Inshore Ireland 15.2 Summer 2019

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€2.50/£2.10 Summer 2019 Vol 15 Issue 2

Rockall controversy rolls on

Ireland rejects Scotland claim of 12 mile exclusion zone

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Marine Planning Policy for Ireland

The Marine and Freshwater Environment Publication

Inter-departmental draft statement

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“Resolving climate change impacts will require committed political will” - Senator John Kerry Gillian Mills & Gery Flynn

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olitical representatives from 30 small island nations, global leaders and more than 750 delegates gathered in Cork City Hall for ‘Our Ocean Wealth Summit 2019’.

The theme, ‘shared voices from small island nations’, focused on the need to protect the world’s oceans from the impacts of climate change on island nations in particular, and to ensure a sustainable longterm future for marine economies generally.

In the keynote address,

former US Secretary of State John Kerry called for immediate action to move to decarbonisation.

ACCOUNTABILITY

He described the conference as “extraordinarily timely and important” but warned it will take “militancy to hold the liars, cheaters and the greedy accountable, who deny that climate change is happening.”

He said resolving climate change was not a matter of whether we can do it, “it’s a matter of whether we decide to do it.

“This is not a question of capacity; this is a question of political will. Hold the politicians accountable and make sure they’re

delivering,” he said.

Senator Kerry thanked Ireland for its leadership and effort to elevate ocean issues “with focus and the urgency they deserve”.

He said that while Ireland’s integrated plan for the marine sector, Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth, was a road map to double its economic contribution to GDP by 2030, it also had its own set of challenges: “But it is, most importantly, a path to protect the oceans for the next generation, and generations beyond.”

CLIMATE ACTIVISTS

Senator Kerry singled out today’s young climate activists, Alicia O’Sullivan

(see sidebar) and Sweden’s Greta Thunberg: “They are telling the truth, they are the future, and we are not getting the job done for the future.

“I’m angry because I did not get into public life not to deliver; I didn’t get into public life in order to fail and I certainly didn’t get into public life to avoid the truth.

“Today we have public leaders who not only avoid the truth, they try to alter the truth; thousands of lies from the highest voices, mostly in our politics. This has to change,” he warned.

Managing the oceans is a stewardship of a $500bn business. $500bn of global economy and the livelihoods of 12% of

the world’s population, he explained.

“But the truth is we’re far from doing what we know we should be doing, and what we can be doing.

“Ireland however, understands this. Ireland has always had to fight against disadvantage.

There’s a nature in our politics in Boston where the Irish who have played such an extraordinary role of just being fighters, understanding just how to get the job done.”

He said Ireland knew “too well” the scale of the challenge with just 2% of our waters currently protected: “But we are all deeply impressed [to learn] that half of Ireland’s seas

and ocean are going to be set aside as marine protected areas.”

POLICY ISSUES

The Senator warned that time was not a friend, “not unless we change the decisions we’re making.

And challenges, not just about the environment, it’s about fundamental policy choices in a world that is rapidly changing around us.”

He said events such as Our Ocean Wealth should not be simply an excuse to talk: “They’ve got to become an exhortation to action; they’ve got to become the »» page 16

Humpback Whale No.55 in the Irish Catalogue, photographed off west Kerry on August 7, 2015, by Nick Massett and recently re-sighted in Cape Verde

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INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

NEWS

Changes in atypical work permit scheme for migrant fishers THE MAIN TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT INCLUDE:

Gillian Mills

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High Court settlement reached at the end of April introduced changes to the atypical work permit scheme for non-EEA fishermen working in parts of the Irish fishing fleet.

The International Transport Worker’s Federation (ITF) had brought the case against relevant government departments, seeking ‘an immediate moratorium’ on the grant or renewal

of work permits pending a review of conditions attaching to scheme.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has welcomed the news that the parties reached agreement: “If properly implemented, this will contribute to the fight against human trafficking and severe labour exploitation on Irish fishing vessels, and to ensuring that the rights of non-EEA fishermen are vindicated,” remarked Emily Logan, chief commissioner.

The relevant government departments involved in the scheme are the

Department of Justice and Equality; Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport; Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and the Workplace Relations Commission.

While welcoming the developments, Francis O’Donnell, chief executive of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation said the scheme needed a “significant review” in terms of processing applications: “The time delays are making it unworkable for the employee and employer.”

BACKGROUND

The Scheme for the employment of non-EEA fishers in parts of Ireland’s commercial sea-fishing fleet was launched on February 15, 2016. The Scheme is an extension of the Atypical Working Scheme, administered by the Department of Justice & Equality (Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service), and was introduced based on a series of recommendations made by the Government Task Force on Non-EEA workers in the Irish Fishing Fleet in December 2015.This Task Force was established following reports of alleged abuses of migrant workers on board Irish fishing vessels. It received presentations and submissions from a number of relevant stakeholders, including the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland and the International Transport Workers Federation. The Scheme provided for the first time a structured and transparent framework for the employment of non-EEA workers within defined segments of the Irish fishing fleet. The Scheme sets down minimum terms and conditions of employment applicable to these workers, in line with the general statutory terms and conditions applicable to workers more generally in the State. The Scheme was welcomed as a solution to the risk of exploitation and to guarantee employment rights and protections to non-EEA fishers availing of the Scheme.

›› every intended participant under the Scheme is to receive their contract of employment in their native language, as well as English. The contract will include clear wording regarding the fisher’s entitlements to pay, working-hours, and rest periods. The letter of approval is also to be in the fisher’s native language, as well as English, as appropriate ›› a link to a webpage explaining the fisher’s rights as an employee and where the fisher can make complaints regarding any violation of these rights will be provided to participants in their letter of approval ›› costs associated with applications under the Atypical Workers Scheme will not be recoupable from the fisher’s wages, as was the case previously ›› no employment permission is granted to any non-EEA nationals to work in the State without a contract with a specific employer. Non-EEA fishers retain the right to transfer employment within the Scheme; any such transfer of employment can occur without the existing or previous employer’s consent ›› where the Department of Justice & Equality becomes aware that a fisher has left their employment, for any reason before the end of their twelve-month contract, a letter will issue to the non-EEA fisher requesting that they provide details of their new contract of employment under the Scheme to the Department within 28 days ›› EU Directive 2017/159 will be transposed into Irish law by November 15, regulating maximum hours of work, minimum hours of rest, and manning requirements aboard commercial fishing vessels ›› the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), Marine Survey Office (MSO) and the Department of Justice and Equality will liaise on the enforcement of S.I. 709 of 2003 (relating to the hours of work and rest on board fishing vessels) ›› the Oversight Committee, chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will meet on a two-monthly basis for the first six months, starting in May, and quarterly thereafter to monitor the Scheme and ensure that it is operating as intended ›› Further information on the Scheme.

Bill passes, allowing Northern Irish vessels to fish inside Ireland’s inshore waters Gillian Mills

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he Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2017 which gives Northern Ireland (NI) fishing boats legal footing to fish within the Republic of Ireland’s 0-6nm zone, passed through the Dáil (28/3) by 72:8 votes.

The Bill sought to amend a neighbourly, non-binding arrangement of more than fifty years between Ireland and Northern Ireland. The voisinage arrangement recognises reciprocal fishing access inside 0-6nm inshore waters.

The purpose of the Bill is to “restore access” to NI boats to fish under the terms of the agreement.

Access is subject to the same conditions that apply to Irish sea-fishing boats, Minister Michael Creed told the House.

“There is no question of preferential treatment for NI vessels while fishing

Ag Méadú Eolas Muirí Ag Soláthair Seirbhísí Mara Building Ocean Knowledge Delivering Ocean Services

in our six-mile zone. They will continue to be subject to the same measures that apply to Irish-registered fishing boats” he stressed.

Francis O’Donnell, chief executive of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation, however said that allowing the Bill to go through was clearly a “strategic mistake” by government: “No one knew other than them that Scotland was threatening to stop Irish fishermen from accessing Rockall. I had pointed this out on several occasions.

Now to think that Rockall was given to the UK by Ireland in an agreement in 2013, is appalling.

“We first learnt of this in 2016. As primary stakeholders, we were never consulted.”

BACKGROUND

A Supreme Court judgment (October 27, 2016) found that fishing

by NI 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 of the Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Bill to address access for Northern Ireland vessels.

The Bill was successfully challenged in the Dáil in late 2017.

Francis O’Donnell questioned why the Bill was being ‘rushed’ through to binding legislation.

It is “premature” to agree a bi-lateral reciprocal arrangement until the outcome of Brexit is known, he told Inshore Ireland.

“Why are we now rushing in to put an arrangement in place that will legally, for the first time ever, allow vessels from the UK in the 0-6nm mile limit. “We need to get away from this idea of vessels from NI – they are UK vessels that we will be giving access to fish.”

marine.ie Southern Gemini (C’bere) underway off Arklow, Co Wicklow.

Photo Tomas Sullivan

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INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

COMMENT Ireland’s blue economy; moving on climate change and the question of mackerel stocks

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he latest progress report on Ireland’s Integrated Marine Plan, Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth published to coincide with SeaFest 2019 and the Our Ocean Wealth Summit conference - indicates that Ireland is well on course to achieving, and may even surpass, the economic targets set by government eight years ago.

From the ‘Ocean Economy Report’ compiled by the SocioEconomic Research Unit at NUI Galway, we learn that our ocean economy last year turned over €6.2 billion. In economic terms the direct economic contribution in terms of gross value added topped €2.2 billion or 1.1% of GDP. Viewed only as a percentage, that stark figure might appear relatively insignificant as a contribution to

Irish boats do not fish within the same zone in NI, he said. “We don’t need the water; we don’t fish there….so it’s not a necessity for us.”

O’Donnell also pointed to vessels ‘owned and operated’ in NI, as identified in the Bill: “In this day and age, this means nothing because a large corporation could own and operate a vessel out of NI; it doesn’t necessarily have to be registered there.

We have an issue with this.”

the national economy, but when we realise that it underpins the employment of 34,132 people - mostly in the remote coastal areas of the country - it assumes a weightier significance altogether.

BLUE GROWTH

We learn also that last year the blue economy showed significant growth in most EU member states - but with significant expansion observed in Ireland and Malta.

And while this well justified optimism was reflected on the streets of host city Cork during SeaFest 2019, the OOW Summit tried to grapple with the challenges that climate change is presenting to our planet, and to our oceans in particular.

This summit will be remembered in particular for the contributions made by representatives of the Small Island Developing States: St Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Vanuatu, Mauritius, Jamaica and Palau, - whose

had for decades under the ‘voisinage’ arrangement.”

The Minister added that NI vessels wishing to avail of the arrangements to fish for quota species under the CFP “will need to have the necessary authorisation from their own fisheries administration to avail of UK quota” for the species in question.

“This has always been the case and will continue to be the case.”

On the access issue, Minister Creed said the Bill “clearly stipulates” the boats that may avail of the access: “What we are doing via this Bill is to reinstate arrangements which have been in operation up the point of the Supreme Court judgment and which have been suspended on our side only pending the passage of this legislation.”

collective plea for affirmative action now to mitigate the destructive effects of climate change is having on their lives, wont be forgotten.

We report also some of the key points made by former US Secretary of State John Kerry in his keynote address to the summit. His chilling observations wont be forgotten either: that we have taken the oceans too much for granted and were pushing them to the brink of destruction; that too much money is chasing too few fish; that there are still vast areas of the oceans with little or no legal protection; that there are still more than 400 unresolved maritime boundary disputes worldwide; that a garbage patch of waste plastic the size of Texas floats in the Pacific, and that rising carbon dioxide emissions are increasing ocean acidity and devastating entire ecosystems such as coral reefs and the marine life dependent upon them.

Our exclusive interview with fisheries biologist Dr Jens Christian Holst also points to the importance of good science. We already reported last year how Holst has become a thorn in the side of the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) as he doggedly promotes his belief that mackerel stocks in the North-east Atlantic have been underestimated.

Whether his hypothesis is right or wrong, or just plain crazy, Dr Holst’s ideas have gained traction in many circles. His attempts however to engage ICES in the discussions appear to have fallen on deaf ears.

ICES should put aside any personality issues that might be tainting this extremely important subject. The questions Holst asks are far too important to be swept under the carpet.

In Memory of the Late Thomas Michael Hassett

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members of this newlyformed organisation, meeting with countless Hassett began a process officials in the Department of Marine within the IS&WFPO and politicians. He that has generated a also pioneered the first lot of discussion and engagement with officials the telling of many of the EEC now known as stories of Tom’s passion the European Union. for Ireland’s fishing Tom was a wellIndustry.

LEGAL respected accountant ARRANGEMENT Tom’s tireless work who reached the top through the IS&WFPO The IFPO leader argued of the ladder within began in the 1990s that some ‘contracting the Roches Stores and continued through parties’ (e.g. Belgium, Department Store Group the decades until his France, Spain) to as their chief accountant. retirement as Secretary the London Fisheries Tom’s role within at the end of 2015.

Convention, could be the organisation was Tom saw a need for a included under this new company secretary; he voice for the fishermen legal arrangement: added a professional in the southwest. As “We believe, although element to the running of he once stated: “The MUSSEL SEED we’re told by the State that this representative body fishermen in this part of EXTRACTION this is not the case, any that grew in stature and the country are treated Referring to concerns contracting party to the as ‘second class citizens’.” to become an important that mussel seed could be Convention could argue He was not alone in his contributor to developing that if NI gets access inside removed for use outside policy and regulations views, and with another either jurisdiction, Minister the 6nm zone, they too that would govern the Creed said anyone engaged huge figure in the are entitled to the same industry, Donal O’Driscoll industry in the decades in the sector “must” use access.” that followed. ― a native of Sherkin seed mussel on the island According to the IFPO’s Tom’s dedication was Island who relocated of Ireland: legal advisors, access to summed up by the to Castletownbere in “It is not that they at least six other countries current secretary: the early 1960s ― they [Dutch corporations] can to Ireland’s six-mile zone “Tom ate, drank and formed an unbreakable pillage the seed and take “cannot be ruled out and slept the work involved friendship through their it elsewhere. They have is very likely and in fact love of the sea and made in the Irish South and to use it on the island of probable”.

West; you knew when Ireland so it is creating jobs the historic decision During the Dáil debate, he rang you it was Minister Creed however said and supporting employment to set about setting going to be a long, long up the fishermen’s on this island. much “scaremongering” conversation, for the representative Dutch corporations he had been made around passion always came said were not active “except organisation known access arrangements to NI through and no one today as the Irish South insofar as they may be Ireland vessels. and West Fish Producers could ever question his Dutch ownership interests These “will not change unselfish dedication Organisation CLG. from what they were before. in the NI fleet, as they to Ireland’s fishing Tom spent thousands They will simply regain the are in the register in the Industry.” of hours working for the Republic of Ireland”. fishing access they have

Inshore Ireland is published by IIPL Ltd

MACKEREL STOCKS

comment

Gery Flynn

he sad passing of Tom

Editor

Features Editor

Gillian Mills

Gery Flynn

mills@inshore-ireland.com

flynn@inshore-ireland.com

01 235 4804

091 844822

Tom had a rare skill of getting a very complicated message with an enormous amount of information on a highly-regulated industry, across to the general public.

He managed to get his point across in a way that looked simplistic and easy to understand but was complex in its nature.

This message is never so relevant as it is today with the ever-increasing pressures on those struggling to remain in our industry ― evident in a recent commissioned report by Minister Michael Creed that shows a catastrophic culling of our industry in the past 11 years.

This report stated that in 2006, over-18metre vessels numbered a mere

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280 but now in 2019, it’s down to a meagre 161 vessels.

The staff of the Irish South and West have many fond memories of Tom and recall returning to the office on many Monday mornings where they would be greeted with the floor covered with faxed pages sent

by Tom whose thought processes and dedication never stopped.

Tom is sorely missed within the Irish South and West organisation.

His contribution was not only at a local level but also, at national and European level. His dedication, his voice and his passion will be missed by all. May he rest in peace.

IRISH SOUTH & WEST FISH PRODUCERS ORGANISATION

Design

Real Media Group info@realmedia.group

074 91 77893

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

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INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

NEWS

Ireland rejects Scottish claim of a 12-mile exclusion zone around Rockall illegally.

Difference of opinion between the Irish and Scottish governments is longstanding based on a fundamental but ‘inactive’ question of sovereignty. disagreement “I should make it over fishing clear that as we do not rights around Rockall accept the UK enjoys an eroded volcano 230 nm northwest of Donegal sovereignty over Rockall, we do not accept that - escalated to an ‘out of a territorial sea exists the blue’ warning from around Rockall, nor the Scottish authorities that from June 7 it would therefore that the Scottish government is deploy patrol vessels, if entitled to exclude Irish necessary, to force Irish and other non-UK fishing vessels from the seas around the Rock.” vessels out of a 12-mile Tániste and Minister ‘territorial’ zone. for Foreign Affairs and It is Scotland’s Trade, Simon Coveney contention that all nonsaid in response to a UK vessels within this Parliamentary Question 12-mile zone are fishing Gillian Mills

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from deputy Eamon Ryan, leader of the Green Party.

“We understand that the UK takes a different view, but the approach taken by the Irish and British governments to the definition of maritime boundaries in the past has been to accept that our views differ and to take no account of Rockall for practical purposes,” he added.

Dialogue is continuing between the two governments “to resolve these matters and to remove the threat of enforcement action against Irish vessels,” Minister Coveney said.

BREAKFAST INFORMATION EVENTS 2019

INDUSTRY REACTION

Patrick Murphy, chief executive of the Irish South & West Fish Producers Organisation, said the issue was not whether Rockall was Irish or British “but whether Scotland, in anticipation of leaving the UK and becoming an independent state, is entitled to assert a new and extended area of sovereign Scottish waters centred on Rockall.”

He added that Scotland was trying to extend its baseline westwards beyond the Outer Hebrides to Rockall on the basis that the rock constituted “an additional island.

“This would enable Scotland claim sovereignty over all waters extending westwards from Rockall - a distance of 200 miles, giving the Scottish a quite enormous area over which it claims maritime jurisdiction, extending some 350 miles west from the Scottish mainland.”

Francis O’Donnell, Irish Fish Producers Organisation chief executive said Ireland’s position it did not recognise the UK’s claim of sovereignty over Rockall was “simply not credible” given that in 1955, the UK laid claim to Rockall and in 1972, passed the Rockall Act: “Ireland remained asleep at the wheel and could easily have put in a counterclaim at that point,” he said.

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n 2013, Ireland signed a bi-lateral agreement establishing a single maritime boundary between the Exclusive Economic Zones and continental shelves of Ireland and the UK, putting Rockall on the UK side of the boundary.

The agreement brought legal certainty to boundary issues ‘and will improve protection of fisheries, the marine environment and marine biodiversity’ according to a statement at the time from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

It also ‘removes any potential obstacle to the development of offshore renewable energy projects.’

Eamon Gilmore, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2013 said the Agreement established “a clear framework for the government’s efforts to encourage and facilitate the sustainable development of our marine resources in the seafood, oil and gas, renewable energy and biotechnology sectors.”

Ireland however has always contended that the waters around Rockall form part of EU waters under the Common Fisheries Policy to which the principle of ‘equal access for the vessels of all EU Member States’ applies.

Irish vessels have operated unhindered in the Rockall zone for many decades fishing haddock, squid and other species.

SCOTTISH WARNING

A formal letter of notice from the Scottish external affairs minister Fiona Hyslop to the Irish government however warns it will protect Scottish fishing rights around Rockall: ‘Irish vessels or any non-UK vessels for that matter have never been allowed to fish in this way in the UK’s territorial sea around Rockall.

Despite undertaking extensive discussions with the Irish authorities on the matter, it is disappointing that this activity continues.’

‘Illegal activity is increasing and with the Rockall fishery season nearly upon us it is our duty and obligation to defend the interests of Scottish fishermen and ensure compliance with international law.’

Dialogue with Ireland will continue, the letter added. ‘We will consider any genuine proposals that means full enforcement action may not be required.’

BACKGROUND

SAFE SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD

Join us at our special Information Breakfasts for fishermen, processors and shellfish producers. Get the latest news and help on matters from quota management to food safety and trade.

Learn more about the changes taking place and have your queries answered by experts from the relevant organisations.

Plus talks on risk analysis assessment and the implications on fishery regulatory compliance from Brexit. www.sfpa.ie

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS

DATES FOR BREAKFAST EVENTS 2019: • Galway: Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit, 4th September • Kerry: Brehon Hotel, Killarney, 23rd October Further venues and dates to be announced.

For information or to reserve a place email:

events@sfpa.ie

In 1988, the Irish government conceded that a large part of the Rockall plateau was under the UK’s jurisdiction.

“This was copperfastened under the hand of Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore in 2013, when both countries agreed to extend their Exclusive Economic Zones out as far as the 500-mile limit.”

The agreement was sent to the United Nations for ratification but was rejected by Iceland and Denmark who refused to recognise UK’s claim to ownership of Rockall.

Iceland also refused to recognise the boundary agreement reached by Ireland and the UK.

CASE LAW

Citing the outcome of a 2016 Supreme Court case that determined the Constitution requires all regulation of natural resources, stated to be the property of the State, must be decided upon by the people who are accountable,

Ireland and UK exclusive economic zones

O’Donnell believes this “clearly stated” the 2013 agreement should have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas: “The people had no input or ability to comment,” he argues.

Nevertheless, until

the outcome of Brexit is known, O’Donnell believes Ireland can fish “right up to the rock” under EU Common Fisheries Policy rules.

“The question now is, what happens after that.”

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INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

NEWS

Ireland has an international responsibility for whales and dolphins schemes. All records are robustly validated.

Over the past 30 years we have made many discoveries and recorded many changes. Bottlenose ccording to the dolphins are becoming IPBES Global Assessment Report more prevalent off northern coasts and densities of on Biodiversity harbour porpoise off north and Ecosystems Services, Co Dublin are some of (see page 7) over one third of marine mammals highest recorded anywhere.

Common dolphins are globally are currently stranding more frequently, threatened.

To date we have recorded especially in the winter.

Fin and humpback whales 26 cetacean species in are frequently observed off Ireland, including new the south and southwest species recorded in 2016 coasts and the increase (bowhead whale) and 2017 (Blainville’s beaked whale). of humpback whales to inshore Irish waters is one This is nearly one-third of of the biggest good news the world’s species - in a stories of recent decades. small country like Ireland!

As many species are endangered and also DRONE TECHNOLOGY highly migratory, we WhaleTrack Ireland is a have an international new IWDG project aimed responsibility to protect at building our knowledge them and their habitats. through the use of drone technology, acoustics and biopsy sampling.

