, BIM chief executive; Jayne Gallagher, president, International Association of Fish Inspectors

seafood

industry,

ESE

serves as an important platform

for the exchange of innovative

ideas that can help the industry

tackle current and future chal-

lenges. These events are pivotal

accelerating

the

pace

Atlanfish Ltd. (Donegal) Atlantic Dawn (Donegal) Atlantic Fare (Galway) Connemara Seafoods (Galway) Dunns Seafare Ltd (Dublin) Emerald Mussels (Mayo) Errigal Fish Company Ltd (Donegal) Fastnet Mussels (Cork) Killybegs Seafoods Ltd (Donegal) Shellfish de la Mer (Cork) The William Carr Group (Cork) Wrights of Howth (Dublin) Gallagher Bros Fish Merchants (Donegal) Glenmar Shellfish (Cork) Irfish Ltd.(Waterford) Irish Seaspray Ltd (Galway) Kenmare Salmon (Kerry) Norfish Ltd (Donegal) O'Cathain Iasc Teo (Kerry) Sean Ward Fish Exports (Donegal)

and John Browne TD, marine minister attending the launch.

ering for professionals from the

global

Aran Salmon (Galway)

product;

tition. The event recognises the

new

million with EU countries ac-

tion, valued at 65.3 million -

Dunn's Seafare Ltd for Black-

year's very best seafood pro-

technologies and bringing new

counting for four fifths of that

up 10.2% on the 2004.

ened Salmon and William Carr

ducts developed specifically for

products to new markets,'' he

total. France accounts for over

& Sons for their Rosscarbery

the European market. Our fin-

said.

25%

Seafood Chowder.

alists have proven that Ireland

Chorizo innovation,

integrating

Keogh

paid

particular

totalling

tribute to the 2006 Seafood Prix

30,617 tonnes valued at 82.1

d'Elite finalists - Bantry Bay

almost

million in 2005; Spain is ranked

198,000 tonnes valued at 354

second most important destina-

In 2005 total Irish seafood exports

amounted

exports,

Sausage

marvellous

can compete with the very best

Seafoods with their Mussels in

achievement by these three Irish

in terms of product quality and

companies against stiff compe-

innovation,'' he said.

Mediterranean

Sauce

with

`` T h i s

Fishermen's co-ops respond to changing consumer trends Irish fishermen's co-ops

the origin of the product they

delivery of management train-

plate.

participating

handling standards. In doing so,

joined forces on the Irish Pavi-

are buying and are expressing

ing and market information. As

co-ops are also looking at im-

a greater level of independent

with processors and distributors

lion at ESE to promote quality,

pronounced preferences for pro-

a result, senior managers of the

proving quality standards and

quality control can be achieved,

rather than simply selling their

provenance

ducts from certain areas. Sea-

five co-ops have undertaken a

onboard working conditions for

thereby

product at auction,'' Mr Kea-

food is no different.''

business-mentoring programme

whitefish vessels.

catch and maximising the ben-

FIVE

and

responsible

fishing as part of BIM's On-

The co-ops are in position to

The

five

efits

adding

value

traceability

and

the en-

organised by BIM. Each co-op

``The assurance of fish qual-

quality

has nominated a quality man-

ity and ultimate consumer con-

hanced

produce with a high level of

ager to develop a high level of

fidence

adding value to certain species

provenance

traceability

internal quality management so

detailed knowledge and quality

have also developed a better

and by diversifying from vo-

back to vessel. This can be a

as to deliver consistent quality

assurance but also a fleet of

understanding

lume

very powerful marketing tool,

control, which is essential for

vessels

networks.

Fisheries

particularly in the high end and

speciality food service distribu-

board

niche food service sectors,'' he

tors in the UK and Europe.

conditions,'' Mr Keatinge ex-

effectively

plained.

well as broadening their product

shore Quality Programme. The scheme aims achieve a higher

return

Michael

value.

product

According

Keatinge,

Development

Manager

with

BIM, provenance is of growing importance in the seafood industry: ``Consumers want to know

deliver

fresh,

chilled

and

added.

Quality programme Among the core elements is the

The

programme

also

ad-

involves

with

the

standards

not

only

highest and

on-

working

Irish

consumer seafood. of

``This

confidence The

co-ops

distributor is

enabling

them to manage their sales more and

efficiently

developing

relationships

tinge said. The five co-ops - Galway & Aran Fishermen's Co-op; Dunmore East Fishermen's Co-op; Union Hall Fishermen's Company; Clogherhead Fishermen's Co-op and Foyle Fishermen's Co

represent

sales

30% of the Irish whitefish fleet)

``The programme encourages

options. Most importantly, they

and

from the sea to the shop and

and assists fishing vessel own-

are also better equipped to deal

dependent vessels.

