Inshore Ireland Vol 8 nr 4 Aug-Sep 2012

Taoiseach’s backs new marine plan with strong political statementGery Flynn

Harnessing our Ocean Wealth – the government’s

much-anticipated integrated marine plan has been unveiled by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny who says that no effort will be spared implementing it.

Subtitled a roadmap ‘for integrated actions’, the plan expects to see Ireland, for the first time, evolve ‘a system of policy and programme planning’ for its maritime affairs.

Nevertheless, it comes with the ‘health warning’ that targets will have to be met ‘within the over-riding medium term fiscal framework and budgetary targets adopted by the Government’.

The plan sets the ambitious twin target of increasing turnover from Ireland’s ocean economy to more than €6.4bn by 2020, and doubling the value of its ocean wealth to 2.4% of GDP by 2030.

‘Our ocean is a national asset, supporting a diverse marine economy with vast potential to tap into a €1,000bn global marine market for seafood, tourism, oil and gas, marine renewable energy, and new applications for health, medicine and technology. In 2007 Ireland generated 1.2% of GDP (€2.4bn) from its ocean economy. While the EU Commission estimates that in 2007 between 3% and 5% of Europe’s GDP was generated from sea-related industries and services.’

For the period 2012-2014, fifteen actions are identified for implementation. Among these is a call for the development of an

enterprise strategy aimed at generating momentum in potentially lucrative sectors such as offshore renewables, offshore services, and marine and coastal planning.

This will focus on

addressing deficiencies in the current and licensing system as well as developing an appropriate Maritime Spatial Planning Framework for Ireland, it suggests.

Key goalsThe plan also identifies

three high-level goals based on the concept of sustainable development as being of equal importance:

Goal 1 focuses on a

thriving maritime economy whereby Ireland harnesses the market opportunities to achieve economic recovery and socially-inclusive

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€1.90/£1.50 Bi-Monthly The Marine & Freshwater Environment Publication August/September 2012 Vol 8 Issue 4

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Gery FlynnFeatures Editor

The launch by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny on July 31 of the Harnessing

Our Ocean Wealth strategy roadmap will be seen by most of Ireland’s wider maritime community as a significant achievement by this government, and a welcome first step on the road to tapping into a global market estimated to be worth €1.20bn.

The six months process leading to last month’s launch can be traced back to February when Minister Coveney posed 10 questions that he hoped would stimulate the public into providing ideas and suggestions to generate sustainable growth in a

thriving maritime economy. One hundred and ninety-two

submissions were eventually received. We now have not only a strategic road map but also a promise from the Taoiseach that no time will be lost implementing it.

From start to finish this entire process has been a master-class of meticulous planning - choreographed by the civil service.

It is noteworthy too that the Taoiseach himself launched the final document - a reaction perhaps to the stinging criticisms carried in this publication and in the wider media that compared to Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, Enda Kenny was not visible enough in the effort to attract marine-related investment from abroad.

Headlines such as ‘Ireland is closed for business’ prompted by mounting frustration in the marine renewables sector in particular

would seem to have hit home. If that is true then we can

expect to see Taoiseach Kenny taking a more visible ‘hands-on’ involvement in the maritime sector. And if that happens, it will then be interesting to see the response - if any - from the international marine renewables bodies who have criticised him.

Another key presence at the launch was Minister Simon Coveney whose task it will be to pilot the new strategy.

Minister Coveney is undoubtedly one of the few shining stars in this government. He has proven himself to be a talented, hard-working and clear-thinking minister who is not only knowledgeable about his marine brief but also passionate about it. He also has an enviable ability to communicate complex ideas and concepts clearly.

It must be hoped that just as he has familiarised himself with the challenges and the opportunities in the marine sphere, Minister Coveney will not find himself in a new department as the result of a cabinet reshuffle.

Minister Coveney has succeeded in winning the confidence of the wider maritime community who see him doing a first-class job.

There is much more work to be done however. The strategy document just launched is not the end - it’s only the beginning. And if it is not to end up like so many others as just another dust-catcher, decisive and bold leadership will be required.

With Minister Coveney at the wheel and Taoiseach Kenny in the co-driver’s seat, this could be the start of a very rewarding journey for Ireland’s maritime sector.

commen

tHarnessing Our Ocean Wealth – the journey begins!

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INFOMAR Programme Update | Research Talks| Related Projects | Research Vessel tours

INFOMAR Annual Seminar 2012

October 11-12thUniversity College Cork

For further information see http//:www.infomar.ie

SEAI to host major international conference on ocean energy

Eoin Sweeney,Head, Low Carbon Technologies, Marine, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland

October 17-19, Dublin welcomes the 4th International

Conference on Ocean Energy (ICOE) – the global marine energy event focused on the industrial development of renewable marine energy. Hosted by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in partnership with European Ocean Energy Association and the IEA-OES, the aim of this conference and exhibition is to share recent experiences from OE research and demonstration efforts, and ultimately accelerate the development of this new sector by stimulating collaboration networks between companies and research and development centres.

latest teChnologiesThe event will bring together

over 700 international experts and world-leading companies in OE for the three-day event in the Convention Centre Dublin. As well as the trade exhibition where many of the top industrial players will demonstrate the latest technologies in harnessing renewable energy from the sea, this ideal waterfront location also provides the opportunity for demonstrations and displays of OE technologies and working kit on the river or nearby. Some of the top industry names exhibiting include OpenHydro; Scottish Development International; Oceans Networks Canada; Siemens; DCNS; Planet Ocean and Vattenfall.

Related eventsGlobal industry and

academic experts in marine renewable energy will present over one hundred papers on

themes important to growing this new marine industry.

Following the opening addresses by Pat Rabbitte, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and ministers from Northern Ireland and Scotland, key industrial speakers include Kai Koelmel, Vice-President Renewable Energy, Siemens and Peter Wesslau, UK Country Manager, Vattenfall.

Eddie O’Connor, CEO of Mainstream Renewables and Sean Kidney, founder of Climate Bonds Initiative will cover offshore grid and the long-term financing of renewable energy projects while an international perspective will be brought by Xia Dengwen, State Oceanographic Administration, China and John Huckerby, OES-IEA.

site visitsFringe events over the three

days include a welcome reception on the 17th and a gala dinner in Trinity College Dublin on the 18th. Many international enterprise organisations are also using the opportunity to host business-to-business networking events.

Once the formal proceedings end, delegates will have the opportunity to take a guided tour to the OpenHydro factory in Co Louth and the MCT Seagen turbine in Strangford Lough.

In the decade in which OE will become a significant player in electricity generation, job creation, and a bright hope for the future of our planet, the fit with Ireland’s clean energy and economic goals makes this SEAI event unmissable for those involved, or with an interest in, marine renewable energy.

Full conference programme and poster sessions: www.ICOE2012Dublin.com.

Registration and exhibition details: www.ICOE2012Dublin.com.

ICOE 2012 is sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, ESB and Siemens.

Maritime project wins public service excellence award

IMERC – the Irish Maritime and Energy Resource Cluster – has been selected from 190 applications to receive the 2012 An Taoiseach’s Public Service Excellence Awards. This is the first time a maritime

project has featured since the awards were initiated in 2004. It was among 20 projects singled out for demonstrating innovation and excellence across all State services.

The award emphasises the ‘sea change’ underway to create awareness of the value and economic potential of Ireland’s marine resources. IMERC is a tripartite alliance between the Irish Naval Service (INS), University College Cork (UCC) and the Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) which seeks to harness and integrate public sector and industry expertise to develop the Cluster and to realise the potential of emerging economic sectors, including ocean energy.

“The award is an acknowledgement of the hard work, leadership and talent of the researchers; naval service personnel; trainers; educators; agency and industry stakeholders in IMERC,” remarked Dr Val Cummins, IMERC director.

She also acknowledged the progress underway in government departments (marine, energy, defence, education and enterprise) in framing the policy environment to encourage maritime innovation and job creation.

Upon completion of development works next year the campus will be the world’s largest marine renewable energy research facility, supporting a growth trajectory that could yield up to 52,000 jobs from wave energy for Ireland by 2030.

Professor Pat Fitzpatrick (SEFS UCC); Lt Niamh Ní Fhátharta (INS); Dr Val Cummins (IMERC); An Taoiseach Enda Kenny; A/Sec Maurice Quinn DOD and Commodore Mark Mellett (INS)

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sustainable growth.Goal 2 aims to achieve

healthy ecosystems that provide monetary and non-monetary goods and services such as food, climate, health and well-being.

Goal 3 aims to increase engagement with the sea to strengthen our maritime identity and increase awareness of the value, opportunities and social benefits of engaging with the sea.

stRong signalIntroducing the plan at the

Marine Institute, Taoiseach Enda Kenny described it as “an imaginative and workable” marine strategy that his government would waste no time in implementing.

“I came here today to launch this plan and to send the strongest signal that my government is backing it. I hope also that my presence here will be seen as a political statement about where I stand regarding the marine sector. I firmly believe in this plan and that it will bring huge economic benefits to the generations coming after us,” he declared.

“With such an impressive strategy now before us there is no time to lose. I’m not going to listen to those who will say it cannot be implemented or that bureaucracy and red tape will strangle it. The business

of government is to deal with all of that by opening the doors of opportunity. And believe me I will be doing just that.”

Taking the long-term view, the Taoiseach said he was confident the plan would be seen by future generations as the platform from which Ireland launched her first integrated marine strategy.

“I’d like to think that perhaps in twenty years the people on this island who are deriving economic benefit from the judicious use of the seas will look back and say this plan is what initiated Ireland’s focus on marine activities.

“I don’t want this plan to sit on a shelf gathering dust. It won’t. We’ve already seen the pages of too many past reports becoming glued together through inactivity and time. This strategy for the marine is far too important for both our country, our economy and the next generation to let that happen.”

Passionate, dRiven PeoPle

Also throwing his weight behind the new plan, Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine Simon Coveney compared it to the highly successful Food Harvest 2020 strategy which was launched last year for the agri-food sector.

“When Food Harvest 2020 was launched, nobody noticed. Now however, people

are constantly announcing new initiatives in the food sector, and referring back to the business plan that was put in place. People began to realise that this was a real working business plan - a key road map for the agri-food sector.

“I predict that Harvesting Our Ocean Wealth will do the same for the marine sector, except that it will be even bigger. This strategy is about realising the potential of our marine, Ireland’s largest natural resource - by a country mile,” he declared.

Acknowledging “the considerable frustrations” that had built up in certain sectors of the marine industry over the past decade, Minister Coveney predicted the new strategy would go a long way towards clearing some of the legal bottlenecks that had stymied development and expansion.

“Task forces of talented individuals, driven people, passionate about the potential of the marine, including civil servants, academics and policy makers – all with a wide range of complimentary skills - will be put in place to drive this new strategy forward. These will be people who want to see things happen. I have no doubt they will be pushing me and the rest of the Marine Co-ordination Group for results, and I welcome that,” he concluded.

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Launch of dedicated marine jobs website

Upwards of 80 Irish-based marine jobs and 140 international opportunities were advertised on dedicated portal www.marine.jobs.ie as part of a marine careers, education and training event

at the Volvo Global Village last month. Many organisations across shipping, technology, research, energy,

and cruise line hospitality were over the two day event. “It’s exciting to see such a wide variety of marine job

opportunities on offer. It shows the very real potential of our marine sectors to assist with Ireland’s economic recovery,” remarked Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute.

Among the recruiting organisers were IBM; Chamber of Shipping; Wavebob; P&O Maritime; TechWorks Marine and SmartBay Ireland Ltd, as well as paid research positions (PhD and PostDoc) with GMIT and DCU.

Experienced HR specialists were also on hand to provide advice on preparing for a career in the marine sector. The MI and the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) were also offering marine career advice, job opportunities, CV workshops and clinics to support and advise job seekers looking to work in this sector.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny launches www.marinejobs.ie along with Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO Marine Institute (left) and Andrew Parish, Wavebob

Notice to tenderTraining Instructor Positions Bord Iascaigh Mhara is the state agency with primary responsibility for the development of the Irish Seafood industry. BIM provides training to the Irish seafood industry at the National Fisheries College, Greencastle, Co. Donegal, the Regional Fisheries Centre, Castletownbere, Co. Cork and locally, on its mobile Coastal Training Units (CTUs).

BIM invites tenders for suitably qualified and experienced instructors to assist in the delivery of Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport Deck Officer and Engineer Officer (Fishing Vessel) training programmes at specified training centres for the period from September 2012 to August 2015.

Ideally candidates will have:• The mandatory qualifications set out for each position.

• A proven track record in teaching in the maritime sector or capable of demonstrating the same.

• Excellent communication, I.T. and interpersonal skills.

All documentation regarding the aforementioned positions are available to download from the government procurement portal website: www.etenders.gov.ie. Any queries relating to the positions must also be channelled through the notice on the etenders website.

Interested parties must register on the website to view and download documentation.

Please note that delivery of the aforementioned tuition services will be through a limited liability company, which will be in full compliance with all tax and regulatory requirements and in possession of a current Tax Clearance Certificate.

www.bim.ie

1857 BIM Training Instructor B&W Ad 151x83.indd 1 02/08/2012 11:08:31

Ireland referred back to Court over incomplete environmental impact assessment lawsGillian Mills

Whilst Ireland has finally ratified the Aarhus

Convention giving Irish citizens the same environmental rights as the rest of Europe, the European Commission referred Ireland back to the Court of Justice on June 21 to bring its national legislation on assessing the effects of projects on the environment into line with EU rules.

The Commission has requested the ECJ to impose a lump sum fine of over €1.8m and a daily penalty payment of over €19,000 for each day until the infringement ends.

‘Despite an earlier referral to the Court and a subsequent ruling in March 2011, Ireland has not yet ensured the full transposition of the Environmental Impact Assessment into national law,’ an EC statement reads.

PubliC PaRtiCiPationThe Aarhus Convention

sets down basic rules to promote citizen involvement in environmental matters and to improve enforcement of environmental law. Its provisions are broken into three pillars: Access to Information; Public Participation in Environmental Decision-making and Access to Justice.

The convention has been implemented in the EU by two Directives: 2003/4/EC on Access to Information on the Environment, and Directive 2003/35/EC on Public Participation in Environmental Decision-Making and Access to Justice.

assessment befoRe aPPRoval

The aim of the EIA Directive is to ensure that projects likely to have significant environmental impact are adequately identified and assessed before approval. Developers can then adjust projects to minimise negative impacts before they actually occur, or the competent authorities can incorporate mitigation measures into the project approval.

‘A fundamental objective of the EIA is to ensure that projects likely by virtue of their nature, size or location to have significant effects on the environment, are subject to an impact assessment.

