inshore ireland vol 9 nr 3 jun-jul 2013

€1.90/£1.50 Bi-Monthly The Marine & Freshwater Environment Publication June/July 2013 Vol 9 Issue 3

ONLINE EDITIONYou can now view the December/January issue on www.inshore-ireland.com or you can follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/inshore_ireland and Facebook www.facebook.com/InshoreIreland

www.inshore-ireland.com

The reformed fisheries policy will help secure a future for whitefish ports such as Castletownbere, Co Cork. Photo N Duffy

Landmark agreement secures long-term viability of fish stocksGillian Mills

Ireland’s presidency of the EU which concludes on June 30 delivered one of its

‘highest priorities’ when it secured agreement on a new Common Fisheries Policy in the early hours of May 30.

“At the very beginning I set out an ambitious and demanding work programme; it was imperative that reform of our fisheries had to happen now,” remarked Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The package, which is being heralded as ‘practical and implementable’, places sustainability centre-stage and will see an end to overfishing

of most stocks by 2015 and all stocks by 2020.

For the first time too, agreement had to be reached by 27 Member States and three institutions: the EU’s Parliament and Commission, and Council of Fisheries Ministers.

“It is a policy that will provide for a vital, vibrant industry and healthy fish stocks long into the future, and puts fishermen at the core of developing technical and conservation measures to protect juvenile fish and vulnerable species [under] a completely new regionalised decision-making approach,” Minister Coveney added.

Finding consensusReaching agreement on

discards was “one of the most contentious and difficult

to agree, given the many different perspectives on how such a ban would work in practice,” Minister Coveney added.

“The reform, when taken as a whole not just delivers on a discards ban but also provides the means for new ways of sustainable fishing, a more transparent and competitive market, as well as empowering fishermen,” he emphasised. (see pgs 12&13 interview)

Commissioner Maria Damanaki said the agreement was an “historical step. We’re going to change radically the way we fish in the future. This is a text that is flexible and open for the future. This is what we have to have in mind. ”

ireland’s positionFive out of six Irish

priorities were secured: discards; the Irish Box; maximum sustainable yield; regionalisation and over-capacity.

While disappointed the sixth priority, Hague Preferences - which each year guarantees Ireland extra quota in key stocks - was not “fully enshrined” into the policy, chairman of the Federation of Irish Fishermen, Francis O’Donnell said their “strengthening” should make it easier at the annual TAC and quota negotiations to secure these preferences.

He praised MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher for his intervention which he said helped secure the outcome:

“I cannot emphasise enough the key role he played in enhancing our ability to secure the Hague Preferences

in light of massive opposition shown by some members of the Fisheries Council.

“While not a perfect outcome for Ireland, we congratulate Minister Coveney and his team for delivering a reform pack that has the potential to deliver on sustainable stocks, will ensure a viable and sustainable Irish seafood sector and enhance much needed long-term employment,” he added.

dispute resolutionReform will also see stocks

under pressure - such as cod in the Irish Sea and North Sea - being managed under Multi Annual Plans (MAP) that set parameters on quota and must be agreed to by the Parliament and the Council of Ministers.

» page 2

Don’t MISS our excluSIve IntervIew wIth MInISter SIMon coveneY regarDIng the 10 Year coMMon FISherIeS PolIcY reForM Package, pagEs 12 - 13

2 inshore ireland June/July 2013

news

www.marine.ie

Ireland's National Agency for Marine Research and Innovation

Marine InstituteForas na Mara

Our Ocean A Shared Resource

» from page 1

No agreement was reached however on what decisions the Parliament will have an input on and what decisions would be solely confined to the Council of Ministers:

“The European regulation is very clear that quotas or Total Allowable Catches are accessed by the Council of Ministers and not by the European Parliament. But broader policy initiatives have a ‘co-decision function’ which means both the Parliament and the Council must reach a compromise they both agree on. We need to resolve this before we will be able to agree details on MAPs,” remarked Coveney.

At a press conference announcing the package, however, German MEP, Ulrike Rodust, said Parliament was “very mistrustful” of how the Council has acted in this area:

“In the basic regulation we have been very vigilant to ensure that paragraphs are worded in such a way that even if we don’t have a Multi-Annual Plan, we still have a fisheries policy – that is the solution being sought,” she said.

legally binding targetsUta Bellion, EU marine programme manager for the Pew

Charitable Trust and OCEAN2012 coordinator said the outcome was a “tremendous win” for fisheries, the environment and the European people.

“By agreeing to rebuild fish stocks, set a legally binding target to end overfishing and reduce bycatch and discarding, European leaders finally showed the resolve needed to secure a future for a vital industry and the citizens that have come to depend on it for food.”

The agreement will now go to the Committee of Permanent Representatives for final approval.

Inshore Ireland was established in 2005 by marine journalists Gillian Mills and Gery Flynn to report on research and commercial development withinIreland’s coastal and deeper waters,and inland waterways.

Inshore Ireland is a niche publication covering all sectors that operate within these zones, rather than speci�ically concentrating on a particular industry.

About 85 per cent of Inshore Ireland content is non-revenue-generating news that we source, research and assess for relevance to our customers and readers.

As with most trade - and many consumer – publications, a core element of Inshore Ireland revenue is from ‘selling space’ to commercial companies, State agencies

etc that want to promote their services, products, activities or funded schemes.

Inshore Ireland receives hundreds of press releases and telephone requests seeking coverage in our publication, most of which merit coverage. But as production costs are incurred to publish these contributions, we regret this is not feasible without �inancial support.

We offer space for advertising, advertorials, company pro�iles, notices and features in printed hard-copy, and complimentary free ‘added-value’ opportunities on our website and through emarketing campaigns and social media.

To our loyal clients, we say a sincere THANK YOU for your on-going support and show of con�idence in Inshore Ireland.

€2.20/£1.90 Bi-Monthly

News from the coast and inland waterways December 2011/January 2012 Vol 7 Issue 6

INFOMAR 2011 CONFERENCE - pages 14-17

News .......................

...................pages 2-5

Your View ........................

.........pages 6-7

Sea Safety Campaign ..................page 12

Marine Mapping System ......pages 22-23

Marine R&D ........................

..pages 24-25

End Of Year Review .............. page 26-27

Farming the Deep

Blue: from concept to

realitypage 18

DON’T MISS THE NEXT ISSUE OFaVailaBle

fromFeB 18

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny signing the visitor’s book during the official launch of IMERC

(Irish Maritime and Energy Resource Cluster, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, in the presence of (l to r):

FOCNS Commodore Mark Mellett DSM; Michael Delaney, Head Of NMCI; Valerie Cummins,

PhD, Director IMERC; Prof Anita Maguire BSc PhD, VP for Research and Innovation; Minister

Simon Coveney; Peter Coyle, IMERC Chairman.

Sea safety awareness campaign

highlights the importance of lifejackets

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A safety awareness

campaign

spearheaded

by BIM, and

backed by Irish Water

Safety (IWS) and the

Royal National Lifeboat

Institution (RNLI)

includes dramatic real-life

accounts of rescues and

lives lost at sea and the

importance of wearing a

lifejacket.

Jason Whooley, BIM’s

CEO says that despite seven

fishermen losing their lives

at sea this year to date, there

still appears to be a laissez-faire

attitude to safety in the fishing

industry, particularly around

wearing lifejackets.

“I’m sincerely asking all

fishermen to wear their

lifejackets. It could be the

difference between life and

death, it’s that simple,” he

says. According to BIM, a fatality

rate of 88 per 100,000

for Ireland’s fishing sector

means it is now 48 times

more hazardous than other

occupations.

“Wearing a suitable lifejacket

is the single most effective

measure a fisherman can take

to increase the chance of

survival if involved in a man-

overboard,” he contends.

“Despite being a legal

requirement, it is not

something that is taken

seriously enough in the fishing

sector, he adds.

LIgHTwEIgHT aNd

cOmpacTPart of the awareness

campaign points to the range

of lifejackets that fishermen

can choose from to suit their

method of fishing.

According to Whooley, a

key message BIM will drive

home is that some of the

new lifejackets on the market

are now extremely light and

compact and would not

interfere with work on deck

at all:“Along with our partners

we aim to change this

mentality through a

targeted and ongoing safety

campaign. I am delighted

that Noel O’Sullivan, who

has personally survived an

accident at sea, and Alan

Lenihan who recently lost two

friends in a fishing accident,

are helping us drive this

important message home.”

mEdIa campaIgN

The safety campaign will

be mounted in broadsheet

media, regional broadcasts,

and online through the

BIM website (www.bim.ie),

Facebook, Linkedin and

» page 12YouTube.


The Marine & Freshwater Environment Publication December 2012/January 2013 Vol 8 Issue 6

The Holy Ground, Cobh Co Cork, by Dave Keeley, overall winner of the 2012 An Taisce Clean Coasts Photography Award (See page 30)

ONLINE EDITIONYou can now view August/September issue on

www.inshore-ireland.com or you can follow us on

Twitter www.twitter.com/inshore_ireland and

Facebook www.facebook.com/InshoreIreland

Competitions! Closing date January 16th

Book Reviews and copies to be won!

Angling package at Carton House, Marine fish and

shellfish print, Black John’s Cartoon Workbook,

Marine fish & shellfish print

Good luck!Galway Bay fish farm plan on

schedule despite ‘campaign of

dreadful misinformation’ – BIM

Gery Flynn

B IM has confirmed that its proposal to site a large salmon farm in deep water in Galway Bay remains on schedule despite what it claims is a concerted campaign of misinformation by some who oppose the project on the grounds of scale and long-term environmental impact.Donal Maguire, BIM’s

Aquaculture Development Manager confirmed to Inshore Ireland that the Galway

Bay proposal had already completed its Statutory Consultation phase and had almost come through its Public Consultation phase, which ends on December 12. He added that this proposal

was one of three that the agency would be submitting for a licence, and that it was also the first time they had undertaken a project of this type.“Instead of the fish farming

licence being given directly to a private company, we are applying for the licence which, if issued, we will then franchise to a commercial operator who will be required to adhere to rigorous EU and Irish conditions, as well as additional layers of strict requirements that BIM has set”.

MiniMal iMpactHe said the Galway Bay site was substantially different from most “conventional farms” because it is 1.7km from the nearest land mass and located in deeper water — features which he claims will “minimise any negative environmental impact”.“This will ensure that the

fish farm meets organic

standards and demonstrates a real commitment to sustainable production. And

with a capacity to produce 15,000 tonnes of organic salmon per annum worth €102m, this proposal offers sustainable long-term jobs and would also inject up to €14.5m directly into the local economy of Aran and Connemara on an on-going basis.”As for where things now

stand with the project, Maguire said he was “fully

satisfied” with progress so far. “Everything is on schedule.”“Submissions will be sent to the Department of

Agriculture, Food and the Marine who will forward them to us for our response. Submissions will be vetted by the State Scientist and will form the basis for the Minister’s eventual decision, based on extensive EIS and scientific evidence.”Maguire revealed that BIM

has deployed an expert team on the ground locally which

has already consulted with “a wide range of stakeholders and interested parties as well as with the communities on the Aran Islands and around Rossaveal”.

Detail anD transparencyHe was keen to point out also that from the beginning BIM has handled the entire information-sharing process “with the utmost attention to detail and with full transparency.

“We have tried very, very hard to involve as many people as possible. For example, we have already sent out nearly one

thousand scoping letters, and have placed additional Environmental Impact Statements and other documentation around

the Aran Islands and west Connemara. Non-technical summaries have also gone to every household on the islands

» page 13



News

» from page 1

To allay concerns expressed

from the floor, of too many

agencies and a lack of joined-

up thinking, Keatinge said

that the process by its very

nature “must be a cross-

check amongst agencies and

that synergies would emerge

beyond traditional ways of

operating”.

Whilst acknowledging a

similarity with other initiatives

such as LEADER, which

provides rural communities

with a method for involving

partners to steer development

in their area, the aim of

Axis 4 is to enable fisheries

communities to create new

and sustainable sources of

income and to improve their

quality of life.

Ending on a strong note

Michael Keatinge stressed that

design and implementation

of Axis 4 would be as

“decentralised as possible”

and coordinated by a

partnership of public, private

and community sectors that

have come together to form a

FLAG.“Boundaries will be decided

by local communities – not

bureaucrats in Dublin,” he

said.

John Hickey, BIM FLAG coordinator; Susan Grieve,

FARNET(Fisheries Area Network) Geographic Expert for UK

& Ireland; Michael Keatinge, BIM Fisheries Development

Manager and Seamus Breathnach, BIM FLAG coordinator

BIM FLAG coordinators: Huan Tan (south); Seamus Breathnach (west); Owen Doyle (north),

Vera O’Donovan (southwest); Declan Nee (northwest) and John Hickey (east and southeast)

FLAG reGions:

North-East (Omeath to Lough Shinny)

South-East (Greystones to river at Youghal)

South-West (the river at Youghal to Foynes)

West (Kilimer to Leenane)

North-West (Killary to Easkey)

North (Ballyshannon to Muff).

Each FLAG will comprise a mix of representatives from State

organisations, fishing and marine groups.

To qualify for funding, projects must satisfy specific criteria.

For example, projects must be based in coastal areas with

a population not greater than 15,000 and must be located

within 10km of the sea.

Once operational, each FLAG will formulate a local

development strategy that identifies suitable projects

requiring financial or expert assistance. A call will then issue

for projects from individuals and local communities.

Typical projects will be drawn from the following:

»» small-scale fisheries and tourism infrastructure

»» skills transfer, particularly, training and up skilling of

fishermen

»» diversification into marine eco tourism

»» promoting the consumption of sea food

»» adding value to local/artisanal fisheries

To facilitate the process a National Implementation

Board has been established whose role is to inform the

Implementing Authority (BIM) and to ensure consistent

implementation of Axis 4.

The first meeting of FLAGs in the west and southeast are

due to be held at the end of June.

CentrAL objeCtives

»» maintaining economic and social prosperity by

adding value to fisheries and aquaculture sectors

»» retaining and creating employment by supporting

diversification, and

»» restructuring areas facing socio-economic

difficulties as a direct result of changes in the

fisheries sector. PUBLIC CONSULTATION (Written)

BIM “Responsibly Sourced” Standard for Wild Seafood

BIM has developed a best practice standard for wild seafood, in association with the Irish

fishing industry and other interest groups. The standard has been developed in accord-

ance with the internationally recognised accreditation standard, ISO 65 and international,

standard-setting guidelines and is part of BIM’s Quality Seafood Programme.

The standard is currently available to Irish fish producers and onshore operators and is a

third-party certification of defined levels of quality and traceability of seafood products and

responsible actions which contribute to the sustainable management of fish stocks.

As standard owners, BIM announces a public consultation on all aspects of the standard

documents, which are available on the BIM website (www.bim.ie).

The consultation aims to collect comments, ideas and contributions, in written form, in order

to shape proposals on the future development of the standard. The period of consultation

will begin on the date of publication of this notice and will end on 31st July 2012.

Written comments, ideas and all other

contribution should be sent by post to:

Standard Consultation, BIM, P.O. Box 12,

Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, Ireland.

or by email to: [email protected]

Coastal communities to be

‘empowered’ by new structural aid

programme

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A “new departure”

for structural

aid specifically

aimed at fisheries

areas was unveiled to

stakeholders in marine,

maritime and fisheries

industries at a launch in

Dublin earlier this month.

Axis 4 – Sustainable

Development of Fishery Dependent

Areas Programme – is an ‘area-

based approach’ introduced

by the European Fisheries

Fund (EEF) which reflects the

complex and rapidly changing

forces affecting fisheries areas

and communities.

Central to the ‘area-based

approach’ is the argument

that the EU must be able

to provide accompanying

measures in conjunction with

converting areas affected

by the restructuring of the

fisheries sector.

Axis 4 provides the EEF

with such measures while the

‘area-based approach’ means

that solutions can be adapted

to the different situations and

problems that exist in different

parts. The programme will be

delivered as part of the

National Development Plan

and the EEF. Fisheries Local

Action Groups or FLAGs will

be established in each region

to deliver a strategy for their

own area on a devolved basis.

LocaL goverNaNce

“In essence, Axis 4 aims

to empower local fishing

communities to use the

valuable resource of fishing and

aquaculture to create new and

sustainable sources of income,”

remarked Michael Keatinge,

Fisheries Development

Manager of BIM – the

Implementing Authority for the

EEF in Ireland.

Outlining the programme

to stakeholders, Keatinge

said that projects must have

a clearly identifiable marine

connection or provide a

specific benefit to a fishing

region. In many cases,

beneficiaries will be required

to be either workers in the

fisheries sector or persons with

a job linked to the sector.

The €2.5m package to 2015

comprises public and private

investment. A concern from

the floor said this figure was

very small and would not go

far amongst the number of

projects likely to emerge.

It was explained that under

the next EEF post 2015, Axis

4 would continue in another

format and that this was just

the beginning.

BackgrouNd

Under Axis 4, the territorial

development approach

fundamentally changes the

way in which local areas,

partnerships and strategies are

perceived and defined.

“It is no longer enough

merely to start from fixed

administrative boundaries,

to consider the needs or

problems in deficit terms or to

look for someone (usually an

outside agency) to fill the gap

by distributing public funds.

The cycle has to start with a

positive vision and strategy for

what the area could become.”

Keatinge added that fishing

and aquaculture were the

“lifeblood of many coastal

communities” and that this

programme “will provide

the tools and resources for

local people – who best

understand both the problems

and aspirations of their own

community – to develop

solutions to meet their future

needs.” » page 2


The Marine & Freshwater Environment Publication June/July 2012 Vol 8 Issue 3

Book and poster

competitions

see page 31

A fine haul of herring alongside mfv Vigilant. The June Council of Fisheries Ministers agreed a landing obligation of all vessels

for all quota species, beginning with pelagic fisheries in January 2014. (Story Page 4) Photo John Cunningham

ONLINE EDITION

You can now view April/May issue on

www.inshore-ireland.com or you can follow us on

Twitter www.twitter.com/inshore_ireland and

Facebook www.facebook.com/InshoreIreland

Get all information on

Volvo Ocean Race

at www.twitter.com/GalwayBuoy and

www.facebook.com/GalwayBuoy


The Marine & Freshwater Environment Publication April/May 2012 Vol 8 Issue 2

Book and poster competitions see

Coffee Break pages 24-25News ................................................... pages 1-5

Your View .......................................... pages 6-7

Donegal Islands Survival Plan ....... pages 10-11

Q&A With The Department .......... pages 12-13

Marine Geostrategic Conference . pages 18-19

Marine R&D ................................... pages 20-22

DON’T MISS THE NEXT ISSUE OFAVAILABLE FROMJUN 16

As sixty nations head for these

shores, where lies Ireland on green

law implementation?

