www.inshore-ireland.com The Marine & Freshwater Environment Publication
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Inshore fisheries forum pages 8-10
Our Ocean Wealth pages 16-17
June/July 2014 Vol 10 Issue 3
ONLINE EDITION
You can now view the Apr/May issue on www.inshore-ireland.com or you can follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/inshore_ireland and Facebook www.facebook.com/InshoreIreland
New dawn for Ireland’s 2000 strong inshore fisheries sector Gillian Mills & Gery Flynn
F
ollowing previous failed attempts at implementing a management framework for Ireland’s inshore fisheries, marine minister Simon Coveney has launched a dedicated platform and suite of measures for this sector
which comprises over 80% of Ireland’s fishing fleet. The development package consists of three parts: establishment of a National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF); a funding package of €1m in 2014 and conservation measures to support lobster and shrimp stocks. “Ireland’s inshore fishermen are poorly represented by current structures and need a dedicated platform
where they can discuss and develop common initiatives,” remarked Minister Coveney “I’ve been insisting for some time that we would look at how we might create a structured voice for the inshore sector, and what type of structure would be appropriate,” he added. “I can assure people this is not some kind of a PR job to try and pretend that we’re doing something for this
sector. This is about creating a real and structured voice. I wouldn’t be putting people through this hassle and bother if I didn’t intend listening to what they have to say.” The NIFF will enable inshore fishermen using small fishing boats (less than 12m overall length) to participate in fisheries management within six nautical miles of the coast. A network of Regional Inshore Forums
(RIFs) based on and linked to the FLAGs (coastal wide, community-leg Fisheries Local Action Groups) will nominate delegates to bring forward regional proposals for national discussion. The €1m funding programme in 2014 is aimed at providing financial assistance for ‘sustainable, environmentally friendly »» page 8
Ireland’s Ocean – a four-part wildlife series from Sunday June 22 explores the history of man’s relationship with and response to the sea. Photo: George Karbus www.emerald-vision
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EU Parliament adopts maritime spatial planning legislation
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he European Parliament has endorsed a Directive for Maritime Spatial Planning which should help Member States develop plans to better coordinate the various activities that take place at sea and ensure they are as efficient and sustainable as possible. In coastal and maritime areas, activities compete for the same space and resources. These include fishing grounds; aquaculture farms and marine protected areas that exist alongside maritime infrastructures such as cables, pipelines, shipping lanes and oil, gas and wind installations. As demand for maritime space increases, better and coherent planning of maritime activities at sea is indeed needed. The new Directive will also help avoid potential conflicts between diverse users, and create a stable environment attractive to investors, thereby contributing to sustainable growth.
The Directive sets minimum requirements to draw national maritime spatial plans. These plans will identify all existing human activities, taking into account land-sea interactions, and the most effective managing system. As many of the activities cross national borders, the Directive will enhance Member State cooperation. “Today’s vote (17/04) in the European Parliament is an important step in creating new growth opportunities across all maritime sectors by better managing our seas and ensuring their sustainability. Only if we coordinate the various activities taking place in our seas can we make access to maritime space more predictable for investors, and at the same time reduce the impact of maritime activities on the environment,” remarked European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki and Environment Commissioner Janez Poto-nik.
Background
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aritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is a cornerstone of the Commission’s Blue Growth strategy and of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy. It allows improved understanding of the distribution of marine resources and offers investors greater certainty about potential economic development. With MSP, operators will know what, where and for how long an activity can take place. MSP will also reduce existing over-regulation and administrative complexity. For instance, in some countries up to nine executive agencies need to be contacted before securing a permit for an offshore aquaculture site. Better coordination will speed up procedures and generate economic gains. By accelerating investments in offshore aquaculture or renewables by 1, 2 or 3 years, economic gains from €60 million to over €600 million could be generated by 2020. MSP will also contribute to a more efficient implementation of EU environmental legislation in marine waters and will help Member States reach good environmental status of their waters by 2020. It should help establish coherent networks of Marine Protected Areas, for which cooperation on planning across borders is essential, and ensure the participation of all stakeholders in planning processes. Next steps Once finally adopted by ministers, Member States must transpose the Directive into their national legislation by 2016 and nominate the Competent Authority in charge of the implementation of MSP. Member States must also draw up their national maritime spatial plans by 2021. They are free to tailor the content of the plans and strategies to their specific economic, social and environmental priorities, and their national sectorial policy objectives and legal traditions, but must respect the minimum requirements of the Directive
Marine Institute Foras na Mara
Second ‘State’ proposal of offshore salmon farm B
Our Ocean - A Shared Resource Ár n-Aigéan - Acmhainn Comhroinnte Ireland’s National Agency for Marine Research and Innovation An Ghníomhaireacht Náisiúnta um Thaighde Mara agus Nuálaíochta
www.marine.ie
IM confirms preparatory work is progressing regarding its planned application for a 3.5-5,000 tonne per annum organic salmon farm off the coast of Mayo. The second of three ‘deep-sea fish farms’ announced by BIM in 2012 (Galway Bay and offshore Donegal), the Mayo site is still in the early stages of development. ‘The agency continues to review survey data to inform its decision regarding the ideal location of the salmon farm sites’ the agency adds. Similar to the Galway Bay proposal, two sites are being proposed to ensure the least possible environmental impact, best husbandry practices and to ensure steady output. Locations in the lee of Inis Turk and Inis Bofin are under discussion; however additional work is required along with an Environmental Impact Statement that must accompany any such application.
BIM confirms that an application for the third salmon farm offshore Donegal remains a ‘longer-term objective’ with initial survey work still yet to be completed. Demand for Irish farmed salmon, especially organic certified product, continues to far outstrip supply. Bord Bia estimates that the market could facilitate another 50,000 tonnes of product per annum. Consequently, Food Harvest 2020, the State’s national food production strategy document, contains significant targets for expanding the sector. It proposes ‘the establishment of one or more large offshore production units; bringing dormant or under-utilised licenced salmon farming capacity into production and upgrading the licencing format and terms and conditions to bring them into full conformity with best practice internationally.’
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Highest level recognition of marine resource potential managed, it also had real and interesting content. The maritime community should be especially pleased that the event included contributions from An Taoiseach and not one, but four of his cabinet colleagues! This level of cabinet attention is almost unprecedented.
national resource - a resource whose economic limitations now seem boundless. In just two years the HOOW strategy has developed into much more than Ireland’s Integrated Marine Plan. The document itself engenders a sense of confidence in the marine sectors. This has never been seen before. We also report in this issue the introduction by government of a National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) tailored specifically for the inshore fishing sector. Numerically large but chronically disorganised and under resourced, this section of our fishing community has never received the attention from government that it deserved. The common denominator in both of these stories is Minister Simon Coveney. Two years ago we identified him as a talented, hard-working
What does it tell us?
The message couldn’t be clearer: banished forever - we hope - is the provocative headline we reported in these pages some years ago that in relation to the marine sector ‘Ireland is closed for business’. At long last the maritime agenda is being taken seriously at the very heart of government. Its potential has been recognised, and the HOOW strategy is being implemented. Gone too is the lip service and tokenism so often in the past the political response to what was our most invisible
BIM chief executive steps down
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he Board of Directors (BIM), the Irish Sea Fisheries Board has announced the resignation of their Chief Executive Officer, Jason Whooley, effective from August 30,2014. The Board praised Mr Whooley for the ‘wide-ranging positive changes he has made to the organisation during his tenure’ and the ‘valuable contribution he has made towards the development of the Irish Seafood Sector’. “Since joining BIM, Jason has led the refocusing of the agency into the modern semi-state company that we see today. On behalf of the Board, I would like to sincerely thank Jason for his work in BIM. I know that he is leaving BIM with a legacy of change and increased ambition,” remarked Kieran Calnan, Chairman of the Board. “The BIM strategy to which he has contributed enormously remains our key focus and BIM will continue to lead the industry forward to take advantage of the global opportunity for Irish seafood. I wish him every success in his future career,” he added. Mr Whooley praised the staff of BIM and the industry. “The staff in BIM have an incredible knowledge of the industry; they are dedicated and passionate about what they do and this, together with innovative thinking makes BIM a great organisation. “I would like to personally thank all of the people in BIM and in our industry for their support during my term as CEO. I have enjoyed my time in BIM and I know the organisation will continue to build on its strong tradition and deliver further growth in the seafood sector.”
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and clear-thinking minister who was both knowledgeable and passionate about the marine brief. It is now somewhat ironic that as this issue of Inshore Ireland is going to press there is speculation that Minister Coveney will soon be vacating Agriculture House for promotion to another department. If true, there will be very many throughout the various sectors of the marine who will regret his departure. We noted two years ago that with Minister Coveney at the marine wheel and Taoiseach Kenny as navigator, it was going to be a very interesting and productive journey for Ireland’s maritime sector. If there is to be change at the top in marine let’s hope the new minister will be as dynamic, hard working and passionate as Minister Coveney. Gery Flynn
comment
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hen it was launched in July 2012 the Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth strategy was broadly welcomed throughout the maritime community as being a significant achievement by government and a welcome first step on the road to tapping into a global marine market for seafood; tourism; oil and gas; renewable ocean energy, and more, worth €1.2bn. At the time, and by way of a compliment to the professionalism of those concerned, we described the strategy launch as a ‘master class of meticulous and highly choreographed planning’. Two years later the same praise is justly fitting following the first HOOW conference. This event succeeded on several levels; not only was it well attended and well
Irish Naval Service welcomes latest vessel
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he Irish Naval Service has taken official command of its latest vessel, LE Samuel Beckett, following an ceremony in Dublin lead by Mrs Caroline Murphy (niece of Samuel Beckett) and Enda Kenny, An Taoiseach and Minister of Defence. “The naming and commissioning carried with it a great sense of pride and anticipation for all Naval Service personnel. I know that the ship’s first captain, Commander Ken Minehane and his crew are eagerly looking forward to working up the new ship to its full potential,” remarked An Taoiseach. He added that the role of the INS presented a range of challenging roles now more than ever before, asserting the integrity of Ireland’s territorial waters and protecting the waters around Ireland. “The continuing success of the INS in fulfilling the roles of fishery protection, marine search and rescue and it many other tasks have resulted in a much more widespread public appreciation of the importance of the INS to the entire community.
Work on the second ship, LÉ James Joyce at the boatyard in Appeldore, is well advanced and should be completed in early 2015. The news ships, replacing LÉ Emer and LÉ Aoife respectively are larger at 89.5m (length) x 14m (beam) x 3.8m (draft) and cost €108m to build. Both
vessels carry 1 x 76mm Oto Melara Compact Naval guns; 2 x 20mm RH 202 Rheinmetall cannons; 2 x 12.7mm heavy machine guns and 4 x 7.62mm general purpose machine guns and have a maximum speed of 23 knots. A main crew of 44 will be supported by 10 trainees.
An Taoiseach and Minister for Defence, Enda Kenny TD receives Military Honours at the naming and Commissioning Ceremonies for the naval ship LÉ Samuel Beckett, on 17th May 2014
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Ireland secures major increase in EU funding for seafood sector Gillian Mills
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ollowing months of intense lobbying and negotiation, Ireland’s marine minister Simon Coveney has secured €148m through the European Maritime Fisheries Fund (2014-2020) to develop Ireland’s seafood industry and dependant coastal communities. “This funding is more than double the amount available to Ireland during the last Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and will ensure a strong fishing industry that can grow to meet its potential up to 2020,” Minister Coveney said. The new CFP is a major overhaul of the way fishing is carried out in EU waters, to provide a framework for the long-term sustainability of fish stocks and the industry. “The fund will provide support for our fishing fleet to meet the challenges of the discards ban, support the development of the seafood processing sector, a sustainable aquaculture industry and the communities that depend on a vibrant seafood industry,” he added.
Industry endorsement
Welcoming the announcement, the Federation of Irish Fishermen’s chairman Sean
O’Donoghue said over the past three years, Irish seafood production has been growing in line with market demand: “This much needed funding will be a catalyst to achieving the seafood targets as set out in the BIM Strategy and Harvest 2020. This funding could not have come at a better time,” he added. Unveiled in June 2013, the reformed CFP places new obligations on the fishing sector such as landing obligations and identifies producer organisations as the “key players” in achieving these objectives, O’Donoghue explained. The €148m will be spent on scientific data collection; sector development; implementation of the landing obligation and production/marketing plans which all producer organisations have to prepare and implement on an annual basis. “This significant increase has been achieved in light of the overall reduction in total EMFF support and should be a much needed boost for the Irish industry and significantly help in the sustainable development of stocks and rural, coastal peripheral communities dependent on fishing for their existence,” he added. IFA Aquaculture has also welcomed the funding package: “Spent wisely and backed by pro-active State infrastructure that encourages entrepreneurs, SMEs and family aquaculture
businesses around the coast, the EU’s new fisheries fund can turn the tide in favour of Ireland’s seafood industry,” remarked Richie Flynn. He added that the European Commission has placed development of sustainable aquaculture as its “highest priority to address serious employment problems; reinvigorate the economies of coastal areas and displace the influx of imported fish, which now accounts for over two-thirds of consumption by European consumers”. But he cautioned that this “clear EU commitment to aquaculture” must be matched by Government with a renewed vigour “to cut red tape and remove backlogs in licensing.” IFA has prioritised capital investment; modernisation; new entrants and environmental impact mitigation in the forthcoming negotiations on the share-out of the funds. Note: Ireland must now prepare a programme setting out the arrangements for spending the fund and submit this to the Commission by 20 October 2014. The Department has been working on the new Operational Programme since 2013 and has engaged with stakeholders. Further public consultation and strategic environmental assessment will take place over the summer 2014.
Fact file »» first sale value of the Irish aquaculture industry was €117m »» salmon culture remains the highest value sector of the industry accounting for 50% of the value »» total direct employment in aquaculture production was over 1,800 persons »» the oyster sector provided the highest proportion of employment with over 1,100 jobs »» 76% of all aquaculture by volume is carried out along the western seaboard »» the highest volume of aquaculture production was in Cork where nearly 11,000 tonnes of seafood was produced. (Source: BIM 2013 Aquaculture Survey)
Eleven members of the KFO are vindicated for the second time on safety tonnage application. Photo Gillian Mills
Kieran Calnan, BIM Chair; Dr Michael Murphy, President, UCC and Jason Whooley, BIM CEO
Strategic partnership to provide top graduates for seafood processing sector
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he seafood development agency, BIM, and University College Cork (UCC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide structured industry placements for graduates to Ireland’s seafood processing sector. The Seafood Graduate Programme will be administered by the Food Industry Training Unit in UCC and the Seafood Development Centre in BI, to enable greater collaboration and facilitate the transition of graduates into employment via BIM’s SDC innovation facility in Cork. The programme also includes a Graduate Masters Bursary to enable graduates undertake a research masters qualification of direct relevance to Ireland’s seafood industry. “We have set ambitious targets under our corporate strategy to build scale in the Irish Seafood Processing Sector by 2017. When drafting our strategy we identified a deficit regarding third-level graduates taking up positions in the sector,” remarked Jason Whooley, BIM chief executive. “We are delighted to partner with UCC and use our collective resources...A number of seafood companies have already expressed an interest in recruiting.” UCC have previously worked with other food industries to offer new career paths, explained UCC’s President, Dr Michael Murphy. “UCC in partnership with BIM offers an opportunity for graduates both academic and hands on experience of the business of seafood.” Graduates will work on projects involving product concept to market development and industrial production scale up. Ireland’s seafood sector is worth an estimated €810m on combined domestic and global markets.
ECJ upholds fishermen’s appeal on ‘safety tonnage’
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he European Court of Justice has ruled (13/05) to annul a decision by the European Commission rejecting eleven Irish applicants for safety tonnage and has ordered the Commission to pay costs. According to the Killybegs Fishermen’s Association (KFO), the ruling clearly states the Commission ‘did not have the powers to make the decisions and that in the absence of transitional powers, the applicants had the right to bring an action for damages against the European Union’. Safety tonnage, which relates to the volume of a vessel, not to tonnes of fish, covers enhanced safety measures on board a fishing vessel, such as shelter decks, raised
wheelhouses, increasing freeboard and improvements to crew accommodation. “I am delighted but not surprised that the ECJ has ruled for a second time [first in 2006] in their favour and has annulled the eleven Commission decisions,» remarked Sean O›Donoghue of the KFO. He congratulated the legal team for a ‘job well done’ and added the case had gone on far too long. “The Commission continually tried to find ways to thwart the very necessary and legitimate safety tonnage applications. I am calling on the Commission in light of this second ruling against them to immediately sit down with the applicants to resolve in a satisfactory manner, this long outstanding issue.” he said
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An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister Simon Coveney, Minister Fergus O’Dowd, Minister Pat Rabbitte and Minister Sean Sherlock all spoke at the the recent Our Ocean Wealth conference. Photos Gillian Mills
Cabinet recognition of Ireland’s marine resource potential Gillian Mills & Gery Flynn
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overnment commitment to develop Ireland’s marine resource was underpinned by the presence of An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and four cabinet colleagues at the first annual conference of Our Ocean Wealth - the integrated marine plan for Ireland last month. “Today’s conference is a way of showing that the government is serious about the potential of this sector, and that we’ve decided to take real, strong, clear action,” remarked An Taoiseach Enda Kenny “And we’re saying to people who are thinking about investment to look at this plan, and look at our progress. You can see where our commitment is. Add to that your ideas, your own initiatives, your own propositions because now is the time to get really serious about this.” “It’s time to get really involved and time to get really
committed. The frontiers up ahead are changing by the week. We’ve got the capacity and the potential in our young people – specialists in science - who have that creativity, that ingenuity to deal with the opportunities of the future in a way that has never even been contemplated in the past”. “We’re removing obstacles, and we’re opening the way for sustainable investment in the marine sector in Ireland,” he added. Endorsing these sentiments, marine minister Simon Coveney however noted Ireland’s poor historic recognition of this projected multi-billion euro resource: “In my view it is really a source of some shame it has taken us until now to really drive and put together a focused and integrated marine strategy for Ireland, despite the efforts of many people in this room who have been passionate about this sector for many, many years. We’re on a very exciting voyage together. “I can assure you that right at the top of government… we have people who are
determined to make this strategy a reality, and to work with you to ensure that we fulfill the potential of Ireland’s largest and most valuable resource - not only between now and 2020 but beyond then.” Minister Coveney praised the work of the Marine Co-ordination Group for “working hard and going beyond the call-of-duty in some cases to make the plan happen. “We shouldn’t forget that it is personalities who will be the drivers towards a brighter future in a way that will make us all start talking about the marine,” he added. Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute called for the international dimension of maritime research to be increased, and he highlighted the success of a joint project on board the RV Celtic Explorer involving Irish and Canadian marine scientists. [see interview pages 16&17] He welcomed the fact that Ireland’s “national blind spot” to the marine had all but disappeared now that government has realised the
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major impact the sector could have on the economy. “I think the fact that An Taoiseach and four ministers are speaking at this conference demonstrates that the marine sector is now at the high-end of government awareness and priorities. “And we shouldn’t forget either that one of the three over-arching goals of the OOW strategy is to promote
an engagement of Irish society with the maritime dimension. The evidence is solidly there that the marine resource is finally receiving an unprecendented level of political focus and attention.” [full interview, pages 16&17] Conference recording is available on www. ouroceanwealth.ie
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Hook Head, Co Wexford
Empowering coastal communities - a clear commitment from Government Gillian Mills
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t a conference on May 1 in Waterford dedicated to building capacity in coastal communities, Francis O’Donnell, CEO of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation, addressed the many issues facing inshore fishermen such as recreational potting; pot
limits; closed areas and the demand being created for undersized crab and lobster, driven by a black market economy in Ireland. Long-term economic or biological sustainability cannot be achieved without proper policy and control, bolstered by fisheries management plans that everyone is tied into. “Simply put, it’s a race to the bottom otherwise,” he said.