‘Concerns remain regarding complete transposition of Article 3 of the Directive, avoiding any negative consequences of split decision-making between Irish planning authorities and the Irish Environment Protection Agency, and the exclusion of

demolition works,’ it adds.

dePaRtment ResPonse

In a statement to Inshore Ireland the Department of the Environment said the Attorney General confirms all provisions are now in place:

‘There are no fines associated with the ratification of the Aarhus Convention. The ECJ case you refer to (regarding EIAs) is a separate issue, and ratification of the convention is not affected by the case.

In March 2011, the Court of Justice of the European Union found against Ireland in Case C-50/09 to the effect that Ireland had not fully or correctly transposed elements of the EIA Directive, as amended.

Furthermore, acknowledging the wider applicability of Article 3 to other consent systems provided for in Irish law, the Department, in consultation with other Departments, is currently in the process of engaging on these other legislative consent processes outside the planning system to ensure full and correct transposition of Article 3 in those codes. The Department is working closely with the Commission to close out this case, and avoid the imposition of any fines.

Comment Challenged

Pat Swords, a chemical engineer who won a case against the EU for failure to properly implement its renewable energy programme in accordance with Aarhus Convention, challenges the Department’s position:

“The Convention requires that planning should be conducted in a transparent and fair manner, with accessibility to the reasons and considerations for any decision. Failure by Ireland to transpose Article 3 of the 1985 EIA Directive is a failure in this regard.

“Transposition requires

the planning authority (county council or An Bord Pleanala) to conduct its ‘own’ systematic assessment of the environmental aspects to derive its decision – an assessment that has to be made public on request, such that the citizen has the information to evaluate the basis for the decision and if deemed necessary to challenge it.

“If progress is to be made such that the Convention becomes properly accessible it is going to take Irish citizens to challenge public authorities, for example, requesting information, engaging in public participation and accessing their rights through the courts.

“The Convention is there to be used to ensure proper accountability; we can continue to have decisions that affect us made by others, or we can engage in the process. Ultimately the choice is ours,” he told Inshore Ireland.

enviRonmental milestone

Michael Ewing of the Environment Pillar said that ratification was an important milestone but these rights were only meaningful if they are exercised.

“Raising public awareness of the Convention and training personnel in public authorities is therefore crucial for its effective implementation,” he said.

“The Convention also requires proactive provision of environmental information. The EPA is making great strides to provide interactive online mapping so that you can see mostly historical information on what’s going on and the state of the environment in your locality.

“At the same time, local authorities that have detailed and up-to-date information on the quality of drinking water, for example, do not in many cases share that important information with the consumer, except to give boil water notices

when things get really bad,” he told Inshore Ireland.

Although Ireland signed up to the Convention in 1998 it has taken until this year for the government to ratify it. When 15 months have elapsed from the date of ratification (Sept 29 2013) any person may go to

the Compliance Committee of the Convention to seek a remedy if the government is not fulfilling its legal obligations.

(Further information on the Aarhus Convention go to: www.ec.europa.eu/environment/aarhus/)

Ireland losing ocean energy dominance race to ScotlandGery Flynn

Despite having a third of northwest Europe’s

renewable energy resources - including the most energy-intensive waves and Europe’s highest wind speeds - Ireland has already lost ground to its closest geographical rival, Scotland, in the race to dominate the ocean energy sector, a submission to government by the Marine Renewables Industry Association (MRIA) warns.

The MRIA claims that by 2030 an all-island wave energy industry could produce 17,000-52,000 jobs with a net value between €4-10bn. In the same time frame a tidal industry may deliver 8,500-17,000 jobs, and a value between €1.5 - €2.7bn.

According to the MRIA, this will happen only if Ireland gets what it calls ‘early mover advantage’ and is involved in the earliest stages of research, development, demonstration and pre-commercial employment.

The MRIA suggests that if Ireland is to compete realistically with Scotland in the OE sector it should adopt some of the following key priorities:

Scotland has a foreshore consenting system which works; there is joined-up action between agencies to support the industry e.g. Marine Scotland deals with all aspects of offshore energy

Scotland has a large team of civil servants (reportedly thirty compared to about three or four in the Republic of Ireland) to support the industry with policy work, etc

Substantial funding is available in Scotland to support early stage

development, including the DECC fund (£20m) and the MEAD fund (£18m

Scotland has an emerging leadership position in R&D and demonstration. The offshore renewables ‘Catapult Centre’ in Glasgow has £10m in annual funding for industry-led R&D. The EMEC test centre in Orkney currently has every berth full while the Crown

Estate will soon be leasing small nursery sites in Orkney. A new wave energy test tank is being built at the University of Edinburgh.

Scotland’s top political leaders have set tough targets for the industry: the equivalent of 100% of all electricity consumption from renewable sources plus the same amount again exported by 2020; replace the 120,000 jobs at risk in oil and gas as the North Sea fields run down.

‘Mackerel war’ drives trade sanctions call against Iceland/FaroesBrian Moore

THE Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) is calling for sanctions

to be imposed immediately against Iceland and Faroes to protect the future of the mackerel fishing industry both in Ireland and the EU.

At a Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels last month, Minister Simon Coveney emphasised that both Iceland and Faroes should not be rewarded for their irresponsible behaviour and called for trade sanctions to be applied in the event that Iceland and Faroes are not prepared to agree a modest share reflecting its involvement in this fishery.

“Mackerel is the financial driver of our pelagic

catching and processing industries. We’ve worked at EU level and with Norway to build up and sustainably manage this stock. I cannot justify a situation where Iceland and Faroes could each end up with a disproportionate share of the mackerel stock, unjustified by scientific evidence or historic catches.”

DETrImEnTal DEalHe added that a deal with

Iceland alone will not save the stocks but could result in the permanent loss of EU jobs and economic activity in remote coastal areas.

“For those reasons I am urging the Commission to agree a solution which will prevent this happening,” he said.

Chairperson of the FIF and CEO of the Irish South & West Fish Producers

Organisation (IS&WFPO), Eibhlin O’Sullivan told Inshore Ireland the time for talking was over:

“We need sanctions put in place immediately. We’re firmly of the view that if Iceland and Faroes are not prepared to accept a modest share of the quota, which reflects their historical participation in the fishery, that the sanctions announced by the EU should be immediately enforced.

“Ireland has a long tradition in the mackerel fishery which is a very important fishery both economically and socially. It is therefore pivotal for the continued success of the fishery that this situation is resolved.

“At the end of the day, it will be Irish fishermen who will pay for the irresponsible actions of Iceland and Faroes,” she warned.

Broadhaven Bay. Failure to apply the Aarhus Convention during the Corrib gas pipeline project prevented objectors from their rights to take a judicial review of the planning or EPA decisions and prevented the developer from access to a proper planning system, which was transparent and fair. Photo Shay Fennelly

The question of science, ethics and water fluoridation

Declan Waugh,Environmental Auditor and Risk Management Consultant*

Ireland commenced its policy of water fluoridation in the late 1960s before

joining the European Union. We did this at a time when other European countries were openly questioning the benefit and risks associated with this policy.

Today, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland have all rejected water fluoridation entirely. The policy has also been discontinued in countries such as China and Japan on human health risk grounds, and in the past few years over 800 cities and communities in the USA and Canada have also discontinued water fluoridation, the most recent examples being the cities of Santa Fe, New Mexico and Orilla, Canada.

infoRmation bReaKdown

This is not something you ever read about in the Irish press nor do you hear that the policy has been successfully challenged in the U.S. Courts and found to be

lacking scientific credibility and harmful to human health and the environment. Neither are people informed that most European Governments believe such a policy to be unethical or that European courts have found fluoridation of public water supplies to be unlawful.

So why is it that Ireland remains the only member state within the European Community and one of only two countries in the entire world (the other being Singapore) with a nationally mandated legislative policy on water fluoridation?

Why is it that countries such as Denmark and Sweden effectively banned water fluoridation following independent risk benefit assessments that demonstrated beyond any reasonable doubt how the long-term toxicological effects of fluoride on humans and on the environment far overshadows any potential minor beneficial effects associated with fluoridation of drinking water; while Ireland maintains it is both effective and safe?

In science there is no middle ground. Even our closest neighbour the UK found that the evidence for water fluoridation did not stack up, in their comprehensive study commissioned by the NHS. In fact the chairman of the review body, Professor Sheldon, had to take the

unprecedented step of publishing a letter to counter pro-fluoridation bodies deliberately misrepresenting the findings of their review with the intention of misleading the public into believing that water fluoridation was safe.

new findingsEven as I write this

researchers at Harvard University have just published a major study that documented how fluoride in water can cause permanent neurological damage to children. Previously in 2006 researchers at this University found fluoride in water caused Osteosarcoma an often fatal bone cancer.

This raises serious questions about who exactly are the government advisors to this policy, and how independent they may be in evaluating the risk of such a policy, especially when government agencies across Europe have all largely found that the quality of science supporting fluoridation to be deliberately misleading and biased and scientific reporting to be so poor and flawed as to be of little scientific merit.

It is not just the science argument however that concerns European governments; many believe such policies violate civil rights laws and the ethics of democratic governance by enforcing mandatory medication of their populations without informed consent.

No citizen of Ireland has given their consent to have their drinking water medicated with a substance that is used to treat disease.

RisK assessmentIn 2005 the European

Court of Justice determined that no ‘medicinal product’ may be given to consumers without appropriate scientific risk assessments taking into account the varying degrees of sensitivity of different consumers groups.

In the case of water fluoridation, high risk groups include infants; diabetics; individuals with nutrient deficiencies; the older population; people with thyroid disease and kidney failure.

No health risk assessment studies have ever been undertaken in Ireland

or elsewhere, on water fluoridation. The U.S. National Research Council and most recently the European Commission’s Scientific Committee for Health and Environmental Risk both found that the toxicology of water fluoridation chemicals are incompletely investigated.

Ultimately we are products of our own actions and environment. In pursuing such a policy it was never fully considered that most of the fluoride we needlessly ingest ends up permanently bound to our bones, calcified tissues and organs with certain health impacts.

Likewise we also failed to consider how artificially fluoridating millions of litres of water a day with a chemical compound that is defined as a persistent environmental toxin may itself impact on the environment. Incredibly no environmental impact assessment has ever been undertaken to investigate how a listed dangerous substance in EU law may be impacting on the quality of our environment.

For a country once famed for its freshwater fisheries, this is of particular importance given international research has identified that juvenile salmon are extremely sensitive to fluoride which has been found to be lethal to them at concentrations far below those currently present in treated fluoridated water.

By continuing its mandatory policy of water fluoridation, Ireland is exposing its citizens and its environment to unnecessary risk contrary to its international legal obligations that enshrine the ‘precautionary principle’ into the governance of this State.

To find out more, download my report: Human Toxicity, Environmental Impact and legal Implications of Water Fluoridation from http://www.enviro.risk.html

*Founding Director of Partnership for Change and EnviroManagement Services, and recipient of the Cork Environmental Forum Award for outstanding individual contribution to the environment.

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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].


Fracking: Are short-term economic benefits far outweighed by long-term damage to the environment?Davide Gallazzi*, North West Environmental

This article is in part a response to Gareth Jones’ interview in Inshore

Ireland June-July (see www.inshore-ireland.com.)

Here I address only some of the environmental issues associated with extracting natural gas from shales through the process of high volume hydraulic fracturing - otherwise known as SGHV fracking. Numerous other concerns intrinsically associated with this practice exist however, such as severe health problems and negative impacts on the economy of affected areas.

NeGaTive experieNcesThe prospect of introducing

SGHV fracking to Ireland has already raised concerns amongst citizens all over the island alarmed by reports of some negative experiences in the USA and Canada.

SGHV fracking is much more than just a refinement of the older technique used both in the gas and oil industry and for water wells. In the ‘old fracking’ method, the volume of water used was relatively small, and wells did not have a significant horizontal section.

More crucially, ‘old fracking’ was often carried out as a last resort before abandoning a well. In the case of proposed development, fracking is the pivotal aspect upon which the whole project is based. Without repeated hydraulic fracturing at each well, viable commercial extraction of shale gas cannot occur.

Moreover, in Ireland fracking has been used on isolated wells. With SGHV fracking however, the wells will be placed very close to each other – in 7-acre (2.8 hectare) pads, each containing up to 24 wells. Pads will be between 2 and 4 km apart, all over the licenced areas. The potential detrimental consequences on the environment of SGHV fracking would clearly be much more severe.

eNviroNmeNTal impacTTamboran Resources which

holds a licence covering more than1,750 km2 in Fermanagh, Leitrim, Cavan and Sligo, says it will drill between 2,500 and 9,000 wells. Each well will be fracked 3-5 times - each one requiring up to 10,000 m3 of water.

That is an enormous amount of water to be removed from the water cycle and would have

inevitable negative impacts on the receiving environment, in the form of groundwater level decline and/or lowering of river flow, for example. It should be noted too that the licenced area in question also has up to 50 protected sites (NHAs, SPAs, SACs and ASSIs), most of which are surface water-dependent.

Tamboran proposes to drill to depths of only 700-1500m, as the shales are relatively shallow. These shales however sit directly above a ‘Regionally Important’ aquifer (RIA), and are separated from another overlying RIA by 400-700 m of sandstone, shale and limestone. These are classified as ‘Locally Important’ aquifers.

Incidentally, this RIA also hosts an extensive network of caves and conduits that constitute an exceptional geological heritage of international importance, as represented by the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark in Cavan and Fermanagh.

Furthermore, a number of elevated faults are present in the area which can act as a preferential pathway for the movement of groundwater.

separaTioN disTaNceA report** published in

the UK in April suggests that deriving from the experience of currently fracked areas in USA and Canada, a minimum precautionary separation distance of 600m between the target formation and the aquifers should be maintained. This is because the hydraulically-induced fractures tend to develop in unpredictable directions and lengths.

Once a fracture is created it is not possible to close it and move on. A permanent potential pathway for water pollution, possibly connecting the shale with the major aquifers, or connecting two or more wells, will have been created. It is quite evident that the geological conditions of this area make the project a risk too great for such a doubtful prize.

leakaGe evideNceData released by the oil and gas

industry reveal that 1% of wells were leaking within one year and that 50% will leak within 30 years. It is not a question of good drilling practice - unless we assume that in the USA and in Canada drillers do not know their job. It appears that the engineering is not up to the task.

Tamboran also declare that no toxic or carcinogenic compounds such as dimethylformaldehyde; polyacrylamide and glutaraldehydes among numerous others will be used.

This is a welcome decision, although it is being challenged by independent experts.

