Inshore ireland vol 13 nr 4 winter 2017

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The Marine & Freshwater Environment Publication Innovative technologies revealed to international conference Pages 14-15

Continuous environmental monitoring underpins major port project Pages 18-19

Winter 2017 Vol 13 Issue 4

ONLINE EDITION

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Penalty points for alleged fishing offences to be set in State law Gillian Mills

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he Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has told Inshore Ireland that based on advice from the Attorney General, it would not be possible to deliver on an ‘effective and dissuasive points system consistent with the requirements of the EU Regulation’ by making the assignment of points dependent on the Court prosecution process.

DAFM added it had hoped that subject to addressing some important and administrative issues, ‘Ireland could move towards a system of sequential application of EU points’ in conjunction with the prosecution process’.

The new Statutory Instrument which the Minister

intends to sign shortly will amend S.I. No. 125 of 2016 to change the make-up of the Determination Panel. This will involve the appointment of three independent legal professionals nominated by the Attorney General, ‘thereby completely separating the enforcement and the determination functions’.

To the extent possible, the SI ‘will take on board the issues of concern in relation to procedures and processes highlighted in High Court judgments on this matter.’ DAFM confirmed.

Pilot infringement proceedings by the EU Commission for nonimplementation of the EU points system have been taken, the statement added.

‘It remained an option for the EU Commission to proceed to formal infringement proceedings in respect of the licence holders system.

‘There are also serious implications with regard to the release of funding under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).’

RETROGRADE STEP

At a recent parliamentary party meeting, Donegal Fianna Fáil deputy, Pat the Cope Gallagher, publically questioned the intention of Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to introduce the Statutory “despite assurances given last year that such a system would not be implemented.

“It now transpires that the Minister is about to give effect to such a system and will not take into account the innocence or otherwise of the fishermen. Such is the bluntness of the proposed legislation.”

Deputy Gallagher added that the SI was being

considered regardless of the outcome of a Court case; that the penalty points will still apply.

“This defies logic and is contrary to the principles of common law whereby an individual is innocent until proven guilty and when proven innocent, no penalty or sanction remains on their character. But this is not the case with the proposed penalty points being considered … as it in effect would not be able to remove the penalty points once issued regardless of what a subsequent court would determine.”

Pat the Cope added this is a “step backwards” and is “disgraceful behaviour by those who are currently drafting such regulations especially in the context of last year’s commitments given not to precede which such a course of action.

“The Minister must

immediately desist from proceeding with this course of action and honour the commitment given last year.

The penalty points system does not work – it’s unfair in its approach and contrary to common law and as such must be scrapped. I would strongly advise the Minister to consult with the sector.”

Deputy Gallagher added he would be raising the matter in the Dáil after the current recess and was confident of the full support of the Fianna Fáil party.

Maritime solicitor Dermot Conway described the pending new Statutory Instrument to Inshore Ireland as “astounding” and said Minister Creed and his officials were “well aware” that on October 3 the Supreme Court of Ireland had heard legal

The Geological Survey’s seabed mapping fleet returning home after a successful INFOMAR survey season along the east coast of Ireland.

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Photo Eoin Mac Craith

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NEWS

2018 mackerel talks ‘disappointing but not surprising’ Gillian Mills

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utcome of the annual coastal states mackerel negotiations have been described as disappointing but not surprising by the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation. These negotiations between the EU, Norway, the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland, focus on ‘sustainable management’ of the €1bn fishery in the North East Atlantic.

Ireland secured a quota of 69,143 tonnes with a corresponding landing value of €70m. The sharing arrangement agreed in 2014 between EU, Faeroes and Norway and which is due to expire at the end of 2018, holds ‘an amount’ in reserve to accommodate other parties, according the

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Minister Creed explained that while the stock is in “good shape” new scientific advice recommends a precautionary approach “for long-term sustainability”, underpinning the quota reduction.

Accordingly, following assessment of scientific advice by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) and discussions with the Marine Institute and industry stakeholders, “I support a reduction,” he remarked.

KFO chief executive Sean O’Donoghue, KFO said he was satisfied that the mackerel stock in the North East Atlantic is in a healthy state.

“This has been evidenced not only by the Irish pelagic fleet but also [by] all other pelagic fleets which have encountered large shoals of mackerel

over the entire distribution area which has expanded both south and north.

“Based on these observations, the industry believes the stock size has greatly increased” and is not confined to one area nor observed by only one fleet, he added.

Following the 53% reduction advised by ICES compared to 2017 catches, “It was the best that could be achieved,” he said.

The main considerations behind the reduction were the correction following incorrect ICES advice in January; significant changes in the assessment due to benchmarking in February and a change in fishing mortality.

When the current agreement concludes at the end of 2018, “it is imperative that Minister Creed redresses the loss of the EU percentage share in the 2014 agreement,” he added.

Marine Institute delivers the 2017 Stock Book

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n the eve of the annual meeting of Europe’s fisheries ministers to discuss TAC and quota for the following year, the latest science known on 61 stocks exploited by the Irish fishing industry has been presented to Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The Stock Book — one of the principal annual publications of the Institute — provides the latest impartial scientific advice on commercially exploited fish stocks of interest to Ireland, and and is used by the marine department at the annual quota negotiations with the EU and at fisheries management meetings.

“The information presented by the Marine Institute… is critical to the preparations for the annual fisheries negotiations. The detailed stock-by-stock guide ensures we have the most up-to-date scientific advice at our finger tips.”

The fishing industry is a vital part of Ireland’s coastal economy, with Ireland’s quotas worth approximately €226m in 2017.”

Dr Peter Heffernan, Marine Institute chief executive added that the waters around Ireland were among the most productive and biologically sensitive areas of the EU. “Our fisheries scientists spend collectively over 1,000 scientific days each year at sea on the Marine Institute’s two research vessels, surveying fish stocks and habitats so that we can have the best available information on the state of our stocks.

Throughout the year, our scientists also participate in and lead ICES working groups on international fish stocks in order to maintain healthy ocean ecosystems and sustain Ireland’s important blue economy.”

The Stock Book also serves as a valuable reference to stakeholders including the fishing industry; managers; marine scientists; environmental NGOs; third-level institutes; financial institutions and others with an interest in the status and management of marine fisheries resources in the waters around Ireland.

The Stock Book is available at www.marine.ie.

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submissions as to whether or not penalty points ought to be a stand-alone system or an ‘add on’ to the criminal prosecution before a Court.

“A decision on this is imminent from the Supreme Court,” he said.

“The advice to Minister Creed that he has no choice but to go with a standalone system displays an arrogance that can only be attributed to the fact that the people in question do not answer to anyone.

They are the permanent government and this is like a scene from ‘Yes Minister’.

“From my perspective, the proposed new SI is as

offensive as the first two.

The changes being proposed are akin to someone saying the new window installed is not fit-for-purpose, but the Minister decides that he will only change the curtains!

“I have no doubt given the limited information that has issued about the make-up of the new SI, there will be a High Challenge and in my opinion, it will be successful.

“If one reads the first and second statutory instruments, the differences are shades of grey. The new SI purports to be a departure from what went before, but clearly it is simply a darker shade of grey.”

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COMMENT

Does the principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ not apply to fisheries law?

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he clear indication by the European Council’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier that fisheries and trade would not be separated in the Brexit negotiations has been further strengthened by solidarity and robust support of Ireland’s overall position.

“If the UK offer is unacceptable for Ireland it will be unacceptable for the EU,” remarked Donald Tusk, president of the EC, during a recent visit to Dublin.

Brexit could be potentially disastrous for Irish fisheries in terms of access, quota share and trade where its two biggest fisheries, mackerel and nephrops (prawns) are inextricably linked to Britain.

With Ireland sharing 47 of 50 Total Allowable Catch quota stocks with Britain, “it stands to reason that Ireland will suffer disproportionally if negotiations on fisheries are separated from trade negotiations,” Sean O’Donoghue, chief executive of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation has warned.

DOMESTIC WATERS

What remains less clear on the domestic front is the final curtain on two issues facing the fishing industry, described in these pages as ‘astounding’ and ‘misconceived’.

Penalty points for alleged fishing infringements are set to become Irish law and while no industry or person is above the law if found in breach of the rules, the sting in this particular fish tail is that points will remain

Follow the latest news across the marine, maritime, seafood and freshwater sectors on www.inshore-ireland.com

even if a case is subsequently unproven or is dismissed in court.

“This defies logic and is contrary to the principles of common law,” deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher remarked.

At the time of going to press, a decision was ‘imminent’ from the Supreme Count as to whether or not penalty points should be a stand-alone system or an ‘add on’ to a criminal prosecution before a Court.

VOISINAGE

Another issue vexing Irish fishermen is the Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, described by maritime solicitor Dermot Conway as unnecessary and “utterly misconceived”.

Behind this Bill is an ‘arrangement’ from the 1960s known as voisinage which gave reciprocals rights to Irish

Dear editor In a fishing licencing appeals hearing in Galway on Monday, Sept 4, Mr Willie Fitzpatrick from Dooyeher, Carna, Co Galway, appealed against the loss of his fishing tonnage and wattage licence under the heading ‘Expired Replacement Capacity’.

On September 10, six days after the hearing, Appeals Officer Emile Daly BL contacted myself, Pat O’Regan; Deirdre Kelleher (Deputy Registrar) and Kevin Moriarty (Registrar General for Fishing Boats, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) informing of her decision to grant Mr Fitzpatrick’s appeal.

QUESTIONS ARISING: • Why wasn’t the Department’s website updated showing Mr

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and Northern Irish vessels to fish within the zero and six nautical mile zone of their respective territorial waters.

In October 2016, a Supreme Court Judgment found that fishing by NI boats in southern Irish waters was not permitted by law but upheld a High Court finding that while the arrangements were not invalid they were insufficiently covered by domestic law.

Meanwhile, the UK has given notice it is withdrawing from the London Convention, which means the arrangement will no longer apply in Northern Ireland waters once the two-year withdrawal notice has expired in 2019.

The Bill is in Second Stage of the Seanad but it is hard to see how it will be passed given the considerable political opposition.

comment

Gillian Mills

Fitzpatrick’s appeal determined instead of ‘pending’ and that for a period of thirty nine days until 19/10/17?

• Why was there no communication from the Fishing Boat Licensing division to Mr Willie Fitzpatrick’s address, either by registered or unregistered post acknowledging the decision of the Appeals Officer for a period of thirty-nine days • Were any appeal cases under the heading ‘Expired Replacement Capacity’ heard during the period 4/9/17 - 19/10 /17 when information on the Fishing Boat Licensing division website gave incorrect information regarding a determined appeal?

• Why did the fishing licencing department in Clonakilty fail to contact Mr Willie Fitzpatrick yet again?

NOTE:

The appeal was won on the basis of Fishing Boat Licensing division not contacting Mr Fitzpatrick regarding the ‘Expiry Replacement Capacity’ deadline.

My involvement in all this involves helping the fisherman and at no cost whatsoever as I have sought to do with Willie Fitzpatrick when representing him at his appeals hearing in last September.

Yours sincerely, Gerry Nugent Ardnacrusha Co Clare

DAFM RESPONDS: ‘The Licensing Authority, as with all determinations, is entitled to a reasonable time period to fully consider the contents and implications of appeal determinations, following which the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s website is updated.

‘While there has been some correspondence with the individuals referred to, due to Data Protection considerations, the Licensing Authority cannot comment on details of private interactions with individual fishermen.’

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NEWS

Fisheries Bill unlikely to succeed due to insufficient government support

D

uring a Dáil debate in October, Fianna Fáil spokesperson on fisheries, Pat the Cope Gallagher, asked Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine about the status of the SeaFisheries (Amendment) Bill 2017.

He noted that voisinage arrangements* between zero and six miles are part of the London Convention but “will no longer apply in Northern waters once the two years UK withdrawal notices expires in July 2019”. He also referred to the notice served by the UK in July 2017 that it is withdrawing from the 1964 London Fisheries Convention.

Minister Creed confirmed the Bill was in Second Stage debate in the Seanad but noted “considerable political opposition”.

“When the minority

government cannot get sufficient support for the legislation, it raises the question of whether the Bill can pass. It should be borne in mind that it is one of the areas that was identified in the Good Friday Agreement as an area suitable for allisland cooperation,” he said.

“If an Executive was in place in Northern Ireland, it would be particularly helpful because it might lead to a more rounded debate on the issue, he added.

INSUFFICIENT COVER

A Supreme Court judgment (October 27, 2016) found that fishing by Northern Ireland boats in these waters was not permitted by law, but upheld a High Court finding that the while the arrangements were not invalid, the arrangements were not sufficiently covered in domestic law.

Government subsequently approved the publication

Happy Christmas & A Peaceful New Year from all at Bord Iascaigh Mhara www.bim.ie

of the Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Bill to address access for Northern Ireland vessels. If enacted and commenced, the Bill will give voisinage arrangements a proper legal footing. The Bill was published in February 2017 and has commenced debate in the Seanad. *The voisinage arrangements are longstanding reciprocal arrangements which have allowed fishing boats from Northern Ireland access to fish within the zero to six nautical mile zone of the territorial waters of the State, and vice versa.

VIEWPOINT

Maritime solicitor Dermot Conway believes the Bill is not required and is “utterly misconceived”.

“Minister Creed is proposing legislation to give effect to neighbourly fishing rights under the London Convention of 1965 which pre-dates the CFP. After the Supreme Court reviewed the evidence of the Department, it concluded that the arrangement from the 1960s was so secretive it could not constitute an agreement that possessed any form of legal certainty.”

He added that citizens of this State complained to the Courts over the consequences of the original non-arrangement. “These complaints were not only ignored, they were fought.

The Minister and his officials actually argued that fish are not a natural resource.”

Within days of the Minister publishing the Bill, the UK announced it had given notice it was withdrawing from the London Convention.

“It was a total mis-step the Minister would attempt to advance legislation that would give the Northern Ireland fishermen rights that their Government would deny to ours. The basis of the London convention is the giving of reciprocal rights.

If the UK withdraws, then the giving of permanent rights to Northern Ireland fishermen is utterly pointless and almost unpatriotic.”

Super-trawler displacement concerns post Brexit

S

inn Fein members have passed a motion vowing to protect coastal communities from the dangers of Brexit.

Welcoming the outcome, the party’s MEP Liadh Ní Riada said it was of the “utmost importance” that the Ard Fheis endorsed the Motion 41”and any other motions in support of “our beleaguered fishing industry”.

She added that “decades of neglect” by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil governments “have pushed the many thousands of individuals, families and communities that rely on fishing, to breaking point”.

Ní Riada said that through her roles in Europe’s Budgets and Fisheries committees, she knew “first hand just how little work is being by the Irish government” to defend fishing communities.

The motion calls for protection of coastal communities from negative effects of Brexit.

“In particular, I would point to the existential threat posed to our indigenous industry by the prospect of boats displaced from British waters making the short trip into already

saturated Irish waters.

These boats include “highly destructive supertrawlers which offer nothing to our economy, damage our industry and must be banned”.

MOTION 41

» Alert the Irish public of the possible detrimental threat Brexit may bring to an industry already severely damaged by decades of neglect by previous Irish Governments and EU expansionism » scrutinise the ongoing negotiations between the EU and the British Government regarding the Common Fisheries Policy and ensure those engaged in the Irish fishing industry do not lose any more of their rights to harvest fish stocks from the seas surrounding the island of Ireland » help protect the economic wellbeing of our coastal communities that have a stake in the Irish fishing industry from any negative consequences that may arise from Brexit McGrath/O’Brien Cumann (East Waterford)

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NEWS

Future of fisheries must not be determined by short-term political considerations Gillian Mills

A

coalition of nine member states directly impacted

by Brexit has called for continued joint management of shared European fisheries recources.

Speaking in the European Parliament, Gerard van Balsfoort, chairman of the European Fisheries Alliance, said that responsible management of the shared resource was a “prerequisite” for continued economic vitality: “We call upon all stakeholders to come together to devise a postBrexit fisheries management system based on the current arrangement that safeguards continued sustainability of stocks and economic prosperity for both UK and EU fishing fleets.”

BENEFITS Key topics discussed at a gathering of scientists and NGOs included the benefits of well-managed and sustainable stocks (EU and UK fleets); international laws; cross-border fisheries management and potential effect of a ‘hard Brexit’ on stock sustainability and the marine environment.

When the UK ultimately leaves the European Union and is outside the Common Fisheries Policy, a new arrangement will be required to manage over 140 shared stocks.

According to the EPA, continued close cooperation between the UK and the EU on all aspects of fisheries management as laid down in the CFP needs to be the basis of a future management system to ensure stock sustainability.

This includes data collection, scientific advice, management decisions, control and enforcement.

The meeting was convened

by MEP Alain Cadec and chair of the EP’s fisheries committee and was held before a public gallery, MEPs and representatives of the European fishing industry.

Stock sustainability was key to a viable fisheries sector, Cadec added.

“The future of our fishermen should not be held hostage by short-term political considerations. We will protect the achievements of the European fisheries management system and EU fishermen from any potentially damaging unilateral British decision.”

The EFA comprises the fishing fleets of Belgium,

Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden. it accounts for more than 18,000 fishermen and 3,500 vessels and has an annual turnover of circa €21bn.

Government must expedite process to enable public access to justice for environmental cases

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he Environmental Pillar coalition of 26 national organisations has welcomed the comments of the new Chief Justice on the practical difficulties and barriers to accessing justice in Ireland.

Mr Justice Frank Clarke’s comments ‘underline the urgent need for Government to speed up its work in adopting genuine access to justice rules for environmental cases which should have been solved through Ireland’s ratification of the Aarhus Convention’, it contends.

‘According to the government’s latest legislative programme “work is underway” to update our legal provisions to fully comply with the Aarhus Convention.’

The Pillar adds however that five years after Ireland’s ‘belated ratification of the Convention’, there is ‘abject failure to adhere to the access to justice provisions in the Convention. For example, it is explicitly clear in the Convention that an applicant should be able to pursue a review of decisions without it being prohibitively expensive’.

Attracta Uí Bhroin, facilitator or the Environmental Law Implementation Group at the Irish Environmental Network, says issues remain regarding Ireland’s implementation: “It is now several years since the Government acknowledged issues with its implementation of Aarhus Access to Justice Obligations and proposed an Aarhus Bill – yet this bill has fallen off the table with the

current government.”

The Government’s latest legislation programme which issued in early September, states that ‘work is underway’ to update legal provisions to fully comply with the Aarhus Convention.

“Unless this long-awaited work gets underway fast, the Government is sending a clear message to the Irish people that its commitment to fully implement the Aarhus Convention is nothing but an empty promise.”

Charles Stanley-Smith, spokesperson for the Environmental Pillar said that in many areas, access to justice still operates like the Ritz hotel: “Anyway can enter the lobby but only the wealthy can afford to say there.”

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YOURVIEW

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

Joined-up thinking needed for border region waters Lawrence McBride Far & Wild

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ough Foyle (Feabhail) straddles the border in the northwest of the island of Ireland but the wintering whooper swans from Iceland haven’t figured that out yet. The visiting Arctic variety are a bit late coming this year, some think. Every autumn they perform perfect V-shaped fly-bys across the Lough over

primary school roofs and commuters alikeeveryone loves the sight.

Apparently oblivious to Brexit-related cannon-shots across political bows over the unresolved ownership of the Lough between the Irish and UK governments, daily passage of these graceful migrants happily continues.

In December 2016, the BBC reported that oyster farmers in the Lough were cashing-in on a political no-man’s land. Cross-border environmental protection organisation, the Lough’s Agency, claims its hands

are tied over regulating the exponential upsurge of iron oyster trestles on the western shores and, increasingly, on sand beds in mid-stream.

SHARED ASSET

From an adventure perspective, it doesn’t make sense. Not until someone smart in Tourism Ireland decided to brand the entire west coast of Ireland the ‘Wild Atlantic Way,’ did the penny drop on our national consciousness that the natural environment is this island’s biggest shared asset.

International tourists

join our adventure tours because nature offers the best perspective on life on this small island on the edge of the Atlantic. We cannot get away from the beauty of our coastline, rivers, hills and mountains. As a people, that reality is inside us.

We might take it for granted, but others don’t.

It makes little sense that the Wild Atlantic Way stops in Muff — the small village in south Inishowen on the border with Derry — and that the Causeway Coastal Route picks up in Limavady almost opposite Muff on the east bank of Lough Foyle.

Political borders don’t help tourism; they lead to duplication or in this case, stagnation. The idea of a Blueway - first piloted on the Mayo coast and since incorporated by Waterways Ireland along communities in the Erne-Shannonsystem - could apply here.

RICH BIODIVERSITY

Stand-up paddle boarders on Lough Foyle at dusk.

Photo Brian Morrison

Twenty years after the Good Friday Agreement you might think the notion of a waterway as a contested space would be illogical. If you consider where the water is coming from and going to, the Foyle - just like the Erne-Shannon system - unites a wealth of biodiversity over a massive area of which the human inhabitants are but a small part.

With Brexit on the horizon, could anyone successfully

claim the water in Lough Foyle as exclusively theirs?

In places as far flung as India and Aotearoa/New Zealand, the game has already moved on. The old idea that a political entity like a State can own a mighty watercourse has been successfully thrown out of court in test cases.

In a world-first last March, the Maori people succeeded in establishing the Whanganui River with the same human rights as a human being. The greatest of Indian Rivers, the Ganges, quickly followed suit. The Guardian reported that this means any harm done to the rivers in question can be legally challenged on the same basis as harm done to a person.

The legal moves attempt to protect the sanctity of lifegiving watercourses. It might be difficult to appreciate what this means for us on the daily commute to work. But crossing Derry’s Foyle Bridge always exposes the driver to a different vista of the tidal blueway below, whatever weather comes knocking.

Floating downstream, our stand-up paddle boarders are simulating a V-formation of a group of swans for a tourism video. The power of the river is real, pushing us along quickly, forcibly.

Cars crossing the bridges appear tiny. Maybe it is all about perspective. www.farandwild.org

Breaching beaked whales bedazzle scientists on survey in mesopelagic zone

D

uring a survey (29/10/6/11) to understand the habitat of the elusive beaked whale, a team of scientists on board RV Celtic Voyager were treated to four separate groups of breaching whales close to the Rockall Trough.

Very little is known about beaked whales as they are rarely encountered at sea and are shy around vessels. New species of beaked whales are being found as recently as last year. Four species are found in Irish waters: Sowerby’s; True’s, Curvier’s and the northern bottlenose whale.

“We think that the groups encountered were either Sowerby’s or True’s beaked whales, possibly both. They were incredibly difficult to positively identify at sea,” explained the chief on board scientist, Dr Patricia Breen, NUI Galway, “The amazing thing about this encounter was the high number of sightings in such a small and specific area. Less than 30km separated the first and last sightings,” added Dr Ailbhe Kavanagh, UCC. During the survey the team caught many fish species that live in the mesopelagic zone between 200m and 1,000m.

Professor Emer Rogan, UCC, said recent studies have shown that some beaked whales prey on both squid and mesopelagic fish.

“It is likely that the fish species we were catching in our nets is the reason the whales are here, to feed. The information collected will be helpful in our efforts to learn more about the species and to ensure adequate protection of the habitat of beaked whales in Irish waters.”

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REPORT

Ireland fails to address wastewater deficiencies

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he EPA report, Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2016, highlights the need for ‘significant funding’ to address the legacy of underinvestment in infrastructure required to collect and treat waste water effectively.

The report finds that treatment is inadequate in many areas.

“Wastewater from over half our population failed to meet environmental standards. For many years, Ireland failed to address the deficiencies in wastewater treatment.

Substantial and sustained investment is now required to protect our valuable waterways and protect public health,” remarked Gerard O’Leary, Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement.

