Ocean Focus Winter 2020

Ocean Dawn (15m) sprat fishing in Waterford estuary (see page 7)

ENTER

For the latest insights and updates visit www.oceanfocus.ie

The Marine and Freshwater Environment Publication

WINTER 2020

ENTER

For the latest insights and updates visit www.oceanfocus.ie

The Marine and Freshwater Environment Publication

WINTER 2020

WELCOME

to the WINTER edition of Ocean Focus!

ocean Focus | WINTER 2020

We want to hear the news and stories from where you live. We also want to hear your views on the articles we publish - so let's get the debate going!

Gill

Gery

If you are reading this then you have subscribed to receive four seasonal editions or a single edition, delivered to your desktop or mobile device - Thank You! If you are reading this 'over someone's shoulder' and would like to subscribe, you can select annual payment of €25 (four editions) or €7.50 (single edition). Without you the reader and customer, we have no audience, so your comments are extremely important and we want to hear from you! Stay safe and well in these very challenging times. Gillian Mills (mills@oceanfocus.ie | Gery Flynn (flynn@oceanfocus.ie)

We want to hear the news and stories from where you live. We also want to hear your views on the articles we publish - so let's get the debate going!

Gill

Gery

WELCOME

Welcome to the Winter edition of Ocean Focus!

One fledging, one traditional – two marine sectors unrelated but connected, and both with deadlines ― dominate the conversation in this last edition of 2020. We read that urgency and opportunity must be “ramped up” to reach the €800 billion investment needed to meet Europe’s objectives of a climate neutral future by 2050. The EU has all it needs to “rise to the challenge” of ocean renewable energy. It is already a “success story” believes the European Green Deal. The European Commission’s strategy sets down a pathway and framework for public authorities, investors and developers. It advises cross-border cooperation between Member States, along with integrating development objectives into national marine spatial plans that are due to be submitted by March 2021. The strategy also outlines how ORE can be developed alongside traditional industries of fisheries, aquaculture and shipping - and in harmony with nature. But we are advised by an ORE expert that Ireland would be best served by putting “mind, money and time” into commercial deployment rather than demonstration projects: “You don’t need them; they’ve been done around the world. Spend time and money that can advance two things: installation of commercial projects and storage. “The future of offshore wind is floating,” believes Alla Weinstein, founder of Trident Winds Inc – a deep-water, offshore wind project development company in the US. “If you skip the demo part, focus on storage (e.g., hydrogen), create your infrastructure and most importantly put targets in place, then I think you’re going to see a great benefit from offshore wind and especially floating offshore wind on the west coast.” Fragile fisheries A deadline of a very different kind, and one that is down to the wire is Brexit. Deal or no-deal. We have reported throughout the year on the implications for the Irish fishing fleet in particular, if agreement cannot be reached on a future relationship with the UK after their transition period expires on December 31. Soundbites from across broadsheet, digital, audio and visual coverage tell the same story: that it is in the UK and EU’s best interests to strike a deal. But another eleventh hour comes, and another deadline goes by. This time however it seems we really have run out of water - and if the never-ending stalemate is based on posturing and brinkmanship it has to end, and end now. Lives and livelihoods are at stake. Whatever the outcome, whatever way it is ultimately reached ― for it will be, through bargaining, trade-offs, deals or swaps ― it is Joe and Mary Citizen, families, local communities and local businesses who are in the eye of the storm and who will ultimately pay the price ― not the negotiators, leaders, statesmen or stateswomen, for their positions will be the same on January 1. The team at Ocean Focus wish our readers and customers and very Happy and Safe Christmas and New Year, and sincere hope that January 1 brings a new dawn of certainty and future for all.

Is it a falling or rising tide for fisheries: Brexit deal or no-deal?

Gillian Mills

comment

News

Comment No licence for mechanical extraction of kelp in Bantry Bay EU Commission accuses Ireland of breaching key environmental law Voluntary ‘tie-up’ scheme slammed by fishermen as not fit-for-purpose

04 05 06 07

Three-month fish quota agreement ‘major problem’ for industry Ireland holds onto current fisheries funding level to 2027 Coastwatch calls for halt of sprat fishing in Waterford estuary Warming lake temperatures endangering Arctic Charr

NEWS

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

NEWS

Depending on the outcome of the negotiations, Ireland’s seafood sector ‘could be especially significantly impacted’ by Brexit.

Fisheries must be linked to overall Brexit agreement

“Huge challenges face the fishing sector” as negotiations reach the end stage to find a fisheries agreement in the Brexit talks, and remains “one of the most difficult areas”. Marine minister Charlie McConalogue told the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine (1/12) that he has “strongly pressed” the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier to use the linkage as part of the overall future relationship agreement. Michel Barnier expressed his clear intention to make use of the linage “to the fullest possible extent,” he confirmed.

Sustainability Impact Assessment

Minister McConalogue also outlined the annual Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) which examines the implications for Ireland of the European Commission’s proposal for fixing Total Allowable Catch (TAC). In its proposal, the Commission links the sustainability imperative to the Common Fisheries Policy: ‘All fishing opportunities regulations must limit the harvesting of the fish stocks to levels which must be consistent with the overall objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). ‘In this respect, Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Common Fisheries Policy (“the Basic Regulation”) sets out the objectives for the annual proposals for catch and fishing effort limitations to ensure that Union fisheries are ecologically, economically and socially sustainable.’ Inshore and shellfish stocks are not subject to TAC and quotas, and where advice hasn’t been received or international negotiations are still ongoing, fish opportunities are presented as ‘pro memoria’, pending the outcome of negotiations. This includes mackerel, blue whiting and Atlanto-Scanian herring which are jointly managed by the EU and other Coastal States in whose waters these stocks are present. TAC agreement have been reached for blue whiting (929,292 tonnes), Atlanto-Scanian herring (651,033 tonnes) and mackerel (852,284 tonnes). A signed agreement on mackerel is not yet in place as the current sharing agreement between the EU, Norway and the Faroe Islands agreed in 2014 is due to expire at the end of 2020. For the first time, the Commission will be negotiating with UK as a Coastal State to set TACs for shared stocks. As the Commission has not yet make a TAC proposal, the scientific advice from ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) was used as the basis for the SIA. “The ICES advice provides suitable guidance for the TAC figures which will be proposed by the Commission. “This ensured the SIA could go ahead and allowed for a meaningful public consultation and realistic engagement with our stakeholders…. the fishing industry representative bodies and environmental NGOs.” remarked Minister McConalogue.

DECEMBER 12

EU prepares for a 'no-deal' Brexit in the final countdown

The European Commission has published (11/12) targeted contingency measures on reciprocal fishing access by EU and UK vessels to each other's waters. 'Significant uncertainty' prevails as talks wind down to next Sunday's deadline to agree a deal before the UK departs the EU on December 31.

From January 1 next, the Common Fisheries Policy will no longer apply to the UK and their waters will no longer be part of Union waters. 'The aim of these contingency measures is to cater for the period during which there is no agreement. If no agreement enters into application, they will end after a fixed period.' Following a meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that while negotiations were ongoing there was no guarantee that even "if and when" an agreement was found it could enter into force in time: "Our responsibility is to be prepared for all eventualities, including not having a deal in place with the UK on January 1, 2021. That is why we are coming forward with these measures today." The Commission has proposed a regulation to create a legal framework until December 31, 2021, or until a fisheries agreement with the UK is concluded, whichever is the earlier date. "In order to guarantee the sustainability of fisheries and in light of the importance of fisheries for the economic livelihood of many communities, it is necessary to facilitate the procedures of authorisation of fishing vessels." The Commission has warned however that disruption will happen with or without an agreement: "This is natural a consequence of the UK's decision to leave the Union and to no longer participate in the EU Single Market and Customs Union. Public administrations, businesses, citizens and stakeholders on both sides need to prepare for the end of the transition period."

DECEMBER 11

The National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations in the UK says a "huge miscalculation" lies at the heart of the EU's negotiating strategy. "The EU has made the assumption that because the EU is a regulatory superpower and because trading on WTO terms would be disadvantageous for the UK, the UK would back down on fish," says chief executive, Barrie Deas, This conviction has been carried forward in the EU's contingency plan, NFFO adds. "It is assumed that the UK's new legal status as an independent coastal state, although underpinned by international law, will be set aside and that the UK will be cowed into ceding automatic access to fish in UK waters for 2021. It is also assumed that the UK will be required "to make an abject surrender that would tie us into CFP-like arrangement for decades," he said. Deas signals there is "no sign" this is going to happen. "The scene is therefore set for the scenario that will cause most harm to the EU: no access to fish in UK waters from 1st January." EU fleets in value terms catch around six times more fish in UK waters than UK vessels catch in EU waters. "Whilst the UK will have to adjust to increased border checks, the EU will have to deal with serious consequences of fleet displacement until a new agreement on fish in reached." Deas acknowledges an agreement is inevitable between the UK and the EU on fish "sometime" given the legal obligation on countries that share stocks to negotiate and manage stock sustainably. Alongside these legal responsibilities are legal rights (including the right for each coastal state to harvest the resources within its exclusive 200-mile zone). "Agreement, when it is reached will recognise that fundamental change in legal status which underpins the UK's negotiating positions,"Deas adds. The EU has "overplayed its hand" and risks exclusion of its fleets from UK waters from 1 January, he says: "By backing the UK into a corner on fish, it has left the UK Prime Minister no option but to turn and fight."

UK response

Three-month fish quota agreement ‘major problem’ for industry

EU fisheries ministers have set interim Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas for the first quarter of 2021 based on a 'rollover' of 25% of 2020 TAC levels for the majority of stocks. A higher rollover has been applied to certain migratory pelagic stocks (mackerel, blue whiting and horse mackerel) that are fished mainly during the early months of the year and are of particular importance to Ireland. Sean O'Donoghue of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, whose members represent the majority of pelagic fishermen, however believes a three-month quota will cause a major problem: "Seasonal [pelagic] fisheries are predominantly worked in the first quarter of the year, so instructing fishermen that they can only catch 60% of their allocations during 'peak season' is neither credible nor realistic." The chief executive also pointed to problems around 'Hague Preferences' which routinely see the UK and Ireland secure additional volume in key stocks. "As the UK will no longer form part of the EU's TACs and quotas system after December 31, it is critical that Ireland's Hague Preferences [agreed in 1976] are copper-fastened" in particular Annex VII, he said. A further complication is around shared stocks of which 119 out of 146 are divided with the UK and will require a bilateral agreement with the UK, a trilateral between the EU, Norway and the UK, and a bilateral between the EU and Norway. "None of these negotiations have happened due to the protracted Brexit backdrop."

Irish position

Marine minister Charlie McConalogue said he supports a "common-sense approach" to ensure continuity for Ireland's fishing industry without prejudicing the outcome of the ongoing negotiations on the future relationship with the UK. "It was vital to me that the percentage rollover for those stocks that we traditionally fish in the early part of the year were sufficient." Available quota for the prawn fishery in the Porcupine Bank is not adequate to support the planning fishery, Minister McConalogue however warned: Commissioner Sinkevičius has "committed to work with me during January to deliver an amendment that will allow this fishery to continue under its normal pattern. This was a very important issue for me and will ensure that our fishermen can plan in the normal way for the early part of the year.” Ireland's fisheries sector has faced "unprecedented challenges" throughout 2020. "We have the uncertainty relating to the potential severe impacts of the UK's withdrawal from the EU...and the disruptions caused by the covid-19 pandemic on our seafood markets." No agreement has yet been reached on the future relationship with the UK, including fisheries. In the absence of such an agreement "we need interim arrangements to ensure continuity of fishing by our fleets in the early part of the New Year.

Unforeseen damage

Speaking on RTE Prime Time (17/12) on the potential impacts of a deal, or a no-deal Brexit, Patrick Murphy, chief executive of the Irish South & West Fish Producers Organisation, said a no-deal would be catastrophic, creating “unknown, unforeseen damage on Ireland’s spawning grounds”. Seán O’Donoghue gave a stark warning that fisheries must not be separated out from the overall trade deal discussions, flagged to conclude by Christmas week. “We have agreement from heads of government that fisheries will not be separated from the trade deal. “If it is, it means we’re basically thrown under the bus.”

DECEMBER 17

DECEMBER 12

Brexit latest compiled by Gillian Mills

NEWS

Ireland holds onto current fisheries funding level to 2027

The European Council and Parliament have provisionally agreed the text of the next European Maritime Fisheries & Aquaculture Fund (2021-2027) of €6.1bn to promote sustainable development of the European Union’s seafood sector.

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

Over €5bn will be allocated to fisheries, aquaculture and fishing fleets and the remainder will cover measures including scientific advice, controls and checks, market intelligence, maritime surveillance and security. Welcoming the deal, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue said Ireland was set to receive €142m, along with exchequer co-funding. “This is very good news for Ireland’s fishermen, fish farmers, processors and coastal communities. The departure of the UK has significantly reduced the overall EU budget, so it is all the more pleasing that we have succeeded in broadly maintaining funding for our seafood sectors at the previous high levels. “My Department has been working hard to put together a new Seafood Development Programme for the 2021-27 period and this development will allow the remaining elements of that Programme to be advanced, in consultation with our stakeholders, with a view to adoption of the new Programme later in 2021.”

NEWS

In November 2020, a large shoal of sprat (Sprattus sprattus) moved into the Waterford estuary. This attracted thousands of seabirds, seals, a whale, harbour porpoises and around 80 common dolphins.

Individual boat and pair trawling fishing activity commenced and continued day and night ― all in the Marine Protected Area of Waterford estuary ― and in the absence of measures to avoid harm to protected fish and marine mammals. “When we observed, we saw four local small boats and around ten ― some much larger and more powerful boats ― from Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, and Donegal,” Karin Dubsky told Ocean Focus. “The fishermen have been following the sprat higher and higher up the estuary; by early December on neap tides they were fishing above the Passage to Ballyhack line ― as far as Great Island.” Boats landed mainly in Duncannon and Dunmore East and some in Passage. The 22-26mm mesh size nets, hauled both juvenile and adult sprat. “The process is simple,” Dubsky explained: “As a full boat arrives, fish are pumped into waiting lorries and are taken for processing. Most goes for fishmeal as farmed salmon feed, we’re told.

Activity Impact

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

Coastwatch calls for halt of sprat fishing in Waterford estuary

Gillian Mills

ORGANISATION

'common dolphins' video

Ocean Focus asked Coastwatch what was wrong with this activity given that sprat is a non-quota species and the boats use pelagic nets and are therefore not impacting the seafloor: “We have at least five reasons why we believe it is wrong and unwise to allow this fishery in the estuary without assessment or controls: “Sprat have an important role in the food chain: they support marine ecosystem recovery; marine mammals can be injured or killed especially when these boats are pair trawling; protected fish species are put at risk, and it simply flies in the face of ocean protection and EU nature requirement of assessment and behaviour in an MPA.” (see below) The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) confirmed to Coastwatch that the practice was legal and that they have found no by-catch in their routine checks (see below) “The number of loads checked in harbour however was not divulged; dead ceteaceans and seals would not be brought into harbour; smelt may not be easily seen among tonnes of sprat and a by-catch of even a few twaite shad can have a significant impact on a tiny rare fish population for which this estuary is protected,” Dubsky argues.

Sprat have an important role in the food chain: They support Marine ecosystem recovery...

SFPA response to Coastwatch

Activity Impact

Sprat is a non-quota species and as such the sprat fishery does not have the same legal stipulations as other pelagic fisheries (mackerel, herring, horse mackerel, blue whiting). Consequently, for example, vessels can pair trawl without being approved, landing restrictions differ in that landing does not have to be authorised and there is no minimum size for landing sprat under EU regulations. Nonetheless under Ireland’s risk-based approach to fisheries control, which assesses certain fisheries, fleet segments and vessels, the SPFA has assessed sprat for 2020 as being a medium-risk fishery and the fleet segment targeting it has been assessed as being high risk. If a vessel is deemed to be of a substantive risk of non-compliance or a particular trip is deemed to be of interest due to the behaviour of the vessel, that vessel is being prioritised for inspection. Inspections have been undertaken on vessels landing sprat over the past number of weeks in various parts of the country including Waterford. These have included inspections of fishing gear and transport, as well as quality and administrative checks. The SFPA is continuing to monitor activity in the Waterford Estuary where there has Been intensive fishing activity in recent weeks.