CITIZEN SCIENCE Most of the humpback The Irish Whale and whales recorded by the Dolphin Group has been IWDG return each year and at the forefront of whale spend many months here and dolphin research and feeding on schooling fish conservation since it was formed in 1990. We receive such as sandeels and sprat.

IWDG welcomes the around 1,500 sightings recent decision to exclude and 250 strandings per large trawlers from fishing annum from our ‘citizen with 6nmls and should science’ recording Dr Simon Berrow CEO Irish Whale & Dolphin Group

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assist in good management of inshore waters.

The IWDG recently discovered a breeding ground (Cape Verde) for humpback whales feeding in Ireland. This gives Ireland a huge responsibility to assist in protecting these breeding grounds as well as our feeding grounds.

Such obligations will also exist for minke and fin whales, sperm and blue whales if we can identify their breeding grounds and for some dolphin species for which Irish waters only form a small part of their range and annual movements.

We wish to encourage coastal communities to take ownership of their local marine resources while supporting the global nature of our marine diversity and obligations.

Think globally, act locally has never been truer for our whales and dolphins in this rapidly changing world for which we have responsibility.

Further information: http://iwdg.ie

Photo: Simon Berrow

DATA GATHERING

The IWDG is as strong as its members and supporters. We are constantly trying to support and build our membership and recording network.

We deliver training on species identification and recording, and how to respond to live stranding events.

We carry out local watches at headlands around the country, through individuals and local groups or during our annual WhaleWatch Ireland event which this year is on Saturday 24 August.

Humpback Whales off west Kerry 2015.

Photo Nick Massett

Commercial SCUBA & Surface Supplied Diver Training Bord Iascaigh Mhara provides Commercial SCUBA Diver and Surface Supplied Diving training that makes the distinction between recreational and commercial diving qualifications.

To work as a diver in Ireland you are required to have the relevant qualifications. BIM’s training leads to QQI Awards on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) at Level 6 and is delivered at our fully equipped Commercial Diver Training facility at the National Fisheries College in Castletownbere Co. Cork.

Course costs are supported by grant aid under BIM’s Seafood Training Scheme. Accommodation is not included in the course fee; however, BIM can provide a list of local accommodation options.

For further information please contact the NFC Castletownbere on +353 27 71230 or visit www.bim.ie.

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

Commercial SCUBA Diver Training The commercial SCUBA diving course is the foundation programme for all commercial diver training. It covers the requisite dive theory and practices that are fundamental to commercial diving operations.

Duration: Four-week course, full-time (includes Diving First Aid) 30 September-25 October, NFC Castletownbere. Course Fee: €4,500.00

Surface Supplied Diver Training For most commercial diving operations the preferred method of diving is Surface Supply. As the name suggests, the diver’s air or gas mixture is supplied from the surface, unlike Scuba where the air supply is limited by the volume of the cylinder worn by the divers. Surface Supplied Diving (SSD) has many health and safety advantages providing greater protection for the diver, unlimited air supply and a fully independent back-up supply.

Divers with a Surface Supplied qualification can work on all Aquaculture works as well as inshore civil engineering projects, construction works, maintenance, rigging and almost anywhere divers are required.

Duration: Three-week course, full-time. Monday to Saturday (inclusive) 04-29 November, NFC Castletownbere. Course Fee: €5,500.00 EUROPEAN UNION This measure is part-financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

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INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

ENVIRONMENT NEWS

Consistent political One-third of marine leadership required mammals face extinction to roll out climate M plan in time

Attenborough. is accelerating with “This is the biggest grave impacts on people question of our times. around the world In the next few decades now likely, warns the we need to do something landmark report. unprecedented: Achieve “We are eroding the a sustainable existence very foundations of our on Earth. But how do we economies, livelihoods, do it? food security health he Climate trajectory to achieve net and that future measures “We can start by and quality of life Action Plan The World Wildlife zero carbon emissions are designed and delivered understanding how we worldwide,” remarked (published June by 2050 (see sidebar) It Fund describes the not just to meet our exiting IPBES chair, Sir Robert 17) gives people includes actions “to ensure IPBES Global Assessment got to this point.”

2030 targets but to put us Watson.

Report on Biodiversity a “cleaner, safer and that all of us citizens on the path to zero climate But he added it was and Ecosystems Services more sustainable future,” become engaged and pollution by 2050 at the not too late to make a as a “wake-up call” declared Richard Bruton, mobilised to take climate latest.” difference, “if we start to policy makers and lead Minister of this action, while ensuring that now at every level from businesses alike to take government plan.

PHILOSOPHY REthe necessary societal and local to global”. ‘decisive action’.

The plan details 180 economic transition that we FOCUS Through “A new deal on nature Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of actions that “need to be have to make is fair, both in “transformative change”, and people by 2020 is Inland Fisheries Ireland taken at a time when the Ireland and globally.” nature can still be urgently needed,” warns said the plan offers an warning signs are growing Friends of the Earth conserved, restored and Rebecca Shaw, WWF opportunity to refocus and the time for taking director, Oisín Coghlan used sustainably, he said. chief scientist. the philosophy of their action is rapidly reducing,” described the plan as the “By transformative The report offers organisation. he said. “biggest innovation in Irish change we mean a “irrefutable evidence “As an environmental “We are currently 85% climate policy in 20 years. fundamental, systemdependent on fossil fuels “The key is not simply the agency, we’re very aware of of not only the wide reorganisation Sir Robert Watson the critical nature of climate unprecedented decline and have a short window of measures themselves but across technological, of nature but its risk change and the impact it opportunity to reverse this the new mechanisms to economic and social to human lives and REPORT FINDINGS is having on our fisheries trend and secure a better, ensure we actually deliver factors, including prosperity,” she added.

Nature is declining resource. We’re looking at healthier more resilient them, he added. paradigms, goals and “How can we create globally at rates every aspect of our work to future,” he added.

“This plan gets us to the unprecedented in human values.” see how we can reduce our a future in which both The plan identifies how starting line on climate Professor Sandra people and nature can history and the rate Ireland will achieve its action. It will take consistent environmental footprint.

Díaz (Argentina) cothrive?” asks Sir David of species extinction “The move to ‘green’ 2030 targets for carbon political leadership to ensure vehicles is just one of many emissions and sets a it is implemented on time, changes we’re making to ensure we reduce our overall emissions.

We’re carrying out audits on our largest energy Governance: New legislation that sets ambitious climate and renewable electricity consuming premises and targets requiring five-year carbon budgets. The new legislation should provide a much when it comes to fisheries stronger framework for the achievement of climate and energy targets and require all protection, we’re looking to public bodies to make climate action a priority see how we can patrol in a Carbon pricing: Increase the existing carbon tax from €20 to €80 per tonne by truly efficient manner.

2030 when supports and protection mechanisms are in place. Increased revenue “We’re reducing our should be ring-fenced separately from general Exchequer funds by legislation consumption by 50 per cent Energy: Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs) should be provided with on sea patrols by introducing appropriate levels of support from the Department of Communications, Climate Action new rigid inflatable boats and Environment, SEAI, the Climate Action Regional Offices, and their local authority.

(RIBs) as fisheries protection National target set by the Climate Action Council for installed SEC capacity by 2025 vessels and we’re carrying > 500MW out patrols via kayaks and Agriculture, forestry and peatlands: establish a multi-stakeholder forum to develop bicycles.” programmes and schemes to support diversification in agriculture; expand and Failure to meet legal strengthen the Smart Farming Programme, Dairy Sustainability Ireland, Agricultural binding EU targets Sustainability Support and Advice Programme, and Origin Green Programme to could result in a cost to improve the environmental performance of farms and increase visibility of these the exchequer of up to schemes; adoption of the 28 measures set down by Teagasc; develop farm-based tree €1.75bn over the next planting with copses of native trees. 5% would increase low tree cover by 4% and decade. provide environmental benefits and employment opportunities Visit www.gov.ie/ Flossie Donnelly gets her message to Minister Bruton climateaction for more during the climate action protest details ore than 40% of amphibian species, almost 33% of reefforming corals and more than one-third of all marine mammals are threatened.

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Climate Action Plan highlights

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan talks to Inshore Ireland

“

Declaration of a climate and biodiversity emergency by Dáil Éireann is a call for radical action to address these global crises that threaten all our futures. The task now is to start playing our part by acting locally and becoming climate leaders rather than laggards. I think the Irish people are ready and willing to take on that role.

The first thing to remember is that the solutions to the biodiversity crisis can also help us tackle the climate crisis.

That is particularly true when it comes to our marine policy which should

be central to what we do.

Our territorial waters cover ten times the size of our land area.

We should start by looking to designate large marine protected areas which provide a radical boost to the restoration of our marine ecosystems. The ecologist E.O. Wilson has called for half of all the natural world to be set aside for the protection and restoration of the natural world and that should be our goal as we set about this task.

These ideas were given solid form last year in the Seanad, where Green Party Senator Grace O’Sullivan had a private members’

motion passed that endorsed the protection of 50% of Ireland’s marine environment by 2030, as part of ecologically coherent EU networks of marine protected areas.

MPAs we have designated to date are too small and isolated to have the necessary effect. We know that globally we have lost half of all invertebrate wildlife over the last fifty years. The loss of marine species has been particularly severe because fisheries are taking the top predator species from the ecosystem chain.

Loss of those larger fish has had a downstream effect on the food chain

and needs to be reversed.

Restoration of a more natural web of life can have a beneficial effect in restoring the abilities for those seas to capture and store greenhouse gases.

I believe a restriction of deleterious economic activities in these new MPAs is the best approach to take to achieve this wider goal. That means an end to oil and gas exploration where ongoing seismic activities are having a proven effect on the critical small plankton life forms that help us store carbon.

It means cutting off the stream of plastic pollution that we now know is

building up in the ocean and entering our food chain.

It means changing the whole fisheries strategy to favour smaller inshore fleets that have been wiped out by the factory trawlers, currently ploughing up and down our most important nursery and feeding grounds.

One of the side benefits of having large MPAs is that we could also implement a major new scientific survey to better understand what is happening in the North Atlantic.

We know that that environment is changing as meltwaters come down from the Greenland

and Arctic ice sheets and that this may also threaten a weakening of the Gulf Stream. One of the roles we can play in the battle against climate change is to provide the most detailed analysis of what is happening in this critical natural system and measuring the benefits of restoring wildlife to healthier levels.

That is the way for us to become a climate leader and secure our future fisheries. We are an island nation it is time for us to live up to that role and protect the seas that surround us. It is never too late to start. The time to do so is now.”

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INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

ENVIRONMENT NEWS chair of the Report said biodiversity and nature were humanity’s “most important lifesupporting safety net.

But our safety net is stretched almost to breaking-point.”

WORLDWIDE INPUT

Described as ‘the most comprehensive ever completed, the report was compiled by 145 ‘expert authors’ from 50 countries and a further 310 ‘contributing authors, over the past three years.

The Report assesses changes over the past five decades, and gives a comprehensive picture of the relationship between economic development pathways and their impacts on nature.

Based on a systematic review of over 15,000 scientific and government sources, the Report draws (for the first time at his scale) on indigenous and local knowledge, and particularly addresses issues relevant to indigenous peoples and local communities.

The report notes in descending order the five direct drivers of change with the largest relative global impacts to date: changes in land and sea use; direct exploitation of organisms, climate change; pollution, and invasive alien species.

Since 1980, greenhouse gas emissions have doubled, raising average global temperatures by at least 0.7°C.

WE ARE ERODING THE VERY FOUNDATIONS OF OUR ECONOMIES, LIVELIHOODS, FOOD SECURITY HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE WORLDWIDE

Despite progress to conserve nature and implement policies, global goals for conserving and sustainably using nature and achieving sustainability ‘cannot be met by current trajectories’.

Goals for 2030 and beyond ‘may only be achieved through transformative changes across economic, social, political and technological factors’ the report warns.

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an independent intergovernmental body, established by member States in 2012.

The objective is to strengthen the sciencepolicy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, longterm human wellbeing and sustainable development.

IPBES Report Oceans and Fishing ›› 33%: marine fish stocks in 2015 being harvested at unsustainable levels; 60% are maximally sustainably fished; 7% are underfished ›› >55%: ocean area covered by industrial fishing ›› 3-10%: projected decrease in ocean net primary production due to climate change alone by the end of the century ›› 3-25%: projected decrease in fish biomass by the end of the century in low and high climate warming scenarios, respectively ›› >90%: proportion of the global commercial fishers accounted for by small scale fisheries (over 30 million people) – representing nearly

50% of global fish catch ›› Up to 33%: estimated share in 2011 of world’s reported fish catch that is illegal, unreported or unregulated ›› >10%: decrease per decade in the extent of seagrass meadows from 1970-2000 ›› +/-50%: live coral cover of reefs lost since 1870s ›› 100-300 million: people in coastal areas at increased risk due to loss of coastal habitat protection ›› 400: low oxygen (hypoxic) coastal ecosystem ‘dead zones’ caused by fertilizers, affecting >245,000 km2 ›› 29%: average reduction in the extinction risk for mammals and birds in 109 countries thanks to conservation investments from 1996 to 2008; the extinction risk of birds, mammals and amphibians would have been at least 20% greater without conservation action in recent decade

›› >107: highly threatened birds, mammals and reptiles estimated to have benefitted from the eradication of invasive mammals on islands ›› 5.6 gigatons: annual CO2 emissions sequestered in marine and terrestrial ecosystems – equivalent to 60% of global fossil fuel emission ›› 25%: average proportion of species threatened with extinction across terrestrial, freshwater and marine vertebrate, invertebrate and plant groups that have been studied in sufficient detail ›› Almost 33%: reef forming corals, sharks and shark relatives, and >33% marine mammals threatened with extinction ›› >85%: of wetlands present in 1700 had been lost by 2000 – loss of wetlands is currently three times faster, in percentage terms, than forest loss.

Red blenny (Parablennius ruber) found on the west coast of Ireland. Definitively identified in the 1990s.

Photo Ian Lawler

Dramatic changes in ocean temperature

Emeritus Professor of Geography in Maynooth University, John Sweeney, explains how climate is threatening certain species to Pat Kenny, Newstalk (highlights) What we’re looking at is an interlinked problem: climate is part of the problem, but what humanity is doing to the planet in terms of more intensive agriculture, in terms of degradation of land is also an important component.

The IPBES report identifies climate change as perhaps third on the list but has the potential to move up to number one if we don’t get our act together.

What it’s doing of course is it’s changing the rules for nature; it’s rendering some species better able to compete and rendering others unable to compete and dying out.

Our effects on the planet through climate change is to simplify ecosystems - to render them rather more destabilised than they would be were they more diverse.

Climate change is the driver which actually forces through some of those unfortunate changes - changes in rendering invasive species more valuable also, and rendering some of the things we’re dong to insect life, to reptiles, to amphibians - rendering them unable to exist in the ecosystem.

And we’ve seen some really dramatic changes now, driven partly by climate. If you weigh all the mammals in the world for example, their weight has fallen by 82% since we started industrialising. We’ve lost half the ecosystems in the world.

PK: In terms of direct climate effects for example, rising water temperatures might suit some species of fish. We’re told that if water temperature rises by half a degree species that would have been seen in more southern climes will be available here. But equally, the Gulf Stream may switch off which would completely reverse that process, and those Tropical creatures would not be able to exist in waters which would then be similar to those off Northern Canada?

JS: Yes, and we’re seeing quite dramatic changes in ocean temperature taking place.

The next generation will probably ask the older people around at the time “what was a coral reef”?

And equally so, we’re changing the viability for many of our terrestrial species through climate change as well. So, it’s partly habitat destruction and it’s partly climate change.

The two are very closely related to each other.

We’re seeing, for example, the extinction of species in Ireland; the loss of curlews, corncrakes, the destruction of many of the habitats in which our amphibians live.

Some of that is going to be accentuated by the direct effect of drier summers. There will be problems with wetter winters as well and all of that feeds in to what is a very serious situation within Ireland.

We know that our destruction of the environment is something which has now ethical and moral dimensions to it as well as simply economic dimensions.

PK: What should we do?

JS: There’s one very important thing that we can do, and that is to take the problem much more seriously than we do at the moment, and that is to spend some money on nature conservation.

One interesting statistic perhaps is that the total budget for the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2017 was €11m- that’s peanuts!

Just by way of comparison, and I don’t want to denigrate the other budget things involved here but the Greyhound Racing Board received €16m in public money; Horse Racing Ireland received €64m - all very creditable and very well deserved, but if we’re only spending €11m on our National Parks and Wildlife Service how can we expect results to be commensurate with the scale of the problem we’ve just been discussing?

PK: So, the question of declaring an emergency for something that is, to many people, invisible; I mean, if the corncrake is not heard only a few people are going to miss it, whereas when you’ve got people homeless on the streets you can see the problem - it’s staring you in the face, isn’t that the

difficulty, trying to convey the extent of the emergency?

JS: It is, and it’s a problem that has existed always with aspects related to the environment where, effectively, we don’t value in any economic way what we’re doing to the environment which we treat as a free resource to be exploited, and to be exploited simply to its exhaustion, in some cases.

Convincing the public, I think, we’re seeing a sea-change there; we’re beginning, I think, to see the public realise that for their children and for their grandchildren the writing is on the wall, and we have to start building into the economically-dominant paradigm that Society has at the moment a paradigm which values Nature in some shape or form as a counter balance to simply profit as a driving force for Society.

I think people are beginning to cop on to that now - especially in Ireland - and especially over the last few years in relation to climate. So I’m more optimistic that I think there’s a sea change going on, and that the politicians and the decision makers are beginning to respond.

The Climate Emergency Declaration in the UK is perhaps something we would never have envisaged this time last year , and I hope we will see the sense of doing something similar in Ireland.

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INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

ENVIRONMENT NEWS

Funding tree planting and woodland creation to protect Europe’s water bodies

By Kevin Collins (Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine) Declan Little Woodlands of Ireland

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reland is witnessing a growing interest in the use of woodland to protect and enhance water quality.

The ecosystem services are clear. For example, the DAFM Woodland for Water document (2018)

sets out a model for new native woodland created using the Native Woodland Establishment Scheme, in order to deliver the following: ›› reduction in sediment mobilisation and runoff into watercourses

A feisty Erne Finnock

Finnock Fun Brendan Connolly

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he winter of 2019 was very mild; no snow or frost to speak of and sea temperatures in double figures in April. The mayfly hatches on Loughs Corrib and Mask were scant, and actively feeding trout were limited to small patches of activity.

This lacklustre mayfly season may, however, have more to do with weather conditions during May two and four years ago, resulting in poor reproductive success. Most mayfly nymphs living on the bottom of Ireland’s western lakes take two years to reach a sufficient size to emerge as adults.

IN SEARCH OF SEATROUT

The unremarkable mayfly fishing turned two anglers’ minds to seatrout.

Genetically brown trout, these fish somehow adjust their body metabolism to not only withstanding sea water, but to feed actively and thrive in the sea.

Seatrout come in a range of sizes: the specimen weight for seatrout is 6 lbs, with the record standing at 16 lbs 6 ozs.

The larger fish spawn along with brown trout in their native river, but some skip a year and don’t spawn.

One seatrout type in the Erne Estuary of between 1.25 lbs and 1.5 lbs looks like a mini-salmon grilse. These are perfectly streamlined, pure silver and are caught early in the season during March and April.

Although their size would indicate they are mature enough to spawn, they don’t look like kelts. Other seatrout at this time of year do have the typical look of a kelt with a large head and slim body.

As Spring arrives, the finnock appear in the estuary. These are smaller seatrout of approximately 0.5 lbs to 0.75 lbs with silver bodies like over-sized salmon smolts. In June finnock can provide lively sport on a light rod.

ERNE ESTUARY

The anglers were keen to test the clear waters of the Erne estuary flowing between the blond dunes of Finner.

Fishing this estuary has an exotic feeling to it. The white sandy shores change both shape and location as the tides rise and fall, and from season to season as sand is scoured out and deposited elsewhere with each tidal flow.

The anglers navigated their boat to within sight of the bar that marks the

entry of the Erne River into Donegal Bay. Small waves rolled in from the sea forming rolls of snow-white froth.

Anchoring the boat, they baited their hooks with sand eels and settled down to enjoy their bright and braising surroundings. The outgoing tide carried the lines towards the sea.

Time passed, but the rods remained still. After a while, they started the engine and slowly trolled back up the estuary. The tide had turned and was now flowing back in.

FISH FIGHT

Suddenly, the tip of an angler’s rod curved backwards – a fish was on! The rapid series of sharp jerks indicated a smaller seatrout. The fish plunged down, then came up again, and cut through the water to other side of the boat.

The fish came close to surface but just as the anglers could see the silver flashes, it let go of the sand eel and disappeared into the deep. It must have bitten into the tail of the sand eel but not far enough to contact the small triple hook. They resumed trolling, but the other angler now changed his sand eel to a Tasmanian Devil bait.

It did not take long before the Tasmanian Devil contacted a finnock of just over 0/5 lbs; this time it was lifted into the boat. Having carefully unhooked the fish, the angler returned it to the water. Now the second angler also changed his bait to a Tasmanian Devil and was rewarded a short time later with another finnock.

TROLLING NARROW WATERS

The tide was now filling the estuary and the anglers slowly trolled further up the estuary to a narrower part of the channel. They trolled over the edge of the deeper channel where the rising tide was covering the intertidal sands at the side.

First one rod whipped back as another fish took the bait. It dashed down into the deeper water but as it did, the second rod also jumped. Both anglers now had a fish on the line.

The fishing lines crossed each other as the anglers handed one rod over the other to avoid disastrous tangles.

Eventually two feisty finnock were lifted into the boat. The anglers admired the silver iridescence and the perfect shape before returning them to the water.

Although no more than 0.75 lbs the finnock provided some delightful fishing in the beautiful surrounding of the Erne Estuary.

›› interception of nutrient runoff into watercourses ›› bank stabilisation ›› food input into the aquatic ecosystem ›› shading / cooling ›› regulation of floodwater ›› riparian restoration Grant-aid for afforestation is available under the Forestry Programme 2014-2020 to enable farmers and landowners select options such as native woodland creation or agro-forestry, to deliver these waterrelated benefits.

But are there other ways to formulate more nuanced payments based on the specific water-related benefits delivered?

This is exactly what the European-wide research network, COST Payment for Ecosystem Services (Forests for Water – PESFOR-W CA15206) has set out to achieve.

It is exploring how tree planting and woodland creation can be used as part of wider land-use strategies to tackle diffuse pollution from agriculture, in order to help waterbodies achieve their targets under the Water Framework Directive, primarily ‘good ecological status’ by 2027.

are quantified and their value monetarised at site level, which forms the basis for subsequent payments to the landowner to achieve water-based targets.

