Inshore ireland Vol 9 nr 4 Aug-Sep 2013

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

€1.90/£1.50 Bi-Monthly Multi-agency initiative launched to tackle high loss of life at sea - pages 10-11

INTERVIEW WITH JASON WHOOLEY, BIM, ON THE AGENCY’S FIVE YEAR STRATEGY PAGES - 16-17

August/September 2013 Vol 9 Issue 4

ONLINE EDITION

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

Fishing industry warns five-year seafood strategy could be a pipe-dream Gillian Mills

T

he Irish seafisheries board has launched an ambitious fiveyear strategy to deliver 1,200 jobs and €1bn in seafood sales by building scale and enhancing competitiveness in the seafood sector.

Capturing Ireland’s Share of The Global Seafood Opportunity is “grounded in Ireland’s ideal position” to take advantage of the projected increase in seafood demand of an additional 42 million tonnes per annum, by 2030.

With constraints on wild fish catches to meet this demand, “informed market analysis” predicts a 50% increase by 2020 in the current annual production of two million tonnes of farmed salmon,” remarked BIM chairman, Kieran Calnan.

“Sustainable fish farming, when regulated and managed correctly, provides valuable employment, investment and revenue, amounting to a 78% increase in production volume by 2020,” he added.

component of which alone will see the agency deliver 8,000 training places by 2017.” (see interview pgs 16&17)

iNduStry coNcErNS

The agency is targeting an increase of over 45,000 tonnes of additional raw material over the next five years which it says should assist industry reach its projected seafood export figure of €650m.

Commenting to Inshore

Ireland, Francis O’Donnell, chief executive of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation said development of the industry was “of paramount importance, but pointed to a “fundamental reality”.

“The 2014 TAC and quotas forecast published by ICES last June makes disturbing reading. We’re looking at cuts in Area VI of whiting (100%); monk (20%); pollack (85%) and saithe 15%.”

He added that in Area

VII the picture was more depressing.

“In Area B-K, cod and haddock are set to be slashed by 33% and 75% respectively; pollack in VII by 69%; and plaice 59%; cod and whiting by 100% and haddock 52% in area VIIa. “Our fishing opportunities are set to be cut by half in the whitefish fleet for 2014. We’re facing wipe out. Scaling up to meet the needs in emerging economies is a pipe-dream if

fishing opportunities continue to fall at the alarming rate suggested by ICES for 2014,” he warned.

“It’s time people stopped kidding themselves here. We will have to cut our fleet by 50% to stay economically viable, and the only way to achieve that is through a decommissioning scheme.

“A smaller fleet equals less muscle when securing contracts in wild fish markets,” he said.

vaLuE groWth

Given the challenge of rebuilding the economy, Simon Coveney, Minster for Agriculture, Food and the Marine welcomes the fact that the agency’s strategy is geared to generating value growth “from an important indigenous industry which will create much needed jobs in our coastal regions.”

Jason Whooley, BIM chief executive said the strategy targeted the sector’s capacity to become a more “heavyweight education provider and career option for Ireland’s younger generation.

“As a result, BIM will enter into a series of partnerships with third-level education institutions, the training

Irish North of Disko expedition 2013. Sailing through ice, Uummannaq, Greenland (see page 3).

Photo Daragh Muldowney

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inshore ireland August/September 2013

NEWS

Trade restrictions sought against Iceland and Faroes Gillian Mills

A

t the July Council of Ministers, Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine supported by the UK, France and Spain, called for trade restrictions to be imposed “immediately by the EU Commission against Iceland and the Faroe Islands for their “continued unacceptable

and irresponsible fishing of mackerel”.

Iceland and the Faroes have set “large unilateral quotas at unsustainable levels in 2013. Their unilateral quotas amount to 52% of the recommended scientifically advised catch of mackerel in 2013,” he said.

“This is the fifth year in which Iceland has refused to engage in meaningful negotiations with the EU and Norway, the recognised major

shareholders in this fishery.

Iceland and the Faroes have developed a large and unsustainable fishery of mackerel from a situation in 2006 when they had a combined total share of only 5% of the fishery,” he added.

Premier fishery The North East Atlantic mackerel fishery, “if fished within recommended levels” is worth about €1bn, with a value to the European Union

of more than €600m.

“Mackerel is our most important fishery, worth over €125m, and Irish fishermen are hugely dependent on it and cannot accept their livelihoods being threatened in this way. If this irresponsible fishing is allowed to continue this stock will be decimated and our fishermen and coastal communities will have their livelihoods completely undermined.

“There are fish processing factories in Donegal, Galway,

Kerry and Cork dependent on this stock. I am compelled to do all I can to protect this Irish industry.

“I have been calling consistently for the implementation of trade measures and Commissioner Damanaki has now agreed to proceed to implement these measures. I regret we have been forced to take this action but the continued absence of any meaningful attempt to negotiate by either country has left us with no alternative.”

Iceland responds

MFV Vigilant steaming into a westerly gale.

Marine Institute Foras na Mara

Ireland's National Agency for Marine Research and Innovation

Our Ocean

A Shared Resource

www.marine.ie

Photo J Cunningham

Statement to Inshore Ireland from Iceland’s Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson.

I am disappointed to learn of Minister Simon Coveney’s recent statement which projected a selective and false view of the ongoing mackerel debate.

Minister Coveney’s claims are simply not true. We were saddened to learn that the Minister is supporting damaging and counterproductive sanctions even as efforts to find a fair solution through dialogue and diplomacy are on-going. All Coastal States involved are responsible for the sustainable management of the North Atlantic mackerel stock.

Targeting Iceland and pressuring our small country to alone bear the burden of cuts…is simply unreasonable. We are dealing with an unexpected explosion in the number of mackerel in our waters. Today up to 30% of the entire mackerel population is found in Iceland’s waters during the summer. But these facts have been ignored in setting the latest quotas.

Again in 2013, the EU and Norway unilaterally claimed 90% of the scientifically recommended total 2013 mackerel catch, leaving only 10% for Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Russia combined. This is an unreasonable and unsustainable approach to managing the stock. Iceland currently is taking 22% of the scientifically recommended catch.

Iceland was not allowed to the table as a negotiating party until 2010 when the EU and Norway finally accepted Iceland as a coastal state.

This came after regular requests from Iceland over 11 years. Since 2010 we have repeatedly made proposals for a reduction in the collective catch which would keep fishing levels within scientific recommendations; however our all efforts have been rejected.

Requests ignored In 2013 alone, Iceland issued five public requests to reconvene the coastal states for urgent talks. These were not responded to.

In early July we took bold action to restart negotiations and are pleased that a meeting has now been scheduled for early September. We hope this step removes any doubt about Iceland’s desire to find a fair solution that protects the stock. To our great disappointment, the EU has, in the weeks leading up to the meeting, continued to threaten Iceland with illegal trade sanctions.

We were also distressed to learn that the Minister continues to support sanctions over diplomacy.

Sanctioning our country - a long standing European ally and close neighbour as if it were a pariah state - is an extreme measure, particularly when diplomacy has not been exhausted.

As Ireland’s main economic resource is its large fertile pastures, Iceland’s is its fishing industry. Fishing accounts for more than 40% of Iceland’s total exports of goods and the mackerel fishery alone is worth approximately €122m to Iceland.

We remain optimistic that in the upcoming meeting we can collectively find a fair solution through diplomacy and dialogue. Iceland is ready to play its part – is Ireland?”

inshore ireland august/september 2013

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coMMENt

Let’s tone down the loud voices in the salmon licence debate

B

IM’s recently published fiveyear strategy features extensively throughout this issue of Inshore Ireland, in a front page article and an in-depth interview inside.

The strategy document itself is well written, admirably brief, accessible and easy to navigate.

It lists and examines the five key priority areas to be addressed: raw material supply; maximising added-value; creating scale; developing skills and enhancing the environmental sustainability of Irish seafood.

The aquaculture sector is featured also many times throughout, and for those currently operating in that sector,

there is surely a fervent hope that this time it will receive the attention it has been long, and often, promised.

And while no one could deny that the sea fisheries and seafood processing sectors have taken a heavy share of hardship over the past decade, the aquaculture sector - fin-fish farming in particular has fared even worse.

There’s no doubt that much of the early gloss and optimism has disappeared, and it has been effectively mothballed for a decade while the issues around various EU directives are worked out.

All eyes are now on Minister Coveney who finds himself in the unenviable position of having to weigh up the pros and cons of granting an aquaculture licence to the Galway Bay offshore salmon farm. Those few salmon farmers who are left in the sector

know well that unless this project receives the green light, fin fish aquaculture will find it next to impossible to reverse out of the cul de sac it has been in for over ten years.

And as the minister listens to all sides and deliberates, the debateon-the-street is taking a sadly predictable route. Opponents of this proposal are becoming louder and more shrill - recently directing personalised abuse at the scientists whose research results they do not want to hear.

Displays of extreme anger, whether in the media or at public meetings, will do their cause no good. Isolating and then attacking individual scientists is futile and, in the end, self-defeating: it’s just a case of shooting the messenger.

They should know by now that this is no way to win the argument. Has nothing been

learned from the dark days of the rod licence campaign twenty years ago when ugly public scenes were many and bitterness was sown in communities in west county Galway?

The latest research paper from the Marine Institute which we analyse in this issue will certainly turn up the volume in this argument even louder, and unfortunately, the personalised attacks on the scientists involved are unlikely to lessen.

No one doubts the passion and genuine commitment of those who oppose the granting of a licence for the Galway project.

Some of them, a minority, should be told however that it’s not what you do it’s the way that you do it.

Arguments are won by those who present the most convincing evidence - not by the loudest voice.

comment

Gery Flynn

Irish North of Disko expedition home from the Arctic Circle This expedition, organised by Killary Adventure Company, returned mid-August from a ten-week voyage to the Arctic Circle and the west coast of Greenland. The crew sailed from Galway on the June 14 and battled some wild weather on their Atlantic crossing before reaching their destination and exploring Greenland’s spectacular coastline, ice fjords and glaciers.

Stunning images of ice and film footage from the adventure are currently being collated for exhibition and a feature-length documentary. Images and blogs from the voyage can be viewed at www.northofdisko.com and on the Killary Adventure Expeditions facebook page. Updates on the upcoming art photography expedition can be found at www.dulra.com.

Dear editor

O

T

he Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food, Simon coveney has appointed Dr Susan Steele as chair of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA).

Dr. Steele has served as a Board Member for the last three months. She works with the senior management team providing through a combination of leadership, commitment and clear direction, excellence in the SFPA while ensuring employees - as respected professionals with a diverse range of skills and experience - continue to protect our marine resources.

Her last appointment involved developing BIM’s Seafood Development Centre as Head of Innovation.

ur government in compliance with the EU Habitats Directive is obliged to protect all European salmon passing through the migratory channels along our west coast.

If the ten fishfarm plan is approved, our wild salmon habitat will be confronted with increased contamination from sea lice, unless they are located on land.

To avoid further cost and

tourism market damage, BIM must immediately announce the withdrawal of their ill thought out Galway Bay application for the first of ten mega fish farms.

FISSTA, in vehemently opposing this ten farm policy, is accused of being a group of disgruntled anglers with a vested interest. But now, we have a valuation on this vested interest which is worth €750m and supports 10,000 jobs to the State (source TDI study).

That is treble the value of our sea fisheries landings, including the subsidies, with most of the €750m being spent in the rural areas of Ireland

where the angling takes place, and sadly, where the new fish farms are planned.

In contrast, most fish farms are owned by global fish farm companies who send their money home to the wide acclaim of the Oslo stock exchange, while Ireland is left to clean up their environmental debris, pollution and disease.

It is time for An Taoiseach to further develop all salmon river economies like the Moy valley angling model by jettisoning this ten fish farm plan now before we ruin any more of the wild salmon habitats that underpin over

10,000 angling jobs.

This sustainable industry is already achieving success with only 62 of our 152 salmon rivers fully open.

This is a time for leadership, and there could be no better investment in job creation than diverting all fish farm investment and BIM budget allocation into another 10,000 jobs to fully re-open those 90 salmon rivers now.

Is mise le dochas, Noel Carr, Secretary FISSTA - Federation of Irish Salmon & Seatrout Anglers

Family and community mourn loss of three family members

T

he team at Inshore Ireland offers its sincere condolences to the Bolger family who lost three brothers in a fishing-boat incident in June.

The Irish Coast Guard was alerted in the early evening of June 12 when brothers Shane (44), Kenny (47) and Paul (49) had not returned from an early morning fishing trip in Tramore Bay where it is understood they were securing lobster

pots.

Waterford County Councillor Pat Fitzgerald from Dunmore East said the community was both angered and saddened: “We’ve had more than our fair share of these deaths down here…People are being found in situations where they are forced to go to sea with equipment that is only suitable for the Waterford Estuary.

“These men would have been trawler men and when their jobs disappeared they were forced back into small boats again. It is almost impossible for them to make a living…”

(See launch of fishing industry safety package pgs 10&11)

Inshore Ireland is published by IIPL Ltd

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inshore ireland august/september 2013

NEWS

Launch of offshore marine mammal atlas

t

he Irish whale and dolphin group (Iwdg) has published an atlas of the distribution of cetaceans in Ireland’s offshore waters in a six-year period involving 1,078 days at sea and over 5,000 hours of survey effort.

Atlas of the Distribution of Relative Abundance of Marine Mammals in Irish Offshore Waters 2005-2011 was launched recently in Dún Laoghaire by Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, on board the IWDG research vessel Celtic Mist.

Minister Deenihan acknowledged the “huge effort” taken to produce the

atlas and congratulated the IWDG on its on-going work.

The Atlas contains ‘the most comprehensive and up-to-date’ maps of the distribution and abundance of cetaceans in Irish and Northern Irish waters and ‘endeavours to do so in an easily accessible format, suitable for use by scientists, administrators and the public alike’.

The surveys included 3,300 sightings of 19 species of whales, dolphin and porpoise and two seals, totalling 35,000 animals. It records the variation in the use of marine habitats by the different cetacean species (harbour porpoise, common dolphins, pilot whales and sperm whales, which

many be the most common large whale species in Irish offshore waters.

CEtACEAn BIodIvErSIty Front rUnnEr Speaking at the launch, Dave Wall, senior author of the publication said the Atlas demonstrated the “immense value” that can be obtained from interdisciplinary marine surveys and collaboration between NGOs, third level institutes, State and EU partner agencies and the commercial sector in providing meaningful temporal and spatial coverage for monitoring Ireland’s marine mammal biodiversity.

“With government support, Ireland is now a front runner

Simon Berrow, executive officer; Dave Wall, cetacean officer; Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; Deidre Slevin, IWDG director, Willie Muelhausen IWDG chair.

Photo G Mills

in cetacean biodiversity mapping in Europe. With continued support we can ensure that quality data will be available to meet future national and EU conservation assessment requirements.”

He added the Atlas raised the need for deep-water species to be further studied and considered in relation to conservation assessment and assessment of environmental impacts… particularly with increased oil and gas exploration activity along the Irish shelf edge.

“Similar consideration needs to be given to large baleen whales such as fin whales, blue whales and humpback whales for which these shelf edge waters represent an important seasonal migratory corridor and opportunistic feeding area.”

IntEr-AgEnCy CollABorAtIon The project involved collaboration of national and EU agencies and 17 different vessels belonging to the Marine Institute, the Naval Service, EU Research Agencies, Irish Ferries and P&O ferries. Data from surveys on board maritime patrols by the Irish Air Corps were also used.

“We are extremely fortunate in Ireland to have access to one of the best research vessels in the world with the Celtic Explorer as well as access to the Casa aircraft flown by

the Maritime squadron. This collaboration with the Marine Institute and Defence Forces is critical if we are to manage our offshore resources and fulfil our statutory obligations to Europe,” remarked Dr Simon Berrow, Executive Officer of the IWDG. The IWDG hopes the Atlas will be a useful tool for researchers, government agencies and those tasked with assessing the potential impacts of marine development, fisheries and resource extraction on marine mammals and marine ecosystems.

“We also hope it helps to spread the conservation message to the public at large that Irish waters are among the richest and most important in Europe and the North Atlantic for whale and dolphin species,” he added.

The Atlas is a culmination of a number of projects including PReCAST (funded by the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and ISCOPE (funded by the MI, NPWS the Heritage Council, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the IWDG.)

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news

Beaufort building to put maritime and energy research on global platform

A

n Taoiseach Enda Kenny turned the sod on the €15.2m UCC Beaufort Building that will position Ireland at the forefront of global maritime and energy research for academia and industry.

Beaufort Research brings together the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre (HMRC); Coastal and Marine Research Centre (CMRC) and the Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG) to form the research cornerstone of the Irish maritime campus in Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork.

The centre will create 200 jobs in the construction stage, and employ 135 people in full-time roles when completed. Housed in the centre, the National Ocean Test facility will be used to design and test devices to be deployed at sea including wave, tidal and off shore wind devices.

The Beaufort building will also accommodate one of five UCC led projects focused on the Marine Energy Industry of Ireland (MaREI), recently funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI).

“I’m delighted to be here to turn the sod for the UCC Beaufort Building. Ireland needs to be able to compete globally where new research in fields like sustainable energy and maritime science are concerned. The Government’s Action Plan for Jobs 2013 recognises this and the UCC Beaufort building will play an important role in the marine energy sector and help drive Ireland’s economic recovery,” remarked Enda Kenny.