Sprat have a key role in the food chain In autumn the little oily fish shoals move inshore, especially to estuarine upwelling areas where they can feed and fatten up on plankton rich waters. These sprat are a highly valuable prey for many fish, especially cod as well as salmon, sea trout and twaite shad. Marine mammals and birds also depend on this early winter-feeding opportunity. Bumper years of fish at the bottom of the food chain, support marine ecosystem recovery A really good sprat year like 2020 is rare. Codling and many other species that are struggling get a massive boost and that then also benefits the wider fisheries. Sprat of different age groups were feeding together. While adults will get ready to spawn, the smaller sprat will mature and replenish stocks next year when they in turn spawn. Injury and death to protected marine mammals as seen now in the Waterford estuary cannot be justified Over a three-day period in mid-December, beach walkers found the bodies of three common dolphins; two with horrific beak and fin damage and net marks, along with two seal bodies in the estuary. We don’t know how many others have died, drowned in nets or were injured and carried out to sea. Several other common dolphins that could have come from the estuary were reported to the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group. Rare, threatened, protected fish species are put at risk in the Waterford estuary Salmon, sea trout, allis and twaite shad, sea bass and even smelt are known to eat sprat and some are found in that inner part of the Waterford estuary where trawling pressure was highest from December 5-10 when we were monitoring. This fishery as handled now, flies in the face of ocean protection and recovery promises Allowing unrestricted fishing of thousands of tonnes of sprat that have come in to feed and spawn around Ireland at this time cannot be squared with restoring the food web and biodiversity as promised in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Insufficient scientific information to set TACs or quotas on sprat is not an excuse in 2020, it’s a statement of failure. In the case of the Waterford estuary, the sprat is being netted unhindered for weeks in the centre of an MPA that is of particular importance for threatened fish species but has no conservation measures in place. A Marine Institute ‘Art 6.2 Risk assessment Twaite Shad risk assessment’ in 2015 gave sprat trawling in the Waterford estuary a twaite shad by-catch risk score of three out of four (four being the highest risk). A subsequent Marine Institute study ‘Report supporting Appropriate Assessment of Aquaculture in River Barrow & River Nore SAC’ which assumed that the sprat fishery was concentrated in the outer estuary, again flagged the twaite shad by-catch risk in the sprat fishery. Having established there is an issue and stating that ‘Specific arrangements for managing the effects of fisheries on rare species / communities within SACs are needed’, no action has yet been taken.

Five reasons why Coastwatch believes it is “wrong and unwise” to fish sprat within the estuary:

An immediate halt to sprat fishing in this and all other MPAs where Art 6.2 assessment flags were raised by the Marine Institute in 2015 until the impacts have been properly studied and mitigated. Immediate commencement of research on the condition and behaviour of sprat and other fish species in the estuary; predation especially by protected fish is essential information and is lacking. Local Heritage fishermen could support Inland Fisheries Ireland and others to do this work. Initiation of a Regional Spatial Management Plan for the whole estuary out to Hook Head, incorporating MPA protection and management goals. A sprat heritage fisheries and sea life tourism study Significant winter eco and education tourism potential exists in the area. Sprat do not come every year, but like Northern lights, you know when it is likely to occur and can pre-plan a pop-up sprat festival to celebrate the marine mammals feeding and displaying as the most amazing spectacle with people coming to see, stay and eat locally. To do demonstrations and research fishing as part of a Heritage Fisheries Plus Plan and possibly a small-scale commercial sprat heritage fisheries. Where a limited number of fish caught by approved methods could be served up and the catch smoked for sale.

What Coastwatch is seeking:

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

NEWS

Warming lake temperatures endangering Arctic Charr

Warming lake temperatures across Ireland and Europe pose major risk to the rare Arctic charr fish populations that date back to before the last Ice Age.

A new study led by the Centre for Environmental and Freshwater Science at Dundalk Institute of Technology, in conjunction with the Marine Institute, has uncovered this new evidence. The cold-water Arctic charr (Salmonidae) is native to alpine lakes, Arctic and subarctic coastal waters. The species has the most northerly geographic distribution of any freshwater fish and can survive in lakes high in the Arctic circle, living under ice for up to nine months of the year. It can also survive and is found in warmer southern regions, including Ireland.

The research project, co-funded under the BEYOND 2020 and WatExR projects, involved international collaboration between climate scientists and fish biologists. The study found that winter temperatures in critical spawning habitats in lakes across Ireland, Britain, France and Switzerland are warming rapidly. The study used multiple, established models of the Earth’s climate system, and accounted for different levels of future atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions to find out how much additional warming might occur and what water temperature risks would be posed to sensitive developing charr eggs, following spawning. “The results are sobering,” remarked Dr Sean Kelly, post-doctoral research follow with the CEFS and lead author.

“Unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced considerably, winter warming of up to four degrees is likely to occur in these lakes in spawning habitats, rendering them highly unsuitable for the development of charr eggs. “Furthermore, unlike many marine species, these lake populations have very little opportunity to migrate to more suitable, cooler lakes and establish new spawning grounds, They are therefore at risk of extinction from these lakes unless they can quickly adapt to such warmer conditions,” he warned.

Image caption if required

the Irish Arctic charr is considered a glacial relict, a secretive fish left behind after the glacial retreat at the end of the last Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago.

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

Gillian Mills

ORGANISATION

International collaboration

Along with lake-resident populations in Britain and in Alpine regions of central Europe, the Irish Arctic charr is considered a glacial relict, a secretive fish left behind after the glacial retreat at the end of the last Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago. As these regions warmed, charr populations left behind could survive only in sufficient cold, deep lakes usually found in mountainous areas. One of the last remaining Irish populations is found in Lough Bunaveela – a small lake in the Nephin Beg mountains at the head of the Burrishoole catchment in Co Mayo. Small occurrences of charr in Bunaveela have been recorded by the Marine Institute since the early 1980s.

“These records form part of the long-term monitoring programme run by the Marine Institute in the Burrishoole catchment, Co Mayo,” remarked Dr Elvira de Eyto. The study indicates that climate model scenarios that limit global warming to below 2°C, if not 1.5°C as pledged in the Paris Agreement, support future spawning habitat temperatures that may allow charr populations to persist. The fact that global emissions have not yet been sufficiently curbed to align with the ‘best-case scenario’ and are currently tracking the more severe emissions scenario, does not bode well for the fate of the Artic charr, the study notes. “We are at risk of losing this emblematic fish entirely from our lakes within the next hundred years,” the authors warn.

Glacial relict

Lough Bunaveela, Co Mayo, one of a few remaining Irish lakes with an Arctic charr population. Photo Mary Dillane

Male Arctic charr from Lake Windermere. Photo Ian Winfield

NEWS

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

04 05 06 07

Ireland’s seaweed industry: from cottage industry to world leader? The Salmon farmer: Jan Feenstra, Mowi, Kindrum, Co Donegal The Mussel farmer: Michael Mulloy, Blackshell Farm, Westport, Co Mayo The oyster farmer: Clíona Mhic Giolla Chuda, Waterford Oysters, Co Waterford The Marine Institute joins Atlantic collaboration for sustainable aquaculture

AQUACULTURE

Ireland’s seaweed industry: from cottage industry to world leader?

PT serif body copy xxxxx xxxx

PT serif Bold Intro text

Image caption if required

GERY FLYNN

ORGANISATION

Image caption if required

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

aquaculture

Dr Stefan Kraan has been involved in the seaweed sector for more than thirty years; first in the Netherlands where he studied the subject at university, and for the past twenty-five years based in Ireland during which he earned his doctorate at NUI Galway under ledgendary seaweed expert, Professor Mike Guiry of the Ryan Institute.

In terms of seaweed production, where does Ireland stand globally and how is it likely to develop? Ireland’s seaweed industry is very small. I once described it as being the ‘Cinderella of the aquaculture industry’ and that really hasn’t changed. In terms of production and development, the industry should be way ahead of where it is currently because Ireland has all the right things in place to support a thriving and sustainable seaweed industry. I’m referring to excellent water quality, a highly-skilled aquaculture industry and good regulation. Look at Ireland’s shellfish farming sector; it took about 60 years to get where it is now. Seaweed is not there yet but looking at all the work that has been done, and all the projects that have taken place in the past twenty or more years, we should be way further ahead on this track than we are today. What successes have there been over the last twenty-five years? I don’t want to take away from a company like Arramara Teo, now owned by Acadian Seaplants of Canada. Arramara has established quite a successful industry based on wild harvesting, and it is still going strong. There are signs already however that in 10-15 years, this kind of activity – wild seaweed harvesting - will cease, and that Ireland’s seaweed industry will have moved gradually to full cultivation. Why? Because cultivating or farming seaweed is sustainable and consumers will expect the product to be organic and produced in a way that does not adversely affect the environment. That is the direction that the seaweed industry is going. Apart from Arramara, Ireland’s seaweed sector is very fragmented and is still very much what I would describe as a ‘cottage industry’. I want to see an Irish seaweed sector where people co-operate more with one another and work together to actually make it an overall success. We have to step away from the outdated attitude that ‘oh, this is my seaweed patch, I do my own thing here, keep out!’.

Since then Kraan has been a successful entrepreneur and investor in a variety of seaweed-related commercial projects. He is a regular invited speaker on the international conference circuit, and he provides consultancy through The Seaweed Company. Ocean Focus spoke to Stefan Kraan about the current state and prospects for Ireland’s fledgling seaweed industry.

A proposal to harvest seaweed in Bantry Bay was widely opposed. Are you against mechanical harvesting seaweed? No, I’m not because if I look at the Irish coastline, and we have done the studies, the amount of kelp alone is estimated to be 10 million tonnes of which up to 200,000 tonnes washes up every year anyway after storms. In Bantry Bay I think the proposal was to harvest 20,000 tonnes. But if you look at the estimated seaweed standing stock in Bantry Bay, this is just a drop in the ocean. Nevertheless, EU environmental legislation is coming into play and there will be much less room to develop projects involving harvesting of seaweed mechanically. Environmental legislation will stipulate harvesting certain areas only, then waiting five years for it all to grow back. And that can be easily done. The Norwegians have proven this; they take out about 200,000 tonnes annually to sustain their alginate industry, and they recently changed the rule of leaving a harvested area fallow for five years, by increasing that to eight years. I believe this trend will continue.

When you speak to potential investors in a seaweed-related project in Ireland, what do you say to attract them here? I always highlight the quality of Ireland’s natural environment to potential investors. There is so much to say from an environmental point of view. We are so fortunate to still have a natural environment that is very clean and has enormous potential for sustainable aquaculture development, for seaweed especially. Ireland’s coastline is one of the best places I know for aquaculture, salmon, shellfish and seaweed as well. Secondly, if you look at the length of coastline and in all the bays and inlets, there is also an enormous amount of space. How receptive are the development agencies to seaweed? From my own l experience I have found that most of the State development agencies have an attitude of sitting back and waiting for you to come to them instead of being proactive and going out and engaging with the seaweed industry. And by that I don’t mean just organising a conference or workshop once or twice a year where information is conveyed from point A to point B. That is not and has not been enough. And I emphasis again that my answer is based on personal experience.

Give me an example of where Ireland could look to model itself on as a major seaweed producer. Indonesia is the second largest seaweed producer in the world after China. Indonesia produces agar and carrageenan in all kind of products ranging from toothpaste to cat food. First, the grower farms the seaweed, harvests it and often dries it as well. The product is then sold on to a specialist seaweed trader who has a wide network linked to processors, or direct to food companies. These are the essential network links in the chain that are still missing in the Irish seaweed sector. Often in Ireland you have brilliant growers who know their stuff and produce excellent product. But as soon as they harvest the product, drying it is already an issue because most people do not have access to that kind of infrastructure. But even when dried, what to do with it then. They are stuck there.

These are the essential next steps that also should be stimulated. Ireland’s salmon and shellfish producers know very well how and where to sell their produce, but when it comes to seaweed the producers don’t know the steps to take. And there’s only a few people that have that kind of knowledge; knowing what kind of applications are possible, and how to plug the gaps between producer and processor. Fortunately, I am in that position, but for most people it doesn’t exist.

How do you make money from seaweed? To make money in the seaweed sector you need to have a certain critical degree of scale. And here again I have to refer to the reality that Ireland’s seaweed sector is still very much a fragmented cottage industry. There is currently only a handful of active seaweed farmers operating here. Each operation comprises between one and twenty hectares with a few longlines from which maybe five tonnes or so of dried seaweed is harvested a year. After that, most of these producers run into the next challenge: They have five tonnes of seaweed but what do they do with it now, how can they make money from this raw product? The result is that it usually becomes just another dry sea vegetable and goes on the supermarket shelf with other similar products made by this small cottage industry.

This is where the network stops due to insufficient scale up to have the necessary network to the wider food industry, e.g. to the Nestles or the Danones in this world. And this is where Enterprise Ireland or Bord Bia should jump in because they know the networks, and they can link the seaweed producers to the networks.

Image caption if required

Dr Stefan Kraan

In respect of the Pandemic, I think it was a very good signal that the Dept. of Agriculture introduced a support mechanism for the small producers and especially the shellfish sector which was very badly affected by the pandemic. 

Jan Feenstra

The Salmon farmer: Jan Feenstra, Mowi, Kindrum, Co Donegal

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

aquaculture

2020 - good year/bad year? From a purely business perspective it has been a good year in terms of delivering our financial results. However, our production cycle is a long one, and sales achieved this year were by and large agreed over a year ago on the back of production success that began two years ago. The global hospitality sector has been very badly damaged by the pandemic, and the effect of that will increasingly affect our business next year; but hopefully not beyond, as the virus is defeated. Surprises - pleasant/unpleasant? As for everyone, the pandemic has been an unpleasant experience. Having said that, we cannot complain as we have managed to operate throughout 2020 unlike those in the hospitality sector for whom we feel deeply. I am immensely proud of our employees who continued their work accepting new measures introduced rapidly to protect them, others, and ultimately the business. We introduced staggered breaks, keeping facemasks on, not everyone coming to work at the same time, and separation in both time and space for our factory staff and some 120 colleagues. To date, no infections have been traced to the workplace, but we are not out of the woods yet. Pleasant surprise? The fantastic weather in the Spring. The dry conditions resulted in very clear and pristine seas (no nutrients flowing from the land) resulting in excellent fish health. Stocks thrived and grew really well.

What kept you awake at night? The possibility of a widespread Covid infection within the workplace and having to close down the processing plant at a time when we were due to harvest a lot of fish, or not being able to feed the fish. Thankfully it never happened.

Challenges impacting your business/organisation We are encountering increasing volumes from new foreign organic salmon producers in the market that will increase competition. Competition is healthy, but Ireland, with its dismal record in aquaculture licensing and unfit-for-purpose regulation is poorly positioned to compete on cost. This is very threatening for Ireland’s aquaculture sector in general, and has been coming for a long time. The Department kicking the licensing saga down the road over the past 20 years has slowly but surely undermined our ability to grow with our customers, hence the market is now being taken over by Scottish and Norwegian producers competing only on cost. Irish producers have done really well; after we brought our annual results to our parent company it showed that we were making better margins than most people. And now everybody wants to get on the organic farmed salmon band wagon. It looks like we may need new refinements for Irish salmon because we wont be able to compete on costs. Regarding licensing, the chickens have come home to roost. This has been going for such a long time that now we are really uncompetitive when it comes to production costs.

Covid/Brexit Covid put Brexit off the challenge podium. Brexit is finally approaching, and a lot of practicalities need to unfold. I am sure we will manage but there will be frustrations, no doubt. We have planned to minimise our business activity in Jan-Feb 2021 in the hope that we will get to grips with the consequences at a modest pace and be ready for when things ramp up again in the Spring. We have stock-piled feed and will have enough in at the end of December for January. Harvesting will be quite modest in the first few months of 2021.

Government supports - forthcoming/adequate? It was a very good signal that the Department of Agriculture introduced a support mechanism for small producers - especially the shellfish sector which was very badly affected by Covid. This was over and above the support mechanisms for maintaining employees on the books that applied to all sectors in Ireland. As a country we are lucky that with current low interest rates, the government did borrow more and looked after people. As for Mowi Ireland, we were lucky that we didn’t need any handouts or help. And let’s hope this translates into recognising that Ireland’s finfish farming sector is indeed financially sustainable.

New strategies implemented? Increased hygiene standards to minimise the risk of Covid infection. We already had a very high awareness of infection because we farm precious and sensitive animals like a salmon. It was probably easier for us to step this up than for many others. It is not over yet - but so far so good.

We didn’t need any handouts or help, we’ve managed to get through all this ourselves 

Gery flynn

ORGANISATION

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc throughout the business world. Ocean Focus asked three of Ireland's most prominent aquaculture producers - salmon; mussels; oysters -to outline how their business was impacted through 2020.

Gery flynn

ORGANISATION

The main outcome from the Brexit is going to be increased distribution costs which is the same as lower prices.