Nevertheless, not injecting chemicals into the ground does not eliminate the risk of pollution as the fracking fluids have been known to return to the surface with heavy metals, radioactive materials and hydrocarbons.

poTeNTial damaGeTamboran claims that salt will be

the only product that the fracking fluid will bring back to the surface. In a freshwater environment however, salt would be a pollutant. If a salty fracking fluid manages to find its way into a surface water body or an aquifer, it will kill both vegetation and aquatic life and/or make it unsuitable for human consumption.

If a major case of pollution is caused by the proposed development, it is easy to foresee the damage it will bring to

Ireland’s international reputation as ‘a green, clean, unpolluted, almost pristine country’ producing high quality meat and milk.

We have only to look at recent food scares i.e. ‘mad cow; ‘foot-and-mouth’, ‘dioxins in pork’ etc to get an idea of the associated negative effects on exports from the agricultural sector – a major contributor to the Irish economy. To foreign buyers it will not matter if the pollution happened in Leitrim but the imported meat comes from Wexford: Ireland is Ireland.

Regulations, no matter how stringent, do not guarantee a job will be carried out properly, as witnessed first-hand recently within the banking and financial sectors.

iNfamous loop-holesIn the USA the Clean Water Act;

Clean Air Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act were in place when the ‘shale gas boom’ began. The

industry managed to be excluded from some crucial requirements of these Acts, under the infamous ‘Halliburton loop-hole’.

In conclusion, it would be great if shale gas could be extracted in a safe way for the benefit of this island. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

*Davide Gallazzi has a Masters in Geology and has been working on soil and groundwater pollution for 20 years, both in Italy and in Ireland. He is also professionally accredited with the Institute of Geologists of Ireland and with the European Federation of Geologists. [email protected]

** Preese Hall Shale Gas Fracturing – Review and Recommendations for Induced Seismic Mitigation - April 2012. Downloadable from http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/meeting-energy-demand/oil-gas/5055-preese-hall-shale-gas-fracturing-review-and-recomm.pdf

Fracked landscape, Wyoming, USA


fReshwateR foCus inshore ireland august/september 2012 9

RePoRt

The tranquility of canal fishing Brendan Connolly

One great benefit of angling is that it takes you to beauty spots full

of atmosphere, capable of affecting your mood.

Fishing on wind-swept rocky seashores is bracing as you tackle the slippery rocks covered in seaweed and inhale deep breaths of salty sea air – all with the power of the crashing surf in front of you. On the other hand, fly-fishing from a boat on a lake is more leisurely as you drift passed unspoiled islands, savouring the expanses of water. And casting a flyline on a salmon river is yet another experience with its own feel and atmosphere.

One of the most tranquil and relaxing fishing locations however must

surely be along the banks of Ireland’s canals. No more than 8-10 metres wide they surreptitiously wend their way across the midlands, mostly hidden from sight.

Winding ribbOnsObscured by high bridge

parapets where they meet a road, the canals exist largely unnoticed by the hustle and bustle of modern life. Build in the 1700s and early 1800s, the canals stretch like ribbons of unspoiled habitat for water birds, aquatic insects, and a variety of fish species; long and narrow havens of tranquility.

Fish species include perch; roach; rudd; bream; eels; pike; tench; and carp. There are also hybrids of rudd, roach, and bream. Water in stretches can be crystal clear or cloudy. For angling it is usually better to pick

a cloudy stretch; you are, after all, no more than a few metres from the fish.

One sunny July afternoon, an angler set up his fishing gear on the Grand Canal near Edenderry along a stretch of cloudy water. He first mixed breadcrumb groundbait with a little water which he kneaded into balls the size of an orange and threw into the canal in front of him. He also had about a half pint of mixed red and white maggots.

He used a telescopic rod 4.5 metres long to lift the small quill float and a number 14 Kamasan hook on 2lb breaking line over the side vegetation.

Lead shot weighted down the float so that its tip just protruded above the water surface. The float was adjusted so that the hook hung just above the canal bed which was baited with two maggots, one red and one white.

Canal CalmnessCasting in, the angler

settled back in his chair to enjoy the calm surroundings and to listen to the clucks of a water hen nearby. The float slowly drifted from left to right, moved by the slight water movement in the canal.

After a while the angler noticed bubbles coming to the surface from fish feeding on the ground bait. He put a pinch of maggots into the leather pouch of his angling catapult which he shot out in a scatter.

He watched the float intently and sure enough, the tip bobbed up and down and was then pulled under. The angler lifted the rod and felt the tug of a fish which he slid along the water surface into the landing net. It was a medium sized perch. Using a fish disgorger he carefully removed the hook from the mouth and put the fish in the keepnet.

Once more a few bubbles appeared at the surface and the float began to bob up and down before being resolutely pulled down. Another perch came into view, and duly joined the other in the keepnet.

Fishing in this very relaxed manner the afternoon soon passed, and a few more perch joined the first two in the keepnet. He caught no bream, rudd, or roach but feeling rested and refreshed the angler promised himself he would return to fish the canal again, but this time for an entire day.

Canal fishing in calm surroundings

A fine Canal Perch

Two balls of groundbait and red and white maggots

4TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCEONOCEAN ENERGY

DUBLIN17 – 19

OCT2012

Global industry and academic experts in marine renewable energy will gather in Ireland’scapital city from the 17-19 of

October 2012 for the 4thInternational Conference

on Ocean Energy.

To register for the conference or to find out about exhibition

opportunities, visitwww.icoe2012dublin.com

Sponsored by

Presented By

Uncertainty in Dún Laoghaire following sudden departure of the harbour masterJohn Hearne

mystery surrounds the departure of captain

frank allen from his role as harbour master at dún laoghaire harbour company co dublin after less than one year in the job.

Despite repeated attempts by Inshore Ireland to query the circumstances surrounding the departure, the state-owned company has not responded to questions. Similarly, Captain Allen has declined to comment.

The company confirmed last month that Frank Allen left Dún Laoghaire at the end of June, barely twelve months after his high-profile appointment. Insiders in the port sector have expressed mystification at the suddenness of his departure.

A native of Cork, Captain Allen’s first appointment was as general manager of Dundalk Shipowners in 1986. He subsequently worked for Carrisbrooke Shipping in the UK and for Swansea Cork Ferries before joining Dundalk Port as harbour master in 2003.

He replaced the retiring Captain Simon Coate as harbour master in Dún Laoghaire in June 2011. Captain Coate has now returned as acting harbour master until a permanent replacement for Captain Allen can be found. The post of harbour master is a statutory role that the port company is obliged to fill.

coNTroversial masTerplaN

Captain Allen’s departure comes just as Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company embarks on the implementation of a lengthy and sometimes controversial masterplan. This multi-disciplinary blueprint, formally adopted last October, ranges across marine, leisure, culture and tourism, and aims to secure the long-term viability of the port.

It incorporates a range of highly ambitious objectives – from extensive retail and residential development – to the construction of an International Diaspora museum and plans to bring cruise ships to the port.

The latter initiative however has proved particularly controversial. While it was acknowledged during the public consultation phase of the masterplan that cruise ships might bring economic benefit, concerns were raised over the adverse visual impact and the adverse impact on marine leisure activities. A cruise liner can stand up to seventeen storeys high, accommodating up to 5,000 passengers and 2,300 crew.

Any plans to bring such vessels to Dún Laoghaire would place the port in direct competition with Dublin Port, fifteen miles up the coast. Dublin welcomed eighty-five cruise liners in 2010; over the course of August alone, twenty-nine liners will dock either at Alexandra Quay or closer to the city centre on the River Liffey.

ecoNomic domiNaNceSeparately, the Competition

Authority is to carry out an in depth study of ports in Ireland. As part of that analysis, Transport Minister Leo Varadkar said that the authority will examine whether Dublin Port has an economically dominant position.

Dublin Port is by far our biggest; 40% of national GDP passes through it. In an RTE report Minister Varadkar said he wished to see 30% of profits from ports paid to the State in dividends. He also said that while government was open to private equity investment in ports, the State did not have plans to sell any that are strategically important.

In the aftermath of Captain Allen’s departure, it was reported that part of his brief had been to revive the harbour’s fortunes and to play a role in attracting cruise liners to Dún Laoghaire.

poNTooN purposeLocals, meanwhile, have raised

questions over the location of

the temporary pontoon in the old harbour, along the west side of Dún Laoghaire. Designed to berth craft from cruise liners, the pontoon is removed from the main activities of the harbour and lies adjacent to a large car park. The location, critics suggest, indicates an intention to bus any disembarking passengers to tourist locations in Wicklow or Dublin, thereby bypassing the town itself, and excluding it from any economic dividend that might arise from cruise liner business.

The Harbour Company has not answered questions put to it by Inshore Ireland in relation to either the future of cruise business or the location of the pontoon.

In adopting the masterplan last October, the port company said that the cruise ship facility would only be promoted if there was a robust economic and business case for it. It also said that determining the economic rationale for the project lay beyond the remit of the plan, and nor did it state how any of the proposals detailed within it might be funded.

Revenues at the port are largely driven by the Stena Line Ferry service to Hollyhead. According to 2010 accounts the company made a pre-tax profit of €1.36m.

Controversy re-Ignited at Dún Laoghaire’s east pier

By John Hearne

The long running controversy over the fate of the derelict

victorian swimming baths at dún laoghaire’s east pier in co dublin has flared again. The action group Save Our Seafront claims that dún laoghaire rathdown county council is abandoning previous commitments to provide a public swimming pool on the site of the Baths.

Ahead of a public meeting on July 21, the group said that plans by the council to develop a ‘Badeschiff’ or floating swimming pool in the Harbour had replaced earlier plans to re-open the baths site. In a statement, they quoted county manager Owen Keegan as saying that the proposal would allow the council to ‘exit from the whole baths thing’.

puBlic ouTcryLast year, Dún Laoghaire

Rathdown County Council voted €1.5m for interim work at the baths. Save Our Seafront claims however that this money will not be used to develop the site as a swimming pool.

The outdoor swimming baths were closed to the public in 1997, and have lain derelict for more than ten years during which time protests have routinely flared up over how the site is to be redeveloped. In 2004, a proposed high-rise flat complex on the site was shelved following a public outcry.

In a statement to Inshore Ireland, Dún Laoghaire

Rathdown County Council says that plans to redevelop the baths site from Newtownsmith to the East Pier ‘are being advanced.’

According to the statement, the proposed works include the refurbishment of the existing baths pavilion to accommodate studio space for artists; an art gallery; café and public toilet facilities.

All derelict structures on the site will be cleared and a public walkway/cycleway will be installed through the site, connecting the coastal walkway at Newtownsmith to the East Pier.

There will be defences against coastal erosion on the landward side of the existing swimming pools and decking will be laid over the railway line between the Peoples Park and the baths site.

plaN proposalsCritically, the plan also

involves the construction of a new jetty and an area for changing to provide enhanced access to the water for swimmers.

County Manager Owen Keegan has said that the proposed Badeschiff urban beach and heated swimming pool project does not impact on the Council’s commitment to providing a public swimming amenity at the Dún Laoghaire Baths site.

“We fully intend to continue with our proposed works to the baths site, which includes providing a public swimming amenity and access to the water at all stages of the tide.”

While the statement adds that the amenity will be life-guarded, it would appear that the new facility will fall short of the swimming pool sought by the Save Our Seafront group.

The blueprint for Dún Laoghaire involves marine, leisiure, cultural and tourism initiatives Photo G Mills

Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown Co Co's latest plans for the baths, closed since 1997, does not include a swimming pool.

DLHC sought a 3-year temporary planning permission for 'development of a tender and small vessel facility'. What is its future now? Photo G Mills


seafood desK inshore ireland august/september 2012 11

fisheRies

Irish seafood trade mission to China

Micheál O’MahonySFPA

The Sea-Fisheries Protection authority (SFPa) recently

participated in the Irish trade mission to China led by Simon Coveney TD, minister for agriculture, Food and the marine. This trip allowed the SFPa to continue to build on pre-existing linkages with relevant authorities in China responsible for checks and acceptance of Irish seafood entering China.

In China, the SFPA participated in meetings with representatives from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), the organisation which carries out the import controls in China, at their headquarters in Beijing.

Representatives of the Chinese Certification and Accreditation Association (CNCA) responsible for registering products and companies to allow trade into China were also present. This was followed by a meeting at the AQSIQ’s Shandong regional offices in the Chinese sea-port of Quingdao where a significant amount of Irish food product arrives.

BIlaTEral mEETIngSSince the trade mission

in April, the SFPA has participated in a technical bilateral meeting around the visit to Ireland of a

senior delegation from the AQSIQ led by Vice Minister, Wei Chuanzhong . A further technical bilateral meeting on seafood trade between Ireland and China is planned in the coming months. The SFPA has led on the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding on seafood trade between Ireland and China; this is currently close to finalisation.

This is part of the SFPA’s ongoing role in facilitating the trade of Irish seafood products building upon the compliance of the Irish industry. As part of its responsibility in the official control of both seafood safety and sea fisheries conservation in Ireland, the SFPA provides Health and Catch Certificates to validate the compliance of consignments of Irish seafood going to third countries (outside of the EU).

ExPanDIng IrISH ProDUCT

With the support of the Irish Embassy in Beijing, the SFPA began discussions with AQSIQ in 2009, focussing on the objective of facilitating expansion of trade of Irish seafood into China. Meetings between the SFPA and the AQSIQ in Beijing and the visit of a Director from the AQSIQ to Ireland resulted in agreement on health certificates, opening up the Chinese market for live fishery products from Ireland as well as enhancing the basis for trade in other fishery products.

Since then, approximately 5,700 tonnes and 1,400 tonnes respectively of Irish fishery products were certified for export to China by the SFPA in 2010 and 2011. High volume frozen fishery products include mackerel, horse-mackerel and blue whiting. Emerging markets include both crab and boarfish.

In terms of live fishery products, the trade in live Irish crab to China has developed rapidly since the successful creation of market access for such products by the SFPA in 2010, and there is every indication of ongoing expansion potential.

logISTICal CHallEngESThe distance from the

Chinese market creates specific logistical challenges when exporting a live product; however Irish exporters are at the forefront of technological advances that maintain crab viability during air transport. Even with the best technology available, official import controls on entry to China are required to be conducted within a timeframe that acknowledges the particular perishable nature of this product. This topic is a particular focus in current bilateral discussions by the SFPA with Chinese authorities, and also with national airport authorities.

Our relationship with our Chinese colleagues is an important underlying basis to continuing market access

for Irish seafood to China. International trade in food involves reciprocated trust in food control systems and we work hard to maximise the benefit of the high standards which Irish seafood companies adhere to.

