Vol 4 nr 6 December 2008

Bimonthly

incorporating

News from the coast and inland waterways

Aquaculture Ireland

Sea angling

2008 in review

Shipping spotlight

Pages 8-9

Pages 22-24

Page 27

Winter delights

Industry snapshot

December 2008 Vol 4 Issue 6

Your view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Ð 7 Freshwater focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Ð 12 Aquaculture News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Ð 20 Marine R&D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Ð 29

Crisis, what crisis?

CHOPPY WATER FOR DANCES WITH WAVES

Stinging attack on SFPA * The 60ft yacht, carrying the largest haul of cocaine in irish waters, is intercepted off the southwest coast.

Photo: Provision

FF senator slams authority over its handling of alleged shellfish poisoning case

By Gery Flynn

A Fianna FaÂil senator has criticised the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority's handling of an alleged case of azaspiracid shellfish poisoning in the Uni-

ted States, accusing it of triggering an unnecessary warning from the US Food and Drug Administration that consumers should not eat certain Irish processed mussels.

Speaking in the Seanad, Ban-

try-based senator Denis O'Donovan said the SFPA's action had ``destroyed an export market in mussels'' that had taken seven years for the company in question, Bantry Bay Seafoods, to build up. He called for food

safety regulations here to be streamlined under a single body by merging the functions of the SFPA and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

Referring to a notice on 15 August from the US Food and

Drug Administration (FDA) warning consumers `not to eat certain mussel products from Bantry Bay Seafoods', Senator O'Donovan predicted that this would result in American consumers ``never again, while

grass grows or water flows, having any interest in the import of Irish seafood Ð be it mussels, oysters, clams or other types of fish. >> Page 2

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

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INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

NEWS *

Continued from page 1

‘‘We have done significant damage to our reputation over recent years.’’

Disputing the suggestion that the mussels in question contained azaspiracid, he said that ‘‘Information outside its remit was volunteered to the Food and Drug Administration on what was happening in this country.

The exports complied with the strictest Irish and European standards.’’

He added: ‘‘But as I found in consultation with the FDA, it was mesmerised that we, as a small country of approximately four million, have the Food Safety Authority of Ireland — which is meant to be the leading light in food safety — and another body delegated to work in that area — the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority. The United States has a population of 300 million and it has the FDA alone. It could not understand why we have two bodies monitoring the same area. There seemed to be a conflict of interest and, in that instance, it was like two bulls fighting over a heifer going to dairy to see who would be the leading light.’’

Clarifying his Seanad remarks for Inshore Ireland, Senator O’Donovan made a stinging attack on the SFPA, rebuking it for volunteering to the FDA ‘‘information to do with an unrelated incident’’ involving Bantry Bay Seafoods. ‘‘They have been in dereliction of their duty to the Irish aquaculture industry, and I was alarmed that certain information concerning an unrelated incident was freely and voluntarily com-

Denis O’Donovan, Fianna Fáil senator.

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municated to the FDA who got rightly suspicious and then withdrew all mussel product from the shelves of over 700 outlets,’’ he said. ‘‘Whether it’s the Food Safety Authority of Ireland or the SeaFisheries Protection Authority they both have a duty of care and responsibility to the Irish aquaculture industry.’’

Commitment Senator O’Donovan says he has evidence of the correspondence that passed between the SFPA and its American counterpart. ‘‘I’m seriously concerned with what happened. I believe what was done was wrong, and I got my hands on information — emails — which they may not know I have that went to America.’’

He said the SFPA action may well have endangered jobs in Bantry and claimed that while one arm of government — BIM — was heavily committed to supporting the aquaculture industry, this was being undermined at the same time by the SFPA: ‘‘I think it was through lack of competence and experience that this information was in my view inappropriately volunteered on a case that is sub judice concerning a European issue.’’

He feared that the only winners in this would be Ireland’s foreign competitors who he believes are sure to gain a firmer foothold in the international shellfish market as a consequence: ‘‘Bantry Bay Seafoods is 20 years old; they have won numerous awards along the way without a single case of negligence against them in all of this time.’’

Further action Promising further action on the matter, he revealed that his request for an Oireachtas debate on the fishing and seafood industry has been granted and was now likely to take place by February — at the latest. ‘‘There are big issues to be discussed not the least of which is the whole question of azaspiracids in relation to the shellfish sector. ‘‘I would hope that the Minister and the Irish Shellfish Association will contribute to our discussion, and I think also it’s only appropriate that the SFPA and the FSAI will come in and answer weasel questions that I propose to put to them.’’

INDUSTRY REACTION

Combination of factors leads to difficult year for producers in south-west RICHIE Flynn, executive secretary of IFA Aquaculture, the representative body for fin and shellfish producers told Inshore Ireland that he had read the transcript of Senator O’Donovan’s Seanad speech and believed he had given a fair reflection of what he was hearing locally.

He added that difficulties faced by shellfish producers had been merely compounded by the reverberations coming from the azaspiracid allegations. ‘‘The fact is that a combination of the difficulties faced by Bantry Bay Seafoods and the toxin monitoring system have caused a very difficult year for producers in the south-west,’’ he said. ‘‘The main processing factory was closed during the SFPA investigation in the early summer — when the bays were free of toxins and normally a substantial amount of harvesting would occur. As the summer wore on into autumn, the presence of AZA closed the vast majority of areas, meaning that supplies to all processors became very limited.’’

Flynn said that being longer in the water, the mussels continued to grow and had become

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Richie Flynn, IFA Aquaculture executive secretary.

fouled by tubeworm whose sharp edges damaged the vacuum packs and made them more unsuitable for processing.

Producers ‘‘We are now in a situation were the summer harvest is still not complete; producers are on tenterhooks waiting for their bays to open; strong weather is hitting the lines and sending product to the seafloor and AZA is still around, meaning that the

management cell has to convene every week to make very hard decisions about opening or closing individual areas. ‘‘It is an extremely difficult situation brought about by a confluence of unfortunate events. The issue with the USFDA was a very unfair and unreasonable one where the reaction to one alleged report of intoxification became a national issue which was a completely over the top reaction by the US authorities.’’

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SPEAKING to Inshore Ireland, Micheál O’Mahony, a director of the SFPA, who has been at the forefront of the investigation into an alleged case of azaspiracid poisoning said that the agency’s case was ‘‘almost complete’’ and that all of the evidence gathered over the past few months was now with their legal team.

O’Mahony would not be drawn, refusing to speak in detail about the likelihood of prosecutions being taken following investigations by the SFPA. Speaking in general, however, he indicated that ‘‘the road to prosecution’’ was often not as straightforward as some might believe. ‘‘A variety of things inform as to whether or not a prosecution goes forward. We can form the view that it is appropriate but before that happens we have to look at the evidence base to see whether it’s worth putting tax payers money into a prosecution,’’ he said.

When pressed as to what had been learned from the AZA investigation so far, he said that it had put the whole issue of

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Micheal O’Mahony, SFPA.

producing safe food at centre stage: ‘‘The importance of devoting resources to verification of the effectiveness of the food safety management systems that food business operators put in place has been really underlined through this case. And we have learned to enhance and direct our official controls on a risk basis where they’ll have best effect,’’ he said.

Asked if the so-called safe

level of AZA in shellfish would be reviewed as a result of SFPA findings and whether there had been any moves on defining the differences between levels in raw and cook mussels, in particular, he said there was ‘‘little new information in that area’’.

He added there has been very little new information as to the relationship between what levels we might expect in raw and in cooked mussel. ‘‘In the meantime, however, the European Food Safety Authority has published an opinion suggesting a lower limit than currently exists in legislation. SFPA isn’t endorsing that, but that’s what they have said.’’

As to the National Biotoxin Monitoring Programme he said that it had come out of the whole affair ‘‘intact and enhanced’’. ‘‘The system is robust and the SFPA continues to have confidence in the robustness of the system. The system involves lots of aspects including monitoring by the state including samples contributed by the food business operators. So with regard to the system in its totality, we have confidence in it.’’

Transfer of marketing and promotion function of BIM to Bord Bia confirmed THE Government’s decision of 14 October 2008 on the rationalisation of state agencies included the proposed transfer of the marketing and promotion functions of BIM to An Bord Bia. Inshore Ireland has learned that the Depart-

ment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is now working with the agencies to implement the transfer ‘at an early date’, and that ‘every effort is being made to affect the transfer in early 2009’, subject to legal issues.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

3

NEWS

Report alleges abuse of migrant workers in fishing industry

By Gillian Mills DUBLIN Fine Gael MEP, Gay Mitchell has express ‘alarm’ at recent revelations that expose the inhumane treatment of Filipino and Indonesian fishermen by a small minority of British and Irish fishermen. ‘‘The publication of a recent report by the International Transport Federation (ITF) has exposed the alleged existence of a virtual ‘slave ring’ within the British and Irish fishing industries. Furthermore, the author of the report, and IFT coordinator for Britain and Ireland, Norrie McVicar, has accused the British and Irish Governments, as well as the devolved parliaments in Northern Ireland and Scotland, of showing a callous indifference to what is happening under their very noses. ‘‘I challenge the responsible ministers in the four Governments to respond to this stinging criticism of their failure to take action. For my own part, I will be raising this issue in the European Parliament and I will urge the EU Fisheries Commissioner, Joe Borg, to raise the problem with the relevant governments. I will also enlist the support of fellow MEPs from Scotland and Northern Ireland in seeking to bring this to an end,’’

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Gay Mitchell.

he told Inshore Ireland.

The report, which was published on 5 November, suggests there is a ‘clear relationship developing between the Scottish, English and Irish Fishing Federations and Fish Producer Organisations with regard to their common commercial, financial purpose and attraction to employ low cost, unprotected migrant fishing crews.’

And it adds: ‘For some time, the ITF affiliates in Britain and Ireland were made aware of the human and trade union rights abuses and physical assaults against Filipino fishermen working in the ports of Kilkeel, Ardglass and Portavoge.’

Responding to the accusations, Lorcán Ó Cinnéide, chief

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Lorcán Ó Cinnéide.

executive of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation, told Inshore Ireland that the organisation ‘took exception’ to these suggestions or of insinuations that they have colluded with anyone to progress such a ‘reprehensible agenda’. ‘‘We are dismayed that such an allegation would be made.

We have had no proper talks with ITF on the issue to date and nor were we asked for any.

There is no truth whatsoever in this insinuation. ‘‘Such a sensationalist approach is quite frankly not helpful,’’ he said.

[According to a SIPTU spokesperson, the Federation of Irish Fisherman was invited to a meeting on 25 November

but failed to confirm; a meeting is now proposed for a day during the week of 8 December.]

Ó Cinnéide added that the IFPO has instigated dialogue over the past 18 months with Government, with a view to amending work visa and immigration regulations, as well as fishing licence conditions relating to the engagement of nonEU workers on board fishing vessels in the Republic of Ireland. ‘‘Our members have constantly advised us they want to have the position of non-EU nationals regularised in the interests of the workers themselves and of vessel owners.

Vessel owners are strongly committed to having proper conditions and pay for all their crews and many have stated their appreciation of overseas workers engaged on their boats,’’ he said.

Ó Cinnéide added that the shortage of skilled crew in the Irish whitefish sector is chronic: ‘‘Every other sector of the economy that has had this problem has been able to utilise overseas workers from within and outside the EU. The IFPO is completely opposed to the exploitation of workers, regardless of where they come from,’’ he said.

Government position INSHORE Ireland invited and received the following statement from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: ‘Under the Employment Permits Acts 2003 and 2006, non-EEA nationals require an employment permit to take up employment in Ireland (the EEA comprises the Member States of the European Union together with Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein).

It is an offence under the Acts, for both an employer and an employee, if a nonEEA national is in employment without an appropriate employment permit. The Acts provide for enforcement of the legislation by the Garda Sı́ochána, and inspectors of the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment — a role to be formally assigned to the National Employment Rights Authority under the proposed Employment Law

It is an offence under the Acts, for both an employer and an employee, if a non-EEA national is in employment without an appropriate employment permit

Compliance Bill, 2008.

Further information on employment permits arrangements can be accessed through the following link: http://www.entemp.ie/labour/ workpermits/ When contrasted with land-based business and employment practices, the nature of seafaring traditions and activities, and the nature of employment in these activities, reveal unique characteristics that have to be taken into account in settling on arrangements regarding the employment of non-EEA seafarers.

To that end, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has developed a draft scheme intended to consolidate employment permit arrangements for various seafaring activities. The draft scheme takes account of consultations between the Department and relevant authorities and stakeholders in the sector.

The intention of this Scheme is to achieve a balance between the need to facilitate competitiveness of businesses in the sector while ensuring that non-EEA migrants employed on Irish vessels are guaranteed the range of statutory employment rights and protections available to all other employees, and employers, in this country.

The scheme is being finalised in consultation with Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and will be notified to all relevant stakeholders when finalised.’

‘Common sense prevails’ in Celtic Sea negotiations

By Gillian Mills THE Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) has welcomed the success of fisheries minister Tony Killeen’s resistance to EU proposals to extend fishing effort controls to the Celtic Sea — the area south and southwest of Ireland.

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‘‘These proposals, if adopted, would have doomed the fishing fleet to a spiral of further decimation from an already precarious position,’’ FIF chairman Gerard O’Flynn claims.

O’Flynn added that the ‘‘thwarting of misguided and counterproductive’’ EU efforts relating to the Celtic Sea was a

‘‘positive development which demonstrates what can be achieved by industry and the Minister working together to a common purpose’’.

Background Scientific advice indicates overfishing of the Celtic Sea cod stock off Ireland’s south coast;

Union Hall fishing fleet faced disaster if Celtic Sea proposals had gone ahead.

Photo: G Mills

the Commission’s proposal was mainly based on reducing the number of days vessels spend at sea in each of the areas.

Minister Killeen, however, strongly argued that this approach was not suited to the Celtic Sea fishery and that rebuilding measures based on the use of ‘smart’ fishing gear that reduced catches of cod at sea and targeted area closures, some of which had already been proposed by fishermen and implemented to protect spawning cod, would be much more effective and better suited to the Celtic Sea fisheries. ‘‘Our consistent and firmly held belief is that the approach put forward by the Commission was not suited to the Celtic Sea. [The view that this approach] would not effectively rebuild the cod stock was finally accepted. I am very pleased that Council supported and took on board my approach,’’ he said. ‘‘Common sense has prevailed. Existing and planned conservation measures will ensure that Celtic Sea cod stocks will continue to maintain their strong rates of improvement. ‘‘We face a major challenge in 2009 to improve scientific analysis involving partnership between fishermen and scientists,’’ Gerard O’Flynn remarked.

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4

NEWS

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

Areas of white fish industry on the brink of `wipe out' if proposals are upheld

By Gillian Mills

PROPOSED cuts in TACs and quotas for 2009 across many stocks of importance to the Irish fishing industry, have been described as `misguided', unjustified and counterproductive', by the Federation of Irish Fisherman (FIF).

In particular, the FIF highlights the proposed ban on fishing for whitefish off the northwest coast as `unnecessary' cuts in the prawn quota and concerns over herring quotas. `The proposal to prohibit

fishing for cod, haddock and whiting in Area 6a is most alarming. This was announced without going through the normal consultation process, and there is no evidence of any socio-economic impact study being conducted. Should this proposal become reality, it will wipe out large sections of the white fish industry off the northwest coast of Ireland,' a state-

ment claims.

Alternative solution

Speaking to Inshore Ireland following a meeting with Commissioner Borg, FIF chairman, Gerard O'Flynn, said the talks had been `very constructive' and that he was `encouraged' by the Commissioner's reaction. ``I am confident that the Commission is willing to look at alternative solutions. In our discussion, FIF emphasised its concern about the potential im-

O'Flynn said would run the risk of attaching `a false sense of security to current fuel prices'.

The Council of Fisheries Ministers meeting is planned for December 17-19.

Mackerel agreement

* Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Tony Killeen pact of the northwest closure, and its potentially devastating impact on coastal communities,'' he said. ``FIF also drew the Commissioner's attention to the averaging rule used in calculating TACs, such as the proposed cuts for Area 7 nephrops. This system penalises fishermen for not catching their full allocations,'' he said.

The lack of progress in providing funding for the emergency aid package was also discussed, in which the FIF emphasised that funding was required to address `structural anomalies in the industry, particularly decommissioning for the under 18m sector, as well as an extension of the current over 18 metre scheme. FIF also cautioned against any delay in providing funding for fuel efficiency measures, which

A 33% increase in the TAC for mackerel in the North East Atlantic has been agreed for 2009.

Subject to confirmation at the December Fisheries Council, the net increase in quota for Ireland, after deductions for payback for undeclared landings are adjusted, should be in the region of 62,000 tonnes, up from 45,500 tonnes in 2008.

These figures may be subject to minor change as a result of some complex transfer arrangements. ``The mackerel fishery is of major importance to the Irish pelagic fishing fleet, and I am delighted with the outcome of the negotiations and the likelihood of a quota increase of 16,500 tonnes of mackerel for Irish fishermen for 2009,'' said the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Tony Killeen.

In value terms, this Irish quota will be worth approximately 75m directly to the fishing fleet in 2009, representing an increase of 20m over 2008. ``Critically, the increased quota should also enable increased processing activity and employment in Irish fish factories,'' Minister Killeen added.

Elements of Budget 2009 seafood industry component explained INSHORE Ireland sought clar-

ification from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in relation to the doubling of funding for the processing sector, and 5m for aquaculture development support, outlined in Budget 2009.

The key objective of the step-up Development Measure, is to harness this growth potential by restructuring and strengthening the processing sector

In response

`The 2009 budgetary allocation

for the Seafood Processing Sector, which is recognised by Dr Noel Cawley in his `Steering a New Course Report' as a growth area, is 2.5m. This allocation will be used to help fund the Step-Up Development Measure. The key objective of the step-up Development Measure, is to harness this growth potential by restructuring and strengthening the processing sector. An accelerated development strategy is required to fasttrack an appropriately scaled processing industry, capable of competing internationally and delivering innovative products to meet market requirements.

The aquaculture sector allo-

cation for 2009, under the Aquaculture Industry Development Measure, will be 5m.

Grant aid will be provided to increase capacity and to improve competitiveness and the environmental impact.

The allocation will be broken down on the following basis: * Modernisation and expansion of small and medium aquaculture enterprises. * Development of handling facilities for quality improvement and efficiency. * Investment in measures of a collective nature designed to improve sustainability, in particular quality assurance and environmental impact, efficiency, safety and competitiven e s s i n t h e a q u a c u l t u re industry.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

5

COMMENT

WHEN Irish voters rejected the Lisbon Treaty it sparked off feelings of resentment against Ireland in a number of EU capitals. These negative feelings were fuelled by a perception that a country that had benefitted so much from its membership of the EU had failed to give something in return on one of the few times that it has been asked to do so.

This was unfair and not least of all because the same fate would have befallen the Lisbon Treaty in the majority of EU Member States if they held a similar referendum. It also ignored the fact that since we joined the EU, Irish coastal waters have been rich pickings for the fishing fleets of other Member States who have been allowed to take four times the quantity that their Irish counterparts took from their own seas.

Ireland has also made additional contributions to the EU because of other tasks that we

have discharged in our coastal waters. Despite its small size, our excellent naval force has effectively policed the operation of the Common Fisheries Policy and disrupted the activities of international drug smugglers who used the main shipping lanes off our coastline to flood European countries with their evil trade. Last month’s seizure of €750 million of cocaine off the Irish coast bears testimony to this fact.

This operation, code named ‘Operation Seabight’ was led by the Irish Joint Task Force on Drug Interdiction (JFT) involving the Irish Naval Service, Customs and Gardaı́.

Given their recent negative feelings towards Irish citizens, EU leaders should now publicly acknowledge the professional expertise of these particular Irish personnel whose bravery will have prevented further unnecessary suffering and loss of life in many European

cities. The seizure was masterminded by the anti-trafficking body, Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre — Narcotics (MAOC-N), which ironically is based in Lisbon — the Portuguese capital that gave its name to the Treaty which has caused so much angst between Ireland and our European partners.

This organisation is staffed by law enforcement personnel from seven EU Member States.

Activity of this type underlines the value of co-operation between EU countries to tackle common problems. The Lisbon Treaty provides the ideal opportunity to strengthen such co-operation. One of its provisions allows for stronger ‘enhanced co-operation’ between at least nine member states.

