Ireland’s leading maritime newspaper covering the Coastal, Fishing and Maritime Communities
In this month’s edition -
The recent meeting with An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has delivered a “powerful signal of national unity” ahead of next week’s decisive EU Fisheries Council, widely felt it was the most constructive meeting fishing representatives had with politicians but only time will tell; Inshore fishermen feel that they are being ignored by Government, so they are going their own way in Europe; A new €25 million project to protect, conserve, and restore the biodiversity of Ireland’s marine ecosystems has been announced to progress new legislation for Marine Protected Areas across the country which has raised a few eyebrows in the fishing industry; Understanding the SFPA? A major issue regularly raised about the SFPA is its reporting structure. Where, to whom, is this ‘independent agency’ as it is described officially by Government, ultimately responsible? .... all of this plus so much more in our December issue
Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast DECEMBER:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
Oysters are heroes, says the lady who has grown them for 35 years in Dungarvan Harbour - Cliona Mhic Giolla Chuda General Manager and co-Founder of Waterford Oysters on the December Podcast and is the subject of our monthly INTERVIEW on Page XXX. “It’s an intensive business,” she says after 35 years in the business. “It’s not for the faint-hearted because there are bad years as well as good.” Also on this month’s Podcast and in our December issue of the Marine Times: The Irish Polar Institute corrects a ‘mean action’ by explorer Ernest Shackleton. Listen and read more on our HERITAGE Page; Also there is the story of the crewman from an inland county who survived the Titanic; And - an Arctic whale arrives in Donegal – Read More in the IWDG column.
.... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.
MARINE TIMES NEWS December 8th:
New and expectant fathers among lifesavers preparing to answer the call at Wicklow RNLI this Christmas
The RNLI is launching its Christmas fundraising appeal, as its volunteer lifeboat crews, including those at Wicklow and Arklow lifeboat stations, selflessly prepare to spend their Christmas on call. Among those on call this year at Wicklow RNLI are three lifeboat crew who have just become, or are about to become, new fathers.
(l-r): Wicklow RNLI crewmember Cian Kelly holding baby Lainey Kelly with partner Nicola Souster, Wicklow RNLI crewmember Mark Kavanagh holding baby Saoirse Kavanagh with partner Áine O Brien and expectant mum Chloe O'Sullivan holding son Ben with partner and Wicklow RNLI crewmember Adam Byrne. Photo: RNLI/Connie O’Gara
Lifeboat volunteers Mark Kavanagh and Cian Kelly have both welcomed baby girls in the last few weeks with their partners, Aine and Nicola, while Adam Byrne and his partner Chloe are due a baby boy in early January. All three lifeboat volunteers will be on call in case the lifeboat is needed during the festive season, with their partners fully supportive of them needing to rush off if the lifeboat launches. Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS December 7th:
Aran Islands RNLI honours dedicated volunteers
The Aran Islands RNLI recently held their annual Christmas party and acknowledged its dedicated volunteers after a busy year of saving lives at Sea.
Volunteers and their families gathered to celebrate and acknowledge a busy year for the Aran Islands RNLI. Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS December 4th:
IFPO Welcomes Unified Irish Position on EU Quota Talks
The Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO) says yesterday’s meeting with An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has delivered a “powerful signal of national unity” ahead of next week’s decisive EU Fisheries Council.