Darragh Page, EPA’s Programme Manager says Ireland’s environment is at risk “because waste water is not treated to the necessary standards” despite the final deadline to meet these standards was 2005.

“New or upgraded treatment systems are required in some areas. In other areas, there is already sufficient treatment capacity in place, but the management of the treatment systems needs to improve.

ENVIRONMENTAL PRIORITIES

Waste water is one of the principal threats to water quality in Ireland. The EPA has identified priority areas where resources must be targeted to bring environmental improvements where they are most needed.

50 large towns and cities where waste water treatment failed to meet EU standards, including Dublin which needs a major upgrade of Ringsend treatment plant 44 areas discharging untreated sewage. Counties Cork and Donegal account for nearly half of these areas.

Five areas: Youghal, Belmullet, Rush, Bundoran and Killybegs currently discharging untreated waste water are expected to be connected to treatment plants by the end of 2017 59 areas where waste water

is the sole threat to rivers, lakes and coastal waters and are at risk of not achieving good status. Almost one quarter of these are in Counties Donegal and Galway 4 areas where waste water contributed to poor quality bathing water. The affected beaches include Merrion Strand and Loughshinny Beach 12 areas where improvements are needed to protect critically endangered freshwater pearl mussels in rivers such as the

Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2016

Blackwater and the Nore 3 areas where disinfection of waste water is required to safeguard shellfish habitats

FINDINGS

Waste water treatment at 50 of Ireland’s 185 large towns and cities fail to comply with standards set to prevent pollution and protect public health Sewage from the equivalent of 120,000 people across 44 areas still enters the

environment untreated each day. Plans to install treatment at some of these areas are delayed by up to three years and most will not be completed until 2021 Four bathing water areas were deemed unsafe for swimming due to health risks caused by sewage.

BIM Training Schedule

December 2017-January 2018

Skipper Full Certificate of Competency1 GMDSS Short Range Radio Proficiency Module 1 & 21 – 09 April-08 June 2018, NFC Greencastle – 09 April-13 June 2018, NFC Castletownbere

Second Hand Full Certificate of Competency1 – 02 January-29 March, NFC Greencastle – 08 January-27 April, NFC Castletownbere

Navigation Control Course (Fishing)1 – 08-19 January, NFC Castletownbere

Passenger Boat Proficiency – 15 January, Portmagee, Co. Kerry CTU1

GMDSS General Operators Certificate1 – 22 January-02 February, NFC Castletownbere – 22 January-02 February, NFC Greencastle

www.bim.ie

Three Day Basic Safety Training

– 12-14 December, NFC Castletownbere – 12-14 December, Howth, Co. Dublin CTU2 – 19-21 December, Howth, Co. Dublin CTU2 GMDSS Restricted Operators 1 – 09-11 January, NFC Greencastle Certificate – 19-22 February, Rossaveal, Co. Galway CTU1 – 16-18 January, NFC Castletownbere – 23-25 January, Portmagee, Co. Kerry CTU1 Advanced Fire Fighting (5-day) – 06-08 February, NFC Castletownbere – 04-08 December, NFC Greencastle – 13-15 February, NFC Greencastle – 12-16 February, NFC Castletownbere – 13-15 February, Rossaveal, Co. Galway CTU1 Enhanced Safety Training – 20-22 February, NFC Greencastle – 05 December, Lettermore, Co. Galway CTU1 1 Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport – 06 December, NFC Castletownbere Certificate of Competency – 02 January, NFC Greencastle Please contact the CTU instructor for final – 10 January, Portmagee, Co. Kerry CTU1 confirmation of the course schedule.

– 31 January, NFC Castletownbere – 05 February, NFC Greencastle – 13 February, Rossaveal, Co. Galway CTU1 – 05-07 February, Portmagee, Co. Kerry CTU1

Ireland’s EU Structural and Investment Funds Programmes 2014 - 2020 Co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union

EUROPEAN UNION This measure is part-financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

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FRESHWATER FOCUS

Sea trout sport Brendan Connolly

T

he angler gazed downstream from the bridge and watched high tide stream over the weir.

Between the bridge and the weir lay a deep pool about 100 metres long, known to be good for salmon and sea trout being their first stop after leaving tidal waters before venturing upstream.

It was early May and the sun lit up the gorse blossoms; their reflections in the water adding a blaze of yellow brilliance.

As the angler contemplated this scene, his eyes were drawn to splashes just upstream of the weir. Fans of water flicked

into the air firstly near the high bank quickly followed by another flicker closer to the opposite side. Sea trout were cavorting about on their return to freshwater.

SPLASH AND PUCK

Quickly he took up his fly rod and walked down the low bank. Squeezing between bushes, he waded into the river so his back cast would not tangle. On the tail he had a salmon fly, an Orange Shrimp on a small double hook, and on the dropper he had a Baltic Special sea trout fly. Casting at an angle across the pool, he covered the spots where he had seen the sea trout splash.

He felt a slight pluck on his very first retrieve and cast a

couple more times, letting the fly sink before retrieving.

Then he felt a solid strike; the fish was on. Holding the rod under steady pressure, the fish swam from the far bank across the river to the near bank; the line cutting through the water.

Then, as the fish turned, the line sprung loose and it was gone. He quickly re-cast, and again he felt plucks.

After a number of casts, he hooked a second fish. The line put up a bow wave as the fish dashed over and back across the pool. Even though the angler was concentrating on the fish, he was aware of his idyllic surroundings — the warm sun, the clear water, the dappled light on the golden gravel of the river bed, and a sea trout on the end of the

The strike!

line. Pure fishing magic!

But, again the line shot loose, and the fish was gone.

The angler considered his technique. He had seen that both fish had not taken the Baltic Special sea trout fly but had taken the small shrimp salmon fly on the tail.

He also played the fish like he would a salmon, by letting it take the fly and giving it time to turn before putting pressure on the rod.

Perhaps the double shrimp fly was not hooking them properly, as the points of the double were quite close to the shank of the hook.

He cast again, some more plucks, then, after another few casts, he felt the solid take of a sea trout. This time, he struck immediately — the rod bending into a tight curve.

The fish stayed on and dashed hither and thither. Over to the far shore under the yellow gorse it leaped clear out of the water; a gleaming opalescent body sparkling in the sun.

After some minutes, the fish was played out and the angler could lift its head

above the surface and slide it into the landing net. It was a beautiful sea trout, about 1.75 lb, fresh in from the sea.

He quickly cast again, and almost immediately contacted a second fish. He again struck forcefully, with the fly rod bending into a semi-circle. This sea trout also stayed on and, like the first, raced all over the river.

Although playing these sea trout took only a few minutes, every second was vividly engrained on the angler’s mind by a heightened sense of awareness. This fish eventually also came to the net and was lifted out of the water.

A brace of fresh sea trout of approximately 1.75 lb each! Both had ignored the Baltic Special fly that was intended for sea trout, but had snapped at the Orange Shrimp salmon fly. Perhaps they had been feeding on shrimp in the estuary.

Two fine fish in a wonderful setting; this was one of those fishing sessions the angler would not forget.

A fresh opalescent sea trout

Magnitude of past climate change events may have been underestimated

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new study led

by Dr Audrey Morley, NUI Galway suggest that the magnitude of past abrupt climate change events may have been underestimated. If so, the impact of current climate change may be larger than expected.

“Abrupt climate events that occurred during the last interglacial (warm) period, ca.

125,000 years ago, have been underestimated by up to 4˚C. This is important because our current understanding of climate change and our predictions of future climate both rely on past examples from Earth’s climate history.

“Robust and quantitative methods to deduce the magnitude of abrupt

climate events from the geological record are therefore essential.”

Dr Morley collaborated with researchers from the University of CaliforniaSanta Cruz; Rutgers University New Jersey and the University of Bergen to study an established geochemical tool for investigating sea surface temperatures in the past.

In the modern ocean, observations have shown that marine plankton (foraminifera) will use more magnesium relative to calcium, which are elements freely available in sea water, when they form their shell in warmer waters.

This allows scientists to apply this modern relationship between

magnesium, calcium, and temperature to the past by measuring magnesium-to-calcium ratios (Mg/Ca) in fossilised marine plankton that are continually deposited in seafloor sediments.

There are limitations however with the Mg/Ca temperature relationship, because scientists’ understanding of other processes that may influence the amount of magnesium in the shell is incomplete.

For example, higher carbon dioxide levels in seawater results in lower pH (potential of hydrogen) and lower carbonate ion concentrations. Carbonate ion is the carbon species used by foraminifera to form their calcium carbonate tests.

As carbonate ion becomes less available in surrounding seawater, the individual organism needs to exert more energy for calcification.

Through this process, more magnesium becomes incidentally incorporated than what would be predicted by temperature only.

Since colder surface waters absorb more carbon dioxide than warmer waters, this leads to generally low carbonate ion concentrations in cold surface waters.

Therefore, when magnesiumto-calcium values are measured on fossilised marine plankton that lived in surface waters with low carbonate ion concentrations, this relationship leads to an underestimation of reconstructed temperatures.

The study presents an innovative mathematical correction scheme and enables the carbonate ion concentration effect to be isolated from the temperature signal recorded in marine plankton (from magnesium-to-calcium ratios) via subtraction.

Specifically, Dr Morley and her colleagues were able to quantify the control of low carbonate ion concentrations values on magnesium-to-calcium ratios for a specific marine plankton species (Neogloboquadrina Incompta) living in the subpolar North Atlantic Ocean, and thereby isolate the true magnesium-to-calcium temperature relationship.

inshore ireland Winter 2017

9

FRESHWATER FOCUS

Inland Fisheries Ireland outlines input mechanisms to policy making

Who will return wild Atlantic salmon to abundance?

Noel Carr, FISSTA

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any will remember our former chairman Jim Maxwell from Leap village Co Cork for his work in helping to establish the North Atlantic Salmon Fund (NASF) with Iceland’s Orri Vigfusson back in the early nineties.

Many believed this heralded the dawn of a golden era as we emerged from a gruelling trout rod war, and no politician, having learned their lesson dearly at the polls, wanted anything more to do with anglers.

Yet, our wild salmon was in serious decline and the only option was a national ban on driftnetting if we wanted an angling tourism industry back then. The only option for FISSTA was to join a likeminded group of NGOs and other international salmon bodies to form the NASF coalition.

As founding members we gathered a substantial sum of money to kickstart NASF. This led to agreements in Faroese waters in 1991 that halted the wholesale slaughter of thousands of salmon annually.

The Greenland agreement followed, and we paid to protect the fish in those waters for a sum agreed by fishermen who sought compensation for not fishing.

Sadly, this agreement has now come under pressure

for a review by the Faroes government who may try to renegotiate for more money in the absence of our dealmaker Orri Vigfusson who died last Summer.

We are two months away from knowing if wild Atlantic salmon — 40% of which feed in Faroese waters — will be protected or killed.

Meanwhile in Ireland, Ministers Naughten and Kyne appear not to know what is going on or what might happen next March.

At our recent AGM in Athlone, the 2016 Minutes noted that NASF Chairman, Orri Vigfusson acknowledged our campaign against the mega salmon farm application that was withdrawn last December.

He encouraged all anglers to continue to keep production tonnage below the FISSTA target of 8,000 tonnes per annum against the 200,000 tonnes-plus in Scotland.

He also urged delegates to redouble their efforts to fight for the future of wild salmon.

Sadly, NASF still has a fair share of doubters and we have failed to gain the funding support needed from many of the nineteen ‘salmon states’ around the Atlantic and who prefer to question NASF policy on the many buyouts costing millions to the Faroese and Greenland fishermen rather than propose a better alternative — if one exists.

Irish salmon and seatrout anglers are wondering what must be done to get a coordinated State action

plan to halt the continuing decline in our wild salmon runs.

Yet, following an improved 2017 season on most rivers, many salmon and sea trout fisheries remain closed or in danger, despite it being the tenth anniversary of the ending of the drift netting ban in 2007.

FISSTA welcomes the opportunity to meet colleagues at the National Inland Fisheries Forum (NIFF) and to raise issues with Inland Fisheries Ireland.

• IFI’s refusal to undertake the salmon policy review announced by Minister Seán Kyne last January • IFI’s failure to improve stakeholder relationships • Water quality crisis Action Plan needed in the wake of the EPA Report • IFI’s failure to apply for increased fisheries funds instead of accepting cutbacks • Salmon farming game changer in Norway – IFI response and action required for wild stocks • Funding policy change as per workshop • IFI’s withdrawal from development and dismantlement of Fisheries Service’s division and OPW funds Such issues can only be resolved with cooperation and communication from IFI management.

We look forward to an improved approach from such State services for the benefit of our wild salmon and seatrout stocks.

I

nland Fisheries Ireland is the State agency responsible for the conservation, management and protection of Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources.

There are a number of avenues through which stakeholders can engage with Inland Fisheries Ireland and we strongly advocate that FISSTA and all stakeholders engage in public consultations http:// www.fisheriesireland.ie/Table/Inland-Fisheries-Ireland/ Public-Consultation/ , or comments, compliments and complaints http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/About-Us/ making-a-comment-compliment-or-complaint.html , or other avenues such as meetings and workshops.

IFI engages in consultation because we believe that it supports greater transparency, which is an important principle of good governance. It helps to ensure that the operations of IFI are conducted with greater clarity and openness.

It recognises that public policy-making can be enhanced through the active involvement and contribution of all stakeholders with an interest in particular policy developments. By ensuring that stakeholders can express their views about a particular proposal, the decisionmaking process becomes better informed, more rigorous and more accountable.

The National Strategy for Angling Development is an outcome of one such consultation, and responds to issues regarding development and sustainable funding for the sector. Significant additional funding has been made available through the NSAD. Associated with the launch of the NSAD, future projects can be accommodated through the NSAD which provides for the funding of this essential service. By the end of January 2018, IFI will have experts available for the design and implementation of works under the framework agreement for the provision of fisheries environmental management services. This will consist of environmental experts, environmental engineering specialists and construction contractors (with instream and fisheries experience), as well as marketing and promotion experts.

The list of experts identified and approved will be made available on the IFI website and clubs and organisations will be directed towards them as suitably qualified providers of environmental services.

Regarding the water quality crisis, the draft River Basin Management Plans for Ireland (2018-2021) are currently well advanced and are focused on the improvement of water quality in all of our catchments. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is the lead authority in the provision of technical advice, while the Local Authorities are being tasked with the implementation of measures associated with these plans.

IFI has been fully engaged in the development of these plans from a fisheries perspective and support their implementation. All stakeholders have, and continue to have, an opportunity to contribute to these plans. See: https://www.catchments.ie/.

IFI also supports the development of environmentally sustainable aquaculture in Ireland, where it does not have the potential to impact on wild salmonids. As part of the salmon management review for 2018, IFI have taken on the suggestions of the Minister, including recommending the opening of a broader range of rivers on a catch and release basis. (As this is currently out for public consultation it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.)

IFI response to points raised by Noel Carr

10

inshore ireland Winter 2017

FRESHWATER FOCUS

Native woodlands protect and enhance water quality but cover just 1% of the Irish landscape COMBATTING THREATS

Gillian Mills

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escribed as Ireland’s ‘richest and most important natural habitats’, native woodlands are key to wider countryside biodiversity, water protection, landscape and heritage. They also provide the basis for ecotourism enterprises and represent an ‘invaluable resource for local communities and school children’ to enjoy and to learn about their local heritage and the wider natural world.

These and other sentiments were voiced at the launch of Management Guidelines for Ireland’s Native Woodlands — a joint initiative of the Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, written by Dr John Cross and Kevin Collins, who together combine woodland ecology and forestry expertise.

The full-colour publication explores appropriate ways to expand and to manage Ireland’s native woodlands, which cover just 1% of the landscape ‘and need active management and expansion to combat threats such as overgrazing by deer and invasion by rhododendron’.

The book celebrates native woodlands — ranging from ancient oak and ash woodlands dating back before the 1660s, to naturally emerging woodlands such as birch wood colonising cutaway bog, to recently planted woods.

Topics include grazing; natural regeneration; invasive species; deadwood and afforestation. Guidance is also given for specific native woodland habitats.

Cross and Collins contend that native woodlands protect and enhance water quality and aquatic systems, and can contribute towards tackling environmental challenges in the context of the Water Framework Directive; conservation of freshwater pearl mussel; creation of

corridors and ‘stepping stones’ between natural and semi-natural habitats; carbon sequestration; and landscape enhancement.

Sensitive landscapes (e.g. a national park or catchments of high status objective waterbodies) are examples where habitat linkages and protecting water and associated aquatic ecosystems and species ‘are highly relevant’.

Aquatic Buffer Zones, also known as ‘water setbacks’ on new forest sites, are described as: ‘An area at least 10 metres in width and created alongside a stream, river or lake, within which forestry operations are limited in order to protect water from direct disturbance and the runoff of sediment and nutrients. Within the context of afforestation, the ABZ (or ‘water setback’) remains generally undisturbed to allow a protective strip of natural ground vegetation to emerge. The creation of appropriate ABZs is a general requirement attached to licences / approvals issued by the Forest Service for regulated forestry activities.’

Killarney National Park in Co. Kerry contains the largest area of native woodland in the country.

Photo DAFM Manag eMent

Management Guidelines for Ireland’s Native Woodlands is available in hardcopy and also for download from: » www.npws.ie/publications » www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/publications » www.woodlandsofireland.com/publications

guiDe lines

John R. CRoss & Kevin D. Collin s

How to save running costs and care for the environment Sandra Hennessy, BIM

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reland’s Seafood Development Agency, BIM, sees a key opportunity for the Irish seafood industry to enhance its credentials as a clean, green and sustainable sector.

An area we are focussed on as part of a wider sustainability plan is ‘green business’. How can seafood companies and processors operate in a manner that is kinder to the environment while also saving costs and improving efficiencies?

Water usage; energy consumption; transport costs and waste management are key overheads, and through BIM’s ‘Green Seafood Business Programme’ established in 2012, we have already assisted over 30 companies to achieve significant cost savings and efficiencies.

What has been particularly exciting is how this programme has evolved and how seafood companies have

embraced it, achieving a great deal in a relatively short time.

Irish seafood companies should be applauded for their work in this area; many of them going over and above what is required, including Island Seafoods and Castletownbere Fishermen’s Co-op who beat off stiff competition from multinational companies at the Green Awards to win ‘Green Business of the Year’ in the last three years.

With water representing a significant cost for seafood processors, identifying leaks can save businesses over €1,000 per year based on a leak of 1 litre per minute.

Energy is the largest overhead cost associated, and transport is responsible for the majority of seafood C02 emissions.

Improving efficiencies in these areas presents a great opportunity to reduce emissions while increasing profit.

Waste management is often overlooked in seafood processing as a potential area for cost savings. BIM recognises the importance of innovative reuse and recycling

and how it can transform wastes into valuable byproducts.

COLLABORATION

This year, BIM organised two cross-sectoral ‘knowledge sharing’ visits in collaboration with Bord Bia. In June, delegates visited Silver Hill Farm and in October, Island Seafoods – an Origin Green member based in Killybegs —welcomed a delegation to their plant to showcase innovations and achievements in the area of sustainability.

The day demonstrated how the company has changed operating procedures to be more efficient and environmentally friendly. A tour showcased their waste water treatment plant and hydro-electric turbine that produces approximately 60% of Island Seafood’s annual electrical demand.

Island Seafood’s are also commencing a pilot ‘anaerobic digestion study’ to test different waste fish species and investigate the methane yields.

‘Green Business of the Year’ in 2017, Castletownbere

Fishermen’s Co-op, was founded in 1968 by a group of fishermen with the initial aim of purchasing fuel in bulk.

The Co-op has evolved and expanded to become a highly profitable business with a turnover of €60m last year.

The Co-op catches highquality fish direct from its own fleet of fishing trawlers. Their processing plant comprises 60 tonnes of chill, 200 tonnes of cold storage and 50 tonnes of freezing capacity.

Working with BIM’s Green Seafood Business team has resulted in a 3.5% reduction in electricity usage for the company and a 36% reduction in waste to landfill, despite a production increase of nearly 400 tonnes.

The Co-op also installed solar panels that are expected to save €18,000 a year in electricity costs. In addition, all their fish are certified, traced and fished within EU quotas with many vessels certified to the Marine Stewardship Council and BIM’s Responsibly Sourced Standard.

From small changes in water usage on the factory

foR

Irelan d’s na ve WoodtI la nds

floor to innovative energy solutions, seafood companies are leading the way, and we can expect further progress in 2018 as more companies work with BIM on the Green Seafood Business programme.

Not only are they protecting the local environment, they are saving costs. In a competitive sector like seafood, greening your business must be an integral part of your overall business plan.

If you are a seafood company and have made significant progress in going green, don’t forget to enter the annual Green Awards sponsored by BIM on February 20, 2018.

To apply visit www. greenawards.ie

For more information on how to take part in BIM’s Green Seafood Business programme, contact; Sandra.Hennessy@bim.ie or visit www.bim.ie/our-services/ grow-your-business/greenseafood-business/

inshore ireland Winter 2017

11

FISHERIES

Fishermen call for extension of atypical permit scheme to the under-15m sector

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he Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, convened a meeting in July to discuss non-EEA crew working in the Irish fishing fleet under the atypical work permit scheme and related matters.

A month before, Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, replied to a question by deputy Michael Barry (Solidarity) who asked if the

Minister had a plan to review the atypical work permit for non-EU migrant fishing crew: Minister Creed stated: ‘The matters which arose in relation to non-EEA workers in the fishing industry required a cross-Departmental and cross-agency response.

The Government set up an inter-Departmental Task Force to examine the issues involved.

‘The main recommendation of the report of the Task Force was the establishment of a sector-

WRC Inspections in fisheries sector

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he Workplace Relations Commissions has published its report on its operations over the past 18 months in support of multiagency enforcement of the Atypical Worker Permission Scheme for non-EEA workers engaged on certain fishing vessels Fishing vessels over 15 metres in length which operate in the Polyvalent, Bean Trawl or Specific fleet segments.

Since February 2016, the WRC has» signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with other agencies to support cooperation in relation to enforcement and associated information sharing, » delivered an educational and awareness campaign within the whitefish sector, » engaged with industry stakeholders to enhance compliance, » trained ten WRC inspectors at the National Fisheries Training College for deployment on fisheries inspections, » undertaken 208 inspections of the whitefish fleet, involving 150 of the 176 whitefish vessels over 15 metres in length, » detected almost 200 contraventions, relating to 110 vessels, to the end of June, 2017, and » initiated 5 prosecutions where compliance by other means was not secured.

The WRC intends to inspect the remaining 26 vessels by the end of Summer, 2017.

The contraventions detected by the WRC to the end of June relate to failure to produce or to keep records (36%), leave, public holiday and Sunday entitlements (20%), working without permission (14%) and a failure to issue payslips (13%).

The primary objectives of the Atypical Worker Permission Scheme, which is administered by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, are to regularise the status of non-EEA fishers engaged on whitefish vessels and afford them the protections available under Irish employment rights legislation. Some 200 Atypical Permissions were issued by INIS to end June, 2017.

Oonagh Buckley, Director General of the WRC: “Traditionally, WRC inspectors have not specifically targeted the fishing fleet given that many of those engaged on fishing vessels are ‘share-fishers’ and, therefore, self-employed. In addition, other agencies particularly the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport (Marine Survey Office) and Health and Safety Authority inspectors play the key role in relation to the enforcement of rest break, maximum hours of work, health and safety and living/working conditions requirements. That is why effective cooperation on the ground and the sharing of information between the many agencies involved are key to successful outcomes from these multi-faceted enforcement efforts.”