If the political will exists, the Lisbon-based Maritime unit could be developed further to become an embryonic European coastguard to

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR UISCE PROJECT

Sincere effort required to bring Killary back DEAR Editor, I welcome the UISCE project but Killary Harbour, unfortunately for us, is the ideal disaster zone for it to be put to the test.

Unfortunately for the Killary mussel industry a lot of bad decisions have been made at local and department level from the outset.

I don’t want to pre-empt the outcome of the desktop application, but in the event that the necessary cutbacks would make the original producers unviable, where do we go from here?.

Killary CLAMS group is working on a Renaissance plan that will ultimately equate to a 10% cutback and which will most likely have no benefit whatsoever for the original producers who are the longest established and are the most severely affected.

BIM commissioned PWC some years ago to make recommendations as to how the industry could have a viable future.

Their report indicated that quality mussels are paramount to the survival of the industry. In light of Killary Harbour being over-licensed by 50% or more, to get the Killary back to the old days, when it was synonymous with quality mussels (30%+ meat yields), will leave the desktop project with the task of providing a miracle cure if it’s to satisfy all licensed holders in Killary.

This leaves the department and its advisers with a problem

that’s going to take a sincere effort and leadership to solve, and not a shrug of the shoulders attitude that to date has been the case.

In my opinion there are no unexpected consequences to the number of licences granted in Killary Harbour, which has led to too many small unviable farms.

Yours faithfully, — Kevin Lydon, Killary Harvest Ltd

CZMD could learn from the Spanish DEAR Editor, THE UISCE project must be recognised as a crucial tool in the solution to over stocking in bays around Ireland. BIM refer to ‘anecdotal evidence of suboptimal growth’ (Inshore Ireland 4/5).

It seems, however, improbable that they would sanction funding for an untenable project.

It has been received positively by the aquaculture industry, and it is hoped that it will not lose momentum as funded projects often do once completed.

The aquaculture industry in Vigo, Spain suffered similar problems from overstocking, experiencing slow down in growth due to lack of flow and reduction in phytoplankton.

Congested mussel rafts formed a wall that did not permit food access to obstructed sites.

The Spanish Ministry of the Marine reached an agreement with growers, and all rafts were regulated, and a controlled reduction in droppers and length of ropes was impemented.

Regulation of the Spanish

OBITUARY aquaculture industry, with a production limit for all rafts resulted in securing its valuable market place. Spain produces 300,000 tonnes of rope grown mussels per annum, Ireland produces 14,000 tonnes.

Could the Coastal Zone Management Division (CZMD) of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Irish aquaculture industry learn from the Spanish model?

At the UISCE Project workshop in Westport on 25 September 2008 it was shown that Killary Harbour has been over stocked by an incredible 57% with another 15% of licences still to be developed.

Yet the Killary CLAMS group proposes to implement a plan that will see all farms reduce flotation, lines and droppers by just 10%.

This reduction will benefit only those in open waters who, incidentally, occupy the most lucrative sites and will have absolutely no impact on inner sites that are experiencing most difficulties.

Despite calls to delay any action until the UISCE desktop study is up and running, the CLAMS group is adamant to run with its own plan for whatever motives.

It is unreasonable of BIM/ CZMD to expect licence holders in Killary Harbour who are pitched against one another in this emotive climate to resolve this over stocking situation in a non-partisan manner.

Just as resources were used to identify the problems, it is crucial that expertise is given to resolving the problems through CZMD participation in finalising a fair and just resolution of the problem.

— Simon Kenedy Killary Fjord Shellfish

ISLAND FISHING Inshore Ireland is published bimonthly by the Agricultural Trust, publishers of the Irish Farmers Journal and the Irish Field, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12

Editor Gillian Mills mills@inshore-ireland.com 01-2354804/087-2902045

Features editor Gery Flynn flynn@inshore-ireland.com 091-844822/085-7475797 Production & imaging

Irish Farmers Journal Advertising manager Roger Cole cole@inshore-ireland.com 01-2859111/087-2611597

Advertising - Northern Ireland Wendy Scott scott@inshore-ireland.com (RoI) 048-9185 7721 Printed by the Irish Times, 24 - 28 Tara Street, Dublin 2 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.

rid Europe’s high seas of international criminal activity (as has been previously advocated in this newspaper).

The murder of Limerick rugby player Shane Geoghegan by members of that city’s drug fraternity gave rise to a genuine outpouring of national mourning which subsequently gave way to anger which was then followed by a universal demand for tougher action against them.

Those who want to see this becoming a reality have an opportunity of ensuring that this happens by securing the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in a future Irish referendum.

Its implementation would enable EU Member States to co-operate more effectively against the international drug barons especially by cutting off their supply line in European coastal waters.

— John Cushnahan

Comment

Lisbon Treaty might be better for us than we think

Natural industries can provide employment A chara AS an island resident I feel that I must write to you to express my concerns regarding the existing fisheries policy.

I have been involved in island and community development for the last 40 years including many marine-related projects.

@

In my time I have seen the decline of inshore fishing both on the island of Oileán Chléire and on mainland Ireland.

From the 1950s onwards we built a fleet of bigger boats to develop fishing as a natural resource-based industry that would provide much needed employment in coastal communities.

The development of this fleet in itself provided much employment and resulted in Ireland having a pool of marine oriented skilled specialists.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Irish fishermen became very skilled in various fishing methods and added significantly to the economy.

Due to the lack of vision when negotiating quotas for the Irish fleet in the early seventies we ended up in a situation where our fishing industry could no longer develop properly.

Since then we have witnessed the introduction of many new laws some of which were badly needed, but unfortunately we have reached a situation where the extent of the regulations means that many fishermen can no longer earn a proper living, and indeed may be branded as criminals for attempting to do so.

If we continue to over enforce unworkable regulations, Ireland will soon have no fishing industry to speak of.

Regarding aquaculture, our experience in Oileán Chléire over the last two decades in land-based fish farming makes me think that an opportunity has been missed around the coast during the recent boom years.

Aquaculture development is an obvious employment opportunity for an island nation like Ireland and for its islands and coastal communities.

It has been difficult to attract investment into aquaculture projects in Ireland for a number of reasons including the lead-in time involved and the uncertainty regarding acquisition of the appropriate licences which can take up to three years.

In the current economic climate, the development of natural resource based industries must be part of a sustainable employment strategy.

It is time for Ireland to recognise the potential of the marine sector and take the appropriate actions to develop it.

Is mise le meas, Micheál Ó Céadagáin Oileán Chléire

Please send your letters to mills@inshore-Ireland.com

PROFESSOR Padraig O’Céidigh who died on 29th October 2008 aged 75 years, was Professor of Zoology and Head of Department at the National University of Ireland, Galway, from 1962 until his retirement in 1999. He played a major role in the development of marine resources in the west of Ireland and especially in his own discipline of marine biology. He had a remarkable outgoing personality and a wonderful talent for storytelling that endeared him to his numerous friends within and outside the University.

The vision and hard work of Padraig O’Céidigh and his colleagues over many years made major contributions to the establishment of the Galway region as a centre of excellence in marine research.

How different it all was when the young Dubliner and UCD zoology student travelled to the Cárna area in 1954 to carry out a small research project on intertidal ecology for his BSc degree.

Like the great scientist Newton, he too felt like ‘a child playing on the beach looking out at the great ocean of knowledge’.

So, having obtained his BSc degree with first-class honours he accepted a post as a teaching assistant in the Department of Natural History at University College Galway.

This also gave him the opportunity to continue the research he had started as an undergraduate.

Except for a few studies, relatively little systematic research had been done on the marine biology of this area.

Padraig O’Céidigh realised the importance of such research — not just because of its educational interest but also for the implications it would have for the fishing industry in the west of Ireland.

His first major research project was to study groups of plankton from the Galway Bay and Cárna areas for which he was awarded the MSc degree in 1957 by UCD. He completed his Ph.D degree in 1960 and was appointed Professor of Zoology and Head of Department in 1962.

In 1957 he initiated the first degree course in Zoology at UCG with three students.

There was a strong emphasis on Marine Zoology in this course and he started the first marine courses in Cárna in 1958 in a small cottage rented for ten shillings per week.

*

Professor Padraig Ó Ceidigh

Over the years of Padraig O’Céidigh’s Headship, zoology and marine biology expande d si gn i fi c a nt l y i n Galway. Undergraduate as well as postgraduate numbers increased and several new research programmes were initiated which were relevant to the fishing industry.

In addition to his professional expertise, his exceptional outgoing personality, his great knowledge of literature and art and his enthusiastic love of good food and wine also endeared him to scientific and non scientific colleagues.

He was equally at home telling good stories at University occasions, at the dinner tables of influential friends such as the late Dr Tony Ryan or Charles J Haughey, or over a pint in his local pub in Salthill or Cill Chiaráin. He was also a great family man and cherished regular family gatherings in their home by the sea in his beloved Cill Chiaráin where he was laid to rest recently in the nearby graveyard.

Padraig O’Céidigh will be fondly remembered and respected as a pioneering marine biologist with a unique generous personality.

Nı́ bheidh a leithéid ann arı́s.

He is survived by his wife Máirı́n, his children Máirtı́n, Muiris and Eileen, his sister Margaret and grandchildren.

Patrick Fottrell

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INSHORE IRELAND December 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

When words

By Edward Fahy

*

Spartina forms initially isolated clumps which coalesce into a closed sward on the upper shore. This picture was taken in inner Wexford Harbour.

SOME time between 1820 and 1870, Spartina alterniflora — a species of cord-grass also known as rice grass and which was widespread on the east coast of North America — was introduced in ship’s ballast water to Southampton Water in the English Channel. A smaller native species of the genus S. maritima crossed with the alien to produce two hybrids: S. townsendii, which is sterile, and later the fertile S. anglica.

Cord-grass grows up to 90cm high and forms initially isolated clumps typically along the higher shores of estuaries where they can root in a variety of substrata ranging from mud to shingle.

Estuarine waters can carry heavy silt burdens and where the current is slowed by the stiff leaves and stems mud, particles are deposited around the base of the grass. Sediment accumulates in the course of elapsed time.

Multiplication and radial extension of individual tussocks of the grass culminate in a closed sward perforated by tiny drainage channels. Inexorably, soft mud becomes transformed to a firm and dry substratum.

Cord grass was deliberately moved to estuaries in Europe and other continents during the nineteenth century in furtherance of land reclamation and coastal protection. In the following century, it arrived in Cork

Harbour and the Fergus Estuary in Co Clare and later in counties Dublin, Mayo and Donegal.

Characteristics that favoured its spread included a fast growth rate and high fecundity. Warming climate may also assist it because the grass is less able to set seed in colder conditions.

Estuaries are among the most productive of our inshore waters, fertilised with silt and nutrients carried downstream and spread over mud flats by a slowing river current.

Estuaries host a heavy biomass of crustaceans, bivalve molluscs and juvenile fish and these, in turn, support large numbers of wading birds. Compared with what it replaced, a Spartina meadow is a sterile monoculture.

A deepening popular interest in nature conservation during the 1970s focused concern on the invasion and progressive domination of Irish estuaries

by Spartina; Cork Harbour was one of the worst examples.

Large proportions of the inner bays from which feeding birds had been displaced, were choked with the grass.

Debate Much debate ensued about how eradication might take place.

However to the best of my knowledge, practical attempts to do so were undertaken only in Northern Ireland — some of whose estuaries are internation-

Blot on the landscape or real energy producer?

By Pat Swords JOE and Mary Bloggs wanting to ‘do something’ for the planet — install a photovoltaic panel for generation of solar electricity. Pat the Engineer points out that according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, the payback period of these units is between 50 to 100 years and that they will only last 30 years.

This is not an effective way of aiding the planet! The Bloggs point out that the government gave good grants and good prices for the electricity generated. But who pays for their environmental ‘feel good’ factor, as these installations without these subsidies would be hopelessly uneconomic?

In Ireland, we now have economic distortion of this type occurring on an absolute ‘mega’ scale. Relative to other coun-

tries, it is somewhat windy in Ireland, but our average wind speed is about 11 knots — a strength at which a wind turbine only starts to turn and produce about 5% of its rated output. To the public, this would feel like a gentle breeze.

By the time our forecasters are issuing a ‘small craft warning’, the wind speed is double the average at 22 knots and the turbines are only close to producing their full output. With stronger winds of about 44 knots the turbines trip, playing havoc with the grid. So, over a full year, only 0.3 MW is achieved for each MW installed, as the turbine will only deliver significant power when the wind strength is to the right of the line on Graph 1.

For example, if we look at Graphs 2 and 3 for 9 January 2008, the wind was quite blus-

tery in the morning. The system demand in the Republic of Ireland reached a peak of 5,000 MW, one of the highest ever. However, it can be seen how much power was actually contributed by the 800 MW of wind generation then installed on our grid.

The ESB now plans to invest €22bn to promote renewable energy. Most of the cost will go towards doubling the grid by an extra 5,000km in order to enable an increase in wind energy from 900 MW to 6,000 MW. Each wind MW will cost €2m if installed on land and €3m if installed off shore, so we are facing an additional bill in excess of €10.2bn for the turbines, not to mention the visual impact of these 2,000 units on the landscape!

Our existing grid will still be required for the extensive peri-

ods when there isn’t enough wind but due to the increased variability from the wind generation, it will operate much more inefficiently and it is recognised that there will be a far higher risk of power failure and black-outs. Furthermore, while conventional power stations on the existing grid have a lifespan of over 30 years, the new wind farms will have a far shorter economic life.

Already, approximately 3,500 MW of wind projects are approved in Ireland and a guaranteed price of €140 per MWh has been given to developers of offshore wind farms. This represents over twice what the conventional power plant operators receive.

So, for an investment of approximately €30bn, we are going to get the princely benefit of reducing our CO2 emissions

by four million tonnes per annum.

In other words, a maximum of 5% of what the country currently discharges, not to mention that we live on a planet that discharges 49,000 million tonnes per annum. Even the EU (ExternE) estimates that CO2 is damaging the planet by €70 per tonne, so we have only saved €280m worth of environmental damage per year for this outrageous investment!

As the American philanthropist Warren Buffet says: ‘‘A public opinion poll is no substitute for thought’’. Does anybody in Ireland ask: ‘‘How much is this going to cost?

What am I going to benefit by? What were the cheaper alternatives?’’

We could go nuclear like France, which has 62 million citizens and CO2 emissions from

power generation only slightly twice ours. We could have implemented the EU Landfill Directive and stopped our waste rotting in the ground and put it into incinerators. That would have got us half of what the above will deliver in CO 2 reductions. Then there is CRH which is rebuilding its cement plant in the Ukraine and transferring 0.75 million tonnes of credits per annum to its EU operations while producing better quality and lower cost cement.

It’s your choice Ireland, start looking at facts and figures and listening to your engineering profession or pay a terrible price! * Pat Swords is a fellow of the Institute of Chemical Engineers and a chartered environmentalist.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

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YOURVIEW don’t mean what they say ally important habitats for wildfowl and waders.

In the 1990s, a number of trials were made to remove the grass by digging it out, smothering it and dosing it with herbicide.

Practical difficulties, costs and legal constraints, made its eradication unlikely; the best a management programme could hope to achieve would be to contain it within a saltmarsh context.

Nowadays, some Spartina occurs in virtually every Irish estuary but environmental concerns have diversified and intensified to such an extent that the acute focus on this plant appears to have lost its edge.

That said however, the problem cannot be said to have gone away.

Monoculture is the enemy of biodiversity, which is the current major preoccupation for conservationists everywhere.

The Habitats Directive lists Spartina swards as a habitat type. Ireland’s Environment 2008 (the fourth in a series published at four year intervals by the Environmental Protection Agency — EPA) summarises its status thus:

* Range [meaning geographical extent]: good * Area [literally the amount of ground covered by the plant]: poor * Structure and functions (Condition): good * Future prospects: poor In view of the consequences of the spread of Spartina, these comments in a comprehensive

environmental review are reassuring but also very surprising.

The EPA report is collated from reports by other agencies and the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s: The status of EU protected habitats and species in Ireland (2008) is the origin of the appraisal of Spartina swards. It employs the same terminology as the EPA document but qualifies it thus: ‘As Spartina is considered an Estuaries are invasive alien species in Ireland, among the most it is assessed in a different way to other habitats. Increases in productive of our the area and extent of Spartina inshore waters, swards are actually considered to be unfavourable and as future fertilised with silt and expansion is considered likely, nutrients carried the overall conservation status downstream and of this habitat is rated poor.

Unfortunately the EPA spread over mud flats omitted any reference to topsyby a slowing river turvy terminology.

Next to Spartina swards in current. Estuaries host the list of habitat types is a heavy biomass of Salicornia mud. Salicornia crustaceans, bivalve (glasswort) is native, it roots in mud at a lower tidal level than molluscs and juvenile that favoured by cord-grass fish and these, in turn, although the grass is able to support large numbers establish next to glasswort and may displace it. of wading birds The woody stems of glasswort can facilitate mud accre-

tion but Salicornia is not inimical to biodiversity.

Its seeds are eaten by wildfowl and the stems provide shelter for fish and invertebrates.

It does not smother the substratum. Although it is a threatened and declining habitat, the status of Salicornia mud is described in almost identical terms to that of Spartina in the EPA report.

Conservation The technicalities of nature conservation are not straightforward.

Conservation itself cannot be described as wholly objective: rats are not viewed with as much indulgence as squirrels — among squirrels indeed, conservationists have different attitudes to greys and reds.

Given the constraints of reporting in shorthand, tabular format for the Habitats Directive, some convention should be sought for regurgitating the data to demonstrate the significant contribution of specific habitats to conservation objectives, the primary objective being the promotion of diversity. *

edwardfahy@eircom.net

* Salicornia is a low, woody plant which never entirely obscures the mud in which it grows.

* In some parts of the world Salicornia is harvested as food; this picture of a glasswort marsh is from Hokkaido, northern Japan.

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INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

SEA ANGLING

*

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Winter rewards but safety must always come first

By John Rafferty WEATHER charts make miserable reading this time of year.

Winters on the Irish coast usually consist of gale force winds, driving sleet and rain, huge waves battering the shoreline and very few hours of daylight.

It makes you wonder if there’s such a thing as winter sea angling, but thankfully there is, and it generally is excellent.

As soon as there is the slightest lull in weather conditions, many hardened and committed sea anglers head for the coast and further out to sea to fish for their favoured winter quarry.

It cannot be emphasised enough, that any mistake made while at sea or at the shoreline can be, and often is fatal. Basic common sense applies when you are going to sea at any time of the year. First and foremost, it

must be respected at all times.

The greatest risk to individuals who end up in the sea, is death by hypothermia and drowning once a person is immersed in water even for the shortest time.

My advice is to go on a sea survival course. It is invaluable, and is mostly common sense, as sea survival is all about suitable equipment, adequate preparation and knowledge of basic survival techniques.

Essential elements Most boating fatalities occur in incidents involving small craft, so make sure your lifejacket or PFD (Personal Flotation Device) is in good working order, and is serviced every year. More than 80% of boating fatalities were not wearing a PFD. Always dress warmly as the weather can change pretty fast at sea.

Make sure the outer layer is brightly coloured, so that you are more visible to rescuers

should the worst happen. In the event of the unthinkable happening, and you end up in the water, the addition of a survival suit may mean the difference between life and death.

Remember If you do end up in the water, avoid unnecessary swimming, as this will help to conserve energy and body heat until help arrives. Remember: your own safety is paramount, no matter how good the fishing is. If weather conditions seem to be worsening, pack up and go home.Some species like cod and whiting are in prime condition during the winter months.

Cod is the number-one species.

Every angler who has ever caught a cod, even a small one, has felt a certain satisfaction for catching it.

Although not renowned for its fighting qualities, good cod have

a tendency when hooked, to use their sheer body weight and a bucket sized mouth to hold against the tide and the angler, giving the angler the feeling of being snagged on something other than the bottom.

Cod are often called the ‘dustbins of the sea’ due to the strange objects removed from their stomachs. Large stones, squashed beer and mineral cans, plastic cups, cigarette lighters and even empty shotgun cartridges are commonly found.

Cod have an enormous appetite, and will eat almost everything in the sea. Shellfish and marine worms are the main baits, but cod that move offshore are more at home with a diet of fish.

