inshore ireland vol 7 nr 1 feb-mar 2011

€2.50/£2.00 Bi-Monthly News from the coast and inland waterways February 2011 Vol 7 Issue 1

COMPETITION TO WIN FISHING PERMITS ON DROWSE FISHERY PAGE 11

2010 Irish Fish Specimen Awards page 10-11

Corrib update ......................... page 3Your View ............................ page 5-6Biotoxiin monitoring .............. page 9

Aquaculture News ........... page 14-15QUB Interview Pages ....... page 16-17Marine R&D ..................... page 18-20

Aquaculture sector slams licensing delay

Ian Martin lands the first salmon of 2011 on a one inch Flame Thrower tube fly. The fish weighed 11.5lbs and was caught in the Blackwater pool on the River Drowse which flows in Donegal Bay Photo credit Shane Gallagher

ASSESSING THE 2011 QUOTAS FOR IRELAND’S FISHINGINDUSTRY page 6-7

John Hearne

The long-running aquaculture licensing delay saga has been

slammed by the sector as “too stupid to make any sense and impossible to explain.” Richie Flynn of IFA Aquaculture told Inshore Ireland that 80% of IFA members are currently deemed ineligible for capital grant aid to carry out modernisation or environmental work due to the delay, a debacle further compounded by bureaucracy in the sector.

“We all know that creating new jobs and protect existing ones is the top priority. And there is a real demand out there for quality Irish fish and shellfish…But since 1996, I have dealt with fourteen different ministers responsible for fisheries and asked every one of them to sort out aquaculture licensing. At countless meetings, voluntary IFA aquaculture members asked for better and more transparent regulation. But the plethora of individuals,

» Page 2

DON’T MISS YOUR NEXT COPY OF AVAILABLE FROMMARCH 26TH

2 INSHORE IRELAND February 2011

NEWS

2011Meet the future!Follow the latest development of aquaculture research, technology, feed, fish health, education, financing, environmental protection etc.Visitors from more than 50 nations will be present.

International conferences and seminars in connection with Aqua Nor will focus on research and challenges of the aquaculture industry.

Exhibitor, visitor or conference participant? For more information: www.nor-fishing.no

AQuA NOr – the most important international venue forthe aquaculture industry.

AQuA NOrInternational exhibition16 - 19 August 2011 • Trondheim • Norway

Organiser: The Nor-Fishing FoundationKlostergata 90, NO-7030 Trondheim, Tel +47 73 56 86 40, Fax +47 73 56 86 41, [email protected]

AQUANOR FORUM17th -18th AUgUst 2011 tRONdheiM NORwAy

» from page 1 departments and agencies

involved in our relatively small industry is mind-boggling.”

DIRECTIVE BREACHEDThe delay in granting and

renewing licences stems from a 2007 European Court of Justice (ECJ) judgment that found Ireland in breach of the Habitats Directive because the State had not subjected aquaculture licence applications to ‘appropriate assessment’ in accordance with article 6 of that Directive.

‘Bringing Ireland’s aquaculture licensing regime into compliance with the Birds and Habitats Directives should be an absolute national priority,’ a BIM spokesman told Inshore Ireland in a written statement. ‘The disruption which has been brought down upon the heads of the industry as a result of the December 2007 ECJ judgment has been and continues to be very severe.’

He continues: ‘There is no doubt that this issue is the single biggest brake on growth in Ireland’s aquaculture industry. Elsewhere in the world, fish farming is growing at a rate of 10% per annum, making it the fastest growing food sector

globally. Farmed Irish fish is in huge demand within the EU and farther afield.’

The spokesman points out however that 80% of the industry is located in or near to Natura 2000 sites. These are protected habitats for flora and fauna of European importance. They comprise Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), designated under the Habitats Directive and Special Protection Areas (SPAs), designated under the Birds Directive. Because so much of the industry is located within these areas, BIM maintains that its development has been stymied by the 2007 judgment. ‘Sustainable job creation and export growth opportunities are being lost at a time when our country needs them most,’ he said.

POWERFUL FARMING LOBBY

Critics also allege that the Irish aquaculture sector has

lost out in the conservation debate to the powerful farming lobby. They contend that in order to ensure enough Irish territory was designated for Natura 2000, the ‘soft option’ was taken, and instead of terrestrial areas, huge swathes of the coast were designated in the

knowledge there would be little or no organised opposition to it.

It would appear however that there is now light at the end of the tunnel. In a written response to questions submitted by Inshore Ireland, Conor O’Raghellaigh, a director of the National Parks and Wildlife Service says that as a result of the ECJ judgment, all aquaculture licence applications in or impacting on Natura 2000 sites must be subject to the ‘appropriate assessment’ process at issue. ‘The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food cannot issue or renew such licences until he is in a position to undertake an appropriate assessment.’

‘To satisfy the requirements of the judgment in this regard, Ireland is working with the European Commission and has proposed a roadmap to compliance for aquaculture and fishery activities.’

ROADMAP TO COMPLIANCE

The first step on this roadmap involves collecting ‘adequate ecological information’ to better understand the ecological make-up of the sites and the potential impact of proposed activities. According to O’Raghellaigh, the Marine Institute and the

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG) have been engaged in this survey work for the past two years.

‘The Department is setting detailed conservation objectives for each of the sites…The first of these conservation objectives has been completed. Again, work is being prioritised based on the importance of sites for aquaculture and fisheries.’

The next step will see the Marine institute, working on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, undertaking ‘appropriate assessment’ on a bay-by-bay basis. These assessments will take into account the impact of other consented activities in the sites in question and licensing decisions will be informed by these appropriate assessments.

‘It is expected that the first bays for which this procedure will be completed will have licensing decisions made early in 2011,’ O’Raghellaigh advised Inshore Ireland

O’Raghellaigh strenuously denies there has been any bias against aquaculture in the designation of Natura 2000 sites.

‘Ireland was also found to be in breach of both the Birds and

Habitats Directives in separate judgments, by failing in its designation of SACs and SPAs to include an appropriate area, extent and types of habitats/species within the Natura 2000 network. As a result of these judgments, Ireland was required to designate additional coastal and terrestrial areas.’

PROGRESS ACKNOWLEDGED

He added there was ‘no question of designations in coastal areas having been made in lieu of terrestrial designations. The Habitats and Birds Directives are prescriptive in regard to the types of habitats and species that require protection.’

Both BIM and the IFA acknowledge that progress is being made. “BIM is keenly aware of, and is playing its part in the considerable efforts being made by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to resolve the situation.’

‘We call on the other government agencies and departments involved to match this commitment so that invaluable job creation and export growth can be reignited in this indigenous food sector,’ BIM told Inshore Ireland.

IFA Aquaculture also noted the progress: ’It has to be acknowledged that some effort has been put into trying to sort out the mess and good scientists and administrators are working on the case.Public money has been spent and fieldwork carried out, albeit a decade or so late…They are to be congratulated on having reached a conclusion on the first of the sites in Castlemaine, but it is over three years since the ECJ judgment and there are only another 50 or so bays to go.’

Flynn however highlighted a ‘simple message for all politicians’ in this area:

‘The only measures of success are licences, jobs and exports. Everything else is window dressing. Without these basic outcomes, we lose young people to emigration, markets to competitors, and shut down service and support industries. The aquaculture sector has the potential, skills and experience to make a positive contribution to our local and national economy. The first job for the next Ministers for Fisheries and the Environment is to clear a backlog of over 500 licences within six months to get our communities back to work. We can’t afford not to.”

Fifty per cent of all SuperValu shops to date have signed up to a new initiative that identifies certain fish species they sell as being sourced responsibly. The Responsible Irish Fish (RIF) label is only available to processors who source their fish from Irish vessels that are part of the RIF association and use the Environmental Management System ( Responsible fishing practices; compliance with relevant regulations; improved efficiencies of time and money and increased safety and morale among crew.)

“For years, one of the difficulties facing the industry in relation to imports is that there was no way of distinguishing

Irish caught and processed fish from that imported from other countries. With the advent of the RIF label, consumers now have an opportunity to contribute towards not only the survival of the Irish fishing industry but help it grow and develop,” remarked Eibhlín O’Sullivan, CEO of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation.

She added that most Irish fish

is landed in rural coastal areas that have little other sources of industry or employment.

“The success of this label will also contribute to the wider Irish economy both financially and by creating jobs both on and off shore. I am delighted that the RIF Association, with membership from all sectors of the industry, including the members of the ISWFPO has been able to bring this label to the market, and I look forward to seeing how this develops and grows”.

Currently, the species being targeted is hake; by Easter, haddock, whiting and monkfish sold in participating SuperValu stores will carry the RIF label.

Over 100 boats across all sectors, from inshore day boats to trawlers, seiners and pelagics are involved.

Consumer drive identifies fish caught by Irish vessels that fish sustainably

Marine Institute • Foras na Mara

Do thairseach chuig taighde mara, monatóireacht, forbairtteicneolaíochta agus nuálaíocht

www.marine.ieYour portal to marine research, monitoring, technology,

development & innovation

Marine InstituteRinville, Oranmore,Co. Galway

+353 91 387 200+353 91 387 [email protected]

Foras na MaraRinn Mhaoil, Uarán Mór,Co. na Gaillimhe

inshore ireland February 2011 3

news

An Taisce disputes An Bord Pleanála approval granted for Corrib onshore gas pipelineShay Fennelly

Following direction by An Bord Pleanála (ABP) to the developers

of the Corrib Gas Project to change the onshore pipeline route, approval has now been granted to bring gas from the field 80 km off the coast of Co Mayo to a coastal landfall at Glengad and then 9km inland to the Bellanaboy gas terminal. Permission had been rejected on the grounds that the onshore pipeline route was unacceptably close to houses in Rossport.

Ireland’s National Trust, An Taisce, however is seeking a judicial review of the decision on the basis that implications of the approval go far beyond the Corrib gas pipeline.

“An Taisce is very disappointed with the decision. This has major repercussions for the status of implementation of European

Directives in Ireland, In this instance, An Taisce has concerns in relation to both Irish and European Law,” said Charles Stanley-Smith, An Taisce’s chairman.

Conservation objeCtives

Due to the siting of the gas terminal, the pipeline will go through three EU designated sites; candidate Special Area of Conservation Broadhaven Bay; cSAC Glenamoy Bog Complex, and under Sruwaddacon Bay which is a cSAC and SPA. Under the Habitats Directive, all Member States have agreed to establish Nature 2000 sites to protect certain habitats and species that make up the conservation objectives of the site.

According to Natura 2000 guidelines: ‘Member States shall take appropriate steps to avoid, in the special areas of conservation, the deterioration of natural habitats and the habitats of species as well as disturbances of the species for which the areas have been designated, in so far as such disturbance could be

significant in relation to the objectives of this directive.’

The guidelines further state that the integrity of a site involves its ecological functions and that a decision as to whether it is adversely affected should focus on and be limited to the site’s conservation objectives. Article 6.3 of the Directive requires that any plan or project likely to have a significant effect on a protected site must be ‘appropriately assessed’ as to any implications for the site’s conservation objectives. It also prohibits the approval of any plan that adversely impacts on the ‘integrity’ of a site.

ClarifiCation required

Last year the Supreme Court delivered a judgment in: Sweetman v Ireland, the Minster for the Environment v ABP and Galway CC, in the Galway Bypass case. It found that the meaning of integrity of site needed to be clarified by the European Court of Justice.

In that case, the NPWS said

that the loss of 1.5 hectares or so of limestone pavement would be locally significant; however the Planning Board decided this would not affect the integrity of the site, (the Lough Corrib SAC).

Speaking to Inshore Ireland, Environmental Planner, Peter Sweetman said it was clear

that ABP’s decision to approve the Corrib onshore pipeline in advance of the ECJ giving its ruling on the integrity of the site, “appears to ignore the Supreme Court judgment and has pre-empted the ECJ interpretation”.

He added: “There’s no evidence that ABP has given

the appropriate direction to the inspectors, having due regard to the Supreme Court decision. Has the Planning Board acted outside its remit and opened up a sort of loophole whereby significant projects can be given the green light on the basis that they do not threaten site integrity?,” he asked.

BackgroundIn 2009, Shell E&P Ireland Limited proposed a new route along the lines suggested by ABP to place the onshore gas pipe in a tunnel under the Scruwaddacon estuary Special Protected Area.. This modified route also required a new application for a Foreshore Licence from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and has yet to be granted. As part of SEPIL’s application to ABP, an Oral Hearing was held in Belmullet, Co Mayo in August 2010. The approval includes 58 conditions, covering a landfall installation valve to reduced gas pressure at Glengad (from 345 barg in the offshore pipe to 144 barg in the onshore pipe), and a community investment fund over 5 years of €8.5m.

