The new quay allows for larger vessels carrying deeper draft and will accommodate the new modern vessels which have entered the Castletownbere fleet.

While in Castletownbere, the Minister of State announced that the total investment under the 2009 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Programme for the Castletownbere project will be in excess of €6.5 million. This will complete the quay development at Dinish Island and provide a total of 210 meters of new quay with modern facilities.

Special mention was given to the RNLI and Minister Killeen paid tribute to the valuable contribution they make to the safety of all seafarers.

"During my visit to Castletownbere I took the opportunity to meet fishermen and to hear at first hand the issues of importance to them and I am committed to continuing to work closely with the federation of Irish Fishermen which includes the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation to advance and resolve as many issues as possible and to drive forward the development of the industry as set down in the Cawley Strategy".

The gang had hauled in 15 salmon after netting the Ridge Pool in Ballina when they were disturbed by fishery board officers.

After being challenged, the poachers abandoned the bulging net and its contents.

As of yet, no members of the gang have been apprehended, but the North Western Regional Fisheries Board (NWRFB) say they have "a fair idea" of their identity.

Board manager Vincent Roche explained: "Our staff had left the Ridge Pool in the early morning to patrol another stretch of the River Moy when the gang struck.

Fled

"When the fishery officers returned, the poachers immediately fled the area, leaving behind their net and 15 salmon.

"This was a brazen attack. Staff keep an eye on the Ridge Pool around the clock. There was quite a lot of fish in the river at the time the poaching incident occurred."

The Ridge Pool is extremely productive as a fishery beat and annually attracts some of the top anglers in the world, including former Ireland soccer manager Jack Charlton.

In late July and early August, peak angling charges apply on the pool — €130 per session.

Salmon fishing on the River Moy is said by the NWRFB to be "quite good" at the moment, with the weekend rains expected to improve catches even further.

- Tom Shiel

The Irish Salmon Growers Association is encouraging businesses to choose Smoked Irish Salmon, when selecting the perfect gift for their customers. The taste and quality of Smoked Irish Salmon is world renowned. The wild and challenging Irish seascape provides the ideal environment to produce a unique Irish food product, which is processed and packaged as a convenient Christmas gift. The taste and texture of Irish Salmon offers the smoke-houses an ideal raw material to apply their traditional skills and expertise, to bring consumers a truly special food experience.

ISGA Executive Secretary, Richie Flynn, said, "There are many smoked salmon products on the market, so it can be difficult to be sure that you are buying authentic Smoked Irish Salmon. The best way to make sure you are getting the real thing is to check the packaging. By law, all smoked fish must carry the location of where it was caught or farmed. The smokehouse must label the product as being "Smoked Irish Salmon" and not just as salmon smoked in Ireland as is sometimes the case. Some products carry the label "Irish Smoked Salmon" which is quite different in that the salmon used may not be Irish."

Mr Flynn continued, "As an Island, we produce a very small volume of salmon every year. Unlike the major players such as Scotland and Norway, we are a small scale producer and we are proud of our visible commitment to product quality. The Irish fish farming industry is very much committed to quality and has embraced the very stringent and independently audited standards developed by BIM, including Organic certification and the Irish Quality Salmon scheme. More recently the industry has embraced the development of the Eco Label standard, which certifies the farm's respect for the environment in the way they operate. All of these standards aim to assure the consumer about the quality of both the systems behind the industry as well as the actual product.

Smoked Irish Salmon is part of our food heritage, it tells people about the quality of our sea, the quality of our people and their unique craft. The production of quality smoked Irish salmon involves farmers from hatchery to the sea and professional artisnal smoke-houses – all of which provide significant employment in remote rural areas. Share the experience of unique, high quality home-grown smoked Irish salmon with your customers.

These negotiations, attended by Ireland, were conducted over two days, October 30th-31st at the Headquarters of the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission in London.

The Minister noted the significant agreement to an increase in Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of approximately 33% allowed for in the agreement. The resultant net increase in quota, which should be confirmed at the December Fisheries Council, for Ireland for 2009 (after deductions for payback for undeclared landings) should be in the region of 62,000 tonnes up from 45,500 tonnes in 2008. These figures may be subject to minor change as a result of some complex transfer arrangements.