We are proud to attest to that compliance and wherever possible to maximise benefit of such compliance to Irish operators. Our discussions in recent months with the

AQSIQ and CNCA build upon our developing relationship with these key stakeholders.

In particular we are hopeful that our concerns around perishable live fishery products should increase awareness and hopefully ensure prioritisation within the Chinese import control system. The SFPA is delighted to see our official controls continue to support trade by Irish producers.

Irish delegation, Chaired by Micheál O’Mahony, Authority Member with the SFPA, and representatives of the Dept of Foreign Affairs and Bord Bia, meeting the Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of the People’s Republic of China (Shanghai AQSIQ)

Huang Guansheng, Director General of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China with Micheál O’Mahony, SFPA Authority Member

Produce on sale at Shanghai’s Tongchuan Fish Market

Yan Zhao, BIM Marketting Adviser – China, and SFPA Director of Food Safety, Donal O’Callaghan, visiting the Tongchuan Fish Market

User-friendly food-safety manual

for seafood processors

BIM has published a comprehensive Food Safety Management System manual

aimed at assisting seafood processors to meet their legal requirements when developing new or improved existing food safety systems. The manual has been produced in response to industry requests to develop a simple jargon-free guide to food safety and HACCP.

Developed by Sandra Hennessy and her colleagues in the BIM Food Safety Team and assisted by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), the manual comprises a workbook and accompanying CD which enables businesses to tailor a food-safety system specific to their company. The manual is part of a structured programme in which BIM provides mentoring, advice and a site visit to assist a company with understanding their own specific requirements.

“The manual is a vital

resource to food businesses and enables them to be self- sufficient in designing their own food safety management systems. The user-friendly workbook provides solutions on how seafood businesses are going to control food safety in areas such as supplier control, traceability, cleaning and HACCP – all of which are critical in the implementation of a successful and effective food safety system.

“This manual and the implementation programme provided by BIM will assist seafood companies to build and protect their company’s brand and give reassurance to their customers on a quality and a safe seafood product,” remarked Donal Buckley, BIM Business Development and Innovation Manager.

For further information email [email protected] or contact 01 2144 100 .

Dymtro Bykovskyy, manager at Fastnet Catch Ltd (participates in the programme) and Paul Ward, BIM

Consolidation initiative to revitalise sustainable salmon farming in south Connemara

marine minister simon Coveney has approved the assignment

of aquaculture licences from five individual operators to bradán beo Teoranta – a company established by Údarás na gaeltachta to consolidate and revitalise sustainable salmon farming in the area.

Assignment took place with the agreement of the former licence holders and follows a lengthy examination by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Údarás and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht of all issues associated with salmon farming in south Connemara.

“This assignment will consolidate operations

in one licence holder and thereby greatly assist in the sustainable development of salmon farming in the area while also ensuring maximum ongoing protection of the environment.

“The initiative provides a good example of government departments and State agencies working together to secure a solid future for employment in the aquaculture industry,” commented Simon Coveney TD.

Former licence holders: DMCI Golam TeoMuirachmhainni TeoEisc Ui Fhlathartha TeoEisc Iathglas TeoMuir Gheal Teo

Collaboration to drive new seafood product development

The first ever Diploma in Seafood Innovation involving training and

education in research and development, innovation and entrepreneurship commences in October.

A joint collaboration between BIM’ Seafood Development Centre and University College Cork, this part-time course is designed to provide practical applied learning in new product development whereby each participant is expected to develop products to bring to market.

“The Irish seafood sector is expected to increase in both value and employment levels between now and 2020. Despite the recession, the sector is performing well and we’ve seen the results of this through the SDC.

“Innovation is essential for the future success of the seafood industry, and this course will enable seafood companies develop their own

in-house innovation. Focusing on innovating and adding value will secure a long-term, competitive future for Irish seafood companies and is in line with smart growth outlined in the strategic document Food Harvest 2020,” remarked Dr Susan Steele, Innovation Co-ordinator with BIM.

Programme Manager at the Food Industry Training Unit, UCC, Maura Conway said the course was designed to be delivered around the coastal to provide access to all seafood companies.

“The content is flexible and is suited to those returning to education. UCC and BIM will provide the necessary support.”

Adding value to Irish seafood is a key strategic driver for BIM as Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency. Over 300 companies were supported in new product development and innovation in 2011. Over 100 new seafood products with a total value of over €36m have been launched to market to date from the centre since it opened in 2009.

At the launch were Dr Susan Steele, Innovation Coordinator, SDC; Martin Shanahan, Fishy Fishy Restaurant, Kinsale and Dr Joe Kerry, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, UCC

Seaweed – an untapped source of protein and bioactive compounds for aquaculture

Simon Faulkner,Ocean Harvest Technology

Seaweed is fast gaining a reputation as the ideal sustainable food

source. Certainly, the nutritional properties of seaweeds are both unique and interesting, with some seaweeds having protein levels as high as 47%. Seaweed, therefore, represents an untapped source of protein and has great future potential.

As the global population continues to rise, the need for sustainable, alternative sources of protein also increases. In fact, it is estimated that the worldwide requirement for food will increase up to 50% by 2030, thus highlighting the absolute need for sustainable development.

Recently, Ocean Harvest Technology has worked in collaboration with a number of research institutes to evaluate the use of different seaweeds as a sustainable protein source for aquaculture.

WHy SEaWEED ProTEIn?Protein is the most expensive

constituent of fish feed whereby global expenditure exceeds €1bn per annum. Fishmeal is a high-protein animal feed used extensively in aquaculture but uses wild fish stocks to feed farmed fish and is an unsustainable feed resource.

The ability of fishmeal supply to meet future demand is a massive global concern - especially given that aquaculture production is growing at a rate of nearly 9% per annum.

As wild fish stocks decline, the aquaculture industry faces a massive challenge to identify cost-effective and environmentally-friendly alternatives to fishmeal on which it is so heavily reliant.

Seaweed protein has the potential to provide a solution to this problem as it is relatively underexploited, contains high amounts of protein and can be cultured in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly manner.

ESSEnTIal nUTrIEnTSProteins are an important

source of energy, present in all cells and are an essential component of most biochemical processes. Proteins comprise one or more chains of various amino acids, organised in a specific manner that give the protein a specific structure. When ingested, proteins are broken down into amino acids or short chains of amino acids called peptides. These amino acids play key roles in important metabolic pathways associated with maintenance, growth, reproduction, and immunity.

Amino acids can be classified as either essential or non-essential. Essential amino acids cannot be produced by the animal and must be sourced solely from the diet. Most seaweed species contain all of the essential amino acids and are also rich in some non-essential amino acids such as aspartic and glutamic acid.

In general, the protein content of seaweed ranges from 3-47% and considerable differences exist in the protein content of brown, green and red seaweeds. In contrast to brown seaweeds, red seaweeds contain higher levels of protein which can be up to 47% (Porphyra sp.).

Brown seaweeds can have protein levels up to around 20% (Alaria esculenta) whereas the levels found in green seaweeds are as high as 29% (Ulva lactuca). Differences in season, species and environment can have a significant impact on the composition of amino acids and protein in seaweeds.

BIoaCTIvE ProTEInSSeaweed is a natural

source of biologically active proteins, amino acids and peptides. Two groups of bioactive proteins – lectins and phycobiliproteins – are present in some seaweed. Lectins are a group of carbohydrate-binding proteins that display anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-HIV and anti-inflammatory biological activity; lectins have been successfully isolated from a number of seaweeds including Eucheuma sp. and Codium fragile.

Another group of proteins – phycobiliproteins – exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering and antiviral activities to name but a few and have been isolated from the red seaweed, Palmaria palmata.

A number of bioactive amino acids are also present in seaweed. One such example is taurine – a bioactive amino acid required for some biological functions. Other bioactive amino acids present in seaweeds include laminine, kainoids, and mycosporine-like amino acids. These amino acids have a wide range of biological properties including antioxidant, hypotensive, insecticidal, anthelmintic, and neuroexcitatory activity.

In addition to bioactive amino acids, some bioactive peptides have been isolated from seaweed. These include carnosine and glutathione both of which are antioxidant peptides that protect cells from damage caused by reactive oxygen species. Another bioactive peptide produced by seaweed is Kahalalide F which is a cyclic depsipeptide with anti-cancer activity and is also active in the treatment of AIDS.

SEaWEED ProTEIn In aqUaFEED

The functional biological properties of seaweed protein make it an excellent candidate for a natural, sustainable alternative to fishmeal in aquaculture. The capacity for large-scale production of seaweeds in Ireland, together with the high-purity seaweed protein extraction developed by Ocean Harvest Technology further enhances the future potential. The availability of such sustainable protein sources is a prerequisite for our ability to continually produce high-quality and safe products.


subsCRiPtions inshore ireland august/september 2012 13

aquaCultuRe

The research laboratory at OHT

Seaweed found on Ireland’s west coast

The brown seaweed Saccharina latissima

Inshore Ireland is a bimonthly marine and freshwater publication produced by Gillian Mills and Gery Flynn and publishes six times per year; Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct and Nov.

ReadershipIn news, feature and advertorial format, Inshore Ireland reports on the following topics on an all-island basis:

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

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Súil SiarMáirín Uí Fhearraigh

is bailiúchan de sheanphictiúir as oileáin bheaga dhún na

ngall atá sa leabhar agus is seo a leanas na hoileáin atá i gceist:

Inis Caorach, Inis Fraoigh, Inis Mhic an Doirn, Gabhla, Inis Oirthir, Inis Bó Finne agus Oileán Ruaidh.

Tá thar 140 pictiúr sa leabhar agus tarraingíodh an chuid is mó acu idir 1930-1950.

Is pictiúirí dubh agus ban iad uilig agus tá cuid mhaith acu do dhaoine as na hoileáin thar an tréimhse sin.

D’eascair an smaoineadh as taispeantás seanphictiúir a bhí mar pháirt d’Fhéile Ghabhla le cupla bliain. Bhí suim iontach ag an phobal sna pictiúir agus shil Coiste Chomharchumann na nOileán Beag gur smaoineadh maith a bheadh ann bailiuchán a chur le chéile as gach oileán agus iad a fhoilsiú i bhfoirm leabhair.

Tá sin déanta anois go snásta agus bheidh an leabhar darbh ainm,

Súil Siar, agus rinne an Aire Stáit, Donnchadh Mac Fhionnghaile, T.D. an leabhar a sheoladh go hoifigiúil ar an 28 Iúil in Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge ar Pháirc Ghnó Ghaoth Dobhair.

Tá an leabhar ar fáil Tí Mhatt, Ti Thomáis agus sa Chrannóg i nGaoth Dobhair, in Ionad Teampall Cróine ar an Chlochan Liath agus Tí Bhoyce i gCarraig Airt agus ar an suíomh www.donegalislands.com

This month Seascapes will welcome Tall Ships to Dublin which marks the

launch of Jeanie Johnston- Sailing the Irish Famine Tall Ship by Michael English, published by The Collins Press; Seascapes listeners will have the opportunity to win copies.

We’ll also be in Courtmacsherry where the village is erecting a memorial to Patrick ‘Patsy’ Keohane – a member of The Scott Expedition to the South Pole and celebrated in Michael Smiths books on the Antarctic and on Tom Crean.

Regular features include angling with Paul Bourke, IFI; Inland Waterways; RNLI; Mission to Seafarers; Open Water Swimming.

In September we talk to

author Mark McShane of Neutral Shores – Ireland and the Battle of the Atlantic (Mercier Press) – which affected coastal communities across Ireland from September 1939 to the last days of the war in 1945. Ireland was host to a constant flow of casualties from the longest naval campaign of the Second World War.

McShane tells the stories of merchant navy ships and convoys attacked by the deadly German U Boats and anti-shipping bombers off the Irish coast. He writes about the harrowing

fight for survival by crews left adrift in fragile lifeboats, whose only hope of rescue lay in reaching Ireland’s shores.

Listeners can win copies of Neutral Shores on Seascapes on Friday 21 September.


esof 2012 inshore ireland august/september 2012 15

esof 2012

Strengthening the links between science and societyLisa Fitzpatrick

Scientists from both sides of the Atlantic met at the ESOF 2012 Atlantic Symposium

to explore the many ocean governance, economic development and environmental challenges and opportunities their shared Atlantic resource represents.

A key focus was how to harness evolving technology to drive the ‘blue economy’ through smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, and how to achieve this through collaboration across the Atlantic Ocean in areas of science, technology and innovation.

“The Atlantic represents a significant resource, and while it separates the continents, it also presents a huge opportunity to work together to solve shared environmental issues and to explore opportunities for development and economic benefit. Today, we have taken the first steps in creating a new roadmap for better and more focussed cooperation between the European and American continents,” remarked Dr Peter Heffernan, MI chief executive.

Prof Scott Glenn, Rutgers University, USA, described the historical, cultural and scientific links between Europe and the US, and pointed to challenges

such as sustainable ocean governance; climate change prediction and impact and deep-sea research which he emphasised required ‘a united approach’.

These issues were further developed by Prof Michael St John, Danish Technical University and PI of the Euro-BASIN project, and by Dr Michael Crosby of the MOTE Laboratory in Florida who remarked that the world’s magnificent oceans “are not barriers between us, but bridges of shared resources, challenges and opportunities.”

“International partnerships designed to increase scientific understanding of marine ecosystems as part of a single interconnected

global system including human activities “are essential for long-term sustainable use of these shared resources.”

He added that translation and transfer of scientific understanding was “vital” to enhance “global ocean literacy” amongst the public at large to build a foundation for improved stewardship of marine resources.

Concluding, Robert-Jan Smits, Director-General, DG Research and Innovation,

European Commission, noted that EU and its Atlantic neighbours shared the same values and global concerns, such as climate change, energy supply, food security and health.

“Encouraging and improving international cooperation is therefore a priority of the EU Maritime Strategy for the Atlantic Ocean Area and is an integral part of Horizon 2020, the new EU research and innovation funding programme.”

Arts and marine science fuse at ESOF 2012Cushla Dromgool-Regan and Karol Cooke

an arts and science fusion, The Longest River presented an

evening of the very best in irish talent at st. anne’s church, dublin, as part of the euroscience open forum in association with the marine institute.

Co-coordinated by Brendan O’Connor, managing director of AQUAFACT, and Professor John Delaney of the University of Washington, The Longest River showcased an amalgamation of the creative energies of the arts and the sciences which included traditional Irish music from the uilleann pipe; harp; choral music; poetry and marine photography.

rare fooTaGeScience of the deep sea was

presented through a unique presentation comprising high definition video footage and stills of rarely filmed extreme marine

environments.The event illustrated Brendan

O’Connor’s life-long affair with both the arts and the sciences. O’Connor, who is also the director of the Galway-based choir Cois Cladaigh said that the evening demonstrated the cohesion that exists between the two worlds.