She added: “The WRC aims to achieve compliance with Minimum Wage, Annual Leave, Public Holiday, Payment of Wages, Terms of Employment and record keeping requirements. While Inspectors will work with vessel owners in this regard the WRC has sought, and will continue to seek, rectification of contraventions and, where relevant, the payment of any unpaid wages arising from contraventions. Many vessel owners engage with Inspectors and respond satisfactorily, but if they don’t, the WRC will move to deal with contraventions through compliance and fixed payment notices or prosecutions.”

specific Atypical Worker Permission system which is an extension of the existing Atypical Worker Permission schemes administered by the Department of Justice and Equality (Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service – INIS).

‘The purpose of this scheme is to provide a structured and transparent framework for the employment of non-EEA workers within defined segments of the Irish commercial sea-fishing fleet. This system was established and is operated through the co-operative efforts of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

‘The scheme has been in operation for just over a year and therefore further time is needed to allow the scheme to become established and to deliver on its objectives.

‘In tandem with the development of this scheme, under the aegis of my colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, 11 Departments and Agencies were brought together and developed a Memorandum of Understanding to underpin the monitoring and enforcement of the scheme.

‘The role of my Department, in relation to this scheme, is solely in respect of maintaining the Central Depository of contracts and supporting documentation submitted under the Scheme, in order to ensure that the cap of 500 is not exceeded in any 12 month period.’

The Department of Justice and Equality retains responsibility for immigration matters under the scheme while the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) put in place, which is led by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with relevant State enforcement bodies, provides for a rigorous and effective inspection system.

PRESENTATIONS

Addressing the Committee, Patrick Murphy, CEO of the Irish South & West Fishermen’s Organisation said many of his members in the under 15m category were “seriously disadvantaged” as they were unable to contract qualified non-EEA crew because the scheme only related to vessels over 15m.

Fishing vessels therefore occasionally have no choice

but to go to sea with one or two fewer crew than would be preferred, he added.

“If this is allowed to continue, it could turn into a health and safety issue, as reduced crew numbers mean longer working hours for those on board.”

Murphy told the Committee the 2015 Government Task Force report said the scheme was to allow for the ‘structured and transparent employment of non-EEA workers within a defined framework in the Irish fishing fleet’, but did not mention vessel size.

“In making its recommendations, the task force was focused on practical arrangements which would enable the risk of exploitation to be minimised while ensuring reputable employers are able to recruit trained and experienced crew members. Ireland’s whitefish sector will benefit from the implementation of the main recommendations of the report,” he said.

He added that allegations last year in “certain quarters” and reported in mainstream media gave the perception that the task force had failed in that objective: “However, operations to follow up on the allegations were carried out in several fishing ports….but none of the alleged 2,000 illegal trafficked non-EU workers were found.”

Patrick Murphy later told Inshore Ireland the IS&WFPO was stilling to hear that under 15m vessels would be included in the scheme by the end of this year.

IFPO

Referring to alleged abuses of migrant workers in Ireland’s fishing industry reported in The Guardian, November 2015, Francis O’Donnell, Irish Fish Producers Organisation, said that neither he nor the IFPO “in any way condone the mistreatment of any employee, either Irish or non-EEA within our industry or any other”.

He added that the IFPO did not support the employment of undocumented people which is why the industry has repeatedly pushed for a permit scheme, and had written to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in 2015 – before The Guardian had broken its story and before the establishment of the task force.

Another letter followed in January 2017 to Minister Frances Fitzgerald outlining that the current scheme needed to be reviewed,

particularly in relation to non-transferable permits that put employees at risk.

O’Donnell added that the claim made by the Migrants Right Centre and the International Transport Workers’ Federation to the JC in July that only 42 permits were applied for under the scheme was untrue, and cited at least 135 new applications, not including renewals.

“The committee was told there are 1,500 non-EEA fishermen in the country without a visa. As of July 20, 2017, the WRC had inspected 150 of the 176 whitefish vessels and none of the five resultant prosecutions relates to a crew member being on board without the necessary visa.”

If the MRC and the ITWF have evidence of mistreatment of non-EEA workers in the Irish fishing industry, they should hand that information to the WRC or the Garda Siochána, he added.

IS&EFPO

Hugo Boyle, chief executive of the Irish South and East Fish Producers Organisation, added his organisation’s condemnation of mistreatment of any worker: “We have been proactive in looking for a scheme to regularise the status of nonEEA workers in the industry” introduced in 2016 “and ably assisted by the WRC …on the necessary measures to comply with the new legislation”.

He “refutes completely” any suggestion that the WRC was not doing its job and fulfilling its role “as recorded in July” at the first discussion of the Atypical Work Permit Scheme.

“For us, there has been a serious misrepresentation of the facts of the engagement of non-EEA workers in the industry. We ask the committee to take account of factual information and not wildly outrageous claims made by parties who may have a vested interest in distorting these same facts.”

Norah Parke of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation said that while the KFO did not have a problem “at this time” as its members did not employ any non-EEA personnel, the organisation was closely involved with the welfare of fishermen in general.

Trudy McIntyre, on behalf of the National Inshore Fisheries Forum said the NIFF would like to see the atypical permit scheme extended to the under12m sector to include the inshore sector “in a manner that would be fair to all”.

12

inshore ireland Winter 2017

FISHERIES

Poor recognition of women’s role in the fishing industry Trudy McIntyre

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omen play a key role within the fishing industry and seafood sector; despite this however, the role of women has often been overlooked. It was in this context that BIM facilitated a workshop aimed at establishing a networking forum to support and foster greater female participation in the sector.

The event attracted women behind some of Ireland’s well-established fishing businesses. Guest speakers included Leonie Noble, Jayne Gallagher and Jenny Shaw of the Australian Women’s Industry Network Seafood Community (WINSC), who gave insights into how WINSC was established and the role it plays in Australia’s seafood sector.

It was interesting to hear that Australia faces almost identical issues as we do here — both in terms of the industry in general and more specifically, as women in the industry.

The need to enhance the visibility of women was at the heart of the workshop, with discussions centring on mechanisms by which we might do this, such as support from ministers, TDs etc.

Following a brief introduction, delegates highlighted the roles they play

B

in their specific businesses, identifying skills and abilities and the importance of networking. Developing international profiles was also discussed, along with the importance of our voice within the industry and the role that women can play in championing the industry.

CHALLENGES

Among the main challenges outlined were lack of new entrants into the industry and issues with quota (in Australian it is the high price of quota; in Ireland it is the lack of quota.).

The image of the industry and the work needed to portray it in a more positive light was also discussed, as were management and social issues.

Misinformation and ‘untruths’ are often portrayed in mainstream media. Most of us know all too well that this portrayal gives little or no consideration to the positives such as employment and contribution to rural coastal communities.

For example, Ireland’s fishing community assists the Marine Institute and BIM with gear selectivity trials; data collection; advising on area closures for spawning; collecting litter from the sea and so on.

Who better to champion our fishermen and our industry than the women behind these fishing businesses? It doesn’t matter what sector you belong to; it doesn’t matter if you’re in a punt or the largest pelagic vessel. We are a collective with incredible untapped

resources, but to draw on these resources we need to be supported and recognised.

We handle the accounts; organise the food; deal with chandleries and marine companies; pick up crew; pay wages etc. We do all of this while also raising the kids; run the home and very often have our own jobs – inside and outside of the industry.

Because of these responsibilities, we understand the social aspect of fishing, such as the impact that poor fishing, poor quotas, bad weather and lack of income, has on households. We have direct experience of the lack of State support, and the need for tailor-made support when times are tough, when families are cash strapped for weeks with no alternative income..

Being self-employed we are told there is nothing that can be done. There is real need for all relevant agencies: social welfare; revenue, DAFM etc to communite with the entire fishing industry to discuss what CAN be done and how we can move forward.

Women can be the voice of the industry; to stand up and unite it; to promote and build the industry and to add value to it. Most fishermen just want to fish and their only thoughts are putting fish in the cod end to keep the show going.

So to all fishermen — not just boat owners and skippers, but crewmen alike — I call on you to support and recognise the valuable role that women play in Ireland’s fishing industry.

IM chief executive Jim O’Toole said the event opened up discussion on how women as a professional forum “can provide support, share information and enhance their capacity to contribute to the industry’s future”.

Leonie Noble, WINSC president said that increasing the visibility of women in the seafood industry was “hugely important.”

Fifty-five per cent of the industry globally is made up of women but less than five per cent sit in management positions. “This needs to change and discussing how to do this is the first step to make that happen.” Less than five Irish fishing vessels have registered female owners and females make up only a handful of crew.

Seán O’Donoghue, KFO; Francis O’Donnell, IFPO; Hugo Boyle, ISEFPO; Jim O’Toole and Kieran Calnan, BIM and Matthew Clarke, DAFM with EU colleagues

European coastal communities present united voice on Brexit

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ommunities along Ireland’s coastline that rely on the €1.1bn fishing industry and 11,000 jobs it supports, are ‘extremely concerned at the potentially devastating ramifications of Brexit,’ believes the Killybeg’s Fishermen’s Organisation.

Speaking at a conference in La Coruña, Spain, organised by the European Fisheries Alliance to debate the impact of Brexit on the fisheries sector and local communities, KFO chief executive Sean O’Donoghue said that fisheries was unique as it was a limited resource shared with the UK in terms of quota, fishing grounds and markets.

The event brought together local representatives, fishermen and politicians from the nine countries of the EFA. While each has its own unique structure and culture, “we are united by the common bond of the potentially appalling vista which Brexit represents,” he said.

“Eighteen thousand fishermen representing an annual turnover of €20.7bn…have been plunged into the most grim uncertainty since the UK voted to leave the EU on June 23 last year. Our industry is entwined with Britain like no other with our two biggest fisheries, mackerel and nephrops, being inextricably linked to the UK. “We are imploring our government to play its part in ensuring the EU explicitly includes fisheries in the negotiation mandate to guarantee mutual access to traditional fishing grounds, preservation of the current distribution of TAC and quotas, as well as maintaining the existing trading arrangements post Brexit,” he added.

Roughly 100 shared fish stocks swim throughout the waters of the European Union. The uniqueness of the fishing industry where the resource is shared with the UK and where stocks are jointly managed across a seamless national jurisdiction in a “sustainable manner requires very special consideration in all negotiations,” O’Donoghue stressed.

Brexit will be “potentially disastrous” for the Irish fleet, particularly if fisheries negotiations are separate from the wider trade negotiations, he added.

“There can be no long-term sustainable, viable and mutually-beneficial post-Brexit agreement in which the issue of fisheries remains unresolved. It is therefore essential for the survival of our industry and our dependent coastal communities that fisheries is prioritised during all negotiations and [is] fully linked with the trade negotiations,” O’Donoghue stressed.

This was the unequivocal message delivered at the conference when the nine coastal states signed a declaration that they would not accept being “left behind or sacrificed” when Britain leaves the EU. Ireland’s fish producer and exporter associations, along with the State’s department of fisheries, and the fisheries development agency, were acknowledged for their input to the declaration.

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13

FISHERIES

Study to investigate climate change effect on marine environment

B

IM has partnered with researchers in Ireland and Wales led by Bangor University’s School of Ocean Sciences, on a project that aims to investigate the potential impact of climate change on aquaculture in the Irish Sea. The project consists of six partners including Ireland’s Marine Institute; University College Cork, Aberystwyth University and Swansea University.

“The effects of climate change pose a huge challenge to all those working within the aquaculture and sea fisheries industries both here in Ireland and further afield.

Therefore, it is important that we continue to provide support aimed at mitigating against the effects of such challenges,” remarked Jim O’Toole, BIM chief executive.

BIM works closely with the aquaculture and sea fishery industries on sustainability programmes and technologies ranging from sustainable farming practices to environmental accreditations.

“The Bluefish partnership will provide an additional and innovative platform through which such support can be provided,” he added.

“The combination of research between academic partners and collaboration with industry partners will ensure these vital industries receive the information and support they need to be more resilient to the changes the industry is facing, and will continue to face in coming years, and to react to opportunities,” remarked Dr Shelagh Malham, Bangor University researcher and Operations Director for Bluefish.

The findings will be used to better inform and prepare businesses working in the aquaculture and sea fisheries sectors to adapt to the effects of climate change.

Bluefish is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Cooperation Programme 2014 – 2020. The project will receive over €5m in funding over a 4-year period.

Dunmore East fishermen tackle marine litter

T

he busy and vibrant fishing port of Dunmore East, Co Waterford, is the ninth fishing port to participate in the BIM ‘Fishing for Litter programme’.

Fishermen on 70 fishing vessels from Dunmore East; Kinsale; Union Hall; Castletownbere; Dingle; Ros a Mhil; Killybegs; Greencastle and Clogherhead, have signed up to the scheme, and are voluntarily collecting and bring ashore marine litter caught in

fishing nets and generated on board for appropriate disposal and recycling.

“This simple yet effective initiative has already resulted in the collection of 21 tonnes of waste over the last three years,” remarked Jim O’Toole, BIM chief executive.

“With nine fishing ports involved, the sector is taking an active role in protecting the local environment for future generations. I welcome Dunmore East to the programme and recognise

the South East Inshore Fisheries Forum, their Vice Chair Trudy McIntyre and the local community for playing a pivotal role in the port’s involvement.”

The ‘BIM Fishing for Litter’ programme is funded under the European Maritime Fisheries Fund and forms part of the agency’s wider sustainability programme, including standards in responsible fishing practices, net recycling and waste management.

THE NAME SAYS IT ALL

WEAR ONE NEAR OR ON WATER. ALWAYS.

iws.ie

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inshore ireland Winter 2017

47th WEFTA CONFERENCE

Cait Murray-Green, CEO, CuanTec; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed and Jim O’Toole, chief executive BIM

Innovative technologies revealed to international conference John Fagan Chair, WEFTA 2017

T

he 47th annual conference of the West European Fish Technologists Association (WEFTA) took place in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on 9-12 October 2017. This conference created a networking and discussion platform for 73 Irish seafood processing, aquaculture and catching players to discuss international developments in Innovative technologies with 128 international experts in Seafood R&D from 19 top performing countries and representing several million euros worth of international R&D investment.

Market-led concepts R&D being carried out by WEFTA partners will undoubtedly bring about new products and processes and will create new ideas and market solutions for consumers and business-to-business (B2B) clients. A crucial step in the development

of any new product or process is assurance that new markets and consumers are understood.

Development of health and wellness ingredients was a strong focus at this year’s event. WEFTA partners are providing further evidence and insights regarding why we should eat more seafood.

WEFTA research can be used not only to promote seafood but to develop new ‘unique selling points’ that resonate with existing and new consumers.

BLUE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH

The Irish research base performs extremely well in terms of attracting national and international funding from new R&D. Nevertheless, further opportunities exist to ensure the Irish seafood industry links more closely with R&D projects and drives innovation in the sector.

Several information sessions centred on opportunities to not only link with R&D groups but to ensure outputs are of relevance and have impact.

Fiona Grant, (Marine Institute) discussed the opportunities that exist in the EU Horizon 2020 programme

for funding blue biotechnology research. This includes ERANet Cofund (20182020) addressing innovative and sustainable production, harvesting and exploitation of aquatic biomass for use in food, health and other value chains; innovation actions and research and initiatives for SMEs. Ruairi Colbert (DAFM) discussed the impact of national Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM) funding on the Irish seafood R&D landscape with several FIRM-funded scientists delivering presentations on opportunities for adding value to Irish brown crab; shelf-life extension technologies for whitefish and development of new mackerel products.

David Murphy of AquaTT discussed the BIM-led and EU-funded Columbus project which has a mission to ensure measurable value creation from EU research investments contributing to sustainable blue growth.

RAW MATERIALS

BIM are working closely with the Irish seafood industry to ensure all raw material is used in a sustainable and cost-effective manner.

Fish filleting operations

for example can result in several by-products including head, gut and fish frame which have potential as value-added ingredients and consumer-oriented products.

Cait Murray-Green, from new Scottish start-up company CuanTec, explained how they are harnessing R&D and creating new solutions and products from langoustine shellfish waste while developing bioplastics for use in the food industry.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Weather can affect the availability of raw material when fishing vessels have to spend longer at sea to make fishing trips feasible.

Fish is a perishable product and can deteriorate quickly once landed so a major topic at this year’s event focused on the use of superchilling technologies which effectively involves holding the fish at temperatures as low as minus 1.5˚C .

Super-chilling, as the name suggests, involves reducing temperature down to the point at which the fish is just about to freeze (but does not) and then holding it at this point to maximise quality.

There is no need for ice; the fish itself effectively becomes

its own refrigerant, resulting not only in higher quality but also potentially decreasing the need for ice at sea and during transport and reducing the cost of transport.

WEFTA 2017 was a major opportunity for the Irish seafood industry to gain valuable insights into international development in seafood R&D. The mix of industry, Irish and international seafood R&D institutes; major equipment suppliers; emerging and established companies currently performing in the health and wellness ingredients space and the main funders and enablers of Seafood R&D including BIM, DAFM, Marine Institute, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia, resulted in unforeseen levels of networking and communication and will guide and influence investment and innovation in the industry for years to come.

The role of BIM is to ensure our clients have access to the most relevant national and international R&D and knowledge and to guide and influence projects to ensure they are commercially-relevant.

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47th WEFTA CONFERENCE

SUB-CHILLING™ set to revolutionise fisheries and aquaculture Gery Flynn, from WEFTA 2017

A

n advanced method for chilling fish developed by Skaginn 3x of Iceland is predicted to have a major impact on the fisheries and aquaculture industries worldwide by reducing transportation costs and extending product shelf-life, the 47th Conference of the West European Fish Technologists Association (WEFTA) was told in Dublin.

Jón Birgir Gunnarsson, head of sales and marketing at Skaginn3X told the conference that reseach by Matís – Iceland’s leading independent analytical testing service - on the company’s SUBCHILLING™ technology offered advantages for primary producers, resulting in products with higher yield and more value, and higher quality product for secondary processors.

“Skaginn3X has not invented super-chilling, it has been known in the fishing industry for years and many research papers have been published on it,” Gunnarsson said.

“However, we have invested in patents for a method of achieving super-chilling which we call SUB-CHILLING™ ; we have put a lot of work into making it practical, how to get it recognised and how to make it commercially available”.

Gunnarsson explained how SUB-CHILLING™ is a method of cooling down farmed or caught fish “as quickly as possible after it is killed”.

“The fish are then chilled to below the freezing point of water where, depending on species, their core temperature gets close to -1.5 degrees Celcius within an hour. And although the temperature of the fish is below the freezing point of water it remains fresh and unfrozen in a sub zero state. In fact, the fish itself becomes the cooling refrigerant and there is no need to use ice to store and chill it”, he said.

PROCESS The sub-chilling process at the heart of Skaginn3X’s

proven RoteX technology comprises an auger tank with patented side injection which circulates cold water from a heat exchanger.

The RoteX tank process ensures that each fish receives exactly the same treatment, and offers complete control of the timing and temperature treatment of the fish all the way through the system.

According to Gunnarsson the cooling down period involves a multi-step process which is monitored closely.

“This is not a one-step operation. All through the entire process we control salinity, temperature and the speed of the water.

It’s very

“SUB-CHILLING™ means that the overall quality of the product increases, and independent research shows that both the processing yield and cooking yield is better when compared to traditional cold handling.

Fillets also have less gaping”, he said.

“Research shows that 80% of those surveyed were willing to pay 15% more for shipping the product if they

got three days more in shelf life”, he said. Trying to put a monetary value on shelf life is very challenging but the reality is that shipping costs can be reduced and shelf life increased at the same time.

SUB-CHILLING™ is a proven solution both for whitefish and aquaculture products. The system can be installed both as an onboard or onshore system, depending on where the

slaughtering process takes place.

“SUB-CHILLING™ eliminates the need for ice during transportation so that each box can carry more fish. It also prolongs the shelf life so that fish can now be transported in more environmentally friendly ways such as on cargo ships, and it also lowers energy coss compared with traditional methods”.

Salmon packed without ice important to point out however that we are not freezing the product.

This is crucial because freezing damages the tissue resulting in loss of quality.” he said.

Emphasising the key importance of fast, controlled cooling Gunnarsson said it reduces the risk of large ice crystals forming within the fish which often damage the cellular structure of the flesh.

“Ice crystals become bigger when the chilling process is slower, and bigger crystals damage the walls and muscle cells causing the product to lose some of its natural juices thus making the texture of the fish chewy and dry. Taste is also affected and yield is reduced due to water loss”, he said.

EXTENDED SHELF LIFE Gunnarsson said that much research has already been carried out on super-chilling.

He added that research was mostly conducted in a laboratory where the environment was controlled, and demonstrated positive results in connection with product quality and storage life.

According to Gunnarsson a key advantage of SUBCHILLING™ is that it can extend product shelf-life by between five and seven days.

SUB-CHILLING™ tank for aquaculture

Advantages of super-chilling

R

esearch overseen by Matís, with farmed salmon tracked from slaughter confirmed that superchilled salmon holds its water content better throughout the production and storage processes; it has a better culinary yield when poached. The qualities and the firmness of the fish remain for longer, maintaining quality more effectively through production.

Microbiological analysis has also confirmed that the fish stays fresher for longer than conventionally chilled fish, also confirming that superchilling can extend the shelf life of the finished product by as much as a week.

IMPROVED HANDLING

With ice no longer a part of cooling, storage and transport, handling becomes less arduous and there are new opportunities for packaging. Until now it has not been thought advisable to transport whole salmon iced in tubs, as the ice can damage the fish. But the best quality can be achieved using superchilling.

EXTENDED SHELF LIFE

Longer shelf life means that fish can be transported by sea rather than by air. This represents a saving in transport costs, as well as a substantial reduction in the carbon footprint. Until now, salmon has been transported mainly in single-use packaging, but superchilling means that tubs can be used instead.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRIBUTION

Reduced carbon footprint in production and transport. Up to 20% of the overall weight in salmon transport is ice. Superchilling makes ice redundant and reduces the strain on much of the transport chain, by air, road or by sea. The extended product shelf life brings in possibilities to ship larger volumes in containers to replace the amount of fresh whitefish exported from Iceland by air. In general terms, we can estimate that in the region of 200,000 tonnes of ice are shipped with this salmon. Approximately 240,000 tonnes of salmon every year are freighted by air to Asia, which means that an estimated 48,000 tonnes of this weight is ice – so a saving equivalent to 1000 Jumbo jet flights could be made.

Matís report on SUB-CHILLING™http://www.matis.is/media/matis/utgafa/06-17-Subchilling-of-fish.pdf

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SEAFOOD DESK

Irish seafood penetrates valuable Asian market

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ourteen Irish seafood companies exhibited on the Bord Bia stand at the China Seafood & Fisheries Expo in Qingdao. The Expo, which ran from November 1-3, is the largest seafood trade event in Asia, attracting 28,000 visitors from over 100 countries.

In 2013, China’s seafood trade surpassed €20 billion in value, cementing its position as the world’s leading seafood trading country. Growing incomes and increased urbanisation have helped fuel a massive growth in demand for imported seafood, says the export agency.

China currently accounts for one-quarter of the world’s seafood consumption. By 2020 the United Nation’s FAO predicts it will need an extra 16 million metric tonnes of seafood to meet growing demand.

The Chinese market is an important destination for Irish seafood, predominantly for pelagic species. In the last few years however, significant effort has been

invested by processors and Bord Bia to identify and develop opportunities for premium shellfish, notably live and processed brown crab; langoustines; scallops and razor clams.

“The strong and sustained growth in exports in recent years demonstrates the continued success of Ireland’s leading shellfish processors in penetrating this valuable market,” remarked Tara McCarthy, Bord Bia CEO. Exports of shellfish increased in value by over 32% (2015- 2016), while exports to Hong Kong increased by 13% during the same period.