Auckland is known as the “City of Sails” for good reason. With boat ownership running at 1:4 people, few locals are without

an opportunity of some kind to enjoy leisure time afloat. Could Ireland take up the charge and benefit from this multi-million

Euro industry? See page 7.

Photo: David Branigan/Oceansport

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A s Ireland prepares to host a major international congress, unique in style by addressing the inter-relationship between water, climate, energy and food ‘under one roof ’, where stands the ‘Emerald Isle’ when it comes to environmental regulation?Inshore Ireland invited the Department of the Environment to comment

on progress towards fulfilling Ireland’s obligations to the EU Water Framework Directive, and Floods Directive.We also asked if the department intended to hold

a public awareness campaign in relation to these directives, and regarding on-site waste water treatment plants (septic tanks) and on looming

domestic water charges. At the time of going to press, no response had been received.

» page 2

WIN 2 days

Salmon Fishing

for 2 people!

Visit www.inshore-ireland.ie

and see Feb/Mar online issue,

pg9 “Freshwater Focus”.

Closing date 25/05/12

Interview with Ray Earle, chair of IWA World congress on water, climate and energy pages 14-15

€1.90/£1.50 Bi-Monthly The Marine & Freshwater Environment Publication June/July 2013 Vol 9 Issue 3

ONLINE EDITIONYou can now view the December/January issue on www.inshore-ireland.com or you can follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/inshore_ireland and Facebook www.facebook.com/InshoreIreland


The reformed fisheries policy will help secure a future for whitefish ports such as Castletownbere, Co Cork. Photo N Duffy

Landmark agreement secures long-term viability of fish stocksGillian Mills

Ireland’s presidency of the EU which concludes on June 30 delivered one of its

‘highest priorities’ when it secured agreement on a new Common Fisheries Policy in the early hours of May 30.

“At the very beginning I set out an ambitious and demanding work programme; it was imperative that reform of our fisheries had to happen now,” remarked Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The package, which is being heralded as ‘practical and implementable’, places sustainability centre-stage and will see an end to overfishing

of most stocks by 2015 and all stocks by 2020.

For the first time too, agreement had to be reached by 27 Member States and three institutions: the EU’s Parliament and Commission, and Council of Fisheries Ministers.

“It is a policy that will provide for a vital, vibrant industry and healthy fish stocks long into the future, and puts fishermen at the core of developing technical and conservation measures to protect juvenile fish and vulnerable species [under] a completely new regionalised decision-making approach,” Minister Coveney added.

FINDING CONSENSUSReaching agreement on

discards was “one of the most contentious and difficult

to agree, given the many different perspectives on how such a ban would work in practice,” Minister Coveney added.

“The reform, when taken as a whole not just delivers on a discards ban but also provides the means for new ways of sustainable fishing, a more transparent and competitive market, as well as empowering fishermen,” he emphasised. (see pgs 12&13 interview)

Commissioner Maria Damanaki said the agreement was an “historical step. We’re going to change radically the way we fish in the future. This is a text that is flexible and open for the future. This is what we have to have in mind. ”

IRELAND’S POSITIONFive out of six Irish

priorities were secured: discards; the Irish Box; maximum sustainable yield; regionalisation and over-capacity.

While disappointed the sixth priority, Hague Preferences - which each year guarantees Ireland extra quota in key stocks - was not “fully enshrined” into the policy, chairman of the Federation of Irish Fishermen, Francis O’Donnell said their “strengthening” should make it easier at the annual TAC and quota negotiations to secure these preferences.

He praised MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher for his intervention which he said helped secure the outcome:

“I cannot emphasise enough the key role he played in enhancing our ability to secure the Hague Preferences

in light of massive opposition shown by some members of the Fisheries Council.

“While not a perfect outcome for Ireland, we congratulate Minister Coveney and his team for delivering a reform pack that has the potential to deliver on sustainable stocks, will ensure a viable and sustainable Irish seafood sector and enhance much needed long-term employment,” he added.

DISPUTE RESOLUTIONReform will also see stocks

under pressure - such as cod in the Irish Sea and North Sea - being managed under Multi Annual Plans (MAP) that set parameters on quota and must be agreed to by the Parliament and the Council of Ministers.

» page 2

DON’T OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MINISTER SIMON COVENEY REGARDING THE 10 YEAR COMMON FISHERIES POLICY REFORM, PAGES 12 - 13

Gillian Mills: [email protected] / 01 235 4804Gery Flynn: fl [email protected] / 091 844 822

www.facebook.co m/InshoreIreland www.twitter.com/inshore_ireland

Blue flag and national green coast awards 2013

Seventy-four Blue Flags and 45 Green Coast Awards were presented early this month by An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland who is

responsible for the programme here on behalf of the Foundation of Environmental Education.

The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised eco-labels. The programme aims to raise environ-mental awareness and promote sound environmental practices and behaviours among beach and marina us-ers. The 70 beaches and 4 marinas met a specific set of criteria related to water quality, information provision, environmental education and beach management.

In previous years, the Blue Flag water quality criteria was based on the 1976 EU Bathing Water Directive; however new quality criteria are based on the 2006 EU Bathing Water Directive which is in line with the latest scientific information and current best practice.

Classification of bathing water is now based on water samples from a four-year period instead of monitoring results from a single bathing season. This provides stronger focus on the protection of public health and promotes a proactive approach to managing bathing water quality.

green coast award2013 marks the 10 year anniversary of the National

Green Coast Award. The award recognises beaches for their clean, environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. They may not have the necessary built infrastructure required to meet the criteria set for Blue Flag status however they are exceptional places to visit and enjoy our rich coastal heritage and diversity.

Speaking at the awards Minister Hogan congratulated An Taisce for the way they have promoted and devel-oped the awards “which raise environmental awareness and encourage good environmental behaviour among stakeholders. These programmes give a sound guaran-tee of excellent quality and standards to tourists and promote a sense of pride among local populations and beach management staff.”

Gillian Mills

The reformed Common Fisheries Policy brokered in the latter stages of Ireland’s

presidency of the EU will steer a course for fisheries management for the next ten years.

The policy is being heralded as ‘practical and implementable’, based on the principle of sustainability and will see an end to overfishing of most stocks by 2015 and all stocks by 2020.

Central to the reform package is the introduction of a discard ban which has been the clarion call of the general public and celebrity personalities in their demand that the practice of dumping huge quantities of fish at sea must end.

Reaching agreement on implementation among the 27 Member States was never going to be easy and was acknowledged by marine minister, Simon Coveney, in January when the final negotiations began in earnest. He was determined that the package, which also had to satisfy the EU Parliament, Commission and Council of Fisheries Ministers, would be finalised by the end of June.

Full credit must be given to Minister Coveney and his negotiating team for brokering a very complex fisheries policy.

While the package must go before the Committee of Permanent Representatives for final approval and is not expected to be challenged, the practicality of implementing the discard ban is not going to be easy.

roadmap to saving stocks

To achieve stock sustainability, technical conservation measures already practiced on some stocks will be enforced generally to protect undersized fish being caught. Small fish however are the preferred diet of many Mediterranean nations and are demanded on the local market.

Will Member States whose fishermen land scores of small fish from picture-postcard coloured boats into tiny villages be able to bring about this radical change? Will simply imposing a ban and making it illegal to sell undersize fish work ‘on the ground’ or create a black market to meet the demand for a product that has been enjoyed since fish were first taken from the sea?

There is also the question of safety. Will fishermen be put under further pressure of fatigue as all fish

will have to be sorted, boxed and landed, and will they be penalised for landing fish for which they have no quota?

This issue of landing all fish however is being addressed through a system termed ‘flexibilities’ which allows a fisherman to land a small percentage (for example in a mixed fishery) for which he doesn’t have quota. But these fish will be deducted from the target species allowance for which he does have quota.

It is without doubt that the reformed Common Fisheries Policy, which has been welcomed generally by Ireland’s fishermen’s organisations, is a radical action to finally protect stocks and ultimately fishing communities, both of which have been facing extinction in many corners of this island and beyond.

commen

tStock sustainability placed firmly at the core of new fisheries management deal

inshore ireland June/July 2013 3

comment

Inshore Ireland is published by IIPL Ltd

EditorGillian [email protected] 235 4804

Features EditorGery [email protected] 844822

AdvertisingGillian MillsGery Flynn

DesignDurgan [email protected] 91 94477

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

John Molloy (1940 - 2013)

On May 29th 2013, John Molloy lost a battle with cancer and the

Irish fishing industry and marine science lost one of its true champions. In 2004, John published The Irish Mackerel Fishery and the making of an industry; in 2006, he finished The Herring Fishseries of Ireland 1900-2005. These books give a real insight into the character of the man and the scientific legacy he has left behind.

John was from a farming background in Clonee, Co. Meath. ‘There wasn’t much mackerel fishery in County Meath when I was growing up in the 1940s and 1950s, but a fish van did call to the house on Fridays!,’ he was often heard saying.

John left UCD in 1961 and commenced work with the Department of Lands in June 1962 where he was asked to work on mackerel. This was the start of a lifelong journey with pelagic fisheries. He served in various government departments and the Marine Institute, at Cathal Brugha Street and Abbotstown, Dublin. He was actively engaged with the industry and carried out scientific surveys on board both research and commercial vessels.

Joey Murrin recalls the arrival of a curly-haired man in Killybegs ‘with a square jaw, open necked shirt, woolly jumper, brown corduroy trousers and brown

boots’. John Molloy not only looked

different from other marine scientists, he was different and his scientific input helped shape the development of the pelagic industry in Ireland.

He was ahead of his time in insisting that scientists and fishermen should work together. Belatedly, this approach has been adopted across Europe. One of his many legacies is the rebuilding of the Celtic Sea herring fishery where his principles of fishermen, scientists and the authorities working together, were followed.

John spent many years in Dunmore East and Killybegs, measuring and dissecting fish, and most importantly, talking and listening to fishermen. It was a multi-way communication with John in the centre, gaining information on the fleet; gears and shoal movement, spawning areas and times.

In return, John explained the latest scientific surveys, the story in the data, the trends in the stocks and the latest advice on quotas. Fishermen trusted John and he had a unique relationship with them. John was able to use what he had learned from fishermen in his international work. An international scientific colleague recalls how John would always point out the flaws in the latest science if it wasn’t ‘representing the behaviour of the shoals’,

or ‘not reflecting what Irish fishermen were seeing on the grounds’.

From the early 1970s John was very involved with the international science community through his participation in ICES for herring and mackerel. He also served on its Advisory Committee for Fisheries Management and the EU’s Scientific Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries.

John participated at many scientific meetings in Copenhagen, clocking up 30 herring, 20 mackerel and 20 advisory committee meetings, and earning huge respect from his colleagues.

On his retirement, he was honoured by them for his use of ‘gentle diplomacy in the conservation of Irish fisheries’.

John Molloy was involved in the controversial closure of the Celtic Sea herring fishery in the late 1970s when there were protests, imprisonments and port blockades.

‘I shed real tears of frustration in 1982 when I couldn’t convince my fellow scientists that the criteria they were using to keep the herring fishery in the Celtic Sea closed were neither appropriate nor justified. I shed tears of relief however, when the same scientists reluctantly agreed to advise that the same fishery could be reopened for small catches’, he recounted.

This short note has only touched on John’s love of the sea, marine science and the fishing industry. But there were many other loves in John’s life: his wife and family; his religion; his parish; sport; people; gardening and the local bog.

These were all reflected in the large and diverse group that paid their respects at John’s funeral. Many of his former scientific colleagues from Portugal, Spain, France, UK, Netherlands, Canada, Denmark and Norway sent messages full of fond memories for a man who with a great sense of humour, had an ability to communicate his story and an incredible knowledge and passion for the Irish pelagic fishery and the shoals on which it depends.

These elements of John’s life

will stay with those who knew him and raise a smile when he is remembered.

John also edited a book on the history of his parish, Caragh, Co Kildare, where he lived happily with his wife Oonagh and family. With three books to his name, we can add the title of distinguished author.

John’s character and his love of people, the sea, marine science and the fishing industry will always be reflected in the pages of these books.

John was pre-deceased by his son Tom, himself an experienced fisherman, and is survived by his wife Oonagh and daughters Roisín, Mary and Orla.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.

Paul Connolly


news

Department to review emergency call service over Tit Bonhomme sinking responseNeither Irish Coast Guard nor State investigators aware two calls were made from sinking vessel

Lorna Siggins

Serious issues arising from the emergency response

to the Tit Bonhomme sinking have prompted a review of the 999 service by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Full details of that initial response was revealed at the recent inquest into the loss of five crew on board the vessel when it was confirmed that not one, but two, emergency calls were made from the vessel as it sank off Glandore, west Cork, in January 2012.

It is understood that neither the Irish Coast Guard, which

is responsible for search and rescue, nor the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, which undertook the State’s official inquiry into the sinking, were aware that two emergency calls had been made.

Both were made from a mobile phone owned by the youngest crew member, Kevin Kershaw, as the vessel’s VHF radio was no longer working.

‘GaRblED’ CallThe lack of information

picked up by the operator taking the first call was described as “extraordinary” at the inquest by barrister Elizabeth O’Connell, for skipper Michael Hayes’s widow Caitlín Uí hAodha.

The timeline in the official report had recorded one “garbled” 999 call received at 5.49am on January 15th, 2012, and lasting three minutes and 20 seconds, relayed from an operator to Valentia Coast guard, which indicated that a vessel was sinking at the entrance to Glandore Harbour.

In fact, two calls were made, at 5.46am and 5.49 am, according to recordings played for the jury at the inquest, and the first call was transferred to Bandon Garda station rather than to the Irish Coast Guard.

The two calls were received by Ecas, the Emergency Call Answering Service, which is run by BT Ireland on contract from three centres in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, Navan, Co Meath, and Dublin.

In the first call, received at Ballyshannon, “helicopter” and “Union Hall” were mentioned three times, while “Tit Bonhomme” was mentioned once.

The call operator rang Bandon Garda station after tracing the call to a phone mast in west Cork and informed a garda that there had been no direct service request or location confirmed. The garda was put on the line to the crew but could get no details.

HEliCoptER oN StaNDbyThe second call was

received by the Ecas Dublin centre at 5.49am and lasted just over three minutes. This call was transferred to the Irish Coast Guard at Valentia, Co Kerry, at a time recorded by the MCIB report at 5.53am.

It tasked the Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter and put the Waterford-based helicopter on standby between 5.54 and 5.55am.

The Department of Communications said it evalued the 999 response shortly after the sinking and was “satisfied” that it “had performed satisfactorily”. However, it said that following completion of the inquest, the department and Ecas were “currently reviewing the response to this tragedy again”.

The department added: “More generally, the service is under constant review as we seek to ensure the best possible response to incidents.”

article courtesy of the irish times (3/06)

Another community devastated by loss of fishermen at sea

A fishing tragedy on the south east coast has claimed the lives of three brothers who perished at sea on June 12 when they got into difficulty while fishing off Dunmore East in Co Waterford.

Brothers Paul (50), Kenny (47) and Shane Bolger (45) from Passage East left Dunmore East in their 20ft wooden punt, Dean Leanne to set their lobster pots off Brownstown Head between Dunmore and Tramore.

All were experienced fishermen and when they failed to return when expected, fishermen in Dunmore East raised the alarm and contacted the Irish Coast Guard, which launched a major search operation. The Irish Coast Guard Sikorski helicopter based at Waterford, Rescue 117, located one of the casualties near the sand bar at Rinnshark, south of Brownstown Head; the RNLI Dunmore East Lifeboat, Elizabeth and Ronald, under cox Michael Griffin later located the bodies of the other two men.

Informed sources say the Bolgers’ punt was equipped with an electronic position indicating radio beacon, which should activate once it is submerged in water, but it didn’t activate as the boat didn’t capsize, although she had taken on some water.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD has expressed “deep shock and sadness” on hearing of the deaths of Paul, Kenny and Shane Bolger. “Between them they had a vast amount of experience as fishermen,” he added.

“My thoughts are with their family and indeed with the local and wider community. The fishing community knows only too well the daily challenges and dangers faced by its members but nothing can prepare any family for a tragedy such as this.”

The Minister paid tribute to the Dunmore East & Tramore Lifeboat crews as well as the Coastguard which he said were unfortunately all too familiar with tragedies such as this.

The team at Inshore Ireland extends its deepest sympathy to the families, friends and fishing community. May they rest in peace.

Tit Bonhomme Photo: N Duffy


news

New European project looks to a ‘Blue Society’What do we know about the sea and how can we create a ‘blue society’ that

benefits all our lives in sustainable harmony with the oceans? These are some of the questions being asked by Sea for Society - an ambitious

three-year European project that began last October, involving 20 partner organisations and eight associated partners across 12 European countries.

The project brings together researchers; marine and land-based organisations; government and non-governmental bodies; individuals and young people for mutual learning, consultation and joint action. It considers key questions concerning sustainable ocean management and examines cross-cutting issues with a view to proposing practical solutions to the challenges facing the sustainable management of our seas.

The main objectives of Sea for Society are to increase awareness of how important the oceans are to all our lives, as well as the importance of marine research in generating the knowledge we need to take the actions required to bring about a shift in the way society views the sea.

To bring about this change, the project also aims to break down the barriers between stakeholders, citizens and young people to enable full collaboration and knowledge at all levels; to promote public engagement in research and to foster an integrated vision of a ‘blue society’, including the social, environmental, economic and cultural pillars it would take to support it.

The Irish project partners include AquaTT as area leaders, with NUI Galway and the Marine Institute - as well as the W5 Interactive Discover Centre in Belfast as an associated partner. Their responsibility has been to compile background literature reviews; create methodologies and carry out the first public consultations amongst target groups of citizen/youth - all of which have been achieved on target.

Meanwhile, across the rest of Europe, similar citizen/youth consultations are being carried out into the challenges and opportunities in six subject areas: Marine Food; Marine Transport; Marine Energy; Human Health; Leisure and Tourism and A Place to Live. In Ireland, these will be followed in the autumn by focussed discussions with marine stakeholders on the two nationally-allocated subjects of Marine Food and A Place to Live.

Armed with this information on public and stakeholder perception of the wide range of challenges facing any plan for sustainable development of the seas - as well as options to address them - the project will then move to consider practical strategies to develop the concept of a ‘blue society’.

Further information - including an Irish national blog - can be found at www.seaforsociety.eu

Lightkeeper’s grandson and political leader launches The Lightkeeper – A Memoir

A unique insight into generations of lighthouse keepers, told

from the inside by Gerald Butler and Patricia Ahern, was launched recently by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny at the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) Headquarters in Dun Laoghaire. The author and the Taoiseach both share a long family history in the Lighthouse Service.

“I am immensely proud to have the tradition of lightkeeper in my family. This exceptional group of men and women have made an extraordinary contribution to safety at sea and the commercial life of this country over many generations.