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

Performances included the Cois Cladaigh Choir which specialises in European music from the late 15th and early 16th Centuries as well as contemporary choral music from Ireland, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and North America.

Dublin native Eugene Lambe, a lecturer in the Department of Botany in NUIG, performed on the uilleann pipe. Kathleen Loughnane, harpist and co-

founder of the group Dordán performed a mix of Irish and Baroque music whilst Deirbhile Ní Bhrolcháin provided an exciting and innovative repertoire of seannós singing. Mary O’Malley, poet and author of the book Valparaiso, recited a collection of poetry she wrote while at sea as part of the writers’ residency, on board RV Celtic Explorer in 2007.

Co-hosting the evening Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute, said The Longest River reflected the depths with which the sea has evinced not only our history but also our future:

“The performers illustrated the importance of collaboration between the arts and the sciences: constructing and composing; formulating and forging and actualising Ireland’s heritage and economic future in one. The Marine Institute acknowledges the ongoing innovation, integration and collaboration in these disciplines, and the importance of incorporating these disciplines with the realisation of the economic potential of our marine resources.” Kathleen Loughnane, harpist Photo: Cushla Dromgool-Regan

Special recognition of science teacher who ‘inspired students’

Cushla Dromgool-Regan and Karol Cooke

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Commissioner

for Research Innovation and Science, presented Jim Cooke with a Special Recognition of Achievement for Inspiring Students in Science on board RV Celtic Explorer as part of the Euro Science Open Forum in Dublin last month.

Jim Cooke was recognised for his career-long contribution to the education of science and his demonstration of excellence and dedication as a science teacher at Synge Street Christian Brothers School where he taught from 1971

until his retirement in 2009. “Jim captured the imaginations of generations of Synge Street students, revealing the magic of science and math, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to recognise this remarkable achievement,” remarked Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn.

“Jim’s track record speaks for itself; his love of science and his ability to inspire has yielded well-deserved success for his students on national and international stages. Studies tell us that an inspirational teacher is one of the most important factors in encouraging students to study STEM subjects at third level. Europe needs one million new researchers, and their journey into science very often begins in the classroom of an inspirational teacher.”

insPiRing legaCyWith a special love for

physics, Jim Cooke was instrumental in inspiring and guiding students to success in science. He was associated as a mentor of two projects that won the BT Young Scientist Exhibition (Rónán Larkin in 2004 and Abdusalam Abubakar , 2007); three projects that achieved second place (Michael Mulhall and Francis Wasser, 2005; Gohar Abbassi, 2006 and Andrei Triffo, 2009) amongst other projects.

“The legacy of Jim Cooke lies in the many students that have experienced his warmth, his passion and his overwhelming generous spirit. He is also the glue that holds our efforts together, with previous pupils having such respect for him that any

request for help is instantly answered. This is a lasting contribution to the fabric of this historic school’s achievements. He is truly one of a kind,” remarked Michael Minnock, Synge Street CBS headmaster.

CRitiCal thinKingAs a mentor, Jim Cooke

continues to support the sciences and recently played a role in the success of the 2012 BT Young Scientist Exhibition winning project, which will be represented at the EU Contest for Young Scientists in Bratislava in September.

Upon his suggestion, Mark Kelly and Eric Doyle developed a project based on the Irish scientist Diarmuid Ó’Mathúna’s 2008 solution to the Euler Two Fixed Centres

Problem – a problem that has defeated a galaxy of famous mathematicians since it was first proposed in 1760.

Accepting the achievement, Jim Cooke said that Synge Street has created a very ambitious science curriculum in which students have had to develop their capacity for critical thinking and creativity.

“Our success over the thirty years has been immensely gratifying to all of us. The school’s contribution to developing science education and enabling pupils to discover a love for science, passion and enthusiasm for lifelong learning continues to be important for scientific research that underpins improvements in our human welfare, employment creation and economic development.”

Thomas Furey, Marine Institute\INFOMAR; Ronan Larkin, Ex-BT Young Scientist Winner; Jim Cooke; Abdul Abdusalam, Ex-BT Young Scientist winner; Mark Kelly, 2012 BT Young Scientist winner; Keith Florea, Ex-BT Young Scientist winner and Eric Doyle, 2012 BT Young Scientist Winner. Jason Clarke Photography

Images from a little-known deep water worldCushla Dromgool-Regan

The world premier of the National Geographic Channel series

Alien Deep took place at the Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF) 2012 in Dublin last month. The It’s Alive episode of the five-part series was screened to delegates attending the biannual event ahead of its global broadcast premiere this autumn.

Alien Deep features Dr Robert Ballard, the famed National Geographic explorer who discovered the wreck of the Titanic. The series takes viewers into an underwater world 3000m deep along the mid-Atlantic ridge north of the Azores where no man has gone before.

The Moytirra vent field, named after a mythological Irish battlefield (meaning plain of pillars) reveals gigantic rock formations of more 10 metres high with smoking vents, as well as unusual species that call the ocean-bottom home.

“ESOF provided a wonderful opportunity to premiere this episode of Alien Deep,” remarked Terry Garcia, Executive Vice President, Mission Programs at the National Geographic Society.

“Working with organisations such as the Marine Institute, we will continue to inspire people to care about the planet, including our oceans.”

Working with the world’s most talented scientists from Ireland and the UK, the National Geographic team and scientists led by Dr Andy Wheeler, University College Cork, together with the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway; Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI); University of Southampton and National Oceanography Centre in the UK pushed the threshold of exploration to its limit by bringing back images of objects and life forms from places that other scientists

long ago deemed impossible. The discovery and footage

of the first deep-sea vent field was captured by ROV Holland 1 deployed from the MI’s Research Vessel, Celtic Explorer from which the discovery of a field of hydrothermal vents was filmed last August.

“Only a few countries have the capacity to launch such a challenging expedition. It is therefore a great testament to the work of Irish and the UK’s scientists who have the technology and expertise to do such ground breaking deep-ocean exploration,” remarked Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute.

10m high pillars with smoking vents discovered in the mid Atlantic Ridge using ROV Holland 1 and RV Celtic Explorer last year feature in the National Geographic Premiere series, Alien Deep.

Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute; Simon Coveney TD and Cathy O’Connor, First Secretary at the Embassy of Ireland in Washington (on behalf of Prof John Delaney). Photos: Cushla Dromgool-Regan

US marine science experts receive certificates of Irish heritage

Simon Coveney TD, Minster for Agriculture Food and the Marine at ESOF 2012 presented Certificates of Irish Heritage on behalf of government to Dr Michael Crosby, Senior Vice President

for Research at Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida and Professor John Delaney, Department of Oceanography at the University of Washington. The Certificate of Irish Heritage is an official recognition of the recipient’s ancestry by the Irish Government and symbolises their connection to Ireland.

Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the MI Simon Coveney TD and Dr Michael Crosby, Senior Vice President for Research at Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida


maRine R&d inshore ireland august/september 2012 17

maRine R&d

One-stop hub provides pathway to life-long maritime careers

Gery Flynn

The Ocean Wealth Showcase at the heart of the Global Village

Business Expo during the Volvo Ocean Race Festival with its innovative mix of conferences, seminars, exhibition space and networking hubs is seen as a massive PR and information boost for the marine sector - in particular for highlighting its education, training and long-term employment opportunities.

One such teaching body, the National Maritime College of Ireland, reported a steady stream of enquiries to its impressive exhibition stand.

CaReeR flexibilitySpeaking to Inshore Ireland

during a brief quiet moment, NMCI personnel Gráinne Lynch, who is responsible for developing research, and course lecturers; Jane O’Keeffe and Captain Roddy Cooke said they were delighted with the interest shown – especially from secondary school students - and parents.

“Visitors to the NMCI stand were particularly interested to find out what the college has to offer regarding courses leading to a career in the maritime sector. They particularly want a professional qualification which would also be attractive later in civil society. It’s hardly surprising to see people looking for such in-built career flexibility,” says Gráinne Lynch.

dual RoleBriefly outlining the main

courses offered by the NMCI, she emphasises the college’s dual role as the national training centre for both the merchant marine and the naval service. She points out too that as well as offering academic courses to mariners and supporing aspects of ocean engineering, the €53m Ringaskiddy facility is actively building up a strong research base concentrating on maritime transport and logistics, maritime safety and security.

“Nautical Science, and

Marine and Plant Engineering are the mainstay of our full-time degree courses. Both are very popular because they set students on a career path to Sea Captain and Chief Engineer, respectively.

“And now, as a result of listening closely to industry requirements in an ever-changing market, we are

offering a new course - Batchelor of Engineering in Marine Electrotechnology - which qualifies students to work as electro technical operators,” Lynch declares.

vaRied CaReeRs PathsAccording to Captain

Roddy Cooke these three are all full-time, three-year

courses, leading eventually to a Batchelor degree.

“Admission is via the CAO, and helpful Leaving Certificate subjects for each would be maths, science subjects, english and engineering.”

Looking more closely at Nautical Science, Cooke says their course is designed

for those wishing to pursue a career as Deck Officer, adding that it provides a comprehensive education in navigation and other shipboard acivities.

He identifies its three main elements: navigation and ship handling; the safe operation of a ship, including the protection of life and the

President Michael D Higgins in conversation with Grainne Lynch, Jane O’Keeffe, NCMI. Photo Ger O’Keeffe

environment; and shipboard administration which includes the handling, loading and care of cargoes as diverse as petroleum products and general cargo.

“In their second year, students leave the classroom for a work-placement designed to gain them invaluable sea time on board a working vessel. This is an exciting prospect for students who may find themselves anywhere in the world. And while the NMCI makes every effort to secure sea berths for its students with shipping companies, this cannot unfortunately be guaranteed,” he explains.

new degRee foR College

As for the Marine and Plant Engineering degree, Cooke says training is provided in marine, electrical, welding and mechanical workshops, supplemented with practical work in the college engine room and simulation exercises in the machinery and cargo-handling simulation suites.

“With a degree in Marine and Plant Engineering the main career path from Officer of the Watch through to Second Engineer or Chief Engineer,” he explains.

As for the relatively new degree course in Marine Electrotechnology, Cooke says it leads to a career as Electro Technical Officer, or ETO. These personnel are responsible for operating, maintaining, and calibrating all electrical, electronic and control equipment aboard ship.

“Highly qualified ETOs are particularly sought after within the cruise line industry. And a number of opportunities are also available on shore in various fields including marine electronic maintenance and aviation instrumentation maintenance industries.”

In addition to these mostly maritime-focused courses, the NMCI also offers a one-year Batchelor of Business in Supply Chain, Logistics and Transport Management.

“Supply chain and transport management is about planning; sourcing; making; delivering; and returning - elements have always existed in business,” remarked Jane O’Keeffe.

According to O’Keeffe, Supply Chain Management has evolved from being simply a method of delivering competitive advantage, to now being a baseline expectation for any organisation, public or

private, wishing to compete in the 21st Century.

Of the NMCI course she says because it is designed for those who already have some experience in logistics and supply chain management many students coming from the non-maritime sectors in the locality who want to further their career prospects. These include well-known firms like AIB, Apple Computers, Bulmers, to name but a few.

“At the NMCI we have also seen the fast rise of an industry-focused research group that is looking at shipping transport and logistics and maritime safety and security. Close co-operation with the maritime industry is essential for building an applied maritime research group.

“As more and more responsibility is placed on supply chain management and logistics functions, the need grows for its practitioners to be highly skilled and up-to-date with best practices in the industry - both locally and globally. Logisticians must take their place alongside engineers and accountants as proficient and exceptionally well-trained professionals,” she concludes.

NMCI personnel, Roddy Cooke, Grainne Lynch, Jane O’Keeffe. Photo Andrew Downes

National Maritime College of IrelandRingaskiddy, Co. Cork, Ireland

Telephone: 021-4970600E-mail: [email protected]

For further information on any of the above please contact NMCI or find us onwww.nmci.ie

open day

23 Oct 2012

10.00 am - 3.00 pm

let’s sea what you’re made of

B.Sc Nautical Science B.Eng in Marine & Plant Engineering

B.Eng Marine ElectrotechnologyHigher Certificate in Science in Nautical Studies

There are excellent employment opportunities for careers within the maritime industry - at the moment there is a severe shortage of

trained personnel. Check out what we have on offer at www.nmci.ie

NaT IoNal MaRIT IME CollEgE oF IRElaNd

The national maritime College of ireland is a 14,000m2 state-

of-the-art facility built on a 4 Hectare waterside campus some 16km south-east of Cork City at ringaskiddy. it was purpose- built to serve the training requirements of the school of nautical studies, Cork institute of Technology and the irish naval service.

Beside the NMCI the IMERC (Irish Maritime and

Energy Resource Cluster) Beaufort Lab, is under construction (completion Autumn 2012) and will house the national ocean wave test tank facility along with 135 researchers with marine science, engineering and electrical backgrounds.

The NMCI also houses the library of the Beaufort Lab thereby promoting the exchange of expertise and ideas.

The NMCI is located close to the Port of Cork RoRo

terminal and the HQ of the Irish Naval Service, whose officers and recruits also train in the NMCI.

Further details from: Gráinne Lynch, Research

Development, National Maritime College of Ireland, Ringaskiddy Co CorkT: +353 (0) 433 57 16E:[email protected] W: www.nmci.ie www.imerc.ieL: http://www.linkedin.

com/in/grainnelynch

NMCI Courses

Course Name Award Follow onto How to apply CAo Code round 1 CAo points in 2011

NauTIcal ScIeNceBSc level 7OffIcer OfThe WaTch

BSc level 8chIef MaTe / MaSTer ThrOugh caO* x cr 094 345

MarINe &PlaNT eNgINeerINg

BeNg level 7OffIcer OfThe WaTch

chIef eNgINeer ThrOugh caO* x cr 095 340

MarINeelecTrOTechNOlOgy BeNg level 7 elecTrOTechNIcal

OffIcer ThrOugh caO* x cr 805 NeW cOurSe

NauTIcal STudIeS hIgher cerTIfIcaTe SeaMaN – OffIcerOf The WaTch

aPPlIcaTION fOrMSavaIlaBle frOM NMcI [email protected]

SuPPly chaINaNd TraNSPOrTMaNageMeNT

BBuS level 7

aPPlIcaTION fOrMSavaIlaBle [email protected]

* leavINg cerTIfIcaTe WITh grade d3 IN 5 SuBjecTS aT OrdINary Or hIgher level INcludINg MaTheMaTIcS aNd IrISh.x MedIcal fITNeSS aNd eyeSIghT TeSTS requIred By The MarINe SafeTy dIrecTOraTe.


maRine R&d inshore ireland august/september 2012 19

maRine R&d

Wavebob is SmartBay innovator of the year

Wavebob, one of ireland’s leading

engineering and research companies is the 2012 smartBay innovator of the year. The company was recognised for innovation, engineering and leadership in the emerging wave-energy market.

