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Peter Whelan, SFPA
Special Report Freebies, boilies and bivvies
Freshwater Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 & 11 Aquaculture News . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Ð 19 Seafood Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Ð 21 Marine R&D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Island tax haven claim rejected Page 14-15
Pages 8-9
Page 22-23
August 2008 Vol 4 Issue 4
 dara U  s defends proposed `radical' reforms
Kilmore Quay on designated ports list FROM 2 August, Kilmore
By Gery Flynn
Quay has been included in
UÂDARaÂS na Gaeltachta has described as `radical' a plan it has submitted to the Commission on Taxation calling for a raft of tax-based incentives to be implemented to breathe new economic life into Ireland's island-based communities.
the list of designated ports
when the Department of Com-
Killeen said that a review
for vessels targeting monkfish;
Affairs
Rural
and
(DCRGA)
soon as the necessary Statutory Instrument is made, which
living on
and
the
of
tion
sider
ermen
Depending on the outcome, said
should
be
I
requested considered
that it in
the
context of the next two Budgets.''
* To page 2
other
ports
ing System (VMS) being installed by the SFPA may provide
more
scope
to
extend the number of de-
disposed towards it. The Minand
any
Killeen consider
``A new Vessel Monitor-
had
he said, was ``very favourably
plan,
would
should be designated.
discussed all the aspects with  amon O  CuõÂv, whom, Minister E
ister is very supportive of the
Minister
he
whether
seriously
consider this proposal.'' he
maintaining
ject fish stocks''.
is for the Minister for Finance
how
while
that will continue to pro-
concerned, I think the first step
revealed
amendments
an effective control regime
``As far as the Government is
He
if
ance the interests of fish-
Ireland.
to
and
should be made to ``bal-
between now and  dara September,'' U  s CEO Pa  hAola draig O  in told Inshore
advisers
underway
end of October, will con-
``I
plan
his
Fishermen
due for completion by the
on Taxation will be examining
and
Irish
currently
understand that the Commission our
of
(FIF) of designated ports,
doing
islands.
`later
requested by the Federa-
it
an accurate picture of the real of
expected
Fisheries Minister Tony
that will, for the first time, give
business
is
this month'.
was about to fund a major study
cost
Schull
The three ports may also
Gaeltacht revealed
and
be used to land hake, as
It submitted its plan at a time
munity,
Kinsale
have also been included.
signated ports. In advance
LEADING THE FLEET
* An Mhaighdean Mhara (The Mermaid)
of completion of the review, however, no further leading the fleet at Cuan an Fhir Mho  ir (see page 26). PICTURE: Traditional Boats of Ireland
designations
would
made,'' he said.
Strength in Unity for all Aquaculture Producers Join to-day - call 01-4508755 or visit our web site www.ifa.ie Home of The Irish Salmon Growers’ Association The Irish Trout Producers’ Group & The Irish Shellfish Association
be
2
INSHORE IRELAND August 2008
NEWS
`Exchequer must bankroll emergency package' Ð FIF By Gillian Mills
THE Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) says it is `regrettable' that emergency aid agreed by the Commission to help alleviate fishermen throughout the EU will not be available until 2009, ``particularly when some EU countries with large domestic allocations under the EFF will be in a position to provide their own funding to their own fleets this autumn. This should not prevent immediate action in Ireland,'' remarked FIF chairman Gerard O'Flynn. ``The package of measures must proceed now, with Exchequer funding if necessary, irrespective of the acknowledged deterioration in the public finances.
* PaÂdraig OÂ hAolaÂin * From page 1
Responding to questions from O hAola in rejected outright the suggestions that despite being dressed up in sophisticated economic language, the plan was merely another exercise in feather-bedding marginal communities or, worse, just a crude attempt to create a tax haven culture on
Inshore Ireland,
``FIF cannot accept that Irish fishermen can be disadvantaged vis-aÁ-vis their Continental counterparts.'' FIF expects the Irish Government to move to implement temporary tie-up aid `in the coming weeks' as the only way to ensure the short-term survival of a large portion of the sector. ``FIF will take every action open to it to ensure that the necessary funding is made available,'' he said. Tony Killeen, Minister with responsibility for fisheries, has welcomed changes to EU state aid rules, allowing more flexibility with emergency funding. But, he expressed `serious disappointment' at the Commission's slow progress in releasing
funds and the `high level of resistance' expressed by some member states. During the Fisheries Council meeting last month, the Minister made the case for countries, such as Ireland, that do not have uncommitted EU funding available to implement the measures: ``Ireland has committed in excess of its available EFF of 42m for 2007 to 2013 for the permanent scrapping of fishing vessels, which has been my first priority in order to strengthen the economics of the fleet,'' he said. ``In these circumstances, it is clear that Ireland would meet the criteria set by the Commission under which additional funds can be made available later this year.''
The Commission has reiterated its commitment that an additional 600m could be made available to member states that have only received a small share of the EFF and have also used any amounts received primarily to scrap vessels. ``I had hoped to introduce a package of measures this autumn, but there wasn't an adequate response to my demand,'' he said. ``I do not consider it fair that our fleet would be directly competing with the fleets of other member states who would receive aid as a result of the relaxation of state aid rules and because they are in receipt of large EU budgets under the EFF. This, I believe, amounts to unfair competition,'' he said.
Ireland's offshore islands. ``It has nothing to do with creating tax havens at all; that is a different concept altogether. I don't think that any objective assessment of the way the islands are treated could be seen as being feather-bedded in any way,'' OÂ hAolaÂin said. He argued that, if implemented, the plan would provide the Government with an opportunity to boost the efforts that UÂdaraÂs na Gaeltachta and other agencies and departments were already making to create the basis for sustainable development on the islands. He said: ``This is a major challenge under current European aid guidelines which effectively limit State aid to
the islands to more or less the same levels as is available on the mainland. ``In my opinion, this is not only disadvantageous, it is also discriminatory. That's a matter of opinion, of course, but it's my opinion,'' he declared. He added that despite recent progress in developing island infrastructure, it was clear that unless something radical was done soon, their downward population trend would continue. ``The last three censuses show a continuing decline in island population, despite the fact that access, infrastructure, air and ferry services have greatly improved over the past 10 years,'' he said.
``There is no doubt that their cost of living is much higher than on the mainland'', which, he said, placed islands at ``a huge disadvantage'' as locations to set up new businesses. ``Scientifically-based surveys are available to show that the cost of living is 25% to 30% higher on the islands and that in
Department response
Ireland asked the Department to respond to FIF's call for Exchequer intervention. It replied as follows: `The Ministers and officials of this Department have always acted in the best interests of the Irish fishing industry and have taken every avenue open to them to forward the case for additional EU funds to alleviate the current crisis. `While appreciating the frustration of our fishermen at the apparent slowness in the reaction of the Commission.....we have to work within current budgetary constraints. Notwithstanding..., government has committed to and made funding, totalling 42m, available this year and next to allow the programme of decommissioning, which is so vital for the fleet, to be implemented.' INSHORE
itself is a serious disadvantage. This scheme, therefore, is designed to help promote development, maintain populations and to generate sustainable employment.'' He added that as far as UÂdaraÂs's function of enterprise promotion was concerned, the most challenging task was ``to
Proposals at a glance:
* pilot scheme to exempt from income tax individuals whose principal private residence is island-based and who either a) earn income from employment on the islands or the mainland or b) who carry on a business mainly on the islands * tax-exempt threshold in respect of a maximum annual income of 100,000 * exemption to apply for a period of 10 tax years * exemption to apply to both new and existing businesses on the islands * 100% capital allowances/free depreciation write-off for equipment or buildings provided for use in a business allowable against non-exempt income * BES-type tax relief to apply to investors who invest capital in any business located on the islands * VAT refund scheme on the capital expenditure on buildings and their fit-out costs of establishing, if used for communitybased activities
create new employment and income, especially for the youth and those wishing to return home. We feel that this is what holds the key to the future viability of the island communities.'' Emphasising that the UÂdaraÂs na Gaeltachta plan was aimed at all islands, both within and outside the Gaeltacht regions, OÂ hAolaÂin estimated that the potential cost to the Exchequer would be ``relatively modest overall. We believe it could have the effect of achieving a major objective of successive Governments since the foundation of the State of promoting sustainable development of our offshore islands.'' In the meantime, was he prepared to sit back and wait for the verdict of the Commission on Taxation? ``No, we are not waiting,'' he declared emphatically. ``I will certainly continue to discuss it with Minister OÂ CuõÂv and press him to have it raised at Government level, and with the Minister for Finance in particular,'' he said.
Background to the proposal THE proposal comes in the wake of a decision by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DCRGA) to appoint consultants to advise and report on the employment needs and development potential of islands with a permanent population of greater than 50. The tender document states * that `a comprehensive study of the cost of living and of running commercial enterprises on inhabited islands' is to be undertaken `with the ultimate aim of introducing appropriate measures to encourage entrepreneurship and business startups that will benefit the island communities'.
Simon Murray
The document notes, however, that while these have been significant in their own right,
`further initiatives, aimed at improving the availability and standard of economic opportunity on the islands, are warranted'. Asked by Inshore Ireland to
It notes also that all of the inhabited islands have benefited comment on these developsignificantly from recent infra- ments, Simon Murray, Âchair of structural investment, `with dis- ComhdhaÂil OileaÂin na hEireann/ cernible improvements made, in The Irish Islands Federation, particular, to the standard of described as `complex' the whole question of tax incentives piers and roads'. In addition, it highlights some in the context of sustaining of the initiatives, aimed specifi- island populations. Murray pointed out that along cally at reducing the cost of living, already taken by various with UÂdaraÂs, ComhdhaÂil was involved in drawing up the State agencies to be: * the introduction of an islander terms of reference for the proallowance for recipients of cer- posed DCRGA study, and revealed that his board had also tain State pensions * a significantly reduced rate of discussed the pros and cons of road tax for island-based vehi- tax-based incentives when its own enterprise and employment cles * the capping of passenger fares policy was being formulated. ``We decided then that as tax for islanders on subsidised ferry schemes are controversial and services, and * a reduction in charges for the potentially open to abuse, and carriage of cargo to the islands. are not always proven to be
effective in growing the local economy, we would not include recommendations in our policy,'' he revealed. Murray added how he expected the research would be `comprehensive' and that it would ``examine existing employment and enterprise sectors; development potential of different sectors and the types of supports needed. ``There are, after all, considerable differences in terms of demographics, population, location and access between our islands. And what might work on a large island like AÂrainn, with a population of 824, might be inappropriate for many of the smaller populated islands,'' he said. He said it was Comhdhail's view that the most sustainable forms of employment were likely to be small businesses with strong links to the island on which they are based, and those with a long-term vested interest in the future of the island. ``How these small and micro enterprises can best be supported in generating sustainable employment we hope will be comprehensively addressed in this study,'' he said. ``We expect the report to be ready early in 2009 and that its recommendations will better inform not just our work, but also that of UÂdaraÂs na Gaeltachta, the DCRGA, and all agencies that have, within their brief, responsibility for development on the islands.''
INSHORE IRELAND
August 2008
NEWS
Decommissioning hits 68% of whitefish vessels By Gillian Mills
FOLLOWING the closing date of 18 July of applications to the 2008 fishing vessel decommissioning scheme, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has confirmed to Inshore Ireland that 44 applicants from 46 approvals have accepted the offer and a further four from the reserve list have been made an offer. Applicants now have until 12 September to surrender their fishing licences. Grant aid totalling 41.1m has been allocated to the scheme, which is being administered by BIM, to permanently withdraw over 18 vessels from the whitefish sector and is a central recommendation of the Seafood Industry Strategy Review Group. Averaging 165 gross tonnes per vessel, these boats represent 68% of the overall target set for the scheme (11,140 gross tonnes) and are in addition to the 27 whitefish boats (3,323 gross tonnes) decommissioned in 2005-2006. ``Overall, 33% of the over-18
metre whitefish fleet, involving 73 large vessels, will have been decommissioned since 2005. The result will be a significant boost to the economics of boats remaining in the fleet. ``This lift comes from the redistribution of the whitefish and prawn catch, currently estimated at 20 million. ``Over the next five years, this will result in approximately 100 million in additional catching opportunities for the remaining boats''. Payments under the scheme will qualify for capital gains tax (retirement relief) which, subject to certain conditions, will be exempt from CGT for proceeds up to 750,000, with marginal relief above this limit. The qualifying age requirement has been reduced from 55 to 45 years, and the required period of ownership and usage of the asset is reduced from 10 to six years. If a balancing charge arises (in relation to income tax), this can now be spread over five years, starting in the year in which the payment is received.
Home ports of qualifying vessels Region East East South South South East South East South East South West South West South West South West South West West Total
Home Port Clogherhead Howth Ballycotton Helvick Duncannon Dunmore East Kilmore Quay Castletownbere Dingle Kinsale Schull Union Hall Rossaveal
No. Qualifying 8 6 1 1 2 2 9 3 4 2 3 1 4 46
* Three vessels from Schull will be removed.
Fishermen agree Corrib gas compensation package By Shay Fennelly
ERRIS fishermen have reached agreement with the Corrib gas partners regarding compensation for loss of fishing on the pipeline route off the Mayo coast. The Erris Inshore Fishermen's Association met with Shell Exploration and Production Ireland (SEPIL) over several meetings to agree a package and to resolve a dispute over the location of a discharge outfall from the gas terminal. Fishermen who have regularly fished along the prescribed pipeline corridor will be paid up to 30,000 for loss of earnings. Fishermen who do not normally fish in the corridor will be paid 15,000- 20,000 to forego the right to fish the area. The compensation package applies to members of the Erris Inshore Fishermen's Associa-
3
tion (EIFA) and the Erris Lobster Conservation and Restocking Association (ELCRA). Shell has also agreed to a development fund of just over 1m which fishermen can use to develop Erris inshore fishing. Marine projects that are deemed to be environmentally sustainable will be eligible later this year for funding.
Goodwill gesture
The company has also proposed that the water produced from the gas field could be treated and disposed of on land as ``a goodwill gesture'' subject to statutory approval, rather than it be discharged into Broadhaven Bay in return for fishermen accepting the discharge location. The EIFA told Inshore Ireland that the current outfall location was acceptable to them, subject to the treated water not being discharged
there. Shell was awarded an Integrated Pollution Prevention Control licence from the Environmental Protection Agency to discharge treated produced water from the Corrib gas field into Broadhaven bay, a Special Area of Conservation. The EPA and international experts have confirmed that this water will not harm the marine environment. EÂamonn OÂ Duibhir, chairman of the EIFA told Inshore Ireland that over the past six weeks, EIFA representatives and SEPIL met on nine occasions. ``Our discussions were always cordial and constructive but sometimes we had to be very frank with each other. ``We have built a relationship of trust, and through dialogue have reached a mutually acceptable agreement that is good for the marine community in Erris, as well as the Corrib Gas Project.''
Photo: G Mills
PUBLIC NOTICE CONSULTATION ON THE PROPOSAL TO DESIGNATE AN ADDITIONAL 49 WATER BODIES FOR PROTECTION OR IMPROVEMENT UNDER THE SHELLFISH WATERS DIRECTIVE (2006/113/EC) The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food invites comments from interested parties on the proposal to designate an additional 49 water bodies for protection or improvement under the above Directive. Comments should relate to any of the following aspects - site selection, site boundary and location of the water sampling point. The aim of the Shellfish Waters Directive is to protect or improve shellfish waters in order to support shellfish life and growth. It is designed to protect the aquatic habitat of bivalve and gastropod molluscs, which include oysters, mussels, cockles, scallops and clams. The Directive requires Member States to designate waters which need protection in order to support shellfish life and growth. The Directive sets physical, chemical and microbiological requirements that designated shellfish waters must either comply with or endeavour to improve. The boundaries of the 49 additional sites have been drawn to ensure that they encompass all of the active licensed aquaculture being carried on within them. The points within each of the sites at which it is proposed to take water samples for quality testing have also been identified. The additional sites proposed for designation together with the proposed boundaries and water sampling points are shown on the map which has been drawn up for each of the areas. An Information Note and maps are available for inspection on the Department’s website at http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/index.jsp?file=Fisheries/CoastalZone/ShellFish/ shellfish.xml and at certain Garda Stations and Public Libraries from 1 September 2008. Details of the Garda Stations and Public Libraries at which the maps can be inspected are available at the website address above or on request from either of the addresses below. Comments should be submitted by email or by post to the address below: by email: shellfishwaters@agriculture.gov.ie by post: Shellfish Waters Designation, Coastal Zone Management Division, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Building C, West Cork Technology Park, Clonakilty, Co. Cork. Comments must be received, at the latest, by 10 October 2008.
* Shell has agreed a compensation package with EIFA regarding loss of fishing on gas pipeline route.
email: info@agriculture.gov.ie www.agriculture.gov.ie
4
INSHORE IRELAND August 2008
NEWS
First cargo of `green' wine arrives in Dublin By Jehan Ashmore
ON the evening of 24 July, the tall ship, Kathleen & May, quietly slipped passed Dalkey Island, bound for the port of Dublin, on a most unusual
journey. The 108 year-old schooner was delivering a cargo of wine, the first such shipment, in `green' energy transportation terms, between European ports since the era of sail. In an initiative to reduce
carbon footprint, each wine bottle conveyed saved 4.9oz in carbon emissions. Source The 30,000 bottles of French wine on-board were sourced
from the mid-south vineyards of the Languedoc-Roussillon region. According to the skipper, Douglas Lindsey, most of the journey was conducted under sail, although the auxiliary en-
gine was used when they met light winds off the east coast of Ireland. The initiative is the brainchild of Frederic Albert, chairman of Compagnie de Transport Maritime a la Voile
(CTMV), Ltd-Fair Wind Wine, an Irish based company he founded following his coverage as a radio journalist of the 2005 Tall Ships race in Waterford onboard the French barque, Belem.
Publication dates for 2008:
" " "
February 23rd June 21st October 25th
" " "
April 18th August 23rd December 13th
To advertise in Inshore Ireland contact Roger Cole Email: cole@inshore-ireland.com Tel: (01) 285 9111 or 284 1544
* Kathleen & May enroute to Dublin with her cargo of `green' wine. Photo J Ashmore
INSHORE IRELAND
August 2008
5
COMMENT
IN
Institute
As with any new industry, challenges still need
Headquarters in Oranmore, Co Galway, the US
a
recent
visit
to be overcome; however, there is a significant
risk
Ambassador, Tom C. Foley, stated he would
level of awareness and belief among devel-
significant
like to see a greater sense of urgency towards
opers
unproven technologies.
developing
technologies.
tidal
to
and
the
Marine
wave
technologies
in
Ireland, and that our natural advantage _Ð due
in
the
potential
of
tidal
and
wave
by
developers time
who
and
need
capital
to
into
invest as
and to secure potential business for Ireland.
energy
necessitate the commissioning of a Strategic
4% of the same need from tidal power. This is
Environmental Assessment as soon as practic-
fuel-based
Ð
give
us
a
location
distinct
economic
sector
to
the
next
level.
This
because the technology used to generate power
able, so that recommendations can be put in
from tidal currents requires fast currents (i.e.
place.
become a world leader in this field Ð not just
greater than four knots per hour) which are rare
in exploiting our ocean resource but to build a
to find in Irish waters.
countries in the ocean energy `race' with the
welcome and encouraging step in the right
wave
US, Britain and Portugal. As yet, there are not
direction. The programme of activity outlined
expertise
for
this
26m
in
government
agencies
and
together, saving time in decision-making and avoiding
needless
`red
tape'.
The
Ocean
central role in overseeing this development,
the development and supply of new tidal and
The
country,
industry have the opportunity to work closely
Encouraging
Ireland currently ranks among the top four
and
small
Energy Development Unit (SEI) will have a
`knowledge economy' with leading experts on
technologies
our advantage in the ocean energy `race'. As a
will
A great opportunity exists for Ireland to
advantage in this sector.
