SHERKIN COMMENT

Issue No. 24 Environmental Quarterly of Sherkin Island Marine Station 1999 Price 75p

INDEX Centre pages: “Bird Beautiful Birds”

Editorial: One Rule for Moorepark - Another for Cape Clear

Crete’s Floral Carpet

Molecules of the Left & Right

Eiders

Environmental Enforcement: Beyond Penalties

The Howth Peninsula

A Boost for Ireland’s Inshore Fisheries

Environmental Practice for Fish Farmers

ESB and its Role in Fisheries Management

My Father, the Naturalist

Using Wetlands to Clean the Environment

The Care and Conservation of Graveyards

Solutions to Leaking Home Heating Oil Systems

Encounter in the Tuamotus

Introduction to Sustainable Living

Wreckfish in Irish Waters

Church & the Environment?

The Right to Roam?

Water Quality in Ireland 1995-1997

Publications of Interest

Junior Pages

The Grey Heron. From the book: “Ireland’s Bird Life. A World of Beauty” Photographer: Richard Mills Page 2 ...... Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 One rule for Moorepark - Another for Cape Clear

advise them on construction problems. The is- that fish farming should come under the umbrella the turbot farm in Connemara is now making landers built the fish farm themselves from of the Dept. of Agriculture, as it is a farming ac- over £7 per kilo, compared to under £4 per kilo EDITORIAL scratch. tivity, because other kills may be necessary in for salmon. This shows that turbot farming is Their faith in themselves was fully justified. fish farming in the future. highly profitable. In the period of the 6-year turbot project, losses If the Dept. of the Marine is serious about The Department of the Marine cannot look at were under 2% - an incredible achievement. farming flat fish such as turbot and halibut then it the Cape Clear situation in isolation and it must By Matt Murphy Even better than turbot farms in France and must encourage and not discourage develop- realise that nation-wide they are sending a very Spain. ments like Cape Clear. The technology learned TWO major achievements in the development Michéal O’Ceadagain summed it up when he on Cape Clear has clearly shown that it is light negative message to financial institutions. How of fish farming in Europe have taken place on said that “we as islanders have always battled years ahead in its “know how” for flat fish devel- can such institutions finance any fish farming in Cape Clear, one of Ireland’s offshore islands off with one hand tied behind our backs because of opment. The sterilisation period on Cape Clear is turbot and halibut when, if the VHS virus should the south west corner. The projects for farming living on an island, but we have yet to fail to rise complete - since March 1998. This vital facility occur, there will be no compensation to the fish turbot and halibut could be significant for local to a challenge”. for fish farming must not be left to rot away in the farmer? Yes, the future is very bleak indeed for coastal communities on the mainland and islands By 1996 the farm produced 33 tonnes of high severe marine environment. in the provision of sustainable industries and lead the farming of new fish species in Ireland. quality turbot. As a result it was proposed to ex- It is interesting to note that the Norwegian gov- to the development of others. The islanders involved in the Cape Clear fish pand to full commercial scale and also to begin ernment have invested over £55 million on hal- Ireland’s commercial fishing is slowly coming farm have been treated shabbily. They proved on-growing trials on halibut which was proven to ibut research. Yet they still have only produced a to an end with the pressure from Spanish, French that in the farming of turbot and halibut they were be immediately successful. few hundred tonnes for the markets. Compare and British flag of convenience vessels raping the best. With halibut they did on a shoestring Udaras’ goals on research were totally fulfilled this investment with £60,000 that has been in- our waters with the encouragement of Brussels. what the Norwegian Government had to invest and the results and technology developed were vested in the Cape Clear halibut project. Cape Regrettably Irish fishermen have failed to get in- placed in the public domain. They were receiv- had already sold halibut to the market. At the £55M to do. These islanders deserve justice. volved in fish farming development. They are ing applications from potential new entrants to 1998 launch of the Cape grown halibut in Dun They have up to now been ignored, to use a char- mostly negative to it. Yet at the same time they Laoghaire Dr. Michael Woods, T.D., was very en- itable word. Living on Ireland’s offshore islands are the first to admit that few if any of their chil- turbot farming. A private company is now farm- thusiastic for the future of farmed halibut. He has disadvantages when it comes to running any dren will be able to fish for a livelihood. So what ing turbot in Connemara, Co. Galway, as a result said: “The pioneering trials by Eileabo Teo will their children do if they wish to fish? of the research done on Cape and other projects industry. Even so, it has been shown by these Oileán Chléire (Halibut Teo Cape Clear) have World-wide we are seeing species like cod, are currently being negotiated. Cape Clear islanders that they can equal or sur- demonstrated the technical feasibility of farming halibut, turbot, salmon and sole being farmed in In 1997 the Cape project was hit by an out- pass the major players in the aquaculture industry halibut in Irish waters - it is now vital to investi- the sea and onshore. The tonnage of fish species break of VHS (Viral Haemorrhogic Septicaemia). worldwide. farmed is increasing at an enormous rate annu- VHS is endemic in wild fish. Tests carried out gate its economic viability”. “There are strong ally. But in Ireland our tonnage of farmed fish is showed that the strain of VHS in the Cape fish world markets for quality seafood such as halibut rising at a snail’s pace. Tonnage on farmed was a marine strain. According to a European and the hope must be that Irish farmed halibut WE’RE BACK! salmon is 15,000 annually, yet the Shetland Is- scientific source, over 80 strains of VHS from will soon be available to consumers in Europe lands, off northern Scotland, produce over 50,000 wild marine fish have been isolated at various and further afield”. Our sincere apologies to all for the tonnes in a very small area. laboratories in Europe, including the Fisheries Yes, it is vital that the Cape Clear turbot and lapse in the printing of “Sherkin In 1991 the island co-op on Cape Clear made Research Institute in Aarhus, Denmark. Tests by halibut farm enterprise be fully compensated. Comment”. We are glad to be back in proposals to Udaras na Gaeltachta to pioneer tur- them to date show that any marine strains, when The decision of the Department of the Marine not print and thank you for your patience! bot farming on the island with a research facility. exposed to salmon and trout, do not produce dis- to do so is seriously flawed and must be re- Please note that all subscription holders Udaras took up the challenge and a partnership ease. These marine strains are different to the viewed. There were 4 full-time jobs and a num- will receive their outstanding issues. was established with the co-op to evaluate the freshwater strain as defined in the EU regula- ber of part-time jobs involved. One job on an tions. However, EU Regulations stipulate a cull island is equal to 100 in an urban situation. Cape technical feasibility of growing turbot in Irish INCREASE IN waters for the first time. of fish is necessary once a VHS outbreak occurs Clear, like other S.W. offshore islands, is on an It was anticipated that the project would up- in order to regain disease-free status, irrespective knife’s edge regarding its future. The turbot/hal- SUBSCRIPTION RATE! scale to commercial size if all went well. Udaras of what VHS strain is involved. They do not dif- ibut farm was a major sustainable industry for its also decided that this facility could be used to un- ferentiate between the marine and freshwater future. If the Dept. of the Marine continues to ig- Since we started publishing “Sherkin dertake research on other species as technical strains. nore its duty to the industry as a whole, maybe Comment” we have never raise the price “know how” was developed. Udaras realised that Although the presence of VHS was not in itself the solution to the problem would be if the Min- of the paper. Regrettably from this issue if this R&D project was successful then the tech- a major problem, as the mortalities on Cape were ister of State at the Dept. of Arts, Heritage, onwards we have to increase the price of nology could be used to set up commercial fish low at 7%, the farm was instructed by the Dept. Gaeltacht and the Islands, Mr. Eamon Ó Cuiv, the paper to 75p, as well as yearly farming projects in particular on the west coast. of the Marine to kill their stock of 60,000 turbot. T.D., could make additional funding available to subscription rates, due to additonal It must be pointed out that there were many scep- The halibut, which were on a trial programme, Údarás na Gaeltachta to address this issue. postage and running costs. tics both on and off the island. were also included in the cull although there were What is very encouraging is that turbot from To put everything in perspective - let it be un- no mortalities and even though scientists knew derstood that an island group undertaking such a VHS does not effect halibut. mammoth project start with certain disadvan- The Dept. of the Marine must be vigorous in tages: pursuing a change to the EU regulations on VHS. SUBSCRIPTION FORM Our sources in Europe tell us that the EU have • The island is 9 miles offshore from the fishing SHERKIN COMMENT is a quarterly publication of Sherkin Island Marine Station aiming many other issues to deal with and “unless you village of Baltimore. to promote the awareness of our natural resources, their use and protection. • The island ferry operates once daily for 10 Irish put on the pressure, there will be no months of the year. change.” we were told. SUBSCRIPTION: to receive a year’s subscription to “Sherkin Comment”, please send a • Most of the services that would be needed The total cost of this kill to the Cape turbot cheque or money order for IR£4.50 for Ireland and IR£5.60 for the U.K. (postage included); send IR£7.40 for Europe and IR£8.40 for the rest of the world (surface postage) - payable to such as construction, fitters, plumbers, etc.. farm was over £450,000. Although compensa- Matt Murphy, Sherkin Island Marine Station, Sherkin Island, Co. Cork. Ireland. would in reality have to be from within the is- tion was looked for to restart the project, the De- Tel: 028-20187 Fax:028-20407 E-mail: [email protected] land. partment of the Marine refused, making the case • Professional advise on fish problems would that as it was government monies in the first Please send me 1 years subscription - beginning with Issue No...... have to be on a common-sense approach as it place there should be no compensation. Yet the Please send me 2 years subscription - beginning with Issue No...... would not be possible to have a fish vet on Dept. of the Marine compensated shellfish farm- call. ers for losses in a red tide outbreak in 1998. I enclose cheque/postal order to the sum of IR£...... • The site, just yards from the sea was fully ex- Should this have been the case when some of the posed to the north west gales, so all work recipients had been capital grant aided by BIM Name ...... would be carried out in whatever weather con- previously - again Government monies? Address ...... ditions nature brings. However, a much more important precedent ...... Thus there was a realisation from the start of had been set around the same time by the Dept. of this project by the two founding members Agriculture in its dealing with the slaughter of ...... Michéal O’Ceadagain and Concubhar O’Drisceoill Moorepark’s (Ireland’s premier agriculture re- Signature ...... Date ...... that they would have to use all their ingenuity to search institute) dairy cow herd because of BSE achieve success. They also knew that they could (Mad Cow Disease). The overall losses were STAFF: Publisher, Matt Murphy; Editor, Matt Murphy; Editorial Assistant, Susan Murphy Wickens; not call on anyone in Ireland or Britain to advise well over £1M and the State fully funded these Typesetting, Susan Murphy Wickens. ISSN 0791-2447 © 1999 them on the growing of turbot to saleable size or which was correct and proper. Maybe it is time Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 ...... Page 3 Crete’s Floral Carpet

cially in the lowlands, and the island’s larger an- imals hunted to extinction. Today, however, the By John Akeroyd vegetation is growing back, with fewer people now living off the land. New olive groves are poor in wildflowers, but there remain plenty of AS Spring comes, many people travel in flowery waysides, scrublands, wild gorges and search of wildflowers. One of the best places in mountain slopes for the plant hunter. Orchids, Europe to seek spring flowers, especially orchids said to number some 60 species in a good year, and other exotic plants such as crocuses, man- are widespread, and a few stony mountain fields drakes, peonies and tulips, is the island of Crete still yield pink or red tulips. Even some coastal in the eastern Mediterranean. The Cretan coun- beaches are a sheet of floral colour in spring, the tryside is lush and green after winter rain, flowers visited by newly hatched Painted Lady splashed with flowers with vibrant birdsong. Butterflies. Crete is the southernmost province of Greece. The most characteristic and spectacular flow- The largest Greek island some 250km long, it lies ers are those of the gorges and cliffs. Many of between Greece and Libya. The mostly limestone these have invaded walls in the villages, even the landscape is mountainous, with several peaks ris- crumbling masonry of old Turkish and Venetian ing above 2000m, and has a number of long deep buildings in the towns. The commonest of the gorges.The rugged topography, long geological ‘gorge plants’ is probably Cretan Wall-lettuce isolation and a Mediterranean climate tempered (Petramarula pinnata), related to the bellflowers, by surrounding seas has promoted the evolution with tall spires of blue flowers and neat com- and survival of a rich and special flora. Some pound leaves with paired, dark-green leaflets. 10% of Crete’s 1650 wild plants are endemic - Cretan friends who survived the 1941-45 Nazi Turland Photo: Nick found nowhere else in the world. Others are occupation of the island recall eating the leaves Tulipa goulimyi - a rare endemic tulip also found in southern Greece. shared with, Greece, Turkey and North Africa. as a scarce wartime salad. In western Crete this At the same time, the island’s landscape has fine plant is often accompanied on walls by a yel- long been moulded by its human inhabitants. An- low-flowered Aaron’s-rod, or mullein, Verbacum cient terraces, olive groves and small, stony arcturus. This too has its original home on rocks fields are some of the best places to look for and cliffs. flowers, which thrive in the open habitats that On stony waysides one sometimes sees great people create. Some plants were perhaps even in- patches of the weird Cretan Birthwort (Aris- troduced by the farmers themselves, as crops or tolochia cretica), each flower like a hairy pur- weeds. Crete was the cradle of Europe’s first civ- plish-black flask. It is the food-plant of the ilization, that of the Minoans, a cultured and mys- Eastern Festoon Butterfly, which too is an en- terious people who enjoyed nearly 2000 years of demic (subspecies). Another notable endemic is peace and prosperity during the Bronze Age, the shrubby Cretan Sainfoin (Ebenus cretica), some 3000 years ago. each bush covered with spikes of crimson-pink Later came conquering Greeks, Romans, clover flowers from late April onwards. My own Arabs, Venetians and Turks. For nearly a millen- favourite is the scarce Cretan Peony (Paeonia nium Crete enjoyed peace under the Byzantine clusii), a distinctly exotic white flower of Easter- Empire, when hundreds of churches were built, time, which inhabits damp gullies in the White until the Venetians came in 1204. Venice above Mountains and elsewhere. But many of the choic- all, made its mark on Crete, leaving behind a est plants do not flower until summer, when it is legacy of rural infrastructure - bridges, drainage still relatively cool in the depths of the gorges. schemes, farmhouses, water-mills and fortifica- Some like certain bulbs and shrubs, do not flower tions. Like the English in Ireland the Venetians until autumn.

brought material benefits, and frequently inter- But perhaps the best-loved Cretan wildflowers Akeroyd Photo: John married and ‘went native’ in culture and religion, are the common ones that colour the spring land- A ruined Venetian fortified house in eastern Crete. but ruled the Cretans with a foolish mixture of scape. As winter ends, Crown Anemones greed, insensitivity and, too often, cruelty. The (Anemone coronaria) come into flower. These can Various ‘bee’ orchids are widespread, even on prized. This harvest will not wipe them out, but outcome was constant rebellion, considerable ex- be seen in the mountains until the end of April. roadsides and waste ground. Some, like Yellow modern farming and habitat destruction may yet pense and eventually, in 1669, surrender by a re- Slightly later, Turban Buttercup (Ranuculus asi- Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea), can be so abundant in do so. Nevertheless there is a small but growing sentful and depressed population to an expanding aticus) is everywhere, its large white flowers with dry pastures as to make it impossible to avoid conservation awareness on Crete that may Turkey. The island was reunited with Greece only black centres looking more like an anemone. Here stepping on them. One of the pleasures of Crete emerge as a strong force amongst an environ- in 1912. and there one finds patches of a lovely is seeing orchids that are so rare in northern Eu- mentally aware younger generation. The hurly-burly of history has left its mark on yellow-flowered form and some plants have pink rope. For example, on Crete one frequently sees Finally, to my mind the best floral display of the vegetation of Crete. Large areas of native for- flowers. In a few traditionally managed fields and the Monkey Orchid (Orchis simia), absent from all comes in autumn, from about mid-October. It est and mediterranean scrub were cleared, espe- terraces grows its rare, brilliant scarlet form. Ireland and restricted to two sites in England, involves fewer plants, mainly bulbs, but they are amongst scrub and on roadside banks in the unique. The island has been baked by the summer mountains. Nor does one need to go far. The sun, but there may have been some autumn rain; slopes of Mt. Jouktas, within 10km of the island’s the grapes are ripe, the sea is still warm and the capital Heraklion and easily accessible by road Cretans have a little more time to stop and talk to (or on foot) are covered with different orchids in the visitor. Up in the hills especially, where the April. nights are cooler, the fortunate plant hunter may This display of colour and richness of plant come upon the mauve autumn crocus, tiny white form comprises one of the most precious compo- and yellow daffodils (Narcissus serotinus), stern- nents of Europe’s floral heritage. Crete is now bergia (like brilliant yellow crocus) and the covered by European Union laws on the protec- strange, pinkish-yellow, flask-shaped arum tion of plant and animal habitats (such as the (Biarum davisii). There is even an autumn-flow- ‘Habitats Directive’) although sadly the responsi- ering grape hyacinth. Now that is worth the price ble authorities do not always apply them. Visitors of an air-ticket! can play their part by not picking or in any way damaging the wildflowers that they find in the Dr John Akeroyd, Editor of ‘The Wild Plants of countryside. Note that local people do still gather Sherkin, Cape Clear and adjacent islands of flowers from the wild to sell in markets and to West Cork’, takes botanical tours to Crete each decorate churches at Easter. For the most part this spring. is a sustainable harvest that gives the flowers a value in the local economy. Tulips are especially Page 4 ...... Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 Substances like tartaric acid, The second most common which can exist as mirror image simple sugar, fructose, is found molecules, are very widespread in fruits and nectar and is the MOLECULES OF THE in Nature, and are referred to as sweetest of all sugars. It is un- chiral. Their existence depends usual in being the only natural on the fact that carbon atoms sugar which exists only in the have the capacity to bond to L-form. four other atoms or groups of The common, domestic LEFT AND RIGHT atoms when forming a mole- sugar, sucrose, is a combination cule. If no two of these groups of glucose and fructose, and has are the same, then the possibil- a right-handed rotatory effect left-handed being in a minority. extends everywhere, even known tartaric acid. The other ity of mirror image molecules on polarised light. When bro- By M. A. Climbing plants generally twist down to the level of one of the was its mirror image. The prop- arises. The strange thing is that, ken down into its simple sug- their tendrils in one direction, fundamental units of Chem- erties of the two crystals and while both forms of a chiral ars, it becomes left-handed, with only rare exceptions. Snail istry, the molecule. their solutions were identical in substance can generally be because the effect of the fruc- Toole shells usually show a dextral, or In 1848, Louis Pasteur sepa- almost all respects, so it was made in a chemistry laboratory, tose is greater than that of the right-handed spiral, with very rated two types of crystal from concluded that they differed if such a compound exists in glucose. This mixture is often NATURE, it seems, prefers occasional individuals display- a solid deposit formed in wine only in the fact that the mole- Nature, only one form is nor- referred to as invert sugar. an imbalance in its structures. ing the sinistral. vats during fermentation of cules from which the crystals mally present. When sugars are broken Most people, for example, are This preference for one kind grape juice. One crystal was were made were themselves The mirror image forms of a down in the muscles, to pro- right-handed, with the of ‘handedness’ over its twin found to be that of the already mirror images of each other. particular compound can be duce energy, one of the prod- distinguished by a property ucts is lactic acid. This known as their optical activity. compound, which is responsi- Light can be thought of as a ble for fatigue, is only found in series of waves passing through muscles in the D-form. The lac- space. These waves vibrate in tic acid found in sour milk, all directions, vertically, hori- however, consists of an equal zontally etc. If light is passed mixture of the D- and L- mole- through certain kinds of crystal, cules. waves vibrating in all but one Just as a glove will only fit direction are absorbed, and the the hand for which it is de- emergent light is referred to as signed, the molecules in the polarised. For example, the body can only respond to chem- lenses of polarising sunglasses icals of the correct orientation. contain crystals which allow The mirror image form of a the transmission only of verti- chemical will provoke a com- cally polarised light. Horizon- pletely different response. tally polarised light, such as The L-form of limonene, for that reflected from a shiny road example, is responsible for the surface, is absorbed by the smell of lemons, while the lenses. D-form smells of oranges and When polarised light is L-carvone smells of spearmint, shone through a solution of a while D-carvone of caraway. chiral chemical, the direction of L-nicotine, the natural tobacco polarisation is rotated to the product, is toxic; the D-com- right (clockwise) or the left, de- pound much less so. L-adrena- pending on which mirror image line strongly constricts the form of the molecules is pre- blood vessels, while its mirror sent. The two forms are there- image has little effect. The mir- fore distinguished by the ror image form of the important prefixes D- or dextro- for the anti-oxidant, vitamin C, has al- right-handed rotation, and L- or most no effect in the body. laevo- for the left-handed. Most drugs are chiral: am- 15% of the mass of the aver- phetamines; the pain killer, age human body, muscles, skin, ibuprofen; the heroin substitute, hair, ligaments etc., is made of methadone. In such cases, only proteins, as are the haemoglo- one form is effective. Its mirror bin in the blood, hormones, image may do nothing at all, or such as insulin, the antibodies it may cause unwanted side ef- that fight disease, the enzymes fects. and chemicals essential to the The most notorious example proper functioning of the body. of the importance of chirality in These proteins are themselves drugs is seen in the thalidomide constructed from various com- tragedy of the 1960’s. binations of amino acids. There D-thalidomide is a safe remedy are a large number of theoreti- for morning sickness in preg- cal amino acids, but only 20 are nant women, and where only commonly found in Nature. All this was present, there were no except glycine, the simplest of problems. Unfortunately, some these, are chiral, and nearly all samples of the drug contained a are found only in the L-form. mixture of the D- and L-vari- In a similar way, plant tissues eties, and it was the latter which are made of carbohydrates, led to deformities in thousands which are built up from simple of babies whose mothers had sugars, the most important of taken the drug. which is glucose. The fact that In an effort to avoid repeat- there are four carbon atoms in ing such tragedies, the left- and each glucose molecule leads to right-handed forms of new the possibility of sixteen differ- drugs are now tested separately ent molecular shapes. Only before being passed for use. three of these exist naturally, Care is still needed, however, as and all are of the D-form. The there is evidence that one form yeast enzyme, zymase, will may sometimes be changed to convert all three into alcohol the other, inside the body. during the fermentation process, but has no effect on the M.A. Toole, 65, Cheswick synthetically prepared mirror Drive, Gosforth, Newcastle image sugars. upon Tyne, NE3 5DW, U.K. Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 ...... Page 5 EIDERS

