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MARINE TIMES NEWSPAPER

The only publication dedicated entirely to Irish fishing and coastal community interests - make sure you get your copy!

Regular news and views from Ireland’s leading maritime newspaper. The printed November edition is in all good shops this week and available online now as a digital download, covering all the major developments as reported by Ireland’s leading maritime newspaper. Click on links above to purchase your annual subscription!

Tom MacSweeney's MARITIME IRELAND - November

On the November edition of MARITIME IRELAND, the only Podcast/Programme reporting the Irish marine sector: The story of the power of the sea, smashing apart a West Cork lighthouse and the man who survived and attended his own ‘wake’. The programme also reports on the big interest of young people in aquaculture, about the company from a landlocked county which has won the national business award for new aquatechnology and on 30 years of the Shannon Dolphin Project.

That and much more maritime coverage is on the only Podcast Programme concentrating on Ireland’s maritime sector, presented by the Deputy Editor of the Marine Times, Ireland’s leading maritime newspaper.

News 26th November:
Dunmore East RNLI volunteer crew leads multi-agency rescue of 3 fishermen

The Dunmore East RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew successfully coordinated a multi-agency rescue operation yesterday morning (25 November) for a fishing vessel in distress.

The 12m vessel, with 3 persons on board, was got into difficulty less than 0.5 nautical miles west of Dunmore East Harbour. It was reported to be taking on a significant amount of water when the RNLI crew was tasked by the Irish Coast Guard at 07.33am. Full story here

News 17th November:
Double vessel rescue carried out by Clogherhead RNLI

Clogherhead RNLI volunteers were tasked by the Coast Guard on Thursday 16 November to come to the aid of two drifting vessels.

Following a request by the Irish Coast Guard at 1.48 p.m. to go to the scene of two drifting vessels in the proximity of the entrance to Carlingford Lough, the Clogherhead volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather Shannon class lifeboat immediately under Coxswain Sean Flanagan with five crew members onboard. Full story here

News 9th November:
The RNLI May Be 200 Years Old But Connemara RNLI Volunteers Have Clocked Up 400 Years of Fundraising

Fourteen members of Clifden / Connemara RNLI’s fundraising branch have received long service medals at a recent ceremony recognising their combined 400 years of fundraising.

As a fully independent charity organisation the RNLI relies on donations to fund its life saving work. Clifden lifeboat crew are on call 24/7 but they require ongoing training, well maintained equipment, lifeboats and shore equipment to carry out their mission of saving lives at sea. None of this would be possible without the dedication, commitment and drive of our local fundraisers who have each dedicated many years to supporting their local coastal community. Full story here

News 7th November:
Wicklow RNLI crew receive commendation from RNLI

Six Wicklow lifeboat volunteers have been honoured with meritorious awards from the RNLI Chief Executive, Mark Dowie for their part in the rescue of three fishermen off the Wicklow coast earlier this year.

Area Lifeboat Manager, Lisa Hollingum presenting the commendations to Coxswain Ciaran Doyle, Peter Byrne (Station Mechanic), Carol Flahive, Paul Sillery and Stephen Kenny.

On Wednesday evening (1st November) Area Lifeboat Manager, Lisa Hollingum presented the commendations to Coxswain Ciaran Doyle, Peter Byrne (Station Mechanic), Carol Flahive, Paul Sillery and Stephen Kenny. Ian Heffernan was unable to attend due to work commitments. Full story here

Former volunteer crew member at Portaferry RNLI takes on the reins as Lifeboat Operations Manager

A former lifeboat crew member who joined the volunteer team at Portaferry RNLI in 1980 when she was just 17, has recently returned to her hometown where she has now taken up the reins as Lifeboat Operations Manager, a position her father held when she first joined.