2020; good year, bad year? It was an uncertain year. I went to an oyster workshop in Carlingford at the end of February just as the Covid news was breaking from Asia. Oyster farmers were in deep alarm about orders being cancelled that weekend. It was interesting to be there and sharing the moment with them as that news was breaking. That was early February, long before most people had heard about Covid. Oyster producers were probably the first to be impacted by Covid. Our local processing factory closed down in mid-March because they couldn’t manage the social distancing rules. So our sales outlet was more or less cut off. Up to then we had been selling small fresh quantities to France. By June-July we had started selling to both factories, and at the end of the year we were selling to Holland. The lack of sales in March and April meant that we had a lot of stock. Unfortunately however, we had some barnacle fouling because we had so much product in stock which meant we had to take a lower price for a good proportion of that.

The Mussel farmer: Michael Mulloy, Blackshell Farm, Westport, Co Mayo

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

aquaculture

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

aquaculture

Challenges? The biggest challenge is going to be distribution. Going forward this year we have no idea what transport rates are going to be between ourselves and our customers in Holland and France, absolutely no idea. I can only assume that they are going to be more expensive. It’s going to be very difficult to pass on that price increase to the customers, and I think it will reflect negatively on our price.

Brexit? The main outcome from Brexit is going to be increased distribution costs, which is the same as lower prices. Talk about a new ferry route from Roslare to Dunkirk is all well and good, but we don’t know what the rates are going to be. We can only assume they will be more expensive in the current regime. Government support requested, forthcoming? Government support was made available but I wouldn’t call it adequate, and it was also administered in such a ham fisted way that it became wasteful. People who didn’t actually need it got it because the period it covered - February to June - a period in the mussel is when the majority of producers don’t sell at all. So, it missed the target. New strategies? We tried harder to sell mussels more quickly. We were fortunate that the Dutch market was receptive to a large volume of our slightly subprime mussels that had slight fouling on them. That was just good fortune because up to lately the Dutch market was well supplied by German producers. But for some reason or other German production failed to materialise this year are Irish rope mussel producers are having quite a year. That includes ourselves and Killary producers. Producers in the south west are nervous because it’s late in the year for them to start. Size is a little bit small this year, and they are aware of Brexit coming, and they’ve only started their harvesting. Spawning starts in mid- to late February so they have a very short window. The middle of that window is the first of January and the uncertainty of Brexit will add to that . We are happy that we sold ours, but producers who are holding on to stock, or have stock in hand, are nervous. Producers in the south west would be nervous because it’s late in the year for them to start. Size is a little bit small this year, and they’re aware of Brexit coming, and they’ve only started their harvesting. They start to spawn mid- to late February so they have a very short window. The middle of that window is the first of January and the uncertainty of Brexit will add to that . We are happy that we sold ours, but producers who are holding on to stock, or have stock in hand, are nervous. What kept you awake at night ? Ongoing costs and the possibility of sales faltering. In other words, the imbalance between income and expenditure. That did cause me a lot of worry but the Covid payments took a lot of that pain away. There’s no doubt about that.

Surprises, pleasant or unpleasant? The Covid payment which covered an element of the wages was a pleasant surprise. It gave us a sense of being ‘let off the hook’. Then, as the year went on it was apparent there was business out there if we looked for it. So we got busy, rolled up our sleeves, and we have done pretty alright this year. I didn’t expect the outcome to be as good as it was. That was another surprise, A Covid payment scheme was announced also by the Minister at the IFA Aquaculture Conference. We applied for it because the period it covers was when the factories were closed. There was some controversy however about how these payments were calculated and the administration of the scheme itself. This highlighted the fact that there is no proper data being collected about shellfish production. It’s basically relying on voluntary surveys, and that needs to be addressed.

Michael Mulloy

Gery flynn

ORGANISATION

Gery flynn

ORGANISATION

Employee wage support enabled us to keep going in a reasonable manner. IFA Aquaculture and committee members also engaged with the government regarding the EMFF money that was also made available.

Government support – forthcoming and adequate? Employee wage support enabled us to keep going in a reasonable manner. IFA Aquaculture and committee members also engaged with the government regarding the EMFF money that was also made available. Was it adequate? No, but it is very welcome at the same time. At the top end of it, a grower would be getting €16,300. That pales into insignificance however compared with what we have lost in sales and profitability. I recognise that there are a lot of challenges in this for a lot of sectors, and I’m glad that we established the principle that oyster and mussel farming should be supported. And while we managed to survive a very difficult year (so far anyway), I am keenly aware that others who mightn't have the scale or resources have not been so fortunate. There are oyster farms that will not make it through the double hit of mortalities in 2019 and Covid 19 in 2020. That makes me very sad. Strategies implemented? The main criteria for me in December is the quality of the oyster. And certainly, our strategy as regards continuing to work has paid dividends. Quality has been maintained and is very good, and we’re extremely busy this week and next week. We literally have orders coming in every hour, to the point where I doubt we’ll be able to fill them all. I hope we will because we don’t want to let people down. I don’t expect any of the shellfish companies to be making huge profits on the back of 2020 but maybe the strategy is just to live horse and you’ll get grass, and survive for a better day. What kept you awake at night through 2020? Honestly, nothing ever keeps me awake at night! I shut the door and leave it all behind.

The oyster farmer: Clíona Mhic Giolla Chuda, Waterford Oysters, Co Waterford

Clíona Mhic Giolla Chuda

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

aquaculture

2020, good year, bad year? A bit of both! It’s been a bad year in that Covid restricted everybody and was very difficult for business in general. We had massive mortalities in 2019 so that was not a good year either. Fortunately, we haven’t had the same level of mortalities in 2020. When Covid hit in Asia orders dried up completely, but the French market was still open. Then Covid hit Europe, and France and Italy stopped ordering just as China and Hong Kong were coming slowly back on line. Surprises – pleasant or unpleasant? One of the most pleasant surprises was at the beginning of Covid, going into lockdown. We spoke to each employee to assess how they felt about continuing to work if they lived with anybody vulnerable. Only one person took that option, and that was for a very genuine reason. The others preferred to work than to sit at home and get money. I was very impressed by the loyalty and solidarity shown by all our staff. They have really put their shoulder to the wheel; they understand that we have gone a step beyond in trying to keep them all employed throughout the year, and they have shown immense resilience. Challenges? Every business faced challenges. Our specific challenge was coming off last year after huge mortalities. Because oysters take at least three years to grow to maturity the challenges are long term. What you do this year impacts next year, and the year after. One of our biggest challenges was with air freight; it was difficult to get and extraordinarily expensive. We just had to deal with it week to week. We took the hit on the air freight to keep customers supplied – especially in Asia. We just faced the challenges as they came. We also had the difficulty trying to deal with how you handle a product now so that you’re not damaging future profitability and sustainability of the business.

That was one of the reasons we made the decision to keep on all the staff. We also continued turning oysters through summer. It’s expensive but we are glad that we made that decision. When you face difficult circumstances in any market, quality is the single factor that will affect your sales and carry you through. The government wage subsidy made that possible. The timely introduction of the wage subsidy was a game changer for us. It’s all about building up a certain trust with customers. We have many long standing customers and we try to deal fairly and honestly with them.

Brexit? We don’t sell into the UK so I don’t expect to be hugely impacted by Brexit. We do purchase some of supplies but not anything that can’t be got elsewhere. We have already purchased several months ahead just to get over the early bumps in Brexit. The main impact for Waterford Oysters would be on bulk sales to France which traditionally went via ‘the land bridge’ through the UK. I see we have a new ferry service started up so I’m hoping that boats will be able to go direct and avoid the land bridge. Depending on season and price there could be upwards of €100,000 tied up in a 25 tonne truck load of oysters, so you wouldn’t want it sitting in Kent for three or four days!

Gery flynn

ORGANISATION

The Marine Institute joins Atlantic collaboration for sustainable aquaculture

Ireland’s aquaculture sector produces 38,000 tonnes annually, providing a valuable food product as well as employment in coastal communities. Aquaculture is also central to providing opportunities to increase food security for the world’s growing population.

Increasing the value and sustainability of aquaculture will be the focus of ASTRAL, a new EU funded research project that involves the Marine Institute and partners across the Atlantic.

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

aquaculture

Developing new technologies and processes helps ensure seafood is produced responsibly and sustainably. ASTRAL (All Atlantic Ocean Sustainable, Profitable and Resilient Aquaculture) aims to increase value and sustainability from Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) production by developing new, resilient, and profitable value chains.

Value and sustainability

IMTA involves farming multiple, complementary species from different levels of the food chain together for their mutual benefit; waste from one aquatic species are used as food for another species. The fish are fed, the shellfish filter out microscopic plants and organic content from the water and seaweed absorbs the minerals in the water.

The natural ability for these species, shellfish and seaweed, to recycle the nutrients or waste that are present in and around fish farms can help improve the environmental performance of aquaculture production sites. The approach also maximises the use of space, and the diversity of species provides extra economic benefits. IMTA will be an integral part of the ASTRAL project and will be investigated at four research sites in Scotland, South Africa, Brazil and the Marine Institute’s marine research site in Lehanagh Pool in Connemara, Co Galway. There will also be a prospective IMTA site in Argentina. Over the next four years, the Lehanagh Pool research site will use the IMTA process to produce Atlantic salmon, lumpfish, European lobster, king scallop, sea urchin and brown and green species of seaweed.

The production of these species together will allow the Marine Institute to test how well each species grows in the IMTA environment and will enable the research team to investigate new production methods. The Marine Institute will also lead one of the work packages that involves overseeing the five research sites in the ASTRAL project. The research team along with the other IMTA partners will identify best practice for IMTA, looking at animal welfare, biosecurity and fish health with a view to producing a ‘Species for the Future’ catalogue that will help pave the way for resilient, profitable, sustainable aquaculture production in the Atlantic.

New production methods

“As a research organisation, the Marine Institute will assist with developing the techniques and assessing the benefits of IMTA. This collaborative project aims to support the aquaculture industry, by providing aquaculture producers with the tools to diversify their aquaculture species and practices,” remarked Pauline O’Donohoe, ASTRAL Project Coordinator at the Marine Institute. The ASTRAL project has received a budget of almost €8 million under the Horizon 2020 Programme. The ASTRAL consortium includes 16 partners from 10 countries around the Atlantic Ocean and is led by the Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE). ASTRAL goals include achieving zero-waste aquaculture systems, as well as creating business models and tools to increase profitability. Potential climate risks and emerging pollutants such as microplastics and harmful algae blooms will be assessed, together with the development of innovative technology such as specific sensors and biosensors, with the final aim to provide monitoring recommendations to policymakers.

Sharing knowledge and capacity development are among the ASTRAL priorities, as well as building a collaborative ecosystem along the Atlantic Ocean with industrial partners, SMEs , scientists, policymakers, social representatives and other relevant stakeholders. The ASTRAL project will contribute to the implementation of the Belém Statement, an agreement signed by EU, Brazil and South Africa to develop a strategic partnership on marine research, and it will participate in building an All Atlantic Ocean Community.

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

04 05 06 07

Fish survivability on the pier Environmentally sustainable practices of Irish aquaculture is focus of TV documentary National Seafood Survey extended to capture more accurate data on inshore fisheries Failure to enforce discard ban could collapse fisheries management Will new brooms sweep a pathway to a viable salmon recovery plan?

fisheries & seafood

Quote

Fish survivability on the pier

Reduced mortalities

Recently ‘christened’ on the pier in Castletownbere, the unit, supported by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, consists of a 40 ft refrigerated reefer with fish holding tanks hooked up to a water-recirculation system. BIM conducted a full survivability experiment on seine-caught plaice, in collaboration with Damien Turner and the crew of MFV Róise Catríona and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT). Operating on fishing grounds up to 130 km south of Castletownbere, the vessel caught and stored 145 plaice in fish bins with a flow-through of sea water. The vessel landed the fish directly adjacent to the new unit for captive monitoring over 15 days. A strong 71% survival result at the end of this period will be used to apply for a survivability exemption off the south-west coast where plaice quotas are low.

Image caption if required

Dr Ronán Cosgrove

BIM

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

fisheries & seafood

Martin Oliver and Matthew McHugh from BIM devised and assembled the system so that it could be easily transported to different locations around the coast. This reduces mortalities and potentially negatively-biased results associated with transporting fish over long distances to the fixed holding system in Galway. It also aligns with an increasing need for full survivability experiments to be conducted in localised areas to ensure results are representative of the fishery in question. Readers of previous editions may recall another article on survivability of seine-caught plaice earlier this year. That study assessed and categorised the condition or vitality of fish in the Irish seine fishery, and inferred survival from a full captive monitoring experiment conducted in Denmark.

The European Commission’s Scientific Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries previously granted a survivability exemption on this basis but recently changed tack, recommending that full captive monitoring experiments are needed in the future. This new study takes full account of that recommendation. BIM would like to thank Damien Turner, the crew of MFV Róise Catríona and Anita Talbot from GMIT for a successful collaboration. Thanks also to the Harbour Master, Cormac McGinley, and John Nolan from Castletownbere Fishermen's Co-op for assistance with logistics around set up on the pier.

All of us in BIM wish to pass on our sincere condolences to our colleague Martin and to all the Oliver family on their recent loss of Martin and Tom Oliver.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency, has developed a new mobile fish holding unit that facilitates localised survivability experiments close to the action on the fishing grounds.

MFV Róise Catríona returns to port following survivability experiment up to 130 km from Castletownbere, Co Cork, on seine-caught plaice

The sustainable practices of the Irish aquaculture industry will be the focus of a Euronews documentary to be broadcast on December 22 at 20:52 CET and translated into nine languages.

Richard Donnelly, Salmon and Shellfish Manager, BIM and John Harrington, Kush Shellfish, were interviewed as part of the documentary to tell the story of Irish organic mussels.

Environmentally sustainable practices of Irish aquaculture is focus of TV documentary

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

fisheries & seafood

“Organic speaks to a much broader ecological and ethical mindset. If you take the example of organic mussels being produced in Kenmare, Co Kerry, it’s about working in harmony with nature. “EU organic regulations also take account of wider environmental management practices, focusing on aspects such as waste management and energy use to improve overall environmental performance of member businesses.” Kush Shellfish is among the first rope grown mussel farms in Ireland to produce organic mussels.

Richard Donnelly, BIM salmon and shellfish manger said that when people think of organic, they link it to the feed being organic and don’t factor in other aspects:

The family-run farm is based in Kenmare Bay in a special area of conservation designated under the EU Habitats Directive. The business is largely export-led, weighted toward the continental European markets. Aquaculture production was valued at €172m to the Irish economy last year, according to the 2019 BIM Business of Seafood report. Irish organic salmon remained the top value export at €110m while farmed shellfish accounted for €60m of the total value.

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

fisheries & seafood

National Seafood Survey extended to capture more accurate data on inshore fisheries

BIM is inviting all fishing vessel operators under 10 metres to take part in a National Seafood Survey and to submit their observations by Friday January 2021.

Survey questions cover economic, employment and operational details based on previous years’ activities. Previously, only active fishing vessels over 10 metres were asked to complete the survey.

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

fisheries & seafood

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

fisheries & seafood

BIM has worked with the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) and the National Inshore Fisheries Association (NIFA) to improve the survey and to capture the questions in the best way possible. Asked about the significance of the survey for 10m inshore boats, NIFF member John Menarry remarked: “If the inshore sector wants to be taken seriously once and for all, they must be able to prove their worth. By filling out the National Seafood Survey as best they can, we can start the process of showing the country what we really are worth and in turn use the information provided to help benefit the inshore sector.”

The survey data will be shared in an aggregated form to provide advice to national agencies and the EU. Providing the economic information requested is also of particular importance to every fisherman in Ireland, due to the fact that the EU sees economic data as a critical and necessary component in the development of long-term management plans for the majority of stocks targeted by the Irish fleet. The survey is being posted to every active fishing vessel owner on the register and includes a freepost envelope for return. More than 1,500 vessels in Ireland fall under the 10-metre size category according to the sea fishing register. The inclusion of their data in the survey will provide a more accurate account of inshore fisheries’ contribution and economic resource in coastal communities throughout Ireland to National and EU Policy makers.

Inshore boats at Ring, Co Cork

A new paper, The Unintended Impact Of The European Discard Ban, has found that an increase in annual EU fishing quotas of up to 50% was applied to ‘support’ the implementation of the Landing Obligation (LO) - the rule to reduce fish waste - in EU waters in 2020, despite widespread failure to enforce the rule and the continued discarding of fish.

The paper by Dr Lisa Borges and outlined in a webinar, finds that this discrepancy is likely to lead to ‘an enormous unmeasured increase in fishing pressure’, and therefore lead to an implosion of the EU fisheries management system. “The landing obligation has the potential to be the most significant push for more selective fisheries in Europe in the last 20 years. Usually, when a significant change in law is made that could have a radical effect on fishers' behaviour, it comes with positive and negative incentives. “In Europe however, fishers were given extra quota to account for the extra non-commercial catch. But not only are they not landing that extra catch they are not being monitored or controlled,” said Dr Lisa Borges.