Ireland is a small country and therein lies
another major challenge in bringing the ocean
In Ireland, our wave resource far outweighs
our power needs from wave power but only
Atlantic
make the risk to developers an acceptable one
Developing a regulatory/licensing system is
tidal resource. Technically, we could supply all
weather,
State in new technologies will be needed to
yet
and
latitude,
they would produce. Further investment by the
One of the biggest challenges is the level of
current sources of electrical power being fossil
to
tnemmoC
Developing the ocean energy sector government
funding
is
offering support from the initial stages right
a
through
to
sale.
The
National
Strategy
for
Ocean Energy (2005) is available to download
many large-scale developers involved in ocean
by Minister Ryan supports research, applied
from the Marine Institute website www.mar-
by
energy technology development here, but there
research and grants for commercialisation. The
ine.ie.
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan earlier in the
is a wealth of ideas among smaller entrepre-
introduction of a `feed-in-tariff price' offers a
year was a major step forward in this pursuit.
neurs.
guaranteed return to producers for electricity
emerging industry worldwide. The
commitment
of
26m
provided
Ð Eoin Sweeney, Marine Institute
Swallowing the anchor to a bright, new future
 Cinne Two of the Marine Institute's best-known faces are on the move: Michea Âl O Âide to the EPA as head of communications and corporate services; and Edward Fahy, long-time Abbottstown staffer, to a productive retirement
MicheaÂl O CinneÂide  O
AS
Cinne  ide
Ed Fahy IN
a
witty
delivered
prepared
retirement
to
and
speech in
brilliantly
marking
June
his
from
the
leave HQ where he headed the
Marine Institute and the Depart-
Marine
Food
ment of Agriculture, Fisheries
Safety Services division, he told
and Food, Dr Edward Fahy said
Inshore
for him it was ``a ``bittersweet
Environment
Ireland
&
that
despite
occasion.
being challenging at times, the job had given him great satisfac-
``I have thoroughly enjoyed
tion and he was proud of the
every minute of my time at the
changes he had helped to im-
Marine Institue. The ethos there
plement
during
the
past
eight
years. ``One
of
the
good
things
about being an agency like the MI
is
that
developing
it
is
its
capable
own
of
style,
its
own culture, and its own focus. That's
something
not
always
easy in a Government department,'' he said. He
said
the
challenge
had
been to ``build a team of expert scientists capable of providing a good service to groups such as shellfish and finfish farmers as well
as
the
broader
marine
community. ``We had to build the network that that would connect all of these. It was something that took time
because
it
can
only
be
* Last day at the MI for MicheaÂl OÂ Cinne Âide.
Photo: D Ruffles
bimonthly
by
And
through
looking
small
back
steps.
now,
eight
years later, I can genuinely say that everyone responded really well
and
we
have
a
fantastic
team here.'' ``My
job
was
to
deliver
change Ð to bring in biotoxin chemistry; a very strong phytoplankton programme and deliver
the
best
01-2859111/087-2611597
here
who
they were doing. I compliment and attribute this ethos to Peter Heffernan and his management style and that of his lieutenants. It was a joy to deal with them.''
in
he
also
paid
Services,
particular
boats.
that supports it. ``Sometimes when you hear
And
escalated
Photo. J Rafferty
the
out
whole
of
thing
control.
This
fishing
industry,
insensitive
of
it
me
would not
to
be ac-
people in the industry talk you
is partly contributory to the mess
knowledge what the industry is
would think you could have a
we have at the present time.''
going through at present.
was ``a very principled stand''
fishery without having any fish
on the question of stock man-
at all.'' he said.
agement over the years.
Fahy
said
a
note,
``It's a difficult time for many
difficult
people in the industry that we
sombre
that
the
``When there's a lot of money
decisions now facing the fishing
have worked closely with over
around, it's very difficult to talk
industry as it comes to terms
the years.
to
sense to anybody. And at the
with
planning by bringing the catch-
height of the Celtic Tiger, every-
should not be ignored.
ing
body was keen simply to invest
been
function
to
bring
sector
in
FSS
some
into
sense
some
sort
of
balance in size with the resource
in
more
and
more
gear
and
drastic
who are in danger of losing their
``Working as I have all these years
at
the
``We know a number of them
rationalisat ion
soft
end
of
the
livlihoods, their boats, and perhaps their homes.'' he said.
`My name is Borat, I like to eat fish' DEAR
Editor, Though being
be
angling shop) to pay for new
ing
funny, it seems to be very true
blaming many factors, but what
staff to enforce the regulations,
proper
with
seems
to
care.
You
may
will
change.
Without
information
a
campaign
I know is that if you won't react
your fish stocks will be in sharp
(starting with tackle shops) and
opeans. How do I know? Be-
quite
decline.
very strict controls, their feeling
cause I'm one of them.
facing empty waters.
Mid-
and
Eastern-Eur-
quick,
soon
you'll
be
It happened in Poland almost
of impunity will only raise.
main
everywhere Ð chronic poaching
There are, however, the first
ex-Soviet
and commercial fishermen have
signs of change. Even in Poland,
mentality. Years of total lack of
emptied our waters completely
more and more young anglers
responsibility
impunity
(example-65cm pike is `a good
release their catch; some maga-
moustache and I fish for pre-
have had devastating effects on
one') and the same is happening
zines no longer publish photos
dators only, always using lures.
ex-communist countries. That's
here, right now.
of
Oh yes, and one more thing Ð I
why it cannot be expected that
don't kill fish.
came
fishing But
is
there
between
The publishers do not accept responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors and advertisers. While every care is taken to ensure accuracy of information contained in Inshore Ireland, we do not accept responsibility for any errors, or matters arising from same.
Sounding
has
``Our
I
the Irish Times,
Paul
* Ed Fahy on Inis CuÂ, Co Donegal, on a clam survey.
Con-
mills@inshore-ireland.com
cole@inshore-ireland.com
anyone
nolly, for taking what he said
24 - 28 Tara Street, Dublin 2
Roger Cole
met
wasn't totally engrossed in what
Science
Gillian Mills
Advertising manager
never
been part of that, he said.''
Printed by
Irish Farmers Journal
advice on anything, and I have
Europe. I am very proud to have
Editor
Production & imaging
had to ask twice for assistance or
tribute to director of Fisheries
as
Bluebell, Dublin 12
091-844822/085-7475797
most people
And
now
Field, Irish Farm Centre,
flynn@inshore-ireland.com
the
regarded
Farmers Journal and the Irish
Gery Flynn
were
interesting
programme up and runing that is
Trust, publishers of the Irish
Features editor
staff and
Tribute
Agricultural
01-2354804/087-2902045
``MI helpful
in a year (2000/2001), we had a
faster results to producers. With-
is published
the
been used to,'' he said.
to have workd with. I have never achieved
One of the good things about being an agency like the MI is that it is capable of developing its own style, its own culture, and its own focus. That's something not always easy in a Government department. W had to build a team of expert scientists capable of providing a good service to groups such as shellfish farmers as well as the broader marine community Inshore Ireland
is so different from what I had
from my is
us
Poland
great few
-
I
passion.
differences
don't
In
and
have
a
my
problem
opinion, lies
in
the and
the
Almost
every
place
on
the
dead
fish.
There
are
also
articles about how to properly handle your catch.
just introducing new regulation
Shannon with good access is full
Not long ago, I read a few
any difference is made. It's not.
of rubbish, fish scales and beer
But I must strongly empha-
letters in the angling press about
In most ex-Soviet countries,
cans. Most of the anglers you
sise that the majority of non-
meet
non-nationals causing huge pro-
people
from
nationals need to start feeling
blems and I thought that it may
tradition of ignoring the law if
Eastern
almost
that if they won't obey the law
be
it
This,
100% of them are killing any
then they will be punished for
together with total lack of con-
fish that they manage to catch,
that. It's not the severity of the
trols over Irish waters is causing
treating fishing as an excellent
penalty but its inevitability that
quite devastating effect.
source
will make them co-operate.
good
idea
to
share
a
few
thoughts about this with you. The problem is obvious: the number of `anglers' from out-
have
doesn't
a
suit
long them.
lasting
why
on
I
the
bank
Europe.
of
free
think
are
And
protein. that
That's
without
a
fish
I have to make it clear. Unless
stocks seem to be in decline and
some sort of licence ( 5 or 10
massive response from anglers
Ð Jakub Standera
except for a few anglers, nobody
day tickets are available in every
and the Fisheries Boards, noth-
Athlone
side
Ireland
is
rocketing;
6
INSHORE IRELAND August 2008
YOURVIEW
Inshore Ireland, and its publishers, do not accept responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors. While every care is taken to ensure accuracy of information, we do not accept responsibility for any errors, or matters arising from same. Contact the editor at mills@inshore-ireland.com
Government throws away key leaving aquaculture locked up by incompetence By Flor Harrington, chairman, Irish Shellfish Association
A HIGH Court judge once famously noted that his courtroom would be a lot less busy if Government simply did its job. Unfortunately, the wheels appear to have come off the bureaucratic wagon when it comes to aquaculture, as years of neglect at the highest levels begin to severely impact on small and medium enterprises
that are farming seafood. The problem lies with the Natura 2000 directives and the plethora of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), designated in every corner of practically every bay in Ireland. DuÂchas (now NPWS) went to great lengths to assure fish farmers and fishermen that their activities could not possibly be affected by the simple drawing of a line on a map. No, in fact, these guardians of the wilderness told us what they were doing was protecting our futures by ensuring we could carry on and that there would be a sound management basis for the development of our businesses. Then they disappeared. We weren't alone in Europe when it came to having our growing areas designated. In fact, the European Commission
declared publicly that the existence of aquaculture in these protected areas proved they were of high environmental quality and that we, the farmers and fishermen, were the guardians of these sites. Our EU neighbours set about ensuring that aquaculture would be part of a management plan in each designated bay, so that any further developments could be appropriately assessed as set out by law. The EU kindly provided significant funds to member states to meet the Directives' requirements. However, our Government was so wretchedly incompetent that the EU had to pursue it to get the money back! Despite having more and larger SACs and SPAs than any other area of its size in Europe, our Government walked away and was not heard
SAMPLING FISH FOR THE WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE
Fisheries Ireland Our Natural Heritage
www.wfdďŹ sh.ie
from again. Until, that is, last December when the European Court of Justice rightly found that Ireland had failed in its duty to properly manage Natura 2000 sites.
Eerie silence
You would expect that the great minds at work in the various departments, including environment and agriculture, in the interests of rural prosperity, the good of the nation, respect for tradition and recognition of hard fought investment would have an answer polished and ready to immediately respond to the Court? After all, nearly 10 years had passed since the designations. Not a chance. Instead, the inter-departmental bureaucracy, delays and bickering, which has occupied 2008, would make Sir Humphrey blush and has left the European Commission dumbfounded as to why there is only radio silence from Ireland on the issue. The result of these delays in sorting out this problem for our members is threefold: * It is impossible to have a licence application assessed, leaving 280 applications gathering dust in Clonakilty. That's 280 businesses without a future, left swinging in the cold economic winds blowing about rural Ireland without a decent explanation for their bank manager, staff or families as to why their application has vanished. * When Government applied earlier in 2008 to spend EU funds, including 3.5m for aquaculture over five years, the EU quite reasonably asked to first see their plans to deal with the Natura 2000 court judgment. Not actually having
any plans, due to the appalling delays in getting internal agreement on the matter, the Government's `inspired' answer was to respond to the EU that they'd had second thoughts about aquaculture-funding and not to worry about it. The result? The industry loses the only guaranteed grant aid available under the NDP. * Out of the blue and in what was probably the most callous response to their own inaction, DAFF announced in June that huge areas of the coast were now off limits to mussel seed fishing, including areas used sustainably and without harm in places like Cromane for decades. Over 50 fishermen and their families depend on this seedbed, yet not a single thought was given to their livelihoods or futures. Whether out of shame at their deeds or worse, apathy towards their consequences, Government ministers have refused to even discuss the situation and a stunned community has been left scrambling for answers with a bleak future ahead of them, while the elected politicians and civil servants take a rest from their fruitless exertions. Need I even comment on the sheer insanity of the recently revealed plans of Minister Last December, the European Court of Justice found that Ireland had failed in its duty to properly manage Natura 2000 sites
Gormley to create even more and larger marine SACs in places like the Kenmare River and the Shannon estuary? The mind boggles that we could even contemplate leading the bull into a new china shop with his Department's clear record of failure, apathy and obfuscation and the resulting socio-economic destruction and devastation. We sit in an absurd position where the aquaculture sector is one of the few cast-iron guaranteed businesses which the Government could rely on for good news.
Production demand
Customers want more of our products; farmers want to employ more people to produce those products and private investors are seeking to put money into those enterprises to expand. So why are companies now closing, jobs at risk, exports falling and investors walking away? Government incompetence, ignorance and laziness are the reasons we find ourselves in the mess we are in today. The sheer lack of respect for people, property and hard work is breathtaking. A bright shining light in the rural economy is being snuffed out by the dead hand of an inept administration. Time is running out to save it, and Ministers have a limited window to right some of the wrongs inflicted on our industry. The most galling part about it is that instead of the usually offlimits areas of money or legislation, the solution only requires a bit of hard work, co-operation, inspiration and courage to turn things around. As the judge said, if only the Government would just do its job.
Department of Agriculture responds
THE Department has prepared a detailed strategic plan which will provide a systematic solution to the problems currently being experienced. Specifically, this plan addresses the following key priorities: * elimination of applications backlog (including renewals and assignments * systematic monitoring and enforcement regime * further development of customer service delivery * implementation of EU Habitats, Dangerous Substances and Fish Health Directives. There is a substantial backlog in licence applications at present, which in some part reflects the fact that many licences are currently due for renewal. In such cases it should be emphasised that these licensees continue to enjoy the protection of their licences until their application for renewal is determined. However, the licensing process has become increasingly complex since the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 was enacted and involves a range of intermediate measures before a recommendation and decision can be made in any one case. This is due to increased activity and demands
in the coastal zone and the consequent need to take an ever greater account of: * the potential impacts on safety and navigation * the ecological impacts on wild fisheries, natural habitats, flora and fauna * the suitability of the waters * the other beneficial uses of the place or waters * the likely effects on the economy of the area, and * the statutory status under European legal frameworks of the area under application. * One of the key issues affecting the licensing process is the assessment required of each site in the context of the requirements of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. The Department has been working closely with its agencies, the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the EU Commission to develop a process to move towards satisfying the Commission's requirements in this regard. It is important to note that these Directives apply to all forms of industry and development within Natura 2000 sites and not only the aquaculture industry.
Sampling fish for the Water Framework Directive INSHORE IRELAND
August 2008
7
NEWS
By Fiona Kelly, Central Fisheries Board THE
and Suir estuaries and in Water-
ford Harbour were also surveyed with the assistance of the Southern Regional Fisheries Board.
Central Fisheries Board
(CFB) and the Regional Fisheries Boards (RFBs) are working
jointly
to
survey
communities
in
rivers,
fish lakes
and estuaries around Ireland as part of their remit under the Water
Framework
Directive
(WFD). Stock assessment surveys are being carried out at specified locations in a three-year rolling cycle. Seventy-three lakes, 179 sites in rivers and 54 estuaries will be surveyed for fish. The surveys
are
being
conducted
using a suite of European standard methods; electric fishing is the main survey method used in rivers and various netting techniques are being used in lakes and estuaries. Survey work is being conducted between June and November, which is the optimum time for sampling fish in Ireland. This research will provide new information on the status of fish species present at these sites as well
as
on
their
abundance,
growth patterns and population demographics. All
fish
species
are
being
targeted during the survey and every effort is made to release fish back to the water; however, a subsample of fish is removed for laboratory analysis. In 2007, the CFB and RFBs together with fishery owners and angling clubs, successfully surveyed 15 lakes around Ireland. Preliminary results are available on
the
WFD
fish
website
(www.wfdfish.ie), and a comprehensive report will be published following analysis of the samples. In waters
addition, in
the
transitional Barrow,
Nore
A team of scientists has been recruited to carry out the monitoring
surveys
in
2008
and
2009. The sampling programme planned for 2008 is extensive and involves surveying 31 lakes, 120 river sites and 43 estuaries. To date, 40 river sites and 11 lakes
have
been
surveyed;
10,819 fish were recorded on rivers and 5,941 on the lakes. All fish were counted, and a representative sample was measured, weighed moved Some
and for
fish
further
had
scales
aging were
analysis
re-
purposes.
retained in
the
for
CFB
laboratory. Preliminary reports are available on the WFD fish website more
(www.wfdfish.ie).
detailed
report
A
will
be
available in early 2009. The
information
obtained
from the monitoring programme will
be
incorporated
into
a
database, and fish species distribution
maps
will
be
made
available to the public through the website early in 2009. Public meetings and information evenings have been held during the summer and more will be arranged with interested groups over the coming months. As well as providing a better knowledge of Ireland's fish, this research
will
be
relevant
to
anyone interested in freshwater and coastal fisheries. Monitoring will provide new information on the status of fish stocks present at surveyed sites. The factual information compiled will be of value to the angling clubs and owners of the particular waters surveyed and also to the fisheries sector in general because it will be used (with other data) to evaluate the effectiveness or otherwise of the pollution control measures in the River Basin Management Plans.
Stock assessment surveys are being carried out at specified locations in a three-year rolling cycle. Seventy-three lakes, 179 sites in rivers and 54 estuaries will be surveyed for fish. The surveys are being conducted using European standard methods
Clockwise, from top left:
This monitoring programme is a statutory requirement and the Fisheries Boards appreciate
*
that this work may cause con-
Lake, Co Donegal;
cern for fishery owners, angling
retrieving a gill net on Sessiagh
associations, fisheries represen-
* boat electric fishing on the
tative bodies and others.
Annalee River, Co Cavan;
* hand set electric fishing on the
The Boards fully appreciate and acknowledge the coopera-
Glashaboy River, Co Cork;
tion and assistance provided by the
aforementioned
* retrieving a fyke net in an
groups,
farmers and other landowners
estuary;
in the performance of all existing
fisheries
functions.
It
* hydroacoustic boat on Upper
is
important that this new initiative
Lough Macnean, Co Fermanagh.
should be conducted in the same cooperative Boards
are
basis,
and
appealing
to
the all
concerned for their assistance in
delivering
this
important
national programme.
DNUORGKCABDFW
evaluated,
health of their surface waters through national
In 2000, the OECD criticised Ireland for
introduced the WFD as part of a new
modified, and coordinated under the WFD to
monitoring programmes. Monitoring is the main
placing too much emphasis on water quality and
standard
achieve these objectives.
tool used to classify the status (high, good,
not enough on ecosystem quality. The WFD now
moderate, poor and bad) of each water body
requires that in addition to the normal monitoring
(section of a river or other surface water). Once
carried out by the EPA, other aquatic commu-
each country has determined the current status of
nities such as plants and fish populations must
IN
December 2000, the European Union approach
for
all
countries
to
manage their water resources and to protect aquatic ecosystems. The fundamental objectives of the WFD,
and
national
legislation
will
be
The WFD is being administered and managed at local level by River Basin Districts (RBDs). In accordance with national legislation (S.I.
which was transposed into Irish Law in
722/2003),
Protection
their water bodies, monitoring then helps to track
also be evaluated periodically in certain situa-
December 2003, are to protect and main-
Agency in 2006 published a programme of
the effectiveness of measures needed to clean up
tions. WFD will also monitor human impacts on
tain the status of waters that are already of
monitoring to be carried out in Ireland in order to
water bodies and achieve good status.
hydromorphology (i.e. the physical shape of river
good or high quality; to prevent any further
meet the legislative requirements of the WFD.
deterioration and to restore all waters that
the
Environmental
Why monitor?
Previous monitoring
systems). These data collectively will be used to assess ecosystem quality.