Heather Kennedy officially took up the Lifeboat Operations Manager position on the 12 October but says it was far from her mind when she moved back to Portaferry last November. She succeeds outgoing Lifeboat Operations Manager Philip Johnston who led the team for almost five years having also served for many years before that as a Deputy Launching Authority and a crew member. Full story here

News 6th November:
Call for Ban on Factory Ships in Irish Fishing Waters

If non-EU countries want to fish in Irish waters, then they must face the same control and conservation regime as the Irish fleet. Otherwise, all of the fish species they catch may not be recorded which affects stocks, conservation and sustainability, say Irish fishing industry leaders.

Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO) chief executive, Aodh O Donnell, says Ireland has a “land-based not sea-based processing sector. We rigidly monitor, report and fully account for mixed species in our catches – not just those which a vessel sets out to catch. But we have concerns that non-EU fishing vessels currently don’t always report ‘by-catches’, (species caught accidentally), which has major implications for fish conservation and sustainability. Full story here

News 1st November:
NPWS approach to designating new conservation areas lacks scientific integrity
Lack of consultation is a further slap in the face for fishermen says KFO

Three new proposed marine conservation areas which have been foisted upon fishermen and other stakeholders in the last ten months represent a new low with absolutely zero meaningful stakeholder engagement.

That’s according to the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation CEO, Seán O’Donoghue who said that for the initial proposed Special Area of Conservation (SAC) along the Porcupine Shelf and Southern Canyons to be followed by the announcement of a Special Protection Area (SPA) in the North West Irish Sea as recently as July, constitutes the most chaotic form of governance and will ultimately alienate fishermen, driving a wedge between them and Government. Full story here

News 20th October:
Seafood industry unite around sustainable development of offshore renewable energy

Representatives of Ireland’s seafood industry have come together to propose a comprehensive road map for the selection and management of sites for offshore wind in Ireland’s maritime zone. In a joint submission to the Minister for the Environment, Eamon Ryan, the Seafood Industry Group warn that alternative forms of sustainable energy, including Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) must be developed in a way that “creates consensus and avoids any repeat of past – especially planning –mistakes”.

In a unique show of unity, representatives of the catching, fish-farming, processing, and inshore sectors have made a series of recommendations that stress the importance of engagement, communication, cooperation, and co-existence in the development of offshore wind. Seafood, the submission points out, is a low carbon, healthy, and sustainable part of our food supply. Increasing our adaptability to climate change and encouraging low greenhouse gas emissions in a way that doesn’t threaten our food supply is at the heart of new approach proposed by the group. Full story here

News 19th October:
Ireland’s €200m Aquatech industry can capitalise on global opportunity and investors

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Aquatech conference in Killarney told Ireland has potential to become “Silicon Valley of Aquatech” industry

Ireland’s growing expertise in the developing aquatech sector means it has the potential to become a global leader in the field, with Irish aquatech companies turning over €200m last year, a conference in Killarney heard today. Full story here

News 18th October:
Brexit Support measure for Irish fish processing sector welcomed by IFPEA

Confirmation that the Irish fish processing sector is to be directly supported from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve fund for the loss of turnover experienced in 2021 due to the negative impacts of Brexit is welcomed by the IFPEA.

The newly announced scheme covers the losses resulting from the following;
(i) reduced supply of fish directly impacted by quota reductions following Brexit and
(ii) increased operational costs for logistics and administration associated with Brexit. Full story here

IFPO Welcomes ‘First Step’ in Addressing Brexit Impact

The Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO) has welcomed the announcement of over €25m in EU aid to the Irish pelagic sector. IFPO chief executive, Aodh O Donnell described it as an important “first step” in addressing the massive losses the sector sustained due to Brexit.

“Quota transfers from Ireland to the UK post Brexit created an estimated loss of €28 a year to the Irish fishing industry. Most of this loss was sustained by the pelagic sector, so this aid scheme is a welcome first measure in compensating the fleet for this massive loss.” Full story here

News 17th October:
€15m transformation of Balbriggan Harbour moves to final stage of tender

Plans for the multi-million euro refurbishment of Balbriggan’s Quay Street and Harbour have taken a major step forward.

The development, which will turn the area into a premier visitor destination, is another massive advance in the €50million Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme. Full story here

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