Marine Times Newspaper

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 January edition is in all good shops and available online now as a digital download, covering all the major developments as reported by Ireland’s leading maritime newspaper. Click on image above to purchase your annual subscription!

MARINE TIMES PODCAST

WHERE IS KINDNESS AND FAIRNESS FOR THE FISHING INDUSTRY?

As the January edition of the MARINE TIMES is published, Bord Iascaigh Mhara announces that it has approved 57 applications for Irish fishing boat owners to leave the industry and destroy their own boats, because the quotas allowed to the fleet are not enough for the existing whitefish boats to be able to earn a living for their operators, their crews, their families and for the coastal communities. At the same time the EU is in discussions with the Norwegian Government which wants to increase the amount of blue whiting it can take from Irish waters upwards from its present allowance of 74,000 tonnes to 450,000 tonnes. Ireland is only allowed catch 48,000 tonnes in its own waters. And Norway, which is not a member of the EU does not want to concede anything to the Irish industry in return. The truth behind the negotiations is that the bigger fishing nations of the EU want a greater share of Norway’s cod stocks and that they see Irish waters as a bargaining tool they can use for their own benefit.

All of this is reported in the January edition of the paper now on sale and so, in this edition of our Podcast, Marine Times Editor Mark McCarthy asks where is “where is kindness and fairness for the fishing industry?” which is also the subject of the January editorial – Please Be Kind and Fair.

The front page headlines on the edition are: ‘Put Growth on Agenda for Seafood Sector in 2023’ and Offshore islands – When Gone – Are Gone…”

The MARINE TIMES provides the widest coverage of the fishing industry and also, recognising the interdependence of the maritime sector in Ireland, brings you general marine coverage of Ireland’s maritime development, history, culture and heritage.

In the MARINE TIMES you get the best maritime coverage. Now in the shops for the print edition and online for the digital edition.

Listen to Marine Times Editor, Mark McCarthy, in his Podcast by clicking on the banner above

The RNLI will always remain an independent voluntary service, according to Anna Classon, RNLI Head of Region, Ireland, who comes from a Donegal fishing family and is the first woman to lead the lifeboat organisation in Ireland.

She is the NEWSMAKER on the new MARITIME IRELAND Podcast presented by Marine Times Deputy Editor, Tom MacSweeney

News 30th January:
€37.3m Investment in Capital Projects in Ireland’s Six Fishery Harbour Centres for 2023

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, has announced the allocation of €37.3m for capital projects in 2023 in Ireland’s six state-owned Fishery Harbour Centres at Killybegs, Ros an Mhíl, An Daingean, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth through the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme.

The Minister noted “The six Fishery Harbour Centres are critical infrastructure for our seafood industry. Approximately 90% of all fish landings into Ireland come through these facilities. This demonstrates how successful these Harbours have become as economic hubs for the Seafood industry. The continuous development of the infrastructure in these Harbours has been critical to the fishing fleet and the land-based seafood processing industry. These Harbours are the economic development drivers for the largely peripheral coastal communities and hinterlands where they are located. The Government is committed to continuing to develop these Harbours to underpin our seafood industry and drive on economic development in these areas.” Full story here

News 27th January:
Norway Holding EU Fishing Deals to Ransom

Irish fishing representatives have accused Norway of stalling EU quota talks, because they failed to secure privileged access to blue whiting in Ireland’s EEZ (European Economic Zone) waters.

“Norway has a track record of overfishing blue whiting and mackerel ,” says Aodh O Donnell of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO). “So, they should not be rewarded with new and additional access to Ireland’s waters to catch their blue whiting quota.” Full story here

News 26th January:
“Inshore fisheries will not survive on the watery gruel of Government rhetoric”

The Rural Independent Dail motion demanding a €12 million financial support package for inshore fishermen has been approved. However, there has been no guarantees by the Minister that the money will be made.

Speaking following the Dail debate Michael Collins TD said: “We welcome the support of the Dail for our Motion today. However, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue showed a complete lack of understanding and gross insincerity of the needs of small-scale fishermen, as he outrightly failed to provide a concrete guarantee, that the sector would receive the requested €12 million emergency funding package – as requested by the motion. Instead, the minister demonstrated gross incompetence as he engaged in ‘game’ of deflection tactics and ‘petty political squabbling’. Full story here

News 25th January:
Sales from New Speciality Coffee Range to Fund Marine Restoration in Clew Bay, Co. Mayo

Green Ocean Coffee, a new speciality coffee range from Irish company Watermark Coffee, has been officially launched to coincide with a unique partnership agreement with Clew Bay Oyster Co-op.

Pictured in Clew Bay, Co. Mayo at the launch of Green Ocean Coffee, an exciting speciality coffee range from Irish company Watermark Coffee are; Michael Mulloy, Chair, Clew Bay Oyster Co-op, David Lawlor, Managing Director, Watermark Coffee and Alex Blackwell, Manager, Clew Bay Oyster Co-op.

Expertly roasted in Ireland, Green Ocean Coffee is made from 100% speciality grade arabica beans sourced directly from farmers in Brazil, Kenya and Honduras. Available in fully recyclable packaging, the three coffee blends deliver a vibrant, modern flavour and are named ‘Inishgowla’, ‘Dorinish’ and ‘Inisheeny’ after islands in Clew Bay. Full story here

News 24th January:
Request from Inshore Organisation Leads to a Public Consultation on Herring Stock Management in Northwest

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr Charlie McConalogue, T.D., has launched a consultation process on a review of the 2012 Herring Management Policy, in relation to the quantity of herring set aside from the southern North-West herring stock (Herring 6A South) for smaller/ inshore fishing vessels.