Inshore boats at Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford
Significant development
Speaking to Inshore Ireland after the Waterford Conference, O’ Donnell welcomed Minister Coveney’s announcement of the establishment of a National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) to tackle the many problems facing the sector: “This has to be seen as one of the most significant moves in years by any fisheries minister in terms of providing a platform to develop inshore fisheries in Ireland. Critically, people need to engage with this forum to discuss issues and recommend solutions to government. There is a job of work to be done here,” he said. He added it was important to remind people of the report published in January by the Oireachtas Joint subcommittee on Agriculture and Fisheries (Promoting sustainable Islands and Coastal Communities), and some of its 29 recommendations. “I clearly remember the launch day on Inis Oírr when local deputies said that government did not have a recognised inshore
organisation with which to negotiate at present. “The terms of reference for the NIFF will be known shortly. This clearly indicates government commitment to giving participants involved in the inshore fisheries sector, proper recognition as stakeholders. “It is also very much in line with the new Common Fisheries Policy whereby small-scale fisheries are recognised as being a critical part of the socioeconomic fabric of coastal communities.”
Common concern
Closing the event which had transferred to Hook Head Lighthouse for the afternoon session, Andrew Doyle, TD and chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, said it was vital to focus on issues of common concern relating to the fishing industry and socio-economic challenges facing rural coastal and island communities. “We must also examine the industries that may impact on these communities, and their awareness and appreciation of
the importance of the targets and policy approaches set out in Harnessing our Ocean Wealth. “As well as their rich influence on national culture and language, these communities have the potential to make a significant contribution to the wider economy in areas such as food, tourism and marine energy.” Referring to the FLAGs (Fisheries Local Action Group) initiative, Deputy Doyle stressed it was “imperative” that the structures under Axis 4 of the European Fisheries Fund represented a “new departure” for structural aid in the fisheries sector. “The purpose of Axis 4 is to enable fishing communities to create new and sustainable sources of income and to improve their quality of life. It targets fishing areas, rather than just the fisheries sector.” He added that the central principles of this approach were driven by diversity as well as the principle of subsidiarity. “This means empowering local communities to become the drivers of local development,” he said.
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YOURVIEW Hook Lighthouse
Borrowing from Peter to pay Paul is not an option Francis O’Donnell, IFPO
C Michael Keatinge, BIM, with students from Flaithlegg Primary School.
Slade Village, Hook Peninsula
The coastline, west of Kilmore Quay
Breakout workshops:
Following the plenary session, breakout workshops discussed competencies and attitudes and that coastal communities needed to develop to become more effective as stakeholders. ‘It is often easier to look outside ourselves and our communities for solutions and to get into the ‘blame game’ when outside agencies or other bodies don’t respond as we think they should. ‘Clearly there are issues that need political and financial interventions on a much larger scale than local communities can manage. But local communities…. need to get equipped to be informed, persuasive partners in our own development,’ was the key message central to conference.
Headings included:
»» Tradition, Identity and the Future (Seamus Boland, Irish Rural Link) »» If you’re not at the table…you’re on the menu (Francis O’Donnell, IFPO) »» Coastal communities as stakeholders Karin Dubsky, Coastwatch) »» Building capacity for innovation in coastal areas (Michael Keatinge, BIM) »» People make heritage (Wexford County Council) »» Hook Tourism Achievement; people working together (David Neville, Hook Tourism); »» Capacity Building through FLAG (John Hickey, BIM)
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.
alls have been made at home for a change in the distribution of mackerel between the RSW (refrigerated saltwater system) and polyvalent sectors. Due to restricted whitefish and pelagic quotas available to Ireland, getting something for your members usually means that someone else has to lose out. In most cases this means someone in your own producer organisation (PO). In my opinion, the short-term increase in the mackerel TAC (total allowable catch), seems to have made some very greedy for more. The recent
agreement with the Faroe Islands has resulted in Ireland losing 20% of its mackerel quota in real terms. This seems to have been forgotten by many, or simply went over their heads. The usual short-term thinking is clouding people’s judgement. The RSW sector has invested significantly in various pelagic fisheries, many of whom have been excluded from some fisheries, namely the Celtic sea herring fishery. This exclusion is arbitrary in our opinion, and was just to exclude the larger RSW vessels. Recently we saw the polyvalent sector securing a greater share of the blue whiting fishery, following a review of same. It would be easy for the IFPO to ask for a review of the Celtic Sea herring fishery in the hope that the excluded RSW vessels could get access to
what is a sustainable and valuable fishery. It might also be an idea for us to ask for a review of the 2005 polyvalent horsemackerel decision that gave the lion’s share of this fishery to just six vessels. ‘I want, I want’ should not always translate to ‘I get, I get; however, I am now beginning to think it may be time to consider asking for a review of some fisheries. In other words, I would be hoping to take something from some of my members to give to others in my PO. Not a very nice thought to be honest. Instead of fighting among ourselves over what now is a 20% reduction in our mackerel fishery, we should be working to ensure we get the best deal in a number of years when the current mackerel agreement comes up for renewal.
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Inshore Fisheries
First ever International Instrument dedicated to small-scale fisheries Brian O’Riordan, ICSF
A Minister Simon Coveney and Jimmy O’Sullivan »» from page 1
fishing practices and the recent safety equipment and training initiative,’ according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Support will be available under the new Sustainable Inshore Fisheries Scheme for measures including: »» an enhanced v-notching programme with greater coverage around the coast (grant aid increased to 75%) »» gear and equipment to support responsible fishing practices (e.g. mackerel jigging, crayfish potting) »» improvements in quality, hygiene and on-board standards
Additional measures
A supplementary Shellfish Pot Replacement Scheme will provide extended assistance to fishermen who lost pots during the 2013/14 winter storms. The pot limit is being increased from 50 to 200 pots for boats less than 12m length, and from 100 to 250 for boats 12-15m in length. (Existing applicants to the current scheme will automatically be increased, and a call for new applications will be advertised.) Revised conservation measures for lobster and shrimp will see a maximum landing size for lobster of 127mm introduced through legislation shortly. During the first two years of the initiative, fishermen will be paid up to 75% of the market price for v-notching ‘oversize’ lobsters and returning them live to sea. Grant aid for voluntary lobster v-notching is being increased from 55% to 75%, and a revised closing date
for the shrimp fishery of March 15 (replacing May 1) will commence from 2015 to provide stock protection during the spawning period. “I am asking the Regional Inshore Forums as a first initiative, to identify lobster stock enhancement areas within their regions where hatchery-grown juveniles could be released. Lobsters are one of the most important species to the inshore sector, and we need to dedicate resources to ensure the long-term future of this valuable stock,” Minster Coveney added.
Lobster hatcheries
In a later interview with Inshore Ireland, Minister Coveney confirmed he has asked the forums to look at the concept of lobster hatcheries which the department would fund in different parts of Ireland. “I’d also welcome input from the different regions on this idea. For example, people might want even more than a lobster hatchery. They might want to create a set-aside area where there won’t be any fishing, to encourage spawning and breeding and growth of young stock that would lead to a build up of the overall stock levels. “I’d also love to see the forums asking me: ‘Why is v-notching voluntary, why isn’t it compulsory? In our regional area we’d like to make it compulsory.’ And, if the industry agrees, we’ll do that,” he added.
Environmental integrity
Minister Coveney said that while he welcomed “realistic” views and suggestions for additional conservation measures, it was important
to ensure that environmental regulations are observed. “I want the ideas and the proposals to come from the ground up, rather than enforcing policy on people. At the same time however, we have to impose the rules and regulations to ensure there’s a level playing pitch for everybody ,” he said.
Structured format
BIM’s fisheries development director Michael Keatinge said that with this initiative, Minister Coveney was trying to ensure a structured format in which the voice of the coast could be brought to bear on policy decisions: “And while recognising the existing representative organisations and the wonderful role that they currently play, it remains a fact that the vast majority of the 2,000 inshore fishing vessels fall, to some extent, outside. I believe it’s the broader voice that must be included because fishing communities are more than simply fishermen,” he said. “We have tried in the past to create a management framework for inshore fisheries but unfortunately we haven’t succeeded to date. While BIM staff will be required in the initial stages as ‘facilitators’, Keatinge sees the agency’s role as very much in the background. “I would like to think in a short space of time a chairperson will emerge who will take leadership at local level. To my mind it would be a failure if the State or State agencies have to remain at the centre because really all we’d have done is, in a sense, localised central management.” “The department routinely
t a meeting in Rome last month, Members of FAO’s Committee on Fisheries (COFI) adopted the first ever international instrument dedicated to small-scale fisheries. This 31st session of COFI was attended by 116 members (of a total of 143) and 73 intergovernmental and international NGOs. The instrument takes the form of ‘Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (VG SSF)’ and is the result of a process initiated in 2008. The new instrument is unique: global in scope, it applies to small-scale fisheries in all contexts, but with a specific focus on the needs of small-scale fishing communities in developing countries. Comprehensive in scope,
brings together representatives from the SFPA, BIM, Marine Institute to discuss issues of inshore management. We’ve all recognised that you can end up with a scenario where it appears ‘the suits’ in Dublin are telling the coast what to think and do,” he said.
Industry reaction
Francis O’Donnell, CEO of the Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation said the initiative must be considered as a “positive move” and a new platform. But he cautioned that representatives from the FLAGs who are appointed to the NIFF must have an inshore fisheries background or expertise in this area. “Inshore fisheries management is in a complete mess in Ireland. In my opinion, if any one of the FLAGs is lacking this expertise, they need to seek the correct personnel to ensure that the NIFF has every chance of succeeding. “This new forum needs to address lack of policy and regulation and start with fisheries management plans to ensure long-term biological and economic sustainability in coastal communities across Ireland. BIM and the
it deals with all significant aspects of small-scale fisheries and fishing communities within a human rights perspective. Importance is given to respecting and realising human rights and dignity, and on the need for gender equality throughout the sub-sector. The Guidelines encourage countries to ensure small-scale fishers are represented in decisionmaking processes that affect their livelihoods. As the first ever such international instrument, the Guidelines call for policy coherence across a range of international laws, binding and non-binding, to ensure that small-scale fisheries can fully contribute to food security, nutrition and poverty eradication. The European Union has welcomed the adoption of the Guidelines, which emphasise the ‘human element’ of fisheries. The Guidelines are seen as important for both internal and external dimensions of the CFP, as well as for EU technical assistance policies and programmes for developing countries.
Marine Institute can provide the technical and scientific expertise to compliment what stakeholders want and more importantly what stakeholders need,” he said. Caitliín Uí Aodha, Irish South & East Fish Producers Organisation, has welcomed the initiative saying their hope is to see it work successfully through “intelligent decisions acted upon quickly, thus ensuring the future growth and development of this sector.” Pleased with the announcement that the replacement pot limit is being increased from 50 to 200, she expressed concern however that affected fishermen will initially be required to source private funds to replace their gear before being reimbursed: “This could cost small vessel owners anything up to €12, 000,” she warned. “The inshore sector is governed by Irish legislation and it is therefore our responsibility to ensure its efficient management. “Perhaps the NIFF will give the sector an opportunity to bring forward, develop and act upon their ideas, creating a well-managed, well developed and viable sector,” she said.
inshore ireland June/July 2014
9
Inshore Fisheries
Ministerial commitment to developing inshore fisheries Gery Flynn
T
he new package of measures that Minister Simon Coveney has tailored specifically for coastal fishing communities is being cautiously welcomed by a sector that has been long-neglected and is chronically disorganised. For the first time, the major potential of this numerically large fishing sector is being taken seriously by a minister who appears to recognise its real potential and importance – both from a production and community perspective. The minister assures us that the package, comprising a working forum, a funding programme and conservation measures to support lobster and shrimp stocks “is not a PR job to pretend that we’re doing something for this sector, it’s about creating a real and structured voice for this sector”. Time will tell if this is an effective and workable package. Inshore Ireland spoke to Minister Coveney about what he expects can be achieved. Can you assure the inshore fishing community that the NIFF (National Inshore Fisheries Forum) will be heard by government and won’t be just another talking shop? First of all it won’t be another talking shop because there is no talking shop at the moment. As far as I’m concerned there is no voice and no forum for the inshore sector, despite it having
the majority of fishermen. The sector faces different regional challenges so we had to reflect those in the structures we’re now putting in place. This isn’t just about asking for money, it’s about providing proposals and policy options that may have a financial element but represent good value for money and can build this industry. I think that’s a really valuable opportunity for the sector and they should make it work. What has been the feedback since you announced the package in May? Very good, and hopefully, fishermen see me as a minister who is interested in them, because I am. I think the industry see this as a positive move forward. Hopefully we will see initiatives emerge – whether it’s creating artisan fisheries or line fisheries for mackerel. In the UK for example, many restaurants only take line-caught mackerel now - and will pay more for it. We’ll take all sensible policy initiatives very seriously. Some of course won’t be feasible and we’ll give good reasons why not. This is all about a sustainable fishery, about protecting and building stocks so that people can have a more profitable inshore fishing industry. That’s ultimately the goal here. The make-up of the Forums will be critical. How will they be constituted, and can you guarantee it won’t become a top-down bureaucracy? It’s the opposite. I don’t have any role in choosing who these
people will be. Local Regional Forums will nominate two people to represent their interests. People shouldn’t see this as a group of lobbyists. Instead, it will be a representative body that can make coherent arguments and can put forward new ideas. These people should have open minds to new and better ways of doing things and who can discuss, negotiate and suggest policy changes that will be in the interest of other members. The NIFF funding programme is €1 million. Is that sufficient and will more funds be available later? We announced a bit more than that if you count money from FLAGS which is another €600,000. As far as I’m concerned, that’s just the start. As minister I am more than willing to put extra funds into the sector as long as it represents good investment and is building an industry on the back of a sustainable fisheries management plan and policy. But it’s up to the Forums now to actually come up with ideas. Likewise, if I have an idea that I’d like to progress, that’ll be put it into the system for feedback to see if it’s what the industry wants as well. We’ve just struck a significant deal with the European Commission to more than double European funding for the Irish fishing and seafood sector. This government hasn’t been found wanting in terms of a willingness to invest financially in the sector. We will be insisting on value for money for that investment,
Minister Simon Coveney, “It’s all about a sustainable fishery.” and we want to ensure it’s being properly spent. Inshore Ireland (April-May), Eamon Dixon of the Erris Fishermen’s Association called for you to appoint two departmental officials who would liaise with the inshore sector. Will you consider his request? I can understand exactly where he’s coming from because the sector feels neglected. There’s real expertise and experience in my department but engagement has been very much focused around quota management, quota species, data collection, and preparing for December Councils. As a result, the inshore sector feels it hasn’t had the same level
of engagement that some of the POs have had. That is something I hope we can now correct. I have an open mind to that suggestion; however I need to look at it from a staffing and resources point of view. As you know over the last three years we’ve been operating on a recruitment moratorium and haven’t been able to take on new people. We’d have to do this from the existing compliment of staff. Nevertheless, I think there would be openness to doing it, but I need to ensure I don’t over commit and under deliver – particularly for a sector that is already frustrated in terms of lack of representation. Once the Forum is up and running this could be one of the first items on the agenda for discussion.
Francis O’Donnell, chief executive, IFPO speaks to Inshore Ireland What’s your first response to this package? The forum is a welcome development and a starting point to sort out the lack of management and policy in the inshore fishery. Some may be skeptical but we need to give it a chance. What will be critical is its makeup. It is imperative that inshore fishermen and women are represented. We need ‘buy in’ from the sector. Personally, I would like to see the NIFF as the beginning of a national representative body for inshore fishermen whereby as strategic stakeholders, they can negotiate change and long-term sustainability for their own sector. Do you think the €1 million funding will be adequate?
Obviously any funding is welcome but €1m won’t go very far. The inshore sector needs a full scientific evaluation followed by fisheries management plans enshrined in national fisheries legislation. Helping people out as a result of gear loss is very important in the short-term but what we need is a long term focus. Will the conservation measures be effective? In my opinion they need to be broadened significantly. Making changes to landing sizes and shortening fishing seasons will not conserve stocks alone. Those found in possession of V notched lobsters should pay a heavy price such as licence suspension for one year. As a priority, we should close off
the loop that allows recreational pot fishers set hundreds of pots as long as they sell their catch. There should be no recreational fishery for lobsters or crabs in Ireland. It has created a black market economy for undersized lobster and crab putting genuine commercial fishers at risk and cannot believe this situation still exists. The other elephant in the room is pot limits. Down-scaling needs to happen over a five-year period. This will level the playing field, improve stocks and economic sustainability. We need to blow the dust off a number of BIM inshore fisheries management plans and set a date to activate them. This should be the starting point for the NIFF.
