MARINE TIMES FORUM
Current issues in the FISHING and MARINE industries
by Tom MacSweeney, Marine Times Special Correspondent
Welcome to The Marine Times website version of my FORUM page in the May edition of the paper. Your views will help to develop this interchange of comment and information. Email me at: marinecorrespondent@eircom.net

THE EEL REVIEW

The promised review of the eel fishery ban imposed in 2009 is due next month. At the time of the ban there were areas of Ireland where eel stocks were in a healthy state but a total ban was imposed, rather than a selective approach to conservation which has been taken outside of Ireland. The EU sought a reduction in catch levels, not a total ban. The Department and the Ministerdistracted attention from this when imposing the total closure.Most of the eels caught in Ireland were exported.

While accepting the necessity of conservation for the future of stocks, the industry accused the Department of going beyond what was required. Eel fishing has continued in other European countries and there have been reports of elvers being exported from France to other parts of Europe and even to Asia. The damage done to businesses involved in the fishery and the jobs lost was ignored by the Green Party Minister of the time. The closure of the industry also affected ancillary aspects such as processors, boat provision, maintenance and repair, equipment suppliers and others.

The current Minister responsible for the eel fishery is Pat Rabbitte, who also deals with communications. This in itself is an example of Fine Gael not delivering on its pre-General Election promise that all marine matters would be brought under one government department. Will he take the view that Irish jobs lost in the total ban should be restored and a rolling-back on it be implemented?

In response to a question by Deputy Finian McGrath, Minister Rabbitte said: "This review will consider whether the eel fishery could be reopened in any River Basin District in light of the data gathered in the interim and the performance of stocks. The imperative is to ensure that the vulnerable stocks of eels are protected - currently it would be premature to speculate on the future of the eel fishery and whether it will be open to commercial exploitation. Due to the very long cycle and slow growth in Irish waters it is probable that any recovery of the Irish eel stocks will be over a very long time frame."

That reply does not include a single word expressing concern for those affected by the withdrawal of a fishery which provided their earnings nor the businesses and employment which were affected.

o Your comments are welcome and will help to develop this FORUM. Email to: marinecorrespondent@eircom.net or post to the Marine Times

o You can also follow further developments during the month on the Marine Times website Twitter and Facebook and on Twitter through @TomMacSweeney

Dorans are “Back to Sea” After 10 Year Gap
Resplendent in April sunshine the MFV “Celtic Fisher” lies alongside Howth pier as the final touches are being put to the 18m vessel as she sits right outside the very shop and restaurants she will be providing fish for. Dorans, the Howth fishing family have bought the MFV “Celtic Fisher” from Dingle to supply their own shop and restaurants with the finest and freshest seafood direct from the vessel.

Full Story In This Months Edition

RNLI Lifeboat Volunteers Launch MAYDAY Campaign
Volunteer lifeboat crews recently took to Dublin’s Grafton Street to launch the RNLI’s MAYDAY campaign in Ireland, which is proudly supported by John West. The charity is asking the public to get behind its lifeboat crews in Ireland by donating on 1st May or by holding their own fundraising event.

Full Story In This Months Edition

MFV "Celtic Fisher" at Howth.

Twins Áine and Orlaith Moriarty (aged 5) from Santry
in Dublin join volunteer lifeboat crew on Dublin’s Grafton
Street to launch the RNLI’s MAYDAY campaign in Ireland.

Experts Gather to Plan for ‘Gold Rush’ to the Bottom of the Ocean
Researchers at NUI Galway’s Ryan Institute are at the centre of conservation efforts in relation to mining for precious minerals at the depths of our oceans. In this new ‘gold rush’, the ecological assessment of the effects of mining operations will be key to sustainably exploiting resources at these very important habitats, according to organisers of a major workshop.

Full Story In This Months Edition

Irish Ports See Pace of Volume Growth Levels Off in 2011
The pace of the volume recovery that began in 2010 for the Irish Ports and Shipping sector slowed last year with only one of the five principle cargo segments seeing any growth, according to the latest annual edition of the Irish Maritime Transport Economist, which was released at an industry briefing in Dublin, by the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO).

Full Story In This Months Edition

Proposed Fishery Harbour Charges Deplored by Irish Charter Skippers Association
The Irish Charter Skippers Association deplores the increase in Fishery Harbour landing and berthing rates recently proposed by Minister Coveney. Charter boat operators operate in a low margin, high cost and highly Regulated environment. It is safe to say that few are in the business for the money, particularly following recent large increases in fuel prices.

Full Story In This Months Edition

MFV “Adventurer” pictured entering Ballycotton
during a NE gale. Photo by P. O’Shea.

Eurotoque ‘Young Chef of the Year’, Kamil Dubanik,
Knockranny House Hotel, Co. Mayo (pictured front second
from right) and his fellow four finalists, enjoy learning all about locally caught seafood in Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford.

Coastal Hydraulics Complete Major Refit of MFV “Green Isle" in Killybegs
Michael Cavanagh, owner of the Greencastle vessel MFV “Green Isle” undertook a major refit of his vessel recently with the expertise of the Killybegs company Coastal Hydraulics looking after the extensive project. It was important that work would be completed to enable the vessel to go back out fishing as quickly as possible and Coastal Hydraulics ensured the “Green Isle” was not only back out fishing but fishing in a far more efficient manner.

This Story In Full In This Months Edition

Clare Island Ferry “Pirate Queen” Major Repair Completed In Mooney Boats
Mooney Boats Ltd have just completed a major repair job to the “Pirate Queen” which is owned and operated by the O’Grady family, natives of Clare Island and who have been operating the Clare Island Mail Boat Ferry Service since 1880. In December 2011 the vessel got into difficulty while entering the harbor at Roonagh and ran aground. Luckily nobody was injured but the vessel sustained substantial damages to the hull.

This Story In Full In This Months Edition

President Higgins Leads the Way
Tom MacSweeney reports: President Michael D. Higgins is showing considerable interest in the marine sphere. At the national commemoration of the sinking of the Titanic in Cobh he spoke about the power of the sea and the fragility of human life in the face of nature. I was MC at the event and, having introduced his speech to the several thousand present, listened with interest and appreciation as he referred to the role of seafarers and their importance in life. It was encouraging that the maritime sphere received his attention. President Higgins has already accepted invitations to be Patron of the Irish Water Safety Association and the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and opened the international conference on the potential of marine resources, including seaweeds, aquaculture, microalgae and marine processing by-products, as a source of functional food ingredients in Dublin.

Full Report by Tom MacSweeney in This Months Edition

Full Story In This Months Edition

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