SHERKIN COMMENT

Issue No. 40 Environmental Quarterly of Sherkin Island Marine Station 2005 INSIDEINSIDE Nigali Passage to Nirvana

Providing Clean Water in Dubin Bay

Birds of Farne Islands

Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) and gorgonian fan. Photographer: Pete Atkinson Page 2 ...... Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 Contents Editorial EDITORIAL: Management of Ireland’s Wild Salmon..2 Drift netting is not the only problem that wild salmon face, according to Matt Murphy. Management of The Rise and Rise of the Gannet...... 3 Oscar Merne on the good news for the Gannet population. Problems Facing Copenhagen from Transport Pollution ....4 Finn Terp explains how Copenhagen is coping with Ireland’s Wild Salmon their air pollution problems. Providing Clean Water for Dublin Bay ...... 5 vital. It is recognised by salmon research Clean in Dublin Bay means a Blue Flag for By Matt Murphy Table 1: ESB Generation Stations listed with Dollymount Strand. scientists that there is a major survival capacity (in Megawatts) and Fuel Type Birds of the Farne Islands ...... 6 problem in the North Atlantic. Ireland is MUCH is being written about the not alone with declining salmon stocks. Anthony Toole visits a paradise for birds off the north effects that drift netting of wild salmon is The USA and Canada have similar prob- east coast of England. having on stocks. If one is to believe those lems. Changing sea temperatures in the Backyard Burning ...... 8 that want this type of fishing banned then North Atlantic need to be investigated A change of behaviour is needed to stop illegal everything would be fine and our rivers more to see what effects they have on the burning. will be well-stocked again after many salmon. For instance, do they affect years of decline. Of course, stocks will migration speeds, routes and food avail- A Spotlight on World Environmental Matters ...... 9 improve but to what extent? Sherkin Interesting news on the world’s environment from ability? Another issue is to what extent are Comment believes much more will be post smolts being caught as a bycatch in Alex Kirby. needed to solve the problems of salmon mackerel fisheries. Maybe one of the Sea Turtles ...... 10 stocks in Irish rivers. Marine Institute’s two research vessels An informative leaflet from ENFO on sea turtles. A management program must be intro- should have as its priority an extensive On-site Treatment of Waste Water ...... 11 duced, together with much scientific period each year on salmon research in research. Major issues need to be Gerard O’Leary of the EPA stresses the need for proper the North Atlantic. addressed. waste water systems. Exploitation of salmon should be con- Rarely have there been any discussions fined to the estuaries or river mouths thus Thresher Shark (Alopias vulpinus) in Irish Waters ....12 measures to be taken that will ensure the on the impact of hydro dams on salmon avoiding a mixed salmon stock fishery at survival of the Irish salmon as an eco- Declan Quigley talks about a very rare visitor to on the rivers Erne, Lee, Liffey and Shan- sea. This would allow each fishery to be nomic, social and recreational resource. Irish Waters. non. Although these installations are individually managed and strict quotas And it is a campaign that will, at the end The Wind Ships ...... 13 technically passable (fish passes) by adult could then be enforced for each river basin. of the day, require sacrifices by all of Daphne Pochin Mould reminisces on sailing ships. salmon, they are not considered to have The above issues we raise show that those who exploit the runs of salmon. Far self-sustaining salmon populations. These there are many problems that need New Developments and Flooding Risks...... 14 from arguing that there can be no com- rivers have been defined as non self-sus- addressing on the decline of salmon Paddy Leahy outlines the need for a flood risk mercial net fishery we envisage achieving taining in the Central Fisheries Board stocks, most as important as drift netting. assessment for certain new developments. a situation in which it might very well “Freshwater Salmon Habitat Asset” 2003. Critics of commercial fishermen must continue to catch many more salmon than Nigali – Passage to Nirvana...... 15/16/17 The loss of potential salmon producing remember that they have a legal right to the angling sector.” It is hoped that this is Life underwater in the South Pacific, with Pete habitat for the four Hydrodams is esti- carry out drift netting. Most drift netters the view of the various groups that oppose Atkinson. mated at 35.5% of the total riverine are fishing at sea in small boats not large drift netting. habitat accessible to salmon in Ireland trawlers - it is one of the most dangerous Thirty-five Years of Pollution Control in America ....18 Finally, the drift net fishermen around (see Table 1). The Central Fisheries Board occupations. The weather conditions are Matt Murphy interviews Walter Mugdan, US EPA the coast need to organise themselves into is strongly of the view that serious con- mostly difficult to say the least. For many Director in New York. one group so that they can negotiate a fair sideration should now be given for the period (now very short) is a very Breeding Birds in Roaringwater Bay, 2005 ...... 20 deal of compensation and also be adequate and effective free passage of important income for them. A voluntary involved in the management of salmon A report from Julian Wyllie on populations for returning adult salmon upstream to their buy out or set aside scheme along the lines stocks. There are too many splinter 2005. spawning grounds and the unhindered of the decommissioning scheme for sea groups, each going off at tangents. They Aquatic Bugs of Sherkin Island ...... 21 migration of smolts downstream, particu- fisheries is now essential. need one spokesperson that can put their Christopher Barry highlights some freshwater insects. larly during peak runs in these very To quote from remarks by Niall case with clarity. They should take a important wild salmon rivers. Greene, Chair “Stop Salmon Drift Nets Back to Saxon Transylvania ...... 22 lessen from the “Stop the Salmon Drift The design of the hydro dams in these Now” at a meeting in Cork City 18th John Akeroyd continues to highlight the precious Nets Now” group who have had one of the rivers should be reviewed to allow for March 2005: flora of Romania. most effective and united PR campaign these fish to travel freely during the peak “The campaign to end drift netting for for many years on an environmental issue. Silicon – From Flint Axe to the Space Age ...... 23 runs. The board also adds that this new salmon at sea is being maliciously por- Anthony Toole continues his look at the elements. approach would also benefit other den- trayed by some as a row between anglers Publications of Interest ...... 24 dromonus species such as shad, lamprey and the commercial sector as to which Matt Murphy, Sherkin Island Marine and eels. Oileáin – A Guide to the Irish Islands ...... 25 should have the right to kill most fish. It is Station, Sherkin Island, Co. Cork, The contribution of the generating sta- nothing of the kind. It is a campaign for Ireland. A wonderful adventure from David Walsh. tions on the four dams to the ESBs Captain Cockle ...... 26 national grid only amounts to a maximum More exciting facts from John Joyce. of 4.9% in a full year (see table 1). One East Coast Nature Reserve ...... 27 solution to the problem would be to turn BirdWatch Ireland’s wonderful new project. off the generators for the peak migratory period. The loss for the short period Nature’s Web/Taste of the Sea Stir-Fry...... 28 would be negligible ± 1.06% against the A new internet-based environmental newsletter for total capacity being generated by the ESB children and a seafood recipe from BIM. Generation Stations (see table 2). Puzzle Page ...... 29 A proper management system needs to Damien Walks for Gold ...... 30 be introduced in the rivers to ensure there Damien O’Donovan earns a gold award from Gaisce. is (a) greater policing of illegal fishing (b) Sherkin Island Marine Station Environmental increased spawning areas and improve- Competition 2005 ...... 31 ment in the quality of many of those already there (c) ownership of many fish- Presentation of prizes at the Carrigaline Court eries on the rivers is unclear and uncertain Hotel, Carrigaline, Co. Cork. and must be addressed d) reasonable Listening for Answers ...... 32 access for locals and visitors/tourists. Source: Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Fisheries Statistics Report 2003-2004 (Central Fisheries Board) Michael Ludwig is cautious about the results of Research in the marine environment is Table 2: World Catch of Atlantic Salmon 1960–2003 “echo sounding” to assess fish stocks. +++++Subscription details on page 20+++++Subscription details on page 20+++++Subscription details on page 20++++ Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 ...... Page 3