“As in all facets of life, technology has meant that the job of lightkeeper is no more, but the value of these beacons of hope remains undiminished,” remarked An Taoiseach.

Yvonne Shields, Chief Executive, CIL, added that in every generation, lighthouses have been not only beacons for mariners but also beacons for modern technology:

“Today’s lighthouses would be a thing of wonder to An Taoiseach’s grandfather and indeed even to Gerald Butler’s father. Modern LED light sources, solar power and electronic aids have transformed Aids to Navigation, delivering efficient, reliable and environmentally-friendly solutions while facilitating a range of additional services,” she remarked.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) is the General Lighthouse Authority (GLA) for the island of Ireland, its adjacent seas and islands. CIL, together with the Northern Lighthouse Board (Scotland) and Trinity House (England & Wales) operate an integrated Aids to Navigation service throughout the coastal waters of Ireland and Great Britain.

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Ireland boasts one of the oldest Lighthouses in the world at Hook Head where St. Dubhán first established a light in the 5th Century. CIL has been in existence for over 200 years.

The Taoiseach’s maternal Grandfather, James Mc Ginley, entered the service in 1905 and was a lighthouse keeper until 1940. Gerald Butler, author of the Lightkeeper – A Memoir is a second generation lightkeeper who to this day has responsibility for the Lighthouse at Galley Head, County Cork.

Review of The Lightkeeper – A Memoir (II Aug/Sept publishing 31/08)

YOURVIEW6 inshore ireland June/July 2013

Outdated legislation must be overhauled ahead of consent for 145 turbine wind-farm off east coast Coastal Concern Alliance

The application by developers for a foreshore lease for construction

of a large-scale wind farm, ‘Dublin Array’ in Dublin Bay and off Wicklow should not be assessed until the outdated legislation governing construction at sea is updated and a Marine Spatial Plan is introduced to balance competing interest in our seas.

The democratic deficit inherent in the management of our coastal waters under the Foreshore Act, 1933, has long been recognised and reform has been talked of for many years. These reforms, deemed necessary by Government, are currently under way.

the backgroundThe Foreshore Act, 1933,

gives sole authority to one Minister to issue foreshore licences (for exploration) and leases (for construction) in Irish waters. While the legislation requires that decisions be made ‘in the public interest’, over the past decade the absence of coastal and marine spatial planning, coupled with outdated legislation governing construction at sea, has enabled offshore wind farm developers to lay claim to large stretches of valuable near-shore Irish east coast waters without proper public scrutiny.

Extensive sites close to the Irish coast have been allocated in a planning vacuum on ‘a first-come, first-served’ basis in a manner that was out of line with good international practice and in contravention of all principles of proper

planning and sustainable development.

There was NO: » Public right of appeal

against the Minister’s decision to an independent appeals board such as An Bord Pleanála

» Statutory involvement of Local Authorities in the awarding of foreshore leases or licences in waters adjoining their coastline

» Marine Spatial Plan » National plan for offshore

renewable energy development

» Strategic Environmental Assessment

» Pre-selection of potential sites by government

» Restriction on size of development or proximity to shore

» Independent, professional assessment of cumulative landscape impacts on adjoining coastline and coastal ‘views & prospects’ designated for protection in county development plans

» Competitive public tender for use of a valuable national resource

» Transparent pre-screening of applicants on basis of track record, financial standing, etc.

Foreshore Leases: By end 2005, a massive 1620MW (420 turbines) had been fully permitted off Wicklow (Arklow Bank Wind Park and Codling Wind Park). This was more than double the amount of offshore wind power (700MW) then installed worldwide, raising serious concerns about the rigour of the Irish permitting process.

Foreshore Licences: By end 2009, a further 1694MW (410 turbines) had been well advanced in the sensitive near-shore zone under the Foreshore Act 1933 via the awarding of foreshore licences for initial investigation to: » 364MW Kish Bank/

Dublin Array (145 turbines) Dublin Bay/Wicklow (2004)

» 320MW Oriel Wind Farm (55 turbines) Dundalk Bay (2005).

» 100MW Sceirde Wind Farm (20 turbines) Galway Bay (2009)

» 1000MW Codling 2 (200 turbines) off Bray Head (2008)

coastal concern alliance – policy

Coastal Concern Alliance (CCA), is an independent, voluntary community group, set up in 2006 to campaign for reform of the Foreshore Act 1933 and for the introduction of coastal and marine spatial planning to balance competing interests in our coastal zone.

For the past seven years we have been calling on successive governments and civil servants to urgently address the democratic deficit inherent in the management of our coastal waters.

It is our position that the legacy issues inherited from the Celtic Tiger era of speculation and inadequate regulation must be addressed for reform to be meaningful. If these issues are not addressed, then developers will have determined the future of our east coast without democratic control.

In this context, CCA has called on the government not to adopt the draft Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan, 2010 (OREDP). It is demonstrably based on developers’ plans for the Irish Sea, permitted and progressed under an outdated foreshore consenting process, officially acknowledged in the introduction to this draft OREDP to be ‘inadequate’ and ‘in need of reform’.

The Foreshore Act, 1933, is currently under revision and a modern democratic system of Marine Spatial Planning is to be introduced along with a National Landscape Strategy.

The proposed ‘Dublin Array - one of the biggest offshore wind farms in the world - has widespread economic, social and environmental implications for the entire east coast. It is clear that it cannot be properly and democratically assessed under 90-year-old legislation, drawn up before offshore wind farms were envisaged.

In the national interest, this huge industrial project for Dublin Bay should not be assessed until: » The reform of the

Foreshore Act 1933 is completed to give Irish citizens’ democratic control over development in our seas

» The promised Marine Spatial Plan is introduced following appropriate consultation, to ensure offshore energy development is set in context

» The National Landscape Strategy is finalised to ensure that coastal landscapes, currently totally unprotected on the seaward side, are given the protection they deserve.

The future of offshore wind is generally acknowledged to lie in the construction of large-scale offshore wind farms far from sensitive coastal areas.

Germany, Belgium and Netherlands have adopted a 22km buffer zone to protect wildlife and the scenic amenity of their coastlines. CCA is calling on the Irish government to follow emerging good international practice and to introduce a similar buffer zone around our coastline.

Further information www.coastalconcern.ie

Impact on preserved view from Sandycove Photo: ModelWorks Media

Fracking: a step closer in Northern Ireland?Sian Cowman*

Four petroleum licences in Northern Ireland were issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Investment (DETI) in 2011: in the Central Larne/Lough Neagh Basin; Lough Allen Basin North (West

Fermanagh); Rathlin Basin and Rathlin Island. DETI intends to grant a further petroleum licence (PL1/13) in the Lough Neagh Basin. This area includes parts of counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Derry and Tyrone.

Each licence permits the holder to ‘search and bore for and get petroleum’. While DETI says the licences are not for hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’), the Fermanagh licence permits ‘a coring, fracturing and testing programme’ during the exploration well phase.

If unconventional fossil fuels are found, the five licences could allow for their extraction using methods such as high volume slickwater horizontal hydraulic fracturing - the modern, water- and chemical-heavy version of hydraulic fracturing (with appropriate permitting).

MINIMAL INFoRMATIoNDETI has not held any public information events in the

licensed areas. In fact, the level of public information has been minimal, with small ads in the Belfast Gazette and in the public notice sections of some local papers.

Since these licences were issued in 2011, NI residents have been informing themselves on the topic; signing petitions to ban the process; sending letters to newspapers, government departments and politicians, and holding events with international experts. Most recently, a group of young people made a full-length documentary, Fracking in Fermanagh.

The teenagers asked Arlene Foster, Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Investment for an interview; she refused. DETI’s somewhat dismissive attitude to public concerns about fracking extends to Assembly motions. In December 2011, the Assembly was presented with a citizen’s petition to ban fracking signed by almost 2,800 people, as well as a motion for a fracking moratorium.

This motion passed by 49 votes to 30, but DETI refused


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 [email protected].

Maritime spatial planning from a fisheries perspective

Francis O’DonnellFederation of Irish Fishermen

Maritime spatial planning is an important concept but what does it actually mean? The language itself can

be technical and jargoned for those not attached to the various marine sectors. In the main it means having a plan to share our marine space between stakeholders interested and involved in commercial fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, ecosystem conservation, hydrocarbon extraction, renewable energy, marine tourism and leisure.

Demand for space in the marine environment across Europe is increasing, as we turn to the sea to answer the many economic challenges we are facing. As the demand grows for that space, conflict will surely follow. It is envisioned that maritime spatial planning will attempt to reduce potential friction between sectors and identify sustainable uses of the maritime space with climate change being a fundamental pillar to guide this process.

Fishermen and women have been fishing the seas of the world long before records began. Fishing can still be regarded as a hunter-gatherer way of life, full of risks and unknowns. Fisherpersons are no longer alone in seeking their quarry from the seas. Seismic activity is now common place along the entire Irish coastline. This is simply a hunter of a different kind waiting to gather their bounty, one seeking to exploit what Mother Nature has laid down millions of years ago in the form of oil and gas reserves.

The sea is now regarded as the new economic frontier and as technology develops other sectors such as wind and wave energy will expand. This is already happening and therefore coexistence will be critical and in some cases difficult. Profit and protection of the environment seldom go hand in hand; humans have proved time and time again that we are poor guardians of the environment.

A chink of light is offered in that all member states have been tasked with ensuring that the share of energy from renewable sources in gross final

consumption of energy in 2020 is at least 20% - an ambitious task but a step in the right direction.

The European Commission recently published its proposal for establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management and organised its first workshop, in Dublin, on June 14.

I was asked to speak on behalf of the Federation of Irish Fishermen on the area of coexistence between sectors. I made it clear that the Irish fishing industry will not be pushed to one side but that we did see opportunities and synergies with other sectors. Many of our members are keen to provide support services to other sectors such as oil, gas and wind and we are actively working on a plan with the Marine Survey Office to have vessels surveyed and ready to perform those services when they arise.

I very much shot from the hip in that I tried to identify the many challenges and impediments at national level to rolling out marine spatial planning in Ireland. It is the Federation’s view that one agency is needed to manage planning and compliance in the marine space and that too many agencies are currently involved. We clearly are world leaders in the marine knowledge field and have the expertise scattered across various agencies. This is a nightmare for investors; we believe a one stop shop is required.

The policy at government level is to subsume agencies back into their respective parent departments. We believe that if politicians want blue growth and those elusive green shoots we are always hearing about, they need to think outside the box and create a new agency with the expertise to manage economic potential in the marine environment.

FIF sees licensing and planning consents for existing and sectorial development as major obstacles in realising a successful integrated marine plan for Ireland.

For example, there is considerable frustration regarding the long delays (years rather than months) being experienced by those involved in the aquaculture licensing process . . We should be a world leader in this field; sadly we have lost our competitive advantage in this sector.

The Government needs to take immediate action to remove the obstacles at present in all three of these areas as there is a perception both within and outside Ireland that we are not ‘open for business’.

The attraction of inward investment in various marine sectors is of vital importance to enable Ireland deliver on the potential of our marine space within our EEZ. Therefore we need to ensure that the processes for the granting of such licences and permissions are revised and streamlined so that the message can be communicated that not only is Ireland ‘open for business’ but that we actually welcome it.

As an industry we have to accept that the marine space does not belong to us and that we need to share it. Equally we have a responsibility to ensure its protection so that our ancient hunter-gatherer tradition is not extinguished. We also need to ensure that we are central to decision-making in terms of marine spatial planning in Ireland. All other sectors are gearing up to carve out their respective niches. We are already using this space and it is important to keep our eye on the ball and know what the other players are doing.

They are competitors of sorts but I believe symbiotic relationships can be developed between various sectors bringing economic opportunities to the fishing sector and coastal communities in general. This is only the beginning.

to impose a moratorium, stating: ‘We can hardly impose a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, because no permit has yet been issued.’ This is despite the Fermanagh licence specifically citing ‘fracturing’ twice as a method for gas extraction.

Other NI Ministries and politicians are keeping quiet - even the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development. Department of Environment (DOE) Minister Alex Atwood has however said that Northern Ireland should adopt an ‘enhanced precautionary approach’ to fracking.

But the DOE is spearheading the Planning Bill 2013, which could make it easier for fossil fuel companies to get permits to drill and frack. The draft Bill includes new economic considerations which mean planning applications not in the best interests of communities and the environment may be approved and even fast-tracked.

No REAssuRANCEEven though DETI downplays the possibility of fracking

under these petroleum licences, locals are not reassured. As well as citizens’ action groups forming, both Fermanagh and Moyle District Councils have voted for a moratorium on fracking.

It seems locals are right not to be reassured: it is believed that Rathlin Energy Limited will soon apply to drill a deep test borehole in the Rathlin Basin. This licence area includes the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In Fermanagh, Tamboran are also expected to apply to drill a test borehole soon, 1km deep. This deep borehole lends urgency to the situation as it would be drilled right through the aquifer. Regardless of whether fracking takes place or not, the drilling process itself requires chemicals and can bring up natural toxic substances from underground.

If there are any drilling losses the aquifer will be contaminated. Originally, this borehole was not intended; DETI permitted a variation to the Tamboran licence to include deep drilling, without any public consultation.

CoNFLICT oF INTEREsTInitially, Tamboran said it would use chemicals; then they

promised they would not. Their regional director, Tony Bazley, sits on the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside. This Council advises the DOE on planning and designation of Areas of Special Scientific Interest. This potential conflict of interest was not made public until after it was drawn to the attention of the DOE.

Why are these proceedings of importance to the Republic of Ireland? In my understanding, the aquifer in Fermanagh that Tamboran intends to test drill provides drinking water for parts of Fermanagh itself, as well as parts of Leitrim, Sligo, South Donegal and North Cavan.

And if Northern Ireland pushes fracking through, is the Irish government likely to prevent it from happening south of the border?

* Sian Cowman is currently working for The Democracy Center in Bolivia on climate change issues, as part of her studies in International Development & Food Policy at University College Cork. Her family settled in Co Leitrim a number of years ago, an area also under threat of shale gas extraction.

To keep up to date on the latest events and get active on the issue in Northern Ireland, see Not for Shale: http://notforshale.com/index.htm and No Fracking Northern Ireland on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Fracking-Northern-Ireland/110905929036805To learn more about the Planning Bill and join the campaign for its amendment, see Amend the Bill: http://predict.stratagem-ni.com/campaign/amendthebill


Freshwater Focus

Are wild salmon in danger of wipeout? Noel CarrFISSTA

the Federation of irish Salmon and Seatrout anglers (FiSSta) is

extremely disappointed that the North atlantic Salmon Conservation organization (NaSCo) has been unable to stop factory sales of wild atlantic salmon in Greenland, and for failing to put a limit on Greenland’s subsistence fishery. the salmon harvested in Greenland originate mainly from rivers in North america but with a significant percentage coming from EU rivers including ireland.

FISSTA was the representative chosen to deliver the NGO statement at

the NASCO council on June 4 in Drogheda.

‘The future for Irish salmon appears especially bleak in the face of new policy that will allow unbridled development of offshore open pen salmon farms to increase production from 14,000 to 150,000 tonnes in the salmon’s migratory channel off the west coast.

The first mega farm is planned for Galway Bay, a mecca for domestic and international tourists. The NASCO NGO Group, on behalf of millions of people around the North Atlantic who value their wild Atlantic salmon, urges the Irish Government to stop this destructive expansion of open net pens.

The Irish Government must develop alternative industries and employment opportunities such as expansion in tourism and fisheries, which depend on a pristine environment and abundant wild fish populations. It’s time for government to rethink its obsession with open net pen salmon aquaculture, which contributes to declining salmon populations, and displaces fishermen and tourists wherever it operates.

The advice of the International Council for the

Exploration of the Sea (ICES) is very clear. There should be no harvest at Greenland where stocks from North America and southern Europe feed. An essentially unlimited fishery at Greenland is totally against ICES advice.’

Paul Lawton, chairman of FISSTA said Ireland was ‘facing wipeout from both sides of the North Atlantic now as Greenland refuses to tolerate any more lecturing from the EU and Norwegian parties who continue to allow sea lice to run out of control and permit overharvesting of salmon on their own mixed- stock fisheries.’

objECtioNS RaiSEDCanada is amongst the

other parties that currently harvest Atlantic salmon. At the meeting when Canada raised objections to Greenland’s factory sales, the Danish representative reminded Canada that its harvest was six times greater than Greenland’s.

The Greenlanders also expressed concern at the failure of Norway, Scotland and Ireland to protect their migrating smolts, and criticised Ireland’s plan to site new fish farm cages in the migratory corridor off the west of Ireland which

they claim would infest and prevent the eventual return of our salmon.

This was a sobering thought which the Irish government delegation will take back to Minister Simon Coveney.

“It’s easy to understand Greenland’s position because in Canada, anglers and ‘First Nations’ killed 135 tonnes of salmon last year, which is equivalent to 63,000 fish,” Lawton added.

“The Greenlanders are unwilling to continue to bear the burden and sacrifice of conserving salmon while other countries like Canada, Norway and Ireland and Scotland in respect of the EU allow the killing of several times more salmon than they do”.

NaSCo CRitiCiSEDHere was a golden

opportunity for the NASCO meeting to deliver a strong message of conservation for our wild Atlantic salmon, but failed.

“NASCO’s inability to control the Greenland fishery is disastrous for US salmon where stocks are at their lowest levels in history and protected under the Endangered Species Act,” said Lawton.

The Greeenland representative responded saying he believed the internal harvest would be controlled by market demand within Greenland.

The North American Atlantic Salmon Federation and North Atlantic Salmon Fund (NASF) of Iceland have a long historical relationship working directly with Greenland and its fishermen outside of NASCO, to discuss the possibility of another private sector agreement that would result in more conservation-oriented measures.

ASF and NASF had a private-sector agreement with Greenland’s fishermen from 2002-2009 which kept our salmon returning to Ireland and EU.

“Controlling the Greenland fishery is fundamental to conserving and restoring wild Atlantic salmon runs in North America and southern Europe. FISSTA will continue to urge ASF and NASF to remain committed to doing everything reasonable and possible to negotiate an agreement for this season that conserves salmon, while respecting Greenland’s international rights,” Paul Lawton stressed.

A Taste of the Waterways: favourite places to eat, drink and stay

Messin’ around on boats is both a pastime and for some a lifestyle enjoyed by a growing number of people as the inland navigable waterways throughout this island became more accessible, opening up hidden beauty spots, many of which only recently

explored.Waterways Ireland manages, maintains, develops and restores these corridors and is

responsible for almost 1,000 km of lakes, rivers and stillwater canals which connect to a network of seven navigations: Barrow, Erne, Grand Canal, Lower Bann, Royal and Shannon-Erne waterway.