Four other companies were also recognised for their contribution to innovation and research by leading international companies. SonarSim Ltd by IBM; Episensor by Intel; Veolia presented to Techworks Marine Ltd by Veolia and IDS Monitoring Ltd by Microsoft, all of whom are members of the SmartOcean innovation cluster.

“We’re delighted to receive this award – it is great recognition from a cluster of companies all working together in pursuit of commercial opportunities in the marine sector. We’ve benefited from being part of the SmartOcean innovation cluster through access to world-class skill-sets and technology that co-exist in the SME and multinational companies in the cluster. This approach is directly in line with Wavebob’s strategy of working with strategic partners,” remarked Andrew Parish, CEO of Wavebob.

clusTer collaBoraTioN

The awards were announced

following the inaugural SmartOcean Innovation Exchange as part of the SmartOcean Conference sponsored by SmartBay Ireland Ltd and hosted at the Ocean Wealth Pavilion of the Volvo-Global Business Village last month.

The event was designed to support companies to profile their new technologies that address market opportunities in the global marine sector. In total, 22 companies were recognised by SmartBay Ireland and received the SmartBay Innovator Award. A number of international companies also participated, reinforcing the links between the SmartOcean Cluster and related clusters in Europe and Canada.

“This event demonstrates in the most practical way how collaboration within a cluster can help smaller companies gain access to technology and markets through the support of leading multi –nationals,” remarked Mike Devane, chairman of SmartBay Ireland Ltd.

Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO Marine Institute said he was delighted to support small and medium business to develop innovative solutions for the marine sectors.

“It’s great to see 22 Irish and international companies showcasing their innovations and working with multinationals and the research community to examine how we can use technology to make the most of our marine resources.”

Conference looks to technology to get more from marine resourcesBusinesses and researchers developing technology solutions for the marine sector

will have greater opportunities to test their innovations in an ocean environment following the launch of smartBay ireland – a not-for-profit company.

“We now have a national research, test and demonstration platform for marine technologies where the research community can work together with small and large enterprise to develop innovative solutions for the marine sector,” remarked Mike Devane, SmartBay Ireland Ltd chairman at the launch during the SmartOcean workshop in Galway last month.

Focus of the workshop was to identify challenges in aquaculture, security, logistics and renewable energy sectors that require innovative technology solutions so that the research community and industry can work together to develop collaborative projects to address those challenges.

“Development of our ocean wealth is dependent upon our ability to extend our research capacity and make it work effectively with large and small industry to address new challenges as they arise in the marine. The SmartOcean Cluster and SmartBay are excellent examples of how research and industry can partner to use technology and create new enterprise,” commented Simon Coveney, TD, Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine.

A new research fund of €400,000 sponsored by Dublin City University was also launched at the event, by Prof. Fiona Regan, Director MESTECH group and Research Programme Leader for SmartBay.

“The SmartBay National Infrastructure Access Fund will provide competitive funding over a two- year period to enable the test and translation of applied research and technology solutions to the announced test facility in Galway Bay,” Prof Regan remarked.

The event also recognised two research leaders – Dr Tim McCarthy, NUI Maynooth and Dr Mike Hartnett – NUI Galway, for their respective contributions to research within the SmartOcean Cluster in the area of geospatial information technologies and development of operational ocean forecast systems.

Twenty-two innovative Irish companies showcased their marine focused technology solutions in the marine pavilion at the Volvo Global village.

Dr Patrick Hartigan and Andrew Parish, Wavebob with Mike Devane, SMARTBAY. Photo: Andrew Downes Photograpy

SmartOcean Cluster Ireland’s Smart Ocean Innovation Cluster is a network of companies, academic research groups, and State agencies with a collective focus on the strategic development of Ireland’s marine assets and resources and is focused on leveraging technological innovation for economic impact. Within the SmartOcean Cluster a range of technologies coalesce as new innovative products and solutions addressing new emerging markets. The cluster also promotes engagement among all members and offers the SmartBay platform as a hub to support advanced research and enable product and service development and testing. A key strategy is to extend its reach internationally and to establish effective links with Industry Partners.

SmartBay Ireland LtdSmartBay Ireland is responsi-

ble for establishing developing a national research, test and demonstration facility to support the application and translation of research and to provide platforms for testing and demonstrating new technologies and solutions for marine and related sectors. The company provides access to researchers, innovators and entre-preneurs who use both its physical and cyber environment to develop innovative solutions.

SmartBay was established to support the national objective of sustainably developing Ireland’s ocean wealth. It is at the core of the SmartOcean cluster, and provides the basis and support for national and international collaborations between public and private interests, engaging research, technology, and com-mercial companies, and is focused clearly on ‘shared’ development of the North Atlantic.

SmartBay Ireland is sponsored by state agencies including the Marine Institute and is funded un-der Cycle V of the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions funded by the Higher Education Authority.

SmartBay National Infrastructure Access FundThe fund is designed to support researchers wishing to conduct translational research in the marine environment. This fund will seed awards (typically €2,000-€25,000) to research teams through a competitive process and is open to all Higher Educa-tion Institutions on the island of Ireland. The goal is to rapidly grow the research base to encompass new academic research teams, SMEs, and MNCs, nationally and internationally, and to demonstrate socio-economic impact.

Prof. Fiona Regan, DCU presents Dr Mike Hartnett, NUIG with the SmartBay Research Innovator Award.

Yvonne Shields, CEO Commissioners of Irish Lights; Kieran Ring, CEO Global Institute of Logistics and Martin Bransby, Lighthouse Authorities of the UK & Ireland at the SmartOcean Conference. Photos: Andrew Downes Photograpy

Creating awareness of Ireland’s seabed mapping programme at Volvo finale

Dr Janine GuinanGSI

After a nine-month marathon of the seas, the Volvo Ocean Race 2012

participants completed their voyage around the world in Galway on July 3 with events running from June 30 through to Sunday July 8.

The INFOMAR programme (www.infomar.ie) was well represented with an information stand at the Global Village and the RV Keary survey vessel alongside in Galway docks and open for vessel tours to the public.

As the national seabed mapping programme, INFOMAR was present at the event to inform on the survey coverage achieved to date, along with providing information to visitors on different aspects of the programme – from new survey data acquisition to hydrographic standards for harbours, bays and areas around Ireland’s coast which have not been mapped since the admiralty charts of the 1800 – to using INFOMAR survey data to inform on suitable locations for ocean energy devices for harnessing offshore wind, wave and tidal energy.

maPPing PResentation

Koen Verbruggen of the Geological Survey of Ireland and joint project manager with the Marine Institute presented Mapping Ireland’s Seabed – how and why as part of the Ocean Wealth Events Programme Focus on the Marine Environment, Deep Sea Ecosystems and Climate Change.

His presentation highlighted the importance of the national

seabed mapping programme to the Volvo racing boats. Without accurate information on water depth, Galway Bay would be hazardous to sailors and boat users who would run the risk of running aground without accurate and up-to-date bathymetry information using an example from nearby Mannin Bay where a previously unknown shoal was mapped by the INFOMAR programme that would have otherwise proved hazardous to vessels.

Aside from highlighting the importance of INFOMAR to marine safety and charting, the role of environmental protection was cited with the INFOMAR data used to designated Marine Special Areas of Conservation, and guiding seabed sampling for environmental monitoring. Reference was also made to the expenditure on the programme to date, and the fact that its prospective financial return to Ireland has been independently valued at more

than four times its cost. Among the areas developed

by INFOMAR are applied research utilising the marine mapping data generated; it is interesting to note that two of the five Smart Ocean Innovator award winners announced during the week are former and current INFOMAR research partners, Techworks and SonarSim.

vessel touRsRV Keary took a break from

her busy survey calendar and was open to the public throughout the week. Members of the public were welcomed onboard by the INFOMAR team of skippers, surveyors and data processors who work onboard the vessel.

The team described the equipment they use to gather information on water depth and seabed bottom type and a tour of the bridge gave an insight into the work of a skipper and surveyor during a typical survey day.

INFOMAR 2012 Annual SeminarThe Geological Survey of Ireland and

the Marine Institute are delighted to invite all interested parties to attend the 2012 Annual INFOMAR Seminar.

The two-day event will take place from October 11-12 at University College Cork, Ireland. The seminar will include an update on Ireland’s national seabed mapping programme including survey operations and coverage, future plans, and associated research, along with poster sessions and vessel tours of RV Keary.

The seminar is free and open to all; however numbers are limited so please confirm attendance by emailing linda.grealish@marine.

ie by Friday September 28.Make the most of your visit to Cork by

attending the GeoSeas International Workshop taking place at the same venue October 9-10th 2012. The workshop will present the results of this European Commission funded project and provide demonstrations of tools and services for the discovery, assessment and access to a range of marine geosciences datasets.

The workshop will also include keynote presentations by invited speakers from the international marine research community and other related fields.

For more information see http://www.geo-seas.eu/

The Real Map of Galway

This map was created using a Red-Green-Blue (RGB)

on Black Background ChromaDepth® 3-D Colour palette.

ChromaDepth® is a patented system from the company Chromatek (http://www.chromatek.com/ ) (a subsidiary of American Paper Optics) that produces a 3D-effect based upon differences in the diffraction of colour through a special prism-like holographic film fitted into glasses. Essentially, you are encoding depth into the image by means of colour.

Any image can be given a 3D effect as long as the colour spectrum is put into use with the foreground being in red, and the background in blue. From front to back the scheme follows the visible light spectrum, from red to orange, yellow, green and blue.

ChromaDepth® 3-D works extremely well with bathymetric and topography data, and the 3D effect is still noticeable without the 3D ChromaDepth® glasses.

The Real Map of Galway (Bay) shows both the onshore and offshore surface. The offshore surface comprises marine mapping from the Irish government

INFOMAR (INtegrated Mapping FOr the Sustainable Development of Ireland’s MArine Resource) and INSS (Irish National Seabed Survey) Projects (multibeam and lidar 10m) and European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) digital terrain model (463M).

The land elevation data from the SARTEM programme of NASA and NGA (90m Digital Elevation Data) was used for the onshore surface.

All of the data used can be downloaded for free.

Download The Real Map of Galway from: http://www.infomar.ie/documents/RealMapGalwayPostcard.pdf

You can purchase the glasses from:

http://www.3dglassesonline.com/our-products/chromadepth%C2%AE

Download free INFOMAR/INSS data (5m to 500m) https://jetstream.gsi.ie/iwdds/

Download free EMODNET (463M) data:

http://portal.emodnet-hydrography.eu/EmodnetPortal/index.jsf

Download free Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 90m Digital Elevation Data http://srtm.csi.cgiar.org/

Daily tours of RV Keary throughout the event Photo G Mills Ronan O’Toole, GSI, shows explains the mapping system to budding hydrographers. Photo G Mills

Ramona Carr and Linda Grealish, MI taling to Eoin MacCraith GSI about data management at the INFOMAR stand in the Marine Pavilion


volvo oCean RaCe inshore ireland august/september 2012 21

volvo oCean RaCe

Volvo festival attendance and figures exceed expectations

Gillian Mills

Early reports of the economic value of the Volvo Ocean Race to

the greater Galway region are put at over €100m in tourism and business income. According to the organisers, Let’s do it Global, footfall is estimated at over 900,000 visits to the events across the eight days.

“It was a truly memorable week in Galway. We were stunned by the passion and enthusiasm of the people of Galway and Ireland for our race – and the fact so many waited in the rain until 05.30am to welcome the boats,” remarked Jon Bramley, Volvo Ocean Race.

John Killeen, President of Let’s do it Global said the event had been a “phenomenal success” and showed, once again, that Galway has the

capacity to organise the biggest maritime event of its kind worldwide.

“The effort and commitment of the small team and 1,500 volunteers who made it all possible has been one of the most inspiring things to have happened in our city for many years. We’re very proud of those who helped us achieve such a stunning success,” he said.

maRine showCaseCoordinator of the Ocean

Wealth Pavilion and CEO of Commissioners of Irish Lights, Yvonne Shields, told Inshore Ireland that the event provided a “fantastic platform to showcase the scale, diversity and value” of Ireland’s marine resources.

“State agencies, multinationals and SMEs exhibiting at the pavilion provided a glimpse at Ireland’s marine treasures

and insights into the opportunity for economic growth and recovery that exists on our coasts and marine territory beyond,” she commented.

The Marine Institute’s 3rd Annual SmartOcean Workshop attracted over 120 participants across the public and private sectors from all-Ireland and beyond.

The workshop centred on technology and how innovation/new products

BIM promotes conservation, innovation and careers

over the two weekends, BIm organised lobster

v-notching demonstrations assisted by local fisherman and the chairman of the galway Inshore Fishermen’s organisation, Patrick oliver.

The demonstrations proved very popular with families and especially kids who learnt about the lifecycle of the species and saw first-hand, female lobsters carrying their eggs.

The BIM Lobster V-Notching programme is run in partnership with inshore fishermen around the coast. Female lobsters once caught are given a v-shaped notch in their tail and returned to sea to spawn. This conservation programme has contributed significantly to sustaining Ireland’s lobster stocks whereby 15,000

lobsters were v-notched in 2010.

Dr Susan Steele, BIM’s Innovation Coordinator also explained how innovation was boosting profits in the Irish seafood sector with some products and prototype-products recently developed at BIM’s Seafood Development Centre (SDC) on display. Visitors were invited to participate in focus groups to provide valuable market on format, packaging, price point etc.

BIM’s Coastal Training Unit (CTU) also on site throughout the event provided advice on careers and training courses available. Declan Donohoe illustrated ‘Stay Safe at Sea’ to highlight the importance of wearing a lifejacket or PFD correctly, the various types available and how they can save lives at sea.

Black John the bogus pirate

Cartoon workshops aimed at teaching children about marine life drew over 500 budding artists and marine biologists to the

marine pavilion. Presided over by ‘black John the bogus Pirate’ – aka dr John Joyce author, cartoonist and marine biologist, these free workshops required no prior knowledge of either art of science and were simply designed to promote the understanding of the marine environment through the medium of simply having fun.

“We learn most when we’re enjoying ourselves,” remarked Dr Joyce who began using cartoons while developing the ‘Explorers’ primary school marine education programme with the Marine Institute.