Failure to enforce discard ban could collapse fisheries management

Image caption if required

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

fisheries & seafood

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

fisheries & seafood

These significant increases in EU fishing limits, the exemptions to the rules and the lack of monitoring and enforcement “are now pushing the EU fisheries management system towards a tipping point. “All stakeholders need to acknowledge the impact the Landing Obligation is having on the TAC system and try to minimise it, otherwise we will see our fisheries management system implode,” concluded Dr Borges.

Tipping Point

Rebecca Hubbard, Our Fish programme manager, believes Dr Borges’ paper confirms what many scientists and conservation groups have been saying for years: “Without proper counting of catches and enforcement of fishing rules, the result could be massive levels of overfishing and the collapse of fish populations, which in turn breaks down marine ecosystems. “This undermines scientific data and the fisheries management system, and ultimately threatens the security of the fishing industry.” “It’s a disgrace that an industry can get away with such broadscale illegal behaviour, which can devastate a public resource and impact ecosystems, without any repercussions.

“Instead, EU governments are rewarding these antics with even more fishing quotas. With a number of EU fish populations on the verge of collapse, such as cod and herring, it's now urgent that the Commission and fisheries ministers start acknowledging unreported, illegal catches by setting more conservative fishing limits and enforcing the rules at sea with remote electronic monitoring,” concluded Ms Hubbard. The Unintended Impact Of The European Discard Ban was partly funded by Our Fish and the European Union Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme.

Will new brooms sweep a pathway to a viable salmon recovery plan?

New leadership required to manage our rivers

Fish Producer organisations: a valuable tool for integrating small-scale fisheries into mainstream CFP

The new draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2020 for the 2021 season tell the story that our salmon rivers are crying out for a plan that will halt the decline of salmon and seatrout in all the rivers and reopen the growing list of closed rivers in the coming seasons as feeding improves at sea.

Noel Carr,

FISSTA

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

fisheries & seafood

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

fisheries & seafood

This past salmon season has been the strangest in history; first with the pandemic and now with reports from all Irish rivers that salmon runs have been the best in years.

Fishery District (1) Dublin Upper Liffey Lower Liffey (downstream of Leixlip Dam) Vartry Wexford Avoca Owenavorragh Waterford Nore Suir including Clodiagh, Lingaun, and Waterford Blackwater Colligan Corrock Owenduff Mahon Tay Lismore Bride Lickey Tourig Womanagh Cork Lower Lee Bandon Ilen Mealagh Coomhola Upper Lee Glengarriff Argideen Owvane Adrigole Kerry Blackwater (Kerry) Sneem Waterville Caragh Laune including Cottoners Maine Castlemaine Harbour Behy Emlagh Owenmore Croanshagh (Glanmore River and Lake) Sheen Inny Kealincha Lough Fada Owenshagh Cloonee Finnihy Owenreagh Emlaghmore Carhan Ferta Owenascaul Milltown Feohanagh Lee Limerick Mulkear Maigue Upper Shannon (Above Parteen) Lower Shannon Fergus Deel Owenagarney Doonbeg Skivaleen Annageeragh Inagh Aughyvackeen Galway Aille (Galway) Kilcolgan Clarinbridge Knock Owenboliska (Spiddal) Connemara Screebe Ballynahinch Lough Na Furnace Ballinakill Bundorragha Common estuary (Killary) Owenglin (Clifden) Dawros Culfin Carrownisky Bunowen Owenwee (Belclare) Bangor Owenduff (Glenamong) Carrowmore Lake Owenmore Common Estuary Owenmore1 Newport including Lough Beltra Glenamoy Owengarve River Muingnabo Ballina Easkey Cloonaghmore (Palmerstown) Ballinglen Brusna Leaffony Sligo Drumcliff Garvogue including. Lough Gill and River Bonet Grange Ballyshannon Drowes Eany Glen Owenwee (Yellow River) Erne Eske Abbey Ballintra (Murvagh River) Laghy Oily Bungosteen Letterkenny Gweebarra Clady Tullaghobegly Crana Gweedore (Crolly River) Ray Lackagh Leannan Bracky Owenamarve Glenna Swilly Isle (Burn) Mill Clonmany Straid Donagh Glenagannon Culoort Drogheda Dundalk Fane Glyde Dee Flurry

Waters of the River (2) Dargle Slaney Barrow and Pollmounty Blackwater (Munster) including Glenshelane and Finisk Owenacurra Roughty Feale including Galey and Brick Corrib Cashla Erriff Srahmore (Burrishoole) Moy Ballysadare Duff Owenea/Owentocker Boyne Castledown

Maximum number of tags that may be issued in respect of taking wild salmon or sea trout from river (3) 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Catch and Release 0 Closed 0 Catch and Release 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Catch and Release 0 Catch and Release 0 Catch and Release 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 6,420 Open 0 Catch and Release 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 755 Open 568 Open 1,061 Open 191 Open 151 Open 0 Closed 332 Open 0 Catch and Release 562 Open 35 Open 415 Open 0 Catch and Release 695 Open 276 Open 477 Open 3,201 Open 264 Open 558 Open 0 Closed 0 Closed 210 Open 254 Open 1,236 Open 0 Catch and Release 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Catch and Release 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 140 Open 0 Catch and Release 0 Catch and Release 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Catch and Release 0 Catch and Release 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Catch and Release 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Catch and Release 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 4,540 Open 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 97 Open 0 Catch and Release 234 Open 0 Closed 155 Open 95 Open 227 Open 37 Open 589 Open 232 Open 0 Catch and Release 0 Catch and Release 0 Catch and Release 0 Catch and Release 750 Open 502 Open 224 Open 252 Open 400 Open 129 Open 0 Closed 0 Closed 12,908 Open 315 Open 0 Catch and Release 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 2,587 Open 138 Open 0 Catch and Release 0 Closed 0 Catch and Release 2,362 Open 0 Catch and Release 0 Catch and Release 28 Open 0 Closed 0 Catch and Release 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Catch and Release 0 Catch and Release 199 Open 316 Open 144 Open 121 Open 187 Open 118 Open 0 Catch and Release 154 Open from 12th May, Catch and Release to 11th May. 0 Catch and Release 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Closed 0 Catch and Release 0 Closed 29 Open 0 Catch and Release 0 Catch and Release 0 Closed

There are many theories as to why there has been a sudden improvement on returning stocks. Some argue that the rivers and lakes were rested earlier in the pandemic year; however most anglers agree it is because of the renewal of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund and Atlantic Salmon Fund agreement (2018) to extend the buyout of the commercial salmon fishermen quotas in the North Atlantic specifically with Faeroes and Greenland. Either way, we need to preach caution; that one swallow does not a summer make and that the decline in salmon stocks might still be terminal. These green shoots from the summer runs may herald the most hopeful time for salmon in Ireland since 2007 when the driftnets were bought out. Sadly however, the expectations then of big runs never materialised for reasons that the scientist still have to confirm as anglers and politicians debate the issues.

Meanwhile, Minister Eamon Ryan and Francis O’Donnell CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland have both fought the cause of the wild Atlantic salmon in their very different lives in the past. In the eighties and nineties, both Eamon Ryan and Francis O’Donnell would have fished the Donegal rivers although their paths may not have crossed back then. Among the rivers in Donegal they would have fished is the majestic Gweebarra, now in its seventeenth year of a dispute started by IFI when they attempted to take it over amid protests from anglers. This case is ongoing in the High Court with no end in sight as yet. Anglers throughout Ireland hope both men can work together to resolve the impasse and to heal the wounds. Both have enough salmon angling experience to know there still exists deep-seated problems that remain a threat to our wild salmon.

Our priority is to ensure that these encouraging salmon runs improve, and continue to be protected in the North Atlantic feeding grounds. To maintain this agreement which NASF & ASF have negotiated to the benefit of every Atlantic salmon nation, we have to contribute our fair share from the Wild Salmon Conservation Fund that our anglers have been forced to pay into since 2007. Minister Ryan needs to live up to our international responsibility and to grant funds to keep these agreements in place and to protect returning salmon in our feeding grounds. We do not accept the policy of previous governments to broadly support the licensing of open sea net cage salmon farming that we believe is unsustainable. This is why we will continue to lobby Minister Ryan to regulate the salmon farming industry just as Norway has done under its Norsk Indusri plan that will protect their wild salmon stocks and end the sealice problem by 2022.

We have confronted departmental officials about their view that salmon conservation is not achievable and that the State is wasting funding on such futile plans. Despite their own Implementation Plan delivered at NASCO, it appears some of the plan’s authors do not believe it is feasible. It is time for Minister Ryan to assemble a new policy-driven team to implement the plan under the 2010 Act, by first reviving the now defunct NIFF - National Inland Fisheries Forum meetings so that progress on the many urgent issues can be made. It was Minister Ryan who was the line minister back in 2009 who steered the Inland Fisheries Act through the Oireachtas. Much of what we lobbied for to protect our stocks and angling rights, have been disposed of or made unworkable over the past ten years. Minister Ryan TD now has the opportunity to resuscitate the Act and get it working again in the direction that he planned for the legislation to work and serve the stocks.

Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2020

gov.ie - Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations 2020 and Conservation Measures for the 2021 Season (www.gov.ie)

See below a full copy under public consultation presently I, EAMON RYAN, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 69 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 (No. 10 of 2010) (as adapted by the Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 373 of 2020)), after consultation with Inland Fisheries Ireland, hereby make the following regulations: 1. (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2020. (2) These Regulations shall come into operation on 1 January 2021. 2. The Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 585 of 2018) are amended –

Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2020

To be made by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications 2 Total Allowable Catch 3

04 05 06 07

Marine habitats, species and ecosystems denied protection CHERISH explores climate change and coastal heritage INFOMAR review of 2020 Activities New technologies may help skippers avoid unwanted catches Training the next generation of marine scientists Marine Institute CEO elected to the ICES Bureau

Marine R&D

Image caption if required

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

Marine R&D

Marine habitats, species and ecosystems denied protection

An independent report on the implications of expanding Ireland's Marine Protected Areas network notes that under current legislation, many threatened marine habitats, species and ecosystems are not covered by the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.

These marine habitats, species and ecosystems therefore 'cannot be afforded the protection necessary to meeting Ireland's international commitments and legal obligations.' The report, presented to Minister Darragh O'Brien and Minister of State Malcolm Noonan, says stakeholder engagement and participation in site selection and in the management process, could be 'greatly improved'. It will assist government to meet its target to create 10% of Ireland's maritime area as MPAs 'as soon as practicable, aiming for 30% by 2030'. Chaired by Professor Tasman Crowe of the UCD Earth Institute, the advisory group comprised 20 experts in life and ocean sciences, marine socio-economics, marine culture, governance and legislation. The group was tasked with providing technical advice and recommendations on the processes required and the challenges to be addressed in the expansion of Ireland's network of MPAs, based on the group's own work and on the views of a wide range of stakeholders.

Gillian Mills

ORGANISATION

Marine Protected Areas

MPAs are geographically defined maritime areas that provide levels of protection to achieve conservation objectives. They support economic activity associated with the sea by ensuring that activity is kept at a level that ensures the seas and oceans continue to support life and human health. They also help reduce the effects of climate change and ocean acidification. "Never before have we, as a nation, faced the twin global crises of climate change and accelerating biodiversity loss on land and at sea," remarked Minister O'Brien. "This comprehensive report represents a 'call for collective action' on behalf of our people and our natural marine environment, to ensure that we can sustain clean, healthy, diverse and productive oceans and seas around Ireland..." Expansion of the MPA network is "of great importance", supporting livelihoods and communities and unlocking future solutions to "serious challenges that we face." MPAs provide answers to the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss and also "hold a key to our future - as a maritime nation that's home to a bountiful and sustainable source of food, green energy and tourism activity," added Minister O'Brien. Professor Crowe said that he along with the advisory group members, were "delighted and privileged" to be part of the process to develop "the best possible advice" to expand Ireland's network of MPAs: "Our aim was to provide a comprehensive and balanced synthesis of current thinking and relevant evidence. We were particularly encouraged and inspired by the myriad of views and opinions [from] the wide range of stakeholder groups and organisations..." The report will be published as part of a public consultation in late 2020 and early 2021.

The work of GSI and the CHERISH project is explored in this video.

CHERISH explores climate change and coastal heritage

A birds-eye view of Little Skellig – one of the selected sites - from Skellig Michael

Name

ORGANISATION

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

Marine R&D

Climate change introduces new challenges to how coasts are managed. Changing coastal processes impact sedimentation, alter ongoing erosion and accretion. The Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) has been applying state-of-the-art methodologies to investigate change in these important environments. Specialist organisations are employing cutting-edge technologies to analyse coastal and island archaeology and heritage sites most affected by climate change, coastal erosion, storminess and rising sea levels.

The five-year Wales-Ireland project CHERISH (Climate, Heritage and Environments of Reefs, Islands and Headlands) explores climate change and coastal heritage.

Quote

INFOMAR review of 2020 Activities

PT serif body copy xxxxx xxxx

PT serif Bold Intro text

Image caption if required

David O’Sullivan

and INFOMAR Team

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

Marine R&D

Substantial changes owing to the Covid 19 crisis were made to INFOMAR’s 2020 Survey Operations plan. These changes were to survey dates, duration and vessels deployed.

Proposed survey areas remained largely unchanged although RV Celtic Voyager worked inside the 30 Nm limit for several days due to crewing and logistical constraints relating to Covid-19 mitigation. The INFOMAR offshore team managed by the Marine Institute completed four separate survey legs on the continental shelf and mapped 6802 sq km. Of note, the team identified large-scale ridges and numerous smaller sediment waves. INFOMAR inshore operations managed by Geological Survey Ireland focused on Ireland’s south and southwest coasts operating from Kinsale, Baltimore, Castletownbere and ports further west as required. The inshore fleet targeted two large offshore survey areas inside the 30 NM limit - one south of Cork Harbour entrance and the other southwest of Mizen Head. The coastal area spans from near the Old Head of Kinsale,Co Cork to Portmagee in Co Kerry. In total the inshore fleet mapped 2909sq km. Value-added surveys INFOMAR also completed two ‘value-added surveys’ which are important contributions to ancillary projects. The offshore team undertook a technically challenging sub-bottom survey of the Kinsale Gas platforms, necessary to support the eventual decommissioning of the existing structure. Data were acquired around the platform perimeters to delineate chalk bedrock where possible including the acquisition of a further 19 sq km of seabed data in the process.

The Real Map of Bere Island: INFOMAR completed inshore mapping around Bere Island, revealing the continuation of the island’s rocky terrain offshore

Inshore mapping merged with previously collected offshore data to complete mapping around the Bull, Cow and Calf rocks off Dursey Island, West Cork

In total, the INFOMAR team mapped 9,757 sqkm of seabed which is 10% more than the original target of 8908 sq km.

Meanwhile, Geological Survey Ireland continues to support the CHERISH project and undertakes research into shared Wales/ Ireland cultural heritage and maritime history. A further 21 sq km were mapped throughout 2020. In total, the INFOMAR team mapped 9,757 sqkm of seabed which is 10% more than the original target of 8908 sq km. Our new data, when viewed with that collected in previous years, begins to reveal the complexity of the seabed in our marine territory. Understanding this complexity helps underpin environmental studies relating to Ireland’s biodiversity, marine spatial planning and contributes to the Blue Economy.