When not charting a passage, tending to daily boat chores or simply enjoying the unspoilt, natural beauty of the countryside, food and hospitality are never far from the mind. Indeed, ask anyone who has spent time ‘afloat’ and they’ll tell you that you build up a hungry rarely equalled on land!

Part of the pleasure of messin’ around on boats is exactly that – looking for new areas to explore and of course places to visit. The task of wondering where to visit once a general passage is planned is taken care of in the latest edition of A Taste of the Waterways produced by Georgina Campbell Guides in association with Waterways Ireland.

‘You’ll find many places that take pride in local produce and, although cutting edge cuisine many not be the norm, there are surprises,’ remarks editor, Georgina Campbell.

The guide comprises over 100 establishments, independently assessed. From traditional old style cottages to modern contemporary restaurants, their names alone beckon you across the threshold:

Hanged Man’s; Lusty Beg Island; Seagrass; Tilley Lamp Restaurant; The Twelfth Lock; The Wooden Spoon, to name but a few.

‘This new edition also provides visitors with a “flavour” of the diverse range of attractions and activities that they can enjoy in and around each of the seven waterways,’ adds Éanna Rowe, Waterways Ireland.

For a free copy of A Taste of the Waterways contact www.shopwaterwaysireland.org/

Gillian Mills

Paul Lawton, FISSTA chair, at the NASCO council

At a glimpse…The Barrow Line and the River Barrow pass through a region that is

blessed by nature and the presence of this lovely, active waterway adds enormously to the experience…

By this time the scenery is perfect, and after descending several locks, including the beautiful Clashganna, we reach the charming little river port of Graiguenamanagh. People voyage here, and go no further…’

The Erne System, with its pretty island-studded upper Lough and the open mountain-fringed waters of the Lower Lough - and large island town of Enniskillen….is unique, offering an exceptional range of experiences on both water and land in one of the most attractive and varied landscapes in Ireland.

Constructed in the eighteenth century to transport goods and passengers between Dublin city centre and destinations west of the capital, the main line of the Grand Canal crosses large areas of the Irish midlands in order to reach the River Shannon, and it is acknowledged as one of Ireland’s greatest engineering achievements.

Along the quieter stretches of the canal there is an abundance of wildlife to watch - herons, kingfishers and even otters may be observed - and the towpath provides for good walking at any time.

Lower Bann is very popular with watersports enthusiasts of all kinds…While this may sound like a recipe for disaster, there is a well organised zoning system in place which enables everyone to pursue their chosen sport safely and without annoyance to others. Canoeing is a lovely was to see the river and the 58km Lower Bann Canoe Trail which is suitable for all levels of ability begins at Toome and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean beyond Coleraine.

Following the completion of recent restoration works, the Royal Canal once again links Dublin to the Upper Shannon… Its reopening to run all of the 146km from Dublin Port to the northern River Shannon is a testimony to modern personal dedication and the wayward eccentricity of those who built the Royal Canal between 1789 and 1817.

Boating and canoeing are among the main activities enjoyed on the Royal Canal and it is a wonderful place for walking as it passes through some exceptionally beautiful countryside and the towpath is now designated The Royal Canal Way.

The Shannon is Ireland’s longest river and while it is no longer a major commercial waterway, it is now a treasured leisure amenity. Yet for many luck visitors it is still waiting to be discovered.

The Shannon Navigation begins atypicall, in Limerick….and once the locks of the Ardnasrusha dam have been negotiated is Lough Derg, a handsome inland sea with an attractive backdrop of wooded hillsides, prosperous farmland and many charming harbours…

The Mid Shannon Area between Portunmna and Athlone is very different with a sense of history ever present. North of Athlone, Lough Ree is one of the Shannon’s three main lakes and offers a varied shoreline… North of Lough Ree, the Upper Shannon is one of the most popular areas for boating visitors…With 41 lakes within a six mile radius of Carrick-on-Shannon, fishing is the major activity… At the northern end of the Shannon Navigation Lough Key and Lough Allen offer contrasting visitor experiences….

The Mayfly 2013Brendan Connolly

Every year as the trout angling season gets underway, anglers

wonder about when the mayfly will emerge: weekends need to be booked and days off work need to be arranged. Will the mayfly be early or late, will it be the June bank-holiday - or perhaps the May bank-holiday would be better…?

Going back some decades, the safest bet for Loughs Corrib and Mask has been the third weekend in May. You might see some mayfly early in May, but trout are not usually interested at that time.

For early mayfly fishing, Lough Carra used to be the best option; however that has changed, and more recently the best mayfly fishing on Corrib has been in early May - or even late April.

The type of hatch seems to have changed also. From starting with a few mayfly and growing into a big hatch by mid-May, more recently the mayfly has emerged in dribs and drabs throughout the month without a big peak.

Trout have also started to

take mayfly in early May or even late April. The once familiar spectacle of large clouds of mature males dancing beside trees and shrubs with females approaching these clouds to attract males has become less frequent. At one time, you would have seen a female with numerous males holding on to her, falling into the water as a writhing ball of legs and wings.

a cold march This year however the

mayfly emergence was more like it used to be years ago. A stormy first weekend in May saw few if any mayflies. While the early days of winter were not particularly cold, March had very low temperatures not rising above 4 ºC for a number of weeks. Many plants and animals, including grass growth and the swallows were 4 to 6 weeks behind schedule.

By the third weekend in May mayflies were still scarce on Lough Corrib, but numbers were increasing. A couple of trout less than 13 inches were caught, but generally fishing was slow with a few rises which when struck, did not contact any fish.

On the Sunday however

an angler did catch a fine 2lb trout, and with reports of better fishing on Lough Mask, the anglers decided to fish it on the last weekend of May.

The day started with a nice southerly wind, and while mayflies were relatively scarce on Lough Mask, enough were found for dapping. Drifting close to islands did bring some results with some undersized fish of between 11 and 13 inches being caught.

On Sunday the first drift was past the tip of an island. Within five minutes of starting to fish, a robust rise engulfed the fly. The floss shot down, and the angler struck. There was no mistake this time; the hook was firmly set in the jaw of the trout.

The dapping rod arched over as the trout went straight down. As the boat drifted on, the angler played the fish behind the boat. After coming back to the surface the fish turned and the sun glinted off its rich gold and speckled side. A bit of mayfly-magic!

After a strong fight, the 13.5 inch trout weighing just over one pound slid into the net. Within a couple of minutes, another fish took one of the daps and again there was no problem hooking it.

The fish were taking the fly

well. For the rest of the day a further 20 trout were caught of which only three were less than 13 inches. This was the best day’s mayfly fishing for a very long time. Four fish were kept between three anglers, while the rest were returned to the lake.

The June Bank Holiday weekend provided some nice mayfly fishing on Mask. While

the record-breaking catch of the previous Sunday was not repeated, the fish were taking well, including a 1¾ lb trout. One aspect of both weekends on Mask was that rising fish seemed to be limited to small areas close to islands.

Despite the mayfly being late, 2013 produced one of the best day’s mayfly fishing for many years.


Freshwater Focus

Monument Dedication in memory of the 1925-1933 Erne Estuary Fishermen

A monument in memory of forty-three Erne Estuary fishermen will be

dedicated on August 3-4 at the Mall Quay, Ballyshanon, for what infamously became known as ‘The Kildoney Men’s Court Case’ (1925-1933).

The Erne was seized as

crown property on the surrender of Tir Chonaill to the English in 1602. By 1620 all royal grants of fishing on the Erne estuary were gathered into a single private ownership. A local challenge to this started in 1925 when a volunteer crew of six fishermen publicly entered the fishing grounds.

The monumental legal task of proving that a private fishery on the tidal river Erne could not and should not be legally binding, had begun.

On the 31 July 1933, a judgment was achieved in favour of the fishermen, and the Erne estuary was once again open to public fishing after 300 years

The celebration will begin at 3.30pm on the Sunday with performances by The Assaroe Ceili Band, the Ballytour performing group, the Ballyshannon Brass & Reed Band.

Families of the late fishermen will form a guard of honor at the memorial while Mrs Cis Daly of

Kildoney formally unveils the monument. A lecture on the Erne fisheries by local historian Frank Hayes will follow the ceremony.

The ceremony is part of events organized for the Donegal Gathering.

Further details from: www.donegalgathering.com.

A fine 1 ¾ lb Mask trout.

The majestic Mayfly.

Children illustrate their understanding of salmon conservation through art

Winners of the Inland Fisheries Ireland NASCO Art competition received their prizes from Minister Fergus O’ Dowd TD during the recent international salmon gathering in Drogheda.

Overall winner was Karen Wai Leesin, Marymount Girls National School whose entry was selected from amongst local school from two other schools: St Mary’s Parish Primary School and Gaelscoil an Bhradáin Feasa.

Salmon conservation; the salmon life cycle; North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO); the salmon of knowledge, salmon as a resource and the value of salmon were all topics covered by the children who produced art on the salmon/NASCO theme.

“Congratulations to all who took part in this competition, I am blown away by the high standard of the entries, but especially by the understanding and appreciation that our primary school students have in the whole area of salmon conservation.

“IFI have excellent programmes in place to increase awareness of fish, the aquatic environment and habitats among young people, and Ireland’s hosting of the NASCO annual meeting provides an excellent opportunity to focus on the iconic salmon.”

Each participating school and the overall winner received a Nexus 7 Tablet while the three runners up: Katya Lalor, St Mary’s Parish Primary School; Fírinne McIntyre, Gaelscoil an Bhradáin Feasa Primary School, and Lisa Burke, Marymount Girls National School received ipods.Winning entry by Karen Wai Leesin, Marymount Girls N.S.


Fisheries

Saving lives at sea

The training unit is designed to assist the instructor with realistic training in the use of the defibrillator without the actual charge and discharge of electrical energy.

The unit will be used during the delivery of Medical First Aid and Occupational First Aid courses run by BIM’s National Fisheries College and will ensure crews working on fishing vessels have the knowledge and the capability to deal with a sudden cardiac arrest.

Conrad Wynne from Oxygen Care presents Karl Vekins, BIM Instructor at the National Fisheries College, Greencastle with a Medtronic Lifepak CR-T automatic external defibrillator training unit.

West Cork skippers secure BIM funds

Eleven West Cork skippers have secured vessel funding from the BIM’s Fleet Modernisation Scheme.

The vessels are: Roise Catriona, Ocean Pioneer, Sea Rose, Ronan Ross, Kayleigh, Sarah David, Cisemair, Brian

Eoin, Phoenix, Kay BB, Ownie Padraig and Anders Nees.Damian Turner of Roise Catriona who received grant-

aid to assist with implementing his on-board seafood environmental, quality and handling systems said he was “very pleased” to receive this funding from BIM.

“Grant-aid is always put to good use but it is particularly beneficial during this time of recession. The grant-aid from BIM gives a welcome boost to local employment here in West Cork where jobs are badly needed.”

Local BIM officer, Huan Tan said the scheme was just one of the many ways BIM and Cork’s coastal community can come together to actively protect and support sustainable local employment.

“Hardworking skippers like Damian have a really important role to play here in the local community. The valuable contribution that skippers make to the economy is very significant, and BIM is happy to assist them as they continue to operate as a vital part of the local coastal community.”

The Fleet Modernisation Scheme provides financial support to the owners of registered operational commercial fishing vessels. It is provided under the Fleet Development Measure of the National Development Plan 2007-13 and is co-funded through the European Fisheries Fund (EFF). Application forms for the Scheme can be downloaded from www.bim.ie.

ACRUNET goes to Paris – the hub of the marketNora ParkNetwork Coordinator

The brown crab project ACRuNET (Atlantic Crab Resource users

Network) held its latest meeting in Paris courtesy of FranceAgriMer. This was a very productive meeting and indicative of the gathering pace of ACRuNET as the various project activities begin to evolve and complement each other.

“FranceAgriMer was very happy to welcome the partners for a fruitful working session. The atmosphere was productive and relaxed and it was really gratifying to see the activities developing and harmonising. And we enjoyed a nice evening tasting brown crab, at last!” remarked Dominique, Schnabele.

Development of a European Seafood Standard specifically for brown crab is now more than an aspiration. Considerable progress has been made on reviewing existing standards in the partner countries and a combined version which would encompass the most desirable elements of existing models is being constructed. Reflecting the demands of both retailers and consumers, ACRUNET is eager that this deliverable will be accredited to the highest possible international standard.

The partners learned that crab-producing countries (UK, Ireland and France) have been busy consulting with the various industry sectors; fishermen, exporters and processors have all contributed to this process. The opinions and data gathered have gone

a long way to building up a comprehensive picture that will inform the industry analysis being carried out. This in turn, will prove invaluable to the partners carrying out market research and, ultimately, consumer-focused education and promotion.

Transporting live crab from peripheral fishing grounds to markets in France, Spain and Portugal remains one of the more challenging aspects of the industry; ACRUNET will carry out a monitoring programme during the coming year to identify the critical ‘squeeze’ points and possible solutions to improve the quality of delivered crab and thereby improve financial viability for the sector.

Of course this work will also reflect favourably on efforts to improve fishery sustainability and environmentally-sound exploitation of an Atlantic Area natural resource.

Initial responses to questionnaire-based research by FranceAgriMer reveals that the industry still favours marketing efforts focused in Europe; not surprisingly, the UK and French responses indicated a need for increased marketing

effort in their domestic markets.

The FranceAgriMer-led marketing campaign will be pursued in the short-term with an emphasis on engaging with younger consumers to highlight not only the health benefits of eating crab but its ease of preparation and its excellent environmental credentials.

The partners reviewed the ACRUNET website, which will be available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, and made

some observations that will be incorporated prior to it being launched shortly. The project Newsletter will be also available then on the web-site.

The partners agreed that communication and information items, particularly when produced for industry, should be available in the partner languages.

The next meeting of the ACRUNET partner organisations will take place in Vigo in October 2013.

BIM to fund and coordinate FLAG activities

The northeast regional Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) which held its inaugural meeting in May, represents the coastal community spanning from Omagh, Co Louth to Dublin’s Loughshinny.

This EU fisheries funded initiative encourages local coastal communities to take responsibility for developing and implementing strategies in response to locally-identified needs and priorities. Funding for the Irish FLAGs is administered by BIM.

In the coming months, the FLAG will consult with the local marine sector and the wider community. Findings from these consultation meetings will inform their strategy and recommendations. BIM is encouraging a high turn-out for every FLAG meeting as each one offers the local community an opportunity to make their voices heard and to play an active role in creating new and sustainable sources of income and other projects aimed at improving the quality of life for the local community.

“The northeast FLAG’s range of expertise will underpin the work it undertakes with and on behalf of the local coastal community. BIM looks forward to working with the FLAG and wishes them the very best for their inaugural meeting and beyond,” remarked Catherine Barrett, northeast FLAG coordinator.

Back Row (L-R) Johnny Woodlock, Irish Seal Sanctuary; Rory Keogh, Balbriggan Chamber of Commerce; Ronan Faulkner, Potting; Leo Melia, Cockles; Lenny Clifford, Seafood Business; John Hickey, BIM Front Row (L-R) Ciaran Gallagher, Inshore; Paul Boyd, Prawns and whitefish; Catherine Barrett, BIM; Sadie Ward McDermott, Louth VEC; Hans Visser, Fingal Tourism and Garret O’Brien.

Northeast FLAG appointees:Leo Melia (cockles); Ronan Faulkner (potting); Andrew Carney (razors); Paul Boyd (prawns and whitefish); Ciaran Gallagher (inshore); PJ Donnelly (aquaculture); Lenny Clifford (Seafood businesses); Rory Keogh (Balbriggan Chamber of Commerce); Sadie Ward McDermott (Louth VEC); Elaine O’Sullivan (Fingal Tourism); Hans Visser (Fingal County Council); John Butler (Louth Leader Partnership) and Johnny Woodlock (Irish Seal Sanctuary)


Fisheries

South-west region to benefit from Fisheries Local Action Group

Following the official launch of the Axis 4 – Sustainable Development of Fishery Dependent Areas Programme in June 2012, BIM has announced the establishment of a Fisheries Local Action Group or FLAG for the southwest region (Cork and

Kerry). Coordinated by Vera O Donovan and Huan Tan, BIM Regional FLAG

Coordinators for the area, the group comprises representatives from the fisheries; aquaculture; seafood production; environment; community; and tourism sectors and will be charged with developing a Local Integrated Development Strategy for the area.

The coordinators see the development of the group as “critical piece of infrastructure” to capture additional opportunities for coastal regions and a “stepping-stone towards developing the capacity to take advantage of funds that may present themselves in the future”.

EMpowErIng local coMMunITIEsFunded by the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) and administered

by BIM, the aim of the Axis 4 programme is to empower fishing and aquaculture-reliant communities to use the valuable resources at their disposal to develop and implement a strategy that will increase revenue and employment opportunities.

Each FLAG is responsible for delivering a strategy for their area on a devolved basis. Once the strategy is finalised, a call for projects will follow from individuals and local communities.

To qualify for funding, projects must satisfy specific criteria. For example, projects must be based in coastal areas (with the exception of areas of populations in excess of 15,000) and not located more than 10kms from the sea. In addition, projects must have a clearly identifiable marine connection or provide a specific benefit to a fishing region.

In many cases, beneficiaries of support will be required to be either workers in the fisheries sector or persons with a job linked to the sector.

The southwest FLAG will be meeting regularly to begin the strategy process which will include consulting with the local coastal community.

Back row: Joseph O’Shea, Fishing South Kerry; Seamus O’Grady,Fishing North Kerry; Huan Tan, BIM; Finian O’Sullivan, Bantry IFA Aquaculture SW region rep; Ian Dempsey, West Cork Leader; John Hickey, BIM; John Walsh, Islands Community and John Tattan, Fishing East CorkFront row: Kevin Flannery, Environment Community; Vera O’Donovan, BIM; Artie Clifford, Artisan Food Production and Máire Ní Shé, Udaras na Gaeltachta

Action sought on the activities of freezer trawlers operating off the Irish coast

The Celtic Sea Herring Management Advisory

Committee (CSHMAC) has called on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney to use his influence at EU level in seeking support for the establishment of a purpose-built legal framework to be put in place to control the activities of large-scale freezer trawlers operating in Irish waters.

‘The Irish fishing fleet operates under the most stringent fisheries control regime in the EU and under the leadership of the CSHMAC has spent over a decade committing to the

rebuilding and sustainable management of the Celtic Sea Herring stock, which received Marine Stewardship Council certification in 2012.

The Irish Celtic Sea herring fleet of over sixty small (10m-30m) vessels can take their 84% share of the EU Total Allowable Catch (TAC) in just three months, while up to twenty international large scale freezer trawlers, measuring up to 140m long, take an entire twelve months of fishing in Irish waters to catch their share of around 10% of the EU TAC.’ a statement reads.

unconstrained Fishing

According to their chairman Gavin Power, in one day alone in May, two such freezer

trawlers, including the former Atlantic Dawn (Annelies Ilna), were operating within 30 miles of the west Kerry coastline, in an important nursery and mixing areas for young fish, including herring.

