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

In this month’s edition -

Nothing Much New in Mulvey Report: “Much ado about nothing. It tells us nothing that we didn’t know.” ... Why Are Ministers in Disagreement? What really is the cause of the dispute between the two Ministers responsible for the fishing industry and what is their relationship like now? Government must stop hiding behind Brussels and act to save inshore fishing fleet New report reveals extent of genetic introgression in wild Irish salmon populations: Marine Institute supports groundbreaking study on genetic impacts of farmed salmon escapes ....

.... all of this plus so much more in our August issue

Puchase a single issue download from via PayPal for just €2 - Order here
or send €2 via Revolut to @marinetimesnewspaper to receive digital issue to your phone

Renew your postal subscription here

Follow the Marine Times Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: Click here

Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast JULY:
On this edition of the Seascapes podcast, presented by Tom MacSweeney - We should be proud of our Irish fishermen

The July edition of SEASCAPES has four interviewees, bringing four stories from different maritime aspects, all related to the keynote of the programme – current developments in Ireland’s marine sector, its culture, history and traditions – all essential and important parts of the lifestyle of an island nation.

.... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.

Marine Times Fisheries Podcast JULY:
On this edition of the fisheries podcast .......

The new Chief Executive of BIM gives his first interview on the July edition of the MARINE TIMES FISHERIES PODCAST, where you can also hear an unusual proposal for leasing fish quotas put forward by the Irish South and West FPO and IFA Aquaculture complains again about the attitude of Government towards aquaculture - "no clear ambition for aquaculture at Government level…"

These are topics in the July edition of the MARINE TIMES FISHERIES PODCAST

.... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.

MARINE TIMES NEWS July 14th:
Larne RNLI to name new Shannon class lifeboat Machiko Nancy

A new Shannon class lifeboat for Larne RNLI is to be officially named Machiko Nancy during a ceremony at the East Antrim Boat Club at 2pm next Saturday, 18 July.

The lifeboat which went on service in February this year has been largely funded by donor Michael Cameron and his late wife Machiko, via the Cameron Family Charitable Foundation. Machiko was one of the founders of that charity. Full story here

MARINE TIMES NEWS July 11th:
Mulvey report must not sit on a shelf says Seafood Ireland Alliance

The Seafood Ireland Alliance has given a cautious welcome to the recently released Mulvey report on the issues faced by the Irish seafood sector and commends Minister Dooley for taking this initiative. Meaningful engagement and follow-up by Government on the key challenges the report highlights have never been more needed.

The much awaited and anticipated report from Kieran Mulvey to Minister of State Timmy Dooley on the state of the Irish seafood industry was finally released earlier this week following prolonged discussions with Government officials on its content. The report is a product of multiple meetings with industry representatives, fishermen, processors and the various State Agencies held by Mr Mulvey throughout 2025. Mr Mulvey characterises these meetings as being frank, constructive and symptomatic of an industry operating in a challenging environment. Full story here

MARINE TIMES NEWS July 10th:
The Mulvey Report Reflects Underlying Policy Failures and the Need for a Fresh Approach

This report must be the beginning of a reform agenda that is years overdue - Pat the Cope Gallagher

Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, Vice-Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs and Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Fisheries, has given a cautious but guarded welcome to the publication of the Mulvey Report into the issues and concerns facing Ireland’s seafood, fisheries, aquaculture and processing sectors. Full story here

MARINE TIMES NEWS July 9th:
Nothing Much New in The Mulvey Report

Analysis by Tom MacSweeney, Executive Editor

It may have been awaited for a long time, but the report by Kieran Mulvey, sought by Minister Timmy Dooley, has been rather accurately described by the Chairman of the National Inshore Fishermen’s Association, Michael Desmond, as “much ado about nothing.”

“It tells us nothing that we didn’t know and a contact from Donegal described it as like a postcard from a tourist who has toured Ireland and is sending the result to a terminally ill patient,” Mr. Desmond told the Marine Times. Full story here

MARINE TIMES NEWS July 7th:
Lough Swilly RNLI Coxswain retires after 30 years of voluntary service

On Tuesday [7 July] volunteer Coxswain Eamonn Mahon completed his last day of service on a training exercise aboard Lough Swilly RNLI’s Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Derek Bullivant.