The Minister said: "The mackerel fishery is of major importance to the Irish pelagic fishing fleet and I am delighted with the outcome of the negotiations and the likelihood of a quota increase of 16,500 tonnes of Mackerel for Irish Fishermen for 2009. This increase is generally recognised in Europe and in Norway as in large part resulting from improved control and enforcement with fishermen sticking more strictly to the quotas in this fishery in recent years. I welcome this reward for Irish Fishermen for the sustainable fishing practices evident in this fishery in recent years."

The Minister added that "in value terms this level of overall Irish quota for Mackerel is likely to be worth about €75 million directly to the fishing fleet in 2009, an increase of some €20m relative to 2008. Critically, the increased quota should also enable increased processing activity and employment in Irish Fish factories and this will add significantly to the value generated for Ireland from the Quota increase".

Minister Killeen also supported the new arrangements for the future long-term management of the stock and the measures being developed to reduce the level of discards in the fishery and improve control methods.

The Minister went on to say that "these arrangements are crucial for the long term sustainability of the mackerel stock and in conjunction with recent improvements in control measures are creating a stable environment for the determination of TAC's and quotas into the future"

On the question of the bilateral agreement between the European Communities and Norway the Minister reiterated the strong position taken by Ireland at the October Fisheries Council that "Ireland will not accept any suggestion that mackerel could be used to balance the overall fisheries agreement between the European Community and Norway".

Significant development work is being undertaken at Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre this year. The total investment for 2008 is in excess of €9.5m which includes an allocation of €8m for the new quay construction works. The development of the harbour will allow for larger vessels carrying deeper draft and will accommodate all of the new modern vessels which have entered the Castletownbere fleet. Minister Browne confirmed that this year's investment included grant-aid of €1m for the provision of a lifeboat shore facility for the RNLI which is due to be constructed on reclaimed foreshore within Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre.

Minister Browne announced that investment at Greencastle will continue in 2008. Grant aid of €3.6m has been approved for Donegal County Council which will enable continued progress on the construction of the breakwater at Greencastle. This project is being carried out and managed on behalf of Donegal County Council by the Department's Engineers "whose expertise and experience in this type of work is widely acknowledged as being of the highest standard." It is also a good example of effective and productive cooperation between the Department and Local Authorities.

In addition to the funding of the six main Fishery Harbour Centres and the Greencastle project, the 2008 programme also proposes significant expenditure on various small harbours. These are harbours around our coastline under Local Authority control that both supplement and underpin the activities undertaken in our larger harbours. "The harbours themselves are of great importance and enable the provision of employment and economic support to coastal communities." The value of the contribution made by these harbours is acknowledged in the Department's allocation of over €6m in grant aid.

Minister Browne advised that in addition to the Programme announced today he hopes to be in a position to shortly announce significant funding for the construction of pontoons at Ross an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre.

A table listing all the projects to receive funding in 2008 is beneath.

FISHERIES HARBOUR COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2008 FISHERY HARBOUR CENTRES
Safety and maintenance (all Fishery Harbour Centres) €1,750,000
Disability access (all Fishery Harbour Centres) €270,000
CASTLETOWNBERE
Dinish wharf extension €8,000,000
RNLI pontoon €1,000,000
Effluent treatment upgrade €40,000
Mainland quay extension and provision of slipway €200,000
DINGLE
Dingle harbour dredging €40,000
Removal of old slipway €60,000
Additional berthing pontoons €765,000
DUNMORE EAST
Harbour development project €30,000
Harbour sedimentation/dredging study €50,000
Repairs to East Pier – Phase 2 €350,000
Erection of safety railing/walkway €10,000
Upgrading slipway and access to west wharf €30,000
HOWTH
Installation of powerpoints €50,000
Upgrade of CCTV system €15,000
Maintenance dredging of harbour €100,000
KILLYBEGS
Environmental management study €50,000
ROS AN MHÍL
Gear Store and workshop building €600,000
Onshore works €300,000