President of UCC, Dr Michael Murphy commended the work of the Beaufort Research team led by Beaufort Director and Professor of Energy Engineering at UCC, Prof. Tony Lewis: “The positioning of Beaufort Research as an international leader in the area of maritime and energy research is evidenced by the success of Beaufort in securing funding in excess of €50m from European programmes and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) in recent years.”

Prof Tony Lewis welcomed “this historic day” as the culmination of his career in maritime engineering and marine renewable energy: “The realisation of this UCC facility and its location within the IMERC Campus will place Beaufort at the epicentre of research and innovation in the maritime and energy field in the future.”

The building is name after the Irish Hydrographer, Rear Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort, who was responsible for the introduction of the globally adopted Beaufort Scale.

Signing the MoU are Prof Alan Reilly, CEO of the FSAI and Jason Whooley, CEO, BIM

Cooperation between State agencies to security integrity of Irish seafood

T

he Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the Irish Sea-Fisheries Board (BIM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, marking the start of cooperation between the organisations to secure the integrity of the Irish seafood chain in terms of safety and wholesomeness, thereby protecting the health of consumers while supporting the development of the Irish seafood industry.

The FSAI’s mission is to protect peoples’ health and peoples’ interests by ensuring that food consumed and produced in the State meets the highest standards of food safety reasonably achievable and to ensure that people have accurate and worthwhile information about the nature of the foods they eat.

BIM’s mission is to lead the sustainable development of a competitive, market-led, innovative and quality driven Irish seafood industry, thereby maximising the returns to industry stakeholders and the socio-economic contribution to communities in coastal regions and Ireland as a whole.

Notice for Submissions to the Working Group on Safety, Training & Employment in the Irish Fishing Industry Minister for Agriculture Food and Marine, Simon Coveney and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, jointly launched a multi-faceted, cross Departmental, cross Agency safety initiative for the Irish Fishing Industry in Union Hall on the 8th July 2013. One of the facets of this initiative was the establishment of a high level working group on safety in the Irish fishing industry. It will consider and advise on a number of issues including safety standards on vessels, improving compliance with safety regulations; changing culture and attitudes to safety; safety training; technical innovation in safety; making the fishing industry more attractive for new entrants and career structures and opportunities.

The terms of reference are available on request from the undersigned or download from the websites below after the 1st September 2013.

The Working Group invites written submissions from interested organisations and individuals to reach the undersigned by Monday 30th of September 2013: Sinead Howard, BIM, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Email: Howard@bim.ie An online survey will be available to organisations and individual members of the public to take part in, on the following websites from the 1st of September 2013: www.agriculture.gov.ie www.iws.ie www.ifpo.ie

Professor Patrick Fitzpatrick, UCC; Georgina Foley, Beaufort Research; UCC President Dr Michael Murphy; An Taoiseach Enda Kenny; Prof Tony Lewis, Beaufort Research and Professor Anita Maguire, UCC.

www.dttas.ie www.southandwest.ie

www.bim.ie www.kfo.ie

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inshore ireland august/september 2013

YOURVIEW

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

Australian fracking critic says Irish concerns are part of a global backlash Gery Flynn

A

group opposed to the introduction of hydraulic fracking to Ireland has been told it is part of a growing community worldwide with genuine concerns that the process poses serious threats to public health and the environment.

Dr Mariann Lloyd-Smith, a senior advisor to the National Toxics Network* and an outspoken critic of the fracking industry in her native Australia told members of the Leitrim Alliance Against Fracking that their fears were increasingly reflected worldwide.

She said that in eastern Australia, communities had united against the fracking companies - forcing some of them to abandon the country altogether.

“Our ‘Lock the Gate’ coalition is now the fastestgrowing social movement in Australia,” she revealed.

“Two of the three major companies in my area have pulled out of the country altogether because we forced the government to bring in a two-kilometer exclusion zone, which means you cannot drill or frack within that distance of a

residential area, agricultural infrastructures or vineyards.

We have now followed some of these companies to the UK, and we hope we can help communities like yourselves [Leitrim] see them off as well.”

Dr Lloyd-Smith said the reluctance worldwide to regulate the fracking industry meant communities were uniting to voice concern that their water and air would be contaminated and that biodiversity and human health would suffer also.

“No less than the United Nations Environment Programme last year put out a global alert saying that the [fracking] industry will have unavoidable environmental impacts. It warned that while some impact will occur when the technology is not used correctly, impact will occur even if the technology is used correctly. Basically, it means this industry cannot be regulated into safety”.

iNadEquatE riSk aSSESSMENt

Dr Lloyd-Smith added that fracking has never been subjected to widespread risk assessment, and claims “the only proper risk assessment ever done for this industry” which published last year in the US demonstrated “if you lived within a half-a-mile of a fracking well you had a

WHITE PAPER ON DEFENCE The Minister for Defence has published a Green Paper on Defence which sets out the changes that have occurred in the defence and security environment since 2000 and the State’s policy response.

It states, inter alia:

The views that members of the public and other interested parties submit as part of this consultation process will represent a key aspect of the White Paper policy formulation process. All members of the public and public interest groups are encouraged to consider this important aspect of Government policy and fully contribute to this process.

Submissions can be made in writing by email to whitepaper@defence.ie, or by post to: White Paper on Defence Planning and Organisation Branch Department of Defence Station Road Newbridge Co Kildare

Closing date for receipt of submissions is OCTOBER 10, 2013. Further information visit: www.defence.ie and follow the White Paper link.

greater risk of neurological and respiratory problems and a greater Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk”.

She said that results from the Tara community of Queensland Australia where fracking occurs, showed that of thirty-eight households tested, sixty adults and children had symptoms associated with environmental pollution and were similar to symptoms found by a Pennsylvanian study also detected in animals and livestock.

“Despite the symptoms not being too serious - severe headaches, severe nosebleeds, severe paresthesia - we nevertheless managed to force the Queensland government to compile a health report.

And even though it issued a ‘clean bill of health’ the report said there was evidence that some symptoms were caused by some of the contaminants in the wells.”

chEMicaL cocktaiL

Dr Lloyd-Smith warns there was a tendency to concentrate on the fracking fluids while neglecting the dangers posed by the drilling fluids. She claims this was usually played down by the drilling companies as a ‘minor constituent’ in the process overall.

“The drilling fluids are just as potent and toxic as many of the fracking fluids. You will often hear the industry say

Roughly 200 tanker trucks deliver water for the fracturing process.

A pumper truck injects a mix of sand, water and chemicals into the well.

Natural gas flows out of well.

Water table

Well Sand keeps fissures open

1,000

Hydraulic Fracturing

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

Natural gas is piped to market.

Pit

0 Feet

2,000

Storage tanks

Recovered water is stored in open pits, then taken to a treatment plant.

Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” involves the injection of more than a million gallons of water, sand and chemicals at high pressure down and across into horizontally drilled wells as far as 10,000 feet below the surface.

The pressurized mixture causes the rock layer, in this case the Marcellus Shale, to crack. These fissures are held open by the sand particles so that natural gas from the shale can flow up the well.

Natural gas flows from fissures into well

Shale Fissure

Well

Mixture of water, sand and chemical agents

Fissures

7,000

Well turns horizontal Marcellus Shale

The shale is fractured by the pressure inside the well.

Al Granberg/ProPublica “It’s so dilute do not worry, it’s less than 2% of the water we put down.”

“But when you examine the documentation, in the case of coal bed methane, it translates to about eighteen-and-a-half thousand kilos of chemical down the well - each frack, each well.”

She claims most of the chemicals used in the fracking process are not assessed, and have never been through any regulatory assessment process.

“Many of these chemicals have acute and chronic exposure symptoms associated with them. Very few have any environmental data so we simply don’t know what happens when you put them

Graphic by Al Granberg

into the ground.

“We really are dealing with an un-assessed mixture of carcinogens and neurotoxins.

These are not the sort of chemicals you will find in your kitchen cupboard or under the sink in the bathroom which is what we are told constantly by the industry. These are serious toxins, serious industrial chemicals that you do not want to be exposed to”. *The National Toxics Network (NTN) is a community-based network formed in 1993 which has become the national voice for communities and environmental organizations working for a toxicfree environment across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. http://www.ntn.org.au/

Seaweed: a generation of innovation Sarah O’Sullivan, Seahorse Atlantic Ltd

E

dible seaweeds have evolved from historic habits across the globe whilst the main seaweed consuming countries remain in many Asian countries. despite this, interest has grown exponentially in the last decade with varied research focusing on the health benefits of both consuming whole seaweed and isolates of seaweed, mainly polysaccharides which are used within an increasing number of food applications to improve product acceptability and extend shelf life.

Epidemiological evidence suggests inclusion of seaweed to the daily diet contains a whole host of

properties that may protect against a range of diseases.

Consumption of seaweed in Europe and North America is minimal at present but there has been renewed interest in this traditional habit.

People are now more than ever aware of ingredients and the trend is turning to organic, natural and healthy alternatives to highly processed meals full of artificial additives.

IrElAnd’S lAtESt rESEArCh Concentrating on Ireland and the 500+ species that inhabit our coasts, most recent research as part of the NutraMara project has shown therapeutic properties that are antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-diabetic and hold huge potential for inclusion in future drug products and

functional foods.

The most commercially exploited components remain the storage polysaccharides such as carrageenans and alginates which exhibit textural and stabilising properties, extracted by the hydrocolloid industry and used for food applications (FAO, 2004).

Anti-cancerous properties have been identified within extracts from Irish seaweed species; this is based on seaweed species along with lineage of cell line.

Although research in this area is in an emerging field, initial studies by Dr Eimeir McSorley (University of Ulster) focusing on Palmaria palmata and Laminaria digitata incorporated into the human diet yielded results of novel and biologically active metabolites with valuable health promoting potential.

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7

report

Official fluoridation data of Irish water is ‘false and erroneous’ Gery Flynn

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leading environmental campaigner has accused the Minister for Health James Reilly of using “false and erroneous” data as the basis for maintaining the fluoridation of public water supplies in Ireland.

Declan Waugh, an independent environmental scientist and expert on the effects of fluoride on public health and the environment claims the minister’s recent decision to support the mass fluoridation of Irish public water supplies is based on “flawed and scientifically incorrect data” supplied to him by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

“The basis of Minister Reilly’s opinion is the Total Diet Study published in 2011 by the FSAI, which measured the fluoride content of certain foods and beverages in Ireland,” Waugh told Inshore Ireland.

“The Minister is now suggesting that the total dietary intake of fluoride by the average Irish consumer is 1.65 mg per day from all dietary sources. This level of fluoride would be the same as what an individual would consume in a single cup of tea using fluoridated water and nothing else.

Irish adults are the world’s largest consumers of So why haven’t we developed this industry?

Ireland’s seaweed and biotechnology sector is currently worth €18m per annum, processing 36,000 tonnes of seaweed (wild product). The future goal is to increase the value of the Irish seaweed sector to €30m per annum by 2020.

This can be achieved by sustainable and responsible hand harvesting but also by the cultivating or farming of seaweed like a crop.

Seaweed aquaculture, representing 46% of global aquaculture with a global production of 99.8 million metric tonnes is second only in volume to the farming of freshwater fish. The vast majority is grown in Asia, which accounts for 17.1 million metric tons or 98.8 per cent of total production, with China the largest producer.

Ireland has lacked in

tea, drinking on average between 3 and 6 cups of tea per day. The dietary intake of fluoride per day from tea as a beverage alone [is] in the region of 5 mg or more excluding all other sources.”

No testing before 2005

Waugh alleges that prior to 2005, no tests had ever been done here to assess accurately the levels of fluoride which Irish citizens were being exposed to, and that errors in the 2011 data should now be reason for worry.

“The failure to conduct any tests before 2005 and erroneous data in the 2011 report means the authorities are unaware of the massive over-exposure to fluorides in Ireland. The unsafe levels of exposure, for which fluoridation of water is a major contributor, may be a significant contributor to the huge increase in the burden of certain diseases present in Ireland today,” he contends.

“The true level of exposure of Irish people to fluoride constitutes a serious risk to public health especially when one considers the potential health risks as documented by the US National Academies in their 2006 report on fluoride.

This report highlighted the potential of fluoride to contribute to cancer, diabetes, musculoskeletal diseases, genetic disorders, developing its cultivating system due to licence issues. Apart from this, a combination of labour costs, lack of access to licensed areas and a lack/no interest of investment into methods of mechanisation, along with a dated view that seaweed was a low value crop.

This is now the era of innovation where research has already shown the huge potential for seaweeds to become incorporated into medicinal drugs and functional foods to drive the major growth of macro algae aquaculture.

Innovation The new buzz word cropping up in the aquaculture industry is Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) where the system of cocultivating species such as finfish, seaweed and mussels together provides a profitable return for all

thyroid and respiratory disorders as well as neurological diseases such as Alzheimers.”

Inaccurate figures

Waugh says that soon after he began examining the FSAI data it became clear to him the figures were not accurate.

“Reviewing the data it was immediately obvious it was scientifically incorrect by significantly underestimating the levels of fluoride being ingested and absorbed by the public including babies, children, sports enthusiasts and vulnerable people in Ireland by a minimum of a factor of ten.”

He is adamant “there is no question” that the true level of exposure of the Irish population to fluoride has been “significantly underestimated”, adding that the implications are having radical effects on the population in general.

“The results of this flawed and scientifically incorrect study are being used by the Minister and the Irish Expert Body on Fluoride and Health to justify the continued mandatory fluoridation of Irish water. It’s a policy that faces growing opposition from campaigners who say it is harmful ― and it contrasts with a commitment by the Fine Gael party to end fluoridation in 2001.”

Waugh’s anti-fluoridation campaign has begun three methods whilst also benefiting the environment.

As Ireland has a large and vast coastline with several mussel and fin fish farms already developed, these farmers are now looking to add value to their existing harvest or to expand their current farms and innovate.

Ireland must think ahead regarding seaweed farms; too many can create their own problems. Recently China suffered its largest ever algal bloom off the coast of Quingdao, resulting in a green sludge covering 11, 158 square miles.

We have already witnessed episodes of mass algal blooms (Ulva) in areas of Ireland such as Courtmacsherry and Clonakilty estuary erupting from excess nutrient loading into the bays. Innovation is key with the correct management systems in place.

attracting attention outside Ireland where his expert opinion is being increasingly sought.

“In April, Israel’s Minister for Health introduced legislation to end mandatory fluoridation, and recent reviews in Portland Oregan in the USA and Windsor City in Canada also voted against this policy. Fourteen regional local authorities in Australia have also terminated the policy since the beginning of the year, and in May I gave evidence via Skype to a public review of fluoridation policy in Hamilton, New Zealand.”

Waugh believes the systemic exposure of the population to fluoride via drinking water is unsafe because the individual dose cannot be controlled and the authorities appear incapable of undertaking an accurate unbiased risk assessment.

“The only way to limit this risk is to stop the fluoridation of public water supplies altogether ― and immediately, ” he says.

Lobster and Shrimp notice The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is seeking stakeholder views on proposals for new management measures for the lobster and shrimp stocks.

The proposals for lobster involve introducing either a maximum landing size of 127mm OR increasing the present minimum landing size to 90mm. The proposals for shrimp involve closing the shrimp fishery on 1 February each year, rather than the present 1 May closing date. Details of the proposals can be viewed at www.agriculture.gov.ie ‘current public consultations’.

Enquiries to 0238859525 or fisheriesconsultation@agriculture.gov.ie Closing date for submissions: 27 September 2013.

email: info@agriculture.gov.ie www.agriculture.gov.ie

8

inshore ireland august/september 2013

frEShWatEr focuS

Funding announced to benefit angling clubs and development groups

I

nland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has announced that eight angling clubs and community development groups in the midlands region will this year share €50,000 from the Midlands Fisheries Fund (MFF) to carry out sustainable fishery development projects in their area.

According to Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development at the IFI, the initiative had been a huge success.

“This was the pilot year for the MFF so we were thrilled at the great response. A wide range of fishery projects were applied for and the top eight proposals will share the available funding,” she explained.

IFI created the MFF from angler contributions set-aside from the Permit Income received in the Midlands Fisheries Group permit area.

Praising the new initiative, Minister of State with

responsibility for Natural Resources Fergus O’Dowd said it reaffirmed IFI’s objective to facilitate stakeholders to undertake sustainable development works: “These will enhance and improve fisheries habitats and angling tourism potential and the contribution the inland fisheries resource makes to the economy. This scheme encapsulates the partnership approach between IFI and its stakeholders, ensuring projects are environmentally sustainable, undertaken with the appropriate permissions and guidance and developed by local angling clubs for the benefit of locals and tourists alike.”

Commenting on the large number of applicants for the award in its first year IFI’s CEO Dr Ciaran Byrne said it proved that anglers in the MFP area were keen to invest the funds created from angler contributions back into these fisheries.

This year’s successful applicants included Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association; Kilconnell Community Development

Association Ltd; Inny Anglers Development Association; Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association; Ballinlough and District

Angling Club; Pallas Lake Fly Fishing Club; and Lough Derravarragh Angling Association.

Minister Fergus O’Dowd gets a lesson on casting from Ciaran Byrne on the River Suir

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inshore ireland august/september 2013

9

fiShEriES

Dolphins dazzle with performance of synchronised swimming Brendan Connolly

A

sk a non-angler why people go fishing and they will probably say that it is to catch fish!