TV documentary INFOMAR completed thirty-six new wreck surveys in 2020 of which twenty-two were of previously unidentified vessels. One of the oldest shipwrecks in our database, dating from 1797, was resurveyed and revealed much greater detail due to improved survey techniques and sonar systems. The La Surveillante survey, and further aspects of INFOMAR's national seabed mapping campaign, will feature on RTE’s upcoming ‘Great Lighthouses of Ireland’ documentary. A film crew joined RV Celtic Voyager in Castletownbere, Co. Cork, to meet the team and film aspects of the mapping process around the Bull Rock Lighthouse. The inshore team demonstrated the shallow water mapping capabilities of smaller vessels and looks forward to the series airing in 2021. Despite inherent difficulties in the working environment in 2020, extensive work was carried out to update the INFOMAR website and Web-Mapping Viewers - improvements we consider essential for efficiency and performance. User feedback Many of our developments are as a direct consequence of user feedback and include a new query tool for the sediment viewer, easy to follow visualisation of sediment classification data and shipwreck information. Sediment classification data are now added to an INFOMAR collated substrate layer which is available as an ArcGIS service through INFOMAR web mapping viewers, and also through Digital Ocean and the Marine Atlas. These data layers represent essential information for fisheries management, marine spatial planning, environmental assessment, and reporting on EU Directives. A detailed review of the INFOMAR website’s content and functionality led to various technical improvements allowing easier access to our free data products. A major data management objective through 2020 was to develop capability to integrate ‘foundation data’ (general seabed survey and environmental data) and ‘stakeholder datasets’ (i.e., designed for specialist use) to help develop specific information services by the public and private sector. The vision is to develop and continuously build a knowledge-base over time to enable Ireland develop and manage its marine resource in a sustainable manner. In support of this initiative, we implemented the Marine Institute Quality Management Framework for many INFOMAR datasets including bathymetry, backscatter, shaded relief, seabed classification data, sediment samples and GIS datasets. Further to this, Geological Survey Ireland commissioned a review of the INFOMAR project in the context of developing an Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) sector and will be addressing recommendations and outcomes from this process in 2021. INFOMAR participation in various fora over the year was primarily online, in keeping with government guidelines; however, this did not affect the value-added programme. The cross-government initiative on Geogenic Reef Mapping, SeaRover, co-funded by European Maritime Fisheries Fund and National Parks and Wildlife Service, supported by INFOMAR (GSI & MI) & NPWS has entered Phase 3. In February, the Marine Institute hosted a workshop to finalise Phase 1 & 2 data delivery and to synthesise and promote data dissemination among relevant stakeholders.

A major component of INFOMAR activity in early 2020 was to develop a Remote Sensing focused MSc module with lectures and practicals produced and delivered by the INFOMAR team at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, with ancillary field work in Cork Harbour onboard RV Celtic Voyager.

Image caption if required

Peter Cullen, skipper of RV Lir, surveying in Bantry Bay.

The module was part of NUIM’s MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing. The new programme was delivered in partnership with the Department of Geography, NUIM and the Strategic Marine Alliance for Research & Training and has significantly enhanced INFOMAR’s contribution to Irish education, training and research. In tandem, the team was able to prepare and deliver MSc training content to H2020 Eurofleets+ international awardees of a ‘floating university’ seabed mapping course. This entailed several days of lectures, again delivered by the INFOMAR team to an international group of third-level students at University College Cork with field work onboard RV Celtic Voyager. Overall, 2020 has been a very productive year for the INFOMAR team despite the challenges to the working environment both on the sea and onshore. The project team would like to thank everyone who made this possible throughout the year, and looks forward to 2021 and a continuation of our efforts to comprehensively map Ireland’s marine resource.

Contessa, west channel, Castletownbere

New technologies may help skippers avoid unwanted catches

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

Marine R&D

Scientists at the Marine Institute are investigating how new technologies could be used to share real-time information and help skippers avoid unwanted catches. The IFISH (Irish Fisheries Information Sharing Network Development) project, funded by Science Foundation Ireland, is encouraging fishers to participate in the project and assist in developing a useful information sharing tool for the industry.

New technology is increasingly being used to assist skippers avoid unwanted catches, but is yet to be used in Irish fisheries. Co-operative schemes and mobile phone applications are being developed in fisheries across the world, from the USA to Scotland, to help skippers receive up-to-date information on the location of fish, to assist in avoiding juvenile or quota limited species. The new BATmap app, for example, is being trialed by Scottish fishers to help avoid choke species in west of Scotland fisheries The IFISH project will build on the research conducted as part of the DiscardLess project, which resulted in the development of a discard hotspot mapping app. The IFISH project will move beyond producing static maps of fish distributions based on historic catch patterns. It will look at how information sharing among the Irish fleet could help provide real-time information on the location of fish that fishers don’t want to catch, such as undersize juveniles.

“At this early stage of the project we are really keen to talk to anyone who is willing to share their experiences and opinions on how effective different fishing tactics are at avoiding unwanted catches, as well as how sharing information on the location of unwanted catches may potentially help in further avoiding them,” remarked Julia Calderwood, scientist at the Marin Institute Industry involvement in the IFISH project is key to help co-design information-sharing tools and ensures they are developed to assist in avoiding problematic catches, wherever they may be locally or within particular fisheries. By working with partners in different fisheries or regions it will also be possible to set up separate information sharing rather than taking a broad approach. “Industry input is really important to help shape this research to ensure that we are addressing industry needs and concerns and that any output from this work is useful and relevant,” Julia Calderwood added. . The use of any developed tools will be completely voluntary, with skippers taking part only if they feel it would be useful. All information shared would be private and only available to skippers using the tool.

Julia Calderwood

For more information or to participate in the IFISH project contact:

Sheila Byrnes Sinéad Coyne

For further information, please contact:

Training the next generation of marine scientists

Marine Institute Headquarters. Photograph Johnathan White

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

Marine R&D

The Marine Institute is pleased to announce funding of €700,000 for seven new Cullen PhD Scholarships to run over the next four years.

The Marine Institute established the Cullen Scholarship Programme in 2014 in memory of Anne Cullen (1958-2013), who made a significant contribution to the career development of many undergraduate students that have taken part in the Institute’s annual summer Bursary Programme.

The programme provides research training opportunities for scientists in marine and related disciplines, leading to Masters and PhD degrees. The students benefit from the academic support of their host Higher Education Institute together with the practical training carried out using the Marine Institute laboratory facilities, historical datasets, equipment and infrastructures including access to the national marine research vessels. “Supporting the next generation of marine scientists enables Ireland to build our research and development capacity through excellent training and will provide scientific advice to stakeholders backed up by high quality peer-reviewed research. It also helps us to meet the important goals set out in the National Marine Research and Innovation Strategy,” remarked Dr Paul Connolly, CEO Marine Institute.

PhD Project Title Biological changes in key commercially exploited fish in the light of Climate and Ocean Change Enhancing farmed Atlantic salmon quality through new production technologies Machine learning assisted detection and prediction of climate change related anomalous events in complex marine systems Improving fishing survey indices though the use of spatio-temporal models Seasonal to decadal sea level and ocean waves predictions through numerical modelling and statistical analysis Biodiversity conservation and restoration in the Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park Ecology of Irish tunas

Lead Organisation GMIT NUI Galway GMIT GMIT Maynooth University GMIT TCD

Grant-Aid Funding Awarded (for 4 years) €100,000 €100,000 €100,000 €100,000 €100,000 €100,000 €100,000

The seven awards funded are as follows:

Five of the scholarships will provide scientific research findings that will be important in dealing with the effects of climate change on fisheries and marine systems. The other two scholarships will investigate new production methods in the aquaculture sector, and the conservation of biodiversity in the Burrishoole Catchment, Newport, Co. Mayo. The students are expected to commence in early 2021. Since the inception of the Cullen Scholarship Programme, a total investment of €3.1 million by the Marine Institute has been provided to fund 34 scholarships (31 PhD and 3 MSc). Two Masters students have completed and five PhD students have successfully defended their thesis at viva, with a further eight students planning to submit their thesis in 2021. Funding for the Cullen Scholarship Programme is provided by the Marine Institute and the Irish Government, funded under the Marine Research Programme.

The Programme provides scholarship awards to Higher Education Institutes to support postgraduate training to PhD or MSc level. Successful candidates recruited by these institutes conduct novel research of relevance to the work of the Marine Institute whilst studying for a higher degree. The scholarships are offered in all areas of Marine Institute research activity, including oceanography and ocean modelling, fisheries, aquaculture, fish health, food safety, seabed mapping, marine technology, shipping and maritime transport, marine environment, marine economics, law and policy, education and outreach. Research carried out by Cullen scholars adds value to the Marine Institute’s role in providing scientific and technical advice and services to support sustainable management of Ireland’s marine resources and a sustainable ocean economy.

Culllen Scholarship Programme

The National Marine Research and Innovation Strategy 2017-2021 focuses on the broad topics identified in existing Government policies and strategies and provides a framework that recognises the complexity of research funding in the marine domain.

National Marine Research & Innovation Strategy 2017-2021

ICES advance and share scientific understanding of marine ecosystems and the services they provide

Marine Institute CEO elected to the ICES Bureau

Gotham bold intro text

Gotham Book Body Copy xxx xxx

Dr Paul Connolly CEO Marine Institute. Photo Andrew Downes.

Name

ORGANISATION

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

Marine R&D

Dr Paul Connolly, CEO of the Marine Institute was elected to the Bureau of The International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) at the annual meeting of Member Countries in late October.

ICES is an intergovernmental marine science organisation with a network of 6,000 scientists from over 700 marine institutes in the 20 member countries that border the North Atlantic. Ireland joined ICES in 1925 and is a strong supporter of the organisation. Marine Institute scientists with varying disciplines make a valuable contribution to the work of ICES. Through strategic partnerships, ICES work in the Atlantic Ocean also extends into the Arctic, the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the North Pacific Ocean. 2,500 scientists participate in ICES activities annually. ICES advance and share scientific understanding of marine ecosystems and the services they provide, and use this knowledge to generate state-of-the-art advice for meeting conservation, management and sustainability goals.

The Council is the principal decision and policy-making body of the organisation, and the Bureau acts as the Executive Committee of the Council (the Board of the organisation). The Council has two representatives from each Member state known as delegates. The current delegates for Ireland are Dr Paul Connolly and Dr Ciaran Kelly (Marine Institute). “The Marine Institute’s work with ICES is essential to the delivery of quality advisory, scientific and technical services to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as well as other government departments and agencies. “Ireland relies on the work of ICES to support the sustainable use of our seas and oceans, and Dr Connolly’s election will further enhance Ireland’s contribution to this valued international organisation,” remarked Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Dr Connolly has served the ICES community since he was first appointed Irish delegate in 2000 when he took up his role as Director of Fisheries and Ecosystems Advisory Services at the Marine Institute.

Dr Connolly was elected Vice President of ICES in 2003 and served on its Board until 2005. He then served as MCAP Chair (Management Committee on the Advisory Process) from 2005 to 2008. He was elected President of ICES from 2012 to 2015, and led the development of the ICES Strategic Plan (2014 - 2018) which was adopted by 20 member countries. Dr Connolly was appointed CEO of the Marine Institute in October 2019.

Welcoming the appointment, Chairman of the Marine Institute Dr John Killeen said: “On behalf of the board, I congratulate Dr Connolly on his election by the Member Countries of ICES to this prestigious and important position. “The Marine Institute has a long-standing relationship with ICES and regard it as an essential forum for our scientists to collaborate with their international colleagues to deliver impartial advice for our decision makers.” This year’s ICES Council meeting dealt with a broad range of marine issues including the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on scientific data collection, analysis and advice delivery; on the finances of the organisation and on how ICES might contribute to the UN Decade of the Ocean (2021 to 2019).

04 05 06 07

EU launches strategy for a climate neutral future The future is floating when it comes to offshore wind, says US expert Achieving grid capacity is make or break for Ireland’s offshore wind energy sector

climate change / ocean energy

EU launches strategy for a climate neutral future

ntro text Arimo Bold xxxx xxxx

Arimo- body copy

Manufacturing facilities of onshore and offshore wind energy components in Europe (July 2020 update)

Offshore wind technical potential in sea basins accessible to EU27 countries (JRC ENSPRESO 2019)

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

climate change / ocean energy

Gillian Mills

ORGANISATION

In a bid to meet the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050, the European Commission has launched a strategy for offshore renewable energy.

The strategy proposes to increase Europe’s offshore wind capacity from current 12 GW production to a minimum of 60 GW by 2030 and to 340 GW by 2050, including 40 GW from emerging technologies such as floating wind and solar. These ambitious targets are based on production across all of Europe’s sea basins (North Sea, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean and Atlantic) and on the ‘global leadership position’ of EU companies in offshore energy technologies. Investment of up to €800bn will be needed between now and 2050 to meet the proposed objectives, the Commission has outlined.

Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal said the strategy underpins the urgency and opportunity of “ramping up” investment in offshore renewables: “The European Union has all that it needs to rise up to the challenge. Already, ORE is a true European success story. “We aim to turn it into an even greater opportunity for clean energy, high quality jobs, sustainable growth and international competitiveness.” Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said Europe was a “world leader” in ORE and could become a “powerhouse” for its global development: “We must step up our game by harnessing all the potential of offshore wind and by advancing other technologies such as wave, tidal and floating solar.”

The Strategy sets a “clear direction” and establishes a “stable framework” which are crucial for public authorities, investors and developers,” he added.

Cooperation

To achieve the targets, the Commission is encouraging cross-border cooperation between Member States on long-term planning and deployment. This will require integration of ORE development objectives in the national marine spatial plans that Coastal States are due to submit to the Commission by March 2021. The Commission is also proposing a framework under the revised TEN-E Regulation for long-term offshore grid planning, involving regulators and Member States in each sea basin.

Support measures

The Commission will provide a ‘clear and supportive legal framework’ and has clarified the electricity market rules in an accompanying Staff Working Document. It will also assess whether more specific and targeted rules are needed. It will also ensure that revisions of state-aid guidelines on energy and environmental protection and the Renewable Energy Directive will facilitate ‘cost-effective’ deployment of renewable offshore energy. The Commission is also encouraging Member States to use the Recovery and Resilience Facility and to work with the European Investment Bank and other financial institutions to support investments through InvestEU. Horizon Europe funds will also be mobilised to support research and development, particularly in emerging technologies. A dedicated platform on offshore renewables within the Clean Energy Industrial Forum will be established to address supply chain development. The Strategy also highlights the need to improve manufacturing capacity and port infrastructure and to increase the skilled workforce. Environmental impacts of ORE on the marine environment along with social and economic impacts will be monitored and analysed through regular consultation with public authorities, stakeholders and scientists. The Commission has also adopted a new ‘guidance document’ on wind energy development and EU nature legislation. Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius said the strategy outlines how ORE can be developed alongside fisheries, aquaculture, shipping and in harmony with nature: “The proposals will also allow us to protect biodiversity and to address possible socio-economic consequences for sectors relying on good health of marine ecosystems, thus promoting a sound coexistence within the maritime space.”

The world’s first offshore wind farm was installed in Vindeby off the southern coast of Denmark in 1991. At the time, few believed it could be more than a demonstration project but thirty years later, offshore wind energy is providing energy for millions of people across the globe. It is a story of ‘undisputed European technological and industrial leadership’ where European laboratories and industries are rapidly developing technologies to harness the power of the seas, to produce green electricity from floating offshore wind, to ocean energy technologies such as wave and tidal, floating photovoltaic installations and from biofuels produced from algae. The strategy notes that the term ‘offshore renewable energy technology’ encompasses clean energy technologies that are at different stages of maturity. In 2019, ninety-three per cent of European bottom-fixed turbines were manufactured in Europe. Other technologies are starting to catch up with projects being announced in some Member States. The EU27 offshore wind market represents 42% (12GW) of the global market (cumulative installed capacity), followed by the UK (9.7 GW) and China (6.8 GW). By 2024, 150 MW of floating offshore wind turbines are expected to be commissioned. But the strategy notes that a ‘higher level of ambition and clarity’ will be needed to reach a market size sufficient to yield cost reductions: ‘There is potential to reach a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of less than EUR 100/MWh in 2030 if large capacity is deployed.’ While EU companies hold 66% (tidal) and 44% (wave) of the patents along with 70% of global ocean energy capacity developed by EU27-based companies, ‘no specific ocean technology prevails and the sector still struggles to create an EU market despite progress in development and demonstration. ‘However, ocean technologies could make a significant contribution to Europe’s energy system and industry as from 2030, in particular by supporting grid stability and playing a crucial role in decarbonising islands in the EU.’