LOCAL AUTHORITY PROJECTS MANAGED BY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (ENGINEERING DIVISION)
CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL
Doonbeg – Harbour developments €525,000
DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL
Greencastle – Phase 1 of harbour development programme €3,600,000
GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL
Doonloughan Pier – Repairs to access road and pier €75,000
Bunowen Pier – Underpinning works and installation of safety utilities €71,250
KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL
Cromane – Construction pier, breakwater, access road and dredging of entrance channel €750,000
MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL
Purteen, Achill – Assessment of development options €11,250
OTHER LOCAL AUTHORITY PROJECTS
CORK COUNTY COUNCIL (WESTERN DIVISION)
Crookhaven – Phase 1 of harbour development €525,000
Adams Quay Kinsale – Redevelopment of pier €105,399
Cape Clear – Computer generate modelling survey €100,000
CORK COUNTY COUNCIL
Ballycotton – Remedial works to breakwater €500,000
Garnish Pier – Phase 3 slipway development €192,084
DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL
Buncrana – Construction of breakwater €900,000
Mountcharles – Installation of sluice valve €9,000
Moville – Improvement to slipway and decking on pier €22,500
Glengad – Repairs to slipway €13,125
Rathmelton – Construction of slipway €37,500
FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL
Balbriggan – Improvements to structural fabric of harbour to repair storm damage €30,000
Skerries – Planning and design for harbour repair and upgrade €30,000
GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL
Wallace Quay – New slipway, pier repair and new access road €75,000
KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL
Tarbert – Continuation of pier stabilisation works €37,500
Scraggane – Completion of pier extension works €75,000
Knightstown – Completion of concrete breakwater €75,000
Renard – Works to pier €600,000
Tahilla – Provision of concrete slipway €75,000
Caherciveen – Completion of slipway and apron €5,625
LIMERICK COUNTY COUNCIL
Pier at Ballysteen, Askeaton – Repairs to pier €7,500
MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL
Roigh – Complete wall, carparking area and provision of new slipway €75,000
Cloghans – Complete works to deck and hardstand of slipway €75,000
Bundorragha – New slipway and pier improvements €75,000
SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL
Raghly Harbour – Completion of harbour crest wall and armour and repairs to top of outer wall, stabilisation to core of pier head and some armour protection €225,000

WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL
Kilmore Quay Main Project – Improve pier services preliminary design, detailed design and contract document €262,500
Kilurin Pier – Completion of slipway €26,250
Duncannon Pier – Structural repairs, safety improvements and improvement works to slipway €150,000
St Helen's Pier – Health and safety improvements to slipway €9,000
Carne Pier – Structural repairs and safety improvements €56,250
St Kierans Pier, Bannow Bay – EIA on preferred options, planning, foreshore licences €56,250
Courtown – Harbour condition survey, prioritisation and tender documents €45,000
Fethard Harbour – Prepare bill of quantities, specifications and detailed drawing €75,000
Cahore Pier – Structural repairs and safety improvements €37,500

Miscellaneous Maintenance Projects €20,000

Jason Whooley

Provisional figures reveal that the Irish retail and foodservice market for seafood continued to show growth with domestic seafood sales to the retail sector increasing by 7% to €169 million, while sales to the foodservice sector increased 5% to €213 million.

BIM Chief Executive Jason Whooley said that much of the positive growth was due to improved innovation and greater marketing effort in the seafood sector.

“The seafood sector’s performance has been underpinned by good growth in the domestic market, achieved on the back of record consumption in 2006 and, while the growth in exports is modest, it is pleasing to see Irish seafood holding its own in traditional markets while also enjoying a significant increase in sales in non-traditional markets such as Asia and Africa,” Mr Whooley commented.

At the recent Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Mary Coughlan and Minister of State John Browne were involved in intensive negotiations.

They dissuaded the Council and the European Commission from allowing the introduction of smaller mesh fishing gear into Ireland's waters, and in particular fishing grounds that are "vitally important" nursery grounds for various types of fish.

"Had this measure gone through it would have flown in the face of all our efforts to promote the use of larger mesh gear which allows small fish to pass through, reduce discards and promote the rebuilding of fish stocks," said Minister Coughlan.

They also agreed Marine Special Areas of Conservation for coral reefs in deep waters off the west coast of Ireland.

Minister Browne said the measure was an important one and delivered on Ireland's EU Habitats Directive obligations.

Mary Coughlan TD, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and John Browne TD, Minister of State secured a total catch allowance of 182,699 tonnes for Irish fishermen.

While the ban on cod remains in place due to low stocks, the Government managed to maintain existing quotas on monkfish, haddock and prawns, all of central importance to the Irish fishing industry. This despite a threatened 25% reduction in quotas.