of this, which is certainly not very adaptable species, with a insignificant. About one hun- foraging range of up to several dred years ago it was hundred kilometres, probably estimated that the British and benefited from exploiting fish- Irish total was about 47,000 ery discards, resulting in breeding pairs. higher adult survival rates and The Rise Elsewhere in the North increased breeding numbers. Atlantic, Gannets are found Paradoxically, the over- nesting in Canada (six exploitation of some colonies, with 103,026 pairs), commercial fish stocks by man Iceland (five colonies, with in recent times may have 28,536 pairs), the Faeroe improved the food situation Islands (one colony, with 2,340 for Gannets, as the removal of and Rise of pairs), Norway (five colonies, the larger fish, which are with 4,500 pairs), France (one predatory and sometimes can- colony, with 17,000 pairs), nibalistic, increases the with small numbers in Russia numbers of small and (35 pairs) and Helgoland, Ger- medium-sized fish, which are many (190). In respect of the favoured by the Gannets. The Helgoland colony, it is interest- main concerns for the future of the Gannet ing to note that some of the the Gannets in the North colonists there originated from Atlantic are space limitations Great Saltee, known from at many of the large colonies, resightings of ringed birds. So and changes in ocean tempera- Gannet Morus bassanus the world population of North- tures and currents due to ern Gannets is currently about climate change, which are 2,446 pairs. There’s ample Callaghan, who checked the brokeshire coast, while a new 417,600 breeding pairs, of already affecting the distribu- By Oscar Merne room for further expansion on little Clare Island colony. I “colony”, with one pair, was which 62.5% are found in tion of fish species. this island. The tiny colony on myself carried out the cen- found at St. Margaret’s Island Britain and Ireland. BACK in 1990, one of my a stack off Clare Island, Co. suses on Great Saltee and in the Bristol Channel. There The increase in the Gannet first articles for Sherkin Com- Oscar Merne retired in Mayo, has made no progress at Ireland’s Eye. are two colonies, of 2,500 and population during the 20th ment was titled Gannets January 2004 as head of the all, probably because of a So, adding together the indi- 3,450 pairs, on the Channel century, and the consequent Galore, which outlined the Bird Research Section of the severe lack of space: it still has vidual totals given above, we Islands, bringing the grand foundation of new colonies, is healthy state of the breeding National Parks & Wildlife only three pairs. However, if have an Irish breeding popula- total of the Northern Gannet thought to be due, initially, to population of the Northern young birds wanting to breed tion of 36,139 pairs of population of Britain and Ire- the cessation of human Service, Department of the Gannet Morus bassanus in Ire- there set up on the main island Northern Gannets. While this land to 260,635 pairs. So the exploitation of the species’ Environment, Heritage and land and elsewhere. Fifteen cliffs close to the stack, the is an impressive number, it is Irish population is nearly 14% eggs and chicks for food. This Local Government. years later, this article updates colony could “take off” in somewhat dwarfed by the the situation here and places it future. Our newest colony on 182,511 pairs recorded in in the context of the popula- Ireland’s Eye has increased by Scotland. There the largest tion as a whole, based largely over 20% per annum and now colonies are on St. Kilda, west on the results of the interna- stands at 313 pairs, some of of the Outer Hebrides (59,622 tional census of the species which are nesting on the main pairs), Bass Rock, at the carried out during the breeding cliffs opposite the stack, which mouth of the Firth of Forth seasons of 2003 and 2004 is now looking very crowded. (48,065 pairs), Ailsa Craig, in (Wanless, S., Murray, S. and I’d like to thank Alyn Walsh the Firth of Clyde (27,130 Harris, M.P. 2005. The status for taking the aerial photo- pairs) and Hermaness, Shet- of the Northern Gannet in graphs of the colonies on Little land (15,622 pairs). Scotland Britain and Ireland in 2003/04. Skellig and Bull Rock, from has ten other colonies. In Eng- British Birds 98:280-294). which Stuart Murray and land there is only one colony, First, let’s take a look at Sarah Wanless laboriously at Bempton cliffs on the north- how Gannets have fared in Ire- made the counts of all the little east coast, with 3,940 pairs. In land since 1990. Well, no new white dots representing occu- Wales there are 32,094 pairs colonies have been established pied nests. Also Sue on Grassholm, off the Pem- here, since the last one started up on Ireland’s Eye in the late 1980s. However, there has been a continuing increase in the overall numbers, at four of the five breeding sites. By far On Great Saltee Island, off the Co.Wexford coast, the Gannet colony has increased at about 7% per annum the largest and longest estab- and now stands at 2,446 pairs. lished colony at Little Skellig, off the Co. Kerry coast (known since at least 1700), now has 29,683 breeding pairs and appears to be full to overflow- ing. First-time breeders reared at that site are now probably having great difficulty finding vacant ledge space on Little Skellig, and many may have moved to the nearby Bull Rock, off Dursey Island in West Cork. Here numbers have increased at over 7% per annum to 3,694 breeding pairs. While this is a very small island there appears to be suit- able nesting space for a doubling of the population there over the coming years. The third Irish colony, on Great Saltee Island, off the Co. Wexford coast, has also Photos: © Oscar Merne increased at about 7% per The Gannet colony on Ireland’s Eye has increased by over 20% per Little Skellig, off the Co. Kerry coast, has the largest and longest established colony of Gannets (known annum and now stands at annum and now stands at 313 pairs. since at least 1700). It now has 29,683 breeding pairs and appears to be full to overflowing. Page 4 ...... Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40

• Environmental zone • Funding cleaner technology • Environmental aspects in physical and other planning The Problems Facing Copenhagen • Behaviour change campaigns • (Road pricing) The plan will be adopted by the politicians in May or June this year. We have no idea if we get from Transport Pollution the finances to implement the plan.