Francis O’Donnell
10 inshore ireland June/July 2014
inshore fisheries
Michael Keatinge, Deputy CEO of BIM and Director of its Fisheries Development services, outlines to Inshore Ireland how he expects the mechanics of the National Inshore Fisheries Forum to work at community level. What’s new in this package and what are the challenges?
John Hickey, BIM, measures a lobster
Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs)
T
he Fisheries Local Action Group or FLAG programme forms part of Axis 4 – Sustainable Development of Fishery Dependent Areas Programme and is funded by the National Development Plan and the European Fisheries Fund. Its main aims are to maintain economic and social prosperity by adding value to fisheries and aquaculture sectors; retain and create employment through the support for diversification and through restructuring of areas facing socioeconomic difficulties as a direct result of changes in the Fisheries sector. The FLAG
programme encourages local community stakeholders to develop strategies for their coastal community. Each FLAG comprises a mix of representatives from State organisations and fishing and marine groups. Ireland has a total of six FLAGs (North-East, SouthEast, South-West, West, North-West and North) and BIM acts as secretariat to the Irish FLAG network. The scheme delivers support to business and individuals in areas such as skills development; assisting companies to add value to their seafood products; supporting artisanal seafood business; start-ups and promoting the quality of the coastal environment.
For more information on the FLAG programme, please visit BIM’s website www.bim.ie
Regional FLAG Coordinators: South West (Cork and Kerry) Vera O’Donovan Direct 066 9150909 Email odonovan@bim.ie Huan Tan Direct 027 71830 Email tan@bim.ie North East (Louth, Meath Dublin) Direct 01 2144251 Email barrett@bim.ie North (Donegal) Owen Doyle Direct 087 9093271 Email doyle@bim.ie
North West (Mayo and Sligo) Declan Nee Direct 095 44973 & 097 20915 Email nee@bim.ie South East (Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford) John Hickey Direct: 0912 9632 Email: hickey@bim.ie West (Galway and Clare) Séamus Breathnach Direct: 095 32028 Email: breathnach@bim.ie
Inshore boats tied up at Dunmore East. Over 80% of Ireland’s fishing fleet comprises vessels of less than 12m. Photo G Mills
In the past we have tried to create a management framework but unfortunately we haven’t succeeded to date. The Minister is now trying to ensure there is a structured way in which the voice of the coast can be brought to bear on policy decisions. And while recognising the existing representative organisations and the wonderful role they play, it remains a fact that the vast majority of the two thousand inshore fishing vessels are not represented. The Minister also acknowledges the broad church of opinion in the wider inshore sector, not just fishermen. This includes certain NGOs; those involved in processing and other onshore activities like tourism, community development and so on. The challenge is, therefore, how do you create a new way of ensuring that all those voices are heard? That’s why we’re now putting in place a structured approach to community-led development through the existing infrastructure of the Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGS). [ see sidebar]
Outline how the forums might work
We still have to work out and consult on the detail, but the Department is committed to widely consulting on how exactly this might be done. It could be under the umbrella of the FLAGs but it will not be exactly the same, or it might be a new sub-committee of the FLAGs. That will be decided in due course. The main question however is how do we create a structured process that will hear the voices of inshore fishermen and the broader inshore fishing communities?
its thinking and to get heard. It’s the voice of the coast in a wider sense. At the same time however, the voice of the true fisherman mustn’t be drowned out. BIM’s experience with the Regional Advisory Councils has shown how it’s possible to bring together all of these diverse groups to find new ways of working. Whereas these groups might have seemed poles apart in the past, they can actually arrive at a common purpose because they recognise they are all equally important in their community. The Minister has used the word ‘conversation’, and I think he was careful to use that word. He wasn’t expecting radical changes overnight; he sees it as more of a journey. We have a lot of things to work out, and this is a real and genuine attempt at bottom-up co-operative management.
Delicate handling and skilled chairpersons will be required. Who will co-ordinate the forum, and will it be adequately funded?
There’s a major role for BIM in facilitating the process. Eighteen months ago when we established FLAGS, it began relatively modestly with a small budget. That budget was significantly increased this year, and I believe it will continue to increase. BIM’s coastal staff will be required to facilitate but not own, command or even chair this new process. They may assist initially but chairpersons will eventually emerge at local
level and take a leadership role.
What do you foresee as the likely initial difficulties?
If it’s going to work, people have to take ownership, and this means sometimes having to make hard decisions. People have to be given a space within which to operate. Often you find that problems break out in committees because people are frightened that when they leave the room they’ll be blamed for having made hard choices. Therefore, you have to find ways of protecting people so that they can make choices without fear of retribution. I remain optimistic because our experience with the Regional Advisory Councils has shown that it can work.
What’s the timeline, and how do to see the process developing?
I expect coastal communities to be meeting under the umbrella of the existing FLAGS structure by July. The Minister has given them a blank and very broad canvass to fill as they see fit. I don’t think they should necessarily take on something incredibly difficult on day one, and risk losing confidence. Instead, they should tackle an issue that could provide ‘an easy win’ - something that everybody can work together on. The Minister has talked about the need for better lobster conservation so that might be an issue to begin the process.
For it to work, better organisation at local level is required, but the inshore fishing sector is not well organised?
Yes, they’re badly organised, and despite the attempts of the existing producer organisations to find a way of representing them, the inshore sector still doesn’t function as it should. Fishing communities today are more than simply just fishermen; the wider community must also be recognised. That grouping must find a way of structuring
Michael Keatinge, Deputy CEO of BIM
inshore ireland June/July 2014 11
Fisheries
Fisheries and Natura sites in Ireland - Part 2 Oliver Tully, Marine Institute
T
here are approximately 170 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) or Special Protection Areas (SPAs) off the Irish coast. These areas are designated under the Habitats and Birds Directives respectively because they contain particular marine or coastal habitats or species. Within these sites are more than 1,050 occurrences of these habitats or species (so called qualifying interests) that are subject to the provisions of the Directives. The marine habitats are broadly defined, in the Annexes of the Directive, as mud and sand flats, estuaries, reefs, large shallow inlets and bays, sandbanks. Each habitat is also a complex of various marine communities with their own physical and biological characteristics. The main marine species subject to protection under the Directives include Grey Seal; Common Seal; Harbour Porpoise; Bottle nose Dolphin; Salmon (freshwater); Otter; Twaite Shad and Sea Lamprey. The list of protected seabirds and waterbirds (waders) is extensive and inclusive.
SACs and SPAs are not ‘No Take Zones’ for fisheries. EC and other guidance acknowledge that fishing and other activities occur within these sites and may have done so for a very long time. The objective is not to stop activity but to ensure that the habitat or species of interest continues to exist in a favourable conservation condition. The status and condition of habitats and species has to be reported every six years as defined in Article 17 of the Habitats Directive. Remedial or restorative measures are required for habitats that have deteriorated, and failure to prevent such deterioration may lead to legal action by the European Commission against member states. In December 2007, the European Court of Justice found systematic failure in Ireland’s implementation of the Directive in one of the most-wide ranging judgments against any Member State under the Birds Directive. In response to the judgment, Ireland developed a programme of measures including changes in the planning system, to farming practices in terrestrial SACs, and in the consent system for aquaculture licences. A programme of marine scientific work has been undertaken which continues, incrementally, to ensure that the Directives are
appropriately implemented at individual site level. This has included new marine habitats and species surveys in all the marine coastal sites and publication by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of detailed conservation objectives for each habitat and species in each site. More recently, risk assessments and appropriate assessments (in the sense of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive) of the impacts of fisheries has been completed for all marine coastal SACs by the Marine Institute in collaboration with BIM, SFPA and the fishing industry. These assessments investigate the likelihood that habitats or species could be significantly impacted (leading to deterioration or decline) by marine fisheries given the current or likely future level of fishing activity in the sites. The assessments identify different levels of risk, taking into account the sensitivity of habitats or species to disturbance that may be caused by different types of fishing. Where fisheries are thought to cause significant risk to the continued health of designated habitats or species, management measures will need to be developed to reduce these risks. Such measures have already been implemented in a number of sites based on assessments published in 2011-2013. The best developed of these is the management measures for the cockle fishery in Dundalk Bay which is now in the fourth year of a fiveyear management plan. The fishery has a limited season; a total allowable catch; limited licences; closure if catch rates decline below a given level and daily catch limits per vessel. Annual cockle surveys and monitoring of habitats and birds takes place in parallel and provides the information required to set the conditions for the fishery each year. The measures have succeeded in stabilising the status of cockle stocks; protected the mud and sand flat habitat and protected the food requirements for waterbirds. This example demonstrates how well managed fisheries can be consistent with the objectives of the Habitats and Birds Directives. Further information can be found on: http://www. marine.ie; http://www.npws. ie/; http://www.fishingnet. ie/ under Sea Fisheries in Natura 2000 Areas; http:// ec.europa.eu/environment/ nature/natura2000/marine/ index_en.htm
Back row from left to right: Neil Cavanagh, Adeshina Olayode, Shaun Gallagher, Kieran O’Neill, Christopher O’Shea, Shane McBrearty, Conor Hallinan, Tunde Ogunleye. Front row from left to right: Brian Vaughan, Senior Engineering Instructor, BIM National Fisheries College; Joe McHugh, T.D.; Adrian McClenaghan, Chairman Foyle Fishermens Co-Op; Kieran C. O’Neill, Engineer Trainee of the Year; Kevin Byrne, Chief Engineer MFV Sheanne and Alan Lafferty, Chief Engineer, Pacelli.
West Cork graduate scoops ‘Trainee of the Year Award’
N
ine students from Donegal and Cork have completed the one year shore-based course before going to sea for a year to gain the necessary sea-time experience to go forward for the Class 3 Oral examination at the Marine Survey Office in Dublin. ‘Trainee of the Year’ award went to Kieran O’Neill, Castletownbere, Co Cork. During the course, the students completed the QQI Level 5 Engineering Technology Certificate as well as the DTTS General Engineering Science papers. They also completed STCW safety certificates in First Aid, Personal Survival Techniques and Fire-fighting. The QQI Engineering Technology Level 5 Certificate includes Control Systems; Engineering Drawing; Workshop Processes; Safety and Health at Work; Engineering Workshop Theory; Marine Engineering Processes; Marine Engine Operation; Communication and Work Experience subjects. This is the first step on the ladder for these young students. With further sea time and examination they can continue their education and obtain a Class 1 Engineering Certificate of Competency. The 18th Annual Class 3 Engineer Awards Ceremony was organised by BIM and was sponsored by Foyle Fishermen’s Co-op. Joe McHugh, TD presented the students with their certificates and Adrian McClenaghan, Chairman of Foyle Fishermen’s Co-op, presented the ‘Trainee of the Year’ award. For course information contact: 074 9381068/9381099 or e-mail nfcgreencastle@bim.ie
Class 3 Engineering Graduates: Neil Cavanagh, Greencastle, Co. Donegal Shaun Gallagher, Killybegs, Co. Donegal Conor Hallinan, Buncrana, Co. Donegal Shane McBrearty, Killybegs, Co. Donegal Kieran C. O’Neill, Castletownbere. Co. Cork (Trainee of the Year) Kieran J. O’Neill, Beara, Co. Cork Christopher O’Shea, Beara, Co. Cork Tunde Ogunleye, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal Adeshina Olayode, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
12 inshore ireland June/July 2014
Fisheries
Uncertain future for Irish mussel industry Pauric Gallagher
F Sustaining the whelk fishery for the next generation Pauric Gallagher
T
he Irish whelk fishery is extremely important for communities on the East, South West and North coasts and is worth more than €4m each year to the Irish economy. Irish Whelks are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world and are highly prized in South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, China and Singapore, but for some reason rarely make it onto Irish menus. Whelks are generally fished throughout the winter months with plastic drum style pots that are usually baited with lesser spotted dogfish. Fishermen generally receive €1-1.20 per kg for their catch which is landed daily and shipped for processing to Errigal Seafood, Sofrimar and Rooney Fish, for example. But whelks can be susceptible to overexploitation and this has led to a collapse in the Irish population in the past. Conservation measures In a recent statement, the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) said that fishermen must be responsible and not land undersize whelks. The minimum landing size is governed by EU Regulation
as well as national legislation. The minimum size is 45mm along the long axis. In addition, under the Whelk (Conservation of Stocks) Regulations 2006, it is prohibited to retain or tranship whelk under 25mm, as measured across its broadest part. Responsibility for compliance rests with the master of the fishing vessel. Processing plants also have responsibility under the regulations. It is prohibited to display, sell, offer for sale or store for the purposes of selling, any whelk under 25mm across its widest part. Undersized whelk must be carefully handled and immediately returned alive to the sea. Commenting on the fishery, Susan Steele, chair of the SFPA said that whelk was a high value and highly prized fish species creating jobs in inshore fisheries. “This species is a significant source of income for fishermen and needs protection from illegal exploitation so that it continues to be a key revenue source for the Irish fishing Industry. “The SFPA continues to work hard to detect cases where a certain minority try to circumvent the legislation and take unfair commercial advantage over their fellow fishermen.”
rom the outside looking in, the Irish mussel industry appears to be a thriving and sustainable industry; the fishery was even awarded MSC certification in 2012. The boats all look great but unfortunately are going nowhere. How it looks from the outside could not be further from the reality of what is really happening within, and those involved in the industry are concerned, and frustrated, that this natural resource is being gravely mismanaged. Here is an industry that should be worth in excess of €60 million to Irish fishermen, making it the second most important species in our exclusive inshore waters. Unfortunately, fishermen who rely on the mussel fishery are experiencing an unprecedented disaster and can no longer earn a living from the fishery.
Mounting costs
Some of these vessel owners have had no sales for the last two years and will have no sales for at least the next two years. These vessels still have
Mussel dredger Creadan Lady to be maintained, insured and kept to COC standards, and the families involved are left to struggle to survive this ordeal. The Irish bottom-grown mussel fleet dredges juvenile mussels and reseeds them for on-growing on fertile growing beds. But in the last decade, seed catches in the Irish Sea have collapsed, falling from around 25,000t to less than 5,000t in 2011 & 2012. In 2013 the season was a new low of 2,400t and the harvest will see a production of less than that in 2015. This is in stark contrast to the figures given in the National Food Harvest 2020 plan of 40,000 tonnes. So far this year, several seed surveys have failed to find any evidence of seed settlements and the Bottom
Grown Mussel Consultative Forum has indicated that the season will not open before the official opening date of August 17 and will only open then if a reasonable quantity of seed resources has been identified by prior survey. There is a distinct possibility that the 2014 seed collection season may not open at all. In the past year, some owners have scrapped their mussel vessels and many others are currently up for sale. Past management it seems has failed to heed warnings about the collapse of the industry, and those involved say something urgently needs to be done about stock recovery and future sustainability, if this fishery is to recover.
Can we improve the plight of our fishermen? John Leech, IWS
F
ishermen are employed in the most hazardous workplace in our society and can find it very hard to make a good living, due to the harsh and sometimes cruel environment in which they work. Ministers Coveney and Varadkar recognised this position formally last July in Union Hall when they launched new safety initiatives. BIM is now rolling out training schemes which I recommend all fishermen should complete, and invest in the new lifejackets with Personal Locator Beacons. Another initiative announced was the establishment of a working group on safety, training and employment in the Irish fishing industry. The group is currently considering the following terms of reference: • safety standards on vessels and the quayside and ways to improve compliance with safety regulations and change culture and attitudes to safety generally • technical innovation in
safety, procedures and equipment • making the fishing industry more attractive for new entrants and • career structures and opportunities for lifelong learning in the fishing sector This is a very broad range of subjects to research, consider and deliberate on with a view to producing a coherent report that will advise and appropriate recommendations to Ministers Coveney and Varadkar who are genuinely trying to improve the plight of our hard working fishermen. The group has met on ten occasions since July and has met with other organisations connected with the fishing industry, including: Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB); Sea Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA); Irish Naval Service (INS); Department of Defence (DoD); National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI); BIM; Health & Safety Authority (HSA); Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI); and Commissioners for Irish Lights (CIL). At the core of this working group is genuine interest to
improve the plight of Irish fishermen and the industry generally. Our goal is now to harness the positive energy into our report which will be presented to the two Ministers later this year.
The Working Group: John F M Leech, Chairman Bill Deasy, Union Hall Joey Murrin, Killybegs Alex Crowley, Caherciveen Michael Keatinge (BIM) Kevin Moriarty (DAFM) Peter Meany (DAFM) Eilish Kennedy (DTTAS, MSD) Brian Hogan (DTTAS, MSO) Chris Reynolds (Irish Coast Guard) Eibhlín O’Sullivan (IS & WFPO) Caitlín Uí Aodha (IS&EFPO) Ebby Sheehan (IFO) John Ward (IFPO) Séan O’Donoghue (KFO) and Secretary Sinéad Howard (BIM)
inshore ireland June/July 2014 13
freshwater focus
The 2014 Mayfly story Below the waves the trout surged down, zipping the line through the water. Gradually it came up, and turning on its side it was slipped into the landing net. Although the fish had put up a strong flight and took quite some time to tire out, it was less than 13 inches and was returned to the lake. As soon as this fish was put back, the second angler had a rise and was also playing a fish. This fish was a bit smaller and after a spirited fight was lifted into the boat without using the net. Almost immediately a third fish was hooked and landed. These fish were all caught on the artificial dapped fly as the natural mayfly only started to emerge an hour or so later. By lunchtime however, many mayflies were emerging in the lee of the Saints Island, and mayfly boxes were soon filled. Drifting the rolling waves like roller coasters, the anglers continued to take trout on both artificial and natural dapped mayflies. Sometimes the anglers could see the rise, other times the fish would take the fly behind the crest of a wave, and all they could
Brendan Connolly
M
ay is the best angling time of the year for the mayfly is up! And if you think that one year’s mayfly fishing is like the next, May 2014 certainly disproved that. Rivers and lakes all over the country have mayfly hatches in spring and of these, Loughs Mask and Corrib rank among the best. While they are located next to each other, anglers say these two lakes are very different, having their own distinct feel. And May 2014 certainly demonstrated how different these two neighboring lakes can be. The second weekend on Upper Lough Corrib provided reasonable fishing. Mayfly hatches were not huge, but slowly cruising along the lee of islands provided enough for a few daps. Each day provided five or six undersized fish and one of over 13 inches. The third weekend on Corrib provided similar fishing to the previous weekend, some undersized fish but generally a bit lackluster with long periods of inactivity. Strong northerly winds blew on the last weekend in May and on the Friday, formidable waves pushed down the length of Lough Mask. The next day, four anglers in two boats ventured out on Lough Mask, and although the wind had lessened, the waves were still considerable. In the lee of Saints Island where the waves were lower, the boat began to drift. At first just a few mayflies were seen, and the anglers started to dap artificial flies. Rising up and down on the big rolling wave, the dapped fly was as often out of sight as not. One angler however saw a small spray of water splash above a wave near his dap. He saw the floss on his line being pulled under and struck, and immediately felt the determined thump of a strong Mask trout. His long dapping rod arched over as the trout dived. Keeping a constant pressure on the line, the rod lifted and dipped as the large waves rolled by. Leading the fish behind the boat, the angler played it while facing the oncoming waves. As many times before, he marveled at the capacity of a drifting lake boat to ride out large waves without a single splash landing in the boat.