And, even better, increased quotas were secured for hake and plaice off the south-west coast and haddock catches in the Rockall area off the coast of Donegal. The quota for certain types of mackerel was also increased by 24%.

"The final package of quotas for Ireland will underpin our 750 million euro seafood sector," Minister Coughlan commented.

The maintaining of quota and, in some cases, the increase of quota is more in line with our policy of making the fleet more sustainable through the decommissioning scheme for those who wish to leave the sector but which enables those who stay to earn a living.

We commend Minister Coughlan and Minister Brown, their officials and the industry representatives, who all worked together to achieve this success.

Collaborating with food companies, food ingredient suppliers, seafood processors and biotechnology firms, researchers identified three key research areas that the new initiative should now focus on:
– use of fish processing waste;
– sustainable exploitation of underutilised species of fish and seaweed;
– development of value-added products from aquaculture.

'Both the Marine Institute and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food see the need for new ways of thinking and diversification into new markets in the seafood sector,' Irish Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan said at the launch of the initiative. 'Ireland has both the natural resources and the expertise to become significant contributors in the new and expanding market for marine functional foods and food ingredients. This is why our two organisations have agreed to co-fund significant research in this new and exciting area.'

'This initiative recognises the potential of marine functional foods – which give health benefits as well as tasty eating – as identified through the consultation process around SEA Change – a Marine Knowledge, Research and Innovation Strategy for Ireland,' said the CEO of the Marine Institute, Dr Peter Heffernan. 'Our aim is to create a strong interdisciplinary research team, capable of exploring marine animals and plants as a source of materials for use in functional foods.'

IRELAND has been given the green light to go ahead with a €66m plan to scrap fishing boats in a bid to remove one third of the Irish whitefish fleet.

The EU Commission yesterday approved the restructuring programme which will be paid for by the Irish Government.

Under the scheme around 120 trawler owners are expected to get more than €500,000 each to scrap their vessels in a bid to stop too many boats chasing too few cod, haddock, whiting and plaice. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Mary Coughlan welcomed the EU decision to approve Irish state aid for the restructuring programme which would remove 35pc of the whitefish fleet.

"This is a very positive development for Irish fishing, in that capacity will be brought into greater balance with available fish and create an environment for the future development of a very important natural resource based industry," she said.

The decommissioning programme must not allow the EU to reduce the quota entitlements of Irish fishermen, said Fianna Fail MEP Sean O'Neachtain.

"Irish fishermen must have a right to quota stability so that they can make commercial decisions on a firm footing into the future," he said.

The decommissioning scheme is a central part of government plans for Irish fisheries. The funds available were beefed up after an earlier scheme failed to entice enough trawler owners.

"To this end, the Commission proposes provisional measures immediately prohibiting all fishing in those areas," it added.

The proposed ban covers four areas of the seabed to the west of Ireland, all of them remarkable for the deep-water corals which flourish in the cold Atlantic waters.

The corals, which in this case grow between 400 and 1,600 metres below the surface, are a key component of the deep-sea ecosystem, providing shelter and food to many types of marine animal.

But they have therefore become the target for deep-sea fishermen, who are attracted by the concentration of marine life.

And the technique of bottom-trawling – during which a heavy net is dragged across the sea-bed – threatens the area with a potentially catastrophic destruction of major coral formations.

"The most obvious impact of trawling is mechanical damage to polyps and reef structure caused by the gear itself … Recovery may not be possible or could be seriously impaired," a report by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) said.

The Commission's proposal could be approved when EU agriculture and fisheries ministers meet on October 22.

The decision is unlikely to spark a sudden wave of coral-reef scuba diving in Ireland, however: the deepest dive which humans can make without breathing special gas mixes is barely 60 metres.

This figure is just short of the all-time peak value for Irish aquaculture production of €125 million, which was achieved in 2002.

This is in spite of the fact that in 2006 production tonnage actually dipped by 8% to 57,422 tonnes and was due to a dramatic increase in the price of farmed shellfish (29%) and a stable price for farmed finfish, such as salmon and trout." Exciting " developments in 2006 include the farming of cod, perch, sea urchins, abalone and even seahorses on Irish fish and shellfish farms.