“Bord Bia has ambitious plans to further grow the share of Irish seafood into China and has a number of programmes in place to assist Irish seafood processors in identifying, profiling and targeting new customers that are willing to pay a premium for quality seafood from Ireland.”

Through its trade development programme, Bord Bia has welcomed highend retail and foodservice

Chinese customers to Ireland to meet with seafood processors on a one-to-one basis. These itineraries generated new business and afforded Irish companies with an excellent opportunity to showcase their processing facilities and the premium environment in which Irish seafood is produced.

These visits can provide a guarantee to Chinese customers on traceability, sustainability and food safety, all key issues of growing concern to the Chinese middle class consumer, says Bord Bia. During the last three years, Bord Bia has welcomed more than 35 Asian customers to Ireland. Many of these visits have delivered new business. In April 2018 as part of its marketplace international event, Bord Bia will host a further 20 Chinese seafood buyers in Ireland.

In line with the explosion of online sales & marketing in China, Bord Bia has taken a lead position, establishing a premium WeChat account to promote and present Irish seafood at both trade and consumer level. Bord Bia is

Siyi Chen, Bord Bia Shanghai and Andy Mulloy (R) from Connemara Seafoods describe the unique characteristics of Irish seafood to Lin Meijin, Shanghai Huang Kang International Trade Co Ltd at the Qingdao Seafood Exhibition.

also actively engaged with online sales platforms such as TMall as a new route to market for Irish exporters.

PLANS FOR 2018 AND BEYOND

In 2018, Bord Bia will target its promotional efforts in China by increasing awareness of new species such as velvet crab, blue lobster and Irish prawns through cookery demonstrations in Beijing and Shanghai, focusing on

introducing recipes that are new to the Chinese market.

The campaign will assist the Irish seafood processing sector to sell in their ranges to distributors servicing the premium restaurants and hotels in Beijing and Shanghai. In addition, Chinese consumers will be educated and informed through a comprehensive programme of in-store tastings with a number of supermarket retail chains.

Ireland’s best seafood retailers honoured at awards ceremony

T

he winners of the ‘BIM Young Fishmonger’ competition and the winners of its inaugural ‘Seafood Retail Business Award’ were recognised at a recent awards ceremony hosted by food writer and entrepreneur, Domini Kemp.

Anne Stephens, The Fish Market, Maynooth, and Scott Smullen, Dunnes Stores, Cornelscourt, both of county Dublin, won the 2018 BIM Young Fishmonger

competition. Anne took the title in the Independent category while Scott was crowned winner in the Supermarket category.

Lar McCarthy, The Fresh Fish Shop, Bandon Co Cork and Daniel Drwal, Tarpey’s SuperValu in Cavan are the winners in the Independent and Supermarket categories for the Seafood Retail Business Award.

In its fifth year, the competition recognises and rewards talented individuals

across the independent and supermarket retail sector.

“We’re delighted at the extremely high standards in this year’s competition and it is great to see our first female winner, emphasising the diversity of the sector,” remarked BIM’s chief executive, Jim O’Toole.

With retail sales up 4% in 2017 to 245m, the inaugural Seafood Retail Business Award “focuses on the business opportunity for seafood by providing mentoring to candidates to develop their entrepreneurial capacity and serve as a catalyst for further growth in the domestic market”.

The judging included mystery shopper visits and a practical skills test of filleting and preparing a range of seafood to a high standard under time constraints. Anne and Scott impressed the judges with exceptional customer service; seafood knowledge and precision knife skills.

Anne and Scott will further improve their knowledge of seafood with a trip to

Cornwall where they will undertake a two-day cookery course at Rick Stein’s cookery school. BIM will also provide tailored business mentoring training to both winners.

Anne Stephens along with her husband George Stephens (winner of the 2016 competition) have three successful retail outlets in Blanchardstown, Mullingar and Maynooth.

Scott Smullen’s customer in-sight and in-depth knowledge of the seafood industry also saw him crowned. Scott began his career working on commercial fishing boats where he gained extensive knowledge of seafood and a real passion for the industry.

SEAFOOD RETAIL BUSINESS AWARD 2018 This award was established to identify and acknowledge people with the best seafood business skillset. It also encourages shop owners and managers to innovate and improve their business management.

Lar McCarthy who runs The Fresh Fish Shop in Bandon, was praised for diversifying his business as well as successfully and creatively marketing his products. Innovative thinking; new branding; a strong social media presence and a successful lunchtime trade of hot seafood dishes cooked instore, were some of the attributes Daniel Drwal has seen his career progress in Tarpey’s SuperValu, Cavan, where he has significantly increased fish sales. Daniel’s passion for the product; keen business acumen; strong community involvement and staff development, mean that Tarpey’s have become widely regarded as a destination seafood retailer.

Both winners demonstrated an ability to combine strong business acumen with a passion for and understanding of seafood. Their award is a comprehensive business support package, designed to help the winners grow their business.

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SEAFOOD DESK

Irish seafood nets overseas markets

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lmost 42,000 tonnes of Irish seafood, representing 26 different species, were exported to 46 countries outside the EU during 2016, according to new

Three countries - China, Nigeria and Egypt accounted for almost 54% of total exports. Congo, Japan, Ukraine and Vietnam also featured among Ireland’s top ten non-EU export markets during the year.

figures published by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), Ireland’s independent State agency responsible for regulating sea-fisheries and the seafood production sectors.

Irish Fish Exports to Non-EU Countries 2016*

2016 Totals (Tonnes)

41,963

Top 5 Species

Mackerel

Horse Mackerel

Blue Whiting

Whelk

Crab

Top Countries for Irish Fish Exports (Tonnes)

China (8,458)

Nigeria (7,717)

Egypt (6,340)

Benin (2,945)

Ukraine (2,931)

Ghana (2,791)

Japan (1,857)

Congo (1,702)

South Korea (1,198)

Vietnam (998)

2015: Nigeria; China; Cameroon; Ghana; Benin; Egypt; South Korea; Ivory Coast; Japan; Hong Kong.

Top Exports

by Category Pelagic

88%

Molluscs & Crustaceans

11%

Groundfish

<1%

Visit www.sfpa.ie for full details. *Information provided by the SFPA based on the almost 7,000 health certificates it provided in 2016 for exports from Ireland to third (non-EU) countries.

The data was taken from almost 7,000 health certificates issued by the SFPA for export consignments of fish and fish products to nonEU countries. Health certificates are generally required by non-EU countries and contain information regarding origin and traceability of the fish products.

Pelagic fish (mackerel, whiting, herring) continue to be Ireland’s main export to non-EU countries, accounting for 88.5% of total exports.

Molluscs and crustaceans, particularly whelk, crab and razor clams, account for 11% with exports of ground fish (salmon, cod, sea trout) accounting for the balance.

Meanwhile mackerel, horse mackerel, blue whiting, whelk and crab were the top five species by volume.

An extra 40 million tonnes of seafood will be required globally by 2030, based on estimates from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on the increase in world consumption.

Dr Susan Steele, SFPA chair believes that while Ireland is well positioned to contribute to meeting that demand, integrity of the supply chain is critical: “Consumer trust in the quality and safety of Ireland’s seafood produce is vital to [achieving] the collective ambitions for the sector. The SFPA has a comprehensive monitoring and classification programme in place covering Ireland’s shellfish production areas.

“The health certificates we provide together with the catch certificates, which confirm the fish was legally caught, validate the provenance and safety of Ireland’s seafood produce.

Robust regulation underpins our reputation as a premium producer of safe, quality seafood. However, everyone along the supply chain

The team at Inshore Ireland wish our readers and clients a very Happy christmas and prosperous new Year

has a vital role to play.”

Many non-EU countries have specific requirements for fish imports and the SFPA “continuously reviews its inspection processes and adapts them to meet the informational needs of importing countries, working closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and with industry,” she added.

Earlier this year agreement was reached with the Chinese government on an export certificate that facilitated the resumption of Irish brown crab exports to China that had been suspended. The agreement involved the SFPA implementing a national monitoring programme based on the origin of live crab intended for export to China, which is the world’s largest importer of seafood.

China is predicted to become a €15.5 billion seafood import market by 2020. Mackerel, horse mackerel, whelk and crab were their most popular Irish seafood imports during 2016.

IRISH SEAFOOD EXPORTS TO NONEU COUNTRIES AT A GLANCE

» Total exports: 41,963 tonnes (Pelagic – 37,139; Molluscs and Crustaceans– 4701; Groundfish – 123).

In 2015 49,305 tonnes were exported to non-EU countries. During 2016, there was a decrease in exports of over 50% to Nigeria, one of Ireland’s main markets, following a devaluation of their currency which affected imports generally to this country. » Top 10 non-EU countries for Irish fish exports: China, Nigeria, Egypt, Benin, Ukraine, Ghana, Japan, Congo, Republic of Korea, Vietnam » Top five species: Mackerel, horse mackerel, blue whiting, whelk and crab

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INTERVIEW

Continuous environmental monitoring underpins major port project Gery Flynn

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he Alexandra Basin Redevelopment Project is seen as one of the most significant operations to date to be undertaken TechWorks Marine is contracted to monitor Dublin Bay on behalf of the Dublin Port Company’s Alexandra Basin Redevelopment project. Outline the scope of this contract.

The ABR is a very significant undertaking which includes the dredging of the existing main shipping channel and approaches to Dublin Port.

The channel will be deepened from its present water depth of 7.8m Lowest Astronomical Tide to a new depth of 10m LAT. The dredged material will be disposed of under licence at the designated Spoil Ground marked on the Admiralty Chart just inside the Burford Bank.

The EPA has issued a Dumping at Sea licence to Dublin Port Company to carry out these works which includes rigorous requirements for monitoring to ensure compliance with licence conditions.

TechWorks Marine was awarded the contract earlier this year to provide elements of this in-situ environmental monitoring relating to

by the Dublin Port Company.

The work involves dredging the existing main shipping channel and approaches to a new depth of 10m and the disposal of dredged material at a licensed site west of the Burford Bank.

Three kilometres of quay

walls will be constructed, and the harbour basin and channel will be deepened to accommodate larger sea-going vessels.

Under the terms of the licence from the EPA, Dublin Port has contracted TechWorks Marine to provide the

environmental monitoring stipulated in its licence.

Based in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, TechWorks Marine was founded by Charlotte O’Kelly and Philip Trickett in 2002. The company was recently voted among the ‘Top 100 marine companies globally’ by Marine

Technology Reporter — one of the world’s most prestigious and influential publications.

Charlotte O’Kelly spoke to Inshore Ireland about the €1.8m environmental monitoring programme Techworks Marine is providing for Dublin Port Company.

coastal water quality as set out in the EPA permit.

is deemed necessary.

Of course, Dublin Port Company do have extensive monitoring programmes in place on a year-round basis to ensure adequate environmental protection during the implementation of the project.

from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG).

At TechWorks Marine we completed the full data buoy integration, configuration and final testing of all systems at our premises in Dublin.

Two 3 metre diameter buoys and two 2.1 metre buoys are currently deployed.

to survive the environmental extremes we can get in Irish waters in winter. The extreme weather conditions we have recently experienced here have stress-tested and proven our CoastEye data buoys and all the associated systems and instrumentation.

The critical element is how the components are integrated by our team of experts to ensure that our client, Dublin Port Company, gets the data they have requested in real-time and to their specification — irrespective of the weather conditions.

We are very satisfied with the performance to date.

How long will the contract run and what work has been done to date?

Our contract started in September 2017 and will run for four Winter seasons to the end of March each year.

Our monitoring equipment provided key data to establish baseline conditions at the site during September before works commenced.

Measuring and monitoring have been ongoing continuously since then to ensure that dredging operations will not impact on water quality.

Will any monitoring take place during the months when there is no dredging?

Dublin Port has contracted us to provide relevant monitoring data for coastal waters during the dredging period in full compliance with their EPA licence.

Consideration may be given to extending the period of coastal buoy deployments to provide additional valuable information on the local environment where this

Four buoys have been deployed; how do they gather the data?

TechWorks Marine have designed and built these CoastEye data buoy systems to enable the real-time collection of diverse data types required to monitor water quality at the sites as clearly set out by Dublin Port Company in our brief.

We have installed apparatus on our buoys to measure turbidity (a measure of water clarity) at three water depths as well as current speed and direction, and wave conditions.

A series of hydrophones installed on the buoys are recording the underwater calls of marine mammals that may be present in the area. Two of these hydrophones actually relay the data in real-time to Marine Mammal Observers

Why did you choose CoastEye buoys?

With over 20 years’ experience at the leading edge of data buoy development, our driving principle has always been to use best-in-class materials.

We have been working consistently with the French manufacturer Mobilis for the floatation hulls.

Mobilis are recognised internationally as best-inclass. Subsequently we design and integrate all of the power, instrumentation, communication and control systems to create the marine data buoys. This is part of our core expertise in TechWorks Marine, to ensure that all these CoastEye data buoys are robust, reliable and secure.

They are designed and built

What parameters will be monitored?

The buoys are strategically positioned to provide realtime, detailed sea-state data on turbidity, wave and current profiles and to facilitate acoustic detection of marine mammals whales and dolphins.

Why were these specific parameters selected?

Turbidity is a measure of the transparency of water and is therefore a proxy for

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19

INTERVIEW

Eamonn O’Reilly, Chief Executive Dublin Port Company and Charlotte O’Kelly, TechWorks Marine

water clarity and the amount of material suspended in the water. This includes sediment from various sources and floating algae.

Measuring turbidity allows us to detect whether dredge spoil being released at the Spoil Ground is impacting on water clarity.

Wave activity is also important for understanding conditions at the site.

Although people might not associate big waves with the east coast of Ireland, during Storm Ophelia our wave sensors recorded a maximum wave of 4.7m, and during Storm Brian the maximum wave height recorded was 4.4m. So, being able to measure wave conditions is important.

We are also measuring current profiles through the water column to allow us to understand the influence of currents on sediment movement in the area.

Is anyone else involved in monitoring these parameters?

RPS — the planning, design and engineering consultancy— is overseeing environmental monitoring for Dublin Port Company. They have provided mathematical models predicting sediment dispersion at the Spoil Ground and the CoastEye Buoy data will be used to validate their models.

Dublin Port Company also requires the collection of data on marine mammal occurrence in the area.

JASCO – an international provider of acoustic monitoring equipment – have been subcontracted by TechWorks Marine to provide live acoustic systems for two of the buoys. This notifies TechWorks Marine and Marine Mammal Observers from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group by email every two minutes telling us if marine mammals such as seals or porpoises have been

detected in the area and it also provides a sound profile to identify the species.

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group use this data as part of their monitoring programme for Marine Mammals on behalf of Dublin Port Company.

Why is it necessary to monitor whale and dolphin activity?

Part of Dublin Bay has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) because it is a habitat for Harbour Porpoises. It is vital that no activities carried out as part of the project impact in any significant way on the SAC or on any marine mammals.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht) have issued guidance to manage the risk to marine mammals from man-made sound sources in Irish waters.

This guidance sets out monitoring requirements which are being fully implemented by the IWDG. From an environmental perspective the data sets could be very useful. Who will have access to this data?

We work with many State agencies and academics on a range of projects.

In this instance we’re working specifically to the terms of our contract with Dublin Port Company.

Data is returned in reports to the EPA and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and other regulatory agencies as required by licence. Reported data is in the public domain.

Have there been any knock-on benefits for other Irish maritime companies since this project began?

We see ourselves as central to the growing ecosystem of Irish

marine technology companies.

For example, we’re using TFI Marine’s silent moorings to ensure we’re accurately recording marine mammals.

We also worked with the Commissioners for Irish Lights to deploy the equipment onboard their vessel ILV Granuaile. We definitely see knock-on benefits by increased collaboration, more so than in the past.

The DAFM Marine Development Team led by Mark White will help to achieve a greater critical mass among the marine industry network. I’m also on the steering team of the Irish Marine Industry Network which is about promoting and fostering growth.

For example, we recently deployed equipment in Killybegs and sourced all the moorings locally, and we looking forward to working with local companies in different areas as we grow and expand.

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inshore ireland Winter 2017

AQUACULTURE

Are sea lice solely to blame for the collapse of sea trout?

Dr Martin Jaffa

I

n May 1989, sea trout smolts returned early to their native rivers along parts of Ireland’s west coast, having been at sea for only a very short time.

Many of these fish were emaciated and the flesh of others was white rather than the usual pink colour.

They were also starving and appeared to have been unable to find food. The reason why these sea trout had not fed has never really been answered.

These fish were observed in the same year that saw a population collapse in most mid-western sea trout fisheries, although most sea trout populations had been in slow decline over many years.

Despite the emaciated appearance of the returning sea trout, the main focus of the subsequent investigation was directed towards the heavy infestations of sea lice on many of the fish.

Some fisheries however reported thin sea trout that were free of sea lice.

STARVING

Rear Admiral John MacKenzine, then director of the Scotland’s Atlantic Salmon Trust (AST), later wrote that most of the sea trout sampled by the Sea Trout Action Group (STAG) in Ireland were literally starving and that sea lice would more readily infect sick, weakened hosts.

‘The question to be answered is whether sea lice are causing the

starvation problem or whether the lice are affecting the fish that are already suffering from a primary disease or physiological disorder.’ he asked.

Subsequent STAG reports seem to imply that it was the sea lice that had caused the starvation problem because, as their investigations progressed, their focus was on the sea lice, leaving other options as to why the sea trout starved unresolved.

By 2000, all reference to starvation and emaciation had been dropped within descriptions of the collapse symptoms. The problem affecting sea trout was blamed on sea lice emanating from salmon farms along the west coast of Ireland and remains so up to this day.

One feature of the sea lice

Fish kill forces pioneering landbased salmon farm to close Martin Jaffa

N

orway-based Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) developer, NIRI, has confirmed the loss of all fish stock at its salmon farm at Machrihanish Airbase near Campbelltown on Scotland’s west coast.

It was only a short time ago that NIRI founder and former chief executive, Arve Gravdal, was featured on a BBC Radio 4’s ‘Costing the Earth’ programme about fish farms of the future http://www.bbc. co.uk/programmes/ b099yh86#play.

Speaking later to the media, Gravdal put a positive spin on the loss saying that NIRI had met the milestones on the project but agreed it was a disaster for the pilot farm. He blames the loss on chemicals that

N

IRI’s website says the company was established in 2008 in Måløy, Norway, with the ambition of commercialising landbased salmon farming.

It refers to a 2008 report by IRIS (International Research Institute of Stavanger) which it claims proves salmon farmed

entered the recirculation system during the repair of the main water inlet.

WAY FORWARD

Critics of net-cage salmon farming have long promoted the idea that closed containment is the way forward for the industry despite as yet, no large-scale closed containment farm has shown profitability over an extended period.

Meanwhile, Danish Salmon which produces farmed salmon using RAS technology, has declared a positive EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization); however the question is whether they can maintain that over months and years. So far, the company has encountered a number of problems.

By coincidence, a letter from Taste of BC Aquafarms has been published in the Nanaimo News Bulletin in British Columbia. The company was responding to letters claiming that salmon farms negatively using the NIRI system can be produced at significantly lower costs than in sea cages. NIRI technology has been gradually developed over the past 10 years.

Referring to its Scottish project, NIRI says that 26,000 juvenile salmon were stocked into a 1,600m3 tank at a former

impact on the environment, which they say contain falsehoods and inaccuracies.

Taste of BC Aquafarms is a small producer of steelhead salmon from a recirculation farm. They say there is a common perception that the technology currently exists to take salmon farms out of the ocean and move them on to land, but the reality is very different.

INDUSTRY CRITICS

If industry critics are so convinced by land-based closed containment salmon farming, they should build a farm to demonstrate that closed containment not only works but is also profitable.

As Taste of BC Aquafarms suggests, most of the criticism levelled at net-pen salmon farming is based on falsehoods and inaccuracies.

Surely, the truth should be established before farming companies rush to appease such criticism with more yet unproven land farms? airbase in Machrihanish, near Campbeltown.

‘NIRI’s integrated water treatment system has resolved a number of cost issues, helping to reduce investment costs and pumping costs.

The systems simply cleanse and recycle the water without pumping it out of the tank rearing,’ it claims.

infestations recorded during the sea trout collapse (19891991) was that most of the lice were juveniles. In 1993, a oneday conference in Inverness discussed the similar collapse of sea trout populations in Scotland; however the circumstances of that collapse appear to have been different.

INFESTATION LEVELS

Dr Alasdair McVicar, a government fish disease specialist, made some observations that appear to have been lost over time but may have some relevance now to the sea trout collapse in Ireland.

He noted that sea trout caught from the River Ewe had very diverse levels of sea lice infestation and that the majority of the lice were carried by only a few fish.

He also noted that at least 97% of the juvenile sea lice that settle on salmon do not survive to become adults.

The remaining 3% includes both males and females, so the breeding females make up only a small part of the total lice population.

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

Dr McVicar repeated the question posed by the AST Director that the presence of high levels of lice may indicate the presence of other problems with sea trout.

He noted that in salmon farms it was clearly evident farmed fish suffering problems after smolt transfer were highly susceptible to sea lice infestation, adding that individual fish that are slow to recover selectively accumulate high lice burdens in comparison to healthy fish in the same cage.

The possibility should be kept open that the lice burden on early returning finnock is a secondary attack on weakened fish that have suffered another debilitating problem, he added.

Dr McVicar concluded that lice may contribute to the ultimate death of the fish; however in the absence of lice, these fish may still die from other causes.

Could it be that the sea lice infestations observed in 1989 and 1990 were simply a secondary issue and that the fish were actually suffering from some other, yet unidentified problem?

At the time, STAG

considered other possibilities that might have caused the collapse.

Theories put forward included predation; food chain problems and afforestation but all were eventually rejected as implausible. The main theories considered in 1991 were sea lice; stress due to warm temperature; unusual levels of rainfall or the possibility of some yet unidentified disease.

‘SALINITY ANOMALY’

The Inverness conference offered another possible explanation – the ‘19891991 Salinity Anomaly’.

Government specialist Dr Bill Turrell explained that the Slope Current flowing along the edge of the Continental Shelf that brought warmer and saltier water from the south was particularly strong from 1989 to 1991.

Evidence from Scotland showed that waters within enclosed sea areas and lochs were especially affected.

The problems in Ireland were more severe in the Killary Harbour sea fjord that leads to the fisheries at Delphi and Erriff.

Dr Turrell also highlighted that changes in production in Scottish coastal waters had led to a reduction in the planktonic food. He contended that a combination of the Salinity Anomaly and poor weather conditions led to a delay in the onset of the Spring bloom and thus a possible shortage of food.

While sea lice have been found associated with sea trout during the intervening years, no reports were recorded of large numbers of thin and starving fish as observed during 1989 and 1990.

With hindsight, it is easy to gain a better overall view of what happened twentyeight years ago. Undoubtedly, young fish in marine waters near to salmon farms do pick up sea lice infestations; however the fish that do tend to be the weak or sick, and infestation is secondary.

These fish are likely to die regardless of the presence of sea lice. Mortality of young fish is high, which is why sea trout produce so many eggs.

It is easy to forget that only a handful of fish are expected to survive especially when salmon farms are a convenient scapegoat.

Dr Martin Jaffa Martin has spent over forty years working in the aquaculture industry in a variety of roles. For the last twenty years he has specialised in markets and marketing. His interest in the interactions of sea lice and wild fish began in 2010.

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MARINE NEWS

Increasing microplastic pollution discovered on Irish continental shelf

R 10-year-old Flossie Donnelly, Sandycove, Co Dublin, is making a real impact on tackling litter, from the harbour stretching to the famous 40ft bathing area. Photo Gillian Mills

Dún Laoghaire’s junior heroine tackles beach litter

H

ello everybody, my name is Flossie and I have been cleaning the local beaches lately and I would like to tell you how it all started: For as long as I remember, Mummy and I have been going crabbing and during this summer I started to realise how dirty the beach was and what it might be doing to the sea life so I designed a poster advertising a weekly beach cleanup and nobody turned up for the first one and I was quite sad.