Water quality in Ireland has been assessed for
For further information contact: Central Fish-
The WFD calls for the protection and restoration
many years by the EPA, principally on the basis
eries Board, Swords Business Campus, Swords,
Many pollution-reduction measures al-
of clean water across Europe. A key step in this
of water chemistry and aquatic creatures such as
Co Dublin; tel: 01-8842600; email info@cfb.ie;
ready in place as part of existing directives
process is for EU Member States to assess the
insects, snails and shrimps.
www.wfdfish.ie and www.cfb.ie
are impaired so that they achieve at least good status by 2015.
8
INSHORE IRELAND
August 2008
INTERVIEW
Sea fisheries and shellfish governance through independent authority Gery Flynn talks to the SFPA
SINCE 1 January, 2007, the day it commenced operations, the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority has been making its presence felt. So much so that now just eighteen months later, there's not a fishing community from
Q&A
WHAT is the role of the SeaFisheries ity? Protection Author-
The SFPA is an independent statutory body with a regulatory role to discharge the State's seafisheries and seafood-safety law enforcement functions. We have responsibility to implement seafisheries conservation and seafood safety legislation fairly and consistently in accordance with the provisions laid down in the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, and to promote compliance with this legislation, so that the marine fish and shellfish resources from the waters around Ireland are exploited legally and consumed safely for the long-term benefit of all.
HAS the legislation SFPA a orroledoesin developing it only enforce national and EU legislation?
One of our key functions is to advise the Minister in relation to policy on effective implementation of sea-fisheries law and food-safety law, as well as participating in and influencing development at national, European and global level. We have considerable expertise to assist the department at European Commission technical meetings, to ensure that legislation being developed is practical, enforceable and takes into account the views of the Irish fishing industry. We believe that fisheries conservation measures should reflect the best available scientific advice as well as the views of fishermen and members of the trade.
DOES the SFPA deal only with Irish-registered vessels or do inspectors also board andyour inspect foreign-registered vessels?
Sea-Fishery Protection Officers (SFPOs), routinely inspect both Irish and non-Irish fishing vessels at sea. The legislation is applied equally to both Irish and non-Irish vessels; the SFPA's
Malin to Mizen that would not be aware of what it is and what it means to do. ``Our remit from government is very clear,'' Peter Whelan, the SFPA's first executive director tells Inshore Ireland. ``SFPA is the competent authority under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. It acts independent of
government to enforce sea fisheries protection and seafood safety legislation in Ireland and throughout Ireland's Exclusive Fishing Limits.'' At 46, Whelan's career has been in public health management Ă? mainly with the Eastern Health Board where he quickly climbed the promotional ladder to senior environmental health
officer and eventually, principal environmental health officer. From there, it was on to the fledgling Food Safety Authority of Ireland where he was to become Director of Service Contracts. Along the way, Whelan enhanced his management skills, earning two masters degrees Ă? the first in 1998 in Food Safety
from UCD, and the second in Health Services Management from TCD in 2001. To these, he recently added a degree in psychotherapy from the Dublin Business School. A strange field of study for a career manager perhaps? ``Not at all,'' he replies. ``This is an area I have always had a personal interest in. It was
something I wanted to do for myself, and I must say I found the four-year course really interesting. ``You can apply all the management principles you like; but if you don't know how to talk to people and understand what motivates them and makes them tick, you are wasting your time,'' he says.
We are conscious that fishermen sometimes feel stressed by the inspection process and that, occasionally, this can result in heightened tensions. We are aware of the alleged rudeness you mention but, otherwise, we have only received a few specific instances out of the thousands of inspections we have carried out. The majority of inspections are completed without any difficulty or rancour. Nevertheless, we set the highest of standards in our code of practice regarding how we conduct our statutory responsibilities. SFPOs undergo a thorough training programme before they receive their warrants authoris-
ing them to implement legislation and before they commence work at ports. This training focuses specifically on inspection technique and preparation. We carry out our inspection work on the premise that most fishermen are law-abiding, and our officers' role is to verify compliance. We aim to conduct our work in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Where we detect apparent non-compliance we take appropriate action; in cases where it is clear that a master has made a mistake as a result of misunderstanding the legislation, we try to deal with this through appropriate advice, guidance and in some instances a warning letter. We are working hard to
develop partnerships with the fishing and seafood sectors, so as to build a culture of compliance and to foster mutual respect and understanding. We have a policy of open engagement and welcome the views of all fishermen and the industry. We also work hard to promote understanding of the complexities of the legislation by producing explanatory guides. We welcome the views of fishermen on the practicality of the various rules and whether they create any unfair disadvantage for Irish fishermen. If there are better ways of regulating fishing activity so that stocks are protected from over-exploitation and seafood is
role is to ensure that necessary checks are made in order to verify compliance with the legislation. While boarding and inspection of all fishing vessels is a central part of our work, monitoring and cross-checking of fisheries data is also very important. In co-operation with the Naval Service, the SFPA regularly reviews fishing vessel data to identify any potential illegal activity. We also gather equivalent information from non-Irish fishing vessels. While these measures go a long way to ensuring compliance, we are also fostering relationships with the control authorities of other member states so that fisheries data can be routinely exchanged and so we can co-ordinate our inspections at sea and on land.
DOES the SFPA also inspect landings to Irish ports from non-Irish vessels?
The SFPA has full power to inspect all boats in Irish waters or at Irish ports, regardless of nationality. All inspections verify completeness and accuracy of records such as logbooks, the functioning of the VMS, as well as compliance with technical measures such as net mesh sizes. The fishing activity of nonIrish fishing vessels within our 200-mile limit is monitored by a combination of maritime air patrols by the Air Corps; simultaneous deployment of several Naval Service patrol vessels; monitoring of the position signals from these fishing vessels relayed via satellite to the Fisheries Monitoring Centre and by direct inspections when vessels enter Irish ports. Infringements committed by non-Irish fishing vessels include several cases of logbook irregularities; under-recorded or nonrecorded catches; non functioning Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) units; failure to facilitate inspections; lack of a fishing licence onboard or where fishing took place without the required permit; falsified or concealed identification number; fishing nets with undersized mesh or where gear was being used in a prohibited place and where the master of a vessel fails to transmit fishing effort report.
THERE are reports that SFPOs have often been rude and aggressive. Are you satisfied yoursufficiently officers have been that trained well to carry out their work?
PICTURE: David Ruffles
One of the key functions of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority is to advise the Minister in relation to policy on effective implementation of sea-fisheries law and food-safety law, as well as participating in and influencing development at national, European and global level
INSHORE IRELAND
August 2008
9
INTERVIEW
* A Naval Rigid-hulled Inflatable Boat (RhIB) with a fisheries boarding party on board and flying the Fisheries Protection Pennant.
Picture courtesy of the Naval Service
produced safely, we want to hear about it.
HASN'T the SFPA failed to win the hearts and minds of fishermen and the fishing communities who view it now with increasing hostility? Most fishermen who strive to make a living lawfully recognise that illegal fishing undermines the long-term future of their industry; gives it a bad name; gives culprits an unfair competitive advantage and depresses the price of fish. Add to this high fuel costs, lower quotas and restrictive fishing opportunities, there is no doubt that some fishermen are suffering real hardship. These combined pressures make it very difficult for fishermen to maintain their calm when their catches are being inspected. These are difficult times and the challenge for us is to ensure that we can conduct our work in an atmosphere of mutual respect. It is for this reason that we consult frequently with the industry, and we welcome feedback from fishermen on how we conduct our work. The SFPA also holds regular meetings with our Consultative Committee. This is a forum for industry to put forward their views, and we make it our business to listen carefully to them. The SFPA has a complaints procedure that provides the means where a complaint can be made to an independent complaints officer appointed under the terms of the SeaFisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. Raymond O'Rourke, Barrister-at-law has been appointed as the independent complaints officer.
DO SFPOs fully understand the difficulties that fishermen are facing and the pressures they are now under?
We appreciate there are many challenges, such as spiralling fuel prices; the weak dollar; restricted quotas; depressed fish prices; increased maintenance costs; rising interest rates; difficulties in recruiting crews and the current scientific assessment warning of the poor state of key commercial fish stocks. We are aware just how difficult it is for fishermen to make a living at this time and how some fishermen are now struggling to repay their loans etc. Notwithstanding, allowing
unrestricted fishing as a means of meeting these challenges is not an option. Such a course of action would only further damage fragile commercial fish stocks and result in greater fishing effort being needed. The way forward is through creating a better match between the catching capacity with the fishing opportunities available, while at the same time using fisheries legislation to protect stocks.
ARE there signs that the fishing industry is beginning to move to a so-called `culture of compliance'?
There are a number of positive indications to suggest this. Results from the inspections confirm that the majority of fishermen are law-abiding and recognise that illegal fishing undermines the long-term future of the industry. An indication of this can be deduced from the fact that, during 2007, only 47 cases of apparent illegal fishing were detected from the 2,270 inspections carried out of Irish fishing vessels. In marked contrast to the apparent levels of compliance however, a serious level of illegal fishing is still being carried out by a minority of fishermen. Following up on monitoring and surveillance data and on information received, the SFPA commenced in-depth investigations into a number of very serious infringement cases in 2007. These investigations indicate that Irish fishing vessels may have landed several hundred tonnes of illegal fish. In one particular case being investigated, the information gathered to date shows the apparent capture and sale of three times the Irish national annual quota of one particular fish species by a few fishing vessels in a two-month period. These infringements and investigations along with reports we have received from fishermen tell us of the need for continued vigilance. We feel that, overall, there is a growing acceptance that everyone must play by the rules.
um, the Molluscan Shellfish Safety Committee (MSSC) involving these groups, as well as other stakeholders such as BIM, processors, HSE and laboratory service providers. That group has produced an agreed Code of Practice outlining the operation of the NBMP. The role of SFPA officers is one of sample managers, to ensure that samples taken by shellfish farmers are taken in the correct co-ordinated manner and that the provisions of the programme and the relevant legislation are respected. SFPA also participates in the `Management Cell' which is a forum for engagement between the agencies and industry on decisions to close or open areas where out-of-character results are encountered.
HAVE any processing plants been shut down on foot of a SFPA inspection/audit?
Yes, in 2007, a premises was issued with a compliance notice that resulted in its closure. Since then however, the necessary remedial action was taken and on application for approval, the premises was revisited and found to comply with the necessary legislative requirements.
ARE such audits regular, random and unannounced or do processors receive advance notice?
The frequency of our inspections depends on the type of food business operation. Our inspections are carried out on a risk basis, meaning that we focus on establishments at highest risk of developing problems, e.g. those that have complex processes or those with previous non-compliance issues, as well as establishments where small problems might result in serious consequences such as those producing ready-to-eat food. While higher risk establishments receive more visits, all establishments receive some visits. The frequency of our inspections is agreed with FSAI.
ARE you satisfied that the SFPA is carrying out its approval of shellfish processing WHAT is the SFPA's role in factories to the letter? the National Biotoxin Moni- This year, as part of changes to toring Programme? food legislation, SFPA is reThe NBMP represents a collaborative effort between FSAI, MI, SFPA, and the shellfish industry. SFPA role involves engagement at the national for-
approving all premises including those engaged in shellfish production, other than primary producers and retailers. Shellfish establishments en-
PICTURE: David Ruffles
The frequency of inspections depends on the type of food business operation. Our inspections are carried out on a risk basis, meaning that we focus on establishments at highest risk of developing problems, e.g. those that have complex processes
gaged in dispatch, depuration, purification or processing require approval. This re-approval requirement has given us the opportunity to revisit in a new way and to ensure that these premises comply with the relevant legal provisions. The safety of shellfish is a direct reflection of the waters from which they are harvested, and presents its own challenges, requiring active engagement of the shellfish food business operators including the shellfish farmers, gatherers and processors. Production of safe food is their responsibility, and controls can merely verify their compliance with relevant requirements.
WILL the SFPA respond to a complaint/charge Ă? anonymous or not Ă? from a member of the public that a processing plant was breaching public health legislation? The SFPA invites the public to contact the organisation if they have any concerns and we operate a confidential number: 1890 76 76 76. Each complaint is followed up and appropriate investigations are undertaken to determine the validity or otherwise of the information received. Matters of potential relevance to public health are treated with the greatest priority and are followed up consistently and rapidly.
10
INSHORE IRELAND August 2008
FRESHWATER FOCUS
Measure introduced to protect Lough Foyle's wild oyster fishery * New day dawning for wild oyster fishery.
Gery Flynn reports
THE Loughs Agency Ð the Derry City-based body responsible for the conservation, protection and development across
the Foyle and Carlingford catchments Ð has introduced new regulations aimed at controlling and conserving the wild oyster fishery in Lough Foyle for the beginning of the 2008 season.
* Regulations will come into force in September to protect wild oyster stocks.
The regulations, which come into force on 19 September, include: * Restrictive licensing * Close season (1 April to 31 August)
EXPERIENCE THE BEST FISHING IN IRELAND.... VISIT THE EAST COAST Whether you are interested in fly-fishing the beautiful limestone based rivers of the Boyne Valley for wild brown trout, the scenic Wexford coast for bass or a remote and rugged lake in Monaghan or Cavan for monster pike, the East of Ireland has it all! All fishing is in close proximity to Dublin and highly experienced fishing guides are available to ensure you make the most of your trip. There are a variety of angler friendly accommodations and numerous local pubs and restaurants to allow you to unwind, listen to local traditional music and discuss the day’s fishing.
For further information, please visit our website www.fishingireland.net
* Minimum size limit (76mm) * Re-deposit of undersized
oysters * Fallow areas (sanctuary areas) * Weekly and daily open and closed periods * Dredge type * Logbooks and designated landing areas. ``We believe regulation is required to secure the future of this important resource and to develop and manage it in a sustainable manner,'' Barry Fox, director of aquaculture and shellfisheries with the Loughs Agency, told Inshore Ireland. ``It will provide the sustainability needed to preserve the integrity of the wild oyster in Lough Foyle, and also to provide maximum social and economic benefits for local stakeholders.''
Exploitation season
According to Fox, the Foyle oyster (Ostrea edulis) fishery is generally exploited between September and April, peaking in September when approximately 70 boats would participate. ``Annual production has
peaked at 400 tonnes but is normally around 100 tonnes; however in the past few years it has fallen below this. We suspect too that significant quantities of undersized oysters are being taken,'' he says. Fox believes the new measures ``largely follow'' the conservation elements of the voluntary code of practice developed by stakeholders in the fishery but the introduction now of ``a restrictive licensing system, and regulations'' will bolster them. He explains: ``Licences would be issued on the basis of the applicants' documented track record in the fishery, by way of bills-of-sale and income tax returns, equipment available, and its compliance with marine safety legislation and vessel licensing.''
Stock sustainability
The actual number of licences available would also be reviewed annually ``in consultation with fishermen'' with a view to ensuring the viability of their operations and the health and sustainability of the stocks. ``Licences would not be trans-
ferable and would be issued annually on submission of an application, giving details of operations during the previous fishing seasons,'' he explains. The wild oyster season has generally opened in October in the recognised fisheries around the coast of Ireland. In recent years, however, these fisheries are moving towards opening in September. ``Historically, the Foyle has begun its season in September; however some fishermen have broken this general agreement by fishing in August. ``But the Agency plans to introduce an open and close season; the opening being 19 September, and closing on 1 April.'' This will require the introduction of a minimum size limit and closure in the summer months when spawning occurs. ``Some fishermen in Lough Foyle are of the opinion that oysters of a 75mm ring size are not marketable due to their lack of weight so the Agency will introduce a ring size of 76mm in 2008, subject to ongoing review in consultation with stakeholders,'' he said.
THE measures also include: the stress caused to these the LA to determine the actual
* Re-deposit of
undersized oysters
Prohibition of holding undersized oysters on board a vessel for a prolonged period after a fishing operation and sorting of undersized oysters at a land base. Undersize oysters to be deposited as near as possible to the area from where they were removed.
* Fallow areas
Stakeholders and the LA to agree areas to be left fallow in any season where large quantities of juveniles have been identified through on-going surveying. In time, these areas will be re-introduced into the fishery with a view to increasing the annual harvest and minimising
juveniles, which is perceived as best practice and also reduces the risk of damage to the juvenile stock and the possible spread of Bonamia.
* Weekly open and closed times
A weekly opening time for the fishery of 6am-6pm, Monday to Friday, to be observed
* Dredge type
Two dredges to be used onboard a licensed vessel. A licence holder to operate a dredge of no more than two metres in blade width.
* Logbooks and designated landing areas
Designated landing areas and logbooks to be introduced in order to allow the industry and
harvest in any given year. These conditions will identify overall production and state of mature oysters, and provide the basis for on-going consultations with stakeholders on the conservation, protection and development of the fishery.
* Development issues
The Loughs Agency will also encourage and support new culture practices and techniques to maintain and support sustainability of the wild fisheries such as: * cultch re-laying and harrowing of old oyster beds to promote new settlements of juvenile oysters * possible development of spatting ponds to augment natural settlement and also provide increased resistance to Bonamia ostreae.
INSHORE IRELAND
August 2008
Dublin Angling Initiative fishing courses
11
FRESHWATER FOCUS
tional School, Finglas, holding buckets of salmon fry which they successfully reared from the eggs received in January, donated by Pat O'Molloy who runs the salmon hatchery on the river Liffey. The students took great care of the eggs by removing the mor-
talities when necessary; continually checking ammonia levels in the tank and by keeping a constant watch on the water temperature, which they maintained below 8oC by immersing bottles of frozen water into the tank. When the fry were strong and ready to be released into the wild,
the DAI and the students were invited to Carton House Estate to release the fry into the river Rye, a tributary of the river Liffey. It was a great day for everyone who was involved in the project. Many thanks to John Plumber of Carton House for organising the burgers and chips after the big release!
It was a fantastic achievement to rear salmon eggs in a school environment. The children also learnt about the life-cycle of the Atlantic salmon. One day some of these fish may return as adults to complete the wonderful life cycle of the Atlantic salmon.
CELTIC Copper Heritage, a project funded by the Ireland/ Wales EU Interreg Programme to raise awareness of the historical copper mining heritage in Avoca, Co Wicklow and Amlwch in Wales, has launched a website and promotional material on the area as a visitor destination. The website www.celtic-cop per.eu provides information on the area's landscape, history,
environment, walking routes, water quality and includes a photo gallery, educational and visitor information. Two accompanying brochures, Walking guides to East and West Avoca, include a map and information on the engine houses and chimneys, some of which are more than 200 years old. According to Josie Mahon, Eastern Regional Fisheries
Board, conservation of the industrial mining heritage and restoration of the Avoca River ``will raise the profile of the area
as a tourist destination. An estimated 750,000 per annum could be generated from recreational salmon angling alone,'' she said.
The website provides information on the area's landscape and environment
* Stakerholders include:
* Students from St Kevin's Na-
New website launched to promote old mining village heritage
Wicklow Country Council, Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, Geological Survey of Ireland, Avoca Mining Heritage Trust and The Mining Heritage Trust of Ireland.
Celtic Copper Heritage Project status IN 2007, the Celtic Copper Heritage Project commissioned a report, Avoca Mines Pilot Plan Treatment Trials, which concluded that the capital cost of a plant would be 3.6m.The plant would have annual operating costs of 500,000 and subject to funding, would be completed within 18 months of contract award. Inshore Ireland asked the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to clarify the status of
funding and received the following response: As part of the INTERREG
project the treatment of mine waters entering into the Avoca
broader study which is inves-
for remediation and manage-
tigating the remediation and
ment
long-term management of the
produced and costed to feasi-
site.
bility study level. The study
Consultants Camp Dresser
seeks
of
to
the
sites
address
be
all
issues
and
safety,
closed
McKee (CDM) have been en-
including
mines in the area was investi-
gaged for this work, which now
contaminated spoil piles, open
gated. This involved the in-
in the final stages of report
adits and shafts, and treatment
stallation
of
writing.
of the water entering the local
treatment
facility
River
from
the
a
now
pilot
water
health
can
rivers.
de-
The brief for the consultants
water
includes drawing on all pre-
issuing from the adits studied
viously recorded data, includ-
report, a series of recommen-
could be successfully treated.
ing the above study under the
dations will be made available
The results of the pilot treat-
INTERREG project, and filling
to the Minister. Any decision
ment
being
in any identified information
relating
much
gaps so that realistic options
taken as part of this process.
monstrated
study
that
are
incorporated
which the
now
into
a
On
receipt
to
of
the
funding
final
will
be
THE first of the Dublin Angling Initiative summer fishing courses, sponsored by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, saw teenagers from the Youth Enhancement Whitechurch Project participating in a three-day course of sea, game and coarse fishing. Greystones south beach was the venue, which can be easily reached by DART from Dublin city centre. The students were first taught to beach cast and about bait presentation; each student caught dog fish and one teenager landed three crabs. Day two concentrated on trout fishing at the `Aughrim Angling for All' facility where they had the opportunity to catch good quality rainbow trout and to practice safe handling and the correct way to release their catch.