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A trout neatly hooked in the lip on the dap
The mayfly
Gery Flynn
controversial article in a prestigious science journal that accuses the Marine Institute of ‘incorrectly’ concluding that sea lice play a minor role in the survival of wild salmon, has been downgraded significantly by its publishers who have also apologised to the agency for denying it a right of reply prior to publication. This is the latest twist in what has been a highly charged debate involving some of Ireland’s environmental State Agencies
as well as the scientific community here and abroad. First published in August 2013 in the respected Journal of Fish Diseases, the article, written by a team of scientists led by Dr Martin Krkošek of the University of Toronto alleges that based on its own research, the Marine Institute incorrectly concluded ‘that sea lice play a minor, perhaps even negligible, role in salmon survival’. Krkošek further states that such a conclusion can be supported ‘only if one is prepared to accept at least three fundamental methodological errors’. And he claims that his team’s ‘re-analyses’ of the same data ‘departs substantially from those reported and interpreted’ by the Marine Institute.
rural be issued to to licences” might island communities and coastal and fishing practices. Rural Coastal is ds Sustainable which facilitate traditional also recommen EU t policy Island Communities The report e projects governmen ‘Whereas they assert that sea lice for publication, rejected food safety, sampling,control. as a ‘Short Communication’, calling for the survival of that aquacultur s should be cause 1% of mortality in Atlantic outright, or returned to audits and fisheries the Krkošek article has been is the submission to focus on and island for fin-fish adherence to the d fishing on a salmon, the correct estimate is the author for re-published by the same when making tteefurther l rural coastales by promoting licensed on inshore fishery, subcommi or amendment.“Unlicense environmenta actually a one-third loss of overall journal - but this time it to a jointclarification norm in the risks and communiti of activities. e, world’s ‘highest for structures March 2013,” Mills and adult recruitment,’ he writes. Gillianhas the Journal posing market been re-classified, and fisheries inSignificantly, , CEO and diverse range that aquacultur standards’ in place to allow ‘We acknowledge that few smolts of Fish Diseases notes that biological instabilitymarket effectively downgraded to Francis O’Donnell Producers It contends sea Fish to be put local ownership. black chair If survive to return in any wild salmon ‘Comments not subject the status a ‘Comment’. of the Irish former a significant Irishofinshore inshore fishing, tourism andare maximum by the The has developed. on the population and that recent declines to theonsameInshore level ofIreland. peer Such a is re-classification Organisati economy angling, marine Issues identified about tacklingto told fishery initiatives ittee are listed in the survival of Irish Atlantic review as Original Articles is highly significant collapsein the of the FIF we are serious Ireland needs and seaweed to vibrant sub-Comm basis, subbrink ofworld eD salmon cannot be solely explained and Review Papers.’ scientific this problem,robust long-term to a lack due to the could contribute areas. areas, on a thematic esourc due three island and into and and by sea lice…… our purpose is The re-classified fact that ‘Comments’ are notunDer-r to this Krkošek put real nt plans in place coastal policy sectioned recommendations suggests that far speaking the the of proper Alsoarticle to highlight that parasites can hasDixon a ‘Noteoffrom subjected to theasso-called manageme by species basis.” The report, support n. Going and specific Eamon stating BIMwhere paper,Publisher’ each section: and, in this case, do have a large regulatio that’s ‘due to on a species peerthe review process pg 13) 1990s, Island ‘proactive government Fishermen follow for and sensible as protocols interview ensure » Rural Coastal and effect on fisheries recruitment… backstrict procedural Dronly Jackson areof observed. Erris aInshore it was (see full with proportionate a number saiderror ies: a sociocontrols’ could that with important implications for produced [the senior scientist at the Foroutlying the resultsinofclear a Association years Communit co-exist. bureaucratic can l anD last two profile to dealto the management and conservation reports Marine Institute whose team scientific investigation in the coasta report es Protection economic such activitiesmust urgently develop pathways 12 terms, Those of wild salmon stocks.’ Krkošek(SFPA) refers to]has wasbeen not given be published in a credible the Sea-fisheri islanD Dixon’s comments ‘Government structure grounded » page this issue. thethis gathered with Authority the opportunity to reply to scientific journal, it must Eamon publication a management for inshore fisheries. s have to address positionbefore blueprint by was published.’ follow the recent first pass ainterim, rigorous in obstacle ARTICLE heitcautions in reliable dataexplore how “heritage in in aCommentBut compiled in the dust problems. ittee course of assessment by a RECLASSIFICATION the decline level of of a report For instance, with as Sub-comm of the tandem that the current panel of experts employed Now however, just four the Joint potential Promoting not a deterrent fisheries. control is is under-resourced, to check lobster for accuracy. months after it first appeared economic on Fisheries: and crab the agency The paper is theofn Irish accepted in the Journal of Fish Diseases page 7 areas to» cover: others “The Federation with too many (FIF) and Fishermen this point clear have made
“
February
1, 2014, waves
break at
Garnish on
the Beara
Details at www.inshore-ireland.com om).
Peninsula
behind what
used to be
the Garnish
Post Office
aglephoto.c in 2007. which closedJohn Eagle (www.johne Photo
he European Commission’s withdrawal of two crucial pieces of environmental policy at the time when citizens across Europe were voting in the European elections sends a bad signal as to Europe›s priorities, according to the Environmental Pillar. The formal withdrawal of the 2003 proposal for a directive on access to justice underlines the urgent need for the Commission to speed up its work on a new legislative proposal in this area. The Access to Justice Directive would have meant that members of the public in Ireland with environmental concerns could take court actions without the huge penalty of legal fees. “A new legislative proposal in this area is urgently needed, not only to create a more democratic Europe, but also to improve implementation of environmental law,” remarked Michael Ewing, Coordinator of the Environmental Pillar. He added it would create a more level playing field for business and would also ensure that the EU was fully in compliance with its obligations under international law, namely the Aarhus Convention. “The withdrawal of the Soil Directive after almost ten years of being blocked by a handful of Member States reveals a disturbing lack of vision and understanding of the importance of European soils. This lack of vision poses a direct threat to food security and limits our ability to tackle climate change and prevent the loss of biodiversity,” he added. “The Commission should swiftly come forward with new proposals in these areas and show that Europe is serious about guaranteeing citizens› rights and protecting crucial natural resources.”
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Minister Coveney warns of “exceptionally tough negotiations” at December EU Fisheries Council. Whitefish ports such a Union Hall, Co Cork, could be seriously impacted. Photo Gillian Mills
EU Commission withdraws two key pieces of environmental policy
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Two golden Mask trout
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Publisher apologises to Ireland’s heries data, fis d to fail’ Marine Institute for contentious t robust ne sea-lice article Withou ment is ‘desti manage THE SILENCEG IS DEAFENIN
see was the floss being pulled under. Once, a trout was seen on the side of a wave beside the dap where it remained for a few seconds before taking the fly. Maybe they examine the fly before they take it? The following day the waves were not as high and the wind had subsided. The fishing was just as good as the previous day: fish galore. At times, on both days, fish rose to the fly within a minute of a new dap being put out. This was Lough Mask at its best, while in contrast Lough Corrib just across the hill was fishing relatively poorly. The grand total of fish boated by four anglers during two days fishing on Lough Mask was 86 trout. Of these, 27 were over 13 inches, most of which were also returned to the lake. A substantial proportion of the undersized fish were between 11.5 and 13 inches, and therefore not tiddlers but strong fighting fish. This was the best mayfly fishing any of the four anglers had ever experienced, and means that the 2014 mayfly season will not be forgotten.
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14 inshore ireland June/July 2014
aquaculture news
Seaweed as a functional food against cancer Laura Kealy, Research Analyst at OHT
I
t is well known that diet has a powerful effect on health and diseases such as cancer. In fact, the idea that nutrition may be involved in the development and prevention of cancer is not a recent discovery whereby laboratory studies investigating the relationship between nutrition and cancer commenced over a century ago. The impact that alcohol and red meat can have on colon cancer development is well recognised by the public. Scientific studies now suggest however it is time to look beyond what we need to reduce or eliminate from our diets but also to what we need to include. Overall this could help lower the development and occurrence of cancer in our population. Cancer in Ireland According to the cancer research statistics of Ireland, one in three people develop cancer during their lifetime, with approximately 30,000 new cases of cancer diagnosed each year. This number is expected to rise to 40,000 by 2020. The five most common cancers in Ireland are non-melanoma skin cancer and cancer of the prostate, breast, bowel and lung cancer. Statistics also show that up to 50% of all cancers are preventable, and 30% are preventable simply through lifestyle changes alone. Cancer develops when the DNA of a cell becomes damaged, producing mutations that affect normal cell growth and division. When this happens cells do not die when they should (a process called apoptosis) but continue to grow in an uncontrollable manner. These cells may then progress to form a mass of tissue called a tumour.
Cancer development Although there are many underlying mechanisms and pathways in the initiation, development and progression of cancer, studies show that a significant proportion of cancer cases are directly and indirectly influenced by diet. There are many ways that nutritional components can prevent cancer development including the enhancement of DNA damage repair, the up-regulation of DNA repair systems and also by encouraging cell death. From this information we need to consider dietary modification as a feasible strategy for reducing cancer incidence. For instance, there are several major dietary sources that have been associated with cancer prevention such as fruit and vegetables, fibre and oily fish. These sources contain protective bioactive compounds such as phytochemicals, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Seaweed consumption and cancer The idea that dietary seaweed consumption offers some protection against certain types of cancer is not new and was initially based on the observation that cancer incidence was much lower among populations who consume significant amounts of seaweed on a daily basis - such as is the case in many Asian countries. In support of this theory, a wealth of scientific studies has demonstrated clear anticancer properties of seaweed and seaweed components. Such studies demonstrate seaweed to be effective – even when compared to several conventional anti-cancer agents. Using primarily brown seaweed extracts, scientific studies have been carried out both in vitro and in vivo and have shown seaweed-induced inhibition of cancer cell growth both in cell culture systems and also in rats. Two bioactive compounds that may be responsible for the anti-cancer activity of certain seaweeds include fucoidan and fucoxanthin. For example, fucoxanthin was the main feature of a recent study in New Zealand
that analysed the anti-cancer activity of fucoxanthin in nine different cancer cell lines (Wang et al., 2014). The study concluded that fucoxanthin is a functional biomaterial that may be used as a chemo-preventive agent when used in combination with chemotherapy. Irish seaweed The Irish coastline has an abundance of seaweed with an estimated 100,000 tons available along the shoreline. Most of the seaweed species are edible, but are utilised primarily only in isolated pockets of the county as a functional food or flavour enhancer. Seaweed however is fast gaining the reputation as a viable and sustainable source of a plethora of health benefits with increasing interest from functional food and pharmaceutical companies. There is no doubt that the integration of seaweed into the Irish diet would contribute to improved overall health and wellbeing, while potentially reducing the risk and development of cancer using a sustainable and natural resource. In summary, it is evident that nutrition has a significant influence on cancer development. Education and information are required in Ireland to highlight the potential anticancer properties of food components, some of which are abundant in seaweed. While the precise mechanism for the reported chemo-protective role of seaweed is not fully understood, seaweed has great potential as a sustainable chemoprotective agent of the future.
According to the cancer research statistics of Ireland, one in three people develop cancer during their lifetime, with approximately 30,000 new cases of cancer diagnosed each year
Seaweed salad
Dillisk cake
Sea veggies
inshore ireland June/July 2014 15
aquaculture news
High attendance for Highland aquaculture show
“ Seaweed growing on the Irish West Coast
Ireland’s seaweed harvesters seek clarification on Arramara-Acadia deal Gery Flynn
Ú
darás na Gaeltachta has sold its shareholding in the seaweed processor Arramara Teoranta to Acadia Seaplants of Nova Scotia in a government-approved deal brokered by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Confirming the sale, a spokeswoman for Údarás na Gaeltachta said that Acadia Seaplants’ involvement in the Irish seaweed sector would provide new opportunities to develop value-added seaweed-based products for a range of growing sectors worldwide. “This in turn will lead to an increase in employment opportunities in the Gaeltacht, and business will continue as usual at Arramara Teo,” she added. Meanwhile, at a recent public meeting in Ros a Mhíl to discuss the implications locally, MEP Marian Harkin questioned the part played by Údarás na Gaeltachta in the deal with Acadia. She said that concern was mounting among west coast seaweed harvesters that
they had not been consulted or fully informed of the details of the sale: “Since the announcement that the sale of Arramara has gone through, I’ve received emails and telephone calls from people all along the west coast who are really concerned because of the secrecy surrounding this development. They want to know what’s happening,” Ms Harkin said. She added that long-time seaweed harvesters on the west coast were concerned that Acadia might have “first say” on future licensing. “Acadia might be able to have the licences by proxy and thereby have control of the seaweed. Long-time traditional harvesters and people who already use this natural resource in their business might have to deal with Acadia for seaweed harvesting. I am calling on the Minister for the Marine, Simon Coveney, to clarify the situation. “It’s very, very difficult to get information about this. I haven’t been able to get the details and those who have contacted me are not able to get them either. It would be a very simple thing for the Minister to clarify
what’s happening by issuing a statement. It may well be there will be no change to licensing, and that things will remain as they are, but the minister must say so. “I’ve had calls from people who are having difficulty getting licences renewed. Now, that may be just by chance, but if you put all of this together - and the fact it’s difficult to get information - people are beginning to get very, very concerned.” And she wondered why seaweed harvesters had not been fully informed of the new developments during a recent meeting they had with Aramara: “It’s now up to Minister Coveney to immediately clarify what’s going on. People are really very concerned about the secrecy and they are worried about the fact that this deal with Acadia might affect their livelihoods. “In the last two to three years, many have invested heavily in seaweed-based business because they saw it as a growing sector. Our seaweed is a really important resource, and we need to know what’s happening with it,” she said.
Another busy and successful show!” is the verdict of David Mack, organiser of the recent Aquaculture UK 2014, in Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands. Both exhibitor and visitor numbers were up at the event which comprised everything from equipment to services for fish and shellfish farming businesses, and a gala dinner for 450. The accompanying conference was also well attended, with presentations on current challenges and opportunities for Scottish aquaculture. A competition to find the best student presentation was won by Marie Smedley from the University of Stirling for her research into the use of nutrition as a tool to improve performance in triploid Atlantic salmon in freshwater and seawater production. For exhibitors, the high turnout resulted in brisk business, with plenty of interest shown in their products and services. “We had a very busy show [with] good interest in our range of fish farm pen systems, as well as our participation in H2OCEAN project. Shellfish farmers were keen to find out more about the innovative Ortac Oyster Farming System, which enhances growth rates whilst minimising the amount of time and labour required,” remarked Iain Forbes, director of Fusion Marine. The next Aquaculture UK show takes place in 2016, David Mack is already in planning mode: “Each show takes an enormous amount of work to pull together, and builds on feedback to make it bigger and better. I would like to thank everyone who helped to make this year such a resounding success and I look forward to meeting old friends and making new acquaintances in two years’ time!” he said.
Inshore Ireland put the following questions in writing to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. No response was received at the time of going to press. • Has the sale of Arramara to Acadia been completed, or are some details yet to be finalised? • What were the terms of the sale of Arramara? • How much did Acadia pay for Arramara Teo? • Will Acadia have an exclusive right to harvest seaweed from the west coast of Ireland? • Will the seaweed harvested by Acadia be processed in Ireland, or will it be exported for processing at Acadia’s facilities in Canda? • Has Acadia indicated how they intend to harvest seaweed from the west coast of Ireland? • Will Acadia introduce the mechanical harvesting of seaweed to the west coast of Ireland? • Will the mechanical harvesting of seaweed from an SAC be allowed? • Why did Údarás na Gaeltachta sell its shareholding in Arramara Teo?
16 inshore ireland June/July 2014
Our ocean wealth
Gauntlet is thrown down to think beyond existing barriers to marine development Gery Flynn
D
r Peter Heffernan, CEO the Marine Institute told delegates attending the first annual conference of Our Ocean Wealth that the financial impact to Ireland’s recovering economy from its expanding maritime sector will be maximised only if we learn to think beyond the existing barriers and learn to do things differently and by focusing more on international collaboration in technology and research. Inshore Ireland spoke to Dr Hefferan and asked him to assess the progress to date of the government’s integrated maritime policy and where it has taken us so far. While the first Our Ocean Wealth conference was well attended, it was not covered well by the national media. Is this a concern? The fact it was very highly attended reflects a great
interest and a great response, and the positive energy was palpable. Participants were very aware of the depth of marine opportunities. The fact that one of the main news outlets didn’t cover the conference was notable, but that was counterbalanced by a very significant level of in-depth radio coverage. . What do you hope to achieve at these annual events and why is benchmarking so important? It’s absolutely vital to establish benchmarks. Our Ocean Wealth is a medium to a long-term integrated plan. The plan is a work-in-progress and is very transparent. It has published a progress report on schedule, and has held its first annual event. Hopefully, the annual process will develop and diversify to give a continuous sense of updating, renewing and benchmarking and dealing with new issues and problems as they evolve. Why do you say that international collaboration will be critical to the success of this project?