Shell drilling in Sruwaddacon Bay Photo: Shay Fennelly

The proposed onshore pipeline route under Sruwaddacon Bay Photo courtesy of RPS


NEWS

Let us take you to

the island!

Winter Timetable 2010-2011

All sailings subject to weather and other conditions.

Enjoy the natural beauty of Rathlin Island in all seasons.

Booking: 028 2076 9299Pre-Booking Advisable

Email: [email protected]

www.rathlinballycastleferry.com

Roadshow of An Taisce clean coast winning photographs

A photographic competition last June organised by An Taisce in association with Coca-Cola with the theme: ‘Essence of the coast – what the coast means to me’ attracted over 500 entries from Donegal to Cork and had a prize fund of €3,000.

Annabel Mc Loone, Blue Flag & Green Coast Awards manager with An Taisce said the entries ‘truly captured the essence of the Irish coastline’.Subject matters ranged from dolphins to surfers and from families enjoying a day out at the beach to dramatic seascapes.

Winner of the Under 18 category was Gearóid Gibbs for his photograph of Curracloe Beach on a Spring morning. Daniil Koltsov and Jonathon Mallin were 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Winner of the Over 18 category went to Andy McInroy for his photograph of sea swells around Fanad Lighthouse. Kevin Murphy and Jamie Saunders were 2nd and 3rd respectively.

The Clean Coasts programme is operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce and aims to encourage communities to learn about, manage conserve and enhance the natural resource.

GalwayClifden Library

(February 14- 28)

DonegalMaritime Museum Greencastle

(March 2 – 17)

DonegalDonegal Town Tourist Office

(March 18- April 1)

Under 18s1st - Curracloe beach on a Spring morning (Gearóid Gibbs) 2nd - Sunset at Malin (Daniel Koltsov)

Over 18s1st - Fanad lighthouse (Andy McInroy) 2nd - Surfers at Lahinch (Kevin Murphy)

www.cleancoastphoto.org

INSHORE IRELAND February 2011 5

COMMENT

Inshore Ireland is published by IIP 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.

commen

t

Dear editorThe United Nations Economic

Commission for Europe (UNECE) Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, is a key element in strengthening local democracy. It derived from the 1992 United Nations Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.

Pillar I of the Aarhus Convention requires States to provide both access to information on the environment on request and to actively and systematically disseminate it. This ensures that the public can understand what is happening in the environment around them and is able to participate in an informed manner.

Pillar II requires the activity of members of the public in participation with public authorities to reach an optimal result in decision-making and policy-making. As a minimum it requires effective notice, adequate information, proper procedures, and appropriate taking account of the outcome of public participation.

Pillar III requires that the public have legal mechanisms that they can use to gain review of potential violations of Pillar I and II provisions as well as of domestic environmental law. These legal mechanisms must

be ‘fair, equitable, timely and not prohibitively expensive’.

Ireland, essentially alone in Europe with Russia, has failed to ratify the Convention. However, the EU ratified in 2005 and in theory it applies to Community legal order here. A recent decision of the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee is leading to a reform of the UK legal system to reduce cost of access. The 54th Case of the Compliance Committee was opened recently in my name against the EU, in relation to the implementation of the Convention in Ireland and renewable energy policy in particular.

Note: It is not possible to take a case against the Irish State as it refuses to ratify the Convention and has failed to implement the necessary EU Directives, in particular those related to the necessary reform of the legal system.

The EU has been asked to respond to UNECE by June as to how they ascertained compliance with the Convention when:• •TheyapprovedtheREFITI

programme for State Aid. Note:

This programme has lead to the

installation of nearly 1,500 MW of

wind energy and an increase in

electricity prices by 15%.

• They allocated €110 million

to the Ireland/UK electrical

interconnector whose justification is

solely related to massive expansions

in wind energy.

• The interconnector has

no economic justification, as

determined by several engineering

studies. Its sole purpose is to

balance and modulate a massive

expansion in wind energy.

•

• UNECEisseekingadditionalinformationrelatedtopotentialnon-complianceswiththeConventioninregardto:• •EnergyPolicyWhitepaper,March2007,basisforGovernmentRenewableEnergyPolicy.• Government’s policy decision

to accelerate the development of

Ocean Energy (Wave and Tidal) in

Ireland.

• Offshore Renewable Energy

Development Plan.

• SEAI’s Strategic Energy Plan 2010

– 2015

Pat Swords Glenageary

YOURVIEWInshore 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].

Public access – or not – to the foreshore?Padraic de Bhaldraithe

Theforeshoreisdefinedinlawas‘Thebedandshore,belowthelineof highwaterof ordinaryormediumtides,of theseaandof everytidalriverandtidalestuaryandof everychannel,creekandbayof theseaorof anysuchriverorestuary.’TheForeshoreActrequires

thataleaseorlicencemustbeobtainedfromtheMinisterfortheEnvironment,HeritageandLocalGovernmenttocarryoutworksortoplacestructuresormaterialonorfortheoccupationof State-ownedforeshore,whichrepresentsthegreaterpartof theforeshore.Eveninthecaseof privately-

ownedforeshore,priorpermissionisrequiredfromtheMinisterforanyplanneddevelopment.MostpeopleinIrelandareconcernedonlywiththatpartof theforeshorewhichisinter-tidal,andtheirinterestisprimarilyrecreational–whetherthatbesunbathingonthebeach,lookingatsea-lifeinrockpools,anglingoff theshoreortrekkingalongthecoast.

JUSTIFIED RESTRICTIONSPublicaccesstotheforeshore

maysometimesneedtoberestrictedforthecommongood;forexample,forpierandharbourdevelopmentandfortemporarydevelopmentssuchasthelayingof submarinepowercablesandpipelines.Ingeneralhowever,thepublicshouldbeallowedtoavailof thisnaturalresourcewhichis

heldintrustbytheState.KeepIrelandOpenisa

nationalvoluntaryorganisationthatcampaignsfortherightof recreationaluserstoresponsibleaccesstotheIrishcountryside–bethosemountains,seashore,lakes,rivers,historicmonumentsorothernaturalamenities.Accordingtoitswebsite:‘Many places that for generations

have been open to walkers and other recreational users are now being closed off: ...........’Even access to beaches is not guaranteed: Ugool beach, near Westport, has been blocked off since 1989 and the local authority, Mayo County Council, has done nothing to re-open it. Most of the intractable problems are along the Atlantic seaboard, the area

that attracts fewest walkers, and is otherwise a prime area for developing hill walking and other outdoor recreations as tourist attractions.’Tourismisasignificant

contributortoIreland’seconomyandtouristswhoengageinhikingandwalkingrepresentasignificantproportionof thetotalnumberof visitors(830,000or13%in2009–www.tourismireland.com).

WAY-MARKED TRAILSMuchhasbeenmadeof the

needtodevelopasystemof way-markedtrailsinordertomeetthedemandsof touristsandtheIrishpublic.Thereare,however,instanceswhichseem

» page 8

TheleadstoryonceagainhighlightstheimpactthattheNatura2000DirectiveishavingonIreland’saquacultureindustry.Thisisasorrytaleof lostopportunitybroughtaboutinnosmallmeasurebyadearthof politicalimaginationandbureaucraticbungling.Thefarmingof finfish,shellfishand

morerecentlyseavegetables,remainsafledglingindustrythattodatedoesnotcomeclosetothepotentialitheraldedintheearly1970swhenthefirstsalmoncagesweremooredinKillaryHarbour.Apartfromabrief productionsurge

throughthemiddleandlate1980swhensubstantialprivateinvestmentandpublicfundswerefunnelledintoitthesector,overthepastfiveyearsithasgroundtoavirtualstandstill.Worndownbypoliticalindecisionitisalsothevictimof civilservicebureaucracydescribedpithilybyanindustryspokesmanasa“plethoraof individuals,departmentsandagenciesthatismindboggling”.Therealtragedyismostevidentinthe

smallandrelativelyisolatedcommunitiesaroundthecoastalrimfromDonegaltoCorkwhosawthefarmingof theseaasbothenvironmentallysustainableandtheireconomicsaviour.Agenerationof thesepeoplehasinstead

witnessedthewitheringof whatcouldhavebeenaworld-classfishandshellfishfarmingindustrycapableof sustainingthousandsof peoplelivinginsomeof theremotestcommunitiesontheisland.Topqualityfarmedproductwould

haveignitedcountlessadditionalsmallto

mediumadded-valueenterprisesthroughprocessing.Thepotentialforgrowthwaslimitless,orsoitonceseemed.Thedismayanddisbelief echoedbythe

industryspokesmanatthecurrentstateof affairsasbeing“toostupidtomakeanysenseandimpossibletoexplain”saysitall.ABIMspokesmanalsopointstothe

2007EuropeanCourtof JusticeJudgmentinwhichIrelandwasfoundinbreachof theHabitatsDirectivebynotsubjectingaquaculturelicenceapplicationsto‘appropriateassessment’.This,accordingtoBIM,is‘thesingle

biggestbrake’ontheindustryexpandingandhasleftaback-logof over500aquaculturelicenceswaitingtobeprocessed.EnvironmentalDirectivesfrom

Brusselsaretheguidelinesuponwhichasustainableandnaturalfoodproducingindustrycanbebased.Dealingwiththeirrequirementscannotbesweptundertherugorlong-fingered.Theymustbecompliedwithnow.Surelyit’stimenowtolookagain

atfoodproduction–andseafoodproductioninparticular–asthewayforward.Insteadof themadnessof thepastfifteenyearsweneedtolooktoournaturalresources–especiallythemarine-whichappearstobeallbutinvisibletothemandarinsof LeesonStreet.Themessageforthenewgovernment

istotopthetalking,andgetonwithit!

Gery Flynn

Part of Slí Chonamara at Doire Locháin Thiar with boulders blocking way-marked route

Will a new fishery and quota increase be enough to sustain Ireland’s fishing industry?Gery Flynn & Gillian Mills

Outgoing fisheries minister Sean Connick TD

returned from the annual December fisheries talks in Brussels with quotas in excess of €220m for Irish fishermen in 2011.

The package includes a 10% increase in the very lucrative mackerel fishery and a 15% increase in haddock and whiting stocks in the Celtic Sea. Cuts of 25% however are imposed on cod off the northwest and the Irish Sea in line with recovery plans for these stocks.

Positive survey results on the state of Celtic Sea cod have delivered a status quo of the 2010 TAC which may be increased later in the year if the science holds up.

Of vital importance to the whitefish industry is the Nephrops (prawn) fishery, worth roughly €54m. A Commission proposal to cut the fishery by 17% was decreased to 3% on the bases of strong scientific assessments.

The big delivery for Ireland was a two-thirds share (22,000 tonnes) of a new fishery for boarfish (Capros aper), worth approximately €4m in 2011. This mid-water shoaling species is found in large volumes off the south west coast and the challenge is now on to find the format to change it from a source of fishmeal to a higher value consumer product.

Inshore Ireland talked to Michael Keatinge, fisheries development manager with BIM – the agency responsible for driving growth and added

value in the Irish seafood industry – what the outcome of the 2011 fisheries talks will mean to coastal communities.

DOES BIM CONSIDER THAT THE 2011 FISHING QUOTAS FOR IRELAND ARE SUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN THE CURRENT LEVEL OF ACTIVITY IN BOTH THE DEMERSAL AND PELAGIC FISHERIES?

Broadly speaking, BIM believes there is sufficient monetary value in this year’s quotas to accommodate the current fleet. Had it not been for the significant decommissioning programme we undertook between 2005 and 2008 however, that wouldn’t be the situation. So, on the demersal side, I believe decommissioning has been vindicated.

THE NEPHROPS (PRAWN) FISHERY IS PROBABLY IRELAND’S MOST LUCRATIVE, WORTH ROUGHLY €54M TO THE WHITEFISH FLEET. WHAT IMPACT WILL THE 3% DECREASE IN IRELAND’S QUOTA HAVE ON THE INDUSTRY?

I don’t believe the 3% really is the story here at all. In fact, because we have unused quota from 2010 the total amount available this year is increased. The real issue here is twofold:

On the one hand - the positive side - the European Commission and Council had proposed to introduce Functional Units (FUs), i.e. to split Area 7 quota into lots of mini quotas. That would not have been good for Ireland, and we successfully resisted it.

On the other hand, ICES

has raised scientific concerns about the Nephrops prawn fishery on the Porcupine Bank and this has led to restrictions on fishing opportunities there this year. But since the last assessment, surveys by the Marine Institute and the Irish fishing industry indicate that these concerns may not actually be valid. Additionally, a survey conducted by Spain again shows that the stock may in fact be in reasonably good shape.

Because of those concerns however, the Commission and the Council agreed to limit the prawn allocation on the Porcupine. This I believe is going to cause difficulty for the industry and the Minister in terms of deciding how the fishery is managed.