On the third and final day, students fished on the Royal Canal at Kilcock. Three days of pre-baiting and clearing weed paid off with all of the students catching good numbers of small perch, roach, some good-sized canal hybrids and a couple of bream. The students were also taught how to set up a basic float rig; how to plum the depth in the area they intended to fish, and bait presentation skills. The course was a great success, giving the students a great insight into the joy that angling in the Dublin area can provide. ``It's important to introduce these young enthusiasts to angling and I hope some of these youngsters will take up fishing as a hobby which they can enjoy for life,'' Des Chew, DAI told Inshore Ireland.
12
INSHORE IRELAND August 2008
INSHORE FISHERIES
Mixed opinion at Mayo workshop Shay Fennelly reports from Mulranny
AT a meeting in Mayo, fishermen asked if the plan would have implications for the crab fishery. BIM staff replied that if the draft management plan was implemented, something similar could be drafted for crab. One former drift-net salmon fisherman rejected the proposals on the grounds that lobster fishing would be prohibited around SACs and that quotas or a buyout of lobster fishermen were inevitable. BIM staff, however, responded by saying that the opportunity was there for fishermen to decide on a local management plan themselves. Each fisherman would be required to undertake a level of v-notching annually as part of the authorisation/lobster licence. One fisherman was concerned that the introduction of greater control would be dangerous for fishermen. BIM countered this by saying that a management plan was needed to protect the fishery for established fishermen and to halt the current open access that results in increasing effort, making it unprofitable for bona fides fishermen. Another fisherman suggested that the plan should not go down the road of limiting pots; another asked whether a season would be introduced and how local committees would be formed. It was clarified that each area management committee would be elected by local fishermen who would decide whether or not to have a closed season. The question of pot fishing in SACs/ Natura 2000 sites was raised.
One fisherman said he had contacted the National Parks and Wildlife Service two years ago to ask about pot fishing in these areas and was told that if the NPWS considered there was overfishing, it would be closed. NPWS has a remit to manage SACs; however, licensed fishing is not a notifiable activity. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has a responsibility to manage fisheries and must control licensed fishing in an SAC. BIM staff stated that a management plan, if it exists, could help avoid restrictions on licensed activities. In summary, questions/points raised included: * implication on the value of capacity and tonnage * implication of gear numbers in the management plan * how would local advisory committees be formed? * concerns over increased pressure being put on the lobster stock following the ban on salmon drift netting * that a log book was a good development * how to get people involved in v-notching * that authorisation can lead to other dangers * no great agreement on pot limits or quotas * if a plan is working well in Mayo and plans in other places are not working well, what would be the implications for Mayo? * clarification sought on fishing within an SAC One fisherman proposed a show of hands in support of the management plan: seven voted against, 13 voted for and the remaining 18 were undecided.
* A show of hands at the Mayo workshop resulted in seven against, 13 in favour and 18 undecided.
Robust debate follows roll-out of lobster management proposals bereen; Kenmare; Tralee; Quilty; Galway; Maam Cross; BIM Mulranny; Belmullet; Donegal NEW proposals on access Town and Letterkenny, orgaarrangements for the lobster nised by BIM's inshore team fishery contained in the docu- and attended by more than 450 ment, Managing Access to the fishermen. Irish Lobster Fishery, were put to public consultation at the end Presentation The meetings began with an of April. In order to facilitate a wide outline of the current situation ranging and thorough debate, and were followed by a prethe booklet was posted to over sentation on how the proposed 1,400 under-18m licence changes would affect fishermen. The objective is to establish a holders, together with details of information meetings to be policy environment that will held around the coast over a 12- give greater security to existing lobster fishermen so that they week period. During the first two weeks in can commence implementing June, meetings took place in regional management plans. The Q&A session that folHowth; Arklow; Kilmore Quay; Waterford; Rochestown; Skib- lowed allowed for robust debate By Vera O'Donovan,
and afforded an opportunity for clarification. The issues that arose were very broad and included: * need for management * potential for erosion of asset value by linking the authorisation to capacity * increasing economic pressure in the crustacean fisheries * escalating effort * risk of increasing latent effort by the introduction of an authorisation * uncertainty regarding any future management decisions Fishermen also tabled alternative solutions to potential and real difficulties that were identified. The participants left the meeting with a good level of understanding of the proposals and
Photo J Rafferty
implications that would arise and were invited to make submissions. By late June/early July, BIM had received many submissions, not only from individuals but also from lobster co-ops and the producer organisations. All submissions have been acknowledged by letter or email as appropriate. The results of the consultation are currently being analysed and collated and will be reported to Minister Killeen and the Department. The Lobster Species Advisory Group will also consider the results before discussing how the proposals will be progressed with the Department. This process will continue over the next few months.
Resurgence of Donegal currach building By Brendan Connolly
HARBOUR scenes along the Donegal coast are very different now from what they once were, whereby currachs and wooden sailing boats have given way to fiberglass and fast ridged-hull inflatables. One of the oldest boat types known are the coracles, which were used on rivers and lakes in prehistoric Ireland. What was effectively a large wicker basket was made from bent hazel and sally rods. Big enough to fit one or two people, it was covered by cow hide. These small boats developed into larger sea-going currachs, or naomhoÂgs as they are known in west Kerry, used for fishing and transport all along the west coast of Ireland. Traditionally, the style of currach building varied from region to region, and the various designs for Co Donegal are described in DoÂnal McPolin's book, The Donegal Currach ISBN 978-1-900935-63-0.
* James Cummins and Micky Ward in a row-off against ultimate victors, Tim and William Gallacher.
During last winter, a group of local boat enthusiasts in Ballyshannon decided to put the long evenings to good use and to build a few of the Dunfanaghy type currachs from the plans in DoÂnal McPolin's book. A total of 10 currachs were constructed. Winter is the right time to build these boats because the
hazel rods that are used for the ribs should be cut and bent into shape during this time. The frame is then covered in canvas, which is made water tight with marine tar. The inaugural race, mostly of their builders, took place on Sunday 20 July in the Erne Estuary at Ballyshannon; the
event also marked a first for the town. A ladies' and men's race then followed as part of a fund-raising event for the RNLI Lifeboat Service. A special event is planned for the official launch of the currachs, to mark the resurgence of traditional currach building in Donegal.
INSHORE IRELAND
August 2008
Islands Ð
13
ISLAND LIVING
the culture of survival timent is eloquently expressed
could not get in as far as the
in Kieran Concannon's wonder-
pier, particularly in bad weather,
Comhdha  il
ful documentary, Inis Airc, Ba Âs
new born babies, if delivered on
Oilea  n/Inishark,
the mainland, would be care-
Âireann Oilea  in na hE
Island. Kieran is from Inishbofin in
to a neighbour or relative on the
WHEN
recent
Co Galway, and he remembers
pier, both swaying to match the
Island Culture and Arts festival
the dismay, hurt and sadness
movement of the sea and trust-
in Belmullet, Co Mayo, Minis amon O  CuõÂv remarked ter E
with which his people experi-
ing
enced.
caught firmly before the boat
By Majella Nõ  Chrõ Âocha  in,
opening
the
had
been
allocated
to
of
an
fully handed up by the mother
He remembers the evacuation
that he was surprised only one hour
Death
of
the
neighbouring,
be
pitched again. The evacuation of the islands
* Renowned archaeologist Michael Gibbons giving a guided tour on Inis Ge Theas. Photo: Oliver O Cadhla
made them even more deter-
tragedies
discussion would take days, if
mined
high
not weeks, he said.
suffer the same fate as their
Inishkea
And so it was, despite two
neighbours, digging in the hard
days of talks, visual presenta-
rocky ground on the mainland,
tions, concerts and films, islan-
where once they had worked
ders and others who attended
the fertile soil of Inishark.
island,
felt that the discussion had only
Community spirit
Micheal Gibbons, festival goers
scribed
learnt of the tragedy in 1927,
breeding
Padraig O'Malley from Clare
The importance of community
when ten young men drowned.
seals, as both male and female
Island in Co Mayo remarked
is another aspect of island life
that island culture was bound
mentioned by many Ð islan-
live on the islands but the tragic
up
ders are, and always have been,
death a few years later of two
community and that the spectre
dependent
of depopulation was never far
bours and fellow islanders.
the
survival
of
the
from people's minds. This sen-
they
upon
which
would
is island culture?' Surely such a
that
1960s,
child
island,
with
the
the
discuss the question of `what
really begun.
in
Inishark
that
would
their
not
neigh-
At a time when ferry boats
has often been precipitated by during
storms
and
Wildlife preserve
ancient midden, burial place or
possibility of not only of tran-
Bay in northwest Mayo are no
The islands are now home to
clocha  n. With a number of the
quillity but also of adventure.
different.
hundreds of flora and sea-birds. Â CadhMarine scientist Oliver O
houses in the village now being
As
renovated, it may not be long
surfer
before the voices of children are
Erris
heard again amongst the cries of
his return trip. Blacksod Bay is
sea-birds and the crashing of the
the perfect playground for sur-
waves.
fers
seas,
and
islands
the
beautiful
in
Blacksod
On a tour of the southern
The
led
by
islanders
archaeologist
continued
to
alongside
the
fish
underwater
that
I
wanted
in
an
maker. The journey to achieve this ambition would take a further forty years. Today, having travelled the world filming underfrom
Galapagos, America,
A nt a r c t i c a
North Africa,
and
to
South
and
back
home, I have realised many of my childhood dreams. Filming and diving with 50ft whale sharks certainly is in my top five best moments, having done so in 2002 at a remote location 120 kilometres north of the Galapagos Archipelago. I also
spent
weeks
last
an
amazing
May
with
three Kerry
Marine Tours filming basking sharks off Valentia Island, Co Kerry. Both the whale shark and the basking shark are filter feeders, sieving thousands of litres of sea water through their gills, to pick out and digest the small plankton creatures they depend
those found
on as a food source. The whale
coast,
shark
tropical
visitors in May and early June.
oceans, while the basking shark
Ireland has many underwater
lives
in
warm
prefers cooler waters, such as
and
surprises,
around hence
not
least
Irish
being a stop-off destination for
regular
the second largest fish in the
the
are
of
which
to
world Ð the basking shark.
For more information go to www.vincenthyland.com
field
without
passing
an
operating
carry
Cadhla at 097 85727.
underwater natural history film-
w a t e r,
licensed
back to the Inishkeas will be the
my
be
are
of
or
words
to
boats
in
number
1935.
mind, and I knew from then on
of
involved
like to visit the islands, contact  Ma  ire Uõ Ruadha  in/Oliver O
ming effortlessly past the teleThe
thousands
A
maybe what will attract people
natural
occupied
for
others
sports.
time good fishing. Who knows,
awe at the colossal shape swimscreen.
settlement
and
marine
can hardly walk across a beach
In black and white, I watched in
shark'
from
within the cove.
Islands have attracted human
ited for thousands of years. You
your living room in the 1960s.
`whale
curiously
grey
to
remarked
the islanders were evacuated in
history television beamed into
vision
the
Dublin
other men proved too much and
old. is
watched
of
and
keen
Blacksod
the world. You are seven years This
habits
de-
cycle
a
relocated
sanctuary, good land and at one
swimming
biggest
Deirbhle
life
has
The islands have been inhab-
this. You see Jac-
Cousteau
seals
Ionad the
from
Mongan,
passengers
Vincent Hyland ques
from
who
years because they offer safety,
Filming basking sharks off Valentia Island IMAGINE
la
Cillian
Pier.
If
you
from would
14
INSHORE IRELAND August 2008
INSHORE IRELAND August 2008
SEA ANGLING
SEA ANGLING
* The boat strand in Carrickfinn, close to Donegal airport.
Becoming a dab hand is relaxing and stress free Sand fishing is one of the easiest types of fishing for the sea angler, reports John Rafferty. You don't have to be on your guard to prepare to strike at every bite, and tackle losses will always be minimal. It is the most relaxing, stress-free type of fishing you can do Ð not to mention an excellent eating experience!
By John Rafferty HAMPIDJAN GROUP
KELLY’S QUAY, KILLYBEGS, CO. DONEGAL, IRELAND Tel: +353 (0)74 9731180 / 9731100 Fax: + 353 (0)74 9731574 / 9731486 Website: www.swannetgundry.com E-mail: enquiries@swannetgundry.com
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All types of Marine Hardwear, Blocks, Swivels, Thimbles, Connectors, Hot Knives, etc. Chain Galvanised or Tested, Heavy Stud or open link chain.
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Aquaculture Material Oyster Bags, Mussel Mesh, Mussel Pegs and Mussel Bags, Oyster Hooks and Rubbers, Joncs, Bird Nets and Salmon Cage Nets/
Paint Anitfouling, Top Coats, Marine Tar, Primer, Deck Paints etc., Paint available for steel, aluminium, wooden and fibreglass boats.
Skibbereen Donal McGuire 028-22388
Saftey Department of the Marine approved Liferaft Service station, approved Lifejacket Service Station Stockists of Liferafts for Sale and Hire, full range of Pyrotechnics and EPIRBS, Fir Extinguishers, VHFS, etc.
Castletownbere Tony or Rodney 027-70502
Delivery Service using Company Vans all over Ireland. C.O.D and Postal Delivery Service available for smaller items.
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15
Quotations on request so please contact any of the listed depots nationwide
SWAN NET GUNDRY SERVICE DEPOTS: Ireland: Killybegs; Kilcar (Costal Cages); Rossaveal; Castletownbere; Skibbereen; UK: Fraserburgh; Shetland (Net Services); Lerwick; Brixham; USA: Gloucester, Mass
FOR the boat angler, sand fishing was once classed as a summer sport only, but nowadays, with the change in seasons and milder winters, you can go sand fishing almost all year round. Large areas of sand can be fished with limited success, but a sandbank in that area will hold large concentrations of different sand dwellers that use the bank as their natural larder, as well as a safe haven. Sandbanks are caused by tidal actions, and are found offshore as well as inshore. They vary in depth and have channels and gullies that larger fish use to lie in wait for their food to be carried along in the currents. Small sandbanks nestled between broken grounds or reefs are excellent places to fish if you have your own boat, as they are less likely to be targeted by commercial trawlers. The dab (Limanda limanda) is one of the smallest flatfish
species that the sea angler is likely to catch. The Irish record stands at 2lb 5.5oz, caught by Mick Duff in 2002 at Cork Harbour; the British record is 2lb 12oz, but a specimen is any fish weighing 1.5lbs or over. Some commercially-caught dabs have weighed in at more than 3lbs. The dab can grow up to 35cm (14 inches) long, reaching maturity at two or three years of age and roughly 15cm long. The dab is similar in shape to the plaice and flounder, and it also has both eyes on the right-hand side of the body. The upper surface is usually pale brown in colour with scattered darker blotches and speckles, but the pectoral fins may be orange. Their most distinctive characteristic is the lateral line, which has a strong semi-circular curve above the pectoral fin. Sometimes dabs can have orange spots like a plaice, and anglers sometimes mistakenly
A good tip is to leave your rod standing against the side of the boat or in the rod holder, with the reel in free spool and the ratchet on. Just watch for the bites at the top of the rod
identify them as such. An easy way of recognising the dab is by rubbing its skin from tail to head. The skin feels very rough compared to the plaice, because the scales of the dabare ctenoid (spiny) on the upper surface. All flatfish species are either right-handed or left-handed, i.e. the eyes are both to the right of the mouth, making them lefthanded, or to the left of the mouth, making them righthanded. Turbot, brill and megrim are left-handed fish, whereas plaice, dabs, sole, flounder and halibut are all right-handed fish. Tackle
Light rods and reels are all that is required for fishing dabs, and 12lb to 15lb class rods and spinning reels will be more than sufficient. Light spinning gear lets the fish show a little bit of its fighting ability. You can use several different traces. A favourite of mine Ð especially if there's a good showing of dabs Ð is the large double spreader bar. It is also great for beginners, as there is little chance of the trace tangling in slack tides. One up and two down traces (one hook and snood above the weight and boom, and two hooks and snoods attached to
the boom) with beads and a large spoon at the end will also take some beating on days when things are less than frenzied. Flowing traces should be roughly 6ft long with three droppers, and fished off a lightly weighted boom. I like to add a small spoon and a few beads on each dropper, above a good quality size 1 or a 1/0 hook. Put your trace over the side and let it go slowly to the bottom so that it doesn't tangle before it hits the seabed. Once the trace hits the bottom, make sure you let out enough line to keep it there. Whichever trace you use, always remember to never be in a rush to strike while fishing on the sand. A good tip is to leave your rod standing against the side of the boat or in the rod holder, with the reel in free spool and the ratchet on. Just watch for the bites at the top of the rod. On my first day angling on the sand several years ago, an old angler told me: ``Once you see a bite on your rod, let out line, wait for around thirty seconds, then engage the reel. Then tighten the line and lift the rod to set the hook.'' No doubt most seasoned sand anglers have their own techniques, but this method works well for me.
* Denis Boyle with an early season dab Baits
In its natural habitat, the dab feeds on brittlestars, small sea urchins, hermit crabs, amphipods, worms, molluscs and sand eels. The top baits for the sea angler are lugworm, ragworm, crabs, shrimps, mussels, razorfish and small pieces of fish or sand eel strips. Stale worms seem to work better than fresh ones, and I have had several successful days using leftover frozen ragworm. Dabs aren't exactly a shoal fish, but they are prone to `ganging up' and sometimes will be a serious nuisance when you are out fishing for plaice. Your bait is no sooner on the bottom when you see the rod tip and rattle with the weight of another dab on the hook. Then there are days that the dab will become the backbone of a day's fishing on the sand, when nothing else is interested in your bait.
There are times when there seems to be no end to the number of dabs beneath the anchored boat, eagerly waiting to take the bait. Sometimes, when you are using three hooks, you will catch three dabs at a time. Dabs are ferociously competitive when it comes to food.
* Sonar spoons are excellent for catching dabs There are times when there seems to be no end to the number of dabs beneath the anchored boat, eagerly waiting to take the bait. Sometimes, when you are using three hooks, you will catch three dabs at a time. Dabs are ferociously competitive when it comes to food. Once one fish is seen feeding, others in the area move in to try and get a piece of the action. One of the best times to catch dabs is on a day that the sea has been easing down after a good gale. A couple of days after the wind eases, great numbers of dabs will gather close to shore in shallow water to enjoy the glut of food that has been freed from the sand by the heavy seas. Another tip: When you feel a dab hooked on your trace, don't be in too much of a hurry to reel it in; sometimes, if you wait a minute or two, you will often catch a second, and occasionally
a third. I have found that when I use strips of fish or small sand eels on my trace, I almost always catch bigger than average dabs. I also `tip off' a lot of my worm and mussel baits with strips of sand eels. After the worm is put on the hook, a piece of other bait is put on the end/tip of the hook, hence `tip off'). Try it out Ð it does work, and it will also catch you plaice. The dab, in my view, is very much underrated as a table fish; I find it preferable than plaice and most other species of fish, as it has a unique taste that is different from all other flatfish. Remember, only take home what fish are needed for the table, and release other fish alive. If you would like any further information, you can contact me by e-mai onl jrafferty@eircom. net, or you can get information on all types of sea angling in my book, Sea Angling in Ireland.