The next day I talked to local councillor, Cormac Devlin, and he told me to put my beach cleans up on social media so I did and he mentioned me on social media as well, and then on the next beach clean-up, loads of people showed up which made me very happy.

I always find very interesting things: a toaster; an iron; a tv; car battery; driver’s licence; non-stop car food packets; Christmas lights; lots of pants, socks and odd shoes; golf balls; endless rotten cans that have been there so long they fall apart when you pick them up; lots of plastic bottles; massive pieces of rusted metal from a boat that I can’t lift and so much more.

There is a beach that I have been going to lately and this beach is endless with rubbish every time you think you have finished cleaning another piece just shows up out of nowhere. I haven’t had many helpers clean this beach but we still get the job done.

I actually found a message in a bottle there from a girl from Australia and now we are e-mailing each other which is very cool for me.

I am raising money to buy a ‘seabin’. This is a really cool device which is made by two men in Australia; it is made from re-cycled plastic and it is pretty much a bin that you put in the sea that sucks the rubbish in with its pump and pushes the water out and apparently it doesn’t harm any sea life.

I am hoping we will be able to have the first seabin in Ireland, but there is a long waiting list and we might have to wait a year to get it. Hopefully the council are going to help us with putting it in as well.

So just to let you all know that I am doing a monthly beach clean for the winter because it has got quite cold but I do get the odd emergency call out from people to help clean up places as well as the monthly clean. If you want to join me for a beach clean that would be great!

If you want to know more about how my clean is getting on please follow my blog which I write every week.

FLOSSIE DONNELLY

https://flossieandthebeachcleaners.com/author/ flossiethebeachcleaner/

esearchers from the School of Geography and Archaeology at NUI Galway have discovered the presence of microplastic contamination along the western Irish continental shelf, regardless of proximity to densely populated areas.

Pollution from plastic entering into the ocean is a global issue that impacts marine life at all trophic levels as well as economically important ecosystems, explains Dr Audrey Morley, senior author of the study and lecturer in Physical Geography at NUI Galway.

“The pervasive presence of microplastics on the Irish continental shelf bares significant risks for economically important Irish fisheries, for example the Galway Bay Prawn (Nephrops Norbegicus). A previous study from Scottish fisheries has shown that prawns tend to ingest high concentrations

of microplastic fibres when exposed to this type of pollution.”

Results show that the Galway Bay prawn fishery may be experiencing high exposure to this form of pollution with “potential detrimental repercussions for this species including reduced fitness and potential reproductive failure,” she warns.

“More research is needed to understand the mechanisms influencing interactions of microplastics with individual species and ecosystems.”

Pollution from plastic entering into the ocean is regarded a global issue

that impacts marine life at all trophic levels as well as economically important ecosystems. Microplastics (plastics smaller than 0.5mm) are widely dispersed throughout the marine environment. Understanding distribution and accumulation is crucial for gauging environmental risk.

The study investigated the history of microplastic deposition on the seafloor and examined how sedimentation regimes, proximity to densely populated areas and maritime activities, may impact microplastic pollution and deposition in marine sediments.

SUB-CHILLING™ The future is here!

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22

inshore ireland Winter 2017

MARINE R&D

INFOMAR data contributing directly to Phase III of EMODnet initiative Janine Guinan, GSI

T

he INFOMAR programme provides high resolution marine data and is feeding directly into the new phase of the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) that began earlier this year.

Since 2009 the EMODnet initiative has evolved through a step-wise approach to implement the European Union’s Marine Knowledge 2020 strategy.

The programme targets innovation in the blue economy, bringing together

over 150 organisations across Europe to ensure marine data, products and metadata are easily accessible through online web portals.

By identifying and merging these disparate marine data sources and making them available to users, a pan-European marine data infrastructure has been established to inform effective marine spatial planning and legislation for fisheries, environment, transport, border control, customs and defence.

Additionally, the data compiled under the EMODnet initiative is helping to better understand

and sustainably manage our European sea areas; improve efficiencies for offshore operators requiring marine data for planning purposes and fosters competition and innovation in established and emerging marine sectors.

FREE ACCESS Phase III (2017-2020) offers free access to marine data across the following themes: Bathymetry; Geology; Seabed Habitats; Biology; Chemistry; Physics and Human Activities.

Hydrographic data acquired under the INFOMAR programme is contributing to the objectives of the

THE EUROPEAN MARINE OBSERVATION AND DATA NETWORK - AT A GLANCE Over 150 organisations assembling and making available marine data, metadata & products

7

6 Sea-basin Checkpoints

Thematic portals

Human Activities

ARCTIC

ATLANTIC

BALTIC

BLACK SEA

MED SEA

NORTH SEA

Checking the fitness for purpose of marine data in European sea basins

EMODnet Timeline 2009

Physics

Phase I

Bathymetry

Chemistry 2013

Biology

Limited sea basins 59 institutes budget: 6.45 M€

Phase II

Low resolution all basins 120 institutes budget: 16.3 M€

2017

Seabed Habitats

Phase III

We are here Multi-resolution over 150 institutes

Geology 2020

1

1

Central Portal (www.emodnet.eu) Gateway to all EMODnet data resources and tools allowing users to retrieve data layers from multiple themes

Ingestion Portal facilitating submission of new datasets

EMODnet Secretariat Why EMODnet?

Who is EMODnet for?

Every year, EU & its Member States invest 1.4 billion euro in marine observations and data collection.

Most of this data ends up in different databases and systems scattered around Europe and is difficult to find, access, assemble and use.

EMODnet is making a difference

Professionals from: Private Sector

Public Sector Civil Society Research Community

Benefits Increased productivity: Avoid costs of repeated collection of data by improving access to already existing data in compatible formats

From raw data to real-life applications

Stimulation of innovation: Anyone (including SMEs) can build value-added services using data from different sources Marine Observations

Data

Information

Knowledge

Application

Reduction of uncertainty: Better access to data improves forecasts of the behaviour of the seas, reducing costs of protecting life and property in coastal areas and offshore Adding value to your own data: Sharing data with EMODnet allows your own data to be combined with data from others to generate better value-added products and information and supports the global open data movement.

The European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) is financed by the European Union under Regulation (EU) No 508/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

Bathymetry project by developing a harmonised Digital Terrain Model (DTM) for the European sea regions.

Phase III aims to produce a multi-resolution DTM with overall resolution increasing from 231 metres to 116 metres will be provided where available. INFOMAR data will be provided at 58 metre resolution and inshore data at a minimum of 29 metre resolution.

Current data gaps in the DTM are filled in using General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans - GEBCO data. Phase III plans to use Satellite Derived Bathymetry data to cover gaps in survey coverage. Coverage of the bathymetric DTM will be extended to include the European Arctic waters and Barents Sea. New surveys and additional data providers will also help to increase coverage.

The DTM will be improved to include a quality indicator at grid cell level. This means that users can click on a depth, and evaluate the quality of the bathymetric data. Additionally, Phase III will establish best-estimate European digital coastlines for a range of vertical levels (using the European tidal model for vertical referencing) and the portal will be upgraded to provide 3D visualisation directly in the browser, without plug-ins.

AUTUMN MEETING All three lots held their bi-annual meetings in September and October to discuss progress and plan for the following months.

Representatives from 30 maritime countries attended the geology meeting in Rome, hosted

by La Sapienza University, to update on their progress and plans to meet the requirements for the work packages in Phase III. Marine geological data from the INFOMAR programme is contributing to six data work packages, along with metadata and map products compiled at 1:100 000 scale or finer where the underlying data permit for the following themes: • seabed substrate providing information at an increased resolution (25 m) where available, from Ireland’s coastal and offshore areas. A confidence assessment

•

•

•

•

•

will also be prepared to evaluate the data that underpins geological data provided seafloor geology including pre-quaternary geology; quaternary geology; marine geomorphology and faults compiled from published resources and new interpretations of INFOMAR data will serve to complement this research in developing maps for Irish waters.

The finished product, comprising a suite of geological maps, will be standardised according to the INSPIRE specifications and delivered to the project coastal behaviour where data on the type and behaviour of coastal landforms and coastal resilience will be compiled at the highest resolution available gathering more information on geological events and probabilities of importance to Ireland will be researched under this work package and include offshore earthquakes; offshore submarine landslides; tectonics; fluid emissions and tsunamis the minerals work package, led by GSI, will identify and map accumulations and reservoirs of marine minerals, raw materials and hydrocarbons.

Eleven types of marine minerals will be mapped across all European seas and these maps will be accompanied by metadata and attribution so that key components for each mineral type and location will be available information on the evolution of the European continental shelf at various time-frames (e.g.

Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and older low sea-level stages), will be captured under submerged landscapes with a focus on shorelines and coastal environments and deposits, and valleys and riverbeds will produce GIS layers of submerged features and paleoenvironmental indicators including position of former coastline at LGM and contours. At the fines scale, point-source information (e.g. flora, sea level indicator, water point) will be mapped

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23

MARINE R&D

Seabed mapping yields €25 million over twelve months to the Irish economy Eoin Mac Craith and Charise McKeon, GSI

T

he annual INFOMAR seminar took place in the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), November 15-16.

This year’s theme was Collaborating for Marine Resource Management which attracted a range of presentations on how Ireland can best grow its blue economy.

In his opening address, Tommy Furey, joint INFOMAR manager, highlighted the project’s €24.6m contribution to Ireland’s economy across four sectors in 2016, announced in the Indecon International Economic Consultants report, An Economic Review of the Irish Geoscience Sector*.

In addition to this overall focus, the first day’s talks gave insights into coastal mapping and collaboration.

Topics included the use of remote sensing technologies and other specialised marine equipment in research and mapping of the nearshore and offshore and studies of the marine environment.

Datasets provided to the bathymetry and geology lots form the input layer to INFOMAR’s contribution to the Seabed Habitats project. The objectives of the EMODnet Seabed Habitats Project are to collate a library of detailed marine habitat maps and to generate a broad-scale predictive seabed habitat map.

All maps can be viewed and downloaded from an interactive portal that is permanently maintained by the Joint Nature Conservation Commission (JNCC).

The Seabed Habitats data portal will host over 300 EUNIS classified habitat maps at various scales from marine surveys across Europe and will be the official repository for data

John Owens of the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) presented on the collaborative work carried out earlier this year between INFOMAR and the AAIU during the Rescue 116 operation off the Mayo coast. A very poignant talk detailed the use of seabed mapping which enabled the underwater wreckage location, search and recovery.

The latter part of the day was themed on the current and future links between Ireland and Europe and also on future initiatives for Atlantic seabed mapping.

Funding sources were discussed, along with the Horizon 2020 initiative, which will help ensure that world-class research is carried out in Europe.

David O’Sullivan from the INFOMAR team closed day one with a presentation of the 2017 SeaRover survey that mapped Ireland’s offshore reef habitat and showed some exceptional footage captured by the MI’s ROV Holland I on board the Irish Lights vessel, ILV Granuaile.

An interactive session gave delegates a chance to engage with members of the INFOMAR team.

Various displays based

on the project’s seabed data and associated projects (EMODNet) were provided, as well as posters representing the research being carried out by various Universities using INFOMAR data. This session also gave marine scientists an opportunity to collaborate face-to-face and to discuss ongoing and future projects.

Day two focused on developing Ireland’s marine economy. Presentations focussed on the opportunities and challenges within this area, such as offshore wind farm development and other energy resources such as wave and tidal.

From a research perspective, an overview was given of the variety of interesting projects being carried out at UCC as part of the Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences (iCRAG).

The Office of Public Works presented on their use of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service during the winter floods of 2015/2016.

The final session showcased developments in research and resources within the marine sector, particularly in the area of marine engineering.

on OSPAR threatened and/ or declining habitats in the North East Atlantic.

The current EMODnet broad-scale seabed habitat map for Europe (EUSeaMap) covers over 23 million km2 of European Seas. The map is classified according to the EUNIS habitat classification system and Predominant Habitats of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The new phase of the project (2017-2019) will improve EUSeaMap by updating input data and extending coverage to include the Barents Sea.

aims to support sustainable blue growth at the scale of the European Sea Basins.

Six Sea Basin checkpoints (Arctic, Atlantic, Baltic, Blacksea, MedSea, North Sea) are being implemented with a view to: • providing an overview of existing datasets for all compartments of the marine environment; air; ice; fresh water; marine water; riverbed/seabed; biota/biology and human activities • assessing the adequacy of marine monitoring systems with the needs of users • identifying how and where existing monitoring systems can be enhanced (in terms of availability; operational reliability; efficiency;

EMODNET SEA-BASIN CHECKPOINTS The sea basin checkpoint service can be defined as a broad monitoring system assessment activity that

*Sectoral Economic Review of Irish Geoscience Sector The outputs of INFOMAR are being utilised extensively by those active in offshore industry, including the fishing and aquaculture industry, extractive industries, charting and transport, marine research and marine renewable energy. The next table presents the estimated impact INFOMAR has had on the marine economy in 2016.

These results are based in part on the SEMRU ‘Ireland’s Ocean Economy’ study in 2017, and the INFOMAR Marine Mapping Options Appraisal Report completed in 2008 (Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit, Ireland’s Ocean Economy 2017; PWC, INFOMAR Marine Mapping Study – Options Appraisal Report: Final Report, 2008.)

This latter report attributed a specific proportion of each industry as part of its medium impact assessment of INFOMAR. Data collected by, and made available through, the INFOMAR mapping programme has been used by researchers across all areas of the marine sector (DCCAE and GSI. 2015 SFI-GSI Investigator’s Programme and 2016 SFI-GSI Investigator’s Programme).

The maps inform fisheries and habitat researchers, the offshore renewable energy industry and shipping and transport. A range of research projects utilising this data have been directly funded in recent years.

Recent work undertaken by UCC is jointly funded by GSI, SFI and the Marine Institute and gives an example of the interdisciplinary and applied nature of marine geoscience research. The project is investigating submarine canyons in the deep ocean which are rich environments supporting fisheries and with potential oil reservoirs.

Advanced robotic technology and novel 3D visualisation tools are being used to study deep-water coral reefs in the Irish Porcupine Bank Canyon. The project will also monitor the seabed processes that dictate where corals occur and their sensitivity to climate change and fisheries/oil industry impacts.

The results will include recommendations for the development of sustainable, responsible fisheries and hydrocarbon activity, and for effective management in response to climate change.

Other research by industry and academic partners has recently investigated the suitability of a range of offshore areas for renewable energy devices. Essential geological and hydrodynamic studies have used INFOMAR and GSI data and expertise to determine the geotechnical properties at the proposed locations. This work has included close partnerships between SMEs, universities/research centres and large international energy corporations.

The sea fisheries sector had an estimated 2016 turnover of approximately €280 million, however only 2% of this value was attributable to INFOMAR. Alternatively, renewable energy turnover was €59 million in 2016, and 20% of this was attributable to INFOMAR. Across the four sectors examined, INFOMAR has contributed €24.6 million to the economy in 2016.

The seminar successfully brought together key stakeholders from across Ireland’s marine sector and demonstrated the wealth of activity taking place across its many disciplines.

Indecon International Economic Consultants

time consistency; space consistency etc) in order to make existing data more easily available and usable • identifying and collecting new data priorities The next meeting of the ProAtlantic project will be held at the Marine Institute, Galway, December 5-7.

ProAtlantic is delivering DG MARE’s Atlantic checkpoint service which is currently into its final year.

The project is investigating how current international and national data providers primarily EU’s EMODNet, Copernicus and the Data Collection Facility - meet the requirements of their stakeholders and deliver fit-for-purpose data. This will be achieved through a

framework of key marine challenges.

By so doing, the main gaps (thematic and geographic) will be readily identified in the Atlantic basin for future consideration by DG MARE. Last year the EMODnet initiative developed the EMODnet Data Ingestion Portal as a point of reference for European marine data holders not currently submitting data sets to regional or national data centres on a regular basis, or not using standards that are adopted by the international marine data management community.

EMODnet website: http:// www.emodnet.eu/ For more information contact the INFOMAR team at info@infomar.ie

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inshore ireland Winter 2017

MARINE R&D

The deep blue fathoms - our last frontier Maria Judge, GSI

T

he Geological Survey Ireland promotes and actively engages in research designed to advance our understanding of the Earth’s environment. One of the most exciting areas of this research, in my view, is the last realm of unexplored terrain: the deep marine environment.

Ireland’s national seabed mapping programme— INFOMAR, jointly managed by the GSI and the Marine Institute—continues using resources and capability established by the INSS twenty years ago to complete the mapping of Ireland’s marine territory.

We are also keenly aware that the ocean knows no political boundaries, and as a result we work closely with our neighboring countries.

Together we understand that we have a responsibility to extend our expert knowledge into deep water environments beyond national jurisdiction.

All sea areas beyond national jurisdiction are international waters, otherwise known as ‘The Area’. Less than 5% of The Area has been mapped in high resolution, and that is why we find ourselves in the rather bizarre situation where we can say that we know far more about the moon or the planet Mars than we do of our own planet.

Although it is largely unmapped, we are directly affected by the deep-sea environment. Chemical interactions between seabed, the water column and atmosphere have an important part to play in terms of climate change.

Earth’s population has been increasing exponentially in the past 40 years. This is placing increasing demand on the Earth’s energy, raw material and protein resources, many of which come from our seas.

GSI are taking practical steps towards understanding the marine environment in Irish waters and beyond so that we can contribute to the responsible understanding and development of all maritime areas.

We have teamed up with

national and international scientific collaborators, resulting in a very successful Seabed Mapping session at the eminent AGU meeting in December, and two funded projects (SEA_SEIS and TOSCA) which have been granted ship-time onboard the RV Celtic Explorer in 2018.

INTERNATIONAL SEABED MAPPING SESSION AND MEETING:

This year the GSI have teamed up with Geoscience Australia; United States Geological Survey; the Canadian Geological Survey and the American Navy to establish a Seabed Mapping Session at the largest Geoscience meeting in the World.

In mid-December we will jointly host over 40 presentations, including three key-note presentations on the topic of: Seabed Mapping: Collaborations, Challenges, Technologies and Discoveries.

Spread over four days, these presentations will be accompanied by 42 poster presentations of cutting edge and unique marine geoscience endeavours. The

GSI will also co-sponsor an international seabed mapping meeting; it is hoped this meeting will solidify a network of experts who will continue sharing knowledge, experience and expertise.

COLLABORATION

Having produced an atlas and comprehensive database that details the evolution of the North Atlantic for the NAGTEC project, the GSI will now collaborate with Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS) to further the use of NAGTEC project results. The work will involve incorporating elements from state-of-theart NAGTEC models into DIAS’s new SEA-SEIS study.

In addition, real-time seismic information from offshore Ireland will be generated for the SEASEIS study when the RV Celtic Explorer deploys 18 broadband, ocean-bottom seismometers. Together , this information will be used to understand the mechanisms that have formed the complex bathymetry of offshore Ireland and the North Atlantic.

TOSCA

The TOSCA study will take place on the Mid Atlantic Ridge (MAR) at the Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone (CGFZ). Along with other agencies, principally University College Dublin and National Oceanographic Center Southampton, we will map two major faults that have offset the MAR by 370km.

Gargantuan tectonic forces responsible for separating the European and American plates—moving apart at the rate human fingernails grow—have produced an Alpine-scale mountain. At 4km high, this mountain is not volcanic; geology suggests it is part of the lower crust and upper mantle—a true surprise for geologists.

Known to be a hotspot for Atlantic bird species and marine life as well as an important route for Atlantic currents, the CGFZ is also hugely seismically active.

The study will use an array of geology and geophysical tools including the Irish ROV Holland to map and sample the surface and subsurface seabed in May 2018.

Newly observed oceaNic mouNtaiN iN the mid-atlaNtic iN comparisoN to well kNowN irish laNdmarks

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25

MARINE R&D

UAVs for INFOMAR coastal mapping Ronan Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Toole, GSI

T

he latest technology embraced by the INFOMAR team is unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, for coastal mapping.

Building on operational capabilities derived from proof of concept and feasibility studies (funded

by GSIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Geoscience Research short-call programme) of the previous year, the questions of scalability and applicability of high precision survey data produced from coastal UAV surveys, have been addressed.

Throughout 2017, UAV operations were carried out in key study areas to assess integration of additional senor data (multispectral); 3D modelling of coastal structures; accuracy assessment and validation; coastal erosion modelling; virtual reality (VR) product development and large scale surveying of a continuous stretch of the coastline at the UNESCO recognised Copper Coast Geopark, Bunmahon, Co. Waterford.

The knowledge generated during these surveys and subsequent analysis has allowed the INFOMAR team to create a realistic picture of the challenges, pitfalls and benefits associated with this technology for regional scale coastal mapping operations.

For 2018, a new addition to the GSI/INFOMAR UAV fleet will be brought online. The state-of-the art Microdrones MD43000 will be set to work on collaborative projects including Climate Heritage and Environments of Reefs and Headlands (CHERISH), to acquire further operational expertise especially in more densely populated coastal areas.

COASTAL DATASETS A newly-funded Geoscience Research short call project will support further research and will analyse new and existing coastal datasets. Collaborative work with State agencies, stakeholders and the geosciences community will be progressed and encouraged by providing data and expertise Development work is also planned using proven techniques to analyse satellite time-series data, firmly focussed on creating an intertidal zone extents model to guide future INFOMAR UAV operations.

Taken collectively, the outputs from capacity building undertaken by the INFOMAR programme have the potential for positive societal and scientific benefits. Accurate coastal mapping using UAV data can underpin many human activities such as marine spatial planning; coastal risk assessment; nautical charting and coastal heritage studies.

The creation of a high

Mosaic image of complex shoreline at low tide

Above: 3D view of Coppercoast Geopark, Bunmahon Co. Waterford Right: 3D coloured pointcloud of Baily Lighthouse, Co. Dublin.

precision 3D-model of Irish coastline geomorphology would form a baseline dataset from which all future coastal change could be referenced. In the context of flooding and increasing storm severity associated with climate change, the rapid generation of high precision coastal datasets using UAV methods may indeed be considered a useful and effective action by the climate scientists of the future.

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inshore ireland Winter 2017

MARINE R&D

Marine Institute announces funding grants of €3.3m

T

he Marine Institute and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, have announced total funding of €3.3m for two research projects: specialist marine equipment and ocean law and marine governance*.

Nineteen grants have been awarded for specialist marine equipment and small infrastructure totalling over €2.5m investment from the Marine Institute. The HEI (Higher Education Institutes) sector will receive 14 of these grants with five being granted to industryled proposals (SMEs).

Funding ranges from €20,000 to €200,000 with industry being funded at 75 per cent, enabling private investment to be leveraged in specialist marine equipment for research and innovation development.

The Ocean Law and Marine Governance grant is being made to a partnership project between the MaREI Centre and University College of Cork School of Law. Funding of €800,000 will run over four years and enable three researchers to be employed, with contributions from 12 MaREI and five UCC School of Law staff.

More than 20 researchers attended the announcements in Dublin: “I’m delighted to attend the announcement of these funding grants which herald the next step forward for many new projects in our marine sector. The funding for

marine research equipment helps to target a gap in funding that exists between supports available to Higher Education Institutes via HEA and support from Ireland’s development agencies such as SFI and Enterprise Ireland.

“These grants will allow the marine research and innovation community to purchase specialist equipment needed to support their current and future research activities,” remarked Minister Creed.

Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute, said the funding grants would enable pioneering marine research projects to develop in decades to come: “The Ocean Law and Marine Governance Grant marks a very important step in investing further in the area of marine law and governance. During the development of the National Marine Research and Innovation Strategy, it was indicated that this important research area should be supported and the Marine Institute, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Foreign Affairs were consulted and a call was launched for a project-based funding grant.

“We are delighted that the MaREI Centre and UCC School of Law will be collaborating on this project (Navigate) and will be led and coordinated by Dr Anne Marie O’Hagan, a Senior Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the Marine and Coastal Governance Group in the MaREI Centre.”

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, TD; CEO of the Marine Institute, Peter Heffernan; chairman of the Marine Institute, John Killeen, and recipients of the funding

SPECIALIST MARINE EQUIPMENT GRANT FUNDING GRANTS: HEI funding grants

Organisation

Funding awarded

High Throughput SNP Analysis in the Marine Environment (HTSAME)

Queen’s University Belfast

€125,555

Analysis of Trace Metals in Seawater for Marine Research

NUI Galway

€58,970

Lir NOTF- Enhancement Project

University College Cork

€169,255

Smart Aquaculture Feeding Trials Research Infrastructure NUI Galway

€171,778

Particle Size Analyser for Transdisciplinary Research in Marine Sciences

NUI Galway

€65,333

MACSQuant® Analyser 10 and complementary accessory systems

Athlone Institute of Technology

€136,719

Marine Chiroptics

NUI Galway

€199,936

Continuous Flow Chemistry Equipment for Sugar Research

NUI Galway

€38,857

Quantifying the Impacts of Multiple Stressors on marine benthic resources (QIMS)

Trinity College Dublin

€194,654

Flexible environment monitoring platforms (FlexiMon)

University College Cork

€178,980

Analysis of climate relevant gases in seawater

NUI Galway

€48,569

Next generation of Autonomous Upper Ocean Profiling Platform

NUI Galway

€199,599

HYBRID FIXED WING VERTICAL TAKE-OFF & LANDING UAV FOR THE MARINE SECTOR

University of Limerick

€197,925

2GROBOTICS - UNDERWATER LASER SCANNER

University of Ulster

€183,196

SME funding grants

Organisation

Funding awarded

DMA machine

EireComposites Ltd

€51,203

CNC Machine

EireComposites Ltd

€200,000

Test Bed for Hybrid System for Auxiliary Power Production Dare Technology on Marine Vessels

€141,698

Expansion and Consolidation of Satellite Ocean Colour Validation Activities

Techworks Marine Ltd

€85,040

Upgrading of the macro- and microalgal research facilities at Bantry Marine Research Station

Bantry Marine Research Station

€95,935

» 19 grants in total - 14 grants to HEI and 5 grants to SMEs » €2.5m investment from MI, €410k contribution by recipients » Approximate breakdown of investment across research areas:

Biodiversity

Universities

SMEs

10%

0%

Bioresources

34%

17%

Climate Change & Environment

9%

0%

Ocean Observation & Advanced Technology

29%

15%

Renewable Energy & Engineering

19%

68%

OCEAN LAW AND MARINE GOVERNANCE:

The Navigate project will establish a knowledge base of marine law developed around a matrix of sectors and pressures. A knowledge base will be constructed to inform a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis, reviewing national marine law and governance.

A face-to-face project consultation phase will be held to respond to the needs of government departments and State agencies to prioritise individual place, sector and pressure-based studies.

inshore ireland Winter 2017

27

MARINE R&D

Marine facts and figures created by Ophelia

R

ecord wave heights were captured by the Irish Weather Buoy Network during Hurricane Ophelia on October 16, causing one of the five weather buoys to break its moorings.

The highest wave was recorded off the south east coast at 16.00hrs when the M5 weather measured a record individual wave (Hmax) of 17.81m and a record significant wave height (Hs) of 12.97m. Hs – significant wave height – is the average of the highest one-third of waves measured from trough to crest occurring in a given event.

M5 weather buoy broke from its mooring and the Marine Institute coordinated the retrieval process as a matter of urgency. M5 was recovered by MV Puffin of Fastnet Shipping (Waterford) and brought ashore.

As Ophelia moved northwards, the M2 buoy to the east of Dublin also experienced a record significant wave height (Hs) of 6.64m measured at 18.00hrs.

Earlier in the day at noon, the M3 buoy off the southwest coast measured an individual wave height of 13.59m, although this was not a record wave for this buoy.

Managed by the Marine Institute, the weather buoy network also provides vital atmospheric (including wind speed) and oceanographic information to support maritime safety and importantly in storm events such as Ophelia, helps to validate the weather forecast

models run by Met Éireann to provide guidance to the national emergency planning efforts.

The Irish Weather Buoy Network is designed to improve weather forecasts and safety at sea around Ireland. The buoy network also provides operational ocean models; shipping bulletins; gale and swell warnings, as well as data for general public information and research.

The network is managed in collaboration with Met Éireann, the UK Met Office and the Irish Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS).

The Marine Institute recorded a short-lived but notable surge of 1.6m shortly after 15.00hrs in Galway that caused flooding at some well-known locations across the city. Storm surges occur when strong winds ‘push’ water up against a coastline and low atmospheric pressure associated with a weather system such as Ophelia raise the sea surface further.

Surges in sea level, measured by the Irish National Tide Gauge Network, were seen around the Irish coast.

The timing of the storm passing over Galway with its associated peak in wind speed coincided with the approaching high tide, resulting in flooding at the Docks, Spanish Arch and Salthill Promenade.

What was unusual was how quickly the surge dissipated; predicted high tide occurred just 30 minutes after the peak surge, but the surge

itself had dropped by 1.25m to only 35cm during that time. The unusual nature of the surge can most likely be explained by a rapid change in direction and speed of the wind field in the Bay; however further investigation is required to understand the event fully.

ABOVE: Record individual wave measured in South East by M5 weather buoy during Ophelia

RIGHT: The Irish National Tide Gauge Network monitors sea level at fifteen stations around the coast supporting observations for recreational users; navigation and commercial activities; tidal predictions; flood warning; and longterm sea level variability.

At noon, M3 buoy off the southwest coast measured an individual wave height of 13.59m

The Marine Institute signs international agreements with France and Kenya

T

he Marine Institute has entered into two international agreements that aim to facilitate further collaboration with the French institute Ifremer and promote cooperation with the Kenyan Marine Fisheries Research Institute.

The French agreement will facilitate long-term cooperation between the two institutes in fields of marine

scientific and technological research. The agreement was signed by Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO Marine Institute and François Jacq, CEO of Ifremer on September 8.

“The opportunity to benefit from enhanced international collaboration on key strategic areas such as fisheries, aquaculture and biotechnology as well as seabed and habitat mapping, deep sea observatories and ocean observation is most welcome

and timely,” remarked Dr Peter Heffernan.

Francois Jacq, CEO of Ifremer said the agreement “confirms that European cooperation for Marine research is important and necessary to maintain Europe in the international leadership in this domain.

“I note with satisfaction that this agreement will allow us to continue to expand the scope of our bilateral cooperation in the identified key strategic areas.”

The Marine Institute has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Kenyan Marine Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI).

The MOU aims to promote focused areas of cooperation, and foster an increased level of understanding and interchange of ideas for the mutual benefit of the Irish and Kenyan marine sectors.

“This is an excellent opportunity for both

institutes to share expertise and knowledge. We are at an exciting time in terms of marine research, and agreements such as these assist with a sense of collaboration and progress, particularly on an international level.”

Dr Heffernan noted.

The agreement was signed as part of the visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney to Kenya and Ethiopia in early November.

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inshore ireland Winter 2017

MARITIME NEWS

Obelisk to George IV

Photos: Cormac F Lowth collection Guardship Royal George, c. 1866

R.N.L.I. Lifeboat Hector at Kingstown

Old Dunleary Harbour by George Petrie

Wagons with stone coming from Dalkey Quarry

Troops lining the route for a royal visit 1900

Two-hundred years of Dún Laoghaire Harbour 1817-2017 Cormac F. Lowth

T

he building of the great manmade harbour of Dún Laoghaire on the southern shores of Dublin Bay began in 1817. Originally conceived as a harbour of refuge for ships in distress — a role for which it was not always successful — it quickly developed as a fishing harbour; a harbour of general commerce and a cross-channel packet station.

Almost from the outset there was a royal Naval and coastguard presence by virtue of the guard-ships stationed in the harbour. These relatively sheltered waters also developed as a wonderful recreational facility and saw the foundation of several yacht clubs - a role that it still fulfils to the present time.

In the early years of the nineteenth century, Dublin Bay and its approaches were notorious for shipwrecks.

Dangerous impediments to safe navigation were plentiful, including several sandbanks that straddled the entry to the bay and the mouth of the main river channel of the port of Dublin.

This latter sandbank, the Bar of Dublin, was treacherous at low tide, and vessels were frequently obliged to anchor or to stand off to await high water before proceeding into port.

In windy conditions, many vessels caught on a lee shore were embayed and wrecked on the broad shallow expanses of Dublin Bay on either side of the main channel, known as the North and South Bull. Year on year,

more ships were lost with horrendous loss of life.

As trade increased and ships became more numerous, calls rang out for the authorities to provide safe shelter.

In 1807 at the height of the Napoleonic Wars, two ships left Dublin Port carrying members of Irish militia regiments. These ships, Rochdale and Prince of Wales, ran into a howling easterly gale and were wrecked on the shore; Rochdale at Seapoint, and Prince of Wales at Blackrock. Only six people survived from 371 on both ships. This was the bay’s worst-ever shipwreck disaster up to that time.

It would be a further ten years however before works began on the harbour. A small harbour had been in existence from around 1756 at the fishing village called Dunleary, comprising a single pier that partially enclosed a rocky cove. This harbour dried out at low tide and could only provide shelter for very few vessels.

Richard Toucher, a Norwegian sea-captain who lived in Dublin was unrelenting in his efforts for a harbour-of-refuge. He tried persuading government to act and also spent his own finances to purchase land at Dalkey from where stone was quarried to ultimately build the harbour.

A further impetus to building a harbour-ofrefuge was the need for a safe, reliable cross- channel packet station. Many calls were coming from Irish MPs following the Act of Union in 1801 for an efficient way of crossing the Irish Sea when they were obliged to attend parliament at Westminster. The existing

packet stations at the Pigeonhouse in Dublin Port and at Howth in north county Dublin were inadequate.

Looking today at the two great encircling arms of Dún Laoghaire Harbour, it is difficult to imagine the physical labour that must have gone into building such an enormous project in a relatively short four years.

Almost all of the countless thousands of tons of granite had to be laboriously hewn from a quarry high up on Dalkey Hill several miles away.

The stone was blasted using gunpowder packed into holes in the rock that had been drilled by hand using sledge hammers and chisels. A narrow-gauge railway with a continuous wire loop carried the stone downhill; these laden carriages descended by gravity and in turn pulled the empty carriages back up the hill. On the final stretch where the land was flat, the wagons were pulled along by horses. The trackway can still be traced today from Dún Laoghaire to Dalkey along a pathway called ‘The Metals’.

The initial plan envisaged a single pier where the East Pier stands today. It was quickly realised however that this would be inadequate and the West pier was added, which enclosed the original small harbour of Dunleary.

As work progressed, a town began to develop around the harbour. Many small dwellings sprung up to house construction workers and their families; many of houses ultimately developed into slum ‘courts’ that were to exist until the end of the century.

Dublin’s elite also started to leave the city that was beginning to lose much of its Georgian splendour.

Once fashionable streets were turning into tenement areas as the city’s population began to increase.

In 1821, the reigning monarch, King George IV, visited Ireland, alighting at Howth Harbour. An enthusiastic stone mason marked the spot where he first stood by chiselling the shape of his footprints into the granite at the end of the West Pier.

After a hectic round of socialising, the king finally left Ireland from the ‘new harbour’ and conferred the Royal status as he left.

Thereafter, the name of the town was changed to Kingstown, and the harbour became known as the Royal Harbour of Refuge of King George IV at Kingstown. A granite obelisk on a rocky outcrop near the East pier marks the occasion.

In 1834 the Dublin to Kingstown railway was established. This was the first steam passenger railway in Ireland and was an immediate success, bringing expansion and prosperity to the town.

The line from Westland Row to a spot near the harbour was completed in record time and soon extended to Dalkey. The Atmospheric Railway, which changed to an ordinary steam railway, would ultimately run all the way to Wexford.

The presence of the regular ferry service to Holyhead brought the building of many hotels. Increasingly, the business community of Dublin started moving to Kingstown, which could be described as the first commuter town in Ireland.

Another source of wonder today is the sheer amount of granite stonework visible above the waterline. All of

this finely-dressed stone had been worked by hand with mallet and chisel and stands as a testament to the skill of the stonemasons of the day.

The harbour piers were built upon rough granite boulders that had been placed below the waterline; consequently, these piers are not suitable for berthing alongside. To compensate, Traders Wharf was built and formed the outer coal harbour, while the original pier of old Dunleary harbour, which was left in position, now encloses the inner Coal Harbour.

The principal trade to both of these piers was coal; Victoria Wharf and the Carlisle pier were added later.

The harbour was also used by fishing boats including the annual migration of herring vessels that came from Scotland, Cornwall, and the Isle of Man. The RNLI lifeboats has been a familiar sight in the harbour since 1861 and the Station has performed many heroic rescues over the years.

The name of the town changed from Kingstown to Dún Laoghaire in the early years of the Irish Free State. Absence of the longestablished British Naval and Coastguard presence left a void that was regretted by many at the time.

Today while the ferry service no longer runs, the harbour remains a major yachting centre, with several clubs and marinas and has been proposed as a Harbour Innovation Centre.

It is also a place of recreation for thousands of people who partake in what must be one of the most popular walks in Ireland along the lengths of the east and west piers.

inshore ireland Winter 2017

29

MARITIME NEWS

The Polar Code to prevent maritime disasters Michael Kingston

I

n the Autumn edition of Inshore Ireland, I explained that an historical problem with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Conventions is that after ‘adoption’ by national delegations at the IMO, they require ratification by a certain threshold of countries in their national parliaments before they enter into force.

Some unratified Conventions, even from the 1970s, are still lying on Government shelves, including Ireland’s. To avoid this happening again, the Polar Code — aimed at enhancing maritime safety, training and environmental protection in the Polar regions — came into force (January 2017) by way of amendments to the three cornerstone IMO Conventions: » the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) » the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution (MARPOL) » the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) These Conventions include the ‘tacit acceptance procedure’ that allows IMO delegates to agree amendments which automatically become law 12 months after a period of six months from adoption, unless in that six-month period not less than 50% of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant shipping have notified their objections.

This has never happened.

Initially it was the intention that such significant international regulation would need a stand-alone Convention, but then it was thought that it may take years to ratify, hence the use of the tacit acceptance procedure to the existing Conventions. The IMO Secretariat and Delegations deserve huge credit for their work in adopting this approach, including Ireland’s IMO Delegation.

WHAT IS THE POLAR CODE?

The Polar Code comprises two parts (mandatory and recommendatory sections) which take into account the unique risks associated

with operating in the Polar regions including ice; low temperatures; high latitude; remoteness; severe weather; limited charting and the pristine environment, and lack of training.

Part I addresses safe design, construction and operation of vessels. These provisions are incorporated under SOLAS. It also describes the enhanced training and certification requirements for crew members working on polar vessels. These provisions are incorporated under STCW. Part II addresses environmental protection with significant requirements for oil pollution prevention and the way garbage and sewage is dealt with. These provisions are incorporated under MARPOL. The Code principally applies above 60-degrees North and below 60 degrees South. To operate, it is now necessary to have a Polar Ship Certificate and carry a Polar Waters Operational Manual detailing how the ship and crew will deal with the conditions in accordance with the additional SOLAS, STCW and MARPOL requirements.

Because the Polar Code is built on top of these existing IMO Conventions, Port State Control will be able to leverage existing compliance and enforcement capabilities.

EDUCATION TO PREVENT DISASTER

It is all very well having rules but implementation is key. It is of paramount importance that decision-makers have a common understanding of these rules in order to ensure robust application. Operators; Flag States; Insurers; Financial Institutions and Port State Control need to understand the requirements.

This includes developing a thorough understanding of the operating environment so that all parties involved have a better understanding of the industry standards and best information available to ensure best practices are used.

The reality at the moment is a lack of understanding and so a major effort is required to help in this process.

ARCTIC COUNCIL WORKING TOGETHER

Under US leadership, the Arctic Council of States (USA, Canada, Russia, Norway Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Russia), a significant international body, has endeavored to assist in this process by establishing the ‘Arctic Shipping Best

Practices Information Forum’ (The Forum) in 2017, with input from the Antarctic States. The Forum was Declared in Fairbanks Alaska on May 11, 2017 and met in London in June.

The Forum aims to identify all the best information in existence on a cross-jurisdictional basis in hydrography; meteorology; ice data; crew training; search and rescue logistics; communication; recommended industry guidelines; traditional and local knowledge; ecological knowledge; operational understanding of ship equipment, systems and structure, to assist in properly preparing a Polar Waters Operational Manual so that only then will a Polar Ship Certificate be issued.

This information will be hosted on a web portal run by the Arctic Council to be launched in 2018.

The Polar Code, and the Arctic States’ Forum to assist in its implementation is an example of what we can achieve in international regulation before a significant disaster has occurred, demonstrating a pro-active approach where industry, governments, the research community, the indigenous communities, NGOs and international regulators have worked together to make a significant difference.

Indeed, it has been cited by the IMO as an example for elsewhere in the World.

In this context and given the effort taken to amend three Conventions to implement it, we are very fortunate to have made such progress. It is incumbent on us to now use the rules to protect seafarers and the environment. It is clear that prevention is better than cure.

of the Arctic Council of States and how he is working to make that happen.

Further information contact Michael Kingston: michaelkingston@ michaelkingston.org

NEXT ISSUE (SPRING 2018):

Michael Kingston’s article will explore the critical importance of what happens in the Arctic and outline why it is now time for Ireland to become an observing member

Michael Kingston, an Irish lawyer from Goleen, West Cork, was awarded the 2014-2015 Lloyd’s List Global Maritime Lawyer for his contribution to safety of life at sea, and in July 2015 received the US Coastguard Challenge Coin for his efforts to promote maritime safety by raising awareness about the IMO Polar Code.

INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS FROM KONGSBERG MARITIME

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inshore ireland Winter 2017

BOOK REVIEWS

A Cornish Fisherman’s Irish Diary

B

ound for Goleen in West Cork and to the attraction of a job with Ireland’s sea-fisheries development agency, a lobster fisherman departed the Cornish coast in search of a new life. Accompanied by one crewman and temporarily leaving behind a wife and two children, Trevor Simpson set a course, of sorts, across the Irish Sea. His navigation aids were almost non-existent, and having forgotten to take a chart of Ireland’s east coast, the small driftnet cutter chugged slowly westward in falling weather conditions: ‘I had been staring into a white wall of fog for many hours. I steered my boat, the 35ft MFV Reaper, by her compass. The fog was doing my head in and I fought the pressing urge to sleep. Knowing that I should have made landfall

quite a while back provided to me that I was lost — lost in unfamiliar waters. I desperately needed to find a safe harbour before dark…’

The dense fog however was to be his long-time good fortune as it would bring him not to the far reaches of the rebel county but ‘off course’ to the east coast where he would spend fifty years and counting among the inshore fishermen of Co Waterford.

Trevor Simpson’s second volume in his Fisherman’s Irish Diaries series takes up where volume one left off. Pauline and the children would join Trevor and the family would settle into life in the small picturesque fishing village.

Depending on the season or the lure of a regular takehome wage on a different vessel, Trevor learnt the vagaries of the local waters fishing lobster on Reaper, or as crew on one of the many herring trawlers that filled the harbour at the

height of season. He would also at salmon fishing with some notable success.

‘The herring season gave everyone a chance to earn money. Some of the local boys showed early promise by skipping school to go and work on the quays rolling barrels.’

Sometimes the port would be closed due to the sudden landing of a large quantity of herring – three thousand cran on one occasion.

‘Closing the port, when necessary, allowed the bulk of the herrings to be moved on by the many buyers. It avoided a glut from occurring and causing a crash in herring prices. Dunmore East was transformed by the heavy fishing. More than a dozen big Dutch luggers had arrived in the estuary, all of them geared-up to salt and barrel the herrings and carry them back to Holland.

Irish trawlers were soon typing up alongside

the Dutch ships and discharge their catches: ‘In the harbour, every inch of the quays was being used and the whole area was divided into plots, where teams of local men were filling boxes for export or salting herrings into barrels…. stacked as high as the storm wall and they lined the edge of the quays so that you often had a job finding a space to get yourself ashore.’

DAILY ROUTINE

Ashore, Trevor’s days were filled with routine boat maintenance, mending the gear or giving a helping hand to fishermen who had equally welcomed him into the community. Family time was also important with Sunday outings a firm fixture.

Live on the water and fishing in general runs deep within this Cornishman’s veins: ‘Fishing for a living in a small boat is, by its very nature, repetitive. In order to be successful, you have to keep on doing the same thing again and again, but actually, doing it is never the least bit boring.’

Always by his side was Pauline, equally as comfortable and skilled on

the deck of a boat, in a heaving sea, hauling pots or holding a steady course as Trevor dangled dangerously over the gunwales to free an entangled net.

While the herring season meant a regular wage, the lure of lobster fishing was never far away, and Trevor would return to potting at the earliest opportunity. Friendly banter was common among the lobstermen; some sharing tips about the best grounds and others giving a wrong steer.

Fishing was erratic early in the season with good catches one day and none the next.

‘That was how the fishing went but we got the week’s wages, which was all that mattered.

COMPETITION

The publishers have generously offered two copies as competition prizes: Q: What length is Trevor’s boat, Reaper?

Answers to mills@inshore-ireland. com by January 31 or by postcard to 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin

as there ever a food that created such a mixed reaction as at humble oyster,’ poses Richard Donnelly, BIM, in his foreword.

‘Every newly opened oyster is a voyage of discovery for the senses, and this is just one reason for the constant journey to taste oysters from different locations.’

Oysters are an extremely healthy seafood. Rich in protein, low in fat, and containing high levels of essential minerals (iodine, iron, selenium, copper and zine), a portion of six oysters provides the daily recommended levels of these trace minerals.

This publication of narrative, photos and recipes, is a feast for the senses that tells the story of Irish oysters, told by World Gourmand award-winning food writers, Máirín Uí Chomáin and Michael O’Meara, supported by photos by the late Walter Pfeiffer.

‘Oyster, native and rock, are found in new wonderfully managed and operated oyster beds around our coasts and are worthy of celebration and their well-deserved reputation for excellence,’ writes Máirín.

‘To eat an oyster, I advise having GASTRON OMY your first one “naked” – that is, Ma irí n Uí Ch om without supplementing it – so you can áin & Mi ch ae l O’ Me ara ascertain the quality and taste, and I recommend that you chew a little, rather than slurp only, to bring up the full flavour,’ advises Michael.

Oyster Gastronomy is published by Artisan House Connemara ISBN – 13: 978-0-9926908-7-8

OYSTER T

Photograph y by Walter Pfei ffer & Michael O’M eara ISA

P U

B

N H O

USE

AR

Here’s a sneak peak at some exciting reviews coming up in our spring edition. don’t miss tHe competitions on tHese pages

W

G

New reviews 2018

Oyster Gastronomy

L

N

I S H I Book s of taste Crea ted with passi on In

the heart of Conn emara

inshore ireland Winter 2017

31

BOOK REVIEWS Ever willing to try something new, Trevor experimented with ‘American’ lobster traps and while ‘equal to our French or Cornish pots’ these pots retained the lobsters whereas his pots needed to be hauled and emptied daily.