PESFOR-W includes foresters, economists, agronomists, policymakers, engineers, computer modellers, academic researchers and ecologists, all working together. The Action will consolidate experiences from existing ‘woodlands for water’ PES schemes in Europe and help standardise approaches to evaluating the effectiveness – both environmentally and economically – of woodland measures.

It will also create a European network through which PES schemes can be facilitated, extended and improved, for example by incorporating other ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration.

FOUR-YEAR PROGRAMME

The PESFOR-W meeting in Killarney (June 4-6) was one of numerous meetings being held throughout the EU over a four-year period, involving delegates from 31 European countries. There are four working group with clearly defined objectives; final reports and outcomes WATER-RELATED will be published next year.

BENEFITS The Irish meeting This form of integrated concluded that it is very catchment management important to differentiate creates multiple benefits between the objectives to society; however, it of woodlands and forests is a significant cost to to avoid confusion, as landowners in the absence sometimes this landuse can of a return from wood have negative impacts on production immediately water quality. Woodlands adjacent to watercourses. and forests established This COST Action is and managed to protect seeking to bridge this and enhance water quality gap by combining new are strategically located economic instruments in a sensitive manner with spatial targeting with minimal inputs. to realise the most costCOST PESFOR-W is one effective way to ‘deploy’ tree planting and woodland of many ‘actions’ funded under COST (European creation to maximise Cooperation in Science water-related benefits. and Technology), a The new economic funding organisation for instruments emerging focus on flexible, incentive- research and innovation networks. COST Actions based Payments for are designed to connect Ecosystem Services (PES), whereby predicted benefits research initiatives across

Europe and beyond and enable researchers and innovators to grow their ideas in any science and technology field by sharing them with their peers.

The meeting in Killarney included a presentation from this author (Kevin Collins) on the Native Woodland Scheme and the emerging Woodland Environmental Fund, a PES structure established to attract corporate engagement in the expansion of Ireland’s native woodland.

CONVERSION PLANS

Other Irish speakers included KerryLIFE’s project manager, Richard O’Callaghan, on experiences gained in relation to the Coillteowned Slievaduff Forest demonstration site within the Blackwater catchment, which is undergoing conversion from monoculture conifer status to native woodland.

Fran Igoe presented on the Water Framework Directive and the work of the Local Authority Water Programme (LAWPRO).

John O’Reilly, CEO of the private forestry company Green Belt, set out his suggestions for achieving Ireland’s native woodland establishment targets, using the recent Microsoft / Natural Capital Partners / Green Belt project as a case study.

Hannah Hamilton, executive coordinator at the Irish Forum on Natural Capital, brought the threeday meeting to a close, describing progress made and work still to be done in applying the natural capital approach here in Ireland.

As well as advancing the work of the Action, the meeting gave the Irish participants useful pointers regarding integrated catchment management, where woodland is being used to deliver the protection of our waters, as well as co-benefits such as biodiversity, carbon capture, products, landscape and amenity.

Richard O’Callaghan of KerryLIFE project describing the approach used to restructure a conifer plantation to native woodland and the mitigation measures such as leaky dams to restore hydrology on-site. ©KerryLIFE

KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO. FOR ADVICE VISIT WATERSAFETY.IE

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INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

FISHERIES

Marine minister Michel Creed and members of NIFF agree crawfish conversation measures

Legal protection for v-notched crawfish in Irish waters Gillian Mills

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new conservation measure announced on May 31 gives legal protection to v-notched crawfish in Irish waters.

Approved by Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the measure received widespread support from industry representatives of the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF).

The conservation measure stems from a proposal initiated by fishing interests in the southwest in consultation with the Marine Institute which had sought this legal protection under a project in that region.

At the meeting, Minister Creed also invited Forum members and the marine agencies to provide their views on an appropriate lead-in period for the new measure.

“I am pleased to announce the approval of this measure, which has the potential to support the recovery of the crawfish stock in its traditional fishery areas along the southwest and west coasts.

“The Inshore Fisheries Forums, now five years old, continue to embrace the challenge of developing measures to support the sector on the path to longterm sustainability. I have asked my officials to draft the appropriate legal instrument to implement this measure,” he said.

Smart Coastal Areas seminar focuses on smart solutions to solve coastal challenges Gillian Mills

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isheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) from across Europe gathered in Bantry, Co Cork, (April 2-4) to discuss ‘smart’ ways to tackle coastal challenges.

Hosted by FLAG South and BIM, plenary sessions and workshops at the ‘Smart Coastal Areas’ seminar focused on ideas and models for ‘smart’ development to boost indigenous fisheries and coastal regions.

Themes included: ›› Smart Partnerships (creating win-win situations between different interest groups) ›› Smart Resource Use (optimising local resources and production systems) ›› Smart Financing (reaching smallscale beneficiaries: micro-credit, etc.) ›› Smart Services (adapting services to ensure their viability: smart harbours, connecting BACKGROUND remote areas, etc) The proposal was developed by the North West The seminar also Kerry Shellfish Co-operative in collaboration with the Marine Institute, following a two-year scientific included presentations on FLAG projects in project in the southwest. countries that demonstrate Funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries smart approaches to Fund Biodiversity Scheme, the project gathers rural sustainability biological data on crawfish and investigates and development. crawfish migration.

Local examples from The proposal was submitted to the South West Regional Inshore Fisheries Forum, which brought it the Cork coast focussed on the Courtmacsherry forward to the NIFF for wider industry discussion.

The NIFF recommended the proposal to the Minister Community Shop and

in January.

Also discussed at the NIFF meeting was implementation of the Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy along with proposals for the mackerel hook-and-line fishery and management of the landing of crab claws.

LEGAL ENFORCEMENT

When introduced, the legal instrument will prohibit Irish sea-fishing boats from landing or retaining on board v-notched crawfish. These crawfish must be returned alive to the sea. It will also prohibit v-notched crawfish from being offered for sale.

A crawfish is ‘v-notched’ by removing a v-shaped notch from one of the flaps (known as uropods) either side of the central part of the tail (telson) when it is first caught.

In 1989 over 200 tonnes of crawfish were landed; landings have declined since then to around 20-30 tonnes per annum.

OTHER REGULATIONS IN PLACE FOR CRAWFISH FISHING INCLUDE: SI No. 232 of 2006 (Crawfish (Conservation of Stocks) Regulations 2006) which provides a minimum landing size of 110mm for crawfish; SI No. 233 of 2006 (Crawfish (Fisheries Management and Conservation) Regulations 2006) which banned the fishing of crawfish with nets in two specified areas off the Kerry and Galway coasts.

A similar provision is in place to protect v-notched lobster under S.I. No. 591 of 2014 (Lobster (Conservation of Stocks) Regulations 2014) and has proved a popular and effective stock management tool.

Schull Bait Bins, both supported by Ireland’s FLAG South.

A field visit to local fisheries-related businesses and Whiddy Island viewed the progress of a tourism-related project.

connect into IT enabled crowd financing,”

Islands and the Black Sea. “I’ve received very positive feedback regarding the event POSITIVE FEEDBACK itself and the general Chairman of Flag South, engagement of the local Finian O’Sullivan, told Inshore Ireland that creating community in the hotels, and maintaining jobs was a bar and restaurants.

“It is always reassuring priority and that the board to hear we’re not losing NECESSARY FUNDING had already sanctioned our Irish charm in this Securing funding in FLAG 30 jobs for grant aid: fast-paced modern world, “The event was an regions can be problematic especially in our rural opportunity to showcase due to seasonality, areas which depend so peripherality, poor financial local hospitality and the much on tourism. So beautiful scenery of West structures / availability Cork” to over 150 delegates overall a job well done of equity funding and from Lapland to the Canary on a number of counts.” poor understanding by mainstream banking of projects.

Tony O’Rourke, former Professor of Banking and Finance identified possible solutions but said ilhjalmur and aquaculture. these were not without Jens Arnason The Cluster is focussed challenges. These included spoke about on reducing waste, costs, Peer to Peer (P2P) and maximising pollution, bycatch, Business to Business the use of marine inaccuracy and discards, (B2B) lending, community resources through and increasing quality, financing (local crowdclustering on the back accuracy, recycling, funding) and banks with of a sharp decline in opportunities, efficiency, a strong enterprise ethos Icelandic fisheries product development however he noted that local over twenty years. and improving the banks can be challenged by In 1995, over 16,000 ecosystem by connecting strong regulatory controls. people were employed people and businesses.

“Successful funding in fisheries and fish Other examples appears to rely on a local processing, falling to presented of ‘smart culture of self-reliance and around 9,000 in 2017. resource use’ included self-sufficiency. Access to The Iceland Ocean unwanted bycatch of roach continuous funding might Cluster comprises 13 to marketable products; also require energetic and categories: fisheries T-Fish: management highly-focused local actors and processing, ocean system of seafood product and rely on a culture of technology, transportation traceability; use of local self-help,” he said. and harbours, marketing under-valued cyprinids He suggested the and distribution, in a competitive circular ‘mezzanine model’ which ocean surveillance and economy, and smart blends together loan and administration, finance control of the invasive equity financing to create a and service, seabed, ocean blue crab to better greater degree of flexibility. tourism, R&D, education organise its fishing and “At the same time, and training, biotechnology regulate its population. such a model could also

Smart Resource Use

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FLAG BACKGROUND

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uring 2013-2015, total investment of €1.6m including almost €1m in grant aid supported 186 projects. In 2016 alone, projects in the seven FLAG regions received €12m and in 2018, total investment of €6.6m supported 285 projects nationwide.

The project categories included fisheries, added value, lifelong learning, community, central tourism, heritage, environment and enterprise.

In 2017, the GDP of the Irish seafood sector was estimated at €1.15bn. More than 14,000 people are employed in Ireland’s seafood sector, many of whom work and live in rural coastal communities.

Fisheries and coastal areas are impacted by factors such as depopulation, ageing population, climate change and economic decline. The EU’s European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) was set up to support initiatives by local fisheries communities through Community-Led Local Development (CLLD).

FLAGs avails of these funds to implement projects that support sustainable small-scale fisheries and aquaculture production and coastal communities generally. Funding however is not the only answer: creativity and strategic action is also needed.

FARNET is the network of people implementing Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) under the EMFF. Through FARNET, Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs), managing authorities, citizens and experts from across the EU work together on the sustainable development of fisheries and coastal areas. The FARNET Support Unit is the technical assistance team established by the European Commission to assist the FARNET network.

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INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

FISHERIES

Howth School of Fish: a day out with a difference

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ituated on the quay in Howth Harbour, Co Dublin, Doran’s on the Pier is more than a seafood outlet selling the freshest produce landed directly to the shop, it is also a place to learn about the fishing

industry and the people behind the scenes.

The idea to open the Howth School Fish was “organic” explained Sean Doran. “Almost daily I would answer question after question from visitors on the pier, from Cork to China.”

“What varieties of fish are landed here? Where is it caught? What kind of fishing gear do they use?”

And so emerged the idea to run an interactive experience where visitors could learn about the fishing industry and then sample some produce.

The half day worship is run by Séan Doran and Tracy Flood who also manage ‘Doran’s Skippers Mate’. They explain the workings of a trawler, the hardship of life at sea, where and how fish is caught, conservation measures, navigation, communication and fish-finding methods, knot tying, splicing and net mending, and how to fillet a fish.

Once the learning is over, visitors move next door into

Reducing, reusing and repurposing fishing gear

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ishers, harbour masters, net producers and representatives from recycling companies and government officials have exchanged ideas on the creation of a circular economy for fishing gear.

The new business model will consider the full life-cycle of fishing gear in a bid to reduce its impact on the marine environment.

Hosted by BIM and supported by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, the workshop was a first for the industry and forms part of a wider set of actions being taken by the State seafood development agency under the Clean Oceans Initiative to tackle the growing problem of marine waste.

Two new EU Directives: Impact of Certain Plastic Products on the Environment and The Port Reception Facilities focus on the use and management of plastic waste.

Catherine Morrison, Sustainability and Certification Manager, BIM, said the Clean Oceans Initiative was based on the premise of collaboration: “The men and women working in the fishing sector and in the wide seafood and other industries, can effect change much faster by working together under a single shared vision.

Partnerships are vital if we are to address the challenge of marine waste.”

More than forty representatives attended the event in Cork city, facilitated by Whole Earth Futures, specialists in circular business model planning.

Catherine Barrett, BIM Development Officer added that focus was on the entire life-cycle of fishing gear: “We want to look at the entire life-cycle of fishing gear. A 360° view that considers its purchase, use, ‘retiring’ and how it is recycled. This collective multi-industry focus will help us innovate and develop better end-of-use systems for gear such as nets, to impact positively on the environment and on the economy.”

To date BIM has collected more than 600 tonnes of old or damaged fishing nets for recycling.

Attending the workshop were (l-r): Myles Mulligan, BIM) Rodney O’Sullivan, Swan Net Gundry, Alena Petrikovicova, EU Commission and Evelyn Kierans, Swan Net Gundry.

the restaurant to sample fish and chips, cooked to order. And if anyone wants to sample more seafood, they can book a lunch at the Octopussy or Oak House restaurants.

Suitable for parties, corporate groups, individuals: Details on www.seafood2go.ie/schoolof-fish €85 per person

DORAN’S SKIPPERS MATE

Established in 2015, Doran’s Skippers Mate evolved in response to increasing demands on fishing boat owners and skippers from the authorities responsible for the fishing industry.

Help is provided on compliance requirements of the relevant agencies e.g. MSO (Marine Survey Office), SFPA (Sea Fisheries Protection Agency), HSA (Health & Safety Authority), HSE (Health & Safety Executive).

12

INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

FISHERIES

The herring and the bee Kevin Flannery

I

n recent years we’ve heard about the sad demise of the humble bee throughout Europe, on radio/ TV, in

the press and online. First concerns were raised about declining honey bee populations due to the introduction of the Asian Varroa mite - a parasitic and eventually fatal mite.

Now its decline seems to

Trudy Mc Intyre

T

he brown crab fishery has been slow in many parts of the country so far this year. Reports in are concerning. That along with the decreasing crab prices and the unusual weather for June hasn’t helped.

Let’s hope things pick up for everyone soon.

Late last year, the National Inshore Fisheries Forum and the Regional Inshore Fishery Forums put a proposal before Minister Michael Creed to protect v-notched/marked crayfish in the same way that the lobsters are protected.

This is just one of many conservation measures proposed by the forums, demonstrating the desire to have sustainably managed fisheries. Minister Michael Creed has approved this measure and he commended the inshore forums for their ongoing conservation efforts. (see page 10)

DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION

A recent TV campaign by Bord Bia promoting whitefish on the domestic market is very welcome and badly needed. I would like to see more inshore species such as brown crab, shrimps and line-caught mackerel also promoted to the home market.

While foreign markets are important, should we rely completely on them? Is the domestic market not just as important?

As an island nation, we do we eat enough fish.

How can we get the freshest, most organically available food in the country, onto more dinner plates?

I remember the BIM cookery competitions when I was in secondary school. I was the only fisherman’s daughter in the class, but everyone participated in the competition! We learned about the different types of fish, the availability and how to prepare the fish.

We are missing a golden opportunity today of promoting fish to our young people. Is there a way of reintroducing fish/ shellfish to the younger generations to encourage them to eat more fish?

SEAFOOD PROVENANCE

When I was in Australia last year with the Women in Fisheries Network, the one thing I noticed was the first question they asked when ordering their seafood: “Where is the fish from?”

They wanted to know the provenance, that the fish they ordered was caught in Australian waters or more importantly, caught locally.

I was pleasantly surprised by this and thought that I should do this at home. It’s important to know where the fish served to us in restaurants is from; restaurant staff should be able to provide that information to customers.

Who better to start doing this than us, the fishing community!

LAST

Lost At Sea Tragedies is currently updating its website, and hopes to re-launch over the next few months. The charity has received some greatly appreciated donations through fundraising which have enabled LAST to help families who have found themselves in unimaginable circumstances.

The charity is always looking for people around the coast who can offer help by way of small local fundraising events or to join the charity to keep supporting families in times of need.

Email: info@last.ie or find them on Facebook Lost At Sea Tragedies LAST.

be due to the same reason as the decline of many other insects worldwide: our use of insecticides along with industrial farming methods.

Why would we, as humans, be so concerned for the future of the small, seemingly insignificant honey bee?

Because bees have evolved to play an essential role in our environment.

Frankly put, if the flowering bushes, trees, flowers and shrubs are not visited by these simple creatures, then they will not fertilise, they will not produce fruit and in time they will cease to regenerate.

The fate of our highly complex ecosystem relies very heavily on the work of these little pollinators, because honey bees are what naturalists call ‘keystone species’. The same as with a building; without a keystone species, the whole ecosystem comes tumbling down.

Which is why, we must do what is now being asked of us and help and encourage our little friend the honey bee.

and whiting followed, pursuing the rich food source of herring eggs as they developed on the seabed over the following three weeks. And so continued this tradition, unchanged through the fifties, sixties, seventies, and eighties. But then something changed: the introduction of a new market, the Japanese market.

VORACIOUS JAPANESE APPETITE

Dingle harbour, 1998

The demand for the dish, Kazunoko, caused prices to soar, like they did in the seventies when the North Sea closed. Today, pair trawl after pair trawl shoot on the same herring marks, up and down the coast,‘ripping the gun’ (a term used by fishermen when pulling on the codend rope to release content) if the herrings are not ripe for our new markets demands. Dingle today As a result, thousands of tons of herring are slipped and left to rot on their birthplaces. The vast carpets of eggs that should have been on bay sea-beds are now nowhere to be seen. The waiting hordes of KEYSTONE SPECIES pollock, cod, whiting, and What, you may ask, has other dependent fish, have this got to do with fisheries, left the bays to return no and the Atlantic herring? more or in such miniscule Some will remember a time quantities year on year that when the bays throughout all our bays are now empty.

Ireland were rich fishing In the early years grounds for many a fish when we had Celtic Sea species. management, we had Today however, if you see herring closures, we had a trawler in the bay, it is alternative area closures either homeward bound or and still we failed to outward bound, as the bays protect our most small, themselves are now desolate. most seemingly insignificant Who or what is to blame, fish, which in reality was many have asked: the our most valuable: our Spaniards? the Dutch? silver darling, our keystone small mesh sizes? species, the Atlantic herring. pollution? climate change?

Of course, you will not But looking back to our read or hear much on the little honey bee, it is clear radio or in the press about that the marine environment our keystone species, unlike has its own small, the charismatic honey bee, seemingly insignificant but they too are under keystone species, whose enormous pressure, to the disappearance is causing detriment of our whole the whole system to come marine ecosystem. tumbling down.

It may already be too Herring spawning areas (named) and spawning grounds In my opinion, that late for some bays, but (pink)spawning aroundareas the(named) coast and of the Republic Ireland species is the Atlantic we can possibly recoverFigure 1. Herring spawning grounds of (pink) around identified the coast of the Republic in this study andand presented following (1944). mentioned in text are herring. others. It may be in theof Ireland identified in this study presented following FarranFarran (1944). Locations included. Spawning grounds in close proximity are are merged where there is continuity of potential herring Locations mentioned in text included.

Spawning Unlike other mass lap of the gods, but it may spawning habitat.

Inset –in extent of LTRANS boundary and ICES divisional boxes. grounds close proximity are domain merged where there is spawners such as cod also be in the hands and which disperse their eggs heads of you, the fishermen continuity of potential herring spawning habitat. to the vast ocean, allowing of Ireland. You can help Inset – extent of LTRANS boundary domain and ICES them develop and survive in us rebuild this valuable divisional boxes. the boundless open waters, keystone species.

21 the herring lays a thick carpet of fertilised eggs on the seafloor with a single female laying as much as 200,000 eggs. A relatively small shoal of Atlantic herring can contain up to half a million fish.

Herring fishing once took place throughout all the bays of Ireland: the back of St John’s Point, Black Head, Loophead, Slyne, Slea Head, Staggs and Mine head to name but a few. The fisheries, once 80 vessels strong, traditionally took place in early autumn, winter and on into spring, after the herrings had arrived into the bays to spawn.

Shoals of cod, pollock,

13

INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

FISHERIES

FISSTA represents Irish anglers at International Year of the Salmon symposium Noel Carr

N

ineteen wild Atlantic salmon countries have been meeting every June since 1984 under the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) to exchange views on the state of wild

salmon stocks. Also, as a founding member of NASCO, FISSTA represents Irish salmon and angling as an accredited NGO. We attend this annual conference last month to lobby for salmon stocks, and while much constructive work has been done, our NGO group has failed to convince our State

bodies and government to take urgent action.

In their Implementation Plan address to NASCO, the relevant department admitted to the international salmon community that only 42 of Ireland’s 146 designated wild salmonid rivers were open to taking a fish in 2019 and only 11 of which were ‘not at risk’.

This indicates that the downward spiral continues with no plans from Inland Fisheries Ireland to address the decline.

On January 1, the opening day of this season, the first salmon was again caught on a Donegal river, but not the Drowes this time. With 2019 designated International Year of the Salmon, it is the first time in salmon history that a river with no surplus yielded the first fish.

This is hardly the outcome we had hoped for as this angler catching the first fish of the season could not keep the prize. Sadly too, it is a sign of things to come as the wild Atlantic salmon graph continues to decline.

FISSTA will continue to lobby for our two main priorities: ›› Opposition to new plans to increase unsustainable open-net cage salmon farming ›› To open closed rivers and end all commercial netting, now

MACKEREL U-TURN

Serious progress has been made at last to examine our claims based on the hypothesis of Dr Jens Christian Holst that post-smolts are being predated on by mackerel in the feeding grounds of the North Atlantic.

Normally, salmon angling clubs and members read and observe all the scientific advice to monitor fishing stock trends regarding salmon and seatrout, but we have rarely had our attention turned to mackerel and the pelagic sector, until recently.

The change came last year following the publication in Inshore Ireland of the Holst hypothesis. At that time, we presented the hypothesis in printed format to NASCO and campaigned for it to be tested by the scientific community.

Earlier this year, the story dramatically

changed when the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation, among others, said that “new information” (Holst) showed a major change in the perception of mackerel stocks: Sean O’Donoghue: ‘It now transpires that the stock size is much larger than ICES advised in September of last year.

We are now dealing with 4.16 million tonnes of a stock size as opposed to 2.35 million tonnes, as ICES had informed us last autumn,’ ‘In December last, I highlighted that the ICES advice stated this fishery had been declining since 2011 which was totally contrary to the entire fishing industry view.