WHAT IMPACT WILL THE 2011 QUOTAS HAVE ON THE PROCESSING SECTOR (POSITIVE/NEGATIVE?) WHICH HAS SEEN MANY CLOSURES IN RECENT YEARS?

Dealing with pelagics to begin with, I think the outcome, by and large, was good. Obviously we are concerned over the massive (40%) reduction in the north-west herring quota, but then again we have a welcome increase in the mackerel quota.

The really big outcome of the negotiations in terms of pelagics is that Ireland secured sixty-seven per cent, or two-thirds, of the Total Allowable Catch of boarfish. The hard work put in by industry over the last three or four years has paid dividends, and we are delighted on their behalf. This will bring a hugely welcome boost to the fleet.

I would also congratulate the Killybegs Fishermen’s

Organisation because it is sponsoring - along with the Marine Institute - Dr Ed Farrell who is implementing a full programme of scientific work on this stock. I think it’s wonderful that the industry is taking on this sort of work itself because so little is known about the species. BIM is full-square behind this initiative.

Another issue of course facing this fishery is who is going to be allowed access? But again, that’s a matter for the industry and the Minister.

WHERE DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF BOARFISH?

At the moment it is being taken predominantly for fishmeal. The fish are very, very small, but the quality and taste is really up there with traditional whitefish. The challenge is how to get something that’s so small, gutted, filleted and turned into a more traditional ‘dinner

table’ product.And that’s where our new

Seafood Development Centre (SDC) in Cork comes in. The future of boarfish must be in terms of becoming – at least partly – a product for domestic consumption. But it’s finding the right format. You won’t be getting boarfish on the bone, but can you create an innovative product with added-value – that’s the question.

The boarfish quota will also create processing opportunities, which will balance, to some extent the loss in herring due to reduced quotas. We are concerned however that whilst the very high prices that some pelagic fish are getting abroad may be very welcome news for the catchers, it will mean pelagic fish being landed outside Ireland and that badly impacts on the processing sector in Killybegs. So, while the fleet may be gaining, the processors may not – at least for part of the season.

As I’ve said already, we do have good prawn quotas this year and these are very, very important to our whitefish fleet. BIM has supported a significant investment by industry in freezing prawns at sea, and while this had some teething problems, it does seem to be an investment that has paid dividends, so on-board processing will enjoy a good year.

In terms of other whitefish, yes we’ve got a very small cod quota and that does tell us we need to spend more time and effort right across the sector on other species. The good news however is that there are very strong year classes of haddock, whiting and cod in the Celtic Sea.

THE FEDERATION OF IRISH FISHERMEN IS CONCERNED THAT A FURTHER 25% CUT IN MANY OF THE WHITEFISH QUOTAS IN THE IRISH SEA AND OFF


FISHERIES

The fleet at Castletownbere is set to benefit from the 22,000 tonnes boarfish fishery that will be targeted later in the year. Photo Niall Duffy

INSHORE IRELAND December 2010/January 2011 7

FISHERIES

THE NORTHWEST COAST IS LIKELY TO LEAD TO ENFORCED DISCARDING OF MARKETABLE FISH. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE HOWEVER THAT A DECISION TO REVIEW THE MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES MIGHT PROVIDE FOR A MORE COMMENCE SENSE APPROACH. HOW WILL BIM BE INVOLVED WITH THESE CONSERVATION MEASURES?

Discarding remains the single biggest challenge facing the industry; it is a real issue facing both the catching sector and the Common Fisheries Policy. For example, a management measure designed to protect a species could in some cases inadvertently end up being counter productive and lead to increased discarding.

Almost half the value of our demersal fisheries comes from prawns and these stocks

are essentially in good shape. Of the rest, some 80% of the whitefish that we finally land comes from the Celtic Sea and west coast fisheries.

An important signal from this year’s Council is that we are seeing good signs of recruitment for a number of whitefish stocks – particularly cod, haddock, and whiting in the Celtic Sea. So, at the start of the December Council, there was a proposal to reduce the quota on cod – again the science, not the politicians – the science – was able to demonstrate there’s been a very good year-class of cod and there was a roll over of the total allowable catch . There is a real opportunity to turn the corner on the previous decline of many stocks that we have witnessed over the past decade.

But, the challenge it poses – and this is the sting in the tail – if you get a very good year-class, then in the following years you

will see an increase in discarding of under size fish. This is a huge challenge for the industry: how do you protect this year class? And that’s where we’ve been working with industry; for example in the Irish Sea on the introduction of grids, separator panels, and other technical measures to reduce or eliminate discards. This year we are going to have to agree ways of transposing some of the appropriate changes into the Celtic Sea.

And the producer organisations and the co-ops will need to become just a little more clever regarding landings, because if you get a big glut of whiting somewhere it can destroy the market value. .

BIM IS DRIVING A CULTURE OF RESPONSIBLE, SUSTAINABLE FISHING, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON QUALITY, RATHER

THAN QUANTITY. WHAT ARE THE AGENCY’S OBJECTIVES TO OFFSET ANY NEGATIVITY THAT WILL IMPACT COASTAL COMMUNITIES AS A RESULT OF THE 2011 NEGOTIATIONS?

We do have a grant aid programme – the Marine Environmental Protection Scheme, and we are encouraging more foresight-type projects in this area.

I think the other major initiative we introduced last year is Environmental Management Systems.

That essentially is a partnership – it’s industry-driven though – it’s not us (BIM) telling people what they should be doing. And it covers the full range of how you operate, how you conduct your business. It includes discarding; discharges at sea; how you maintain the pier and the port you operate from.

Anybody who now travels around Ireland will recognise that places like Kilmore Quay, Kinsale, Dunmore East, Dingle derive huge amounts of income from tourism. The fishing industry has to be a partner in that. So the EMS approach not only advocates the stock sustainablility issue but also involves NATURA 2000. How do you approach care of the wider marine environment? How do you approach care of your local ports? It’s a really good programme.

The second thing we’re focussing on relates to the inshore – again from a Natura 2000 perspective.

It’s a case of sitting down and analysing what we’re about, and making decisions about how we go forward. And it most certainly doesn’t mean anybody should be put out of business.

“You won’t be getting boarfish on the bone, but can you create an innovative product with added- value – that’s the question.”

The fleet at Castletownbere is set to benefit from the 22,000 tonnes boarfish fishery that will be targeted later in the year. Photo Niall Duffy


YOURVIEWInshore 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].

Roderick O’Sullivan

How’s the fishing, lads? Lousy, eh? It’s going to get worse.

When awash with Celtic Tiger euros, the Government concentrated on its cosy cohabitation with bankers and developers whilst hardly a

brass razoo was invested in our environment.

Today, the sorry state of our angling and drinking-waters mirrors the current condition of our country – disgusting. Farming causes 73% of water pollution (EU figures, not mine) while local authorities are responsible for the majority of untreated sewage entering our waterways.

When the Celtic Tiger was bulldozing through our anti-pollution laws, what were the thousands of personnel employed in the Department of the Environment and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) actually doing? For years, these supposed custodians of our environment drew their pay and stoked-up their pensions while water-pollution hit record levels. They behaved like medical personnel diagnosing disease but not bothering to treat it.

They tell us they were ‘rigorously monitoring’ the situation – their standard euphemism when called to answer the charge; strange isn’t it that the safest drinking-water today is stacked on supermarket shelves?

Angling-waters are equally bad. As pollution decimates their habitats countrywide, fish and other aquatic creatures find

it difficult to peer through the murk, never mind catch prey. Waterway bottoms are choked with nuisance weeds; spawning areas are suffocated with scum; insect-life is eradicated and water-quality plummets. Casting salmon or trout-baits into many of our rivers usually results in having to wipe your hook free of algal scum after every second cast. Although renowned for patience, even the most optimistic fishermen will not flog barren waters for ever. Small wonder Ireland is currently hemorrhaging 100,000 tourists every month (Government figures).

But fear not, help is at hand.The EU has ordered our

angling and drinking waters to be restored to full health [via the Water Framework Directive]. To whom does the Government hand this gargantuan task? Yep, to the local authorities, the country’s second biggest polluters after agriculture. And because many county councilors are themselves farmers, they’ve consistently refused to impose any anti-pollution by-law that might adversely impact on farming practice!

When Galway’s Cryptosporidium epidemic hospitalised 200 people in 2007, these same local authorities immediately blamed global

warming or ‘floating animal carcasses’ for the outbreak. In reality, the epidemic-causing organisms had originated from agricultural effluents and untreated sewage entering Lough Corrib, the source of the city’s drinking-water.

Rather than curtail these pathogens from entering the lake, the local authority spent a small fortune installing filtration systems to remove the bugs at Galway’s water-treatment plant. Then when Tuam’s drinking water was destroyed by agricultural effluents, it cost €50 million to pipe a new supply from Lough Corrib, twenty-six miles away. And who coughed up this whopping sum? You, my friend, the taxpayer!

The Department of the Environment and Fáilte Ireland spend millions on campaigns and colourful brochures proclaiming our pristine waters. How come then so many towns still have to boil their water before it is drinkable? Why, according to the EPA are, ‘a minimum of 400 drinking-water sources unsafe for drinking?’

But, be totally reassured. If the local authorities continue to pollute our waterways

they will be ‘vigorously prosecuted and heavily fined’ and by whom, you‘ve guessed it - the EPA.

The modus-operandi that exists between the local authorities and the EPA works on the unwritten rule that no State-paid organisation ever criticises another, irrespective of justification. On the rare occasions when the EPA is forced to prosecute a local authority for pollution offences, it inevitably results in a derisory fine.

And who pays for these time-wasting shenanigans? You my friend – the same old taxpayer again.

Many visiting anglers are not merely vitriolic about Ireland’s poor fishing and contaminated waterways; they are even more incensed by farmers blockading access to fishing rights-of-way and scenic areas.

Ireland of the welcomes? You must be having a laugh.

Tight lines, lads….

Water quality and banking system show alarming similarities

Well-known local trout angler and member of the Cara-Mask Corrib Water Protection Group, John Gibbons, demonstrates the unnatural algal growth in the Corrib near Oughterard Pier. The heavy growth was brought about as a result of eutrophication.

Roderick O’Sullivan is a writer, environmental scientist and an international authority on salmon-farming. Using his Water Quality Report on Lough Corrib, he lodged an Official Complaint in Brussels against the Irish State for failing to protect our waterways from pollution. Eleven years later, in 2007, Ireland was found guilty of this charge by the EU Court.

» from page 5to suggest a lack of action

by the authorities against illegal development on the foreshore or where a lack of co-ordination or inspection has resulted in way-marked trails on the foreshore being blocked.

Take for example, the Slí Chonamara long distance walking route, which has been developed by Galway County Council with funding assistance from Údarás na Gaeltachta and Fáilte Ireland.

Slí Chonamara is a 220km long distance way-marked walking route that begins in Galway City and weaves its way out to Connemara past An Spidéal, An Cnoc, Indreabhán, to An Cheathrú Rua and onto the Islands District. It includes

a section along the shore (above the foreshore) west of Na Forbacha in the townland of Doire Locháin Thiar, where planning permission was granted ‘for the fill and reclamation of lands, using specified inert construction waste and clay’.

Heavy earthmoving machinery was used for this work, and these diggers were subsequently used to erect a number of walls built of massive boulders. Two of these walls were built across the way-marked trail (photo attached).

ACCESS HINDEREDWhile these walls may have

been legally constructed, they do hinder access to this trail. This type of boundary wall

is also in stark contrast to the hand-built attractive stone walls of Connemara.

The Galway City Council Development Plan (2005-2011) includes a map with a number of proposed ‘greenways’. Greenways are defined as ‘circulation routes reserved for non-motorised journeys, developed in an integrated manner, which enhances both the environment and the quality of life of the surrounding area’. (Declaration Towards a European Greenway Network, 2000)’.

One of these proposed greenways coincides in part with the way-marked trail Slí Chonamara and extends along the shore west of Salthill and on to Oileán na Feamainne.

There is a problem,

however, as it is shown to pass through a portion of the foreshore that has been developed to accommodate a privately-owned caravan park. This development includes reclamation of the foreshore by using earth-moving machinery to move massive boulders onto the foreshore and prohibits the public from entering this reclaimed foreshore, thereby preventing access to Oileán na Feamainne at high tide.

While the aspirations of the various authorities are to be welcomed regarding amenity development for the public good, their role in the prevention of undesirable and possibly illegal developments on the foreshore needs to be examined.

Public access – or not – to the foreshore?


FISHERIES

Chemical test to replace mouse bioassay in shellfish monitoring

The European Commission has

announced that biological testing to detect marine biotoxins will be replaced by chemical methods from July 2011. The switch will see the mouse bioassay discontinued in favour of a chemical test.

The mouse bioassay involves injecting shellfish extract into three laboratory mice. If two of the animals die within 24hours, the shellfish is regarded as having biotoxins at levels unsafe for humans.