The American system however suited a bigger boat with hydraulic machinery so Trevor took up the offer of the loan of a salmon net and applied for a licence, costing three pounds.

Trevor soon learnt he had a lot to learn about salmon fishing, but ever determined he persisted and would become quite successful alongside the salmon men from Duncannon, Arthurstown, Ballyhack, Passage East and Cheekpoint.

‘Most of the fleet worked the tide, which meant that they went into Dunmore Harbour and tied-up for a couple of hours every day.’

Trevor would stay on the water however and ‘just let the tide carry us off wherever it would. We would often drift miles away out to sea and then, another tide would bring us back to shore, several miles to the west. We really did have some good fishing on these long drifts.’

As so it was for Trevor and Pauline, who found a new life in an unexpected corner of Ireland, where they have lived for over half a century, among the inshore fishermen of Dunmore East.

Gillian Mills

So Far, So Good An Adventurous Life

P

addy Barry’s stories of his life experiences and, more so, of his sailing career are both captivating and intriguing.

His stories of adventure and of his restlessness to take on the next challenge are interwoven in each of his stories. Indeed, Paddy has the making of a book on each of his adventures alone — and not just a chapter in this book.

As a storyteller he knows how to catch the reader’s attention, hold it and continue to tell his story in an understated manner.

Reading his book I was left thirsting for more details and insights.

Paddy recounts the sailing trips he and his companions have taken on some of the most treacherous sailing routes in the Arctic and Antarctic. Their trips through the Northern Passage; the first to westward circumnavigate the North Pole, Iceland, Greenland,

Siberia, Bay of Biscay; the Antarctic and many other destinations presented many challenges: coping with ice; engine failure; leaks; flat winds; shipping lanes; near misses with vessels an awful lot bigger than their boat, and of course concerns over their GPS equipment (or lack thereof ).

EXTREME CONDITIONS One of his most memorial trips was his attempt to follow Shackleton’s sea route from Elephant Island to South Georgia.

He nonchalantly mentions sailing in gale force winds, mountainous waves, and having been turned upside down, not once but three times... And then having to abandon ship, be rescued and having to scuttle their craft.

Having endured all this, Paddy and crew continue their quest and trekked across South Georgia in the footsteps of Shackleton’s route. It was a tough course

and they were the first to complete this trek since Shackelton’s own successful attempt in 1915.

There is no doubt but that Paddy and crew only do the extraordinary. This spirit of adventure runs deep in all of Paddy’s tales.

This book would have been incomplete had Paddy omitted to mention his enchantment with the Galway Hooker class. He tells of his respect for the hooker and for the builders who understood the sea and built these vessels to suit the elements.

As an enthusiast he took on the task of restoring his favoured hooker, St Patrick. It was a labour of

COMPETITION

The Last Voyage of The Leinster

Before the Tide Went Out

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his is the Centenary book of the RMS Leinster, written in the main by descendants of those who were on the ship when it was sunk with the loss of 540 lives. These are personal and family stories about the sinking, handed down through the ages.

The focus is not the war, maritime affairs or youthful adventures; ‘it is about the human aspects; real people and families from many lands who were devastated by this terrible war-tie act in an inglorious war’.

The stories are told by their descendants and the book is augmented by published articles of the time. It was compiled by the Mail Boat Leinster Centenary Committee following a nationwide invitation to descendants to share their stories.

The proceeds will go towards funding the centenary celebrations and later events remembering RMS Leinster.

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COMPETITION

FULL REVIEW IN OUR SPRING EDITION

The centenary committee has generously offered two copies as reader competition prizes: Q: In what year was RMS Leinster sunk?

Answers to mills@inshoreireland.com or by postcard to 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

Deadline: January 31

Publisher: The Liffey Press ISBN: 978-0-9957927-0-8

The publishers have kindly offered two copies as reader competition prizes.

Q: What was the name of the author’s beloved Galway Hooker?

Answers to mills@inshrore-ireland.com or by postcard to 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin Closing date: January 30

A Cornish Fisherman’s Irish Diary Publisher: The Manuscript ISBN: 978-1-91442-07-3

Remembering the Dún Laoghaire & HolyHead Mailboat

love to restore her to her full grandeur, with long hours spent on upkeep and repair.

St Patrick repaid Paddy with many an adventure on the high seas; however during a storm in 2012 she broke her moorings and was wrecked. A sad ending for a much-loved vessel that gave so much joy to all who sailed in her.

PS: Whether you are an old salty sea dog or land a lover, this book will enthral you.

Liam Walsh, Dublin

Growing up in a traditional Irish fishing village

ndrew Doherty’s story vividly brings the reader into the heart of a practically vanished fishing community where people made a hard and precarious living from the river, just six miles from Waterford City centre.

He recalls happy childhood memories playing among the fishing boats and nets on a busy quayside, and takes you on the river on bright and beautiful nights but also on wild and dangerous nights.

Despite the hardships of a working life on the water, what kept him going was the camaraderie and pride of spending time with ‘brave, skilled and wise fishermen who could be grumpy, hilarious, sometimes eccentric, but never boring.’

Available in the Book Centre, Waterford or by postal delivery.

Orders to russianside@gmail. com for further information. €15 + P&P in Ireland.

Produced with the support of the SE FLAG

Dublin Bay Nature and History

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ublin City is extremely vulnerable to coastal flooding which could cost at least €340m in insurance claims alone, according to authors, Richard Nairn, David Jeffrey and Rob Goodbody.

‘Rising sea levels, increasingly severe storms and poor flood defences will combine to cause frequent flooding of property in the coastal areas of Sandymount and Clontarf,’ writes Richard Nairn. High-level cooperation between all state and local authorities is necessary to ensure the capital city is protected from the worst effects of climate change.

Weaving the kindred strands of history and nature, the authors tell the story of the bay and explain its importance to the past, present and future of the city.

FULL REVIEW ON OUR SPRING EDITION

Published by The Collins Press, €24.99 ISBN 978-1-84889-329-0

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inshore ireland Winter 2017

COASTLINE NEWS

Navigating through the Maritime Museum’s Library in Dún Laoghaire Brian Ellis, Honorary Librarian

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ocated in the 180-year-old Mariners Church adjacent to the 200-year-old Dun Laoghaire Harbour, the National Maritime Museum of Ireland includes an extensive source for maritime research.

This comprises a Reference Library with almost 5,000 books, and a collection of archival material covering many decades of maritime history with particular emphasis on the role of seafaring Irish men and women.

Arising from the foundation of the Maritime Institute of Ireland in 1941, recognition grew for

the need to preserve and protect Ireland’s maritime heritage in terms of literature, artefacts and, most importantly, the stories and individual contributions of Irish people in maritime affairs.

Over several decades, the beginnings of the collections that we have today were assembled in temporary accommodation, including the Sailors’ Reading Room on St Michael’s Wharf and private houses.

Following its deconsecration, the Mariners Church on Haigh Terrace became available in 1974, providing fine and appropriate accommodation for the Maritime Institute’s collections.

Due to the necessity to carry out extensive work on

the building’s structure, the church was closed in 2005 to protect the integrity of the building.

Following its re-opening, the library collection was stored on 150 metres of specially modified secure shelving donated by Tallaght Library, prior to recataloguing. The collection is owned by the NMMI and is the result of many decades of collection, acquisition and donations.

The library is not a lending library; books can be consulted in the Museum by the public and Maritime Institute members.

(Members of the Maritime Institute have free admission to the Museum and Library) The library is staffed by volunteers and is open one day per week (currently

Tuesday), and at other times by appointment. The main users are research students; authors; academics and family historians with maritime ancestors.

The collection is extensive, covering many aspects of maritime history and literature, and has been augmented in recent years by some significant donations.

Among the reference sections is a comprehensive collection of Lloyds Registers (from mid-19th Century to early 21st Century), Sea Breeze magazines (from 1940s to 1980s), Beam (Irish Lights) and Inshore Ireland magazines.

The library also deals with queries from personal visitors and by post and email. The majority

of these are seeking information about the maritime career of relatives particularly regarding the ships on which they may have served. It is often the case that relatives have documents in their possession that contain a lot of information we can assist with interpreting.

Research queries would relate to various aspects of maritime history, either for personal interest or for academic research. We do not, as a rule, provide a service for commercial research.

We are always pleased to receive photographs of ships and people which can provide a useful source for other researchers, and have the ability to scan and return the originals to the owner.

A view from the helm Research in 2017 Joe Varley Richard McCormick, President

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n ubiquitous problem for museums is adequate display space; the Maritime Museum has hundreds of photos, documents and sound recordings donated by deceased peacetime and World War mariners and fishermen that deserve to be on public display.

To part solve this problem, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council grant aided the purchase of a scanner, capable of handling prints,

slides, transparencies and delicate Victorian glass plates. Scanned images were used during the 1916 commemorations and other exhibitions, and are displayed in looped presentation in the museum.

The Marine Institute also funded a 65-inch screen, used for lectures and outreach programmes, with the aim to show material for visiting school children on maritime heritage, marine science and the maritime environment.

A major library project throughout 2017 has been collating twenty years of rigorously researched information by Brian Ellis and Philip Lecane — author of Torpedoed! the RMS Leinster

FLAG Northeast. Richard McCormick, President, Maritime Institute of Ireland; Minister Andrew Doyle, Jim O’Toole, BIM chief executive and Garrett O’Brien, chair FLAG Northeast at the Maritime Museum

Disaster — on the crew; post officer workers; military and civilian passengers on board the mailboat on that fateful morning of October 10, 1918.

Next year, approximately 2,000 images will be available for viewing on two interactive touch screens funded under the BIM Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) scheme. These touch screens will also be capable of hosting images relating to the fishing industry, merchant marine, inland waterways and other maritime topics.

MAJOR PROJECTS

The library organised a very successful ‘Maritime Heritage Gathering’ in 2013 and co-organised the ‘Irish Sea Symposium’ in 2014 and the ‘Women and the Sea Symposium’ in 2015 with UCD. In 2017, the library hosted the ‘UCD Docklands Encounters’ mini-symposium, hopefully the first of many for Post Doc students with an interest in maritime matters.

The Library is currently working again with Professors John Brannigan and Tasman Crowe UCD on another project called ‘The Cultural Value of Coastlines’ to evaluate and understand the cultural and historical value of the sea and coastlines to coastal communities in the Irish Sea.

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he library team discusses all queries and decides the best course of action.

It also explores ways to enhance younger visitor experience, and hosts graduates who volunteered across the services offered by the museum.

A sample of correspondence queries includes: a thirdyear student writing an essay on the wartime Irish Shipping Limited; research on the San Marcos and Marconi projects; a PhD on a marine topic, and a radio programme

on Captain Bligh.

An intriguing query emanated from the Cistercian Community at Roscrea, Co Tipperary, concerning a relief carving of a masted ship on the jamb of a window on the Round Town in the town. What was a carving of a ship doing on a Round Tower in perhaps one of the most inland towns in Ireland?

After consulting a library volume on ship identification, we identified the photo as a late medieval merchant trading vessel. The ship is considered symbolic of a person transiting through life and has religious rather than maritime connotations.

As to why the carving is on this tower in Roscrea, it is still a mystery!

A sample of some of the older books: » Better navigation and guidance of steam vessels by Charles Wilson.

Published 1826 » Observations on the inland navigation of Ireland by C. W. Williams.

Published 1833 » Brenton’s Naval History by Edward Pelham Brenton. 2 volumes, published 1837 » Collingwood memoirs and correspondence by G L Newnham Collingwood. 2 volumes, published 1852 » Manual for naval cadets,

by John McNeill Boyd. Published 1860 » The influence of sea power upon history by Alfred T. Mahan.

Published 1890 » The rise and extension of submarine telegraphy

by Willoughby Smith.

Published 1891

inshore ireland Winter 2017

33

COASTLINE NEWS

Future governance of Dún Laoghaire Harbour required before redevelopment decision, says senator

by Gillian Mills

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roposed development plans for the old ferry terminal at St Michael’s Pier, Dún Laoghaire, require “detailed scrutiny” according to a former director of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company.

The Harbour Innovation Campus vision, brainchild of Dublin-based businessman Philip Gannon, comprises a shared innovation space for technology, marine and design business, and could support up to 1,000 jobs, according the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company.

Senator Victor Boyhan however highlights acceptability, viability and sustainability, as concerns he will outline in a submission to the planning authority.

“Clearly any change of use for the site requires detailed scrutiny and ultimately planning permission. It’s premature to say that this project will actually

happen or that it is even appropriate…given the site’s history, zoning and the status of the EU funding that was advanced for the original harbour terminal.”

He said planners must have regard to the decision of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councillors “who voted to provide ‘Specific Local Objective’ to provide for a sailing academy on the site, in their County Development Plan” which is in force until 2022.

No long-term development, contractual arrangements or plans should be entered into “until a full harbour board in in place and the future governance for the harbour has been agreed between Minister Ross and Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company in conjunction with harbour users and stakeholders,” he said.

HARBOUR VISION

Gerry Dunne, chief executive of DLHC, says the project will transform the old terminal, reinvigorate the town and will be a major boost to the local economy.

“Dún Laoghaire is an excellent location for such a facility. The old ferry terminal is a unique site, close to the city and with excellent rail and bus links. The HIC is a real opportunity for Dún Laoghaire to become the central innovation and technology hub for Dublin – if not the whole county.”

The proposed 75,000 square feet plan comprising the former arrivals hall, departure lounge, baggage hall and ticket office buildings is scheduled to be operational by mid-2018.

NATIONAL WATERSPORTS CENTRE

During an oral hearing in 2015 by An Bord Pleanála on the plans for a ‘super terminal’ for cruise liners in the harbour, the Dún Laoghaire Combined Clubs (Royal St George YC; National YC, Royal Irish YC and Dún Laoghaire Motor YC) proposed a National Watersports Centre.

The plan envisages a coordination centre of ‘national significance’ that could host major international and national sailing and water

sports events, attracting up to 500 boats and up to 1,000 sailors, support crews and families. The centre could also be used for conferences, exhibitions, food fairs and boat shows, they contend.

The ISAF World Championships held every four years in valued at €25m to the host country. The east coast harbour town is a regular venue for the biennial fourday Volvo Regatta, attracting circa 21,000 visitors and contributing over €500,000 to the local retail economy.

‘Floating homes’ proposal for Dún Laoghaire Harbour

by Gillian Mills

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ún Laoghaire Harbour Company is proposing to develop a cluster of floating homes, it describes as ‘an exciting, innovative and affordableliving initiative’, at a cost of €250,000-€300,000 per unit.

The development on a gated pontoon is planned on the weather side of Traders’ Wharf, ‘with views of the west pier, Dublin Bay and the

marina in the harbour’.

DLHC is seeking expressions of interest by September 22 from ‘parties with the relevant expertise, experience and resources’ to cooperate with the harbour company ‘in realising this opportunity’.

Speaking to Inshore Ireland, Karin Dubsky, Coastwatch coordinator, said that while the idea of providing affordable homes in the heart of Dún Laoghaire and close to the main public transport arteries was “really

welcome”, there wasn’t enough detail to assess whether the project was feasible, what impact it might have on harbour water quality and what ‘affordable’ means.

“These are three of many aspects which would need to be fleshed out.”

She added that “one great asset of Dún Laoghaire harbour” was its public access and the mix of people using and enjoying it: “How large an area will the housing pontoon make inaccessible to those walking the quay, using the water?” she asked.

She referred to the photo montage which shows ‘Dutch canal- type’ settings of flat calm water and trees: “But Dún Laoghaire harbour can look very different. Would these homes withstand storms in the location shown or is it envisaged they would be pulled into a more sheltered position if a storm is forecast? Where else does this exist in more comparable conditions?”

PRIVITISATION In a statement to Inshore Ireland, local councillor Melisa Halpin, Save our Seafront, described the project as ‘the beginning of a process to privatise the harbour for the benefit of an elite few and destroy public access to the harbour’.

SOS — a voluntary group with interests to protect and enhance public access to Dún Laoghaire and Dublin Bay — added the project was the latest in a list of proposals put forward by the harbour company which has ‘lost sight of its primary function: ‘To manage the harbour for commercial and leisure marine activities that would ensure the future of the harbour to benefit the town and the community as a whole’.

In conjunction with other local interest parties, SOS has put forward proposals that it says would safeguard the historic aspect of the harbour, such as a marine centre of excellence, and is calling on the minister for transport,

Shane Ross to ‘abolish this wasteful quango and to hand over control of the harbour to Dún LaoghaireRathdown County Council as proposed in the Harbour Act of 2015.’

The Department of Tourism Transport and Sport told Inshore Ireland that DLHC has conducted a ‘due diligence’ report in advance of the planned transfer to the Council.

‘As the report raised a number of issues for further clarification, the chief executive engaged a risk and financial consultant to carry out a risk assessment.

This will enable the Council to fully understanding the implications of models to transfer and the responsibility that will transfer in financial and other terms.

‘The port company is currently engaging with the risk assessor. When the risk assessment process is completed, it is expected that matters will progress towards agreeing a model and a date for transfer.’

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inshore ireland Winter 2017

OUTSIDE IRELAND

Super-trawlers: gentle giants or grim reapers?

CATCH AND IMPACT

Brian O’Riordan Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) Platform

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he European Parliament Fisheries (PECHE) Committee convened a hearing in early October on the theme: ‘Supertrawlers: destructive or sustainable’.

For many, the term supertrawler has come to signify a form of intensive factory fishing, essentially for smallpelagic species, undertaken by huge vessels over 100 metres long that spend several weeks at sea, and have the capacity to catch hundreds of tonnes in one haul, and to process, freeze and store the catch on-board.

But the term could equally be applied to almost any large modern trawler, given the trend over the last 20 years towards much larger and more powerful trawlers using heavier gear, including steel trawl doors.

Giving evidence at the hearing, Professor Alenyà from the Institute of Marine Sciences in Barcelona (ICM-CSOC) remarked that the new generation of large demersal trawlers could also be categorised as super-trawlers due to their enormous catching capacity and destructive impact on marine life on the seabed.

He went on to warn that in the Mediterranean, super-trawlers “are currently destroying traditional fishing grounds and causing issues with the rest of the local trawling fleet that cannot fish on such a furrowed and heavily altered sea-floor”.

Defending the record of the Pelagic Freezer Trawler Association (PFA), the PFA President, Gerard van Balsfoort, complained that super-trawlers were being framed. In his presentation, Supertrawlers: super good or super bad? he argued that the large size of pelagic supertrawlers was needed because small boats could not fish far

offshore in the sea conditions where small pelagic species – their main target species — were found. He felt that to equate big with bad was incorrect, and that there was a place for both big and small under the sun.

Citing the example of the Chilean horse mackerel in the South Pacific, he argued that local, small-scale fishermen along the western seaboard of South America did not catch this species, and that the stocks occurred in super abundance between South America in the East, and Australia in the West.

What he failed to mention however was that catches of this species peaked in 1994 at around 5,000,000, tonnes.

Today they are reduced to less than one tenth of that to less than 500,000 tonnes — and the fishery is in crisis.

Historically, jack mackerel is also an important species for the small-scale fisheries sectors of Chile, Peru and Ecuador, providing an important source of high value, low cost protein for low income consumers.

The PFA entered the fishery at a time during a ‘Klondike-type’ rush to build up the necessary track record to secure future fishing entitlements. The PFA was a leader in this race which according to Van Balsfoort “was one of the few areas where still you could get free entry. It looked as though too many vessels would head south, but there was no choice … if you were too late in your decision to go there, they could have closed the gate.”

Over the period 2006 to 2011, scientists estimate that South Pacific horse mackerel stocks decreased by 63%.

Van Balsfoort noted that the catching capacity of a 125-metre freezer trawler and a 75-metre pelagic trawler was more or less the same, as they used more or less the same gear. The main difference between the two was the space allocated to handling, processing and storing the catch on freezer trawlers.

INVESTMENT COSTS

Another big difference is

the investment required, along with running costs of the two kinds of ships; both have voracious appetites for fish, whetted by the need for large catches to pay off large fuel bills.

In the same way that some sharks must keep swimming to keep lifegiving, oxygen-rich waters passing over their gills, so must factory freezer trawlers keep fishing to pay off their running and investment costs. The relatively low carbon foot-print of pelagic freezer trawlers compared to the size of their catches is therefore a mirage.

This author drew attention to the issue of sustainability; the need to achieve the right balance between social, economic and environmental objectives; between current needs and future aspirations; between different interests and between big and small.

Super-trawlers concentrate too much wealth and power in too few hands, upsetting the balance needed to achieve sustainable development

LIFE calls for inclusive blue growth at Our Oceans 2017 conference B

rian O’Riordan, Deputy Director of the Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) has welcomed the FAO initiative on blue growth which puts smallscale fisheries at its centre.

This contrasts with the approach taken by the European Commission (EC) which differentiates between the blue economy and ‘Blue Growth’, he contends.

The European strategy for Blue Growth focuses on cherry-picked economic sectors considered to have potential for growth, excluding those considered to have limited potential.

“In shaping blue growth strategies, greater emphasis needs to be put on sustainable development of the blue economy, built on

three pillars of sustainable development; economic, environmental and social. The blue economy should work for all maritime sectors, not just a few.”

Over the last 35 years, small-scale fisheries have been overlooked by the European Commission, and have been excluded from policy-making processes in Europe, he contends “In effect, the small-scale sector – using vessels under 12m and non-towed gears – has become a ‘forgotten fleet’.”

INSHORE FLEET PROFILE

In Europe, analysis by the Scientific, Technical, and Economic Committee on Fisheries (STECF) — an official advisory body of

the EC — highlights that Europe’s small-scale fishing fleet accounts for 74% of the overall fleet by numbers; 8% of the gross registered tonnage; uses 7% of the fuel; lands 5% of the catch by weight and 12% by value.

This segment also generates 51% of the employment and at 65% GVA/revenue, has the highest gross value-added as a percentage of revenue.

Earnings and wages however are low, partly because the fleet is unable to access sufficient quota, having to fall back non-quota species, O’Riordan contends.

“It is incoherent that small-scale fisheries, with its inherent potential for addedvalue and increased earnings — and its synergies with tourism — should be excluded from European blue growth strategies while aquaculture is included.

“Over the last 10 years, aquaculture production in Europe has stagnated, showing declines of up to 20%. Yet, it is included as a ‘growth’ sector.”

According to DG Mare Maritime Policy and Blue Economy Director Bernard Fries, aquaculture requires “business certainty, lean administrative procedures and adequate space” to develop.

“This recognition that aquaculture requires space to

develop, while overlooking, small-scale fisheries that also have significant potential to grow, to provide jobs, and to contribute to local economies, is misguided.”

MSP EXAMPLES

Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a tool with great potential to secure productive fishing grounds for small-scale fishers, and to ensure that other interests competing for ocean space do not encroach in these areas.

According to O’Riordan, around Europe are good and bad examples of MSP being used to favour or discriminate against small-scale fisheries.

Malta has plans to establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) under the European Natura 2000 scheme.

Natura 2000 sites have been identified by scientists within the 3-mile zone. These occupy over 40% of Malta’s small-scale fishing grounds.

“Small-scale fishers have not been consulted and will be excluded from fishing in these areas.

Ironically the areas have been selected because of their ‘good environmental status’ which would imply that the centuries-old fishing activities practised here are low in impact, and compliment conservation objectives.”

Under EU law, these Special Areas of Conservation must address conservation of species and habitats in conjunction with the social and economic activities in place, including fisheries.

A good example is Catalonia where the government are to pass a decree that will make fisheries co-management law, putting fishermen at the centre of governance.

“This will enable fishers not only to have a say in how fisheries are managed, but will ensure that their voices are heard when it comes to allocating ocean space for other activities.