Very simply, the level of effort and investment needed on the scientific front to develop a forecasting capability for the major trends in the ocean requires a transAtlantic partnership. That partnership, with the support of the Irish Presidency, was brought to bear in the Galway Statement last May, and is being implemented. I’m very happy that it’s on course in the context of Irish investment in ocean observation. You have said we must begin to think more ambitiously and be brave enough to think beyond existing barriers. What did you mean? Fundamentally I think if we want to a have a predictive capacity we have to think beyond the limitations of such systems. We don’t have the same predictive capacity for the ocean which we take for granted for weather forecasting. We need to have predictive capacity for the oceans, so that’s what I mean in the context of thinking beyond current capacity limitations and system limitations. But we can, if we enter into a
trans-Atlantic initiative. Along with Canada, the United States and Europe we can generate that capacity on the Atlantic by deploying the appropriate observation systems, and by developing an appropriate mapping programme to underpin the accuracy of modeled forecasts to generate the computing power and output to fire those models. I think that is very possible. That’s what I mean by thinking beyond the boundaries, and being brave enough in Ireland, as an early mover, to invest and move in that direction. Has our understanding of these complex processes progressed significantly in the past decade, and how might this process look a decade from now? I think we’re at a good launch point. There’s a solid foundation of technologies which can be deployed and deliver the key parameter observations required. Now it’s a matter of designing and building up capacity, deploying the systems and then generating
computer output. I believe it’s very doable within the next decade to arrive at that predictive capacity. You highlighted Ireland’s relationship - through the Marine Institute - with the Newfoundland government in particular. You say we have an asset and a valuable proposition. Outline what you mean by asset, and what was the proposition you made to Canada? With the Celtic Explorer we have a vessel that is capable of carrying out very sophisticated acoustic fisheries surveys and associated mapping work which the Provincial government of Newfoundland required to intensively study the state of their cod stocks. So we arrived at a very mutually-beneficial arrangement whereby we have made available the Celtic Explorer to the Newfoundland government over the last four years. They have built up great expertise in knowledge on the state of their cod stock, and together, we have undertaken trans-Atlantic oceanographic transect work and have built
inshore ireland June/July 2014 17
our ocean wealth
up a very strong track record in that type of work. This positions us very well in the context of Ireland being an important player and partner in the trans-Atlantic science area. When you called for a bold and ambitious outlook to sustainable development in the marine, were you speaking to the politicians, the scientists or to the public? All three. We are now planning ambitious large scale and innovative programmes and funding them jointly. And we clearly saw strong signals from Science Foundation Ireland of their openness to investing in key marine areas, and I think that scale of concentrated effort will be required to move the dial in the direction that the OOW plan sets out. We have persisted in investing in the marine research and infrastructure capacity build-up through the worst of economic times and now have a solid foundation that has proved itself by competing very well and by winning excellent resources
from Europe. Why do you describe the Map of the Irish seabed as being of unique value? If you want to develop predictive capacity, by essentially taking broad- scale ocean models and honing and fine-tuning them to give a very clear localised picture right down to the bay level, the accuracy of those models will be tremendously improved because they have an accurate map that includes bathymetry detail. Not only will that improve the accuracy of modeled and forecasting outputs, it also showcases Ireland as a unique selling point as a test bed for ocean technology experimentation, test and demonstration. You said also that the map will be of immense value to the insurance sector, and that it would encourage investors. What do you mean? I’m referring to any large-scale deployment of infrastructure in a hostile environment, for example, the north-east Atlantic.. If you have improved ocean
observations; if you have greater modeling capability and if you ultimately have a forecasting capability, you are ensuring a much greater degree of certainty and risk evaluation for insurers and their underwriters. It should also lower such costs and increase confidence on the risk portfolio for investors. You say that the new broadband connection to the ocean energy test site in Galway Bay is the only such connectivity in Western Europe. Why is it so significant? Because it provides a platform from which technology developers can deploy their systems and generate data streams. It also allows real time video-monitoring acousticmonitoring and other parameters that sensors can pick up. This gives developers the critical two-way interactivity and will be unique. There is also the advantage of being on a wave energy test site whereby wave energy device developers have a unique broadband cable linkage.
Likewise, sensor device developers will similarly have a unique platform on which to test and demonstrate. You spoke about company clusters and how they generate ideas, synergies and ultimately growth. Why are clusters so important? The Marine Institute facilitates what we call SmartOcean Ireland a forum and a collective cluster mechanism where we enable companies to meet one another to exchange ideas, to explore potential, to tease out issues and challenges and simply have a trusted environment where they can explore possibilities. This includes many of the biggest multi-nationals in the ICT space resident in Ireland. We enjoy having eight out of the top ten such companies, many with their headquarters in Ireland, together with the universities and small Irish companies all working together. We’re already seeing evidence of this with Cathx Ocean, and with the groupings in the IMERC cluster. This is very much
the current state-of-the-art approach to innovation. You create these cluster mechanisms whereby people can interact, explore and come up with often very unexpected cross-linkages, convergences and disruptive technology development. How important is it now to inject the concept of the wider maritime sector into the national psyche, and is it succeeding? It’s fundamentally important. There has been somewhat of a ‘blind spot’ in Ireland to maritime affairs in the past but I think the attendance of An Taoiseach and four ministers speaking at this conference demonstrates that the marine sector is now at the high end of government awareness and priorities. And also, one of the three over-arching goals set for the strategy is to promote the engagement of Irish society with the maritime dimension. The evidence is very solidly there that marine is now receiving an unprecedented level of very positive political focus and attention.
18 inshore ireland June/July 2014
seafood business
Innovation centre that converts seafood ideas into profitable businesses W Gery Flynn
hen it was officially opened in October 2009, BIM’s Seafood Development Centre in Clonakilty, Co Cork, was welcomed by the fishing and aquaculture sectors for being the first purpose-built location whose aim was to foster innovation, facilitate new ideas and assist companies in developing structured business plans to ascertain if their ideas were on the right track before committing to capital investment.
At the core of the SDC was a fundamental decision by BIM to move away from bulk commodity to instead delivering added-value through the production and marketing of imaginative and consumer-friendly fishbased products. Five years on how has the SDC performed? Inshore Ireland spoke to the seafood agencies Director of Business Innovation and Development, Donal Buckley to see if the centre was delivering on its concept.
How has the SDC grown and developed over the past five years?
The centre has grown in parallel with the new and increasing potential of the seafood sector. Five years ago we really began to see that whereas commodity issues had got Ireland to a certain point, they weren’t going to get us to the future we wanted, which was to see a significant stimulus in sectoral growth and employment. In its five years, the SDC has created a lot of confidence. For example, before the SDC
came along, where would you take your product idea? What you did then was to invest in capital equipment and you tried. Sometimes you were lucky and sometimes you failed. The SDC, I think, has enabled confidence that can now be turned to innovation.
What does the SDC offer someone with a seafood product idea?
It’s where an innovator, a start-up or an existing player can bring their ideas and convert them into profitable business opportunities. It’s like a commercial funnel where you filter out the good ideas, and the ones that come out the other end are profitable, workable ideas.
What are some of the mistakes seafood developers make when they decide to develop a new product, and can the SDC help reduce some of the financial risk involved?
Innovation and product development requires expertise, but it’s also extremely expensive. And it’s costly when you fail. The SDC allows a product developer to fail early, to fail frequently. It enables good ideas to get through.
The costliest part of new product development isn’t just product failure. While that is certainly true, often companies commit to capital expenditure programmes without having first thoroughly researched their idea. And then, when it doesn’t succeed, they are left with a significant cost weight to bear, such as a new filling machine or a piece of processing technology. The SDC eliminates a lot of the financial risk from that sort of investment by firstly really robustly checking out their idea.
What does the SDC do next?
We have five key platforms; that’s the starting point. When you come in the door with your idea we put it through a stage screening process. We examine the idea and check it through to see if it has a market and an end consumer or retailer in sight. We ask if it might be made and is that feasible. And, most importantly, we ask if its financially viable, that’s the first rough screening. If the idea comes through that process it is then put through our second level where our market research team thoroughly checks the market prospects. Our in-house marketing specialists check to see if there’s a gap in the market; what alternative
products are there already; is the price right, and where it might fit into the marketplace. Next it goes to the third, product development platform, where our specialist culinary chefs actually make the product, test it against a relevant consumer focus group for taste. Would they be willing to pay for it, and what is its shelf life? If the results are positive and we still think the product is feasible, it is taken to our pilot processing hall where we assess how to make it in the plant, and fine-tune the procedure even more. At this stage the company is given the option of taking product samples to their own market for further robust testing. And if they get a good response they come back to us and we look into what’s called industrial product scale-up. Together with the producer we will actually plan the scaled-up version of the process technology, the filling machine and so on. By this time it will be possible for the producer to make a very accurate capital investment to produce this product. In the interim they have the option to fine-tune their product through our process plant. We have incubation rooms in the SDC that they can rent for a period and start taking product to the
Waterford fishmongers launch prepack seafood range for summer season
F
lanagan’s Fish Merchants, the fish shop in Waterford City has launched two new seafood product ranges. With assistance of BIM’s Seafood Development Centre, the company has produced a healthy prepack fish meal for families and range of summer seafood products suitable for cooking on the BBQ. Founded by Martin J Flanagan over 100 years ago, Flanagan’s remains a family business with John Flanagan and his brother Brendan at the helm. The company recognises that many of their customers have very busy lifestyles and want easy-to-cook seafood with little or no preparation required. The Catch of the Day prepack range was developed with this in mind. They use fresh, locally- caught and in-season fish on the day of production. The product also includes a
choice of seasoning - from Mediterranean inspired crumb recipes such as herb crumb and pesto - or Spanish style crumbs and red pesto. Added flavours Flanagan’s also offer flavoured butters as accompaniments; these include lemon and dill butter; anchovies and sundried tomatoes butter; tarragon and lemon zest butter, and coriander and chilli butter. The Flanagan’s BBQ range is a selection of fish and seafood skewers available at the fresh fish counter, alongside marinated tuna, swordfish and salmon and whole fish. Ginger, spiced, shallots, capers and balsamic marinades are also available. John’s wife Aine Whittle was instrumental in developing the new ranges. Being a busy working Mum she found it
hard to find easy-to-cook healthy seafood meals for the family. With such an abundance of fresh fish available, Aine developed the concept for a pre-pack fresh seafood family friendly product and approached the SDC for assistance. The team of seafood technologists enabled Aine trial a variety of products and packaging formats without having to commit to capital expenditure. “We’re really looking forward to feedback from our customers, both our regulars and new customers. We put a lot of work into the products to ensure they are the best they can be and the assistance we received from BIM’s SDC, particularly on packaging and taste testing of the marinades, was crucial to the overall quality of the product. “We change recipes every three to four weeks to keep it interesting and now that
L-R: John Whittle, Flanagan’s; Katie Healy, B.I.M. SDC Clonakilty, Co Cork; Hasan Barca, Flanagan’s; Linda Heylmann, Flanagan’s; Shay O’ Brien, Flanagan’s; Aileen Deasy, BIM’s Seafood Technologist, SDC, Clonakilty, Co Cork and Aine Whittle, Flanagan’s summer has finally arrived, we have high hopes for our BBQ range in particular,” remarked Aine. Aileen Deasy, Seafood Technologist, explains working with the Flanagans: ‘Aine and John were a pleasure to work with, and from the very first day it was clear how well they knew their customer base. Aine’s
attention to detail and understanding of quality and flavour are a huge part of their success. “What we can offer companies are the tools and expertise to bring their product ideas to life. We are very excited to see the new range available in fish shops in the southeast.”
inshore ireland June/July 2014 19
seafood business market on a test basis. In effect, we streamline the entire process for them.
What’s the time line for this process?
It works on two levels. When existing processors come to us with incremental changes to their packaging or want an adjustment to the flavor we try to turn that around in six to twelve weeks. The second level is where we have a start-up company. Sometimes this takes longer but essentially, we are always trying to apply resources, and to bring a product through the pipeline quickly. We try to complete this process within the same timeframe.
Conversely, do you ever go to processors with a good idea that might be developed?
Yes, the other angle we take is a more strategic product development view of new concepts that we develop ourselves in the SDC and then put these before to the industry. For example, we might have spotted a gap in the market for biomarine ingredients or a way of using boarfish in different ways. In either case we would fine-tune our concept and take it to the commercial companies. We call these market-ready concepts, and these could take six to twelve months.
Outline the SDC’s inhouse expertise and how that has been built on over the past five years
This is always a disciplined process and comes back to our
five platforms, and the expertise follows those. Innovation is disciplined where a creative idea must be put into a disciplined funnel to bring it out profitably on the other side. It’s about market research; market and culinary development in the kitchen; process technology where the latest state-of-the-art technology is used to bring the product on; and finally it’s the ability to industrially scale-up in the customer’s own plant. The SDC has experts in each of these five areas. We also have world-leading seafood technologists who are recognised as being the very best around. We also have a market research analyst who participates in all European data as well as the research that we invest in ourselves – be it off the shelf or customised. And more recently we have recruited a business development manager/ commercial manager who will source out premium market opportunities worldwide. The SDC comprises highly qualified personnel and has a state-ofthe-art innovation centre with a process hall and a training technology kitchen. From an original staff of just two in 2009, we now have nine and have grown steadily with government support to include a five-graduate mentoring programme.
Tell me about your graduate programme
Each year we recruit five graduates from our partner »» page 20
Nordic inspired Irish herring
S
ilver Darlings is the brainchild of Ireland’s only herring pickler, Kirsti O Kelly. Born in Finland, Kirsti was keen to introduce the Nordic speciality of pickled herrings to Irish consumers and with family heritage of pickling fish, she knew what flavours worked well but needed assistance regarding new product development and market dynamics. Following consultation with the team at the SDC on topics such as new product development; labelling and regulatory requirements; sourcing a herring supplier and advice on food safety management systems for her premises, the Silver Darlings product was launched to the food service sector in March 2013. Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength, stocking some of Dublin and Cork’s high end retailers including Morton’s; Caviston’s of Glasthule, Robert’s of Dalkey; Wright’s of Howth; Fallon & Byrne; 64 Wine, the Real Olive Company stalls and the English Market in Cork. They are also on restaurant menus in Limerick, Galway and Dublin. Sourced from Island Seafoods, Donegal, the herring are marinated in a combination of mild
vinegars and spices that dissolve the bones and keep the integrity of the flesh. The fish take on the subtle flavours of aromatic spices like mustard seeds; sandalwood; cinnamon; bay leaves; cloves; pink peppercorns and fresh herbs such as dill, tarragon and coriander. Silver Darlings use 100% natural ingredients and 100% Irish herring. Kirsti is glad she sought advice from BIM’s Seafood Development Centre (SDC) during the early stages of her business; ‘ “BIM gave me the boost of confidence I needed to get started. I was given invaluable advice and direction on product development, sourcing a good supplier and on all operational areas of the business including food safety management practices. Silver Darlings simply would not
be here without the SDC,” remarked Kirsti. Aileen Deasy, Seafood Technologist, explains that Silver Darlings is a truly unique product that uses traditional methods but with a contemporary Scandinavian twist. “Kirsti has amazing talent and drive, she was great to work with and we are delighted to see she is making such headway in the market place. By working with the SDC, she gained the knowledge she needed to get the product just right, produced and packaged safely and designed to attract the attention of customers and buyers. “We have had so much positive feedback on this range of products I have no doubt Irish herring ‘Nordic style’ will be a huge success!”
Kirsti O’Kelly with Aileen Deasy, BIM Seafood Technologist, SDC
Inshore Ireland is offering a special discount on B2B banner links accompanied by a short company profile on its website www.inshore-ireland.com. Contact Simone on sales@inshore-ireland.com / 086 8060899 for options to generate product awareness on domestic and international markets. Offer ends July 31.
Easy-to-cook ‘pop in the oven’ seafood meals
M
r Good’s Fabulous Fish is the latest product from the established seafood enterprise, The Good Fish Company. The value-added consumer product, which comes in a special pouch pack which can be used in the
microwave, in the oven and on the hob, is now available in Tesco Ireland. The new brand range comes in three varieties: cajun spiced salmon fillet; lemon marinated hake fillets; and garlic and herb marinated cod fillets, with other products to follow.
L to R: Maria Broderick, Business Development Manager, The Good Fish Company and Aileen Deasy, BIM Seafood Technologist, SDC
Maria Broderick, Business Development Manager, The Good Fish Company, says the fact that the product can be cooked using a variety of cooking methods gives Mr Good’s Fabulous Fish a distinct advantage in the market; “The multi-cook pouch is unique to the market. The specialised packaging we use allows consumers to cook the product in the oven, microwave, or on the hob in simmering water with no need to remove any packaging. This means all the nutrients and goodness of the fish are preserved while cooking,” remarked Maria Broderick, the company’s Business Development Manager. The product range was developed by Good Fish with the assistance of the SDC. Maria worked closely with the team to validate appropriate cooking times to ensure the fish was cooked to perfection using each cooking method.
“This range of products is so convenient - it makes fish so simple and easy to cook. They offer a complete solution to anybody who wants to cook fish at home, at work, and is generally on the go with busy lifestyles. “The pouch retains the goodness of the fish in its natural juices, and individually wrapped portions offer great choice for customers who wish to have the option of enjoying a healthy seafood meal at different times,” explained Aileen Deasy, BIM’s Seafood Technologist. The Good Fish Company also produces other value-added products, such as haddock/ salmon goujons and white fish nuggets. These products will be incorporated into the Mr Good’s Fabulous Fish brand in the future, along with their smoked Irish Organic salmon and superior smoked salmon. The product is also suitable for the foodservice market,
particularly for premises with very limited kitchen facilities as the product has also been tested in high speed ovens. The Good Fish Company is committed to supporting Irish fishermen and has adopted the Responsible Irish Fish (RIF) label for Irish fish and shellfish. This label was introduced to ensure Irish fisherman can differentiate their products as 100 per cent Irish in the marketplace, with all Irish products bearing the RIF logo fully traceable to an Irish vessel. Denis Good, Managing Director, The Good Fish Company said; “We believe this scheme will protect and develop the fishing industry. We know that our customers are keen to buy fresh Irish seafood whenever possible, and this scheme will provide them with the quality and assurance they’re looking for,’ remarked Denis Good, MD The Good Fish Company.