There was a great welcoming party of family, friends and lifeboat colleagues on the pier to greet him on his return from the weekly Tuesday night exercise, just after 9:30pm. Full story here

Larne RNLI rescues two people onboard fishing boat that breaks down

Larne RNLI came to the aid of two crew members onboard a broken-downfishing boat yesterday evening (6 July).

The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat Machiko Nancy at 7.42pm at the request of HM Coastguard after a member of the crew onboard the boat reported that they had broken down. Coxswain Chris Dorman, Mechanic Derek Rea, Navigator Barry Kirkpatrick and crew members Ross Stewart, Shea McFerran and Catherine Lee made their way to the casualties' last reported location. Full story here

MARINE TIMES NEWS July 6th:
Galway RNLI respond to three call outs in one night

It was a busy night for the volunteer crew at Galway Lifeboat Station who were requested to launch shortly after 1am to the first incident followed in quick succession by two further unrelated call outs.

Galway RNLI crew Paddy Hennelly and Mark Purcell washing down the lifeboat in the early hours of Monday morning. The crew of James Rattigan, Paddy Hennelly, Mark Purcell and helm Declan Killilea responded to three different call outs during the night, after their pagers went off at 1am.

The first call out was requested by the Coast Guard to a research ship on Galway Bay with reports of an unwell crew member on board who required medical evacuation. Conditions were rough at sea with strong winds which meant that the usual means of transport from the ship to shore were not possible without assistance. Full story here

New award broadens search for Ireland’s best seafood experience

Irish seafood processors are being encouraged to nominate their foodservice customers for a new category at the Good Food Ireland Awards, which will take place in November 2026.

The ‘Best Irish Seafood Experience’ award has been introduced to recognise the growing number of restaurants and gastropubs serving Irish seafood on their menus. The category is sponsored by BIM as part of its Seafood Academy programme, which supports independent seafood retailers and foodservice businesses through skills development, knowledge sharing and business advisory services. Full story here

MARINE TIMES NEWS July 3rd:
Have you anything to declare?

“I am bloody sure there are plenty of Irish mussels available instead of flying them from New Zealand!”

No, this photo is not from Spain or Portugal but from an Irish supermarket seemingly supplied by an Irish fish processing company! Full story here

MARINE TIMES NEWS July 2nd:
Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs publishes first Annual Report

The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs have published its Annual Report, which marks its first year of work since it was established as a standalone Committee in May 2025.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Conor McGuinness said: “The Joint Committee considers the establishment of a standalone Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs with a weekly slot to be a welcome development. Full story here

................................................................................................................................................................

The Marine Times Newspaper is Ireland’s leading maritime newspaper covering the Coastal, Fishing and Maritime Communities. We publish a monthly newspaper available in all good shops but also provide additional topical news from around our coast free on our website - help keep it free by buying us a cheap old cup of coffee by clicking on the image above

................................................................................................................................................................

Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast JUNE:
On this edition of the Seascapes podcast, presented by Tom MacSweeney - Have you thought about food security in an island nation? Are we prepared?

.... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.

Marine Times Fisheries Podcast JUNE:
On this edition of the fisheries podcast .......

WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE TASK FORCE?

What is happening with the Task Force – why is there no sign of expediency in completing its report? Does Government understand food security and that fishing is a food supplier?

These are topics in the June edition of the MARINE TIMES FISHERIES PODCAST

.... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.

Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast MAY:
On this edition of the Seascapes podcast, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......

.... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.

Marine Times Fisheries Podcast APRIL:
On this edition of the fisheries podcast, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......

SHOULD THERE BE A FISHERIES OMBUDSMAN?

Will any changes be made to the operations of the SFPA in the review promised next month by Fisheries Minister Timmy Dooley? What about a Fisheries Ombudsman to protect the interests of fishermen and the industry? That suggestion is made in the April edition of the MARINE TIMES FISHERIES PODCAST on which, in the inshore sector, fishermen question whether the Government wants it to exist. On the EU mackerel deal, while it is welcomed, that a long-term solution is needed, is discussed.

.... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.

Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast APRIL:
On this edition of the Seascapes podcast, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......

Music of the sea!

This month's Podcast discusses sea shanties, songs and music of the sea and a new international maritime festival to be held in Carrigaline, Co. Cork.

.... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.

Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES FISHERIES Podcast MARCH:
On this edition of our regular podcast, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......

What can the 'task force' really achieve?