include electric power, gas, district heating and cially the new Metro in Copenhagen Particle filters on municipal vehicles By Finn Terp water supply as well as environmental control, The only direct environmental action from Particles can be filtered from the exhaust of sewage and waste handling. the Government during the last years is funding diesel vehicles by a particle filter. The effi- The Environmental Protection Agency super- installation of particles filters on heavy vehi- ciency is 80% - 99% of all particles – including Introduction and main problems vises businesses generating pollution and handles cles. The funding amounts €4.5 million in 2004 the ultra fine. The price for a filter inclusive in- tasks relating to polluted soil, water and air as well and 2005 in total. stallation is between €3,000 – €7,000 depend- Denmark has 5 million inhabitants and as pest control and noise. Waste and recycling is ing on the vehicle. Copenhagen has approximately 500,000 citi- also a responsibility, which involves daily contact Copenhagen, Statistics and Trends In 1999 Copenhagen decided that all our own zens. Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and with waste companies. The Agency is also in- Car traffic is the most significant cause of air diesel cars and cars used by our contractors etc. the centre of the Øresund region. volved in the implementation of Agenda 21 proj- pollution in Copenhagen. In particular, nitrogen should have particle filters. It has taken five As a local authority, Copenhagen does not ects and plays an important role in ensuring that dioxide (NO2) and small particles from car ex- years to implement this decision, so now there have the most effective instruments for reduc- Copenhagen becomes an environmentally healthy hausts are a health problem. Between 2005 and are particle filters in 90% of our own cars and in ing air pollution at our disposal. Such instru- corporation. 2010 Copenhagen must comply with new EU 96% of our own machines. We also require the ments include higher taxes on fuel, cars and limit values for air pollution. This is a consider- use of particle filters to be included in every transportation in general and other commodi- Main problems able challenge. Our goal is to ensure, that the air municipal contract and agreement. But there is ties. The main effects of transportation in Den- quality of Copenhagen must be at such a level still need for focus in this area. However, given the current political climate mark and Copenhagen are the number of dead that the environment and health are not a risk. of the Danish parliament tax increases do not and injured people caused by car accidents. Air Another goal is that environmental work seem a realistic option, and local authority ini- pollution causes also main health problems. must be a natural part of citizens, organisations Environmental zone in half of the city tiatives are necessary if we are to make signifi- Surveys say that we have 150 too early deaths and enterprises everyday lives. Everybody must In 2003 Copenhagen applied to the Ministry cant progress. A change in behaviour on the part caused by the emissions of ultra fine particles. participate in making Copenhagen a sustainable of Justice for permission to create an environ- of private households, businesses and institu- In Denmark 150,000 people are exposed by metropolis – at work, at home, and wherever we are. mental zone as a three year pilot project. Heavy tions is a key prerequisite for bringing down the traffic noise above 65 dB. One third of them are The trends in Copenhagen are as follows diesel vehicles over 3½ tonnes need to have in- emissions. Close contact with citizens and busi- living in Copenhagen. Finally CO2 emissions • The number of inhabitants is growing stalled a particle filter to get permission to drive nesses gives local authorities an opportunity to are increasing. • More families with children stay in the city inside the zone, which is half of the city. influence this behaviour. The governmental answers to the problems • More jobs are created The goal for this project is to see, if an envi- Environmental Protection Agency, City of are as follows: • The average income is getting higher ronmental zone is a proper tool to limit the air Copenhagen • Many good words • The living costs are increasing pollution, in particular ultra fine particles caused • The main problems are in the cities, so the Since 1995 the commuting out of the city has by transport with diesel vehicles. The system The energy, water and environment adminis- cities have to act and pay increased by 25%, the car ownership has in- must be easy to communicate and control with tration is responsible for matters relating to the • Major investments in new roads creased by 40%, car traffic 15% and cycle traf- essential effects on air pollution and health. environment and utilities. Major responsibilities • Minor investments in public transport, espe- fic 40%. The expenses for the transport business are calculated to lie between 0.5 - 1 million DKK. Monitoring air pollution The health benefits due to less early deaths etc. Copenhagen has been monitoring air pollu- are calculated to lie between 1 and 5 million tion since 1964. During most of the time we DKK. So, overall a good project for society. have been monitoring in a joint monitoring pro- gramme with the national monitoring system. In the 70s and 80s the sources to air pollution Findings were industrial activities, individual heating and power plants. Now, car traffic causes 85% of Make plans and strategies the pollution in the streets. Maybe this don’t provide resources in the first To get a daily picture of the air qualities place, but it can be a tool for allocating new re- where people are living and staying we have a sources to actions aimed to bring down pollution monitoring station on a street with heavy traffic. Order in your own house We measure NO, NO2, NOx, SO2, O3, CO TSP, PM10, PM2.5 and ultra fine particles. It is a hard job to get the environment priori- In order to follow the back ground pollution tised when in competition with schools, health we also measure on the roof of a high building. care etc. But necessary, if you have to convince We measure NO2, O3, Toluene, Benzene, o-m-p the public and the industry to do better Xylener, formaldehyde, acetaldehyd and lead. Co-operation between politicians, public ad- The results are published in two news papers, in ministration and other stakeholders. Identify the local television and on our home page, and showcase visible projects. Use simple argu- www.miljoe.kk.dk ments and reliable data. This can help getting across the main message and relevant argu- New traffic and environment plan ments to citizens, businesses and the commu- In 2002 Copenhagen started the preparation nity in general. of a new traffic and environment plan, espe- cially due to the increased traffic. We have now Finn Terp, Environmental Planner, Architect been through a three year long process with in- MAA, Environmental Protection Agency, City tensive public participation – public meetings, of Copenhagen, Kalvebod Brygge 45, P.O. Box opinion polls, interviews with groups of stake- 259, DK-1502 Copenhagen V, Denmark. holders, hearings etc. The public priorities are: Tel.: +45 3366 5877, • 34 % – less noise and air pollution E-Mail: [email protected] • 24 % – improved public transport Information about air pollution in Copenhagen • 20 % – improved facilities for cyclists and links to air pollution in Denmark can be • 11 % – better conditions for cars. The plan propose following initiatives found on our web side www.miljoe.kk.dk • Major improvements for cyclists (new cycle lanes, better parking etc.) This paper was presented at Sherkin Island • Better public transport (more metro, Marine Station’s 21st Annual Environmental improvements for buses, better facilities) Conference in April 2005. • Noise reduction measures (district plans, new asphalt, insulation) Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 ...... Page 5 Providing Clean Water for Dublin Bay Photos: © Celtic Anglian Water Anglian Photos: © Celtic Ringsend Wastewater treatment works

(Urban waste water treatment) regulations, waters is of a high standard, according to find- By Caroline O’Reilly 1994. This piece of legislation is probably the ings released by the Environmental Protection most important tool in improving the water Agency (EPA) in May 2005. The EPA’s UNTIL the mid 1990’s most of Dublin’s quality of both sensitive and coastal areas. This Bathing Water Report 2004 also points to the wastewater was pumped to a primary treatment together with the EU ban on marine dumping positive impact of wastewater treatment facili- facility at Ringsend. Sludge produced as a by- of sewage sludge meant that wastewater treat- ties on bathing water quality. product of this primary treatment was shipped ment standards had to be significantly Bathing waters are assessed for compliance out to sea in “sludge boats” where it was improved, not only in Dublin but across the with two sets of EU standards: minimum qual- dumped in the Irish Sea. Despite being an country. ity standards (EU Mandatory Values) and more enviable resource at the heart of the city for The bathing water Directive (76/160/EEC) stringent quality targets (EU Guide Values). numerous marine activities, Dublin Bay did Some of the bugs in activated sludge: A; nitrifiers, also provides for monitoring of the water qual- The EPA also monitor compliance with addi- not have an enviable reputation. Public pres- B; Rotifers, C; stalked ciliates, D; Free swimming ity at designated bathing areas in Ireland. The tional parameters set by Ireland (National ciliates. sure as well as various legislative instruments purpose of the directive is to ensure that the Limit Values) to examine areas such as water have changed this situation dramatically. plant, through its 1000 lamps and 5 flow con- quality of bathing water is maintained and, colour, transparency, faecal streptococci and The EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Direc- trolled channels, is responsible for the where necessary, improved so that it is in com- dissolved oxygen. tive (1991) was transposed into Irish law on sterilisation of the final effluent. When pliance with specified standards designed to The blue flag Scheme is a voluntary scheme 14th December 1994 by S.I. no 419/1994 exposed to UV-C light, microorganisms are protect public health and the environment. administered in Ireland by An Taisce and at Environment Protection Agency Act, 1992 inactivated within seconds through a physical In general, the quality of Ireland’s bathing European level by the Foundation for Environ- reaction with the organism’s DNA. They lose mental Education in Europe (FEEE). their ability to reproduce and are considered According to the EPA the bathing areas that dead. Using UV treatment as a disinfection showed the most notable water quality method eliminates the introduction of chemi- improvement were Malahide, Portmarnock, cals into the water, thus eliminating the need and Dollymount. Due to tidal movements in for further post-treatment of the water. The UV the bay, Dollymount strand is the beach most dosing is linked into the plants main SCADA directly affected by the Ringsend treatment system where dosage rates can be controlled works and effluent quality. and monitored by the computer system in rela- Construction on the upgrade to the Ringsend tion to the wastewater flow through the plant. treatment works commenced in October 1999 During the summer months the plant will be and the official opening of the plant was held run 24 hours a day and daily monitoring in June 2003. upstream and downstream of the plant will The plant provides preliminary treatment in determine the efficiency of the radiation effect. the form of screening (6 mm fine screens) and To ensure the effectiveness of the UV plant it fats, oil, grease and grit removal, and primary is essential that the other upstream processes treatment in the form of sedimentation, using i.e secondary biological treatment in sequenc- Lamella plate settlement technology. The set- ing batch reactors, on the plant are working tled wastewater is pumped to 24 sequencing effectively and are continuously monitored. batch reactors (SBR’s) for secondary treatment Final effluent quality is monitored rigorously to achieve Biochemical Oxygen Demand onsite with strict compliance standards being (BOD)/Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) consistently met. Compliance limits are 25 removal and partial nitrification. The SBRs at mg/l BOD, 125 mg/l COD, 35 mg/l TSS and Ringsend are the largest in the world and, 18.75 mg/l Ammonia. To achieve these stan- uniquely, are contained in a two storey struc- dards the plant must remove >95% of the ture due to site limitations. organic pollutants present in the wastewater. During this secondary treatment, settled During the bathing season, a further bacterial sewage is exposed to a dense microbiological standard is imposed. This standard of 105 faecal population (activated sludge) under aerobic coliforms/100ml is achieved consistently by conditions in an aerated tank. Microorganisms careful use of the UV tertiary treatment plant. (mainly bacteria) convert soluble and colloidal Less than 2 years after the official opening organic matter (food) into new cells (biomass), of the Ringsend WwTW, operational perform- energy and carbon dioxide. ance results are promising and the best Aeration and mixing of activated sludge accolade to this is the announcement by the together with incoming flow of sewage (food) EPA of the Blue Flag award to Dollymount provide excellent condition for a wide variety strand at the beginning of June 2005. of microorganisms (see below). The predomi- nant type of micro-organism depends on (i) The influent wastewater (ii) Plant operational Caroline O’Reilly, Celtic Anglian Water, mode (iii) Process design. Ringsend Waste Water Treatment Works, The Ringsend Plant provides tertiary waste- Pigeon House Road, Ringsend, Dublin 4, water treatment in the form of a state of the art Ireland. Ultra Violet (UV) Radiation Plant. This UV Page 6 ...... Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 Birds of the