But the reason why angling is for so many a life-long passion is more than just to catch fish. Seeking out interesting fishing spots in scenic locations where one might not otherwise venture is part of the allure of fishing. Each day’s fishing is unpredictable, often bringing experiences and memories that can last a lifetime.

The fine weather in early July brought two anglers out on Donegal Bay for some mackerel fishing. The sun was high and there was a long slow swell with glassy ripples on the water surface.

A truly beautiful day.

Motoring to the middle of the bay, mackerel feathers were dropped over the side and allowed to stream out behind the boat. After some minutes the pull of this season’s first mackerel was felt on one of the lines. And reeling in, the silver flash of two mackerel could be seen

rising up through the clear water.

Stopping the engine, the lines dropped straight down and more mackerel were hooked. Mackerel fishing is very enjoyable and very much part of summer around the coasts of Ireland.

bLack ShadoWS

Trolling slowly, and stopping here and there in search of small pockets of mackerel, the boat made its way west towards the Kildoney rocks. But, as it approached some lobster buoys marking this underwater reef, some black pointed shapes were seen rising up from the depths before disappearing again.

Like horses leaping fences, black backs with triangular fins were approaching from the west.

The mackerel feathers were reeled in quickly and the rods put away. With cameras at the ready, the water surface was scanned for any sign of disturbance.

It did not take long before the smooth grey backs some bottlenose dolphins were seen slicing elegantly through the water surface.

Now they were much closer to the boat, and the swirls of foam on the surface were testament to the fact that the dolphins were not just a figment of the anglers’ imaginations!

Again, several more dolphins broke the surface; this time further away.

Speeding up, the boat followed the dolphins.

They were now moving in a straight line, coming up to breath at regular intervals then disappearing from view most of the time. It crossed the anglers’ minds that the dolphins were probably hunting the same mackerel that they had been fishing for.

hour they were effortlessly keeping up with the boat with just small strokes of their tails, rolling slightly from side to side.

Then, just as quickly, they were gone. No sooner had they disappeared however, six bottlenose dolphins rose in a straight line right beside the boat, all coming up together in a breathtaking display of synchronised swimming. Both anglers exclaimed with excitement!

Travelling at a constant speed, the dolphins were now on both sides of the boat as well as riding the waves behind. Three or four were right ahead of the bow, with others on either side.

Bow-wAvE rIdIng Suddenly, the angler up front shouted that two grey-backed white-bellied dolphins were directly beneath the boat. Travelling at around ten miles an

MAMMAlS In hArMony In the strong sunlight and within arm’s length of the side, their colours and markings were clearly visible. One had a dark mark around its neck just behind

the head – the result of a net entanglement perhaps. The anglers were thrilled to see this dolphin hurtling through the water like a torpedo, seemingly unaffected by its injury.

Boat and dolphins travelled together for some twenty minutes, the anglers luxuriating in the spectacular sight of these perfectly shaped and powerful animals close-by.

These dolphins were on a straight course, coming up to surf in the bow and the wake of the boat, then disappearing for a few minutes, only to surface again some distance away.

Had the anglers not been pottering about looking for mackerel, they probably wouln’t have seen these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Yes indeed, Irish waters have a lot more to offer the angler than just fish.

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10 inshore ireland August/September 2013

fisheries

Leo Varadkar, Minister for Tourism, Transport and Sport; Jason Whooley, BIM chief executive and Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, launch sea-safety initiative.

Photo G Mills

Multi-agency initiative launched to tackle high loss of life at sea Compiled by Gillian Mills & Gery Flynn

I

reland’s first national maritime safety strategy launched by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar (maritime safety and emergency response) and Simon Coveney (fishing industry) is about “closing the gaps in services, preventing accidents at sea”.

Speaking at Union Hall, Minister Varadkar said it was “appropriate” that the initiative, which is targeted at the fishing industry, was being launched where the “tragic events of January 2012” had left a huge impact on the nation.

To be administered by BIM, the scheme, back up by changes to the Code of Practice and a “continued commitment to regulation and compliance with safety

standards will help to engrain a culture of ‘safety-first’ on the water,” he added.

Minister Coveney said the initiative was a “testament to this Government’s commitment to improving safety in our fishing fleet. It is about learning from past tragedies and saving lives at sea. I am making over €800,000 available over the next three years…and aligned with the new excellent enhanced safety training course being rolled out by BIM, will focus primarily though not exclusively on operators of small vessels”.

Working group focus

A high level working group on safety (chaired by John Leech, current CEO of Irish Water Safety) is to look at all aspects of safety on fishing vessels and will report to the two departments with recommendations by the end of the year. (see sidebar) Particular attention will focus

on small inshore boats due to the number that get into difficulty, Minister Coveney added.

“I am confident that the combined effect of this multifaceted approach with the full support of both departments is a major step in the right direction and will achieve results.”

Minister Coveney acknowledged the recent tragedies and the grief for those who have lost friends and family at sea. “I hope they can gain some comfort from the knowledge that something concrete is now being done.

“I firmly believe we can and must do more to prevent tragedies such as those we have seen in the recent past.

The bottom line is that we can pass any law we like but if not enforced and we do not have a culture of zero tolerance regarding non-compliance, we will continue to lose loved ones at sea,” remarked Minister Coveney.

Statement:

Federation of Irish Fishermen

T

he FIF welcomes the government’s recent commitment to a wide-ranging safety package for the Irish fishing industry.

Chairman of the “The suite of measures which include the provision of vessel and personal safety beacons, self-activating EPIRBS, auto-pilot alarm systems are very much welcomed. This is coupled with a more indepth code of practice for fishing vessels,” chairman Francis O’Donnell told Inshore Ireland.

He added the organisation also welcomed the recent establishment of a high level working group representative of experts.

“We see this group being critical as a mechanism to advise government on policy and regulation regarding safety in the fishing industry. We’re delighted this group is being headed up by John Leech of Irish Water Safety. We wish all the members success in their endeavours. Minister Coveney and Minister Varadkar have responded with actions and not words,” he said.

“The supports provided by BIM will be an integral part of this new package in the form of training and grant aid.

They have fantastic expertise and tacit knowledge in this area and can hit the ground running.”

Mr O’ Donnell concluded by saying that too many lives are lost in the marine environment whether on Irish fishing vessels or from recreational activities.

“This was very evident during the good spell of weather we experienced this summer. As an island nation, we need to keep improving our commitment to safety in the marine environment.

“We need to commit to same on land, in our rivers and lakes. We need to continue to break down existing cultural impediments in this area. This will ultimately save lives,” he said.

inshore ireland August/September 2013 11

fisheries

Safety, training and employment working group Chair Lt Crd John Leech talks to Gery Flynn at Inshore Ireland

Will the group be looking only at the fishing industry?

What about other associated industries such as aquaculture, are they excluded?

Safety Equipment Grant Aid Scheme »» Vessel and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) »» Personal Locator Beacons integrated into Personal Flotation Devices (PFD/PLBs) »» Float Free – self activating Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) »» Auto-pilot Alarms »» Wireless Engine Cut Offs »» Revised Fishing Vessel Code of Practice to be tougher and amended to take account of lessons learnt from recent tragedies »» A new Marine Notice being drafted on use of lifejacket »» Enhanced safety training course run by BIM on a five-year cycle

In fact we’re actually seeking clarification at the moment from both ministers because they didn’t make that clear in the terms of reference. Hopefully, we’ll have that by the end of this month [August]. We spotted that at the first meeting, and that’s why we’ve come back for clarification on that very point.

Has the working group met, and what is the timeline for your first report?

We had our first meeting just a couple of weeks ago in Agriculture House. And we intend having two further meetings in September, and possibly two more in October. Then, we hope to spend November and December preparing and editing our report.

It’s been all about information gathering from the industry so far. We will be inviting written submissions from anybody in the industry. More specifically, we also want to speak with the Navy; the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority; the Irish Insurance Federation; and obviously the RNLI and others.

All of these already have a very important role in safety at sea. I’m very privileged to be chairing this group because we have some great people around the table who can make a difference, and really what I want them all to do is to make a difference. If we make a difference in terms of safety then, there’s no doubt about it we will save peoples’ lives.

What areas in particular will the group concentrate on?

We will look at everything - including possible amendments to legislation if necessary - if it can improve safety. However, we’ve got to balance that with not being over-regulated because there’s already a lot of regulation in the commercial fishing industry as it is.

We certainly don’t need to be adding a burden of more regulation onto our fishermen. It’s more about how we go about enforcing current legislation and about looking particularly at training in the industry. If you improve the training you change the attitude and then the behaviour and then, eventually, the culture that exists throughout the industry.

How would you describe the culture of safety currently in the fishing industry?

Let’s be honest, it’s not good at the moment. Peoples’ attitude to safety is just not positive enough. I believe this is because most people don’t fully understand or undergo training and don’t fully appreciate the value of safety. Ignorance can be bliss.

You can think you are actually doing fine as a fisherman in terms of your safety training and your routines at sea and the drills that you might do. But if you have no solid yardstick to work from then everybody’s interpretation and understanding of safety can be totally different.

What we really want now is to have uniformity across the industry so that there’s a general and a shared approach to safety. It’s principally about saving lives. We’ve got to stop losing all these fishermen unnecessarily through accidents - the majority of which are preventable. It’s important that we take action now.

The package at a glance »» The use of EPIRBs will be made mandatory and included in the revised Fishing Vessel Code of Practice. Grant aid is being made available for float-free, automatically activated EPIRBs for under-15m fishing vessels. The scheme will cover 60% of the cost of equipment for smaller vessels (under-12m) and 40% of the cost for larger vessels. The grants can be used to purchase new units or to retrofit or replace old, manually operated beacons. »» Grants will also be provided for PLBs which will be mandatory for under-15m vessels and included in the Fishing Vessel Code of Practice. »» A third round of grants will be provided for auto-pilot alarm systems; their use might be made mandatory. »» Launch and on-going review of safety and equipment training initiative by BIM. One-day course to be taken by every fisherman every five years throughout their career. »» Implementation of the new course will feature instruction on the PLBs, PFD-PLBs and auto-alarm systems. Future courses will bring fishermen up-to-date on the latest developments in safety techniques, skills and processes.

Against other European countries how does Ireland compare regarding a culture of safety, and which countries in particular will you be looking at as having a good attitude to safety at sea?

Ours is not good. And regrettably, more commercial fishermen working in the Irish industry drown than elsewhere.

So, we have a long way to go to improve things. We intend looking at Canada, America, and Iceland as good examples to learn from. These are countries with good safety records on the whole, certainly better than ours. We want to try to achieve their standard and even go beyond it. At the end of the day, that’s really what we want to do, but we need the fishermen to buy into this, and we believe that they will.

You seem to be emphasising the importance of a lifejacket as the key first step to safety at sea?

Irish coastal waters are not freezing cold like Norway or Iceland. Ours are reasonably warm most of the year, and survivability can certainly be long enough to get a helicopter out to a fisherman in distress.

If we can get everybody wearing a life jacket that’ll be a very important success.

We certainly are having some difficulty getting that message through to the fishermen - particularly in the small boats.

They’re the ones we worry most about because many of them fish alone. I find it incredible that anyone would put themself at such risk. Because if they go into the water they really haven’t a hope, they are on their own.

12 inshore ireland August/September 2013

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Seacapes

RTE Radio 1 @ 10.30pm Presented and produced by Marcus Connaughton.

6th Sept: Seascapes has a tale of two cats…

Norman Freeman on the Blackie –the ships cat that met Winston Churchill and Franklin D Roosevelt in Newfoundland in 1941.

Also President of the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers –Tim Magennis on the feline story recounted to him by the late and legendary journalist Jimmy Kelly of Belfast.

13th Sept: Seascapes celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Galway Sub Aqua Club. Based in the heart of the City of the Tribes they dive every Sunday all-year-round.

Seascapes also meets founder member and diver George Ryder and talks to divers Paula Harte, Thomas Moore, John Sheahan and Club President Joe Fegan.

20th Sept: Commodore Mark Mellett , Flag Offer Commanding Naval Service, talks to Seascapes on the historic naval base in Haulbowline Island. In this wide-ranging interview, Commodore Mellett talks about the role of the naval service; new technologies; IMERC; the National Maritime College of Ireland; the Naval Service patrol vessels and the overall fleet.

27th Sept: Marine engineer and mariner Fred Parle talks to Seascapes about a life at sea; navigating treacherous waters; being kidnapped by Somali pirates; our maritime heritage; the loss of Asgard II and much more.

4th Oct: Seascapes talks to marine biologist, writer and conservationist Professor Callum Roberts of York University. Professor Roberts is the author of Ocean of Life – How Our Seas Are Changing on a career studying the world’s oceans.

We talk to him about Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstalls’ Fish Fight campaign; special areas of conservation around our coastline; fish farms; new fishing methods ; global warming ; invasive species such as Lion Fish far from their home waters.

In other words: ‘WATER: we write about it’!

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inshore ireland August/September 2013 13

seafood desk

Irish salmon achieves full market access in China

I

reland has secured full market access to China for salmon exports, achieved during a four-day political and trade mission to Beijing and Shanghai.

The announcement followed four years of intensive negotiations with the Chinese authorities by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) in conjunction with the Irish Embassy in Beijing.

Speaking in Shanghai, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore welcomed the decision and said the deal would give a further boost to Ireland’s growing seafood exports.

“The conclusion…represents an important step in the ongoing opening of the Chinese market for Irish seafood.

What’s important now is to build on this deal and to expand the range of Irish seafood available in China”.

Irish seafood exports to China have recorded a 75% increase from €5.7m in 2010 to €10m in 2012.

Local reaction

The announcement however ‘spells disaster for wild salmon,’ according to Save Bantry Bay. “Farmed salmon is known to be detrimental to wild salmon populations and the environment. For Ireland to fulfil even the smallest increase in demand in China, production would have to increase dramatically

T

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmor with a sample of Irish seafood now available in China.

- as would the associated environmental impacts. Even if each person in China ate just one small portion (100g) of Irish farmed salmon a year, they would be consuming nine times Ireland’s current total output,” remarked Alex O’Donovan.

“I am horrified at this announcement. Before any deal was done, Government should have addressed the controversies already boiling at home. We have Government agencies at loggerheads, and increasing numbers of anglers, fishermen, tourism business owners, residents and holidaymakers protesting around the country.

“Now the ink is dry, we can

only ask how Government can commit to delivering massive tonnage of salmon while at the same time continuing to claim it is making ‘independent’ decisions on current applications to expand salmon farming’.

He added that Save Bantry Bay has been calling on Government to undertake a full Strategic Environmental Assessment of salmon farming policy as is required by EU legislation.

“We have also asked for a review of current aquaculture licencing systems, which give almost total control to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. To date, the Government is planning neither.

Seafood business: the importance of market research Bridgette Brew Business Mentor

I

f market research is carried out in advance of a business actually selling in the market place, the research is effectively an overview of the company’s likely customers or prospects. Sales people call this phase prospecting. This phase is key to business success or failure.

Market Research should be on-going.

Business must grow and expand and to do so, management and sales teams must keep an eye on customer’s needs, their reaction to products and be open to identifying new opportunities or product modifications in response to customer (market) demands.

What is a market?

Cross-border Irish mussels limber up with MSC label

It is a group of customers or potential customers. This group is formed around their common ‘need’ and all the members of this group share the same characteristics – so they are easily identified by a researcher.

Let’s look at the market for seafood, which has three main markets: fresh, frozen, pre-cooked Needs for this big group of individuals would include some or all of the following: interest in nutrition; wellbeing’ food; catering’ convenience’

eating out, eating at home, environmental.

Seafood has several segments: fresh pieces; chilled pre-cooked ready meals; frozen fresh, frozen pre-cooked.

A segment is a section of the broad seafood market that has common characteristics such as interest in health and wellbeing and convenience.

Targeting refers to the practice of developing specific advertising, promotions, offers or services directed specifically at each market segment, the purpose of which is to stimulate the receiver i.e. the customer, to purchase the product.

Advertising will focus on the identified ‘needs’ of the particular segment i.e. convenience; health; environmental values and to promote these to the customer, deliberately illustrating through the advertising that the customer’s ‘needs’ have been met. These will often include messages about nutrition (Omega) the environment (recycled packaging) and sustainable sourcing of the product.

This cannot be executed effectively without having carried out market research. You will sell less if you do not know what customer’s needs are. The segments and markets help break down effort into smaller more effective manageable phases to focus sales and marketing resources on.

he blue mussel sectors in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland supported by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development NI, and the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine have been Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified as a sustainable and well-managed fishery. Subject to chain of custody traceability certification, mussels from the fishery are now eligible to bear the MSC’s blue ecolabel.

In Northern Ireland the assessment was part funded by the European Fisheries Fund, European Community funding, investing in sustainable fisheries.

Fishing involves collecting mussels in mid-summer to early autumn and moving them to inshore, protected areas to grow. The mussels are then harvested from licensed and leased beds at any time of the year. The seed mussel fishery is managed as a joint resource and licenses for re-laying have been granted in both countries.

The bottom grown blue mussel sector is a key contributor to the aquaculture sector in the RoI and NI, both in terms of export volume and value. In 2011, the fishery produced 7,613 tonnes of mussels in NI and 12,524 tonnes in the RoI. Together their production was worth over €17m (£14.75m) with key markets in the Netherlands creating a strong business case for certified sustainable seafood.