* Dab caught on a lug worm
16
INSHORE IRELAND August 2008
AQUACULTURE NEWS
Authority says investigation outcome will not be fudged Report by Gery Flynn
THE Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) says it is satisfied with its investigation into the circumstances that triggered an EU Rapid Alert last April when more than two hundred people became ill with suspected azaspiracid biotoxin poisoning in France, which was later linked to a batch of farmed mussels processed by Bantry Bay Seafoods. Peter Whelan, SFPA executive director, told Inshore Ireland that ``without prejudice to the final outcome'' the Authority has initiated ``a very detailed
and thorough investigation''. He added that their investiation had been ``swiftly initiated and comprehensively executed. We are satisfied with its progress to date.'' Whelan confirmed that SFPA's first involvment in the case was to ensure that all affected batches of mussels were identified and immediately withdrawn from the market in order to protect public health. Their second task, and perhaps the more difficult one, was to discover why apparently unsafe food was put on the market in the first place. ``The investigation is pro-
gressing in a satisfactory manner. We are confident we will be able to identify what happened here, and ensure that appropriate actions are taken,'' Whelan said. However, he remained tightlipped about whether prosectutions were imminent, and revealed that the SFPA effort so far had focused on controlling any further risk to public health by identifying potentially contamininated mussel batches, and arranging for their withdrawal from the market. ``We have also examined potential breaches of legislation that might have occurred. The
investigation is now collating all the evidence gathered with a view to initiating proceedings, which will be progressed through the courts,'' he confirmed. Pressed to say if all findings would be made public, he confirmed that in cases where serious breaches of food safety legislation have been identified, and where there was sufficient proof to support a prosecution case, it was SFPA policy to initiate prosecutions. ``The SFPA is committed to carrying out its regulatory role in an open and transparent manner,'' Whelan said.
``With regard to the case at hand, the SFPA will follow due process fully and will communicate any salient lessons learned.'' He said at this point, it would be unfair to comment in detail on the case: ``But I can confirm we are examining all events that led up to the dispatch of the food products alleged to have caused food illness. ``In particular, we are focusing on identifying any breaches of food safety legislation that may have occurred, and we are gathering whatever evidence is available to support the prosecution of any breaches discov-
ered before we instigate any further action.'' He added that the public could be assured that the investigation so far has been ``robust and well resourced'' and driven from the highest level within the SFPA, with the specific emphasis on protecting public health. ``There will be no fudging of the findings in this case. ``The SFPA has always publicised the outcomes of legal actions it has taken in the interest of transparency, and as part of our mandate to deter future contraventions,'' he concluded.
MYTHBUSTER
Farmed salmon Ð Is it as nutritious as wild? By Vera Heffernan BIM
SCIENTIFIC studies have shown that both farmed and wild salmon have the same nutritional health benefits. Claims that farmed salmon are less nutritious than their wild counterparts are without basis and completely false. The simple truth is that farmed salmon has just as much nutritional value as the wild variety Ð if not more! The many benefits of both farmed and wild salmon include the fact that it is a rich source of protein, and an excellent source of minerals. In addition, salmon is an oil-rich fish, packed with
vitamins A and D and essential Omega-3 fats. Omega-3 fats are the `good fats', and are one of the most beneficial nutrients we can eat. They are important to kids and adults alike. Our bodies cannot manufacture these special fats, so we need to eat foods containing Omega-3 regularly. Salmon is one of the few foods to provide this essential fat, and it is a source of two of the most important types of Omega-3: EPA and DHA. Omega-3 fats can be found in small amounts in other foods, but the body has difficulty turning these fats into the EPA and DHA that it needs. Every day, more and more
research is published demonstrating the Omega-3 based health benefits from eating farmed salmon. According to the Seafood Choices study conducted by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, (IMNA) in the USA, farmed salmon is the best and safest choice for Omega-3 fatty acids. The study was carried out in response to a request from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In the study, the IMNA reviewed evidence on the benefits and risks associated with seafood consumption so as to recommend ways to guide consumers in making seafood
selections to meet their needs. One challenge found by the study was the problem of how the health risks and benefits should be communicated to consumers, especially to those who may be more vulnerable than the general population. To combat this problem, the study committee developed a graph illustration (Figure 2) as an example to show the tradeoff relationships between the Omega-3 fatty acid profiles of various types of seafood and their methyl mercury content. Therefore, regularly including Omega-3 rich Irish farmed salmon in your diet will significantly reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease, and substantially lessen the risk of developing Alzheimer's and other mental health disorders, according to leading international scientist Professor Michael Crawford, the founder and Director of the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition at London Metropolitan University. Professor Crawford said that mental health illnesses associated with Omega-3 deficiency is ``the most stpressing health issue of the 21 century.'' During the World Seafood Congress in Dublin last September, Crawford said there was an increasing amount of scientific evidence linking brain disorders and diet. For example, researchers now know women suffering from post-natal depression produce breast milk that is low in DHA Ð the boss of the Omega3 family. Similarly, preliminary research into Alzheimer's disease shows sufferers are also losing this critical DHA from the
*
Fig 2 Source: Institute of Medicine, Fact Sheet October 2006, Balancing Choices: Supporting Consumer Seafood Consumption Decisions.
brain. The human brain is almost 60% fat. Most of this fat is Omega-3 DHA fat. Crawford advised that if we do not feed our brain the food it needs to remain healthy Ð in particular, fish rich in Omega-3 fats Ð then ``we are looking at serious brain problems like depression, bi-polar disorder and childhood behavioural problems such as ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia''. The message from Crawford is simple: ``We need to eat more fish.'' But even now, despite all we know, just 20% of Irish people eat fish twice weekly,
the minimum level for any benefit to be seen. Avoiding or eliminating farmed salmon from the diet due to the myth that wild salmon is more nutritious will, ironically, likely increase the risk to your health. Irish farmed salmon is affordable and available all year round, unlike wild salmon, and as stated in the Seafood Choices study, the best and safest choice for Omega-3 fats. A no-brainer! Perhaps the old adage that fish is good for the brain has more sense in it than many people realise.
Salmon with pasta, pesto and parmesan Serves 4
Ingredients
* 4 salmon darnes * tablespoon olive oil * 2 tablespoons fresh basil pesto * 4 handfuls fresh rocket l eaves * 400g dried pasta * Freshly grated parmesan
Method
Cook the pasta according to the pack instructions. While the pasta is cooking, heat a little olive oil in a pan and cook the salmon over a medium heat for eight to 10 minutes until cooked through. Drain the pasta well and return to the pan with the
remaining olive oil and pesto. Add the rocket and stir gently through the pasta. Divide the pasta between
four warmed plates and place the salmon on top. Sprinkle with grated parmesan and serve with a green salad
INSHORE IRELAND
OVER 400 participants from 43 countries attended the 11th triannual international conference on applied phycology held in Galway last June entitled: Applied
Phycology
in
the
21st
Century; novel opportunities in a changing world.
Participation of scientists from less industrialised countries was facilitated through financial support from the International Society of Applied Phycology (ISAP), the local organising committee, and industry. A packed agenda included 165 oral and 140 poster contributions, that provided exhaustive coverage of the current status of applied phycology. Prof Michael Borowitzka's opening presentation Ð Algae and Biofuels, Quo Vadis?, addressed the current hot topic of using algae for biofuel production. Packed programme The subsequent 26 sessions, mini symposia and contributed papers, dealt with: biofuels; CO2 sequestering; integrated multitrophic aquaculture; photosynthetic efficiency; caretenoid production; algae and health, growth and physiology; chemical ecology; bio-deterioration, photo-bioreactors; food and feed ingredients; algal physiology; products and processes; bioremediation; wastewater treatment; commercial applications of algae; charales; algal toxins and bioactive molecules; pigments and antioxidants; lipids and polyunsaturated fatty acids; algae and aquaculture and algae and genetics. Workshops There are also two workshops. The first is centred on algae and health, with some interesting views from a sales perspective,
and lively debate on applications and claims. The second workshop dealt with industry/ academia relationships. Intellectual property At this workshop, six of the 12 companies present operate in the biofuel area. Different views were expressed and a general concensus was to protect IP (intellectual property) through patents and/or licensing deals, before engaging industry. As a consequence of the workshop, the ISAP might dedicate a session in the next conference to deal with patenting, licensing and IP protection. Three further sessions dealt with biofuels and CO2 sequestering issues using algae. In respect of microalgae and biodiesel production, it seems that open pond cultivation is the best way economically to produce large quantities of biomass. In the case of macroalgae for bioethanol production, only large fast-growing brown algae show promise, although issues with wild harvest vs cultivation have yet to be explored. Animal vaccines Along with biofuels, some other interesting subject areas were explored by the other keynote speakers. Professor R Sayre presented his views on microalgal vaccine strategies for the immunisation of animals. He has developed a microalgal, oral vaccine system as an alternative to injectable, animal-based vaccines. The effective oral delivery of antigens by microalgae provides a safe and inexpensive mechanism to immunize animals. Professor de Nys discussed using algal bioremediation options for application to tropical aquaculture, that remove nitrogen while providing novel food products, biological fertilisers, and feeds for Integrated MultiTrophic Aquaculture (IMTA). Professor Codd discussed cyanotoxins and their ecotoxico-
logical and biotechnological applications. Cyanotoxins are now internationally recognized as health hazards, and measures are in place but to widely varying degrees, to reduce the risks that they can present to drinking water supply, recreation, tourism and aquaculture. Seaweed biofilters For the first time, an entire mini symposium was dedicated to IMTA. This session dealt with the application of seaweed biofilters to clean waste water, or excess nitrates and phosphates, from intensive aquaculture practices, while producing an economically valuable secondary crop or product for the fish and shellfish farmers. The potential of microalgal biotechnology to yield a range of products including foodstuffs, industrial chemicals, compounds with therapeutic potency and bioremediation solutions, has long been recognised. To date, however, only two are produced commercially Ð carotenoids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Currently, new applications are being developed for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, health and food industries. Among the other sessions was a short, but interesting presentation on the problems caused by * Ulva at Courtmacsherry Bay may be an excellent source for bioethanol. sub-aerial algal growths on artificial surfaces. Cyanotoxins Biodeterioration is a common problem for artificial substrata, are now and is particularly important internationally when it affects monuments or buildings of great aesthetical recognized as health significance. hazards, and The damage may be strictly measures are in aesthetical, of black, red, orange or green disfigurements, or may place to reduce the be of mechanical nature, by risks that they can directly or indirectly causing present to drinking disintegration of the surfaces affected. water supply, We can look at a well-run recreation, tourism conference, with great diversity, great learning and a great atmoand aquaculture sphere!
Alterations to food safety legislation By Gery Flynn
THE Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority's (SFPA) high profile involvement in the enforcement of fisheries controls over the past year and a half has somewhat obscured its parallel, but equally important role in policing seafood safety legislation.
In an interview with Inshore (see pages 8, 9) executive director Peter Whelan revealed that resulting this year from what he termed `alterations to food safety legislation,' the SFPA is currently re-assessing all seafood processing premises previously registered and approved, under the former food legislation `with a view to their re-approval'. ``All food safety agencies are undertaking the re-approval of food producing establishments at this time,'' he said.
Ireland
``Each food producing premises will be given a comprehensive in-depth appraisal of its structural and procedural suitability, to comply with the food hygiene regulations, and to ensure the food produced is safe,'' he emphasised. Inspection frequency Whelan revealed that 170 premises were inspected by SFPA personnel last year, adding that the `frequency of inspections' depended on the type of food business operation. ``Inspections are carried out on a risk basis, meaning that we focus on establishments at highest risk of developing problems. ``These would include all those that have complex processes, or with previous noncompliance issues, or where small problems might result in serious consequences,'' he explained.
He said that even though `higher risk establishments' would be likely to receive more visits, nevertheless `all establishments receive some visits, with the frequency of inspection being agreed with FSAI.' ``A closure order would be made where it was apparent that there was a grave and immediate danger to public health. ``But as with our role in fisheries control, we endeavour to promote compliance rather than issue legal proceedings,'' he said. ``In most cases, the deficiencies identified are of a less serious nature, and manufacturers are required to make necessary improvements within a given time frame, after which we verify that the improvements have been made,'' he added. Sample managers As to its role in the national
17
AQUACULTURE NEWS
Exploring multiple use of algae for biofuel production By Stefan Kraan, Irish Seaweed Centre
August 2008
biotoxin monitoring programme, Whelan said that SFPA officers acted as `sample managers' to ensure that samples taken by shellfish farmers are taken `in the correct co-ordinated manner and to ensure that the biotoxin programme and the relevant legislation are respected.' Collaborative effort He described the programme as a `collaborative effort' involving the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Marine Institute, SFPA and the shellfish industry, and added that SFPA involvement was via the Molluscan Shellfish Safety Committee. ``SFPA also participates in the `management cell' Ð the forum at which the State agencies and industry engage and decide whether to close or open areas where out of character results are encountered,'' he said.
Photo: ISC
18
INSHORE IRELAND August 2008
AQUACULTURE NEWS
SAC issue reaches boiling point in Cromane A public meeting in the fishing village of Cromane, Co Kerry, organised by IFA Aquaculture, heard that Minister Brendan Smith could immediately save over 50 jobs and the future of the local economy, by withdrawing an order he made in June to close the local mussel fishery. The meeting heard that the Minister was under no obligation to close the fishery, as it was not having any impact on the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in the bay. The unanimous demand of the meeting was that the statutory instrument be rescinded immediately, to allow for the fishing and relaying of seed mussels at the end of August this year. In response to the issues raised, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said that the closure of the mussel seed fishery on 30 June 2008 was `in line with normal management arrangements for this fishery'.
Background
The inner part of Dingle Bay around Cromane and Castlemaine has been an SAC since the early 1990s. Prior to designation, fishing for mussels had been carried out in the area, and had carried on after designation, with expression of the commitment of the Department of Environment and the European Commission that existing activities could carry on unhindered. An appeal in March 2000 by the local community to the designation concluded that the SAC designation would have no adverse effect on the local industry. This was in line with the European Commission's very clearly stated view, that aquaculture, and SAC designations, could easily and sustainably co-exist. The Government's action is said to have arisen as a kneejerk response to a European Court of Justice ruling last December, whic stated that Ireland had not implemented management plans in marine SACs,
* The meeting contended that there was no obligation to close the mussel seed fishery.
despite receiving large sums of The meeting heard that the money from the EC to do the Minister had not consulted with work, which subsequently had local fishermen in advance of making the order, nor had he to be returned unused. replied to representations made by the industry, or local politiSlow progress IFA Aquaculture executive se- cians. ``It is extraordinary how arbicretary, Richie Flynn, who trary, callous and illogical this chaired the meeting, told In- decision has been. shore Ireland that progress by ``When Ministerial decision the Departments of Agriculture wipes outa the income of 50 and Environment `has been families at the stroke of a pen, embarrassingly slow'. one would imagine the Govern``A bureaucratic dog's dinner ment would give them the has been created out of a simple courtesy of an explanation and problem. Meanwhile the aqua- a fair hearing,'' continued Mr culture sector is suffering di- Flynn. rectly while the Government ``There was no pressure from fumbles along from one disas- the Department of Environment trous decision to another,'' said or the EC to close this fishery, which is worth over 4 million Mr Flynn.
Inshore Ireland
is a marine/freshwater newspaper produced by journalists, Gillian Mills and Gery Flynn and distributed by the Irish Farmers Journal. In news, feature and advertorial format, Inshore Ireland reports from the coastal rim and inland waterways under the following headings:
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Inshore Ireland has a circulation of 38,000 copies and a readership of145,500. It is also posted directly to key individuals in the marine sector and is available six times a year by subscription.
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Editor:
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Features:
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to the local economy. They made a unilateral and illegal decision to close the mussel beds, and have now walked away leaving a region devastated,'' he added. Mussel producers and locals at the meeting described their anger and frustration with Minister Smith and Minister of State Tony Killeen for the way in which the matter had been handled. Local public representatives across party lines revealed that their representations to Ministers on the matter had also been fruitless. The meeting agreed that IFA would lead a campaign with the local mussel aquaculture industry to re-open the mussel fish-
ery, and to pursue a speedy end to the SAC crisis that was also holding up a further 280 aquaculture licences around the country. ``If the Government just simply did its job, we wouldn't be in this mess. Seafood is one of the shining stars of the rural economy. Our products are in high demand and we have queues of people looking to work in the sector. ``We have private investment lining up to enter the business. This is going to waste, because the Government can't seem to get its act together and sort out a minor issue in Brussels, that should have been resolved 10 years ago,'' concluded Mr Flynn.
INSHORE IRELAND
August 2008
19
AQUACULTURE NEWS
Notice-board . . Notice-board. .
IFA urges vigilance on oyster imports from France DISASTROUS news from the French oyster industry filtered through on the July spring tide as oyster farmers from Normandy to the Mediterranean discovered losses amounting to 80% to 100% in juveniles. Panic spread throughout the industry as it became clear that this was not normal `summer syndrome' and the main cause remained a mystery. Theories about warm winters, Karenia blooms, pesticide runoff in heavy rainfall and disease abounded. IFA Aquaculture, with BIM's Paris office kept close contact with the French industry and media to monitor the situation, and the Association urged extreme caution to members to ensure that any imports of
juveniles or half-grown oysters from France were limited to those that carried a full health certificate from IFREMER. The French industry and Government decided that from 17 July, all exports of oysters would in any case be banned, and formulated a regulation banning the relaying/re-immersion of any oysters under 12 months old from any bay in France or from abroad. These drastic measures have led to a general crisis in the French industry. Media estimates of mortalities greater than seven billion oysters of three generations have put serious doubts over the future of the sector, which is the largest producer in Europe. No abnormal mortalities have
been reported in other countries such as Holland, Spain, Denmark or Britain, and Irish producers have been extremely vigilant in checking their own stocks since the ISA issued a warning upon first hearing the news.
Latest
The latest news at the time of going to press was that high levels of the bacterium vibrio splendidus and the herpes virus oshv-1, coupled with mild winter temperatures, are thought to be the main cause. The ISA and the Marine Institute have issued a warning to all members to be vigilant to ensure that all imports are curtailed until the situation be-
comes clearer and that rigorous systems are in place so that all imports can be checked for all diseases before entry to Irish waters. At the time of going to press, the ISA was planning a further assessment of the situation which will potentially impact on both seed supply to Irish producers and a negative impact on the image of oysters in the marketplace. ``On top of an already difficult year in the market, damage to the image of oysters will impact severely on our members. ``This is no time to be thinking of opportunities for Irish oysters as the overall category will be affected and many of our members have
close business links with the oyster sector in France. ``ISA will work through the European Mollusc Producers' Association to do whatever we
coastal
arbitration system.
can to alleviate the situation for the market and for the Irish oyster industry,'' ISA chairman, Flor Harrington told Inshore Ireland.
IFA submits paper to marketing group
FOLLOWING consultation with elected board and executive members, IFA Aquaculture is submitting a paper on the marketing of aquaculture products to the new Ministerial body, Irish Seafood Marketing Initiative chaired by BIM chief executive, Jason Whooley. The paper focuses on the background to production; the need for a market-led industry focus and the need to channel finance into the most vital areas for domestic and export markets. The paper is available to download at www.ifa.ie in the aquaculture section.