who approaches their nests. morant breed across several of and often appear to be just This is sometimes a problem, the islands, with more than stuck onto the bare, vertical as Inner Farne is one of the twice that number of shags on rock. few islands on which people Staple Island alone. The popu- The most abundant birds are are allowed to land. Visitors lation of kittiwakes is now in the auks. Though there are rel- need to wear some form of the thousands. Their nests atively few razorbills, the headgear to avoid pecks from occupy tiny, precarious ledges, number of guillemots is now the rapier-sharp beaks. The terns all fly south for the winter, most to Africa, though one ringed bird is known to have travelled as far The Longstone lighthouse. as Australia. Some individual Arctic terns have bred success- Lighthouses still occupy fully on the Farne Islands for Longstone and Inner Farne. In over twenty years. fact the Longstone is said to More than 270 species of have the most powerful light bird visit the Farnes, most of in Europe. Nowadays, how- them during migration. ever, the lighthouses are Around fifteen species nest unmanned. The only perma- here regularly, including gulls, nent inhabitants are the birds. shags, cormorants and auks. In Much of the Farne islands addition, among occasional consists of bare rock, with and unexpected nesters are only a coating of lichens and Guillemot with sand eel. lapwings, moorhens, wagtails, hardy sprigs of grass or salt- blackbirds, wheatears and land. Some of the islands are tolerant flowers sheltering in meadow pipits. Nesting shag. By Anthony no bigger than rocks, poking cracks. Where Ice Age glaciers Around 250 pairs of cor- just above the swell. Others have deposited boulder clay on Toole are cliff-bound, or rise as tall the larger islands, a thin layer stacks to heights of more than of peat has developed, which NUMBERING from the twenty metres. supports a few small shrubs, low teens to the high twenties, In 678 AD, St Cuthbert but extensive carpets of sea depending on the tides, the retreated from the monastery campion, thrift and scurvy Farne Islands rise from the on Holy Island to live as a her- grass. In fact, nearly 120 cold waters of the North Sea, mit on Inner Farne, where he species of plant have been between one-and-a-half and stayed for most of the last nine recorded here. five miles from the Northum- years of his life. For many There is little in the way of berland coast. They are the centuries afterwards, Inner sand, the largest of only three most easterly remnants of the Farne was a place of pilgrim- beaches being on Inner Farne. dolerite intrusion known as the age. This, however, is where most Great Whin Sill, which The rocks were always a of the terns are found. More appears sporadically across danger to shipping, and light- than 2000 pairs of Sandwich eighty miles of northern Eng- houses have been built on terns nest here, and often an several of the islands at vari- even larger number of Arctic ous times. The most famous terns. In contrast, and despite incident involved the wreck of their name, there are only a the SS Forfarshire, in 1838, few hundred common terns, when Grace Darling, the 22- while roseate terns can be year-old daughter of the counted in single figures. keeper of the Longstone light- These are aggressive birds Toole Anthony Photos: © house, twice braved the and readily dive-bomb anyone Puffins, Staple Island. stormy sea in a rowing boat to rescue survivors. Sadly, Grace enjoyed her fame for only a short time, dying of tuberculo- sis in 1842. Her quite elaborate tomb stands in St Aidan’s churchyard in nearby Nesting kittiwakes. Bamburgh.

Crowded nesting on The Pinnacles, Staple Island. Tern colony, St Cuthbert's Cove, Inner Farne. Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 ...... Page 7 Farne Islands

approaching 20,000 pairs. congregate on the smaller extra touch of magic in that Huge colonies crowd with lit- rocks of the archipelago, but one of the many dolphins that tle space to spare along flat can be readily approached in a frequent the Northumbrian ledges on Staple Island and the boat. In fact they will often coast might accompany the nearby rock stacks known as swim close to boats and pop boat back into Seahouses har- The Pinnacles. Almost twice their heads out of the water in bour. as numerous are everyone’s apparent curiosity. favourites, the puffins, which Until the end of the nine- M.A. Toole, 65, Cheswick nest wherever there is suffi- teenth century, seals were Drive, Gosforth, Newcastle cient depth of soil to dig a hunted on the Farnes for their upon Tyne, NE3 5DW, U.K. burrow. skins and oil, and numbers fell Though these populations to about a hundred. Today appear healthy at present, con- there are around 3500 individ- Guillemots, Staple Island. cern has been expressed at uals. About a thousand pups their fluctuations in recent are born each year, though the years, not just on the Farne fierce North Sea storms can Islands, but elsewhere along often lead to only a 50% sur- the whole of the North Sea vival rate. coast. Over the past forty Small boat trips to and years, possibly as a result of around the Farne Islands leave global warming, cold-water the nearby fishing village of plankton species in the eastern Seahouses most days from Atlantic have migrated north April to September. The out- by ten degrees of latitude ward journey reveals some of (1000 kilometres). This the spectacle of this historic appears to have affected the coastline. To the north is Holy sandeels on which many of the Island, while the west is domi- birds depend for food. 2004 nated by the impressive saw a near catastrophic fall in structure of Bamburgh Castle bird numbers around some and the Cheviot Hills in the parts of the North Sea. Many distance. dead fulmars washed up on the Landings on Inner Farne North-east coasts of Britain and Staple Island depend on were found to have died of the weather, and restrictions starvation. Scientists of the are imposed to keep visitor Dove Marine Laboratory at the numbers down during the University of Newcastle upon breeding season, from May to Tyne continually monitor the July. Whether one lands or not, bird populations around the these trips are magic for the Farne Islands. proximity to which one can The grey seal colony is one approach huge numbers of sea of the most important in the birds and seals. And there is British Isles. The seals tend to always the possibility of an

Sea Campion.

Grey seals. Page 8 ...... Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 Backyard Burning – but it is what we have always done!