Bait options Most tackle shops stock quality baits at very reasonable prices, and are more than willing to part with information on where is

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

9

SEA ANGLING

*

Remember: your own safety is paramount, no matter how good the fishing is. If weather conditions seem to be worsening, pack up and go home.

* The shape of the cods’ mouth, whereby the top lip protrudes over the bottom lip, shows that their mouth is designed to hoover their meals off the bottom.

fishing well at any given time.

On the other hand, some anglers like to dig or collect their own baits. If you plan to collect your own bait, always check the state of the tide. If it’s not favourable, go home.

Top baits are peeler crab, lugworm, ragworm, razorfish, shrimps, squid, sprats, herring, pouting and mackerel. A cocktail of any of these will also take cod. Every angler that I know, has a personal favourite bait and tactic for catching cod, and no two seem to be exactly the same.

Artificial lures are also an

The chrome finished pirk is about the most productive way of catching cod, especially over wrecks and offshore reefs

excellent way of catching cod.

Redgills, jellyworms and hokkais are the top lures. However, the chrome finished pirk is about the most productive way of catching cod, especially over wrecks and offshore reefs.

The first of these pirk-type lures was invented by Scandinavian fishermen for catching cod, ling and Pollack. It was made from well polished lead covered with hooks. and was known as a RIPPER. There are now literally thousands of pirks on the market, in all different shapes and sizes.

Home-made pirks are also very effective, and are much cheaper than shop bought ones.

Cheap pirks are needed if you are fishing over rough ground, where tackle losses will be quite high. Your pirk must be on or near the bottom for catching cod, as they are a bottomfeeding species.

The shape of their mouth, whereby the top lip protrudes over the bottom lip, shows that their mouth is designed to ho-

over their meals off the bottom.

The pirk is simple enough to use. It is attached to the mainline via a good quality swivel, and then dropped over the side and let sink to the bottom. Once it hits the bottom, it is retrieved by two or three turns.

The angler then begins the sink and draw movement, by lifting the rod tip up in the air and dropping it again. This movement is continued until a cod is caught. It’s as simple as that.

Cod catchers A baited pirk will usually be more successful than an unbaited one. White feathers are also pretty good for catching cod. These can easily be made up at home using a few turkey hackles, tied onto a stainless steel hook no smaller than a 4/0.

Remember: when you’re tying up traces, do not put more than two or three hooks per trace.

Cod are a shoal fish, and three good cod on a trace at any one time will take some sort of

Most boating fatalities occur in incidents involving small craft, so make sure your lifejacket or Personal Flotation Device is in good working order, and is serviced every year.

*

miracle to get them to the surface. A flowing trace, baited with a fresh sand eel or a cocktail of baits will also prove very effective for catching cod.

Another winter species is whiting, which can be very welcome when no other fish seem to be biting. After commercial fishermen, the whiting’s main predator is the cod. A similar fish, whiting are normally associated as a late autumn and winter species.

However, sometimes when fishing on deep-water marks, whiting can, and are, caught during summer months. If whiting could grow as large as cod, they would be the number one target fish for the sea angler, as they have a lightning turn of speed and a fantastic fighting ability that is lacking in cod.

Most anglers fishing whiting for a day will just bring worms as bait. Worms will catch whiting, however, look at the whiting’s tooth-filled mouth and you know that this fish is a true predator, and any fish smaller

than itself is going to be prey.

Chunks of oily fish can be particularly deadly at catching whiting. Long thin strips of squid and small sand eels will also work well.

The top baits for whiting are sprats, mackerel and herring strips, sand eels, shrimps, squid, razorfish, mussels, crabs, ragworm and lugworm.

Whiting bling Traces for whiting should comprise three hooks. The droppers should be about six inches long, and each dropper should have some small attraction such as beads or sequins attached.

My own preference is to use small silver plastic spoons inbetween several brightly coloured beads. I find this trace more successful than any other that I use for catching whiting.

Mackerel feathers and hokkais also work very well, as do shrimp rigs, pink flasher lures and ordinary white feather traces, similar to those used for catching cod, only with smaller

hooks. Another trace is a variety trace that is tied very similar to the one I use for catching haddock. The bottom dropper is left much longer than the two droppers above, and is held clear of the weight by a small boom.

When the trace begins to fish on the bottom, this dropper acts as a mini flowing trace.

Whiting and cod are excellent sport at this time of year, and are beautiful to eat.

Conservation But remember to take home only as much as you really need and release the rest. Any method of conservation adopted by the angler, no matter how insignificant it may seem at the time, may one day be the saviour of our sport.

If you would like any further information about sea angling or traces to use, contact me by email on jrafferty@eircom.net, or alternatively you can get all the information you need for all types of sea angling in my book, Sea Angling in Ireland.

10

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

FRESHWATER FOCUS

D-day for draft RBD management plans

By Enda Thompson, ShIRBD FINALLY the day (22 December 2008) is about to arrive. This is the date by which the draft river basin management plans for each of the eight river basin districts (RBD) in Ireland have to be published, as required by the European Union Water Framework Directive. One of these RBDs lies wholly in Northern Ireland; four lie wholly in Ireland and three are international RBDs as they cross the border between North and South.

The WFD requires the management of all surface (i.e. rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries and coastal) and ground waters by Member States to ensure that these waters achieve at least good status by 2015 and that their status doesn’t deteriorate.

In order to achieve this objective, Member States are required to prepare and publish a management plan for each RBD setting out a programme of works as to how this is to be achieved. These plans will cover the six-year period from 2009 until 2015; any remaining issues or new problems will be tackled in two further six-year plans, 2015 to 2021 and 2021 to 2027.

A crucial aspect in the development of the plans is seeking views of the wider public on the various measures proposed to ensure that good water status is achieved by 2015. For this reason, each draft plan is open for public consultation for a sixmonth period until 22 June 2009. A further reviewing/ amendment period will follow before the plans are finally adopted and published by 22 December 2009.

HOW THE PLAN WAS DEVELOPED A structured approach was followed in developing the plan:

find out the issues; decide what action to take and make a plan. * Step 1: What are our key water issues? * Step 2: What is the status of our waters? * Step 3: What do we plan to achieve? * Step 4: What actions must we take? * Step 5: What will basic measures achieve? * Step 6: What further actions can we take? * Step 7: What will supplementary measures achieve? * Step 8: Our objectives in the Shannon District * Step 9: Our plan for the Shannon District

Reinvestment of licence fees in recovery bid of salmon stocks

MAIN ISSUES AFFECTING OUR WATER QUALITY The main pressures on our waters come from the following sources: * Wastewater and industrial discharges * Landfills, quarries, mines and contaminated land * Agriculture * Wastewater from unsewered properties * Forestry * Usage and discharge of dangerous substances * Physical modifications * Abstractions * Other more local pressures that vary across the country, such as aquaculture, invasive alien species, cruising/boating and peat extraction, as well as the need to protect high quality areas and to manage shared waters issues properly

WHAT ACTIONS MUST WE TAKE? The greatest gain can be achieved by concentrating efforts on those sources that pose the greatest threat to our water environment.

The WFD requires the management of all surface (i.e. rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries and coastal) and ground waters by Member States to ensure that waters achieve at least good status by 2015 and that their status doesn’t deteriorate

Two key sectors stand out: agriculture and the water industry.

Both the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Environmental Protection Agency have identified the need to take action in response to these sectors in the River Basin Management Plan.

‘Discharges from municipal wastewater treatment works and from agricultural activities are the principal suspected causes of less than satisfactory water in the State. ‘‘Industrial discharges and discharges from several other activities have also been identified as contributing to a lesser extent.’ (Environmental Protection Agency, 2008).

The measures (actions) to improve our waters fall into two categories: Basic measures and supplementary measures.

Basic measures simply refer to actions taken under existing water-related legislation such as urban wastewater treatment; bathing waters; drinking waters; sewage sludge; nitrates and habitats directives Supplementary measures refer to additional measures that may need to be taken in areas where the basic measures will not be sufficient to address the problem.

Supplementary measures range from reducing the pressure at source through remediation by technical or engineering

solutions to relocation of the pressure.

They have to be technically feasible and the most costeffective solution. The impacts of the supplementary measures on the wider environment have to be considered, through Strategic Environmental Assessment, to ensure that they are sustainable.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The full text of the draft plans for each river basin district will be available on the RBD websites (see below) from 22 December, along with relevant background documents including technical studies into the key water issues.

There is also a list of the District’s competent authorities, as well as documents on climate change and Strategic Environmental Assessment.

Websites * * * * * * * *

www.shannonrbd.com www.serbd.com www.erbd.ie www.wrbd.ie www.swrbd.ie www.nwirbd.com www.nbirbd.com www.nerbd.com

THE ‘Salmon Conservation Stamp Fund’ is generated from the sale of angling and commercial salmon licences. It was established in December 2006 as a means of funding a programme for the rehabilitation of salmon rivers not meeting their conservation limit. €637,000 was collected in 2007 and the revenue is being reinvested to promote the recovery of our salmon stocks and habitats. 148 salmon rivers are listed in Ireland, many of which are below their conservation limit. (A conservation limit refers to a biological reference point that can be used to assess if salmon stocks are reproducing in sufficient quantities to generate the next generation of salmon.)

The fund is being managed by an implementation committee who receive project applications from the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. Each project is assessed and scored based on a river’s conservation limit status, its SAC status, its water quality (Q-value) and the maximum benefit to the river. Recommended projects are then forwarded to the CEOs of the Regional Fisheries Boards for final approval.

In 2007, 34 projects were approved and funded, resulting in the following conservation benefits: * River banks were protected and restored in order to prevent widening of the river channel and deposition of silt to spawning gravels. * Bank protection was carried out on the River Mattock (Eastern Region); River Blackwater (Southern Western Region); Rivers Gleninagh, Glencoaghan, Erriff, Lough Inagh, Owenmore and Costello (Western Region); Rivers Glen, Claddy and Gweebarra (Northern Region). * Spawning grounds were created, rehabilitated and enhanced by introducing gravels at appropriate river sections as well as freeing up compactment of existing gravels. These works were carried out throughout Dundalk district, as well as the Rivers Liffey, Vartry, Dargle

and Urinn (Eastern Region); River Allow/Dalua (Southern Region); Rivers Screebe, Owenmore and Costello (Western Region); Glenamoy River (North Western Region) and Rivers Glen and Gweebarra (Northern Region). * In-stream works and habitat restoration were carried out on the River Maigue (Shannon Region) and Rivers Glen and Gweebarra (Northern Region). * Weirs/pools were constructed and rehabilitation works carried out on the Glenamoy River (North Western Region) and the River Mattock (Eastern Region). On the Avoca River, a smolt rescue programme involved the construction of a partial weir and installation of a smolt trap upstream of the Avoca Mines, which will assist many thousand additional smolts to survive their journey to sea. * Trees and obstacles were cleared from rivers and river banks where overgrowth and obstructions occurred. These works were undertaken on the Rivers Liffey and Urinn in the Eastern Region.

The Central and Regional Fisheries Boards were also funded for a catchment-wide electro fishing programme that allows scientists to assess conservation limit attainment in rivers. This provides information which will inform managers about the status of localised river stretches that may be impacted by poor water quality, poor habitat quality or other environmental problems. The programme also provides scientists and managers with the information necessary to make better informed decisions based on solid scientific information and advice.

The above works have significantly enhanced the capacity of salmon rivers to reach their conservation limits. The 2008 fund will be managed in a similar way to the 2007 fund.

The Regional Fisheries Boards have submitted applications under the 2008 programme to the implementation committee for consideration. These applications are being assessed.

Ireland referred to ECJ for breach of water directives

By Diarmaid Mulcahy THE EU has referred Ireland to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for infringements of the Urban Waste Water Framework Directive, namely failure to provide secondary wastewater treatment facilities for six towns: Bray, Shangannah, Howth, Sligo, Tramore and Letterkenny.

The Directive states that particular clusters with populations in excess of 15,000 were to be provided with these facilities by 31 December 2000.

The Irish State, through the

Dept of the Environment, is working to resolve the above difficulty.

Environment minister John Gormley TD has expressed disappointment that the case has come this far but noted that of the six towns listed: a wastewater scheme for Tramore is completed; second is almost complete in Sligo; two more are under construction at Howth and construction on the final two will commence later this year at Bray/Shangannah and next year at Letterkenny.

Minister Gormley has also

committed to continue investment and management in water services.

The Environment Minister has also developed a number of initiatives in response to the ECJ findings. These include: * A direction to local authorities to publish information on water quality in their area on their websites. * Establishment of a hotline to enable members of the public to contact their local authority to enquire about the quality of drinking water in their area. * Placing the EPA in an over-

arching supervisory role to ensure consistent and systematic supervision and enforcement against all water suppliers. * Staff compliment of the EPA to be increased by 50 personnel to facilitate increased supervisory and enforcement activity. * EPA audited 30 local authority treatment plants in 2007 and 39 plants in 2008 to date. * EPA conducted meetings with all local authorities to highlight water safety and security of supply issues. * EPA to issue an instruction to local authorities to install chlor-

ine monitors and alarms on all public water supplies by February 2009. * EPA, in co-operation with Dept of Environment, has assessed all public water schemes, with 339 schemes being profiled from source to supply to identify deficiencies. 130 of these schemes are scheduled for major upgrading through the Water Services Investment Programme and of the remaining schemes, safety and security of supply issues are being immediately addressed (€10m funding set aside in 2008)

Dept of Environment to work with local authorities to develop Drinking Water Incident Management Response Plans with guidance and training material for developing such plans provided by a Water Services National Training Group in consultation with EPA. A number of these initiatives have commenced through a a ‘best practice’ seminar in the Management of Drinking Water, held in Kilkenny on 7 November. This seminar was a joint initiative of the Dept of Environment and the EPA.

*

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

11

FRESHWATER FOCUS

Golden anniversary for Parteen hatchery

By Tom O’Brien, ESB Fisheries Conservation THE ESB Salmon Hatchery at Parteen, near Birdhill, Co Tipperary celebrates 50 years in operation this year. Founded in 1958 under the then ESB Fisheries manager Stephen Drummond Sedgewick, broodstock were originally captured on the Mulkear river at Annacotty and taken to Parteen for stripping.

With hatchery operations in their infancy, mortalities were high often up to 80%. In 1962, Dr Noel Roycroft was employed as a fisheries biologist and, with his expertise, mortalities were reduced to 10% over the following years. Unfed fry/parr/smolts were used to re-stock the Mulkear and Shannon systems. No attempt was made to differentiate between multi seawinters and grilse.

In the mid 1960s, ESB built a hatchery at Carrigadroichid on the River Lee, with stock from Parteen used in the formative years (up to 1972). In 1971, ESB Fisheries Conservation further expanded its operations when it opened hatcheries on the Erne river system at Cliff station and Ballyshannon in 1982. Unfed fry and parr were transferred from Parteen to set up these new hatcheries.

In the mid 1970s and early 1980s, a reciprocal agreement operated between ESB and the Fisheries Boards resulting in eel

elvers being swapped for salmon ova, parr and smolts. These salmon were supplied for conservation stocking purposes nationwide. At this time too, parr from Parteen were supplied to start up commercial fish farming in Connemara.

In 1988, ESB Fisheries developed the River Shannon Salmon Management Programme, with a four-year strategy for salmon management on the River Shannon, followed in latter years by Stage 2 and Stage 3 programmes. Smolt release from Parteen has been between 150,000 and 190,000 per annum. Between 800,000 and 2 million unfed fry are released annually. Parr planting has varied between 30,000 and 100,000 annually; the number of broodstock returning has varied from 800 to 2,500.

Since the introduction of the River Shannon Salmon Management Programme, a distinct multi sea winter stock and a distinct grilse stock have been established at Parteen. An estimated 100 million juvenile fish have been stocked in the River Shannon since the mid 1950s.

To celebrate reaching the half century in operation, ESB Fisheries Conservation staff organised a number of events.

The first event was an open week for past and present ESB staff, as well as local angling clubs. This coincided with the

pumping out of the smolts into the river, ready for their journey to the feeding grounds in the North Atlantic, before returning to the hatchery again as adult fish in late 2009.

All visitors were complementary of the professional way that the hatchery is run and, in particular, the size and immaculate condition of the smolts being released. The only reason we could offer was, lots of TLC, coupled with a combined 140 years in caring for the ‘King of Fish’.

The event was marked by the unveiling of a specially commissioned stone plaque at the hatchery entrance. Hatchery staff also co-operated with the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board by talking to local school children about fisheries conservation and fish life in the local rivers.

And the final word to the longest serving member at Parteen: ‘‘Parteen has seen many changes over the years, from the days when we were mavericks in this country in rearing fish.

But now we can achieve a survival rate of over 90% from ova to smolt stage. And to see the fruits of your labour return to the hatchery in the autumn each year, makes it all worthwhile. As one prominent angler commented recently, ‘this place is heaven on earth’,’’ said PJ Power.

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Parteen salmon hatchery from the air with River Shannon and power station in the background.

The Draft River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) for the Shannon IRBD will be available for public consultation for a six month period from 22nd December 2008 until 22nd June 2009. The draft Plan and the relevant background documents can be downloaded from the Project Website www.shannonrbd.com or by contacting the Project office ( tel 061 337914, email: info@shannonrbd.com ).

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The Parteen team 2008: Tom O’Brien; PJ Power; Michael Tully and Noel O’Connell.

Shannon stakeholders make plans for the future!

OVER 90 planners, strategists and other interested parties attended the ‘Working together better for the Shannon’ conference in Athlone earlier this month, organised by the Heritage Council.

The main focus of discussion was how to maintain a balance between competing interests along the Shannon.

The Shannon means different things to different people: water supply; source of hydro-electricity; cruising ground; days angling; heritage trail and potential development sites, to name but a few.

To ensure the right decisions are made in the best interest of all those concerned, the Heritage Council has produced five Shannon Waterway Corridor Studies.

(A Waterway corridor is an area wider than the waterway, encompassing the physical landscape, local towns, villages and activities such as farming and tourism. ‘‘These corridor studies are a first step towards informing and co-ordinating activities and development along the Shannon,’’ remarked Beatrice Kelly of the Heritage Council.

Delegates were united in the

benefit of the conference.

As a result, Michael Starrett, CEO committed the Heritage Council to hosting the event again.

Interactive map An interactive map of the Shannon giving information of the area and detailing future recommendations, and information on other conferences being hosted by the Heritage Council can be found on their web site:www.heritagecouncil.ie A full conference report will be published in the February edition.

We wish to hear from you as it is important you help us plan!

The Shannon IRBD Draft RBMP has been developed by the constituent local authorities for the Shannon IRBD: Cavan, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Mayo, Meath, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, North Tipperary, South Tipperary, and Westmeath County Councils, and Limerick City Council.

Draft RBMPs for the other River Basin Districts in Ireland are also available for consultation for a similar period and can be obtained from the following websites: www.serbd.com; www.erbd.ie; www.wrbd.ie; www.swrbd.ie; www.nwirbd.com; www.nbirbd.com; www.nerbd.com.

12

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

INSHORE FISHERIES

‘Something fishy’ School initiative to explore local river habitats IN collaboration with Blackrock and Monaghan Education Centres, the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards has rolled out their ‘Something Fishy’ educational programme in 10 centres around Ireland for 2008/ 2009.

Developed in 2004, the programme explores different aspects of fish life including the life cycle of the salmon, fish species, angling methods and the conservation of rivers and lakes. It is an activity-based educational resource, and is designed to be interesting and attractive to both teachers and students.

A key element is that it promotes learning about fish and the environment in a local context. Participating classes are

The programme explores different aspects of fish life including the life cycle of the salmon, fish species

offered a field trip by RFB staff, and are encouraged to learn about their local river.

Pupils are provided with practical lessons including kick sampling, which helps them discover the different types of insects and invertebrates that live in their local rivers.

The students also learn how these insects and invertebrates relate to the status of water quality in their river. At the end of the syllabus, participating classes will have the opportunity to produce their own project.

Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, has welcomed the initiative: ‘‘We have a duty to ensure that as much as possible of our natural habitats are protected.