EU Strategy to harness the potential of offshore renewable energy for a climate neutral future

Overview

SEA BASINS The EU’s Atlantic Ocean has a high natural potential for both bottom-fixed and floating offshore wind energy and good natural potential for wave and tidal energy. Member States are developing a strong pipeline of demonstration projects, building upon years of experience from installed and grid connected equipment and a ‘world-leading network of test centres’. The EU’s Atlantic strategy and the 2020 revised Atlantic action plan identify offshore renewable energy as a ‘strategic area for cooperation’. France, Spain and Portugal have also established good regional cooperation in the High-Level Group for south-west Europe on interconnections. The strategy notes that achieving the 2050 targets will require identifying and using a great number of sites for production and connection to the grid: ‘Public authorities should therefore plan long-term developments early on, assessing their environmental, social and economic sustainability, ensuring coexistence with other activities such as fisheries and aquaculture, shipping, tourism, defence or infrastructure deployment, and marking sure the public accept planned deployments.’ ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS Development of ORE must also comply with the EU’s environmental legislation and integrated maritime policy. Designated sea spaces for offshore energy exploitation ‘should be compatible with biodiversity protection, take into account socio-economic consequences for sectors relying on good health of marine ecosystems and integrate as much as possible other uses of the sea.’ ORE ‘can and should’ coexist with other activities especially in crowded areas and to this end, national maritime spatial planning ‘should adopt a holistic, multiuse/multipurpose approach’. (Coastal Member States are required to submit national maritime spatial plans to the European Commission by March 31, 2021. These plans will be subject to strategic environmental assessment under Directive 2001/42/EC (‘Sea Directive’) and to additional assessments as required by the Habitats and Birds Directives to ensure protection of Natura 2000 sites and protected species.) Development of energy infrastructures ‘is not incompatible with shipping routes’ and it is possible to develop ‘sustainable economic activities in marine protected areas’. Minimising the impact of offshore energy on the habitat and on protected species ‘can also be helped by the use of new technologies’. A ‘chief challenge’ the Strategy notes will therefore be to integrate ORE development objectives when NMSP are being developed. ‘This would signal to business and investors the governments’ intentions with regard to the future development of the renewable offshore sector, helping both the private and the public sector to plan ahead.’ Robust NMSP could also result in the ‘proper protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems in line with the obligations to reach good environmental status enshrined in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Areas with the highest potential are also the most exposed to risks of collision with vessels, fishing gears, military activities or dumped ammunitions and chemicals. A common strategic approach on safety and security risks at sea-basins levels ‘would benefit all maritime activities’. PUBLIC CONSULTATION Early public involvement is signalled as ‘an integral part of environmental and socio-economic assessments’ and it will be ‘crucial’ to allow for timely deployment of new capacity. The Commission will analyse interaction between ORE and other activities (fisheries, aquaculture, shipping and tourism) and ‘strongly encourages this dialogue with the communities that are more concerned’. The Strategy strongly notes that the ORE will only be sustainable ‘if it does not have adverse impacts on the environment, economic, social and territorial cohesion’. It adds that greater and more systematic in-depth analyses and data exchange will be needed to monitor potential cumulative impacts on the marine environment, along with interaction between ORE and other activities such as fisheries and aquaculture. The Commission is inviting Member State developers and stakeholders to improve the quality and use of the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service and the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet). As open data platforms, these services provide ‘highly valuable information for sea users, notably ORE developers. GRID INFRASTRUCTURE To step up ORE deployment in a cost efficient and sustainable way, the strategy notes that more rational grid planning and development of a meshed grid ‘is key’. The concept of ‘hybrid projects’ (energy islands and hubs) that can reduce costs and use of maritime space is being considered to bring together offshore energy generation and transmission in a cross-border setting to yield ‘significant savings in terms of costs and space use’. This concept compares to the current approach that relies on radial connections and separately developing cross-border electricity interconnectors for trade, without connecting offshore generation. ‘Hybrid projects will form an intermediate step between smaller-scale national projects and a fully meshed, offshore energy system and grid.’ Member States will be encouraged to take a coordinate approach and to make a long-term commitment to ORE development: ‘They should together set ambitious targets for offshore renewables in each sea basin while taking into account environmental protection, socio-economic impacts and maritime spatial planning.’ Another option to deliver offshore energy is hydrogen ‘and should be considered in electricity and gas grid planning’. But the grid will need to be capable of efficiently integrating the expected ‘high generation capacities’ while minimising the use of maritime space. INVESTMENT To encourage investment in ORE, it will be ‘crucial’ to have clear timeframes and plans for offshore and onshore grid infrastructure development. Grids should have longer lead times (typically ten years or more) than offshore power generation. More clarity will also be required around cost distribution and benefits if Member States are to jointly commit to deploying offshore renewables and to developing related infrastructure. A ‘robust methodology for allocating costs’ should be developed, according to where the benefits accrue. ‘Facilitating cost sharing among Member States, TSO [Transmission System Operator] and offshore wind farm developers would create the necessary precondition to achieve the integrated vision at sea-basis level.’ REGULATORY FRAMEWORK During transition to a more ‘meshed offshore energy system, a ‘predictable long-term legal framework’ will be key to providing certainty. ‘A well-regulated energy market should provide the right investment signals’. (The Electricity Regulation provides rules on integrating large-scale renewable projects into the energy system and electricity market.) And while the report notes that national projects will constitute the majority of offshore projects, ‘more complex, cross-border offshore renewable projects are expected to become increasingly important in most sea basins in Europe’ in the long-term. Energy islands, hybrid projects and offshore hydrogen production that pose specific challenges are not covered under the current regulatory framework, and therefore clarification will be needed on electricity rules, the report notes. The practical, physical challenge of connecting projects to markets with different connection rules is also flagged as a challenge. While rules exist at EU level on connecting to the network, they have not been developed with offshore grids in mind. A common approach to grid connection requirements for high-voltage direct connect grid should be developed ‘based on experience in the North Sea basin’. The report highlights that dedicated support will be needed for tidal, wave and floating offshore wind and solar technologies to move from pilot and demonstration phase. Current rules under the Renewable Energy Directive and State-aid guidelines on energy and environmental protection favour a ‘technology-neutral approach’ for renewables support. Technology-specific auctions ‘can be justified, notably in particular circumstances for new and innovative technologies’. The Commission will ensure that revision of State-aid rules and the directive will provide a ‘fully updated and fit-for-purpose enabling framework’ to cost-effectively deploy clean energy, including renewable offshore energy. PRIVATE SECTOR Investment needs for large-scale deployment of offshore renewable energy technologies by 2050 are estimated at €800bn (70% on grid infrastructure; 30% offshore generation). Private investment is expected to provide the bulk of this investment. A new InvestEU programme however ‘can provide support and guarantees for emerging technologies to accelerate private investment, e.g. research and innovation, infrastructure development and strategic industries. A Recovery and Resilience Facility of €672bn that channels 37% to the green transition ‘could support reforms and investments in ORE under a ‘Power up’ flagship initiative’. As funding under the RRF will need to be committed by 2023, the report notes it will be crucial therefore that Member States present a ‘pipeline of mature projects in close cooperation with companies already preparing to invest. ‘The Commission stands ready to provide technical expertise and capacity building to Member States through the Technical Support Instrument and to project promoters under the InvestEU Advisory Hub.’ Operational from January 1 next, the renewable energy financing mechanism will offer ways of sharing the benefits of offshore projects with Member States that do not have a coastline. ‘Horizon Europe and the Innovation Fund will provide support for research, innovation and demonstration projects underpinning future development and deployment of innovative offshore energy technologies in Europe.’ RESEARCH & INNOVATION Boosting R&I is seen as an important precondition for large-scale deployment of ORE. In the past ten years, EU R&I programmes granted almost €500bn to offshore wind (turbine design, infrastructure development, circular advanced materials and digitalisation). Other innovations target the logistics/supply chain and apply circular economy approaches to the life-cycle of installations. Harmonising technical standards ‘can help achieve scale and efficiency’, the report states. Floating applications are a viable option in regions with deep seas (Atlantic, Mediterranean, Black Sea). The necessary technology to withstand these harsh environments is ‘progressing steadily’ towards commercial viability. Tidal technologies are at pre-commercial stage and most wave technologies are still at R&D stage. Floating photovoltaic has been used in industrial-scale deployment in natural and artificial inland waterbodies with promising potential in coastal and near-shore areas. And algae are also a ‘promising source of sustainable biofuels that merit further R&I’. VALUE CHAIN To achieve capacity upscaling to reach 300-400 GW of ORE, the supply chain must be able to ramp up its capacity and sustain higher installation rates. ‘Corrosion resistant materials, wind and ocean turbine manufacturers, tower, foundation, floating devices and cable suppliers will all need investments to expand their production.’ Only a few European ports are currently suitable for assembly, manufacture and servicing and will require investment of around €0.5-1bn to upgrade. The report concludes that offshore renewable energy is ‘one of the most promising routes to increase future power generation’ in a way that meets Europe’s decarbonisation objectives and expected rise in electricity demand ‘in an affordable manner’. Europe’s oceans and sea basins ‘hold a vast potential, which can be harnessed in a sustainable and environmentally sound way, complementing other economic and social activities’. The Commission is inviting the EU institutions and all stakeholders to discuss the policy action proposed and to join forces in taking this action forward ‘without delay’.

Key actions by the Commission:

facilitate cross-border cooperation and encourage Member States to integrate objectives of offshore renewable energy development in their national maritime spatial plans, in line with national energy and climate plans - NECPs (March 2021) report on the implementation of the MSP Directive48 reflecting the long-term development of offshore renewable (2022) develop with Member States and regional organisations a common approach and pilot projects on MSP at sea-basin level looking at risks at sea, the compatibility with nature protection and restoration (2021-2025) promote in 2021 a dialogue on offshore renewable between public authorities, stakeholders and scientists in the form of a community of practice. (2021) support multi-use projects with Member States and regional organisations (2021-2025) The Commission and the European Defence Agency will set up a joint action to identify barriers for offshore renewable energy developments in areas reserved for defence activities and improve co-existence draw up a framework for the Member States to formulate a joint long-term commitment to deploy offshore renewable energy per sea basin up to 2050 propose a framework under the revised TEN-E Regulation for long-term offshore grid planning by the TSOs, involving regulators and the Member States in each sea basin, including for hybrid projects (December 2020) within their respective remits, the Commission, Member States and regulators will develop a framework to enable TSOs to make anticipatory investments in offshore grids to prepare for future upscaling and development (2021 onwards) publish EU guidance on how to coordinate cost sharing and benefits for energy transmission projects combined with developing energy generation projects (by 2030) clarify the regulatory framework (esp offshore bidding zones for hybrid projects) propose amending legislation on the allowed use of congestion income to provide an option to give a more flexible allocation of congestion income in offshore hybrid projects (2022) task the Electricity Stakeholder Committee to prepare amendments to the Grid Connection Network codes for offshore high-voltage direct current grids (2021) ensure that revision of State aid guidelines on energy and environmental protection provides a fully updated and fit-for-purpose enabling framework to cost-effectively deploy clean energy, including renewable offshore energy (by end 2021) encourage Member States to include reforms and investments related to renewables deployment, including offshore, in their national recovery and resilience plans (2020-2021) facilitate development of cross-border cooperation projects, including interconnections, under the Connecting Europe Facility and under the renewable energy financing mechanisms, including through a blending facility within InvestEU (2021) work with financial institutions to support strategic investment in offshore energy through InvestEU, including for higher risk investments that advance EU technology leadership (2021) support cooperation between TSOs, manufacturers and offshore wind developers to start a large-scale HVDC-grid demonstration project (2022) develop new wind, ocean energy and solar floating technology designs improve industrial efficiency across the value chain of offshore wind energy, involving digital technologies using data-driven approaches and Internet of Things devices systematically integrate the principle of ‘circularity by design’ into renewables research & innovation review SET Plan targets on ocean energy and offshore wind and the implementation agendas, and launch an additional SET Plan group on HVDC study how technology development in offshore energy generation and infrastructure can be embedded sustainably in socioeconomic ecosystems and the marine environment work with Member States and regions, including islands, to make use of available funds to achieve a total capacity of 100 MW across the EU by 2025 and ~1 GW by 2030

• • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • •

Source: JRC

Offshore wind is an area where “collaboration is really important in terms of accessing capital, scale and expertise.

ESB collaborations

Parkwind Oriel Project (operational by 2030) Scotland (50% stake in Neart na Gaoithe, an offshore wind farm along the Fife coast developed by EDF Renewables (450 MW and offset 400,000 tonnes of carbon emission per annum) partnered with Norwegian-based Equinor to identify suitable sites for offshore wind farms in Ireland and progress future projects joint venture with Red Rock Power to develop Inch Cape - a 72-turbine wind farm off the east coast of Scotland to power close to 700,000 homes AFLOWT – a four-year project led by the European Marine Energy Centre to deliver a full-scale floating wind turbine off the west of Ireland coastline for testing by 2022.

The shades of yellow and orange off the coast of Ireland indicate mean wind speed. The shows that the darker the colour of orange, the faster the average wind. The wind resource is greatest off the west/north-west coast, making this region the most opportune for floating wind farm development.

The future is floating when it comes to offshore wind, says US expert

Gillian Mills

ORGANISATION

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

climate change / ocean energy

The fifth lecture in the 2020 ESB/IIEA series: ‘Rethink Energy’ examined the role of deep-water offshore wind energy as an important source in the transition to a low-carbon future.

Jim Dollard, Executive Directive, Generation and Trading at ESB, outlined their Brighter Future strategy that outlines “ambitious and transformative projects” where wind power (onshore and offshore) will “drive this change to provide secure, affordable and sustainable energy”. Future plans for ESB include “a much greater focus” on offshore wind on the east and west coasts where ESB believes there is “huge potential” within the next decade to develop floating offshore projects. Offshore wind is an area where “collaboration is really important in terms of accessing capital, scale and expertise. “We’re involved in a number of really interesting collaborations both here in Ireland and overseas,” he added. (see sidebar). These projects are a key part of ESB’s strategy and will make “an important contribution to our climate targets,” he concluded.

Guest speaker Alla Weinstein, founder of Trident Winds Inc - a deep-water offshore wind project development company in the US – outlined the ways Ireland can harness its resources by installing floating offshore wind turbines off the Atlantic coast. She argued that the future of offshore wind is floating, and that Ireland would be better served by putting “mind, money and time” into commercial deployment rather than “starting from scratch”. Offshore wind energy installations in waters up to 60 metres is the ‘accepted breakpoint’ for fixed turbines whereas eighty per cent of best wind resources are in waters greater than 60 metres, she said. “That’s why I think we’re going to see a lot more development in deep-water offshore wind,” she added. “Infrastructure matters,” she told webinar participants. “Where you can build them and how close to the installation site will allow impact on cost. That’s what is needed to be understood from day one.” With many conflicting users of space, Weinstein said conflicts will slow down the process and need to be resolved. “The earlier they are addressed, the better it is.” Referring to the EirWind research project which developed a blueprint for offshore wind development in Ireland, she agrees with “everything” that it stated, except for one item:

Floating future

“I was quite impressed with how well that paper was put together, in looking at the holistic approach of what needs to be done – except for demonstration projects. “You do not need them; they’ve been done around the world. It is much better off to spend time and money on something that can advance two things: installations of commercial projects and storage.” Offshore wind and especially floating offshore wind provides two advantages in storage, she argued: “Physical storage because you have deep water and deep-water has pressure. You can actually store energy on the bottom of the ocean floor using compressed air and then discharge it when the need is. “But even better is hydrogen generation because you can combine systems, and their size allows you to put things next to each other. Referring to the many developments throughout Europe, Weinstein believes that hydrogen will be an economic driver: “And that’s where the demos should be taking place, in combining and demonstrating storage, rather than just floating offshore demonstrations. This has been proven.” Looking at ‘critical paths’ outlined in the EirWind project, she was praiseworthy because again said that demonstration was not needed: “Skip it, you don’t need it, just go directly to commercial exploitation: 100-700-1000 MW. And you will need to prepare your ports to accept this type of equipment.” “The future offshore wind is floating,” she concluded. “If you skip the demo part, focus on storage (e.g., hydrogen), create your infrastructure and most importantly put targets in place, then I think you’re going to see a great benefit from offshore wind and especially floating offshore wind on the west coast.”

• • • • •

Future plans for ESB include a much greater focus” on offshore wind on the east and west coasts where ESB believes there is “huge potential” within the next decade to develop floating offshore projects.

The report draws on experts across the sector who analysed the current pipeline and produced a detailed model of how to progress through the various stages of development

Achieving grid capacity is make or break for Ireland’s offshore wind energy sector

A report published by the Irish Wind Energy Association warns that the next two years will determine if Ireland can reach its 2030 climate action targets.

Figure 1: Overview of the current offshore wind pipeline in development in Ireland.

The report draws on experts across the sector who analysed the current pipeline and produced a detailed model of how to progress through the various stages of development, using the Offshore IWEA Pipeline Analysis Tool (Offshore i-PAT). ‘The results are deeply concerning. Under what we refer to as the ‘baseline scenario’, which applies our experience of Irish onshore development timelines and the global expertise of our members in offshore wind energy development, Ireland will only deliver 670 MW of offshore wind by 2030,’ it warns. Pipeline is in place to deliver the 2030 target, and more than 16 GW of offshore projects are at some stage of development off the coast of Ireland.

Figure 3: Offshore wind capacity energised in the Baseline scenario from 2020 to 2030.

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

climate change / ocean energy

Gillian Mills

ORGANISATION

It sets out specific and essential policy changes that need to be made to enable ‘what is, in essence, the development of an entirely new industry in Ireland, employing thousands of people, attracting billions in investment and dramatically cutting our carbon emissions.’ But it cautions that a major challenge out to 2030 is how the grid can evolve in terms of capacity, operations and market design. This is ‘the single biggest barrier at present for Ireland’s 2030 targets.’