Over 2.7 million tonnes of municipal (household and commercial) waste Where exactly are dioxins coming was generated in 2001, an increase of 31.5% since 1998. This was the from in Ireland? cient flue gas cleaning technology which means Dioxins in the Irish environment primarily that most of the pollutants produced when waste equivalent of almost 700kg of municipal waste for every person in Ireland. is burned are not released to the atmosphere. Some of this ends up being burned in backyards. result from incomplete combustion of wastes, and the main source of dioxins according to the In contrast, uncontrolled low temperature Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is burning of waste occurs at a temperature of about 200 - 400°C, the temperature at which can aggravate respiratory and heart illnesses from uncontrolled burning of domestic waste. dioxins are formed. All pollutants produced are If you are burning your waste at and lead to kidney and liver damage. They The EPA estimated that 93g of dioxins were then released directly into the environment with home, you need to STOP! also contribute to the formation of ground- generated in Ireland in 2000. Of this, 73% of emissions were generated by uncontrolled com- no treatment or filtering. Many people in Ireland burn waste on their level ozone (photochemical smog). bustion activities. The principal such activities Incineration is not the full answer to our own property. • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are the domestic burning of waste (accounting waste challenge. However, as part of an overall The materials burned are varied and include which are generated when elements of for 58% of emissions) and accidental building waste management strategy, as reflected in the paper, cardboard, textiles, timber, food, garden municipal waste are not completely com- fires (accounting for 11% of emissions). EU Waste Hierarchy, incineration coupled with clippings, synthetics such as plastic and even busted. PAHs are known carcinogens. Dioxin emissions are projected to increase waste prevention, reduction, recycling and glass, metal and household chemicals. • Carbon monoxide (CO), small amounts of from 93g in 2000 to 110g in 2010. Uncontrolled other treatment methods, has an important role This ‘backyard burning’, as it is known, is which can cause nausea and headaches when combustion activities will continue to be the to play. mistakenly seen as a cheap method of keeping inhaled. CO contributes to the formation of largest contributor of dioxins to the Irish envi- In a report published in 2003, the Food Safety waste out of already overflowing landfills and harmful low level ozone. ronment – even if all of the planned municipal Authority of Ireland indicated that properly many presume that it is not harmful to the • Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), which has simi- waste incinerators are constructed and operat- managed incineration facilities will not con- environment. Nothing could be further from lar properties to dioxins as it is persistent ing. The construction and operation of tribute to dioxin levels in the food supply to any the truth. Practically all uncontrolled low tem- and builds up in humans and the environ- incinerators for municipal and hazardous waste, significant extent and will not affect food qual- perature burning of waste releases toxic ment. At certain levels of exposure it may as proposed in regional and national plans, are ity or safety, human health or the environment. pollutants directly into the air without treat- cause serious health problems such as can- forecast to contribute 1.8% of projected dioxin ment or filtering. This is one of the major cer, kidney and liver damage. emissions to air in 2010. Uncontrolled burning sources of some pollutants impacting on air • Nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to What can we do? acid rain and the formation of ground level is projected to account for 84% of such emis- quality in Ireland today. Ireland is moving towards more sophisticated ozone. Short term exposure to very high sions. The dioxins identified as being emitted Almost 73% of the dioxins emitted to air in management of waste with a high emphasis on concentrations of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) from waste incineration and ending up in land Ireland came from the uncontrolled, low tem- reducing the amount of waste we produce, can result in adverse effects on the respira- are those dioxins contained in the ash arising perature burning of waste. This makes backyard recycling as much as possible, thermally treat- tory system. from the burning of the waste. This ash can be burning of waste the single biggest source of ing waste that cannot be recycled and • Microscopic particles, which can be small treated and isolated from the general environ- dioxins released into the Irish environment. minimising landfill. While all waste manage- enough to get deep into our lungs. They are ment by deposit in secure landfill facilities. ment options impact on the environment, this associated with health problems including integrated approach means that impact is kept to bronchitis, asthma and heart attacks. People Surely it doesn’t do any harm?... a minimum. Uncontrolled, low temperature who already have respiratory or heart prob- So why are we building Incinerators? burning of waste impacts on the environment lems, the elderly and infants are most at risk There is no comparison between uncon- If this is what you believe then you need more than any other waste management option. when exposed to these particles. These par- trolled, low temperature burning of waste to read on. ticles are known to transport dioxins in the and the controlled and regulated high-tem- Uncontrolled, low temperature burning of environment. perature conditions under which incinerators We must stop this practice NOW. municipal waste can impact on human health, operate. In fact, the dioxins emitted from the • Ash, which may contain mercury, lead and A modern municipal incinerator treating 1 food safety and the environment. In fact this uncontrolled burning of one tonne of house- arsenic. These are toxic to humans and ani- million tonnes of waste in controlled condi- uncontrolled “backyard burning” of municipal hold waste (the average level of annual waste mals when consumed, causing heart tions, releases just 0.54 grams of dioxins to the waste is far more damaging than previously per household in Ireland) are 55 times greater problems, kidney and brain damage. If atmosphere. A recent EPA report (2001) esti- thought. Current research indicates that when than the dioxins emitted if the same tonne of deposited in the garden, vegetables can mates that 60,000 tonnes of waste burned in the municipal waste is burned, in piles in the open, waste was treated in a modern municipal accumulate them and they can then be back yard produced 18 grams of dioxins. in barrels or open pits, or in commercially avail- passed onto humans when eaten. waste incinerator. able home incinerators, toxic pollutants are The temperature at which incinerators oper- released into the air. ate is a key factor distinguishing such facilities Printed with permission from the Department But I Thought Dioxins only come from uncontrolled backyard burning. Modern of the Environment, Heritage and Local How bad can it really be?….. from Incinerators? municipal incinerators are designed to burn Government in the Race Against Waste. waste at temperatures in excess of 850°C and at Produced by RPS Group, West Pier Business The amount of toxins released from uncon- these temperatures dioxins are destroyed. In Campus, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. trolled low temperature burning in backyards Wrong! addition, modern incinerators have very effi- www.raceagainstwaste.ie depends on the composition of the waste being Dioxins and Furans are chemical compounds burned, the temperature of the fire and the sup- released during the combustion of most sub- ply of oxygen. The major problem with stances when chlorine is present, especially backyard burning is that it is rarely carried out plastic and rubber but even ordinary paper and at high enough temperatures to destroy toxic newspaper. When dioxins are released they substances. Under calm weather conditions tox- decompose so slowly that they become persist- ins released from this type of uncontrolled low ent pollutants in the environment for many temperature burning can remain at dangerous years. Once dioxins enter the environment or levels near the ground for a long time, causing body, they persist due to their chemical stability high amounts of contamination at source. and can accumulate in fat in animals and Below is a list of pollutants that can potentially humans. Some dioxin compounds are toxic and be generated by uncontrolled low temperature exposure to high levels has been linked with burning: chloracne (skin lesions). Also, a particular • Dioxins and furans, some of which are clas- dioxin, TCDD, is recognised as being the most sified as carcinogenic (i.e. they can cause toxic and has been classified as a known human cancer). carcinogen (cancer causing). • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 ...... Page 9 A Spotlight on World Environmental Matters by Alex Kirby