The fact that this programme is being implemented on a community level is extremely beneficial in this regard. Bringing children into the field provides them with first-hand experience of our river and lake habitats, and nurtures their interest in inland fisheries. ‘‘I commend the Central Fisheries Board and the Education Centres on continuing this very

*

Participating classes are offered a field trip by RFB staff, and are encouraged to learn about their local river, the Drumcliffe, Co Sligo.

beneficial initiative, and wish the schools involved the very best of luck this year.’’

Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of the Central Fisheries Board said he was delighted that the programme was continuing:

‘‘Last year the programme received a lot of attention, and the children who took part really got involved and developed each element of the programme into an imaginative resource of their own.

Educating young people about the environment, and the importance of protecting it, is vital for the future of our natural resources in Ireland.’’

Last year’s programme produced many entries from fifth

and sixth class pupils from all over Ireland.

The joint winners were St Joseph’s, Culleen, Co Sligo, and St Joseph’s, Terenure, Dublin.

Further information contact Mark Corps at (01)8842672.

The Inshore Ireland team of Gill, Gery, Roger and Wendy wish all its readers and customers a very peaceful and safe Christmas.

We look forward to bringing you the news from around the coast next year and to receiving your views and opinions on our stories. mills@inshore-ireland.com flynn@inshore-ireland.com cole@inshore-ireland.com scott@inshore-ireland.com

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

13

INSHORE FISHERIES

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Máirtı́n and Geraldine Ó Méalóid working together on the farm.

*

Máirtı́n checking the oxygen level in a juvenile abalone system.

Irish grown abalone graces premier London restaurant

By Gery Flynn ABALONE farming has resumed on Cape Clear Island, with a new company now operating the facilities of Feirm Éisc Chléire Teoranta. This company officially closed in May, after four months in examinership, during which it failed to secure the required investment needed to continue.

The new company, Mara Chléire Teoranta, is the brainchild of Máirtı́n Ó Méalóid, who previously managed Feirm Éisc Chléire Teo, and who now, together with his wife and family, is determined to make the new scaled-down abalone project work. ‘‘The farm facilities originally developed in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s by Comharcumann Chléire Teo, the island co-op, with a view to creating some natural resource-based sustainable employment here,’’ he told Inshore Ireland. ‘‘We’ve had turbot here since 1991, and then we brought in halibut and later native ragworm for sale to anglers. In fact, Cape Clear was the first place in Ireland to do halibut, before they had to be culled in 1998 for disease reasons unfortunately,’’ said Máirı́n.

Joint venture Explaining the short history of the previous abalone project, he said that an approach was made in 2004 by Neptune Resources — a joint venture between London-based Meridian Equity

Investments and Global Ocean Recirculation Technologies of South Africa — who wanted to get involved to develop the project to its full potential. ‘‘Feirm Éisc Chléire had been looking for a partner to invest in a modest farm when we met the people from Neptune Resources, who happened at the time to be looking for the right site to start an abalone farm,’’ he said. ‘‘To cut a long story short, they got a majority shareholding in the venture, on the basis they would make a significant investment that would eventually lead to the creation of jobs on the island. That didn’t work out however — we were never offered the sort of money necessary to capitalise the farm properly. Basically, we ran into difficulties in the middle of 2007, and unfortunately I then had no choice but to lay off all the staff that Autumn,’’ he said.

When the examiner failed to put together ‘a scheme or arrangement’ to save the business, the High Court was left with no alternative, and issued an order to close the company in May. This was when Ó Méalóid decided to make a move in a bid to save years of hard work and personal commitment to the project. ‘‘At that stage the liquidator would have set about disposing of all the company’s assets, so my wife Geraldine and I decided to form a new company, and purchase the assets. We did honestly think about letting it

go, but when we realised the amount of investment and sheer hard work by ourselves and our kids that had already gone into the venture, it just didn’t feel right to let it go,’’ he said.

After his offer was accepted by the liquidator Mara Chléire Teoranta, he became the new owner and operator of the abalone farm.

Past mistakes learned As to his future plans, he wisely refuses to be drawn, preferring instead to say that the experience of the past six years taught him to be realistic. And, with the shock of the earlier failure to raise investment still fresh in his mind, O’Méalóid is determined not to repeat these mistakes.

Despite knowing precisely what the Cape Clear facility is capable of, he fends off questions on his production plans, saying only that his ambition now is to simply produce a firstclass product and take each day as it comes: ‘‘In the short to medium term, our aim is to develop a workable family-sized operation that can be run by us, with a small amount of part-time and casual help,’’ he explains. ‘‘We are determined to stay grounded and be realistic about the possibilities. One of the mistakes made, I suppose, was

that we might have been aiming for the sky. This time I won’t allow that to happen,’’ he added.

He said that, since taking over in May, a daily routine has already been established, with family members assigned to measure key parameters like water temperature and dissolved oxygen in the tanks where the juvenile abalone are growing. A keen eye is also kept on their feeding behaviour.

Feedstuffs could not be more natural than the hand-harvested seaweed from around the island — a favourite among the thriving stocks.

period, and are more prepared now for the challenges that undoubtedly lie ahead,’’ said Máirtı́n.

Quality guaranteed Ó Méalóid’s confidence in the quality of the abalone he produces is unshakable, and he believes that it will be the quality that will carry the project ultimately. ‘‘From the start we have been very strict with ourselves about our standards,’’ he said. ‘‘Our abalone is of the highest quality,

and even in these challenging times, we believe it will sell because of that alone.’’

He reveals that Mara Chléire Teo abalone is already on the menu of China Tang at London’s renowned Dorchester — one of the world’s top restaurants, and has already been highly praised by the food critics.

It is also proving a big hit with diners at Nobu, one of London’s top sushi restaurants.

Closer to home, Cape Clear farmed abalone can be enjoyed at Galway’s Abalone Restaurant on Dominic Street, Galway City.

Family affair ‘‘Much of this, routine, but essential observation is being looked after by his children — fourteen-year-old Nora Jane, Sadhbh, who is about to turn twelve, and 10-year-old Máirtı́n.

As a family unit, Ó Mealóid is clearly proud that they are taking such an interest in the new project, and he sees their input as the cornerstone of its long term success. ‘‘As a family, we believe in our own ability to make this project succeed,’’ he declares. ‘‘We’re convinced too that now as a smaller unit, it is more realistic than what was planned here a couple of years back. We have come through a dark

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*

Market size Cape Clear abalone.

14

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

ISLAND LIVING

Arranmore RNLI celebrates 125 years of saving lives at sea THE volunteer lifeboat crew of Arranmore RNLI recently celebrated 125 years of saving lives at sea off the coast of Donegal by participating in an air/sea rescue demonstration.

At a ceremony to mark the occasion, station chairperson Tony Gallagher commended the lifeboat services for their ‘‘selflessness and dedication’’.

Seamus Rodgers, chairperson of the Rosses fundraising branch, congratulated the crews past and present, and thanked all involved in the service for their efforts in helping to keep the lifeboats afloat.

Fr John Joe Duffy CC conducted a service of remembrance for all who had have lost their lives at sea; this was concluded with the laying of a wreath at sea.

Nora Flanagan, Arranmore lifeboat press officer gave a presentation on the history of the station; this was followed by a presentation on all aspects of sea safety by local RNLI sea safety officer, Malcolm Houston. *

tel:1850 60 90 90 24:7 Confidential Emotional Support

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Rough seas at Arranmore; INSET: The Arranmore station was officially the busiest station during 2007.

Photo: J Rafferty

Malin and Valentia succeed in retaining marine rescue co-ordination status A controversial government proposal to close Malin and Valentia sub centres of marine rescue coordination has gone aground with the announcement ‘to retain the present configuration’.

According to the Department of Transport, the government came to this decision, ‘having considered the matter fully and taking into account various views expressed’.

Approval has also been given to purchase three Integrated Communication System (ICS) cores at a cost of €2.5m. Installation of the core at the coordination centre in Dublin will be in late 2009 and work at Malin and Valentia is set to commence in 2010. Tendering procedures for radio equipment are also ‘‘at an advanced stage’’.

Proposals to move the MRCC into the Department of Transport office in Leeson Lane in Dublin are underway Building work is expected to commence in the second half of 2009.

Each ICS core will be linked to a range of Coast Guard remote aerial sites to ensure the capacity to retain full national coverage should one of the centres go offline.

‘This decision means that the capacity and flexibility of the national maritime and rescue communications system will be considerably enhanced, representing a significant step in the ongoing development of maritime safety services in Ireland, which will continue in the years ahead,’ the statement reads.

Background The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) of the Department of Transport provides marine emergency management. Central to this function is its ability to receive and co-ordinate responses to emergency calls.

This, essentially, is the work done at Marine Rescue Centres. They monitor radio traffic, answer 999 and mayday calls and, having assessed

the situation, co-ordinate others who provide the onscene response. Today, the main radio switch and control equipment is located at three manned centres around the country.

These are Dublin (Leeson Lane); Malin Head and Valentia Island. They operate and control twenty-one remote maritime radio sites strategically located around the coastline and major inland lakes.

Dublin, as the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) is the national operational facility responsible for co-ordinating a response to all marine emergencies anywhere in the Irish Responsibility Regions, and acts as a maritime security contact point for Irish vessels worldwide.

Malin Head and Valentia are Marine Rescue Sub Centres (MRSCs), each with delegated authority from the MRCC since 2001 to coordinate a response to search and rescue incidents in its area of responsibility.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

SU

T P I R C S B

S N IO

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 waterwaysunder the following headings: • • • •

Aquaculture Island life Inshore fisheries Water management

• • • •

Policy and regulation Engineering & technology Research and development Seafood marketing and retail

Inshore Ireland has a circulation of 35,000 copies. It is also posted directly to key individuals in the marine sector and is available six times a year by subscription.

www.inshore-ireland.com Editor: Gillian Mills 01 2354804 / 087 2902045 mills@inshore-ireland.com

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News from the

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nd waterways

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October 2008

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Advertising: Roger Cole 01 2841544 / 087 2611597 cole@inshore-ireland.com Wendy Scott (NI) (ROI 048) 91 857721 / 0044 28 91 857721

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* The Commi An Irish Coastssioners of Irish Lights’ vessel Guard helicop Granuaile lands ter keeps a watchfu enginee l eye from above. rs on Mallagh rock near Arranm

Demise of more than Taighde Mara — job losses? ore Island to

carry out essenti

al repairs ahead

of forecasted bad weathe Photo: oto: J Raffert r. y

By Gery Flynn

ÚDARÁS na Gaeltachta’s research subsid iary, Taighd decision to jettison with disbeli its marine ef and disapp e Mara Teo (TMT) nity. ointment by , has been met the aquaculture commu-

A stateme tacht develo nt from the Gael- marine pment agency sector that ‘a decisio states It continues:in recent years.’ the activities n to discontinue has, ‘Taighde Mara expertise now availab for the most organisations le from followed an of Taighde Mara a part, provide such as consultancy d ine Institut future in light assessment of its funding service with e and NUI the Marof changes in little Martin the purpos available for researc -Ryan-Institut Galway’s es. The wide h e, range of research unit in Carna, with its and the

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IFA Aquacu lture secured a special hearing with the Joint Oireac htas Comm tee on Agricu itlture Fisheries and October in Food on 15 to raise the Dáil Éireann aquaculture crisis in the sector. The delegation, led

by Richie Flynn, IFA Aquaculture, told the Comm ittee that the Govern tion, apathy ment’s ‘‘inactowards the and hostility’’ aquaculture indus try 2,000 jobs was c osting rural areas. in peripheral The delega tion explained the unique potential the sector offered to create new ew wealth; stimulate the coastal economy; drive down and add to unemployment payments. the balance of ‘‘It is an food industr indige nous y using sustainable natural resources to meet the sophisticated,demands of a scious consumhealth-coner market The sector has the poten-. tial to create time jobs if 2,000 fullment sticks the Government in the to its commitCawley Plan,’’ Richie Flynn, culture executi IFA Aquatold Inshore ve secretary, Ireland.

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16

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

HERITAGE COUNCIL

Sharks and rays in Irish waters Sharks and rays have been swimming the world’s oceans for over four hundred million years. That’s one hundred million years before the first dinosaurs appeared on land! In evolutionary terms, they are one of the most successful families of animals, managing to survive mass extinction events with their diversity relatively in tact. Sharks and rays inhabit every ocean and play a vital role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems.

Worldwide, there are at least 453 species of sharks, and over 500 species of skates and rays. A wide variety of sharks and rays inhabit Irish waters, including 39 species of sharks and 28 species of skates and rays. Members of this diverse group can be found in all our seas, ranging from shallow estuaries down to depths of 2000m or more in the Atlantic.

Most shark species are small and harmless to humans. About half of them reach less than 1m in length and 80% are smaller than an adult human.

There is always a lot of media attention when sharks bite people, but, in reality, the vast majority of shark species pose no threat to humans, and the chance of a shark attack is very small. In fact, recent studies have shown that more people are killed each year worldwide by defective toasters than by sharks!

* The Porbeagle Shark, Lamna nasus, is considered to be critically endangered in the north east Atlantic by the World Conservation Union.

PHOTO: Andy Murch

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The Blue Shark, Prionace glauca, is known to migrate vast distances.

PHOTO: Andy Murch

Text by Sarah Varian Thanks to Kylie Corcoran, Declan Quigley and Gary Hannon for comments on the manuscript.

What is the difference between a skate and a ray?

A skate is very similar to a stingray, except it doesn’t have a sting in its tail. It also lays eggs rather than bearing live young or pups. However, it all gets a bit confusing, since many of our skates have been misnamed. For example, the Thornback Ray (Raja clavata) is actually an egg laying skate.

This misnomer is probably due to the fact that these closely related groups are so similar in design.

The only true rays to be found in Irish waters are the Whiptail Stingrays, and the rare Eagle and Devil Rays.

The role of sharks and rays Sharks and rays play an important role in the marine ecosystem. Most serve as top predators, with the larger species likely to significantly affect the size and structure of prey populations.

The role of some shark species is similar to the role of the great cats (lions, tigers and cougars) on land.

They eat the slower fish in a school of mackerel or herring, in the same way as cats eliminate the weak or slow animals in a herd of wildebeests or deer.

Loss of these important predators can disrupt the balance of an ecosystem.

* The Common Skate, Dipturus batis, is classified as critically endangered by the World Conservation Union.

The male does not reproduce until it is 10 years old.

PHOTO: Hamish Currie

Patterns of migration Some sharks and rays migrate vast distances to find food, or to reproduce. In Ireland, the Central Fisheries Board’s Marine Sportfish Tagging Programme was set up in 1970, in order to find out more about the migratory patterns of various species captured by sea anglers around our coasts.

The fish are tagged on the boat by the skipper, and then carefully released back into the sea. Anyone can then report their observation of a tagged fish, and some animals are recaptured thousands of miles away.

For example, one Blue Shark was found to have migrated a distance of 4,250 miles, having

travelled all the way from Loop Head in Co Clare to Venezuala in South America.

Sharks as a resource Sharks and rays are fished commercially throughout Europe for their meat, livers, cartilage and fins.

There is a particularly strong demand in Asia for shark fins, which are used to make shark fin soup, a traditional Chinese delicacy that has become popular in recent years.

In Ireland, ray wings and dogfish meat are sold in fish shops, whereas the livers and fins of oceanic sharks are exported to other countries.

There used to be a fishery for basking sharks in the West of

Ireland, but this was closed in the 1970’s when the local stock collapsed, most likely as a result of overfishing.

A number of other European shark fisheries are now also seriously depleted, and concern is growing over the status of stocks.

There is also an important recreational fishery in Ireland, where sea angling is very popular during the summer months.

Shark and ray related tourism (including SCUBA diving) is becoming an increasingly valuable revenue source for coastal communities around the world.

Vulnerable species Assessment of the status of European sharks and rays by

the World Conservation Union (IUCN) has led to the classification of roughly one quarter (26%) of evaluated species as threatened, (either critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable), with another 20% at risk of becoming endangered in the near future.

This is related to the biology of many species of sharks and rays making them more vulnerable and susceptible to overfishing.

Sharks and rays are generally slow growing and long lived, with females tending to reproduce later in life, and often producing very few offspring.

All these factors make it more difficult for a population to recover quickly from periods

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

17

HERITAGE COUNCIL

Ireland’s largest fish, the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus), can grow up to 12m in length. It feeds only on minute plankton and tiny fish.

PHOTO: Andy Murch

*

The angel shark is classified as critically endangered by The World Conservation Union. PHOTO: Andy Murch

*

The Spurdog is classified as critically endangered.

PHOTO: Andy Murch

*

of intensive fishing. The resulting need for conservation management has prompted the development of an Action Plan for the Conservation and Management of Sharks by the EU. The completed plan is due to be released for consideration in early 2009.

Strong measures The Commission is also proposing strong conservation measures for endangered species of shark and ray.

These proposals have been applauded by shark specialists around the world, described by the Shark Alliance’s Policy Director as ‘The most solid step to date toward a new, more responsible era in the manage-

ment of shark fisheries’.

The Shark Alliance is a global coalition of non-governmental organisations dedicated to the conservation of sharks and rays.

Threatened species Threatened species in Ireland include the Common Skate Dipturus batis, White Skate Rostroraja alba, Spurdog or Spiny Dogfish Squalus acanthias, Angel Shark Squatina squatina, Porbeagle Shark Lamna nasus (all classified as critically endangered by the IUCN), Gulper Shark Centrophorus granulosus, Leafscale Gulper Shark Centrophorus squamosus and Basking Shark Cetorhinus maximus (classified as vulnerable).

There is a particularly strong demand in Asia for shark fins, which are used to make shark fin soup, a traditional Chinese delicacy that has become popular in recent years

* Shark, skate and ray eggcases (aka mermaids’ purses) are regularly washed up on beaches around the coastline.

PHOTO: Sarah Varian

Getting involved in shark and ray conservation There are a number of shark and ray conservation programmes that depend on public participation in Ireland, including:

Purse Search Ireland This project encourages the Irish public to report their sightings of shark, skate and ray eggcases (also known as mermaids’ purses), washed up on beaches around Ireland’s coastline.

Resulting observations are then used by scientists to map nursery areas, improving in-

formation necessary for fisheries conservation and management.

For more information, go to www.marinedimensions.ie or call Marine Dimensions at (01) 2828876.

The Basking Shark Sightings Scheme This sightings scheme encourages the Irish seafaring public to report their observations of basking sharks.

A tagging programme for the sharks has also been set up and observations of sharks,

with or without tags, may be submitted to the IWDG at Merchants Quay, Kilrush, Co Clare or online at www.iwdg.ie.

The Marine Sportfish Tagging Programme Anglers can make a valuable contribution to shark and ray research and conservation by participating in the Central Fisheries Board’s tagging programme. For more information, go to www.cfb.ie or call (01) 8842672.

18

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Irish farmed salmon — a truly unique product

By Vera Heffernan, BIM IRISH farmed salmon as a product and its associated industry are unique compared to other salmon farming countries around the world.

This uniqueness is attributed to several factors, including geographic area, specific quality and reputation of the product. Irish farmed salmon has earned an international reputation in today’s world for consistent high quality, conditions of production and long history of exports to leading markets.

The industry output is focused on high-quality, low-volume niche markets, with a significant sector of the Irish industry, approximately 60%, achieving Organic Certification.

Niche market BIM’s Salmon Market Comment 2007 states: ‘Irish farmed salmon has created a niche offering in the market, and is more expensive than farmed salmon from other origins, demonstrating consumer recognition for the Irish origin and high quality nature of the product.’

Irish salmon holds a consistent upmarket position in many markets including France. In relation to price segmentation, the accompanying graph illustrates that the gap between Irish and Norwegian salmon has widened over this time period, illustrating the benefits of this niche position.

Moreover, Irish farmed salmon was the first seafood product in France to achieve the official French ‘AB’ organic quality label. Smoked Irish organic salmon has achieved a premium of over 50% over the average standard smoked salmon, demonstrating that Irish origin is recognised as an outstanding segment within the salmon market.

In the Irish market, Georgina Campbell, well-known Irish food writer and critic remarked:

‘‘When buying salmon, both fresh and smoked, I would always seek out an Irish product.

For preference, I buy farmed brands produced in strongly tidal waters, and/or organic if possible. The flavour is good and the flesh is firm and succulent without being oily, so the smoked fish slices well and, of course, I like the fact that it does not have too far to travel to my local shop.’’