nests on the ground in slight hollows which are lined with grass and other available dry vegeta- Oscar J. Merne tion, and then with a large amount of very warm, fine down which the ducks pluck from their own breasts. Clutch size is very variable, ranging from NOWADAYS synthetic materials are used ex- just one egg up to seven or eight, with two to four tensively in the production of duvets, sleeping being most frequent. These are incubated by the bags, quilted jackets and other items for keeping ducks for about four weeks, during which time people warm, whether it be on cold nights at the incubating birds leave the nests only occa- home, on mountaineering expeditions, or on vis- sionally and for short periods. Before doing so Photo: Oscar Merne its to arctic regions. In the past “eiderdowns” pre- the ducks carefully cover the eggs with the nest The Eider - famous for its valuable down, which has unsurpassed ceded synthetic duvets, and sleeping bags were down to keep them warm. This is essential in the thermal conservation properties. stuffed with down from the breasts of Elder more northerly parts of the breeding range where ducks. This down is still used for the more ex- temperatures can be very low, even in summer. Donegal. From there the species spread east- and the increase in global temperatures this es- pensive sleeping bags necessary for the extreme The ducklings hatch more or less simultaneously wards and south to the Copeland Islands and sentially arctic species seems to be extending its cold in alpine and polar explorations, for its light- and their down dries quickly and fluffs up. The Strangford Lough in Co. Down, and westwards range slowly southwards, rather than the oppo- ness, unsurpassed thermal conservation proper- family soon moves to the shore where the duck- and south along the Donegal coast as far as In- site. ties, and its ability to be compressed very tightly lings take to the water, cared for by the mother ishmurray in Co. Sligo. More recently small In the past Elders were often overexploited for when packed. duck. There they feed themselves by diving and numbers of Elders have taken up residence in Co. food, but improved protection in most countries Elder down used for these purposes is not catching small crustaceans. As they develop they Kerry. On the Continent there is also an isolated during this century has led to a population in- plucked from the breasts of shot or trapped Ei- take more and more shellfish, especially mussels. breeding outpost on the southern coast of Brit- crease. Recent winter censuses in Europe have ders. Rather it is collected from the nests of Ei- Often the ducklings from different broods come tany. produced between 2.4 and 3.3 million Elders. If ders shortly after the ducklings have hatched and together to form creches, sometimes containing In winter a few Eiders are recorded on the rest present trends continue maybe one day there will moved away to nearby seashores. Often the col- 100 or more birds. of the Irish coast, but the great majority of the be enough Eiders here to allow “harvesting” of lection of Eider down is a small-scale cottage in- Globally the Eider is a bird of arctic and birds remain close to the breeding areas. They are the valuable Elder down from used nests. dustry, but in some countries such as Iceland, sub-arctic regions in Canada, Alaska, Greenland, very gregarious and “rafts” of up to 600 birds where Eiders are particularly common, quite Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia. In Europe the have been seen on the Donegal coast. The total Oscar Merne heads the Bird Research Section of large Eider “farms” are developed. Eiders by na- breeding range extends southwards to the Baltic Irish population now is estimated to be about the National Parks & Wildlife Service of ture are colonial nesters and for reasons un- States, Denmark, the Netherlands, Scotland and 2,200 birds. It is interesting that in spite of the Duchas The Heritage Service, 51 St. Stephen’s known, numbers can be encouraged to breed in northern England, and the north coast of Ireland. warming influence of the North Atlantic Drift convenient places by stringing up colourful Some of this southwards extension has occurred Green, Dublin 2. bunting around the nesting ground. in recent times, and Eiders first nested in Ireland In the spring the female Eiders make their in 1912, on Inishtrahull, off Malin Head in Co.

The Central Fisheries Board is the national co-ordinating body for the management, development, protection and marketing of Ireland’s Inland Fisheries Resource. The Board is also responsible for the promotion of the Marine Sport Fisheries. Photo: Oscar Merne Ms. Josephine Coleman has recently been appointed as Catchment Inishtrahull, off Malin Head in Co. Donegal, where Eiders first nested in Ireland in 1912. Management and Environmental Co-Ordinator for the Board. This new post will involve the implementation of the Catchment Management approach to inland fisheries as outlined in the Board’s ‘Strategic Development Plan for Inland Fisheries 1998-2002’. This will involve the co-ordination of the six pilot catchment management projects announced some time ago by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources. A pro-active approach to pollution prevention and control will also play an important role in this process. The Catchment Management process involves the various interested parties from a geographically distinct river catchment coming together to assess their own individual needs. Such interests may include anglers, commercial fishermen, riparian owners of fisheries, local communities, local authorities, agricultural interests, tourists and any other public and private agencies interested in fisheries and environmental matters. For further information please contact: Ms. Josephine Coleman, Central Fisheries Board, Tel: (01) 837 9206, e-mail: [email protected]. Page 6 ...... Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 Exxon carried out the required spill cleanup operations. Under the enforcement settle- ments, the company paid a $3.5 million fine and provided a further $11.5 million for purposes such as purchasing conservation ENVIRONMENTALENVIRONMENTAL areas in the New York City Harbor vicinity. Among the areas purchased are portions of one of New York City’s least known envi- ronmental treasures, the Harbor Herons Wildlife Refuge, home to New York State’s largest colony of herons. The refuge is ENFORCEMENT:ENFORCEMENT: home to some 1,200 nesting pairs of herons, egrets and ibises. This thriving colony of herons and other wildlife tells a separate, even more impor- tant story. The refuge lies in the middle of heavily industrialized areas which had, Beyond Penalties until recently, been so severely polluted that they were considered little better than open sewers. But pollution controls first estab- ject. Such a “Supplemental Environmental grade the 31 miles of industrial sewers in lished under U.S. environmental laws dur- By: Walter E. Project” or SEP must be related in some way to the facility, from which hazardous chemi- ing the 1970’s worked: water quality the underlying violation; more importantly, it cals were leaking. In addition, Kodak improved, the natural food chain was must go beyond what the law already requires. agreed to implement $12 million worth of reestablished, and the birds returned. Mugdan Some SEPs involve pollution prevention SEPs. By the year 2001, these SEPs are ex- These are just a few of the hundreds of SEPs projects, in which the violator reduces a dis- pected to reduce pollution discharges by 2.3 negotiated by EPA over the past few years. ENVIRONMENTAL regulations don’t charge of pollutants below the required level. million pounds more than what is otherwise More detailed information about the wide mean much unless they are enforced. For this This can be done by adding more pollution required by law. range of SEPs used in EPA enforcement cases reason, the United States Environmental Pro- control equipment or, better yet, changing the * In 1991 the Exxon Corporation (known as can be found on the Internet at: tection Agency (EPA) has developed a vigor- manufacturing process so that less pollution is Esso in Ireland) settled several lawsuits http://es.inel.gov/oeca/sep ous enforcement program to complement its generated in the first place. Other SEPs in- arising from a 1990 spill of 560,000 gallons Most of EPA’s enforcement policies, includ- regulatory efforts. volve protection of environmentally sensitive of oil into the Arthur Kill, the marine wa- ing its policy on what kinds of SEPs are ap- EPA believes that a monetary penalty should areas. terway that separates New York City’s propriate to use in settlement of enforcement ordinarily be imposed when there has been a EPA calculates the after-tax cost of such a Staten Island from New Jersey. The spill cases, can be found at: significant violation. Such fines are among the project; that cost is used to offset the “gravity” happened when an underwater pipeline run- http://es.inel.gov/oeca/epapolguid.htm most effective deterrents to future violations. component of the penalty. (The economic ben- ning from an Exxon refinery to a nearby The size of the fine should reflect the severity efit portion cannot usually be offset by SEPs.) storage terminal ruptured. Pipeline opera- Walter E. Mugdan, Regional Counsel, U.S. and duration of the violation, the violator’s SEPs can have great benefits for the envi- tors had ignored warning signals designed Environmental Protection Agency, Region II, Jacob past compliance record, and the violator’s abil- ronment, and often to the regulated entity as to alert them to a spill; these warning sys- K. Javite Federal Building, New York, New York ity to pay. well. The following are examples of some of tems had been malfunctioning for an ex- 10278, USA. At a minimum, the penalty should eliminate the most successful SEPs we have negotiated: tended period without having been any economic benefit enjoyed by the violator * In 1991, E.I. DuPont De Nemours settled repaired. as a result of his violation. Economic benefit an enforcement case involving its 76-year accrues to a violator when a capital or operat- old plant in New Jersey, one of the largest ing expenditure associated with coming into chemical plants in America. DuPont agreed compliance is delayed beyond the required to pay $1.85 million in penalties, and also compliance date. For example, if a company to study 15 chemical manufacturing delays an expenditure for pollution control processes. The results surprised even the equipment, it can use the money during the in- company itself: wastes from these terim for some profit-making investment. The processes were reduced by 48%, while sav- return on this hypothetical investment can be ing the company nearly $15 million a year! estimated using accepted economic models. In Improvements included reduced used of addition, this company will also avoid the chemical solvents; reductions in by-prod- costs of operating the pollution control equip- ucts and, in one case, packaging materials ment during the interim period. Both the re- in reusable containers instead of 55-gallon turn on the hypothetical investment and the drums that were decontaminated and dis- avoided operating costs are economic benefits carded. The 15 projects had a one-time which accrue to the violator, but not to his law- total capital cost of $6 million, and are sav- abiding competitors who comply on time. ing DuPont $15 million annually. Best of But merely recovering the economic bene- all, DuPont’s study is publicly available so fits from a violator is not usually enough; after that these technologies can be shared with all, this only puts him back where he should other companies and other industries. have been if he had complied on time. An ad- * Chemical Waste Management, Inc. (CWM) ditional payment, sometimes called the “grav- is the world’s largest waste management ity” component, provides the deterrence. In company. In a 1993 enforcement settle- determining the size of the gravity component ment, CWM agreed to purchase emergency EPA evaluates all the circumstances, such as response vehicles and other related equip- the seriousness of the violation, its impact on ment for Niagara County, New York (where the environment, the violator’s cooperative- the violations occurred), and to provide ness upon detection, the speed with which he training in their use for County personnel. comes into compliance, and his past compli- CWM also implemented a County-wide ance history. household hazardous waste collection and disposal project, including outreach to com- munity groups and development and pro- Pollution Prevention Projects duction of promotional and educational Penalties are important, but they are not the materials. The value of this SEP was esti- only approach for resolving an enforcement mated at $730,000. case. EPA has developed an innovative en- * In 1994 the Eastman Kodak Company set- forcement approach which can benefit the en- tled an enforcement case involving its vironment more than a mere penalty, and can Rochester, New York plant — one of the even benefit the violator. EPA allows a viola- oldest and largest manufacturing facilities tor to reduce the fine he would otherwise have in the world, employing over 20,000 work- to pay in exchange for a binding commitment ers in 400 buildings. Kodak agreed to pay to carry out an environmentally beneficial pro- a penalty of $5 million dollars and also up- Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 ...... Page 7 map shows the main (though not all) pathways by which the visitor can criss cross the peninsula. The accompanying booklet, in two colours, depicts the main historical sites of the area, including one of the largest Dolmens in Ireland, a cairn, site of a promontory fort (now Baily Lighthouse), a holy well, a medieval abbey, the THE HOWTH PENINSULA landlord’s castle and three Martello towers. Information is also given in the booklet on places to eat, drink, sleep and be merry and other useful services, including transport. Fingal County Council (formerly Dublin County Council) has A Guide to it’s Wildlife Habitats praised the results of Howth/Sutton 2000’s work and partially financed the publication of this visitor pack. Other funds were raised locally and generous funds came from the National Heritage Council. Rhododendrons and Azaleas A campaign has been raging for five years to protect the high can compete with Muckross amenity areas from further development. Howth/Sutton 2000 House Gardens in Killarney in developed out of a wish to demonstrate the common sense reason quality, if not in quantity. Many for opposing certain developments. The group is now composed of paths criss-cross the heathlands two Tidy Town groups, Howth and Sutton, a combined Chamber of and meadowlands of the Commerce and a Planning Group. These groups network through peninsula where horses graze the Howth/Sutton 2000 committee on many matters including in some of the most Tourism Development, Job Creation, Transport, Environmental magnificent scenery in Ireland. matters, etc. The FAS - Training and Employment Authority From the famous East projects were one way of producing materials or doing work Mountain and West Mountain relevant to the Development Plan objectives of the group. Their of the Hill of Howth there are five areas of study were Environment and Conservation, Job panoramic views of Ireland’s Creation, Tourism, Transport and Housing. In 1997, following five Eye and Lambay Islands to the years of agitation and hard work by Howth/Sutton 2000 and others, north and Dublin Bay and the the then Minister for the Environment, Mr. Brendan Howlin, T.D., Dublin and Wicklow announced a directive to Fingal County Council to prepare a Mountains to the south. The Special Amenity Area Order (S.A.A.O.) for the seaward lands on City of Dublin spreads out to the Howth Peninsula. The local councillors voted at a later date to the west and is a mass of extend this order to the inland portion of the peninsula. During the sparkling lights, lighting up the summer months a public information exhibition was on display sky at night. It can be viewed explaining the process. Howth/Sutton 2000 provided all the from Shielmartin Mountain information they had gathered over the years to assist and support (the highest point) and Dun this very important and historical initiative. Development pressure Hill opposite, a reputed resting has increased since the former Minister’s announcement, but with Howth Peninsula has been described as a microcosm of the Island of Ireland. place of the mythological continued vigilance on the part of local groups and the good figures Diarmuid and Grainne. relationship which has developed with the Local Authority in THE Howth Peninsula lies at the north eastern edge of Dublin The stony and sandy beaches provide rich opportunity for marine preparing the S.A.A.O. and other matters, Howth/Sutton 2000 is Bay. In 1990 a Community Development Group emerged on the life enthusiasts and are easily accessed along the Lower Cliff Path hopeful that ground-up initiatives are seen to work and that Howth Peninsula. The two main centres of commerce on this which takes the walker practically right around the peninsula from networking between environmental and local business interests peninsula are Howth, a well known fishing port, and Sutton, the Howth to Sutton or vice versa, where public transport (DART and makes sense. main banking and shopping centre. The group called itself bus) will carry them back to the city. The sea bird colonies along Howth/Sutton 2000 look forward to the implementation of the Howth/Sutton 2000 (referring to the coming millennium). The the cliffs can be easily and safely viewed from this path or a boat Special Amenity Area Order for the millennium and meanwhile County Development Plan is renewed every five years so members trip to Ireland’s Eye during the summer season will provide rich continue to encourage and take direct interest in all matters of the group set about preparing their own local development plan, pickings for ornithologists. On land, birds of heathland, concerning the beautiful environment in which they are privileged part of which they hoped to have included in the 1991 County meadowland and woodland abound though the fires and other to live and which they hope to pass on to future generations of Development Plan. They succeeded in their objective and most untimely intervention by man has played havoc with habitats Dubliners. particularly with regard to planning development and during the nesting season. Comment is often made on the number environmental matters including the protection of open spaces, of foxes resident in the area regularly seen in gardens and Jean Finn, Howth Sutton 2000, “Fintona”, Windgate Rise, deemed to be of high amenity value. disappearing into hedgerows as car lights approach. Howth Summit, Co. Dublin. The Howth Peninsula - A Guide to it’s Wildlife Habitats The Howth Peninsula pack provides all this in colour and the resulted from a FAS Training and Employment Authority project sponsored by Howth/Sutton 2000 as one way of carrying out their environmental, conservation and tourism objectives. This, of course, would have a natural spin off in terms of job creation as the fishing industry and tourism development were identified by the group as being the most suitable sources of job creation for the area. The Howth Peninsula is a mere 10 miles from the centre of our capital city. Howth/Sutton 2000 realised that unless the enormous and obvious asset of this mixed and delicately balanced environment was highlighted, it would be quickly destroyed (a) by building and other development, and (b) by overuse. Development land prices on the Howth Peninsula are amongst the highest in the country and many Dubliners who have visited the Howth Peninsula over the years are appalled at how little of the open spaces still remain and at the intensity of development in general. Howth/Sutton 2000 sees the Peninsula as a high quality amenity for the citizens of Dublin and it’s visitors and believes that the facilities of the area, both natural and man made and it’s accessibility by public transport make it unique in European terms. What is so special? It has been described as a microcosm of the Island of Ireland and the visitor pack, “The Howth Peninsula”, records this fact. It sets out in panels at the back of a fold away map, the various habitats on the peninsula. It identifies common plant and animal life and when best to view it. The Howth Peninsula boasts the presence of 80% of Ireland’s wild flowers. On the doorstep of our capital city, with a population of over one million, we have a small bog, low heathland, which, despite the many fires caused by some young “bored” people, continues to sprout forth bell and ling heather, and the glorious yellow furze, which is at it’s best in May/June. The woodlands are carpeted with wild garlic and bluebells. They are accompanied by Rhododendron Ponticum which, though threatening other species, is admittedly glorious in its purple hue. The Rhododendron Gardens at Howth Castle Demesne (Deerpark) with their wide variety of hybrid Page 8 ...... Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 The main suggestions were: • Lobsters: extend v-notching of spawn- ing females (which means they are put back into the sea). Increase minimum A Boost for Ireland’s size caught and limit the season each year. • Shrimps: Limit pots per boat and fish- ing to five days. Prohibit sale of spawn- ing shrimp. Introduce an escape panel in pot for small shrimp. Inshore Fisheries • Seals: They are a major problem to fish stocks and need culling. • Crabs: Introduce a minimum size that they are the poor relations of the fishing in- can be caught. dustry. The inshore fishermen in most areas • Crawfish: Discontinue crawfish nets, are unrepresented at national level. The use pots only and introduce minimum main fishermen’s organisations represent the larger boats and from the report it can be size. seen how true this is. Yes, the inshore fish- • Better Inshore organisations to represent ermen have obviously been ignored. them. The recommendations of the report in- • Close local areas, on a rotation basis, to clude: allow some recovery of stocks. • A National Inshore Advisory Committee • Keep large fishing boats out of inshore • A pilot scheme should be established at areas. local level to examine feasibility of set- • Better fisheries management for inshore ting up local Inshore Fisheries Commit- areas. tees. There is now an opportunity for the Minis- • The Marine Institute should undertake ter, Dr. Woods, to create a strong and vibrant an enhanced stock assessment and re- inshore industry, by introducing many of the search programme of inshore stocks. suggestions put forward by fishermen and • Consideration to zonation of inshore the report’s recommendations. Most, if not waters for management purposes. all, of the areas inshore are fished solely by • Extend to all vessels the keeping of log- Irish fishermen and thus can be controlled The report shows that the landings from books. • BIM should undertake a review of mar- more easily. The inshore fish species land- By Matt Murphy the inshore sector are worth £30M i.e. 21% ings can, with proper management and con- of total fish landings of £142M. Over 3,700 keting strategies and transport for in- servation regulations, be substantially “THE socio-economic dividend of inshore people are employed in the sector (represent- shore species. increased in the coming years. This would fisheries is vital for those living along our ing almost 50% of total onboard employment • Inshore fisheries sector should be en- give more secure employment to those al- seaboard,” so says the Minister of the Ma- in the fishing sectors.) There are over 1,744 couraged to avail of opportunities in rine, Dr. Michael Woods, T.D., in his fore- vessel less than 15 metres in length in the aquaculture. ready fishing and encourage young people word to the “Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector sector – 83% of the national fishing fleet. • BIM should carry out enhanced inshore into the fisheries. Review & Recommendations”. He had The report will be of major importance to fisheries development and training pro- This report is essential reading for all in- asked BIM to undertake a strategic review of the Government who will be submitting Ire- grammes. shore fishermen and policy makers and espe- our inshore fisheries, in particular to exam- land’s proposals on what adjustments it The vital and most important section in cially local community groups. It is ine structural and employment issues, con- needs to the Common Fisheries Policy, this report are the comments on stock con- thorough, easy to read and understand - un- servation and management of inshore stocks which will be decided by Brussels by the end servation by fishermen. These, if imple- usual for most reports. The Minister should mented, would have major significance in and to identify existing and new develop- of 2002. Inshore fisheries have never at- be very pleased with his initiative in request- increasing the income of fishermen. ment opportunities for the resources. tained their full potential – in many ways ing BIM to undertake this report. Environment Practice for Fish Farmers