The ‘Black John the Bogus Pirate – Cartoon Workbook of Marine Beasts’ is available from www.spindriftpress.com at €3.99 plus postage.

and services can support sustainable development of the marine sector, including aquaculture, shipping and renewable energy.

“It was really exciting to see the level of innovation that exists and to see the synergies and opportunities emerging between different companies in the marine tech space,” remarked Yvonne Shields.

Session 4 on offshore energy asked if ICT research and technology could become a critical player in the global offshore energy sector.

Chairing the session, Eoin Sweeney, SEAI, remarked that whilst participants recognised the scale of the potential impact of marine renewable development for Ireland, there was clearly a level of frustration about the “slow and under-resourced approach being taken here.”

The session explored the interface between marine ICT developments and the emerging Ocean Energy sector.

“All the indications are that despite the immense and costly challenges associated with utilising OE, the industrial capabilities necessary to overcome these challenges are being established around the initial pilot array projects being developed in a number of countries,” he commented.

(See report page 20)

Groupama, Puma and Camper with spinnakers up for downwind leg with Sanya chasing A one stop shop showing marine/maritime agencies Puma ahead in tacking duel with Telefonica

Groupama reaching across to the Salthill buoy

Jousting hookers!

Seamus Breathnach BIM and Patrick Oliver, Inshore Fishermen’s Organisation examine a v-notched lobster

Declan Donohoe and Kathy Cullimore in the Coastal Training Unit


Coffee bReaK inshore ireland august/september 2012 23

Coffee bReaK

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11

12 13 14 15

16 17 18

19

20 21 22

23

24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

32 33

across

1. Women’s Small Bags

5. News Flash

9. Diplomatically

11. Lip (of glass)

12. First…off the rank

14. Backs of feet

15. Waits, one’s time

16. Green liqueur (5, 2, 6)

20. Early bicycle (5,8)

24. Up to the time

26. Lead

28. Red

29. Formerly named

30. Episodes

32. Layout

33. Actor’s daring stand-in

down

1. Seize in transit

2. Show agreement

3. Soil excavator

4. Hand protector

6. Due (of money)

7. Vented

8. Entangled

10. Possible culprit

13. Pork rasher

17. Gives authority to

18. Golfer, Woods

19. Put on end

21 Hollering

22. Barbaric

23. Most likely to win (4,2)

25. Arduous hikes

27. Make suitable

31. Author’s alias, … de plume

Stuck for an answer? You’ll find the solution on www.inshore-ireland.com

Pirate exhibition opens in Dún na Séad castleNew to Baltimore for 2012 is a permanent

piratical exhibition at Dún na Séad castle. The exhibition arose out of a detailed examination of the history of piracy in the Baltimore area.

Graphic details are given of the well-known ‘Sack of Baltimore’ in 1631, including a life-size model of the infamous Murat Rais, attired in his adopted North African dress.

Also included are authentic copies of rare graphics from the 17th Century, depicting the story of the Baltimore captives who were taken into a life of slavery in Algiers.

Activities of the O’Driscoll clan and their notorious involvement with the men of Waterford during the middle ages are also described, along with a depiction of Thomas Crooke, the English ‘pirate/planter’.

Also displayed are representative samples of archaeological finds at the castle which bring to life the history and lifestyle

of its occupants throughout the castle’s 800-year history.

Accompanying the exhibition is a book by Bernie McCarthy, Pirates of Baltimore. This book contains images of lifestyles and events associated with the piratical history of the village, as well as a more detailed account of the less than legal maritime affairs of its inhabitants.

Exhibition open daily 11am – 6 pm

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 028/20735

Congratulations to last month’s competition winners!

» Skelligs photo and interactive whiteboard resource by Vincent Hyland (Dan O’Shea)

» 2 nights B&B in the Maritime Hotel, Bantry (Linda Somers, Wicklow)

» Farewell to Tall Ships Dublin afloat on a CAI boat (Simone King, Dublin)

» 2-hour introduction to sailing with gosailing.ie (Eamon Hynes, Galway)

Many thanks to Wild Derrynane, Maritime Hotel, gosailing.ie and the CAI for their generous prizes.

Sailing the Irish Famine Tall Ship Jeanie Johnston

Michael English’s work begins with a wonderful

dedication to those who conceived the Jeanie Johnston project, participated in her construction, and all who were lucky enough to crew and sail her.

And its launch this month is so timely as Dublin prepares to host the final leg of Tall Ships 2012 during August 23-26.

A photographer and design specialist, Michael English is aptly suited to bring the story of Jeanie Johnson to print which unfolds during a tragic period in Irish history – the Great Famine of 1845–1849.

Sweeping through the country it killed over a million people and forced twice that number to emigrate to Britain, North America and elsewhere. Like the Boeings and Airbuses of today, hundreds of tall ships were employed in the haunting task of conveying over 2,500 Irish emigrants, without a single loss of life, to far-flung lands in an attempt to find work, a new life, and the hope of prosperity.

in seaRCh of a new life

English gives us a broad glimpse into the history of these vessels but concentrates on Jeanie Johnston, which was built in Quebec in 1847 by renowned shipbuilder, Charles Munn. She was chosen as a model because of her Class 15A1 rating. (The

rating specification note was discovered in the records at the Greenwich Maritime Museum Manuscript Department.)

histoRiCal aRtefaCtHow she was built; her

requirements and the many design details that came together to create the magnificent historical artefact we see berthed in the Liffey today are all encapsulated concisely in English’s study.

The effects of modern legislation requiring ships to have ‘keel-to-weather-deck bulkheads to break the ships into a series of watertight compartments,’ had a major impact on the vessel’s construction.

As a result of this and other major design demands, the shipwrights and project management team went to great lengths to create a living and fully functioning replica of a vessel from an earlier time.

modeRn/old meRgeDedication to safety without

surrendering authenticity was paramount. It is fascinating to observe the lengths to which the project team went to hide modern features of a tall ship. Below the waterline she is entirely 21st century with bow thrusters, engines, crew washing facilities and so forth, well obscured from view.

But back to the project, Jeanie Johnston was built in Blennerville Co. Kerry in May 2000, with the express intent

of sailing across the Atlantic to replicate a traditional famine tall ship voyage. To 2008 she would visit the USA, Canada, France and Spain, as well as spending time in local waters around Britain and Ireland. Her second and short-lived role was as a sail training vessel representing Ireland in Tall Ships events.

daily RoutineThe author explains clearly

all aspects of tall ship sailing. From a crew perspective we get an insight into the daily routine of scrubbing the decks, furling topsails, working the galley and plotting a course.

Passenger comfort was non-existent. Families or groups would be huddled together below deck where open hatchways provided the only light or ventilation and were often closed during bad weather. These cramped quarters would be pungent with the smell of sweat, sea-sickness, overflowing chamber pots – all of which was speedily cleared upon arrival in Canada or North America to make way for timber that

was shipped back to The Old World.

Notwithstanding that all of the equipment on board is electric the visitor can still sense how life would have been on board an 19th Century wooden vessel. The seemingly slow passage speed by modern expectations of 5-6 knots, does not belie the fact that famine stricken tenants fleeing Ireland could make it to the New World in

roughly five or six weeks. Jeanie Johnston acts as a

timely reminder to all Irish people that emigration is not confined to our annals but regrettably is a very real profile of modern day.

She is a vessel to be celebrated and loved, and Michael English does her ample justice in sharing the delights of tall ship sailing.

Cian Gallagher, Dublin

The crew furl the topsail on the mainmast in preparation for berthing in Waterford

Price: €29.99/£26.99ISBN: 978-1-84889-1517Cover: Hardback Size: 277 x 219 mm Pages: 272 ppColour: Full colour

CompetitionThe publisher has generously offered two copies of Sailing the Irish Famine Tall Ship Jeanie Johnston, as prizes.

Question: In what year was Jeanie Johnston built?

Answers to: [email protected] or 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Closing date for entries September 14th

Be in with a chance of winning a signed and illustrated print of the Skellig Lighthouse by Vincent Hyland.

To enter, ‘like’ both Inshore Ireland and Derrynane’s Facebook pages and post a message ‘Aug/Sept issue competition’.

Simply visit www.facebook.com/Derrynane and www.facebook.com/InshoreIreland before September 14th

Good Luck!

Fish designs on Co Wexford beach

A family marine day last month on Ballymoney beach Co

Wexford organised by Coastwatch and the local Ballymoney community began with groups designing a fish from local shore materials

They also created a large fish shape by standing in line as directed by photographer Ger Lacey. Nessa Childers MEP was invited to stand in the

eye ‘of the fish and storm’ as she suggested, referring to the negotiations in the European Parliament on reform of the CFP. (The fish shape and sculptures were later photographed and uploaded onto the Ocean 2012 website. www.ocean2012)

The RNLI lifeboat then arrived and children were invited onboard to try on gear and to listen to stories of rescues later expanded upon during an historic walk by

Paul Dubsky who had fished as a boy with local fishermen under sail and oar for plaice, whelks and sole; seasonal ray, mackerel and herring.

After a traditional Puc Fada, stone painting and treasure hunt, IFI officer John Flynn erected a sea bass information sign in the car Park and explained the life cycle of this slow growing fish found along the southeast coast.

The sign in three languages highlights the binding fishing

controls in time (closed breeding season); in fishing method (rod only), minimum size and maximum take of

two fish/24 hours. Further Information:

[email protected] or 086 8111 684.

Refitted Celtic Mist returns to the water

in may 2011, Celtic mist was donated to the irish Whale and dolphin group by

the Haughey family. The iWdg entered the vessel into the Tall ships race in Waterford last year where it sailed the leg to greenock, scotland. after that Celtic mist was sailed to Kilrush, Co Clare in the shannon estuary where underwent an extensive refit. nearly one year later it has just been relaunched and the refit is nearly completed.

The refit included stripping off the aft cabin and replaced with a

skipper and twin cabin. The main cabin will store the towed and dipping hydrophones and house the environmental logging software, and the engine room was completely cleaned out and painted.

The masts and rigging were inspected and replaced where necessary and the finally the vessel was painted and varnished.

Celtic Mist will be officially launched on at 2pm on August 12 at Kilrush Creek Marina, Co Clare. All welcome.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on www.rvcelticmist.ie


Coastline news inshore ireland august/september 2012 25

Coastline news

Carbery SailingLimited

Join us for an adventure-packed day’s sailing along the rugged southwest coast on board Merlin - a 46’ Hallberg-Rassy yacht.

We can cater for up groups of 8, from €50 per person. Relax and enjoy the

wonderful scenery or why not try your hand at the helm...

Carbery Sailing Limited . Ahakista . Durrus . Co. Cork . Ireland

Tel: +353 (0) 27 29101 . Mobile: +353 (0) 852 256901URL: www.carberysailing.com

email: [email protected]/carberysailing

Looking landward to the beauty of Ireland’s south coastBrian Moore

The Sheep’s Head Peninsula in west Cork has a new nautical resident

since the arrival of Chris Forker, an MCA/RYA commercial yachtmaster and RYA Instructor and his yacht Merlin.

Based in Ahakista, Chris – who has notched up over 30 years sailing experience – offers chartered sailing trips for up to ten passengers in Dunmanus Bay or up to eight passengers out into the Atlantic along the south west coast.

Merlin – a 46’ Hallberg-Rassy gives both the novice and experienced seafarer a taste of what life is like on a true ocean-going yacht.

“We offer an experience that you can tailor for yourself. You can take a turn at the helm as we sail between the Sheep’s Head and Mizen Peninsulas or you can sit back and relax as Merlin tacks and jibes in Bantry Bay en route to Berehaven and Bere Island.

“Or we can go east to Roaring Water Bay and round the Fastnet Rock; it’s completely open to choice,” Chris told Inshore Ireland as he prepared to cast off for an evening trip.

During these three hours trips, Chris warns his ‘crew’ to keep a watch for other more established residents of the bay.

“We’ve had dolphins join us on our last few trips and the seals on Carbery Island will, as usual, be keeping a close eye on us as we sail by.”

Chris plans to make Ahakista

a centre for sail training. “Starting next March we’ll

be introducing our ‘Fast Track Day Skipper Course’. The nine-day course comprises four days on shore and five days sail training on board Merlin. Although nine days long, this course only requires one week of holiday leave to complete. We’re also planning to expand our weekend charters to include extended trips along the southwest coast,”Chris concluded.

Carbery Sailing Limited • Ahakista • Durrus • Co. Cork • Ireland

Tel: +353 (0) 27 29101 • Mobile: +353 (0) 852 256901

URL: www.carberysailing.com • email: [email protected] • www.facebook.com/carberysailing Starting next March Chris Forker will be offering a ‘fast track

day skipper course’

Bantry hosts spectacle of sail and seamanshipBrian Moore

after a week of some of the most exciting racing seen in West cork

for many years, the crew of the Northern ireland gig Harmonie took the lance lee Trophy as overall winners of Bantry Atlantic Challenge 2012.

Following closely in second place was the Republic of Ireland with Russia taking third spot on the winner’s podium.

Sixteen nations and over 300 participants represented teams from as far apart as Indonesia, Canada, Russia and USA that competed in sailing and seamanship events commemorating the original Bantry gig. The competing gigs (captain’s tender) are based on a vessel that was captured after the unsuccessful attempt to bring French troops to Ireland in 1796.

While the weather did its best to dampen the atmosphere, Bantry

provided visitors and locals alike with a truly spectacular event on and off the water.

“It’s been a great week here in Bantry,”Diarmaid Murphy, chairman of Bantry Atlantic Challenge 2012 told Inshore Ireland.

Throughout the week the crews were tested to their limits. The Atlantic Challenge not only set the boats racing against each other under oars and sails, they also had to display their levels of seamanship in events such as rope work, man-over-board drills, jackstay transfer and navigation.

“The competition, even when the weather was against us, was

excellent and it was a tight battle for first place between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all week.

“I want to thank everybody – sponsors, volunteers, crews and their supporters – for all their hard work. The level of support from local businesses, community and sporting groups, friends and family was also second to none,” Diarmaid Murphy said.

As the crews prepared their boats for the journey home, talk was already turning to the next Atlantic Challenge in 2014 when the crews will travel to Morbihan in Brittany.

Despite very poor weather conditions, competition was tight during the first event of sails and oars with the local boat Unité taking line honours. Photo G Mills

‘Mussel’ power salute from local barge. Photo G Mills

First event the ‘Captain’s Gig. Photo G Mills

Fish Shape created by Ballymoney Marine Day participants. Photo Paul Dubsky

Hook Bass Angling FestivalFethard-On-Sea, Wexford, October 26-28

The Hook Peninsula is known as ‘secret ireland’ – unspoiled and awaiting to be

discovered. it is distinctly different from the rest of the country, possessing a landscape, history, culture and character of its own. On the Hook you can find a beach a day for a fortnight, just perfect for the festival!

