SHERKIN COMMENT Issue No. 39 Environmental Quarterly of Sherkin Island Marine Station 2005 INSIDEINSIDE AA triptrip ofof aa lifetimelifetime toto thethe SouthSouth AtlanticAtlantic Mapping & Monitoring the Environment Golden Plovers “Stand off” at the South Atlantic Photographer: Paul Kay Page 2 ....................................................................................................................................................................Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 39 Contents Editorial EDITORIAL: An Independent Review is Essential Matt Murphy’s view on the needs of the marine sector in Ireland. An Independent Golden Plovers............................................................3 Oscar Merne tells us about one of our most numerous migratory wintering waders. Review is Essential Irish Eyes on Nature ................................................................4 Ireland’s contribution to garden writing is outlined by John Akeroyd. shots as to our fish stock resources. We There’s more to reed than meets the eye ................................5 By Matt Murphy need to show independence and think of Jenifer Baker on this valuable member of the grass our fishermen first and worry less about family. THE development of our marine how many committees we chair. Photo: © Paul Kay The Fire Mountains of Lanzarote ..........................................6 resources offers considerable prospects for It is time to review where we are and to job and wealth creation at all levels: decide where we want to be in 10 years the country. We cannot afford two. The Anthony Toole on the Timanfaya National Park. national, regional and local. Our marine time with regard to our marine resources. government has recently introduced a spe- Faroe: The Unknown Islands......................................8 resources offer unique opportunities for An independent review is needed to cial fund for efficiency in the universities Daphne Mould sheds a little light on these economic and social development, espe- develop a policy with all those involved in – the Marine Institute should take notice. isolated islands. cially along our south-west and west coastal the marine sector, such as fisheries, aqua- The Marine Institute has been most suc- cessful in creating a link with the National A Spotlight on World Environmental Matters ......................9 areas. As a nation we have failed miserably culture, marine tourism, marine to develop these resources, especially when environment, role of government, state Cancer Institute, Maryland US. One of Interesting news on the world’s environment from their scientists visited Ireland in 2004 to Alex Kirby. one makes a comparison with other Euro- agencies and third level institutions. pean coastal countries, e.g. Norway. A model for delivering a national strat- discuss Biotech R&D using marine Litter Action & Local Image ................................................10 We are at present seeing the decline in egy for the future development of our species, especially those found off our An important and informative leaflet from ENFO. both fish landings and farmed salmon, the marine resources already exists for the west coast, in the Porcupine Bank region. The Fishing Industry must change ......................................11 latter has declined by approximately 50% in non-marine sector throughout the country. He visited various Universities to speak to their Biotech Departments and look at Jason Whooley looks to the future of the fishing industry. the last few years. This is a matter of grave This document, Ahead of the Curve, their facilities. We have many excellent Fisheries & Hydroelectric Schemes ..........................12 concern when account is taken of the level adopted by the Enterprise Strategy Review of state and EU financial support granted to Group, was published in summer 2004. scientists in our institutions involved in A fisheries environmental perspective from Patricia companies in the industry over the years. The marine sector would benefit greatly Biotech research, who can deliver if fund- O’Connor. Aquaculture is a very intensive technol- from a similar exercise. (www.enterprise- ing becomes available. The Marine Air Pollution: Asking the Questions ....................................13 ogy-led industry and R&D is essential for ireland.com) Institute must resist the temptation of get- Alex Kirby asks some tough questions of all of us. future development. The Norwegians have It is imperative that the Marine Institute ting involved with such research at their new fisheries research centre. Why waste Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála strongly defends the shown this to be so, yet here in Ireland, does not undertake such a review. They despite increased state support for have a vested interest in marine research at precious funding on a new facility when Board’s independence ..........................................14 these facilities are already available else- John O’Connor expresses his views. Research and Development (R&D) there Galway and Abbotstown. A review would is little evidence of new species being need to be objective and independent in where in the country? While the Marine A trip of a lifetime to the South Atlantic........15/16/17 farmed to offset the decline in farmed looking at all research within the State. Institute undoubtedly has major strengths Paul Kay’s adventure on the high seas. salmon output. Along with this the Marine Institute has it is vital at this urgent point that they iden- Mapping & Monitoring the Environment ..........................18 One must accept that our strategy is lost the confidence of many and are looked tify their own weaknesses. We continually read of major multi-national companies The Director of the Geological Survey of Ireland, seriously deficient and not working; there on as being too self-centred and self-serv- divesting themselves of their non-core Peadar McArdle talks to Matt Murphy. is too much fragmentation in the whole ing. They are being perceived as wanting aquaculture industry. A rethink is urgently to control and keep most of the funding for operations so as to concentrate on their Origins of the Acid Rain Problem in North America needed in order to promote communica- marine research and then divide the core products. The Marine Institute should and its Effects on Aquatic Ecosystems........20 tion, co-ordination and partnership among crumbs from the table between as many embrace this. Their core products are fish Tom Clair highlights this air pollution problem. the various bodies, government depart- institutions as possible. This policy of related – commercial and aquaculture. In Gurnards (Triglidae) in Irish and European Atlantic Seas ..21 ments, state agencies, third level spreading funding between so many is doing so they should especially look at the Declan Quigley on this relatively large family of institutions, industry and tourism. There is wrong. There is a huge waste in adminis- transfer of their salmon research at Fur- nace, Co. Mayo to the Central Fisheries demersal marine fishes. so much to be done in all areas. R&D, tration costs. The Marine Institute has Board, who with the various fishery Utilising manure and slurry while protecting human health ....22 education, training, administration and been most successful in attracting EU above all enterprise. Research institutions funding to Ireland, but together with the boards, has the responsibility for the man- The EPA’s provides guidelines to assist farmers, and the industry must work together. Links huge annual sum from the exchequer, it is agement of our rivers and lakes, especially farm managers, advisors, etc.. between business and academia must be imperative that we get value for money. salmon and trout. This responsibility Danes see light at end of Irish waste tunnel ........................23 strengthened; the latter must be more real- The state scientists, pre-Marine Institute at surely means that all research and man- Brendan Keane on how the Danes have made a istic and join the real world. This go it Abbotstown, most now in retirement, must agement into these species should be under the auspices of the Central Fisheries success out of Irish waste. alone attitude with all agencies/institutions be so envious. In the 1970s and 1980s they must stop. No one organisation has all the were often confined to their desks for long Board, which is the body most suitably Publications of Interest ............................................24 positioned to carry out this task. The Ten Steps of Catching Specimen Fish ..........................25 necessary expertise, knowledge, skills and periods as there was not even travel money resources to achieve the essential employ- available to go around the country to carry The Marine Institute is central to the A remarkable story of dedication to fishing from ment that could be generated along our out research. The industry, both commer- success of the development of our marine Bill Ryan. southwest and west coastline. cial fishing and aquaculture, welcomed the resources. The onus is on the Marine Insti- Captain Cockle’s Log ................................................26 Ireland’s commercial fishing industry is then announcement of a new Fisheries tute to be successful in fulfilling its More exciting facts from John Joyce. now in free fall; decommissioning of Research Centre which is now being built mandate. There are huge reservations in trawlers is now a reality with the recent at Oranmore, Co. Galway. However