Ireland’s leading maritime newspaper covering the Coastal, Fishing and Maritime Communities
In this month’s edition - Oireachtas Committee Chairman Will Examine Sea Fisheries Protection
Are inspections of Irish and non-Irish vessels “exactly similar?” The Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and the Marine has made it clear he intends to examine, with “a good, long, hard look,” how sea fisheries protection operates in Ireland; ‘Historic imbalance’ for the Irish fishing industry must be resolved - Seafood Alliance tells EU Commissioner; EMFAF grant aid schemes reopen for seafood industry - Irish seafood processors, aquaculture operators and young people working in fishing can avail of funding to invest in their businesses through the reopening of grant aid schemes, which are administered by BIM. .... all of this plus so much more in our June issue
Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast JUNE:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
Where family heritage meets daily life - That is the theme of this month’s SEASCAPES Podcast on the MARINE TIMES, presented by Executive Editor, Tom MacSweeney..
The podcast features two families, one from Cork which has invested in a multi-million Euro seafood centre and the other whose members have given 140 years of service driving cranes in Waterford Port.
The Good family traces its maritime history back to running a ferry boat in Cork Harbour. The O’Hanlons work high above ships in Waterford to keep exports and imports moving. Donagh Good has taken over the running of the Good Fish Company from his father Denis, who started it with one fish shop in 1988. He is one of the youngest company Managing Directors in the country. His family has invested millions with confidence in the future of the seafood industry. Donagh outlines why and says that the ‘mood music’ is changing for the better in the fishing industry.
The Podcast is presented by Executive Editor, Tom MacSweeney .... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.
MARINE TIMES NEWS June 14th:
Arklow RNLI to name all-weather lifeboat after gentleman musician who funded lifesaving vessel
Arklow RNLI’s new Shannon class lifeboat will be officially named Roy Holloway during a ceremony to be held at the lifeboat station at 3pm on Saturday 21 June. The lifeboat was funded by a legacy from a musician and piano teacher named Roy Holloway, who after receiving a Christmas card with an image of a lifeboat on it, decided he would leave a legacy to the charity, in recognition of the bravery and skill of the lifeboat crews.
The lifeboat will be named by brothers Richard and Joshua Cartwright, who were past students of the quiet West Midlands man. RNLI Chief Executive, Peter Sparkes, will accept the lifeboat on behalf of the charity from the donor, before handing it into the care of Arklow RNLI. The ceremony will also feature music by Arklow Revival Gospel Choir, Arklow Shipping Silver Band and Arklow St. Colmcille’s Pipe Band. Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS June 13th:
Seafood Ireland Call for New Sprat Management Regime
The Seafood Ireland Alliance (SIA) is calling for urgent action to introduce a new, science-based management plan for sprat fishing. The group warns that an outright ban could hurt fishing communities without delivering real conservation benefits.
The SIA has expressed concern about a ‘concerted campaign’ by several NGOs to ban sprat fishing within 6 nautical miles of the coast. The alliance says there’s no scientific evidence for claims that sprat fishing is unsustainable and damaging to marine ecosystems within specific bays. Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS June 11th:
Systemic crisis in the Irish fishing and seafood industry - Sinn Fein publish 'Fisheries and Seafood Survey Highlights'
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Fisheries and the Marine, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD, and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Conor McGuinness TD, have today published the results of Sinn Féin's comprehensive Fisheries and Seafood survey.
The survey results highlight the severe challenges and systemic crisis facing the industry, with respondents underlining a sector in distress, facing mounting economic pressures, regulatory challenges, and a sense of neglect from both the Irish government and European Union. Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS June 10th:
Collins calls out Taoiseach’s “cruel irony” as Irish fishing communities left behind
Michael Collins TD, Leader of Independent Ireland, has today condemned what he described as “a staggering display of hypocrisy” by the Taoiseach following his remarks in Nice, where he pledged for Ireland to become a world leader on maritime policy.Speaking in response to Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s address at the United Nations Ocean Conference, Collins said it was “a cruel irony” for the head of a Government that has overseen the systematic decimation of Ireland’s fishing industry to now present himself as a global champion of the seas.
"Just last week I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the fishermen of Kilmore Quay in County Wexford,” Collins said. “The story is the same from West Cork to Wexford, from Galway to Donegal — Irish fishermen are being regulated out of existence. They can’t fish their own coastline, their quotas have been gutted, and the Government that should be defending them has thrown them to the wolves.” Full story here
Arklow RNLI host special visitor in advance of 200th anniversary and lifeboat naming ceremony
Volunteers at Arklow RNLI and their invited guests, recently hosted a special visit to the lifeboat station from Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Vice President of the lifesaving charity and former Deputy Chair. The visit was arranged in advance of the station’s naming ceremony for their new Shannon class lifeboat, which is due to be held on the 21st of June and their 200th anniversary, which will be celebrated next year. Arklow RNLI is the oldest established RNLI lifeboat station on the island of Ireland.