“These large-scale freezer trawlers appear to be able to operate unconstrained, to catch and process vast quantities of pelagic fish and then transit out of Irish waters to foreign ports to land their catches without ever having to undergo a physical catch inspection,” he said.

He added that these vessels have the potential to “misreport catches” if functional control measures are not put in place. “They also have the ability to discard huge quantities of fish by high-grading their catches, selecting the highest value fish and discarding and dumping the rest in order to maximise profit from their available quota.”

“The current EU control regime is not fit for purpose in addressing the legal and environmental risks of such freezer trawler activities. The Committee now calls on Minister Coveney to address this issue immediately and help protect the future and sustainability of the Celtic Sea Herring resource, worth around €20m annually to the Irish fishing industry.”

Screenshot taken from www.marinetraffic.com on May 9, 2013, showing AIS positions of EU registered Freezer Trawler factory ships operating on herring grounds just outside the Irish 12nm baseline off the west Kerry coastline

Senators commended for introducing a fixed penalty notice bill

The board of the Irish south & west Fish producers organisation ltd

(Is&wFpo) has met with senator Denis o’Donovan and senator Brian o’Domhnall to discuss their recent Bill, The sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction (Fixed penalty notice) Bill 2013 which would allow minor fisheries-related offences to be dealt with by way of fines rather than criminal proceedings.

“The IS&WFPO have long campaigned against the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 and preceding legislation that rendered even a minor fisheries-related offence a criminal offence whereby an Irish fisherman

found guilty of such an offence in a Court of law would have a criminal conviction recorded against them and the attendant restrictions placed upon them as a result of same,” remarked Eibhlin O ‘Sullivan, CEO,

“In 2010 while in opposition, Fine Gael sponsored a Private Members Bill: The Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction (Fixed Penalty Notice) (Amendment) Bill 2009 to introduce an Irish system of administrative sanctions for minor sea fisheries offences. The purpose of the bill was to allow administrative sanctions to be applied for minor breaches of the original act.”

The Bill was defeated because at the time, Fine Gael did not command a majority of the votes in the Dáil, Ms O’Sullivan added.

“Again, as part of Fine Gael’s

2011 Election Manifesto, introduction of such a system of administrative sanctions was identified as a priority issue; however as of now, some 26 months after Fine Gael came into power, there has been no apparent progress on this matter.”

She said the ISWFO therefore welcomed the Bill put forward by Senators O’Donovan and O’Domhnall.

“We hope it will receive the requisite support from all members of the Dáil regardless of their political affiliation.

The criminalisation of fisheries-related offences has been a source of incredible stress and has acted as both a disincentive to those considering a career in the fishing industry and also the one of the primary motivators for leaving the fishing industry.”

Southwest FLAG appointees: Tomas Hayes, Kerry County Enterprise BoardDan Hourihane, Cork County CouncilMáire Ní Shé, Údaras na GaeltachtaJo O’Driscoll, Failte IrelandIan Dempsey, West Cork LeaderGer Canning, Cork VECJohn Walsh, Islands CommunityKevin Flannery, Environment CommunityFrank Fleming, Responsible Irish Fish Seamus O Grady, Fishing N KerryJoseph O Shea Fishing, South Kerry John Tattan Fishing East CorkFinian O’Sullivan, Bantry IFA Aquaculture SW region rep.Artie Clifford, Artisan food production & Chairman of Blas na hEireannSean Quinlan, Community Kerry C&V ForumVera O’Donovan, BIM FLAG Co-ordinatorHuan Tan, BIM


cFp reForm package

Day breaks on a new 10-year deal for Europe’s fishing community

Against the odds, EU Fisheries Ministers agreed a range of measures to form a new 10-year Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) that concluded on May 30 in Dublin. And while the details are still being mulled over by the 27 Member States, the overall package has been widely welcomed, even hailed as a major milestone on the road to a complete reform process, which began in July 2011. At the heart of this policy is the first genuine attempt to solve the problem of fish ‘discards’ - how to immediately reduce, and eventually eliminate them

altogether. It was clear that Europe-wide, the public was growing impatient at what was regarded as the obscene and willful waste of food. In this exclusive interview with Inshore Ireland, Marine Minister Simon Coveney explains some of the likely impacts of the CFP reform.

Gery Flynn & Gillian Mills

Five out oF six irish industry ‘priorities’ have been secured. What Will this mean For irish Fishermen?

This will be a very positive reform for the Irish fishing industry and for Irish fishermen because the main focus here is about maintaining and building fish stocks to ensure that we see an increase in the fish biomass which means bigger quotas for fishermen.

And for the first time we will have a viable way of dealing with the discarding of fish which fishermen themselves find more frustrating than anybody else. The idea that you would dump tens of thousands of tonnes of viable, edible, marketable fish over the side is something that nobody wants.

Discarding has been the greatest failure of the current and previous CFP; and so we are determined to try and end that practice and introduce the flexibilities for fishermen to allow them to do that in a practical way.

This is about grant-aiding fishermen to become more targeted in terms of how they catch fish, and the gear they use to catch those fish,

particularly in mixed fisheries, so that we can actually increase their quotas in terms of the amount of fish they can land.

In many mixed fisheries up to 50% of the catch is discarded. By being more targeted, it means more sustainable management of the fish stocks; it means avoiding juvenile fish; it means healthier fish stocks and it means higher quotas.

But it does mean a new type of management and a new type of fishing that fishermen will need to adapt to. That is why I will be setting up an Implementation Group which will be led by the industry so that we can work this out in a way that makes sense in practice for fishermen as well as doing the job in terms of discards.

the so-called hague preFerences has been ‘strengthened’ What does that mean?

The first thing is to understand how the Hague Preferences works. Ireland has not had the automatic right to the Hague Preferences; we have a right to invoke them each year.

That essentially means that Ireland gets preferential treatment and sees an increase in quota when stocks fall below a certain level because of the importance to our

inshore fishing fleet of those stocks.

In this reform we have looked for an opportunity to actually enshrine the Hague Preferences into the new policy so that we wouldn’t have to invoke them - we would get them automatically each year.

In order to do that a vote would have been necessary and a majority of countries would have had to support this automatic entitlement.

Considering that Ireland and the UK are the only countries that benefit from the Hague Preferences, there was absolutely no chance of winning such a vote. So we had to be clever politically in terms of how we handled this issue.

That is why I worked with MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher - and other MEPs - to find a solution that wouldn’t spark a political debate and argument where we would be voted down and risk losing them altogether.

Instead we changed the wording in the CFP policy whereby we now say we have to take full account of the Hague Preferences. We have strengthened the wording of the Hague Preferences and in doing so we have maintained and strengthened their status quo.

The outcome of the CFP reform for the Irish fishing

industry is a very positive one. We have won the debate on all of the key issues that we outlined at the start of this process as a priority, and we have also agreed a broader policy that is about sustainability, about building fish stocks in the future and ensuring we will still have a strong a growing fishing industry in five or ten years’ time.

the reForm puts technical conservation measures (tcms) centre-stage in relation to stock sustainability. hoW Will member states be Forced to apply tcms especially Where small Fish is the preFerred diet and has ‘local market’ demand but Would be ‘undersized’ in other member states?

The answer to that for me is very clear, and I have discussed it with the Commissioner. The way to deal with market demand in the Mediterranean for small undersize juvenile fish is to simply ban their sale and to make it illegal to sell undersize fish.

We need to do that because it makes no sense in terms of stocks management to be catching undersized fish when they could be caught a year later and would be larger, adult fish.

Whether it’s in the Celtic Sea; off the West of Ireland or in the Mediterranean we need to avoid catching juvenile fish.

This is why technical conservation methods are so important whereby we will be looking at mesh size; net shape; escape hatches; square-mesh panels; we will be looking at the Swedish Grid in the case of prawn fisheries in the Irish Sea to allow cod to escape and we will be looking at other technologies that allow us to be more targeted in terms of the fish that we catch. This will ensure we are catching the fish we want to catch, that we have a quota to catch, and have sufficient stock levels to allow us catch them sustainably.

We will provide the finance to grant-aid fishermen to change their gear, and we will also provide the knowledge and information to help them do it.

This is a partnership between the industry and scientists in the Marine Institute, BIM and my department. We will manage quotas as a national asset that will be allocated to fishermen and together we need to meet the targets of this new reform which is to end discarding to end over fishing and allow the fishing industry to be more profitable and more sustainable.

The Port of Vigo is the biggest fishing port in the world. Hundreds vessels operate annually from 30 quays, landing over 600,000 tonnes of frozen fish and close to 90,000 tonnes of fresh fish. Photo G Mills


cFp reForm package

there is concern that in irish Waters Where multi-species Fisheries exist, Fishermen Will be Forced to land Fish they are not targeting. given they could be over quota and penalised, Will discarding thereFore not continue?

That’s a really important question. One of the reasons it’s been so difficult to agree on a discards ban and how that would be implemented in practice is for that very reason.

In a mixed fishery for example in the Celtic Sea where fishermen are catching cod, haddock and whiting in the same net you can deal with the juveniles issue by simply increasing mesh size. But if you’re catching adult fish of similar size in the same net and you have quota to catch cod and haddock but you don’t have quota to catch whiting then you have to find a way of giving fishermen the flexibility to be able to deal with that scenario.

We have introduced those flexibilities. For example, you have what’s called ‘inter-species flexibility’: If you catch haddock but don’t have a quota and you also catch whiting and cod for which you have quota, for those species you can use up to 10% of the quota of your target species to cover the species that you have caught out of quota. You can also use up to 9% of next year’s quota to do the same.

In other words, you can actually land fish that you don’t have a quota to catch, but it will cost you in terms of using the quota of the target species that you do have, or using next year’s quota.

The only circumstances

where you can discard is when you have shown you cannot be more targeted in terms of the fish that you catch, and that you have used up the available flexibilities in terms of inter-species and inter-annual flexibilities and still you’ve caught fish that you can’t deal with.

In that case the fleet can discard what’s called a de minimis level of 5% of the overall catch. But again, you will have to use the other flexibilities and management tools before you invoke that de minimis provision.

The combination of all those management tools will allow the industry to move quite quickly towards the ending of discarding or at least keeping discarding in the low single figures.

The average discard level across Europe is currently about 23%, and the average rate in the demersal fleet in Irish waters - not just Irish boats, but also Spanish and French and British boats - is probably between 40 and 50%.

You’re talking about massive reductions in discards which is very positive for the stock, and is positive for fishermen because it will result in quota increases.

regarding protection oF spaWning grounds and juvenile stocks: What additional monitoring Will be required, and implemented to ensure protection oF sensitive Fishing grounds Which heretoFore have not been successFul?

That’s not exactly strictly true. The Irish industry has set aside areas in which fishermen

have agreed not to fish at certain times of year, and in some cases, all-year-round, to protect what they would regard as very important spawning and breeding grounds and where there are very high densities of juvenile populations.

This has been very successful in the Celtic Sea in relation to the herring population, for example. So we have shown a capacity to be able to do this on a voluntary basis and what we now have in the reform is an opportunity, through regionalised decision-making, to do this in the long-term through a fisheries fund.

Biologically-sensitive areas like the Irish Box where overall fishing effort is restricted to protect stocks - particularly fishing effort in relation to Spanish boats. This is maintained, enhanced and protected in this new reform.

Then, there is an option for countries to look at setting

aside smaller sensitive areas - or a number of those areas ; however they’ll have to agree to a regionalised decision - making process with other countries that are also in those fishing grounds outside the twelve-mile zone.

Of course we can make decisions within our own twelve-mile zone as an Irish fleet if we want to protect spawning grounds or grounds where there are very high levels of juvenile fish.

Will Fishing boats operating outside eu Waters be governed by the neW policy ?

Yes they will, because we have an international legal obligation to ensure that European fishing fleets fish in a responsible way. Having said that, we need to do everything we can to ensure that if European boats are fishing outside of European waters and competing with

other States that we have agreements with those Third Countries to ensure everybody fishes in a sustainable and responsible way and that we don’t put our fishing fleets at a significant disadvantage.

We are going to do everything we can to do that. We can’t simply ignore the rules of responsible fishing when our fishing boats leave European Union waters.

This will be the case - whether it’s with fisheries agreements with North African states or further afield we will endeavour not to commercially disadvantage our own fleets by trying to come up with a management plan with those Third Countries to ensure all boats in those areas are fishing to a sustainable fishing plan.

Note: this is an edited version of the interview. The full interview will appear in due course on our web site

Minister Simon Coveney Photo: D Ruffles

The practice of ‘slipping’ at sea. This net is never taken from the water – it is simply opened to release the fish, the majority of which are already dead. These fish are not accounted for and the extent of the damage is not known.


seaFood desk

Irish seafood looks to one billion Euro opportunityBridgette BrewBusiness Mentor

This was the message delivered by Simon Coveney,

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine to delegates attending a seafood summit early this year organised by BIM. And he added that seafood sales have the potential to create 3,000 new jobs.

So, can the SMEs in the seafood industry both contribute to this growth and benefit from its potential?

Irish Food Harvest 2020 is a long-term strategy for the Irish agri-food, forestry and fisheries sectors – a road map to build capacity and adapt to the challenge of growth. To quote the minister again:

“The ambition is that by 2020, Ireland will have become a global player in the seafood industry following expansion into new markets and engagement in a range of new value adding activities.”

What does this mean to the small to medium seafood processor, co-op and fishermen; how can they be part of this growth?

This new column will endeavour to illustrate how SMEs can ‘add-value’ to their output/production. This will be a step-by-step approach

to taking business to the next level as the tide rises with Horizon 2020, effectively equipping SMEs with the required business skills.

Each edition will focus on common business challenges; this issue’s topic is to make sense of ‘adding value’ to seafood processing business.

adding valueThis concept can be brought

about at any point along the value chain, which is the chain of activity that brings a product from conception to market.

The value chain is the combination of ‘activities’ or ‘resources’ that the seafood processor uses to get their product from raw material to the customer. ‘Adding value’ occurs when something changes at any point along this process which either reduces costs or increases profits.

For example: A seafood processor is currently supplying diced raw fish to restaurant chefs. ‘Adding value’ occurs to the same value chain of activities if the producer can add a range of packaged and branded diced raw seafood in smaller portion sizes for the consumer to cook at home. The consumer is willing to pay for this convenience and the producer gets a higher return from the same raw ingredients.

Further ‘added value’

(higher return on basic ingredients) comes when the ‘chilled ready meals’ are pre-cooked, packaged, branded and sold in multiple retail outlets. It can be as small as changing to recyclable packaging - a value the consumer is willing to pay a higher price for, or as big as changing from being a generic volume producer to being a niche, branded producer.

a word oF caution! Any changes should be

based on market research, consumer consumption trends, life-stage choices and environmental considerations. It’s a waste of time making changes without these being based on market knowledge.

The value chain is usually presented in four stages: » Product development (new

product development (NPD) » Research & development

(R&D) production - the actual processes involved in manufacturing the seafood product

» Marketing - including pricing, distribution, branding, packaging, and

» Sales/service - logistics, customer service, merchandising, terms of sale, payment

Basic sources of competitive advantage are found in how a business combines its resources with capabilities (later competences) i.e. what

the firm is really good at. Value chain activities become core competences when a firm is regarded as being better than its competitors.

Companies will not survive in the market place if they cannot identify their core competences and understand their competitive advantage.

Both of these differentiate them from their competitor which in turn becomes the reason why the customer will buy their product!

This defines your product position versus your competitors and is the foundation of a communication and branding strategy.

Speakers at the BIM organised ‘Seafood Summit’ included: Christophe Pelletier, Food Futurist; Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Jason Whooley, Chief Executive, BIM and Gorjan Nikolik, Food and Agribusiness Researcher with Rabobank

A century with seaweedSarah O’Sullivan,MSc Marine Biology, BSc Environmental Science (Zoology)

Seaweeds, or marine macroalgae, have lived on our planet

for billions of years and the most fas

cinating fact is that fossil algae from 3.1 to 3.4 million years has retained the exact same structural make-up to remain the same as those species living in the ocean today.

The importance of algae within the marine environment lies in functioning as primary producers of organic matter and remains at the base of the food chain. Whilst they remain important food for marine organisms, they also provide refuge from predators and a nursery ground for young fish. From the harshest environments of the Arctic to the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, of the 10,000+ species of seaweeds in our oceans today, seaweeds have evolved to inhabit and adapt to all types of environments.

FUNCtioNal FooDSSeaweeds absorb the

environment they grow in so if we concentrate on the Atlantic Ocean with its nutrient-rich currents, temperate latitude and stable salinity levels, we can without doubt say the Atlantic holds some of the most nutrient dense species of seaweed out there.

They contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, trace nutrients along with numerous properties unique to seaweed, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and also components that activate the cellular immune system. These properties have become a hot topic in research with a growing demand in the ‘functional food/ingredients’ market, estimated at €242m globally.

If we focus on Ireland, we have a coastline spanning 3,171 km (Ordnance Survey of Ireland). The west coast is washed by the Atlantic Ocean with its diverse environments and habitats as well as oceanic conditions such as temperature, currents, salinity and nutrient dense waters to provide rich grounds for all types of

marine life to flourish. An estimated 500

species of seaweed inhabit these waters and the Irish seaweed industry is worth approximately €18m per annum, processing 36,000 tonnes of seaweed entirely from wild resources.

MEDiEval SEawEED FaRM

Seaweed harvesting has taken place for centuries; it is not so long ago that a discovery was made in Co Galway of a late medieval seaweed farm. Its structure suggests that Ireland was as well as developed then as countries such as Japan and China are now in seaweed cultivation.

So why have we not continued this trend, to meet the worldwide demand for the functional ingredients by creating more seaweed farms around our coastline?

Only a handful of seaweed licences exist in Ireland. This slow growth has been possibly due to a lack of innovation and/or access to knowledge and funding specifically designed for that industry. But today, interest in seaweed is rapidly

changing with every three out of five calls to BIM’s Seafood Development Agency about incorporating seaweed into products. Over 500 licences are currently waiting for approval.

This is where we need to be careful; we must not over-exploit our coastline with a sudden greed to harvest as much as possible or have seaweed farms at every bay. Otherwise the sector could end up going down the route of the fishing industry with overfishing, exploitation and eventual depletion of stock.

Key knowledge, regulation and on-going monitoring of the environment will need

to be maintained to avoid detrimental effects on other species of marine organisms that use seaweed - not only as a food source but also as a microhabitat and/or nursery ground.