Aodh O’Donnell, CEO of the IFPO, said the Taoiseach’s direct engagement with industry leaders shows Government is “fully backing Ireland’s case at the most important fisheries negotiations in years.” Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS December 2nd:
Fishing Leaders First Meeting with Taoiseach Ahead of Crucial EU Quota Talks
Seafood Ireland Alliance stresses unity and government support as Ireland faces €200 million loss
Seafood Alliance Ireland leaders L to R: Brendan Byrne - IFPEA, Dominic Rihan - KFO, Patrick Murphy - ISWFPO, Aodh O Donnell - IFPO and missing from the picture is John Lynch of the ISEFPO
The Seafood Ireland Alliance (SIA) will hold its first formal meeting with the Taoiseach on Wednesday, 3 December, at a critical time for Ireland’s fishing and seafood sectors. With the EU December Fisheries Council only days away, the meeting is a key chance to show Ireland’s fishing industry has strong government backing ahead of important quota decisions. New scientific advice proposes massive cuts for 2026, which could cost Ireland an estimated €94 million, says the SIA. Ireland is set to lose €66 million in pelagic species such as mackerel, €12 million in whitefish, and €21 million in Dublin Bay prawns, warns Aodh O’Donnell of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO). “When processing, logistics, and export value are included, total losses to the wider economy could reach €200 million”. Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS November 30th:
Multi-agency rescue response to razor boat with two on board
A razor boat with two fishermen got into difficulty two miles east off Balbriggan on Friday night, reporting water ingress and a complete loss of power. The callout triggered a multi-agency response involving Clogherhead RNLI, Skerries RNLI and the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116.
The all-weather Shannon class lifeboat, the Michael O'Brien, launched at 12.59am (Friday 28 November) under Coxswain Gerald Sharkey, with mechanic Barry Sharkey and crew James Kirk, Derek Shevlin, Barbara Kirk and Carol Holdcroft on board. Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS November 28th:
The Fresh Fish Deli Announces Closure Following Challenging Trading Conditions with the Loss of 30 Jobs in West Cork
Fish Seafood Deli Ltd have announced that it has ceased trading as of the 27th November 2025, bringing an end to many years of service to their customers, suppliers, and local community.
As a result of the closure, approximately 30 jobs will be lost across the business. This decision has been made with great reluctance and only after exhaustive efforts to keep the business viable. The past 18 months have presented an exceptionally difficult trading environment, and despite the dedication of our team and ongoing efficiency measures, the business can no longer operate sustainably. Full story here
West of Ireland RNLI station seeks relatives whose legacy helped fund lifeboat
Volunteers based at Achill Island RNLI, situated on the west coast of Ireland in county Mayo, are in search of the relatives for Sam and Ada Moody, who left a legacy of £600,000 which partly funded the construction of the station’s Trent class lifeboat, which has served Achill Island since 1999.
Sam and Ada Moody married in September 1935 and in 1941 Sam, and a partner, purchased a foundry in Hounslow, Middlesex where Ada became the company secretary and they worked together, during wartime years, until eventually buying the business in 1948. Through their joint efforts they created a successful life, both in business and in property. Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS November 26th:
Strengthened protections needed in the fishing sector
There needs to be stronger protections for Ireland’s fishing industry and coastal communities, a Fine Gael Senator has said.
Fine Gael spokesperson on fisheries and the marine in Seanad Éireann, Senator Manus Boyle, has tabled a motion which highlights the economic, cultural and social importance of the fishing sector to Ireland while also raising concerns around the impact of international agreements and the behaviour of some third-party countries, which continue to ignore scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES). Full story here
FLAG Coastal Communities Development Scheme reopens
The FLAG Coastal Communities Development Scheme has reopened. Its goal is to support a healthy and long-lasting blue economy in coastal, island and inland areas, and to help fishing and aquaculture communities grow.
Seven Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) will help manage a €15m fund running from 2025- 2029. These groups will choose projects that match their local development strategies. Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS November 21st:
Norway’s Overfishing Threatens Ireland
IFPO backs calls for EU Action ahead of crucial December Council
Aodh O'Donnell, CEO of the IFPO
The Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO) is warning of a looming crisis as Ireland faces catastrophic quota cuts that threaten the survival of its pelagic fleet. Ireland’s Marine Minister, Timmy Dooley, has called for urgent EU intervention following ICES advice recommending a 70% cut in mackerel and a 41% cut in blue whiting for 2026. Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS November 18th:
NIFA Unites with European Organisations to Promote Inshore Sector
European inshore fishermen have decided to take their future into their own hands according to the National Inshore Fishermen’s Association.