20 inshore ireland June/July 2014
seafood Business/subscriptions »» from page 19
institutes in UCC, because of its proximity to Clonakilty - and from Letterkenny Institute of Technology because of its proximity to Killybegs whose pelagic fishing base is crucial. These comprise three graduates; two working on their Master’s Degree. These people already have general food experience from their primary degrees but at the SDC we take them through the five platforms and give them seafood-specific expertise by working on industry projects for an eight months long mentorship. On completion, they are deployed into particular seafood companies where they carry the project through with them. Companies take on the graduates initially for six months and BIM pays for half of that cost. This effectively seeds the graduates into industry where they are supported and the hope is that they take off in the business. Our graduates are very much sought after because this is widely regarded as a prestigious mentorship with specialist training and with a real offer of employment. A graduate coming into the industry nowadays has the potential to participate in a very interesting and growing industry and can expect to quickly climb the promotional ladder.
How has Ireland’s seafood industry developed of late?
Seafood exports have grown from €378 million to €489 million since 2010, a 30% increase in growth. More importantly, key focus companies in the sector – thirty of which account for 70% market output have grown by €146 million and have generated 340 new jobs. Each year therefore you’re generating about a hundred new jobs in the processing sector.
How important has the boarfish quota been to both the SDC and Ireland generally?
Two years ago Ireland’s boarfish quota was 70% of the overall quota, amounting to 56,000 tonnes. Last year this increased to 80% of quota, or 90,000 tonnes. Between quota and wild catch and aquaculture we have
a total of 300,000 tonnes of fish. We are focusing on boarfish as a priority, which has led to a couple of interesting developments. Firstly, the biomarine ingredients project in Killybegs which will produce proteins and oils for the health and wellness markets, pet care and so on. And secondly, BIM has invested significantly in new technology to process boarfish. Boarfish flesh is highly nutritious and delicious, similar to salmon and cod. Today, BIM-invested proprietary technology enables us to produce reformed products such as goujons, burgers, fishcakes, for the convenience market.
What are the key pointers to getting a product on the wider seafood market?
It’s about scaling up. We can make all the very nice products in the centre but the next phase is how to take it to the market, and that’s the key learning.You have to be able to take a product successfully to the market and that requires scale. So, scaling is the number one. The second is about maximising the value through innovation but also with a focus on premium consumer niches. You have to have a consumer in mind; it’s not just simply about making a nice product. You need to know exactly how the consumer will consume that product ― whether that’s in China, the USA or in France.
How did BIM attract the Chinese consumer to boarfish, a species that was unknown there?
When we brought boarfish to China we thought it would be fantastic, that they would love it but they didn’t know how to cook or use it. So, our chef at the SDC began working with Chinese students to produce, translate and tailor a recipe brochure on boarfish specifically for the Chinese consumer. And now, boarfish leads the product into the market because the food service people know how to use it. This result shows that scaling and maximising value through innovation is key. Having a route-to-market is all part of BIM’s goal and ultimately that the Irish seafood industry is worth €1billion in 2017, having generated an additional 1,200 jobs.
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INSHORE
FISHERI
Publisher apologises to Ireland’s heries data, fis d to fail’ Marine Institute for contentious robust ne sea-lice article Without ment is ‘desti manage THE SILENCEG IS DEAFENIN
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Gery Flynn
A
controversial article in a prestigious science journal that accuses the Marine Institute of ‘incorrectly’ concluding that sea lice play a minor role in the survival of wild salmon, has been downgraded significantly by its publishers who have also apologised to the agency for denying it a right of reply prior to publication. This is the latest twist in what has been a highly charged debate involving some of Ireland’s environmental State Agencies
as well as the scientific community here and abroad. First published in August 2013 in the respected Journal of Fish Diseases, the article, written by a team of scientists led by Dr Martin Krkošek of the University of Toronto alleges that based on its own research, the Marine Institute incorrectly concluded ‘that sea lice play a minor, perhaps even negligible, role in salmon survival’. Krkošek further states that such a conclusion can be supported ‘only if one is prepared to accept at least three fundamental methodological errors’. And he claims that his team’s ‘re-analyses’ of the same data ‘departs substantially from those reported and interpreted’ by the Marine Institute.
12 issues (2 years) for the price of 6!
rural be issued to to licences” might island communities and coastal and fishing practices.s Rural Coastal is Sustainable which facilitate traditional also recommend EU t policy Island Communities The report projects governmen ‘Whereas they assert that sea lice for publication, rejected food safety, sampling,control. as a ‘Short Communication’, calling for the survival of that aquaculture s should be cause 1% of mortality in Atlantic outright, or returned to audits and fisheries the Krkošek article has been is the submission to focus on and island for fin-fish adherence to the d fishing on a salmon, the correct estimate is the author for re-published by the same when making teefurther l rural coastals by promoting licensed on inshore fishery, subcommit or amendment.“Unlicense environmenta actually a one-third loss of overall journal - but this time it to a jointclarification norm in the risks and communitie of activities. world’s ‘highest for structures March 2013,” , Mills and adult recruitment,’ he writes. Gillianhas the Journal posing market been re-classified, and fisheries inSignificantly, CEO and diverse range that aquaculture standards’ in place to allow ‘We acknowledge that few smolts of Fish Diseases notes that biological instabilitymarket effectively downgraded to Francis O’Donnell, Producers It contends sea Fish to be put local ownership. black chair If survive to return in any wild salmon ‘Comments not subject the status a ‘Comment’. of the Irish former a significant Irishofinshore inshore fishing, tourism n andare maximum by the The has developed. on the population and that recent declines to the sameInshore level ofIreland. peer Such a is re-classification Organisatio economy angling, marine Issues identified about tacklingto told fishery initiatives ittee are listed in the survival of Irish Atlantic review as Original Articles is highly significant collapsein the of the FIF we are serious Ireland needs and seaweed to vibrant sub-Comm basis, subbrink ofworld salmon cannot be solely explained and Review Papers.’ D scientific this problem,robust long-term to a lack due to the could contribute areas, on a thematic esource duethat island areas. into three and by sea lice…… our purpose is The re-classified fact ‘Comments’ are notunDer-r to this Krkošek put real andnt plans in place coastal and suggests that policy sectioned recommendations far speaking the the of proper Alsoarticle to highlight that parasites can hasDixon a ‘Noteoffrom subjected to theasso-called manageme by species basis.” The report, support . Going and specific Eamon stating BIMwhere paper,Publisher’ each section: and, in this case, do have a large regulation thats ‘due to on a species peerthe review process pg 13) 1990s, ‘proactive government Fishermen’ follow for and sensible and Island as interview of Inshore only full back Coastal ensure effect on fisheries recruitment… Dr Jackson strict protocols are observed. Erris a procedural it was (see with proportionate a number saiderror » Rural ies: a sociocontrols’ could with important implications for produced [the senior scientist at the Foroutlying the resultsinofclear a Association years that Communitprofile bureaucratic anD can co-exist. last two to dealto the management and conservation reports Marine Institute whose team scientific investigation in the coastalreport s Protection economic such activitiesmust urgently develop pathways 12 terms, Those of wild salmon stocks.’ Krkošek(SFPA) refers to]has wasbeen not given be published in a credible the Sea-fisherie islanD Dixon’s comments ‘Government structure grounded » page this issue. thethis gathered with Authority the opportunity to reply to scientific journal, it must Eamon address publication have a management for inshore fisheries. to recent in positionbefore blueprints was published.’ follow the compiled by first pass ainterim, rigorous obstacle ARTICLE heitcautions in reliable dataexplore how “heritage in in aCommentBut in the dust problems. ittee course of assessment by a RECLASSIFICATION the decline level of of a report For instance, with as Sub-comm of the tandem that the current panel of experts employed Now however, just four the Joint potential Promoting not a deterrent fisheries. control is is under-resourced, to check lobster for accuracy. months after it first appeared economic on Fisheries: and crab the agency The paper is theofn Irish accepted in the Journal of Fish Diseases page 7 areas to» cover: others “The Federation with too many (FIF) and Fishermen this point clear have made
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Minister Coveney warns of “exceptionally tough negotiations” at December EU Fisheries Council. Whitefish ports such a Union Hall, Co Cork, could be seriously impacted. Photo Gillian Mills
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BIM supports energy saving initiative
I
reland’s seafood development agency has partnered with IBEC and EPA’s GreenBusiness.ie to run a series of free seminars to assist businesses manage their energy usage and to explore smart and inexpensive methods to reduce energy costs. The first of these half-day seminars at the Seafood Development Centre focused on case studies from companies with strategies already in place. These included the Carbery Group (€500,000 annual saving from combined technical improvements, management commitment and safety awareness/training); the Musgrave Group (€1 million plus saving in the last five years by reducing energy consumption in warehousing, distribution and retail) and Shellfish de la Mer (reduced diesel usage by 10% over the last twelve months.) BIM has also outlined its
new Green Seafood Business Programme which aims to deliver resource efficiency improvements and reduce operating costs for seafood businesses. In addition to direct cost savings, ecoefficiency can increase market advantage and differentiation. “In addition to saving operational costs, this programme will assist
seafood companies to manage their business in a sustainable manner which links in with Bord Bia’s Origin Green Programme. This level of commitment to sustainability in all aspects of their business is a key selling point on the market.” remarked Donal Buckley, BIM’s Director of Business Innovation and Development.
Albert O›Sullivan-Greene of Shellfish De La Mer, Paul Ward, Manager Seafood Development Centre, Clonakilty and Brian Scannell of Musgraves at the Green Business, Ibec & BIM Energy Management Seminar in Clonakilty
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22 inshore ireland June/July 2014
marine R&D
Deep-sea fish remove one million tonnes of CO2 from UK and Irish waters annually Graham Johnston, Marine Institute.
Who eats who?
Cushla Dromgool-Regan
D
eep-sea fish remove and store more than one million tonnes of CO 2 from UK and Irish surface waters every year, according to a new study completed by researchers from the Marine Institute and the University of Southampton, UK. A common thought has been that the ecosystem of deep-water fish such as orange roughy, grenadiers and smoothheads, depends on particles that fall from the surface waters for their food source. These bottom living deep-water fish never come to the surface and the carbon in their bodies therefore stays at the seafloor.
Continental slope samples The team of researchers
from the University of Southampton and the Marine Institute collected samples of fish on the continental slope west of Ireland, at water depths ranging from 500 to 1800m, during the deepwater research surveys on the Marine Institute’s research vessel RV Celtic Explorer. Using novel biochemical tracers to piece together the diets of deep-water fish revealed their role in transferring carbon to the ocean depths. “It was previously thought that these deepwater fish depended on ‘marine snow’, organic particles falling from the surface, for their energy. We now however know that a huge volume of animals make daily vertical migrations from the mid-slope depths to feed at the surface during the night. The animals conducting this migration, then transport nutrients from the surface back to the deep,” explained
The researchers measured forms, or isotopes, of carbon and nitrogen, in the muscles of fish caught. Small differences found in the mass of these isotopes mean that they are processed at slightly different speeds in the body of the fish, leading to patterns that can show ‘who eats who’ in the slope ecosystem. By measuring the isotopes in all of the most common species, the researchers were able to estimate how much carbon is captured and stored by these deep-water fish. The marine scientists found that more than half of all the fish living on the seafloor get their energy from animals that otherwise go back to the surface, and not from settling particles, as originally thought. These bottom-living fish therefore become a carbon capture and storage facility. Global peaks in abundance and biomass of animals at mid-slope depths occur because this is the depth range where the vertically migrating animals are most easily captured by fish that live at or
L
iam Lacey has taken over the role of Director at the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO). His appointment has been warmly welcomed by the shipping and ports sector in Ireland and abroad. Liam brings a great deal of experience to the role, having previously worked with Irish Continental Group as Managing Director of its Container and Terminal Division, which had operations in Ireland, Great Britain, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Liam Lacey Photo: Cushla Dromgool-Regan
Orange roughy, a threatened deep-sea species near the seafloor.
Carbon carriers
Fish living in deep waters on the continental slope therefore play an important role carrying carbon from the surface to the seafloor. “This natural carbon capture and storage scheme could store carbon equivalent to £10 million per year in carbon credits,” remarked lead author, Dr Clive Trueman, University of Southampton. “As fishing, energy extraction and mining extend into deeper waters, these unfamiliar and seldom seen fish in fact provide a valuable service to all of us. Recognising and valuing these ecosystems is important when decisions are made in
relation to exploiting deep water habitats for food, energy or other mineral resources.” Dr Peter Heffernan, Marine Institute CEO congratulated the teams involved in this research which highlighted the importance of such collaborations in Irish and UK waters. Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute congratulated the teams involved in this research highlighting the importance of such collaborations of research in Irish and UK waters. “Through this research, both the University of Southamption and the Marine Institute continue to promote the sustainable development of our oceans resource, while maintaining a healthy ecosystem”.
The study: Trophic interactions of fish communities at midwater depths enhance long-term carbon storage and benthic production on continental slopes, by C. N. Trueman, G. Johnston, B. O’Hea, and K. M. MacKenzie (2014) is published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, and was funded by the University of Southampton and the Marine Institute.
Beneath the waves of Ireland’s seas
I
reland’s Ocean is a major new four-part ocean wildlife series for RTÉ One television beginning Sunday June 22 which explores diverse creatures from dolphins and sharks to plankton and the myriad of tiny colourful creatures that live in offshore and shallow waters around Ireland. The series looks at the history of man’s relationship with and response to the sea and exams common perceptions of dolphins and sharks: Are dolphins highly intelligent, sensitive creatures capable of healing sick children? Why are worrying numbers of dolphins washing up dead on
our Atlantic coast? Are sharks terrifying animals waiting below the sea surface to eat us? The truth transpires to be quite a surprise and leaves the viewer with considerable food for thought. The series also embarks on a journey into wild and the colourful underwater world, and encounters an abundance of exotic creatures, many documented for the first time. Throughout the programmes, there is a strong sense of the interconnectedness of life and natural balance within this world, as creatures depend on each other’s presence to sustain life.
The first programme on June 22 at 18.30 looks at some of the 27,000 common dolphins living in Irish waters with scientists Dr Joanne O’Brien and Dr Simon Berrow. The second programme on June 29 gets up close with some of the 40 shark species and 30 ray species living in Irish waters with Dr Maurice Clarke at the Marine Institute. It also follows the conservation efforts of Dr Edward Farrell, Irish Elasmobranch Group placing satellite tags on porbeagle sharks off Donegal, in a Marine Institute research programme. Programme three focuses on life in the shallow seas which
are some of the most fertile on Earth. Storms churn up nutrients from the sea floor that combine with sunlight to create a fertile
and abundant ecosystem. The final programme looks at Ireland’s ocean habitats.
inshore ireland June/July 2014 23
marine R&D
International collaborative research on the Whittard Canyon on board RV Celtic Explorer Cushla DromgoolRegan
A
n international research team led by scientists from NUI Galway explored the Whittard Canyon deep-sea submarine canyon system in the North East Atlantic onboard the Marine Institute’s RV Celtic Explorer. Researchers from Ireland, the UK, the USA and Germany used the Institute’s ROV Holland I to study the diversity of deep-water animals in relation to geology and ocean currents. Rare black corals The Whittard Canyon system is at the continental margin approximately 250 miles SW of Cork and covers an area of 2000 square miles, and is home to vulnerable marine ecosystems of coldwater corals, deep-water oysters and file clams. But new research is also revealing a remarkable diversity and abundance of rare black corals, which are protected under international legislation. “The extreme shape of submarine canyons seems to affect the water flow within them in such a way as to deliver nutrient rich waters to particular parts of the canyon system. This allows diverse ecosystems to flourish. “Our research is attempting to understand these processes so that we can predict where the most vulnerable ecosystems are likely to occur and therefore ensure the environment is protected,” explained Dr Martin White of NUI Galway’s
AcestaWall_Limid bivalves
Ryan Institute, and the expedition’s chief scientist. According to Dr Louise Allcock, also of NUI Galway’s Ryan Institute, black corals are particularly vulnerable to any sort of impact. “They grow extremely slowly and dating studies have shown that some species live for thousands of years.” Species identification The Whittard Canyon system is vast, with meandering branches extending over an area of more than 80 by 20 miles. Mapping the system, much of which is in depths below 1500m, to detect vulnerable species is difficult. Therefore the team hopes that this new data will reveal the factors that determine which species occur where. ROV Holland I provides a way of sampling deep-sea animals without impacting
the ecosystem. The team is also providing deepsea sponge samples to scientists searching for novel pharmaceutical compounds. If the chemists find interesting compounds such as antibacterial and other pharmaceutical properties in the sponges, they will aim to work out how to synthesize them in the laboratory. This is the first step in the production of new drugs. The scientists blogged about their experiences and throughout the survey (June 6th – 21st); posts can be viewed at scientistsatsea. blogspot.ie and on twitter via the hashtag #ce14009 The research survey is carried out under the Sea Change strategy with the support of the Marine Institute, funded under the Marine Research SubProgramme by the Irish Government.
Third-level students join the Marine Institute for summer science placements Andrea Woods
T
he annual Marine Institute bursary programme got underway last month with 22 third-level students. Over eight weeks the students will work in a variety of areas including fish and shellfish assessments and surveys; sampling salmon and commercial fisheries in ports; maritime economics; oceanographic equipment modifications and communications. “The student summer bursary programme has been ongoing since the 1960s and has great historical importance to the marine science sector. The work experience programme enables students from a range of disciplines to further their knowledge and research in their particular area of interest. It also enables students expand their professional networks within Ireland and abroad,” remarked Helen McCormick, Senior Laboratory Analyst and co-ordinator of the 2014 Bursary Programme.