Ireland can become a key player within the European seaweed industry if we combine knowledge from all areas such as cultivating, seaweed farming, harvesting, processing techniques such as drying methods and keeping innovation key to our game.

The opportunity is now there for Ireland to become a world leader in producing high quality seaweeds.

Questions that all businesses should answer: » I produce a great product why do I need market research? » Who is my customer; what are demographics? » How do I define my product? » How do I find out what segment I should be selling into?

Next article will be making sense of Market ResearchEmail questions to: Bridgette Brew [email protected]

Seaweed being cultured on long lines. Photos courtesy of Ocean Harvest Technology


aquaculture news

Seaweed carotenoids: diverse nutrients from the ocean

Laura KealyResearch Analyst, Ocean Harvest Technology

Carotenoids are organic pigments often present at significant levels

in brown seaweed and other photosynthetic organisms. As powerful antioxidants, carotenoids prevent cancer, heart disease and enhance immune response to infections.

Present in all algae, higher plants and photosynthetic bacteria, carotenoids are produced from fats and other basic organic metabolic building blocks by these organisms. And although humans are incapable of synthesising carotenoids, recent research suggests that a carotenoid-rich diet can result in improved health, reduced mortality rates and a lower instance of certain chronic diseases.

sEAWEED souRCEIn the marine environment

carotenoids are widely present in seaweed, the most notable being astaxanthin, -carotene and fucoxanthin - all of which have been reported to be effective antioxidants.

Algal carotenoids have been associated with the prevention of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases as well as certain types of cancer. As antioxidants, they protect the body from oxidative stress, a physiological state which is putatively involved in the development of cancer, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease - to name but a few.

ANTIoxIDANT ACTIvITyFucoxanthin has recently

received considerable attention due to its wide array of beneficial effects on human health. This compound has an unusual allenic bond, which is

responsible for its high antioxidant activity. It is also one of the most abundant carotenoids in nature, and contributes to more than 10% of total carotenoid production.

For this reason, fucoxanthin has been isolated from several brown seaweeds in many recent studies in order to investigate its bioactive potential.

Many of the edible brown seaweeds abundant on Ireland’s shores contain significant amounts of fucoxanthin. These include Fucus serratus (serrated wrack), Ascophyllum nodosum (bladder wrack), Laminara digitata (kelp) and Saccharina latissima (sugar kelp).

ANTI-oBEsITy PoTENTIALThe human obesity

epidemic - now at a global scale - is linked with insulin resistance and an increased risk of certain chronic diseases. Indeed, there is a strong association between obesity, diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance and cardiovascular disease.

While lifestyle changes - including improved diet and increased physical inactivity - can indeed help prevent obesity, much attention is being given to the anti-obesity potential of fucoxanthin.

For example, a study in mice found that fucoxanthin induces the expression of a specific protein called UCP1 in abdominal white adipose tissue (WAT) which in turn leads to oxidation of fatty acids and increased heat production.

The authors also reported that fucoxanthin has the potential to reduce white adipose tissue, blood glucose and plasma insulin, resulting in a 5-10% weight loss.

Further research also suggests that the anti-diabetic activity of fucoxanthin could be due to the fact that it seems to promote the production of

Docosahexaenoic acid - a fatty acid known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and protect against Alzheimer’s disease, depression and rheumatoid arthritis.

The chemo-preventive and anti-cancer activity of fucoxanthin is being investigated too, with promising results already for leukaemia, prostate, bladder and colon cancer.

Additional studies have reported that this carotenoid can even significantly decrease the damage caused by exposure to UV radiation from sunlight.

In summary, growing evidence from numerous scientific studies suggests that fucoxanthin is a multi-functional, bioactive nutrient with wide-ranging beneficial health-promoting properties, as well as protecting against a number of life-threatening diseases and, notably, combatting obesity.

And with more than thirty per-cent of the population considered to be obese and five per cent suffering from type II diabetes, this is critically important.

There is no doubt therefore that integrating seaweed - a 100% natural ingredient - into the Irish diet will contribute to improved overall health and well-being.

Dr Stefan Kraan, Scientific Director, OHT


aquaculture news

Sustainably managing and harvesting Ireland’s ocean wealthiFa’s aquaculture

section has welcomed the publication by EU

Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki of a new strategy to cut red tape and boost fish and shellfish farming ‘which will create thousands of jobs and reduce Europe’s huge dependence on seafood imports’.

By identifying the key strategic link between providing home-grown quality seafood and direct employment benefits, “the Commissioner has shown that common-sense and direct action is the way to break the long-standing log jam in farmed seafood production,” remarked IFA aquaculture

executive, Richie Flynn. He added that by forcing

each member state government to follow-up the EU policy “with a progressive and realistic national plan”, the Commission proposals showed a “clear path to the Irish government to reduce red tape, simplify procedures and produce high-end quality exports”.

liCENSiNG lEaGUE tablEThe Commission document

includes a ‘league table’ of the length of time it takes to get a licence to farm in the EU.

“The Irish Government should be ashamed of the fact that the space available on an A4 page was insufficient

to illustrate the 7-8 years it currently takes to get a decision here. Ireland’s licensing system has become a black hole down which 600 applications have disappeared, creating enormous frustration and anger around the coast,” he added.

This communication from “is a wake-up call to our administration who are asleep at the wheel when it comes to one of our most obvious sectoral opportunities for jobs and exports,” Flynn declared.

“By proposing an EU-wide monitoring system to keep member states on their toes when it comes to licencing, the Commission has provided a hugely useful alternative to the ‘do-nothing’ default

position of successive Irish governments. Clear targets and oversight of our licencing system will at the very least embarrass the national authorities into action to produce licences and increase production around the coast in the face of more efficient and productive systems at work in competitor countries.”

MoNitoRiNG aCtioNSAlso proposed are particular

monitored actions in the areas of marine spatial planning; enhancing competitiveness of the industry through R&D and an emphasis on turning strict environmental and health regulations to the

competitive advantage of EU producers.

“It is obvious that at Brussels level, aquaculture is rightly regarded as central to European food and marine policy.Irish regulators and politicians need now to apply the same determined approach to make the most of our ocean wealth, by tearing down the barriers to development.”

Flynn stressed that an export-driven economy “in dire need of jobs, especially in peripheral areas” that support aquaculture development “is a priority for any government with a serious commitment to sustainable economic development.”

1. Article by Arthur SeveStre, Skye’S Group AGAinSt unSuStAinAble FiSh FArminG2. letter From Alec o’DonovAn, SAve bAntry bAy

Inshore Ireland regrets that an article by Arthur Sevestre referring to the work of Dr David Jackson and his team at the Marine Institute included the words “a classic example of how you can use correct statistics to lie”( Inshore Ireland 9.2 2013 pg 14). We accept that the use of word lie in this instance is particularly offensive and damaging. We wish to clarify also that reference by Alec O’Donovan in his letter to a report (Inshore Ireland 9.1 2013) does not, as he suggests, “misrepresent what the research data actually indicates”. We are entirely satisfied that the research carried out by Dr Jackson and his team at the Marine Institute on the impact of sea lice on the survival of migrating salmon, which has been published in a series of peer-reviewed articles in leading scientific journals, accurately reports the results of a series of long term studies as reported (Inshore Ireland 9.2 2013) and shows that sea lice infestation plays a relatively minor role – accounting for only 1% of overall marine mortality in the stocks studied. Gery Flynn, Features editor.

Mussel farming in Killary fjord. Photo G Mills

Cla

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iCa

tio

ns

Helping to steer companies through project funding lifecycles

Adrian O’LooneyAquaTT

The research landscape has been subject to severe change in recent

years. Exchequer funding has been constrained with a resulting increase in competition for funding. at a European level, with the Fp7 funding programme’s final call having closed, all eyes are on the forthcoming Horizon 2020 framework programme for research and innovation.

For those looking to secure funding for their research, this is a tense and uncertain period. Transitioning between funding instruments is always tricky to navigate. At AquaTT, we have experience of moving from FP6 to FP7, and we are currently preparing for the much anticipated launch of Horizon 2020.

MEasuraBlE IMpacTAquaTT is determined in its

mission to ensure that publicly-funded research results in measurable positive impact for society. We were one of the most successful Irish SMEs in FP7, and we are focused on continuing our mission through designing and partnering with research consortia in Horizon 2020.

Through our Mentoring, Training and Advisory Services, we are collaborating with partners to enable them to access research funding. In our 21-year history, we have been involved in more than 100 European projects and are currently partners in 19 ongoing projects. AquaTT’s mentoring, training and advisory services are underpinned by our extensive experience of being active partners in projects.

We provide assistance at various stages in the project funding lifecycle. We begin by identifying possible revenue streams to support our partners’ research. This service also examines the institutional elements critical to accessing funding.

Our mentoring service, which develops researchers’ funding procurement capacities, has proven to be very popular and effective in Ireland and across Europe. AquaTT recently provided dedicated mentoring services to researchers from the University of Nordland, Norway. We also provide training services and have delivered facilitated workshops throughout Europe.

BEspokE proJEcT ManagEMEnT

In addition to identifying and exploring research funding options, we undertake bespoke project management training to provide support to researchers involved in the administration and management of research projects. Recent initiatives include developing a tailored project management programme for project managers from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Roscoff, France.

Our mentoring, training and advisory services can assist organisations that are aiming to access research funding, have accessed funding but require training on how to manage a research project, or simply want to improve current processes and procedures through further assistance.

To discuss how AquaTT can help position your organisation to positively engage with Horizon 2020 or to learn more about our mentoring, training and advisory services, please contact Adrian at [email protected] ph: +353 1 6449008


aquaculture news

Adrian O’Looney speaking at a recent AquaTT training workshop

AquaTT’s Mentoring, Training and Advisory Services are designed to support others in their efforts to mobilise knowledge, drive innovation and ensure measurable value creation.

whaT wE oFFErIn addition to our core partnership role in EC-funded projects, and

drawing on over 20 years of experience in designing, successfully applying for and implementing EC projects under a range of programmes, our team uses its experiences to develop extended service offerings to universities, research institutions and organisations.MEnTorIng

Our Mentoring Services are targeted at research groups that want to improve their success rate in funding procurement. The service is customised to participants’ individual needs and involves measured, one-to-one support. This service provides clear direction and instruction that is designed to increase participants’ abilities to secure funding for their research areas.TraInIng

AquaTT’s Training Services provide customised courses to develop researchers’ generic skills. Similar to the mentoring process, our training service is based on a training needs analysis as well as pre-training surveys that identify gaps in participants’ knowledge and competences. The training provision is then customised, typically combining several training modules that meet the needs of the participants. Training modules are currently available in the following areas:• Communications and

Teamwork• Networking Skills• Introduction to Project

Management• Project Design• Project Management:

Scheduling and Planning• Project Budgeting• Proposal Writing• Managing Business

Relationships• Risk Assessment and

ManagementAll our modules are participative and adopt a blended learning

approach using lectures, case studies and practical exercises.aDvIsory sErvIcEs

Our Advisory Services assist public and private sector organisations to develop communications, funding procurement and organisational strategies. As part of this service, we conduct strategic reviews to provide our clients with clear roadmaps and recommendations for achieving their goals.


marine r&d

Dedicated research and innovation hub opens at maritime centre of excellence Gery Flynn

The launch of the Halpin Centre for Research and Innovation at the

National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) has been welcomed as an exciting development that will further enhance the NMCI’s growing international reputation as a centre of maritime excellence.

“This completes the internal development of the NMCI,” Cormac Gebruers, Deputy Director of the Irish Maritime and Energy Resource Cluster (IMERC) and manager of the Halpin told Inshore Ireland.

“I see the Halpin Centre for Research and Innovation as a key pillar of the rapidly developing IMERC Campus at Ringaskiddy that will greatly facilitate and enhance the research inputs of both Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and the Irish Naval Service in overall research effort in maritime and sustainable energy,” he added.

BRIsK BusINEssAccording to Gebruers,

with significant European research funding in place and already involved in ten EU-funded research projects the centre has ‘hit the ground running’ with its programme.

The Halpin is already working with Irish start-ups, small and medium enterprises and Irish-based companies to develop innovative products and services. In addition, there are on-going partnerships with Sea-Tech Evolution; SkyTek Ireland; Murray

& Associates and our Enterprise Ireland supported work with G-Energy and MarACC.

“The Halpin Centre will host 4 PhDs – three of whom will be financially supported by Intel, Automsoft and MYMIC Global under the Science Foundation, Marine Renewable Energy for Ireland project led by UCC,” he said.

But that is only part of the story. According to Gebruers, the Halpin Centre will also work closely with partners in Framework 7, Interreg, Leonardo and other EU-funded research activities, currently involved in 10 such projects having already completed a further three.

“At this early stage we have also been able to take the big step into project coordination, made possible by the support of our colleagues in the Nimbus Centre at CIT who are helping us to run the Small Arctic Craft Safety project.”

Gebruers admits to being “absolutely delighted” that LEANWIND, a Framework 7 proposal concerned with the efficient delivery of large-scale offshore wind farms, is going ahead.

“This work is in collaboration with our IMERC partners at Beaufort Research in UCC. We’re working towards participating in European Space Agency projects and we’re also preparing to engage with both European and international partners under the successor programme to Framework 7 and Horizon 2020,” he revealed.

GLoBAL APPEALLooking further afield,

Gebruers maintains that with the global nature of the maritime sector, his team is already engaged with partners outside Europe.

“Our recent RISAM PhD scholarship application is a good example, and if successful, it will involve joint supervision between NMCI and CIT and the School of Human Kinetics in the Memorial University at the Marine Institute, St. Johns, Newfoundland.

“I have ambitious plans for Halpin Centre engagement in research and innovation partnerships all over the world. All our achievements to date are the result of partnerships, with individuals and groups here in NMCI, in the Naval Service, in CIT, in industry, in UCC and so on.”

Describing the Halpin Centre and IMERC as “inspiring examples of what partnership can achieve”, Gebruers added that “real partnerships are incredibly valuable because they provide far greater returns than the investment put in.

Nevertheless, Gebruers is determined to take nothing for granted, saying that he and his staff won’t be sitting on their laurels waiting for project work to “just drop in.

“I often quote Commodore Mark Mellett on this saying that partnerships prosper and grow only with a lot of hard work and they require constant care and attention.

“We intend building partnerships and sustaining them - that will be the foundation upon which the Halpin Centre is built,” he said.

The Halpin Centre for Research and Innovation is named for Captain Robert Charles Halpin of Wicklow (1836-1894). Robert Halpin is recognised as one of the most important mariners of the 19th Century for his work in successfully overcoming seemingly insurmountable technical, and seafaring challenges, to lay submarine telegraph cables to connect the continents thereby ushering in the communications age.

(L-R): Mr Cormac Gebruers (Manager, Halpin Centre), Dr Brendan Murphy (President, CIT), Minister of State Sean Sherlock, Commodore Mark Mellett (Flag Officer commanding the Naval Service), Mr Michael Delaney (VP Development CIT, Acting Head NMCI), Dr Val Cummins (IMERC Director) and Commander Dave Barry (Associate Head of College, NMCI)

Search and rescue demonstration at the National Maritime College of Ireland Cormac Mc GarryHalpin Centre for Research & Innovation, NMCI

Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Chemical Trans, Chemical Trans, Chemical Trans. Mayday Chemical Trans. Position 49 degrees 08.5 minutes North, 006 degrees 15.3 minutes

West. We have been in collision with another vessel, a container ship. We have 16 persons on board. Request assistance. Over’

This distress call was answered by a simulated French Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), which responded with the deployment of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from Brest to act as a communication and eye- in-the-sky for a lifeboat simultaneously sent to the scene.

DARIUS is an EU FP7 €10.7million funded consortium of European partners, whose aim is to deliver a technical system capable of integrating unmanned systems in the overall command and control cycle of both sea and land-going search and rescue operations

The other scenario simulated at the NMCI was an inshore incident during which a small motor boat went aground close to the Cork Harbour entrance. Following the emergency call to MRCC Valentia, responsibility for the operation was transferred to the Irish Naval vessel L.E. Niamh, assuming command of a UAV and USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicle) which arrived on the scene ahead of the command vessel. Delivering vital intelligence to the commander on board L.E. Niamh whose decision making process regarding the operation was visibly increased with the assistance of the unmanned systems.

In both scenarios there were pivot points at which command over the unmanned systems was transferred. In the offshore scenario, a UK vessel, HMS Harpoon, assumed command of the rescue operation from the French while in Cork Harbour the Irish Naval Service took over from the Coast Guard.

The GGS allows for the smooth transfer of tactical control over critical search and rescue assets. For instance, in the offshore simulation, the damaged vessels drifted into UK waters making it easier, faster and more efficient to have a UK commander in control of the operation. Having GGS capability allowed HMS Harpoon to assume effective control of multiple search and rescue assets from other jurisdictions, including an UAV .

Furthermore, the offshore incident demonstrated the utility of unmanned vehicles in CBNR (Chemical, Biological, Nuclear, Radiological) incidents. The stricken ships were shown to be leaking toxic gas. The unmanned vehicles, equipped with multiple sensors, relayed information to the GGS concerning the quantity and drift of the substances so as to allow the recovery operation work around the danger, securing casualties and preventing a more serious incident by making it safer for first responders.

The scenarios enacted at the NMCI simulators were a dry-run for a full-scale exercise, using real vessels, set to take place in December in France. NMCI contains one of the world’s most advanced simulator suites allowing operations like this to take place without endangering the people and equipment involved.

Maritime incidents however are only one aspect of the DARIUS focus. The consortium will later be testing its systems, including the GGS, in a forest fire and an earthquake scenario.

The DARIUS project is one many research initiatives underway in the recently launched Halpin Centre for Research & Innovation at NMCI. Other Irish partners in this project are the Marine Robotics Research Centre at University Limerick and the SkyTec Ireland company, while European partners include major companies like BAE Systems and Cassidian.

For more information on the DARIUS project, see the Halpin Centre’s new website at http://halpin.nmci.ie/darius/


marine r&d

INFOMAR reports successful start of the survey seasonF. Sacchetti, T. FureyMarine Institute

Since the beginning of April, the INFOMAR team has been extremely busy with

survey activities and data acquisition.

Survey operations, carried out onboard the R.V Celtic Voyager commenced off the Cork coast between Ballycotton and Youghal, shoreward of the coverage attained in previous years.

The area forms part of the INFOMAR South Priority Area (SPA), stretching from Mizen Head in the southwest

to Carnsore Point in the northeast. Survey operations alternated between the inshore area and an offshore block south of Waterford (Figure 1). The priority Bays of Youghal and Dungarvan were partially surveyed with dramatic seabed morphology imaged (Figure 2).

An area east of Wexford and west of the Blackwater Bank was also mapped during a period of strong westerly winds. This displayed a seabed largely created by sediment waves. Survey operations moved west during the final week of survey to an area that included the Old Head of Kinsale and Courtmacsherry Bay (Figure 3).