Dr David Connolly, chief executive of the Irish Wind Energy Association warns that their members will not build wind farms “to sit idle” off the coast: “We must get the power to shore. Industry needs to know that EirGrid and ESB Networks will have the resources they need to develop the grid, and have the confidence it will be reinforced in time.” Building Offshore Wind outlines how the Programme for Government’s target of 5GW in offshore wind energy could be met, but cautions that projects without planning permission by the end of 2025 will not be built by the end of the decade: “It is as simple as that, which means today we are on course to fail unless immediate action is taken,” adds Dr Connolly. Without a planning regime for offshore wind “there is no system for projects to connect to the electricity grid, and no way for them to sell their power to the market”. Wind energy is currently delivering more CO2 savings than all other forms of renewable energy combined. “With 5GW of offshore wind energy, we can make Government’s vision a reality and cut carbon emissions in the electricity sector by more than 7 per cent annually. “But it cannot, and it will not happen unless the problems we have identified are resolved.” To deliver 5GW of offshore wind within ten years will require “urgent, rapid and coordinated policy development” across government departments, State agencies and key stakeholders (coastal and fishing communities. “We need to acknowledge the progress this Government is making while also being clear that we need to accelerate,” warns David Connolly.

Report highlights

Wind energy is currently delivering more CO2 savings than all other forms of renewable energy combined.

But the report warns that not all of these projects will be built as not all will get planning permission or grid connection, and some are unlikely to succeed in an auction under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). The report identifies eight ‘critical improvements’ required to achieve a CAP/PFG delivered scenario. ‘If put in place, it is possible to hit the 5 GW target by 2030, as the pipeline becomes energised in the years outlined in Figure 3.’ The report cautions however that delivery time for all of the projects is in the second half of the decade and that any slippage in timelines could mean large volumes of renewables are unable to contribute to the 2030 targets. Also noted is the significant challenge to deliver the necessary policy improvement; however, if successful, the offshore wind energy sector ‘will be doing more than any other technology to reduce carbon emissions by the end of the decade’.

Critical policy improvements

Issue Foreshore Licences and exclusivity for the seabed to all 2030 projects by Q4 2021 Complete the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) by Q4 2020 Enact the Marine Planning and Development Management (MPDM) Bill by Q1 2021 An Bord Pleanála will need sufficient resources so they can make decisions on offshore wind planning applications in 1.5 years on average EirGrid and ABP need to engage with projects from the outset so projects can get a final grid offer and consent for a grid connection within 1.5 years on average after a RESS auction Financial close and construction of the wind farm and grid connection should take three years or less (including energisation) Three RESS auctions need to occur by 2025 with sufficient volumes and competition Work must commence immediately on strengthening the capacity and flexibility of the grid to accommodate 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030

• • • • • • • •

Grid development

Work is underway as part of EirGrid’s Power System Vision 2030 to establish how the grid can evolve (capacity, operations and market). ‘The results of this work are needed urgently, followed by a rapid transition to implementation.’ The report notes that to deliver 3.5 GW of offshore wind energy (required under the Climate Action Plan) will require an initial investment of almost €9bn, create thousands of jobs (planning, development and construction and long-term jobs in operations and maintenance). But it cautions that Ireland currently has ‘neither the infrastructure nor capacity’ to deliver the 5 GW set out in the 2030 target. ‘Ireland must move swiftly to ensure the supply chain evolves alongside the offshore wind market’. While 5 GW production by 2030 is crucial to meet Ireland’s renewable energy targets, the long-term potential is to export to Europe, recognised in the Programme of Government that sets a target of 30 GW in wind energy export.

if successful, the offshore wind energy sector ‘will be doing more than any other technology to reduce carbon emissions by the end of the decade’.

(see sidebar)

04 05 06 07

Climate Change: Cabinet gives go ahead to Ireland’s application to join Arctic Council

MariTIME NEWS

It is hard to convey to readers how much effort has gone into bringing us to this point, and I deeply commend Minister Coveney for listening, supporting, and acting accordingly.

Climate Change: Cabinet gives go ahead to Ireland’s application to join Arctic Council

Readers may remember Inshore Ireland (Summer) 2018 article: Climate Change - Ireland’s Arctic Call where I explained we needed to be an Observing Member to gain the critical knowledge to help make informed decisions about coastal erosion and flood defences, planning, agriculture, fisheries, and safety. I said we needed the best information and that we would not have this without speaking to our Arctic neighbours whose region is going through fundamental changes that have a profound impact on local weather systems.

Michael Kingston with Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney T.D. in advance of the visit of the 8 Arctic States to the Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith for Arctic Shipping Forum.

Dr Heike Deggim, Director Maritime Safety Division, International Maritime Organization, Mrs Mary Kingston, Alexandra Shackleton, Granddaughter of Ernest Shackleton, and Michael Kingston, at the Royal Geographical Society, London, 30 January 2020, celebrating the200th anniversary of the first sighting of Antarctica by Edward Bransfield, from Ballinacurra, County Cork, on 30th January 1820.

Michael Kingston

ORGANISATION

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

MariTIME NEWS

When I first met Ambassador Gustaf Lind of Sweden, chair of the Senior Arctic Ambassadors, during Sweden’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council (2011-2013) in September 2012, to discuss Arctic maritime regulatory development following my work as legal advisor on Lloyd’s of London’s report: ‘An Arctic Opening; Opportunity and Risk in the High North’, he said: ‘Michael, where is your great country, Ireland? We do not see them here as Observer Members, which is a shame.’

As I continue my extensive work on Polar matters, it is with a deep sense of sadness that Ireland is not formally involved in Arctic Council discussions, or indeed Antarctic discussions, given our heritage in both areas and the importance of the issues being discussed for Ireland. I never missed an opportunity in talks across the Arctic States, and even at Westminster, to highlight Ireland’s Polar heritage, hoping that someday Ireland would take her rightful place at the Arctic Council table. In my Keynote Speech at the Institute of the North Conference in Fairbanks, Alaska in September 2015 I said: ‘You may wonder why I got so involved in all this, standing here tonight talking to you about the Arctic as an Irishman, far from home. I was born and brought up in a remote part of Ireland, in the village of Goleen, west of the town of Skibbereen, in Co Cork, Ireland. Co Cork and Ireland are not too disconnected with the Nordic and Polar regions, our close relationship with Scandinavia going back hundreds of years following the arrival and settling of the Vikings. ‘You may have heard too of the legends of Ireland’s Seafaring past, such as St Brendan the Navigator, who in the 6th Century travelled with his monks to Newfoundland recording in the Chronicles his visits to the Shetlands, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland and eventually Newfoundland, he being one of many of the saints and scholars of Ireland who inspired Europe out of the Dark Ages following the fall of the Roman Empire.

Outside the tent

‘Many Irish too were involved in the famous British Arctic and Antarctic Expeditions, my distant relation Patrick Keohane travelling with Scott to the South Pole, as did Tom Crean from my neighbouring county of Kerry. ‘He also travelled with Shackleton, who was also Irish, born in Co Kildare. Many Irish too travelled to these parts as leading members of the quest to find the North West Passage, famously Francis Crozier from Co Down travelling with Franklin on his ill-fated mission.

‘This was mainly because the Irish are travellers and seafarers and many were in the British Navy and were selected because of their strength and intelligence as seafarers, and their turn of wit to keep the spirit up when the going got tough. ‘These Irishmen’s heroics were lost in Irish history and accredited to British History, but I was very aware of them as I was growing up in Co Cork thanks to my grandfather, and it would be remiss of me not to take this opportunity to do their Irish bravery justice here in this sacred Arctic place.’ Observer membership On November 27, 2017, at his constituency office in Cork, I relayed the proposal to Minister Simon Coveney that Ireland should apply for Observer Membership of the Arctic Council. Following his request in January 2018, I set out in writing and in great detail, the benefits as well as the application procedure, and how Ireland might maximise membership.

I also explained the significant economic opportunities for Ireland in attending Arctic Council meetings. So, it is not just about our heritage, but most importantly our present and our future. I also reported that in May 2018 as a Director of the Irish Cultural Centre (ICC), I arranged with fellow Board Members to host the Arctic Council’s ‘Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment Work Group (PAME)’s 2nd Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum, established to harmonise implementation of the UN’s Polar Code for Shipping. At that meeting, the Forum’s Web Portal, www.arcticshippingforum.is was launched. During the meeting, the Irish Ambassador to the UK, Adrian O’Neill, addressed the Arctic States to promote Ireland’s cause.

Economic partnership In a second article, on the Inshore Ireland website, ‘Climate Change – Ireland’s Arctic Momentum Gathers Pace’ I explained the hard work that had taken place following my discussion with Minister Coveney and how many Irish maritime institutions along with the Department of Foreign Affairs and trade officials have embraced this initiative, supported by Ambassador Vickers of Canada, and Ambassador Eikeland of Norway. I also reported that in September 2018, a Government of Maine Trade Mission had come to Ireland, following negotiations at Arctic Council meetings where an Economic Partnership Agreement was signed with Cork Co Council, clearly demonstrating how Ireland could benefit economically by being an Arctic Council Observer. Timely application With Brexit looming and in view of the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 project to increase Ireland’s global outreach and climate change at the top of the policy agenda, I explained that this application could not be timelier. Understandably, given the requirement for discussions with various departments and stakeholders, these things take time. Under the rules, application to the Arctic Council Secretariat must be submitted 120 days before the biennial Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting, so the deadline before the 2019 Ministerial meeting could not be met. The next such meeting, when the Russian Federation will take over the chairmanship from Iceland, will be in Reykjavik May 19-20 next. Accordingly, Ireland must submit its application on or before January 11. My sentiments in December 2018 are now underscored further, given the escalation in climate issues and the UK’s imminent departure from Europe. Accordingly, it is enormously pleasing to see that in early December, Minster Coveney sought and achieved Cabinet approval for Ireland’s application. Following Minister Coveney’s great work at Cabinet, what now remains is for the DFA to formally submit the application before the deadline. It is hard to convey to readers how much effort has gone into bringing us to this point, and I deeply commend Minister Coveney for listening, supporting, and acting accordingly. We must now rely on our cousins to the northeast and northwest to let us in and then we can celebrate a great day for Ireland in so many ways.

Approaching the Antarctic Polar Circle. Ireland’s polar heritage legitimises involvement in polar discussions (Photo G Mills)

04 05 06 07

Spirorbis: Stories from my Life People of the Sea: A Maritime History of Beara Lighthouse Storybook: Letting creativity shine Fin whales in Donegal? ESIN aims to play part in EU’s long-term rural vision

COASTLINE NEWS

Q: What are Spirorbis?

I persuaded American film-maker, Robin Lehman, to come to Connemara to film basking sharks which are regular visitors to the west coast of Ireland. When the massive sharks failed to appear we had to divert a whole production crew to a different story. Our ‘plan b’ resulted in the production of a film called Nightlife, which was nominated for an Academy Award in 1976. © Alamy

Spirorbis: Stories from my Life

Paula and myself, sailing Harmony in Clifden Bay. Photo: Peter Vine.

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

COASTLINE NEWS

(foreword by Doug Allan)

Dr Peter Vine’s beautiful book, Spirorbis, Stories from my Life, is a hefty volume filled with gorgeous photographs and dramatic tales of adventure.

How does one present the stories of a life that spans 75 years and includes traveling to over 30 countries, earning a Ph.D. in marine biology, raising a family, starting several businesses, and building friendships and professional relationships all over the world? As Dr Vine’s daughter, Megan, recalls her dad once telling her: “You have to dive straight into the middle and then pull back slowly to create context and narrative.” And so he does.

Peter Vine is an avid sailor, deep sea diver, marine biologist, author, filmmaker, fish farmer and professor. His stories begin with a description of himself as a teenage boy who had a desire to emulate his heroes, Jaques Cousteau, Hans Hass and David Attenborough. He was further inspired by his academic mentor, Professor Wyn Knight-Jones, who encouraged Peter’s travel, sailing and scuba diving adventures and introduced him to the world of Spirorbidae.

Tiny tube worms

Spirorbids are tiny tube worms that live on shells, rocks, weeds, and various marine structures. What began as an opportunity to assist his mentor with collection and classification of these tiny organisms in the early 1960s, turned into a body of work that earned Dr Vine his doctorate and opened many doors for him. Not only are several species of the tube worms named after him, but an entire genus as well (Vinearia), earning him great notoriety in the field of microbiology. Peter takes advantage of opportunities presented to him time and again throughout his life. He is the youngest member of a Lough Ness expedition at the age of 17 in 1962, and two years later joins the Voluntary Service Overseas, spending a year teaching in the Central Pacific Islands. His studies and travels take him to New Zealand, Hawaii, the Red Sea, Greece and Galway, furthering his interest in zoogeography and commitment to marine conservation. Peter has had the great fortune to be encouraged by his parents, teachers, and colleagues throughout his life. His wife Paula, who shares his zest for sailing and exploration, has been a constant source of love and support for the past nearly 50 years.

Dr Vine brings an authenticity to the telling of his stories, relating both successes and failures with straightforward, and often fond, remembrance. The vivid photographs and copies of letters he wrote to his parents during his travels do more than just provide context and narrative. They help Peter describe his adventures in vivid detail as if the sailing vessels and marine specimens are themselves characters in the stories. He relates tales of academic success, fortuitous business opportunities and sailing victories as well as a near sinking of the British navy, “a GPS-assisted grounding” off the western coast of Ireland and some close encounters with sharks and manta rays along the way. Dr Vine has a unique propensity for lifelong learning and innovation, and a desire to share his knowledge with others. Diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s five years ago, he has continued to sail, scuba dive, and enjoy the rugged beauty of his home in Connemara. Now, at age 75, he is bringing attention to scuba diving with Parkinson’s and shares a list of guidelines for fellow divers with the condition. Peter continues his association with the Dublin Neurological Institute at the Mater Hospital (a relationship he began years before his Parkinson’s diagnosis) and is donating half of the proceeds of Spirorbis: Stories from my Life to the institute. Peter Vine’s book is so much more than a collection of stories; filled with stunning photographs and personal mementos, it is a testament to the joy that doing what you love can bring. Upon looking through a box of letters and memorabilia prior to the writing of this book, Peter states that his main memory from his teenage years is that he was excited by life and ready for action. After reading his beautiful book, Spirorbis: Stories from my Life, it could be said that the same is true of Dr Peter Vine today. Trish Marina Dalkey, Co Dublin

Dungong dugon in the Egyptian Red Sea where some have become accustomed to human company. © Alamy

Tamara Double led a dive in the southern Red Sea where we were shown these giant-sized Spanish dancers Hexabranchus sp. There was a strong current. Diving was difficult, but I was lucky to get this shot. Photo: Peter Vine.

Spirorbis is published by and available from Artisan House, Letterfrack. Co Galway. Also available from shops nationwide (sales will support the Irish Neurological Research Unit, Mater Hospital). ISBN 978-1-912465-08-8

COMPETITION

The publishers have generously offered a reader competition prize copy.

A: mills@oceanfocus.ie or by postcard to 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin Closing date: January 29, 2021 Good luck!

The brilliant emperor angelfish Pomacanthus imperator was quite common in the Seychelles and one of the most popular fish in the aquarium. © Alamy

People of the Sea: A Maritime History of Beara

The old dwellings on the Bull Rock

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

COASTLINE NEWS

When asked to review this book I reluctantly accepted, having in mind disinteresting stories from a by-gone era of the Beara Peninsula. I was wrong.

But the author, Marc O’Sullivan Vallig, brought me on an intriguing journey through the ages of the Peninsula. He wisely presented his story in two parts. The first part deals with the history of the Peninsula’s early settlers, invaders, smuggling, slavery, clan rivalry, trade with England, France and Spain. Included is this part is the story of Dónal Cam O’Sullivan, last chieftain of Dunboy and his unbelievable trek from the Peninsula, known as the Long March to escape from the English, and at times from other Irish chieftains. Of the 1,000 people who started for Leitrim only 35 survived. The author continued to hold my interest with fascinating stories on Irish mythology associated with Beara Peninsula, especially the story of The Children of Lir.

Jim O’Sullivan (Beara Tourism), Robin Barnett (British Ambassador to Ireland), Paul Smithwick (Founder, Sullivan’s Ale), Larry Murphy (owner and skipper of Menhaden), and Marc O’Sullivan Vallig at the launch in Castletownbere, Co Cork, August 22

Contemporary reflections

The second part of his book is more contemporary and reflects the experiences of a wide range of people involved in the fishing industry on the Peninsula. Included are interviews with 23 Beara people from different levels of involvement in fishing and sea faring businesses.