New fish health law a `botched job' Ă? IFA THE government's handling of increased bureaucracy included the introduction of a new law (SI in the Directive was properly 261/2008) which came into balanced by recognition of the force on 1 August to manage right of aquaculture producers the health status of Irish farmed to fair compensation for state fish and shellfish stocks has intervention on listed diseases, been severely criticised by the in common with all other listed diseases in the Community.' industry as a `botched job'. IFA Aquaculture, representing over 300 companies in- Government volved in farming seafood, has obligation described the piecemeal intro- `We spent a great deal of time at duction of a European Directive meetings of the Irish National on fish health as a `serious blow' Aquaculture Forum and the to relations between the sector Irish Fish and Shellfish Health and the government and an Advisory Committee emphasis`unnecessarily unworkable ap- ing that the Irish government plication by the government of had an obligation to the sector an otherwise sound piece of to respect the spirit and letter of European legislation. the Directive in relation to `In short, this S.I. demands
immediate
re t r a c t i o n
and
compensation. Finally, we en-
DG Fish (now Mare) a statement from sured thatprovision for member executive secretary, Richie included states to compensate fish farmFlynn, reads. through the EurIt adds that the industry ers adequately Fisheries Fund. None of supports the European Commis- opean work appears to have sion's work to produce a new this on the negative, unfish health management regime impacted and anti-industry attiunder the Fish Health Directive helpful of the Department of EC 88/2006 and represents an tude Fisheries and Food, important step forward to mea- Agriculture by this SI,' the statesured and constructive manage- illustrated reads. ment of aquatic fish health in ment Aquaculture contends Europe: `IFA worked for over thatIFA government has unilaterally five years with Irish public and decided to relegate aquaculture private fish health experts, the producers to a second division Federation of European Aquaof livestock production by deculture Producers and the EC nying the right to compensation and Parliament to ensure that on the SI. amendment,'
Department responds STATUTORY
Instrument No. 261/2008 which transposed
Council Directive 2006/88/EC (the Fish Health Directive) was fully consistent with the requirements of and obligations under the Directive. On the issue of compensation raised by IFA, the Directive does not oblige Member States to pay compensation in circumstances where eradication measures are required for the control of fish health disease. Minister of State Killleen met with IFA Aquaculture on 9 July last and the position in the matter of compensation was fully explained at that meeting. The fact that the national regulations do not create a framework for possible payment of compensation in such circumstances does not preclude consideration of the position on a case by case basis, if or when any such situations might arise in the future.
`The government has ignored
locations
are
being
isation and to ensure that the
recital 35 of the Directive which
denuded of young families de-
`The Minister for Agriculture,
sector in co-operation with the
states, ``Where the control of
pendent on alternative employ-
Fisheries and Food must also
Marine Institute is made fully
serious aquatic animal disease
ment. Is this ridiculous situation
ensure that Article 17(13) is also
aware
is subject to harmonised Com-
really what is needed given the
immediately
1
under the SI via information
munity
amended
from
of
its
responsibilities
measures,
country's current economic cir-
September 2008 to 1 January
meetings and literature within
Member States should be al-
cumstances; how can the Gov-
2009, to give fair time to the
normal working time and out-
lowed
ernment
industry to apply for an author-
side of the holiday period.
eradication to
make
use
of
the
financial contribution from the
stand
over
this
shambles?
Community under Council Reg-
`Compensation is not a de-
ulation (EC) No1198/2006 of 27
mand for handouts but is part of
July
European
a professional contract between
According to IFA Aquaculture, following constructive discussions with industry, Council Decision 90/424/EC on expenditure in the veterinary field was amended to include the list of non-exotic diseases listed in Council Directive 2006/88/EC.
industry and state to ensure the
been
work and commitment to com-
given to IFA Aquaculture as to
pensation ensures the highest
why the Irish government has
professional engagement by all
deliberately
ignore
parties without fear or ambigu-
these positive and helpful EU
ity clouding the important issue
policies,'
of preserving our vital health
2006
on
the
Fisheries Fund''.'
`No
explanation
has
chosen
to
it contends.
effective control
implementation and
of
management
a re-
gime, evidenced by the fact that no
other
livestock
sector
in
Ireland is deprived of this right. It is a measure that is used in exceptional
circumstances
but
the existence of a clear frame-
status.
The statement continues:
`Experience has long shown
`The lack of recognition for
that the unhelpful and unneces-
the sector's right to compensa-
sarily confrontational approach
tion is the latest blow to the
by
sector in what now appears to
compensation
be an active yet illogical and
ways ended in disaster for the
completely
producer and for the national
paign
by
indefensible the
cam-
government
to
government
lack
industry is brought to a stand-
disease
still and ultimately destroyed.
producers
delivering for aquaculture also
individual has
al-
fish health status, resulting in a
ensure that the Irish aquaculture
`The government's record on
to
claims
of
effective and
control
of
losses
for
waiting
for
huge
while
the embarrassingly slow wheels of the State to turn. `IFA
includes years of foot dragging
Aquaculture
is
well
on licensing, rejecting aquacul-
aware that the original drafts
ture in the latest Operational
of
Programme,
and
relating to compensation, valua-
unilaterally
the
SI
contained
articles
mussel
tion, arbitration and abatement
areas and a long litany of other
of compensation. Why did the
failures
government decide to remove
illegally
issues
closing to
for
seed
tackle fish
key
and
policy
shellfish
these articles before signing? `In
farmers.
order
to
salvage
this
or
unnecessary and extremely ser-
ability to deal with fundamental
ious situation, IFA aquaculture
issues for our industry, govern-
demands that before our mem-
ment
situation
bers can implement the SI, it is
where jobs are being lost on a
redrafted, amended and repub-
weekly basis; significant private
lished with full details of com-
investment is being turned away,
pensation (financial and non-
export and domestic markets are
financial) for any forced slaugh-
being lost to competitors; costs
ter, movement or fallowing re-
of dealing with bureaucracy are
quired
spiral out of control and remote
valuation of animals and a fair
`Through
is
lack
creating
of
a
will
under
the
regulation,
20
INSHORE IRELAND August 2008
SEAFOOD CONFERENCE
CFP renegotiation, not an option By Gery Flynn
IRISH fishermen have been told they can rule out any hope of securing a unilateral renegotiation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and to concentrate instead on lobbying the Commission to tighten its rules regarding the importation of non-EU fish. Dr Noel Cawley, chair of the government's Seafood Strategy Implementation Group (SSIG) speaking at the `Driv-
ing the Industry Forward' conference in Donegal organised by BIM, said that fishing industry representatives would do better by trying to ``encourage'' the Commission to modify some of its policies on the amount of imported fish currently being allowed unrestricted access to the EU:
No controls ``The EU imports a sizable quantity of fish and while
catching in the EU is controlled by quota, there are virtually no controls or import duties on what currently comes in from outside the EU,'' Dr Cawley said.
Price increase ``In reality, the short-term solution to some of the problems being experienced, especially since the rise in the cost of fuel, would be to increase the price of fish within the
community. That is the obvious economic solution, but it just cannot happen because of the vast quantities of cheap product, both legal and illegal, being imported.'' And while he sympathised with the plight of fishermen in relation to quotas, rising fuel costs and falling prices, he said there was a need more than ever now for a strategy that would point a way forward: ``I have heard some people saying that there is little point
in talking about a strategy if the fishing industry is dying today. And while there is some truth in that, we must nevertheless try to view things in a broader way,'' he said.
Strategy needed ``The reality is that no industry Ð whether it's farming or fishing Ð can operate without a strategy. And as well as that you have to take it that the problems you are experien-
cing are going to remain, at least for the short term.'' Outlining the SSIG brief from government, he said the aim was to ``draw up something'' that would provide a sustainable, profitable and in particular, a self-reliant industry, within the context of the CFP, and also within the laws of the state and the EU. ``We were not looking at the CFP per se or what might be done with it, that would have been a huge task,'' he said.
Tesco success based on sustainability Peter Hajipieris
PETER Hajipieris, policy manager for seafood with food retailing giant, Tesco Stores Ltd, said that with 440,000 employees; 3,728 stores; £51.8 billion sales and £2.8 billion profit, his company ranked as the world's third largest supermarket. And with 452 counters, Tesco is Britain's largest `fishmonger' and the market leader in fresh and frozen fish products, and second only to M&S in ready-meals. ``For a public listed seafood company like Tesco, our shareholders expect our board to have a clear long-term strategy and proper processes in place,'' he said. ``They also expect us to understand what we are doing with the business. There has to be transparency, a strong performance and a good return on
investment. As well of these, they also expect us to demonstrate two other very important things for sustainability: corporate responsibility, and that we listen to our customers.''
Turnover and goodwill
He said that the `real assets of any company' were based on its turnover and an element of goodwill that he said was, in fact, sustainability. ``Goodwill tranaslates into corporate responsibility which in turn means looking after customers by feeding them in a manner that reduces the impact on the environment, a very simple statement, but of couse it's difficult to achieve,'' he said. ``We have found that when our customers consider buying fish, they look first in order at: the best-before date; physical appearance; freshness; food
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safety; price. Increasingly, however, they are also looking at sustainability. And even though they might not understand `resource depletion' or the challenges of discards, the way we do it is still important to them,'' he said. Describing sustainability as ``a story of industry change'' and ``something that is not going away'' he added that it had now become another measure and ``the currency of business whether we like it or not. ``Unless a company takes an interest in sustainability they should not be surprised that the market will move elsewhere,'' he said. ``And when they buy seafood today, customers expect the brand to do the job for them. They expect it to be okay, and they don't want to know about our problems. We have to solve these ourselves,'' he said.
Corporate score-card
Hajipieris said that sustainability was now part of Tesco's socalled ``corporate score-card. ``Sustainability is integrated into the `community' segment of our corporate steering wheel under the terms `be responsble, fair and honest' and `be a good neighbour'.'' He added that Tesco looked to the FAO with regard to standards on seafood. ``We all need to work at where we are going in terms of standards because the bigger issues, like overfishing for example, cannot be addressed properly unless you know what standard you are trying to operate to,'' he said. ``Tesco aims to ensure that the wild capture and farmed seafood it sells comes from fisheries and farms that are managed in a manner consistent with respon-
sible fisheries management,'' he said. ``And Tesco is also fully committed to working with policy makers, fisheries, industry and organisations who support the journey towards sustainable fisheries.'' He said that Tesco ``fully supported'' the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) but would also work with similar schemes that are credible because ``we do not expect everybody to adhere to the MSC standard. ``Regarding sustainability, one of the things people often forget about is that it isn't just about source depletion. It's also about what we do with the product the moment it comes out of the sea. And with estimates that 15% of that product is wasted the moment it's caught, that adds up to a hell of a lot of fish,'' he said.
* Peter Hajipieris
Critics of finfish aquaculture are analysing sustainability through environmental questions Jan Feenstra
``In the context of aquaculture, sustainability is most relevant in relation to the environment, to the business itself, and to the community,'' remarked Jan Feenstra, managing director of Marine Harvest Ireland, the country's largest salmon producer. He said that critics of the finfish aquaculture industry mostly analysed sustainability solely through environmental questions, like does it cause pollution; do sea lice from farms affect wild fisheries; do escapees cause `genetic pollution' among wild stocks; should we be using one type of fish protein to create another; and does it have a negative visual impact? ``Every one of these issues, with the exception of visual impact, which is highly subjective anyway and tends to be a NIMBY syndrome, lie at the heart of the fish farmers' own concerns and striving for success,'' Feenstra said. ``And believe me, as a fish farmer it is in my best interest to
operate in harmony with the local environment. My stocks will not thrive otherwise,'' he said. ``Therefore, if there's pollution, the fish will not grow; if there are sea lice they grow less efficiently and may even die: if fish escape the profits are lost; and if fish proteins become scarce our costs escalate,'' he said.
Negative perception
``The reality is that these concerns lie at the heart of the negative perception towards the aquculture industry and also cause anxiety amongst those who regulate it. ``Why has aquaculture licensing come to a stand-still in this country, and why can we not be dynamic on both the industry and regulatory sides to apply and introduce the latest and most sustainable best practices?'' he asked. ``Additional licences would enable farmers to raise their best practises and operating standards.''
The aquaculture industry is crying out to be driven forward. The Cawley report is a year and a half old, and we should now be talking about implementing it. But it will not happen unless government demonstrates real conviction and feels responsible for addressing its needs to achieve high standards in sustainability
* Jan Feenstra He said that it did not make sense anymore and until it did, it would be very difficult to drive the aquaculture industry forward. ``We can blame the demise of our fishing industry on the failure of Brussels to manage our wild fisheries,'' he said. ``But we cannot blame them for mismanaging our aquaculture industry. The EC is on record as saying that developing marine and freshwater aquaculture is compatible with the EU's environmental objectives.''
Licence paralysis
Viewing sustainability from a business perspective, Feenstra said that paralysis in the issuing of new licences was now impacting on companies like his, by forcing them to develop in
ways that were unnecessarily difficult. ``Marine Harvest Ireland has a far greater demand for its product than we can produce,'' he explained. ``And we do not produce enough currently to build sufficient continuity in order to be able to approach the large retail chains with our products. Therefore, as we have failed to expand through securing new licences, we must grow by acquiring other companies to allow us to do so. And I can assure you this is an expensive and complicated route to expansion.'' He concluded by stressing the importance of sustainability from a community perspective: ``Unless you have lived in these coastal areas you cannot realise just how improtant a role aquaculture jobs play,'' he said. ``As a manager I can play an important part as to how our company is going to fare in the future, but there are elements that I have very little say in,'' he said. ``The aquaculture industry is crying out to be driven forward. The Cawley report is a year and a half old, and we should now be talking about implementing it. But it will not happen unless government demonstrates real conviction towards it and feels responsible for addressing its needs to achieve high standards in environmental sustainability, as well as sustainability with regard to the business and its people.''
INSHORE IRELAND August 2008
21
SEAFOOD CONFERENCE
Aiming for a profitable, self-reliant industry Michael Keatinge LOOKING to the mediumterm, Michael Keatinge, fisheries development manager at BIM, said that despite the doom and gloom of recent months, there was reason for optimism. He said that the industry should be praised for not shirking from investing in itself, pointing out that even though the whitefish sector has been supported by government and the EU, the industry itself has ‘‘not been found short in supporting its future by investing in order to bring balance to available resources. ‘‘Between 1999 and 2006, 79 new and second-hand boats were introduced at a total cost of €103 million,’’ he said. ‘‘And of the total €151 million invested in that period, two thirds of it, or €92 million, was private or industry investment. That’s a huge vote of confidence in the future.’’
Modern, safe fleet He said the result was that Ireland’s fishing fleet was now ‘‘modern, safe, with an allweather capacity, and above all, has enormously improved working conditions at sea.
‘‘In terms of structural adjustment, therefore, we have gone from 250 offshore whitefish boats down to 180. The average size has also gone up, and the average age, which was nearing 30 years ten years ago, is today below 22 years,’’ he said. ‘‘Had we done nothing, the average age of the demersal fleet today would be 40. But by taking the actions we did, it has been reduced to 22 years. And when we complete the decomissioning scheme in the next few months, the average age of a boat will be 18 years, and the average GT (gross tonnage) will be under 15.’’ On the thorny issue of a healthier and more diverse marine environment with increased sustainability of all fish stocks, he conceded there were still ‘‘huge challenges to be overcome. ‘‘With a few exceptions some stocks, like herring in the North Sea, and hake, seem to have recovered to some extent. But it has been a stubbornly slow process and we aren’t seeing the sort of stock recovery that we need,’’ he said. More optimistically, however, he said that with on-going
*
Michael Keatinge in conversation with Frank Fleming (fisherman) and Conor Nolan, BIM.
reductions in the size of the EU fishing fleet, there were bound to be beneficial effects on stock recovery: ‘‘The level of fishing in critical stocks such as Celtic Sea has already begun to go down and will continue to decline. So if there was ever a chance for stock recovery it’s now,’’ he said. ‘‘The critical question to be answered however is: Have we yet managed to generate a profitable self-reliant industry that can maximise its long-term contribution to the coastal com-
munities? And, if you ask me here today, the answer has to be unfortunately, no! We are still in a serious situation,’’ he said.
Solutions Summing up, he said that issues such as quota increases and a change in the current practice of discarding, were where many of the solutions to current difficulties lie: ‘‘Within the fishing industry the erosion of profit from a 20% gross four years ago to a 7% loss today is stark. The industry
Pictured L to : Dave Millard, Regional Officer, BIM; Georgine Keating and Wayne Seberry, D’Arcy’s Oyster Bar & Grill and Fabrice Richez, Aquaculture Development Division, BIM.
*
Workshop profiles the quality of Irish shellfish TO highlight the world-class quality of Irish seafood and shellfish in particular, BIM recently hosted a shellfish quality workshop for hospitality members of the BIM Seafood Circle initiative in Fishy Fishy Café in Kinsale, Co Cork. The workshop aimed to raise awareness of the quality of Irish mussels and oysters and how best they can be
promoted. Coordinated by John Hackett of the Seafood Circle initiative in conjunction with the organisation’s Aquaculture Development Division, the workshop involved presentations and discussions, followed by practical handson demonstrations on preparation, cooking and presentation etc. BIM regularly organises workshops for Seafood Circle
members as part of the initiative which recognises and awards hospitality and retail businesses that consistently deliver the highest standards of seafood and service. The membership of more than 130 is located in urban and rural areas throughout the country. A full list is available on www.seafoodcircle.ie BIM has also produced a series of nutritional leaflets on
seafood to inform Irish consumers of the importance of seafood in the diet. The latest leaflet, ‘Looking After Your Heart’, contains information on shellfish, and how oysters and mussels, contrary to popular belief, contain no cholesterol. This leaflet and further information are available through GP’s surgeries and online at www.bim.ie/ wellbeing
cannot continue at that,’’ he said. He revealed that the level of discarding of marketable fish was around 40% across all species, and maybe as high as 90% in some case. ‘‘Nevertheless, if some of that could be landed within quota and without ‘‘burning fuel to catch it’’, the sector would bounce back to a 5% profitability overnight, Keatinge said. ‘‘If we can generate an extra 5,000 tonnes of available quota
through natural stock recovery, reduce discards by 50%, and if we can reduce overheads by 10% and at the same time increase prices by 5%, we could be operating at 20% profitability,’’ he said. ‘‘I actually think we can do all of these things. Yes, of course some of them may take a little bit longer, but if we don’t believe they are possible then perhaps we should all go home. It may not be an easy trek but I think we can get there,’’ he concluded.
22
INSHORE IRELAND August 2008
SPECIAL REPORT
Freebies, boilies and bivvies Ð the By Gillian Mills SO I discovered during a fishing trip to Extremadeura in Spain organised by the Spanish Tourist Office in Dublin and guided by Yadira Chaparro of the Extremadura Tourist Board. At almost 42,000 square kilometres, Extramadura represents 8% of the Spanish landmass and is located in the western region of the central sub-plateau that borders Portugal. The landscape is varied Ð from plains and fertile valleys to Mediterranean forest and mountain ranges of up to 2,500 metres in height. Two major rivers influence the region, Tajo and Guadiana, whose waters are harnessed in many reservoirs to produce hydroelectricity and which provide many kilometres of freshwater coastline.
Our fishing guide, Craig Reid, Extremadura Fishing Spain S.L., has been operating in the region for the past three years. ``This area, with its diversity of deep lakes and shallow, fast running water, offers a variety of fishing. You'll find carp, barbell, pike, black bass and tench Ð all providing excellent fishing for the pleasure angler, fly angler, predator and specimen hunters alike. ``The rivers and lakes are abundant with carp, some reaching in excess of 65lbs! Many almost certainly have never been caught before and will fight like mad!'' he said. Our fishing exploits were on two water bodies: the Orellana reservoir (5,084 ha), which was built in 1961 and the Sierra Brava, a tributary of the Guadiana River (1,650 ha). Carp fishing demands a lot of
preparation and even more patience. Once a location is chosen then begins the ritual that hopefully ends in a catch. `Freebies' or ground bait of maize and seeds is strategically scattered into an area to attract the fish. Then with pinpoint accuracy, the line with hook and boilie attached is cast into the baited area. Three lines are usually cast and left to rest on a pod. The avid fishermen may `sit it out' for prolonged periods under his bivvy waiting for the bite indicator to sound that something is nibbling on the boiles. (Recipes for these boiled pellets vary but are usually a mix of semolina, ground rice, soya flour, which is rolled into small balls, boiled and frozen. These are then attached to the line below the hook.) Despite two days on the water's edge only a few fish were caught, at day break on the Orellana. At the tell-tale sound of the indicator, the camp sprang into action and all eyes were on the lucky anglers Ð Anthony Grainger (26lbs) Tom Hillgrove (23lbs) and Dave Healy (17lbs) Ð who reeled in their prized catch. Once landed, the fish were measured, weighed and photographed, and returned to water. As quickly as the moment had arrived it passed, not to return for the remainder of the day. In the early hours of day two on the Sierra Brava, the preparatory ritual was repeated; then the camp settled into the long wait and into their personal zones, giving true meaning to the saying: ``Sometimes I sits and thinks and sometimes I just sits,'' as we watched a new day dawn * Sunrise on Sierra Brava. over the lake.