By Matt Murphy In some areas they failed to throughout the country. cals, the manufacturers operation at a level where cance. It is the marketing and undertake good housekeeping The booklet stated: instructions to be fol- they do not disturb neigh- grant aid semi-state body for FISH farming in Ireland practices. Because of this “Far from being a threat to lowed bours. the aquaculture industry. It re- now produces one-third of the they are affecting most fish the aquaculture industry, • All organic matters not to • Keep onshore site tidy. alises that without a proper value of all Irish seafood. Its farmers and are giving the properly implemented and sci- be disposed in the sea or • Piers and jetties should Environmental Practice the development has created gen- anti-lobby ammunition for entifically based environmen- watercourse. be kept free and tidy. fish farming industry cannot uine environmental concerns further objection. tal and conservation • Waste storage to be out of • Make sure the site area expand and prosper. It is well from local residences where it The recently published legislation, will encourage a public view. does not contravene any aware of the genuine concern is being undertaken. It must booklet “Aquaculture and the healthy, productive and prof- • Finfish farms would have seaweed rights, oyster of the majority of the public be said that there is also a Environment” by BIM (Irish itable aquaculture industry, a plan to deal with large fishery orders etc.. and the hyped-up hysteria cre- NIMBY (not in my backyard) Fisheries Board) is most wel- living in harmony with it’s nat- mortalities. Other sections in the book ated by others. lobby in certain areas who do come. The purpose of the ural surroundings.” Infrastructure & Equip- explains the various areas of BIM must insist that those it not want any such develop- publication is to briefly ex- Under the section on: ment: This section in the protection under Health regu- grant aids have to put an envi- ment. They unfortunately are plain what implications the Aquaculture and Waste booklet gives the recom- lations and the 1976 Wildlife ronmental management plan not prepared to see local em- Natural Heritage Areas Management mended action on certain is- Act. The animals that are pro- in place. It is only a minority ployment being created in (NHAs), Special Areas of • Recommendations are sues. tected under this Act include of fish farmers that are rock- areas unable to attract indus- Conservation (SACs) and given on disposal, that a • Always ensure that all Cormorants, Herons, Terns, ing the boat but they must be try, even in the “Celtic Tiger” Special Protection Areas Waste Management Plan necessary licences are Oystercatchers, Bats, Otters, dealt with severely. The iso- era. (SPAs) have for aquaculture be implemented and that compiled with. These in- Seals, Dolphins, Whales, Pro- lated communities of the West It must be said there are operations. The aquaculture agreement be reached clude planning permis- pose. Culling of predators can and South West coasts need a careless fish farmers who are practices outlined in this with the local authority sion, foreshore licence only be carried out under li- thriving and expanding aqua- untidy with their waste mate- booklet are given as examples on methods of collection and aquaculture licence. cence. culture industry – nothing rials e.g. nets, ropes, pergola of good environmental prac- and disposal of waste. Water discharge licence. That BIM has published must stand in the way of such (mesh stockings for mussels). tice for aquaculture operators • In the disposal of chemi- • Keep noise levels of the this booklet has great signifi- development. Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24...... Page 9 The Return of a “Keystone Predator” in the North Pacific

the U.S. reintroduced sea otters populations which have grown to a remote portion of the west beyond the capacity of their By Jane coast of Vancouver Island from habitat to support them. Female 1969-1972. With little human sea otters have one pup per intervention, the population has year, but the low mortality rate, Watson grown and spread at a rate of coupled with an abundance of about 18% per year. In 1996 resources, allows most sea otter Fitzharris Photo: Tim there were over 1,500 individu- pups born in Canadian waters THE sea otter is back. A shy The sea otter is essential to the ecology of Canada’s west coast. little marine mammal, the otter als, and the Canadian sea otter to survive. population was downlisted Sea otters are the smallest of was once common all along the versity. In particular, sea otters weed to inaccessible areas Sea otters represent a valu- from endangered to threatened marine mammals. An adult northeast Pacific rim, ranging feed on herbivorous inverte- which are shallow and able reminder of the interde- on Canada’s list of species at male may weigh up to 40 kg. from cold upwelled regions of brates such as sea urchins, waveswept or have unstable pendency of ecosystems. With risk. Sea otters lack the thick layer of Baja, Mexico to northern Japan. which graze intensely on sea- substrate. Over the last ten continued non-intervention, Conservative estimates suggest This success is not unique. blubber found in most marine weed and soft-bodied inverte- years biologists have docu- and in the absence of environ- that prior to 1800, there were Reintroduced populations in mammals and depend upon a brates. In B.C., sea otters mented dramatic changes asso- mental problems, the prospects over 300,000 sea otters in the Washington State and South- dense fur coat and high meta- appear to be the only ciated with the return of sea for the sea otter should continue coastal waters of the North Pa- east Alaska have also done bolic rate to maintain body heat non-human predator capable of otters. As sea otters re-inhabit to look promising. cific. But sea otters were highly well. Sea otters are fortunate in in the chilly north Pacific. Their controlling urchin populations. their historic range, urchins dis- valued for their pelts, and an in- that they have few natural high metabolic rate requires When sea otters were removed appear and kelp forests grow. Jane Watson is a biology predators. Killer whales will that sea otters eat up to tensive fur trade which lasted from the ecosystem 100 years Kelp in turn affects the ecosys- instructor at Malaspina from the mid-1700s until their prey on sea otters but appear to one-third of their weight in ago, urchin populations in- tem, increasing nearshore pro- University-College in protection in 1911 reduced the prefer blubber-laden seals, por- food each day. creased and kelp forests along ductivity, providing particles of Nanaimo, B.C., Canada. The worldwide population to fewer poises and dolphins. Bald ea- In British Columbia, sea ot- rocky coastlines declined, a kelp for detritus-based food than 2,000 animals. In Cana- gles also take sea otters, often ters act as a “keystone preda- profound ecological change webs, creating habitat for adult article was reproduced, with dian waters, the last known sea providing their offspring with tor,” a species that exerts a that went largely unnoticed or and juvenile fish, and altering thanks, from the “Recovery - otter was shot in 1929. sea otter pups. strong influence on the recorded. water currents which affects in- An Endangered Species Federal, provincial and state Starvation is the greatest nearshore community, affecting In areas without sea otters, vertebrate settlement and even Newsletter”, published by the governments from Canada and source of mortality in sea otter its structure and biological di- urchin grazing restricts sea- reduces coastal erosion. Canadian Wildlife Service. Fish Farming is a Growing Business

Worth: • £60 million to coastal areas • 1/3 of all Irish fish production • Over 2,000 jobs in rural Ireland • 12-month a year employment • Export-oriented • Labour intensive added value Irish fish farmers produce top quality seafood for the restaurants and supermarkets of Europe • to the highest quality standards • under an intensively monitored licensing regime • without quotas • in pristine waters • meeting the requirements of the most demanding customers and consumers • providing much needed jobs in coastal areas • giving custom to and providing jobs in local service industries - feed, nets, engineering, garages, boats, packaging, vets, etc. • in harmony with EU Environmental Directives For more information contact: IFA Fish Farming Section, Irish Farmers’ Association, Bluebell, Dublin 12 ph: 01-4500266 fax: 01-4551043 e-mail [email protected] Page 10 ...... Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 ESB and its Role in Fisheries Management Galway and Cork, Central and reasons behind the decline in game By Maurice O’Callaghan Regional Fisheries Board, Duchas and fish stocks over the past decade is not Department of the Marine and Natural fully understood but is thought to be Resources. linked to euthrophication. A proposal IN addition to generating all of to carry out rehabilitation work on two Ireland’s electricity requirements, ESB feeder rivers to the lake is being is also a major owner of inland Highlights from the year: investigated at present and involves fisheries in the country. Most of the cross agency co-operation to tackle the fisheries are closely associated with problem. There is some evidence to the hydroelectric generating stations Launch of Phase Ill of the suggest that recent investment in local situated on the rivers Shannon, Erne, Shannon Salmon water treatment and agricultural Lee, Liffey and Clady/Crolly. ESB pollution schemes is gradually runs a number of scientifically based Management Program: improving the situation. fisheries management programs on the The Minister for the Marine and major systems to ensure the continued Natural Resources launched Phase Ill survival of all species native to these of the Shannon Salmon Management Improvements to facilities at waters. In accordance with the terms Program. The programme is an ESB Pollaphouca reservoir and of the Fisheries Act 1935 and initiated proactive conservation subsequent legislation the particular measure aimed at preserving and Inniscarra Lake focus of ESB is to maintain and maintaining the Atlantic salmon stock Pollaphouca reservoir is located at preserve the migratory species on on the River Shannon. Phase 111 sets Blessington, Co. Wicklow and is Ireland’s waterways. an action plan with clear, easy to owned and managed by the ESB. Each year ESB Fisheries publishes evaluate targets for the implementation During 1998 improvements were an annual report which offers some of the restocking and monitoring made to car parking and access detail of the progress of ESB fisheries activities of the fisheries management. facilities on the reservoir. Facilities for management programs. The report The objectives set out by Phase Ill disabled anglers were also among the details the activities of the ESB across are: new initiatives provided. its broad fisheries management • To ensure that 2000 wild salmon During the year, under license from programs as it maintains and preserves enter the cascade catchment ESB, car parking facilities and fishing fish stocks in accordance with annually to spawn stands were provided at 15 locations government legislation. The ESB is • To increase the understanding of by South Western Regional Fisheries responsible to the Minister of the salmon population in the residual Board around Inniscarra reservoir, Co Marine and Natural Resources for all catchment area Cork. activities relating to its role in • To involve as many statutory and Commenting on ESB’s Fisheries Fisheries Management. Cork. As part of the ESB initiated community groups as possible in Excellent results from Parteen activity Gerry Gough, Fisheries The main highlights from 1999’s River Lee Salmon Management the execution of the programme Manager, ESB said, “As ESB carries report include: Programme an estimated 0.2m unfed and Carrigadrohid hatcheries out its conservation work on Irish • Launch of phase Ill of the Shannon fry and 90,300 smolt were released Parteen hatchery was constructed at rivers it is evident that water quality Salmon Management Programme into the Lower River Lee. Full Recovery of the Parteen weir in 1959. Its main goals continues to be a major problem for • Full recovery of the Mulkear River are to assist the recovery of wild the management of fisheries. ESB • Excellent results from Parteen and Mulkear River: salmon populations upstream of welcomes the findings of Lough Carrigadrohid hatcheries In August 1997 there was a major Completion of Report on Parteen and Ardnacrusha and to Ree/Derg Catchment Monitoring and • Completion of report on Trout fish-kill on the Mulkear River, Co increase knowledge about salmon. As Trout Stocks in Lough Derg Management Group which was stocks in Lough Derg Limerick. In response to the fish-kill part of the Shannon Salmon A report of work carried out on produced earlier this year on the • Improvements to facilities at ESB sponsored a two year Management Programme, 1.7 million brown trout in the Lough Derg causes of poor water quality on the Pollaphouca reservoir and post-graduate project to monitor the unfed fry and 151,000 smolt were catchment area during the period River Shannon. It is certainly a step in Inniscarra Lake recovery of the river. The project is planted into the Shannon catchment 1991-98 was issued by ESB during the right direction and ESB will be ESB operates its Fisheries now complete and indications are that over the last year. October 1998. working closely with associated conservation under the guidance of the ecology of the affected stretch has Carrigadrohid hatchery on the River The report is a base line study which bodies to ensure the continued expert scientific groups in all fisheries returned to normal and salmon stocks Lee was officially opened in 1956 and confirms reports that stocks of trout in improvement of water quality in Irish management programs. Participating are close to full recovery. is located immediately downstream of the lake are seriously depressed. The rivers.” groups include experts from NUI Carrigadrohid generating station, Co. Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 ...... Page 11 MY FATHER, THE NATURALIST

preferred to observe the natural envi- only took many photographs and By ronment first-hand. He would like to brought back specimens from this and have gone to such places as the Gala- other scientific expeditions, but also pagos Islands to discover animal discovered several species of lizard Marcia Klingel species unknown to biologists (as Dar- new to science. While in Haiti, on an- win did) or have sailed with explorers other expedition, he took the first mo- (such as Captain Cook) in order to tion pictures of the Rhinoceros Iguana, Benouameur bring back plants and animals of the a monster lizard, in its natural habitat. sea. Gilbert Klingel dreamed of carry- Gilbert Klingel was one of those GILBERT C. Klingel (1908-1983), ing out a similar mission himself, in people who despite great odds at a man of many talents, was an Ameri- this century, and set out to do just that. times, and little funds to carry out pro- can naturalist, explorer, award-win- In 1930, he had a sailing ship built jects, still managed through faith and ning author, inventor, metallurgist, and especially for a long expedition to the quiet persistence to reach goals which boatbuilder. Of all these talents, how- islands of the Caribbean. His 38-foot otherwise would have seemed unat- ever, he was first and foremost, a natu- sailing yawl, the “Basilisk”, was mod- tainable. Using only make-shift equip- issue of the National Geographic Mag- “The prime rewards are in small ralist. His writings portray a love and elled after Captain Joshua Slocum’s ment, such as a used boiler, garden azine. The article was entitled “One things, like listening to seagulls in the understanding of all creatures, their “Spray”, the boat in which Slocum cir- hoses, and an automobile tyre pump, hundred Hours Beneath the Chesa- morning, enjoying the sunshine and cycles of birth, life, and death as well cumnavigated the globe single- he invented a diving device in 1935 peake”. The “Aquascope” is now on hearing the wind...” as their role in the ecological balance handed. Gilbert Klingel’s expedition called the “Bentharium.” With it, he display in the Calvert Marine Mu- There is now a tiny museum on of nature. He knew that a breakdown was sponsored by the American Mu- made some of the first direct observa- seum, Solomon’s Island, Maryland. Gwynn’s Island dedicated to preserv- of this balance would seriously endan- seum of Natural History and the Nat- tions of the underwater life of the Though originally from Baltimore, ing the history of the island and its in- ger the environment of our earth. His ural History Society of Maryland and Chesapeake Bay. These studies, along Maryland, Gilbert Klingel chose to re- habitants. One of the new exhibits on inventions, as a pioneer in underwater was to have been the first of its kind. with numerous field trips above and tire to Gwynn’s Island, Virginia, a the second floor of the museum fea- exploration and photography, made the Plans were made to sail from island to below the bay, eventually resulted in small island in the Chesapeake Bay lo- tures the life and works of Gilbert study of marine life easier to observe island in the West Indies to observe, the publication in 1951 of Klingel’s cated at the mouth of the Piankatank Klingel. There is a second exhibit dis- at a time when very few people collect, and gather information on rare second, and best known book, The River. This was a place he had visited playing most of his extensive butterfly thought it possible to spend extended species, especially lizards. Bay. as a boy when the steamers came down collection. These exhibits are a small periods of time below the surface of Gilbert Klingel’s dream, however, This book soon caught the attention the coast from Baltimore. It was a memorial to a man who contributed so the water. His later years, as a retired was ruined by rough seas and a jagged of the National Geographic Society place he never forgot and always much, not only to the island but to the metallurgist, led him to build boats by coral reef. Shipwrecked on a desert is- and it requested his assistance in de- wanted to come back to. It was here he field of natural history as well. the sea he knew and loved so well. land, he made the most of this tragic signing a new underwater diving de- returned for the National Geographic Here was a man who enjoyed the dilemma and discovered a natural vice to photograph sea life under the project and it was here during the last Marcia Benouameur, “Up the Creek”, simple life and the great outdoors and world never before described in great Chesapeake Bay. Klingel’s invention twenty years of his life, he 24 Skipjack Lane, Hallieford, VA who often said he was born in the detail. This misadventure later became the “Aquascope” was built in 1952 and custom-built steel sailboats at his 23068, U.S.A. wrong century. He was self-educated, the basis for his first book Inagua, tested in 1953. The results of this re- Gwynn’s Island Boat Yard. Here he an avid reader, and a naturalist who which was published in 1940. He not search were published in the May 1955 found the quiet life and once said:

water was cleaner. Researchers began to study the use of planted wetlands as a means to re- move all manner of materials in effluents. In- vestigations have included the use of created Using Wetlands to Clean the wetlands to clean up everything from the efflu- ent from shellfish and finfish processing plants to water running off roads and farmland or moving through garbage dumps or “sanitary landfills.” The investigators have usually found Environment that wetlands, by themselves, can not perform the entire job. In a New Jersey study of salt- marshes being used to clean shellfish process- water, these growth events are often rapid and began to use the combination for water recy- ing effluent, the plants could not take up By Michael Ludwig usually termed “blooms.” Farm ponds in late cling in space ships. Another effort was under- nutrients during the fall, winter or early spring spring often look as green as the adjacent grass taken by the Disney Company to treat the (a handicap for the processing plant that needs WASTEWATER treatment is costly and com- and water visibility is limited to only a few wastewater at Disney World in Florida. Others to run year round!). In California and New plicated. Most of the waste systems use de- inches of depth when algae populations bloom. had learned that the growing cycle of plants York the use of wetlands to treat sanitary land- composition to process materials humans A similar event occurs in coastal waters when limits their nutrient uptake period to the grow- fill discharges were hampered by the presence discard. Natural decomposition sustains plant nutrient increases are provided to phytoplank- ing season. To overcome this problem the Dis- of toxic substances in the “leachate” leaving the life and is a portion of the nutrient cycle. The ton. Those blooms can have detrimental effects ney people began using aquatic plants that grow landfill. (Leachate is the water and dissolved or most common and least expensive decomposi- when toxic organisms are the principal users of year round. They selected the water hyacinth, suspended substances mixture created by water tion systems use bacterial degradation. The the nutrients and when a bloom dies rapidly. In an import from Europe, as their water cleaner. passing through a landfill or other waste site in bacteria break large molecules into smaller ones the former case, a red tide’s toxicity can Floating on the water surface, the plants are which soluble material exist.) by using the carbon and oxygen of the mole- threaten the safety of seafood. In the latter case, constantly removing the nutrients released by Today, we continue to seek the right mix of when bacteria rapidly decompose a bloom, oxy- bacteria by expanding their root system in the cules. The amount of decomposition obtained effluent or leachate discharge volume and con- gen levels in the surrounding waters can be de- waters beneath the plants. The Disney prob- is related to the amount and types of bacteria centration, the bacterial and plant species best pressed or depleted. These consequences of lems are not nutrient removal, but what to do used, the nature of the materials being acted able to process the materials while accumulat- upon, the temperature within the system and nutrient loading have been understood for with the resulting plants. There are few calls for ing, without harm, toxic pollutants and main- how long the material is acted upon. The re- decades and are the basis for most water pollu- several tons of water hyacinth plants produced taining healthy environments. Although sulting products are often discharged as a liquid tion legislation. every few weeks! The Disney Company con- wetlands from the mountains to the sea have flow called “effluent.” Two of the main materi- Finding simpler and more dependable meth- tinues to investigate uses even as they grind the benefited from the research, we are finding that als found in effluent discharges are compounds ods of treating wastewater and removing pollu- plants into mulch. Recent activities by the US there is no single, simple, inexpensive or obvi- of nitrogen and phosphorus. These two materi- tants is a constant goal.Without advances in tec Government to protect the Florida Everglades als are the principal elements in plant fertilizers. hnology, more costly facilities must be con- from sugar cane farm pollution rely on similar ous answer to obtaining or maintaining the When plants are able to use the released nutri- structed to deal with an ever-increasing need to techniques. highest levels of water quality in our streams ents they grow. handle previously untreated as well as new In the 1970’s, researchers began looking at and coastal waters and their associated wet- In nature, plants are unable usually to find flows of waste. In the 1950’s, German re- combining wetland restoration projects and im- lands. sufficient amounts of nutrients to sustain unlim- searchers began using bacteria and aquatic proving water quality by passing polluted wa- ited growth. However, when supplied with ad- plants to improve their treatment of wastewater. ters through the plantings. This appeared to Michael Ludwig, NOAA, NMFS, 212 Rogers ditional nutrients, they increase their growth. In In the 1970’s, the American Space program have two benefits; the plants grew better and the Avenue, Milford, CT USA 06460, USA. Page 12 ...... Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 The Care and Conservation of Graveyards

GRAVEYARDS are an im- Old graveyards are also good portant feature of the historic habitats for a variety of insects, landscape and frequently pro- birds and mammals. Ivy-cov- vide clues to understanding our ered walls and ruins may be the past. In recent years the in- home of bats and barn owls, creased awareness among local while tall trees provide nesting communities of the importance sites for kestrels, sparrow- of these sites has inspired many hawks, rooks and jackdaws. graveyard clean-up schemes. Boundary hedges and scrub While well-founded projects support a variety of birds such can enhance the appearance of as thrushes, blackbirds, robins, old graveyards and simultane- wrens, tits and finches. In ously fulfill an important edu- heavily farmed land, grave- cational role, ill-conceived yards may be the only oasis left graveyard schemes can do un- for some varieties of wildlife told damage. including grassland flora. The best possible advice Therefore, the removal of vege- should be sought from the out- tation should be done in a judi- Box-tombs and table-tombs set and adhered to throughout a cious way so that, where should not be moved or recon- scheme. possible, some is left for the structed without professional benefit of the wildlife. The ad- Before work is undertaken in advice. Often these tombs and vice of a botanist is recom- a graveyard or a church within Humps and hollows in ground surface are often indicative of gravestones lend the graveyard mended for this important it, ownership and legal status underlying archaeological features. its character and any attempt to phase in a graveyard clean-up. should be checked carefully. lay the site out like a modern the 1930 National Monuments ity concerned. Under the 1994 depend on the type of work en- Under no circumstances Old graveyards and churches graveyard should be avoided. Act, as amended in 1987, it is National Monuments Amend- visaged. In a case where a should a graveyard ever be lev- are generally owned by a local Many graveyards are en- an offence to carry out works ment Act, anyone wishing to graveyard is owned by a local elled off. The hummocks and authority, Church authorities, or closed by attractive stone walls on any national monument (a carry out work on a site or mon- authority, the possibility of hollows so characteristic of old the OPW. In some cases a which occasionally incorporate term which includes old grave- ument listed in the OPW Sites funding for maintenance work graveyards frequently cover ar- graveyard may be the property ancient architectural fragments yards and structures within and Monuments Record is from that authority should be chaeological features such as of a private individual and as in their fabric and support inter- them) in the ownership or obliged to notify that office. clarified. In some instances wall-footings of early build- with any other property, the esting plant life. If a boundary owner’s permission is required guardianship of a local author- Before starting a graveyard funds may be available from ings, burials or ancient ditches. ity without the consent in writ- project it is important to con- FAS for a graveyard clean-up. wall is in need of repair, expert before any work can be carried A mechanical digger should ing of both the Commissioners sider how it will be funded. The first thing involved in advice should be sought before out there. never be used in a graveyard. of Public Works and the author- Clearly the amount needed will caring for a graveyard is to de- any work commences. In gen- It should be noted that under All earthfast stones and eral it is advocated that only cide, in consultation with an ar- gravestones should be left in chaeologist, how much work very necessary repairs be un- the ground. Collapsed masonry dertaken. Existing masonry you wish to do, how much you from an ancient building within or your community can afford coursing should be maintained a graveyard may only be and correct mortars with flush to spend, and how much alter- cleared under archaeological ation to a site is desirable. As a or recessed pointing used at all supervision. Any loose cut- times. It should be noted that general rule, you should en- stone architectural fragments deavour to alter the site as little ribbon pointing is inappropriate found scattered about should be for an old wall. Under no cir- as possible, indeed in the ma- collected and carefully put jority of cases, it is recom- cumstances should an existing aside in an area of the grave- boundary wall be pulled down. mended that graveyard schemes yard designated specifically for limit themselves to vegetation that purpose. clearance in an ecologically For further information Unless graveslabs and head- sensitive way. Judicious clear- stones are in danger of falling contact: The National ance of rank growth, striking a or breaking, it is almost always Monuments and Historic balance between the ecology best to leave them as they are. Properties Service, Department and archaeology of the site, can Straightening graveslabs in- of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht leave a graveyard looking most volves disturbing the ground, and the Islands, 51 St. attractive. thereby interfering with burials. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.

Old pathways and mature trees enhance the appearance of graveyards and should therefore be retained. Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 ...... Page 13 constantly exposed to sunlight (ultraviolet) begin system following draining (including water to turn opaque after a few years and subsequently appliances); desiccate and become brittle. A realistic lifetime • excavation of an interceptor trench across the SOLUTIONS TO LEAKING of these plastic tanks is therefore anticipated to be path of oil migration; of much the same magnitude as the mild steel • chemical and bacteriological treatment of the tanks. Two other phenomena to which the plastic subsurface; HOME HEATING OIL tanks offer even less protection than the mild • application of an indoor positive pressure sys- steel variety are fire and vandalism. For these tem to eliminate vapours; reasons mild steel tanks continue to be the pre- • groundwater sampling and analysis; SYSTEMS ferred choice for industrial applications. • tank and pipeline replacement including dou- before a symptom manifests itself which is The pipelines linking the oil storage tanks to ble-containment. recognisable by the home owner. the burner units have proven to be even more sus- In rural areas the house is often supplied by its By Shane M. Bennet Corrosion is the most obvious reason behind a ceptible to leakage than the tanks themselves. own well. If there is any chance that the well has leak developing in a tank or pipeline but there are Until relatively recently half-inch mild steel pipe been compromised the water must not be used for a host of others. In the case of mild steel tanks has been the preferred choice although in some drinking or cooking purposes. If there is no oily the corrosion is rarely perceptible from external cases even lighter copper pipe has been em- odour from the water when it is boiled, it can be THE BACKGROUND appearances and is generally more developed on ployed. These pipes nearly always act as the safely assumed that the oil content is sufficiently Whether they realise it or not, home owners the interior surface of the tank due to the constant electrical earth for the mild steel tanks and are low (<1 ppm) so as to allow the water to be used with oil storage tanks have put themselves in the condensation and evaporation of water vapour thus continuously exposed to a mild form of elec- for all other household purposes including unenviable position of storing several hundred above the surface of the oil as a result of diurnal trolysis which can accelerate corrosion. How- bathing. The oil may appear intermittently how- gallons of a highly flammable and toxic chemical temperature changes. Typical failures can occur ever where lines have been lagged with a ever and it is essential to test both the water di- TM on their property. If this chemical escapes to the after about thirty years but are dependent on vari- chemically resistant coating such as Denso rectly from the well and that supplied via the attic tape, bitumen or TeflonTM they are generally ade- ground it can migrate both laterally and vertically ables such as the gauge of steel used and the ex- tank. Infants and small children are especially quately protected. to cause a host of detrimental effects both on the posure of the tank to frequent temperature sensitive to water quality and, if there is any home owner’s property and that of his neigh- changes. doubt, it is preferable to err on the side of extreme bours. The unsuspecting home owner does not Underground tanks are less susceptible to such THE IMPACT caution. Also remember that nearby wells may have to apply for a licence to take on this onerous temperature changes but even these generally Heating oil leaks are generally only reported be affected and that those property owners have a liability; neither is there any equipment certifica- have a maximum life expectancy of less than when their impact is sufficiently detrimental so as right to know if their well may be affected. tion process nor manufacturer’s maintenance forty years and some have been known to corrode to require some form of remedial or containment in less than twenty-five years. Soil acidity and schedule to meet. Every home owner with an oil- action. These days home heating oil tanks rarely THE COST fired system is expected to become an expert in the action of static electricity are recognised as exceed 1,350 litres (300 gallons) but, if the oil Cleanup costs for serious home heating oil oil storage from day one without the benefit of having a major role to play in the corrosion of un- were to be uniformly distributed in the subsur- leaks or spills are likely to exceed a figure of any form of training. derground mild steel tanks. face, the total loss of a single tank could theoret- The plastic tanks that are now on the market ically contaminate 270,000 kilograms of soil or £1,000 under most circumstances. Where exten- are also vulnerable to failure. At least one manu- THE PROBLEM 227 million litres of water to a concentration in sive damage has occurred, which affects for ex- facturer in Ireland has produced tanks which are excess of the Dutch intervention values. ample a row of terraced houses, cleanup costs per The problem begins when a significant quan- especially prone to leakage. A recent court case When oil escapes it moves under the effect of house have regularly been known to exceed tity of oil is released in an uncontrolled fashion. laid the blame at the door of the mould manufac- gravity and percolates vertically where the £10,000. This usually happens when a leak develops in ei- turers but this is scant comfort for the home ground surface is permeable. It will preferen- In most reported cases the home owner is not ther the tank or the connecting pipeline. How- owner especially when he has been given the re- tially follow the line of least resistance such as personally liable for the cleanup costs. If the ever uncontrolled releases have also been known assurance that all tanks are certified as having that created by foundations, wall footings, or re- property is insured, coverage may be provided to occur during refuelling for a variety of reasons, been pressure-tested prior to delivery. The life- cently dug ground. for under an ‘All Perils policy which often con- most of them avoidable. Slow leaks are espe- time of plastic tanks is not yet known but on Some of the symptoms which have been re- tains a sudden and accidental environmental cially difficult to detect and it can take some time some of the early tanks the surfaces which are ported in connection with heating oil losses are as damage clause. If the fault is one of poor instal- follows: lation, the company which installed the tank • scorched grass and/or dying vegetation; should have their own coverage. If the tank or • complaints from the neighbours; line has been recently installed and has failed, • dead earthworms, amphibians, and birds; then the tank supplier, manufacturer, or installer, • strange odours (both indoors and outdoors); may be liable. If the leak occurred on an adjoin- Recycling Snippets • funny taste in the water or food (sometimes ing property then the respective insurance com- oil droplets); panies should be in a position to agree liability. • dry scaly skin (like excema); • In South Korea 15.4 per cent of discarded home appliances are • headaches and/or stomach sickness; PREVENTION • oil burner keeps cutting out due to air-locking; captured and reused. • unusual oil usage. Many attempts to reduce the vulnerability of All these symptoms can translate into a sterile home heating oil storage tanks and lines to leak- • The US Postal Services generated $8 million in recycling sales in (dead) garden, a house with errant oily odours, a age have been practised in the past. Plastic tanks 1997 from one million tons of paper, plastics, metals and other polluted well and water system, and a lawsuit are only the latest attempt at improving home from the neighbours who may have suffered the heating oil storage systems whilst keeping costs materials. same consequences. Aside from the cost of the down. Cathodic protection using an electric field lost oil, the cleanup, and the tank/pipeline re- to counter corrosion was seen as the answer in the • Brighton Airport in Britain have reached a 26 per cent recycling placement, one must consider the gross inconve- 1960s but fell prey to maintenance problems in TM level of waste generated from the airport and incoming flights. nience suffered by the home owner, his family the long term. The Teflon coated copper pipe and other affected parties. was also a step in the right direction but, still has Even these costs and inconveniences pale into its disadvantages. • In the US 63.5 per cent of aluminium beverage containers are insignificance when the potential loss of market Double-containment has universally been ac- recycled. value for affected properties is taken into consid- cepted as an effective solution to the problem of eration. leaking oil tanks at industry level and is now an • An all-recycled men’s suit has been introduced in Japan. It costs accepted world wide standard. Double-contain- REMEDIAL ACTIONS ment of above-ground oil tanks is also a prereq- US$175 and is made from old soft drinks bottles. Used suits can uisite under the IPC licensing system and could then be recycled. Immediately a heating oil loss is suspected by easily be adapted to suit home heating oil storage the home owner the insurers and the local author- systems. The tank, whatever its construction, is • 10 million American households are now provided with curbside ity should be notified. In the event that further placed within a purposely-constructed bunded advice is needed, either the Environmental Offi- area. The entire length of TeflonTM-coated or collection of used milk and drinks boxes. cer in the local authority or the Environmental DensoTM-taped pipeline is sleeved with a further Protection Agency can provide a list of special- protective plastic outer cover and preferably • In 1996 in Canada over half of packaging waste was recovered for ists in this field. routed over ground. Although unavoidable acci- The following is a list of some of the remedial dental heating oil releases will undoubtedly con- recycling. actions which are commonly needed during tinue to occur, if these simple construction cleanup: techniques are adopted, it can be expected that • When the Superbowl was held in San Diego, USA, it generated over • contaminated soil excavation, removal, and the number of home heating oil losses will be replacement; 56 tons of waste, of which 28 tons was recycled. greatly reduced. • plume containment using pump and treat tech- • An in-vessel organic composting system is being tested by the US niques; • well abandonment and replacement (siting Shane M. Bennet, Contaminant Hydrogeologist, Navy. and construction are especially important); Grove Hill, Bishop Hill Road, Ballymore • detergent wash and rinse of household water Eustace, Co. Kildare, Ireland. Page 14 ...... Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Slufter a sedimentation basin was created nearby. Exces- sive water is removed from the Slufter via a pump sump and a special return water pipeline. During the place- ment of the dredged material continuous sampling takes place to determine the sus- pended matter content of the return water. When the sus- pended matter content reaches an unacceptably high level return water must first pass through this sedimenta- tion basin on the Massvlakte. This sedimentation basin has an area of several hectares and, by reason of its shape, can reach a high purification efficiency. Once much of the suspended matter has settled out in this basin, the return water can be discharged into the harbour. The Slufter silt depot on the Maasvlakte, off Rotterdam. The dredged material for the harbours of Rotterdam is assessed for contaminants THE waterways which rectly, by the water which ple - certainly not when the against qualitative norms. reach the sea at Rotterdam drains off sprayed and/or fer- sea tries to carry away again Category 1 is returned to the are all tributaries of the River tiliser-rich agricultural land the sand that has just been sea, category 2 and 3 are Rhine and they carry a very and also in the effluent pro- discharged. placed in the Slufter depot great quantity of silt. In the duced by industry and cities. When the sand dikes were estuary, and in the harbours Part of the contaminant load in place they were planted and Categories 4 heavily which have been excavated remains dissolved in the with marram grass to prevent contaminated material is fur- there, the current is reduced water into the North Sea. erosion by wind, while on ther segregated. so a major part of the silt set- Much, however adheres to top of the ring dike a met- As it was decided that Cat- tles as sediment. In addition, the silt, which therefore be- alled road was made for the egory 4 would need extra as each tide retreats it leaves comes contaminated by a va- purpose of inspection. In ac- care a further depot, which behind further deposits of riety of substances. The cordance with the Waste Dis- became known as “The Par- marine silt. If nature were dredged material is thus posal Act the site is rot’s Beak”, was constructed permitted to run its course, transformed from a desirable surrounded by a barbed wire a short distance from the within a few years the har- product into a troublesome fence, but six public observa- Slufter. This depot has an bours would be completely waste material. tion points have been con- area of 29 ha and a storage silted up. To protect the port In 1975 a Steering Com- structed. capacity of about 1.2 million of Rotterdam from such a mittee Disposal of Dredged The construction of the cubic metres. It is sur- disaster around 23 million Material was set up to inves- Slufter resulted in the forma- rounded by a 3.3m high dike cubic metres of sediment is tigate the best possible meth- tion of a new sea beach to the slopes of which are cov- removed from the harbours ods to handle the dredged which access is gained via a ered by 2mm thick plastic and navigation channels contaminated material. By metalled road and for which sheeting. This high density every year. It is sufficient to 1982 it published a policy car parks have been provided. polyethylene is intended to fill 70 giant tankers, or, to put plan for the handling of such The south side of the depot prevent contaminants from it another way, if the dredged material. It recommended part of the area has been con- seeping out of the depot. Be- material was distributed that a site with a capacity of structed as a “natural” envi- neath the sheeting is a amongst the population of 150 million cubic feet would ronment. Extra sand was drainage system. The the Netherlands each citizen be needed. used to make artificial dunes ground water is regularly would get 150 bucketfuls In 1986 work began to cre- alongside the ring dike. The sampled to check whether every year! ate the “Slufter”, a deep pit, variation in height causes ir- there has been an unexpected Formerly people were in the sea at Maasvlakte off regular drifting as a result of penetration of contaminants pleased to have dredged ma- Rotterdam. During the one which a natural landscape under the depot. terial, which was in demand and a half year construction with a variety of vegetation Each year from 1987 to taries and obtaining exten- There is no doubt that the to raise the level of polders, period a very great deal of has already been formed. 1993 over 10 million cubic sive reductions in contami- Dutch have shown the way industrial sites, recreational work was carried out. Exca- Offshore an island has been metres of contaminated nation levels. forward in the quest to re- areas and residential dis- vating a pit and constructing made which, because it sludge was brought to the Sewage sludge from the duce contaminants entering tricts. That time is long past. a ring dike sounds like a sim- serves as a breeding ground Slufter and the Parrot’s Beak. province of South Holland is the marine environment. Since the nineteen seventies ple task. When, however, the and resting area for migrant Since 1993 this has been re- also transported to the There is a lesson for all of us increasingly more insight has pit extends over 260 ha and birds, has come to be known duced to 5 million and by Slufter. At present 55,000 - but will we take it on been acquired into the nature is 28m deep and when the as the “Bird Island”. This en- 2000 it is expected to fall fur- tons of dry matter are ac- board? of the contaminants which excavation entails the re- tire area has been designated ther to 3 million cubic me- cepted annually. At a special accumulate in aquatic sedi- moval of 37 million cubic as a nature reserve and is tres. These reductions have station the sewage sludge is Rotterdam Municipal Port ments. These contaminants metres of sand, which must closed to recreational use. come about by approaching mixed with the dredged ma- Management, P.O. Box 6622, are discharged into the be used to build 24m high To cater for the excess the major dischargers along terial in the desired ration of 3002 AP Rotterdam, The Rhine, either directly or indi- dikes, it is anything but sim- water run-off from the the River Rhine and its tribu- 1:20. Netherlands. Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 ...... Page 15 EENNCCOOUUNNTTEERR IINN TTHHEE TTUUAAMMOOTTUUSS