“MSC certification of Irish bottom grown mussels will secure premium market access for Ireland’s top quality mussels. This is a sustainable sector with great scope for expansion and MSC certification will improve consumer and investor confidence,” remarked Donal Maguire, chairman of the all-island Bottom Grown Mussel Consultative Forum.

Claire Pescod, Fisheries Outreach Manager for the MSC said: certification was a “significant achievement” for the Irish and Northern Irish mussel fisheries.

“This cross border collaboration between their respective governments and industry is a great example of how governments can work together to ensure the long-term sustainability of fisheries as well as the long-term sustainability of their fishing industries and coastal communities.”

SHELLFISH REGIONAL INFORMATION SESSIONS, 2013 The Shellfish Regional Information Sessions are a series of free, informal events for all those involved in the shellfish industry.

These events are an opportunity to learn more about the role of the Irish Shellfish Monitoring Programme and how it assists the industry ensure that live bivalve molluscs placed on the market meet the highest standards of food safety.

Topics such as biotoxin and phytoplankton monitoring, phytoplankton sampling, shellfish traceability, microbiological classification and viruses will be covered. The events are being run by the FSAI with the support of the SFPA, the Marine Institute and BIM. There are 5 regional meetings scheduled:

Location

Date

Day

Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo

24th Sep

Tues

Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway

25th Sep

Wed

Brandon Hotel, Tralee, Co. Kerry

30th Sep

Mon

SFPA Offices, Clonakilty, Co. Cork

1st Oct

Tues

FSAI Offices, Abbey St. Dublin 1

8th Oct

Tues

To register for one of these events, please see the events section of the FSAI website: www.fsai.ie/events or phone Lorna Tallon on 01 817 1398

14 inshore ireland August/September 2013

aquaculture news

Scientists at odds over how to interpret results Gery Flynn

A

Canadian scientist claims that errors by the Marine Institute in analyzing its own scientific data means it has substantially underestimated the impact of lice on wild salmon.

Dr Martin Krkošek from the University of Toronto’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology alleges that scientific papers published by the Marine Institute in 2011 and 2013 ‘incorrectly lead the reader to a conclusion that sea lice play a minor, perhaps even negligible, role in salmon survival. Such a conclusion can be supported only if one is prepared to accept at least three fundamental methodological errors’.

Krkošek further claims in his scientific paper published in The Journal of Fish Diseases, 2013 that his‘re-analyses’ of the same data ‘departs substantially from those reported and interpreted’ by the Marine Institute.

‘Whereas they assert that sea lice cause 1% of mortality in Atlantic salmon, the correct estimate is actually a one-third loss of overall adult recruitment,’ he states.

‘We acknowledge that few smolts survive to return in any wild salmon population and that recent declines in the survival of Irish Atlantic salmon cannot be solely explained by sealice…… our purpose is to highlight that parasites can and, in this case, do have a large effect on fisheries recruitment… with important implications for the management and conservation of wild salmon stocks’.

Recent evaluation by the Marine Institute

The latest scientific paper from the Marine Institute backs up its previous findings and concludes that wild salmon stocks are not affected by the presence of salmon farms: that escaped farm fish have little influence on wild spawning stocks and that sea lice play only a minor role in sea mortality.

It notes also that ‘the key driver’ in the survival of individual [salmon] stocks is more likely to be a deterioration of the freshwater habitat.

Key points from the study:

»» conservation limits are being met in many Irish salmon rivers »» steady and sustained improvement in the overall status of Irish salmon stocks »» rivers on the West coast are in general better in this regard, and rivers in the Northwest, West and Southwest River Basin Districts support both angling and commercial draft net fisheries »» no relationship between the presence of salmon farms and difficulties with rivers meeting their Conservation Limits »» absence of any evidence for a negative correlation between salmon stock status and aquaculture operations would suggest that there is also no discernible negative impact from escapees on the stocks studied »» fish farm escapees in Ireland are at a low level and contribute little to spawning stocks »» significant correlation between unpolluted water quality in catchments and the numbers of rivers meeting their Conservation Limits. This would suggest that the quality of freshwater habitat may be a key driver, implicated in the survival of individual wild salmon stocks, a low level and contribute little to spawning stocks »» since the introduction of Conservation Limits in 2007, exploitation of salmon stocks has been reduced. The commercial offshore mixed-stock drift net fishery was closed since 2007. In addition, angling pressure has been curtailed by closure of certain rivers, the introduction of Bye-Laws limiting catches and restrictions to angling

for Spring salmon. The improvement of stock status over the study period would suggest that these conservation measures are contributing to stock recovery in a period of low marine survival

Support

In the wake of increasingly bitter attacks by environmental groups on recently published research, the Marine Institute stands over the work of its scientists.

Marine Institute statement to Inshore Ireland: A recent Marine Institute study published in the peer reviewed international Agricultural Sciences journal (June 2013) found no correlation between the presence of aquaculture and the performance of adjacent wild salmon stocks.

The study by Dr Dave Jackson and colleagues at the Marine Institute examined geographic and temporal trends in Atlantic salmon stock abundance at a River Basin District level and evaluated the effect of salmon aquaculture sites and freshwater habitat quality as potential drivers of stock abundance.

This study found no correlation between the presence of aquaculture and the performance of adjacent wild salmon stocks. Freshwater habitat quality was found to have a highly significant correlation with stock status, suggesting that it may be a key driver, implicated in the survival of individual stocks.

The paper, ‘Evaluation of the impacts of aquaculture and freshwater habitat on the status of Atlantic salmon stocks in Ireland’ is available to download for free. An open access fee is payable by the author only after a paper has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication.

Access to quality research is vital to the scientific community and beyond and open access ensures that members of the public and the scientific community can freely access quality research without having to pay a download fee.

The Marine Institute stands firmly over all peer reviewed scientific papers published by its staff and we support open access to high quality research.

Save Bantry Bay

W

ith the Marine Institute’s research now dismissed, the government has got to take heed of its own advisors recommendations from 1994, which clearly stated salmon farms should not be placed within 20km of wild salmon rivers.

The government has allowed its own agencies to pull the wool over their eyes. The Marine Institute’s sea lice research has caused controversy after controversy.

World expert, Professor Mark Costello, has personally written to Minister Simon Coveney to warn him that he is being fed mis-information. And now a team of international scientists have discredited [Marine Institute] research in a well-respected peer reviewed journal.

Not only is the Marine Institute putting their reputation at considerable risk, but also that of the Irish government as a whole. Save Bantry Bay are asking that government stop blindly pushing their salmon farming agenda, backed by bad science, but instead complete a full Strategic Environmental Assessment as is required by EU law.

Inland Fisheries Ireland

K

rkošek, et al. (2013) points out fundamental methodological errors made by Jackson et al.

(2013). Following a re-analysis of the same data, it shows that it incorrectly concluded that sea lice play a minor, perhaps even negligible, role in salmon survival and that this finding emerged following three fundamental methodological errors.

This new paper conducts a re-analysis of the data with the findings departing substantially from those reported and interpreted by Jackson et al. (2013), and in previous publications that drew on some of the same data (Jackson, et al. 2011a; 2011b). Whereas Jackson et al. 2013 assert that sea lice cause 1% of mortality in Atlantic salmon, the correct estimate is actually a one third loss (34%) of overall returned stocks.

An Taisce As authoritative scientific voices have weighed into the debate regarding fish farming, the plans for a giant 1,130-acre caged-fish installation between the Aran Islands and Clare, along with similar proposals elsewhere along the coast, appear increasingly ill-advised.

The revelations about its research can only strengthen the argument that the Marine Institute is propping up [BIM.s] controversial plans for these vast and intensive fish farms off the coast.

Sea lice have proven difficult to control on farms, especially large farms, because it is difficult to treat all fish simultaneously. Such fish farms are linked to mass fatal infestations of wild salmon and trout in countries such as Ireland, Scotland, Norway and Canada.

With the Marine Institute study now shown to be essentially a wrongheaded attempt to mask the risks posed by sea lice – harboured in great numbers within such farms – it now needs to be withdrawn in full.

inshore ireland August/September 2013 15

aquaculture news

Seaweed as an unrivalled, healthy source of iodine hormones. Iodine deficiency can cause irreversible damage to the foetal/new born brain during this period of development.

Dr Simon Faulkner and Dr Stefan Kraan

D

iscovered in 1811, iodine is a chemical element required by humans and animals for the synthesis of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones are multifunctional and have important roles in the regulation of growth, development and metabolism. Iodine is therefore an essential trace element that affects almost every physiological process in the body.

Although iodine can be obtained from a number of food sources, deficiency of the element is a common global problem and is considered to be the primary cause of impaired cognitive development in children by the World Health Organization.

Functions of iodine Thyroid hormones increase basal metabolic rate which ultimately modifies the amount of energy used by humans and animals when at rest. An increase in iodine intake is associated with increased metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates as well as heat production in the body.

Another important function of the thyroid hormones is to maintain healthy brain development. For instance, in the human foetus, brain development commences during late pregnancy and is dependent on adequate production of thyroid

Iodine deficiency A sufficient dietary intake of iodine is important as too much or too little can have a negative consequence on human health. Symptoms of excessive iodine intake can include high temperature, increased heart rate and excessive sweating.

Iodine deficiency however is a much more common problem and can have profound effects on growth and development due to the inadequate production of thyroid hormones.

Symptoms of iodine deficiency include fatigue, congenital disorders, goitre, weight gain and altered body temperature. Goitre is a well-known, visible symptom of iodine deficiency, whereby the thyroid gland in the neck becomes swollen. This condition is also accompanied by increased appetite and weight loss.

Seaweed as a source of iodine The World Health Organization recommends 150Âľg of iodine daily for adults depending on age and pregnancy status. In addition to eggs and dairy products, seafood such as shrimp, cod, tuna and in particular seaweed also represent excellent and healthy sources of iodine.

Although iodine levels in seaweed vary widely between species, in general, seaweeds contain much more iodine than most - if not all - other foods.

The high levels of iodine in seaweed can be explained by the oxidation of iodide to hypoiodous acid and molecular iodine by cell wall haloperoxidases. The oxidised iodine may then cross the plasmatic membrane and accumulate in seaweed tissues at levels 30,000 times as high as those in the surrounding seawater.

In certain brown seaweeds the level of iodine can be as high as 4.5% of dry weight and for this reason seaweeds such as Kombu (Saccharina japonica) have been consumed in China, Japan and Korea for centuries as a dietary iodine supplement to prevent goitre and promote good health.

Most of the Kombu is dried and eaten directly in soups, salads and tea, or used to make secondary products with various seasonings.

Iodine derived from the Asian kelp species U. pinnatifida (Harvey) Suringar has been reported to inhibit tumourogenesis in rats with carcinogen-induced mammary tumours, although the exact mechanism of action has yet to be explained. One study has also suggested that the high seaweedderived iodine content in their diet may account for the relatively low prevalence of breast cancer in Japanese women.

Additional benefits Seaweed can help meet the recommended iodine intake by either direct consumption or by including it in the diet of animals used for human consumption.

Either way, the end goal is to ensure that neither too much nor too little iodine is consumed in order to ensure an optimal healthy daily intake.

Overall, incorporation of seaweed into our diet will not only improve health but will also facilitate sustainable food production. Additional benefits of seaweed consumption by animals and humans also include the exceptionally high level of minerals, the presence of vitamins, antioxidants and a range of other bioactive compounds in the seaweed.

The success of seaweed as a relatively new food and feed resource in Europe also requires increased consumer awareness concerning the health benefits of seaweed consumption.

16 inshore ireland August/September 2013

interview

Chairman Kieran Calnan, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, TD; BIM CEO Jason Whooley and Tom Moran Secretary General of the Dept Agriculture, Food and the Marine at the launch of the BIM 2013-2017 strategy .

New strategy plots five-year course to prosperity for seafood sector The BIM Strategy – Capturing Ireland’s share of the Global Seafood Opportunity’ claims to have been constructed in line with the targets and objectives set out in key government policies relating directly or indirectly to the over the next five years”. For those engaged in the fishing, aquaculture and processing sectors it will be their look-to roadmap to success. Gery Flynn talks to the agency’s chief executive Jason Whooley on the key priorities.

BIMs strategy is an action plan for Ireland’s seafood sector that will deliver twelve hundred jobs and a billion Euro from sales by building scale and enhancing competitiveness in the Irish seafood sector. This sounds optimistic, but is it realistic?

Optimistic, not really when we look at the growth that we’ve had over the last number of years in our seafood exports. Over the last two years we’ve had almost 30% growth in seafood exports, and the growth that we’re talking about for the one billion Euro in sales is primarily driven by an increase in seafood exports.

And, with an increase in scale and raw material, we believe that figure is achievable.

The strategy is built around five key priority areas supported by a number of high level projects to be undertaken by BIM in partnership with industry.

The first of these is to expand the raw material supply from

fisheries and aquaculture to Irish processors. The drive to develop large fin-fish farming units in deep water offshore sites is already underway, but is it winning the hearts and minds of the public?

It’s very challenging and I think the opposition, some with really genuine concerns, and some not so genuine are creating additional difficulties for us in the hearts and minds of the public.

But ultimately, this is the right thing to do. This is a really good industry to be supporting. It has got a phenomenal market demand - particularly for salmon - and we will continue to pursue it. Obviously, we will have to do so in a very sensitive fashion with full regulatory compliance and also with full sustainability and sustainable practices in mind.

The second key priority area is about maximising additional value from the raw material base. It will be necessary to differentiate

Irish seafood products from those of lower cost producers and a move away from commodity trading will be paramount. What does that mean?

In Ireland we are excellent at commodity trading when it comes to the pelagics because we’ve got the scale and our cost base right. The two essential components of commodity trading are sufficient scale and reducing costs to minimum.

If we go commodity trading we end up in competition with the likes of Pangasius, Tilapia, species which have a much lower cost base, and we don’t have the scale for that.

If we continue to trade on a commodity basis with a lot of those species we will have real difficulties in returning higher prices to producers.

There is reference also to the Seafood Development Centre which opened in 2009. It’s still fairly new, but can you point to an example of its success?

I think it has been successful.

If you look at Keohane’s Seafoods ― one of the first companies to come out of there ―it was an incubation company in the SDC only about three years ago.

I think they are now employing more than thirty people and are generating significant revenues after opening up new channels for their products and for seafood in general. That would be a classic example of what has come out of the SDC that has really worked.

The third key priority is to create scale within industry structures. The Irish seafood industry already employs 11,000 people in fishing, fish farming, fish processing.

We are told that BIM already commenced work on this plan in 2012 with the ‘Route to market programme’. How has this worked, and what changes are needed to make it work even better?

It has worked well in that what we have are companies

that have competed traditionally in the European market. If you look at the European market for example being worth €55bn in sales per annum, we’re less than €300 million in that market and yet there are companies competing with each other in that market.

This has been very negative from a pricing perspective.

So, what we’ve done in new markets - take China for example - is to bring together some of those competing companies to try and achieve the scale to reduce competition and to access very large complex markets where you need to have a significant scale and presence on the ground.

Those joint ventures that we launched in 2012 have actually worked quite well, and we’re hoping to expand on those in this new strategy.

Number four priority speaks about developing industry skills that will help to grow the sector. Has BIM linked up with other institutes or

011 011

011

s s 5 s5 7 75 5 57 937 937 5

Current Industry Situation ireland August/September 2013 17 Capture Fisheries – LandingsSituation to Irish inshore Ports in 2011 Current Industry interview Tonnes e000 Current Industry Situation Capture Fisheries – Landings to Irish Ports in 2011

Pelagic Fish 127,605 Current Industry Situation

86,900

Demersal Fish

45,547 Capture Fisheries – Landings to Irish PortsTonnes in 2011 Shellfish 25,785 Pelagic Fish 127,605 Total 198,937 Capture Fisheries – Landings to Irish Ports in Demersal Fish 45,547 Tonnes

Note: Latest available data from SFPA Shellfish

25,785 127,605 198,937 45,547Tonnes

88,004 86,900 269,099 94,195 e000

ShellfishFish Pelagic Note: Latest available data from SFPA

25,785127,605

88,004

198,937

269,099

Pelagic Fish Total Demersal Fish Total

Demersal Fish Production in 2012 Aquaculture

45,547

Shellfish Note: Latest available data from SFPA

25,785

Total

86,900 86,900 e000

The fifth priority area 94,195 94,195 86,900 enhancing the mentions 88,004 environmental sustainability 88,004 94,195 of Irish seafood. Is Ireland 269,099 269,099 not 88,004 moving too slowly in producing 937 269,099the badly-needed fishery NATURA plans referred to in this strategy document. Isn’t there still a monumental challenge ahead to win the hearts and minds of the public especially with regards to a much-needed expansion of the fin fish farming sector s e000 s e000 offshore?

0 83,830 Yese000 on both fronts. We are 0s 83,830 moving far too slowly with 0 48,940 48,940 00 83,830 resolution, and it’s the Natura 00 132,770 a source of great frustration 00 132,770 0 48,940 for me personally. More 00 132,770 however, it’s a importantly huge source of frustration for the industry. It’s a major roadblock to expansion for our traditional growers who have markets and want to expand, and it has to be resolved as a f many coastal priority. BIM will commit as fimately many coastal 11,000 jobs. much resources as possible to imately 11,000 jobs. he fisheries, f many coastal he fisheries, sectors as shownmaking below. it happen. imatelyas11,000 jobs. sectors shown below.