From this month, as we highlight in the MARINE TIMES the challenges and problems for the industry, we will be broadcasting the SEASCAPES FISHERIES PODCAST on our website, adding to the communications resource to express the views of the fishing industry, fishermen, processors, the aquaculture sector.

.... 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 .......

Ireland’s aquaculture licencing scandal

This month’s Podcast reports on the major problem affecting development of Ireland’s aquaculture sector – delays in licencing which have been going on for many years. Despite that the rest of the ocean economy is growing and a major contributor to national welfare, as the programme also reports. There is also a report on the new currach training programme for young people in Cork and the story of how Brendan Behan did not keep a job with the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

.... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.

Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast JANUARY:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......

The EU is no friend of the Irish fishing industry

This is the lead story on the January edition of SEASCAPES where John Lynch, CEO of the Irish South and East FPO says that other European nations who have benefited from fishing in Irish waters want to take everything and leave nothing for Irish fishermen. Other stories on the first SEASCAPES Podcast for 2026 – the amazing smallest seabird which travelled 300,000 kms and has a connection to St.Peter and the enthusiastic Rosslare Maritime group which has launched its own maritime Podcast.

.... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.

Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast DECEMBER 2025:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......

Oysters are heroes, says the lady who has grown them for 35 years in Dungarvan Harbour - Cliona Mhic Giolla Chuda General Manager and co-Founder of Waterford Oysters on the December Podcast and is the subject of our monthly INTERVIEW on Page 39. “It’s an intensive business,” she says after 35 years in the business. “It’s not for the faint-hearted because there are bad years as well as good.” Also on this month’s Podcast and in our December issue of the Marine Times: The Irish Polar Institute corrects a ‘mean action’ by explorer Ernest Shackleton. Listen and read more on our HERITAGE Page; Also there is the story of the crewman from an inland county who survived the Titanic; And - an Arctic whale arrives in Donegal – Read More in the IWDG column.

.... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.

Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast NOVEMBER:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......

Why has the Government cutback its Budget provision for the fishing industry? When the industry is in extreme difficulty, the Government has reduced financial support by nearly €20m. On the November edition of the MARINE TIMES SEASCAPES PODCAST with Executive Editor Tom MacSweeney, industry leaders give their critical response.

.... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.

Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast OCTOBER:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......

Buy the MARINE TIMES in the shops or online now and listen to our extra service - the OCTOBER edition of Executive Editor Tom MacSweeney’s SEASCAPES Podcast, which this month hears from the Chairman of NIFA, the National Inshore Fishermen’s Association, who talks to Tom MacSweeney on this month’s edition of SEASCAPES for the MARIME TIMES, explaining why he has been thinking about leaving the fishing industry because it has become so difficult to make a living.

.... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.

Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast SEPTEMBER:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......

Buy the MARINE TIMES in the shops or online now and listen to our extra service - the SEPTEMER edition of Executive Editor Tom MacSweeney’s SEASCAPES Podcast, which this month hears from a sailor who spent ten years restoring a boat and then sold it – and that there ar 750,000 seabirds in Ireland; the RNLI needs more volunteers for its lifeboats and, how part of an original Naval Service shipwreck has become part of a house renovation on Cape Clear Island

.... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.

Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast AUGUST:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......

.... Has the Government Got the Backbone to Fight for Irish Fishing? That is a tough question, but it is asked on this month’s SEASCAPES Podcast. Also on the Podcast – Fish farmers need help; Searching for Songs of the Sea; There is also a housing crisis on the offshore islands and – when a submarine blew itself up off Dunmore East. There is always something interesting in and about the sea.

The Podcast is presented by Executive Editor, Tom MacSweeney .... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.

Tom MacSweeney's SEASCAPES Podcast JULY:
On this edition of our maritime programme, SEASCAPES, presented by Tom MacSweeney .......

.... you can hear from a man who has taken upon himself the task of widening maritime knowledge amongst young people and about a son who succeeded where his father failed, becoming the first person to cross the Irish Sea in a balloon. There is a lot more also to listen to – voices from the fishing industry and the leisure sector. There is always something interesting in and about the sea.

The Podcast is presented by Executive Editor, Tom MacSweeney .... Listen to the podcast by clicking on the image above.

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.

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

Copyright © 2026 - All Rights Reserved - Marine Times Newspaper published by Marine Media Ltd