No Progress on Climate Change gray nurse shark eat each other in the Sheep Dip Concerns where a trial plot of genetically-modi- womb, so Australian scientists plan to fied crops had been sown. A charlock The G8 set-to at Gleneagles in July did artificially inseminate females to save Conventional organophosphate sheep- plant, a relative of oilseed rape, failed to make some progress on Africa, if less the species, which faces local extinc- dips, which are derived from Nazi nerve shrivel up when treated with the herbi- than many had hoped and a few had pro- tion in 20 years. It is called the gases, are known to damage the nervous cide used to manage a GM crop grown in claimed. But on climate change it was “labrador of the sea” from its docility. systems of susceptible people. Now a UK the same field. Groups opposed to the disappointing. True, it set a date for a The sharks have two wombs, in which a charity, Buglife, the Invertebrate Con- use of GM technology have feared for formal meeting between developed coun- dominant pup will consume its siblings, servation Trust, says some supposedly some time that wild plants which develop tries which have ratified the Kyoto leaving only two surviving pups every benign replacements for OPs are them- the characteristics of biotech crops Protocol and developing giants like China two years when the shark breeds. Arti- selves unacceptable, because they kill could emerge. But researchers say their and India, which haven’t ratified it and ficial insemination won’t stop wildlife. It says synthetic pyrethroids work shows there is only a slim chance of are not yet within its ambit. That’s worth- intra-uterine cannibalism, so marine are poisoning rivers and damaging terres- such transfers happening. And they say while, but it’s not world-changing. For all scientists plan to breed the embryos in trial ecosystems. Buglife says the study reinforces the belief that the the diplomacy, no new targets, timetables individual test tubes, until they have pyrethroids are a thousand times more environmental impact of GM crops is or money emerged from Gleneagles, nor outgrown their cannibal phase and can toxic to wildlife than OPs, with a tiny negligible. Dr Les Firbank, who headed any hint of urgency. And the problem is survive safely in artificial wombs. amount dripping from the fleece of a the consortium of scientists on the now so urgent it demands action without dipped sheep capable of killing all inver- recent UK Farm-Scale Evaluations delay, most scientists agree. African Elephants on the Increase tebrates up to six miles downstream. (FSEs) of GM plants, said: “Herbicide- Over 400 million litres of used dip are tolerant weeds tend to under-perform Flying Fish off British Coast For some African elephants, the news sprayed annually on British fields. Buglife compared with wild type, so unless all its is good. IUCN-The World Conservation says this will reduce the availability of competitors have been sprayed out with It could be coincidence, of course, but Union says that between the late 1990s food for breeding birds and kill off the the same herbicide, [the charlock] won’t a species found normally in warmer and 2002 savannah elephants in the insects needed to pollinate flowers. thrive.” southern seas has been reported twice south and east of the continent from British coasts recently. Flying fish increased by about 4.5% a year, from Alex Kirby is a former BBC are familiar to visitors to places like the “Superweed” at GM Trial Plot around 283,000 to nearly 355,000. In environment correspondent, now Canaries. But an adult was spotted off There was dismay in the UK over southern Africa densities have been ris- writing and broadcasting on Devon, and a schoolboy netted (and then reports that a study had found a so- ing for a century, so much so that some environment and development. released) four infant fish which he and countries now want an elephant cull, called “superweed” growing at a site his mother are convinced were also fly- arguing that their success threatens ing fish. That was at Colwyn Bay, in other species and whole habitats. The North Wales, a long way north for the smaller population increase in eastern species. Africa suggests that poachers and drought may now be less of a threat than Importing Gray Whales they were, though the elephants’ recov- ery is still fragile. But there are no hard The Irish Sea could in a decade or so facts for west and central Africa, where be a livelier (and more crowded) place most of the continent’s forest elephants than today, if two scientists from the live, and where there is no let-up in the University of Central Lancashire have demand for bush meat and ivory. their way. They propose importing around 50 gray whales from the popula- The Islander’s Rest tion which breeds off California and Bears make a comeback Mexico, to be the nucleus of a whale- in Switzerland watching industry in north-west England. There used to be gray whales in Euro- Just over a century after the last SHERKIN ISLAND pean seas till they were exterminated by bear was killed in Switzerland, it looks as the hunters several centuries ago. The if the species could be preparing for a West Cork scientists think the imports could sur- comeback. Three people have said they vive and thrive, and even spread saw a brown bear high in the Alps of elsewhere in Europe. The West Coast eastern Switzerland, near the border grays were reduced by the whalers to with Italy, where the animals are already 21 ensuite bedrooms with TV & direct dial phone about 160 animals in the nineteenth cen- established. The Swiss are keen to see Proprietor: Mark Murphy tury, but are estimated now at more them return, and earlier this year they than 20,000. They’re docile and friendly, started setting aside land which they * Accommodation and even at 40 tonnes and up to 50 feet hoped might provide a corridor for bears Bar & Lounge to migrate from Italy. The three said * could (the scientists say) be safely flown * Weddings from California to the UK. Their 12,000- they had watched the bear for 20 min- mile annual round trip from their utes through binoculars from a distance * Private Parties breeding grounds to feed in the Arctic of 600m. But the light was too poor for * Business Meetings could leave some disappointed would-be photography. Reintroduced lynx are * Marina Facilities whale-watchers, though. viewed with suspicion by Swiss farmers, and a wolf which wandered in from For further information phone: 028–20116 Test-tube Sharks in Australia France was found dead not long after- wards. Email: [email protected] Australia is trying a different way of conserving marine life — test-tube Website: www.islandersrest.ie sharks. The young of the endangered Page 10 ...... Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40

nesting turtles and they – and their hatchlings – get lost as they make their way to the sea. Deliberate persecution of turtles on nesting beaches and har- Sea Turtles vesting of their eggs has led to a decline of turtle populations in many Introduction by means of lungs and most tropical of all sea areas and their extinction need to come to the sur- turtles and is typically at a regional level (e.g. There are seven species face for air they can found around coral reefs. Malaysian leatherbacks). of sea turtle but only one remain submerged for The Hawksbill’s narrow Commercial fishing of these, the Leatherback long periods and are even head and jaws allows it to activities are a major Turtle, occurs regularly in known to hibernate in obtain food from crevices threat to turtles. It is esti- Irish waters. As reptiles, mud on the sea bottom. in coral reefs. It feeds on mated that 250,000 sea turtles are ‘cold Over the last few decades sponges, anemones, soft loggerheads and 60,000 blooded' and are unable the numbers of sea turtles corals, squid and shrimp. leatherback turtles are to control their body tem- have diminished greatly The Hawksbill is inadvertently snared each perature. They are found throughout the world’s extremely rare in Euro- year by long lines, with mainly in tropical, sub- oceans and most species pean waters and the only tens of thousands dying. tropical and warm are now considered to be record for Britain and Ire- Entanglement in coastal temperate waters. The endangered and under land is an individual fishing gear is also a Leatherback is an excep- threat of extinction. Leatherback Turtle which was caught in her- problem. About 23%of tion and studies have ring nets off Cork turtles found in British shown that it can main- up to 500 kg. and west coasts. It is 1960 it has been recorded Harbour in 1983. The and Irish waters (n =104) tain its body temperature Leatherback Turtle Leatherbacks have a thick undoubtedly the abun- 31 times in Irish waters. most important nesting were reported entangled as much as 18oC above The Leatherback Turtle oily layer under their skin dance of jellyfish in our Specimens stranded or populations are found in buoy ropes of shellfish that of the surrounding is unique among sea tur- and a unique physiology waters that attracts captured alive in a weak along the Great Barrier pots, caught in fishing water. Sea turtles are tles in having a rubbery to protect them from the Leatherbacks. Recent condition have been reha- Reef (Australia), in nets or on hook and line. adapted for a life in the carapace with seven lon- cold and this allows them studies in the Irish Sea bilitated at the NI Indonesia, in the Indian Plastic bags, styrofoam open ocean and most gitudinal ridges instead of to penetrate even Arctic have linked the occur- Aquarium or at Ocean- Ocean and the Caribbean. fragments, balloons, tar species travel long dis- a hard shell and is by far waters in search of their rence of Leatherbacks in world, Dingle, and later and other marine debris tances during their annual the biggest living sea tur- preferred food – jellyfish. certain Welsh bays released off Madeira or is often swallowed by cycle, moving between tle. The largest specimen There are 682 records (Tremadoc Bay, Car- the Azores. Loggerheads Other Turtles turtles in mistake for nesting areas and feeding ever recorded was a male of Leatherbacks occur- marthen Bay) to the occur throughout the The Green Turtle is food, blocking their zones. All except the found entangled in a buoy ring in Irish and UK abundance of the Barrel tropics, subtropics and unique amongst sea tur- digestive tracts and caus- Leatherback have a hard rope at Harlech, North waters during the period Jellyfish (Rhizostoma warm temperate waters tles in having a ing death. shell for protection and Wales, in 1988. It meas- 1960–2004,161 of these octopus). Most sightings and have the widest geo- herbivorous diet: it feeds all species have long front ured 2.91m in length and from Irish waters. are made in summer (July graphic range of any sea mainly on sea grasses. It flippers for swimming. weighed 916 kg. Adult Leatherbacks are most – October) with a peak in turtle. They nest in great is a large turtle that is Where to Report Whilst sea turtles breathe females normally weigh abundant along the south August. numbers in Florida widely distributed Turtle Sightings Leatherbacks, like (21,000 females) and are throughout the tropics other turtles, come ashore the commonest turtle and subtropics. It has Any sightings, strand- on sandy beaches – found in the Mediter- been recorded seven ings or accidental mainly in tropical coun- ranean, with about 2,500 times from Britain but has captures of sea turtles tries – to lay their eggs, females nesting in never been found in Irish should be reported to the with important nesting Greece, Turkey and waters. The Olive Ridley, following: Republic of areas found in Surinam, Cyprus. similarly, occurs widely Ireland: Prof John Daven- French Guiana, the throughout tropical and port (UCC) 021-4904140 Caribbean, Gabon and subtropical seas but has (work) 021-4897392 Indonesia. The eggs hatch Kemps Ridley never been recorded here. (home) Northern Ireland: after about 60 days and Turtle Despite its relatively Ulster Museum 02890- the juvenile turtles scurry large population (about 2 3831144 (all records) This is a small sea tur- down to the sea in a million nesting females) Portrush Countryside tle weighing about 50 kg ‘frenzy ’to avoid preda- it is vulnerable as it nests Centre 02870-823600 and one which is mostly tors. The Leatherback is a in dense concentrations (live records/entangle- limited to the Gulf of very ancient species on a small number of ments) Mexico. Juveniles range which has been in exis- beaches (e.g. in Central It’s easy to make between tropical and tem- tence for 100 million America and India). The a difference perate coastal areas of the years, but sadly it is now remaining species, the north-west Atlantic and threatened with extinc- Flatback Turtle, is found This is part of an Enfo six individuals have been tion and only 25,000 only along the northern leaflet. The full leaflet recorded as strandings in breeding females are coast of Australia and and many others related Irish waters (one since thought to remain, down unlike other turtles does 1960). The Kemps Ridley to different aspects of the from 115,000 in 1980. not venture into the open is the rarest and most environment are Heavy mortality occurs ocean. The Flatback lays endangered of all sea tur- available for as a result of commercial fewer eggs than other tur- tles with a nesting downloading on ENFO’s ling-line and gill net fish- tles but they are large in population of only 3,000 website. Contact details: eries. It also suffers from relation to its body size. females. It nests twice persecution on the nest- ENFO – The every season, en masse, ing beaches and marine Environmental with hundreds of turtles pollution such as plastic Threats to Sea Information Service, 17 arriving on the beach at bags, which it swallows St.Andrew Street, Dublin the same time (arribadas). Turtles in mistake for jellyfish. 2, Ireland. The number of sea tur- tles has declined Tel:1890 200191 Loggerhead Turtle Hawksbill Turtle worldwide due, prima- Fax:(01) 888 2946 The Hawksbill is so rily, to human activity. e-mail: [email protected] The Loggerhead is a called on account of its Many nesting sites have www.enfo.ie medium to large sea turtle hawk-like bill. It pos- been lost to development ENFO is a service of the weighing up to 277 kg sesses a beautiful as sandy beaches are (normally 80-180 kg). It Department of the patterned shell and has turned into tourist desti- has a large head with Environment and Local been persecuted for cen- nations. Artificial light heavy jaws adapted to Government. turies for the trade in from coastal develop- crushing shellfish and tortoiseshell. This is the ment disorientates crabs, its main diet. Since Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 ...... Page 11 On-site Treatment of Waste Water