ultimately

ers to improve onboard fish-

with different routes to market

the

consumer's

whitefish vessels (representing

dresses the entire product cycle to

million and a fleet of 82 large

few

smaller

weather

INSHORE IRELAND

July 2006

SEAFOOD PROCESSING Innovation to boost market share of Irish seafood overseas

RESEARCH of international buyers into their perception of Irish seafood suggests a lack of product innovation particularly in the value-added category, and is the nucleus for a major conference to take place in Dublin in September. Organised by BIM and Enterprise Ireland, `Waves of Innovation' will aim to assist the seafood industry to maximise its growth potential through innovation. Among the key findings was a consensus across all markets on the need for new product innovations particularly in the value-added category; this is perceived as a critical factor for Irish suppliers to remain in the market. The survey also revealed a need increased competitiveness and pro-activity in the market, as well as finding solutions to the issue of logis- * Pat Keogh, BIM chief executive; Helen Brophy, market development manager; Mike Feeney, director, tics and supply frequency. Enterprise Ireland and Tom McCarthy, chief executive, Irish Management Institute Value-added

lighted the need for new product development in the fish According to Helen Brophy, category - particularly in terms market development manager of innovative value-added prowith BIM, Ireland scored very ducts. Equally, presentation high in terms of quality of its and packaging formats were seafood products, however, rated as being important elebuyers believe that competitors ments in this respect, particuare ahead in terms of developlarly, in the case of product line ment of value-added product, extensions. packaging and market inven- * In line with market trends, tiveness. ``Ireland is perceived buyers perceive growth in this as a commodity exporter,'' she area leading to future potential said. business development in seafood with competition at retail Key findings and food service level being * All buyers surveyed highdriven in this respect. weakness

* Buyers stated that Irish seafood

suppliers need to strengthen efforts in this area in order to maintain and build market share in key markets. Buyers do not currently perceive Ireland to be leading in this capacity and indicated a strong need to develop activity in this area.

``The key outcome of the survey is therefore the need for increased R&D of processing methods and application of the best-in-class technology. As a result, BIM and Enterprise Ireland have joined forces to create

this unique event to focus on innovation in the seafood sector,'' Helen Brophy added. Enterprise Ireland director Mike Feeney emphasised the `tremendous scope' for innovation in the Irish seafood industry, which he said was consistent with their strategy. ``The survey highlighted some interesting comparisons with alternative proteins, in particular beef and poultry and the level of innovation occurring in these categories as opposed to fish. Increasing the current level of innovation for

DIMINISHING supplies; rising production costs; increasingly tight trading margins; retail concentration; competition from low-cost producers and consumer concerns on health and the environment are combining to pose serious challenges and opportunities for the Irish seafood industry that will be addressed at the conference. Conference topics

* A review of the fish and seafood market around the world -

recent trends and product launches.

* Analysis of the convenience-health-taste triangle; understand* * * * * *

ing what consumers want and gaining valuable insight by looking at food products where adding value has succeeded for the supplier/manufacturer. Workshop sessions on innovation, branding and communication. Adding value to fish products; the new product development process and key steps to success. How to overcome barriers to innovation; how to get retailers to list your products. Case studies on successful companies focusing on their innovation and bringing a new product concept to the production line. Regulatory and technical details; how far can companies go in using labels to promote products i.e. indicating provenance, additives. Funding opportunities available from BIM and Enterprise Ireland.

BIM has enlisted the aid of Leatherhead Food International (LFI) - a leading international provider of market intelligence, food research and analysis. Founded in 1919, LFI has focused on meeting the changing needs of the UK and global food industry for over 85 years. `Waves of Innovation' conference September 12-13, Irish Management Institute, Dublin. Details: www.bim.ie. new fish products will be an issue for future seafood development in Ireland,'' he said. BIM's chief executive Pat Keogh believes that innovation will enable the Irish industry to capitalise on the ``unique health

and nutritional benefits of seafood. `Waves of Innovation' will open up new horizons for Irish seafood companies and will be the most significant event for the seafood industry this year.''

LOOKING FOR AN EXCITING CAREER? Are you aged between 17 and 27?

JOIN THE NAVY

Sometimes you may have to book couriers. As a member of the Naval Service you will sometimes have to shift tasks at short notice. So a fishery protection assignment can sometimes turn into a drugs interdiction mission. The catch of the day is often a large haul of deadly drugs and the arrest of the couriers. As a member of an armed boarding party you will be trained to board, search and detain suspect vessels and crews in co-operation with the Gardai or Customs National Drugs Unit. It's just one of the tasks you'll be expected to perform in the Naval Service. If you're over 17 years and under 25 years (27 for Naval Service) and would like to know more about careers in the Army, Naval Service or Air Corps contact the number below.

Saol iomlán éagsúil A life less ordinary LoCall 1890-262828

military.ie