Ideal conditions In addition to its international reputation in the market place, Irish farmed salmon is a product of the specific hydrographical conditions of the island and resulting location of farms.

In fact, Irish farmed salmon has a distinctive firm textured flesh that reflects the unique environmental conditions in which they are grown. The fish are grown in high-energy, exposed sites on the wild, windswept west coast of Ireland, unlike many of the enclosed sea-lochs in other countries.

These high-energy conditions experienced in the salmon seapens include, for example, being swept by continuous strong tidal currents of two knots, as well as winter waves and ocean swells of up to 8m.

This helps to ensure the salmon flesh is lean and firm, offering an exceptional quality product.

According to Bridger*, 2004, Ireland leads the world in open ocean aquaculture production, and has gained the greatest amount of experience with technological development/innovation and logistics mitigation.

Combined, these factors have played an integral part in making Ireland unique in the way in which this farmed salmon is produced. *Bridger, CJ, 2004. Exposed Aquaculture Site Development in the Bay of Fundy: A Feasibility Report. New Brunswick Salmon Grower’s Association, 226 Lim Kiln Road, Letang, NB Canada E5C 2A8.

*

Salmon farm off Clare Island.

Is eviction by stealth the secret strategy to end the aquaculture crisis in Ireland?

By Gery Flynn HOPES of an early breakthrough in the long-running saga between the Department of Environment and the aquaculture industry, on the thorny subject of issuing new licences and renewals, appears to still be some way off, despite the positive atmosphere at a meeting of both sides recently.

In a statement to Inshore Ireland, Conor O’Raghallaigh, a director of the National Parks and Wildlife Service with responsibility for conservation site designation and protection, and nature conservation legislation, confirmed that ‘constructive discussions’ had taken

place between Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG) officials, and Richie Flynn of IFA Aquaculture, at a meeting of the Designated Areas Monitoring Committee.

Legislation breaches At issue, according to O’Raghallaigh, are aquaculture and fishery activities, within Natura 2000 sites, in relation to recent judgments of the European Court of Justice, which found Ireland in breach of the requirements of the habitats and birds directives in its regulation of these sites. ‘‘This presents difficulties for DAFF in terms of

renewing or granting aquaculture licences in these sites or in permitting certain fishing activites,’’ O’Raghallaigh explained. ‘‘A clear requirement of the judgment is that more rigorous ecological assessment of the impacts of these activities will need to be undertaken before a decision can be taken to issue such licences or open certain fisheries. ‘‘In certain sites, this may require the collection and analysis of further ecological data, which may take some time,’’ he said. He revealed that DEHLG officials are attempting to agree a work programme with their counterparts at the DAFF, the

Marine Institute, BIM and the European Commission, that will bring these activities into full compliance with the directives. ‘‘The departments are eager to ensure that early agreement is reached, so that clarity can be provided to operators in these industries about how their activities will be regulated in the longer term, and in the interim period, while further ecological data is being collected,’’ O’Raghallaigh said.

He expected the Departments to submit a joint proposal to Commission officials for their consideration during December.

Responding to O’Raghallaigh, Richie Flynn, executive

secretary of IFA Aquaculture, told Inshore Ireland that his members were ‘fully aware of the work being done by the various State agencies on the Habitats issue. But, at the end of the day, we have to remember that we are really playing with people’s lives and businesses here’. ‘‘The priority now should be to ensure that at the end of this process which, I hope will not take long, we won’t end up with a licensing system that’s actually worse than the one we have at the moment.’’

Flynn dismissed as ‘completely unacceptable’, the suggestion that one way out of the impass might be for the govern-

ment to consider a system of interim licensing.

Investment falloff Fish farmers argue that financial institutions and investors would regard interim licencing with disdain, and would guarantee an immediate cut-off in the flow of investment to their industry. ‘‘Any such talk in the current economic climate would be completely unacceptable to us.

The reality is that thirty jobs a month are being lost in the aquaculture industry right now, and it is vital that a roadmap is found soon that will enable us to find a way out of this problem,’’ concluded Flynn.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

19

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Donegal Silver is gold medal quality

By Eve-Anne McCarron Marine Harvest Ireland SALMON is regarded as one of the healthiest proteins you can eat, with all the benefits of

being rich in Omega 3s. Not only is salmon good for you, it is also really versatile in the ways it can be prepared and cooked.

The launch of the Donegal

Silver brand at the Hillsborough Farm Shop in Ramelton, Co Donegal on Saturday, 29 November offered people the opportunity to experience just how easy and delicious Irish salmon can be.

First established as a brand in 1986, Donegal Silver is now regarded as a sign of quality by customers far and wide.

Donegal Silver salmon is produced in some of the most exposed and remote sites along the coast of Donegal. The commitment and skill of our local team ensures we have a complete focus on bringing the customer the finest quality Irish salmon.

Thirty-year record

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Eve-Anne McCarron showcases Donegal Silver at the launch

Marine Harvest Ireland has been producing the finest salmon in Donegal for almost 30 years, and has developed an oven-ready salmon pack that Irish consumers can take home, pop in the oven for 15 minutes, and enjoy.

If that’s not convenient enough, just pop it in the microwave for just 3½ minutes. It is delicious on its own or together with a wide range of other foods.

Marine Harvest Ireland has developed a very strong reputation for producing the highest quality fresh salmon products that we mostly sell to high-end producers for restaurants and for smoking.

Recently, we decided it was time to bring the taste of Donegal Silver directly into the homes of Irish consumers, so we have refreshed the look of our brand to fully illustrate the quality of the product, and the commitment of the people behind the product.

Response Customer response to the product has been fantastic, and we are delighted that all the hard work and effort of our team in Donegal has paid off.

We look forward to extending the range so as to bring more variety and taste experiences to Irish homes.

Watch out for more new additions to the Donegal Silver Irish salmon range after Christmas.

Further information on the Donegal Silver range is available from from Eve-Anne McCarron at eveanne.mcccar ron@marineharvest.com.

Commitment to quality MARINE Harvest Ireland has been producing worldclass farmed salmon since 1979, and currently has a presence in 20 countries across the globe.

With sites in some of the most remote areas along the west coast of Ireland, the company employs approximately 180 people from the local community.

According to Marine Harest Ireland, it is the skill and expertise of their staff, coupled with the pure natural environment of their sites that result in the finest salmon products.

Marine Harvest Ireland is committed to quality at each stage of the supply chain.

This involves having the highest quality and environmental management systems in place.

Quality Certificates held include: * BRC Approved * ISO 9001:2000 * ISO 14001:2004 * Ecopact

Brands Donegal Silver Irish Premium Eco-Label Salmon: Donegal Silver salmon is known for its consistent quality, firm texture and delicious taste. The consistent delivery of these product attributes has lead to customers across Europe seeking out Donegal Silver salmon. Marine Harvest Ireland is the first salmon farm in the world to achieve the EU accredited Eco-Label for Salmon, which validates commitment to looking after the environment.

Clare Island Organic Salmon: The exposed nature of the Marine Harvest Ireland sea farm off the coast of Mayo results in a unique product that is protected by a PGI — Protected Geographical Indication — under European law. The quality position of this product is comparable to that of Parma Ham and Champagne, which also hold PGIs.

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20

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

AQUACULTURE NEWS

Concern over extension of south western SACs IFA Aquaculture has expressed serious concerns to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government over its plans to extend two Special Areas of Conservation in Bantry Bay and the Kenmare River. ‘‘We have spent over a year pushing the Government to get to grips with the SAC issue, and have only made very limited progress so far. The proposal to

extend existing SACs that may capture yet more members’ licences within the new boundaries at this stage is very difficult to understand. Our members in the south west are struggling, along with every other area, to try and understand why the SAC issue has suddenly become so punitive for the industry. ‘‘Everyone remembers what happened in Cromane earlier in

the year. So why would Minister Gormley now extend marine SACs before sorting out the problems with management plans and appropriate assessments first?’’

IFA Aquaculture has contacted the Department and reminds all members that the closing date for objections to these SACs is 16 December.

IFA meets NPWS on SACs IFA Aquaculture took part in the national SAC monitoring committee meeting in Portlaoise last month to highlight the extreme difficulties the industry was facing due to the lack of action on aquaculture licencing in marine SACs. The industry described the effects of Government inaction and the subsequent ECJ ruling on the sector, notably that the licensing system was

effectively paralysed, that €3.5m in NDP money from Europe had to be foregone in the current programme and that recurring licensed activities, such as mussel seed gathering, had been severely impacted, leading to a disastrous situation in Cromane.

IFA Aquaculture’s executive secretary told the NPWS officials that the industry was sacrificing 30 jobs for every month that they failed to find a

solution to the problem. He suggested that NPWS should begin to compensate producers for business disruption due to their failure to put an appropriate assessment system in place, and raised concerns over the extension of some SAC boundaries before the solutions have been agreed.

IFA will have continuing dialogue with NPWS, both bilaterally and through the monitoring committee.

*

(L-r) ISA chair Flor Harrington, ISGA chair Damien O’Ceallacháin and Minister of State Tony Killeen.

IFA presses Minister for early opening of grant scheme ISA chair Flor Harrington and ISGA chair Damien O’Ceallacháin met Minister of State Tony Killeen recently to discuss a range of issues, including licences and the NDP. On the NDP, the IFA men pressed the Minister for an early opening of the scheme for aquaculture, which was granted

Early warning system The submission continued: ‘Where the Directive can help these objectives is in effect giving an early warning system for any water quality issues, and to provide solutions involving the appropriate authorities to address those problems quickly.

Therefore, the priority in designation is to ensure that all the shellfish production areas are covered within each designation, and that the sampling points accurately reflect the true state of water quality in these areas.

It is also important to note that subsequent ‘ground truthing’ by way of shore inspections, consultation with local growers and contacts with local authorities, may change both the boundaries and sampling points in the future.’

Commenting on the publication of maps of the proposed

WITH 2009 looming, IFA advises all members to check their licence expiry date if they have not done so already. ‘‘It is now 10 years since licences began to be issued in earnest under the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, and many

areas by DAFF, the IFA submission noted: ‘The range of proposed designations covers a wide variety of shellfish production, by way of species, method and location.

In addition, the sizes of the sites vary enormously.

With this in mind, it may be appropriate to have only one sampling point in a small area, and a greater number in a larger area.

In addition, local hydrography will dictate the most appropriate location of the sampling point, and it is not clear from the maps provided whether this has been taken into account.

Also, the location of the local production sites, vis-à-vis the nearest obvious sources of pollution, must be factored in, so that the true risk of pollution to the quality of shellfish waters is being assessed.’

will become due for renewal over the next 12 months. Given the blockages in the licensing system, it is important that members are not discouraged from submitting their licence renewals,’’ said Richie Flynn.

The forms are available in the

Christmas ‘‘For producers of fresh oysters and mussels, the four weeks in the run-up to Christmas are absolutely crucial — yet this year the market has been to say the least unresponsive to even the highest quality,’’ ISA chairman Flor Harrington told Inshore Ireland.

Harrington also highlighted the ‘‘real problem’’ in the French economy which IFA Aquaculture stressed that the most important priority for its members was ‘the improvement and maintenance of water quality in shellfish production areas, to ensure safe food, quality of stocks and shellfish health’.

Fisheries/CZMD section of www.agriculture.gov.ie. All finfish and shellfish farmers are advised to submit their renewal application in good time before the expiry to guarantee full protection of their licence until the Minister makes a decision.

Irish Shellfish Association raises concerns THE eerie silence in the shellfish trade, at a time when normally business should be booming running into Christmas has set alarm bells ringing in the Irish industry.

The Irish Shellfish Association sought an urgent meeting with BIM to see what could be done to respond to the crisis. ISA has also been in contact with the French industry which is so crucial to Ireland’s trade.

Implementation Speaking to Inshore Ireland, Richie Flynn, executive secretary of IFA Aquaculture, said that their submission, advocated for the spirit and letter of the law, must be implemented.

He said: ‘‘There is no point having a sample point that records clean waters, when monitoring of the shellfish under EU Regulation 854/2004 (classification of Shellfish Waters) clearly shows that pollution is negatively influencing

2013 scheme to slip into next year would be a terrible blow for an industry already struggling with poor markets and increased costs. We asked Minister Killeen to ensure that the call is made before Christmas, so that our members can apply without any further delay,’’ remarked Flor Harrington.

Check licence expiry dates — IFA

IFA Aquaculture responds to shellfish designation IN a submission to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the proposed designation of 49 additional water bodies under the Protection of Shellfish Waters Directive, IFA Aquaculture stressed that the most important priority for its members was ‘the improvement and maintenance of water quality in shellfish production areas, to ensure safe food, quality of stocks and shellfish health’.

€5m in the October Budget.

While this is half the amount sought by IFA for 2009, the organisation is pursuing the early opening of the scheme as its main objective at present. ‘‘The last thing the industry needs now is an unnecessary gap between the two grant aid schemes. Allowing the 2007-

he said was now hurting Irish shellfish producers. ‘‘We were hoping that the compensation package for oyster mortalities which the French Government has put together would stimulate that market; however the French retailer and consumer haven’t responded positively as yet. ‘‘In ISA we are very concerned for our members, as the price collapse could see individual companies going to the wall,’’ he warned.

At the time of going to press, Inshore Ireland is aware that the ISA and BIM have organised a meeting to discuss the market issues involving BIM’s Paris office.

A major restructuring of the French industry is expected in 2009. The economic conditions are reported to being having a negative effect on Irish producers of crab and lobster into the continental market.

*

the quality of the shellfish waters, and thereby breaching the objectives of Article 1 of the Shellfish Waters Directive: ‘To support shellfish (bivalve and

gastropod molluscs) life, and growth, and thus to contribute to the high quality of shellfish products directly edible by man’.’’

For producers of fresh oysters and mussels, the four weeks in the run-up to Christmas are absolutely crucial — yet this year the market has been to say the least unresponsive to even the highest quality — ISA chairman Flor Harrington told Inshore Ireland

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

21

LATE NEWS

Ministers announce appointments to top marine industry posts FISHERIES ministers Brendan Smith TD and Tony Killeen TD have confirmed the appointment of Mark O’Connell as chairperson of the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board. The appointment commenced on 27 November. ‘‘I am pleased that Mr O’Connell has accepted this appointment. His legal background makes him ideally qualified to fill the role. His experience in the Law Library and the Courts will certainly stand to him in his deliberations in this area,’’ Minister Killeen said.

He said Mr O’Connell faced a

‘‘challenging task’’ as the new chairperson, but added that he was ‘‘confident’’ Mr O’Connell would bring ‘‘excellent leadership and judgement skills to bear in this context.’’

Both ministers wish Mr O’Connell the very best in his new role.

Background The Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board was established in 1998 under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 to provide an independent authority for the determination of appeals against decisions of the Minister

on aquaculture licence applications.

The Board comprises a chairperson, appointed by the Government, and six members, appointed by the Minister from candidates nominated by six panels of organisations prescribed under the Fisheries Amendment Act, 1997.

The function of the Board is to provide an independent authority for the determination of appeals against decisions of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on aquaculture licence applications.

A person aggrieved by a

decision of the Minister on an aquaculture licence application, or by the revocation or amendment of an aquaculture licence, may make an appeal within one month of publication (in the case of a decision) or notification (in the case of revocation/amendment).

Marine Institute In a separate announcement, ministers Smith and Killeen welcomed the appointment of Jim Fennell as chairperson of the Marine Institute, with effect from 27 November. ‘‘Jim Fennell brings with him

experience gained over many years working both in the private and public sectors. I have no doubt he will quickly gain a full understanding of the issues facing the Marine Institute and recognise the pivotal position it holds in the context of the fishing industry,’’ Minister Killeen said.

He said that Mr Fennell was ‘‘very well respected within his profession’’ and enjoyed his good reputation through hard work and achievement. ‘‘His track record in developing Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology to where it is today

speaks for itself. He now faces a new and challenging role with the Marine Institute. ‘‘He brings with him the essential experience and knowledge necessary to lead and support the delivery of the diverse programme of work associated with the Institute.

This work is vital in ensuring the long-term sustainable and prosperous future for the fishing industry, and I have no doubt Jim is keenly looking forward to the challenges ahead,’’ he said.

Both ministers wished Mr Fennell the very best in his new role.

Breakthrough on North Sea cod discards THE North Sea Regional Advisory Council (NSRAC) has agreed a move that could see the end of the controversial practice of discarding marketable cod caught in the North Sea. A mismatch between the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for cod and what is being caught on the fishing grounds, given current fishing practices, is behind the move.

A combination of an increased abundance of cod, especially from the 2005 year class, and small quotas is resulting in significant discarding of marketable fish, according to the NSRAC. ‘‘Discarding is a waste of a very valuable resource; it is retarding the recovery of North Sea cod stocks, and it undermines the reputation of the fishing industry, fisheries science and the Common Fisheries Policy,’’ the NSRAC statement reads. ‘‘The issue of discards is one of the most serious challenges in seeking sustainable fisheries and reducing them is part of the ‘ecosystem approach’ to fisheries management,’’ the statement explains.

Prediction The NSRAC has been very concerned about this situation for some time, and predicted last year that heavy discarding would take place in the North Sea during 2008.

At its Executive Committee meeting in York, the Council accepted a proposal that asks the European Union and Norway to increase the TAC for cod in return for the implementation by the fishing fleets of measures to reduce discards and avoid the capture of cod.

The European Commission recently suggested the implementation of a policy to reduce unwanted by-catch and eliminate discards in European fisheries.

The proposal agreed by the NSRAC is that there should be a sufficient increase in the TAC consistent with the scientific advice to reduce or eliminate

discards of marketable cod in return for a broad suite of cod avoidance measures, which will ensure that fishing mortality does not increase.

Reducing the cod kill According to the NSRAC, if executed appropriately, the overall effect of the measures should be to reduce the overall amount of cod killed, while allowing the industry to land more. ‘‘Such a proposal, however, requires sophisticated use of gears, a modified fishing strategy and full compliance by the fleet,’’ explains the NSRAC statement. ‘‘Those measures will include conservation credits (incentives to reduce cod mortality), real time closures of fishing grounds to prevent the capture of juvenile or spawning fish, the use of more selective fishing gears and the adoption of individual vessel cod avoidance plans.’’

Cod elimination Technical measures could include the use of fishing gears such as the ‘eliminator trawl’, which allows effective fishing for haddock and whiting while eliminating cod from the catch.

There is also a commitment to strictly monitor catches and discards through observer programmes and the use of on board cameras. ‘‘If the TAC for North Sea cod is set towards the upper range of

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A combination of an increased abundance of cod, and small quotas is resulting in significant discarding of marketable fish.

ICES projections for catches in 2009, it will be incumbent upon the fishing industry and Member States to ensure the establishment of extensive accompanying measures to reduce or eliminate discards of marketable cod,’’ according to the statement. ‘‘While the NSRAC is committed to reducing discards, it is important to recognize that there are constraints on what can be achieved. The targets must be challenging, but they must also be attainable,’’ remarked NSRAC chairman Hugo Andersson. ‘‘Some discards are easier to reduce than others, and fishery by fishery solutions will be necessary. Reducing discards should be considered as an important factor when drafting all fisheries regulations,’’ he emphasised.

Obligations Andersson added that NSRAC delegates recognise that the successful implementation of this approach depended upon the various fleets and member states meeting their obligations to implement effective cod avoidance measures. ‘‘They also stress the need for a proper evaluation of the effectiveness of this new approach. This will require regular reporting, peer control and cooperation between all those involved, including controlling authorities in Member States. ‘‘In the event of a failure to deliver on cod avoidance and continuing evidence of widespread discarding, we would recognize the imperative to rapidly introduce secondary measures,’’ added Mr Andersson.

What is the NSRAC? THE NSRAC is the formal channel for stakeholders to provide suggestions and advice to the EC and the Council of Ministers on fishing in the North Sea. The Regional Advisory Councils, of which there are six operational, are a key element of the 2002 reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). They aim for better engagement of the people the policy affects and for more regionally-focused fisheries management.

The NSRAC meeting in York was attended by representatives of the European fishing industry and environmental Non Governmental

Organisations. The countries involved in the NSRAC are Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Britain.

Feedback These stakeholder-led forums give fishermen and other interested parties, including environmental organisations and consumer groups, a say in the way the CFP operates.

They are the formal channel through which stakeholders can give suggestions and advice to the European Commission and the Council of Ministers.