This is because, it says, “national professional bodies no longer represent the interests of inshore fishermen. So FENAPA Spain, UFPA France, NIFA Ireland and SINDEPESCAS Portugal have decided to join forces to ensure their voices are heard by the European Commission and their respective Member States. Full story here
Galway RNLI Long Service Awards
Three crew with Galway RNLI have been presented with Long Service Awards in recognition of their dedication and commitment as long-serving volunteers with Galway Lifeboat Station.
At the One Crew Celebration to mark 30 years since the establishment of Galway RNLI, long service medals were presented to Les Perry, Volunteer Treasurer for the Fundraising Committee for 20 years’ service and to Barry Heskin and Shane Folan for 30 years’ service as lifeboat crew. Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS November 17th:
Seafood Innovation Programme now accepting expressions of interest
The Seafood Innovation Programme is designed to strengthen the innovation and new product development (NPD) capacity of Ireland’s seafood sector. It develops the skills of individual participants while helping companies embed NPD as a structured and strategic part of their business. Through one-to-one coaching and the application of practical tools and methods, the programme supports individuals in managing NPD more effectively and fostering a culture of innovation.
By combining hands-on insights with commercial and strategic focus, the initiative enables seafood businesses to create, test, and launch new products more successfully in competitive markets. Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS November 11th:
MEPs Urged to Act on Fisheries Crisis
The Seafood Ireland Alliance will meet Irish MEPs in Brussels tomorrow, (Wed 12 Nov, 14:00 European Parliament), to press for decisive EU action to protect Ireland’s seafood sector and coastal communities.
The Alliance — representing Ireland’s leading fishing and processing organisations — will outline the key steps needed to stabilise the industry and safeguard employment as the sector faces another difficult year. The delegation will call for immediate progress on Hague Preferences, emergency financial support, and a fleet restructuring programme to address the mounting pressures on the Irish fleet. Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS November 7th:
“SFPA and Department must be held accountable after 10-year case against Sean Ward Fish Exporters collapses due to lack of any evidence”
Pat the Cope Gallagher: “My fear is this is much deeper and wider than these cases”
Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, Deputy Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, has stated that the recent acquittal under direction of the Trial Judge of Killybegs-based Sean Ward (Fish Exports) Ltd is “further evidence of a regulatory and administrative system that has lost all public confidence and is damaging Ireland’s fishing reputation at home and abroad.” Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS October 30th:
Castletownbere RNLI rescues four fishermen after 13m fishing trawler gets into difficulty
Castletownbere RNLI rescued four fishermen last night (Wednesday 29 October) after they issued a Mayday when their 13m trawler hit a post inside the harbour and rapidly took on water.
The scene at Castletownbere today following the sinking of the 13m trawler. The top of the mast can just be seen to the right of the red buoy in the boom.
The vessel had been making its way from Dinish Wharf to Castletownbere Harbour when it got into difficulty. Full story here
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Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast NOVEMBER:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
Why has the Government cutback its Budget provision for the fishing industry? When the industry is in extreme difficulty, the Government has reduced financial support by nearly €20m. On the November edition of the MARINE TIMES SEASCAPES PODCAST with Executive Editor Tom MacSweeney, industry leaders give their critical response.
.... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.
Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast OCTOBER:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
Buy the MARINE TIMES in the shops or online now and listen to our extra service - the OCTOBER edition of Executive Editor Tom MacSweeney’s SEASCAPES Podcast, which this month hears from the Chairman of NIFA, the National Inshore Fishermen’s Association, who talks to Tom MacSweeney on this month’s edition of SEASCAPES for the MARIME TIMES, explaining why he has been thinking about leaving the fishing industry because it has become so difficult to make a living.
.... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.
Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast SEPTEMBER:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
Buy the MARINE TIMES in the shops or online now and listen to our extra service - the SEPTEMER edition of Executive Editor Tom MacSweeney’s SEASCAPES Podcast, which this month hears from a sailor who spent ten years restoring a boat and then sold it – and that there ar 750,000 seabirds in Ireland; the RNLI needs more volunteers for its lifeboats and, how part of an original Naval Service shipwreck has become part of a house renovation on Cape Clear Island
.... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.
Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast AUGUST:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
.... Has the Government Got the Backbone to Fight for Irish Fishing? That is a tough question, but it is asked on this month’s SEASCAPES Podcast. Also on the Podcast – Fish farmers need help; Searching for Songs of the Sea; There is also a housing crisis on the offshore islands and – when a submarine blew itself up off Dunmore East. There is always something interesting in and about the sea.
The Podcast is presented by Executive Editor, Tom MacSweeney .... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.
Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast JULY:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
.... you can hear from a man who has taken upon himself the task of widening maritime knowledge amongst young people and about a son who succeeded where his father failed, becoming the first person to cross the Irish Sea in a balloon. There is a lot more also to listen to – voices from the fishing industry and the leisure sector. There is always something interesting in and about the sea.
The Podcast is presented by Executive Editor, Tom MacSweeney .... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.
Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast JUNE:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
Where family heritage meets daily life - That is the theme of this month’s SEASCAPES Podcast on the MARINE TIMES, presented by Executive Editor, Tom MacSweeney..
The podcast features two families, one from Cork which has invested in a multi-million Euro seafood centre and the other whose members have given 140 years of service driving cranes in Waterford Port.
The Good family traces its maritime history back to running a ferry boat in Cork Harbour. The O’Hanlons work high above ships in Waterford to keep exports and imports moving. Donagh Good has taken over the running of the Good Fish Company from his father Denis, who started it with one fish shop in 1988. He is one of the youngest company Managing Directors in the country. His family has invested millions with confidence in the future of the seafood industry. Donagh outlines why and says that the ‘mood music’ is changing for the better in the fishing industry.
The Podcast is presented by Executive Editor, Tom MacSweeney .... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.
Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast MAY:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
On the May edition of SEASCAPES from the MARINE TIMES – the Chairman of the new Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and the Marine outlines how he intends to focus the work of the Committee. First-time Sinn Fein TD from Waterford, Conor D. McGuinness, who comes from a fishing family - his father being the well-known South East Coast fisherman, Brian McGuinness, says it is a Committee with a broad remit and he will examine regulations affecting the industry where it seems at times that policing is too severe and Irish boats are boarded more often than foreign. And Finian O'Sullivan, Chairman of the National Committee of IFA Aquaculture assess the sector and its future. The Podcast is presented by Executive Editor, Tom MacSweeney .... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.
Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast April:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
On the APRIL edition - “There’s a wonderful vibrancy around the marine sector at the moment ...” So says Minister of State Timmy Dooley in his first radio interview in his dual maritime and fisheries post, on this month’s SEASCAPES Marine Times Podcast, presented by Executive Editor, Tom MacSweeney. There is also a discussion between the two sides of wind farm development and its effects on the fishing industry; a visit to a €25m ship bought by a Cork company and the question – Is the Irish public ocean literate? is considered .... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above
Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast March:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
On the MARCH edition - Fish farming will be a vital supplier of food to future generations; Are whales changing which parts of Ireland they visit? Once Navy – Always Navy’ and the Waterford Estuary harbour which has changed, but not for the better .... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above
Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast February:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
The “insane” treatment of Ireland’s fishermen is discussed on the February edition of the Podcast, highlighting the way the Irish fishing industry is treated about Bluefin Tuna. John Shine, a leading figure for 20 years in the marketing and selling of Irish fish, highlights the way that Irish fishermen are prevented from catching Bluefin Tuna in Irish waters, while other nations are allowed to do so. He says that proper management of the industry is lacking and, unless its demise is stopped and the industry sustained, he is doubtful and concerned about its future. .... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above
Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast January:
On this first edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
The Polish solo sailor who is Ireland’s only representative in what is being described as “a world first event, never attempted before …” explains why he intends to spend over a year sailing 26,000 miles alone around the world on a 19-foot plywood boat which he has built himself….. The Managing Director of a Valentia Island boatyard discusses how it has built the first Naval vessel in Ireland for forty years…. and a sailmaker explains why he built a maritime cannon .... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above
MARINE TIMES PODCAST December:
New government must end naivety towards fishing
Tom MacSweeney talks to Brendan Byrne, Chief Executive of the IFPEA
The Chief Executive of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association says there has been naivete amongst policymakers who thought that the fishing industry would reconfigure itself, despite the losses caused by Brexit.