Modern methodCommission Regulation 15

of 2011 results from Member States backing the European Commission’s proposal to replace the mouse bioassay with a more modern chemical test method that does not involve using animals. The chemical test has been validated by the Community Reference laboratory.

Whilst the regulations come into effect in July 2011, Member States will be allowed to continue using the mouse bioassay during a transitional period until January 1, 2015, as they develop their chemical testing infrastructure.

Biotoxins naturally accumulate in shellfish, and maximum limits are set in legislation to ensure consumer protection. There are various methods available for testing these substances. Currently, the Regulations specify that for some toxins the mouse bioassay should be the reference test method, so it is the result that counts regardless of results gleaned from other methods.

Mouse bioassay is nevertheless a non-specific test (meaning it could be positive due to the

presence of any of a group of toxins so on its own, does not identify the toxin present). It is also non-quantitative (meaning it is only negative or positive - with no indication of level of toxin) and it poses animal welfare concerns.

Bioassay unsuitableThe European Food Safety

Authority (EFSA) which has been considering biotoxin matters is of the view that the bioassay is unsuitable as a control tool for the routine monitoring of biotoxins. In 2009, the European Commission proposed to amend the rules for detecting marine biotoxins by adopting proposals to change the Regulation.

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has actively supported this proposal in Brussels and contributed extensively to the Commission technical working group that guided the drafting of this legislation in order to ensure appropriate consumer protection within a legal framework that facilitates Ireland’s shellfish production industry.

Ireland has been to the forefront of developing and applying more modern chemical detection methods, specifically Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry. These methods have inherent advantages including sensitivity to detect lower levels; specificity to show which toxin is present; quantification of the level present and reliability through quality assurance procedures.

Much of Ireland’s shellfish is exported to the EU. The variability and other inherent problems of the mouse bioassay have sometimes resulted in trade disruption.

Transitional period Shellfish producers should

benefit from the application of more modern and reliable tests. Whilst Ireland will be an early-adapter to this change, several of the markets into which Irish shellfish is supplied are likely to invoke transitional arrangements and continue to apply the bioassay for some time.

Even within those transitional arrangements however, the incoming legislation will assign primacy to the outcome of the chemical methods over the result of any bioassay.

On a more negative note, Irish shellfish producers should be aware that EFSA opinions suggesting lowering of biotoxin limits remain. Whilst there are currently no formal proposals to legislate accordingly, a move away from biological assay to chemical methods would be a necessary step prior to any such steps. SFPA wil continue to monitor these processes and advise and inform government policy on these matters.

Micheál O’Mahony, SFPA board member welcomes the change:

“The biological method was the best tool available to most Member States a decade ago when these legal limits were developed. But it was a problematic test as an official control tool and we have been active supporters of this change at Brussels.

“SFPA is delighted to have a legislative mandate to use the best methods available, and Ireland’s national Shellfish Biotoxin Monitoring Programme will be aligned with these changes to ensure continued consumer protection. Decisions on opening and closing shellfish production areas have a profound effect on the shellfish producers and will be based from July 2011 upon the best available chemical methods and will no longer be second-guessed by less reliable biological methods.”


ANGLING 2011

Anglers catch 607 specimen fish in 2010Brendan Connolly

As an angler, you know your local fishing waters best - be they

fresh-water or sea. But, what happens if a sea angler wants to go pike fishing for a change, or if a coarse fisherman would like to try sea angling?

They may not know the best angling locations and therefore have to try and get local information of various areas to decide where to go. Local knowledge may not be easy to get if you don’t know any local anglers.

There is one source that provides anglers with information about any fish species caught on rod and line, in freshwater and sea alike, relating to the whole island of Ireland.

This is the Annual Report of the Irish Specimen Fish Committee, which is available free of charge from the Inland Fisheries Ireland, Swords Business Campus, Balheary Road, Swords, Co. Dublin. (www.fisheriesireland.ie)

IRISH SPECIMEN FISH COMMITTEE

The work carried out by this voluntary committee is invaluable. Founded in 1953, and with current chairman, Dr Trevor Champ and secretary, Dr Willie Roche of Inland Fisheries Ireland, the ISFC diligently compiles the data sent to them by anglers, many of whom are dedicated specimen hunters who have been fortunate enough to land one of these special fish.

Anglers can claim a specimen once the fish is over the threshold weight limit set for that species. These weight limits can be found in the Annual Report and on www.irish-trophy-fish.com.

The specimen weight is not the record weight, which is the weight of the heaviest individual of that species ever caught on rod and line in Ireland. The specimen weight

is less than the record, typically by a quarter or one third. This means that in any year there may be just one or two, or no more than a couple of dozen specimen fish caught of a particular species.

A specimen is a noteworthy example of a species, and the angler marks this achievement by claiming the specimen award. This way he or she also records the details of the fish for posterity. For many species, the specimen data is the only information available on the status of a species – so the specimen report has a dual function in tourism and angling promotion, and, also in the scientific area, by providing verified information.

CLAIMING A SPECIMENFor a fish to be accepted as

an Irish specimen, its species name and weight needs to be verified. For this the fish must be weighed on a certified weighing scales, such as can be found in the local butchers or the post office, or you can get your own good quality scales certified by any of the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) verification centers listed in www.irish-trophy-fish.com/notices/weights_measures.htm.

To ensure that the fish can be returned alive after weighing, it is useful to have a pike sack to maintain the fish in top condition. Fish-scales from the shoulder area are also needed for salmonid species, as the characteristic life history can be determined from them (scales are also used for genetic fingerprinting of cyprinid species).

For all species, a witness is needed to corroborate the catch, and for some species photographs are also required. The details are entered on the claims form and sent to: ISFC, C/O IFI, Swords Business Campus, Balyheary Road, Swords, Co. Dublin.

To identify some species, the actual body of the fish may be required. This should also be sent to ISFC, but good quality photographs will suffice for most species. (Check out the

rules in the annual report, on the claim form, or on the website. The rules are strict to ensure each fish can be verified properly.)

SPECIMENS IN 2010 In 2010, ISFC received 718

claims of which 607 specimens were ratified for 11 freshwater and 35 marine species. While this indicates a good fishing season for 2010 (76 more specimens compared to 2009), there is another possible reason why specimen claims are on the increase, and this is the new technology of genetic fingerprinting together with improvements in camera technology that allow anglers to obtain the required sample or photographs for biologists to identify the species being claimed.

It is now much easier to claim a specimen award and still return the fish live to the water. One problem with claiming a specimen caught on board a sea-angling boat is that weighing scales cannot be used as the boat does not provide a stable platform for weighing. This means taking the fish to the shore, thereby endangering the fish.

Certain species, such as common skate, undulate ray, and monkfish, have been suspended from ISFC listings as these species are deemed endangered. Another way to solve this problem is not to rely on weight but on length measurement, which can be done onboard a moving boat. This is a method much in vogue in freshwater angling with pike fishermen, and allows recording in competitions without needing to keep the fish in a boat for long periods of time. For this reason, a new pilot scheme will be trialed in 2011 for tope whereby any tope over 160 cm in length can be claimed as a specimen.

Nevertheless, the 2010 season specimen fish awards do indicate that Ireland’s angling catches, both freshwater and marine, are in a healthy state. Some interesting trends have been seen. For instance, the

most iconic species of them all, the mighty Atlantic salmon did not feature at all in the specimen awards in recent years, and was represented by just one specimen each in 2008 and 2009.

But in 2010 there were four specimen salmon, and it is hoped that this is the beginning of a trend, possibly helped by the drift netting ban on salmon introduced in 2007.

NEW FISH SPECIES IN IRELAND

Another trend identified by the specimen fish information is the new arrivals to our shores from more southerly regions. Going back a couple of decades the odd triggerfish was caught mostly in lobster pots off the south coast. But recently more of these once exotic visitors are now being caught on rod and line and also as specimens.

Another exotic arrival to our coasts since 1995 is the gold-grey mullet, two specimens of which were recorded in 2010. Yet another marine fish seems to have arrived in just the last 5 years, and that is the gilt-head bream of which six specimens were caught off the south and south-east coasts. These marine species could be part of a gradual move northwards by species, brought about by warming of the sea due to climate change.

Some anglers specifically target specimen fish; these are the ‘specimen hunters’. Other anglers, to their joy, happen to hook a specimen during regular fishing trips.

But for all anglers, including those who have never caught a specimen, The Irish Specimen Fish Awards Scheme identifies the best angling locations throughout Ireland and the best time of year to fish them – on inland waters as well as seashore and offshore sea fishing.

This makes the ISFC Annual Report one of the most useful fishing guides in Ireland, with back-copies also available from www.irish-trophy-fish.com

Awards at a glance• theawardsschemeisfreeofchargetoanglersand

supportedentirelybydonations• importanttourist/internalangling(factual)marketing

documentisavailableontheISFCwebsite• rulesaredesignedtoensureaccurateidentification

offishspecies,accuraterecordingofweightandcapturedetails

• rulesarealsobeingadaptedtoreflectdevelopmentsintechnology-greateraccessibilitytoqualitycolourcamerasforindividualanglertoallowforgoodidentificationphotos,geneticidforsomespecies,useofpersonalweighingscales(ifcertifiedannuallybycompetentauthority).

Principal donors are Inland Fisheries Ireland. The IFI also provides some staff resource to ensure that a good service is provided to the ISFC.

Theannualpresentationofawardstoanglerswhoseclaimswereacceptedduring2010willbeheldinRed Cow Morans Hotel,NaasRoad,Dublin22at2.30pmonSaturday26th February 2011

1 2

4 5

7 8

10 11


ANGLING 2011

The Drowes Fishery Competition

Win licences and permits for a midweek or weekend’s fishing for two.The Drowes Fishery is one of Ireland’s premier spring salmon and grilse fisheries. The Drowes is among the earliest opening salmon fisheries in the country and regularly claims the honour of producing Ireland’s first salmon of the season on opening day, January 1st.

The river is some 5 miles in length, with over 70 named pools, flowing from Lough Melvin at Lareen Bay and entering the sea at Tullaghan, just outside Bundoran in County Donegal.

The Drowes has a wide variety of water suitable for all fishing methods, including several miles of good fly water and deeper slower moving pools suitable for spinning and bait fishing.

The fishery is based at Lareen Estate, where the river flows from Lough Melvin. There is a fishery office and tackle shop on the estate from where fishing permits and licences are available and boats and engines may be hired.

Also on the Estate are 11 holiday cottages, close to the water’s edge, available for rent throughout the year. The cottages may be rented on their own or as part of a fishing package which includes fishing and boat hire.

For your chance to win licences and permits for a weekend’s fishing for 2 simply email us the correct answer to the following question along with you name, telephone number and email address.

In which pool was the first salmon of 2011 landed?

A UllapoolB BlackpoolC Blackwater Pool

Email your answer to [email protected] or fill out the form at INSHORE IRELAND Stand B4a at Ireland Angling Expo, National Show Centre, Dublin FEBRUARY 12&13.

The winner will be drawn at random from all entries received with the correct answer. Closing date for receipt of entries is Friday February 25, 2011.

TV fishing presenter Matt Hayes with Karl O’Toole and his daughter at the 2010 Ireland Angling Expo

Popularity in angling is growing amongst Dublin’s young people Des Chew, DAI

The Dublin Angling Initiative had a fantastic year in 2010. The year started with the first ever youth zone at the Angling show in Swords which proved to be a tremendous success. This was followed by a youth angling expo in Howth in May as part of Fisheries Awareness Week. With over 3,000 attendants, the day was a tremendous success with workshops in game, coarse and sea angling, a rod clinic and outdoor demonstrations in fly casting, beach casting and fly tying and even trips on chartered boats!

The summer months saw over 250 youngsters take part in fishing courses for beginners.

This involved youngsters aged 12-17 years from youth organisations all over Dublin taking part in sea, coarse and game fishing at various venues. The DAI continued to support youth projects in setting up fishing clubs. RTE’s Nationwide also joined Mulhuddart Community and Whitechurch youth clubs for a day’s pike fishing at Blessington, providing a great boost to the project as many saw the work of the DAI for the first time.

Throughout 2011 the DAI will continue to run its fishing courses and has already received many enquiries from new groups. The Something Fishy schools programme will continue in a selected number of Dublin schools.

We aim to support the Darndale community in the restoration of its fishery in North Dublin to clean up the invasive weed lagrosiphon major as there is a huge interest in fishing in the area.

The DAI will host an interactive youth zone at Ireland Angling Expo in Swords, Co Dublin, on. There will be experts on hand in the areas of game, coarse and sea fishing, and you can learn how to make traces, tie fishing knots, present baits, beach and fly cast.