Placement locations
Yellow coral
The students will gain hands on experience at different locations around Ireland, including the offices and laboratories at the Marine Institute - Galway, Harcourt Street - Dublin and Burrishoole Catchment - Newport, County Mayo. Some students will also be located at fisheries ports in counties Cork, Waterford and Louth. Since the publication of Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth in July 2012, Ireland is expected to promote investment and enable growth within the marine sector. The bursary programme offers a promising gateway into the expanding areas of marine science and research in Ireland. The programme is well recognised and aims to promote future employment opportunities for undergraduates and postgraduates. Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute congratulated all successful bursars on this year’s programme saying that the Institute was “delighted to support this excellent learning opportunity for Irish students”.
Bursary Students 2014
24 inshore ireland June/July 2014
marine R&D
European Commission Ocean Energy Forum meets in Dublin Dr Anne Marie O’Hagan, Hydraulics and Maritime Research Center at UCC
O
cean energy (wave and tidal) is one of the areas recognised by the European Commission as having huge potential for economic growth. The Commission has already initiated a two-step action plan to support this emerging sector. As a first step, an Ocean Energy Forum was created to bring together stakeholders from a range of disciplines to develop a shared understanding of the problems faced by ocean energy and cultivate solutions. The second meeting in Dublin progressed through three work streams: »» Technology »» Finance and »» Environment & Consenting The groups comprise Europe’s leading ocean energy representatives from industry, research, local and national government. The Steering Group consisted of Irish
members from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the Marine Institute, DP Energy, Carnegie Wave Energy, ESBI, University College Cork and Queen’s University Belfast. Sian George, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe the main European trade association – gave an overview of the Market Deployment Strategy and emphasised the desire to get ten pilot arrays to financial close by 2020, with the ambition of reaching 100 GW by 2050. Three breakout sessions covered the three work stream topics. In the technology session, Dr. Björn Elsäßer from the tidal energy test centre in Portaferry operated by Queen’s University Belfast, outlined where the sector was currently; where it wants to progress to and how it should get there. This includes the need to involve other maritime industries, the public and environmental professionals. This writer was tasked with summarising the consenting and environmental challenges for ocean energy developments across the EU in the Environment & Consenting work stream group.
maRitime ReseaRch & innovation
In the finance work stream, Antoine Rabain from INDICTA - a French company specialising in technology growth and development strategies - presented on innovative and alternative sources of funding for ocean energy, such as crowd-funding and public finance. Each group then reported back in a plenary session, highlighting the importance of these discussions and the next steps to be taken by each of the Steering Groups. The preliminary findings of the Forum, and the work of its Steering Groups, will be presented at a Ministerial Summit, attended by EU Energy Ministers and senior industry figures, in Paris this October. The Forum meeting was preceded on June 10 by a final meeting of the Strategic Initiative on Ocean Energy (SI Ocean) project where a Market Deployment Strategy for Ocean Energy was launched. The Ocean Energy Forum meeting coincided with the first meeting of TP Ocean, the Technology and Innovation Platform for Ocean Energy, which will provide the technology work stream for the Ocean Energy Forum.
SAFETY & SECURITY
SEE MORE: www.halpin.nmci.ie
Gery Flynn
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he second Ireland Oil and Gas Summit which was held in Dublin in June was declared a success by the organisers, International Research Networks (IRN). Describing the mood of the event “as one of enthusiasm and excitement”, a spokeswoman for IRN said that 2014 was a “pivotal year for the Ireland’s oil and gas industry, with key prospects underway and a new licensing round due to commence in just a few weeks time”. She said that with 120 delegates from more than 80 companies and organisations, the summit had managed to bring together “an exceptional cross-section of companies and individuals with a vested interest in realising Ireland’s hydrocarbon potential”. During a panel discussion on day one, David Taylor, Chairman of the Energy Institute said that the long delays in getting projects to fruition in Ireland might be avoided if the hydrocarbon sector learned to communicate better and by engaging more with the general public. “From an Energy Institute perspective, I’d like to improve the prospects for our members in terms of the current public discourse. If you compared hydrocarbons exploration and IDA traditional inward investment, we would score very low down, and part of that explains the long delays in bringing gas ashore in Ireland,” he claimed. Taylor added it was through Alastair Campell, Director of
Communication for former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, that he was first alerted to the need for the hydrocarbon sector to work on its public image: “He told me that as an industry we badly needed to get our act together and that we would have to learn to communicate better and more effectively. He added we had a bad press, and that the time would come when we would gravely need a good press”. “We have got to be listening, taking on board, and responding authentically to what we hear. And hearing can be a problem for us because of the essential timelimited, task-orientated nature of what we do in the hydrocarbon exploration business.” As to wider energy policy, Taylor appealed to government to include rather than exclude and to take a broader, more balanced view of energy policy in general. “It’s not sufficient to cherry-pick and run with renewables when they’re popular, and push that sector alone. A more responsible, nuanced and realistic platform would be a much better point of departure for an enquiring debate.” He said that while the Energy Institute is keen to see that aspect of policy more actively pursued by government, the sector itself would have to take a more active role in promoting itself. “It behoves us to get our own story out too. We need Irish industry champions telling the story as it is with all its nuances. Ireland is in a very deep economic hole and we need any revenue-generating, job-creating infrastructure utilisation we can get, and the oil and gas industry ticks all of those boxes”.
New fiscal terms for oil and gas
The Halpin Centre for Research & Innovation at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) undertakes research, development & innovation in the Maritime Safety & Security, Maritime Education & Training and Shipping Transport & Logistics areas. Work in these areas is supported by five cross cutting themes where Halpin is building in-house expertise: IT & Communications, Shipping & Maritime Operations, Human Factors, Policy and Engineering. Halpin works closely with research centres & departments at the Cork Institute of Technology (NMCI is a constituent college of CIT) and with NMCI partners, the Irish Naval Service.
Improved public engagement and communications critical to future hydrocarbon exploration
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte T.D. has announced that taxation provisions relating to petroleum exploration and production are to be revised upwards “to provide for an increased financial return to the State from discoveries made under future exploration licences and licensing options.” Independent advice on ‘fitness for purpose’ of Ireland’s fiscal terms, Wood Mackenzie recommend no ‘retrospective change’ to existing fiscal terms but conclude there is ‘scope’ for strengthening the current fiscal system by providing an increase in the overall State take; ensuring an earlier share of revenue for the State; and addressing what they consider to be ‘inconsistencies’ in the current fiscal system.
Principal recommendations: SHIPPING, TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS
• Ireland should maintain a concession system, with industry rather than the State bearing the risk associated with investing in exploration • A form of production profit tax should continue to apply in Ireland, but for discoveries made under future licences the form of this tax should be revised • Tax charge on a field-by-field basis with the rate varying according to the profitability of the field and charged on each field’s net profits • Revised tax should include a minimum payment at a rate of 5% which would function like a royalty and would result in the State receiving a share of revenue in every year that a field is selling production • Revised tax rates should be higher than the Profit Resource Rent Tax currently in place, thereby ensuring a higher share for the State from the most profitable fields, resulting in a maximum rate of 55% applying in the case of new licences, compared with a maximum rate of 40% under the current fiscal regime • Corporation tax rate applying to petroleum production should remain at 25%.
inshore ireland June/July 2014 25
marine R&D
Seabed mapping applications across many disciplines Fabio Sacchetti, Vera Quinlan and Thomas Furey, Marine Institute
INFOMAR was centre-stage in the exhibition area of the first annual Ocean Wealth Conference at Dublin Castle on June 18 which recorded progress since publication of Harnessing our Ocean Wealth, Ireland’s Integrated Marine Plan (2013). The conference, attended by An Taoiseach and five government Ministers, addressed fisheries plans; development of a new tax regime for offshore petroleum exploitation; roll-out of the Wild Atlantic Way Failte Ireland initiative and moves towards implementation of a new Marine Spatial Planning system. INFOMAR outputs were referred to by several speakers in different sectors as ‘critical’ to facilitating their successful development.
Plans
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Marine Institute team members: Tommy Furey, Fergal McGrath, Fabio Sacchetti and Vera Quinlan
Education and Technology
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NFOMAR hosted a start-up workshop on June 17 for a pilot school project as part of the outreach and education development activities. The ambitious project is initially targeted over the next four years at four groups of transition year (TY) students, and aspires to engage them in marine projects, incorporating computer coding, geography, maths and science learning outcomes. Steered and supported by GSI and MI, with technical input from ESRI who are a global geographical information systems software provider, the TY teachers and classes will work with mobile apps to acquire scientific data and images from the beach, upload it to cloud computer based maps, and learn computer coding to modify and improve the apps and data hosting site. Progress updates can be tracked on the new INFOMAR website: www.infomar.ie.
he INFOMAR survey season in well underway with the boats taking best advance of favourable surveying conditions, working in Lough Swilly, Sheephaven, and Donegal Bay, with further work planned in Broadhaven, Blacksod, Killary, Clare Coast and Tralee. In parallel, the team is actively engaged in technology development to increase public awareness and more importantly, access to the data and products. Initially this will be in the form of a more streamlined website, associated social media, and over the course of the summer, through development and launch of a mobile dive app, and educational and outreach products.
Caris 2014 - Developing the blue economy
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aris, a Canadian-based leading international hydrographic data software provider has signed up as an industry partner to support an INFOMAR-lead research project, part of a much larger SFI research submission, currently in review phase. If successful it will be part of a significant research capacity build underpinning INFOMAR activities. In support of the partnership, INFOMAR presented and exhibited at the CARIS 2014, ‘Developing the Blue Economy’, user group conference The conference was held in Brest, one of Europe’s main centres of marine science and technology, and recognised as a centre of excellence in marine research, education and hydrography. The main theme of the conference focused around our oceans and seas, in which hydrography plays a critical role, underpinning trade, strategic development, resource management, and marine leisure and tourism.
Ocean energy
Multibeam survey coverage achieved offshore West Clare
Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food & Marine uses INFOMAR data during his presentation at Our Ocean Wealth conference
Supporting SMEs
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ollowing a research contract awarded to RealSim on a pilot study in Galway Bay, Titanic Belfast subsequently commissioned them to develop an interactive outreach platform to visualise the extensive seabed terrain data collected and features identified, during the Joint Irish Bathymetric Survey (JIBS). The interactive display located in the Ocean Exploration Centre presents the underwater landscape in an innovative and dynamic way, inspiring and educating young and old, (https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=B-ETgU6D5po). The seabed survey data acquired by the INFOMAR team forms the foundation layer on which the display is built, and the research support has lead to commercial contract awards to RealSim. The additional benefit is that the information is now readily accessible to the next generation of marine explorers to learn about the importance of our oceans and the conservation and protection of our marine environment. Shipwrecks, landscape, sea level rise and seabed features can be investigated interactively by the public.
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hile a vast amount of energy can be harnessed from Ireland’s marine environment through wind, wave and tidal energy technologies, detailed seabed mapping data is required to fully assess the resource and establish suitable site locations. Offshore West Clare has been identified by the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan as one of the suitable areas for potential wave energy development. INFOMAR has undertaken several survey campaigns for Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in the area, culminating in a regional scale
Snapshot of the interactive visualisation tool available at Ocean Exploration Centre – Titanic Belfast dataset on which detailed oceanographic models can now be developed, and future development decisions can be made. The West Clare region was identified initially for reasons including wave regime; favourable seabed morphology and proximity of electrical grid
and port facilities. The exposed nature of the region to Atlantic swell, combined with cliff dominated coastal morphology, variable weather and onshore prevailing winds, proved challenging survey conditions for the survey teams on-board the RVs Celtic Voyager, Keary and Cosantóir Bradán.
26 inshore ireland June/July 2014
marine R&D
Halpin Centre Addresses Marine Renewable Energy labour concerns Compiled by Cormac MacGarry
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n the 6th of May, the National Maritime College of Ireland hosted an internationally attended
event which aimed to address issues around skills shortages for the Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) labour market. This industry, for the most part, concerns offshore wind farming but also includes, amongst other methods, wave and tidal energy conversion devices. Although wind energy is largely regarded as an “established” onshore industry, the offshore sector is much more recent and far less
developed, particularly in Ireland, while the wave and tidal sector has yet to break into a real commercial phase. While the sector as a whole has developed slower than many had hoped, most forecasts are still predicting this burgeoning MRE industry to explode in the coming years. With that in mind, there is serious concern from industry and the education & training sector alike that the labour market will simply not have enough of the necessary
skills to meet the growing industry’s demands. Indeed, skills shortages have already been identified resulting in increased costs for industry but also in decreased health & safety standards compared to other offshore sector requirements such as oil & gas, who demand rigorous international standards of training. To meet these concerns, the Halpin Centre for Research & Innovation has been involved in the ERDF INTERREG funded Atlantic Power Cluster project. The Centre is leading a key element of the project which seeks to adapt the workforce to industry needs. Having already identified current skills and qualifications provided, as well as shortages, the Centre is now looking into what kind of training courses, if any, and at what level can be offered to the MRE industry. Stuart Thornton, speaking on behalf of Global Wind Service and Fred. Olson Windcarrier, pointed out pragmatic concerns directed at the training sector, for example, that the industry does not have the same capacity to invest in training as does established offshore oil and gas and that there’s a gap for trained personnel. He highlighted the need for institutes like NMCI to
offer flexibility, cost efficiency, strong business relationships with supply chains and close working relationships with developers and original equipment manufacturers. These points bode well for NMCI which owes much of its success to being able to offer those exact qualities to offshore oil and gas, as well as international shipping and various other niche training markets. Ray Johnston, an operations manager in day-to-day maritime training noted that training standardisation has positively impacted other industries and should also apply to the MRE sector as it develops. Nathan Baker, Energy & Utility Skills UK, urged SMEs to drive the agenda for training commonalities. Rob Moore, National Skills Academy for Power, offered a succinct observation on the event: “The offshore renewables projects must involve partners from across Europe and it is through events like the one at the NMCI, that we will find common ground and standards that will help the industry achieve its potential.” For more info on the event or the Atlantic Power Cluster Project, contact Cormac. mcgarry@nmci.ie
inshore ireland June/July 2014 27
marine R&D
Optimism for the Irish ship and boat building industry
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he Halpin Centre recently hosted a workshop for the Atlantic Area boat building industry to answer two fundamental questions: • what is the current state of the ship and boat building and repair industry in Ireland today? • how can the industry evolve to ensure a successful future? Ciarán McCarthy, project manager of the European Regional Development Funded AuxnavaliaPlus project, organised a thorough panel-based examination and discussion of the industry. On a policy-focused panel, Port of Cork’s Cpt. Michael
McCarthy noted that for indigenous SMEs, waterfront facilities in Ireland were too expensive to purchase and that government did not provide enough assistance. This point was illustrated by the example of one builder who set-up a premises inland and had to bear the consequent cost of transporting boats to a harbor for testing. It was widely recognised that a method must be discovered to incentivise banks to offer corporate finance to the indigenous industry. One possible solution offered was to compile a collaborative document to gauge precisely how many direct and indirect jobs can be accredited to the industry
Unmanned aerial systems in toxic spills
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nmanned aerial vehicles , or ‘drones’ as they are popularly referred to, have been appearing in the media lately with news of Amazon looking to use them to deliver products to your door; medics potentially using them to fly critical blood supply to emergency scenes and unlicensed amateurs getting in trouble for filming over populated cities. The Halpin Centre with SkyTech Ireland however has been exploring the potential use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in combatting oil spills as well as other Harmful Noxious Substances (HNS). The NMCI recently hosted a workshop as part of the ARCOPOLplus project (framed in the Atlantic Area Transnational Programme) aimed at reinforcing preparedness and response to such spills in Atlantic regions through technology transfer, training and innovation. In the context of detecting harmful noxious substances in the maritime environment, SkyTech investigated the possible cost effective use of UAS technology. Their investigations include how effective UAS are in real-world maritime operations and what limitations exist in their use, with proof testing planned, involving a series of launches from Irish Naval Service vessels.
How does time at sea affect body and mind?
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HAPEFITS is a study based around analysing the physical and mental demands placed on naval personnel while at sea. The study uses three aspects: pre, during and post, and looks at changes that occur in areas such as BMI, physical fitness and mental wellbeing. The project will also gather data on demands placed on both the mind and body during a 24 or 48 hour period at sea as well as an analyse common injuries. The study, part of a Phd project being conducted by Cliodhna Sargent under the Halpin Centre, is very much in the early stages and testing will not commence until towards the end of this year.
and to list the finances involved. This could be used as a tool for briefing banks and to identify possible returns on investments, because the reality is that funding is available when banks have knowledge of the industry. Of the €30 million being spent on new trawlers for the pelagic industry operating out of Killybegs, half is funded by Irish banks that do possess knowledge of the industry. On another panel discussing market opportunities, Pat Brennan of Burke Shipping Group observed that the Irish market was currently oriented towards ship repair rather than ship building. Pointing to the future, Brennan noted the capability for Ireland to become a pre-assembly hub for offshore wind turbines, e.g.
by manufacturing blades and towers in addition to becoming a manufacturing base for wave and tidal devices. Other future opportunities for the Irish industry were discussed with a focus residing on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) related opportunities such as port storage and development of dual-fuel engines and bunkering vessels. Commander William Roberts of the Irish Naval Service however highlighted that the industry in Ireland faced the dual challenge of maintaining existing skills while trying to relearn unique marine skills at a time when highly-skilled workers such as shipwrights were becoming less available. Forming a plan to move forward was identified as being of utmost importance,
a sentiment echoed by John Brennan of Plato Ireland who highlighted the need for a strategic focus with a possible end goal of a collaborative cluster of marine interests that would enable industry members to collaborate in delivering marine projects. Indeed, a general consensus on the day was that the industry must influence government and begin to take ownership through action. There was a strong consensus on the need for a representative body that could undertake government lobbying, provide assistance with tendering processes to enable the industry to engage in potential niches, and allow industry members to collaborate and approach boat building and repair in a modular format.