ELIFTCAF
THERE are four types of carp in Ireland: The fully-scaled common carp; the mirror carp, which has relatively few scales and a smooth body surface; the linear carp with scales along the lateral line only, and the leather carp, which are totally without scales and are very rare. The common carp originated in Western Asia and naturally dispersed to China, Siberia and the Danube basin. The fish were later transferred to Europe by the Romans. Carp culture in China dates back to the 7th Century BC where some 90% of the current 11 million tonne world production is grown. The carp was spread throughout Europe by monks between the 13th and 16th centuries as a food fish. In Western Europe, the carp is cultured more commonly as a sport fish although there is a small market for the table. In Britain, carp angling is now the largest and fastest growing sector of both coarse and game fishing.
By-laws
THE coarse fish by-law provides for the following conservation measures: * a bag limit of four coarse fish in any one day * prohibits the killing of any coarse fish greater than 25cm in length * prohibits the sale of any coarse fish in Ireland (excluding NI), this provision will not apply to fishing tackle dealers and fish bait suppliers who have been granted an exemption from their respective Regional Fisheries Board
Females usually reach sexual maturity at four to five years of age, the males a year earlier. Carp are capable of living up to 60 years and commonly reach 30 years of age. The main attractions to angling for carp are the power of the fish and the effort required to catch a specimen. Large carp are a wary fish and have an uncanny ability of ignoring bait. Their feeding habits are greatly affected by weather conditions and the abundance of natural feed. The current Irish record is just under 30lb; the current British record is just over 60lb and the world record is over 100lb. Biology Carp are omnivorous and in the wild obtain most of their food from the benthos (the bottom of a lake, sea, or ocean, and the littoral and supralittoral zones of the shore). They feed on insect larvae, zooplankton, snails and plants. Their lips are tough and rubbery with no teeth in the mouth parts. (The teeth are found in the throat and are known as pharyngeal teeth. Any
large food particles are crushed and ground before swallowing.) The carp is generally a lazy feeder and will feed on the most abundant supply of food first, moving to other food sources once these have been exhausted. Common carp can withstand varying water quality parameters and can survive in temperatures varying from 1ëC to over 30ëC. Because they have adapted to survive these conditions they are often the `last fish standing' when a fish kill occurs due to algal blooms. In order to spawn, water temperature must be at least 18ëC for a prolonged period. The eggs are laid on soft weed or grasses and hatch in a few days. Growth of the young fry is rapid; juveniles usually reach a weight of 10g to 20g by the end of the first summer. One major problem for the carp in Ireland is the unpredictable temperatures during early summer. Warm early summers are often enough to trigger spawning but a cold spell immediately following this can result in recruitment failure due to the sensitivity of the larvae to temperature fluctuations.
* Dave Healy shows off his 17lb carp caught at the Orellana lake.
* Sitting and waiting and waiting.......at Sierra Brava.
* Orellana carp on display: Anthony Grainger (25 3/4lb) Tom Hillgrove (23lb).
Carp: the Irish By Tom Hillgrove
Carfishingireland.com
ONE of the biggest problems currently facing coarse fishing in Ireland is that of poachers or `foreign nationals' (FNs) as they have been labelled. In their home countries (mostly East European) it is the norm to eat whatever is caught, and they seem to be getting away with it here also on a much bigger scale. Catching the odd fish and bringing it home to eat is one thing; however the instances of people getting caught netting lakes, rivers and using night lines is on the increase. I've even heard of one FN electro fishing one of the canals! Nothing seems to be safe: carp, rudd, roach, bream, and pike Ð if they are caught they are eaten Ð it's as simple as that. I have witnessed it myself: Two FN anglers on a lake I was fishing. When they were leaving, we questioned them about * Corkagh Park, Clondalkin, Co Dublin what they were doing and they just said ``having a row * Lakeland Fisihery, Rooskey, around''. They were very inCo Roscommon formed about the laws and said * Gorteen Lake, Co Clare they would never eat anything * Oakland's Fishery, New Ross, they caught; however, after they Co Wexford left we had a cast around where they were and pulled in nets * Galmoylestown and Ballinafid, spanning the entire width of the Co Westmeath lake of over 150 yards. * Brothers and Capragh Lakes, Coarse fish are not the only Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan species being targeted; trout and * Coarse angling centres salmon are also pursued.
Main fisheries
It has got to the stage where all FNs are being painted with the same brush, which is not fair. I have met many who are sickened by what their fellow countrymen are getting away with. I know the fishery boards are trying their best to stop this and have brought a few cases before the courts but it does not seem to be working. Is it time for lakes to be handed over to clubs so that they can assist the fishery officers with patrolling? I run an online forum Ð carpfishingireland.com Ð and anyone who joins up with a foreign name is treated with the cold shoulder from other users because they are afraid that their lake will be cleaned out if it becomes known where to catch carp. There is also the problem of litter. Some lakes are now closed to anglers because of rubbish being left behind, fires being lit and whatever is caught getting cooked by the lake side. Something has to be done soon because the longer it goes on, the more waters that are going to be fishless. There are a good few lakes that are now not worth fishing even though they were full of fish two or three years ago. If things keep going the way they are, anglers will be hanging up their rods and taking up golf or tennis Ð not because they want to, but because the lakes will be fishless.
INSHORE IRELAND August 2008
23
SPECIAL REPORT
language of the carp fisherman Fishing packages Yadira Chaparro, Extremadura Turismo (ychaparro@turiex.com) +34669788920 Craig Reid, Extremadura Fishing Spain S.L. * Airport transfers in luxury air-conditioned vehicle * Daily transport to and from fishing venues by 4x4 vehicle * Fishing guide * Accommodation * Relevant fishing licences * Fishing equipment * Fishing rods and reels * Bait pack * Breakfast, packed lunches and evening meal (fully inclusive package) Advice on fishing end tackle * Baiting-up boat equipped with sonar * Boilie boat * Pre-baiting service
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Dave Healy casts into baited ground at the Orellana lake.
experience
Carp drama on Gaulmoylestown Lake By Brendan Connolly
Freebies of maize, corn, pellets and seeds to entice fish into selected area. *
NESTLED in the rolling Westmeath countryside is picturesque Gaulmoylestown Lough — one of only a few lakes in Ireland with a self-sustaining carp population Not more than two acres in size, it is a little haven of peaceful tranquility. But the lake has not always been this peaceful and for a while in the 1990s, it was the scene of many a scuffle between owner and angler. Owner Olive Sharkey recounts how the lake was once a quarry for daub mud used to build cottages. Trout then inhabited the lake but disappeared when it dried out. Subsequently, about 30 years ago, the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board stocked the lake with carp to see if they would reproduce in this
shallow lake. The lake is shallow and warms up enough to bring carp into spawning condition. (The temperature needs to be a minimum of 16oC for about three weeks). This does not happen every year, but often enough to create a self-sustaining carp population. While carp fishing is big business in Britain, Ireland has few carp waters. Gaulmoylestown, therefore, began attracting anglers who were welcome to fish the waters until problems began. Litter started appearing on the banks; anglers began camping overnight, with all the attendant trappings of fires and using the surroundings as a latrine. When the owners raised their concern about possible forest fires, they were even threatened. On one occasion when the then manager approached a
Precious coarse fish stocks in Edenderry THE long straight stretches of Ireland’s Grand Canal may seem quiet and tranquil to the passing motorist. In recent times, however, tempers have run high on these banks and the reason for this is the unwelcome attention that the coarse fish stocks in the canal have attracted. The Grand Canal near Eden-
derry harbours coarse fish such as bream, roach, rudd, tench, carp, perch and pike. The coarse angling club in Edenderry is one of the most active in Ireland, running many competitions, including two fishing festivals. Fish are kept in keepnets, and carefully released afterwards. Some don’t even use keep-nets in case fish get
damaged — they are released immediately after capture. So, it was with horror when locals discovered that some foreign anglers are killing fish. In Eastern Europe for example, certain coarse fish are a delicacy and to cater for their tastes, a well-known supermarket is now importing farmed carp from France at Christmas
time. Rumours abound of fights on the canal bank, broken rods, bottles and billiard cues used as weapons, anglers pushed into the canal, and cars being damaged. Whether these reports are exaggerations or not, it is clear that coarse fish are greatly prized and should be carefully protected. Edenderry’s coarse fish stocks are not for eating.
* Gaulmoylestown: Access is strictly controlled and booking is essential. Photo: B Connolly
group of anglers who had built a particularly large fire, he was threatened and struck on the head. (Carp is a delicacy in Eastern Europe and some foreign anglers will kill fish irrespective of the regulations — see sidebar.) Poachers were also caught netting the lake at night and by the early 2000s, the owners had no option but to fence off the lake and ban fishing. In an effort to stop fires, antisocial behaviour, littering and to re-establish their peaceful existence, the Sharkeys approached the County Council, The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, even the Ombudsman. None,
however, was able to provide the on-the-spot continuous management and control that this angling spot required. Despite these problems, however, the Gaulmoylestown Angling Club was set up in July 2005 by Niall Purcell who manages the fishery. Access is strictly controlled, and booking is essential. Littering earns a six-month ban, and a fire results in a life-time ban. The club has a waiting list for membership, but non-members are permitted to fish subject to approval by the manager for €10 per day. Niall Purcell can be contacted on 086-1004768.
24
INSHORE IRELAND August 2008
SHIPPING SPOTLIGHT
New role for Arklow following effective privatisation By Edward Fahy AS a public utility, Arklow has always been a mixed-use port whose adjacent land was designated for port-related activities. Administrative changes in the new millennium however granted the harbour authorities self governance but required them to become financially self-supporting. Now effectively privatised, the harbour is set to merely enhance the attraction of adjacent developments. The displacement of fishing and commercial traffic from marine harbours by leisure and residential development is not unusual in Europe today, but is it an appropriate policy for changing circumstances? Is it appropriate to suppress traditional fishing and commercial activity at a time of rising unemployment and to replace adjacent harbour-related infrastructure with apartments when there is a glut of unsold residential property in the State? In the early years of the last century, Arklow was one of the 11 most important Irish fishing ports possessing motor-fishing vessels. That it should support a fleet at all was remarkable because Arklow did not have a fish market and the harbour constantly suffered from siltation, which is a problem that persists to this day. Nevertheless, while other
Is it appropriate to suppress traditional fishing and commercial activity at a time of rising unemployment and to replace adjacent harbour-related infrastructure with apartments? Photo: G Mills
*
fleets exploited only herring and mackerel, which were the mainstays of coastal communities, Arklow had boats that could capture white fish with modern trawl nets whose use was not widely established. Arklow’s vessels, according to one report ‘‘moved according to disposition over the waters of the entire southern half of Ireland’’ and they were able to follow the fickle shoals from one part of the coast to another.
Work horses The standard Arklow boat was 45- 50ft (13.7-15.2m) long, a dimension that became widely adopted from the 1950s when numerous fishing vessels were grant aided by the State. These elegant wooden boats, characterised by pointed stem and stern, became the work horses of a growing trawler fleet that swept the Irish Sea. Gradually fin-fish stocks declined in re-
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sponse to over-fishing - their decline eloquently recounted in the Total Allowable Catches (TACs) which the European Commission decided on the basis of scientific evidence could be harvested annually. By 1998, the combined TACs for cod, plaice, sole and whiting in the Irish Sea had declined by 61%; now ten years later, the TAC has declined by 86%. Shrinking fin-fish stocks in the Irish Sea coincided with the migration of fishing activity to the western sea-board. There, more powerful Irish steel boats duelled with other European nations for the fin fishes of the Continental shelf and found a lucrative market in France and Spain. Many of the older wooden boats were simply not strong enough to tow trawl nets any longer and retired to less fuel-demanding activities such as fishing traps. It has been generally observed that when fin-fish stocks decline, the invertebrates on which they feed (crabs, shrimps and snails) have a population explosion. In the Irish Sea, the large cod stock probably fed on whelk, a large marine snail. As cod disappeared, whelk burgeoned, and in the mid-1990s a fishery opened to supply demand from the Far East where whelk is highly sought after. In 2002 almost 9,000 tonnes of the snail were captured between Howth and Carne. One of the principal ports at which it was landed and the main haven for the fleet exploiting it was Arklow.
Government inertia The whelk fishery operated within 12 nautical miles and was prosecuted exclusively by Irish vessels. It could have been managed in a sustainable way without foreign interference ? so often blamed by the fishing industry as a major source of its troubles. But there was no appetite for managing the fishery by Irish administrators either, and the latest landings in 2007 were a third of their weight four years before. The Irish Sea whelk pot fishery had kept a maritime tradition alive in Arklow. Today, even before the latest oil crisis, there are few commercial vessels pursuing any other species or using any other fishing method in the inshore waters of the south-west Irish Sea. Two factories, one in Donegal, the other in Kilmore Quay, are heavily dependent on the whelk fishery. The Harbour Board has jurisdiction within the harbour area up to 12 metres from the harbour walls and it owns land adjoining the harbour. Its website states: ‘‘As part of its policy to encourage mutually beneficial enterprise in the area, sections of this property are leased to port orientated businesses’’. Now the tail wags the dog and it is the adjoining properties that are deciding the fate of the harbour. Within the fishing community it is believed that residential development will occupy adjoining land for which the harbour will provide a marina. Smelly fishing vessels are no longer welcome. The charge for making any fish landing is currently €150 — a charge that could amount to more than 20% of the gross value of a day’s catch by a vessel. It is simply prohibitive.
* The Real Map of Ireland: 220 million acres of Ireland’s national territory lies beneath the sea.
Sea Change: An innovative strategy By Yvonne Shields, Marine Institute IN January 2007, the Marine Institute was tasked with managing and co-ordinating the implementation of Sea Change (see panel) over the seven year period to 2013. Throughout 2007, activity moved from planning into implementation, commencing with the announcement of the Marine Research Sub Programme in the National Development Plan and the launch of the Sea Change Strategy by Minister Noel Dempsey in February, through to the launch and award of dedicated marine research funding schemes that saw a commitment of €43.8m in research funding over a 1-7 year timeframe from NDP funds. These included: * Marine Research Sub-Programme (€10.4m); Beaufort Marine Research Awards (€20m); Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF); SSTI Award (€7.4m) and ERDF Infrastructure Funding (€6m). A further €21.6m was successfully secured via other national and international funding sources for other programmes/ projects.This included investment of €2.66m from the DAFF Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM) as a matching contribution for a joint Marine Institute SSTI/FIRM Marine Functional Foods Research Initiative (MFFRI). This total investment of €65.5m in 2007 will result in the creation more than 81 new research positions and 76 PhD scholarships. Overall in 2007, 60 research groups across 23 research institutions and 21 industry performers have received funding to carry out marine-related research and innovation projects/initiatives. Throughout 2008 the MI is working in close collaboration with numerous agencies and departments, principally Enterprise Ireland, SFI and IDA, BIM (implementation of the Cawley Seafood Strategy), HEA, Údarás na Gaeltachta, EPA, SEI, GSI and others. Liaison with industry stakeholders will also continue and specific efforts are being made to identify and support industry needs and to encourage more first-time R&D performers.
A commercial focus Sea Change brings a unique clarity to the Irish challenge of marine research. By targeting research funds to areas of high potential, it lays the foundation for commercial exploitation of the marine environment and the attraction of non-marine expertise to marine problem solving. Projected world market growth is generally very posi-
tive to 2010 and beyond and can be summarised as follows: * Marine services — dominated by the shipping industry and tourism activity, worth €2.454 bn * Marine resources including fisheries and energy worth €1.306bn * Manufacturing — predominantly the production of equipment for the shipbuilding, and oil and gas exploration, worth €541bn * Education and research, key activity that support innovation, worth €62bn. Ireland’s ability to grow its share of this expanding market is dependent upon the ability to participate within a global knowledge based economy. Ireland has access to a unique and expanding marine area; some ten times our land area and much of it yet to be discovered. The Irish marine sector has an annual turnover of €3bn and supports over 44,000 jobs (direct and indirect). The marine economy is set to grow to €4.5bn by 2013 through planned investment of €365m in new research and development activities linked to the implementation of the Sea Change Strategy. Sustainability is an essential characteristic of the development approach and investments support new ideas and enables continuity of high potential research projects across a wide scientific and market spectrum. Current research programmes include fisheries and aquaculture; marine environment; climate change and marine biotechnology among others. Further information from www.marine.ie. Details of progress during 2007 will be published in the first Sea Change Annual Report in autumn of this year. THE Sea Change Strategy provides a clear and realistic picture of future opportunities and challenges related to marine resource development in Ireland. It calls for a co-ordinated approach aimed at developing synergies across a wide range of government initiatives and leveraging previous strategic investments in science and technology. In this way, a whole government approach is being attempted with the aim of maximising the value of marine resources to the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of Ireland. The impacts targeted in the strategy include: * competiveness and sustainability; economic stimulation and diversification; research capacity increases; regional development and North-South Cooperation; public service improvements and improvements in environmental quality and management.
INSHORE IRELAND
August 2008
25
MARINE R&D
Ocean energy a major part of Ireland's renewables portfolio By Eoin Sweeney, Marine Institute IRELAND
has
a
target
of
supplying 13.2% of its electricity consumption from renewable
sources
by
2010.
The
majority of this is likely to come from wind energy. As it is likely
Ocean Energy (2005) aims to
ocean wave technology, a harsh
ers and state agencies. Technol-
support
and violent environment. His-
ogy development remains the
ocean energy to the renewables
torically,
engineering
critical issue for ocean energy
`portfolio', and help develop an
focused on building structures
systems. Optimisation of design
Irish
industry
that could simply survive ocean
and materials is an area where
sector. Its targets include having
waves. (Wave energy devices
considerable research is under-
500 megawatts (MW) installed
must be engineered to capture
way.
by the year 2020.
energy
ocean
To
put
energy
this
in
of
context,
1
one megawatt equals 1,000kW.
turbine design at University of
the
Ireland's peak energy demand is
Limerick;
turbine (both in Britain), and
wave and tidal, could have a
estimated at 5,000MW. There-
testing at the Hydraulics and
Irish
major role to play in meeting
fore, the target is to supply 10%
Maritime
of
completion of a tidal turbine
Ireland's targets.
of
Mapping
for
the
Sustainable
tional grid, as well as onshore
power
oceanographic research at NUI
wave energy devices that have
ally,
resource
to
be
Galway and NUI Maynooth and
been operational for many years.
for
320,000MW with the highest
grid applications at the School
The
resource available near the west
of
of Ireland.
Mechanical
the
Northern
has
the
Temperate
best
wave
sites
power.
accessible is
wave
calculated
Attending
a
recent
ocean
Development of Ireland's Marine Resource) website and product
range
was
launched
by
State
the
at
the
o ff i c i a l l y Minister
of
Department
of
Communications,
Energy and  n Power, Natural Resources, Sea TD
onboard
Explorer,
the
one
of
RV
Celtic
the
vessels
used in the acquisition of INFOMAR data. The
website
information
on
will the
provide
nature
of
the seabed, physical habitats and water depths, as well as general information gramme ities.
about
the
and surveying
proactiv-
Visitors to the site can:
* view line data; * view vector data,
including
tracklines, SVP and grab samples;
* view metadata on the various
data types collected by INFOMAR as well as metadata on all other datasets held by the Marine Institute and some held by the GSI;
successful
at
to provide access to data verify-
Engineering
UCD.
ing that ocean energy is economically viable. The pace of
mercially viable, the challenge
the Marine Institute's headquar-
opment, there are currently two
current development would now
of developing low cost, highly
ters, the US Ambassador Tom C
wave energy developers at an
suggest that this is only a few
reliable, integrated systems must
Foley
advanced
years away.
be overcome.
there is a once in a generation
commented:
``I
think
stage
in
Ireland,
Ocean Energy and Wavebob.