There will also be live fish on display and wildlife enthusiasts are in for a treat. So come along and meet the Dublin Angling Initiative team and learn how to fish. See www.irelandanglingexpo.ie

All images courtesy of the ISFC

1 - A 3.57 kg Lee Reservoir bream for Simon Kennedy

2 - The Corrib produced two specimen Salmon in 2010 – Martin McCracken’s fish weighed 10.5 kg

3 - Ross Macklin had three specimen bream in 2010 including this 4.82 kg fisih.

4 - A Cuckoo Wrasse from Red Bay for Wolfgang Nicklas

5 - Best Ballan Wrasse of 2010 for Peter McGroary

6 - A Golden Grey Mullet from Baltimore for Micheál Hennessy

7 - The heaviest Garfish of 2010 was taken by Lorraine O’Donnell at Roche’s Point

8 - Well-known angling journalist Mike Thrussell had a Bluemouth in August

9 - Drumlonan Lake was the venue for Keith Mooney’s Tench

10 - Conor Healy with a 2.32 kg Rudd/Bream Hybrid caught in Carrigadrohid Reservoir in June

11 - Early January saw Terry Jackson catch a lovely 11.11 kg pike from the Blackwater.

12 - Jerry O’Connor with one of his specimen Carp from The Lough where all specimen Carp 2010 were recorded

3

6

9

12


ANGLING 2011 - First published in Vol 6 Issue 3 (June/ July 2010)

Dr Joe Caffrey and Linda Mckenny,

Non-native invasive species are plants and animals that

have been introduced from outside their natural surroundings and are alien to their new environment. They can take over the habitat of native species very quickly, resulting in the decline or total exclusion of these indigenous species or communities. They can cause social, economic and environmental damage and, in certain circumstances, will adversely affect human

health. They can impact negatively on the recreational and amenity use of water bodies, with a knock-on effect to tourism, by restricting angling, boating, swimming and other water-based leisure pursuits. And they can also impact upon commerce and industry by obstructing engines, turbines and water intake pipes.

If non-native invasive species are allowed to spread unchecked within the country, the economic and ecological cost could be too great to contemplate.

Prevention is generally far more cost effective and environmentally desirable than measures taken following the

introduction and establishment of invasive species. It should, therefore, be given priority as the first line of defence.

It is critical that appropriate national legislation is introduced to underpin whatever preventative measures are taken. In addition to legislation, codes of conduct or good practice should be developed with relevant industries and stakeholder groups, and the Central Fisheries Board will shortly introduce biosecurity guidelines directed at specific stakeholder groups.

In September 2009, the Central Fisheries Board received funding through the EU’s Life+ Programme to commence the CAISIE project. CAISIE - Control

of Aquatic Invasive Species and restoration of natural communities in Ireland – and the project received €1.5m. The project is jointly funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and is due to be completed in 2013. It will target priority invasive species in Lough Corrib and in the Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation. This will be achieved through the development and demonstration of effective control methods, stakeholder engagement and awareness-raising, as well as enactment of appropriate robust legislation, policy development and information dissemination.

Most of the high-impact invasive species present in Ireland today were introduced in the last two decades, and one aquatic species was first recorded less than one month ago.

Roguesof invasive

Himalayan balsam – Impatiens glanduliferaThis annual plant grows to 3m high and is spread exclusively by seed. The seed pods explode when mature, scattering the small seeds up to 7m from the parent plant. The plants grow in dense stands along the banks of rivers and effectively suppress any native grasses and herbaceous plants. The balsam dies back in Autumn, exposing the bare banksides to erosive winter flows.

Nuttall’s Pondweed – Elodea nuttalliiThis perennial submerged plant is native to North America, and was first recorded in Ireland in the 1980s. It grows in still and slow-flowing water, and thrives in eutrophic habitats. It is a freshwater plant but is tolerant of moderately saline water. In recent years it has become widespread in Ireland, and where it establishes, it can form exceptionally dense monocultures. These occupy the water column from bed to surface and create an impenetrable canopy on the water surface. No native flora can compete with this plant, and as a consequence, natural biodiversity suffers following its introduction. Because of the density of its vegetation, amenity usage of infested waterways is seriously curtailed.

Bloody red shrimp - Hemimysis anomalaHemimysis is a free-swimming, shrimp-like organism that was first spotted in Ireland in 2008. It has spread very quickly into a number of lakes on the River Shannon. It is typically small, ranging from 8-16mm in length. Body colour varies from translucent / ivory-yellow to deep red. The latter colour results from pigment-containing cells in the organism’s body. Hemimysis individuals can aggregate into locally dense swarms during daylight hours, normally in the shade of piers or harbour walls. These swarms impart a distinct red colour to the water where they occur. Hemimysis is a voracious predator and will significantly reduce aquatic insect species, which represent important fish food items, if they continue to spread at the current rate.

Should you encounter any of these invasive species, please contact www.cfb.ie (01 884 2600) or www.caisie.ie with details relating to the exact location of the organism.


ANGLING 2011

Curly leaved waterweed – Lagarosiphon majorLagarosiphon major is one of our most notorious invasive species. It is sold by garden centres and DIY stores as an oxygenating plant for ponds and fish tanks. It was located in Lough Corrib in 2005, where it grows with such vigour that it has already excluded the native flora from the bays in which it is established. The dense vegetation present in many bays in the lake already restricts angling, boating and other water-based leisure pursuits. It could represent a major flood hazard in the Corrib catchment in the future.

New Zealand pigmyweed – Crassula helmsiiThis plant was first recorded in Ireland in 1994. It has spread very rapidly in watercourses in Britain and has the potential to do likewise here. It forms dense submerged and emergent stands in ponds, small lakes and canals. In watercourses it can displace native plants, alter the water chemistry, obstruct water flow and reduce the recreational value of impacted watercourses.

Chub - Leuciscus cephalusChub is a highly prized angling species in Britain and Europe, and was probably intentionally introduced to Ireland by anglers. The presence of chub in Ireland (the River Inny) was first confirmed in 2005. Chub feed on aquatic plants and insects when young, but as they mature, they feed more selectively on larger prey items, including young trout and salmon parr. As Chub will actively compete with native fishes for space, food and spawning habitats, their presence could alter the fish community structure in those rivers where they prevail.

Galleryspecies

Giant hogweed – Heracleum mantegazzianumThis statuesque plant can grow to a height of 4m and was introduced to Ireland as an ornamental plant in the late 1880s. Its preferred habitat is wasteland and the banks of rivers. The plant produces a sap that is hazardous to humans, particularly in the presence of direct sunlight. The large leaves create sufficient shade to suppress native herbaceous understorey plants along banksides.

Asian clam - Corbicula flumineaThe Asian Clam is Ireland’s newest and most dangerous invasive species. It was first recorded in the River Barrow at St Mullins in 2010. Nobody knows for certain how it was introduced here, although it possibly arrived with boats brought in from abroad or as bait. The shells are typically yellow-gold to brown and are characterised by evenly spaced concentric ridges. Normally the clam grows to 25mm although specimens up to 50mm have been recorded. Each clam can filter up to one litre of water per hour. It thrives in clean and well oxygenated rivers with sand or gravel beds. This invasive species has the capacity to totally change the ecology of a river as it will actively compete with our native aquatic insects for food and space. By depleting the insect populations and altering the nature of the river beds, this species could have devastating effects on our native and naturalised fish stocks.


AQUACULTURE NEWS

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) aims to promote compliance with sea-fisheries and food safety law by supporting

and helping the industry to understand their legal obligations under this legislation. The SFPA will continue working in co-

operation with the industry to further develop a culture of compliance to ensure the growth of a sustainable, profitable, and

world class fishing industry in Ireland.

The SFPA is the independent statutory body, legally charged with the State’s sea-fisheries law enforcement functions.

Confidential Line: 1890 767676 Fax: +353 (0)23 8859300 E: [email protected] W: www.sfpa.ie

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith and Minister of State, Sean Connick have discussed the potential for significant expansion of the salmon farming industry with executives from Marine Harvest.

Alf-Helge Aarskog CEO of the Norwegian-based multi-national company and Jan Feenstra head of its Irish operations, outlined to the Ministers the challenges, opportunities and potential for finfish production globally.

The company’s Irish fish farms, in Donegal, Mayo, Cork and Kerry, have been expanding production and hope to produce between 10 and 12,000 tonnes of salmon for export from Ireland this year.

“The company has been increasingly moving to the

production of premium organic salmon and this year expect that 70% of their Irish production will be sold in prime European markets as organically produced fish,” Jan Feenstra told Inshore Ireland.

“Marine Harvest currently employ 250 people in Ireland and 5,000 worldwide, and company sees significant potential to double production and employment in Ireland over the next ten years,” he added.

According to Feenstra, the company sought to explore with the Ministers how aquaculture activity can be best expanded and developed sustainably in existing and new offshore locations on the Irish coastline.

Both Ministers emphasised the synergies between the company’s production plans and the broad strategic vision

set out in the Government’s ‘Food Harvest 2020’ report. The focus by Marine Harvest Ireland on the sustainable production of salmon for export, mainly through organic methods, has very significant benefits for job protection and creation in communities around the coast.

“Exports are fundamental to Ireland’s economic recovery and role that Marine Harvest and other aquaculture operators can play in further expanding exports of seafood is hugely important.”

Minister Smith added that “Our seafood exports increased by 18% in value last year and our Government’s Food Harvest 2020 strategy outlines the enormous export potential in this sector in coming years,” remarked Minister Smith.

Two years ago, Aqua Nor - the aquaculture technology exhibition held in Trondheim, Norway - celebrated its 30th anniversary, and now the organisers are preparing for their 17th show. According to exhibition manager Kari Steinsbø, this year’s event looks like it’s going to be a full house.

“Based on the bookings we’ve already received, it looks like we’ll have about 350-400 exhibitors from about 15-20 countries,” she says.

What started as a small display in connection with a conference on smolt production in 1979 has indeed grown into a major event.

“We believe we are the largest aquaculture technology exhibition in the world, KariSteinsbø adds. “And we hope to remain so.”

Aquaculture technology has developed dramatically through the 32 years since the first Nor-Fishing exhibition. Back in 1979, most salmon farms were located very close to land, and most of them used small, octagonal floating cages designed by salmon farming pioneers

Sivert and Ove Grøntvedt from Hitra in Mid-Norway. Feed was not very sophisticated, either, and other equipment was very rudimentary.

Over the years improvements were needed, and most of the new inventions were made by the farmers themselves. As the industry developed, equipment manufacturers were established as separate businesses, and a whole support industry has since developed.

The initiative to hold an exhibition in Trondheim came originally from the fish farmers themselves. In 1979 the Fish Farmers Association, the Fish Farmers’ Sales Organisation, the Directorate of Fisheries and the Fisheries College jointly organised a conference on smolt production in Trondheim. Some of the equipment suppliers were invited to exhibit their goods in the hallway outside the conference room, and 23 stands were set up. This initiative was so successful it was repeated two years later, and since then Aqua Nor has been a recurring event, every two years, alternating with the fisheries exhibition Nor-Fishing.

Today, Aqua Nor is about much more than just salmon and trout. Norwegian fish farming technology has adapted to other species, and the scientific basis for salmon farming is adaptable to most finfish. As former CEO Knut Molaug of the largest equipment company AKVA

Group, says: “Fish farming today is a knowledge industry.”

“We are seeing increasing interest in Aqua Nor from fish farmers in different parts of the world, growing different species like cod, cobia, tilapia, tuna, even shrimp,” says Ms. Steinsbø.

The number of foreign

exhibitors and foreign visitors has grown steadily over the years. Two years ago we had over 14,000 visitors from 59 different countries. In 2009 there were several business delegations from far-away countries like Brazil, Thailand and Vietnam, and some years ago we had a high-

level delegation from Ireland led by Minister of State Hugh Byrne. We hope to welcome several such delegations this year also.”

More information about Aqua Nor 2011: www.nor-fishing.no

Aqua Nor is probably the only aquaculture exhibition with the capacity to show full-size floating structures on their premises. Here a full size floating cage is displayed at the area called ‘Skansen’.

Aqua Nor – aquaculture technology on display

Expansion of salmon farming could provide much needed coastal employment


AQUACULTURE NEWS

Seaweed extracts: benefits and functionsBy Dr Stefan Kraan,Scientific Director, Ocean Harvest Technology

Over the last decade a lot of hype has prevailed

about seaweed extracts, resulting in the epiphany of a certain face cream retailing for US$ 250 for a mere few fluid ounces.

Unfortunately the economic climate has now changed, and products have to earn their mark or have at least some proper scientific evidence behind them. Nevertheless, seaweed extracts have been used in Ireland for a long time; popular folklore and anecdotal information tells us that these extracts are beneficial for all kinds of ailments.

MULTI-FUNCTIONALMost famous of all is

Chondrus crispus or Irish moss, also known as carrageen. Carrageen is popular as a cold remedy and is used as a thickener for desserts, soups and sauces and used as extract for skin treatment.