Their reflections and observations have been honed from many years of toil in a tough and ever evolving business. These stories are from fishermen, boat owners, ships chandlers/suppliers, buyers, agents, and the authorities who give us a wealth of information on and an insight into the world of survival on the offerings of the sea. Interwoven throughout this book is the strong community spirit that bonds each and everyone on the Peninsula especially when coping with adversity, be it recessions, shore fishing v deep-sea fishing, regulation, health and safety, depleted fish stocks. Their deep love of the sea and respect for the sea is evident in their stories. I enjoyed this book as it was written as a living history and captured a wide range of socio-economic issues. With my interest piqued to learn more about the maritime history of the Beara Peninsula, I certainly will inform myself before I again visit this wonderful part of Ireland. For its next print I recommend that an outline map of the Peninsula be included to show the key coves, inlets, piers, villages and towns.

Liam Walsh Monkstown, Dublin

Garnish Harbour (Photo: Niall Duffy)

O’Driscoll brothers

Above: The Bullock Rock Right: Jerome Blackball Harrington (Photo: Niall Duffy)

Q: How many people were interviewed for the book?

The publishers have generously offered a reader competition prize copy.

A: mills@oceanfocus.ie or by postcard to 3 Hillview Cottages, Pottery Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin Closing date: January 29, 2021 Good luck!

COMPETITION

Published by Beara Tourism with support from BIM (Bord Iascaigh Mhara) ISBN 9798667135067 Beara Tourism €29 (incls postage) Available on Amazon

COMPETITION

Lighthouse Storybook: Letting creativity shine

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

COASTLINE NEWS

Over 1300 stories, poems, illustrations, comic strips, song lyrics and animations were submitted and a selection are new recorded in ‘Lighthouse Storybook: Letting Creativity Shine’. All proceeds of the €10 cover price will support charities helping children island-wide: Children in Hospital Ireland and Northern Ireland Hospice.

In 2019, the ‘Become A Young Storykeeper’ initiative developed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights and community partnership Great Lighthouses of Ireland and Fighting Words invited submissions of original writing inspired by lighthouses from young writers aged 7-12.

ORDER HERE!

The whale’s large dark back glistened above the water, but the tail fluke stayed submerged. Was it a Minke whale? It certainly was much longer than their 6.5m boat, and they could clearly see the blow.

Fin whales in Donegal?

The glistening back of a fin whale

Did this fin whale migrate to Donegal Bay as a result of global warming? Some of the whale watchers suspected they had seen fin whales in Donegal Bay during previous seasons. And of course, the whale was seen in an area where both bluefin tuna and common dolphins were feeding on shoals of small food fish. While there are signs that certain southern fish species are occurring increasingly in Irish waters, it is not immediately clear if fin whales are part of this trend. It will be interesting to see if increasing numbers of these magnificent whales will come to feed in Donegal Bay.

Brendan Connolly

ORGANISATION

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

COASTLINE NEWS

The large whale rose out of the water, inhaled with a sonorous echoing whoosh, and then slid down out of sight. Nearby, a group of whale watchers on a boat trip off Sliabh League in south Donegal on a calm warm day in August gasped at the sheer size of this giant.

Having seen many common dolphins and bluefin tuna feeding on shoals of small fish, they were stunned by the unexpected sight of this huge animal. But what was it? In the last four decades Irish anglers have been catching exotic fish species, mostly in the southwest: Trigger fish (Balistes carolinensis); Sting Ray (Dasyatis pastinaca); Undulate Ray (Raja undulata); and Gilthead Bream (Sparus aurata) are now caught regularly. Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) are now also caught from beaches further north. These species appear to be spreading northwards from warmer southern waters. Are these fish a manifestation of changes in the seas around Ireland?

Global warming

Seas cover 71% of the Earth and the sea surface absorbs 93% of global warming. Increasing between 0.07 °C and 0.29 °C every 10 years for the last 100 years, sea temperatures in 2009 were 0.56 °C higher, and in 2019 they were 0.95 °C higher than the long-term average. This energy is absorbed predominantly by the top 10 metres of seawater and a 49% increase in tropical cyclones each decade in the last four decades in the North Atlantic, attests to rising sea temperatures. Carbon dioxide is a hothouse gas that traps heat from the sun and has been increasing sharply in the last 170 years. In 1850 the atmosphere contained 280 ppm CO2. By 2000 that figure had risen to 370 ppm and by 2019 it was 412 ppm. And it is still rising, topping 415 ppm in October 2020. To put this in context, since the last Glacial Maximum it took 20,000 years for the CO2 concentration to rise from 185 ppm to 280 ppm in 1850. Was this big whale in Donegal Bay another sign of shifting temperature zones in the North Atlantic? After the first sighting, the whale rose to breath another couple of times to the exclamations of the whale watchers. Its exhalent blow was clearly visible while the cameras clicked. The whale’s large dark back glistened above the water, but the tail fluke stayed submerged. Was it a Minke whale? It certainly was much longer than their 6.5m boat, and they could clearly see the blow.

It was unlikely to be a Minke as they are the smallest of the Rorqual family and their blow is generally not visible. Could it be a fin whale, the second biggest whale and the second biggest animal on Earth? To verify the whale watchers’ suspicion, photos were sent to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group who confirmed it was indeed a fin whale. This was of particular interest as it was the first verified sighting of a fin whale this far north in Irish waters. Fin whales are seen regularly off the south coast. While they do occur in Arctic waters, they generally feed in subtropical and temperate waters during the summer and migrate to warmer waters in winter.

Southern fish species

ESIN aims to play part in EU’s long-term rural vision

Utö, East of Stockholm archipelago

Inisbofin, Co Galway

Rhoda Twombly

Secretary, ESIN

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

COASTLINE NEWS

The European Small Islands Federation represents thirteen small islands’ Federations from across Europe. ESIN and reaches out to a combined population of 450,000 on 1,640 islands and works to represent its members at European and National level.

ESIN’s first online conference, Members’ Day and AGM were productive and forward-looking. At a time when ESIN members are not able to travel due to Covid-19, they managed to finalise their work plans through a day of zoom groups, learning about the next EU planning period and exchanging meaningfully on the conference theme ‘Re-imagining the Future of our Islands’.

Conference speakers included islanders as well as representatives of Directorates-General of the EC: Terry Stavropoulos, DG REGIO and Georgios Mathioudakis, DG AGRI, as well as Tonino Picula, MEP, who heads the SEArica (European Parliament Intergroup Seas, Rivers, Islands & Coastal Areas) intergroup. ESIN is keen to engage long-term in the EU rural vision and welcomed Mr Picula's proposal to meet regularly throughout the year. The ESIN Federation will also be looking at cooperation projects on Green Deal/ Smart Islands north and south. The AGM was also the opportunity to trial an island culture zoom evening event. Deemed a real success by all participants, this really showed that in Covid times, it is more important than ever to draw strength and pride from our resilient island culture. ESIN will be looking at planning more events of this kind in the future.

04 05 06 07

Fish Producer organisations: a valuable tool for integrating small-scale fisheries into mainstream CFP

OUTSIDE IRELAND

Fish Producer organisations: a valuable tool for integrating small-scale fisheries into mainstream CFP

Since its inception in 1983, small-scale fisheries have been outliers in the Common Fisheries Policy. Small-scale fisheries (SFF) are defined as fishing carried out by fishing vessels of an overall length of less than 12 metres and not using towed fishing gear - is poorly represented in POs and with few POs dedicated to the particular needs and characteristics of SSF. The sector accounts for 75% of the active fleet by vessel numbers and 51% of the active fishers.

For nigh on four decades, their potential to be part of the solution to Europe’s overfished seas and degraded marine environment has been largely ignored by policymakers. Producer organisations (POs) dedicated to small-scale fisheries could go a long way towards transforming Europe’s forgotten fleet into active agents for positive change. The conditions required for fishers’ associations to establish POs however tend to discriminate against fishers in the SSF sector.

Brian O’Riordan

Life Platform

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

OUTSIDE IRELAND

Fish POs are officially recognised bodies set up by fishery or aquaculture producers. They are in charge of day-to-day management and play an essential role in running the CFP and the Common Organisation of the Markets (CMO) as they:

Daily management

guide producers towards sustainable fishing and aquaculture, in particular by collectively managing the activities of their members help them match supplies with market demands, and support them in creating added value

For larger-scale operations, Fish POs help to regulate the flow of products onto the market and mitigate or otherwise restrict or absorb any surplus production going to waste or depressing market prices.

For smaller-scale operations, the issue is not so much regulating the flow of products onto the market but securing market niches that capture the inherent value-added and passing this on directly to the fishers themselves.

• • •

Image caption if required

Small-scale Fish POs could play a key role to ensure that good quality is maintained along the value chain from hook to plate, and that small-scale fishers benefit directly from the higher prices that can be obtained from good quality fresh fish they catch in a low impact manner.

POs are also the key to achieving the objectives of the CFP and of the CMO in fishery products. So says the CMO regulation which states:

‘When achieving those (CFP and CMO) objectives, producer organisations should take into account the different conditions of the fishery and aquaculture sectors that prevail in the Union, including in the outermost regions, and in particular the special characteristics of small-scale fisheries and extensive aquaculture,” and (Article 6.2.) “Where relevant, the specific situation of small-scale producers shall be taken into account when establishing producer organisations.’

The CMO also calls for measures ‘to be taken to encourage the appropriate and representative participation of small-scale producers’ (in POs).

Nano enterprises

The 2014 CFP and CMO also included new provisions designed to promote and strengthen the role of POs. Yet the majority of EU fish producers (small-scale fish producers) are not represented in the organisations.

The characteristics of SSF are very different to those of larger-scale fisheries and herein lies the crux of the problem.

SSF fall into the category of micro or nano enterprises ― historically a polyvalent fleet producing relatively small quantities of fresh fish on a daily basis, potentially high in value and with a high seasonal diversity.

Overall however, SSF are responsible for only 5% by weight of the EU fish catch but 12.5% of the landed value. With the help of POs, both volume and value could be increased substantially to benefit coastal communities, the marine environment, and healthy eating.

The relatively low catch levels of SSF are caused in part by historic poor access to fishing opportunities, being allocated a relatively small share of fishing quotas.

For this reason and in the main, they are forced to focus on a few non-quota species. Operating as they are on low profit margins, and further constrained by limited fishing opportunities they are particular vulnerable to market failures and other external shocks, as we have seen with the Covid 19 pandemic.

It is also the case of course that smaller boats are very much more limited in their ability to travel significant distances from their home port, making it much more important to look after the fish on the doorstep rather than be able to denude an area of fish and simply move on to the next.

POs dedicated to addressing the needs of SSF while taking into account their characteristics, would provide a mechanism for integrating this important sector more centrally into the CFP.

Funding mechanism

Focusing on value-added rather than catch volume would enable SSF operations to become more viable and less vulnerable. By providing a mechanism to allocate and manage quota, SSF POs would also contribute to achieving a more level playing field and a fairer policy.

Importantly, POs would provide a vital tool for SSF to access European structural funds for collective capacity building projects through the European Maritime Fisheries Fund.

By channelling support to the sector, SSF POs could play an important role in strengthening the capacity of SSF associations to organise and to engage more effectively in fisheries management through co-management structures that in turn would lead to a more effective governance.

Yet Member States seem reluctant to support dedicated SSF POs, often erecting bureaucratic barriers and making PO recognition conditional on volume rather than value, thereby forcing SSF either to join mixed POs, or not to associate in POs at all.

In the UK, such a reluctance has seen the demise of the Coastal PO, and in Ireland to the repeated refusal by the authorities to recognise the importance of SSF as fish producers. (The latter is in part due to the fact that fish buyers all too often do not keep sales notes and therefore there is no official record of their catches.)

The difficulties in establishing SSF POs are considerable and should not be underestimated. SSF activities are notoriously individualistic, which makes fishers reluctant to associate. They also generate relatively low returns, making it difficult for them to invest in support structures like POs, and fishers may be reluctant to contribute membership fees.

SSF POs are therefore likely to require considerable external support in the form of both external financing and dedicated management and staff to run such organisations.

Production & marketing plan

To become recognised as POs, SSF associations must also comply with the requirement that they are ‘sufficiently economically active in the territory of the Member State concerned or a part thereof, in particular as regards the number of members or the volume of marketable production’ (Article 14.1 (b)). This may be difficult due to the often dispersed, remote and isolated nature of SSF, which makes it difficult to group and associate SSF into effective organizations.

Once recognised, aspiring POs must then formulate a production and marketing plan (PMP), at least for their main species, and must be submitted to the national competent authorities for their approval.

The PMP should provide a production programme for the fish caught over the year and include a global strategy to ensure that the quantity, quality and presentation of supply is matched to market requirements. Support for formulating a PMP can be obtained through EMFF.

SSF POs have an important role to play to strengthen small-scale fishery associations and enterprises and to promote a more inclusive and effective systems of fisheries governance. SSF POs could also obtain a fairer share of fishing opportunities for their sector and promote more efficient marketing of their fresh fish products and improve their economic viability.

Image caption if required

Quote

Heading - Benton sans

Heading Proxima

ntro text Arimo Bold xxxx xxxx

Arimo- body copy

PT serif body copy xxxxx xxxx

PT serif Bold Intro text

Gotham bold intro text

Image caption if required

Gotham Book Body Copy xxx xxx

Heading - Rooney Bold

Image caption if required

Name

ORGANISATION

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

OUTSIDE IRELAND

NEWS

Quote

Heading - Benton sans

Heading Proxima

ntro text Arimo Bold xxxx xxxx

Arimo- body copy

PT serif body copy xxxxx xxxx

PT serif Bold Intro text

Gotham bold intro text

Image caption if required

Gotham Book Body Copy xxx xxx

Heading - Rooney Bold

Name

ORGANISATION

Image caption if required

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

Heading - Benton sans

Heading Proxima

ntro text Arimo Bold xxxx xxxx

Arimo- body copy

PT serif body copy xxxxx xxxx

PT serif Bold Intro text

Gotham bold intro text

Image caption if required

Gotham Book Body Copy xxx xxx

Heading - Rooney Bold

Image caption if required

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

freshwater focus

Quote

Name

ORGANISATION

Quote

Heading - Benton sans

Heading Proxima

ntro text Arimo Bold xxxx xxxx

Arimo- body copy

PT serif body copy xxxxx xxxx

PT serif Bold Intro text

Gotham bold intro text

Image caption if required

Gotham Book Body Copy xxx xxx

Heading - Rooney Bold

Name

ORGANISATION

Image caption if required

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

aquaculture

Quote

Heading - Benton sans

Heading Proxima

ntro text Arimo Bold xxxx xxxx

Arimo- body copy

PT serif body copy xxxxx xxxx

PT serif Bold Intro text

Gotham bold intro text

Image caption if required

Gotham Book Body Copy xxx xxx

Heading - Rooney Bold

Image caption if required

Name

ORGANISATION

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

fisheries & seafood

Quote

Heading - Benton sans

Heading Proxima

ntro text Arimo Bold xxxx xxxx

Arimo- body copy

PT serif body copy xxxxx xxxx

PT serif Bold Intro text

Gotham bold intro text

Image caption if required

Gotham Book Body Copy xxx xxx

Heading - Rooney Bold

Image caption if required

Name

ORGANISATION

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

Marine R&D

Quote

Heading - Benton sans

Heading Proxima

ntro text Arimo Bold xxxx xxxx

Arimo- body copy

PT serif body copy xxxxx xxxx

PT serif Bold Intro text

Gotham bold intro text

Image caption if required

Gotham Book Body Copy xxx xxx

Heading - Rooney Bold

Image caption if required

Name

ORGANISATION

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

climate change / ocean energy

Quote

Heading - Benton sans

Heading Proxima

ntro text Arimo Bold xxxx xxxx

Arimo- body copy

PT serif body copy xxxxx xxxx

PT serif Bold Intro text

Gotham bold intro text

Image caption if required

Gotham Book Body Copy xxx xxx

Heading - Rooney Bold

Image caption if required

Name

ORGANISATION

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

MariTIME NEWS

Quote

Heading - Benton sans

Heading Proxima

ntro text Arimo Bold xxxx xxxx

Arimo- body copy

PT serif body copy xxxxx xxxx

PT serif Bold Intro text

Gotham bold intro text

Image caption if required

Gotham Book Body Copy xxx xxx

Heading - Rooney Bold

Image caption if required

Name

ORGANISATION

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

COASTLINE NEWS

Quote

Heading - Benton sans

Heading Proxima

ntro text Arimo Bold xxxx xxxx

Arimo- body copy

PT serif body copy xxxxx xxxx

PT serif Bold Intro text

Gotham bold intro text

Image caption if required

Gotham Book Body Copy xxx xxx

Heading - Rooney Bold

Image caption if required

Name

ORGANISATION

ocean Focus | Winter 2020

OUTSIDE IRELAND