can see the dolphin, I half look away in French Polynesia, a friend suggested so I return it to the dinghy. She leads us spot. Today her behaviour is more By appeasement, to show in the universal that since I was so obsessed with into shallow water, a sandy bottom 5m playful, more intimate. Often as she language of animals that there is noth- sharks and manta rays, Toau would be deep, studded with beautiful coral swims past she excretes a muddy jet ing to fear. an atoll worth visiting, with its clear heads reaching towards the surface. plane vapour trail. Thus we can see the Pete Atkinson I swim dolphin-style, neither to- water, few people and many fish. Here she plays games with us for half anus right next to the ventral slit which wards nor away. Within minutes she is But when we left Takaroa the wind an hour. I let Vicki’s tee shirt adrift in allows us to sex her. Male cetaceans IT is one of those rare halcyon days swimming past, just a dolphin’s length was fresh from the southeast, making the water but Bojangles is uninter- have a gap between the anus and ven- between us. Vicki joins us in the water. Toau a difficult destination and tral slit. We spend two and a half hours when I’m feeling serene and Eila, my ested. Dark falls and she is gone, but as It is only a few metres deep with a few promising a wet, uncomfortable trip. I with her, just frolicking in the shal- 1935 English cutter is at rest. I sit in we plane back to Eila she appears coral heads. The sand between them love the freedom to change plans at a lows. the cockpit with a beer, sundown on alongside, her low, powerful leaps ef- reflects what little remains of the light. moment’s notice so that I can sail in a Often she shows us her ventral sur- the way; it has been a hard day. About fortlessly matching our 12 knots. The dolphin’s behaviour is reminis- reasonably civilized manner. We de- face, often throws herself half out of half a mile away I see a fish jump, In the morning we again take the cent of a puppy’s, pleased to see us cided instead to ease the sheets and try the water and dashes away only to re- breaking the calm atoll lagoon. With dinghy to the pass, thinking perhaps after a long absence. (The dolphin no Apataki, a rectangular ring of coral fif- turn. I try peek-a-boo with her but she the binoculars I take a better look. Not she spends the night outside, feeding doubt describing our behaviour as teen miles long, with a village in the gives no response. I use a wetsuit this a fish at all, but a dolphin; I can see its in the deep water in the usual spinner reminiscent of a couple of lunatics.) southwest corner of 250 people, and time, and scuba gear intermittently. arching back glinting in the low sun. fashion on small fish and squid. Al- She swims away only to come skid- miles of uninhabited, palm-covered Then there is the leaf: an old leaf the Vicki grabs the snorkelling gear, I though it is calm and easy to see any ding back, veering away at the last mo- motus encircling the lagoon. size of a hand, drifting on the surface. pull out my camera case and we pile surface disturbance, there is no sign of ment, bombarding us with clicks and There are two passes, one by the vil- her at all. Not until mid-afternoon do Suddenly it is caught on her flipper. into the dinghy. Planing, we cover the whistles, tossing her head as though lage and another near the northwest we find her, among the same pretty Now it is adrift. I grasp the leaf, swim distance in no time. We stop the motor sniffing out a clearer sonic view. corner. There we found anchorage off coral heads as yesterday. This time we with it and release it. Bojangles glides at a discreet distance and I snap on a Finally, as the colours become the motu of Rotoava; protected how- are able to spend two hours with her, up to the leaf, nods at it with her beak 300mm lens with the idea of taking muted with the end of the day, a grey ever, only from winds north of east. sometimes just an arm’s length apart. and it is caught on her flipper again. “dolphin barrel rolling against the sun- reef shark appears. I am hoping to see There was not a soul; just birds, terres- Often Vicki and Bojangles swim Vicki and I exchange elated smiles be- set” pictures. Not that unlikely since the much written about “dolphin kills trial crabs, coconut crabs and a shal- leisurely circles side by side around hind our masks, which instantly flood! we can see it is a spinner dolphin. But shark” scenario. This may happen in low brackish lake amongst the palms. one particular coral head. The dolphin Four times the dolphin catches and re- where are the others? Spinners are in- the confines of an aquarium but in the The next day we explore the motus seems entranced, her eyes closing as leases the leaf. At last we are cold, out tensely social animals usually living in ocean, as elsewhere in nature, animals further afield, taking the dinghy a cou- they drift towards one another till al- of film and emotionally frazzled. We groups of 30 or more. usually establish hierarchies without ple of miles east across the calm la- most touching. Then her eyes pop return slowly to Eila, the dolphin fol- Vicki rows the dinghy towards the recourse to violence. The dolphin and goon. Of the dolphin - which Vicki has open and Bojangles gives a burst for- lowing all the way. She does a couple dolphin who seems curious about us, shark are indifferent to one another; named Bojangles, partly on account of ward, only to slip back into the same of circuits round Eila and returns to the moving closer with each pass. I give the shark more interested in the aliens her ragged dorsal fin - there is no sign. mesmerized torpor. shallows. the camera to Vicki and slip into the - us. Later, I spend long interludes up the Vicki runs her pendant along her After lunch and changing films we water. Suddenly, there it is, streaking Cold and the gathering dusk per- mast searching the glassy lagoon sur- chain necklace and Bojangles goes a return, finding her in a different place. past at the limit of visibility, about suade us to leave. Not wishing to shat- face for telltale activity. bit crazy, rushing away to throw her- Again beautiful coral but the water is 20m away. ter the calm, we row back to Eila, the At about 1600hrs, we take the self half out of the water a few times turbid with plankton. She seems reluc- Instead of swimming towards the dolphin leading the way by a dinghy dinghy down towards the pass. Vicki then zooms back, as if to make sure we tant to interact at first and is more se- sleek animal, I feign some indiffer- length. catches a glimpse of something; Bo- are still there. When Vicki is cold she date now. Often she swims out towards ence, snorkel diving down, doing bar- This, we think, is the conclusion of jangles has returned. sits in the dinghy, gleaning what little deeper water, but the dinghy is an- rel rolls of my own, keeping a watch chored and we are reluctant to follow. a unique encounter. In fact it is just the Again we stop the motor and row warmth remains in the low sun. She from the corner of my eye. With my She returns each time and passes close beginning. close. I slip into the water, this time whistles and talks to Bojangles, who palate I make sequences of clicking by as if to ask “Why?”. We hadn’t intended to come to Ap- with the camera in its underwater swims very slowly, blowhole and head sounds; mumbo-jumbo to the dolphin, ataki at all. While in Takaroa, another housing. The light is poor and the Finally she disappears into deeper high out of the water for long periods. but conversation nevertheless. When I atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago of flashguns seem to disturb the dolphin, water and does not return. On our way I quietly take pictures with natural back to Eila we see no sign of her. The light. The noise from the camera’s ad- wind, however, almost absent over vance motor doesn’t seem to disturb these past four days, has begun: the her. When I am cold Vicki and I southeast trade. We have no protection change places. I talk to Bojangles too here from the southeast so we prepare and whistle a Maori tune we learned in ourselves for leaving. New Zealand. It feels good and reas- As a last farewell, she visits us that suring to watch this communion of our night, just once, and we go outside to two species. say our goodbyes. When, finally, we both leave the By morning the anchorage is mar- water, Bojangles does back flips and ginal. I take the dinghy to her favourite rushes around the dinghy. We return to coral heads but I cannot see her. I Eila for film, intending to take some motor reluctantly back to Eila against topside shots of her barrel-rolling the chop kicked up by the new trade. against the sunset, but she is sedate Vicki and I are silent as we put the out- now and not inclined to play games to board below and the dinghy on deck, order. The evening is perfectly calm, exchanging long glances to which the interface of sky and lagoon ab- words would be a precarious addition. solutely seamless. By mid-morning we are under sail, on After dark she comes to visit Eila; our way to Tahiti. we can easily hear her breathing from Once in Papeete I was able to corre- down below. We go outside to talk spond with Wade Doak in New with her, thinking the chat itself is Zealand, a leading authority on ex- more important than what is said. tended encounters between humans In the past we have had good re- and cetaceans and author of numerous sponses from dolphins with Bach, so books on whales and dolphins. Al- we try the double violin concerto on though there have been interlocks with the cassette player. This time her be- groups of spinner dolphins in Brazil, haviour seems unchanged. this is the first extended interaction During the night she visits us three with a solitary spinner dolphin of more times; each time I feel obliged to which he is aware. go outside for a chat, to show her that she hasn’t been forgotten. Pete Atkinson was a volunteer at In the morning we spot her at about Sherkin Island Marine Station in 0930hrs. At last this is the kind of light I need for reasonable pictures. We 1981/82. make her acquaintance in her usual Page 16 ...... Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 ...... Page 17

Winter plumage turnstones on a quay at high tide. Turnstones get their name from their habit of turning over stones, Male (left) and female (right) wigeon feeding on the edge of mudflats, showing the pebbles, clumps of seaweed and other tideline debris, in search for food. difference between the plumage of the sexes.

In the past wild mallard ducks used to feed throughout the day, roosting at night. Because of hunting, they have changed their habits and generally loaf throughout the day in undisturbed sites, flying to nocturnal feeding grounds at dusk. BB iirrddss,, BBeeaau uttiiffuul B l Biirrddss

Photography by Richard Mills

From the book: “Ireland’s Bird Life. A World of Beauty” Published by Sherkin Island Marine Station, Sherkin Island, Co. Cork Available for £16.99 (hardback) or £9.99 (softback), plus £3.50 postage.

Due to their habit of occasionally taking young birds, herons are not always popular and are often driven away from a feeding area by A frequent sight is that of gulls following boats out to sea to scavenge scraps of the catch. The commonest gull in Ireland is the herring gull, breeding mainly intensive mobbing, in this case by a rook. on the coast. Page 18 ...... Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 Introduction to Sustainable Living

Why should I make a choice for a survived because both developers and environ- through which the attainment of strategic land have allowed Ireland to retain a relatively mentalists now realise that there is much objectives is being pursued. small footprint for a developed country. sustainable lifestyle? common ground between them. Their concerns However, as this preliminary footprint Current human activity, through its wasteful are mutually exclusive. Change of lifestyles is an evolutionary measurement includes only four categories of and inefficient use of natural resources, has the Perhaps the best and most understandable domestic consumption (i.e. fossil fuels, built- potential, if left unchecked, to inflict permanent definition of sustainable development is that partnership up land, food and forestry), the results may be damage to the capacity of the planet to support provided by the World Commission on The pursuit of sustainable development is regarded as presenting a conservative future societies and plant and animal life. Environment and Development in its Report - not the sole responsibility of Government or illustration. Given that substantial socio- “Our Common Future” in 1987, more any particular organisation or individual. The economic development needs remain, Problems are emerging on a global scale, e.g. commonly known as the Brundtland Report: solution must be a partnership arrangement. It ecological footprinting provides a means of · Global Warming or Climate change is also international experience that the process demonstrating the importance of sustainable · Depiction of the Ozone Layer “Sustainable development is development of change is an evolutionary rather than development considerations in relation to that meets the needs of the present without revolutionary process. lifestyle and consumption patterns. · Decline of the tropical forests compromising the ability of future generations · Species loss to meet their own needs.” Ireland’s Ecological Footprint · Unequal distribution of wealth both Ireland’s ecological Footprint is already 1.23 WHAT CAN I DO? between countries and between different This definition recognises that economic times the size of the hand available, Are you willing and prepared to join this social groups within countries. activity is necessary to meet present economic In preliminary calculations by the UCD partnership towards sustainability? In other and social needs while underlining the Environmental Institute, based on a standard words are you willing to make the choices While these problems are global in scale, importance of maintaining the scarce and for a quality and sustainable lifestyle? action must be taken at all levels, i.e. world methodology, the average size of Ireland’s precious resources that will be needed by our ecological footprint is 2.38 hectares per person, wide, at continental, national, regional and children and grandchildren. or a total of 86,325km2 - some 1.23 times the Issued by: ENFO - The Environmental local levels and by individuals. 2 Other definitions have been proposed, e.g. size of the State (70,394km ). Information Service, 17 St. Andrew Street, We must think globally and act locally. Features such as low population density and Dublin 2. Telephone 01-6793144 “ improving the quality of human life while a high percentage of productive agricultural Development must not deplete the natural living within the carrying capacity of the resource base - this is particularly important for Earth’s supporting eco-systems” Ireland. The link between economic growth and based on recognition that increased environmental pressure must be broken. Sustainable development “we have not inherited the earth from our considerations should be taken into account in parents but borrowed it from our children” every policy and action. The national and international framework to in “Caring for the Earth; a Strategy for facilitate the change has been put in place and Sustainable Living”, a report published by the is continuously being updated and refined to World Union for the Conservation of Nature reflect emerging needs. (IUCN); the United Nations Environment Individuals must act. We cannot continue as Programme (UNEP); and the World Wildlife we are doing now. Fund (WWW) in 1991. Fundamental changes in our lifestyles are required. A question of balance These changes require a systematic and The problems arise in choosing between comprehensive approach: sustainable develop- what we need and what we desire. We need a ment is a long-term process. clean and safe environment, we want an There are options and choices that have to be increasing array of consumer goods and made. services. Our lifestyle will create the heritage of How we produce and how we consume generations to come. resources at present places a heavy burden on Everyday activity counts. our environment and affects our quality of life. The difficult, but not impossible, task facing us, What is “Sustainable Development”? in partnership with all concerned, is to find The term “Sustainable Development” more environmentally friendly and socially reflects the interdependence of environment sustainable ways of living and working. and development in the pursuit of a better Sustainable development seeks a balance quality of life for everyone. Sustainability between social and economic development and requires the present generation to leave the environmental protection, so that human environment in as good, or better, condition activity does not undermine the long-term that it found it. Development recognises that productivity of supporting eco-systems. human living, material well-being and economic activity must continue and grow. A question of integration While these activities unavoidably have some Integration of environmental considerations impact on the environment, sustainable into other policies is widely acknowledged to development policies seek to manage and be a key means of securing this balance. control them as to respect the environment and Recognition of this underpins Ireland’s national use natural resources in a sustainable way. approach to sustainable development strategy The term “sustainable development” has and informs the mechanisms and structures been in use since the early 1970s. It has Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 ...... Page 19 WRECKFISH IN IRISH WATERS

since the early 1960’s. Indeed, in 1978, the Irish Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC) de- By Declan T. Quigley cided to include the Wreckfish in its list of eligible species at a minimum qualifying THE Wreckfish or Stone Basse (Polyprion weight of 3.628kg (8lbs). Since then, a total americanus) is a large grouper-like fish be- of 16 specimens has been recorded, includ- Photo: Declan Quigley longing to the same family (Serranidae) as ing the current ISFC record, weighing 4.9kg, the Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). which was captured by a shark angler off Wreckfish are found throughout the North Kinsale, Co Cork in August 1989. However, and South Atlantic, in the Mediterranean, in the Irish record is relatively small in compar- the southern Indian Ocean (St Paul and Am- ison with the European record (48.5kg) sterdam Islands), and in the western South which was captured off the Azores in August Pacific (southern Australia and New 1985. Zealand). Juvenile Wreckfish tend to be gregarious For many years the Wreckfish was re- and pelagic for the first part of their life (up garded as a rare vagrant in Irish waters. In- to a length of about 60cm) and they are often deed, prior to 1952, only 12 specimens were found associated with floating debris - hence known. However, the species has been re- the species common name. Indeed, on one ported with increasing frequency since the occasion (September 1854) several speci- 1960’s (46 specimens recorded between mens were found trapped in a floating barrel 1960 and 1995) and it is now known to be a off Ventry, Co Kerry. Presumably, these un- fairly regular summertime visitor to our fortunate fish entered the barrel when they shores. were very small and drank the contents dry ! Wreckfish have been recorded in Irish wa- It is interesting to note that the vast majority ters nearly every month of the year, except of Wreckfish captured in Irish waters were Wreckfish captured off the Blasket Islands, Co. Kerry, in August 1988. during April, May and December. However, juveniles. Fish of this size have been aged at the vast majority of specimens have been 1-7 years old. Wreckfish are thought to adopt recorded during late summer and autumn a demersal habit when they reach maturity at examination. Specimens should be stored Declan T. Quigley, Gaelic Seafoods (Ireland) (July, August and September), with a peak a length of about 85cm. Adults tend to be frozen together with details on date and loca- Ltd., Derryclare, Co Galway, (Telephone: occurrence in August. The species is rarely more solitary and are found at depths of up to tion of capture. He can be contacted at the 01-8208048; E-Mail [email protected]). encountered during winter or spring. 1000m. They also grow to a large size (up to following address: All records to date have been confined to 100kg and 200cm) and live a relatively long the S, SW and W coasts; the vast majority life; the maximum age recorded in western from Counties Cork and Kerry (Table 1). The Atlantic fish has been estimated at 32 years. species appears to be relatively rare along the The Wreckfish was formerly considered to W coast and there are no records at all from be rare in the western Atlantic. However, in the N coast or Irish Sea. 1987, a new fishery was developed for the species off the coast of South Carolina on a rocky area of the Blake Plateau known as the Table 1. Distribution of Irish Charleston Bump (320N, 790W). Since then, Wreckfish records increasing fishing pressure and reduced catches has resulted in the imposition of a County______Number total allowable catch (TAC) by the US fish- eries authorities. Research led by Dr George Wexford 2 Sedberry at the US Marine Resources Re- Waterford 5 Cork 35 search Institute, South Carolina, has shown Kerry 22 that Wreckfish on both sides of the N At- Clare 2 lantic belong to a single genetically related Galway 1 stock. The species therefore needs to be man- Mayo 1 aged as a single stock throughout the N At- lantic. Sedberry hypothesized that the pelagic ju- venile Wreckfish found in the NE Atlantic Nearly 50% of the Wreckfish have been (and off the Irish coast) originate from the captured by anglers (Table 2). Indeed, the spawning grounds on the Blake Plateau and frequency of Wreckfish recordings appears are carried by passive drift across the N At- to have increased in parallel with the grow- lantic in the Gulf Stream. Furthermore, it is ing popularity of sea angling in Irish waters thought that these juveniles eventually com- plete the return journey (by drift) back to the Blake Plateau by way of the N Atlantic Gyre. Table 2. Capture methods of Irish Indeed, the same patterns of water circula- Wreckfish tion may also mediate similar movements of juvenile Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta) Method______Number and Trigger Fish (Balistes capriscus) in the N Rod & Line 31 Atlantic (see Sherkin Comment No. 23, Drift-Net 13 1997). Trawl 7 The author is currently collecting Irish Observed 6 Wreckfish specimens for the US Marine Re- Mackerel Net 3 sources Research Institute and would be Beam Trawl 1 grateful if specimens could be retained for Page 20 ...... Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 Dún an Rí Church and the Forest Park Páirc Fhoraoise Environment? Dhún Rí