It is only in the last couple of years that the function of this cold remedy has been understood; the carrageenans (linear D-Galactans, comprising galactose sugar

molecules with one or more sulphate groups) are able to reduce the rhinovirus growth and inhibit the effects and replication of the virus. The human rhinovirus family is the cause of about half the cases of common cold.

Other examples are kelp extracts such as Laminaria digitata which are applied to lessen the effects of arthritis and rheumatism. In this case it is the high concentrations of iodine that are taken up through the skin and work as an anti-inflammatory. Studies at UCD have demonstrated that iodine is also taken up by the body in seaweed baths.

The most-used application of seaweed extracts however is most definitely in agriculture and hydroponics. For centuries farmers have been using seaweed to fertilize the soil; it was a logical step to start making extract from the seaweeds for their beneficial properties in a concentrated form.

The many growth hormones (e.g. gibberlins, auxins); osmoregulators (betaines) minerals, soil improvers etc found in these extracts provide a range of beneficial actions, such as a resistance to freezing and drought in plants, stress nematodes, worms and fungi.

COSMETIC COMPONENTOver the last two decades,

the use of seaweed extracts in cosmetics has taken flight, with the French leading the way, although nowadays seaweed-containing cosmetics exist everywhere and products are know from Japan to Ireland.

Several seaweed species are commonly used in the preparation of body-care products: the red algae Chondrus crispus (anti-gingivitis and anti-scarring activity); and Palmaria palmata (antiperspirant activity); species of the brown alga Laminaria (rich in iodine which boosts metabolism); the coralline algae Lithothamnion (rich in calcium carbonates and trace elements); species of the brown algae Fucus (heparin-like activity and antiseborrhoeic effect on greasy hair) and Ascophyllum nodosum (slimming action, shampoos and shower gels.

That seaweed and seaweed extracts are good for the skin is beyond dispute, according to cosmeticians and beauticians. Mainly based on anecdotal information, one can only assume that alginates, carrageenans and agars, found in large quantities in many seaweeds have a beneficial effect in combination with warm seawater; however, it is probable that there are other

constituents of seaweeds that have restorative powers.

Research in the last 10 years sheds light on this, and good scientific evidence has been appearing over the years. The Japanese scientist Fujimora discovered that extracts from Fucus (bladder wrack) promotes the contraction of fibroblast-populated collagen gels through increased expression of integrin molecules.

A gel formulation that included 1% of the extract was applied topically to human cheek skin twice daily for five weeks. A significant decrease in skin thickness measured by B-mode ultrasound resulted. There was also a noticeable improvement in skin elasticity. In cheek skin, the thickness normally increases and the elasticity usually decreases with age. These results suggest that the Fucus vesiculosus extract possesses anti-aging activities and should be useful for a variety of cosmetics.

It was demonstrated that these effects were caused by the fucoidan fraction of the extract. Using tissue sections of human skin in ex vivo experiments the French researcher, Karim Senni demonstrated that fucoidan could minimize human leukocyte elastase (serine proteinase) activity resulting in

the protection of human skin elastic fibre network against the enzymatic proteolysis. Others have demonstrated anti-UV properties and antioxidant activity when applied to the skin.

In short, there is merit in using these extracts in cosmetics although it depends on the species used, concentrations applied and scientific evidence obtained.

Ocean Harvest Technology has already begun using tailor-made organically-produced seaweed products

to make a variety of extracts for the aquaculture and other industries.

With several seaweed experts on the staff and our in-house knowledge of the variety of species in Ireland and their bioactive molecules, Ocean Harvest Technology is ideally positioned to produce these extracts for use in a variety of applications.

For more information on our seaweed powders and extracts go to www.oceanharvest.ie

Fucus vesiculosis or common bladder wrack, a popular species used in extracts Seaweed native to Irish coasts are rich in many bioactive compounds

Dr Stefan Kraan


AQUACULTURE NEWS

New shellfish test developed by Queen’s University set to revolutionise global fishing industryGery Flynn

An initiative designed to establish a number of Knowledge Networks on the island of Ireland to further the integration of food safety and food behaviour capacities by forging links between researchers and food producers – including aquaculturalists – will be launched at an open symposium and technical workshop to be hosted at the end of May at Queen’s University Belfast.

It’s the result of a partnership between Safefood, the North-South body responsible for the promotion of food safety on the island of Ireland and the Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use (IAFLU) at Queens, who’s Director, Prof Elliott is the network facilitator.

Professor Elliott’s research team at IAFLU is fast becoming recognised globally for high quality research in the food safety field – especially for a recent breakthrough in the detection of marine biotoxins in shellfish.

A new test developed by IAFLU not only ensures that shellfish are free of toxins before they reach the food chain but is likely to revolutionise the global fishing industry.“This test has been developed as part of a €10m BioCop research project led by Queen’s involving 32 international research partners and the European Commission,” Professor Elliott told Inshore Ireland.“We have signed a substantial contract with the UK-based company, Neogen Europe, to commercialise the idea, the third such aquaculture product developed by Queen’s and Neogen.”A $500,000 grant from The American Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to develop the test in the USA so that it can be conducted in laboratories and on boats as soon as the shellfish are caught is likely

to drastically cut the time taken to get the catch from fishing nets to supermarket shelves. Professor Elliott spoke to Inshore Ireland

Professor Chris Elliott, Chair of Food Safety & Microbiology at Queen’s University Belfast, and Director of the Institute of Agri-Food & Land Use


AQUACULTURE NEWS

WHAT ARE safefood KNOWLEDGE NETWORKS?

safefood is an all-island implementation body set up about a decade ago as part of the Northern Ireland Peace Process. One of its aims is to look at the major topics relating to agriculture and food across the island, and to link people (from regulatory authories to researchers) with common interests.

A mechanism adopted to achieve this is a system of knowledge networks based around particular topics or themes. Six such networks are now in operation, with several more to come on line during 2011. The networks themselves deal with problems that people within the different agri-food industry sectors are faced with. The two themes I’m interested in are: chemical contaminants that accumulate in different types of foods and those from nature itself such as biotoxins.

WHY WOULD SOMEONE FROM THE AQUACULTURE SECTOR WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

Many people active in aquaculture research in universities and government bodies are already well linked together. We believe however that we are missing input from the industries themselves. We do good research ourselves but sometimes I wonder is that what the industry actually wants, do they in fact understand what we are doing? We want industry to identify the big issues, the big problems facing them and to put these out as a challenge to researches to find the solutions.

HOW WOULD SOMEONE JOIN A KNOWLEDGE NETWORK?

Simply by visiting www.safefood.ning.com where you can register and create your own personal profile for other network members to see. The information you provide at registration will serve as your profile information, and the more extensive your answers are on registration, the more other network users will be able to understand your role in food safety.

The network has six specialist groups, each relevant to a different area in food safety.

To join, during registration, click which groups you feel are relevant to your area of work. Within these specialist groups you will find other network members with similar interests as well as useful features such as a forum and blog postings. You are then free to contribute to these as you wish.

IS THERE A COST INVOLVED AND HOW MUCH TIME WILL IT INVOLVE?

The good news is that it is a completely free-of-charge service. Funding for the networks is being provided by the safefood organisation itself. And they are really investing quite heavily in getting these networks established. In relation to how much time it takes to become involved, it can be as little as five or ten minutes or as much time as you think is worth while. Instead of searching on Google, you search the networks. If you’ve got something to say you write down a few sentences, leave it and come back a day or a couple of days later.

HOW WOULD A SHELLFISH PRODUCER OR A SEAFOOD PROCESSOR BENEFIT FROM JOINING A safefood NETWORK?

Most people involved in aquaculture generally work within small companies. And small companies often struggle to deal with complex problems. They don’t have the resources to invest to sort out these problems, and very often they don’t have the time to contact other people about issues that affect them.

As researchers we tend to have the infrastructure to do these things however. What we can do when we look at the network and the problems that are emerging is to see some common themes arising. That is the opportunity for the researchers to step in and provide solutions across a network - not just for one small producer. We’re trying to give people a forum where they can flag up problems that will generate discussion and lead to solutions.

It’s important to emphasise that this is an island-wide network. We’re already working with universities in Dublin Galway and Cork. One of the gaps we’ve already

identified is that researchers do not work closely enough with the industry, and that’s what these networks are about.

YOU HAVE A MAJOR EVENT PLANNED FOR THE END OF MAY, WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?

The first network Symposium and Technical Workshop is planned for Queen’s University from May 31 - June 1. The event will focus on problems associated with aquaculture and the impact particularly of climate change. We’re already aware of growing evidence that climate change is causing toxic episodes world-wide, resulting in the closure of affected shellfish beds. Exchanging thoughts and ideas over the Internet is one thing, but really what we want to do now is to get people sitting around a table to discuss the particular problems that are likely to face.

HOW CAN I REGISTER AND IS THERE A CHARGE?

All details are available at www.qub.ac.uk/safefoodnetworks.and the cost of registration is £50 but if someone joins a network, this first conference is free. What we’d really like people to do is join the network, come along to the first conference and see what they think and how it could help their company. We really want the companies themselves to become stakeholders in the network.

IF I HAVE ANY IDEAS FOR FUTURE EVENTS OR ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NETWORK WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?

As the facilitator of the Biotoxin Network and the Chemical Residues Network, I can be contacted at Queen’s University, Belfast, Institute of Agri-food and Land Use, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AY. E-mail [email protected]

WHAT WILL FOLLOW THIS EVENT? AND WHERE WILL I FIND FURTHER INFORMATION?

All information relating to the activites of the network including the findings and conclusions will be uploaded on to the safefood network sites. Access will be to the full membership.

Aims of safefood networks• Todevelopmulti-disciplinaryandcross-jurisdictionalrelationships

betweenprofessionalsinterestedincommonfoodsafetyandfoodbehaviourthemes;

• Toraiseawarenessamongststakeholdersofcurrentfoodsafetyandfoodbehaviorchallengesanddevelopmentsatallpointsofthefoodchain,toincludetechnologicaladvances,monitoring,surveillance,regulatorydevelopmentsandon-goingresearchbothontheislandofIrelandandinternationally;

• Toprovideanopportunityforthesharinganddisseminationofcurrentknowledge,practicesandemergingissuesontheislandofIreland

See more at http://safefood.ning.com


MARINE R&D

President McAleese visits the Marine Institute

On January 11, President Mary McAleese visited

the Marine Institute headquarters at Oranmore, Co. Galway where she inspected the laboratory facilities and addressed the Institute’s staff.

“As the resources of the ocean become ever more implicated in the future development of high technology sectors like energy, information and communications, medical and pharma, they will be a key part of Ireland’s future economic story,” remarked President McAleese.

“Our economic recovery will in part rest on this Institute’s capacity for ensuring that Ireland’s marine resources are translated into economically

viable ideas that deliver jobs, efficiencies and solid prosperity for our people. You are key enablers in the delivery of the Government’s marine strategy ‘Sea Change’. You are key strategists in optimising the funding available, in directing research, in encouraging innovation,” she declared.

Remote sensing technologyDuring her visit, President

McAleese met many of the scientists and administrators involved in SmartBay - an innovative project to spearhead cutting-edge remote sensing technology in the aquatic environment. The project is supported by a consortium of industry, research and third-level institutions comprising Dublin City University; NUI Galway; NUI Maynooth; University College Dublin; IBM; Intel and the Marine Institute. President McAleese

was also briefed on the Institute’s many innovative and ongoing programmes to sustainably manage wild fish stocks, ensure seafood safety and protect the marine environment.

STATUS VALIDATION“We are all deeply honoured

by the President’s visit here today and her recognition of the great strides that the Irish marine science community has achieved over the last decade,” said Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute.

“Last year, Ireland’s reputation as an emerging centre of excellence in marine science was validated by the announcement of over €23 million in competitive European funding for some 30 Irish marine research groups, including around 20 SMEs engaged in cutting edge work on such vital areas including ocean energy, sustainable fisheries, biotechnology, and marine environmental monitoring.”

This level of funding represents several times the

leverage rate that might be expected from a country with Ireland’s national investment in marine RTDI as well as a doubling of the EU grant-aid awarded to Ireland’s marine science sector under the previous Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), when 59 collaborative projects from Ireland were awarded €10.6 million in grant aid.

“There is a vast amount of work to be done to comprehend how to make our seas and oceans work best for us and for those who will come after us,” President McAleese added. “You are the people who have made that work your personal vocation and you start your next two decades with a context that is very challenging.

“No-one knows the marine environment or its potential better than you. May your work continue to harness and harvest that potential, surprising and exciting us with the many ways in which our marine environment, for all its dangers, can make life better for all of us.”