“It is time that decisiontakers recognise the importance of fishing to local and national economies, along with the potential of fishing to provide sustainable jobs, food supplies, and livelihoods, if developed and managed correctly.”

The need to remind decision-takers of the potential of small-scale fisheries, and responding to opportunities presented by the ‘Green Paper process’ in 2009 to review Europe’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) prompted a group of fishers from across Europe to launch LIFE in 2012 on the eve of a new CFP. http://lifeplatform.eu/lifecalls-inclusive-blue-growth/

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35

OUTSIDE IRELAND

Above: Afrika (126m) works mainly in West Africa Left: Margris (143m) has fished in Irish waters and generated controversy when an Australian company tried to charter it to fish in Tasmanian waters

Photos courtesy of Greenpeace

for the benefit of all.

Like the fabled Pandora’s Box, super-trawlers are a game changer. Once established, this model of fishing will elbow out all smaller competitors; once lost, small coastal ports and the fishing communities they serve will not come back.

The development of supertrawlers was encouraged under successive Common Fisheries Policies that promoted a scrap rebuild policy to replace older,

smaller, less efficient vessels, with fewer, larger more efficient vessels.

In the late 1990s, the mantra of European fisheries policy makers was ‘too many boats and too few fish’. Their vision of the future was one where fishery-dependent coastal communities were employed in shore-based factory jobs, processing and adding value to fish caught by supertrawlers working offshore.

For them, the future lay in an

easier to manage, smaller fleet of very large vessels, catching fish more cost effectively — a misguided vision of improved conservation, a more profitable fleet, shore-based jobs and cheap processed fish for consumers. Unfortunately, this vision has come true, but only partially. Super-trawlers are working offshore, but the shore-based jobs have not materialised as promised.

Another big problem of such a vision is that it is blind

to the important role fishing plays, especially small-scale fishing in rural economies where fishing may supplement other sources of income.

Fishing also provides both full and part-time sea and shorebased activities, including marine and wildlife tourism; engineering and transport in remote coastal and island communities, without which they would not be viable.

Fishing and seafaring skills are needed to provide crew

for local lifeboats for example, and without sufficient job prospects, people leave communities, causing the closure of schools, health services, and other amenities.

For these communities, the CFP has effectively produced a few large vessels with too much fish, and has caused too many small vessels and the communities that they support and vice versa to struggle to make a living without sufficient fish.

Mediterranean Odyssey Tom Lawlor

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he overture for this voyage was not the usual few drinks in a harbour bar and a laden plod to a shifting marina to join a boat. This odyssey began in the penthouse suite of the skipper James O’Brien located in Malta.

The stunning views of Valetta from the balcony made the gin taste sharper. Donal O’Boyle convinced us it was something to do with the altitude. Below us the streetscapes were reminiscent of a Hockney painting: abstract shapes of a swimming pool; a boxing ring; the curve of the coast road vanishing below a mirrored high rise.

At our eyelevel, the Italian air force jets rehearsed their routine for a forthcoming air show and on the horizon, the blaze of lights from anchored sea traffic and some approaching cruise ships. It was an easy decision to postpone going to sea for a few days as Malta deserved to be explored.

The warm morning promised hot weather for the day. We took a ferry across the harbour to tour Valetta and a taxi climbed the vertical narrow streets to take us to the old fort. The charming guide informs us that Malta is geographically at the edge of Europe but historically it’s at its centre.

Touring can be tiring so we visited The Pub in Archbishop Street. The barman told us it was the bar where Oliver Reid

died while drinking with some sailors. The cocktail of his drinks is commemorated on souvenir tee-shirts.

We set sail from the marina in Portomaso; the warm breeze gently taking us to the island of Gozo. A small detour took us to a wonderful anchorage in Blue Lagoon where James and Donal enjoy a swim in the clear waters.

Through the bottom of my glass I see a beautiful girl drift by floating on an inflatable unicorn.

Time for a nap.

The town of Gozo is a short walk from the marina. James’s experience of this area was invaluable. He decided to give The Imperial Gozo Yacht Club a miss, and selected the Gleneagles bar for our pre-dinner drinks - an inspired idea. Dining in Tmun restaurant under the attentive eye of proprietor Lala was a celebration of local seafood.

An early morning start with full sail and we make 8 knots as we set course for Sicily.

As we approach, we notice that the lighthouse is set well back from the shoreline.

No sleep tonight with heavy rain and thunder and lighting.

The morning brings clear skies and light airs as we set course for Syracuse. Off our port bow Mount Etna stands against a clear blue sky - the highest volcano in Europe. Considered to be one of the most active volcanoes in the world, this afternoon it rests, surrounded by a light heat haze.

The approach to Syracuse marina is slow, revealing mystical buildings on the shoreline reflecting the rich evening light.

We sit in the palatza watching children laughing and playing. A young man plays the accordion while couples make selfies. The façade of the magnificent church falls into darkness. Mass goers spill into the palatza. The bells ring. A perfect evening.

We breakfast ashore. Then Donal and I visit the Greek theatre. The noonday sun bakes the ground and we scurry back to the sanctuary of the boat and siesta. At evening we pick a bar on the promenade to watch the sun go down. A skinny figure passes carrying a surfboard followed by a lean dog. Moments later we see man and dog standing on the board gently paddling away from the beach heading towards the sunset. The mind boggles.

SICIly BOund We are underway when I wake. Calm sea and Etna on the horizon, we make for Porta dl Etna. By now we have the hang of the Med method of mooring stern on to the marina, always achieved without the fumbling and shout method that I grew old on.

We hire a car for our trip to visit Mount Etna. Donal navigates the narrow streets while James steers the course away from the coast in search of signposts showing Etna. We are becoming familiar to some locals as we see them for the third time. I sit silently in the back and finger my rosary. Prayer answered, a sign for Etna.

A cable car lifts us to 2,500 metres “The temp is freezing,” says the girl who is renting snow

jackets. But we are made of sterner stuff. We were Croagh Patrick boys. No jackets for us.

So there we stood freezing on the black ground with a hint of mist enjoying the superb views while the Germans took photos of the hardy men.

During lunch in Catania we attract the attention of another diner. He was the centre of attention at his table. He had many visitors come and go during his meal. When he heard we were from Ireland he welcomed us and announced: “I like Joyce. The first time I read Ulysses I did not

understand it. But by the fifth time I loved it.”

“The sacred pint alone can unbind the tongue,” replied Donal. We later learned he was Ignazio La Russa, a politician.

Sharing a nightcap in the cockpit on the last night of our cruise we reminisced of Sicily’s splendour. Its magnificent history and warm people. Across the water we could see berthed along the quay wall the Medecins Sans Frontieres search and rescue vessel.

Waiting in silence for the next call out. A reminder of the other Meditteranian odyssey.

Donal O’Boyle seeking an anchorage in the Blue lagoon.

Skipper James ( Joxer ) O’Brien with Mount Etna in the background.

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Ne t Euro throuis cast wid ghou on pean M m t thee to find th ForuAbsence T of map data may haveeconinovestmenaritime D Irish eries eries seafoe best a Fish new fish t in my’ t the ‘by focuss od sel Inshore la ’s n contributed to fatal helicopter crash nd lopme es lue Ire I ona cto deve witrh Nati End of opEnnEt-cagE sEa fish farming?

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he first seafo ‘dedicated focus od awards, ’ sing peop le as innov sustainabi on skills and help possible , lity, comp ation and the truly us ackno to apply celeb etitivenes wled excep unde s, will ge acros fishe rate the best indus rtaken in tional work inclu s the indus procermen, fish McCa try,” remathis vibra Pract de the Best try will throu ssors and farmers, execu rthy, BIM rked Tarant ice Awar New in Aqua seafo ghout Irelaretailers Fishin call fortive, anno chief cultu d, Innov the Innov organ od sector nd’s uncin ation g re ised in Reco entries. g the Proce ation Award and

by BIM.an even “The impo gnising ssing in t the comp Irish seafo rtanc Awar Seafood Seafo and deve e of entre od leade d. intere rises some od secto lopin upskilling path pren r be recog ga eurs rs and drive sting, innovof the most in the also name n peop secto career comp nised will also life. BIM le in ative and for Year etitiv the r, BIM will busin the Fishin is delig creat e edge their ess Fishmas well as Student of Year, g Enter through celeb e an occas hted to the onge r 2017 Young the The of the Aquacultu prise of prom rate, highl ion to umbr ‘sustainabi . ote the the ight Entre Year and re Enterprise and enter excel and Respo ella will hostlity’ prene Seafo lent peop the Year this secto prise ur/ Enter od Year, nsible Fishe the s work Awar le r. I urge prise The ing ds.

Envir Aquacultu rman of of as manyin anno Awards will onme re Socia the unce the Green ntal be l and on Nove d at ProceAward and Celeb mber a gala Clayt ssor ratin on Hote 17 in theevening g ‘inno Award.

Dublin. l, Balls vatio n’ bridg Closi e, Frida ng date y Septe for entri mber es 16, 2016is .

Cree Brex d meets com it consu with mitte ltati ve e A

t his ‘Brex first com it’ meeting issues stakeprising agen volati were the cies, hold for Agri the Mini ers and with lity and to exchange mana rate and the culture, assist ster and reduc ging that trade Food stand Mari Cree to the ards ing their volati rs ne, “con d, welcome Michael “Whi and the UK mark expos lity The on its le the UK EU budg ure on thestructive d the discu Committeet, he said. inpu use thenext steps, deliberateset. for the challenge t” such ssed other e also Irish s to best time at we must and fishe agri- ahead contr as trade andchallenges positi effect so our disposal food follo ries requi ols and certif tariff issues on ourse that the best reme deciswing the sectors, lves we can ; nts; regulication UK’s ion best outcocase and to prese “I believ to leave atory agri-f me for achieve nt the EU. way to e the the Irish the from ood and fisher challe deal withmost effect these nges ive the agri-f negot ies secto that we many ood and iation in will face s.” r fisher the Irish of the following ies secto to workUK refere the result r ndum as we together , is can to as of impo ident closely ify agree rtance to us, issues migh on how these and to t best be addre issues “My alread Departmen ssed. y been the secto worki t has r in consi ng with areas in risks maywhich the dering great the arise, Cons ultati and the est will help ve Com us take mittee forwa rd that by discu ssion facilitatingwork the negot and regul iation analysis as ar The Minis s evolv and meas e.” ter ured said a calm requi appro futurered, and noted ach was would EU-UK that on the ultimatelyrelationshithe negot outcome depend p of the were iations, which exit he said unde unlikely to r way “for formally In the mean some time”get time, the key .

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OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF SEAFEST 2017 P21

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r g secto re fishinunities the insho comm strategies and their inable income the e and private industry. on susta Mills e ise theafforded by e; marin Gillian marin e leisur ies to optim It added however: marin m and other rtunit oppo al resource. touris holders.

‘Honeywell’s selected terrain also s.” coast stake structures ies for unitieincluded and obstacle source data do warning system The opportunit een al comm s and coast s discussed de ion betw stock nal not include Black Rock.’ that increases provi Topic to herring op natio s collaborat And while the island is pilot ‘situational re to the acces sals to devel ures for itted the insho meas propo rvation present in alternate data sets, awareness’ did nt of rked. has comm opme conse t crab. r of devel rs,” he remato deliver ‘the actual altitude of Black not include Black Rock velve inshore sectog boats ll and ter for secto added that it was The Rock is considerably higher g fishin s in overa and its lighthouse or the e, Food he Minis He objective, the views ultur Michael gh (comprisin12 metremore than e, Agric than what is indicated in terrain of the island in its on thisntial” to hearrs throu up fleet and the less than g the Marin h) make “esse stakeholde these alternate data sets.’ database, according to the met with lengt the fishin active of ime s and nal , has of the of tely Marit ble, Creed nal chair 80% Natio , mina miles ean They confirmed the obstacle NIFF. preliminary report of the cal the availa the Europ ned s of six regio nauti are predo Forum attai “With Fund now ies to chair data for ‘the Ireland region’ Air Accident Investigation n six . e ries vice- re Fisheries re I) has cil withi shore established nt r. , futur Fishe are opportunit (MH e insho Unit into Irela thend crash was developme r Insho ss the the secto the Irish hip Coun sites is sourced from their ‘Type there e sustainabl enhance ards two of its rd est The NIFF ent of there was to discu re secto arna 1 LOA supplier’. This data tate the of Irish for Harv Coast re StewGuard lopm s secur and [to] and dard and Inisf deve pleased ng ssion to facili rent insho cultu arine rural uragi discuss fisheries ‘does not include obstacles helicopter R116 (March 15) Aqua on stan “I am in the discu e a es in of a cohe ry Bay the to ensur e for ’ by enco incom Bant the lives a focus ties to on Black Rock’ Honeywell that) salm claimed ‘voice re fishermen rate futur al of (ASC eg in WWW.B term rnment ation ards in Ahab on priori insho s and to generted at gove on told the Investigation.

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, st intern stand ive longr. This Bay. the highe nability accreditati issue only-suppo areco-pilot nal INDUSIM.IE/OU posit The EGPWS also includes Mark ous Duffy, sustai previ this secto commtives. one of socialCapt . in Kenm s six Regio s Kerry and TRY-AW R-SERV and operator initia Co follow ork of Forum basic modes that prevent winch Paul , The markntal sector ish site inof our brand to and A netwFisheries Irish coast ICES/ onme ng ARDS envir farmi re descent into level or evenly Ormsby Deen andntwinchman y aspire on Insho ) around the sals to -2016/ stentl ditati is the fish company’s endorseme Smith.

(RIFF forward propoindustry we consi ular accre which futuresloping terrain. Enhanced or a great that for the isCiaran bers partic bring ing a e,”‘look ahead’ modes are based for wider the WWF “This stand A ards digital map that , nal mem than ing. This natur in build rmen the NIFF the high ss. Regio fishe in reach none on Global Positioning System the other pilot tomark view a with ony ed allows discu de inshore interests; harm director. the succe ted by lly as a bench ging and to inclu onmental (GPS) position compared to representation ofinmana terrain iers globa are met was initia suppl d. nised n needs over €15m envir recog obstacles terrain and obstacle databases. included tra, MHIis ibute 800 Irish Irelan the huma Feensahead d contr and over ne Harvesta €22m Jan Enhanced whererked ing of , ahead’ modes Irelan ‘Look in the Ground meet Mari we have rema ations in my annually, five years his first ess with ver, Proximity Warning System Oper busin ly howe e a intended to prevent the next are d hosts m stic econo icant d over could creatthe dome ntly doingsignif ael Cree ries Foru aircraft from running (EGPWS), ‘provided Irelanthese, are workforce we ter Mich re Fishe are curreaps more arked for This alone ling our is that into contained theal.database’.

Minis nal Insho . ‘sharply rising terrain “Perh t earminrenew st doub tmen licencemanufacturer, Natio face today he stated almo is or man-made obstacles’, invesEGPWS ct to direct jobs st issue we product,”by MHI d; subje our ced 250 anynotes. the Honeywell, informed the bigge Polanreport for comp Italy; furtherThe single demand of fish produ Investigation the that compliantum; year, the tions here. opera meet y per cent any; Belgi Last cannot st ninet processes include the and Asia. d from SAFETY e; Germ ard Almo to Franc ; Canada m in Irelanrn seabo ted ‘integration and validation’ RECOMMENDATIONS of €72.2 the weste expor erland; USA sales and NCIL ofSwitz multiple public ons alongprivate COU While the Investigation is ated total h 16 locati gener (Dutc data sources, furnished ARD

by SHIP still ed at re at a preliminary stage, situat and IDH cultu E STEW t notcustomers, governments it has made two interim WWF the Aqua enden ’s ACULTUR by .

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safety recommendations.

It notes that as the flight crew has been using an operator-specific route guide it would be appropriate that the operator should review all such route guides.

‘CHC Ireland should review/re-evaluate all route guides in use by its SAR helicopters in Ireland, with a view to enhancing the information provided on obstacle heights and positions, terrain clearance, vertical profile, the positions of waypoints in relation to obstacles and EGPWS database terrain and obstacle limitations.’

LOCATION BEACON

The Investigation also notes ‘a matter of concern’ relating to the installation of the locator beacon in the lifejackets worn by the pilots, which ‘appeared’ to be in accordance with a Service Bulletin issued by the lifejacket manufacturer RFD Beaufort Ltd. ‘This shows the GPS antenna in the same pouch as the beacon. However, the beacon manufacturer’s publications recommend a minimum separation between

an Mill s nves sustating in smar inabl for comp e solut t and

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and what etitive gives ions grow etitiv fromththe recovered Control beacon and GPS antenna of this e edge will globa year’ was the blue confe Voice sRecorder notesfor theourl businessopen of 30 centimetres (cm).’ up inter them celeb rence and oppo new natio e rtunit Finni industry.” nal exhib last words of co-pilot Capt The AAIU has Mari ratin ies Juha sh Prime time g European ition Sipilä Minis Day Duffy: “We’rewas The Mark gone.” recommended that the to make, said their ter, hoste two-day annually.

Theconfe Final Reportforeru of the manufacturer ‘should reviewaddre d by Finla nner Finland goal nd rence a in the Vella ssed AAIU ar

by Karmwas will considerincircul factors the viability of the installation clean economy bioeconom Envir , Commissi enu and y, provisions and instructionsAffair onme including “Sust tech by 2025. oner organisation for up exporainable soluti Mari s and nt, and management of thet and for locator beacons on Mk44 time who said Fishe With ries, emploons speed themission; leadin EU the Operator’s lifejackets and if necessary increa better regul ymen econo g on sever was se invest ation t. al blue we can and help guidance, amend or update these such my technprocedures ment boost he Irish as renew ologie The confeecono s that will and clean Mari s helicopter systems; navigation; provisions and instructions able a netwo rence mic growt Ener time and shipp energy “The produ for the rking envirooffered h.” e with ing. mapping and charting; taking into consideration econo sustainable is a ‘TripClus gy Resource 1,200 ramm for two cross cts and servic also attend ter, my is deleg nment prog off air marin performance; is a realit Partn le Helix IMER aircraft the beacon manufacturer’s not ahuman ates time on for cutting them es with works be C dream e stakeh who y. will facilitatede peop mari hops edaspects; form ership’ gover example es focuse , it them le are Acrossperformance; survival recommendations for on and five older with o 1’s aughton (12-19) to es in Rio ecosy Neste arranal and infor worki Europe, both st ICT. nance, engin in blue atic sessions: stem d TE Radi geme is the d within ation ng oversight; effective operation’ bouninnov us Conn hard the Irish growth riskInvesti pic Gam eering nts mal ng Augu the cluste s ergonomics, ocean rtunity To date ; Impro Olym Colle NationalMarc and govern becaudaries. We to push acad milit between ving ng Marit s duri r of the a deeper a numb it has skillsand the oppo se we aremanagement ary, Irish partn ge of Irelanweekime develop ance; Boosti enabl have leadin Colleemia, Univ have innov er of disrup d a rage ed ng ment; data g of clean invest ding: analysis the energy recorded ers will FINAL FLIGHT IT andership betwecove ations Insti ge Cork ersity ed. area develo joint action, and Harnessing tute en Cork ver, listensquad, inclu facilit tive and Cork both the Irish Facilit of Tech It has and recovered R116 had responded to iro.Navy howe sailing into policy pmen ating local Leader wreckage. along y 5where Jane naval milita ry Frida ship Excha with ating Energ four pillar nolog our perso Onand a Natio formu t. It has fed merch 2 y, Shipp The report notes: ‘The sole a call to provide ‘topKE cover’ YN s, Marin y. & develo nnel train, nge panel ng from and Logis Radial ant ing Trans as an nal level, lation at e s. is As an p. of heari reflec hy, Laser ard and Secur tics, Marit of this investigation for a medical evacuation of OTEpurpose port , 49er gover exemplar is codified ADDR t innov Murp Stand IMER in nmen ime overn ity lise ative tor and yacht Safety Paper to prevent aviation an injured fisherman from t Defen our cross end on McG netwo h, Laser ESS accidents conte C allow»s Anna G). ce Direc h week rk n & Matt ing Natio and in the ce White broadLync R rman X Watc explo xt, sensing»a Finn p (IWD and serious incidents. It a fishing vessel, 141 nm off curre and erSeato 49erF ISA Perfoal Whale hin Grou LIEBHER Gove nal programm of as nt innov ring and drivin rnme » Ryan a Tidey, yet uniden of any an, While Dolp re on the is not the purpose the Co Mayo coast. The Air e for nt. ocean the Annu and g the O’Callagh collab ation netwo » Saski tified species coordi it is clear le absorb Fenit s oratio ewing Wha a featu nation produc such investigation the. The Corps could not respond to end user Jame at a region n, withrk»throu could that Irish 2, we have e Bay and es mores moreand CO 2 and gh be previ other ecosyst oxygen end user identified a»focus Trale al sea be improv We’ll 27 by the association the mission request as they had radica than anyreport anchor of intern ed level, p with It is also investigation em in soluti onst y September identi l uncerta theory our onshi ons toFrida fied probl Augu of ecologi theblame ationa the water inty to apportion or liability. talk no availability until 08.00 hrs. primar biosph of the can be found l politic On and its relati ere. » ems. should cal threshoand existen soverei our andt the minera and a signifi y source of al State which plant A safety recommendation The first indication that gn territoin the space Harb l cant source er 9 as the be guided by lds, policy ce The seawealth and ways of emb in Cork abhain abouge. holdin in additi rial hydroc a of Sept Other “precautiona principles is a source shallbeauty in no case create R116 could be missing on to arbons princip This doing things. such Aud with rights, g exclusive ry Friday Spike Island O Donn ime herita best availa . of les includ approach”. also has sovereign potenti and recreat n a March Barra and marit consul resonates with visit and the ent presumption of blame or was at 01.06 hrs on ist keyn ion al, In We ble tation e obliga approa terms ment Presid eolog stic science use of to exemp if proper with the ote addr the EU’s Vice ocean of securit tions. compl mona er 16 ly govern at Case HE thegreat grand govern on international lify the and a ch, adaptive , ecosystem the an occurrence.’

14 when the helicopter to archa of sustainfor ess, liability Mell -Admiral from that coordin ance which ’s rich a look Lawler; emb h, key to iance, the State y and which rights-based management, pillars ed, ability threeavailable island ay Sept lin takes uphold Chie Mark Pat develop report aughton Staff et, el Smyt both horizo ation has found AAIU crew did notDefe answer radio is three and soverei approa ing sovereiis the ment, , econom Frid ne McPo historianins; Carm of the f of y McNCasement The most ch dimen and environ ic ntal: ‘betweto be nce Force social agenci Lesle gn rights.

State’s gnty r Irish sional. from on: www.aaiu.ie calls to theirbroa call-sign. develop es Higg Grain is sustain import ns Roge in a comple mental d over betwee and progra en UN s, gave t, ant princip manife sovereign rightsA ibutio Michael D rt Monteith; mari protect ment of Sir n regiona develop ability. Sustai mmes view contr a d In the final seconds, R116 ry talen ion Day-t x shared and vertica -niece ment meets rights station of the are a l organi and mari time econ of the ain Robe o-day nable le the presen ic literat book The grand are primar of Irelan sations time impacted regiona l ‘betwe threats space. cannot of its citizen property of Capt prolif ‘pitched up rapidly’, datin ’ en gove omy and l the ability t withou the needs of ily anthro to the sea They er 23 right and t his recen . Based or niece Zealand, great g back rnan Innova and nation the global emb Marin should not - rights that Mare of futuret compromisin to meet ce with terrain at the western acidifi include polluti pogenic. to n abouNew Island crew New ay Sept r, playw such a tion requireal levels.’ , be aliena should e Spatial forer Libr um 1609 when on; dumpi Sustai their own generations g

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