And yes, it is also difficult to he fisheries, capture the hearts and minds sectors as shown below. t Time Total of communities when you t Time Total are dealing 60 4,984 with something 60 4,984 farming and t Time Total like finfish 23 when1,716 there has been a lot of 23 1,716 60 4,984 misinformation put out.

0 2,860 023 2,860 once that gets 1,716 Because 1,440 into 2,860 the public domain - no 1,440 0 matter how crazy and non11,000 11,000 1,440 scientifically-based it is - we have11,000 great difficulty trying

I know that it’s a highly sensitive project, but can you say anything more about the salmon farm proposal for Galway Bay? We have made our licence application. It is being considered by the Department, by the Minister and by his advisors. That process is on-going and we look forward to a positive development in the not too distant future.

e000

269,099

Finfish

13,880

83,830

Total Finfish

22,820 Tonnes 36,700 13,880

48,940 e000 132,770 83,830

Shellfish

22,820 Tonnes

48,940 e000

Total Finfish Aquaculture

36,700 13,880

132,770 83,830

Shellfish

22,820

48,940

Industry Employment Total

36,700

132,770

Aquaculture Production in 2012

The strategy claims that sustainable fish farming, when regulated and managed correctly, provides valuable employment investment and revenue amounting to a 78% increase in volume of production by 2020. Is that a realistic target, and do you think it’s achievable?

By 2020, absolutely. Not only do I think it’s realistic, I think it’s absolutely essential.

We have fallen behind in the face of massive market demand. Only this week the salmon market for China has been opened up.

But there’s no point in having markets if you can’t supply them, and that’s the challenge facing our producers. They don’t have enough raw material. With this strategy we’re determined as an organisation to play a more hands-on role, as we’ve done before in opening up those new productive sites. That’s what we have continued to do. We will look at additional sites similar to Galway, and in consultation with the local communities.

94,195

Shellfish

Note: Latest available data from SFPA

to explain why it’s wrong.

People automatically start thinking that there must be something to it. We’re struggling because there have been some ludicrous suggestions about the damage that finfish farming can do to the environment, and we have to defend that.

We, in BIM, have a big job of work to do to persuade people. It will be about us being as open and transparent as possible with local communities, and making sure that they know we are committed to doing things in a responsible fashion.

86,900 88,004

198,937 Tonnes

Aquaculture Production in 2012

bodies abroad, Norway for example, to learn their best practice and to avoid reinventing the wheel?

In simple terms we haven’t, but it’s a very good idea.

We’re certainly planning an aquaculture course with Údarás na Gaeltachta which we believe we’ll be able to roll out probably in September or October of this year.

That will have a strong Norwegian element in terms of accessing Norwegian institutions from a student perspective. So yes, absolutely, I think where we were coming from initially was broadening it out from an existing sector to widening it out to the wider academic sector and obviously, any international dimension showing best practice e000 internationally would be ae000 very useful route to take.

2011

94,195 e000 88,004 86,900 269,099 94,195 e000

Production in 2012

Tonnes

e000

The seafood industry supports the economic viability of many coastal Finfish 13,880 11,000 jobs. communities, directly generating or supporting approximately Industry Employment This includes full and part time/casual employment in the fisheries, Shellfish 22,820as shown below. aquaculture, seafood processing and ancillary services sectors

48,940

The seafood industry supports the economic viability of36,700 many coastal Total

132,770

83,830

communities, directly generating or supporting approximately 11,000 jobs.

Industry Employment Full Time Part Time Total This includes full and part time/casual employment in the fisheries, aquaculture, seafood processing and ancillary services sectors as shown below.

Total Fisheries 3,924 1,060 4,984 The seafood industry supports the economic viability of many coastal communities, directly generating 11,000 jobs. 1,716 Aquaculture 693 or supporting approximately 1,023 This includes full and part time/casual theTime fisheries, Full Time employment in Part Total Processing 2,200and ancillary services 660sectors as shown below.

2,860 aquaculture, seafood processing

Total Fisheries 3,924 1,060 4,984 Ancillary 1,440 1,440 Industry EmploymentFull Aquaculture 693 Time 1,023Time 1,716 Part Total Total 11,000 11,000 Irish Seafood Exports by2,200 Market and % Share660 in 2012 Processing 2,860 IrishFisheries Seafood Exports by3,924 Market and % Share1,060 in 2012 Total 4,984 The seafood industry supports the economic viability of many coastal Ancillary 1,440 1,440 Aquaculture 693 1,023 1,716 communities, directly generating or supporting approximately 11,000 jobs.

Irish Seafood Exports by Market and % Share in 2012 AFRICA NON-EU €11m This includes full and part time/casual2% employment in theOther fisheries, Total 11,000 11,000 AFRICA Processing 2,200 660 2,860 (inc Nigeria, Other NON-EU €11m 2% aquaculture, seafood 10 (inc BIM STRATEGY 2013 – 2017processing and ancillary services sectors as shown below.

Nigeria, Cameroon & Egypt) €108m 21% AFRICA Ancillary & Egypt) €108m 1,440 1,440 Cameroon 21% Other NON-EU €11m 2% (inc Nigeria, Total & Egypt) €108m ASIA Cameroon 21% Full Time ASIA (inc China, Japan 10 (inc BIMChina, STRATEGY 2013 – 2017 Japan & South Korea) €26m 5% Total 3,924 ASIA & SouthFisheries Korea) €26m 5% 2% RUSSIA €10m (inc China, Japan 2% RUSSIA Aquaculture 693 & South €10m Korea) €26m 5% 10 BIM STRATEGY 2013 – 2017 Other EU €59m 2%11% 2,200 RUSSIA €10m Processing Other EU €59m 11%

Ancillary ITALY €27m Other EU €59m ITALY €27m GERMANY €28m GERMANY Total €28m ITALY €27m GERMANY €28m

11%

5% 5% 5%

23%

23% 11,000 23%

FRANCE €115m FRANCE €115m 11,000

Part Time

FRANCE €115m

Total

1,060

4,984

1,023

1,716

15% GREAT BRITAIN €78m 15%660 GREAT BRITAIN €78m 2,860

6% 6%

10% 10%

6%

10%

1,440 15% 11,000

GREAT BRITAIN €78m 1,440 SPAIN €54m SPAIN €54m 11,000 SPAIN €54m

Irish Seafood Exports by Volume and Value in 2010 – 2012 Irish Seafood Exports by Volume and Value in 2010 – 2012

10 BIM STRATEGY 2013 – 2017

Irish Seafood Exports by Volume and Value in 2010 – 2012

600,000 600,000 500,000 600,000 500,000

400,000 500,000 400,000 300,000 400,000 300,000 200,000 300,000 200,000 100,000 200,000 100,000 100,000

379,405 379,405 €’000 €’000 275,904 379,405 275,904 TONNES €’000 TONNES 275,904 TONNES

243,125 243,125 TONNES

430,186 430,186 €’000 €’000 430,186 €’000

TONNES

516,561 516,561 €’000 €’000 516,561 350,032 €’000 350,032 TONNES

€115m, 23% €115m, 23% €115m, 23%

TONNES

350,032 TONNES

243,125 TONNES

2010 2010

2011 2011

2010 2011 Value of Sales on the Domestic Market in 2010 – 2012 Value of Sales on the Domestic Market in 2010 – 2012

2012 2012 2012

Value of Sales on the Domestic Market in 2010 – 2012

400,0000 400,0000 300,0000 400,0000 300,0000

€333m €333m

200,0000 300,0000 200,0000

€333m

100,0000 200,0000 100,0000 100,0000

€319m €319m €319m

€329m €329m €329m

2010 2010

2011 2011

2012 2012

2010

2011

2012

BIM STRATEGY 2013 – 2017 11 BIM STRATEGY 2013 – 2017 11 BIM STRATEGY 2013 – 2017 11

18 inshore ireland August/September 2013

marine R&D

Marine scientists explore biodiversity and ecosystems Grace Windsor

A

team of 14 scientists led by NUI Galway’s Dr Louise Allcock, recently returned to Galway following a threeweek deep sea research survey aboard the Marine Institute’s RV Celtic Explorer.

Building on the success of two previous research surveys, the Biodiscovery and Ecosystem Function of Canyons Survey investigated a wide diversity of habitats and underwater communities in the Whittard Canyon system on the Irish Atlantic margin.

Whittard Canyon is one of many subsea canyons that incise the eastern margin of the North Atlantic. From its head on the continental shelf to its mouth out on the abyssal plain, the depth of Whittard Canyon is more than twice the depth of the Grand Canyon.

Deep-sea biodiversity

Speaking about the success of the survey, Dr Allcock said that the survey was part of an on-going effort to understand Ireland’s deep-sea biodiversity working in parallel with a national biodiscovery programme.

“In addition to collecting samples of various marine organisms, the research team investigated the impact of food quality and distribution upon life in these canyons. There was a notable difference between the delivery of food particles in the different arms of the canyon that were explored, mirrored by the types of communities found.”

Dr Allcock also noted the interdisciplinary nature of the research team, which included PhD students from NUI Galway; Queens University Belfast; Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork.

Two undergraduate marine science students from NUI Galway, Feilim O’ Toole and Sorcha Cronin O’Reilly, were selected to participate in the survey earlier this year. The third-year students collected data for their final year projects.

The research team used the Deepwater Remotely Operated Vehicle, Holland 1, to collect specimens of coral, sponges, sediment samples and other marine organisms.

Spectacular footage captured by the ROV’s high definition camera included a rare giant

hydroid over half-a-metre in diameter; clams and oysters that are over 200 years old and a deep-water rough shark (Oxynotus paradoxus).

Aodhan FitzGerald, Research Vessel Programme Coordinator congratulated the team’s effective use of the ROV, which logged almost 150 user hours in water depths ranging from 400 to 2500 metres.

“This has been a highly successful survey for the Holland 1, or Holly as the scientists on-board refer to it. The ROV sampled a vast array of specimens in a variety of terrain including sheer cliff faces at amazing depths in dives that lasted up to 14 hours. This survey has proven the capability of the Holland 1 as a deep-water scientific ROV.” he added.

Many of the specimens collected including a rare five kilogram sponge, will be used in biodiscovery research.

Marine organisms, including the bacteria in sediment, often produce complex chemicals, some of which are likely new to science.

Biochemists and chemists will extract these chemicals and test them for antibacterial and other pharmaceutical properties with the ultimate aim of synthesising useful new chemicals in the laboratory.

Water measurements

Dr Kostas Kiriakoulakis (Liverpool John Moores University), Dr Martin White (earth and ocean scientist at NUI Galway) and his PhD student Annette Wilson conducted an extensive series of water measurements during the cruise as part of their research on the relationship between the ecosystems of the canyons and marine particles.

These particles, often called ‘marine snow’, are key to understanding how the quantity and quality of available food impacts upon the creation of the underwater communities found in these canyons. Marine particles are the result of the decay of phytoplankton blooms; as the bloom sinks to the seafloor, the material provides food and nutrients to underwater communities. By analysing the water quality and food quality data together with the video from the ROV, the scientists hope to enhance their understanding of how this complex ecosystem functions.

This research survey and the

Beaufort Marine Research Award are carried out under the Sea Change strategy with the support of the Marine Institute and the Marine Research Sub-programme of the National Development Plan 2007–2013. The Beaufort award in Marine Biodiscovery is a consortium between NUI Galway, UCC and Queen’s University Belfast. The Ship-Time Programme provides access to the National Research Vessels (Celtic Explorer / Celtic Voyager) for research organisations based in Ireland.

The scientists blogged about their experiences and discoveries aboard the RV Celtic Explorer throughout the survey on Scientists@Sea, http://scientistsatsea.blogspot. ie/.

1

2

1. Footage of a rare giant hydroid over half a metre in diameter taken using the Deepwater ROV Holland 1 2. Images of the variety of species living off the cliff areas of the Whittard Canyons

The Longest River event is shortlisted for the Allianz Business to Arts Awards Cushla DromgoolRegan

A

unique partnership between the Galway-based Cois Cladaigh choir and the Marine Institute, who presented The Longest River - a Marine Science, Literacy and Music event in Brussels as part of the celebration of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of European Union earlier this year, has been shortlisted for the 2013 Allianz Business to Arts Awards.

The Longest River is a collaboration promoting science and technology through a combination of lecture, narration and marine-inspired choral music; a selection of

poetry, as well as marine photography and high definition video footage of the deep sea and future technologies.

This performance has enabled the Institute to highlight the importance of multidisciplinary marine research and how working across international borders is essential to achieving healthy marine ecosystems.

Innovative showcase “It is a great achievement to be shortlisted for this Award. Showcasing marine science, research and development through ocean literacy and music has proven to be an innovative way to engage new audiences. This is especially important for developing a better understanding of

the oceans and showing how this resource is key to generating social, cultural and economic benefits nationally and internationally,” remarked Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute.

“The ocean is our planet’s life support system and it has been important for the Institute to ensure that key decision-makers are aware it not only influences changing climates which affect our weather and land produce, but also provides significant markets in traditional activities, such as fisheries, aquaculture, tourism and shipping, as well as emerging ones such as offshore renewables and marine biotechnology,” he added.

Earlier this year, the

inshore ireland August/September 2013 19

marine r&D

Marine Institute bursary students inspire bright future for marine sector

By Aoife Gath

M

arine Institute bursary students seized the opportunity to showcase their talent and skills highlighting their experiences during their eight-week work placements with the Marine Institute at the annual Bursar Seminar day at the Institute.

The bursary programme provides 3rd Level students with the skills and experience to further develop their careers within the marine sector. Twentysix students from diverse fields of studies gained work experience in a variety of jobs including fish and shellfish assessments and surveys;

corporate communications; sampling salmon and commercial fisheries in ports; assessments of maritime economics and oceanographic buoy development.

Quality bursar work Joe Silke, Marine Environment and Food Safety Manager spoke about the quality of the bursar’s work and the confidence Ireland could have in the future of the marine industry.

“The students demonstrated their understanding and the overall context of the programmes within which they worked. It is encouraging to see that we have a new cohort of highly motivated and engaged marine scientists coming through the third-level system, which will ensure Ireland retains its high reputation in marine science

and technology into the coming decades”.

Helen McCormick, Senior Laboratory Analyst explained the significance of the programme: “Since it began in the 1960s it has given students an opportunity to gain valuable experience within their chosen subject field.

Previous bursars have gained various positions within the Marine Institute at all grades up to and including director level.”

“The Bursary Seminar Day is used to give students a chance to practice their presentations skills and provide information on their bursary to their peers.

The standard of the presentations this year was extremely high and showed that during the short period of the student bursaries, they fully understood the subject matter and were

able to communicate this to the audience,” she added.

The programme is highly recognised and is aimed at undergraduates who have completed two years› study in a relevant discipline. This year bursars came from twelve different third level institutes across Ireland and the UK, including NUI Galway; NUI

Maynooth,;University of Ulster; Queen’s University Belfast; Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology; Institute of Technology Tralee; University of Plymouth; Sligo Institute of Technology; Anglia Ruskin University; Dundalk Institute of Technology; University College Cork and Carlow Institute of Technology.

Twenty-six students from diverse fields of studies gained work experience as Bursary Students at the Marine Institute in Galway, Newport, Dublin and ports around Ireland. Photo Aoife Gath (Aoife Gath, Communications Bursary Student; From NUIGalway, Aoife works with primary school students teaching them about the seashore environment at the annual teachers training workshop)

Aoife Gath (NUI Galway) worked in the Communications office in Oranmore and developed skills in media, social networks. She also worked with primary school teachers during the annual teachers training workshop.

Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation was signed at the Marine Institute by representatives from the EU, United States and Canada, demonstrating opportunities for strong partnerships in transatlantic cooperation, sharing information and supporting initiatives to drive forward the ‘blue economy’ including the Atlantic Area Action plan and the EU Maritime Strategy for the Atlantic.

The Galway Statement also highlighted the significance of promoting ocean literacy, stressing how joint cooperation between countries can increase our knowledge of the ocean and its dynamic systems. Ocean literacy events such as The Longest River show how the results of ocean science

and observation address pressing issues facing people, the environment and the world. It also fosters public understanding of the value of the Atlantic.

Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, who had attended the inaugural performance during the ESOF2012 events in Dublin, said the event was an “excellent and moving example of how to communicate about big societal issues, such as climate change. The event showed how research and knowledge creation about our oceans is central to dealing with issues, given the key role they play in the life support system of this planet”.

The Longest River event was presented by John

Delaney, University of Washington and was supported by Culture Ireland and Tourism Ireland. It was also under the patronage of both Maria Damanaki and Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, members of the European Commission.

A short clip of The Longest River can be seen on YouTube: http:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=uwI43Io14WQ The winners of the 2013 Allianz Business to Arts Awards will be announced on September 10 at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. For more information about the Allianz Business to Arts Awards 2013 see www. businesstoarts.ie

Philip Monaghan (GMIT) and Edmund Burke (Tralee Institute of Technology) gained experience in monitoring the environment and habitat of the catchment area in Newport.

20

inshore ireland august/september 2013

MariNE r&d

Halpin Centre for Research & Innovation Compiled by Cormac Mc Garry

How a commercial cluster feeds research & innovation

W Atlantic Power Cluster

T

he Halpin Centre for Research & Innovation is a leading partner in the EU-funded project ‘Atlantic Power Cluster’.

Co-funded to €3m under the European Regional Development Fund (EDRF – InterReg IVB), this project seeks to create a transnational strategy on Marine Renewable Energy (MRE: offshore wind, wave and tidal energy conversion).