L to R: Dr Martin McAleese, President Mary McAleese, Marine Institute Chairman Jim Fennell and Chief Executive Dr Peter Heffernan with the ‘Real Map of Ireland’. Photo – Andrew Downes, Galway

The wonders of Irish marine life came to the school classroom

at St. Clare’s Primary School, Harold’s Cross, Dublin with the launch of the Explorers Primary Marine Outreach and Education Programme on the east coast.

This programme, which has already been successfully rolled out to some 40 primary schools in the West of Ireland, is a collaborative effort between the Marine Institute; Forfás Discover Primary Science and the Galway Atlantaquaria, with support from the Galway, Mayo and Clare Education Centres; as well as the Bray Sea Life Centre and Blackrock Education Centre in Dublin.

TAILORED LESSON PLANS

The aim of the Programme is to empower primary school teachers to include marine themes in their classes by providing specially devised lesson plans and other support services adapted to the Social Environmental and Scientific Eduction (SESE) primary curriculum.

“The Explorers Programme focuses on Ireland’s two greatest natural resources – our vast undersea territory and our young people,” remarked Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute. “If Ireland is to develop a thriving marine sector in tomorrow’s world, then it will

be the young people of today who will make it happen.”

As well as providing specially adapted lesson plans via its website at www.explorers.ie, the Programme also assists local education centres with special in-service courses for teachers on seashore ecology, marine history, arts, crafts and mathematics. Courses have been run in the Galway area since 2005 and it is planned to extend these to the east coast in 2011.

“The Explorers Programme is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn about the sea,” said Kate Rooney, Sixth Class Teacher and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Co-ordinator at St. Clare’s Primary School.

“And for teachers, it offers the chance to explore a number of strands in the SESE curriculum in a new and exciting way. We are delighted to be one of the first schools on the east coast to be invited to participate.”

One essential element of the Explorers programme is the partnerships with commercial public aquaria on the east and west coasts.

“Marine science is fun, and this programme proves it!” said Pat Ó Súilleabháin of the Bray Sea Life Centre. “Given Sea Life’s commitment to the promotion of marine education, I am delighted to be partnered with the Explorers Programme on the East Coast.”

L-R Pat O’ Suilleabhain of Bray Sea Life Centre, Maria Spring - Principal of St. Clares Primary School and Dr Peter Heffernan with two Sixth Class Pupils at the launch of the Programme

Bringing the ocean to the classroom


MARINE R&D

Over six hundred days at sea planned for Irish research vessels in 2011Ireland’s national research

vessels RV Celtic Explorer and RV Celtic Voyager are

set to lead Europe in 2011 with an all-time record of 627 days at sea between the two ships, well above the average for equivalent European research vessels.

Their work will range from fisheries surveys to underwater mapping, and from climate studies to deepwater surveys with the remotely operated submarine vehicle ROV Holland 1. They will also undertake training missions and carry out essential maintenance work on Ireland’s network of data buoys, which in parallel to their research function supply the vital information on which weather and shipping forecasts are based. Their increased activity reflects the growing imperative to understand and sustainably manage the economic

potential of our offshore marine territories ¬– an area over ten times that of Ireland itself.

Commercial fish stock assessments will be a major part of the two ships’ workload. Between them, they will devote 141 days on stock surveys in support of the sustainable management of Ireland’s fisheries. This will include underwater television surveys of valuable prawn stocks off the Aran Islands and in the Irish and Celtic Seas; work on blue whiting; a survey of herring stocks in the Northwest, as well as the comprehensive forty-nine day annual Irish groundfish survey that will take place in stages all around the Irish coast from September to December.

This survey, the largest undertaken by an Irish research vessel, is essential to provide the scientific data used to inform the

annual quota negotiations in Brussels each year.

“Research vessel surveys are a critical part of the work we do,” Dr Paul Connolly, Director of the Marine Institute’s Fisheries Science Services Team, told Inshore Ireland. “The survey results are not only used in the scientific assessments of the stocks, but also to inform our meetings with industry through the Irish Fisheries Science Research Partnership (IFSRP) which was established in 2008. This group is not only looking at ways to protect depleted stocks, but also as an ‘ecosystem approach’ to fisheries management, where scientific information and fishermen’s practical knowledge is combined in a holistic way to reach workable solutions.”

SILENT PROPULSIONThe flagship of Ireland’s

research vessel fleet RV

Celtic Explorer is specially adapted to acoustic fish stock assessment, by employing beams of sound to measure the number, size and type of fish in any particular area. The ship is equipped not only with a virtually silent diesel-electric propulsion system, but also carries a specially designed ‘drop keel’ that lowers an array of sophisticated sonar equipment below the surface turbulence caused by the passage of the ship’s hull through the water.

This equipment was used to great effect in the Irish National Seabed Survey – the largest civilian mapping project of its time that charted Ireland’s undersea territory and produced stunning three-dimensional maps of the seabed. These images comprise what the Institute has dubbed ‘The Real Map of Ireland, which now features in a new

primary schools atlas and can be downloaded free of charge from the Marine Institute website at www.marine.ie.

CHARTER TO NEWFOUNDLAND

It is also one factor that influenced the decision by the Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to charter the RV Celtic Explorer for a survey of overwintering cod stocks in Canadian waters which is taking place currently.

“The Celtic Explorer provides us with a unique opportunity to have a fishing industry that is based on better science,” remarked the Honourable Clyde Jackman, the Newfoundland Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “Together with the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research it will provide many new immediate opportunities for young Newfoundlanders

and Labradorians in conducting fisheries science research and result in a more vibrant fishing industry for the future.”

Speaking on behalf of the Marine Institute, CEO Dr Peter Heffernan said that Ireland and Newfoundland both believe that science holds the key to the sustainable development of our natural resources.

“We’re delighted that our flagship research vessel is retracing the historical voyage of past generations of Irish fishermen to Newfoundland waters. And we look forward to partnering Newfoundland in undertaking joint scientific endeavours that will benefit our peoples on both sides of the great Atlantic Ocean that unites us.”Readers can view an online web log of the Newfoundland mission at http://scientistsatsea.blogspot.com

Newfoundland fisheries scientist Prof. George Rose with members of the Irish and Newfoundland team in Cork prior to the sailing of the RV Celtic Explorer.

Photo – Cushla Dromgool-Regan, Marine Institute

Research vessel RV Celtic Explorer in heavy seas. Photo – Robert Bunn, Marine Institute


MARINE R&D

The Kongsberg EM 3002 multibeam echo sounder is

capable of 3D inspection of underwater port structures, with the highest

resolution.

The system is capable of resolving details as small as 10 cm, using up to 508

simultaneous, focused and stabilised narrowbeams. The dual head version can

do concurrent mapping and inspection over a 180 degree sector.

The system operates reliably also in difficult geometrical environments. EM 3002 will detect debris and other objects on the bottom, will map the

seafloor according to the strictest IHO regulations, and has a maximum operating

range 250 meters or more.

www.km.kongsberg.com

Precision survey

BRING CLARITY TO THE WORLD BELOW

Report says ocean energy sector can provide 70,000 jobs by 2030John Hearne

An all-Ireland ocean energy (OE) sector could be worth €9 billion according to a new report commissioned by SEAI and Invest Northern Ireland. The research, carried out by UK consultancy SQW, says that up to 52,000 jobs could be created in wave energy and 17,000 jobs in tidal energy if the Government’s 2020 renewable targets are met.

The report acknowledges that the ocean energy sector is in its infancy and that the cost of developing OE technologies remains high. It argues however that a modest increase in State support for the sector could reap substantial rewards in the years ahead. In addition to the employment dividend, OE would also facilitate extensive carbon savings and critically, increased security of supply for the island.

Tidal energy operates on the same principle as

hydroelectricity in that it uses tidal power to drive underwater turbines. Systems are subject to damage in harsh environments, and there are few suitable tidal power sites on the island. Wave energy technology draws energy from surface waves, using a number of different ‘rise and fall’ capture systems.

Former minister for Energy, Eamon Ryan, targeted 500MW of ocean energy to be installed by 2020. A full-scale test site is currently under development off north Mayo. The SQW report acknowledges that there is still much to learn in developing the best device and concept, which will be critical in realising the sector’s potential.

The report says that with sufficient learning rates, encouraged and proven through subsidy, it is possible that an all-Ireland wave energy industry meeting the 500MW target by 2020 could produce 1,431 jobs initially. This would

increase to between 17,000 and 52,000 jobs by 2030. Similarly, a tidal industry providing 200MW of capacity by 2020 could deliver 600 full-time jobs, increasing to between 8,500 and 17,000 jobs by 2030.

NEW JOINT VENTURE TO DEVELOP TIDAL FARM

OpenHydro, an Irish tidal renewable energy company and Bord Gáis Energy have formed a joint venture focused on the development of a utility scale tidal farm off the coast of Ireland. Bord Gáis Energy will initially invest €1m in OpenHydro, whose business is the design and manufacture of marine turbines for generating renewable energy from tidal streams. Bord Gáis has also agreed to invest a further €1m on achievement of milestones relating to the tidal farm development.

OpenHydro, which employs 50 people and has an international project portfolio, has raised €15.4m over the

past twelve months from existing shareholders and new investors. It is also involved in the development of a 200MW tidal farm in the Pentland Firth off the northern coast of Scotland. The company was the first tidal energy company to connect to and generate electricity from tidal streams onto the UK National Grid.

STUDY TO EVALUATE WAVE ENERGY SITES

SEAI has agreed a funding deal with Australian renewables company, Carnegie Wave Energy, for a €150,000 project to evaluate potential wave energy sites off the Irish coast. The project, which will be funded on a 50:50 basis, will be managed through Carnegie’s Irish subsidiary CETO Wave Energy Ireland. The aim, subject to the outcome of the evaluation, is to establish a 5MW commercial demonstration project in Irish waters. RPS Consulting Engineers have been awarded the contract to undertake the study.

OCEAN ENERGY TEAMS UP WITH LEADING TURBINE MANUFACTURER

Wave energy development company, Ocean Energy Limited, has signed a turbine development and supply agreement with leading turbine manufacturers, US multinational Dresser-Rand. Ocean Energy has successfully tested its quarter scale ocean energy buoy at the government’s test site in Galway Bay over the last two years. It is the only device of its type to have undergone and survived rigorous testing, including a one-in-40-year wave during sea trials.

“Together we will be able to provide clients with a high level of confidence in the global wave energy market which is estimated to be worth €200bn per annum,” says John McCarthy, chief executive of Ocean Energy. “There will also be the added benefit of creating thousands of Irish jobs as well as providing much-needed solutions to our energy and greenhouse gas problems,” he added.

Dresser Rand is a global company with a market capitalisation of $2.5bn and has 62,000 turbines operating in over 140 countries.

INFOMAR Notice of operations 2011

The Integrated Mapping for the Sustainable

Development of Ireland’s Marine Resource (INFOMAR) programme is a joint venture between the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Marine Institute.

It follows on from the Irish National Seabed Survey but has a focus that is expanded to include three programme areas, namely:• Data Acquisition, Data

Management and

Interpretation

• Data Exchange and

Integration

• Value Added Exploitation.

Covering some 125,000 square kilometres of underwater territory, INFOMAR will produce integrated mapping products covering the physical, chemical and biological features of the seabed.

During the current year of INFOMAR Phase 1 (2006-2015), operations are planned to take place within the following priority bays, harbours and offshore areas (see Figures 1-2):

PRIORITY BAYS Waterford, Bannow, Wexford,

Youghal, Blacksod, Dingle, Shannon, Lough Foyle, Lough Swilly

PHASE 1 PRIORITY AREASSouth Priority Area

(Ballycotton to Dungarvan), East Priority Area (Wexford to Wicklow).

PHASE 2 AREAS Inshore Dundalk and

Approaches to Carlingford as part of the INIS Hydro Survey (INTERREG IVA project in partnership with MCA). Kenmare Bay as part of MESH Atlantic (INTERREG IVB).

Data acquisition methods will include hydrographic and geophysical vessel survey, and geological seabed sampling. In support of the above, coastal and offshore tide gauges will be deployed in advance of and during operations.

As part of the ongoing planning process, INFOMAR is interested in identifying previous, current, and planned operations or environmental constraints within the above priority survey areas, (e.g. environmental and/or physical monitoring / dredging / commercial activities/ wrecks)

Enquiries or supporting information in relation to the above programme should be directed to Linda Grealish on 091 387509 or email [email protected] or [email protected].