risk presented by a proliferation of packaged secondary treatment sys- By Gerard O’Leary on-site sewage treatment systems tems, take the form of mechanical needs to be kept under surveillance aeration systems, filter systems DOMESTIC wastewater con- if increased groundwater contami- and constructed wetlands. tains many substances that are nation is to be avoided. The EPA has repeatedly stated undesirable and potentially harm- A variety of on-site systems are that in many cases a lack of under- ful to human health and the available in Ireland, the most com- standing of the treatment and environment. Local authorities, mon system being the disposal processes involved in through the planning system, can conventional septic tank system. small scale domestic wastewater ensure that housing developments There are over 350,000 of these treatment has led to poor design, in suitable areas have minimal systems currently installed in Ire- siting and installation of on-site impacts on water quality. In our land. They consist of a septic tank treatment systems. To redress this most recent water quality report, and below surface soil disposal situation the EPA has published In Ireland there are currently over 350,000 on-site wastewater treatment systems installed. published in May of this year, we field or percolation area. Other two guidance documents on the warned local authorities that the system types, collectively called proper selection, design, operation • DON’T site a septic tank or per- • The conventional septic tank and maintenance of these systems colation area within 10 metres and percolation area provided a to enable sustainable development of a watercourse or stream, or comparable performance to the to take place in Ireland. The guid- 50 meters from a lake. packaged secondary waste- ance is not intended to suggest that • DON’T allow pesticides, paints, water treatment system and all housing development should thinners, solvents, disinfectants, percolation area. consist of one-off housing as engi- or household hazardous sub- An interesting aspect of the neering cannot be used as stances to discharge into the tank study was the exposure of the substitute for poor planning. • DON’T allow rainwater to enter Researchers to the existing prac- A search on google.com using the tank. tice of on-site system installation the words septic tank reveals over With the large number of exist- amongst some practitioners in Ire- six hundred and fifty thousand ing on-site treatment systems in land. It seemed that common worldwide hits, a staggering num- Ireland, the EPA felt it necessity to practice for builders is to divert at ber. When you restrict the search to commission research on small- least some storm water drains into Ireland there are over seventeen scale wastewater treatment the septic tank, presumably thousand hits alone. With the high systems in order to improve the because this saves on the expense number of websites it is not sur- functioning of wastewater treat- and time involved in laying extra prising that a number of myths ment systems widely used across pipework. This is disastrous as have crept in over the years. The such practices will impact signifi- first hit on the Irish search is the cantly on the environment as the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board “Those who are treatment system will be incapable website (http://www.shannon- of handling the increased volume fishery-board.ie/aboutus/septic- responsible for treating of wastewater. This is akin to ask- tanks.htm). The EPA agrees with waste water on-site ing a garden lawn mower to cut Board that the main threats to the must ensure that the fields of silage. This observation river Shannon come from an prompts the need for closer super- increase in the amount of nutrients, system is properly designed, installed and vision of builders during the including phosphates being installation of such treatment sys- released into the water. An excess maintained.” tems. of phosphates in the water leads to To conclude the EPA supports increased algal growth which often the view of Geological Survey of results in algal blooms in summer- the country and so protect water Ireland that groundwater is an time. The algae in turn uses up quality. A number of research proj- important resource in Ireland oxygen in the water reducing its ects have been awarded since the which is under increasing risk capacity to support fish life. The mid 90’s. from human activities with con- phosphates come from a number of The most recent research tamination arising from both sources including agricultural, involved a series of rigorous trials ‘diffuse’ (generally agricultural) industrial and domestic (including of various wastewater treatment and ‘point sources’ again generally on-site treatment systems such as systems to assess the performance farmyards (manure and silage stor- septic tanks). of septic tanks and other small- age) and septic tank systems. Perhaps to counteract the num- scale secondary treatment Those who are responsible for ber of myths that have grown up applications. Researchers from treating waste water on-site must with these systems the website sets the Environmental Engineering ensure that the system is properly out the “do’s” and “don'ts “ of a Group in Trinity College under- designed, installed and main- septic tank as follows: took the project, on behalf of the tained. • DO consult the EPA Manual, EPA. Treatment Systems for Single The main findings from four Gerard O’Leary, Programme Houses before constructing a separate field trials covering a Manager, Office of Environmental septic tank range of different soil types over a Assessment, Environmental • DO construct a tank and perco- twelve month period are: Protection Agency, PO Box 3000, lation area in accordance with • The systems studied were all Johnstown Castle Estate, Co regulations capable of treating wastewater Wexford, Ireland. www.epa.ie • DO desludge when necessary from a domestic house. Page 12 ...... Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 Thresher Shark (Alopias vulpinus) in Irish Waters