The new report shows a completely different picture with the mackerel stock continuing to increase in size until 2015 and still at a very high level well above the reference points.’

ICES challenged over its mackerel stock assessment methodologies the mackerel stock ‘forced’ ICES to call an extraordinary inter-benchmark - a methods ormer pelagic revision (December 2018 to fish scientist March). This resulted in a at Norway’s 2-fold increase in the stock Institute of Marine assessment and a 2.4-fold Research (IMR), Dr Jens increase in quota advice for Christian Holst presented 2019. his ‘hypothesis on In my view, this was overgrazing and predation’ only a small step towards for the readers of bringing the mackerel stock Inshore Ireland (vols 14.2 assessment up towards what (Summer), 14.3 (Autumn) the real stock is in the ocean. and 14.4 (Winter) 2018.

Simply because the fishermen Dr Holst contends that protested, ICES adjusted their the mackerel stock is vastly quota advice upwards 2.4-fold underestimated and to meet which clearly demonstrated its needs, is overgrazing the very poor quality of the food resources of sea current methods. birds, young salmon and of YOU PARTICIPATED mackerel itself.

IN THE INTERHe suggests that this “very BENCHMARK PROCESS. large and starving mackerel WHAT CAME OF THAT? stock” has changed its Yes, I participated in the feeding habits, and is now entire process – totally on my preying much more on migrating salmon post-smolts own behalf and at my own expense – and I was shocked. than before the mackerel My criticism is the way the stock explosion. scientists trust the model Underestimation of the results without asking obvious mackerel stock is central questions that have emerged to Holst’s hypothesis, and from valid experiments and he strongly challenges the other scientific results. The accuracy and quality of the head of Norwegian mackerel ICES mackerel assessment in research, and a member of this latest conversation with the ICES inter-benchmark Inshore Ireland: group, Leif Nøttestad, wrote HOW WAS THE in 2016 of what he described CHALLENGE RECEIVED as ‘an explosion in the

BY ICES AND BY YOUR mackerel stock since 2007’.

FORMER SCIENTIST This ‘explosion’ has also COLLEAGUES? been reported by the Not very well! fishermen and by the people Fishermen agree about of the North Atlantic coasts; the underestimation of the but there’s no “explosion” mackerel stock based on in the ICES assessment. It’s their own observations at hardly even a blip! sea. After ICES presented At the end of the intertheir extremely low stock benchmark, all participants assessment of 2,1 million had to personally state aloud tonnes for 2019 last Autumn, that they supported the the pelagic fishermen reacted agreed model. In other words, strongly. a consensus decision was Their demands for a sought. As I could not agree renewed assessment of with it however, I wrote a Gery Flynn

F

experiments have been carried out, indicating an average tagging mortality of about 10%. ICES accepts WHAT CONCERNS DID a tagging mortality of YOU RAISE? 90% as estimated by the I will not go into detail model. However, if a 10% here because I would very tagging mortality is used soon lose your readers! The in the model, the stock complexity of the models is assessment would be over a major problem in fish stock 20 million tonnes assessments. You need to ›› carry out tag shedding be an insider to understand experiments. This is this and how data and solid important for the accuracy experimental results can be of the mackerel stock manipulated away. assessment The problem ICES has ›› investigate how well the with me is that I’m an insider results from the trawl having worked closely on survey represent the true methodological development mackerel density in various and having participated in ICES depths, areas and years assessments and ecosystem ›› scrutinise the ‘egg method’ meetings since 1986. I refuse used for estimating the to have my scientific integrity mackerel spawning stock in swept under the carpet. detail as there is probably a serious error in the method WHAT IS THE WAY ›› investigate the natural FORWARD NOW AS YOU mortality of mackerel.

SEE IT? Has the natural mortality I was recently in contact increased during the with the ICES Advisory recent period of mackerel Committee, ACOM, starvation when the through one of its viceweight-at-age of a 7-yearchairs. I suggested that old mackerel is halved ACOM and I should meet over 12 years? Think of to discuss possible ways any population - including forward, including a series humans - what would of experiments and finer happen with the natural detailed methodological mortality when the weightstudies which, in my view, at-age is halved? need to be carried out to WHAT IS YOUR FINAL check the accuracy of the MESSAGE? recent model result.

To any individual or ACOM totally rejected organisation who wants to this which left me with see the European kittiwake the only option of taking and puffin populations my argument to the media again. But I would still very back on the sea cliffs; to anyone wanting wild much welcome a meeting European Atlantic salmon with ACOM at any time. back at ‘normal’ levels in OUTLINE WHAT YOU the rivers; and to anyone THINK IS CRUCIAL FOR whose livelihood depends ICES TO DO NOW? on the natural resources of ›› investigate in detail the North-east Atlantic, I the tagging mortality say contact your politicians of mackerel. Three and demand that ICES be so-called ‘minority statement’ in which I expressed my concerns.

instructed to carry out an in-depth methodological benchmark including at least the experiments and investigations listed above as soon as possible.

Today it’s not the best scientific practice, but fear of the loss of prestige in ICES and with individual scientists which decides the size of the mackerel stock assessment, in my view.

My loyalty is with sea birds on the Red List of Threatened Species, the wild salmon and the long and proud names of ICES and the IMR ―not with the prestige of directors and scientists who come and go.

What is critically needed now is a total top-down change of culture in ICES and in the IMR. Read Dr Holst’s hypothesis: www.pelagisk.net/media/ fm/9By4XvjHKl.pdf

Do spawning mackerel feed? Yes, spawning mackerel may eat a lot. The belly of this 48 cm spawning mackerel was full of eggs and Calanus finmarchicus. Spawning mackerel would easily eat an 11-15 cm smolt in the main northerly salmon smolt migration path, north of Ireland, west of Scotland.

Do mackerel and post-smolt salmon live in the same water mass? Work carried out by the IMR, Marine Scotland and Ireland’s Marine Institute confirms a strong geographic overlap between mackerel and salmon post-smolt. This picture, taken in the Norwegian Sea, shows a mixed trawl catch of herring, mackerel and salmon post-smolt.

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INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

OCEAN LITERACY

Blue Care: The healing power and potential of the deep blue sea Easkey Britton

A

s a life-long surfer and researcher in ocean and human health, I’m interested in how direct experiences with water, especially the sea, might facilitate a greater sense of connection and wellbeing.

Belonging to an island nation, the potential of water environments to heal intrigues me even more.

WHY ARE WE DRAWN TO WATER?

We experience the world, and comprehend it, through our senses.

Water environments leave a powerful imprint in our bodies and minds.

It is such a multi-sensory experience, which is important for our health.

It’s visually stimulating with a thousand shades of constantly moving blue.

Wave-exposed coastlines release negative ions believed to alter our biochemistry and light up our mood, relieving stress.

Smells and sounds of water all have an effect on our sense of wellbeing.

And that’s before you even dive into it.

WE LIVE IN AN AGE OF DISCONNECT

The sea remains in the saltwater of our blood, our cells, our DNA from when the first animals came ashore and took up a land life. In the words of environmentalist Rachel Carson, we are all linked with this watery origin in the ancient sea.

Unfortunately, there persists a strong yet artificial divide between society and the sea. Despite society being both shaped by and shaping the state of the ocean. This feeds a sense separateness.

Part of my work explores how might we overcome this disconnect and recognise how entangled we are with our ocean, and the water bodies that flow into it.

As it was put by the World Health Organisation: Most of the earth’s surface is covered by water, and most of the human body is composed of water – two facts illustrating the critical linkages between water, health and ecosystems.

The World Health Organisation recognises how essential water environments are for promoting health. Despite this, global evidence of disconnect from our natural surroundings continues to grow.

The world’s ecosystems are coming under

increasing threat from human pressures, in particular waterways, coasts and oceans, also known as ‘blue space’.

This, in turn, poses human health risks from environments that are polluted and degraded.

Disconnect from our natural world is not unrelated to a growing social disconnect.

One of the greatest crises of our time is the rise of mental health issues, and growing stress and anxiety are linked to the fact that we’ve become disconnected.

WATER AND WELLBEING

This concept of water environments as therapeutic is nothing new. Water has been considered an active lifemetaphor for millennia, with Taoist Lao Tzu writing in 6th century BC how, Nothing in the world is softer than water. But for attacking the hard, the unyielding, it has no equal.

More recently, there are a growing number of initiatives across policy, practice and academia that are seeking to better understand the complex interdependence between blue space and health.

For example, the NEARHealth project is a research initiative to qualify how

important nature is for human health and wellbeing in Ireland.

As part of that project, we carried out the first global systematic review of health and wellbeing benefits of therapeutic water-based activities, a form of natureprescribing or, ‘blue care’.

The review highlights the need to improve our understanding of the restorative health benefits of actively engaging with water.

It is evident from the review that activities in the sea or at the coast are the most studied.

These therapeutic interventions were aimed at a diverse mix of people with multiple health issues, in particular, psychological. Surfing, or ‘surf therapy’ was the most popular activity used to deliver blue care.

Findings suggest that part of the health benefits are linked to the challenging nature of surfing – different coasts, winds, currents, seasons require constant adaptation, and responding to nature at the moment.

Challenge can be an important factor for sustainable wellbeing and self-worth. Other blue care activities included sailing, dragonboat racing, canoeing, kayaking, fly-fishing, diving and swimming.

FREEDOM FROM EARTHLY LIMITS

Kitesurfing on Carrowninsky beach, Louisberg, Co Mayo

Shared experiences in water matter with high potential for positive social wellbeing outcomes.

Learning to sail in a group, for example, can help enhance a sense of belonging, social connection and identity through shared experiences at sea.

The connective properties of water may also play a key role.

The body’s response to waves (movement) and skills required to surf (balance) was attributed Photos Gillian Mills to enhanced balance

for amputees, as well as pain reduction and reduced dependency on narcotics attributed to the psychological effect of surfing.

The absence of gravity in salt-water can be particularly therapeutic, altering bodily sensations and improving mobility, which improves heart and lung functioning and is an important muscular workout, especially for those with disabilities, spinal-chord injury or amputations.

Again, being immersed in water can offer a sense of freedom from earthly limits: Diving turns me back into a human being, I go down there and I’ve got the freedom and I’m back to being a person.

Although the mechanisms of how these activities and settings contribute to wellbeing are not yet well understood we do know blue care has the ability to improve our health, especially our psychological wellbeing.

There is something about crossing the threshold from our land-based life and entering the fluid and unpredictable state of the sea that allows us to leave behind or even momentarily escape the concerns, worries, stresses and pains associated with our land-life.

The findings emphasise a multi-dimensional view of health, with participants experiencing positive changes to the sense of self, health and wellbeing in the short-term.

TURNING BARRIERS INTO BRIDGES

How long the benefits are sustained remains unknown, and not all outcomes are universal or always positive.

A number of barriers highlight the complexity of how we experience and access blue space. Social norms and class persist around water-sports and can leave some people from

lower-income backgrounds feeling socially and culturally excluded.

The funding mechanisms that many of these naturebased programmes typically depend upon can limit the ability to create longerterm programmes and more sustainable initiatives.

A ‘mood-dip’ identified by some studies can be caused by the challenge of the social demands of daily life after ‘returning to shore.’

Barriers persist around water quality, safety and access to healthy environments, especially in more socially deprived communities. Blue space is not only a place of healing but can represent a place of loss and tragedy.

There is a need for the co-design of nature-based health programmes, especially for participants with a diverse mix of needs, and approaches that consider the cultural aspect of water connection.

The review highlights how much we have to benefit from being in, on, near water and actively engaging with our blue spaces. And how much we risk losing if we fail to understand how dependent our wellbeing is on the health of our waterways, seas and coasts.

Our need for a watery reconnection is a conversation we need to take into our communities, our work, our health care, and our governments, building on the success of cross-departmental policies like Healthy Ireland.

Reclaiming our connection with our watery origins in the ancient sea may not be the solution to all the current global ‘crises’ but it is an essential part of our human wellbeing and sense of identity and belonging as islanders.

Dr Easkey Britton is a post-doctoral researcher at NUIG with the EU-H2020 funded SOPHIE project on Oceans and Human Health. [first published on thejournal.ie, April 13, 2019]

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INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

OCEAN LITERACY

An ocean literate society for Ireland

T

he Irish Ocean Literacy Network (IOLN) aims to bring together relevant institutes, agencies, researchers, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), individuals and educators who are working towards the vision of ‘achieving an ocean literate society across the island of Ireland’.

An ocean literate society is one that understands the ocean’s influence on society and vice-versa.

Therefore, an ocean literate citizen: ›› Understands the importance of the ocean

to humankind ›› Can communicate about the ocean in a meaningful way ›› Can make informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its resources The group’s activities support the three key goals of Ireland’s ‘Our Ocean Wealth’ strategy: to create a thriving maritime economy; to support healthy ecosystems and promote engagement with the sea, alongside those of the UK’s Marine Policy Statement for Northern Ireland.

“After its members’ meeting in the Marine Institute, there seemed to

be a renewed passion for growing the network.

“Speakers Ken O’Sullivan and Dr Easkey Britton NUI Galway seemed to cast a spell on the members, encouraging more participation with the networks ocean literacy goals,” remarked Garry Kendellen, secretariat of the IOLNetwork.

SOCIAL-MEDIA CAMPAIGN

Members of the network recently launched the first IOLN social media campaign around the theme ‘We Are Islanders’ on World Ocean Day, June 8.

“It was incredible to see

so many members working together on the day.The hashtag #WeAreIslanders trended across Ireland and some members recorded videos talking about their connection with the ocean.

“There were even images with mermaids and giant lobsters from Seafest, and an underwater image with a diver in the ocean tank at Galway Atlantaquaria,” Garry added.

“This was just the first step in this campaign, and we’re really looking forward to working alongside members to develop it further, including new members, who are welcome to join anytime”.

Further information contact: info@irishoceanliteracy.ie http://irishoceanliteracy.ie/

Higher Diploma in Business in AQUABUSINESS

This course is designed to cater for those looking to enter management roles in Aquabusiness, Aquaeconomics, financial or regulatory roles in R&D or in a seafood processing company. The course may also appeal to those looking to start an Aquabusiness company or expand an existing company into new markets.

COURSE FEES 2019-2020

€2,500, however fees could be reduced if paid in full before 6th September 2019 and if candidates are successful in securing fundings assistance of up to of 50%. For further information visit www.bim.flexigrant.com.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

For information on course content and applications please contact:

—

Brian O’Loan BIM Email: aquabus@bim.ie Mobile: 087 2626578

—

COURSE CONTENT This programme offers modules in: — Aquabusiness Environment* — Law and Regulation for Aquabusiness* — Strategic and Innovation Management* — Financial Management and Planning* — Marketing Management in Aquabusiness* — Work Placement or Work Based Project *Available as individual module certificates at Level 8

Open to candidates from the SEAFOOD INDUSTRY including fisheries, aquaculture & seafood processing

NFQ Level 7 or level 8 Award or equivalent in a related discipline.

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COURSE DELIVERY

This course will take place every fortnight on Fridays and on Saturdays from 10-4pm over the academic year.

Location: Institute of Technology Carlow, Wexford Campus, Summerhill Road, Wexford Course Start: Friday, 13th September 2019 Closing date for applications: Friday, 30th August 2019

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

Dr Janette Davies Deputy Head Wexford Campus IT Carlow Email: janette.davies@itcarlow.ie Phone: 053 9185808

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

16

INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

OOW 2019 »» from page 1

action itself that is going to pull us back from the brink.

“We can’t rest on our laurels - not when on the high seas there is still too little enforcement.

“We can’t rest on our laurels when there are still more than 400 unresolved maritime boundary disputes in the world, leaving behind ungoverned ocean spaces which are rife today with illicit trans-shipment, with human trafficking, with drug smuggling, with arms trafficking and no enforcement - especially on the over-fishing.

“We can’t rest on our laurels when a garbage patch twice the size of Texas floats in the Pacific, and rising carbon dioxide from emissions still increases ocean acidity and devastates coral reefs and marine life - changing the ecosystem itself.

“We can’t rest on our laurels when nearly 60% of global fish stocks are fished at their maximum levels and 33% are over-fished and already in need of recovery.

“And we can’t rest on laurels when the World Bank tells us that poor fishery management costs countries $83bn a year in lost revenue.

COMMIT TO THE JOURNEY

Senator Kerry warned there would be no “blue economy, no fishing industry, if we don’t protect our oceans: “But we can’t protect our oceans if we can’t show people they’ve done right. Protecting oceans doesn’t actually hurt jobs…it is jobs.

“We can’t protect the oceans without solving the problem of climate change. And you can’t solve the problem of climate change without protecting the oceans.

They go hand-inhand,” he argued.

Fifty-one per cent of the earth’s oxygen comes from the ocean but the supply is reducing due to loss of kelp beds and acidification which is changing the chemistry of the ocean: “We’re changing the chemistry of the ocean faster than it has ever been changed in the last fifty million years. And we know that because there are certain people that most of us respect who can tell us those things - they’re called scientists,” he said.

“Damage has now reached such an extreme level that unless we change our practices by the middle of the century, there’s

going to be more dead zones and more plastic in the oceans than fish.”

Describing “the enemy” as “man-made”, the Senator said the solution could be “man-solved”: “We have the capacity to provide the solution, and that’s energy policy. This is the solution to climate change. We have to move as rapidly as possible to electrify the creation of power” and move away from fossil fuels to a net carbon economy by 2050.

“We need to change industry’s provision of power. We need to change the way we build buildings and we need to

deal with big industry.

“We can’t afford to do just a little bit here and there anymore. We’re not going to make it if that’s what happens,” he warned.

But Senator Kerry believes it can be done: “I have zero doubt whatsoever it can be done.

And what we need to do now is to understand the power that we have… and hold people accountable.

“I believe we have to do this before the reefs are gone, before the species are wiped out, before the sixth extinction takes hold more than it’s already threatening life and species on this planet.”

Simon Coveney Tánaiste & Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney

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ur world today is shadowed by multiple crises, nearly all of them man-made. But perhaps the biggest crisis of all is the challenge to the rules-based system that gives us the only hope of putting a global framework in place to provide shelter from many of those crises within which we can co-operate to our mutual advantage and, in some cases, for survival.

Climate change reminds us of our inter-connectedness - nations impacted by each other. Small countries, we can find shelter together, acting together we have voice. A collective voice and a collective vote will be listened to if it’s harnessed to it true potential.

Ireland strongly believes we can only address the climate challenge if we take a strong climate justice approach, emphasising the needs and realities of those who have most to lose yet, ironically, have done least to contribute to the problem.

As a small country we know how hard it can be sometimes to be heard.

Yet, as a small country, we also know how powerful we can be when our friends understand our concerns and are working with us in solidarity.

These are challenging times for all of us. The great Irish poet, Seamus Heaney, told us that ‘Hope is not optimism that expects things to turn out well, but something rooted in the conviction that there is a good worth working for.’

On the oceans and the climate challenge that we’re focusing on today, Ireland is geared to listen to you to be a friend and a partner and a collaborator. We believe there is good worth working for and indeed, fighting for if necessary.

Michael Creed

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he European Commission has reported that the most significant expansion and growth in the blue economy is in Malta and Ireland. This is indicative of a bright future emerging for the marine economy.

This success is being driven by many established and emerging innovative Irish marine businesses, facilitated by the on-going work of the inter Departmental Marine Coordination Group.

To support this progress, government has approved a Marine Planning Policy Statement (see pg 18 or 28) which sets out the reforms underway to provide a modern, integrated marine planning system.

A Marine Planning and Development Bill is also in preparation and will sit alongside a Maritime Jurisdiction Bill and the National Marine Planning Framework.

Together, these measures will provide a new fit-for-purpose framework for the sustainable management of the sector in the decades ahead.

COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP

The foundation for a thriving marine economy is the sustainability of our seas and the wider ocean.

Climate change is the key test of our time, affecting all of our island and coastal states equally.

As a small island on the western seaboard of Europe, washed by the North Atlantic Drift, Ireland’s climate is influenced by the sea. Like other island nations, Ireland is particularly vulnerable to oceanic changes resulting from climate change.

As Minister with responsibility for seafood, I am particularly interested in the potential impact of climate change on fisheries and aquaculture. Ten percent of the world’s population depends on fisheries for their livelihoods and 4.3 billion people are reliant on fish for fifteen per cent of their animal protein intake.

In a world where global population is rising by 82 million people year on year, it is a reality that increasing numbers of people will rely on protein from our ocean in the coming decades. Any risk to the sustainability of seafood production from the ocean poses serious concerns for a significant proportion of the global population.

The most obvious pressures on our seafood production derive from temperature changes and acidification. Changes in salinity, sea level, current patterns and extreme weather events will also affect fisheries and aquaculture.

Rising ocean temperatures as a result of climate change are driving many marine species towards the poles. These changes are likely to continue to impact on global commercial fisheries, and overfishing will exacerbate these problems.

A continued and intensified focus on adaptation, climate action measures and the sustainable management of our fish stocks will be central to the continuation of a sustainable supply of seafood and to global food security.

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OOW 2019

Jim O’Toole MODERATOR TARA SHINE ASKED BIM’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE JIM O’TOOLE IF SOCIAL VULNERABILITY COULD BE SEPARATED FROM ENVIRONMENTAL OR ECONOMIC VULNERABILITY WITHIN THE SEAFOOD INDUSTRY.

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hey’re absolutely inter-related. We have to look at the sustainability challenge in terms of the bottom line, and in terms of environmental, economic and social considerations. We’ve a very long coastline - over 3,500 km long - so the secotor is quite spread out.

In some coastal communities, the percentage of people employed can vary between 6 and 12%.

In those coastal communities there’s a very high dependence on the seafood sector in all its forms, and the economic lifeblood of those communities is absolutely correlated to the health of the oceans.

We’ve carried out studies that look at social impact; it’s very important that environmental sustainability is at the core of everything we do. But we look at it in terms of managing a resource and trying to make sure that our fishermen are able to fish more sustainably.

We also have to identify new opportunities so that everyone involved in the seafood sector looks at the unit raw material to see how they can develop smarter ways of doing business to extract the most value out of a scarce resource.

Session: Empowerment Through Ocean Knowledge Jim Gannon, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland

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n macroeconomic terms, the world is becoming a wealthier place. Successive generations are creating more wealth than their predecessors, and with that increased prosperity comes increased demand and consumption together with increased energy and associated waste. Increased prosperity and increased population plays huge demands on our planet.

Parents still want the best for their children and their children’s children. But what we all have to ask ourselves is what prosperity looks like for those generations. Business has a massive role to play in this - in satisfying that demand in sustainable ways: by the

HE Ngedikes Olai Uludong, Permanent Representative of Palau to the UN way it uses energy, the raw materials to produce those good and how those goods are shipped and packaged.