The project consortium consists of 17 partners from Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Portugal who will jointly tackle the challenges concerning the development of marine renewable energy in the Atlantic Area.

The project seeks to contribute to the improvement of the marine environment through research and development of alternative sources of energy that favour a greener and sustainable energy model. In addition, it promotes improved competitiveness and capacity for innovation in the Atlantic regions.

The project is being delivered through seven work packages, coordinated by Spanish project leader SODERCAN. A business development package lead by French partner Bretagne Development Innovation (BDI) aims to identify current and future market opportunities as a basis for an industrial strategy at a European level.

Ultimately, ‘Atlantic Power’ is striving for the establishment of a Marine Energies Cluster in the Atlantic Area. This development is being guided by the Scottish European Green Energy Centre in Aberdeen. Meanwhile, the other Irish partner (Galway County Council) is conducting research on the social acceptance of MRE installations and production.

The primary role of the Halpin Centre is to lead research on ‘how to adapt the workforce to the needs of the emerging marine renewable energy sector’. Future growth of renewable energy offers attractive opportunities for employment so it will be necessary to update the required skills through new training.

Following research to identify the skills and qualifications required by the labour market, internationally recognised training and conversion courses will be designed and developed.

The Halpin Centre, as part of National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), is naturally placed to lead this research.

NMCI along with other EU colleges will be delivering courses designed and developed by the Halpin Centre in the area of MRE. For more information on the Atlantic Power Cluster project, contact Cormac Mc Garry: cormac.mcgarry@umail.ucc.ie

ith private-sector stakeholders readily available to the research team for consultation, the Halpin Centre is well placed to conduct wide-ranging research. As part of the Irish Maritime & Energy Resource Cluster (IMERC), the Halpin Centre has immediate access to companies like Sound & Sea Technology, some of whose staff were formerly involved with the Wavebob energy converter.

This allows the Atlantic Power Cluster project manager to have access to highly experienced industry expertise, and is an example of how the IMERC campus is aiding research at the NMCI, and how a cluster in general can synergise outputs effectively.

This is also the case in other projects. Halpin’s DARIUS project, which concerns unmanned vehicles in search and rescue (Inshore Ireland Vol 9 nr 2) utilises expertise from SkyTec UAS Ireland.

SkyTech are located on the IMERC campus in Ringaskiddy where they can regularly be seen testing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), used primarily for commercial surveying purposes.

SkyTec experience and physical know-how feed directly into Halpin’s research and innovation inputs to the DARIUS project. SkyTec has, in turn, recently been awarded a contract from the Halpin Centre to conduct a study on how UAVs can be utilised in the detection of Harmful and Noxious Substances (HNS) at sea. This study will be conducted in conjunction with the Naval Service, a lead partner in the IMERC cluster.

Siemens Offshore Wind Turbines

inshore ireland August/September 2013 21

marine r&D

Enhancing maritime security through surveillance

T

»» generation of a common situational picture »» improved detection and identification of non-collaborative/suspicious small boats and low flying aircraft »» enhanced and increasingly automated detection of abnormal vessel behaviour »» identification of threats and tracking of reporting and non-reporting vessels

»» transnational exchange of useful and available information, and associated procedures and mechanisms, thereby supporting the creation of a common information sharing environment

PERSEUS will conduct exercises that implement missions concerning drug trafficking and illegal migration control, delivering surveillance continuity from coastal areas to high seas. PERSEUS will augment current operational capabilities – furthering the integration of a European-wide maritime border control system.

he Halpin Centre is participating in the FP7 funded ‘PERSEUS’ project, contributing to Europe’s efforts at monitoring illegal migration and combating related crime and goods smuggling by proposing a large-scale demonstration of an EU Maritime surveillance ‘System of Systems’, building on existing national systems and platforms, but enhancing them with innovations that include:

Training for arctic sailing conditions

S

MACS - Small Craft Emergency Response and Survival Training for Arctic Conditions - is a Northern Periphery Programme funded collaborative international project. Its primary objective is the development of a safety and survival training programme focused on the needs of small-craft mariners on commercial, fishing and leisure vessels operating in the harsh environments of Arctic maritime regions.

Rapidly changing climate in the Arctic brings new challenges in maritime safety for both indigenous and non-indigenous small craft crew. Many sailors are now drawn to explore the previously inaccessible arctic regions, but can run into trouble with inadequate preparation and training in such extreme conditions. In turn, Arctic search and rescue (SAR) services must deal with a greater number and diversity of small craft emergencies over a much wider geographic range.

The Halpin centre, in collaboration with Cork Institute of Technology’s NIMBUS Centre, will produce a library of training modules covering topics such as weather and meteorology, safety and survival, arctic seamanship and communications. There will also be a module on being a good Arctic citizen, learning about life there and maintaining respect for its environment.

Paul Shanahan is managing the Halpin Centre’s work in the SMACS project. An international team is currently making connections with anyone who travels to the Arctic region to obtain input into the planned training program. A link to the survey is at: https://www.surveymonkey. com/s/HHBSD35

Below: SEFtec’s Helicopter simulation at the NMCI survival Pool, an example of the practical training which can be provided under the SMACS project

REMCAP

(Resource Efficient Maritime Capacity)

By Eoin Moynihan

T

he global maritime market is on a strong growth trajectory driven by increasing commercial demand within a number of marine extractive industries such as marine and offshore renewable energy, fish products, dredging & seabed mining and the emerging potential of ‘blue biotech’ products. The Halpin Centre realises that resource efficient operations are vital to ensure the competitiveness and sustainability of these industries, and so is partnering in the REMCAP project.

REMCAP aims to capitalise on the opportunities that arise from this increasing demand by expanding capacity for innovation to improve resource efficiency within these marine extractive industries and their value chains. This builds on an the earlier EMSAC (European Marine Science Applications Consortium) project, which made significant progress in understanding how Regional Research Driven Clusters (RRDCs) can stimulate maritime resource capacity to supply growing marine markets.

The goal of REMCAP is to substantially increase the innovation capacity across the EU in maritime resource efficiency, and thereby position European businesses to exploit growing global demand for resource efficient technologies, systems and operations.

This will be achieved using the following logic: »» generating information on the market potential in maritime resource efficiency and the opportunities this presents for winning business, together with the innovation priorities that will enable access to these opportunities »» understanding of the current capability relevant to such innovation, including research facilities, research projects and potential for cluster activities to facilitate innovation »» identifying capability gaps that would impede such innovation, and defining a common action plan, as well as individual action plans for each partner region, to address these gaps »» enacting inter-regional and regional measures to enable implementation of these action plans, such as building of trans-national consortia targeting specific innovation priorities REMCAP is a Coordination Project funded by the Research Directorate General of the European Commission within the Regions of Knowledge programme of FP7. It brings together six Regional Research Driven Clusters (RRDCs) of expertise to develop research and innovation capacity.

22 inshore ireland August/September 2013

marine R&D

Marine engineer students on course for seagoing career

B Galway Bay subsea cable to provide power and data connectivity

O

n the November 12, 2012, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton and Minister for Research and Innovation, Sean Sherlock announced details of a €2.9m investment by Science Foundation Ireland for the installation of a subsea optic cable in Galway Bay. SmartBay Ireland in collaboration with the Marine Institute, SEAI, the Hydraulics Maritime Research Centre (UCC) have been awarded the funding to install a subsea power and data cable from Spiddal Co. Galway to a distance of 4.5km out to sea.

The cable will terminate in an underwater hub that will link to an existing one-quarter scale ocean energy test facility also in the bay.

The subsea cable will provide power and data connectivity to the site and will enable researchers and industry to collect data and to test, demonstrate and validate novel sensors and equipment within the marine environment.

Marine sensors

The cable will terminate at a node that will accommodate a complement of marine sensors including flood-lit, high definition cameras and complex acoustic arrays. This underwater node will be installed on the seabed in water depths of approximately 20m and will be serviced and maintained using divers.

“The development of a Cabled Subsea Observatory is an important addition to Ireland’s National Marine Test and Demonstration facility in Galway Bay and will attract researchers and industry users from a variety of sectors who can test, demonstrate and validate novel sensors and equipment.

“We’re currently targeting both national and international clients from within a number of industry sectors including: ocean energy; shipping & security; oil and gas and aquaculture,” remarked John Breslin, general manager.

SmartBay Ireland Ltd was established by the Marine Institute and the third-level sector to manage Ireland’s Marine Test and Demonstration facility in Galway Bay. The SmartBay project receives funding from the Higher Education Authority (HEA); Dublin City University (DCU) is the lead research organisation.

Other research partners include the Marine Institute; NUI Galway; NUI Maynooth; University College Dublin; Intel and IBM. SmartBay Irelands technical team provides marine support and ICT solutions to support users of the infrastructure.

SmartBay Ireland is keen to collaborate with researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs, to develop R&D projects and proposals. Partners can use both SmartBay’s physical and cyber environment to collect data and to develop new solutions for the marine and related sectors.

rendan Moynihan, Ballyheigue, Co Kerry, received the Student of the Year Award at a recent ceremony at BIM’s National Fisheries College of Ireland, Greencastle, Co Donegal for certificate recipients of Class 3 Marine Engineer (fishing).

The course is DTTAS approved in initial training towards obtaining a Class 3 Certificate of Competency as a Fishing Vessel Engineer.

It provides all-round engineering training experience, involving workshop, practical skills and classroom-based learning, leading to a set of FETAC accredited qualifications, a good underpinning of engineering knowledge and a range of workshop skills.

Trainees also undertake safety courses such as Basic Safety Training, Fire Prevention and Firefighting, Slinging, Manual Handling and First Aid. Following the College year, the trainees will complete twelve months sea-time on board fishing vessels to be

Back Row L-R: Robert Flynn, Athlone, Co Westmeath; Michael Barr, Greencastle, Co Donegal; Shane McWhinnie, Dunkineely, Co Donegal and Sean Coohill, Moyard, Co Galway; Front Row L-R: John McManus Smith, Arklow; Paul Murray, Inver, Co Donegal; Daniel Rose, Inver, Co Donegal; Brendan Moynihan, Ballyheigue, Co Kerry (winner of the Student of the Year Award) and Diarmuid Murphy, Tralee, Co Kerry. eligible to sit the Class 3 Marine Engineer (Fishing) Certificate of Competency Oral examination.

Fishing vessel engineers who hold a Class 3 Certificate of Competency can progress with further sea-time and studies to obtain a Class 2

US marine services company locates in Ireland Gery Flynn

S

ound & Sea Technology (SST) the US engineering firm that provides a range of ocean and marine services for the analysis, development, fabrication and installation of undersea systems, has established its first European subsidiary at IMERC’s Ringaskiddy campus.

Sound & Sea Technology Europe, as the company will be known, is the latest venture by Andrew Parish - former director of Tonn Energy and a highly experienced wave energy pioneer.

“When I was running Wavebob, one of the things I observed was a lack of really good battle-hardened offshore engineers available in Europe,”

Andrew Parish tells Inshore Ireland.

“There are good consultancy firms but missing was the people who would actually go from the drawing table to the back of the ship - the kind of people who can design a mooring system then go and install it for you as well.

“Wavebob had worked with SST in the United States and I was very impressed with what they could do. It’s a unique company in that they are all very senior engineers, all with thirtyyear careers behind them. And they really do everything except own the ship.”

Parish is delighted that former Wavebob colleague Kate Fitzgerald has also joined SST Europe as its Operations Director.

“Kate was Wavebob’s Contracts Manager. She’s a very

Certificate of Competency and then on to a Class 1 Certificate of Competency.

Captain James Hegarty Principal of the College wished the students well at the start of their seagoing career as they now put into practice what they learned at the College.

capable systems engineer with a background also with Rolls Royce andWavegen. I’m serving as director and board member to get things up and running, and we’re now open for business.

“SST Europe will fill an interesting gap in the supply chain in terms of the kind of battle-hardened ocean engineering expertise that comes from people who really understand what it’s like to work at sea.”

Locating SST Europe at the IMERC campus was strategic, he explains: “The location is appropriate for what STT wants to do.

Among other advantages we will be close to a firm of US naval architects who recently located their European business there, and I expect soon to see some interesting and productive synergies,” Parish concludes.

inshore ireland august/september 2013

23

MariNE r&d

Successful survey season

V. Quinlan, K. Sheehan F.Sacchetti, Marine Institute

I

NFOMAR continued its activities on the south coast into August. During this survey period, the team completed the important South Priority Area (SPA) that stretches from near Toe Head in the southwest to Carnsore Point in the northeast.

RV Celtic Voyager operations commenced in Clonakilty Bay off the Cork coast in early July and for a period of four weeks, seabed mapping continued into Glandore Bay, Baltimore Bay, Long Island and Roaring water Bay and a number of smaller bays in this region.

The survey area included the important Special Area of Conservation (SAC) which encompasses Roaring water and Long Island bays.

Mapping within the SAC requires a special licence agreement which was granted

by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

The survey was conducted during day light hours exclusively, in compliance with the Code of Practice for the Protection of Marine Mammals during Acoustic Seafloor surveys. Ports of significance in the area include Crookhaven, Schull, Baltimore, Cape Clear and Glandore.

Water depths range from 10 to 100 metres.

Strong currents, shoals, and fishing gear made for exciting times mapping the Gascanane sound which separates Cape Clear and Sherkin Islands.

This sound is regularly used by the Baltimore to Cape Clear ferry and by numerous fishing boats and pleasure crafts.

INFOMAR Annual Seminar 2013 The Geological Survey of Ireland and the Marine Institute are delighted to invite all interested parties to attend

The seabed in the sound is extensively scoured by strong tidal currents, forming impressive holes of up to 50 metres depth.

Favourable weather periods were availed of to survey close in to the iconic feature that is the Fastnet rock. Survey data from both the Geological Survey of Ireland vessel RV Keary and the Marine Institute’s RV Celtic Voyager were required to map this area safely and to acquire full coverage.

will enable Professor Cox’s researcher team to run further numerical simulations and test models using real bathymetry which storm waves on Ireland’s west coast interact with as they approach the Aran Islands.

The seminar will include an update on Ireland’s national seabed mapping programme including survey operations and coverage, future plans, associated research along with poster sessions.

WrEckS

Bathymetric coverage of Dingle Bay

A total of nine wrecks were mapped. The figure shown below is an image of a wreck discovered on this survey. This wreck is previously uncharted and appears to be that of a submarine. This is currently under research; the outcome will no doubt be an interesting story.

All the wrecks are initially identified from the main multibeam survey lines and are then mapped in detail using a ‘box in’ process of three parallel lines and one perpendicular line. Multibeam water column data is also acquired in order to maximise the mapping effort and to ensure that small objects such as masts are also mapped.

This effort produces the detail required both for identification and charting purposes.

vaLuE-addEd prograMME

During August, INFOMAR supported a research project carried out by Professor Rónadh Cox, Williams College (MA).

Professor Cox research is focused on the movements of large boulders (up to 100 tonnes), well above highwater-mark (up to 40 m a.s.l) and in some cases as much as 250 metres inland, along the Atlantic coast of the Aran Islands. In order to erode and transport these rocks, incoming storm waves must be substantially amplified as they approach the coast.

Professor Cox and her team of researchers have been working on numerical models of how bathymetric variations can affect the size of shoaling waves.

RV Celtic Voyager carried out a multibeam survey of the western flank of the Aran Islands. This bathymetric data

A possible submarine

Archie Donovan, INFOMAR joint project manager

S

ince the beginning of April, the InFoMAr team has been extremely busy with survey activities and data acquisition thanks to a steady improvement of the weather conditions.

Starting in mid-June, the INFOMAR inshore vessels RV Keary, Cosantóir Bradán and RV Geo carried out a hydographic survey of the shallow coastline areas within Dingle Bay. The vessels worked in partnership, with the Keary and Cosantóir Bradán focusing on the deeper approaches while Geo carried operated around the shallow portions of Dingle and Ventry Harbours.

Keary and the Cosantóir Bradán took advantage of the prolonged good weather spell in early July to include the Blasket Islands in their coverage. Surveying in Dingle was completed on July 21.

UKo h-notES The Dingle survey resulted in submission of eight hydrographic notes (H-Notes) to the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO).

One of these H-Notes describes a rock outcrop shoal currently charted at a depth of 11.9m CD, which was found to have a surveyed depth of ~0.8m LAT. This shoal is a shoreward extension of the Crow and Colleen-oge Rocks, situated southwest of the entrance to Dingle Harbour.

All three survey vessels have now moved to the Shannon Estuary where they are conducting a similar survey.

Survey operations are being carried out under a National Parks & Wildlife

the 2013 Annual INFOMAR Seminar. The one and half day event will take place in the Pavilion on October 09 -10th at University of Limerick (UL), Ireland hosted by the mobile and marine Robotics Research Centre. The seminar will include an update on Ireland’s national seabed mapping programme including survey operations and coverage, future plans, associated research along with poster sessions. The speakers and presentations listing will be published closer to the event. The seminar is free and open to all however numbers are limited so please confirm attendance by emailing fergal.mcgrath@marine.ie by Friday September 27th 2013. Agenda details and logistics to follow.

Service licence covering the use of our scientific equipment for the purpose of hydrographic mapping within the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

SAtEllItE IMAgIng Under a separate, parallel endeavour, INFOMAR has contracted Proteus FZC to acquire satellite photography in five Irish shallow water bays. Shannon Estuary is one of these bays. Proteus has tasked satellites to take upto-date imagery of the five bays in question: Shannon Estuary; Cork Harbour; Inner Dingle Bay; Dundalk Bay and Carlingford Bay.