The Minister received a request from the Chairs of the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) and North Regional Inshore Fisheries Forum (RIFF) for a review of the 6A South Herring Policy of 2012, in relation to inshore vessels. Full story here

News 23rd January:
Courtmacsherry RNLI welcomes new All-Weather Shannon class lifeboat home

The community of Courtmacsherry have welcomed the latest RNLI lifeboat to be based in Ireland, to their Village (Sunday 22nd January).

Courtmacsherry's new Shannon lifeboat 'Val Adnams' comes home. Photo RNLI/Martin Walsh

The new Shannon class lifeboat named Val Adnams arrived into Courtmacsherry, led by a flotilla of local boats, at exactly 13.45, which is also the operational number of the lifeboat. Despite the overcast conditions, crowds turned to welcome the crew and see the village’s new lifeboat. Full story here

News 22nd January:
Rural Independent Group Demand Financial Support Package for Inshore Fishermen

The government can no longer stand idle when a variety of factors is driving the inshore fleet into a catastrophic financial gorge.

The Rural Independent TDs are set to bring forward a motion to the Dail this Wednesday (25th January), demanding that the government sanction a €12 million direct state financial package to mitigate the socio-economic pressures on the sector and support the vitality of coastal communities.

Rural Independent TD for Cork South-West, Deputy Michael Collins, says:“The Irish inshore fleet, accounting for 91 percent of Ireland’s fishing fleet, is being hit extremely hard by the loss of fish quota, the unfair competition from larger foreign commercial vessels, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the war in Ukraine and record operational costs for the entire sector.” Full story here

News 15th January:
Wicklow RNLI assist fishermen on vessel with engine failure

Three fishermen were brought to safety yesterday evening (Saturday 14 January) by the crew of Wicklow RNLI lifeboat, after their 15 metre vessel developed mechanical problems while fishing for whelk off the Wicklow coast.

The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Joanna and Henry Williams slipped its moorings at the south quay at 11:30am, following a crew pager alert and proceeded north to the casualties last reported position. Full story here

News 12th January:
Clogherhead RNLI comes to the aid of two fishermen after 10m boat gets into steering difficulty off east coast

Clogherhead RNLI came to the aid of two fishermen this morning (Thursday 12 January) after their 10m boat encountered steering difficulties and began to drift out to sea.

The volunteer lifeboat crew were requested to launch their all-weather Shannon class lifeboat at 10.30am following a request by the Irish Coast Guard to go the fishermen’s aid. The lifeboat launched immediately under Coxswain Sean Flanagan and with four crew members onboard. Full story here

Fishing Leaders High Level Meetings in Brussels

Irish fishing industry representatives have held what they described as a ‘positive’ meeting with the EU Fisheries Commission in Brussels. In a joint statement issued after the meeting yesterday afternoon, the Irish delegation said they feel there has been “a significant shift, and there is now a better understanding of the Irish position”.

The two-hour meeting was held with senior members of the EU Fisheries Commission negotiating team. It took place as a fourth round of talks between Norway and the EU Fisheries Commission is due to open in Brussels today. Full story here

News 11th January:
BIM issues Letters of Offer under the Brexit Voluntary Permanent Cessation Scheme

BIM today issued letters of offer to 57 Irish fishing vessels under the fishing vessel Voluntary Permanent Cessation Scheme, funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve, with total funding of up to €75 million.

The scheme is a key recommendation of the Seafood Taskforce, established by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD, to mitigate the impacts of the fish quota share reductions arising from the EU/UK Trade Cooperation Agreements. Its aim is to help restore balance between fleet capacity and available fishing quotas following these reductions. Full story here

News 10th January:
BIM to host series of public information sessions on funding available to coastal communities

BIM will hold a series of public information sessions relating to the Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme and funding opportunities available to businesses in coastal communities.

The information sessions will take place in numerous locations around the coast of Ireland over the next few months with a webinar in March also planned to facilitate those who wish to attend online. The webinar will be recorded and made available online for ease of access for those who cannot attend. Full story here

News 24th December:
Christmas Eve lifeboat tragedy remembered at Dun Laoghaire RNLI ceremony on the East Pier

Dun Laoghaire RNLI lifeboat crew gathered today (Christmas Eve) to lay wreaths at sea and remember 15 of their lifeboat colleagues who were lost while on service in gale force conditions to the SS Palme that had run aground off Blackrock, back in 1895. The event has become a Christmas Eve tradition for the station, who now remember all those who have drowned around the coast, on inland waters and abroad.

The ceremony saw lifeboat crew joined by members of the Dun Laoghaire Coast Guard and Civil Defence, who formed an honour guard. Both Dun Laoghaire RNLI’s inshore and all-weather lifeboats launched, and the volunteer crew laid wreaths from the lifeboat in view of the watching public. Broadcaster, PJ Gallagher, a volunteer at Dun Laoghaire RNLI, read an account of the disaster, published at the time of the tragedy. Full story here

Marine Times