To try and halt and indeed reverse some of the damage human activity has done to the planet, we need business to react, and react quickly.

Prosperity will need to be redefined: it’s no longer enough for business to measure success in purely financial terms. Responsible behaviours in achieving those financial outcomes are arguably more important than those outcomes themselves.

Traditional economic models are going to be challenged and will have to adapt. We’ve got a situation where perpetual economic growth coupled with a planet with finite resources is an equation that just doesn’t balance, and it will have to be addressed.

Moderator Tara Shine, HE Odo Tevi, Permanent Representative of Vanuatu to the UN, Jim Gannon, SEAI, Piera Tortora, OECD and Jim O’Toole, BIM

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OOW 2019

Peter Heffernan

The UN decade of the oceans for sustainability and research for sustainability offers a global initiative window is the convergence of issues around the ocean.

And truly, to share together the ability to give every State ess than twenty years ago we did not have the capacity to sail thirty hours, which meant an open access to an accurate map of the entire ocean; to give every State an open access to a fit-for-purpose ocean we could not visit more than 10% of our observation system will empower and enable every island entire ocean territory.

State on this planet to help cope with the challenges.

We were out-invested 50:1 every day, every week, And this is a mission that we look forward to in the decade every month, every year, in knowledge creation about of the oceans. Ireland stands ready to make a very strong that resource. But with the support of progressive and contribution in partnership to assisting all that open access successive governments that gap has been bridged.

I’m very hopeful that Ireland’s voice can be very helpful in system. Open access builds trust, trust builds success and addressing and creating an open-access policy to knowledge the common purpose is there as we’ve heard our leaders.

The job needs to get done. Let’s do it! creation.

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Session: Creating the Right Environment for Ocean Enterprise

Susan Steele

MODERATOR TARA SHINE: HOW ARE WE GOING TO BRING PEOPLE WITH US; HOW WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT COMMUNITIES BENEFIT?

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ommunities are amazing and come up with ways almost of regulating fisheries themselves, such as ‘V-notching’ for lobsters to regulate the fishery When we look at the blue economy, we also have to talk about protecting our ocean wealth and part of that

Alicia O’Sullivan

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t the age of seventeen, most teenagers worry about school, exams, relationships; but I’m worried about something far greater - my future. And I’m not alone.

With 1.6 million young people from over 123 countries scared, we’re scared we will not have what you had. We cannot plan, we cannot focus, we cannot settle, we cannot be happy.

But we can connect.

The youth of this world are calling upon everyone: governments; scientists; media; policy-makers; businesses; and the people to work together on this. Because it is only ever going to work if it is a collaborative effort.

While I understand we live in an economic structure I

is regulation. Good regulation is really hard to measure, particularly when you’re trying to get the buy-in of the local communities.

So what is regulation? Is it how often you inspect the fishery vessels; is it how often you catch people when you’re out in a fishery vessel? Good regulation is when you reduce harm.

Reduction of harm in the marine environment - because the marine environment is so complicated - involves everybody: policy makers, regulators, fishermen, communities.

In the SFPA our vision is ‘coasts full of jobs and seas full of fish’. We genuinely believe that sustainable fisheries lead to increased economies and to successful coastal communities which is what we all want to see.

strongly believe everyone in every sector needs to refocus their humanity.

We have lost some of our core values. Let me tell you what really matters: people; love; culture; home.

Irish fishermen referenced by Minister Creed have cleaned up 330 tonnes of marine waste of mainly plastics since 2015 under BIM’s ‘Fishing for Litter’ scheme.

They do this without any incentives or extra pay; they do this so that they can protect their livelihoods, their industries for their future and kids, and our ocean.

Since 1993 there’s been a 3.3mm change in sea level year on year. Ninety per cent of the earth’s warming has occurred since 1950; 50% of all species could be lost by the end of this century and eight million tonnes of plastic enters the sea each year.

All of these are connected and this is why we, as a people, need to connect and act together. Now.

Ireland’s ocean economy ‘on course’ to achieve 2020 target

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UI Galway’s Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit (SEMRU) has released its latest update on the performance of Ireland’s ocean economy. The report presents a complete and comparable profile across thirteen marine-related industries in Ireland.

The update shows that Ireland’s ocean economy has a turnover of €6.2bn with a direct economic contribution, as measured by GVA, of €2.2bn or 1.1% of GDP. Taking into account indirect GVA generated from oceanrelated activity, total GVA is €4.2bn representing 2% of GDP. Dr Stephen Hynes, co-author of the report and Director of SEMRU, has advised government that the latest figures indicate Ireland’s ocean economy is performing on

average better than the general economy, but warns that the difference is not as great as the previous reporting period: “Estimates suggest that the ocean economy grew by 11% between 2016 and 2018, which is just marginally above the growth of 10% in Ireland’s GDP for the same period,” he told Inshore Ireland.

Year-on-year, the highest growth rates in 2018 were in the international cruise industry, oil and gas exploration and production, marine commerce, and marine biotechnology and bio-products.

A proposed Bill to limit future oil and gas exploration, recently voted through the Dáil to the legislative stage, “could have serious consequences for the future growth potential of the sector,” he added.

Minister Michael Creed and Dr Stephen Hynes discuss SEMRU’s latest report on Ireland’s blue economy

The substantial growth in the value of international cruise was driven by a surge in cruise liner and passenger numbers visiting Irish ports in 2018.

Plans by Dublin port to substantially reduce the number of berths available to cruise ships could also have implications for future growth in the industry, “not just in Dublin but across all of cruise destinations in Ireland,” he warns.

Not all industries in Ireland’s ocean economy saw growth in 2018 however. There was a fall in the value of aquaculture output and seafood processing. Year-on-year growth was also flat in the emerging industries of marine renewables and advanced marine technology.

“The sluggish performance of these industries aside, they still probably have the greatest growth potential considering the increasing energy and food demands that accompany an increasing global population,” he added.

Constraints to increasing renewable sources of energy onshore and decreasing terrestrial areas to provide food means that provision from offshore sources has to increase, he warns.

“As these industries develop, we can also expect higher demands on ports and shipping to service

operations offshore and increased use of marine technology.”

MARINE ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

This year’s report also presented the value of some marine ecosystem services.

Factoring their value into marine decision-making “is vital in order to ensure the healthy marine environment that forms the bedrock of a thriving ocean economy.”

“As Senator John Kerry eloquently put it at the Summit, “There’s no blue economy if we don’t protect our oceans. Done right, it doesn’t hurt jobs, it is jobs,” Dr Hynes said.

Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute who funded the report noted that Ireland was one of a few countries that has access to regularly updated marine economic data, showing trends now spanning over 10 years.

“These independent data and trends published by NUI Galway underpin the vision set out by government in ‘Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth’ whereby Ireland’s vast marine territory is harnessed in a sustainable manner and is recognised as an integral element of Ireland’s overall economy, generating benefits for Irish citizens and supported by integrated policy, planning and regulation,” he said.

Commenting on the report, Prof Alan Ahearne, Director of the Whitaker Institute, NUI Galway, said that with the uncertainty generated

by Brexit, Ireland’s ocean wealth has never been more important to Ireland’s

economic prosperity.

“The figures published by SEMRU clearly demonstrate the importance and impact of targeted investment and research in developing a sustainable ocean economy here in Ireland”.

SEMRU categorises Ireland’s ocean economy into two broad categories: Ireland’s Established Marine Industries: comprising traditional marine sectors (shipping, seafood, tourism in marine and coastal areas, offshore energy, marine manufacturing & engineering and marine retail services) – have an estimated turnover of €5.8bn and provide employment of 32,048 FTEs. These segments of the ocean economy represent 93% of the total turnover and 94% of total employment. The top three sectors in terms of value and employment continue to be shipping, marine tourism and seafood.

Ireland’s Emerging Marine Industries: comprising marine renewables, marine biotechnology, advanced marine products and services, and maritime commerce – have an estimated turnover of €459m, and provide employment to 2,084 FTEs, representing 7% of the turnover and 6% of employment in Ireland’s ocean economy.

Of the emerging industries, marine commerce and the marine biotechnology and bio-products industries experienced the largest increases in turnover and GVA in the 2016-2018 period.

The latest figures have been announced by Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Michael Creed, TD at the Annual Ocean Wealth Summit in Cork. The 2019 Summit will see national and global leaders discuss the health of our oceans. This includes senior Government and UN representatives from island states sharing experiences on oceans’ health and climate change.

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AQUACULTURE NEWS

SmoltVision – a new tool for optimising smolt transfer Elise Hjelle and Chris Mitchell

CRITICAL MEASUREMENTS

Smolts that are not adapted to seawater will have a high ollowing the risk of becoming runts, adoption of which may increase the risk increasingly of disease to themselves sophisticated and and to other fish in the intensive salmon smolt pen. Measurement of ‘total production systems, more ATPase’, while a useful attention is being focused indicator of the total ion on the accurate prediction pump activity in the gill does of stock readiness for not actually tell you which transfer to seawater. way the pump is operating The optimal window for (ions ‘out’ or ions ‘in’). this operation is often The gills of anadromous small, and the availability fish, like salmon, need to of transport limited. Both be capable of doing both. factors require an accurate When in freshwater, these and reliable assessment of the fish actively pump ions physiological status of smolt into their blood from their stocks which are advancing environment (otherwise they towards transfer. Traditional would become depleted), techniques have involved whereas in seawater they do either by simply trialing a few the opposite to prevent them fish in a so-called ‘seawater overloading through passive challenge’, or by measuring absorption. their gill ATPase activity.

PHARMAQ Analytiq now The seawater challenge provides an assessment tool technique, apart from being called SmoltVision, which not stressful for any fish in the only distinguishes between test not yet seawater adapted, the two pumps (‘in’ or ‘out’) will not indicate the level of but does so by degrees in readiness at either individual each fish tested. or population level. Just By testing a small number surviving a seawater challenge of fish (20) over three may be just that, which is points in time, the shift from rather different from being freshwater ATPase activity fully adapted to thrive in (inward pumping) to seawater seawater!

ATPase activity (outward

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pumping) can be monitored.

Both activities are assessed by measuring the activity of the genetic mechanisms (using molecular markers) which control them.

The shift in activity at the genetic level is a precursor to that at the functional one, thus providing a warning of a change in status several days in advance of it happening.

DISTURBING FACTORS

In addition to the two main markers, PHARMAQ Analytiq have a supplementary one called the Co-factor, the activity of which provides information about the presence of potentially disturbing factors for the gills.

These factors, which include sub-optimal water quality, gill pathogens and gill damage, might actually disrupt the normal smoltification process. By tracking the levels of these three markers throughout the smoltification period, PHARMAQ Analytiq can provide managers of freshwater salmon hatcheries with ‘best in class’ information to help them decide, in advance, the optimum time to transfer their fish – a decision which, we should not forget, is

Hugh McGinley, Freshwater Production Manager, Mowi, Ireland; Paul Fletcher Lochailort, Manager Mowi, Scotland; and Elise Hjelle PHARMAQ Analytic

normally made by the fish themselves! Optimal transfer helps optimise performance!

A further benefit is that tissue which has been submitted for assessment by SmoltVision can if required, be used for pathogen screening and detection by real time RT-PCR, as both methods use the same analytical procedure.

SmoltVision has been commercially available for two years, and is being used in all the main salmon producing countries including Norway, Chile, Canada, Scotland and the Faroe Islands.

This has allowed PHARMAQ Analytiq to build up an extensive database of different smoltification regimes and corresponding

field data, resulting in a high level of competence in the interpretation of SmoltVision results within the correct context.

Optimising the time at which fish are placed in the sea is not just good for welfare; it is a key driver to ensuring that newly transferred smolts get off to the best start in their marine life!

National Fisheries College of Ireland Schedule 2019 Second Hand Full Certificate of Competency

Safety Training (3-day)

GMDSS Restricted Operators Certificate

– 02 September-18 December, NFC Castletownbere – 26 August-18 December, NFC Greencastle

– 02-04 July, Dunmore East, contact 087 2334620 – 09-11 July, Dunmore East, contact 087 2334620 – 09-11 July, NFC Castletownbere – 09-11 July, NFC Greencastle – 23-25 July, Ballycotton, Co. Cork, contact 087 2334620 – 27-29 August, Rossaveal, Co. Galway, contact 087 6837134 – 09-11 September, Howth, Co. Dublin, contact 087 2334620 – 16, 17 & 19 September, Howth, Co. Dublin, contact 087 2334620 – 17-19 September, Rossaveal, Co. Galway, contact 087 6837134 – 14-16 October, NFC, Greencastle – 15–17 October, NFC Castletownbere

– 23-26 September, Rossaveal, Co. Galway, contact 087 6837134

Class 3 Marine Engineer (Fishing) – 16 September to July 2020, NFC Greencastle

Navigation Control (Fishing) – 14-25 October, NFC Castletownbere

Electronic Navigation Systems (Fishing) – 11-27 September, NFC Greencastle

Enhanced Safety Training (Under 15m) – 17 July, Belmullet, Co. Mayo, contact 087 6837134 – 03 September, NFC Castletownbere – 29 October, NFC Castletownbere – 02 October, NFC Greencastle

Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (3-day)

Enhanced Safety Training (Over 15m)

– 17-19 September, NFC Castletownbere

– 17 July, Newport, Co. Mayo, contact 087 6837134

Advanced Fire Fighting (5-day) – 01-05 July, NFC Greencastle – 07-11 October, NFC Castletownbere

First Aid Responder (3-days) – 23-25 September, NFC Castletownbere

GMDSS GOC Radio Proficiency – 26 August-10 September, NFC Greencastle – 29 October-08 November, NFC Castletownbere 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

GMDSS Short Range Radio Proficiency (Modules 1 & 2) – 01-04 July, Mulroy Bay, Co Donegal, contact 087 6837134 – 08-11 July, Killybegs, Co Donegal, contact 087 6837134 – 29-31 July, Ballycotton, Co. Cork, contact 087 2334620 – 10-12 September, Rossaveal, Co. Galway, contact 087 6837134 – 23-25 September, Howth, Co. Dublin, contact 087 2334620

Passenger Boat Proficiency – 08-12 July, NFC Greencastle

Commercial Scuba (4 weeks) – 30 September-25 October, NFC Castletownbere

Surface Supplied Diver (3 weeks) – 04-29 November, NFC Castletownbere NFC Greencastle +353 74 938 1068/1099 NFC Castletownbere +353 27 71230 To confirm the mobile training schedule on the west coast please contact 087 6837134 and on the east coast call 087 2334620.

Funding for the course fee and subsistence costs may be available through BIM’s Seafood Training Scheme.

www.bim.ie

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AQUACULTURE NEWS

IFA Aquaculture - A new perspective Teresa Morrissey, IFA Aquaculture

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FA Aquaculture is currently navigating a period of change with the recent announcement of my appointment to the role of Aquaculture Executive. This appointment arises following the untimely death of Richie Flynn in August 2018 - a highly regarded advocate for the aquaculture industry in Ireland and across Europe for many years.

I look forward to continuing the work of IFA Aquaculture and building on the foundations laid down by Richie during his many years of service to the industry.

Having worked with the Marine Institute for almost nine years, I have gained in-depth experience working with the Irish aquaculture industry.

My roles within the Marine Institute involved regulatory advice on fish health matters, scientific research on emerging aquatic diseases and management of the National Reference Laboratory for Crustacean diseases.

I am very keen to connect with the industry, hear their concerns and speak on their behalf with the support of the IFA Aquaculture Committee. I am very aware that recent years have been unsettling for the industry with issues around licensing casting uncertainty on the livelihoods of businesses and local economies that depend on aquaculture, both directly and indirectly.

BRIGHT FUTURE

Notwithstanding, great opportunities are ahead for the aquaculture industry.

Despite the lack of State financial support, licensing issues, disease outbreaks and major stock losses, aquaculture in Ireland has managed to make progress against all the odds.

IFA Aquaculture believes in the future of rural coastal communities, and industries such as aquaculture are imperative for the vitality of these communities. A functioning licensing system remains a key priority to unlocking any future potential of the sector.

Implementing the recommendations of the Independent Aquaculture Licensing Review Group is at the top of the agenda.

By the end of 2019, we are assured that the backlog of aquaculture licence applications will have been cleared and that the work of the Department in meeting the deadline

of 300 shellfish licence determinations in 2018 must be acknowledged.

We are also assured that the Department is on course to meet a similar deadline for 300 shellfish licence determinations in 2019.

FINFISH FOCUS

While ongoing progress of dealing with this long-standing issue must be welcomed, focus must turn to the more complex issue of finfish licence renewals.

As yet there is no clear indication regarding a reasonable time frame for these determinations, and the industry requires more clarity on this issue.

Undoubtedly, some determinations will be referred to the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB), a body that is already under pressure to turn around decisions in a timely manner.

This is hugely concerning given the likely backlog of appeals due to the increase in shellfish licence determinations over the past year.

It is imperative that ALAB is adequately resourced, and should the need arise, to ensure continued progress of licence determinations throughout the process.

BACKLOG

In 2019, as progress is being made on clearing the aquaculture licensing backlog, which has been a priority for industry stakeholders for some time, focus must now turn to examining in more detail all the recommendations identified by the aquaculture licensing review group.

An implementation plan that addresses the feasibility of all recommendations is required, along with how and when the Department proposes to implement these recommendations is long overdue.

The Irish aquaculture industry demands a clear commitment with regard to drafting an implementation plan in order to prioritise, with clear timelines, each of the recommendations identified by the aquaculture licensing review group.

Further engagement between the Department and industry stakeholders is absolutely necessary if we are all to work towards ensuring the economic potential and sustainable future of the Irish aquaculture industry.

IFA Aquaculture looks forward to playing a pivotal role in driving this engagement, and I also look forward to meeting and working with all sectors of the Irish aquaculture industry over the coming weeks and months.

Yellow mealworm from the Tenebrio molitor beetle

Insects: the answer to sustainable aquaculture and a circular economy?

Dr Alex Wan*

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nsects are one of the largest and diverse groups of animals with over one million reported species. To many people, insects are viewed as a pest; however, they might also be part of the answer to addressing future food security and sustainability concerns.

The advantages of insects being produced as a food source are that many species have a rapid and simple lifecycle, making them easier to scale-up to an industrial production level.

Direct human

consumption of insects as a food source, entomophagy, exists in many regions of the world, but for many developed and western societies, entomophagy is often negatively perceived by consumers.

Regardless, there are food products on the market that contain components derived from insects, e.g. shellac resin produced by lac insect as a glazing agent (E904) and carmine as a natural food-dye from scale insects (E120).

Start-up food companies have created novel food products (e.g. meat substitutes and healthy snacks) that largely consist of insects.

An implementation plan that addresses the feasibility of all recommendations is required, along with how and when the Department proposes to implement these recommendations is long overdue.

L-R: Jan Feenstra and Michael Mulloy discuss the priorities for the aquaculture sector with Teresa Morrissey

Salmon diets produced at ANARU’s feed formulation laboratory with the inclusion of insect meal.

REPLACEMENT PROTEIN

While time will be required to change public perceptions of entomophagy, an alternative route in addressing global food security is insects as a replacement to traditional proteins in farmed animal feeds.

This would have a significant impact on the fish farming industry because of the problems in using marine-based proteins - fish meals - to feed farmed fish.

Furthermore, insects are viewed by many as a natural diet of fish.

The use of insects in pelleted feeds is not a new concept and has been reported as far back as the 1960s. This development went relatively below the research radar due to the commercial focus of using plants as an alternative protein.

In the past decade however, research into insects as an aquafeed ingredient has undergone

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AQUACULTURE NEWS a renaissance, with a substantial increase in interest due to increasing concerns of environmental impact in the production of plant meals, e.g. deforestation to produce soybean.

Legislative changes in Europe has spurred research and commercialisation of insects into feed ingredients. For instance, enactment of the EU Regulation 2017/893 has allowed seven insect species to be approved for use in animal feeds. These include Black Soldier Fly, Common Housefly, Yellow Mealworm, Lesser Mealworm, House cricket, Banded cricket and Field Cricket.

Of these species, only The Black Soldier Fly is currently farmed in Ireland on an industrial scale but there is scope for further developments in Irishbased businesses. The legislation also outlines that insects must not be fed with animal or cooked foods (e.g. animal manure and catering waste), to safeguard consumers from contamination.

NOVEL RESEARCH

Like many research institutions around the world, NUI Galway’s Aquaculture Nutrition and Aquafeed Research Unit (ANARU) is undertaking novel research programmes to further the viability of insects in aquafeeds.

These include enhancing nutrient digestibility of insects and bioprocessing insects to create bioactive compounds in boosting fish health and seafood quality. In contrast, international initiatives such as the EU’s INvertebrateIT, and the recent sustainable alternative proteins research programme, will build capacity and expertise for the insect production sector.

The knowledge created has benefited companies both locally (e.g. Hexafly and Sustainable Protein Farms), and some of the top global insect producers (e.g. Agri Protein, Ynsect, Protix).

The road to commercialising insects as a viable and sustainable fish feed ingredient will require more than just research developments and knowledge outputs.

Public awareness and safeguards will also be needed to prevent bad actors sullying the industry (e.g. contaminates and adulterants), thereby giving trust to consumers that these are a safe feed ingredient for animal production. *Aquaculture Nutrition and Aquafeed Research Unit (ANARU) Carna Research Station | Ryan Institute | NUI Galway | Carna | Co. Galway

Revolution in fish farm management task of co-ordinating this is Liam Doherty who says the biggest challenge for today’s fish farmer is constant marine growth and ensuring it is kept to a minimum at all times.

Uncontrolled growth stifles water current and can result in brittle pieces of growth being inhaled by the fish, causing minor gill bleeds that can potentially result in disease.

“The aquaculture industry involves massive investment: equipment, producing/purchasing smolt, staff and ongoing farm management – and to see a return on that, the best methods of operation must be employed.

“We have yet to see a product to clean our cages as efficiently as MPI’s Racemaster does,” he commented, adding this technology has performed so well it has prompted MOWI to invest in another complete cleaning head and full power pack for its Castletownbere, Co. Cork sites.

“Another major benefit for us with this system is that we can now have it permanently on board our own dedicated ‘cleaning vessel’ (Johnny M) which we can not only move from cage to cage, but from site to site. For example, from Scraggy Bay in Lough Swilly to Mulroy Bay and Fanad.