22

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

MARINE INDUSTRY 2008 REVIEW

An industry in crisis or equipped for the challenge that lies ahead?

By Gery Flynn & Gillian Mills IN the final edition of 2008, Inshore Ireland invited some key people from across the marine sector we report on, to contribute to a review of 2008 and to look forward to what they think might be around the corner in 2009.

They were asked to provide a snapshot of how their sector is faring in these turbulent economic times.

Needing no introduction to Inshore Ireland, all have been regular contributors over the past four years, and many have participated in our regular interview slot.

These are the personalities who, day in day out, toil at the coalface of sectors like food processing; aquaculture; catching; law enforcement; financial

services; industry representation and development.

As you would expect, the responses were all interesting and thought-provoking. And although perhaps differing in focus, the common thread seems to be that despite the current economic doom and gloom, with some imaginative political leadership, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The questions * What were the highlights/ achievements for you and your sector during 2008? * What were the low points? * What challenges did you have to face? * How have the economic downturn/government cutbacks impacted on your organisation? * Predict the challenges your organisation will face for 2009?

Inshore Ireland invited some of the key people from across the marine sector to contribute to a review of 2008 and to consider what might be around the corner in 2009.

They were asked to provide a snapshot of how their sector is faring in these turbulent economic times

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Lorcán Ó Cinnéide

MD, Connemara Seafoods

chief executive, IFPO

OUR development through 2008 is predicated on six key success factors.

The first is a very clear understanding of the needs, trends, and opportunities in the international marketplace we serve given we export 100% of our output.

The second key success factor is investment in product research and development.

The third, but probably most important of all, is investment in our own people and commitment to ongoing professional training and upskilling of our employees to meet the objectives of our business plan.

A fourth factor has been a significant competitive advantage, and that is our total commitment to quality; to international food standards such as BRC at the highest level and our unstinting support for the national testing regimes for our industry.

A fifth success factor and, again, a competitive advantage is our strategic distribution network throughout Europe where we can have fresh, chilled and frozen products shipped from our factory to markets throughout Europe within 36 to 48 hours.

The sixth is the outcome of a key element of our strategic planning. This saw the integration of cultivation, harvesting and processing as a seamless process to ensure continuity of raw material supply, consistency and traceability using the best quality raw material from our coast, and working together with a common interest and focus with our coastal community suppliers. We believe in loyalty and support our supply chain with a passion.

The Irish shellfish sector faces threats from cheap imports into the EU from South America and the East.

The Chile threat has been growing at pace over the past 24 months. Coupled with this, the industry is also experiencing the global downturn and, in particular, reduced consu-

IT is hard to think of high-points for the fishing industry given the year we’ve had! 2008 has been bleak for fishermen and very difficult, consequently, for the Irish Fish Producers Organisation. The main achievement of 2008 was survival — we haven’t died a winter yet, as they say!

Huge pressures from record fuel prices and massive quantities of cheap fish which depressed producer prices, and the substantial additional regulation made that very hard. The implementation of fishing vessel decommissioning, although not without its problems, was I suppose, a significant achievement that we had fought hard to have introduced.

The lowest point of 2008 was the huge internal division within the industry that arose from various protest actions on fuel costs in the early summer.

Some people confused unwillingness on the part of organisations, such as the IFPO, to support some protest as a lack of commitment to the sector which was difficult to take! People in fishing, regardless of which segment — inshore, offshore, shellfish or pelagic — are battling in circumstances that are near impossible. Frustration is understandable, and representatives are lightning-rods for that, but I think some of the criticism was mis-directed!

One of my main challenges of 2008 arose from people — including some politicians — who told fishermen that solutions to their problems were within easy reach, when everybody should know that the opposite is true. Trying to mis-

mer spending, adverse currency fluctuations and the fact that Ireland is a high cost economy. Survival and growth over the next few years will be about research and development; higher value-added; smart innovation; use of leading technologies and not competing at the commodity level.

We agree with the thrust of the ‘Cawley’ report. The Irish shellfish industry cannot survive and grow without coherent strategies and plans developed from a shared vision industry wide. We must work together to achieve common goals and a clear vision or face the impossible task of going alone against a tsunami of international competition. There is no future in that for any of us.

State support is vital but is unlikely to be meaningful without an agreed vision and agreed strategies for the shellfish industry. The carving up of BIM; loss of market supports and the division of responsibility for industry support in a fractious way across several State agencies makes life even more complicated and difficult.

SMEs are the linchpin of indigenous industry in Ireland and bureaucracy chokes the life out of SMEs. What we need is streamlining. The economy is on its knees and rapid response is needed.

Readjusting business to the new paradigm takes quick thinking, loads of innovation, tough decisions and gutsy determination. We would expect the same from the State in how it supports industry and the extent of supports that it must increase for the wealth generating sectors of the economy.

We do not want to be stifled by confusing support lines from State agencies. So, what is happening to BIM and the supports for our marine sector and the Irish shellfish processing sector in particular? We need specific answers.

lead people, and forcing them into thinking that there are easy solutions is appalling and makes any progress much harder.

The main practical challenge that affected fishermen going about their business was our attempt in Ireland to manage vessel quota allocations, which in my belief didn’t work very well. We need to up our game considerably on this in 2009; we need wholesale changes to the quota management system within the country.

Cutbacks are going to severely affect the Marine Institute and BIM in 2009 at a time when we need more and better science and supports. The effects of the credit crunch will further affect consumers, and the availability of credit will be difficult for fishermen, buyers and sales organisations.

Massive challenges lie ahead for 2009 such as draconian efforts to control changes in the Irish Sea and the north-west relating not just to cod but affecting all species. Reductions in Celtic Sea and north-west herring quotas will have severe effects. The biggest single quota issue will depend on the decisions taken later this month on prawn quotas, threatened to be a cut of 15%.

The main task for 2009 will again be survival. If we can take some serious steps towards a fundamental reform of the fisheries management system — in the EU and in Ireland — or begin to get agreement that we cannot continue to strangle our industry to death as we have been doing — we will have made progress.

Massive challenges lie ahead for 2009 such as draconian efforts to control changes in the Irish Sea and the north-west relating not just to cod but affecting all species. Reductions in Celtic Sea and north-west herring quotas will have severe effects

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

23

MARINE INDUSTRY 2008 REVIEW

Jan Feenstra MD, Marine Harvest Ireland

Art Kavanagh

Richie Flynn

manager, AIB Killybegs

IFA Aquaculture

SPEAKING from a marine and fishing viewpoint, I suppose that the implementation of the decommissioning scheme for the whitefish fleet and the increase in exploration activity off the west coast were two of the highlights of the year. Decommissioning is a cornerstone of the ‘Cawley’ report and it was good to see it being implemented.

Another worthwhile recommendation in that report relates to quota management which hopefully may come to reality in the near future.

The increase in exploration activity presented employment opportunities on shore and also for fishing skippers who had lost all or part of their fishing based employment.

The year was punctuated by the difficulties caused by increased fuel costs; the reduction in demand for Irish fish in international markets and difficulties in quota management, all of which culminated in the fishermen’s protests in the summer. This saddened me and I hope that the improved share of the quota that should result from the withdrawal of the decommissioned vessels will improve the viability of the overall sector.

These are difficult times for us all and it is only by understanding each other’s business and respecting the rules by which each of us must abide that we can work together to overcome our difficulties.

I am committed to the belief that, in times of difficulty, our greatest strength is unity of purpose. Our greatest threat is lack of it!

There are good and bad prospects for 2009. The Irish quota for mackerel has increased by 33% — this is good news for the catching and processing sectors.

The suggested cuts in the whitefish quotas are very worrying and have the potential to nullify the gains achieved by the decommissioning scheme in terms of

fish available to the Irish fleet.

Increases in interest rates and marine fuel appear unlikely.

The suggestion to close Sea Area V1 has terrifying implications and we must hope that it is modified to a point where the fishing fleets in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Donegal are not seriously damaged.

My interest in matters marine and my belief in its potential to improve the financial and social wellbeing of coastal communities is well known and through the Marine and Fishing Steering Group I try to promote this within our Bank.

Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute constantly tells us that Ireland covers a huge area. It’s not confined to the ‘‘small green bit in the middle of this map’’.

I believe he is right and I hope that despite the unavoidable budgetary cuts, the good work being carried out by Marine Institute, IMDO and BIM will be allowed to continue to exploit the benefits of our surrounding seas.

Seafarers and fishermen are brave optimistic people, courageous in their attitude to personal and financial risk.

I am proud of my association with them and hope that, in the coming years, we will both continue to reap the rich benefits which status of island nation bestows on us.

I LOOK back on the last year as a period of contradictions. We live in an economy and society that badly needs jobs: where manufacturing businesses are scarce and service-driven employment is under threat; where the Government gives the impression it wants people to live in rural areas and where our economy needs to bring in much needed revenue from exports.

Yet, the legislators appear to be walking away from a sector that ticks every one of those boxes and won’t cost them a red cent extra to develop.

Aquaculture can provide a new job for every 50 tonnes of production increase and we can sell high quality and healthy seafood that has been monitored, tested and regulated to within an inch of its life to customers abroad who badly want them.

Instead of protecting unproductive, unmeaningful and wellcushioned jobs, why will Government simply not do what it said it would — implement the recommendations of its own much heralded ‘Road to the Promised Land’ — the Cawley Report.

Our members have more than played their part in the social contract bargain through accepting new regulation in 2008 on fish health, while the Government blithely walked away from its responsibilities on compensation.

We watched as the full weight of the SFPA was applied to the processing sector when the normal harvesting of rope mussels should have taken place, leaving the sector with a massive overstocking problem at the back end of the year.

We signed up to an extremely rigorous new sea lice monitoring regime and committed millions of euros of our own money to its implementation and yet still wait for the appropriate resources to be put behind it by the state.

The aquaculture producer is in business and has responsibilities to shareholders, staff and many families, yet they can’t even get a response to a simple licence transfer.

Finally, Dúchas as it was then told our members in 2001 that we had nothing to fear from SPAs and SACs yet in 2008 those self same designations have effectively paralysed the licensing regime and run the industry into a brick wall.

I can’t blame fish farmers for being disillusioned and disheartened today when their direct experience is that what the Government says and what it actually does in practice are two diametrically opposed things.

Minister Killeen tells us that progress will be made in 2009 and I believe he really wants to see progress. What I’m really worried about though is that it’s going to be too late for many.

FOR us in Marine Harvest Ireland, the highlights in 2008 surround the steps we have taken with others; it’s great to see healthy fish growing once again at Inisfarnard, Co Cork as well as in Donegal Bay. In this way, we have enabled best farming practices that benefit the business and all stakeholders including our critics.

A farmer’s low point is when stocks are not thriving and are not at their best; it’s part of farming and happens from time to time, thankfully not that often. The lack of grant support this year and the credit situation has put a damper on our development by slowing down the full implementation of our plans.

Not being able to sufficiently progress a plan can threaten that plan and, ultimately, the business; we’re a little on edge about the downturn and hence tweaking and adjusting next steps. It’s going to take longer to get to where we want to be.

The main challenges in 2008 were controlling costs and optimising fish health.

Such are our challenges every year but both are affected by many external factors and these are increasingly unpredictable and volatile.

In the current economic climate, we have to be more robust and independent than before; avoiding increased credit requirements means

short to medium-term cashflow can become more important than long-term business strategies or profits. We need to work even closer in a strong collaborative way with all whom we interact with — customers and suppliers.

Looking towards 2009, we expect tough times for all involved, when weak companies will be forced to combine; middlemen will be squeezed; jobs will be on the line and cash will be King. We will all have to knuckle down, work harder and adopt a very positive attitude to get on and succeed.

Let’s win and overcome all this gloom and doom and look forward to the fact that good times shall follow bad times.

Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year from all at BIM In lieu of Christmas Cards this year, BIM will contribute to RNLI Ireland

Aquaculture can provide a new job for every 50 tonnes of production increase and we can sell high quality and healthy seafood that has been monitored, tested and regulated to within an inch of its life to customers abroad who badly want them

The BIM/Irish Sea Fisheries Board, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Tel: (01) 2144100 Fax (01 2841123 www.bim.ie

24

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

MARINE INDUSTRY 2008 REVIEW

Tom Geoghegan

Peter Whelan

IFPEA

chief executive, SFPA

THE processing and exporting sector of the Irish fishing industry has been beset in 2008 by the global downturn in economic activity and the crisis in banking in all major world markets.

Already this year, the effects are apparent in weakening consumer demand for a range of valuable shellfish product exports from Ireland to our main European markets.

In regard to our pelagic exports (herring, mackerel, horse mackerel and blue whiting) — the bulk of which are exported to Eastern European, African and Asian markets — it has been possible to achieve reasonably good price returns in 2008 for these exports despite the recessionary conditions on world markets.

The lower unit value of these exports compared with fish products at the higher value end of the market may well have enhanced their affordability in current straitened consumer demand conditions.

A fillip was given to the pelagic sector as a whole in 2008 by the processing of blue whiting in substantial volume for the food market, due to the increased catch quota for that species compared with 2007.

Worryingly, however, a sizeable reduction is anticipated in the blue whiting quota for 2009, which will be a setback for this new development. Prices and demand on world markets for pelagic products in general are expected to remain firm in 2009.

Looking to next year and the following years, much will depend on the effective and earliest possible implementation of key recommendations in the Cawley Report for the development of the Irish fish processing and exporting industry.

The co-ordination of our national export efforts as a whole to the maximum possible extent will be necessary to achieve economies of scale in key markets with products conforming to highest quality standards.

Support by the State agencies concerned for the processing sector is currently being planned through various schemes as recommended in the Cawley Report.

An example is the proposed Step-Up Programme aimed at incentivising the consolidation and prioritising of support for the development of Irish seafood businesses with good potential.

Research and development, and product innovation and development support schemes are being developed by the State agencies concerned.

All the initiatives should be availed of by the processing sector as far as possible and, as soon as possible, so as to be in a position to take full advantage of the first signs of global recovery from the present economic downturn to build companies’ development capability in the future.

The co-ordination of our national export efforts as a whole to the maximum possible extent will be necessary to achieve economies of scale in key markets with products conforming to highest quality standards

THERE were many highlights and achievements during 2008 worth mentioning.

The official launch of the SFPA by Minister Mary Coughlan TD in March 2008 provided us with an opportunity to confirm to the industry that we were ‘open for business’ and anxious to work closely with them to build a culture of compliance.

In response to requests from fishermen for more control and monitoring of the inshore sector, the SFPA leased a patrol vessel and embarked on inshore fishery patrols along the coast for 14 weeks to deter illegal catching of undersized fish and to detect unlicensed fishing.

The SFPA is delighted to see a 33% increase in the allocated quota for mackerel for Irish fishing vessels for 2009.

The recovery of this stock and this increase are seen as a vindication of the value of a culture of compliance based on responsible fishing behaviours coupled with good fisheries management.

During 2008, the SFPA played a central role in implementing the upgrade of the existing VMS system. The technically advanced units acquired at very competitive rates will guarantee substantial cost savings for fishermen for at least the next three years. The new system is user-friendly, allowing the families of fishermen to view a fishing vessel’s location on screen.

Low points of 2008 include instances where untrue statements were repeatedly made in the press about how we carry out our business.

Unfounded allegations were made that the SFPA has no regard for the safety of fishermen; that we carry out our work in a heavyhanded manner and that we target Irish vessels only. The SFPA sought and received a full retraction for scurrilous claims made in the articles.

Illness associated with the consumption of Irish seafood in France and the US presented a serious challenge to the good name of Irish seafood in the international mar-

ketplace. Events relating to the case have brought into sharp focus the benefits of legislation. We hope that the lessons learnt can help galvanise renewed engagement with food safety management.

We have worked hard to get industry recognition for the benefits of good monitoring and control systems that underwrite and protect the good reputation of Irish food producers in the international marketplace and which protect Irish taxpayers from large fines for non-compliance with the Common Fisheries Policy.

For 2009, we anticipate significant challenges will arise from the implementation of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU) legislation in 2009. We will be required to effect control and monitoring systems that counteract the trade in unrecorded and illegally caught fish.

The anti-IUU legislation has great potential for reducing the presence of low-cost illegal fish in the market place and to protect the price achieved for legally produced fish.

The implementation of the electronic logbook system will create challenges for 2009.

The SFPA, however, will be communicating with fishermen and their representatives to ensure the new technology and the benefits that may be derived from this system are well understood.

Jason Whooley CEO, BIM THERE is no denying that 2008 was a difficult year for the industry; the increase in oil prices and the general economic downturn had a severe impact on the industry and we are set to face continued economic uncertainty in 2009.

Nevertheless, with great challenges come great opportunities — we have a strong fishing and aquaculture industry that is well respected worldwide. It is important, now more than ever, that we do not lose sight of our goals, and we must look at new ways to ensure that the industry remains competitive through increased innovation and by focusing our attention on achieving the recommendations set out by the ‘Steering a New Course’ strategy.

In the Cawley Report, our priorities are clear and I am confident we can continue to drive the strategy forward in partnership with industry. Our Operational Programme 2007 to 2013 reflects this focus and will provide us with the necessary funding to roll out work programmes that will benefit the industry.

2008 was an extremely busy year for BIM and a number of important initiatives were completed. The highlights include: the market-led approach adopted by the agency in response to the clear innovation gap that was outlined in the strategy.

We have started a process to close this gap with the Market Innovation Initiative — a joint programme with Enterprise Ireland aimed at addressing ‘competitive disadvantage’ and assisting seafood companies to identify opportunities for improved performance and growth.

In addition, BIM established the Seafood Innovation Council.

Chaired by Dr Ivan Coulter, the Council aims to drive innovation in seafood processing and new product development.

Earlier this year, Minister Killeen set up the Irish Seafood Market Initiative Group comprising industry representatives and chaired by BIM. The objective is to share understanding of key market issues between fishermen, processors, co-ops, retailers and their representative organisations as well as determining actionable outcomes to maximise opportunities in the Irish seafood market sector.

I am pleased to report that the group has drafted key recommendations that to be presented to the Minister in the New Year.

In answer to the problems facing our fishing fleet, 45 vessels have been accepted under the decommissioning programme at a total cost of €36.6m.

With part payment of €21m delivered in 2008, a further €16m is required to complete the current round in 2009.

Along with other key recommendations outlined in the strategy, this should result in additional catching opportunities for remaining boats.

Another key focus for BIM next year will be to continue to work with industry on new technology to increase efficiency and sustainability, as well as an extensive environmental management system across fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

While there have been many challenges this year, I am confident we can achieve a great deal for our customers next year and I am looking forwarding to seeing the results.

In the Cawley Report, our priorities are clear and I am confident we can continue to drive the strategy forward in partnership with industry

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

25

SEAFOOD DESK

‘Hard work and huge dedication’ behind success of west coast seafood processor CONNEMARA Seafoods Ltd — the Westport-based seafood processors were presented with the ‘Seafood Exporter of 2007’ award sponsored by BIM, at the Annual Export Industry Awards in November.

Congratulated by the guest of honour, An Taoiseach Brian Cowen, TD, the award was in recognition of their consistent growth and innovative product development.

An important local business for the area, the Irish-owned seafood company has come a long way since it originally began its operation in 1990 and now forms part of a family of small companies employing more than 40 people in a stateof-the-art facility just a few kilometres north of Westport town on the edge of picturesque Clew Bay. With over 50 years experience in primary seafood cultivation, processing and exporting, Connemara Seafoods is a fullyintegrated operation that cultivates harvests and processes shellfish from its own farms and from shellfish growers along the west coast.

Continental markets It currently sells a variety of seafood produce, both fresh and frozen, including mussels, oysters, clams, lobster and crab, and exports 100% of its produce to the catering and food services industry in its primary markets in Britain, France, Italy and Germany.

Managing director Andy Mulloy attributes the company’s success to the dedication of his staff, the relationships with their buyers and the exceptional qual-

ity of their Irish-sourced produce: ‘‘We are delighted with this award which is recognition of the success that comes from years of hard work and huge dedication by everyone involved, including suppliers and staff,’’ he says proudly. ‘‘Together, we have built Connemara Seafoods into a successful business and an international seafood brand. BIM has played an important role in supporting our business as we developed each market, researched and developed new products, processes and technologies. ‘‘They have been a vital partner and I wish to thank BIM, along with our customers, suppliers and staff for their unstinting support over the years and to the Irish Exporters Association for this welcome recognition.’’