A total of 19 wrecks, some of which were previously

uncharted, were mapped during this survey. Figure 3 (lower left corner) shows an image of a wreck off the Waterford coast

Additionally, a total of 111 sediment samples were collected using a Shipek grab. The acoustic backscatter derived from the multibeam echosounder can provide indirect information about the sediment type; however only sediment sampling and grain-size analysis can provide direct observations.

The correlation between the mean grain size and the acoustic backscatter classification will ultimately be transformed into maps of seafloor sediment properties.

INFOMAR completes its work on INISHydro ProjectArchie DonovanINFOMAR joint project manager

INIsHydro is a 3-year (2011-2013) INTERREG IvA Programme with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in the uK as lead partners. The project brings together seven partners to conduct hydrographic

surveys in Ireland, Northern Ireland and scotland. They are: MCA; Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI); Marine

Institute (MI); the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI); the Scottish Association of Marine Science (SAMS), the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) and the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHOINISHydro partner organisations

Surveys undertaken in Dundalk Bay; Carlingford Lough; Dundrum Bay; the Firth of Lorn and South West of Islay were carried out by several different vessels, drawing on expertise from the various partners. The bathymetric data will deliver 3D baseline maps using multibeam echosounder technology which will be freely distributed. The project also plans to harmonise hydrographic survey specifications and synchronisation for future surveys.

These surveys comply with the partners’ obligations under the Safety of Life at Sea conventions and will be augmented with auxiliary scientific data collected in conjunction with the bathymetric data.

Details of the project can be found on the website at http://www.inis-hydro.eu/

The INISHydro project is essential as the current nautical charts for these areas were produced largely in the 19th century and while an enormous achievement for the surveyors of their day, they are not as reliable as their terrestrial counterparts and warrant updating.

The territories to be mapped in the INISHydro project encompass important navigation channels, areas of environmental interest and potential sites for marine renewable energy. INISHydro also involves a very significant level of cooperation, bringing together so many partner organisations.

GSI’s INISHydro mapping in 2013 commenced on May 22, with the arrival of Cosantoir Bradan and RV Geo in Port Oriel, Co Louth. The vessels worked in partnership, with Cosantoir focusing on the deeper approaches to Dundalk Harbour and Geo carrying out survey operations around the shallow portion of Dundalk Bay.

RV Keary complimented this survey endeavour with sampling and sparker data gathering of the area. The survey completed June 9th 2013.

1. Extent of multibeam coverage achieved during the survey

INFOMAR 2013 bathymetric coverage of Dundalk Bay carried out under the INISHydro Project as of June 9th 2013

value-added programme INFOMAR supported a significant EC event hosted by Marine Institute in Galway on in May

entitled Atlantic - A Shared Resource, as part of Ireland’s presidency. It was attended by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny; Minister Simon Coveney, and EU Commissioners Maria Damanaki and Maire Geogeghan-Quinn, as well as senior officials and leading ocean scientists from Canada, USA, and Europe.

The outcome was the signing of the Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation, and recognition of Ireland’s leading role in seabed mapping, which is critical to underpin oceanographic and ecosystem modelling, infrastructural development, and sustainable resource management.

The value of seabed mapping has been acknowledged to the extent that scientific experts across Europe, Canada and the USA have identified mapping the North Atlantic as a crucial target by2020.

biodiversity, technology & outreach At a more local level, numerous meetings and discussions are ongoing with stakeholders, academia and researchers to extend the reach and use of INFOMAR’s valuable data, infrastructure and knowledge holding.

Canadian-Irish research opportunities are currently being investigated in the area of technology application and development for seaweed resource assessment. Collaborative opportunities in developing outreach and education products are ongoing, and INFOMAR data product development is being investigated to derive user focussed outputs.

clare coast survey coverage extension During the first week of June, an additional area west of Co Clare was surveyed extending the overall 2013 coverage to 800 km2. Due to an abundant wave climate resource, favourable seabed morphology and proximal port facilities, this area has been identified by Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) as a suitable region for future deployment of wave energy converters.

2. Seabed geomorphology offshore Youghal 3. Multibeam image of Courtmacsherry Bay and Offshore Kinsale. On lower left corner, multibeam image of a wreck off the Waterford coast

InFoMar, the national marine mapping programme run jointly by the geological Survey of Ireland and the Marine Institute provides extensive seabed mapping of the Irish underwater territory and focus on the creation and delivery of a range of integrated mapping products in support of the Irish economy, academic research and industry development.

1

32


marine institute

Trilateral launch of Atlantic Ocean research alliance in Galway

Lisa Fitzpatrick The EU, United States and Canada joined forces at

the Marine Institute, Galway, on May 24 to sign the historic Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation at a two-day conference: The Atlantic – A Shared Resource.

The objectives are to better understand the Atlantic Ocean and to promote sustainable management of its resources. The agreement also aims to connect the ocean observation efforts of the three partners.

The work will study the interplay of the Atlantic Ocean with the Arctic Ocean, particularly in relation to climate change. EU Member States alone invest nearly €2bn on marine and maritime research annually.

“The enormous economic potential of the Atlantic remains largely untapped. We probably know more about the surface of the Moon and Mars than we do about the deep sea floor. This alliance can make a big contribution to meeting challenges such as climate change and food security” remarked European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.

underpinning a marine strategy

European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki, said the agreement fully supported the Maritime Strategy for the Atlantic.

“While the initiative is of particular interest for the EU’s five Atlantic states, it is open to researchers from all over Europe and beyond. The knowledge gained will be of benefit to all.”

The agreement recognises that Atlantic research will be in many areas more effective if coordinated on a transatlantic basis. Areas for potential collaboration under

the agreement include: an Atlantic Ocean observation and forecasting system; mapping critical areas of the Atlantic seafloor; identifying and recommending future research and ocean literacy and awareness initiatives.

political awareness“This event marks a new

political and policy awareness of the ocean’s potential to create sustainable jobs and growth. Such awareness also provides broader societal benefits of understanding major environmental changes and associated risks. It was a major priority of the Irish Presidency to support the achievement of an Atlantic Ocean research alliance and I welcome [its] signing,” remarked An Taoiseach Enda Kenny

“Delivery of a Maritime Strategy for the Atlantic was also a priority of Ireland and I congratulate all those involved in the launch of the Action Plan to revitalise the marine and maritime economy in the Atlantic Ocean Area,” he added.

The Atlantic Action Plan aims to show how EU Atlantic Member States, their regions and the Commission, can help create sustainable growth in coastal regions and drive forward the ‘blue economy’, which has the potential to provide 7 million jobs in Europe by 2020.

Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said Ireland has a significant role to play in implementing the plan and will also derive many benefits from it.

“The Government’s ‘Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland – Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth’ is rooted in the role the oceans can play in our economic recovery with a goal of significantly increasing the turnover of Ireland’s ‘blue economy’ to over €6.4bn by 2020 and doubling the GDP contribution by 2030 (to 2.4%).”

Details about the event, including the report from the scientific workshop and the Galway Statement are available on www.marine.ie/AtlanticASharedResource

Simon Coveney T.D., Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Senator David M. Wells, Parliament of Canada; Maria Damanaki, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries; Enda Kenny, T.D., Taoiseach; Máire Geoghengan-Quinn, Commissioner for Research Innovation and Science; Dr Kerri-Anne Jones, US Department of State; Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO, Marine Institute; Standing: Political representatives from Canada, United States and Europe: Robert Jan Smits, Mark Ferguson, Tom Barrett, Helen Joseph, Claude Detrez, Dominique Ristori, Joao Ribeiro, Juan Maria Vazquez, Andrew Brown.

This alliance

can make a big contribution to meeting challenges such as climate change and food security


marine institute

The Longest River – a marine science, music and literary event is applauded in BrusselsCushla Dromgool-Regan

The Marine Institute and Galway-based choir Cois

Cladaigh who are responsible for the creation of The Longest River, showcased the marine science, music and literary event to an audience of over 200 people as part of the celebration of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of European Union, at Eglise du Saint – Sacrement in Brussels.

The concept of The Longest River was initiated by Dr Brendan O’Connor, managing director of AQUAFACT and Director of the choir Cois Cladaigh; Professor John Delaney of the University of Washington and Dr Peter Heffernan, chief executive of the Marine Institute.

raising awarenessThe unique collaboration

has created an innovative means of engaging new audiences and raising awareness of the science of our oceans and the importance of the deep seas that support life on earth.

Multidisciplinary research and international cooperation is essential in achieving healthy marine ecosystems – which is a key goal of the Irish Government’s Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland - Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth.

With an aim to double Ireland’s marine sectors contribution to GDP by 2020 and having a better understanding of the oceans is key to generating social, cultural and economic benefits.

“Communicating how research

and innovation deliver societal benefits is important to the mission of the Marine Institute,” remarked Dr Heffernan.

Orator of the event, Professor John Delaney, presented marine science and geology through high definition graphic presentations and video footage that demonstrated how the seas support life on earth.

“Poets and scientists alike are powerfully drawn to the sea for inspiration and resolution. It is in their nature to ask questions; to seek answers and to explore through research and development; poetry; music; film and photography to illuminate some pieces of the great mystery of our oceans and share its beauty,” he said.

Unique photography of marine scenes, species and video footage of extreme environments under the deep ocean were also shown during the performances of Cois Cladaigh.

The choir sang a selection of Latin, English choral music and a repertoire of traditional Irish music spanning the 9th - 21st Centuries. Uilleanne piper Eugee Lambe and harpist Kathleen Loughnane delivered instrumental pieces.

The Longest River event was under the patronage of both Commissioners Maria Damanaki and Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.

“Our Atlantic Ocean is the bridge between all Atlantic States. I am delighted to be associated with The Longest River as it demonstrates the importance of international collaborations on ocean research. Such research will be central to the success of the Action Plan for the implementation of the Maritime Strategy proposed by the European Commission in order to deliver smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in the Atlantic Ocean area”.

The Longest River event was presented to over 100 primary school students in Brussels

The Longest River event was also presented to over 100 primary school students at the Ecole Europeenne de Brussels IV in Brussels. The students were introduced to Irish musicians Eugene Lambe and Kathleen Loughnane who spoke about the history of their instruments and played the Uillean pipe and Irish harp.

Dr Brendan O’Connor, Director of Cois Cladaigh also taught the students how to perform the Rondes by Folke Rabe, which is a contemporary performance extending the expression of vocal sounds that cannot be found in any language, yet are possible sounds inspired from deep within the ocean.

Supporting the Marine Institute and the development of The Longest River, Dr. O’Connor said the event enabled Cois Cladaigh to raise its profile amongst a wider audience “as well as contribute to the ethos of evoking innovative arts and science literacy, offering better communication to a broad societal audience.”

School materials relating to the ocean, which can be used within the primary school curriculum, are available on the Explorers education website: www.explorers.ie

Burrishoole Fishery - Why I love the place

The Burrishoole Fishery in Furnace, co Mayo, opened to the public on June 19 and will be open weekly on wednesday through to sunday (9am-6pm) until september 29. The Fishery is owned by

the Marine Institute and is one of Ireland’s premier lough fisheries for salmon.

Bill Bullick who has been fishing at Burrishoole for nearly 40 years tells his story.

I first came to Newport on a family holiday in 1972 when I was 12 years old. I was quickly bitten by the fishing bug, yet I had to endure scenic drives and trips to Cong.

All I really wanted to do was fish. In the evenings, the late Owen Mullins (who managed the Newport House Fishery) let me onto the river for sea trout. This was not for free, but at a price commensurate with my means - negotiated when we left for home. I remember declaring a catch of 21 trout and parting with £5, which at the time left me nearly insolvent!

One day, we stopped above the Burrishoole Bridge and I cast my fly into the ‘Neck’ – which is an integral part of the fishery. In my ignorance, I thought it was the sea and discovered it was a great place for white trout. A friendly teenager lent over the wall and asked me if I’d had any luck. I pointed proudly to the trout on the grass.

That was the moment I discovered this was a private fishery and my first meeting with a young Pat Hughes, who is now the fishery manager of the Burrishoole Fishery. We heard all about the work at Furnace and what followed was the start of a life-long love affair with Burrishoole.

In the years that followed, my late father and I spent a full week every year in Newport. There was a hut at Furnace and another beside Major Robert’s house on Lough Feeagh. Here, we developed real friendships with the ghillies like PJ Bryce and Tommy Kane. These men were not mere boat-men, but professionals, who learned their trades over a life-time. The anglers were good company and most came for a week at a time. Every year, we saw the same faces and some new ones too.

One morning, after a flood and having never caught a salmon on the fly, I remember us rising a dozen at the top of Lough Feeagh. My heart was racing. Casually, PJ Bryce told us the “fish hadn’t settled yet”, but would take in due course.

We stopped further down the lake at the Black Rock. PJ said that if there was a fish there, he would be a taker. Very soon, I had one in the boat and lost another. That afternoon, the fish at the top of the lake ‘switched on’ and we came in with 6 bright silver grilse. This place was heaven.

My Dad passed away, however, but I have continued to come to Co Mayo and in fact over the years, have introduced friends to Burrishoole. I will be 53 this year and still hanker for the Burrishoole Fishery - it is unique.

Like all wild fishing, it is rarely easy and sometimes can be impossible. But, when the day is right, it is magic. In between the blank days, I will never forget eleven salmon in one day on Furnace, eight on Feeagh, several sixes and numerous fours.

That is quality that would attract anglers from anywhere in the world! Sadly, the white-trout are depleted, however the grilse remain. So, if you want to catch salmon from a boat, there is no better place, nor are there better people to do it with.

(L-R): Dr Brendan O’Connor, Director Cois Cladaigh, Professor John Delaney of the University of Washington, Maria Damanaki, EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and Dr Peter Heffernan, Chief Executive of the Marine Institute. Photography Cushla Dromgool-Regan

Bill Bullick fishing at Burishoole Fishery, Co Mayo in days gone by. Image provided courtesy of Bill Bullick

Ogham Bonds replace Euro in pilot project on Donegal island Arranmore

islanders are backing a pioneering

vision that will see a Euro-backed currency, the Ogham Bond being piloted this summer.

Across the globe from Mexico, UK, Hong Kong and Denmark, communities are creating complimentary local coins and notes that are linked to national currencies.

Arranmore is the first Irish island to rise to the challenge having launched Ogham Bonds in June. One Arranmore Ogham Bonds equals one Euro and will be in use until September 28 when the project will be assessed by SysPro;Systems for Progress Limited owned by islander Dr Shirley Gallagher.

“Arranmore Ogham Bonds are a celebration of local values which cherish people and place. The new currency can build bonds and bridges on the island and beyond, to its diaspora,” she explained.

The scientist plans to assess local interest and investigate ways to finance projects in the

Energy Action Plan which was created under the European Funded Project.

She explains that the idea to keep the money ‘local’ provides businesses and the community with something tangible and fun.

“The Bonds make people think about where their money is going and possibly why. Local currencies, while being fun, work to deepen an awareness of our economic interdependency.

“Syspro is providing a platform to create a conversation that links these issues to everyday values. Keeping money local is thought to add real value. About 10-20% of total spend is said to remain in the local economy.”

Philip Boyle of the Glen Hotel was the first businessman to accept the Ogham bonds, followed by John Neilie Boyle of Smugglers Nite club. Jerry of Early’s Bar, Neil Gallagher of Neilie’s Bar are also committed to Ogham Bonds along with Seamus Bonner, CEO of CFFAM.

Connections with other island businesses are expected to occur as the summer progresses. The conversation is

expected to ebb and flow, and be captured and documented along the way by SysPro.

backgroundIsland currency has been

successfully carried out in Fejo, Denmark, an island with a similar population as Arranmore. Kroner-backed, local currency (red shrimps and blue bananas) guarantee

that more Kroner remain within the island’s economy.

“Having seen the pride which the Fejo islanders held for their currency I was inspired to create a similar project on my own island. I love the fact that our currency is Oghams, the Ogham alphabet was first created in Ireland over 2000 years ago. Using Oghams links

our past to the present and is 100% Irish,” explained Dr Gallagher.

Part of Dr Gallagher’s time will involve recording a weekly radio show with the diaspora internet station Irish radio international where the focus will be on sustainability, nature, economy, wellbeing, and society “with a bit of craic thrown in”.


crow’s nest

Birds that Dive . . .

. . . and Squid that Fly! If birds can dive, then can squid fly . . just like Superman? Scientists from Hokkaido University in Japan have recently captured pictures of squid leaping clear of the sea, gliding for up to 8 seconds and travelling as far as 30 metres, propelled by jets of water. The squid usetheir extended tails and tentacles to act as ‘wings’ to balance their flight.At least six different species of squid have been reported to to ‘fly’ insightings from the Caribbean to the coast of Sydney, Australia. Scientistssuggest that they do this to escape from predators attacking from below

For these and more FunFacts check out: www.spindriftpress.com

Emperor Penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) - thetallest and heaviest of all penguin species - havebeen reported to dive as deep as 565 metres(1,836 feet) and to remain submerged for up to18 minutes. Their blood is specially adapted towork at low oxygen levels to assist with deepdiving and it has even been reported that they canshut down non-essential body functions to reducethe demand for oxygen while underwater.

Ogham bonds are named from the Celtic alphabet. Two bonds are available; The Reed (2 Ogham) and The Willow (10 Ogham).

Ogham bonds are available/redeemable at the above businesses and/or by emailing [email protected] or visiting www.syspro.ie. Further details can be found on Facebook; Sustainable Islands, Tir na nOg-A Portal Experience or on Twitter; @shirleyatsyspro

Inshore Ireland is a bimonthly marine, maritime, seafood and freshwater publication and publishes six times a year: February, April, June, August, October and December.

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Why Subscribe?Over the past seven years Inshore Ireland has provided unbiased analysis of topical issues relating to the marine and freshwater sectors. By focussing on renewable energy and marine research/technology, readers are also kept informed on these rapidly developing sectors.

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crow’s nest

Weekly training for Derrynane inshore rescue crew. John Hughes; Mchael Hickey and Jerry Clifford (behind the camera) training in Derrynane Bay. Exercises include search patterns, anchor-holding and boat handling.

SEASCAPES - the maritime programme on RTE Radio 1 presented

and produced by Marcus Connaughton - this month features the author of Ocean of Life; How Our Seas Are Changing – Professor Callum Roberts who is Professor of Marine Conservation at The University of York talks on Friday 5th July ahead of his appearance at the West Cork Literary Festival.

On Friday 12th of July we’ll be previewing the Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta and we’ll be talking with sailor Conor O’Byrne - a Member of An Garda Siochána who is sailing around the world as part of the Clipper Round the World 13/14 and how his interest in the maritime began.