“MPI’s recognition of the need for cost effectiveness CHALLENGES AND for fish farm operators THE WAY AHEAD resulted in the introduction The hub for MOWI’s Irish of a purchase/leasing operation is its Fanad-based agreement which means HQ where a processing that having the latest factory with 100 staff technology in cage cleaning handle production from its is possible for all fish nationwide sites. farmers,” Liam Doherty The man with the massive said.

automated cleaning system that fish farmers welcomed with open arms. f you posed the “We used RONC for question, who is the four years before moving biggest producer to MPI’s Racemaster,” of farmed salmon explained MOWI’s Scraggy in Europe, most would Bay (Lough Swilly) hazard a guess at Marine manager, Kevin Friel.

Harvest – and they would “You can see the be correct - except that this difference with the internationally-acclaimed nets; one sweep of the company rebranded itself Racemaster and all growth last year as MOWI. is removed. This cleaning In 1979, MOWI is important because (a) established in Ireland as keeping growth away Fanad Fisheries and since and ensuring filtration of has expanded to include oxygenated water, and sites in Donegal (Lough (b) if growth is allowed to Swilly, Mulroy Bay and develop then our ‘cleaner Inver) and in Mayo, Cork fish’ (lumpfish sourced in and Kerry – all operating Wales) cease to do their within the regulation of job of eating lice off salmon ‘organically produced’ and instead focus on eating salmon. the growth,” he said.

The term ‘organic’ does USER FRIENDLY not simply mean that feed The Racemaster requires must come from an organic source but strict criteria that a single operator but in the governs producers includes case of MOWI’s system, going from cage to cage fewer fish per cage, day after day, they alternate monitored feeding patterns between two operators. and cage cleanliness.

With over one million fish This ensures full attention is paid to the job in hand,” produced from the harvest explained Declan McAteer. of their sites, the MOWI “Racemaster does a Ireland business is a major great job but as in any operation requiring careful technology, it’s only as management in producing high-quality fish (within the good as the man behind volume limits of its licence) it. Focusing intensely on a screen for an hour is and equally in terms of mentally tiring, so myself hygiene, animal welfare and maintaining the highest and the other operator take standards of environmental turns with each cage to ensure a ‘fresh set of eyes’,” friendliness. he said.

Cormac Burke

I

SELECTING BEST TECHNOLOGY

It is in the area of cage cleanliness that MOWI has opted for the world’s leading technology provided

by Norwegian firm MPI (Multi Pump Innovation) and their state-of-the-art Racemaster - a remotelycontrolled robot with pressurized water jets powered by a Volvo D500 engine combined with a Hughes pump to ensure that marine growth is removed.

Capable of cleaning an entire cage in one hour, this equipment requires one operator in front of a monitor, guiding the cleaning head on its course as it travels along the sides and bottom of the cage.

“This kind of cleaning technology is the future for Irish fish farming and will be vital in the progress of maintaining the highest standards in farm management,” explained Liam Doherty, Manager of MOWI Northwest Marine Operations Manager.

With its HQ near Oslo in Norway, the relatively young MPI company evolved in the heartland of the aquaculture sector and has witnessed this industry’s growth over the past two decades.

This meant the company was ideally placed to develop a product to remove the laborious and costly task of manually hauling nets to wash them.

And so, the first generation ‘RONC’ was born: a primitive but functioning

With over one million fish produced from the harvest of their sites, the MOWI Ireland business is a major operation

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INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

MARINE R&D

Ireland’s ‘Go Atlantic Blue’ goes global

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ore than 50 famous landmarks and buildings in Ireland and across Europe went blue as part of the inaugural ‘Go Atlantic Blue’ initiative to celebrate our connection to the Atlantic Ocean and to mark World Oceans

Day on June 8. These included airports, State buildings, lighthouses, castles, aquariums and even a windmill.

The global day connected people worldwide in celebrating the ocean, its importance in our lives and how each of us can protect it, no matter where we live.

Businesses, schools and

homes across the island also took part by flying blue decorations, wearing blue clothing, painting their faces blue, sharing their love for the Atlantic online and much more.

Ireland’s ‘Go Atlantic Blue’ campaign was joined by the European Commission Directorate General for Research & Innovation in Brussels, Ifremer in France, PLOCAN in Gran Canaria Spain, Ciência Viva in Portugal, and the International Council for Exploration of the Seas (ICES) in Denmark

– all of which celebrated the Atlantic in their own ‘Go Atlantic Blue’ way.

‘Go Atlantic Blue’ was spearheaded in Ireland by the Marine Instituteled AORA-CSA (Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Co-ordination & Support Action) against the backdrop of SeaFest 2019 and Our Ocean Wealth Summit June 7-10.

“Our ocean is our greatest natural resource and we see that most directly in Ireland with the vital importance that the Atlantic Ocean plays

in our daily lives – from influencing the weather to facilitating our trade and industry and from seafood to surfing off the coast,” remarked Dr Peter Heffernan, Marine Institute CEO. Director of Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Co-ordination & Support Action, Dr Margaret Rae, said it was wonderful to see how ‘Go Atlantic Blue’ captured the imagination of people all over Ireland and Europe: “This is the first year of the ‘Go Atlantic Blue’

RV Celtic Explorer goes Atlantic Blue at Seafest19

Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara, Galway

Water Tower, UCD

Trinity College Dublin

and the response of Ireland and our Atlantic Ocean neighbours has been tremendous. Next year, let’s see if we can go Atlantic-wide lighting up in blue along and across our Atlantic Ocean. Who knows, it may catch-on and we’ll see a ‘Go Global Ocean Blue’ happening.

“But no matter what, it’s all to raise awareness of the vital role that the ocean plays in the lives of our peoples; it is the beating heart of the planet and its currents are the lungs and circulation”.

Marine Institute makes a splash at SeaFest19 in Cork

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he Marine Institute attracted thousands of visitors at Ireland’s largest free family-friendly maritime celebration, SeaFest at the Port of Cork. Cork was transformed into a giant interactive ‘sea world’ for the three-day festival and the Port was awash with non-stop activities and entertainment for those of all ages.

Among these included open tours of the Marine Institute’s research vessel RV Celtic Explorer when the public could meet the marine scientists and the crew.

Visitors to the Marine Institute’s Wild Atlantic Theatre were treated to exciting talks and shows with award-winning wildlife cameraman Doug Allan, film-maker Ken O’Sullivan and Met Éireann

Head of Forecasting, Evelyn Cusack.

Evelyn Cusack shared her insights on weather forecasting and Ken O’Sullivan, underwater cameraman and the man behind the ground-breaking Irish documentary Ireland’s Deep Atlantic took viewers on a deep-sea journey in search of whales, sharks and cold-water coral reefs in Irish waters.

Doug Allan entertained visitors with his amazing tales of working alongside Sir David Attenborough on documentaries such as BBC’s Blue Planet and Frozen Planet that brought him to some of the wildest and most remote places on the planet.

In the Marine Institute’s Wild Atlantic Expo, visitors enjoyed interactive exhibits and displays exploring our marine world, and

learnt about the work of the Institute, as well as storytelling sessions for children and sea-themed arts and crafts.

Also on display was an art and poetry exhibition created by primary schools from around Ireland as part of the Explorer’s Education Programme.

The 2019 programme of events was presented by Cork City Council and the Inter-Departmental Marine

Coordination Group.

SeaFest is a key goal of Ireland’s national marine plan, Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth and its goal of increasing participation and engagement with the sea.

SeaFest is part-funded by government and the European Union under Ireland’s European Maritime & Fisheries Fund Operational Programme for the seafood sector.

23

INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

MARINE R&D

‘Our Ocean – Marine Legends, Fairy Tales and Folklore in Ireland’ showcases at SeaFest Aodhán Fitzgerald, Eurofleets+ project coordinator (third left) with the international partners

Eurofleets+ is officially launched at SeaFest 2019

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urofleets+, which facilitates access to the largest advanced research vessel fleet across Europe, Greenland, USA, Canada, Bermuda and New Zealand, was officially launched at SeaFest in Cork.

The Marine Institute is the coordinator of Eurofleets+, which includes a consortium of 42 marine institutes, universities, foundations and SMEs from 24 countries across Europe, North America and Oceania, with funding of €9.9m. The project follows on the success of two previous Eurofleets projects.

Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute said Eurofleets+ highlighted the importance of international collaboration of marine research and the continued dedication required to meet the evolving needs of marine and maritime activities around the world: “Eurofleets+ is intentionally ambitious, building on achievements in the two preceding Eurofleets projects and will integrate a larger number of research vessels and extend the research infrastructure by adding a range of advanced mobile marine equipment.”

Establishing a strategic roadmap and sustainability plan, Eurofleets+ will extend and enhance the capabilities of the European research vessel infrastructure, bringing new perspectives, new ideas, and new research and innovation tracks that will be beneficial to all.

The project will prioritise research on sustainable, clean and healthy oceans, linking with existing ocean observation infrastructures, as well as supporting innovative ideas, working closely with industry.

INCREASED SHIP-TIME

Aodhán Fitzgerald, Research Vessels operations manager at the Marine Institute and Eurofleets+ project coordinator, said the project will enable access to an unprecedented number of vessels providing a significant increase in ship-time at sea: “With a fleet of 27 state-of-the-art research vessels from European and other international partners, this is extremely exciting for marine researchers as they now have opportunities to access

research vessels in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean, Black Sea, North Sea, Baltic Sea, Pacific Southern Ocean and Ross Sea through the competitive calls process,” he said.

The EU H2020 Eurofleets+ project began in February 2019 with the first kick-off meeting taking place at the Marine Institute in March 2019. With its official launch at SeaFest on June 7, the programme will now move towards its competitive call phase, including SEA (Ship time and marine Equipment Application) which will have an ‘Ocean’ call, due to open June 2019 and a ‘regional’ call, due to open September 2019.

The CO-PI programme, aimed at early career researchers to implement their own research together with the SEA calls, and RTA (Remote Transnational Access), which enables remote access to samples or data from a Eurofleets+ vessel, are both due to open for calls in autumn 2019.

Through competitive calls evaluated on scientific excellence, applicants will be able to apply for access to 27 research vessels, five AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) and seven new ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) to capture film footage and samples from the deepest parts of the ocean.

A unique mobile portable telepresence unit will also enable remote access by researchers and diverse end-users including the public which is a first for Europe.

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rimary School students from Cork Educate Together NS presented a book called ‘Our Ocean – Marine Legends, Fairy Tales and Folklore in Ireland’ to President Faure of the Seychelles at SeaFest in Cork during a tour of the Marine Institute’s exhibition, ‘The Wild Atlantic – What Lies Beneath?’

Highlighting the importance of understanding our connections with the ocean, the Marine Institute’s ‘Explorers Education Programme’ recently completed an arts and heritage project involving over 300 children from around Ireland who learnt about local and national marine legends and folklore. The students produced a series on artwork and poems representing Irish marine stories past and present.

A selection of the work has also been collated into a special book with the aim of sharing Irish myths and legends with a wider audience, including the Island Small Nations delegation visiting Cork.

LEGENDS AND FOLKLORE

Congratulating the children and teachers involved in the project, Cushla Dromgool-Regan, Explorers Education Programme, said the children’s enthusiasm and energy truly made this project come to life: “This project highlights the importance of recording our local myths and tales, and sharing these with wider audiences around Ireland and beyond.”

Shazia Waheed, the Explorers Programme Outreach Officer from Lifetime Lab in Cork worked with schools from Cork, and explained how these stories bring the value of our ocean to life by learning about marine life, caring for our oceans and threats to our marine ecosystem: “I was really excited working with the teachers and children on this project as we showed how the ocean impacts our life while linking it to our heritage in Cork.

“One class group prepared a special project on the Vikings and explored connections with Scandinavia, while another group delivered presentations on unusual sea life around Cork harbour through song and dance which was great fun,” Waheed said.

“This was a fantastic project for children to learn about our ocean in a unique new way. The level of awareness of our oceans was clearly visible through the bright colourful artwork, poetry and models we got to see on all of our school visits,” she added.

Ireland is on its journey of realising the benefits of a thriving marine sector, and by engaging students’ interest in the marine at a young age, we hope it will encourage them to further engage with learning about the ocean.

More information on the Explorers Programme can be found at www.explorers.ie. #OUROCEANFOLKLORE

FLOATING UNIVERSITIES

In addition to the access programme, Eurofleets+ will also provide training and education opportunities including floating universities, Teacher at Sea programme, marine internships and blue skills labs.

Eurofleets+ is funded under EU Horizon 2020 ‘Integrating Activity for Advanced Communities’ with respect to Environmental and Earth Sciences - Research Vessels. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement No 824077.

A new Eurofleets+ website is underway and more information on the project is available on www.eurofleets.eu.

Aubrey O’Toole and Sinead Kelleher, Cork’s Educate Together, present ‘Our Ocean – Marine Legends, Fairy Tales and Folklore in Ireland’ to the President of the Sechelles Danny Faure, along with Minster Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

24

INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

MARINE R&D

A marine protected area network Karin Dubsky, Coastwatch

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hildren’s climate change protests have swept Exploring the shore with Dr Robert Wilkes, EPA, Dr Tim Butter, Irish Underwater Council, Europe. Concern Karin Dubsky and other Coastwatchers.

Photo, Bernie Connolly CEF about biodiversity loss is one facet of this protest.

Biodiversity loss is caused directly by our actions and

by Dr Cormac Nolan SWAN indirectly through climate change, as recorded in the hundreds of miles of kelp forest declining along the coast of Portugal, Spain and France.

In Ireland, many species that were once common are now rare. Mussel beds in the Boyne estuary dredged out by the port to deepen the river 20 years ago have never re-established.

Salmon stocks have also dwindled. As a result, ancient low-impact

Map of Irish MPAs

Bigger and Better: A Marine Protected Area Network

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e need to move toward 10% designation fast and onwards to 30% to protect our wealth of marine biodiversity as evidenced in Marine Institute research trip

discoveries.

Look out for the social media campaign launch in July.

Inshore and offshore require different approaches.

BIGGER INSHORE

IWT/Coastwatch are working on a review of current MPAs and need local expertise to add ‘missing pieces’ in a bottom-up MPA identification approach, mirroring that applied successfully in Northern Ireland.

Is there an area that is not currently protected but should be considered as it has a particularly rich, or vulnerable or special ecosystem?

We want to ensure that known key features are at least marked in Ireland’s first Maritime Spatial Plan (MSP) which is being drafted now, even if designation takes a little longer.

The bigger MPAs could be extensions to existing sites, or new areas such as Bantry Bay, which is a rare ‘high status’ water body under the Water Framework Directive and is rich in seaweeds, seagrass, fish and lobster nursery grounds.

BIGGER OFFSHORE

Oil, gas or offshore fishing industry desires must be set aside when designating. We can start with reefs, using existing legislation and linking to the network of MPAs, which we see ending at our borders, while encouraging speedy passage of new legislation to create more MPAs for fish spawning and nursery grounds where existing law is inadequate.

Achieving this would not only be a win-win for marine biodiversity but also for our future fisheries and our image as a ‘green, environmentally conscious society’.

BETTER:

MPAs need to be known, understood and cherished.

Think of it as home: where you want to feel safe and where certain rules apply. That is particularly difficult inshore where the number of users is growing and governance is grey.

France and the Netherlands have developed good integrated monitoring and enforcement schemes that we

could adapt to our own use.

Involve traditional inshore fishermen who have all the skills of handling boats, understanding of local shores and weather signs. They are ideally placed to acquire extra identification, monitoring and legal skills to gain jobs or income as partners in MPA monitoring and restoration. Looking back into past local management is really useful too.

The Lough Swilly fishermen could have fished out the native oyster 100s of years ago.

They didn’t. Instead they kept the lough as a wellmanaged fishery with ‘no take’ areas for brood stock, a minimum size and set days for fishing.

This was based on local knowledge, wise management decisions, executed through gentlemen’s agreements, later augmented by the ‘Lough Swilly Charter’ and more recently the Fisheries Act. This was an MPA – though not officially called that – well before being designated as SAC and SPA. Ironically, it is since designation that native oyster stocks have dwindled, since introduction of imported Pacific oyster aquaculture and mussel bottom culture and attending associated pressures.

Instead of losing marine biodiversity and this local knowledge and skill, we are seeking to create a new way of working together for both to thrive.

MPA management and monitoring requires funding and this needs to be incorporated now – for instance in Ireland’s new PAF (Priority Action Framework plan).

The MPA campaign will seek and provide MPA information one to one and in events around the coast.

Information on best practice, fair transparent law enforcement and access to justice from home and other countries. It is supported by Client Earth, the international environmental law firm and due to run for 3 years.

mussel and draft fishing are defunct in the Boyne estuary. Leaders in such communities, such as Leo Boyle, remember the bygone sound of flapping tails when the salmon smolts reached the estuary before going to sea. The common skate, native oyster and sea trout have also become regionally extinct in Ireland.

DESIGNATION REQUIRED

And if lack of designation wasn’t bad enough, the sites we do have are neither healthy, nor cherished. They were largely designated top-down to implement EU Nature law.

Most people don’t even know if they are fishing or swimming in one. With no signage, no prompt to seek out the NPWS website CITIZEN SCIENCE information and neither site An international ‘Blue Lung’ managers, nor management campaign coordinated by plans with stakeholder the environmental umbrella committees, there is no group, Seas at Risk, is obvious way to know, mobilising citizens to become engage or become involved involved in biodiversity in site protection. restoration and work for Some even fear these cleaner and productive seas. Special Protection Areas for The campaign includes Birds (SPAs) and Special a Marine Protected Area Areas of Conservation (MPA) project involving (SACs). One fisherman Ireland, Portugal and told me a Natura 2000 France. site is like a Portuguese The UN-agreed SDG man-of-war: they look nice 14 sets global goals to in pictures; you rarely see conserve and sustainably them and you get a bad use the oceans and marine sting when you touch them! resources. Among the Things must change and binding targets to achieve change fast. that health is for countries PROJECT IRELAND to effectively conserve at The MPA campaign has least 10% of their sea as MPAs by 2020 (CBD, 2011 just started in Ireland, spearheaded by IWT Aichi Target 11) Currently Ireland has just (Irish Wildlife Trust) and Coastwatch who welcome over 2% of its marine area designated as MPA and are people to join.

The aims are to raise ‘on target’ to be the lowest public awareness for the designation in the EU by need to have sufficient, well the end of this year. The managed marine protected seven offshore sites now areas, to bring our seas designated cover less than back to health and then 1% of our EEZ waters and make it happen with a inshore designation is also bottom-up approach. not yet adequate.

Fragile honeycomb reef requires public awareness and protection.

Photo Paddy Houlihan

Follow the international MPA campaign #OurBlueLung on Twitter.

Contacts: Karin Dubsky (kdubsky@ coastwatch.org) 086 8111684 or Regina Classen (rclassen159@gmail.com).

Or visit our websites www.coastwatch.org and www.iwt.ie

THE IUCN’S DEFINITION OF A MARINE PROTECTED AREA IS: “ANY AREA OF INTERTIDAL OR SUB-TIDAL TERRAIN, TOGETHER WITH ITS OVERLYING WATER AND ASSOCIATED FLORA, FAUNA, HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL FEATURES, WHICH HAS BEEN RESERVED

BY LAW OR OTHER EFFECTIVE MEANS TO PROTECT PART OR ALL OF THE ENCLOSED ENVIRONMENT,” (KELLEHER, 1999).

Citizen science at work.

Photo Bernie Connolly, CEF

25

INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

MARINE R&D

Microplastics prevent the capture of greenhouse gas Alina Wieczorek, lead author of the study at the Ryan Institute explains: icroplastic “Our oceans are pollution in the ocean is estimated to have captured one quarter to disrupting one half of all humankey ecosystem processes and pathways derived carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in that facilitate the the last two centuries. uptake of atmospheric This downward carbon dioxide (CO2), a transport of carbon collaborative study by

by Salps and other scientists in Ireland zooplankton animals and France has found. accounts for a major Initial results suggest portion of this.” that the uptake and At the sea surface, long-term storage of microscopic algae turn CO2 in our oceans, dissolved CO2 into fuel fuelled by key (organic carbon). These organisms, may be algae are consumed by negatively impacted by many different animals microplastics. and form the basis of Carbon dioxide is the marine food web. the greenhouse gas As this organic carbon released when fossil fuel is burned which has is passed up through the food chain, much increased dramatically of it is respired and over the past two converted back into CO2 hundred years. which is then released The research into the ocean and the team studied how atmosphere. microplastics interact Some of the captured with marine animals carbon is however called Salps, believed transported to the sea to play a major role in floor in the form of removing CO2 from sinking particles. This the atmosphere and is where Salps play an transporting it to the important role. They sea floor where it is ingest algae at the sea stored.

Gery Flynn

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natural processes IMPACTS occurring within our Dr Tom Doyle, senior oceans, that is, the author of the study from biologically driven UCC (and formerly NUI transport of CO2 to the Galway) says the study seafloor.” highlights that marine The researchers litter and microplastics also noted that while may impact on animals INCREASED alterations in the density and even ecosystems in BUOYANCY of these pellets may ways that have not been Results indicate that cause some of them considered yet: microplastics make the to be recycled in the “It’s very important faecal waste lighter upper waters, some to point out that our and more buoyant. The may still reach the study was carried out in pellets then float on the seafloor and transport a laboratory and under surface of the water for long enough that the CO2 the microplastics within controlled conditions. them to the deep sea.

We now need to go out is reabsorbed into the atmosphere.

Laboratory experiments have shown that when Salps ingest microplastics and incorporate them into their faecal pellets, they did not sink as fast.

“Our study suggests that Salp faecal pellets will remain at the sea surface for longer when they contain microplastics and while there, they may get broken down causing the carbon dioxide to be re-released back into the ocean and atmosphere.

“These findings show that microplastics have the potential to lower the efficiency of one of the most important Alina Wieczorek, Ryan Institute, NUI Galway with Salps

surface and produce dense faecal pellets which rapidly sink to the deep sea, carrying with them some of this captured carbon.

into the field to further test our hypothesis by quantifying the abundance of microplastics found in Salps and their faecal pellets in different areas of our oceans,” says Dr Doyle.

The study was funded by an NUI Galway postgraduate scholarship and by the PLASTOX Project under the Marine Institute’s Marine Research Programme.

Photo: Dawid Piotr Szlaga

A Career as a Marine Engineer If you have a flair for machinery and modern technology, there’s a special place on the marine team for you.

East End Bay, Inisbofin, Green Coast award 2019.

Photo G Mills

Blue Flag beaches and Green Coasts 2019

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lmost 150 sites around Ireland have achieved blue flag (88) and green coast (62) status for 2019. Five sites received both awards.

The Blue Flag is an international award presented to beaches and marinas that have excellent water quality and achieve high standards in environmental education and management, safety.