The entire sector, catching and processing, is in a once-in-a-lifetime crisis, according to CEO Brendan Byrne. He also challenges the rigour of controls enforcement on Irish fishing by the SFPA, at a level which does not happen in other Member States, he says in this Podcast interview with Marine Times Executive Editor / News, Tom MacSweeney. Listen to the Podcast here
Tom MacSweeney's MARITIME PODCAST - DECEMBER
On the December edition of Tom MacSweeney's Maritime Podcast, Ireland’s only maritime broadcast:
Why does Ireland, an island nation, not have a traditional fish dish for Christmas? Other nations do, so why not Ireland? Appropriately, this month being Christmastime, that question is raised in the December edition of my Podcast by historian Antoin O’Callaghan. While other nations make fish a Christmas dish, he wonders why Ireland does not and suggests The Feast of the Seven Fishes. But, will Ireland have enough fish to meet its needs? Perhaps not. The Chief Executive of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters, Brendan Byrne, says this has been a very bad year for processors. That’s all on the December edition, with a look back at storylines from previous editions.
MARINE TIMES PODCAST September:
Does the Government want a fishing industry or does it want to let it continue into terminal decline?
“The Government must be clear --------The industry needs real help…”
Tom MacSweeney interviews Dominic Rihan, Chief Executive ofthe KFO
Our main News story in the September edition reports a fall of more than €37m in landings by the Irish fleet. All sectors of the industry are united in opinion – it is in its worst crisis ever and the Government is not doing enough to support it.
In this month’s Marine Times Podcast the Chief Executive of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation, Dominic Rihan, discusses the situation with Marine Times Executive News Editor, Tom MacSweeney. A strategic review is needed of where the industry is going, he says and raises the question - does the Government want a fishing industry or does it want to let it continue into terminal decline?
“That is a stark reality,” says Mr.Rihan, “but it has to be recognised.” Listen to the Podcast here
MARINE TIMES PODCAST August:
Do you accept that the fishing industry is in a very serious crisis situation, Minister?
Tom MacSweeney interviews Minister Charlie McConalogue
In the August issue of the Marine Times, Tom MacSweeney interviews Minister McConalogue - challenging him on a number of aspects affecting the fishing industry, asking him questions on why he insists on putting accross the EU oinion to the industry rather than voicing Irish concerns sufficiently, asking him how is it realistic to encourage young people into the Irish fishing industry ....
Listen to the full MARINE TIMES interview with Tom MacSweeney. Listen to the Podcast here
PODCAST 3rd July:
Government and EU must deal with how offshore wind campaigners and biodiversity campaigners are squeezing the fishing industry says leading fisheries CEO
The Chief Executive of the Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation has warned of potential conflict between fishermen as traditional marine users and the new users of the blue economy.
In the front page leading story of the July edition of the MARINE TIMES, Aodh O’Donnell says there is an impending serious ‘spatial squeeze’ on Ireland’s fishing industry due to the way offshore renewable energy strategy is being implemented nationally, because there has been a failure to co-ordinate the roll-out of ORE and biodiversity strategies with the need to protect the fishing industry and its traditional fishing grounds..
He says that “the fishing sector fully supports the need for climate change measures, but there is a need for balanced thinking and understanding that fishing is a source of food security.
In this MARINE TIMES interview he outlined fishermen’s concerns to Tom MacSweeney. Listen to the Podcast here
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