Friday 19th July will feature highlights from the Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta and in a special programme on Friday 26th July the Master of Granuaile - Captain Dermot Gray - of The Commissioners of Irish Lights talks to Seascapes about his career and lifetime passion for the sea and matters maritime.

Not to be missed. Seascapes is broadcast every Friday night on RTE Radio 1@ 10.30pm.

COMPETITION WINNERSIrish Cruising Club

South & WestCoasts of Ireland

SailingDirections

Edited by Norman Kean

13th Edition

“If you are intending to cruise these coasts, it is essential. There is no alternative and there is no need for one. As Sailing Directions it is well-nigh perfect.”

– Cruising magazine

sailing directionsEileen O’Connor, Douglas, Cork.Padraic de Bhaldraithe, Barna Road, Galway

river shannonEllen Markie, Bere Island, Co CorkPaul Bradley, Rostrevor, Co Down

The LO

G of the M

OLLY B

Written and illustrated by Pete H

ogan

www.theliffeypress.com

It’s Vancouver, Canada in the early 1980s. Greenpeace has just been founded, Bob Geldof has just had his first hit, Ireland is a waste land. Dubliner Pete Hogan finally gets it together to build his own boat, a Tahiti Ketch, an iconic American sailboat design. His dream is to sail away into the sunset and be like his heroes, the famous singlehanded sailors Knox Johnston and Taberly.

It does not really work out like that, but he does build his boat, the Molly B, and sails it engineless and on a shoestring down the coast of California, through the Panama Canal, and across the Atlantic to Ireland, with numerous adventures along the way.

Ten years later he sails it around the world. He meets a girl. The boat sinks in the Mediterranean in a storm. Pete is lucky to survive.

In short, this is the story of one boat, the 30 foot long Molly B, from building to shipwreck, and the man who lived to tell the tale.

Pete Hogan is a well known visual artist, who specialises in paintings of cityscape and seascape. Born in Ireland and educated at Cistercian College, Roscrea,

Trinity College Dublin and Vancouver College of Art. He has travelled extensively. He is married to Micaela and they have two children, Clara and Joshua.

The Log of the Molly B describes his days as a boat bum when he sailed solo around the world by way of Cape Horn in a boat which he built himself. For this voyage he was awarded honorary membership of the Royal St George Yacht Club and the Irish Cruising Club. This is his first book. He illustrated the children’s bestseller Titanic written by Arthur McKeown

Pete Hogan has exhibited his paintings with many groups and galleries over the years. His work is contained in several public collections, corporate collections and countless private collections all over the world. For more information on Pete and his work see www.phogan.com.

Spine width 14mm confirmed

Written and illustrated by Pete Hogan

of theThe LOGMOLLY B

‘Pete Hogan’s passion for the sea and for his boat, the Molly B, comes through on every page, both in his words and in his wonderfully atmospheric ink and watercolour illustrations. His paintings are, like the story itself, full of telling detail, humour, and, in the end, the most stunning drama. An extraordinary memoir!’

– P.J. Lynch, award-winning illustrator

170mm

240mm

the log oF molly bMaura O’Leary, University College CorkPJ O’Leary, Monasterevin, Co Kildare

Jewellery boxFergal Guilfoyle, Newport, Co MayoJim Headen, Glasnevin, Dublin 9

And finally the winner of Explore Derrynane with Vincent Hyland, is Rosa Murray

Congratulations to all our competition winners.


wooden boat Festivals

Old gaffers come to Ireland WM Nixon

The Old Gaffers Association, founded on England’s River

Blackwater estuary in

Essex in 1963 to preserve interest in gaff rig and maritime heritage, has expanded to become an all-embracing organization, providing a focal point for many old – and some not-so-old -

sailing boats of all kinds. The OGA has two thriving

branches in Ireland – Dublin Bay and Belfast Lough - and when the concept of a cruise round Great Britain to celebrate the Golden Jubilee in 2013 began to take shape,

it soon became clear that a diversion westward to the two ports in Ireland would be a central part of the programme.

The Golden Jubilee Cruise got under way from on April 21 from the OGA birthplace in a very modest sort of way, with just three boats initially participating - and only two of them planning to go the whole way round. These were the 1898-built 31ft cutter Witch (Alistair Randall) and the 1924-designed 37ft Bonify (Sue Lewis & Howard Wheelton).

dutch contingentIn their progress round the

southeast of England, they soon linked up with a strong Dutch contingent which included Rik Janssen’s mighty steel-built Galway Hooker Cine Mara, and F J Schotman’s Lyle Hess-designed 28-footer Raven. Gradually the fleet increased as the OGA50 made its way down the English Channel, with the flagship now the 55ft Pilot Cutter Annabel-J (Philip Cogdell).

But the vile weather of May hampered their progress, yet despite headwinds a core group rounded Land’s End and crossed to Milford Haven, their numbers by now including 73-year-old single-hander Barbara Runnalls on the 23ft gaff cutter Moon River. When Holyhead was reached, the Manx longline sailing fishing boat Master Frank (Joe Pennington) joined the fleet after a fast sail from Peel.

dublin gatheringBy the end of May, boats

were converging on Dublin Bay while just north of the Bailey, the 115-year old classics of the Howth 17 class were in last minute refit mode ahead of a race in the River

Liffey between the East Link and Samuel Beckett Bridges on Sunday June 2.

The first race of the OGA50/Dublin Port Riverfest for the RMS Leinster Plate on June 1 was to retrace part of RMS Leinster’s fateful route towards the Kish from Dun Laoghaire, but as the forecast was for the brisk west wind to go light by mid-afternoon, the excellent course set by Race Officer John Alvey of Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club went no further seaward than the North Burford Buoy.

The reaching start in Scotsman’s Bay was lively with some very long bowsprits pointing every which way and travelling at high speed. The final leg was a tricky beat to a finish mark at Drumleck, which saw the 1912 Ringsend-built 36ft yawl Ainmara (Richard Gomes, Strangford Lough) take line and corrected time honours, while Raven was second with Tir na nOg (Sean Walsh, Poolbeg) third.

liFFey raceDay 2 at 1100 hrs the entire

fleet passed through the raised Eastlink Bridge to raft-up along the quays and up to MV Cill Airne, aboard which Tim Magennis and former Howth YC Commodore, Roger Cagney, were over-seeing commentary duties during a hectic day that included two in-river races by Howth 17s, followed by a maritime ballet by Dublin Port’s tugs, Shackleton and Beaufort, ending with a decidedly informal Parade of Sail. As the wind had died away before the Howth 17s could sail a final, they agreed to finished the day with two champions: Rita (No 1, Marcus Lynch and John Curley) and Deilginis (No 11, Massey team).

All photos courtesy of G Mills


wooden boat Festivals

A taste of BaltimoreSean Rickard

now in its tenth year, the 2013 Baltimore seafood and wooden Boat Festival got off to an easy start with music echoing around the village and over the water. adding to the

revival of traditional boat building were four limerick Gandelows built at the ak Ilen wooden Boat Building school under the direction of James Madigan.

Starting at the Skibbereen Rowing Club, the gandalows raced down the Ilen River, accompanied by several currachs that raced in their own class. Also making her debut was the recently built Shannon hooker Sally O’Keeffe working her new topsail for the first time. She made a gallant performance and her builder Steve Morris gave a wonderful presentation on the building of the traditional vessel.

Other activities included circus performers, a balloon modelling workshop and a food and craft fair ran continuously throughout the festival.

The Carbery Timber Challenge was of particular interest. Each team of mostly children was given the same materials and eight hours to build a boat. The launching and racing of these vessels under sail and oar from the harbour provided great craic as they passed each other out in the constantly changing conditions both inside and outside, demonstrating the merits of each design and rig. The Spit-Water was victorious in the end.

Numerous traditional wooden boats arrived for the main race, including several yawls locally built by Liam Hegarty. Among the more vibrant entrants was the Galway hooker Faoileán, skippered by her owner and boat builder, Pat Tanner and the Bristol Pilot Cutter Edith Gray who performed very well in her class to come from behind and snatch first prize by a bowsprit in an exciting finish against the Irish owned wooden classic-rigged yacht, Northele.

Edith Gray’s owner and builder John Raymond Barker gave an excellent presentation on her design and construction, which included some of the secrets of her success and indeed on the general history of the Bristol Pilot Cutters and their revival.

Another enchanting sight was the Cornish lugger Peel Castle, lovingly restored by her owner Graham Bailey.

The parade of sail provided a spectacular closing event of traditional craft, followed by a demonstration by the Baltimore Lifeboat, followed by the prize giving at the Square.

Thanks go to the many sponsors, organisers, and especially the volunteers whose hospitality was enjoyed by everyone. Their hospitality ensures that those who participated in this wonderful festival will be anxiously anticipating next year’s event, which is a must for any boating enthusiast’s calendar.

Final day While many of the boats

quietly slipped their moorings early on June 3 bound for the next event in Belfast, for some really keen old gaffer sailors, Bank Holiday Monday in Dublin Bay meant the first race for the Asgard Trophy.

Poolbeg-owned Tir na nOg took first prize by 63 seconds from Denis Aylmer’s Mona from Dun Laoghaire, which meant that over the two races of OGA50 racing in Dublin Bay, Sean Walsh’s cutter was deemed overall winner. The result was greeted with delight in the Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club, which under Commodore Peter Tobin and his committee had provided first class operations on the water, with Katie O’Connor and her team in the clubhouse endlessly providing excellent food over the weekend.

Photo: Sue Lewis, OGA secretary

Left: Tim Magennis, President of the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association, presents the Asgard Trophy to Sean Walsh. Right: Ainmara skipper Dickie Gomes; maritime journalist WM Nixon and Brian Law, winners of the inaugural Leinster Trophy race

Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann holds AGMRhoda TwomblySecretary

Islanders from around Ireland travelled to Inish Turk, co. Mayo to attend the agM

of comhdháil oileáin na hÉireann, the Federation of Irish Islands.

The weather couldn’t have been better and visitors walked the island before a sumptuous meal at the Community Club Centre. Islanders, some who had not met since the last AGM exchanged news and listened to traditional music by Freda Hatton and friends from Galway.

FunDIng shorTFallIn the opening address, CoE

chairperson Mary Catherine Heanue noted that due to budget cutbacks and general economic downturn, it was increasingly

difficult to deliver programmes and was especially hard on groups like Comhdháil that depend wholly on voluntary labour and funding.

“It is important to continue to work for the survival of islands; to keep our needs in the minds of the politicians. Not only that, we must remind government of what the islands give back to the country in terms of heritage, culture and the economy,” she remarked.

The first of two presentations centred on the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform which is important to all farmers, island or mainland. Malcolm Thompson, former head of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA) highlighted areas of CAP that have succeeded and those that were failing. He also questioned whether too much reform would prevent farmers from meeting the 2020 food production goals.

Organic farming has long been practiced on islands. John Brennan of the Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-Operative Society discussed not only the importance of careful control of insidious weeds but also the delicate balance between livestock and quality of grassland.

He also discussed breeds of cattle now being bred in Ireland and how they may be appropriate in the sometimes challenging island environment.

DIFFIculTIEs ouTlInEDDuring the general discussion

that followed, the negative impact of the planned alignment of local government offices (county councils) with local development groups was outlined. Topics such as housing difficulties, researching European legislation and aid pertinent to islands as well as possible methods of fund raising were also raised.

“Now more than ever, it is important that islanders work together for the benefit of all. Achieving sustainability on islands is an uphill battle and we must

redouble our efforts to improve living conditions to benefit those living on islands and to attract new inhabitants,” Mary Heanue concluded.


coastline news

Sunrise over Marble Hill Strand, Dunfanaghy Co. Donegal. Photo Francis Parke

Gannet says his home is 100% pure crap!Flying Reporter

A Skellig gannet has come out in favour of the building of bio-loos for gannets at Little Skellig. To say his home is ‘soiled’ is an understatement. During a recent interview

he stated “Why do humans always get priority over us mere wildlife?”

He was referring to the installation of luxurious fur-lined bio-loos with automatic double velvet tissue dispensers at the nearby Big Skellig.

“It’s bad enough sharing your home with 49,999 other gannets but when it comes to literally sitting on this ‘crap’, it’s really too much,” he croaked.

“My grandfather used to put his wing around me and tell me stories about his grand-pappy. In days long past, he recalled when the rock was its natural colour - grey!

“As it is, this God forsaken rock in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is so white now it is necessary to wear shades to protect against the glare! And as for the smell…I used to think that fish breath was a hazard but this stench is something else!”

“Sure, isn’t that why the humans on the mainland call those mountains ‘the Reeks’ because on certain days you can smell this foul odour as far away as Carrantuohill!”

no budge on looWhen we interviewed the council about the need to put

basic toilet facilities for gannets on the rock a spokesperson remarked: “Sure wasn’t it hard and long enough getting it together for humans on the neighbouring rock, how in God’s name do you expect us to do one for all those gannets?”

When we reminded him of the council’s obligations to provide basic toilet facilities at all tourist venues (under the European Habitats Directive) and the fact that the rock was a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), he added: “Feck that! Sure those shysters only stay there for a few months anyway, won’t the winter rains wash the rocks clean?”

When we told the gannet about the council’s position he retorted: “As usual we’re being marginalised. No one cares about us. We’ll have to do it for ourselves.

At a community meeting to which we invited the Bull Rock gannets to attend, we voted unanimously to reinstate an age-old tradition dating back to the Monks time…

“So, when we feel the urge to dump, we take off. We look for any boats, especially those that bring people to gawk at our home, and then soar above…position ourselves just slightly aft, turn into the wind and let it all go.

“If our aim is good enough we hit some unsuspecting passenger. If we don’t like a particular boat, we take off again and in formation, dump simultaneously.

“Well, the craic is mighty. The entire rock bursts out laughing, such is the entertainment value. You want to see the humans’ faces…Priceless!”

It looks likely that for the foreseeable future there will be little change. So be warned…if you’re visiting the rock, watch out for flying gannets overhead…And you know what happens to you if that happens? Your closest friends will abandon you!

Some of the islanders who attended the meeting include: Back Row: John Desmond; Ashling Moran; T. O’Driscoil; Jack Sullivan; Michael OCeadagan; Cathy Ni Ghoill; Mary Catherine Heanue; Rhoda Twombly; Brendan O’Toole; Sean O’Driscoil; Michelle O’Mahony; Ellmary Fenton; Michael John O’TooleFront: John Walsh; Seamus Bonner; Máirtín Ó Méalóid; Máirtín Ó Méalóid Jr, Martin McTigue, Michael McCabe, Christy Henry


outside ireland

International guidelines for small scale fisheries: the long road to recognition Brian O’RiordanICSF

In 1979, anticipating the establishment of 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zones

(EEZ), Eduard Souma the then Director General of FAO, speaking at the 13th Session of the FAO’s Committee on Fisheries (COFI), highlighted that: ‘Literally millions of people eke out a living from the sea, risking life and limb in frail craft to reap a meager harvest...The challenge we face is to provide a setting for something better than a new colonialism of the sea.

‘New fisheries can be built as indigenous industries on traditional bases, particularly the small-scale or artisanal fisheries. They can grow without social disruption, without pollution, without most of the painful side effects associated with over-zealous industrial development. The skills are available, the technology is within reach, the opportunity needs only to be grabbed. Let us do so now.’

Nearly 35 years on, the opportunity is still waiting to be grabbed, but seems to be tantalisingly close.

As we know in Europe, the wheels of policy reform and policy change turn slowly. Four years down the road, the third reform of CFP looks like it is nearing completion. But representatives of small-scale fisheries have been knocking on the door of FAO since 1984, demanding such fisheries policy reforms as advocated by the FAO Director General in 1979.

Since 2011, the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department has been leading a process to develop International Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries (IG SSF) - a new international instrument that would combine ‘best practices’ in responsible fisheries with social development. In Rome, from May 20-24, around 200 delegates from over 65 countries met for a ‘technical consultation’ to negotiate the content of these guidelines.

Given the process leading up to this meeting - including five regional conferences organised by FAO in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Pacific, and discussions in three sessions of COFI - one would have expected that the consultation would quickly reached its conclusion.

At the end of business on 24 May, however, much of the business was left unfinished.

After five days of intensive discussions, delegates had completed roughly two-thirds of their job to arrive at a consensus on the content and wording of this new international instrument. This was extremely frustrating for the 35 civil society delegates representing small-scale fisheries from 19 countries across South and North America, Africa, Asia and Europe, who were present as observers in the meeting.

Several stumbling blocks presented themselves, including whether or not the application of certain terms was acceptable. In some cases, nuances of meaning of words and how they are used in different languages created insurmountable barriers. Despite the long process of consultation in several cases, national authorities were still reluctant to recognise the importance of small-scale fisheries, the special characteristics and needs of fishery dependent communities, and the rights of workers in the sector.

One commentator noted that States fell into three broad categories: those that were completely set in their old fashioned ways of top-down management and set against any opening up of governance structures and processes to the participation of actors in the small-scale sector; those that were simply confused by the idea of guidelines, and those that were quite open and warm to developing these guidelines.

For a handful of delegates it was unacceptable that the guidelines should refer to small-scale fisheries as an informal sector. They perceived informal fisheries as a black market sector, practicing illegal fishing activities, not reporting catches and evading taxes. It was only thanks to the spirited defence of the sector by West African countries (Ivory Coast, Congo, Senegal and others) that these objections were eventually lifted. Yet another delegate proposed that ‘human rights’ be removed from a ‘human-rights-based approach’ to fisheries, transforming a social development approach into a market based mechanism to privatise fisheries.

Several countries that had instituted ITQs and related schemes designed to redistribute and concentrate fisheries wealth into the hands of a few corporations refused to consider ‘redistributive reforms’ to ‘facilitate equitable access to fishery resources and of land for small-scale fishing communities’. Several States also objected to the term ‘governance’, which

they felt undermined the role of the State in managing fisheries resources.

The issues of providing preferential access for small-scale fisheries to resources in waters under national jurisdiction; the need to give their access requirements, development needs of fishing communities, and food security priority over the signing of fisheries agreements with third countries, provoked an intractable discussion.

It is envisaged that at least one further round of technical consultations will be needed to finalise the work needed to present a final draft of the international guidelines to the thirty-first session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) in July 2014.

For more information:Civil Society Website on

Small Scale Fisheries: https://sites.google.com/site/smallscalefisheries/

ICSF Website on Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines: http://igssf.icsf.net/index.php

FAO Website on International Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries http://www.fao.org/fishery/ssf/guidelines/en

Fishing community of Kayar, Senegal. Literally millions of people eke out a living from the sea, risking life and limb in frail craft to reap a meagre harvest. Photos ICSF

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inshore ireland vol 9 nr 3 jun-jul 2013

Documents

minister coveney

secured agreement

fisheries council

reformed fisheries policy

new common fisheries

healthy fish stocks

consensusreaching agreement

key stocks