A key element of the company’s strategic planning was the integration of cultivation, harvesting and processing as a seamless process to ensure continuity of raw material supply, consistency and traceability using the best quality raw material from Ireland’s coast and working together with a common interest and focus with coastal community suppliers.

Strategic distribution This all ties in with their distinct competitive advantage of a robust strategic distribution network throughout Europe ensuring the company can have fresh, chilled and frozen products shipped from the factory to markets throughout Europe within 36 to 48 hours, vital since

* From left: Donal Buckley, market and business development manager, Bord Iascaigh Mhara; Andy Mulloy, managing director, Connemara Seafoods Ltd; An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, TD; Pat Mulloy, Connemara Seafoods Ltd and Liam Shanahan, Irish Export Association President.

Connemara Seafoods Ltd was awarded the Seafood Exporter of the Year Award 2008.

Ireland’s seafood exports are valued at €360, with France accounting for 25% of this.

Seafood export figures also indicate increased sales to the non-traditional markets of Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and China, which collectively represented €20m.

With a relatively small portion of total sales, this sector is

becoming increasingly important to Irish producers who expect to see this figure continue to grow.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Donal Buckley, market and business development manager, BIM, described Connemara Seafoods as a wonderful example of an exceptional Irish seafood company: ‘‘By consis-

tently innovating and continually investing in best available technologies, they have firmly established themselves as a world-class supplier of top quality products and their passion for what they do is beyond question. ‘‘This award is evidence of the value placed on delivering premium Irish products to satisfy overseas customers’ needs

Launch of Ireland’s first seafood bible ‘IRISH people appreciate seafood when dining out, yet we tend to be reluctant to cook fish at home. I think this is mainly because the very attributes that make fish so well suited to restaurant kitchens — notably the quick last minute cooking, which is ideal for cooking fresh ingredients to order when all the sauces and accompaniments are ready to go — can sometimes make it seem daunting at home, where we are not always so well organised.’

This concept is set to change, with the help from Ireland’s first ‘seafood bible’, compiled by food writer, Georgina Campbell and published by BIM with all proceeds of sale going to the RNLI. In more than 200 full colour pages, From Tide to Table is designed to help even the most reluctant of home cooks to feel comfortable shopping for and cooking seafood.

More than a cook book of more than 60 assorted recipes to suit every occasion, From Tide to Table is a complete user guide to buying, preparing and cooking the variety of fish and seafood caught in Irish waters.

From Tide to Table also explains the health benefits of seafood, and provides a detailed fish identification, shopping and preparation guide. Information on responsible fishing methods and initiatives is also included in mini features on the various

*

Georgina Campbell has compiled Ireland’s first ‘seafood bible’

species and how they are harvested and produced, with input from the fishermen themselves. ‘‘As the water is good there is no need for purification, it’s done naturally,’’ says Michael Mulloy of Blackshell Farm, speaking on mussel cultivation.

‘‘From Tide to Table is not only a beautiful book, but a very down-to-earth and practical one too. I am pleased to have been able to work closely with BIM on this project. What to serve with fish can be a challenge to many cooks, so the wide range of accompaniments is a huge

*

The book is a complete seafood user guide.

plus ,and I am sure that readers will find the insights into Ireland’s fishing industry fascinating, remarked Georgina Campbell at the launch.

From Tide to Table — Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Seafood by Georgina

Campbell, is published by Epicure Press. Hardback, 208pp; ISBN 978-1-903164-27-3. Price €25). * For information on the book and to see sample recipes, log on to www.bim.ie or www.ireland-guide.com

through first-class marketing.

BIM has been fortunate to have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the company and we have worked closely with them on a number of initiatives.

We are delighted to see them recognised and rewarded for their hard work and dedication and look forward to seeing them go from strength to strength.’’

New post for Dr Ivan Coulter BIM has announced the appointment of Dr Ivan Coulter, MBA, as chair of the newly established Seafood Innovation Council. A BIM initiative, the Seafood Innovation Council drives innovation in seafood processing and product development, thereby addressing the innovation gap identified by the ‘Steering a New Course’ Seafood Strategy.

The Council will include members from development agencies, international seafood experts and industry representatives to ensure a cohesive approach is adopted to drive the development of value-added seafood products for domestic and export markets.

Dr Coulter is currently CEO of Sigmoid Pharma Ltd and has extensive national and international business and research expertise in life sciences, medical, pharmaceutical development and functional seafood product development.

Ivan Coulter

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26

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

MARINE INSTITUTE

Voyage of discovery Fancy a career in marine science? The Marine Institute’s unique ‘Voyage of Discovery’ programme can show you what is involved

By John Joyce MARINE INSTITUTE CAREERS Guidance offices in secondary schools may come in all shapes and sizes, but they rarely float, which is what made this such a special event for a dozen students from all over Ireland, who gathered at Horgan’s Quay in Cork on an overcast October morning to learn what it’s like to be a marine scientist.

Lying alongside was the national research vessel RV Celtic Voyager.

Its mission — at least on this morning — was to undertake a ‘voyage of discovery’ for these young people as part of the Marine Institute’s Integrated Marine Exploration Programme (IMEP).

Supported by the Higher Education Authority, the Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation, as well as the Marine Institute itself, the IMEP aims, not only to increase Ireland’s research capacity in marine science through making ship time more available to professional scientists, but also supports the overall government strategy for promoting the education of science in schools under this ‘voyage of discovery programme for transition year students.

The students are brought on board by IMEP leader Pauhla McGrane, herself an experienced oceanographer, who introduces her fellow scientists before the safety briefing is given by the ship’s mate on safety drills, muster points, where the life jackets and hard hats are kept and how to put them on.

The safety of everyone aboard is of paramount concern.

In the wheelhouse the ship’s Master, Dennis Rowan, shows the group how the ship can be steered and navigated and describes the opportunities that exist for anyone thinking of a career at sea.

Deckhand and Masters certificates are both available from the National Maritime College at Cork, and there are an increasing number of female deck officers nowadays.

WATCH KEEPING As the Celtic Voyager sets sail, the twelve students are divided into two ‘watches’ of six — ‘Red Watch’ and ‘Green Watch’.

As the ship reaches its first sampling station, Red Watch moves to the stern of the ship, where benthic ecologist Yvonne Leahy is preparing to sample the bottom of the harbour itself.

Meanwhile, up in the dry lab

on the upper deck, Green Watch is receiving a demonstration of seabed mapping from geophysicist, Janine Guinan.

Later, back on deck, students are shown how scientists measure seawater turbidity, and then how to use a phytoplankton net, with a mesh fine enough to capture the tiniest members of the marine food chain — microscopic plant and animal plankton — that support everything above it.

These microscopic plants are so small that thousands of them can easily fit into a single drop of seawater. Yet, their combined efforts worldwide remove more carbon dioxide and provide more oxygen to the earth’s atmosphere than all the rainforests of the planet combined, hence their importance to life on the planet.

Back in the dry lab, students have the opportunity to examine a drop of seawater from the plankton net under a powerful microscope, while Pauhla explains about the delicate organisms that can be seen.

Her enthusiasm for her subject, as with all the members of the IMEP team, shines through.

At this point, every student in the class would like to be a marine biologist, as they head into the fisheries demonstration featuring a collection of commercial fish species including plaice, mackerel and gurnard.

INTEREST IN COURSES As the Celtic Voyager heads for home, the students ask how they can get onto marine science courses in Ireland, and where they are run. The IMEP team agree that at least two science subjects in the Leaving Certificate, plus a love of the subject, are essential.

Courses take place most notably at NUI Galway, University College Cork and GalwayMayo Institute of Technology, with related courses at Trinity College, Dublin City University, University College Dublin and the University of Limerick.

Students wishing to work a ship rather than study the sea are steered towards the National Maritime College at Ringaskiddy, Cork or to the Fisheries Training Centres at Greencastle and Castletownbere, which are both run by BIM. As the Celtic Voyager slips gently back against Horgan’s Quay, already a number of students have gathered for the afternoon sailing.

Pauhla explains how the IMEP programme was so inundated with applications, that it was decided to lay on two more days in November to accommodate the numbers that could not fit on these missions.

* As the Celtic Voyager slips gently back against Horgan’s Quay, already a number of students have gathered for the afternoon sailing.

Students are shown how to use a phytoplankton net, with a mesh fine enough to capture the tiniest members of the marine food chain.

*

ABOVE: Up in the dry lab on the upper deck, Green Watch is receiving a demonstration of seabed mapping from geophysicist, Janine Guinan.

*

The map beyond our shores THE Marine Institute has just launched maps, lesson plans, worksheets and class activities for primary school teachers to download from their website www.marine.ie.

Intended as examples for teaching the SESE geography primary school syllabus, they demonstrate how the Real Map of Ireland extends beyond its shores into some 220 million acres of underwater territory.

The Real Map of Ireland was introduced at the Galway Science and Technology Festival 2008 where Marine Institute staff explained the history of seabed mapping, the role of the two national research vessels and current marine research in Ireland.

Identifying Ireland’s marine resource as part of the ‘real’ map of Ireland shows how reliant we are on our oceans and seas for many things including food, energy sources, transport and leisure activities.

Learning about the Real Map of Ireland encourages future generations to develop a custodial approach towards the development of our valuable marine resource.

— Cushla Dromgool-Regan

Students are shown how scientists measure seawater turbidity and how to use a phytoplankton net

For further information on Marine Institute outreach activities see www.marine.ie/ home/community.

Children learn about the ‘Real Map of Ireland’ at the Marine Institute stand at the Galway Science and Technology Festival 2008 held last November.

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Transition year students interested in applying for the 2009 Voyage of Discovery programme should see www.marine.ie or e-mail the Transition Year Coordinator, Dr Yvonne Leahy, at imep@marine.ie.

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ABOVE RIGHT: Students are shown how to sort sediments on deck.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

27

SHIPPING SPOTLIGHT

Celtic Tiger sightings reported at many ports

By John Hearne LOOKING at the range of projects underway in Irish ports, you’d be forgiven for thinking we were in the middle of an economic boom. In the October issue, IMDO chief executive, Glenn Murphy, pointed out that the long list of planned investments signalled a clear longterm commitment to the economy by the sector. ‘‘Belfast, Larne, Warrenpoint, Greenore, Drogheda, Dublin, Waterford, Rosslare, Cork, Shannon Foynes and Galway, all have capacity and developments planned. If we were sitting here with no scale or scope for the port companies to expand, we’d have a problem.’’

Northern boom Starting at the top of Murphy’s list, the Port of Belfast handles around 1.2m passengers and half a million units of freight annually. The £9.5m extension of Stormont Wharf will extend the berth to just over 1km, making it the longest deep-water facility on the island. As with most of the developments around the coast, one of the primary drivers here is the global trend towards larger vessels. The 250m extension will help the port cope with vessels up to 300m in length. ‘‘Ship technology is changing,’’ said Roy Adair, CEO of the port. ‘‘Belfast needs to invest to ensure that the port remains competitive. This is the largest new quay capacity project the port has undertaken in forty years for the bulk sector, and it is fundamental to the port’s £630m long-term plan to double

capacity by 2025.’’ Further north, Larne remains focused on Ro-Ro traffic and tourism.

Last year alone, passenger numbers grew 9% on 2006, while the number of tourist vehicles grew by 17%. Plans here centre on port hinterland, where a major food, retail and leisure development is on the way for the Port of Larne Business Park.

In Warrenpoint, meanwhile, the harbour authority has commissioned a feasibility study on the development of a marina at the harbour. Tourism is the driver here. ‘‘The demand experienced for summer berths in the recently upgraded town dock, demonstrates that there is great interest in a full 200 berth marina for Warrenpoint,’’ remarked Peter Conway, chief executive of the harbour authority. ‘‘The new marina will also be designed to facilitate the requirements of the Omeath Ferry service, the local yachting fraternity, visiting tall ships and public slipway access,’’ he added. Crossing the border, Greenore Port, which is a joint development between Dublin Port and One51 Group, announced during the summer that it had begun seeking approval for the next phase of its development, a container terminal and a multi-purpose Ro-Ro berth. Here, as with most of the major developments in the south, planning objections are expected to accompany all stages of the planning process.

Southern success In the Republic, Drogheda Port Company is behind the most

significant of all port developments — the deep water port, logistics centre and business park at Bremore. The €300m project is proposed in three phases, with Phase 1 potentially catering for up to 10 million tonnes of freight including 350,000 TEU Lo-Lo units, 409,000 Ro-Ro units, and one million tonnes of general and bulk cargoes. That same first phase will provide circa 500m of linear quay for container and general cargo handling — two Ro-Ro and one high speed ferry berth for road freight, car and foot passenger traffic.

The Bremore development is of course tied to development plans in Dublin Port. Despite the Deportment of Transport’s decision to commission a study from economic consultants, Indecon into the viability of moving the port to another site, such as Bremore, Dublin has pledged to continue its investment plans at its current location. 75% of the containers that come into Ireland come through Dublin, along with 80% of the Ro-Ro traffic.

More deepwater space is now at the top of the port’s agenda, and to that end, they’re proposing an ambitious plan to infill 21 hectares of Dublin Bay. Further south, the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey TD, opened the €11m, 190m Quay extension at Waterford’s container terminal in September. ‘‘This is a continuation of the existing quay and results in the Belview container and bulk cargo terminals offering an unbroken length of 543m,’’ Port of Waterford chairman Ben Gavin,

SHIPPINGSNIPPETS ON October 1, the Dutch shipyard, Barkmeijer Stroobos presented a sculpture of the bow of an Arklow Ship, mounted on a stainless steel frame to Arklow Shipping Ltd. The sculpture is to commemorate the building of 20 vessels for the Arklow based shipping company.

Within three weeks, two new ferry operators inaugurated continental routes from Rosslare Europort, starting with Belgium owners Cobelfret Ferries in late October, with a freight-only Ro-Ro service

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The LE Eithne at Dublin Port: Seventy-five per cent of container cargo comes through Dublin.

told Inshore Ireland.

Consolidating these developments, and following improvements to the road network in the region, the port has also secured planning permission from Kilkenny County Council, to construct a further 800m of quay and a suite of other port-related developments.

Heading further along the coast, negotiations to relocate the Port of Cork’s facilities from the City Quays are continuing, as are plans to develop greater deepwater space. As Port of Cork’s commercial manager, Michael McCarthy, explains, the challenges facing the southern capital are identical to those confronting port and harbour authorities all around the coast.

He said: ‘‘If Munster and Cork are to remain competitive, and if industry is to continue in the region, the port must have the facilities to cater for ships.

Two years ago, we handled 190 TEU in nearly 1,000 containers.

Now we’re handling the same amount, but in only 500 vessels. ‘‘The average size of contain-

Jehan Ashmore

to Rotterdam and Zeebrugge. The following month, the French owned, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, launched the Norman Voyager for ferry subsidiary, LD Lines, on a new route to Le Havre.

CORRIDOR UPGRADE After serving just two years on the Dublin to Holyhead route, Stena Line replaced the freight-only Stena Seatrader in November with the modern and larger Stena Nordica.

Unlike her predecessor, this vessel will

also carry passengers and vehicles on the daily single round trip to Wales. Stena has also hinted that sailing schedules may be doubled.

SHORT SEA WINNER The Irish Exporters Association hosted the annual industry ceremony in November, awarding Containerships (Dublin) Ltd, the IMDO sponsored Short Sea Shipping Company of the Year.

Containerships operate five routes between Ireland and Rotterdam, in co-operation with DFDS Container Line and Irish Continental Group (ICG) lo-lo subsidiary EUCON on services to Finland, the Baltic States and Russia.

FISH AND CRUISE CHIPS Killybegs is set to offer Irish passengers with direct departures from the premier fishing port next July through British based Saga Cruises. The 24,492 gross tonnes Saga Rose will offer 16-day cruise to Greenland starting and ending at Liverpool, via Killybegs, with returning flight connections from the British city to Dublin. Saga have visited the port previously, but only as a port of call during cruising itineraries.

COMPETITION Win a set of QE2 (at Cobh) prints A sculpture of the bow of an Arklow Ship, mounted on a stainless steel frame to Arklow Shipping Ltd.

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See www.shipsireland.com for details.

er ships coming to Tivoli is 140m to 150m, whereas two or three years ago, the average size was 120m — so, that’s why we’re looking for facilities in deeper water and larger berth areas,’’ he said.

Deepwater oil storage One of Europe’s most sophisticated oil terminals is to be constructed in the Shannon Estuary at Foynes Port. The €30m terminal, due for completion by 2010, will have the capacity to supply 15% of the country’s fuel requirements, and will be the largest deepwater oil facility to have been built in the country in 40 years.

On the west coast, the Galway Harbour Company completed installation of a 25 berth pontoon facility in April, while in advance of the next year’s Volvo

Ocean Race stopover, plans are afoot to build a dry dock and slipway on vacant harbour lands in Renmore.

The event has a worldwide audience of 1.8 billion and is expected to generate revenue of up to €100 million in for the local economy when it arrives here next year.

The slipway, if it goes ahead, will be used to launch yachts during the ocean race, while the dry dock will allow for running repairs to boats competing in the race.

Back in Cork, Michael McCarthy said that the recession is no excuse to roll back on developments. ‘‘One good thing about being an island, is that we import 97% of our goods by volume through the ports.

Whenever the pickup comes, we’ll be ready for it,’’ he said.

28

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

MARINE R&D

Semi submersible pod — the latest technology to capture tidal energy

By Wendy Scott OVER the next few months, Inshore Ireland will be showcasing some of the marine renewable energy initiatives undergoing development in waters around the entire island of Ireland.

When fully commissioned, these initiatives will help the European Union to be less reliant on non-renewable resources and achieve its target of attaining 20% of energy requirements from renewable energy by the year 2020.

Speaking to Inshore Ireland, the Minister for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland (DETI) Arlene Foster said that given the potential contribution of marine energy, ‘‘DETI welcomes the work currently being done around the island of Ireland to develop the appropriate technology.’’

Tidal technologies One such initiative that is in a relatively early stage of devel-

opment is Evopod, which is a tidal stream power generator developed by Ocean Flow Energy Ltd. Evopod is so called because it has evolved as a result of managing director Graeme Mackie and his colleagues drawing on their expertise of technologies used in the offshore oil, gas and marine industries.

Development and production costs are reduced as the design uses ‘off the shelf’ components from commercial shipping and wind power industries.

Evopod comprises a semi submersible pod that is tethered to the sea bed and floats just below the surface of the water.

The majority of the turbine is located below sea level, only 1m to 2m is visible on the surface.

The mooring system enables the free floating horizontal device to maintain an optimal working position in the tidal stream.

Blades rotate at 10km/hr to 20 km/hr and are expected to generate 1,000kW from the 15m diameter turbine. A onetenth scale model is currently being tested in Strangford

Lough, generating 1kW of green energy.

Contribution According to Graeme Mackie, a 1km2 area of suitable seabed could hold 39 x E1500 units and produce 58.5MW, enough energy for 40,000 homes.

The October edition of Inshore Ireland showcased SeaGen, the tidal generator device.

Evopod differs in a number of ways: * It is a floating device, tethered to the seabed and can be installed relatively quickly and easily. * Due to the mooring and tethering system, Evopod can be taken off-site for maintenance in safe non-tidal areas. * It is designed to operate in deep water where it can co-exist in an environment of waves and tides while extracting energy from the tidal stream. * Evopod has the potential to be developed in various scales, ranging from the 1kW to a 1,000kW device. End users could range from remote island

* ABOVE: Evopod is a tidal stream power generator which was developed by Ocean Flow Energy Ltd. * RIGHT: Evopod comprises a semi submersible pod that is tethered to the sea bed and floats just below the surface of the water.

communities such as Rathlin or the Aranmore Islands, to bulk power provision in areas such as the Pentland Firth or off the coast of Co Kerry In the October issue, we asked why SeaGen had been located in Strangford Lough which is a highly protected area.

Similarly, Inshore Ireland asked Ocean Flow Energy Ltd why it too had decided to carry out tests in this highly scrutinised environment. ‘‘We located here for a number of reasons. We have the much appreciated assistance of the Marine Laboratory at Portaferry and the location is extremely accessible from their base.