The award is operated in Ireland by An Taisce with the support of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

Blue Flag is a “globally recognised symbol” of excellent water quality, remarked Minister Eoghan Murphy.

Green Coast awards recognise sites that have excellent water quality but are less developed and less populated than Blug Flag beaches. Green Coast awards involve volunteer group of which there are more than 800 nationwide.

The number of sites is the highest since the awards began in 2003 and reflects the “outstanding efforts” of citizen and community groups, along with An Taisce and local authorities, Minister Murphy added.

To view the full list of Blue Flag Beaches visit https://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-quality/blueflag-awards/minister-murphy-welcomes-announcementblue-flag-green-coast

Because every vessel needs a marine engineer to maintain and repair all the machinery – and there’s a lot of gear on a boat. From the main engines to electrical generators, pumps, refrigeration, hydraulics and winches, the onboard marine engineer is a vital and highly respected member of the crew. And it’s a very satisfying feeling knowing that everything on board is running smoothly like a well-oiled machine because you’ve done your job. Where problems arise, you analyse and solve them. You use your judgement – that’s where your training helps. And all the mathematics that used to be theoretical – it’s a vital practical tool when you’re on a boat or in a marine control room. Because don’t forget that as well as maintenance, marine engineers are the people who actually design, develop and produce all that equipment. So if machinery and technology is what floats your boat, there’s a career in the seafood industry for you!

www.bim.ie

Marine engineering is a learning curve that doesn’t stop when you land a job. It’s a fast-moving area that continues to develop.

Technical know-how and computer skills help of course; but there’s no substitute for a curious mind, a creative imagination and a logical approach to decision making. Oh, and communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team help as well! If this sounds like you, then you sound like the kind of person who should be thinking about a career as a marine engineer.

BIM’s Engineer Officer (Fishing Vessel) Certificate of Competency Class 3 Course – as approved by the Irish Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport – is held at our National Fisheries College, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Next course commences in September 2019.

An application form can be obtained on www.bim.ie and forwarded to the National Fisheries College, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

NFC Greencastle +353 74 938 1068/1099

26

INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

MARINE R&D

INFOMAR: Embracing 21 century marine communications technology st

Ronan O’Toole, GSI

AN INTERNET REVOLUTION

It is no exaggeration to state that the world has undergone an internet and communications revolution.

Over the past twenty years, reliable fast internet access has evolved from extravagant luxury to vital necessity and in the future may even be considered a right!

It does not seem possible to quantify the resulting impact that this internet revolution is having on technology, smartphones, business, consumerism and society. We are now living in an interconnected and switched-on digital world which has extended its reach into all sectors of human activity.

THE INFOMAR PROGRAMME

Now into its second decade, INFOMAR (www. infomar.ie), Ireland’s national seabed mapping programme, funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE)

and jointly managed by Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) and the Marine Institute (MI), has been at the forefront of many maritime technological developments; sonar, computing and positioning technologies, all of which have undergone major advances in performance during the same time period.

The programme aims to put Ireland on the map (literally) as the first country to completely survey its entire marine territory in high detail by the end of 2026.

The challenge is immense.

Throughout the initial project phase (20062016), various operational strategies were devised, tested and refined between the project partners, underpinning significant capability and expertise development in order to meet this objective.

INFOMAR Phase 2 (2016-2026) carries out its mapping activity from numerous sea-going platforms. These range from the robust and capable Marine Institute offshore vessels used to map Ireland’s farthest marine territories and shelf

Intermittency in connectivity related to either the performance of the terrestrial mobile broadband network or increasing vessel range from shore, are the main drawbacks of the device.

REMOTE EXPERTISE On RV Mallet, operations The requirement to ensure designed to incorporate that vessel crews, surveyors remote input from shoreand data processers have based team members or continued access to advice, effective management insight and instruction from of logistics and project senior team members, planning - all require a especially while at sea, reliable ‘always on’ solution SEAFLOOR MAPPING assumed new importance in which provides a baseline STRATEGY light of the extended range level of connectivity.

With this new strategy, a and scope of operations High Throughput Signal major challenge facing the described.

(HTS) VSAT (Very Small inshore vessels, e.g. RV Put simply: returning Aperture Terminal) better Mallet - an 18m catamaran to port for system known as satellite internet - was the breakdown in troubleshooting would has previously been the marine communications involve significant ongoing plaything of millionaire posed by its new role. delays and associated yacht owners, due to its While traditional costs over the course of reduced antenna size and technologies such as the programme, unless an capability to provide high VHF and AIS performed effective solution beyond speed (up to 10Mbps) their normal functions in written procedures could be connections on demand, terms of safety and vessel implemented. has recently underwent operability, the survey To reflect this, a decision significant developments in aspect of the operations was taken in 2018 to terms of affordability and was significantly affected. leverage recent advances capability.

RV Mallet typically in marine communications VSAT HTS SATELLITE operates as a mobile technology to ensure TECHNOLOGY base of operations for maximum uptime for For the 2019 survey the INFOMAR inshore vessels at sea and season the RV Mallet is fleet, with the senior efficient ship-to- shore currently equipped with a scientist - responsible for communication for KVH V7 HTS-VSAT unit and the effective coordination enhanced logistics and is evaluating the effects and of operations between planning. the benefits of introducing multiple inshore survey As a result, for the HTS - VSAT technology into vessels - using it as the 2019 survey season, its communications and centre of communication RV Mallet has become fleet management system. and planning as well as the project test-bed for a This has been made managing the vessel’s own series of enhanced marine possible by a combination survey activity. communications devices of factors.

On board, the data that have been integrated VSAT technology can acquired from the fleet is to provide a reliable and now be operated under processed and analysed cost-effective solution contract without purchasing for quality, accuracy, new for maintaining essential discoveries and hazards communications in terms of the physical hardware dramatically reducing the to navigation. All of these fleet coordination and the initial set up costs. Under activities have become telepresence of expertise. a new and experimental highly dependent on reliable The integrated contract, RV Mallet has access to the internet. communications system Anyone who works with developed by the INFOMAR unlimited access to an ‘always on’ low speed marine technology and team for RV Mallet satellite internet connection electronics will know: comprises a combination and Sat phone voice over IP computers and the marine of technologies all of communications. environment - do not great which feature recent While the basic upload/ bed-fellows make. advancements in capability download speeds of Much of the core expertise or decreases in price approximately 128kbps developed to date relates to justifying their operation. sounds painfully the ability to troubleshoot, BROADBAND slow, it is more than repair and recognise failure BOOSTERS sufficient for maintaining modes and errors within RV Mallet operates a communications via the sophisticated systems MVG Neptulink broadband messaging apps including and sensors deployed for booster system, designed sending images, email and mapping the Irish seabed. to extend the range of the voice recordings.

For years team members 3G/4G terrestrial mobile Combined with VOIP sat and crews have been broadband signal out to phone communications, able to benefit from this 20nM. The system is the system saw an knowledge with much of it highly effective in most immediate improvement in being transferred over the conditions and uses operational efficiency, which standard pay-as-you go is the effect of not being SIM card devices making it ‘cut off’ from accessing very cost friendly. remote support and online Performance is specific resources. Furthermore, as to the capabilities of the the remainder of the fleet is various mobile provider’s generally within range of the networks. This of course terrestrial 3G/4G networks, varies from location to the effect is that all vessels location, but ensures that can be in permanent the crew of RV Mallet communication throughout generally has access to an operational day. high speed internet (up to The HTS capability of 70Mbps) for a significant the KVH VSAT system period of time once leaving allows RV Mallet to port each day, which access high-speed satellite partially covers transits to internet (download speeds and from site (when most of 10Mbps and upload reporting and downloading speeds of 3Mbps) when occurs). required, albeit for a very waters, to the specialised and highly flexible inshore vessel fleet operated by GSI, which until recently, focused on mapping Irish coastal waters.

As part of a refined Phase 2 strategy, INFOMAR commenced operating components of its inshore fleet far offshore up to (30nm) at the end of 2017 - well beyond the range of normal terrestrial communications.

humble mobile phone via voice call, text message or photo. Without access to this knowledge and experience, the project simply could not operate effectively.

limited amount of data (500MB per month) sufficient however for transferring essential data and documents and for carrying out remote access troubleshooting sessions from shore to ship.

This means that shorebased experts may take control of the various on-board survey systems of RV Mallet for a limited duration. This represents the last word in providing support to the sea-going survey crews whereby complex hardware and software issues may be resolved using remote expertise without costly return trips to port, incurring significant and potentially avoidable downtime.

MARITIME BROADBAND RADIO (MBR)

Also installed on RV Mallet is a Kongsberg Seatex Maritime Broadband Radio (MBR) which remains an experimental technology as far as Ireland is concerned. A licence to operate it was obtained in 2018 from Comreg and will be renewed for 2019 before further testing. This device transmits a high precisionsteered radio beam that allows vessels equipped with MBR to generate a wireless local area network at ranges of up to 50nM! The system enables very high data transfer speeds of up to 25Mbps and provides a closed secure network for streaming data, video and VOIP communications.

Although the device does not supply internet access, it can be set-up to access the RV Mallet’s ‘always on’ uplink from other INFOMAR vessels operating far offshore, multiplying further the impact of HTS VSAT. Indeed, the feasibility of this approach is currently being investigated for deployment in the 2020 season where up to three vessels of the INFOMAR inshore fleet are expected to be capable of carrying out operations out to 30nM.

THE FUTURE

A combination of equipment described provides the INFOMAR inshore survey team with a robust, reliable and state-of-the-art 21st century communications and survey fleet management system. Emergence of this capability is potentially an important development for INFOMAR’s inshore survey operations as they round the south-west waters and progress northwards up along the west coast of Ireland towards the proverbial finish line at Malin Head.

In this environment, fleet logistics are set to become more complex and good communications will be essential to ensuring

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INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

MARINE R&D efficient, reliable and safe operations. The ability to bring existing expertise to bear when required means that crews can be trained with a stronger focus on seafaring than IT management (of which there is still plenty!)

As procedures, protocols and methods for maximising the utility of this system are established and evaluated, their evolution may well play an important role in the INFOMAR programme accomplishing its mapping objectives on time and on cost while also supporting the training of a new generation of Irish seafloor mapping experts.

It is interesting to consider what may happen with this

niche and unique expertise once the INFOMAR programme mapping objectives have been addressed by the end of 2026.

What will become of the knowledge generated through more than a quarter century of Irish seabed mapping endeavours?

Certainly, major areas of Ireland’s marine territory will require re-survey and skills of this kind are always transferable into other industries; by that time, some may even decide they will have had enough of fixing malfunctioning seagoing computers and sensors!

It would be a mistake however to dismiss or take

for granted, the abundance of real and relevant (and hard gained) knowledge that has been generated

by Ireland’s approach to seafloor mapping which has evolved over two decades and is already recognised around the world as exemplary.

Could the future of this know-how be tied up with the ever-increasing interconnectivity of our world and a correspondingly urgent need to increase humanity’s knowledge of the marine environment through baseline seafloor mapping programmes as climate change and pollution threaten marine ecosystems and coastal communities around the world?

As Elon Musk launches the first satellites of his new Starlink system, designed to provide internet access everywhere from space, are there other nations out there who would seize the opportunity to tap into the wealth of experience generated through the INSS and INFOMAR programmes to support seafloor mapping efforts of their own?

It may sound fanciful, but the reality is that communicating via broadband and satellite uplink to RV Mallet 30nM off Baltimore, Co Cork, is no longer very different to communicating (via the same system) with any other vessel, anywhere else in the world.

The revolution continues!

UAV 3D mesh of shoreline in Ballinskelligs Bay, Co Kerry

Combined UAV and high-resolution laser scan point clouds, Bremore Head, Co Dublin

Ireland-Wales project analyses coastal and island archaeology and heritage

Kieran Craven, GSI

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he CHERISH project (Climate, Heritage and Environments of Reefs, Islands and Headlands) – is a €5.2 million fiveyear project funded by the European Union’s Ireland Wales 2014-2020 European Territorial Co-operation (ETC) programme.

The project supports specialist organisations in Ireland and Wales to employ cutting-edge technologies to analyse coastal and island archaeology and heritage

sites most affected by climate change, coastal erosion, storminess and rising sea levels.

Geological Survey Ireland together with the Discovery Programme: Centre for Archaeology and Innovation Ireland (Heritage Council) are collaborating with The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (Project Lead) and Aberystwyth University: Department of Geography and Earth Sciences on this project as well as communities in counties Dublin,Wexford,Waterford and Kerry to disseminate the results and best practice for future climate change adaptation.

Coastal areas experience change via marine processes and other natural and anthropogenic causes.

These changes to coastal geomorphology must be assessed on a range of temporal and spatial scales to understand the evolution of these environments, particularly in the context of projected climate change yielding

increased sea-levels and storm frequency.

SURVEY INSTRUMENTATION

to produce seamless to the laser scan results onshore-offshore maps holds a lot of promise can provide highfor the measurement of For coastlines, high coastal erosion and the performance commercial resolution information DATA ACQUISITION about emergent and creation of risk models survey instrumentation The Geological Survey submergent coastal for increasing storminess including UAV and 3D Ireland has been geomorphology on a and rising sea-levels. scanning equipment acquiring data in these range of scales for use To highlight the are increasingly coastal areas through in coastal mapping, importance of maritime available to coastal bathymetric surveys, monitoring and surveying, RV Keary unmanned aerial vehicle managers, engineers management. has been open to the and researchers. The (UAV) surveys, and The repeatability public during festivals at terrestrial laser scanning. effective integration of afforded by high Arklow, Dunmore East data from these varying Marine surveying has precision scanning and Kilmore Quay. More continued with 150 km2 of sources is a challenge instruments enables of these are planned that the CHERISH bathymetric coverage in effective mapping and around the coast.

CHERISHareas.Thislargely project is addressing by To find out more, visit completes the bathymetric linking multiple onshore monitoring of change over time at a range of our website at http:// surveys along the east and and offshore datasets. spatial scales. The use Provisional results south coasts of Ireland, www.cherishproject. of UAV and bathymetry including8km2 surveyedin analysing the use of eu/en/, or follow us on data to provide context SmerwickHarbour,CoKerry. photogrammetry via facebook and twitter. and additional insight UAVs and 3D scan data In August 2018, in an Irish coastal setting marine surveys became to produce high quality international with RV Keary travelling to Wales 3D representations of the coastline are promising. to survey 12km2 of the These products extend seabed. Results include and complement acoustic an almost seamless onshore-offshore map of bathymetric data from the Irish national seabed Puffin Island, which we mapping programme hope to complete using (INFOMAR) run by UAVs. Geological Survey Ireland Another Wales survey in partnership with the is planned for 2019.

Marine Institute to map UAV surveys have been conductedinBremoreHead, Ireland’smarineandcoastal Co Dublin, Kimichael Point, regions.

Preliminary results Co Wexford,Bunmahon,Co WaterfordandBallinskelligs, indicate that combining multiple techniques Co Kerry.

UAV photogrammetry survey: Bremore Head, Co Dublin

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INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

COASTLINE NEWS

High court rejects mechanical kelp harvesting injunction Gillian Mills

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s Justice Deirdre Murphy of the High Court has declined to grant an injunction that would block extraction of mechanical harvesting of seaweed in Bantry Bay.

In 2017, BioAtlantis Aquamarine Ltd, a Tralee-based biotechnology company was granted a foreshore licence from the Minister for Housing to harvest more than 1,860 acres.

John Casey, a member of the Bantry Bay – Protect our Native Kelp Forests, a West Cork community organisation, had sought

the injunction. The case was heard over ten days in the High Court.

Impact on the marine environment, consequences for accelerated coastal erosion, degeneration of tourism and potential threat to the livelihoods of over fifty inshore fishermen, are among their concerns.

CHANGE OF USE

Representing the applicant, James Devlin SC argued that the proposed extraction constituted an ‘alteration’ and/or a ‘material change of use’ under the terms of the Planning and Development Act 2000, and should therefore legally be classified as ‘development’.

As this ‘development’ adjoins the functional area of a planning authority, he contended that by law it could not proceed without planning permission.

Ms Justice Murphy however rejected this argument, holding that the Oireachtas has seen fit to establish two separate regulatory regimes. The Planning Acts regulate human activity whereas the world flora and fauna of the sea are regulated by Ministerial Licence.

The Justice pointed out that many situations existed where both a licence and planning permission can be required, such as a pier extension. If BioAtlantis was proposing to construct a ramp out

to the kelp forests, that would require both planning permission and a foreshore licence, she added.

Given that the proposed harvesting mechanism was entirely waterborne, the activity in the court’s view was more akin to fishing, and thus required a licence but not planning permission.

ANTIQUATED LEGISLATION

“It is astonishing that an experimental, industrial-scale activity

like this should be regulated by such antiquated legislation,’ remarked Tomás O’Sullivan, a member of Bantry Bay – Protect our Native Kelp Forests.

“The Foreshore Act is over 85-years-old and its provisions are primarily concerned with traditional handharvesting and the removal of seaweed from beaches and piers.

“If – as Judge Murphy pointed out – the mechanical extraction of thousands of tonnes

of seaweed from Bantry Bay is akin to commercial fishing, then why on earth has BioAtlantis received their foreshore licence from the Minister for Housing and not from the Minister for the Marine?”

John Casey has also initiated a Judicial Review of the licence, which will begin in the High Court before Ms Justice Murphy on June 25. The case is expected to last for two to three days.

BACKGROUND

I

n November 2017, Minister of State Damien English approved a foreshore licence to cut 1,860 acres of wild native kelp forest in Bantry Bay which protesters say would be the largest mechanical extraction of seaweed ever attempted in Ireland or Britain.

Bantry Bay - Protect our Native Kelp Forests, said government ‘has seen fit to issue this licence without any Environmental Impact Assessment, without any independent monitoring system and without any effective public consultation’.

It contends that instead, ‘[the application] seems to be viewed as a trial case’ to set the precedent for future development of Ireland’s seaweed resources.

‘Minister English himself told the Dáil on May 9, 2017, “I believe this will be a useful prototype to be able to monitor and in making decisions for the future. ‘

STUDY FINDINGS

A 2005 study by the National Parks and Wildlife Services, The Role of Kelp in the Marine Environment concluded: ‘In general, mechanical kelp harvesting should not be conducted near important breeding bird colonies,

near important sites for wintering shorebirds and waterfowl or near important staging areas for migratory birds.’

The report also notes: ‘It is clear that licensing of mechanical harvesting on an area of seafloor will effectively sacrifice resident biological communities from reaching their natural equilibrium.’

And contends: ‘The development of a mechanical kelp industry in Ireland would present a challenge for fisheries management in terms of marine biodiversity as it could impact on the habitat of species that have not previously received much attention scientifically.

Despite a protest of over 500 people on the shores of Bantry Bay and a petition of more than 14,000 signatures ‘the government’s only response has been to repeat that this licence was lawfully granted.’

Ilen visits Dublin Bay after 20-year absence Gillian Mills

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small wooden ketch sailed quietly into Dublin Bay in mid-May after a 21-year absence. Not many of the onlookers perhaps knew the story of this 52ft boat that had left Irish shores over seventy years ago to endure service in the turbulent waters of the Southern Ocean.

Ilen was located at the remote island by Gary Mahon who had discovered the whereabouts of the famous boat, built and skippered by fellow Limerick man Conor O’Brien, also patriot, adventurer and author.

Following a 12,000mile journey back to her native West Cork, Ilen was restored to painstaking detail by master shipwright Liam Hegarty

in Oldcourt, Skibbereen.

Back in her native waters, the Ilen Project now offers young people of all walks of life a platform for team-building and personal development through a sailing experience where equality is absolute on the water.

VOYAGE TO DUBLIN A group from Aiséirí

(a dynamic residential treatment centre for adults affected by addiction) joined Ilen in Dunmore East, bound for Dublin. The ‘voyage of recovery’ was arranged

by Sailing into Wellness - an organisation with a mission to inspire positive change in individuals and communities through the medium of sailing.

In July, Ilen sets sail from Limerick bound for Western Greenland with youths on board from both shores, in the wake of the wild Atlantic salmon. This educational and outdoor adventure programme will unfold in schools, through boat building workshops community days, along with river, sea and ocean sailing.

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COASTLINE NEWS

Housing on off-shore islands: a serious challenge to sustainability Rhoda Twombly

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ack of affordable housing, and indeed any type of housing, is a country-wide problem, affecting both Islands and mainland Ireland. Housing is a serious challenge for the Islands, threatening sustainability and quality of life. This deficit is a roadblock to growth: where there is a lack of affordable, suitable housing, communities won’t have the ability to attract or maintain a resident population.

Unlike the mainland, an Islander cannot look to the next town over for a home: they must leave their Island.

A number of factors create housing shortages on Islands.

Islanders often face planning refusal as large areas of their

Island may be designated SAC (Special Area of Conservation), NHA (National Heritage Areas) or SPA (Special Protection Areas). The regulations on site size, placement and house design are complex. Generally, for a new build, reports on environmental impact are required. On top of the complexity and expense of the planning application, sites available to buy are few and building on Islands is at least a third more expensive due to the cost of transporting building materials (and sometimes builders) from the mainland.

SECOND HOMES

As is common on the mainland, especially in rural holiday-driven villages, the few Island properties that do come up for sale are often purchased by people who can afford a second home. This pushes up property prices, putting them beyond the

reach of the local bidder.

Seasonality is another contributing factor. It is generally easy to rent a house through the off-season months but – and this is understandable – it is far more lucrative to short-term let during the summer, leaving the full-time resident “out in the cold.”

It is felt that housing and planning policies should be Island-proofed and be governed by the principle of facilitating islanders to remain on the island, while also protecting the environment and encouraging the use of clean, renewable energy. Many of the Islands are suffering from declining populations and community groups are keen for their emigres to return home. The availability of housing is key not only for returned Islanders but for those working on but not necessarily from the island – Gardaí, nurses, teachers, etc..

Arranmore Island

All of these people should be enabled and encouraged to stay on their chosen Island.

ISLAND HOUSING POLICY

There is no national policy on Island housing. Solutions DECLINING by the four county councils POPULATION involved vary widely, from Arranmore Island, like none at all to minimal most Irish Islands, has a involvement. People requiring declining population. Their council housing have been Community Council is allocated houses on the working to attract Islanders mainland by at least two now living on mainland of the counties in direct Ireland as well as getting the opposition to any concept message out to the diaspora of sustainability. An Islander of islanders in America and cannot look to an alternative Australia that Arranmore town if there is no council is a great place to settle. housing available nearby.