Church’s view, nothing of Christians, though, would this small charity receives Location: 1.5km north of Kingscourt on R179 to importance had happened not now pay even lip service far more enquires about its Carrickmacross. since then. There’s serenity to doctrines as discredited as yew project than about any Habitat: Dún an Rí is located in a area noted for the for you, and a sense of per- this. They do realise that fi- other part of its work. diversity of its geological formations. The forest itself spective (and a handy ex- delity to their creed means Those trees, as they grow, lies in a tranquil glen. Lady’s Lake is an artificial lake cuse for a lethargic responsibility for the whole will be a tangible and visible which was fed from water passing through the old flax undergraduate to do even of creation. Some Chris- link with the dawn of Chris- mill at Cabra. The Cabra River runs through the park. less work than he’d have tians - though not many, so tianity. The churches regard Length of Trails: There are a number of different done otherwise). far - live this out quite ex- sacraments - the Eucharist, walking paths in Dún an Rí. There are four walks of ap- The churches do know the plicitly in their lives and wit- baptism, confession and the proximately 1.5-2 km in length, all with points of inter- est. value of stillness, of en- ness. Many more would rest - as “outward and visi- Main Tree Species: Dún an Rí is a forest of 229 durance, and even of that probably follow their exam- ble signs of inward and spir- hectares of which 146 hectares comprise of commercial vogue word sustainability. ple if they could see how to itual grace”. The little yew forest. Norway spruce and oak are two important You might expect then that (and they can reasonably trees will be a sacramental species in these commercial stands. The oak trees in By Alex Kirby Christians would be the nat- claim that they are deeply reminder to the faithful of Dún an Rí are managed to produce a valuable veneer ural guardians of the envi- involved in trying to build a their links with generations crop. Selected trees will be grown for a rotation length MOST of the mainstream ronment. One reason they better world in many other past - and future. And they of 150 years. churches in Britain continue often fail to match the ways: challenging racism, may remind them as well of Other Flora: Most of the forest around the public car to report a gentle but appar- promise of their vocation is working to end poverty, liv- the responsibility we owe to park is managed as an amenity wood. On the lower lev- ently inexorable decline in because of faulty theology, ing among the poorest peo- our descendants, of the im- els of the wood, hazel, holly and elderberry are strongly numbers, however they may summed up in the opening ple in this and any other perative demand of sustain- developed. In the undergrowth herb-robert, foxglove, seek to disguise the reality. pages of the Old Testament society). able development for justice ferns, bluebells and snow drops thrive in season. Young people, in particu- with its account of the in- It’s surprising how a sim- between the generations. Fauna: The park has an extremely varied plant com- lar, find far less room for re- structions to the newly-cre- ple idea can sometimes And they may even re- munity and as a result it is rich in a wide range of wild ligion in their crowded lives animals. Red and grey squirrels are common as are ated Adam and Eve: catch fire and enthuse all mind Christians that caring than their parents did. Their stoats and rabbits. Mink flourish along the river and ot- “.... and God said unto sorts of people. The Lon- for creation means justice ters have been spotted occasionally. The Irish hare is a interests are urgent, contem- them, Be fruitful, and mul- don-based Conservation within our own generation. resident of the park as is the pigmy shrew. porary - and the nature of the tiply, and replenish the Foundation was wondering The way we live now has a History: The Forest Park, embracing part of the world they’re growing up in, earth, and subdue it: and what it could do to mark the direct effect on the way Cabra Estate formerly owned by the Pratt family, is sit- the environment they’ll in- have dominion over the Millennium. It hit on the other people are able to live uated in the parish of Enniskeen which includes a por- herit, preoccupies them far fish of the sea, and over idea - hatched from an exist- now. Protecting the envi- tion of the Barony of Clonee, Co. Cavan and a smaller more than outdated mumbo- the fowl of the air, and ing project to record and ronment is part of the Chris- part of the Barony of Kells, Co. Meath. The O’Reilly jumbo muttered by priests over every living thing register ancient yews tian vocation. And it’s now family ruled the area until the end of the 16th century who’ve forfeited any claim that moveth upon the throughout Britain - of offer- clear enough that that means when they were supplanted by the Flemings who built to credibility. earth”. ing to every parish in Eng- learning to live more simply, Fleming’s Castle at Cabra in 1605. In 1666, Col. The environment? Hang There aren’t that many land and Wales a young tree in order that other people Thomas Cooch, a forebear of the Pratt family, came into on a minute. The churches fish left for us to have do- propagated from an ancient may simply live. possession of the estate. The “Romantic Glen” of the do have something to say minion over, and it’s the yew estimated to be at least Cabra River, stretching the full length of the park, is an about the environment, area steeped in history and legend. It is said that Cuchu- same with much of the rest two thousand years old, and Alex Kirby, a former BBC don’t they? You bet they do. of creation. And the therefore to have been grow- correspondent, is editor of lain camped here at night while conducting his single- One of the threats to today’s handed defense of Ulster against the armies of Queen Church’s teaching is partly ing at the time when Christ Newsnet 21, the Conservation environment is our endless Maeve by day. The wishing well is the subject of a fa- to blame. It has encouraged was born. In the first year of Foundation’s environment mous ballad Doonaree written by Eilis Boland which quest for novelty, for mobil- us to think the earth is there Yews for the Millennium, news and information service describes “the wishing well, beyond the chestnut tree in ity, for nipping over the for us to exploit as we will. nearly one-third of English on the Internet, available at a shady nook, by a windy brook...” The chestnut tree fence to see whether the Increasing numbers of parishes had registered, and www.newsnet-21.org.uk still stands and is a feature of the parkland. grass really is greener on the Facilities: There are various features identified by other side. We’re becoming sign posts in the course of the several planned walks, in- more restless, more intent on cluding the wishing well, (a Holy Well called Tobar na seeking new thrills, with Splinne), Cromwell’s Bridge, Cabra Cottage - originally each rising generation. Yet the residence of the Pratt family before they moved to the churches have not lost Cabra Castle - the flax mill, the Lady’s Lake and an old their ancient serenity: they CORK-DUBLIN EXPRESS COACH SERVICE ice house. The ruins of Fleming’s Castle can still be simply manage to let it ap- FOUR SERVICES ON WEEKDAYS THREE ON SUNDAYS seen as well as Sarah’s Well. Sarah’s Bridge, built in pear often not so much 1801, is the starting point of many of the walks in the serene as torpid and intro- WEEKDAYS SUNDAYS park. Dep. Cork 10.00 13.00 18.00 verted. Dep. Cork 08.00 11.00 13.00 18.00 Dep. Dublin 13.00 16.00 18.00 When I was reading theol- Dep. Dublin 08.00 13.00 17.00 18.00 ogy at university nearly £12.00 (single) : £17.00 (return) “Discovering Ireland’s Woodlands. A Guide to Forest forty years ago, we were Fares to Dublin from Clonakilty, Skibbereen, Parks, Picnic Sites and Woodland Walks”, produced by Bantry, Dunmanway, Ballineen etc. Midweek Return Tickets at reduced fare on told not to bother about any- Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Coillte Teoranta - The Irish Forestry Board, provides thing that had happened details of forest parks, picnic sites and forest walks. £16.00 (single) : £22.50 (return) All Return Tickets Valid For One Month after the Council of Chal- Dún an Rí Forest Park is one of these forests. Price: cedon, held in the year 451 £2.00. Enquiries: Cork 021/508188 Dublin 01/8366111 AD - because, in the Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 ...... Page 21 TheThe RightRight toto Roam?Roam?

owner tried to persuade me not are we going?”). The hills ing area of erosion. The start of can be easily opened and shut to engage in such an activity! should be left for those who the pilgrim path up Mount (not secured with a tangle of Today, walking is massively love and respect them. Poor Brandon from Faha is a case in binder twine). The visually im- popular and growing. The Mount Everest, once the gleam- point. True, making paths costs paired and the disabled can sheer numbers, in small groups ing unattainable, is now being money but with volunteers, enjoy country walking as well or the large one of walking sadly abused, littered (and FAS schemes, etc. it should be as the active. The National clubs are putting pressure on Everest litter includes dead possible to get it done. Nor are Park in Killarney has a special the countryside that is more bodies, left where they died) widely spaced markers much nature trail (with an audio tape) than it can take. If they all be- and to be reached by almost use, to strangers uneasy with for the visually impaired, but a haved in accordance with the anyone with the money to pay maps and no compass in poor guide dog and the help of a Country Code, all might be for the trip. It has been sug- visibility, they need to be close sighted companion could open well, but there are reports of gested, and it would be a good enough to be seen when the up many enjoyable walks. sheer vandalism, as well as plan, to only allow those on mist comes down. How many country paths can a damage to fences, leaving gates Everest who can make the sum- Then there are the “No wheelchair negotiate? And if open, doing harm to livestock mit without using oxygen. Dogs” signs on these paths. not, why not? And as all our and standing crops, and leaving Ireland now has a good series They should be “Dogs must be roads are now very unsafe for litter. And of course, in dry of long distance marked paths, on leads and under control”. riders, should we not be plan- weather, walkers should all ob- but must beware of walkers Judging by reports, human ning more genuine “bridle serve a “No Smoking” rule; it is being told: “That’s your path, damage to the countryside and paths”, off road, where horses only too easy to start a massive keep to it”, for a fair sized mi- to farming is much greater than travel without anxiety or being fire. nority of us are bird watchers, that of dogs. And sadly in these There is need for much edu- botanists, geologists, who need days, for a solitary walker, as I blocked by sheep fencing and cation in proper respect for the to move freely where our stud- mostly am, a large dog (on a locked gates? countryside and for farming, ies take us. The merlin will not lead) is a necessary protection, There is indeed much to be Old cross country routes should be kept open and not blocked but there is the further, and gen- nest atop a “Walking Man” though you can hardly take the done. More education of peo- by new gateless fencing. This is an ancient route from Lough eral, problem of tourism - too sign. animal out of a car without ple new to walking, learning to Guitane, near Killarney, by way of Bennaunmore and Lough many people can destroy the And while some of these someone shouting to you about respect and better enjoy the Crohane to the Roughty valley and Kilgarvan. very thing they want to see. long distance ways are proper those “*******” dogs”. countryside and to understand The popular Irish mountains are paths, others are merely widely We need more circular way the needs of contemporary having erosion trenches cut up will be Prosecuted” signs spaced poles set on the hillside. marked routes too for people farming. We need considera- to their summits by climbers’ everywhere, legally a wooden This is just not good enough. In working from a fixed base. tion, not confrontation, between By Daphne feet. lie, and if you crawled under a the absence of a proper path, And not only proper paths but walkers and land owners and a And here I would protest field fence, you were likely to walkers will cut a series of better styles (a plank on two up- realisation that Ireland is for all against the current wave of Pochin Mould be roared at immediately by the trenches and ridges, of stones rights through a sheep fence is of us, not a preserve to be jeal- farmer. sponsorship of people doing and hillocks, horrible to walk useless to anyone even slightly ously guarded by any one sin- “AT the furthest fringe of the Until fairly recently you things they would normally on and causing an ever spread- less than active) and gates that gle interest. forest we crossed a barred gate could go where you liked, un- never think of. If you want to in a deer fence, where a bat- challenged, in Ireland. (Not en- give to a charity, give and be tered notice-board warns the tirely, in the 50’s, a farmer tried done with it, don’t ask someone free Briton that he is liable to be to stop me leaving the Gap of to parachute from an airplane shot”. Thus mountaineer and Dunloe road to climb onto the first, or push a peanut with their author W.H. Murray began an ridge of the Reeks). Now “No nose up the Devil’s Ladder. En- account of a climb on Scot- Trespassing” signs have sprung couraging non hill walkers in land’s Cairngorms in the late up like mushrooms, new sheep large groups to climb our hills 1930’s. The notice had moul- fences (gateless, style-less) bar for charity, is no charity to the dered away altogether when I ancient butter roads and the mountains who suffer the dam- wandered alone on those 4,000 like. Farmers fear loss and age and litter. I quote from foot hills, but I knew the story damage from hordes of careless “Walking World Ireland”, 1998 behind it. How the 19th cen- walkers though recent legisla- Annual which has a perceptive tury craze for deer and grouse tion should protect them from series of articles on this matter shooting had led to landowners the current popularity of seek- of the right to roam. “The ex- trying to close the mountains to ing compensation for any in- tent of the filth and general dis- walkers, and how a few brave jury, real or imagined. turbance left behind on men had faced down the keep- Few people hill walked in the Lugnaquillia following a spon- ers’ guns and kept open the 1950’s. Going then into a Cork sored night walk in aid of right to hill walk. But as a child shoe shop to replace my climb- Mountain Rescue had to be in England I saw “Trespassers ing boots, they had none and its seen to be believed” (Keith Collie. “Hill Walkers: Where Photos: Daphne Mould

Mount Brandon summit, our second highest mountain mass. Erosion trenches cut by walkers on the traditional routes to the summit and St. Brendan’s hermitage ruins. Page 22 ...... Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 Sherkin Island Marine Station Environmental Awards 1997 & 1998

for reading from his father and books would have been a fea- ture of his life whatever his career. Therefore, as reference 1997 Award Winner librarian he has been especially fortunate - surrounded by books, meeting interesting people and helping them to recre- ate a little bit of the past. Mr. Tim Cadogan Tim and others like him throughout the country are mak- ing an immense contribution to the needs of researchers working in the environment. We must be made aware of the By Matt Murphy availability of precious references on plants, mammals, geol- ogy, marine life and archaeology. One particular reference we at Sherkin received from Tim was on a red tide or algal I HAVE known the recipient of our 1997 Environmental bloom that occurred in 1865 - 132 years ago, which was then Award, Tim Cadogan, for many years. I was first introduced described as an “extraordinary appearance in the sea”. The to him by the noted historian, the late Padraig O Maidin, article reported the following explanation for the occurrence: Cork County librarian for many years. Tim was then a li- “Several people have told us about a similar appearance all brary assistant and is now Assistant County Librarian. Over along Lough Ine, Baltimore, Cape Clear and Crookhaven. the years he has guided us at the marine station to much im- Some say it is the blood of American patriots that has been portant early historical information on the s.w. coastal area. borne down her mighty rivers into the Gulf of Mexico and This was especially so when we were preparing our book: has then been carried by the great Gulf Stream to these our “The Wild Plants of Sherkin, Cape Clear and adjacent islands sympathising shores. Others (and with more probability) as- of West Cork”. He gave us invaluable help with the histori- cribe it to some volcanic eruption or upheaval which has cal natural history of the islands. It is so exciting to get a ref- taken place beneath our waters and has thrown up mud, sco- erence 100 to 150 years old which adds another vital piece to ria and ashes, thus to show us that we are not beyond the the jigsaw. I always tell my young biologists that each re- reach of this mighty source of the fairest portions of our search project is like a jigsaw. It has a past, a present and a earth.” This article was published in the Skibbereen and future. Without all the ingredients there is something miss- Tim Cadogan being presented with the award by Matt Murphy West Carbery Eagle, on Saturday 6th May 1865. ing. Tim and some of his fellow historians so often supply What this reference has done for us at the marine station the past - the other two ingredients - well, they are for an- local history, by saying: has been invaluable as it has shown us that the view held by other forum. “Local history has, I believe, an important role to play in some, that the present day algal blooms (red tides) are a mod- Tim is the person that people turn to when they need his- preserving our sense of perspective. Just as an individual’s ern phenomen, is incorrect. torical information when they are researching. He has a spe- personal history and memory roots him in society and pro- I ask those of you that have an input into the provision of cial interest in many aspects of local history and historical vides an identity, so also a sense of place, an appreciation of funds for county libraries to please add a little more funding research. But abiding interests that have survived throughout our locality’s context in history and a recognition of trends for the preservation of archive material. I have outlined just are probably maritime history, newspaper history, 19th Cen- and patterns in its development provide a necessary pride in a fraction of what Tim Cadogan has done for us through the tury social history and genealogical research. an association with our physical surroundings.” reference department of the Cork County Library. We must In the foreword to “Harbour Lights: The Journal of Great Like many others of his generation, Tom’s choice of career continue to preserve this great historical information as it be- Island Historical Society”, No. 1, 1987, he stated his view of was accidental rather than planned. He inherited a passion comes available.

1998 Award Winner - Dr. Gillian Bishop

more sites, more data, more years in her argument both sides and then which would lead to more answers. is prepared to come off the fence By Matt Murphy Our discussions in those days and say which way one must go. were in a small laboratory 12ft x When the time came to write IN the summer of 1975, eight 10ft with a galvanised roof, well about our over 20 years of data for young biologists came to our just ventilated. There were times when the rocky shore of Sherkin Island, founded Sherkin Island Marine heavy clothing was needed to keep to me there was only one person Station as volunteers to begin sur- warm, even though it was summer who could interpret that vast infor- vey work on and around the islands of Roaringwater Bay. They were a time. By the end of that summer of mation. At present Gillian is writ- wonderful team whose enthusiasm 1975 our plans were to have sites ing a book: “The Ecology of the and dedication pushed Eileen and on all the larger islands and the Rocky Shores of Sherkin Island”. myself to deciding that however we mainland of Roaringwater Bay. It will, I believe, be a text book for funded the projects they would Sixty-seven were established in the schools, the academic and com- continue and grow in the years late 1970s. It took longer to ex- mercial worlds. She has set out to ahead. pand the survey east to Cork Har- educate people and she is fulfilling One of that team stood out as the bour and West to Bantry Bay - by that brief. leader. She had spent the previous 1995 we had 145 such sites. The The important thing to me is that 6 months doing rocky shore survey seed sown by Gillian Bishop has Gillian has a wonderful commit- work in Bantry Bay. She above the blossomed into one of the largest ment to our marine station. She is others wanted me to expand our monitoring programmes of rocky always willing to help with advice sites in Roaringwater Bay and be- shores in Europe. in between looking after her fam- yond. Her reasoning was logical - Gilllian has the ability to layout ily, her consultancy and her farm. Dr. Gillian Bishop, from Inverurie, Aberdeen, Scotland. Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 ...... Page 23 Students’ Fish & Potato Curry Ingredients

1½ lbs/700g white fish - e.g. cod one that you like) or ling or any white fish or shell- fish 2 cloves of chopped garlic 1lb/450g potatoes 4 oz/100g creamed coconut or 1 tin coconut milk 8 oz/225g french beans (alterna- tively use frozen peas, courgette 1 dessertspoon sugar or any vegetable you like) Chopped fresh coriander 1 green or red chilli Four large spicy poppadoms Salt and black pepper 1 lime 2 tablespoons curry paste (select Oil Method