Sir Tim Laurence is no stranger to Ireland, having served as a Chair of the RNLI’s Operations Committee which saw him visit a number of Irish lifeboat stations during his tenure. However, this was his first time visiting Arklow lifeboat station and he received a warm welcome from all present. Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS June 9th:
New Port of Waterford 1111 Podcast Explores Maritime Heritage with Andrew Doherty
To mark World Oceans Day and celebrate 1,111 years of the Port of Waterford, Ireland’s oldest port, has released the second episode of its new podcast series, Port of Waterford 1111. Hosted by Tom MacSweeney, the episode features historian and author Andrew Doherty, founder of the Tides and Tales project.
Pictured at the Port of Waterford is Andrew Doherty, who features in the second episode of ‘Port of Waterford 1111’, A brand new podcast series launched by The Port of Waterford, as Waterford and the Port of Waterford celebrate 1,111 years this year. Andrew is pictured with the host of the podcast series, veteran maritime journalist Tom MacSweeney, is available to listen to on www.portofwaterford.com and wherever you get your podcasts.
The conversation dives into Waterford’s rich maritime legacy—from the bustling quays of old to iconic landmarks like the Spider Light, and into classrooms where Doherty is reviving traditional knowledge for a new generation. His community-driven work, especially with schools, brings stories of fishing, boat-building, and coastal life vividly to life.
Now in its 11th year, Tides and Tales has grown into an archive of nearly 300 stories capturing the Southeast’s marine history. Doherty and MacSweeney explore the lives of hobblers, the historic salmon weir conflicts, a WWI U-boat incident in Dunmore East, and the enduring cultural significance of Waterford Harbour. These stories are more than history—they’re part of the living memory of local communities. Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS June 6th:
Cork pupils celebrate World Oceans Day with lesson on lobster conservation
Sixth class pupils from St. Mary’s National School in Carrigaline, Co. Cork marked World Oceans Day this week by delving into the world of sustainable fisheries and conservation efforts during a visit from the Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Aquaculture Remote Classroom (ARC).
Pupils learnt how lobster stocks are being protected by Ireland’s fishing sector and how other seafood is sustainably produced in coastal communities, such as those in Cork. The lobster conservation programme, jointly funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU, under the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, involves cutting a v-shaped notch in the tail of female lobsters by trained BIM staff. Full story here
World gone mad! Fish products must be clearly labelled 'Contains Fish'
Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has published a new Food Safety Information Notice (FSIN) entitled “Allergen Labelling Requirements for Fish and Aquaculture Products”, providing seafood operators with clear guidance on their legal obligations around allergen declaration.
According to the SFPA, the FSIN outlines how to comply with Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers and S.I. No. 489/2014. It details when and how allergen declarations must be made, including the requirement to identify any of the 14 major allergens, such as fish, molluscs, and crustaceans, whether in prepacked or non-prepacked formats. Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS June 3rd:
Pioneering Underwater Noise Project to Support Sustainable Offshore Wind Energy
As Ireland accelerates its offshore renewable energy ambitions a new initiative is underway to safeguard marine ecosystems from underwater noise pollution, a growing global environmental concern.
The Irish Marine Acoustics Platform (IMAP) research project will establish Ireland’s first systematic underwater acoustic monitoring programme. This noise monitoring programme will help to protect marine life by identifying, managing and mitigating the underwater radiated noise (URN) pollution which may occur during the building of offshore wind farms. Full story here
MARINE TIMES NEWS June 2nd:
Bespoke ESB Marine Mammal Observer training programme to help address Irish skills gap
ESB is supporting Ireland’s offshore wind ambitions by rolling out its third consecutive bespoke Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) training programme. MMOs are specialist environmental consultants responsible for monitoring marine megafauna such as whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and basking sharks, during industry operations. They assist developers comply with environmental regulations and guidelines, while the data collected by MMOs aids in evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation measures.
The aim of the programme is to support the development of marine ecology education and skills, helping successful applicants at the early stages of their careers in the marine environmental profession. It is open to graduates, final-year undergraduates and postgraduate students who are studying or working in marine science or related disciplines. Since its inception in 2023, 11 participants have successfully completed the programme. Full story here
Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast MAY:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
On the May edition of SEASCAPES from the MARINE TIMES – the Chairman of the new Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and the Marine outlines how he intends to focus the work of the Committee. First-time Sinn Fein TD from Waterford, Conor D. McGuinness, who comes from a fishing family - his father being the well-known South East Coast fisherman, Brian McGuinness, says it is a Committee with a broad remit and he will examine regulations affecting the industry where it seems at times that policing is too severe and Irish boats are boarded more often than foreign. And Finian O'Sullivan, Chairman of the National Committee of IFA Aquaculture assess the sector and its future. The Podcast is presented by Executive Editor, Tom MacSweeney .... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.
Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast April:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
On the APRIL edition - “There’s a wonderful vibrancy around the marine sector at the moment ...” So says Minister of State Timmy Dooley in his first radio interview in his dual maritime and fisheries post, on this month’s SEASCAPES Marine Times Podcast, presented by Executive Editor, Tom MacSweeney. There is also a discussion between the two sides of wind farm development and its effects on the fishing industry; a visit to a €25m ship bought by a Cork company and the question – Is the Irish public ocean literate? is considered .... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above
Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast March:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
On the MARCH edition - Fish farming will be a vital supplier of food to future generations; Are whales changing which parts of Ireland they visit? Once Navy – Always Navy’ and the Waterford Estuary harbour which has changed, but not for the better .... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above
Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast February:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
The “insane” treatment of Ireland’s fishermen is discussed on the February edition of the Podcast, highlighting the way the Irish fishing industry is treated about Bluefin Tuna. John Shine, a leading figure for 20 years in the marketing and selling of Irish fish, highlights the way that Irish fishermen are prevented from catching Bluefin Tuna in Irish waters, while other nations are allowed to do so. He says that proper management of the industry is lacking and, unless its demise is stopped and the industry sustained, he is doubtful and concerned about its future. .... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above
Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast January:
On this first edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......
The Polish solo sailor who is Ireland’s only representative in what is being described as “a world first event, never attempted before …” explains why he intends to spend over a year sailing 26,000 miles alone around the world on a 19-foot plywood boat which he has built himself….. The Managing Director of a Valentia Island boatyard discusses how it has built the first Naval vessel in Ireland for forty years…. and a sailmaker explains why he built a maritime cannon .... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above
MARINE TIMES PODCAST December:
New government must end naivety towards fishing
Tom MacSweeney talks to Brendan Byrne, Chief Executive of the IFPEA
The Chief Executive of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association says there has been naivete amongst policymakers who thought that the fishing industry would reconfigure itself, despite the losses caused by Brexit.
The entire sector, catching and processing, is in a once-in-a-lifetime crisis, according to CEO Brendan Byrne. He also challenges the rigour of controls enforcement on Irish fishing by the SFPA, at a level which does not happen in other Member States, he says in this Podcast interview with Marine Times Executive Editor / News, Tom MacSweeney. Listen to the Podcast here
Tom MacSweeney's MARITIME PODCAST - DECEMBER
On the December edition of Tom MacSweeney's Maritime Podcast, Ireland’s only maritime broadcast:
Why does Ireland, an island nation, not have a traditional fish dish for Christmas? Other nations do, so why not Ireland? Appropriately, this month being Christmastime, that question is raised in the December edition of my Podcast by historian Antoin O’Callaghan. While other nations make fish a Christmas dish, he wonders why Ireland does not and suggests The Feast of the Seven Fishes. But, will Ireland have enough fish to meet its needs? Perhaps not. The Chief Executive of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters, Brendan Byrne, says this has been a very bad year for processors. That’s all on the December edition, with a look back at storylines from previous editions.
MARINE TIMES PODCAST September:
Does the Government want a fishing industry or does it want to let it continue into terminal decline?
“The Government must be clear --------The industry needs real help…”
Tom MacSweeney interviews Dominic Rihan, Chief Executive ofthe KFO
Our main News story in the September edition reports a fall of more than €37m in landings by the Irish fleet. All sectors of the industry are united in opinion – it is in its worst crisis ever and the Government is not doing enough to support it.
In this month’s Marine Times Podcast the Chief Executive of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation, Dominic Rihan, discusses the situation with Marine Times Executive News Editor, Tom MacSweeney. A strategic review is needed of where the industry is going, he says and raises the question - does the Government want a fishing industry or does it want to let it continue into terminal decline?
“That is a stark reality,” says Mr.Rihan, “but it has to be recognised.” Listen to the Podcast here
MARINE TIMES PODCAST August:
Do you accept that the fishing industry is in a very serious crisis situation, Minister?
Tom MacSweeney interviews Minister Charlie McConalogue
In the August issue of the Marine Times, Tom MacSweeney interviews Minister McConalogue - challenging him on a number of aspects affecting the fishing industry, asking him questions on why he insists on putting accross the EU oinion to the industry rather than voicing Irish concerns sufficiently, asking him how is it realistic to encourage young people into the Irish fishing industry ....
Listen to the full MARINE TIMES interview with Tom MacSweeney. Listen to the Podcast here
PODCAST 3rd July:
Government and EU must deal with how offshore wind campaigners and biodiversity campaigners are squeezing the fishing industry says leading fisheries CEO
The Chief Executive of the Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation has warned of potential conflict between fishermen as traditional marine users and the new users of the blue economy.
In the front page leading story of the July edition of the MARINE TIMES, Aodh O’Donnell says there is an impending serious ‘spatial squeeze’ on Ireland’s fishing industry due to the way offshore renewable energy strategy is being implemented nationally, because there has been a failure to co-ordinate the roll-out of ORE and biodiversity strategies with the need to protect the fishing industry and its traditional fishing grounds..
He says that “the fishing sector fully supports the need for climate change measures, but there is a need for balanced thinking and understanding that fishing is a source of food security.
In this MARINE TIMES interview he outlined fishermen’s concerns to Tom MacSweeney. Listen to the Podcast here
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