From these imagery, Proteus is attempting to derive satellite bathymetry within the drying areas of these bays where conventional vessel acquisition is at its most challenging.

This project is still very much a ‘work-in-progress’ and it is still very much a cutting edge approach to seabed mapping.

The INFOMAR team hopes to have greater clarity on the success or failure of this satellite approach at their October 2013 seminar in the Pavilion at University of Limerick. (see details page 4).

Instrumentation screengrab of the mapping coverage achieved (as of the 5th of August) in the Shannon Estuary

24

inshore ireland august/september 2013

book rEviEWS

Sailing Gaffers: stories from 50 years of the Old Gaffers Association White Moth

Duet rounding the Fastnet in 1975

A

nyone who has participated in any one of the legion of sailing social functions associated with the 2013 oGA50 celebrations in these islands would appreciate the ability of gaffers to tell tales, some of an extraordinarily tall variety.

Hats off then to the valiant Viv Head who, to quote the sub title of this book, took on the task of telling ‘stories from fifty years of the Old Gaffers Association’. That in any language took some compiling.

The good old Gaffers Log has done more than its bit down the years to provide a functional intercommunicator, linking home and distant waters. But what Head has done is to bring it all together in one publication and provide a family history/album of which any OGA member must be proud.

This grand parade of a book of just under 300 pages is adorned with a succession of colourful illustrations placed as closely as possible to the relevant text – a task frequently attempted but not always achieved, and such a plus for the reader.

SAVInG The rIG In his thoughtful introduction to the book, President Mike Shaw explains that the founding aim of the OGA was to save the rig from total abandonment in the face of advancing new developments in sail design, and to organise rallies and races to keep alive a knowledge and appreciation of the four-sided sail and at the same time, encourage the saving of existing ‘old craft’ while introducing their many appeals to the public at large.

From the start it was a challenge of a tall order but was inspired by many worthy characters who staged the first old gaffers race in 1959 with, would you believe it, a total of 13 boats assembled. So much for old salts’ suspicions of unlucky numbers!

This was followed four years later by the first east coast gaffer race. Around this time too, folk were wondering if there really was a future for the splendid traditional Thames barges that were on the brink of dying on the muddy Essex banks.

Enter Mike Richardson, legendary Solent sailor and friend to all, with his memoir of the OGA founding: ‘Who would have thought that a race dreamed up by three sailing chums in a pub in 1951 would have given rise to the world’s first and foremost organisation for the promotion of gaff rig.’

Mike is but one of the early day heroes who now emerge to be highlighted and honoured in these pages.

We read of characters like Charlie Stock and his diminutive ShoalWaters, gloriously described by the author as having the ability to ‘float in a heavy dew’. Together they visited places never heard of before, like Bedlam’s Bottom, Horrid Hill, Pluck’s Gutter, Hardley Dyke. How do they think up such glorious names for hidden places? nuGGeTy ownerS From those early times, the gaffer movement progressed to produce a succession of splendid craft and equally nuggety owners such as Chris Waddinton and his Moya, seen only a few weeks ago in Peel in the Isle of Man; the speedy Duet¸ splendidly photographed charging around the Fastnet Rock in 1975, and of course, the exciting front cover of the Brightlingsea-built Beeleigh, which, almost incredibly, celebrates her own centenary this very year.

Irish and adjacent home waters covering Northern Ireland and Wales enjoy a chunky chapter of their own to salute the solid support they have given to the gaffer revival � from the time that stalwarts such as Alan Aston, Adrian Spence, Peter Lyons and Con McMcann first flew the pitchfork and sowed the early seeds of interest.

This was followed enthusiastically by Dublin Bay’s branch founder President, Arthur Hughes, who was later honoured as this island’s first ‘elder gaffer’ and whose influence spread beyond OGA affairs to mount a national campaign to save Erskine Childers’ Asgard from almost certain lingering death behind the walls of Kilmainham Jail.

This chapter is notable too for the inclusion of a finely worded 1,700 word article with accompanying colourful photo of sailing hookers, by Donal Greene, Connemara-born shipwright who is introduced by the author as a writer ‘whose first language is Irish Gaelic, a language used almost exclusively by the hardy men who sail and maintain the unique Galway Hookers of Ireland’s west coast.

Take a bow, Donal, for that and welcome to the club!

The OGA’s voyage so far in these first 50 years has taken it around the coasts of Britain and Ireland, across the channel to mainland Europe and beyond the seas to the Americas and Australia. The driving force has always been the simplicity and truth of its message of the survival and promotion of the gaff rig. The craic, of course, has always been a factor too.

Had the OGA organisation had the funds all along to employ professional promoters to spread their simple message, they would almost surely not have been as successful as its own enthusiastic members have been in telling a story so chock full of great characters � men, women and lovely old boats � that have inspired this fine bit of work by Viv Head.

Fair winds to all concerned.

The Lassie of Chester (1938)

Tim Magennis

COMPETITION Sailing Gaffers: Stories from 50 years of the Old Gaffers Association is published by Quartet Books Ltd, price £20. ISBN: 978 0 7043 7329 7. The publishers have generously provided two copies as completion prizes:

Q: What was the name of Chris Waddinton’s boat?

Answers to: mills@inshore-ireland.com or by post to 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Closing date: September 30. Good luck!

inshore ireland August/September 2013 25

book reviews

COMPETITION The Lightkeeper: A Memoir ISBN978-1-908308-25-2 The Liffey Press has generously provided two copies as competition prizes: Q: What year heralded the beginning of GPS? Answers by email to mills@inshore-ireland. com or by post to: 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

Closing date: September 30 Good luck!

The Lightkeeper - A Memoir Gerald Butler with Patricia Ahern

G

erald Butler was a third generation lighthouse keeper, through his maternal grandfather and his father. He was born with identical twin Edmund in 1950 when his father was a keeper on Roancarrig lighthouse.

They were the second and third of fifteen children.

When they were two years old, his father was appointed Assistant Lighthouse Keeper at Galley Head and the family moved into a keeper’s cottage there. With an interim of a tumultuous 38 years, growing up and then himself in the service of the Commissioners of Irish Lights, Gerald has come full circle. He is now the attendant keeper at Galley Head having succeeded his mother after her retirement from the job, who had herself taken it on from his father after his death. (Inshore Ireland has learnt that Gerald’s mother passed away recently.

RIP)

Dundalk Pile Rock and the family living in an industrial urban environment at a distance, the twins were tempted into a wrong crowd and became unmanageable by their long-suffering mother.

At the first sign of the Garda taking an interest, their father requested an immediate transfer. The family went to Mine Head, with keepers’ family cottages on the site, and the boys found themselves delightedly able to run free, far away from other habitation. This resulted in scrapes and ‘near-death’ experiences concerning deep holes, guns and swinging on ropes from great heights - tales that are recounted in fast succession.

The inseparable twins grew inexorably towards their agreed destiny: to join their father and grandfather as lighthouse keepers. When they joined up in 1969, Ireland had 80 manned lighthouses round its coast.

Inseparable childhood

Training was at the Baily lighthouse on the north coast of Dublin Bay, and was the base for all supernumeries or trainee lighthouse keepers.

Training was focused and intense, disciplined with many and varied lessons; Morse Code, semaphore and the international code of signals; operating the fog signal; how to use ropes for multitude

His childhood years were packed with constant activity, learning, discipline, creativity and escapades. As they grew up, the virtually inseparable twin boys egged each other on to more daring mischiefs and excitements in their dramatic surroundings.

With their father’s move to

Focused and intense training

actions - knots, splicing, rigging derricks for hauling equipment and stores. Baily was the last in Ireland to be automated.

Inishearaght was Gerald’s first rock light, accessed by a dangerous if not exhilarating helicopter ride.

He learned further skills of vegetable gardening, cooking and milking the goat on the rock. He tells stories of extraordinary escapades either climbing, diving, exploring, taking risks with little or no thought for his safety and preservation, driven by a constant wish for adventure and new experiences.

But strict order and discipline on duty, working companionably and obediently in the confined space with his fellow keepers, was instilled and constant.

Fatality at Fastnet

The book continues with accounts in various postings around the south and south-east coast of Ireland including Bull Rock, Mizen Head and most significantly, the Fastnet Rock when he experienced the 1979 infamously fatal and terrifying Fastnet race. He recalls the 3,000 competitors and 4,000 rescuers, heartbreaking fears and horror scenes of capsized racing yachts and subsequent loss of life.

Leading to change, Skellig Michael was one of the first Irish lighthouses to

be automated, following the introduction of radio positioning and other technological guidance for shipping. In 1982, the US launched a constellation of 24 satellites which heralded the beginning of GPS (Global Positioning System) and the final curtain for fully manned lighthouses.

Daily duties

Families shared the isolation and the specialness. The lives of children with lightkeeper fathers were incomparable.

The wives played a crucial role in their unstinting support of their menfolk, taking total responsibility for the management, well-being and safety of their families during duties, and yet handing back authority when the breadwinner returned.

Curious in this riveting account is the anonymous absence of this lightkeeper’s own wife. An early named but failed ‘amour’ is detailed.

His children are named in an account of their visit to

his light. He writes of buying a plot of land on which to build his house for his family.

Yet the arrival into his life of his wife and mother of his children passes unreported.

She must have been the mainstay and continuity of his life with the service, which was perforated with escapades and near death adventures and jaunts, yet remains sadly invisible.

Witnessing loss of life to the sea close at hand; living at the mercy of violent rages of nature; experiencing intimate yet mutually respectful relationships with fellow keepers - few other jobs exist in such isolated and wild surroundings, so tightly closeted with randomly selected colleagues.

This is a transfixing and vibrant account of a unique but now extinct way of life that will pass beyond living memory once families of the last keepers are gone. Such personal recollection is to be treasured.

Penny Jonas

Penny Jonas took proud ownership a year ago of Toward Point Lighthouse PLK’s cottage on the Cowal Peninsular in the Firth of Clyde. Designed by Robert Stevenson, Toward dates from 1812 and is the tallest of the three automated Cumbrae lighthouses. Exceptionally, they are owned and run by the Clydeport Trust, rather than the Northern Lighthouse Board - Scotland’s equivalent body to the Commissioners for Irish Lights and Trinity House for England and Wales.

26 inshore ireland August/September 2013

Crow’s Nest

All at sea Tom Lawlor

A

t the age of 56, Bill Tilman took up sailing to the Arctic and Antartic searching for new mountains to climb. Trying to manage the dreded mal de mer as I watched the Atlantic climb the rock faces on Cork’s west coast, I felt it was time for me to give up sailing and take up mountaineering...

We had set sail from Monkstown, Co Cork. Our plan was to spend many idle hours cruising west with no particular destination in mind, just to enjoy visiting the many harbours sprinkled along the southwest coast.

Passing Cobh, Spike and Crosshaven we meet some boats arriving into the shelter of Cork harbour. Their crews looking tired and their rigging a little tattered.

Westerly storm

At Roaches Point we admire a group of fishermen who are choosing to spend a stormy day sport fishing. We ignored the omens and sailed into the tailend of a westerly storm on course for Courtmacsharry.

The approaches to Courtmacsherry is a slalom course between many sandbanks. Donal O’Boyle on the helm guides us to the town pontoon. Secured alongside with extra lines we still feel the effects of the storm. We’re rocking and rolling but ashore. Later, togged in full oil skins we brave the horizontal rain and trudge to the Lifeboat bar for dinner and the best Gaelic coffee ever.

The weather deteriorates and we become stormbound.

Ships and sailors rot in port, is an old adage but we are made of sterner stuff.

Monitoring the weather forecast, coupled with a small maintenance programme and regular inspection visits to the friendly bars makes time past.

Stags on the horizon

The storm abates and we make ready for sea. We get a visit from Coxwain Sean O’Farrell and Engineer Stuart Russell of the RNLI. We tell them our plan is to make for Baltimore and they advise us on weather and sea state.

Wishing us the best they loosen our lines and we zig zag through the sandbanks and back to sea.

Mikey and Tommy Dwyer have great experience and local knowledge of these waters. He steers a course past the Stags and between the shore and a

rock outcrop. Sailing close to rocky headlands gives us a priviliged aspect of nature’s sculpture.

As the shapes open and close against the sky, their outline reminds us of the countance of famous statesmen. One shows a rounded forehead with hooded eyebrows over a Roman nose and a soft chin sinking into the surf. We all agree it was the spit of Geronimo.

Baltimore deserves better facilities for visiting boats.

The cement-filled barge that forms a pontoon needs to be replaced and the power supply was undependable.

Visitors from Brittany found it difficult to tie up astern of us until we repositioned. We slept with one eye open.

The approach to Glengarriff was deliciously slow, allowing the landscape to present itself in all its magic. The Paul Henry sky as backdrop to a wooded landscape that touches the waterline.

Passing Garinish Island we pick up a visitor’s mooring and drop the dinghy for the shore visit. We choose to land at the old pier and take a stroll to the town through Blue Pool. The pathway is heavy with growth and winds above a waterway that leads out to the sea. We enjoyed a fine dinner in McCarthys Bar and nightcaps in the cockpit.

Perfect cruising.

Past reminders

It’s sunny with good winds as we depart and sail down Bantry Bay. Passing Whiddy Island I remember the night of the dreadful disaster that cost the lives of 50 people...

I was alerted by The Irish Times newsdesk that a tanker had exploded near Bantry. I rang my regular pilot Ray Di Masico of Iona Airways and we departed Dublin airport for the scene. On arival we circled the scene and made some pictures. Ray was on the radio reporting to air traffic control the weather state and visability. His reports were a great help to rescue helicopters who were en route from an RAF base in Wales. The oil tanks on Whiddy are now used as fish farms.

Broad reaching past the approaches to Courtmacsherry we sail westward enjoying a lively sea and a fresh breeze. The weather is easy when we pass through Dursey sound. Above us the cable car moves at a snail’s pace. It’s no wonder the cows stopped using it.

The weather changes as we set course for Cahersiveen.

Sloppy seas and poor

visability as we pass Puffin Island, around Valencia and into a navagational test. The channel is well marked with bouys with every top mark available and a leading and clearing mark that makes me wish Ihad gone to Specsavers.

Dingle bound

The marina is welcoming and well run by Thomas Fenton who was a fund of local knowledge and made our visit a pleasure. His recommended QC’s seafood restaurant earned him the skipper’s special award.

As we depart we pass three men in a boat. Sailing Against Cancer Ireland is printer on their hull. We salute these heros and set sail for Dingle.

The seas and wind are building and we are making 10 knots.

Our goal is to make Murphy’s Bar to see the Lions rugby game. In the bar we meet Ted Dwyer: “I have plenty of people to do things with. But no one to do nothing with.” I think he should give up the golf and try cruising.

Leaving Courtmacsharry we face into heavy weather, bound for Dingle.

Photo Paul Calvert

RNLI coxwain Sean O’Farrell & engineer Stuart Russell chatting to Donal O’Boyle & Tommy Dwyer Photo: Tom Lawlor

Tills ring as local currency is deemed a success

A

s the summer season comes to a close on the island of Arranmore, native Dr Shirley Gallagher reflects on a busy summer on the island. She returned from Cork in July to setup the island gift shop/cafe on the ferry pier, selling mementos and coffee, sprinkled with banter, song and craic “The conversations generally begin with ‘when did you land?, interspersed with “where are you from” and “do you live here all year round,” she tells Inshore Ireland.

She explains the pull of home was very strong, that she needed to try to capture the essence of Arran “and to be with people you love; the craic, the openness and the oneness with people and place.”

“The island is like the tide; there is an ebb and flow to the rock and its people.

It is ever changing and yet remains the same. We come and we go and we return again and again- transient yet consistent.”

She believes the people are a paradox.

“Journeys are being recorded at the café with

stories from Barbados, Bangladesh, New Guinea, & Chicago. Lands closer to home will feature also, and the stories will form the basis of a new radio show on Internet radio station Irish radio international in the coming weeks. (www. irishradiointernational.com).

The island’s own currency is an example of new ideas for the community. Businesses are using Ogham Bonds (See Inshore Ireland June/ July) “and yet many find the

concept challenging. Children have taken to the idea like ducks to water. In fact they are rather patriotic in their use of Arran money yet recognising it’s only useful on the island,” she adds.

The Ogham Bonds are also a hit with the tourists who use them as souvenirs of the island, and continue in use until September 28. The project will be presented at a conference in the autumn in association with the Irish League of Credit Unions.

West side looking towards Iniscaorach & Magher

Photo Shirley Gallagher

inshore ireland August/September 2013 27

Crow’s Nest

Old gaffers celebrate 50 years in style!

Sue Lewis, OGA

C

olourful scenes in Cowes and the fine sight of traditional sailing boats racing in the Solent characterised the Jubilee Festival of the Old Gaffers Association August 15-18.

Almost 200 traditionally rigged sailing boats gathered in the marina from as far afield as Holland, Belgium and France to celebrate 50 years of the Association.

Pioneer (68ft), originally built in 1864 and recently restored by the Pioneer Sailing Trust in Brightlingsea was the oldest vessel. She once worked as a deep-sea fishing smack off Terschelling but now has a very different role of taking groups of up to 12 young people from all sorts of backgrounds out to sea for an experience of a lifetime.