Inshore Ireland is a marine and freshwater bi-monthly newspaper produced by Gillian Mills and Gery Flynn and is available six times a year in newsagents throughout the island of Ireland (11,000 copies circulated in the RoI and NI). In news, feature and advertorial format, Inshore Ireland reports from the coastal rim and inland waterways under the headings:

Readership• Aquaculture• Island life• Water quality• Inshore fisheries• Seafood business• Seafood processing• Water-based leisure• Ports and shipping• Marine engineering and technology• Sustainable energy ( wind, tidal, wave )• Marine and freshwater policy and regulation• Marine and freshwater research and development• The legislative frameworks regulating seafood production• Commercial exploitation and development of the marine and freshwater environments

Why Subscribe?Over the past five years, Inshore Ireland has provided unbiased analysis of topical issues relating to the marine and freshwater sectors. By focusing on renewable energy and marine research/technology, readers are also kept informed on these rapidly developing sectors. In other words: ‘If it’s water we write about it’! Inshore Ireland is regarded as an important and reliable source of information for marine professionals, commercial businesses, as well as academics and research institutions and anybody interested in these areas, so don’t miss out - have your copy delivered straight to your home or work place.

Subscriptions 2011Subscription to Inshore Ireland couldn’t be easier. First select your subscription rate. Next simply indicate below whether you wish to pay by cheque or standing order and tick which issue you wish your subscription to start - you will receive 6 issues from that issue. Once you’ve completed the form post the original (unfortunately we cannot accept copies or scans) to Inshore Ireland, Rockfield, Athenry, Co Galway


MARINE R&D

Coliemore Harbour, Dalkey, Co Dublin, once the principal port for Dublin was constructed in 1868 by John Cunningham. Now it is home to small fishing boats and lauch point to local Dalkey Island. Photo Jehan Ashmore

Choose your subscription ratesTick as applicable

q Ireland €25 q UK €25 q European Union €30 q Rest Of World €30

2011/2012 Publication SchedulesInshore Ireland is published six times a year. Please indicate which issue you wish your subscription to start by ticking the box.

2011 Issue Published 2012 Issue Published

Feb/Mar 27 January q Feb/Mar 26 January q

Apr/May 26 March q Apr/May 29 March q

Jun/Jul 28 May q Jun/Jul 31 May q

Aug/Sep 30 July q Aug/Sep 26 July q

Oct/Nov 24 September q Oct/Nov 27 September q

Dec/Jan 26 November q Dec/Jan 29 November q

Copy and print deadlines are subject to change

Payment MethodChoose whether you wish to pay by cheque or standing order

q Cheque Please make your cheque payable to Inshore Ireland Publishing Limited, Rockfield, Athenry, Co Galway

q Standing Order Please complete Standing Order form below

Standing Order Form

To The Manager

Bank/Building Society

Branch Address

I/We hereby instruct you to set up a standing order in favour of; Inshore Ireland, Rockfield, Athenry, Co Galway, Ireland Bank Of Ireland, Kill O The Grange, Blackrock, Co Dublin, IrelandSwift: BOF IIE2D IBAN: IE25 BOFI9011 8328 4237 85

Company/Business Name (if relevant):

Account Holder’s Name(s):

Signature(s)

Date

Bank Account Number Sort Code

9 0 1 1 8 3

For a 6 issue subscription in Inshore Ireland commencing from the issue as indicated above for

€ Payment Date:

Frequency: q One Year q Two Years q Three Years

2 8 4 2 3 7 8 5

Bank Account Number Sort Code

Our/My account to be debited:

Email

Subscribe to Inshore Ireland - The marine & freshwater environment publicationEstablished in 2005 by marine journalists Gillian Mills and Gery Flynn, Inshore Ireland provides impartial news and analysis on the marine and freshwater environments. Published bimonthly, Inshore Ireland reports from Ireland’s 7000km coastline, 1000km2 of lakes and roughly 1,000km of navigable inland waterways

In other words: If it’s water, we write about it!

ONLINE EDITIONYou can view a digital edition of the publication onwww.inshore-ireland.com or you can follow us on

Twitter www.twitter.com/inshore_ireland

and Facebookwww.facebook.com/InshoreIreland


SEAFOOD DESK

Brian O’Riordan,ICSF

At a recent meeting of the 29th Session of the FAO’s

Committee on Fisheries (COFI 29), the issue of ‘small scale fisheries’

was a major item on the agenda. Since 2005, successive COFI’s have highlighted the importance of small-scale and artisanal fisheries to providing food and livelihoods, their important contribution to food security and

FAO Fisheries Committee: North-south divide on small-scale fishingICSF is an international non-governmental

organization that works towards the establishment

of equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector. For more, please visit www.icsf.net

200 outlets endorsed as best places to eat & buy seafood

Three Munster seafood establishments have scooped

the much coveted titles of Seafood Specialist of the Year, Supermarket Seafood Counter of the Year and Seafood Restaurant of the Year in the annual BIM Seafood Circle Awards.

Announcing the 2011

membership, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, Sean Connick TD congratulated those who had retained their membership as well as the 41 newcomers to the Seafood Circle:

“The fact that the Seafood Circle is growing despite the stringent criteria that need to be met in order to gain

membership is inspiring. It highlights that many seafood retailers and hospitality outlets are striving to go that extra mile to ensure customers have the best seafood experience possible and that quality and attention to detail do not need to be compromised even in these demanding economic times.”

The Seafood Circle was developed by BIM to support and champion retail and hospitality outlets that continually offer excellent quality seafood and service to their customers. The Seafood Circle plaque is presented to members on an annual basis and BIM encourages customers to seek outlets with this badge of honour in order to be assured of the best seafood available.

In addition to the stringent criteria, outlets also must demonstrate to independent assessors that they have superior knowledge of their products, have excellent customer service skills and comply with the strictest storage, handling and

presentation requirements.Since its inception in 2001,

categories have expanded to include retail members covering supermarket seafood counters and seafood specialists. In 2011, all of the Superquinn counters retained membership and Supervalu seafood counters nationwide are now on board.

Separately, the hospitality sector now boasts 99 members and is independently assessed by food writer, Georgina Campbell. A key focus of this year’s membership is whether the establishment is viewed primarily as a ‘seafood destination’.

The top accolades went to: Quinlan’s Kerry Fish in Tralee (Seafood Specialist of the Year Award; Scally’s SuperValu, Clonakilty (Supermarket Seafood Counter of the Year) and Fishy Fishy Café, Kinsale (Seafood Restaurant of the Year 2011.)

For a full members listing log on to www.seafoodcircle.ie or www.bim.ie

Donal Buckly, BIM, (right) presents Liam Quinlan (left) of Quinlans Fish Shops with the BIM Seafood Specialist of the Year award 2011. Paul Stack, shop manager displays a 75lb monkfish caught off the Skelligs West Kerry.


OUTSIDE IRELAND

the backing and financial strength of Allianz

When you simplywant it

1890 48 48 48 www.allianz.ie

20% OFFNew Polices Sold Until 31/12/10*

*Subject to minimum premiums. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, discount or promotion.

Allianz p.l.c. is regulated by the Financial Regulator. Terms and Conditions apply. Calls may be recorded.

Cover for Storm, Accident, Fire & Theft,Attempted Theft & Vandalism

Cover for Personal Injury to anotherperson or passengers

Cover for Accidental Damage toother property

Personal Accident Cover

Premium reduction available if youberth in a marina

Premium reduction for qualifications

Higher Excess Discounts

Variable 3rd Party LiabilityLimits available

Optional Premium Protection Cover

Wide range of craft covered

Free 24hr Claims Advice line

Various payment options

No inner limits imposed for UnderWater Damage

Storm, Accident, Fire & Theft,Attempted Theft & VandalismVandalismV

Variable 3rd Party LiabiliLimits available

For Pleasure Craft Insurance we tick

the right boxes...

Cauterets bound for our two competition winnersWendy Scott

Cauterets – the beautiful ski and spa town nestled in the

high Pyrenees in France, – is the destination for Stephen O’Sullivan (Co Offaly) and Monica Cahalan (Co Antrim) winners of the competition for a week’s ski pass and daily pass in thermal spa, courtesy of The Tourist Office in Cauterets (www.cauterets.com) and Inshore Ireland.

Inshore Ireland caught up with the two competition winners to let them know that they had won and this is what they had to say:

“I’m delighted, I’ve been skiing in the Pyrenees before and know what a great place it is: lovely people and beautiful mountains and of course the food is amazing. I can’t wait to go back,” remarked Stephen O’Sullivan.

“I can’t believe it; I never win anything, I can’t wait to go. A friend of mine was in Cauterets last year and said it is fantastic. I am so pleased,” said Monica Cahalan.

SO WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THEM?

Cauterets is situated just over 30 km from Lourdes in the Midi Pyrenees region and at this time of year is generally surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The scenery is amazing and the skiing is great.

Forget queuing for hours to get onto ski lifts or to get food at exorbitant prices, Cauterets is not like this. Like all resorts it does get busy around the Christmas period and during the French ski holidays in February. But at any other time you can enjoy fantastic stressifree skiing. The main ski area is the Cirque du Lys (1730-2450 metres) with over 36 km of piste: 2 black; 7 red; 7 blue and 4 green runs and an exclusive area for beginners. There are also three freestyle areas for the more adventurous snowboarders and skiers to practice their tricks.

Pont Espagne is another area where you can do cross country skiing; snow shoeing; sledging and tobogganing; this area is also great for beginners. If you decide you don’t want to ski every day there’s plenty to see and do, and the Tourist Information Office will be able to help you make the most of your time.

A typical scenario: A day skiing or boarding on the slopes in beautiful sunshine, stopping to take in the view or have a vin chaud (mulled wine) or coffee

in the new ski station. Then head back down into the town for hot chocolate in Les refuge des Sens before heading to the thermal baths to relax and let hot jets of water soothe any any aches or pains. Then back through the indoor market, Les Halles, to taste the local Brebis cheese before returning to your accommodation to get ready for dinner.

There are plenty of excellent restaurants to choose from: La Creperie for good wholesome inexpensive food, to the more atmospheric La Bonne Franquette, L’Assiette Gourmand or La Bois Joli; or for something slightly different La Reine Hortense. After your meal enjoy the entertainment in Le St Trop where Kiki and Stephane will not only serve you drinks, but

may even sing for you, or why not try your luck in the Casino. Cauterets and the surrounding area is magnificent, steeped in history and culture. You can experience all of the best aspects of what other European ski resorts have to offer without having to experience the worst aspect…it’s not pretentious, overcrowded, or over priced. You will come back refreshed!

poverty alleviation, and the challenges they face to secure their sustainable development.

At COFI 29, delegates were asked to discuss and advise on whether a new international instrument dedicated to small-scale fisheries should be developed by the FAO and if so whether this instrument should be global in scope and integrate human rights principles. In short, could a new international instrument that incorporated economic, social, cultural, political and civil rights help improve the lot for millions of small-scale, artisanal fishing communities the world over?

FISHING RIGHTS V. HUMAN RIGHTS

Most of us would probably agree that the human rights of the men and women who fish and who engage in fishery-related activities should be respected. But to what extent could or should fishing rights be compatible with human rights?

It is increasingly recognised that technical, economic or environmental approaches to fisheries management, which ignore the social, political and broader human rights of fishing communities, have failed to deliver sustainable and equitable fisheries.

Linking fishery rights and human rights reflects a move towards an approach more in line with the reality of the diverse livelihoods of small-scale fishing communities and the complexity of poverty. To apply a ‘rights-based approach’ in this sense to the allocation of rights to fish implies also addressing the broader human rights of fishers to adequate livelihoods and equitable benefits. Good access rights will balance social, cultural, economic and environmental goals; assist in reducing conflict; enhance food security and livelihoods for small-scale fishers and fishing communities, and facilitate the conservation of local ecosystems.

UNANIMITY/NO DISSENTION

Getting approval for the FAO to develop an international instrument for small-scale fisheries required unanimity - or at least no dissention. Prior to the COFI 29 meeting it appeared the EU might block such approval by not supporting the proposal for a new international instrument. The European Commission representative questioned whether such an international instrument was needed and whether an additional layer of soft law was needed, and would this not be used as an excuse for delaying?

He suggested it would be better to start at local, national and regional levels based on what is already available, and to develop national policies to improve the livelihoods of all fisher people. Lurking in the background was also the worrying issue of how such an instrument might apply to small-scale fisheries in the EU, and how it could affect the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

International instrumentDelegations from other old

industrialised (i.e. excluding BRIC) countries including New Zealand, USA, and Canada also questioned the need for such an instrument, given the relative prosperity of their own small-scale fisheries. Implicit in their arguments was that food security and poverty alleviation were not issues of concern for the industrialised world, or at least not yet. Many States also balked at the idea of incorporating human rights into fisheries policies, with India considering such an inclusion ‘awkward’.

Finally agreement was reached, but in the compromise required to reach consensus on the need for a new international instrument, small-scale fisheries in the industrialised world are to be excluded, and the incorporation of a human rights approach remains a fuzzy issue.

Senegalese pirogues at Ndiago, Mauritania. Photo: Beatrice Gorez, Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements.

inshore ireland vol 7 nr 1 feb-mar 2011

Documents

aquaculture news

drowse fishery page

irelands fishingindustry

small industry

ifa members

fish health

quality irish fish

directive breachedthe