1. Bring 1/3 pint/190ml of water to the boil in a saucepan. Add raw fish and bring 5. Add chopped chilli, garlic and curry paste - cook for 1-2 minutes. back to the boil for two minutes. Place a tight fitting lid on the saucepan and turn off the heat. Leave the fish to cook in the steam. 6. Mix the liquid from the fish with the creamed coconut (or use a tin of coconut milk) and add to the curry. Add sugar and simmer for 2-3 minutes. 2. Cook beans in a saucepan for 2 minutes and put straight into cold water. Cut pota- toes into pieces and boil for 10 minutes. 7. Add the beans and heat through. Add the fish and coriander. 3. Chop chilli, discarding seeds and membrane. 8. Serve with poppadoms and a squeeze of lime 4. Heat oil, fry cooked potatoes until golden brown. juice. Page 24 ...... Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 Water Quality in Ireland 1995-1997

goal of good ecological quality assessed as polluted in the the relatively poor quality of By John for waters, set by the proposed 1995-1997 period, the Regula- the private water supply EU Framework Directive on tions require that specified im- schemes, as described in the na- water management. provements be achieved by tional drinking water reports, Feehan The report gives assessments 2007 while waters classified as and emphasises the need to dis- of the water quality of some unpolluted must be maintained infect all groundwaters used for THAT there has been a fur- 13,000 km of river and stream as such. supply. ther deterioration of the river channel, 120 lakes and 23 estu- The water quality classifica- It is concluded that the re- system in Ireland since the arine and coastal waters. In ad- tion of the river channel length duction of phosphorus inputs to early 1990s is the main finding dition, for the first time, an surveyed in the 1995-1997 pe- freshwaters remains the chief of a report on water quality in overview of the quality of riod is given in figure 1. This task facing the water pollution the 1995-1997 period, pub- groundwaters is given, based shows that only 67 per cent was control agencies. While there lished recently by the EPA. on sampling at nearly 200 rep- assessed as unpolluted. The have been some success stories, This deterioration continues resentative locations, as well as highest proportions of polluted it is clear that the measures a trend which has been noted information on the situation in channel were recorded in the taken to reduce eutrophication eastern and south-eastern re- in the inland waters over the gions and the lowest in the last two decades have been too southern and Donegal-Sligo limited and that the problem re- part of the north western re- mains a major challenge. gion. Figure 2 contrasts the sit- In view of this situation, new uation for the last three periods management initiatives at of review, and shows an ongo- catchment level, e.g. for ing reduction in the length of Loughs Conn, Ree, Derg and unpolluted channel since Leane and for the rivers Boyne, 1987-1990. Liffey and Suir, together with Most of the slight and moder- the statutory requirements Figure 3: Number of surveyed locations polluted by ate pollution was attributed to under the Phosphorus Stan- various causes, 1995-1997 agricultural activities but mu- dards Regulations, are welcome nicipal waste discharges were Harbour, the Castletown estu- ther evidence of the limited im- and form a systematic approach judged to be responsible for ary near Dundalk and localised pact of waste discharges in tidal to eutrophication control. They most of the serious pollution areas of the Liffey, Shannon waters. The new and upgraded should contribute significantly (see figure 3). Although still and Garavogue (Sligo) estuar- waste treatment plants planned to the achievement of good Figure 1: Water Quality in Rivers in 1995-1997 (13,200km) small in overall extent (less than ies which are affected by mu- for the major coastal towns and quality in our rivers and lakes, 1 per cent), the level of serious nicipal discharges. Sustained cities over the next few years an objective highly desirable in the main canals. The bulk of the pollution showed an increase eutrophication was judged to be will further reduce the pollution itself, but also a requirement over the last 25 years and is at- data presented arises from sur- for the first time since the na- affecting only a few areas, viz., threat to these waters. which will arise under the pro- tributed in the main to nutrient vey work carried out by the tional surveys commenced. inner Cork Harbour and the The survey of groundwaters posed EU Framework Directive (phosphate) enrichment or eu- local authorities and the EPA, The number of fish kills on water policy. trophication. While the degree with additional information recorded by the Marine Insti- of pollution is slight in many being supplied mainly by the tute in the period (173) showed cases, it is of concern in view of Marine Institute and the Central an increase compared to its potential impact on stocks of and Regional Fishery Boards. 1991-1994 (116). Agriculture was the cause of most (97) of the kills in 1995-1997 followed by industry (37) and sewage (24). The increase in 1995-1997 reverses a decreasing trend which had been evident since the mid-1980s (see figure 4). The overall quality of canal waters and their feeder streams was judged to be good. Of the 120 lakes surveyed in the period, 97 were assessed as unpolluted, seven slightly pol- luted, 11 moderately polluted and five seriously polluted. Loughs Ramor and Oughter, two of the State’s larger lakes, were placed in the latter cate- gory. As most of the unpolluted lakes are small, the lake surface area so classified was only 65 Figure 4: Fish-kills: 1971-1997 - Reported Cases per cent of the total area sur- veyed. Overall, there was little change in the extent of water Broadmeadow estuary at in the period indicated that Copies of the report, “Water pollution in the lakes since Malahide. The enhanced there is no widespread pollution Quality in Ireland, 1995 to 1991-1994. Although the sur- growths of algae noted in the of particular aquifers. However, 1997”, with accompanying veys in 1995-1997 covered middle reaches of the Slaney, a significant number of the maps on Rivers and Lakes Figure 2: Recent Water Quality Trends in Rivers only a small proportion of the Barrow-Nore-Suir and Bandon sources sampled showed signs (price £20) are available, from: (13,200km baseline) lakes in the State, they are re- estuaries may be partly due to of organic pollution and nitrate EPA Publications, St. Martin’s garded as representative and in- the natural characteristics of contamination. Of particular House, Waterloo Road, Dublin the pollution-sensitive trout and The assessments of the water clude most of the larger lakes. these waters. concern was the presence of 4. (Tel: 01-667 4474; Fax: salmon in rivers and lakes and quality of rivers and lakes given Data for the estuarine and The generally satisfactory faecal coliforms which were 01-660 5848). because of the reliance on these in this report have a particular coastal waters indicate that, condition of bathing waters and detected in over 30 per cent of rivers and lakes as sources for significance in relation to the with a few exceptions, these are the low levels of potentially the samples analysed for this John Feehan, EPA, Johnstown the bulk of the public water Phosphorus Standards Regula- not significantly impacted by toxic pollutants in commercial parameter. This contamination Castle Estate, Co. Wexford. supply. This also has implica- tions adopted in 1998. Where a pollution. Exceptions include fish and shellfish provide fur- is likely to be a major cause of Website: http://www.epa.ie tions for the attainment of the river stretch or a lake has been the Lee estuary and Inner Cork Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 ...... Page 25 Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast in gratifying detail and this only serves to reinforce the fact that “Plant Ecology” is es- Volume 2 (932-1997) sential reading for all serious students of By Edward J. Bourke ecology. Published by the author 11 Cypress Drive, Dublin 6W. Publications Sharks and Rays ISBN: 0-9523027 Tricas, Last, Deacon, McCosker, Walker, Taylor £11.99/1998 The author, with this latest volume, has ISBN: 0 00 220104 6 added a further 3000 shipwrecks around the 1997/HarperCollins/£16.99 Irish coast. This book, like the first, is a A very informative guide recommend- labour of love. So much research has gone able to all lovers of the underwater world. into the finished work. Need I add that I of Interest Beautifully illustrated it covers almost every first looked at the West Cork section where aspect of shark and ray biology, life and over 100 wrecks are listed. I’d like to have myth. Travellers notes aid in the planning been alive in the last century with all the is hoped that this book will be useful for along with the habitat occupied. Each de- some butterflies are contrasted with the of encounters in the wild, but the detailed timber cargo that must have been washed up graduate students and research scholars of scription is accompanied by a coloured il- more heartening stories of successful con- field guide to species will bring anyone who on the shores. There are very interesting fish biology. lustration and distribution map. servation of the Swallowtail and re-intro- cannot be tempted face to face with sharks chapters on diving to the Lusitania, the East duction of the Large Blue. One of the rays and skates. India Trade and the salvage trade in Ireland. Rare Birds in Britain & Ireland: A founders of the butterfly conservation The list of 46 U-boats and 130 British sub- Complete British Wildlife Guide movement in Britain was ironically also a marines lost around our coast and 116 U- Photographic Guide member of the nobility, Lord Rothschild. Environment Bulletin - Issue 37 P. Sterry boats scuttled was intriguing. This book tells us how the this movement David Cottridge & Keith Vinicombe Available free from Department of the This book is a must for anyone interested 1997/HarpersCollins/£12.99 has gained momentum and how reserves, Environment & Local Government, in Ireland’s maritime history, especially This book aims to serve the keen amateur ISBN: 0 00 219976 9 the law and habitat management are used in Custom House, Dublin 1. scuba divers. Edward states that there are naturalist rather than experts in any given conservation. Butterflies are described as 1996/HarperCollins/£25.00 This issue includes items on general en- some 12,000 wrecks around our coast. He field. However, the high quality pho- ‘symbols of the countryside’, a view I am This is, without a doubt, a book written vironmental matters, water resources, air has now accounted for 5,500. Roll on Vol- tographs makes the book appealing to biol- sure, many of us share. This book would be by twitchers for twitchers. As the pursuit of quality, planning, forestry and energy, waste ogists interested in fields other than their of interest to all who appreciate the presence ume 3. exotic and bizarre migrants increases in management, EU and international environ- own. An emphasis has been placed on birds, of these delightful insects. popularity all the time there will certainly be mental matters. The bulletin should be read butterflies and flowering plants due to their Wildlife Matters Publishers, Marlham, a considerable demand for this insightful by anyone interested in environmental top- Population Dynamics of general appeal and also common or visually Henley’s Down, Battle, TN33 9BN, U.K. and well-presented book. Cataloguing all ics. striking examples of all animal and plant Commercial Fish in Inland the bird species that have unintentionally ar- groups, including: reptiles, amphibians, rived on our shores since 1958, we are Meadows; A History and Natural Reservoirs. trees, fish, seashore invertebrates, molluscs given a detailed description of how to iden- Dances with Waves and fungi. The book is laid out with brief History By L. A. Kuderskii. tify each bird, a historic account of its oc- notes on each species placed opposite pho- - Around Ireland by Kayak - currences in Britain and Ireland and a ISBN: 0 86299 901 4 ISBN: 90 5410 259 4 tographs for easy reference. The introduc- section on its more usual haunts. With in- Brian Wilson 1996 Hardback/A.A. Balkema tion includes descriptions of Britain’s 1992/Wildlife Matters Publishers/£16.99 troductory chapters on migration, weather 1998/The O’Brien Press/£8.99 Publishers/£50 important wildlife habitats. One hundred years ago a book written patterns and the implications of vagrancy, about meadows would have seemed, at best, ISBN: 0-86278-551-0 For the first time in ichthyological litera- this book is an absolute must for bird obses- mundane and definitely unnecessary. How- Brian Wilson is one of the few people to ture, the author has analysed the structure of sives. However, the beautiful photographs Butterflies of Britain and Europe ever, the twentieth century has seen remark- circumnavigate Ireland by kayak and this is fish populations in inland reservoirs based and attractive layout give the book a wider able improvements in agricultural the colourful and entertaining story of his on the absolute values of their mass. The Text: T.Tomlan appeal. It should serve to encourage those efficiency. This has brought untold benefits voyage of 1200 gruelling miles along a structure of the population and its changes who have never twitched to consider it and Illustrations: R.Lewington in terms of food production and food quality beautiful and often hazardous coastline. He have been examined in seven fish species motivate those who have considered it to go ISBN: 0 00219992 0 to the people of our country. Unfortunately encountered adventures on land and sea - from small lakes, two from large lakes, and out there and TWITCH! we are paying the cost in terms of a reduc- kidnapped and ransomed on Sherkin Island, seven from large reservoirs in plains. Spe- 1997/HarperCollins/£17.99 cial attention has been drawn to the main in- tion in the beauty and diversity of our coun- marooned by illness on the Blasket Islands, This is a comprehensive field guide to dicator of the structure of population - Birdwatching: The Ultimate tryside. Since the 1930s we have lost 97% his kayak stolen in wild Connemara, be- butterflies found from Iceland to Morocco correlation between the age of ichthyomass of our meadows. Sweet smelling meadows friended by Fungie in Dingle. and Portugal to Moldova. The text includes Guide to the Birds of Europe and mass maturation. brimming over with colours and wildlife are Paddling to the tunes of the waterproof notes on the distribution, variation, life his- The material presented in this book and Arnoud van den Berg, Tom van der now a thing of the past. It, therefore, seems song sheets which, apparently are an essen- tory and habitat and a distribution map for the conclusions derived are of great interest Have, Guido Keijl, Dominic Mitchell appropriate, that “Meadows, A History and tial part of such a trip - he met every kind of each species. There are illustrations of the both for developments in populations ecol- Natural History” is written with a nostalgic weather and every kind of craft from cur- inner and outer sides of the butterfly wings 1997/HarperCollins/£16.99 ogy of fish and the theory of optimum fish- air complete with sepia photographs and rach to the might of the QE2. and there are separate illustrations for males This is an all encompassing guide to bird- ing. The book is intended for ichthyologists, 15th century paintings. A charming and His great circuit, beginning in Larne, Co. and females. They provide a valuable guide watching in Europe. It is beautifully pre- hydrobiologists, and ecologists studying stimulating book, it tells us about cornfields, Antrim, took him through the entire litany to identification and are drawn by R.Lew- sented with superb photographs and theoretical bases of fish ecology and tack- water meadows, hay meadows, dunes, of the shipping forecast - Irish Sea, Fastnet, ington who has illustrated other important sumptuous illustrations. The absorbing se- ling applied questions of regulated fishing downs and coastal grassland, glades and Shannon, Rockall and Malin and brought works on butterflies. The book should stim- ries of introductory chapters takes us and conservation of fish stocks. alpine meadows. It is a highly readable and him into contact with a very eclectic mix of ulate interest in this fascinating and beauti- through an astounding array of bird-related A. A. Balkema Publishers, P.O Box 1675, absorbing explanation of the history and people, including a mystic conservationist, ful group of insects. subjects. These include; the use of birds in NL-3000 BR, Rotterdam, Netherlands natural history of meadows. It makes a yacht club admirals and a singing Lady mythology and religion, the origin of birds, powerful plea for the conservation of the Mayoress. Garden Wildlife of Britain and classification, anatomy, displays, territory few flowering meadows that still remain. Much more than a travelogue - Dances Fish Morphology and mating, where and how to watch birds with Waves weaves maritime myth, seafar- Europe However, one cannot help feeling that, with plus, of course, much, much more. Using a the advance of modern agriculture continu- ing lore and natural history in an absorbing Horizon of New Research habitat by habitat approach more than 200 Michael Chinery ing unabated, such meadows can only be look at Ireland and its people. Edited by: J. S Datta Munshi of the most commonly encountered species preserved as museum pieces and will never Vastly entertaining for the sailor and 1997/HarperCollins/£7.99 and Hiran M. Dutta in Europe are described, each with its own again dominate our countryside as they once landlubber alike, this is a story of a great ad- Ever wondered what wildlife can be photograph, illustration, distribution map venture. ISBN: 90 5410 289 6 did. found in your garden? This book contains and field notes. Such an appealing book 1996/A.A. Balkema Publishers/£60.00 photographs of about 400 species of plants will almost certainly make a welcome addi- and animals that are commonly found in Eu- tion to the bookshelf of even the most casual Plant Ecology: Second Edition COD ropean gardens. Common and scientific of birdwatchers. For those more determined Fish Morphology: Horizon of New Re- Edited by Michael J. Crawley - A Biography of the Fish that names are given for each species as well as to embark upon this fulfilling pastime, search, an edited, multiauthored book, deals Changed the World - a description and notes on its distribution “Birdwatching” will make an excellent in- ISBN: 0 632 03639 7 with the form and function relationships of and habitat. The book is divided into four troduction and will become an indispens- Mark Kurlansky fish morphology both at the macro and 1997/Blackwell Science sections: Vertebrates (mammals and birds), able work of reference for every enthusiast. micro levels. It also examines the relation- An academic text primarily aimed at stu- 1998/Jonathan Cape/£12.99 Insects, Other invertebrates (including spi- ship between hard and soft structures and dents and practising ecologists, the second ISBN: 0-224-05104-0 ders and snails) and Plants. The book also among the soft structures at the subcellular edition of “Plant Ecology” builds upon the includes information on how you can attract The Conservation of Butterflies The cod. Wars have been fought over it, levels. stimulating set of papers that formed the more wildlife to your garden. in Britain revolutions have been triggered by it, na- Twenty-six eminent scientists from five basis of the first. Whilst maintaining its dy- tional diets have been based on it, continents have contributed chapters in Feltwell, J namic approach and taking a plant centred economies and livelihoods have depended this book. The study of the morphology of Collins pocketguide: Fish of ISBN: 0 907970 02 8 view of ecology rather than the traditional on it. To the millions it has sustained, it has fish as provided in this book gives a base Britain and Europe quadrat centred view, the structure of the been a treasure more than gold. This book line knowledge that can be applied to the 1995/Wildlife Matters Publishers second edition has been completely revised. scans 1,000 years and four continents. morphology of higher forms of verte- PJ Miller & MJ Loates Interest in butterflies in Britain stems, in It still combines descriptive text with theo- From the Vikings to Clarence Birdseye, brates including human beings. The tech- large part, from the Victorian naturalists. retical models and experimental data but has ISBN: 0 00 219945 9 Mark Kurlansky introduces the explorers, niques and methodology used in this book They were generally members of the landed moved from the small to the large scale in merchants, writers, chefs and fishermen, represent knowledge prevailing at the end 1997/HarperCollins/£12.99 nobility who took pride in building up vast keeping with contemporary methods. This whose lives have been interwoven with pro- of the twentieth century. They can be ap- A clear and concise guide to the fish collections of butterflies. Collecting of but- fresh approach has allowed consideration of lific fish. He chronicles the cod wars of the plied as research tools for researchers found in marine and freshwater environ- terflies became like rhino-poaching in the several new and important topics such as 16th and 20th centuries and blends in worldwide. One of the significant contri- ments around both Britain and Europe is 1990s, the rarer the prey, the more it was plant secondary chemistry, herbivory, sex recipes and lore from the Middle Ages to the butions to this book is the review of not given by PJ Miller and MJ Loutes. The worth. Feltwell tells us the history of the and breeding systems. Additional chapters present. In a story that brings world history only the contributors’ own lifetime re- book reviews over 750 species. The de- decline in butterflies in Britain and also the address topical applied issues in plant ecol- and human passions into captivating focus, search but synthesis of on-going research scriptions given for each species include history and future of attempts to control ogy including global warming, pollution he shows how the most profitable fish in by others in a much broader framework. It basic taxonomy and breeding information them. Gloomy stories of the extinction of and biodiversity. Each subject is dealt with history is today faced with extinction. Page 26 ...... Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 JUNIORJUNIOR PPAGESAGES What’s what on Ireland’s Seashore

A B C

D E F

G H I The marine life around Ireland’s shores is rich and varied. Here is a very small Match the picture to the name and then name the group selection of the many animals and plants to be found. Can you match the pictures with NAME PICTURE GROUP the name? Squat Lobster A Sponges All animals and plants belong to a B particular group. Once you have named Two-spotted Goby Worms each animal or plant try to pick the group to Breadcrumb Sponge C Sea Anemones & Relatives which it belongs. Plumose Anemone D Starfish & Relatives For further information on Ireland’s marine Serrated Wrack E Fish life, Sherkin Island Marine Station have Common Razor Shell F Seaweeds produced a pocket-sized guide called Keel Worm G “A Beginner’s Guide to Ireland’s Seashore”, Crabs & Relatives which is suitable for beginner’s of all ages. Common Brittlestar H Lichens Details on page 32. Answers to quiz on page 29. Orange Leafy Lichen J Shells & Relatives Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 ...... Page 27 Searching for Words

Around in Circles In this puzzle the first letter of an object is the last letter for another. For example, if one object begins with a “T” and ends with an “E” the object before it will have ended in “T” and the one after will have begun with an “E” - e.g. anTimEgg. Fill in the name of each object, beginning in any square, and you should fill the circle exactly. (Answers on page 29)

Answers on page 29.