These activities represent the
In addition to providing an-
opportunity here to take advan-
other clean, indigenous source
tage of an exceptional opportu-
Test site
early stages of a new industry in
of energy, building the capabil-
nity that all the money in the
potential benefits to the econo-
ity to harness the ocean's energy
The MI provides a range of
world and brilliant policy mak-
my
could provide a new market for
services to support developers of
ing couldn't create on their own.
energy
devices.
follows:
developers and potentially an
ocean
I want to see Ireland succeed
export market for designers.
Ocean
Energy
and
with this opportunity. I think the
have availed of the MI's Wave
US can help Ireland succeed,
Energy Test Site in Galway Bay
* security of supply Ð reduced
and benefit itself, too. Ireland
to test quarter-scale devices. The
reliance
The Marine Institute and Sus-
also
capital
site is in 21m to 24m of water
fuels, and
tainable
has
the
human
Ireland with high potential. The
Both
Wavebob
*
can
be
summarised
creation of a manufacturing
industry Ð job creation on
imported
fossil
have
available to support its develop-
and has a wave recording buoy
*
ment. No one else I am aware of
deployed at the site.
emissions Ð CO2 avoidance.
Energy to 2020, endorsed by the
has
Department
relation to ocean energy.''
Energy
Ireland
of
Communica-
The
National
Strategy
for
these
advantages
in
The diverse product range has designed
to
satisfy
the
This includes:
* Bathymetry maps * Backscatter maps * Shaded relief maps * Seabed classification * Wreck identification * Cetacean maps * Google Earth * Fledermaus DTMs * ArcMap grids * Magnetic mapping * Reports
The Institute also facilitates
Reports on the Strategy and
the Ocean Energy Industry For-
on ocean energy studies funded
um, which provides a commu-
by
nications
available on the Marine Institu-
environment, and in the case of
developers, investors, research-
Ocean
energy
devices
are
and
making
them
information
available
online.
mechanism
for
the
Marine
Institute
te's website www.marine.ie
on
This
from navigation, safety at sea, f is h e r i e s
management
and
seabed resource management. As Minister with responsibility for both the Information
Society and Natural Resources, I am delighted to see the INFOMAR project placing information delivery at the heart of its operations. ``Through
the
website,
the
Speaking at the launch, Min-
public, the research community what is possibly Ireland's most
backscatter grids and XYZ files,
national territory lying beneath
advanced
and leg reports for all INSS and
the sea, many of the potential
system,'' he said.
INFOMAR surveys; and
* use Google Earth to view the
benefits were as yet unrealised.
*
seabed in the surveyed areas.
now discovering those resources
``The INFOMAR project is
reduction in greenhouse gas
required to operate in a harsh
tions, Energy and Natural Resources.
all
and industry have easy access to
For
web
more
data
Mapping Ireland’s inshore territory: - prioritised suite of integrated marine mapping surveys - delivery of integrated knowledge, products, services and competencies
delivery
information, log
onto www.infomar.ie
Bantry / Dunmanus entry
Galway Bay lidar coverage
* LiDAR coverage of Mulroy Bay viewed in Google Earth.
as
developed a strategy for Ocean
220 million acres of Ireland's
bathymetry
a
commercial device is necessary
In terms of prototype devel-
workshop
ister Power said that with over
download
Nevertheless,
and
at
industry
and
*
Electrical
energy
a wide spectrum of activities
Seabed Survey.
Electronic,
wave technologies become com-
website will have benefits for
predecessor, the Irish National
OpenHydro's
ope's
users.
the
company
current
for such development as glob-
needs of the majority of end
by
marine
connection to the British na-
access
acquired
Centre
Seaflow
the
at Queen's University Belfast;
from
been
data
Research
model
recently
UCC; wave energy modelling
demand
www.infomar.ie allows users to INFOMAR programme and its
tank
most
ocean
that
Launch of INFOMAR website INFOMAR (Integrated
wave
including
energy sources by 2020. Eur-
2020 targets
THE
There have been a handful of prototype deployments at sea,
be needed. Ocean energy, both
ergy, is vast, but before tidal and
user-friendly,
harsh conditions.)
ments of other renewables will
resource, particularly wave en-
be
surviving
Pelamis wave energy converter;
capturing
to
still
Ireland has research expertise
Zone
Designed
while
at third level in the areas of
Ireland is ideally positioned
By Linda Grealish, Marine Institute
offshore
energy for one household and
increase, however, large deploy-
Galway Bay, established by the Marine Institute, in association with Sustainable Energy Ireland.
introduction
kilowatt (kW) supplies enough
that this target will continue to
* Ocean Energy test site for scaled prototypes of wave energy devices in
the
* www.infomar.ie
www.gsi.ie
www.marine.ie
are
26
INSHORE IRELAND August 2008
COASTLINE NEWS BOOK REVIEW
Traditional Boats of Ireland: History, Folklore and Construction  r mBa Âid Du Âchais A
THIS book has its origins in a conversation at the 1994 Glandore Classic Boat Regatta between three boat-loving engineers Ð Donal Lynch, Paddy Barry and Hal Sisk Ð and Bernard Cadoret, editor of a pioneering study of Breton boats. Each knew that Ireland's stock of indigenous boats, the Kerry naomhoÂg (currach) or the snub-nosed Waterford prong, for example, was rapidly shrinking while others, such as the Boyne currach, used for netting salmon until the 1960s, appeared to have become extinct. Much of the history and lore of these boats had already been lost, and it seemed likely that any remaining diversity and distinctiveness would disappear under the tides of technological innovation. A project committee was formed with Traditional Boats of Ireland as a working title and it agreed that a study of Irish boats, comparable to that by Cadoret on those of Brittany, should be undertaken. In the years that followed that initial conversation, the ambition of the project grew as its founders came to grips with the vastness and complexity of their subject; to date, sixty distinctive boat types have been identified, studied and recorded.
When they flagged the baton was picked up by CrõÂostoÂir Mac CaÂrthaigh as editor, with Donal MacPolin as assistant. Without their dedication, patience and persistence over many years, the project would have foundered. The working title has endured, its website, www.trad boats.ie, now brings news of its work to a wide audience and the project has found a berth and vital logistical support at the UCD Delargy Centre for Irish Folklore.
Multi-discipline team
A team that includes professional historians and folklorists, linguists and archaeologists, curators and archivists, fishermen, boat builders and owners was mobilised to record not just the physical details of individual boat types but their histories as well. This magnificent book is the result of that collaboration. It would be difficult to exaggerate the extent of their achievement. Four introductory essays examine the history and oral traditions of boats and boatmen and of the cultural and environmental factors that influenced the construction and use of various boat types. Then follows a series of case studies that deal with specific examples of boat history, con-
struction and use, conveniently arranged by each of the north, south, east and west coastal regions. Thus, the section on the east coast contains essays on the Rosslare herring cots; the Arklow yawl; the hobblers, skiffs and pilots of Dublin Bay; the long-line fishermen of Howth; the traditional boats of the Boyne estuary and the boats of Dundalk Bay. A section on inland waterways includes case studies of the Blackwater, Suir, Nore, Barrow and Slaney cots; the Slaney gabbard or sailing cot; the flat-bottomed turf boats of the Midlands and the rushbundle rafts of the Shannon and Suck, perhaps the simplest and most archaic of the boats dealt with in the book. A section of six essays is devoted to `skin' boats, principally the curachs of Kerry, Clare, Connaught, Donegal and the Boyne. Glossaries of nautical terms, many of them originating in Latin, Old Norse and in various English dialects, hint at the dynamics of a tradition that remains open to the benefits of borrowing from other cultures. An important appendix reproducing the lines and construction plans of 14 distinct types is included. In all, the book has a total of 55 essays, the work of 36 individual authors.
Notwithstanding this magnificent sweep, the editor is quick to point out that this is just a first stage and that some types of vernacular boat remain unrecorded and unpublished. Hopefully, a future book will include the large flat-bottomed rafts used to take cattle on and off the islands of the Erne, the vanished lighters of the Tyrone navigation and the eel and sand boats of Lough Neagh.
Visual material
A major strength of this book is its visual material. The lines and construction plans of individual boats meticulously recorded and drawn by Michael Tyrrell, Harry Madill, Ted O'Driscoll and Holger LoÈnze are surely the vital heart of any project of this type. Donal MacPolin's meticulous sketches record complex construction details with greater clarity than most photographs and they capture too the personality of individual boats. Simpler, though no less valuable, are the sketches and notes by folklore and material culture collectors of the 1930s and '40s * Howth men, Tom Harford hauling a long line, Laurence Hanway such as James Hornell and holding a gaff and John Rourke seated on a hatch, baiting a line, 1950. CiaraÂn O SõÂochaÂin that pay Courtest of Traditional Boats of Ireland. eloquent tribute to those pioneering heritage projects. have been brought to- larly where painstaking and The poignant inscription on project and skilfully edited by extensive fieldwork is needed. Bill Higgins's beautiful sketch gether ÂostoÂir Mac CaÂrthaigh, archiTraditional Boats of Ireland of the last `hulk' leaving Crõ vist at the UCD Delargy Centre must be congratulated on bringYoughal Ð `Sean-bhaÂd iascair- for Irish Folklore, assisted by eachta na Rinne agus Ce an Donal MacPolin (an illustrator ing this intricate publishing Bhlaist a fhaÂgaint aice 1931; and maritime history research- project to completion and for making it available at a price b'shin deire leo.' Ð might have provided a rallying call to those er) and supported by a very able that belies its encyclopaedic who continue the work of team of language and technical range, its graceful design Ð by Copper Reed Studio Ð and collecting, preserving and pub- editors. Their work will be cherished the generosity of its production lishing. William Lawrence's majesterial photographs and by boatowners and sailors and values. the more modest snapshots by by anyone with an interest in * Traditional Boats of Ireland: long-gone holidaymakers are the rivers, lakes or seas of History, Folklore and Construcequally pressed to yield up Ireland. It will be an essential tion, edited by CrõÂostoÂir Mac details of all-but-forgotten craft. work of reference for teachers CaÂrthaigh, published by Collins All these images capture the and researchers and it should Press with support of the Heriinformation that will facilitate, find a place in every school tage Council and a number of if necessary, future boatbuilding library. It is a good example of State organisations. Price 60 the benefits that can flow from (hardback) projects. The results of this unique collaborative research, particu-
Ð John Logan
Promotion of Spanish tourism THE Spanish Tourist Board was officially opened on 27 May and is located at 1 Westmoreland St, Dublin 2 Tel: 01 6350200, e-mail: Dublin@tour spain.es
The office is open Monday to Friday, 11am to 2pm; telephone enquiries are answered from Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5 pm and on Fridays, 9am to 2pm. In 2007, 1.6 million Irish people visited Spain, representing an increase of 8.4% over 2006. 29% went to the Canary Islands; 21.5% to Andalusia and 18.2% to Catalonia. 69.7% stayed in hotel accommodation
and 43.1% went on package deals. Ireland is now the eighth most important inbound market for Spain in terms of number of arrivals, and spending is among the highest of European tourists. The aim of the Dublin office is to work with the main tour operators by providing information and product knowledge of new developments in the more mainstream tourism destinations. According to their press manager Sara Rivero, the more familiar destinations have been ``completely transformed over the last 10 years'', and now
* El parador de Guadalupe, Guadalupe.
offer a diverse range of activities including many new five star hotels. Another goal is to introduce previously unknown areas of Spain that are easily accessible due to new air and rail connections. Activities include wine route and city breaks, language learning and other activitybased packages and golf tourism, as well as state-of-the-art facilities for conference and business travel in many of major cities. For further information contact: Sara Rivero, press manager for The Spanish Tourist Board on 086 4038281.
* Main Square, Trujillo, which became known as a Renaissance stately square from the 16th century.
INSHORE IRELAND
August 2008
27
OUTSIDE IRELAND
Fourth place for Ireland at international maritime contest By Diarmaid Murphy
DURING July, Atlantic Challenge Ireland competed on both sides of the Atlantic Ð in Jacobstad, Finland, and Quebec, Canada Ð at international contests of seamanship. The Irish team from Bantry defended their title against sixteen other countries in Jacobstad, while a Cork crew travelled to Quebec to take part in an event celebrating the 400th anniversary of the city. The event in Quebec was attended primarily by French boats and while the Irish contender, Fionbarra and her crew, may not have featured in the top half of the fleet, they managed to obtain a very respectable second place in the sailing race. At the Atlantic Challenge in Finland, the Irish team were tested by very strong Russian, American, and British teams, amongst others. The event started out well, with two second and two third places for the West Cork crew. This was to change, however, when disaster struck in the second sailing race. While battling for honours with the British on the gybe mark, a sudden gust rumbled across the bay, smashing the Irish mast in two pieces; the Finish and Indonesian crews also suffered the same fate. Even with the main mast down, Unite and her crew managed to keep their pride, earning a respectable fourth place under mizzen and fore sail only. After a series of unfavourable draws for UniteÂ, and the navi-
* Irish Boat Unite overtaking Finnish boat Equite during the rowing leg of the passage race
gation event being cancelled, the Atlantic Challenge trophy was slowly disappearing over the horizon. The crew, however, showed their mettle in the rowing slalom race, gaining line honours. On the last day of the contest, only the rowing race remained, where the big guns get to meet head-to-head. Going in to this race in fourth place, the Bantry crew were up against the US, Britain and Russia in their heat, seeded 1, 2, and 3. The main duel was between Russia and Britain, with the winner taking the overall AC trophy. The Irish crew had a point to prove, and with determination and pride crossed the line ahead of the US. This was a fantastic finish, and a reminder that Ireland would be back in two years for the event in Ontario, Canada.
While Ireland and the US had crossed the line in the rowing race, Britain and the Russians were in serious combat. With 300 metres to go, and the British slightly ahead, the Russians made one last effort. The boats now level, stroke for stroke, oars clashing, the Russians crossed the line feet ahead of the British to win the prestigious AC trophy for the first time. Ireland's fourth place was very respectable against some of the toughest crews to participate in Atlantic Challenge events to date. While the competition is important, many friendships and memories are made, and the Irish Atlantic Challenge representatives from Waterford, Cork and Bantry have proven to be great maritime ambassadors over the years.
* The Russian gig Dignite in the lead during the passage race in the Gulf of Bothnia, went on to take overall honours at the 2008 Atlantic Challenge contest
With news that Ireland will be hosting the Atlantic Challenge contest in 2012, morale was high amongst the Bantry crew. This will be the second time the event will be hosted in Ireland, the first time was again in Bantry, in 1996. * hkkFor more information on
Atlantic Challenge contact Diarmaid Murphy at diarmaid_ murphy@hotmail.com or check www.atlanticchallenge.org
THE vessels are replicas of a ship's boat that was captured on Bere Island (Bantry Bay) in 1796, when an ill-fated French Armada, under the direction of Theobald Wolfe Tone, failed to land in Bantry. The French intentions were to oust the British from Ireland and liberate the nation from tyranny, and possibly claim Ireland for itself. This failed invasion did bear fruit, by leaving this fine threemasted, 10 oared ship's long boat behind. Since 1986, over 70 replicas have been built worldwide, which are raced at the Atlantic Challenge every two years. Atlantic Challenge Ireland was established in Bantry in 1988, and built its first boat in 1990. Since then, the Bantry team has represented Ireland in many countries at the prestigious biennial Atlantic Challenge contest of seamanship, winning the event four times.
Downturn in global pelagic fisheries By Pieter Tesch
THE good times for the European Union's pelagic fishing industry are over, due to increasing fuel prices and reduced catching opportunities Ð only those well placed to avail of alternative fisheries and grounds elsewhere will survive the crunch, according to EU industry leaders. ``We're very clearly experiencing a downturn with regard to two of our major European target species: herring and blue whiting, after admittedly what has been a few good years, due to total allowable catches (TACs) being cut, and will be cut again, and while fuel costs continue to increase,'' Gerard van Balsfoort, president of the Dutch based Pelagic Freezer trawler Association (PFA), representing virtually the whole EU pelagic freezer sector, told Inshore Ireland. Bilateral agreement He confirmed, however, that the agreement between the Atlantic Dawn Company and the Dutch trawler firm and PFA member, Jaczon, regarding management under Irish flag of Jaczon's fr eez er J o h a n n a M a r i a SCH118, still stood, despite an earlier setback when Irish registration was held up after the Irish authorities insisted on some changes to the vessel. The vessel is still fishing off Mauritania, but is expected to return to Europe for repairs and refit at dry dock, before being reregistered in Ireland, by the end of the year. ``It was decided to let the vessel continue to fish under Dutch flag until yard space becomes available,'' Niall O'Gorman, Atlantic Dawn
tel:1850 60 90 90 24:7 Confidential Emotional Support
* Dutch trawler firm Jaczon's Afrika, especially built to fish in Mauritania
Company finance director, remarked. He added that all options were open for Johanna Maria, going to Mauritania or to the South Pacific, where the Company was keen to retain its track record on the jack mackerel fishery, but that the ultimate decision would be made in conjunction with Jaczon and the PFA. Stark choices For Mr O'Gorman, the Irish pelagic sector was facing stark choices, because the fleet was ``obviously too large for the limited fishing opportunities now available following successive quota reductions,'' he said. ``Our colleagues have to make a choice Ð either to look for a decommissioning scheme similar to the whitefish fleet to reduce the pelagic fleet's capacity, or to look for fishing opportunities outside the EU with our tank boats, as we have started to do this year in Mauritania with Veronica. To fish only for four or five months per year is no longer viable,'' he added. For both the PFA vessels in Mauritania, including Jaczon's
and the Atlantic Dawn's , working together with the Ocean Fresh factory ship targeting sardinella and horse mackerel, fishing has been mixed, just like the South Pacific fishery so far. ``That's fishing for you Ð we have to make the best use of our vessels. With quota reductions in major target species within the EU and in Mauritania, and rising fuel prices, we're feeling the pressure,'' remarked van Balsfoort. He explained that the price for pelagic fish on the world market had partly followed rising fuel prices, but that as the market was not `flexible', especially in Africa, room for further price rises for frozen fish was very limited. Africa is the main market for frozen pelagic fish, where consumers already faced with huge price rises in their staple foods may drop fish altogether. ``In fact, the EU pelagic industry is facing serious competition from the Norwegians, who have plenty of AtlantoScando herring and can offer it cheaper on the world market than our pelagic species,'' said Mr van Balsfoort.
Afrika
Veronica
We can help you see the way forward
www.samaritans.ie jo@samaritans.org
28
INSHORE IRELAND August 2008
BIM and Irish Aquaculture
Harvesting the Best!
At BIM there is a commitment to develop an aquaculture industry we can all be proud of. Sustainable job creation in coastal communities integrating all members of the community is central to this pursuit. Through technical, financial, marketing and environmental/quality support services, BIM is actively engaged in promoting the most up to date and cost efficient aquaculture techniques, to produce quality seafood, consistent with the needs of environmental protection and conservation.
Quality products are crucial for successful marketing. To this end, the BIM environmental/ quality programme aims to promote the concepts of quality and environmental awareness with the development of codes of practice for finfish and shellfish, and the implementation of quality assurance schemes.
Financial support for pilot and commercial aquaculture ventures is available through European and BIM grant schemes for both existing farmers and new entrants.
So, what does all of this mean? Simply, that BIM offers a one stop shop for all your aquaculture development needs.
The financial support is complemented by technical expertise and training programmes on best husbandry practice for shellfish and finfish production drawing on home based and international expertise. BIM’s technical programme is continuing to investigate the potential of novel species and new and innovative technology. Feasibility studies, site selection and evaluation are also part of our service.
If you would like further information you can contact BIM’s Aquaculture Development Division at: Tel: +353 1 2144100/Fax: +353 1 2841123 Email: aqua@bim.ie www.bim.ie