Pioneer picked up more than one prize in the racing: she was first over the finish line, second in her class on handicap, and to top it all, was awarded the Youth Cup for the crew with the lowest average age.

“We have loved having these young people here. We want to ensure that the next generation continues our work of preserving and enjoying the gaff-rig so it is essential we get youngsters involved,” remarked OGA President Mike Shaw.

Clog racing

Dutch visitors to the festival included eight boats that participated in the threemonth circumnavigation of Britain.

Their particular contribution was to challenge the different OGA regions to make a simple kit comprising a clog, a shaped wooden keel and a lump of lead for ballast into a racing machine.

Above: Tim Magennis, DBOGA president presents the area ‘token’ of a bronze currach to Rick Janesson, Cine Mara to bring to Cowes for auction in aid of the RNLI. The auction raised over £900; donations can be made online at www. oga50.org until December 31.

Photo G Mills Right: Pioneer on the finish line.

Photo OGA

Are Fish Cleverer Than We Think ?

Fish that have been caught by anglers and released again are more difficult to catch, according to research carried out at Macquarie University in Australia. Speaking in the the periodical New Scientist, researcher Culum Brown said - “Fish are more intelligent than they appear. In many areas, such as memory, their cognitive powers match or exceed those of ‘higher vertebrates’ including non-human primates. (New Scientist 2451: 42-43)

Was Ireland First with Tidal Power?

.

Excavations carried out in 1999 on an island in Strangford Lough prove that Ireland may be home to one of the world’s first tidal power grain mills, at Nendrum Monastery. The original mill, which dates back to 619 AD, used seawater from a millpond that filled on each high tide and was released along a channel over a horizontal mill wheel as the tide went out. In 789 AD this largely wooden mill was replaced with a stone structure, generating an estimated seven eights of a horsepower on spring tides and grinding up to a ton of grain a month.

For more FunFacts check out: www.spindriftpress.com/childrens-books

28 inshore ireland August/September 2013

Coastline news

Gathering of Donegal shellfish producers looks at maximizing industry’s potential

D

onegal’s shellfish industry has taken key steps in a process that local producers hope will see the sector grow and develop.

Over thirty commercial producers from the aquaculture sector attended a recent workshop on depuration (a process of purifiying shellfish from impurities) and what it means for local producers.

The event was organised by The Food Coast – Donegal’s Good Food Initiative developed by Donegal County Enterprise Board.

Keynote speaker Walter Speirs of the Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group shared his involvement in the formation and success of the Scottish Shellfish Marketing group.

He also outlined the challenges the Scottish group faced and how they worked collectively to develop opportunities.

Local economy driver

Louise Collins, BIM, demonstrated the importance of aquaculture to the local economy, explaining that Donegal was producing nearly one third of all aquaculture products in Ireland: “In terms of licensed areas, value and species tonnage and the number of people working in the sector, Donegal is the premier aquaculture region in Ireland,” she said.

“Pristine growing waters, good sheltered bays and great people that know how to work with the sea, all make this a valuable economic contributor. The flagship species are salmon, mussels, clams, sea trout and scallop. More than 400 people are employed in the industry,” she added.

In 2012, Irish production was close to 37,000 tonnes with exports of €133m and around 1,700 employed around the coast.

Shellfish production in Donegal and Sligo reached 7,000 tonnes, valued in excess of €32m in exports.

Eve-Anne McCarron, Business Executive with Donegal Food Coast and event organiser said she was delighted with the attendance.

“The event was very much about creating the opportunity to share knowledge and discuss the future of the aquaculture sector in Donegal. Participants included both large and smallscale producers who all have a huge part to play in the sector.

Combined they make Donegal such a strong producer base.

“We now have a list of actions, which include challenges and opportunities, and we will be working together to try to develop and progress the sector.” she said.

The meeting was one of the key actions being progressed by Donegal Food Coast - a central platform for establishing Donegal as a ‘food county’ and a place with a vibrant food culture and food economy.

“Donegal Food Coast has been building stronger links with the local seafood sector. We will be hosting a number of events offering the opportunity to discuss challenges and to encourage activity,” she added.

“Our aim really is to make this sector stronger and more commercially sustainable and we’ve really taken our first steps in that journey ,” she said.

Donegal shellfish producers attending the Donegal Food Strategy workshop

The Gathering Cruise Norman Kean

U

nder cloudless skies on 17 July, two dozen boats from Ireland and England gathered in Dun Laoghaire to begin The Gathering Cruise.

They were joined by another dozen, including the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group’s Celtic Mist and the Dutch sail training brig Astrid, as they made their way south and west. For many, it was a first visit to Ireland, and for others, a chance to bring home friends and family for a cruise together.

The fleet enjoyed the new facilities and the warm welcome at Dunmore East, and an excellent barbecue at Oysterhaven. The mood at the reception in Kinsale was overwhelmingly one of celebration at the safe rescue of the crew of Astrid, tinged by sadness at the loss of a fine

old ship.

It was in Kinsale that the cruise’s founder Gail MacAllister, Cruising Officer of the ISA, demonstrated her genius for team-building by awarding every boat an individual prize for being best in the fleet at something.

The Boat Club’s barbecue at Courtmacsherry, followed by full Irish breakfast, was voted a highlight of the cruise, and the fleet sailed for Glandore, Castletownshend and Baltimore in continuing perfect weather.

Sherkin Island gave a chance to drop the pace a little, and the magic of West Cork began to take effect. The attractions south of the Mizen and the delights of Schull, Crookhaven and Carbery’s Hundred Isles proved just too compelling for some, but others pressed on, and eight crews enjoyed the final reception in Dingle.

This was a tremendous success for the reputation

Gathering Cruise yachts at Courtmacsherry.

Photo Geraldine Hennigan

of Ireland as a cruising destination. From Poole came the feedback: “…one of the very best holidays we have ever had….we enjoyed everything – we want to give everyone 11 out of 10.”

And from Bangor: “… extremely welcoming and helpful…It was very interesting to hear our English visitors being so appreciative of the organization and helpfulness of the Irish.”

The benefit to the economy may be hard to quantify in crude financial terms, but that kind of response is the clearest possible indication of success. Let’s make sure that this is just the first of many Gathering Cruises.

Background John Leahy, Cruising Association of Ireland commodore has congratulated Gail MacAllister of the ISA for “conceiving” the gathering cruise concept in late 2012, with the assistance of the Irish Cruising Club, the CAI, the Irish Marina Operators’ Association, and others.

“The concept grew into something really tangible by this spring when support became available from Failte Ireland for marketing. Without this, we would never have had the reach that we did into the UK and Europe.”

Boat building skills revived in small south Dublin village Liz Murray

A

frail- looking skinon-frame boat eases her way out from Bulloch Harbour, Co Dublin, at twilight under the guidance of Anita Locke from Dingle. Anita visited Bulloch to show the 3rd Port of Dublin (Dalkey) Sea Scouts how to launch and handle this Dalkey-built 3 seater racing currach.

I was privileged to be part of the journey from ‘tree to sea’ of a pile of white deal, oak and some metres of ballistic nylon fabric.

Mark Redden, artist and boatbuilder came to the south Dublin village in May and worked with local volunteers to build the double gunwaled currach, based on a design from Inisbofin.

With two weeks to go before Mark’s arrival, we still had no boatshed, and Dalkey Rowing Club generously came to the rescue with the offer of theirs; however there

could be no public access, The build is documented on Facebook at wwwlfacebook. com/begnetsboats2013 and the website http:// begnetsboats2013.yolasite. com/.

The project was a living history project and a creative space where people worked with their hands at a very ancient task of boat building.

There is an elemental feel to only having a translucent fabric and slender laths separating human and the deep. The three rowers move

in an easy rhythm as ancient as the sea itself, mostly without words, from stern to bow, each with their own task but working as one team.

Saint Begnet is the patron saint of Dalkey with two churches bearing her name: one on the main street and one on the island. What better way to highlight this historic link than to parade a locallybuilt currach in the traditional way down the main street to be launched at Coliemore harbour and landed on Dalkey Island!

Mark Redden,James Archbold and Liz Murray in Naomh Begnait , Coliemore Harbour, Co Dublin.

inshore ireland August/September 2013 29

coastline news

My dream come true

- a trip to Antarctica Betty Croker

B

orn in Alaska you would think I would want to get away from the cold but my lifelong dream has been to go to Antarctica. This dream came true last February.

We flew from Sydney to Ushuaia in Argentina, the gateway to our adventures and the frozen continent. We boarded the M/S Expedition on the 17th and headed out of the Beagle Channel into the infamous Drake Passage, set in lore as one of the most tempestuous and dangerous stretches of water on Earth.

It lived up to its name as many people were seasick; my brother and I were not but my niece and sister-in law spent a day and a half in bed…We didn’t have any spare time as it was taken up with educational programmes on birds, penquins, seals, whales, history, lifeboats, how to get in and out of Zodiacs, life-boat drill etc, etc…

As we exited the Drake Passage, the seas calmed and the weather improved. Our first trip in the Zodiac trip was to Aitcho Island where we saw the most amazing sight of gentoo and chinstrap penguins, skuas and giant petrels flying overhead. We also saw weddell, fur and elephant seals.

Penguin rush hour

Next stop Deception Island to see the largest chinstrap penguin rookies in Antarctica. Walking up the beach it felt like penguin rush hour with 60,000 pairs, waddling past. Many were moulting and there were feathers everywhere!

That afternoon we went ashore at Whaler’s Bay

to walk around the eerie remains of the whaling station and the British Antarctic Survey base which was destroyed in the 1969-70 eruption.

Next stop was Port Lockroy and Booth Island. Once a British base, Port Lockroy is now a gift store and home to the most southerly post office in the world!

Heading southwards towards the Lemaire Channel in perfect conditions we saw many crabeaters and leopard seals lazing on icebergs.

Ice village

We called in at Ple’neau Bay and Port Charcot.

The infinite shapes and sizes of the icebergs locked in Ple’neau Bay was my favourite place and how I imagine an ice village might look.

From the deck we watched the most beautiful sunset and sunrise and ‘listened’ to the silence that was only broken by ice cracking.

In Charlotte Bay & Croker Passage Northbound we experienced the last of our Zodiak trips. The Bay was completely surrounded by high walls of glacier and we watched humpback whales pass very close by, along with minkies and crabeaters lying on the ice. The rib’s engine was turned off and we just drifted, in awe of the surroundings, unblemished by man and truly magical.

The Drake was so calm the Captain got permission to come within three miles of Isla Cabo Hornos, Cape Horn.

We visited a land so magical, so wondrous that it challenges comprehension. I have dreamt about doing this trip for over 60 + years and I can truly say Antarctica is indeed my dream come true!

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inshore ireland august/september 2013

MaritiME cuLturE

Centenarian vessels still sailing hard in Norwegian waters All photos: G Mills

Gillian Mills

I

n a brisk southsouthwest wind, several Colin Archer designed ‘Redningsselskapet’ (Norwegian Lifeboat Institution) vessels raced with other classic boats in the relatively sheltered waters inside the archipelago off the mainland at Risør on the southeast coast of Norway. Risor II held off a strong challenge from Larvik to take the gun to the delight of the home crowd.

Designed by the very same

naval architect and builder of Asgard (1905) preserved and on display in Collin’s Barricks, Dublin, these pre-1936 vessels - now mostly privately owned and superbly restored and maintained - would set to sea whenever the weather got bad to shepherd the local fishing fleets safely into port. These sail-only vessels are therefore very well suited to racing in these conditions.

Upwards of 100 craft of various designs participated in the annual wooden boat festival now in its thirtieth year. The three-day event also featured age-old maritime craft displays and demonstrations along the town’s quayside.

Risør once prospered as a flourishing exporter of timber to the Netherlands. Typical of the era, traditional wooden buildings were built very close together and wood, oil and candles were used to heat and light homes. In 1861, a major fire destroyed almost 250 houses; however due to strong local economy, the town was rebuilt. Today, just a few original buildings remain.

In 1991 after a 30-year debate, a plan to protect the town was agreed by the municipal committee. This involved the restoration and maintenance of almost 600 of the distinctive white clapperboard houses, and work to the streetscapes and lighting.

SEA SAFETY THE COMPLETE GUIDE

visit www.rnli.org/safetyandeducation/stayingsafe/seasafety/

inshore ireland August/September 2013 31

outside ireland

CFP reform and small-scale fisheries: what are the implications?

Brian O’Riordan ICSF

S

hould policies for small-scale fisheries be decided nationally or at European level, and should the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) concern itself with the management of this sector?

In its April 2009 Green Paper on CFP Reform, DG Mare suggested that the CFP could play a role in both. Most Member States (MS) did not support the differentiated management regimes suggested, however the reformed CFP is potentially of great significance for small scale fisheries.

Specifically, the CFP could go a long way to ensuring or otherwise securing fair access for small-scale fisheries to fishery resources and grounds; to trading and market opportunities; to resources for supporting the sector - finance, information, infrastructure; and to policy decision-taking and management related processes.

Political will The reformed CFP however on its own can do very little for small-scale fisheries unless there is political will at MS level to support, develop, or otherwise address problems and needs of the sector.

Likewise, small-scale fishery operators need to get better organised, and/or become affiliated to organisations that are recognised at national and EU level to reap any benefits from the reformed CFP. Or in the words of one commentator: “The challenge is how to distil the diversity of opinions of what needs to be done and then to ensure that the voice (of small-scale operators) is carried up the chain (to the decision-taking level) without being snuffed out.”

Allocation On access to resources, the reformed CFP leaves it up to MS to decide how fishing opportunities may be allocated to vessels flying its flag (Article 16).

But an important amendment to this article states: ‘When allocating fishing opportunities, MS shall use transparent and objective criteria including those of an environmental, social and economic nature’ and that ‘criteria may include, inter alia: environmental impact of fishing; history of compliance; contribution to local economy; and historic catch levels.’

It further says: ‘MS shall endeavour to provide incentives to: deploy selective fishing gears or use fishing techniques with reduced environmental impact.’

A recent ‘historic’ High Court ruling in the UK backed

the Government’s decision to redistribute unused quota from Producer Organisations (POs) to under-10 metre vessels.

In this context, the use of transparent and objective criteria of an environmental, social and economic nature by MS to allocate fishing opportunities could bring huge benefits to the small-scale sector across Europe by redistributing quota. But we will only see such benefits accruing to small-scale fisheries, if there is political will at MS level to do so.

The 12-mile derogation is to be continued, and in its preamble (para 14), the new regulation states: ‘MS should endeavour to give preferential access for small-scale, artisanal or coastal fishermen to this zone.’

This however needs to be seen in the light of developments in the 12-mile for establishing conservation zones, for power generation (wind farms etc), and for the development of aquaculture and other activities that compete with small-scale fisheries for access.

Access to markets In terms of access to markets, the draft CMO provides for a much greater role to be taken on by POs, and for increasing their funding. The CMO also notes that measures should be taken ‘to encourage the appropriate and representative participation of small-scale producers’ and for the ‘specific situation of small-scale producers’ to ‘be taken into account for the establishment of fishery and aquaculture producer organisations, where relevant.’ Hence the need for small-scale operators to get better organised or to associate themselves with existing PO structures.

With the possible exception of ‘production method’ listed under mandatory consumer information however, original proposals for mandatory information on the labelling of products have been watered down. For example, the date of catch and date of landing are now included under additional voluntary information that may be included on the label.

Fisheries support Last but not least, the new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) has considerable scope for supporting small-scale fishing operations, which are defined as being carried out on vessels under 12 metres in length and not using towed gears.

The plenary of the European

In the CMO, with the possible exception of ‘production method’ listed under mandatory consumer information, original proposals for mandatory information on the labelling of products that could have benefitted small scale fisheries have been watered down.

In the small-scale fishery chain there are direct linkages with the high tech processing and marketing industries associated with the large retail outlets, as well as with small-scale, artisanal processing, marketing and retail sectors.

Photos courtesy of Lonxanet Foundation, Galicia, North Spain Parliament (EP) still has to vote on the proposals made by the EP Fisheries Committee (PECHE Committee) and the Council of Ministers, and much depends on the outcome. The PECHE Committee voted by a slim majority to allocate funding for fleet renewal and engine replacement for small-scale vessels.

The Council of Ministers wants to see a greater allocation of funding to the outermost regions (French Indian Ocean and Caribbean territories, the Canary Islands, Azores and Madeira). The

Ministers also backed DG Mare’s proposal to use new criteria to allocate the EMFF. These include employment and production in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors and the share of smallscale coastal fishing in the fishing fleet.

Based on these criteria, the Spanish Fisheries Minister announced that Spain is set to receive up to 22% of the €5,500m available for fisheries sector support. For their part, the French have declared themselves to be ‘very satisfied’ with the allocation to the outermost

regions.

Not everyone is happy with the EMFF outcome however. After the vote in the European Parliament, Markus Knigge of Ocean2012 accused the PECHE Committee of voting to “misuse taxpayers’ money by financing overfishing”.

Past experience has shown that these public monies have gone to finance private profit rather than the common good, with some of the largest vessel owners and most notorious fisheries criminals receiving huge pay outs. It is to be hoped that the new EMFF will achieve better and fairer results.

For further information: CFP reform Watch http://cfp-reformwatch.eu/ DG Mare Reforming European Fisheries http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/reform/index_en.htm Royal Courts of Justice Judgement on the allocation of fishing quota http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/sites/files/gpuk/fpo.pdf Fishing quota: Big producers lose reallocation battle http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23251821

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