Only one spider ALONG below is the mirror image of the spider on the CAME A right. Can you figure out which SPIDER! one it is? Answer on page 29. Page 28 ...... Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 Environmental Competition for Primary School Children in Munster 1999

FOR the last couple of years, Sherkin Island Marine Station has been Below: Bealad N.S, Co. Cork, being presented with their running the Environmental Competition for Primary School Children prizes by Mr. Dan Wallace, T.D., Minister of State at the in Munster. The awards for this year’s competition were presented by Dept. of the Environment & Local Government. Also Mr. Dan Wallace, T.D., Minister of State at the Dept. of the present are Ms. Niamh Hunt, Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd., Environment and Local Government, and Cllr. Sean Martin T.C., Mr. Don Eglington, Pfizer Pharmaceutical Corporation and Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, at Connolly Hall, Cork, during the Mr. Matt Murphy, Sherkin Island Marine Station. Sherkin Island Marine Station Exhibition. The response to the competition from schools all over Munster was wonderful. Here is a very small selection of some of the 405 prize-winners. The competition this year was sponsored by BIM (Irish Sea Fisheries Board), Cork Corporation, Cork County Council, Denis McSweeny Above: Cloghroe N.S., Co. Cork, being presented Photoshop, Cork, Dept. of the Environment & Local Government, with their prizes by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd. and Pfizer Pharmaceutical Corporation. Cllr. Sean Martin, T.C. Also present are Mr. Charlie Hipwell, Pfizer Pharmaceutical Corporation, Mr. Sean Flynn, Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd., and Mr. Matt Murphy, Sherkin Island Marine Station.

Right: Ballymoney, Co. Cork, being presented with their prizes by Mr. Dan Wallace, T.D., Minister of State at the Dept. of the Environment & Local Government. Above: Cullina N.S., Co. Kerry, being presented with their prizes by Also present are Ms. Niamh Hunt, Janssen Mr. Dan Wallace, T.D., Minister of State at the Dept. of the Environment Pharmaceutical Ltd., Mr. Don Eglington, & Local Government. Also present are Ms. Catherine Reynolds, Janssen Pfizer Pharmaceutical Corporation and Mr. Pharmaceutical Ltd., Mr. Eddie O’Sullivan, Pfizer Pharmaceutical Matt Murphy, Sherkin Island Marine Station. Corporation and Mr. Matt Murphy, Sherkin Island Marine Station. Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 ...... Page 29 DO these fish seem strange to you, ugly and unreal? Have you ever seen such a fish? Well, these fish do exist but they live in the very deep waters of the Fish from the Deep! oceans and are known as deep sea fish!! First, imagine a mountain 3,300ft high or a stretch of road two-thirds of a mile long and then try to imagine this depth below a boat that is floating on the surface of the water. Well this is where these creatures live. The average depth of the deep oceans is much deeper than this however - as much as 13,000ft (about 2 and half miles)! The deep sea environment is very different to that of shallow coastal waters. In the upper parts of the deep sea, there is little light. Fish that live or feed at this depth can see silhouettes of other sea organisms moving above them but cannot makes them very efficient. Differ- though it is sometimes red or yel- the enemy and give enough time when flashed these lights can act see things below them. However, ent kinds of deep sea fish catch low. for the fish to escape. as a sort of communication. Com- just a little deeper and it is totally their prey by a number of meth- Each species wears its light in 3) As Camouflage - Fish that municating such information as dark - no light from the surface ods. For example, many have different places and in different live or feed in the upper, slightly location,direction and speed of can get through. It is also very teeth that are quite large and patterns. They maybe found ei- lighter layers of the deep sea can fellow members of a shoal, which cold at these great depths, only sharp, so large that they can often ther along the sides of the body, often be seen as silhouettes by helps them to stick together or to 2oC above zero all year round be seen sticking out of the mouth on the abdomen(belly), tail, fins, predators from below as light even find a mate. (Brrrr!!!). There is enormous pres- when it is closed!!! These teeth spines, head or in the mouth. from the surface shines down An unusual fact about fish that sure (weight) at this depth due to help them to grab their prey and There are many uses of this through the water. This makes can produce this light is that they the weight of thousands of metres keep hold of it. Others are able to light. them easy targets as food, how- are usually found at depths be- of seawater above. (Try lifting a make their stomachs larger to 1) To catch prey - Spots of ever those that produce light can tween 1000ft and 8000ft. Below bucket of water, well its millions carry larger prey, some can hold light may be found in the mouth, become invisible. What happens this level it seems there are rela- prey almost twice their own of times heavier than that!) It has or on the end of spines that maybe is that when they emit light they tively few that do this, and which length in these stomachs!!! only been in recent times that hu- on the top of the head or beneath blend in or become camouflaged seem quite happy to live in the Even though most have eyes, mans have invented diving ma- the chin. In some species such as with the light shining from the dark!! they are of little use in the dark chines that can cope with this the Viper fish, the light is dangled surface and therefore are hid- and so deep sea fish mainly use pressure and so catch a glimpse of in front of the mouth. This light is den!!!! smell, taste and touch to find their Based on an article from this deep sea life. These diving ve- used to draw prey near to the fish 4) To identify others of the same “Schoolword”, published by the hicles or remote control sub- prey. Some fish use flashes of light to find their way around. or directly into the mouth. species - Each species , as men- Mystic Marinelife Aquarium, mersibles are used as the weight 2) As a defence mechanism - A tioned before, has different pat- 55 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, CT of all that water would crush a So what is this light and where does it come from? sudden flash of light can startle terns of light over their body and 06355-1997, U.S.A. man - diving in just a wetsuit - to Firstly this light is produced by death!!! many of the sea creatures of the Why do these fish look so dif- deep, including deep sea fish,and ferent? is called BIOLUMINESCENCE. The amount of food available This light is produced by a for organisms at this depth is low chemical process that takes place compared to that of shallower in the fish’s bodies, usually in areas. A deep sea animal must pockets on the surface called pho- travel a long way to get small tophores. Here their chemicals amounts of food. For this reason mix with oxygen causing light to most of the fish have a slender, be produced. Or in other fish, the eel-like body which does not re- chemical process is carried out by quire as much food as larger bod- the groups of bacteria that already ies would. They also usually have live in or on the fish. large heads with big mouths This bioluminescence is usually which maximise the chance of blue or pale green in colour al- catching their prey. In all, this

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGES 26 & 27

= B = Lichens. = B =

Worms; Common Brittlestar = A = Starfish & Relatives; Orange Leafy Lichen Leafy Orange Relatives; & Starfish = A = Brittlestar Common Worms;

Seaweeds; Common Razor Shell = E = Shells & Relatives; Keel Worm = F = F = Worm Keel Relatives; & Shells = E = Shell Razor Common Seaweeds;

Plumose Anemone = H = Sea Anemones & Relatives; Serrated Wrack = D = D = Wrack Serrated Relatives; & Anemones Sea = H = Anemone Plumose

Relatives; Two-spotted Goby = G = Fish; Breadcrumb Sponge = C = Sponges; = C = Sponge Breadcrumb Fish; = G = Goby Two-spotted Relatives;

Squat Lobster = I = Crabs & Crabs = I = Lobster Squat 26): (Page Seashore Ireland’s on what What’s

No. 6 No. 27): (Page Spider a Came Along

Spide(r) Rabbi(t) Tre(e) Earthwor(m) Tre(e) Rabbi(t) Spide(r)

Mushroo(m) Mot(h) Hedgeho(g) Gras(s) Hedgeho(g) Mot(h) Mushroo(m) 27): (Page Circles in Around

Time nor tide waits for no man. no for waits tide nor Time Quotation: 26-K. 25-Y; 24-M; 23-S; 22-R;

D; 10-H; 11-V; 12-Z; 13-I; 14-N; 15-U; 16-A; 17-P; 18-J; 19-G; 20-C; 21-F; 20-C; 19-G; 18-J; 17-P; 16-A; 15-U; 14-N; 13-I; 12-Z; 11-V; 10-H; D;

1-E; 2-T; 3-X; 4-O; 5-B; 6-W; 7-Q; 8-L; 9- 8-L; 7-Q; 6-W; 5-B; 4-O; 3-X; 2-T; 1-E; 27): (Page Words for Searching Page 30 ...... Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 A VENTURE IN KENYA JENNIFER DUNGAN is a 20 year old woman studying Mathematics in working on. Working closely with the Trinity College, Dublin, who participated in The Gold Gaisce Award. One churches, local government and other day, a little while ago, this nice shy woman walked into the Gaisce Office and NGO’s (Non Government Organisa- said; “I know what to do in three sections of the Award to earn a Gold Gaisce tions) the programme allocates small Medal but I have not got a clue what to do for a venture!’-’ plots of land to the children who are On the wall of the office was a poster outlining an expedition to Kenya. then taught the basics of land develop- Jennifer was immediately hooked. Would this nice, shy woman be ready for ment. They grow their own food, breed a wild venture like this and would she be able to raise £ 1,000. Read on - the chickens to sell in the markets. rest is her story. Through education and by example the John Murphy leaders of these Street Scout Groups teach the kids the elements of right and wrong, basic health care etc. Over a period of time the children stop sniff- MY CHALLENGE IN KENYA ing glue and stealing and start to talk about what they want to do with their lives with a positive outlook. They leave the street gang and join the scout gang. Gradually they are integrated into schools and back into society. I played with these children. We taught each other songs and sang them together. They showed me how to cook their food and shared it with me. They taught me their language and spoke it with me. They taught me about life itself. They humbled me A very industrious dedicated boy washing his clothes at the African with their generosity. I had come out Education Fund School. here hoping in some way to help these kids but perhaps expecting them to be I would actually be able to do it. The breathtaking sight. resentful or hostile towards me. They fact was that I could; and there’s noth- We arrived at the summit for sun- were just the opposite. They didn’t ing like being thrown onto your own rise. The horizon was a rainbow of have people to love and care for them, resources in the middle of Africa to colours acting as a border between the so they really appreciated the fact that prove the point! deep blue hue of the sky and the someone cared enough about them to We arrived at the base of Mount golden tinged rock and white snow of try to help them. Simple human con- Kenya in true Kenyan style - that is 3 the mountain. And the scene changed tact and attention achieve spectacular hours late. And after using the flush- every couple of minutes becoming ing, sit down toilet - a very rare luxury more and more spectacular. Deep reds, The rest day on the way up to the top of Mount Kenya. results. The road isn’t easy for them. It’s a indeed - we started our hike on an easy oranges, pinks. All the endurance, the tough world in which they live. And I path. A little while down the road we hard work, the facing of dangers, the The Street Children had to remember that the kids that I came across some buffalo dung and a abstinence, the plodding on in rigorous By Jennifer The street children that I had the ho- met were the survivors. With only a bit later we saw a huge, hairy and very conditions was worth it. I was on top nour of meeting are some of the poor- 30% survival rate on the streets, these still buffalo head staring out at us from of the world. “Wow. Never in my life est children in the world. And I made are the smartest and the fittest of the the jungle. After about 3 hours of plod- would I have thought I’d be here “. Dungan friends with them. street kids. They don’t have nice ding Gavin, our expedition leader, sud- They come from the streets, they homes or a bright future. But what denly piped up “Do you realise that Conclusion steal, they sniff glue, they’re filthy, these street scouts have now is a sense we are walking through the jungle in Kenya. My mind wandered. I had they have no home or family, they’re of pride in themselves, and a goal to Kenya in the pitch dark?” Help! And I For some people the word, “Kenya” images of lions playing with their often hungry and ill, they speak a slang work towards - to become good found myself uttering what became spurts forth images of poisonous cubs, elephants crossing the plain called Sheng which is virtually impos- Scouts. my phrase of the trip “Wow. Never in snakes and spiders, ferocious lions and below Kilimanjaro, ostriches running sible to follow. They have been de- I will never forget them. my life would I have thought I’d be crocodiles and lots of bugs. But the against the background of a Masai scribed as the world’s biggest social doing this”. only “bug” that I was seriously af- tribesman with his cattle. And yet, this problem. The 2nd day was definitely the fected by was the “travel bug”. And it expedition was offering much more. But they are incredibly friendly, fun The Climb of Mount Kenya toughest. Hiking through rain on the in- bit me hard. Symptoms? A longing for We would climb Mount Kenya, camp loving, curious, smart and full of char- Climbing Mount Kenya is one of the famous Vertical Bog - a never ending adventure, excitement and fun; a de- on Masai homestead on the African acter. And as you get to know them biggest achievements of my life so far. mud slope - with everything that you sire to meet the local people and share plains, go on a photographic safari, and communicate with them, it is this I say “so far” because it showed me need for 6 days on the mountain on their lifestyle and culture; discovering snorkel in the coral reef in the Indian side that you see more and more. It be- that I can do anything I put my mind your back is extremely draining. Even- and accepting challenges and above all Ocean and live and work with street comes very difficult to ever imagine to. There were moments when I liter- tually we arrived at 14,200ft. Put up a renewed perspective. children in Africa’s largest slum city. leaving them. ally could not imagine being able to tents, heat up bowl of Curry in a Hurry My trip to Kenya was the best thing “When do I leave?” was my only The Kenyan Scout Association runs put one foot in front of the other one and get into bed were our orders, which that I have ever done. I still can’t be- question. the Street Children Project that I was without collapsing. I often wondered if we happily obeyed. We all looked for- lieve that it was me, a 19-year-old Irish Well, okay, going to Kenya required ward to our rest day tomorrow. girl, who climbed to the top of the sec- a lot of preparation; physically, men- Our 4th day on the mountain we ond highest mountain in Africa tally, medically and especially finan- hiked up a scree slope in strong wind (17,056ft). It was me who was work- cially. But I worked hard, had lots of and rain, which changed to snow as we ing and playing with street children injections and raised over £1,000 by got higher. We all packed into the from slum cities. It was me who ac- writing to different companies in my small Austrian Hut at 15,800ft. It cepted a challenge and achieved my local area asking for sponsorship. might have been cramped but more goal. Everybody was so helpful, especially bodies means more heat! Up at 4am It would feel good to say, “I know the team from Gaisce - The President’s tomorrow for the final assault on Kenya“, “Been there, done that, got Award, without whom I would not Mount Kenya. the T-shirt”. But of course I don’t; have gone to Kenya. Like Good King Wencelas we all what I know better is myself - Kenya There were two main elements to trudged in each other’s footsteps helped. my trip: through the snow. I feel I have to men- Jennifer Dungan, Curraghreigh 1.For my Community Service I tion the night sky at this point. As we North, Tallow, Co. Waterford. worked with street children in were on the equator we could see both Kenya, and the Northern and the Southern Hemi- For further information contact John 2.For my Venture I had to climb sphere constellations. Add that to the Murphy at An Gaisce - The Mount Kenya fact that it was a clear night at 16,000ft President’s Award, State Apartments, with no light or air pollution, throw in Dublin Castle, Dublin 2. lots of shooting stars and you get a Jennifer Dungan pictured with one of the scouts. (Tel: 01-4758746). Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 ...... Page 31 Captain Cockle & the Cormorant

by John Joyce Episode Two - Monsters from the Deep! (Abridged in four parts.)

ocean floor in the middle of the wreckage. away from the submarine into the darkness. “Now it’s time to go diving,” said Captain William landed on something soft and squishy, Cockle. “Catherine. You get your medical bag. and looked about. William! You’ll have to go and operate the Deep- But it was too dark to see. star controls while Jenny and I stay here and Then the soft, squishy thing he was lying on guide you out of the pipe with the Cormorant ’s started to move! mechanical arms.” It moved like a huge jelly with arms - arms that “Horatio! You cannot allow William out onto reached up and wrapped around William’s legs, the bottom of the sea like this. He’s less than an pulling him softly backwards - towards its fat, inch tall! He might be eaten by a crab!” fleshy mouth. “There’s nothing else we can do,” said Captain “Oh my goodness!” cried Dr. Cockle. “You’ve Cockle. “Come on. You’ll be roped together, and landed in a giant sea anemone!” I’ll be watching you from the Cormorant .” Will William and his granny end up as prawn William held on tightly to his grandmother’s cocktails? - Find out in in the next episode - The hand as they stepped out of the Cormorant ’s Enormous Eel - only in Sherkin Comment. diving hatch onto the sea floor. All around them was the circle of light from the two submarines, Adapted by the author from “Captain Cockle but the water beyond was very, very dark. and the Cormorant ” - published in Ireland by He wondered what animals might be out there Poolbeg Press and available in all good book waiting to make a meal of them as he turned shops, price Ir£3.99 slowly to clip the safety line to the Cormorant ’s hull. But before he could do it, an enormous Check out Captain Cockle on the Web at the glassy prawn, ten feet long, with hard shiny legs Captain Cockle Home Page on: and staring eyes that were blinded by the lights, http://www.cockle.com “Oh my goodness!” cried Dr. Cockle. “You’ve landed in a giant sea anemone!” crashed into them and sent them both spinning

THE story so far - Captain Cockle, his “Not at all,” replied Captain Cockle solemnly. wife Dr. Catherine Cockle, and the grand- “But some time ago I discovered that with children Jenny and William have flown to enough electricity, I could actually make atoms - the North Sea in the amazing flying sub- the very stuff that makes up everything in the marine Cormorant to rescue a pair of world - stick closer together. In other words, I divers trapped on the bottom of the ocean can shrink this submarine and us inside her, until we are small enough to get inside that wreck. under a collapsed oil rig. But time, and the Now, how big do you think this submarine would divers’ air is running out . . . need to be to fit down that pipe?” Captain Cockle eased back on the throttle and “Less than two feet wide anyway,” said Dr. the Cormorant settled onto the surface of the Cockle, eyeing her husband strangely as she re- North Sea like a big yellow duck. With a click membered all the other inventions of his that had and a whirr, the rotor blades folded into the hull, either exploded or set fire to the workshop. and in a moment the dark water had risen up past “Just what I would have guessed,” said Cap- the portholes as the electric motors pushed them tain Cockle, and began to type instructions on the towards the bottom. ship’s computer. “Hold tight, while I show you William could see small fish floating past, and another special feature of this amazing submarine a fine snow of tiny creatures he could hardly make out. of mine!” “Plankton,” said Jenny. “That’s what whales For a moment nothing happened. Then the feed on.” whole submarine began to vibrate softly, just like “Shouldn’t be long now,” said Captain Cockle a tin shed in a rainstorm. Outside the portholes, and all at once, an endless wall of tangled steel the sea lit up in a brilliant long lightning flash that seemed to shoot up from the sandy bottom and crackled over the hull. Beyond the flashes, the disappear in all directions into the blackness. wreck of the old oil rig seemed to be growing and “Found the wreck,” he said. “Now all we have growing . . . to do is get the Deepstar out.” And the pipe - that had been only two feet wide They spent a long time circling the huge mass a moment before - was now a vast tunnel leading of wreckage, looking for a gap large enough to straight to the trapped divers they had come to get the Cormorant inside. William and Jenny save. Captain Cockle steered the tiny Cormorant could even see the faint glow of the Deepstar’s inside, and down they went. lights deep inside the tangle of iron, but there was Five minutes later, they were looking out no way to reach it. across the water at two sick, sleeping giants in- Then Captain Cockle saw the pipe. side the huge glass dome of the Deepstar subma- “What do you think?” rine. “It must go right to the centre,” said Jenny. “Oh! The poor men!” cried Dr. Cockle. “I have “Where the other submarine is.” to get over to that submarine and help them!” William peered down it. “Then we’ll have to shrink it as well,” said “I can see light at the other end. But it’s only Captain Cockle. “You won’t be able to treat them two feet wide!” if you’re only half the size of their big toes!” “Horatio!” said Dr. Cockle. “You are not going There was another long flash of lightning as to send the children down that pipe in diving Captain Cockle shrunk the Deepstar. The two suits!” tiny submarines sat, no bigger than toys, on the Page 32 ...... Sherkin Comment 1999 - Issue No. 24 Now a Bestseller!

An ideal Christmas stocking filler, “A Beginner’s Guide to Ireland’s Seashore” is a pocket-sized guide, suitable for beginners of all ages. With the help of this book you will be able to explore the wonders of marine life on the shores around Ireland. Available for £4.99 at all good bookshops.

Also available for £4.99 plus 50p postage from: Matt Murphy, Sherkin Island Marine Station, Sherkin Island, Co. Cork. Tel: 028-20187 Fax: 028-20407 Email: [email protected]