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Ireland’s leading maritime newspaper covering the Coastal, Fishing and Maritime Communities

In this month’s edition - Fishermen Urged To Take Legal Action Against CFP At European Court

“Fishermen in this country, because they are being driven to extinction, should be taking a case to the European Court of Justice to challenge the current Common Fisheries Policy,” according to the Chief Executive of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation in Castletownbere; We also examine how the SFPA increased vessel inspections last year yet only one in every five foreign vessels are inspected in our ports .... all of this plus so much more in our November issue

MARINE TIMES PODCAST November:
Fishermen should take legal action against the Common Fisheries Policy

Tom MacSweeney talks to Patrick Murphy, Chief Executive of the ISWFPO

The front page headline in our November edition, published this week in print and online, urges fishermen to take legal action against the Common Fisheries Policy.

“Relative stability, the core of the CFP, no longer exists and our fishermen could be made the poorest in Europe,” according to the Chief Executive of the Irish South and West Fish Producers’ Organisation, Patrick Murphy. He tells Executive Editor, Tom MacSweeney, why he has suggested legal action. Listen to the Podcast here

MARINE TIMES NEWS November 6th:
Thirty Thousand Three Hundred and Four Euro!

This magnificent sum was raised in a single summer’s day by the Kilmuckridge RNLI Fundraising Committee.

Every cent was raised legitimately. (now, the traffic and public auction laws may have been stretched a little) It was all as a result of the generosity of the Kilmuckridge and surrounding community. Full story here

MARINE TIMES NEWS November 5th:
Launch of Seafood / Offshore Renewable Energy Working Group Publications

The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications has announced the online launch of new guidance documents relating to the managed introduction of Offshore Renewable Energy to the State’s maritime area, with specific focus on the interaction between the ORE and Seafood sectors.

The suite of guidance documents have been produced by the Seafood/ORE Working Group under the independent chairmanship of Captain Robert McCabe. Full story here

MARINE TIMES NEWS November 4th:
Minister encourages fishermen to participate in the Inshore Fleet Economic Assessment Scheme as deadline for applications extended

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD wishes to encourage all eligible fishermen to participate in the Inshore Fleet Economic Assessment Scheme and to make them aware of the extended deadline for applications of 8th November.

Commenting the Minister said: “I have met with representatives of the inshore fleet to discuss the challenges facing this fleet, in particular those affecting their ability to access markets. I have progressed a scheme specifically in response to these challenges. This additional data will enhance my ability to target supports more effectively and support the continued economic viability of the inshore fleet in coming years. Full story here

Tom MacSweeney's MARITIME PODCAST - NOVEMBER

On the November edition of Tom MacSweeney's Maritime Podcast, Ireland’s only maritime broadcast:
We hear the story of a determined Irish sailor – a young man who started life on a farm in County Meath, not a maritime location and has become the winner of the top French yacht race – the Figaro. Tom Dolan describes how he succeeded after years of disappointment and how psychology helped his determination to do so. Also – the dangers of being cut off by the tides, the public lack of understanding of tides. The RNLI has completed a survey showing lack of ‘tide literacy’; why are there more stranded dolphins and – what do you think of seaweed.

MARINE TIMES NEWS October 25th:
IFPEA says that the European Union needs to adopt a “one Norway policy"

The Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association (IFPEA) has called on the European Union to adopt a “One Norway approach to fisheries negotiations", the call comes is in light of the continued reckless overfishing of shared mackerel stocks by them and other non-compliant coastal states.

2025 scientific advice is recommending a 22% cut in mackerel quotas, a cut that will cost the Irish fishing sector approximately €18 million, unless coastal states start acting responsibly there is a real prospect the mackerel could be facing a zero TAC within 2 years. Full story here

Congratulations to the Paddle 4 Life team on successful fundraising for the RNLI

Union Hall RNLI has congratulated the successful Paddle 4 Life team of Anaïs O’Donovan, Simon Champ, Ciaran Usher, and Andy Jeffers who undertook a number of challenges, over the last two years on behalf of the eight lifeboat stations in Cork.

The RNLI lifeboat stations that will benefit from €15,227.56 are, Youghal, Ballycotton, Crosshaven, Kinsale, Courtmacsherry, Union Hall, Baltimore and Castletownbere. The kayaking team dedicated countless hours on the water, pushing through their challenge with determination. Their hard work and commitment is truly appreciated in supporting our lifesaving efforts, by all of Cork’s RNLI volunteers. Full story here

MARINE TIMES NEWS October 22nd:
Ireland Aim to Lead World in Maritime Tourism

Lighthouse tourism experts meet on Valentia Island this week to plan on turning Ireland into a world-class maritime tourism destination. The Great Lighthouses of Ireland (GLI) annual gathering, which opens in Co Kerry on Monday, will unveil a new 5-year strategy to reach this goal.

It’s an ambitious aim but we are in a unique position here in Ireland to achieve it, says GLI chairperson, Bobby Kerr. “GLI has an all-island partnership model for lighthouse tourism, and we have doubled in size over the last nine years. We want to harness the universal appeal of lighthouses to grow maritime tourism sustainably and boost regional development for coastal communities.” Full story here

MARINE TIMES NEWS October 18th:
Ireland’s Magical Coastline Showcased at Love Your Coast Photograhy Awards

Clean Coasts’ Love Your Coast photography competition winners have been announced, showcasing the beauty of the Irish coastal landscape, heritage, people, wildlife and underwater scenery in 50 beautiful images.

At an event An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Programme proudly announced the winning photographers of the 15th edition of the Love Your Coast photography competition, held in Richmond Barracks, Dublin. With a prize fund of €5000, the competition has attracted hundreds of amateur photographers from all around Ireland this year, each with their own unique way of capturing stunning photographs of Ireland’s beautiful coastline.

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR: William Murphy with his photo ‘An Fear Marbh agus an Fear ag eitilt’, taken at Slea Head Drive, Dingle, Co. Kerry won the overall ‘Photographer of the Year’ title as well as 1st place in the ‘People and the Coast’ category in the Clean Coasts 2024 Love Your Coast photography competition. Full story here

MARINE TIMES NEWS October 17th:
Call to Ban Norway from Irish Waters

Fish producers have issued a call to ban Norway from fishing in Irish waters. The Irish Fish Producers Organisation say Norway’s overfishing practices are the main cause of a *scientifically recommended mackerel quota cut of 22% next year, which will hit Ireland hardest.

The IFPO say Irelands small fishing fleet stands to lose over €10 million in 2025 from the mackerel cut, because we have the largest share of the EU western mackerel quotas. “This is a hammer blow for Ireland as we already lost 26 % of our mackerel allowance to the UK in the Brexit deal,” says IFPO chief executive, Aodh O Donnell.

Donegal Fine Gael Councillor Manus Boyle has intensified the call for a total ban on Norwegian fishing vessels in Irish waters, standing united with Irish fishing representatives in the fight to protect the country’s fishing industry.

Fianna Fáil Donegal candidate Pat the Cope Gallagher has labelled the recent fishing activities of Norway as kin to a rogue state, they continue to over fish mackerel as they have for the past number of years ; the 2025 scientific mackerel advice indicates that stocks are crashing, while at the same time Norway is seeking access to the fishing grounds West of Ireland to fish over 60% of the Norwegian Blue Whiting quota.

Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has called on the EU to stand up for Irish fishermen and impose sanctions on Norway for flouting scientific advice. Deputy Pringle said: “I have spoken before of the European Union’s failure to impose consequences on countries that set unilateral quotas for mackerel, despite several years of breaching agreements. Full story here

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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