Hook Bass Angling Festival is a three-day competition organised on a catch-and-release basis at various locations along the peninsula. In the evenings will be talks about the local history and about bass fishing and Neville’s Bar

and Restaurant will have a special anglers’ menu and will host the prize-giving.

The festival will be a family event as the Hook Peninsula has many historic sites to see and activities to do, such asTintern Abbey and the Colclough Walled Gardens; Fethard Castle; Hook Lighthouse; Loftus Hall and Duncannon Fort. There is

also golf; horse riding; water activities and much more. (see www.hooktourism.com.)

This is the first Hook Bass Angling Festival on the peninsula and is expected to draw large interest, not only from anglers but as a family event.

Full details from Hook Tourism: 051-397502 and [email protected].

Photos liam RyanA refurbished Celtic Mist will be officially launched on August 12

Irishman first to conquer Ocean Sevens challengeBrian Moore

“There’s a man for you.” This was how president michael d. higgins described swimming legend steve redmond when he met with him at the launch of the Bantry atlantic challenge 2012.

The Ballydehob man received a hero’s welcome when he arrived back in West Cork after his epic Oceans Seven test in July. Steve completed his record-breaking swim when he successfully crossed the Irish Channel; the Cook Strait in New Zealand; the Moloka’i Channel in Hawaii; the English Channel; the Catalina Channel; the Strait of Gibraltar and finally the Tsugaru Strait in Japan.

BeyoNd eNduraNceConsidered to be the open-

water swimming equivalent of climbing seven of the world’s highest summits, Steve is the first to complete the Oceans Seven Challenge. He completed the last leg of the challenge, the 20km stretch of the Tsugaru Strait in Japan, in 14 hours 24 minutes.

Speaking in Bantry, President Higgins praised Steve’s achievements and was delighted to receive a stone from the beach where the record-breaking

swimmer came ashore after completing his final swim across the Tsugaru Strait.

“Steve has brought great pride to this country by becoming the first person to swim the seven oceans of the world, and I am delighted to have this stone from the Tsugaru Strait,” President Higgins said.

iNfamous rock coNquered

Steve is also the first to swim around the treacherous Fastnet Rock. While he is a former rugby player and triathlete, it was the months of training in all-weathers in his local Lough Hyne that really paid off.

“I use anything that gives me a mental edge. Marathon swimming is about as close as you can get to death while you are alive here on earth. You lose all sense of perception while you are swimming in such difficult conditions,” he remarked.

Now, with the Oceans Seven title under his belt, Steve has his focus set on one more swim.

“Next month we will be taking on the Fastnet once more. This time it’s all in aid of the Cork South West Autism Association; but after that it’s all about taking it easy for a while – time to catch up with life at home,” Steve told Inshore Ireland.

Oceans Seven swimming legend Steve Redmond with President Michael D. Higgins at the launch of the Bantry Atlantic Challenge 2012. Photo Brian Moore

Award launched to recognise ‘outstanding contribution’ by young sailors

On July 21 a new annual award to recognise the outstanding contribution by junior sailors was launched at the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club (DMYC).

The DMYC Bob Geldof Spirit of Sailing Memorial Award is named in honour of the late Bob Geldof – a founding member of the club, and was presented by his son, Bob Geldof KBE to Conor Ryan

(17) from Dalkey, Co Dublin. “The late Bob Geldof was an avid and accomplished

sailor. He was a founding member of our Club back in 1965 and always encouraged and nurtured young people who wanted to gain experience and enjoy our sport.

“He was a much loved member of the DMYC from its earliest years until his death. The Geldof family, mindful of his close connections with our Club, has donated this new annual award to commemorate his memory and to inspire a new generation of junior sailors at the DMYC,” remarked Liam Owens, Commodore, DMYC.

Small-scale fisheries: under threat but gaining ground from Rio to RomeBrian O’Riordan,ICSF

At the 30th Session of the FAO’s Committee on Fisheries (COFI

30), July 9 -13 in Rome, the EU delegation stated that the EU supported increased attention to the role of small scale fisheries, both for food security and as a lever for economic growth in coastal areas.

‘Focus on small-scale actors and vulnerable communities lies at the heart of the EU’s development policy for food

security and EU fisheries policy as well. Policies that achieve sustainability contribute to strengthened performance of small-scale fleets.’

Two weeks earlier, the EU was also defending small-scale fisheries at the Rio + 20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. The outcome document: The Future We Want, signed up to by the EU along with over 100 heads of State and governments committed to ‘observe the need to ensure access to fisheries and the importance of access to markets, by subsistence, small-scale and artisanal fisherfolk and women fish workers, as

well as indigenous peoples and their communities, particularly in developing countries, especially small island developing States.

Justifiable exPendituReIt is easy to be cynical about

the huge costs and small returns from such summits; however the international commitments arrived at are taken seriously. Witness the current reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and the importance given to achieving MSY by 2015. This was a commitment signed up to 10 years ago in Johannesburg at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). So, we should take these commitments to give increased attention to small-scale fisheries seriously.

Such commitments are especially important given the current ‘land grabbing’ and ‘sea grabbing” by large corporations with the tacit support of the World Bank’s ‘Global Partnership for Oceans’ (GPO) initiative.

The Prince’s Charities International Sustainability Unit programme on sustainable fisheries also smells fishy. This initiative is dominated by the interests of industrial fishing

companies keen to green wash their image under the Royal Seal of Approval, and shares much in common with the GPO.

Given such threats, north or south, small-scale fisheries need all the support they can get. Recognition at Rio, and support from the FAO’s Committee on Fisheries are important. But the fight does not end there. These commitments must translate into concrete national policies and programmes.

PraCTiCal aPPrOaCHThe FAO proposal to

formulate a set of International Guidelines on Small Scale Fisheries could go a long way in this regard. Any formulation and implementation plans must involve both policy makers and representatives from the small-scale fishing sector. But it is not yet certain whether conservative elements amongst FAO members, including the EU, will allow this to happen.

If not, this would be a real setback to a process initiated by civil society organisations representing and supporting fishing communities four years ago in Bangkok at the FAO’s Global Conference on Small Scale Fisheries.

Over the last nine months these organisations have organized 14 national workshops and one regional workshop in Africa (with participants from 16 African

countries), consulting with some 1,600 women and men on the guidelines, and producing 15 reports and statements. These will provide the basis for the future position adopted in the negotiations on the content of the guidelines.

FOr mOre inFOrmaTiOn:Civil Society website

on small-scale fisheries guidelines: https://sites.google.com/site/smallscalefisheries/events

FAO website on Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines http://www.fao.org/fishery/ssf/guidelines/en

Rio + 20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development website: http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/

World Bank Global Partnership for the Oceans: http://www.globalpartnershipforoceans.org/key-issues/putting-economic-value-oceans

The Prince’s Charities International Sustainability Unit Joint Declaration for action for Wild Marine Fisheries http://www.pcfisu.org/marine-programme/declaration

FISH DON’T CARE - Relevance of the COFI Guidelines on small-scale fishery in the EU.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH5c3SH1Uag&feature=colike

Fisheries in Chile: Need for urgent reformBrian O’Riordan, ICSF

in chile the passage of a fisheries bill is causing a hot debate. a new law must be

enacted by the end of 2012 to replace the 2002 fisheries law that introduced iTqs to chile’s industrial fisheries.

The debate is polarised around whether quotas should be auctioned or gifted to existing quota holders. The debate has also highlighted deep divisions in the artisanal sector, where 10% of the fleet, comprising the largest vessels - essentially semi-industrial trawlers and pelagic purse seiners - take 90% of the catch; an inequity that the fisheries authorities aim to correct. This fleet segment now takes 55% of Chile’s total fish catch, up from 20% in 2000 - outstripping industrial catches.

The fishing industry wants the status quo to prevail in the new bill; for ITQs to be gifted back to them, and in perpetuity. Many in the artisanal sector want the bill

to be scrapped claiming it opens to door to privatisation of Chile’s fishery resources.

fishiNG riGhTsThe 2002 ITQ law aimed

to establish legal security for the investments made in the fishing sector by providing 10-year fishing rights. In fact it has enabled seven families to consolidate their stranglehold on fisheries sector. These families, through four major jointly held companies, own 76% of quotas, with combined annual earnings of over US$ 3,000m. These companies are also important patrons of right wing political parties, notably the party of the economy minister who is also the chief architect and advocate of the new bill.

Fisheries represent vitally important resources for Chile – a country with a coastline over 7,000 km and 24 times as long as it is wide. Fisheries rank as the third most important export sector after mining and forestry. In recent years, the value of Chile’s fish catch (first sale price) has averaged around

US$2,200m with an export value of US$1,500m.

Such figures tend to mask the deep crises in Chile’s fisheries. From peak landings of 7 million tonnes in the 1990s, catches for 2010 shrank by around half to 3.7 million tonnes. 68% of commercially important fish stocks are overfished or in a state of collapse.

Tacs Too hiGhThe National Fisheries Council

(CNP), the body responsible for setting TACs, is controlled by fishing industry interests and has persistently set TACs well above levels recommended by scientific advice. Thus in 2009 the CNP set quotas for jack mackerel 87% higher than the levels recommended by IFOP and in 2011 set hake quotas 197% above recommended levels, thus highlighting the need for a completely independent body to make fishery management decisions.

The draft bill proposes that quotas be fully tradable and be allocated in perpetuity. But Chile’s President, who has taken

a keen interest in the bill, argues that 50% of the quotas should be put up for auction. This would both allow the entry of new actors and generate significant revenues for the Government. This has put him at odds both with the economy minister who is also his political rival, and the fishing industry.

prioriTy applicaTioNIn Chile, fisheries are

administered under the economy ministry, which raises questions about the priority given to social and environmental issues. The economy minister has proposed that the bill should provide for the auction of 15% of the quotas and

85% allocated according to catch histories. He also proposes that a royalty be payable per tonne of quota allocated, which could earn the government US$40-45m over 10 to15 years.

For the artisanal fisheries sector, the bill proposes that various controls should be applied to larger vessels (12 to 18 metres), including licence fees and vessel monitoring systems. It also proposes that the first nautical mile should be reserved for smaller, under 12-metre vessels.

The coming months will be critical for fisheries in Chile. The debate is highly polemic with many vested interests at stake and powerful lobby groups at work.


Coastline news inshore ireland august/september 2012 27

outside iReland

St Antonio in Chile’s Central region. Photos B O’Riordan

Participants at a workshop on artisanal fisheries at the Peoples’ Summit at Rio + 20 Photo Lonxanet Foundation

Bere islanders run to raise funds for GAA club

over 80 runners pounded the roads of Bere Island on

July 14 for the first-ever Bere Island mid Summer run of both a 5k and 10k race and a 5k walk.

The route took in the eastern loop of the island overlooking spectacular views of Bantry Bay and Berehaven Harbour and alongside some the island’s historical military fortifications.

The course was licensed by the Athletics Association of Ireland and was marked out and officially measured with a Jones counter by former

Ireland runner, Breda Barrett from Ballydesmond.

Breda has been running for 36 years and ran for Ireland from1979-1981 and is an associate of Sonia O’Sullivan. She is on the national executive board of the Athletics County Board, and was also a development officer of the GAA.

“Running is the gateway to all sports – I really admire Bere Island GAA for what they’re going. Going back to grass roots level in a genuine cause for the GAA, and I’m delighted to give them a hand.”

The race was organised by Bere Island GAA Club to help fund the club facilities.

WInnErS oF THE 5k anD 10k raCES WErE:

men’s 5k race1st Aidan O’Shea2nd Fergus Rooney3rd Lawrence Walsh

Women’s 5k race1st Orna O’Brien2nd Linda Ginty3rd Clare Murphy

men’s 10k race1st Gerry Kealy2nd Shane O’Mara3rd Alan Brett

Women’s 10k race1st Geraldine O’Sullivan2nd E Lennon3rd Fiona Dukelow

Vintage Rally raises funds for Baltimore lifeboat

The sun shone brightly over Rosscarbery for the start of the

Wonderful West Cork Vintage Motor Tour on Saturday July 14 for the twenty-nine entrants led by Paul Kean in his Isotta Fraschini built in Milan in 1927 and winner at the New York motor show that same year.

The tour travelled along the coast over Roury Bridge through spectacular scenery to the village of Glandore. It then proceeded over the causeway and through Union Hall onto Rinneen Forest and through Ballydehob, Schull and Goleen from where it returned back through Skibbereen. The tour then regrouped at the Síbín Bar before finally arriving in Baltimore.

Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine was in Baltimore to welcome the tour and while waiting for their arrival, Kieran Cotter, coxswain of the Baltimore Lifeboat gave him a tour of the new lifeboat, Alan Massey.

Speaking in the Baltimore

Sailing Club afterwards, Minister Coveney praised Kieran and the crew for the wonderful service they provide to their community and the wider community that sails along West Cork, whether for recreational or commercial purposes.

He also thanked the vintage car owners for their time and hard work maintaining their cars and said he looked forward to the tour becoming an annual event.

Declan Tiernan, chairman of the Baltimore Lifeboat, thanked Minister Coveney for his support, and the West Cork Hotel and Ford

Motor Company for their sponsorship.

He also thanked Tony O’Driscoll, Commodore of the Baltimore Sailing Club and the volunteers for their hospitality, and Mark Guinn and Mark Bushe for encouraging so much support from the Crosshaven Vintage Car Club.

To date the Wonderful West Cork Vintage Motor Tour has raised €3,856; further donations for the Baltimore Lifeboat can be sent to Declan Tiernan, The Beacon Road, Baltimore, Co Cork.

All donations are gratefully appreciated.

Vintage rally passing through Glandore

'Hook Bass Angling Festival'BASS SHORE FISHING COMPETITION

€25 Per Day€75 For 3 Days

25th, 26th & 27th OCTOBER

Contact: Hook TourismHook Peninsula, Co Wexford

IrelandPhone: 051-397502

Email: [email protected]

For More Information Please Check

www.hooktourism.com

Four-person - Bob Geldof KBE, Conor Ryan, Tom Joyce (An Cathaoirleach, Dun Laoghaire), LiamOwens (Commodore, DMYC)

InshoreJuly2011215x315.indd 1 15/07/2011 09:44

Inshore Ireland Vol 8 nr 4 Aug-Sep 2012

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Transcript of Inshore Ireland Vol 8 nr 4 Aug-Sep 2012