Also, the currents that the model is experiencing here are tenth scale currents, which helps us understand how the full-scale device will cope with the strong currents we hope to deploy around Britain and Ireland’’ remarked Graeme Mackie, managing director, Ocean Flow energy Ltd.

Considerations As a model, Evopod is not under the same scrutiny from the environmental agencies; however Ocean Flow Energy Ltd, like other renewable energy developers, takes their level of

impact on the environment very seriously: ‘‘There is always a lot to learn when you place a device in the water. By monitoring it, we can assess the impact on marine wildlife,’’ he added.

Evopod has numerous intruments mounted on it to enable data from the device to be recorded and fed into the tidal energy research programme known as EPSRC Supergen Marine phase 2, through cooperation with Queens University Belfast.

The necessity to generate renewable energy is generally accepted. However, with developments increasing apace, Inshore Ireland asked what impact these initiatives will have on our environment.

In response, Minister Foster said her department was in the ‘final stages’ of commissioning a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of offshore

wind and marine renewable energy in Northern Ireland waters, which will be completed by 2010. ‘‘This will enable DETI to work with the crown estate, as owner of the seabed, to issue a competitive call from private sector investors to develop commercial projects in certain offshore sites,’’ she said.

The potential to provide tidal stream energy around our coastline is looking promising. An organisation known as the Carbon Trust has conservatively estimated that approximately 7% to 10% of our electricity needs could be met by this green energy resource.

Another positive about tidal energy generation is that, in many cases, there are existing connections to the national grids, from those locations that are suitable.

Marine Current Turbines for Scotland MARINE Current Turbines, who are currently in the final stages of commissioning SeaGen in Strangford Lough, have announced they will be applying to the Crown Estate to deploy their technology in the Pentland Firth, Scotland. ‘‘We welcome the Crown Estate’s competition for the Pentland Firth. Given our experience with our SeaGen

tidal project in Strangford Lough, we believe we have a clear and substantial technical advantage as well as unique, practical experience of installing and running a commercial scale tidal power system,’’ remarked Martin Wright, the company’s managing director.

SeaGen based in Strangford Lough will supply enough green energy to ESB Indepen-

dent for over 1,000 homes in Ireland, both north and south.

Marine Current Turbines is currently working with power renewables to develop a 10MW tidal farm off the coast of north Wales, which has the potential to supply green energy to approximately 8,000 homes.

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

29

MARINE R&D

Ecosystem approach to fisheries management Evolution not revolution

By Paul Connolly, Marine Institute THE impacts of all human activities on the oceans and on fish stocks are currently the topic of great debate among scientists, industry and the general public, focusing on what we should do to ensure a sustainable future for the fishing industry

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and the resource on which it depends.

As part of this ongoing debate, scientists are turning to the concept of the ‘Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries’ (EAF) which recognises that fisheries need to be managed as part of and in a way that does not damage their ecosystem. This is not a new concept, but an

The ecosystem approach and the concept of sustainability are linked.

evolution of the current management system. What is the ecosystem approach? How should we manage and exploit our marine resources in the future?

Who should have a say? These are three key questions that surround the concept of adopting an ‘ecosystem approach’ to the management of our seas.

Ecosystem approach Global commitment to sustainable fisheries, as stated in the ‘Johannesburg Declaration’ at the World Summit in 2002, is becoming an increasingly difficult task with more fish stocks now being described as being ‘overexploited’ or of ‘uncertain’ status than there were 10 years ago.

Generally speaking, the ecosystem approach and the concept of sustainability are closely linked.

They centre on the planning, development and management of resources so as not to jeopardise the options for future generations to benefit from the full range of resources and opportunities provided by the marine ecosystem.

INFOMAR completes first three years

By Koen Verbruggen, Geological Survey of Ireland AT the end 2008, the INFOMAR Project (Integrated mappi ng fo r th e s us t a i n ab l e development of Ireland’s marine resource), which is Ireland’s national marine mapping programme, will have completed its first three-year phase.

The project follows on from the successful Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS), 19992005, and is jointly run by the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Marine Institute. The project is scheduled to run for up to 20 years, as part of the NDP infrastructural projects, under the geoscience area, to complete

the mapping of the inshore waters and all Irish marine territory, and was initially approved for a three-year period to 2008. To date, the project has met all its objectives and achieved the following under the different headings set up as targets:

Data acquisition Bays 100% mapped include Galway; Dunmanus; Bantry; Tralee; Sligo and Donegal.

Those approximately 50% mapped include Lough Foyle; Mulroy; Blacksod and Dublin.

The offshore priority areas mapped are southwest (off Kerry) 100%; south (off Cork/ Waterford/Wexford) 50%, and Irish Sea 20%.

All data is now protected by being stored at sites at the Marine Institute and the GSI; INFOMAR Website launched; new web-mapping site and web data delivery system (IWDDS) The INSS and INFOMAR data is now available to users in the OLEX Navigation system; the data from certain areas has been incorporated into the BIM UISCE system for aquaculture planning. INFOMAR staff also participated in the InterReg projects JIB, IMAGIN and MESH. Three staff and eight projects have been funded directly from INFOMAR. INFOMAR is also indirectly involved in more than 20 initiatives by providing staff, data, equipment or guidance, these include projects funded under Griffiths, Sea Change, StratAG (SFI), with potential for new FP7 & SFI projects.

Outreach

* Recent INFOMAR mapping from airborne lidar surveying in Blacksod Bay, which achieved depths of penetration up to 28m.

Two annual seminars have been held along with comprehensive technical and general presentations including at EU level.

Finally, in terms of new equipment, the project team has commissioned a VibroCore; Sparker; RIB and most significantly expect to operate a new dedicated survey launch from 2009 (of which more later!)

Importantly in 2008, a full financial appraisal of the project was carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers consultants which showed that the benefits to the State of completing the project would be between four and six times the cost.

It is hoped to publish this study in full in January next. At time of writing, plans for 2009 were being finalised and will be reported in future editions of Inshore Ireland.

That’s a bit of a mouthful but, essentially, it means we should not mess things up for future generations.

The scientific community has recognised that the current method of assessing stocks must evolve and that the traditional ‘top down’ (i.e. from Brussels) approach to setting Total Allowable Catches (TACs) is too simplistic in its concept and too complex in its implementation for successful fisheries management.

One of the main difficulties in applying an ecosystem approach, however, is that each ecosystem is very different.

What works for one (e.g. Irish Sea) may not necessarily be best for another (e.g. West of Ireland).

Critical to the success of the ecosystem approach is the involvement of all stakeholders; that is all those who have an interest in its well being (fishermen, coastal communities, the tourism and leisure industry, environmental groups as well as scientists and policy makers).

In 2008, the Marine Institute secured a Beaufort research award in the area of Ecosystem

Approach to Fisheries Management, along with researchers from Queens University Belfast and University College Cork.

This award aims to link agency work with university research on developing an ecosystem approach to fisheries for Ireland and will develop and apply practical ecosystem management practices for fisheries around Ireland.

An important part of the approach is developing a list of common objectives that can be agreed by scientists, managers and industry. We can then develop management plans for areas (e.g. the Irish Sea) that take regionally specific factors into account (e.g. plans are for nephrops fisheries or for cockle beds).

The role of science Scientific advice will need to encompass the broader ecosystem in a particular area (e.g. The Irish Sea) rather than on a single fish stock (e.g. cod in the Irish Sea).

We need to learn more about how our ecosystems work.

As ecosystem research pro-

gresses, we can incorporate it into the scientific advice specific to an area of the ongoing work under the Beaufort Award. Biological, economic, social and political forces must all work together if we are to implement an ecosystem approach.

I would say the key element in an ecosystem approach is the need for co-operation between all users of the marine resource, working towards a common goal; the sustainable use of the ‘ocean’ as a whole and not just ‘targeted species’.

We must keep alive the option for future generations to benefit from a healthy marine ecosystem.

Many regard the ecosystem approach as the only way to achieve a sustainable use of our oceans.

The approach must evolve the existing ocean management and integrate it more.

It is an evolution not a revolution in the way we manage our oceans. The adoption of the ecosystem approach will not take place overnight. It is a journey we must make together.

It will be long but very worthwhile.

30

INSHORE IRELAND R1 December 2008

COASTLINE NEWS Photo: Darina Tully

The Currach adhmaid — in harmony with nature

By Darina Tully ONE of the most numerous traditional boats in Ireland is the Currach Adhmaid.

In every harbour and bay in Galway, you will see these distinctive black-hulled craft with their bright stripe on their gunnel.

While the word currach usually refers to a skin boat, in this case it refers to a ‘timber’ boat from the word ‘adhmaid’.

The visually pleasing lines come from the curved keel and stem post that lift the bow and stern gently out of the water. This also makes them very sea-worthy

The currach adhmaid is one of the most versatile of craft. It is used for fishing, pot hauling, seaweed collection and general transport.

Its continued popularity is that the design and seaworthiness of the boat is that it can be built in various sizes to suit one, two or three man crews. The boats vary from 15-25ft in length with the average being approximately 18 feet long.

Seaworthy craft The visually pleasing lines come from the curved keel and stem post that lift the bow and stern gently out of the water. This also makes them very sea-worthy. ‘‘Everything about them is in harmony with the water, sky, sand and rocks all around.’’

(Paddy Barry 2008, Traditional Boats of Ireland) Another reason for the continuity of the Currach Adhmaid is that they operate in an area where the value of traditional skills is still recognised.

Many support mechanisms are available to encourage both building and use of these indigenous boats.

The Galway Hooker Association has lobbied consistently to keep a viable level of boat building and associated skills within the area.

Various courses have been organised down the years to train shipwrights — a sail making course is currently training up a new generation.

Limited funding Very few sources of funding are available to support traditional boats in Ireland. The only direct scheme of grants for boats is administered by Údarás na Gaeltachta.

One scheme is called Scéim Chúnaimh do Phobail Chois Cósta or assistance scheme for the coastal communities.

This scheme funds boats (less than 23 feet) engaged in the seaweed harvesting industry.

Grants of €5,000 or up to 50%

of the cost of a new boat build, to include the cost of basic safety equipment, are available.

Grants are also available for restoring a wooden boat of €1,000 or up to 50% of the cost.

Along with the positive impact of the Scéim do Bháid Seoil Traidisiúnta, which grant aids Galway hookers, the Galway Gaeltacht has possibly the highest concentration of wooden craft and wooden boat building facilities in Ireland.

Over the past summer, Meitheal Mara undertook an audit of the heritage boats of Galway on behalf of the Heritage office of Galway County Council. The results should be interesting and will be published in the near future.

Another initiative was a series of A5 booklets by Cian de Buitlear on the shipwrights or ‘Na Saora Bad’ of Connamara.

Construction of Currach Adhmaids is captured in numerous excellent photographs accompanied by instructions and a DVD.

A BOOK REVIEW BY BRENDAN CONNOLLY

WAR LOSSES

Irish sailors have had a significant impact on maritime history worldwide.

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By Pat Sweeney

sonalities from all around the coast of Ireland.

This book recalls the sinking of Lusitania during the Great War, and the risks seafarers took during the World War II while supplying essential provisions.

It covers prehistoric boats found at an extreme low tide on the shores of Galway Bay, and most recently, the sinking of Asgard II in the Bay of Biscay in September.

Remembering human tragedy, it commemorates those who died in the deadly storm of 28 October 1927, and the effect this event had on the communities of Lacken, Inishbofin, Rossadelisk and Iniskea.

Irish sailors have had a significant impact on maritime history worldwide.

MacSweeney reminds us of William Brown from Foxford in Co Mayo, who founded the

The currach adhmaid is one of the most versatile of craft.

Leinster 90 years on

Seascapes ‘THIS island-nation’ is a phrase that immediately reminds us of Tom MacSweeney’s radio programme Seascapes — an informative programme that goes beyond hectic headlines and is more than just snappy sound bytes. This audio slot is an exception, in that it delves into the information behind the news by providing historical background to present-day happenings.

Uniquely down the years, Seascapes has given us real insight into our relationship with the seas around our coast, but sadly these early programmes from before the era of the podcast were lost to most of us — that is until the book Seascapes was published.

Tom MacSweeney has selected some of the most intriguing stories from his radio programmes — from frightening times in Belfast in 1969, to seeing his son captain Asgard II. The author also looks back on dramatic events and introduces the reader to well-known per-

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Argentine Navy, John Barry, the first Commodore in the United States Navy who came from Tacumshane in Co Wexford, Francis Beaufort from Navan in Co Meath, whose Beaufort Scale of wind speed is used worldwide, and Wicklow man, Robert Halpin who in the latter half of the 1800’s was captain of the Great Eastern — a ship that laid the first transatlantic cables.

He also remembers John Philip, Holland from Liscannor in Co Clare, who first joined the Christian Brothers, but then emigrated to America where he designed and built the Fenian Ram submarine, the design of which he sold to the US Navy in 1900.

Explorers Tom Crean from Annascaul in Co Kerry, Ernest Shackleton, born in Kilkea, Co Kildare, Francis Leopold McClintock from Dundalk, Co Louth, and Robert Forde, from Cobh in Co Cork, are also mentioned.

LIVING LEGENDS MacSweeney also interviewed what can only described as living legends, such as Captain Richard Farrell from Waterford, who sailed in both World Wars and was part of some of the worst naval battles in history, and Commander Bill King living in Oranmore Castle in Co Galway, who is the only British submarine commander who survived World War II having entered it at the beginning.

Tom MacSweeney is keen to laud our often unsung heroes of the seas. Damien Foxall from Derrynane in Co Kerry won the first non-stop Barcelona round the World Yacht race in 93 days, as part of a two man crew with skipper Jean Pierre Dick from France.

Closer to home was John Killeen from Galway, Joe Murphy the Ringsend boat-builder, Moira Keaton, and her famous

THE 90th anniversary of the sinking of the Mail Boat Leinster, just a month before the end of the Great War in 1918 was commemorated in Dun Laoghaire on 10th October 2008, with an ecumenical service and wreath laying.

The mail steamer, owned by the city of Dublin Steam Packet Company, sailed from Kingstown at 8.50am on 10th October 1918, bound for Holyhead with over 700 passengers and crew.

She was struck by two torpedoes off the Kish Lightship, fired from the German submarine UB 123. Captain Birch gave the order to abandon the ship, however, as the lifeboats were being lowered, a second torpedo struck, and the steamer sank ten minutes later.

Because of wartime censorship the exact number of casualties was not made public, but an estimated 527 persons lost their lives. The survivors were picked up by small craft from Kingstown, including the armed yacht HMY HELGA and four destroyers.

yacht Mol Pol, Denis Doyle from Wicklow, Gus Henry from Sligo, and last but not least, John de Courcy, all contributed significantly to our maritime tradition.

BEYOND HISTORY This book is about more than just Irish maritime history. The author passionately believes that, we, as a nation, have underestimated and ignored the importance of our seas and our Irish sailors.

MacSweeney points to past mistakes such as allowing Irish Shipping to close, and not protecting our sea fisheries sufficiently when negotiating our entry into the EC in 1973

The Ecumenical Service was held in St Michaels Church at noon conducted

by Rev Fr Mangan, retired parish priest of Dun Laoghaire with Canon Stacey, Christchurch, and the mariners Dean Leslie Forrest of Ferns, Rev Fr Griffin, Loughlinstown and Dan O’Connor, the parish priest of Dun Laoghaire.

Hymns were sung by children from Newpark, Domini c a n , S t J o s e p h ’s a n d Montesssori schools.

Chairman of the Leinster committee, Philip Lecane, gave an address and the names of those lost were read out by children.

Ms Dorothy Swift from Holyhead spoke about her relative, Lieutenant William Singleton, who is buried in the military cemetery on Blackhorse Lane near the Phoenix Park.

William Byrne played the Leinster anthem, while sacred music was rendered by the Garda Band conducted by Inspector Pat Kenny.

After the service, the attendance marched to the sea front where wreaths were laid at the memorial.

He urges our legislators to take a more dynamic and forward looking approach towards developing Irish maritime resources, both physical and human. For anyone living near the coast or close to lakes and rivers, this book is a Christmas present that will last far beyond the holiday season. It is a reference book that will enhance any bookshelf.

FREE copies The first ten completed subscription forms for Inshore Ireland 2009 will receive a complimentary copy of Seascapes by Tom MacSweeney. (see page 15 for details).

INSHORE IRELAND December 2008

31

OUTSIDE IRELAND

Ireland retains important jack mackerel entitlement in the South Pacific

By Pieter Tesch IRISH pressure on the European Commission has succeeded in retaining fishing rights in the important jack mackerel fishery on the high seas of the South Pacific, just as the formerly Dutch flagged pelagic freezer trawler Johanna Maria was reflagged into Ireland and registered as SO 117.

Under a management agreement between the Atlantic Dawn company of Killybegs and the Dutch trawler firm Jaczon of Scheveningen, she will first finish out her remaining Irish quota for herring, horse mackerel and mackerel in the Northeast Atlantic, Atlantic Dawn finance director Niall O’Gorman told Inshore Ireland.

O’Gorman added that next year the company expected Johanna Maria to continue fishing the Irish quota in the Northeast Atlantic before moving to Mauritania and possibly also the South Pacific if partner Jaczon, part of the powerful Dutch dominated Pelagic Freezer trawler Association (PFA), agrees.

It is understood however that there was a question mark over whether Johanna Maria would eventually return to the South Pacific because the PFA was in dispute with the European Commission about the allocation of fishing rights on the South Pacific high seas, i.e. outside the 200 miles zone of the South Pacific nations, as the PFA had sought in effect to restrict access to only those EU nations that had been fishing in the South Pacific this year.

In 2006, more than 20 of the South Pacific nations established the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) to regulate the high seas fisheries such as the profitable jack mackerel fishery. In May 2007, SPRFMO decided to cap access to the jack mackerel fishery and earlier this

year the EU agreed to register an access capacity of 63,000 gross tonnage (GT), which is the total capacity of the eight EU vessels that were active in the South Pacific last year (the six PFA owned vessels, flagged in the Netherlands, Germany and Lithuania, form by far the largest part of this capacity with 56,000GT.) The Commission further unilaterally decided to allocate access for 2009 to the South Pacific to Poland and Latvia based on their historical track records when they were part of the East Block and Soviet Union, at the expense of PFA owned German and Lithuanian flagged vessels.

The Commission has also apparently ignored the Irish track record built up by the Atlantic Dawn company with her former flagship of the same name.

Background In 2006/2007, Atlantic Dawn fished not only in Mauritania but also in the South Pacific under Irish flag before she was sold to Parlevliet & van der Plas, another Dutch PFA trawler firm, reflagged as Dutch and renamed Analies Ilena, especially for the South Pacific fisheries.Both the Irish government and the Atlantic Dawn company put strong pressure on the Commission to safeguard Irish rights to the South Pacific at the same time as the PFA was lobbying the Commission with the help of the Dutch, German and Lithuanian governments, to reverse its decision regarding South Pacific access allocation.

In response the Commission reversed its original proposal and announced it was going to register 70,000 GT access for the South Pacific instead of 63,000 GT and to reduce new Polish access to one vessel only to allow one Irish flagged vessel to fish in the South Pacific.

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Johanna Maria

‘‘Naturally we are delighted because we would like to keep the option of fishing in the South Pacific open besides our existing and continuing operations in the Northeast Atlantic and in Mauritania.

As a global company just like the PFA firms, we need to fish outside EU waters too,’’ said Mr O’Gorman.

There was no immediate reaction available from the PFA about the new proposals from the Commission; however PFA president Gerard van Balsfoort said that the old proposal had been ‘‘unacceptable’’ and remained non committal about Irish involvement in the South Pacific jack mackerel fisheries saying that it ‘‘was a matter for Jaczon and the Atlantic Dawn company’’.

Publication dates for 2009 • February 2nd • April 30th • June 25th

• August 27 • October 29 • December 17

To advertise in Inshore Ireland contact:

Roger Cole Email: cole@inshore-ireland.ie Tel: (01) 285 9111 / 284 1544 or 087-2611579

Wendy Scott Email: scott@inshore-ireland.com Tel: (ROI 048) 91 857721 / 0044 28 91 857721

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32

INSHORE IRELAND December 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. BIMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 BIMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aquaculture Development Division at: Tel: +353 1 2144100/Fax: +353 1 2841123 Email: aqua@bim.ie www.bim.ie