Sharing maritime surveillance in Europe
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ithin maritime surveillance sectors such as law enforcement; border control; transport; pollution control; fisheries control; customs and national defence, great efforts have already been made to increase the efficiency of surveillance activities with existing means, including cross-border cooperation. The next logical step would be sharing information extensively between different sectors. The Cooperation Project (CoopP), which the Halpin Centre helped to deliver, has created a stepping stone for that purpose, enabling further and more practical development to take place with 28 partners and 45 authorities. The project succeeded in delivering and exceeding its expected output, both in time and scope. For info see http://www.coopp.eu/
28 inshore ireland June/July 2014
book review
Drievers tied up ‘stern on’ to rings at Scilly, 1896 Courtesy Lawrence Collection
Old Head of Kinsale looking north to the harbour mouth
Courtesy John Collins
Kinsale Harbour: A History
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he author, John Thuillier, of this timely publication is steeped in Kinsale’s maritime tradition. His family was involved in the design and building of all sorts of vessels for hundreds of years up until 1958. He is also the man responsible for introducing a maritime module at the Kinsale Further Education College, providing students with marine skills such as navigation, seamanship, net making and sailing. These skills were in danger of being lost at that time as the town’s maritime traditions went into decline. A keen sailor and a great researcher of local marine affairs, he brings a lot of his skills to the table in this long overdue compilation of the famed harbour town. The timespan mainly covered deals with the period from the Battle of Kinsale in 1601 to the present day. It covers all aspects of the harbour, encompassing naval activity; fishing; harbour
defences; shipping; shipbuilding; piracy; shipwrecks and the hinterland of the Old Head and the Bandon River. It also covers contemporary events such as yachting, water sports and regattas.
Topographical knowledge
The author sets the scene for the reader in the first chapter, using his topographical knowledge to good effect, making it easy for the reader to follow. You get an insight to the harbour in words, in much the same way as Tim Robinson describes Connemara perfectly without any illustration. The author clearly outlines the construction and decline of the various fortifications within this secure haven, and also gives attention to their deficiencies, most notably the higher ground that surrounds both forts. The short fallings of the navigable channel, most notably the sand bar near the mouth of the harbour and its barrier to Kinsale developing at the
expense of Cork Port. The author is very well versed in the terminology of sailing and shipbuilding. Along with his extensive historical bibliography, this puts him in an unrivalled position to write a publication such as this. John Thuillier is Kinsale’s foremost historian, always searching for new outlets of information among the older generation of seafarers in that town. This work is a timely addition to the maritime history of Kinsale. Not since Florence O’Sullivan’s History of Kinsale in the early part of the twentieth century has a comprehensive work been written on the town. It provides a very different perspective of Kinsale for the many newcomers that make up the majority of the population in the port. The author’s previous handbook History of Kinsale: a field study approach was always going to make his current book one to look forward to; an appetiser so to speak. Jerome Lordan
Published by The Collins Press Hardback ISBN: 978-1-84889-2-6-4 PDF eBook ISBN: 978-1-84889-847-9 EPUB eBook: ISBN: 978-1-84889-849-3 Kindle ISBN: 978-1-84889-849-3 The publishers have generously provided two competition copies:
Scottish girls cleaning fish at Short Quay. Courtesy Tim O’Donovan
Fishing fleet, ice hulks and shipping in the harbour, 1896. Courtesy Lawrence Collection
APR/MAY COMPETITION WINNERS Sailing Directions David Friel, Greencastle, Co Donegal Eamon Carroll, Dundalk, Co Louth
Own Our Oil Bror Prehn, Athenry, Co Galway Angela Brown [waiting address]
Q: In what year was the Battle of Kinsale? Answers to mills@inshore-ireland.com or by postcard to: 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Closing date: AUGUST 8 Good luck!
Oileáin Alan Binley, Cabinteely, Co Dublin Arlene Dooley, Rathmines, Co Dublin
Congratulations to all our competition winners
inshore ireland June/July 2014 29
book review
The Island Imagined by the Sea - A History of Bull Island
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Published by: Liffey Press ISBN 978-1-908308-58-0 Price: €14.95
Competition
The publishers have generously provided two competition copies Q: In what year was St Anne’s Golf Club founded? Answers to mills@inshore-ireland. com or by postcard to: 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Closing date August 8. Good luck!
t the time of reviewing this book by Kieran McNally, Ireland was blessed with glorious weather, so I headed down to Dollymount Strand for a nostalgic stroll. As I crossed the Wooden Bridge, which gets a mention in James Joyces’ Ulysses, on my way to the beach, I was met with a scene reminiscent, I imagine, of a Brazilian beach...people playing with frisbees, volleyball and football and loud music blaring in the background. I was born in Clontarf, spent all my school life there and my maternal grandmother hailed from the same area, so this book was of great interest to me. The book is a collection of events and information; for instance Captain Bligh of Mutiny on the Bounty fame who in the lore of the City, built the North Bull Wall. In 1800 he noted in a survey of Dublin Bay that the Liffey mouth was blocked with sand and that few ships could find a place to lie afloat in low water. As a result, the Ballast Board surveyed the site; however the design appears to have originated in proposals in 1786 and interestingly Bligh’s own proposal for a wall was rejected.
Vertigo Angustior
The author has undertaken major research to unearth a comprehensive history of the area and his knowledge of local natural history is evident throughout. Interestingly, in light of the furore about the tiny protected snail Vertigo Angustior on Donald Trump’s golf course in Doonbeg, there have been similar issues at St Anne’s Golf Club, on Bull Island, which was founded in 1921. In 1926, a groundsman at St Anne’s fixed a stake near a nest which he found 20 yards in front of the putting ground [green]. The golfers observed the positioning of this stake, kept the nest under consideration when playing and, as a result, a ringed plover successfully hatched her brood. Members of St Anne’s then developed an interest in ornithology and so when Bull Island was made a bird sanctuary in 1931, there were no objections from the club or its members (even though it was possible that this protected bird life could disrupt their golf games).
Protection status
There are three different aspects to this book: ecological, social and personal. The ecological covers the fact that Bull Island is an internationally famous nature reserve and bird sanctuary. The author covers the botany and bird life in great detail and the various threats to the ecology down
the years and the work of conservationists and activists. The social covers the history of the Island itself: the shipwrecks, the gruesome findings on the beach (including bodies and body parts), the suicides and the murders. The personal describes the author’s accident while walking on the island which led to a broken ankle resulting in a life-threatening clot. Because of these three aspects, it is difficult to know for which audience this book is written. While it is packed with information, I found the layout a bit difficult to navigate as each chapter finishes with copious notes, thus giving it the feel of a valuable reference book. In my opinion however, as someone who has a personal interest in the place and just wanted to read historical information and anecdotes, these references might have been better placed together at the end of the book - or at least annotated to connect with the text. Having said that, this is a book well-worth reading In conclusion, the author hopes he might help his children see and understand in the island’s short history, the greater part of life’s ceaseless wonder, challenges and fragility. With this book, he will help many others to see and understand the same. Lily O’Toole
Where to eat and stay on the Wild Atlantic Way
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f the idea of a culinary road trip has your mouth watering, travelling the 2,500km along the Wild Atlantic Way from Donegal to West Cork in the company of John and Sally McKenna’s pocketsize guide, will be a taste of paradise! Featuring 350 entries starting with the Pyke ‘n’ Pommes food cart, in the shadow of the Foyle Bridge, and finishing with the ‘piscine
brilliance’ of Martin Shanahan’s cooking in Fishy Fishy, Kinsale, ‘The Wild AtlanticWay is not just a travel adventure, it’s a culinary adventure as well,’ writes John McKenna. Where to Eat and Stay on the Wild AtlanticWay is the first food and accommodation guide to be published on the WAW, the longest themed route on Earth - according to Failte Ireland, which hugs the coast through counties, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Galway,
Clare, Kerry and West Cork. Along the journey, John and Sally McKenna have used their 25 years of experience in writing about Irish food and hospitality, to discover the best places to eat and stay. The guide also features places to snack, and showcases the best craft beers, as well as local speciality foods and fine-dining restaurants. ‘We looked for good, for simple road food, great shops, authentic B&Bs and places that offer a genuine Irish welcome,’ writes Sally McKenna. With more than 300 photographs, every page turn is a new discovery of the sights and tastes that showcase the natural beauty of this Atlantic rim. Whatever your reason for touring the Wild AtlanticWay - be it to surf, swim, walk, cycle or just soak up the unspoilt miles of white, squeaky sand - this guide should be your constant companion to ensure your day ends with mouthfuls of the delicious tastes of Ireland.
Gillian Mills
Published by Estragon Press ISBN-978-1-906927-20-2 Price: €12. (The book will also appear in the autumn as an interactive smartguide for phones and tablets, developed with Dublin City University)
Competition The publishers have generously provided two copies as competition prizes: Q: How many entries feature in Where to Eat and Stay on the Wild Atlantic Way? Answers to mills@ inshore-ireland.com or by postcard to: 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Closing date: AUGUST 8.
Good luck!
30 inshore ireland June/July 2014
coastline news
New guiding light for Iniseer Lighthouse, Aran Islands
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he Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) have unveiled a new light emitting diode (LED) light for the Inisheer lighthouse that marks the south-eastern end of the Aran Islands and the western side of the southern approach to Galway Bay. This lighthouse is a highly important Aid to Navigation (AtoN) safeguarding considerable traffic between Inisheer and Co Clare. The tower at 34m in height ensures visibility of the light due to the low lying nature of the island. A red sector delineates the potential danger of Finnis Rock lying to the east. The project will provide reliable and low maintenance operational needs for the next 20 years while achieving a 16% reduction in annual operating costs. The new flashing LED light source replaces the optic lamp in the existing lens. The light range is now reduced from 20White, 16Red to 18White, 11Red but will keep
the same flashing character. The rotating mirror located in the tower has been removed and preserved for heritage purposes. A 6kW Standby Diesel Generator has been removed and replaced by duplicated 24V batteries and chargers of total capacity to provide
Inisheer Lighthouse.
6 days operation. The Radar Beacon (RACON) has also been replaced. With the help of modern technology, CIL is delivering a low-maintenance, low-energy and carbon-emission reducing Aids to Navigation service around the coast of Ireland.
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The goal is to reduce the number of deaths and injuries that occur annually on craft in our coastal and inland waters. “This will be done by building a culture of safety in the maritime sector, for all types of craft, with a focus on maritime safety issues, and by posing key questions to shape the new Maritime Safety Strategy,” he added. Sea Change will look at how to address the top ten contributing factors to loss of life at sea • Lack of an adequate maritime safety culture; • Unsuitable or inadequately maintained safety equipment on board, or lack thereof • Lack of crew training • Failure to plan journeys safely, including failure to take sea/ weather conditions into account • Non-wearing of personal flotation device (PFD) • Vessel unseaworthy, unstable and/or overloaded
CIL is a modern maritime safety organisation whose mission is to ‘provide aids to navigation and allied services for the safety of persons and infrastructure at sea, while also helping protect the marine environment and supporting the marine industry and coastal communities’. Establishment by an 1786 Act of Parliament, the organisation prides itself in its innovative and efficient service delivery. Today, the organisation remains committed to the efficient, effective sustainable delivery of services as it exploits new technology and new commercial opportunities. Based in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, CIL are responsible for providing marine aids to navigation (AtoN) under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention. »» CIL provide and maintain over 300 general aids to navigation »» CIL manage 4,000 local aids to navigation »» CIL mark or remove dangerous wrecks outside harbour areas around Ireland CIL AtoN include radio aids such as Differential GPS (DGPS), Radar Beacons (Racon) and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), as well as traditional visual aids such as lighthouses, buoys and beacons. These AtoN complement Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as GPS, which are the primary means of navigation for most mariners. If satellites are not available, these AtoN provide position, spatial awareness, hazard marking and backup.
Photo Colin Day, CIL
Majority of maritime fatalities relate to recreational craft inister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar called for a major change in attitude to maritime safety, when he launched (26/06) a new consultation process on maritime safety: Sea Change – Building a new Maritime Safety Culture. Minister Varadkar highlighted the 134 maritime fatalities that have occurred since 2002, almost half of which related to recreational craft. “We all need to take a fresh look at how we use the waters in and around our island, and build a culture of maritime safety in our communities. This requires a radical change of culture in our attitude to safety.” He added that the sea and any open water can be hostile and dangerous environments and demanded total respect. “By consulting with stakeholders and the general public, we want to reach a situation where there are no fatalities,” he said. The results of the consultation process will feed into the first ever Maritime Safety Strategy for Ireland. This approach borrows from the road safety strategies that has significantly improved road safety over the last 15 years.
CIL fact file
• Inadequate enforcement of regulations • Impairment due to fatigue or the influence of alcohol and/ or drugs • Inadequate crewing levels/solo operation • Unsuitable clothing being worn on board “The number of tragedies around our coastline, and the effect of those events on families, has put the need for a Maritime Safety Strategy into sharp focus. We have to learn from past tragedies, in memory of those who have lost their lives, and safeguard future generations,” he said. Minister Varadkar is urging all stakeholders, and the general public, to engage with the consultation process and to contribute their ideas to the Irish Maritime Administration in his Department. Closing date for submissions is August 29, 2014. Submissions to: MaritimeSafetyStrategy@dttas.ie
‘Wine not’ go to France for the weekend? Simone Rapple
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magine being able to fill your car boot to the gills with wine in France to bring home. And you don’t have to worry about the legality – the law says that excisable products acquired in an EU member state by a private individual for personal use, accompanied by that person back to Ireland, qualifies for relief from excise duty. So, with that said, how does it work? I have done the mini-cruise (wine run to the regulars) many times on Irish Ferries’ Oscar Wilde. On a Friday evening, for example, set sail from Rosslare arriving in Roscoff the following morning. Six hours later re-board the ship to head home. These sailings only run in May and September and the return journey costs around €350 for two adults and a car, including a cabin both ways. The Oscar Wilde is like a hotel on water with numerous restaurants and bars from which to choose. The Berneval restaurant is the
silver-service option where dinner is approximately €40 well worth it for the food and service. There are three bars two large and also the smaller piano bar where you can sit, meet up with other regular wine runners, or simply people watch. What about the wine? While there are many wine warehouses in Roscoff there are two just minutes outside the town that I would recommend. Wine Beer Supermarket is a three-minute drive from the port and cannot be missed as there is a red London doubledecker in the car park. Fred, Chris and the rest of the staff are very helpful and you can also order online at www. winebeersupermarket.com and collect when you arrive. The other place to visit is La Cave (www.wine-centre.com) which is nearer the port where Vincent and Solene look after those who call in to browse or collect their orders. The rule of thumb is that bottles of wine are half to one-third the price in France as they would be here. So overall, you are getting a mini break away and are filling up your wine cellar for the year as well. Sláinte!
inshore ireland June/July 2014 31
outside ireland
COFI group
Exchanging experiences in Costa Rica
Historic day for small scale fisheries Brian O’Riordan, ICSF
W
orkers in the small-scale fisheries sector throughout the value chain around the world have cause to celebrate. At a meeting in Rome on June 10 of the 31st Session of the FAOs Committee on Fisheries (COFI 31), 116 members (of a total of 143) approved the adoption of the first ever international instrument dedicated to small-scale fisheries. For over six years, a platform of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has been actively engaged with FAO and its member states to develop this instrument. These organisations include the World Forum of Fisherpeople (WFFP); the World Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fishworkers (WFF); the International Planning Committee on Food Sovereignty (IPC) and the International Collective of Fishworkers (ICSF). Together, the two World Forums represent around 70 community-based organisations of small-scale fishers from Latin America, North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Approximately 90% of the 140 million people engaged in fisheries globally work in the small-scale fisheries sector, predominantly in the Global South. These small-scale fisher people catch half of the world’s total catches by volume, and provide over 60% of the fish destined for direct human consumption. For each fisher-person in the small-scale sector, at least four other people are engaged in related land-based activities, such preparing equipment, fish processing, and marketing. In total, more than half a billion people are estimated to depend on fisheries for their livelihoods. Food security As a family-based activity, fishing makes a direct contribution to household food security where women play a particularly important role,
linking land-based and sea-going activities; providing the main link with the market and wider economy, and putting food on the table in the household. An international instrument could help to ensure that this sector is given the security and recognition it deserves. The instrument takes the form of Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Alleviation (VG SSF). The chair of COFI dedicated the instrument to Chandrika Sharma in recognition of her tireless work, leadership and immense contribution to developing the instrument. Chandrika, the Executive Secretary of the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF), disappeared on March 8 2014 aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. March 8 was also International’s Women’s Day, and through her work, Chandrika championed the cause of women workers; their rights to equal opportunities; to decent work; to access resources; not to be discriminated against and to engage as equals in the decision taking processes that affect them. Guiding principles Gender equality and equity are guiding principles of the guidelines; the Guidelines give visibility and recognition to the rights of women and to the important role they play throughout the fisheries value chain. Without their engagement, fisheries would not be viable. Putting the Guidelines into practice will help defend their space and enable women to participate fully in the decisions that affect their lives and livelihoods. Sid Ahmed Abeid, President of the National Artisanal Fishermen’s Federation of Mauritania (FNP) called it an “historic day for artisanal fisheries,” and added: “We have fought hard for this for many years. Today marks an important landmark victory.” For the organisations who have engaged with developing the instrument, the victory has
a bitter-sweet taste. The loss of Chandrika Sharma has been a tragic blow; however her name and contribution will live on in the new instrument. The new instrument is global in scope, and applies to small-scale fisheries in all contexts, but with a specific focus on the needs of small-scale fishing communities in developing countries. Some COFI members questioned whether or not the instrument applied to high-tech modern small-scale fisheries in the industrialised world. But as the majority of small–scale fisheries are located in the developing world, the importance of such a distinction seemed questionable. “We all belong to the same family, and are fighting for the same rights,” said Naseegh Jaffer of the World Forum of Fisherpeople. “Whether in the North or South, small-scale fisheries are the largest and most sustainable segment of the world’s fishery sector. The Guidelines apply to us all.” Editrudith Lukanga from the World Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fishworkers explained that the Guidelines were comprehensive and in one instrument, dealt with all significant aspects of small-scale fisheries and fishing communities within a human rights perspective. “These Guidelines will support the visibility, recognition and enhancement of smallscale fisheries and fishing communities in the context of eradicating hunger and poverty. The Guidelines will contribute significantly to effectively addressing numerous challenges and constraints facing small-scale fishing communities around the world.” While this is an important victory to celebrate, there are significant challenges ahead for small-scale fisheries organisations, Member States and the FAO to ensure the full implementation of this new instrument. For more information contact: Brian O’Riordan, Secretary, Belgium Office, International Collective in Support of Fishworkers. briano@scarlet.be
Fisherman leader, Gaoussou Gueye, Senegal, reads a declaration
Chandrika Lonxanet