With the recent launch of Obviously, this has a hugely high-speed broadband from negative effect on any Island Three Ireland, Arranmore struggling to keep Island is promoted as the perfect families home and attract place to work remotely. The emigres back. island now has what many That is not to say that there city-dwellers are looking for: are no programmes in place a safe, beautiful place to raise to help this situation, but children, a solid education there can be a lack of will or system, friendly neighbours funding to follow through. The and the ability to work from Repair and Leasing Scheme home – no commute, no (RLS) under the Rebuilding pollution and no maddening Ireland programme aims to crowds. So far Arranmore’s bring vacant properties up community council has to standard to make them received hundreds of available for social housing. enquiries from people Owners can have repair interested in relocation. payments made upfront by the Housing stock could prove RLS as long as that property to be a problem depending is then available for social on the numbers wanting to housing rental for a period of move to the Donegal Island. not less than five years.

There are a small number Investigating the possible of houses available at the use of this scheme on their moment but it is hoped islands, Cork County Council that recently closed homes determined that the €40,000 could be revamped and available for repairs per house made ready for occupation. was too low as renovation The Community Council and building work is far is currently researching more expensive on Islands. the possibility of this with Cork Council has applied to current owners. It is hoped the Department of Housing that once a few houses are for increased RLS funding made available in this way for all off-shore islands. It is momentum for the project felt that councils that have will build. The success of responsibility for Islands the project could in turn should be given more national encourage other Islands to funding to allow them to go down the same road to properly maintain and boost sustainability. improve Island infrastructure

in general.

Additional funding could be used to emulate the work done on Rathlin Island to increase social housing stock.

The Gort Beag social housing scheme was completed in 2012, comprising 10 houses that are designed for Island weathers and are 44% more energy efficient than required by building regulation standards. It was won sustainability awards, including the National Champion at the 2016 Green Apple Awards for Ireland for its contribution to sustainability. A public consultation has now opened to gather opinion on another housing scheme to deliver ten more homes.

RING-FENCED FUNDING

Looking across the Irish Sea, Scotland has ring-fenced £5 million for islands housing projects. The funds have two parts: the main fund for provision of new affordable housing, and refurbishment of existing empty properties and a small fund to carry out feasibility studies. Even a slightly smaller version of this would be a huge boost to the Irish Islands housing supply.

Government and County Councils must look for new solutions or at least make existing programs work.

They need to look at models such as the Community Land Trust, operating with great success in Scotland, England and mainland Europe as are other housing trusts.

The Board of Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann noted, “There are answers out there and Island communities, county councils and national government must avail of them as well as creating innovative solutions.”

Joint project to unlock cultural potential of Irish and Welsh ports

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four-year IrishWelsh project aims to unlock the cultural potential of the ports of Dublin and Rosslare alongside Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke Dock. The research will explore their cultures, traditions and histories to enable their cultural heritages become a driver of economic growth.

‘Ports, Past and Present: Cultural Crossing between Ireland and Wales’ is a joint initiative with University College Cork and Wexford County Council in Ireland, and Aberystwyth University and the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, University of Wales Trinity

would help turn five Welsh and Irish ports into “vibrant tourist destinations” in their own right: “Our ports make a crucial contribution to our economy – providing jobs and added-value to local communities.”

UK and Welsh businesses depend on ports to move their goods “efficiently and quickly” between Wales and Ireland, he added.

“This new project will help enhance our ports even further, by bringing their unique cultural heritage to life…”

Professor Claire Connolly, UCC said a “rich vein of culture” already existed in Irish TOURISM POTENTIAL and Welsh ports: Eluned Morgan, Welsh “There has been a movement Minister for International of people between Ireland and Relations, described the project Wales for thousands of years as “incredibly exciting” and for reasons of trade, leisure, Saint David, in Wales.

The €2.6m project will work with tourism stakeholders and local communities to improve awareness of the ports’ historical significance.

Creative works in the visual arts, literature and film will be commissioned to bring these histories to life, while digital technology will be deployed to engage new audiences in the heritage.

New tourism activities will be developed, while a joint Irish and Welsh tourism network will be established to develop economic growth in the ports.

religious, political and family, and also in times of war.”

Professor Peter Merriman, Aberystwyth University, said the study would “uncover hidden histories and heritage of the seas and ports and past journeys”; while Dr Mary-Ann Constantine, University of Wales Trinity Saint David said with the available potential, the port communities would “help bring stories to life”.

George Colfer, coastal engineer with Wexford County Council said the Welsh-Irish link was very important to the south east region.

The project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Programme 2014-2020 and is led by UCC.

Back row L-R Dr Mary-Ann Constantine, University of Wales Trinity St David; Breda Curran, Southern Regional Assembly; George Colfer, Wexford County Council; Conor Delaney, University College Cork Front row L-R Prof Claire Connolly,University College Cork; Prof Peter Merriman, Aberystwyth University; Billy Byrne, Wexford County Council; Dr Elizabeth Edwards, University of Wales Trinity St David; Allen White, University College Cork

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COASTLINE NEWS

Ireland must ratify the Cape Town Agreement and other international regulation to protect its citizens approximately 3,600 fishing vessels of 24m in length and above operating on the high seas, were against reland must ratify the Agreement’s entrythe Cape Town into-force conditions.

Agreement for Ireland signed the fishing boat safety in international waters and 2012 Agreement in Cape protect its rescue services Town but has still notified ratified the Convention. from unnecessary and Ratification would: sometimes dangerously hazardous long-distance ›› protect Ireland’s rescue services from being call outs. called out unnecessarily Ratification will also help ›› save thousands of the world reduce illegal, lives in the fishing unreported and unregulated industry worldwide fishing by establishing ›› help create internationally-binding internationally-binding safety standards for safety standards fishing vessels. Further applicable to foreign delay is unacceptable. registered fishing The agreement is an vessels, giving ‘Port State amended version of Control’ ability to binding the 1993 Torremolinos States to check fishing Protocol, which in turn is vessels for IUU activity an amendment of the 1977 ›› help reduce the Torremolinos International abundance of slavery Convention for the Safety on fishing vessels of Fishing Vessels ›› help reduce plastic Almost seven years after wastefrom fishing vessels its adoption, the Agreement ending up in Irish waters, has still not entered into through implementation force, despite repeated of the safety measures. pleas by the International Plastic waste from Maritime Organisation’s fishing vessels accounts Maritime Safety Committee, for up to 15% of total Council and Assembly, plastics in our oceans and the sustained efforts ›› help protect Ireland’s of the IMO Secretariat fishing sector by to increase awareness of implementing its positive impact and IUU measures and explain its provisions. avoid European and Only 11 States to date, other markets from with approximately 1,413 being flooded with fishing vessels combined, illegally caught fish, have consented to be which is widespread bound by the Agreement. and a multibillionAnother 22 States, with

Michael Kingston

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dollar industry.

During October 21-23 in Torremolinos, an important ministerial conference is taking place, aimed at getting the Convention over the line once and for all.

The conference is being organised by the IMO in conjunction with Pew Charitable Trusts, the Government of Spain (as host nation) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

I am on the organising committee, and the IMO secretary has invited Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, to attend. Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Michael Creed is also invited.

I write this article as I attend IMO Maritime Safety Committee Meeting 101 as an advisor in the Government of Iceland Delegation. Iceland’s Statement at MSC 101 was simple, responsible, and to the point: ‘Iceland fully supports the Torremolinos Conference in October and encourages all States to do so, and to ratify the Cape Town Agreement.

Iceland thanks IMO, Spain, FAO and PEW for their efforts.

We have a responsibility to protect our rescue services from being called out unnecessarily, hundreds of miles, to vessels that are sub-standard, because we have not exercised our

New marine plan will eliminate foreshore and planning duplication Gillian Mills

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n interdepartmental draft statement on a marine policy for Ireland is a ‘true recognition of the importance of a fully-integrated marine planning system’.

Sheeps Head, West Cork

The statement, which was launched at the ‘Our Ocean Wealth Summit’ 2019, invites public consultation by August 9.

Damien English, Minister for State for Housing and Urban Development, said government’s vision was for an integrated, holistic system “with clear, forward planning, development management and enforcement elements”.

This, he said, “would promote and sustain ocean health and support sustainable (recreational) enjoyment, management and use of Ireland’s marine resource”.

The Marine Planning Policy Statement describes the existing components of Ireland’s marine planning system and outlines a vision for development.

Iceland Delegation to IMO Maritime Safety Committee 101, Michael Kingston, Advisor, Hjalti Hreinsson, Advisor, Sverrir Konráðsson, Head of Delegation influence and international responsibility, as well as an obligation to try and reduce the alarming number of fishing vessel deaths each year around the world. And, as the Secretary General so well pointed out yesterday, we must reduce marine litter from fishing vessels.’

Iceland has consistently ratified the Conventions since the original Torremolinos Convention in 1977.

It seems to me there is a complete failure to understand the importance of maritime safety regulation in Ireland.

It set outs the overarching policies and principles that government expects the relevant marine planning bodies and public bodies to observe, in terms of public engagement, transparency, governance, environmental assessment, climate action, social and economic benefit.

In addition to failing to ratify the Cape Town Agreement, Ireland has not ratified several other conventions, and many SOLAS amendments. We haven’t even implemented SOLAS provisions for specialist ships carrying dangerous cargo, or fire-fighting provisions on International passenger ships, which could be catastrophic for our environment.

In response to my article: Inshore Ireland (Summer 2017) ‘Safety will not stand still for Ireland’ in which I raised all these issues, the

statutory marine planning guidelines, parallel to statutory planning guidelines under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

It will improve the statutory basis for forward planning and introduce a single State consent system for the maritime area for HIGH-LEVEL certain project types.

PRIORITIES The Bill also eliminates The MPPS also outlines ‘high- duplication in the level priorities’ to enhance management process the entire planning process (including environmental to achieve a system that it assessment) for projects ‘more integrated, fully plan-led, currently assessed under clearly structured and userforeshore and planning friendly for all users. regimes including offshore Ireland’s obligation to renewable energy achieve or maintain ‘good development. environmental status’ DEVELOPMENT and its obligations under FRAMEWORK environmental law ‘can be Tánaiste and Minister for supported through a wellfunctioning marine planning Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney said the plan system’. and the Bill will provide “the The National Marine comprehensive and efficient Planning Framework ‘will framework for offshore be essential to effecting development identified the transition, along with by ‘Harnessing our Ocean a Marine Planning and Wealth’ that he launched in Development Bill, due to 2012. publish shortly’.

That report identified the The Bill gives power to need for an overarching the Minister for Housing, national marine spatial plan Planning and Local underpinned by an efficient Government to introduce

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport indicated that the matter was ‘being reviewed’.

This serious blockage in the system needs to be addressed urgently through a root and branch review, given that ratification of the regulation which would protect lives, and achieve the enormously important aims of the International Community, is clearly not being prioritised Failure to ratify has had fatal consequences, and this delay is simply not acceptable.

planning and licensing framework.

Eogan Murphy, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government said the statement reflected “the holistic approach to terrestrial and marine planning” led by his department.

This policy framework, along with the two Bills, “will ensure the proper integration of environmental, economic and social considerations in marine decision-making processes that serve all interests fairly”.

Marine Minister Michael Creed said the new system “will support the maintenance and sustainable development” of the seafood industry “particularly in recognition of our strong fishing heritage and its contribution to sustainable coastal and island communities”.

Climate Action Minister, Richard Bruton, said the new plan will enable Ireland meet its renewable energy targets “and make Ireland more climate resilient, assisting the transition to a low carbon economy”.

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INSHORE IRELAND | SUMMER 2019

OUTSIDE IRELAND

Hands Across the Water: EU and North African small-scale fishers join hands with EU Ministers to address common problems in the Mediterranean and Black Sea both men and women all along the value chain from hook to plate With appropriate capacity building, financial arrakech, and infrastructure support, Morocco. 12 organisational structures, June 2019: policies tailored to the Today in needs of the sector, Marrakech, Morocco, representatives of small- the possibility to share their knowledge, and a scale fishers from the dedicated voice in the European Union and decisions that affect them, North Africa committed small-scale fishers and to working together to fishery workers could enable Mediterranean make a world of difference small-scale fishers, men and women, to fulfil their in a sea of trouble.

The small-scale sector roles as guardians of the sea through engagement comprises the vast majority of fisheries in the region, in the implementation with 80% of the vessels by in the Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) on Small- number employing 60% of the workers and landing scale Fisheries for the Mediterranean and Black 24% of the catch by value.

Sea1.

Within the framework CENTRE STAGE of a formal Memorandum LIFE and the PMPA were of Understanding, the participants in the HighMaghrebian Platform level Conference on the for Small scale Fisheries MedFish4Ever initiative, (PMPA) and the Low organised by the General Impact Fishers of Europe Fisheries Commission for (LIFE) undertake to: the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (GFCM) and hosted by the ›› cooperate and promote Kingdom of Morocco2. good governance and best sustainable The event comes two fishery practice years after fisheries ›› participate in policyministers from making and decisionMediterranean coastal taking processes in order States met in Malta and to reach consensus on took a joint pledge to save management needs and the Mediterranean fish support measures for stocks and protect the small scale fisheries region’s ecological and ›› create the necessary economic wealth under the policy space to enable MedFish4Ever initiative3. small-scale low impact Opening the conference, fisheries to flourish, and and under the shadow provide viable livelihoods of the international day and decent work for all marking the scourge fishery sector workers of illegal, undeclared and future generations and unreported (IUU) ›› develop and implement fishing, Madame Zakia common projects and Driouich, Secretary initiatives in support General, Maritime of small-scale low Fisheries Department impact fishing and of Morocco, described the diversification of the Mediterranean as activities, supporting reaching the point of no

Brian O’Riordan, Lifeplatform

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return – unless joint action was taken now. Smallscale fishers are ready to take up the challenge.

In the MedFish4Ever declaration signed in 2017 in Malta, ministers made small-scale fisheries a policy priority. They committed themselves to supporting sustainable small-scale fisheries by targeting support to local projects such as fleet upgrade with low-impact techniques and fishing gear, social inclusion and the contribution of fishermen to environmental protection.

One year later, again in Malta, these ministers signed a Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) for Small scale Fisheries. The 10-point RPOA establishes objectives, principles and concrete actions that should be applied to ensure the long-term environmental, economic and social sustainability of small-scale fisheries.

The RPOA recognises the important cultural heritage and status of small-scale fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. It takes into account their regional specificities, experience, knowledge and contribution to the cultural heritage of local communities.

The MedFish4Ever Declaration and RPOA highlight the need for States and civil society across the Mediterranean and Black Sea region to work together to solve joint problems. The shared nature of the Mediterranean Sea and its resources mean that the problems besetting it can only be resolved through joint commitment and joint action.

THE SCOURGE OF IUU

Addressing a session on Social Development and Decent Work at the conference, Yassine Skandrani, General Secretary of the PMPA, said that to fulfil their role as guardians of the sea, small-scale fishers need to be well organised.

“This requires support for the formation and development of effective professional organisations, social protection, and modernisation, including dedicated infrastructure.”

The session highlighted that the often-informal nature of the activity, especially the lack of decent working conditions and social protection, were the lifeblood of IUU fishing.

According to Marta Cavalle, LIFE’s Coordinator for the Mediterranean and Black Sea, “Despite the wealth of knowledge, historical and current, within the sector on the marine environment and the status of fish stocks, the exclusion of small-scale fisheries at the decisionmaking table has led to many misconceptions about the sector.

“With our North African and other partners, LIFE wants to bring small-scale fishers from the periphery to the centre stage, to build their capacity as agents of positive change and to join with authorities in the co-management of their fishing grounds and resources.”

The two platforms represent small-scale fishers from European Union and North African countries. Member countries of the PMPA include Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania.

As an organisation of organisations, LIFE represents organisations from 15 EU Member States, with members in the Mediterranean countries of Italy, Cyprus, Croatia, France, Spain and Malta.

SMALL-SCALE SOLUTIONS

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the world’s busiest waterways, accounting for 15% of global shipping activity, with significant impact on the environment.

The region that borders the Mediterranean is the world’s most popular tourist destination, attracting approximately one third of the world’s international tourists.

Tourists outnumber local populations 4:1 and are growing, putting pressure on

resources and generating significant pollution.

Cruise tourism is on the rise, with unquantified economic, social, environmental, cultural and political effects.

These and other impacts

- from climate change, marine litter, invasive species and petroleum extraction - must also be taken into account when trying to tackle overfishing and related ecosystem impacts.

1. http://www.fao.org/gfcm/news/detail/en/c/1154586/ ; http://lifeplatform.eu/expectations_med_blacksea/ 2. http://www.fao.org/gfcm/meetings/MedFish4Ever/objectives/ en/ ; http://www.fao.org/gfcm/news/detail/en/c/1197298/ 3. https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/inseparable/en/ medfish4ever#quicktabs-medfish4ever=0

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The Marine & Freshwater Environment

Inshore Fisheries (Heritage Licence) Bill

Page13

Gery Flynn

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new representative organisation for the fishing industry that is being backed by the Producer Organisations has also been welcomed by key State agencies including the Marine Institute, the

Harbour Innovation Campus for Dún Laoghaire

Pages 14-16

SFPA and BIM which is acting as secretariat.

“The initiative to set up the National Fisheries Development Group came from within the fishing industry and was conceived by people who felt there was need for a new organisation a help them with their day-to- to day working lives,” Dr Peter Tyndall, the group’s chairman exclusively told Inshore Ireland.

“The NFDG is not a producer organisation and it’s not going to conflict in any way with existing organisations. It was set up by fishermen who saw the need for a body that would provide financial advice; and give advice on workers’ rights; employment law; health and pension schemes, social welfare entitlements as well as education and

Publication

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training. A National Fishermen’s Register is also proposed,” he explained.

According to Tyndall, who took up the role a few months ago, practical topics like these are constant issues facing fishermen: “Even before I was approached, fishermen had already talked to their POs and to the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF)

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EU h tra nts acc ing ad nister lan ded it togeth the en Ire wit t, op wa d , Mi He adtors work s to be ads linkedthe UK ean marke In theel Creed , Food an h “If Europ linked wit all secr minister t the he nt Micha riculture inted tons” en chief “Fo , so tha ernme to thehas to ber fisherm for Ag rine, pol concer ive gov ghue, egs m that for ou ters.

Irish fishing vessels in UK effect te and er’s tea tise im Dono Killyb n, the Ma ry rea two key ess O’ for Sta es cla ; every wa rni ori tio “ve eventuality. acc itish waters is more than 30%. of Mr Ba isa Seán of the the outlined intainingand the EU and Ireland. d pri ential leagu 1973 ‘It is little wonder that to Br ritish col ated in d exit regarding implementation executiveen’s Organ and rstand an l be ess ing “We cannot countenance and tives: ma shares .

An Explanatory a Br M’s sol che “B wil the de ess at rm marine jec ota it ath fish and re of seafood he un the ce a situation whereby this Commission’s ob we es, He Fis speaking of BI nferen Memorandum, Withdrawal lly g qu ited of acc trict ge 6 sectors are getting edgy and they Edward fisheri ve a un nationa Contingency s Action Plan. access might stop at 11pm existin g rightspts to resd was ng ahead od Co » pa of the United Kingdom from the t el.” ha both Mill n nervous as there is a genuine stin attem tha lev afo an efi we n Under on March 29,” Seán exi Se ‘Taxation’, ry e. bri nal hts ean European Union (Consequential Gillia Jun Flyn perception of lack of planning “Any sting rig l be d that industat Europ amendments O’Donoghue warned.

Natio end of t that have been ery Provisions) Bill 2019 states r exi ents wil d an that on the part of government. and the ded tha ng to the &G made to seek to ou ge February 5, 2019: In a at iste ensure ss, is em would ka that ng be ‘impossible lin n acce ‘It is essential that the He adms relati ries Policy PEAN E entitl uously res measureshecontinue O of statement, deputy Pat the insisti rt of the de is in a no-deal scenario to hting apply he Minister and government tweeanto EURO PECTIVann, CE d tra ity” stren y I will befor m pa ns.” to existingbebeneficiaries Cope Gallagher, Leas-Cheann proble on Fis ed’ as figwould maintain the current seamless in the ior immediately take on board PERS Wichm is wh es must gotiatio tlined event the UK Commbe “park o fronts . quota r pr an EU Comhairle and Fianna islea longer arrangements between the Niels the genuine concerns of the fisheri trade ne also ou EU d Member State must ttle on twly crazy” ing a “cor an Fáil marine spokesperson e in a European EU and UK across a full er ter the fish tiv sh h nis entire ba wid ute marine ec Iri State. a l sector’ and Economic wit mi questions the ‘lack of er sa sol which anArea range of sectors, which is The cussions , Miche persp, warn d’s for greater consultation with be “abo matter in - wheth l, Section from pe reference’ to the marine sector tor 28an of tal theks currently facilitated by our Taxes “N you’re demersa s Irelan his dis negotia fisheries sector, he added.

Consolidation EuroBrexitAct in the contingency plan: e in cie common EU membership.’ ur1997 chief February 23, 2019: While . sector pelagic, xed spe er figFisher the that gthe ensures t ‘With the ever-concerning This single omnibus Bill ustryTax din ind abou t government remains focused you’re sh or mi l disast Creditlea lack of progress being made remains g available on I talk forg abou comprises 15 parts relating securing an orderly and agreed shellfi t is a rea g.” to fishin work carried when by the UK Parliament in talkin talking t on matters within the remit of wron notcertain “Andout - Brexi Brexit through ratification of no I’m fishing vessels terms of agreeing a final does that are nine ministers and focusses de, I’m de - - we candoes if it the Withdrawal Agreement traon on registered d traregisters. de exit plan from the EU, and it UK measures that protect citizens al trakage. If between the EU and the UK, seafoo r.”

February less and less time available t tot2019: 25, ove and ou lin support is the t economy, the government’s ‘Contingency ab tha game Fishing representatives to have an orderly exist from enterprise and jobs. The Bill break en, the Action Plan’ published on will meet with the EU by the UK., there marine is intended to be ‘consistent is happ this date recognises that a minister Michael now an immediate urgency Creed with and complementary ‘no-deal’ Brexit would pose on February 25 to prepare and necessity on the Irish to’ steps currently underway ‘unprecedented challenges’ for a no-deal Brexit and government to prepare to prepare for the UK’s for the UK, as well as for withdrawal, notably www.inshore-ireland.com or you can follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com /inshore_ireland and Facebook www.facebook.c om/InshoreIrelan

€1.5bn to the Irish economy.

Ireland’s two largest fisheries, mackerel (60%) and nephrops/prawns (40%) are hugely dependent

on access to UK waters.

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