By Declan T. Quigley North Sea and only very rarely in At a meeting of the Dublin Natural Thintailed Thresher Shark (Alopias vulpinus): female weighing c350-400kg and Scottish waters. Considering the sig- History Society on the 9th February measuring 4.23m T.L. captured by MFV "Northern Celt" out of Dunmore East, Co & Gary Hannon nificant number of very small 1854, Mr William Andrews “pre- Waterford during July 2005 (Photo: courtesy of Sean Doran, Howth). (91-152cm long) threshers caught by sented the tail-fin of a fox shark, or temperate to tropical waters. In the hypothesis for the foreseeable future. Threshers belong to a small family anglers during late summer in south- thresher (Carcharias vulpes), taken ern British waters, it is thought that from a fish captured in Dingle Bay. Mr eastern Atlantic, it has been recorded, Indeed, a number of other (primarily of sharks (Alopiidae) which is repre- albeit rarely, southwards from the epipelagic) species, previously sented by a single genus (Alopias) following an inshore migration by Stopford informed Mr Andrews that he sexually mature adults, the pups are and the crew of his yacht had noticed Bay of Biscay. Only one specimen regarded as extremely rare in north- and only three species. Although they has been recorded from Irish waters ern European waters, were captured are a wide-ranging family, occurring born during this time. the thresher shark in Dingle Bay. Mr Mature threshers (females measur- R. Callwell mentioned that in one of to date: during August 1995 a large in tuna drift-nets prior to the current worldwide in tropical, subtropical, female measuring 4.84m and weigh- ban on this politically and biologi- warm and cool temperate seas, only ing 315-400cm; and males measuring the tours of inspection in the Belfast 314-420cm,) are ovoviviparous and Office steam vessel, he had visited ing 318kg (gutted) was captured in a cally controversial method of fishing. two species have been recorded from tuna drift-net set at a depth of 5m in Since at least two species of European seas: the moderately com- produce litters of only 3-7 fully- Carlingford Lough in the month of formed pups (measuring 114-160cm) August. Herrings at the time were waters more than 2000m deep in the Thresher Shark are currently known mon Thintail Thresher Shark or Fox o after a gestation period of 9 months in plentiful in the Lough, and he had Porcupine Sea Bight area (51 N, to occur in Irish waters it is clear that Shark (Alopias vulpinus) and the o inshore waters in the eastern Atlantic; noticed a species of shark frequently 13 W). This is the largest and most all specimens should be critically much rarer Bigeye Thresher Shark (A. northerly authenticated specimen of examined in order to verify them to superciliosus). The Pelagic Thresher the developing embryos are appar- springing several feet out of the water, ently inter-uterine cannibals which the crew pointed out to him as this species to date. species level. (A. pelagicus) appears to be absent It is possible that the Bigeye from the North and South Atlantic (oophagous). Threshers reach maturity the thresher shark, from the peculiar- at an age of 3-8 years and are esti- ity of the action of its tail-fin.” Thresher Shark occurs more fre- Declan T. Quigley & Gary Hannon, Oceans, but wide ranging throughout quently in offshore waters off the the Pacific and Indian Oceans. mated to live up to 45-50 years. In his Glances into the Ichthyology Dingle Oceanworld (Mara Beo Teo), Although the largest authenticated of the County of Dublin (1866), Harry European coast than is currently The Wood, Dingle, Co Kerry, Threshers are easily distinguish- known, particularly during warmer thintailed thresher recorded measured Blake-Knox remarked that the Ireland. Mobile: 087-9080521; able from other sharks by their years. However, the subsequent EU extremely long curving asymmetrical 5.73m, there are unconfirmed reports thresher “Is often very common in this Email: [email protected] of specimens measuring up to 7.60m. Bay” and went on to state that “last ban on tuna drift-netting will proba- caudal (tail) fin which is nearly as bly preclude verification of this long as the rest of the shark as well as The current UK rod & line caught winter I saw one rise and kill a their large eyes. They are large, record weighing 146.5kg (captured off wounded diver with a slap of its tail, active, strong-swimming predators, Portsmouth in 1982) is small in com- and then swallow it. When rising in ranging from coastal to offshore parison with the present IGFA World the water the thresher is known from waters, from the surface down to (Rod & Line) Record of 348kg (Bay the porpoise by its long dorsal fin depths of at least 500m. Threshers of Islands, New Zealand, 1983). The (sic). I have frequently given a appear to be specialised for feeding Irish specimen (rod & line) qualifying thresher a charge of shot, and caused on small to moderately large school- weight is still unclaimed at 54.4kg. him to jump clean out of the water. ing fishes and squids. They have been Despite its apparent widespread When up for sport they make a great observed, sometimes in pairs, swim- distribution in the north eastern noise by striking the water with their ming in circles around a school of Atlantic, there are surprisingly few tail. Have seen them of enormous prey, narrowing the radius and unequivocal records of A. vulpinus sizes.” Ogilby (1885) was sceptical of bunching the school with their long, from Irish waters (Table 1). Apart Blake-Knox’s report and noted “That strap-like caudal fins which are then from a few anecdotal references dur- no specimen has ever been captured * used like a whip to stun and kill prey. ing the 1800s , there are only a there, and no competent ichthyologist handful of authenticated records ever recorded it from so thoroughly since 1905, primarily from the west well-known a locality”. It is possible Thintailed Thresher and southwest coast. that Blake-Knox may have confused Although William Thompson (A the thresher with the basking shark (A. vulpinus) Natural History of Ireland, Vol. 4 pos- which may have been relatively com- The Thintailed Thresher Shark is a tumately published in 1856), mon in the Irish Sea at this time. The widespread species found virtually acknowledged McSkimmin’s and latter species is frequently observed circum-global in oceanic and coastal Templeton’s records, he cautiously on the surface, has a large dorsal fin waters from the surface down to remarked that the thresher “Can be (the thresher’s is relatively small) and 366m from tropical to cold-temperate announced only on circumstantial evi- grows to an enormous size. seas but commonest in temperate dence as frequenting the Irish coast.” waters. In the eastern Atlantic it is He then went on to recount that found from Norway southwards via “Major Walker, of The Lodge, County Bigeye Thresher Shark the British Isles to Madeira and the Wexford, noticed this species in a let- (A. superciliosus) Azores, including the Mediterranean ter written to me in July, 1846, from The Bigeye Thresher Shark is a and Black Seas. the statement of fishermen who had widespread but infrequently caught In UK waters, the species occurs seen a large fish beating a grampus or species typically inhabiting oceanic frequently during the summer and small whale in the Sound, between the and coastal waters from the surface to autumn off the south Cornish coast, two Saltee Islands, and who reported depths of 500m. Its distribution is as far east as the Isle of Wight, and that every blow sounded like the dis- considered to be virtually circum- occasionally from the Pembroke tant report of a canon.” coast, but less frequently from the tropical with a preference for warm

*In his History of Carrickfergus (1829), McSkimmin (1829) remarked that the thresher is “sometimes seen off the Copeland Isles; and heard after night making a noise with its tail against the water.” Robert Templeton (List of Irish Vertebrates 1836-37) also mentioned that the species was “occasionally seen about the Copeland Islands” but concluded that it was “rare on the (Irish) coast.” Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 ...... Page 13 The Wind Ships

Torbay in Devon, I saw the Brixham fishing fleet setting out with their red sails power- ing them along. Much later, in the 1950s, some hookers still worked out of the Claddagh in Galway, and I went out in one with the Dominicans for the blessing of the bay and the ships. I went on the pilgrimage to St. Mac- Dara’s island, riding in one of the fleet of hookers, which having landed their devout cargo, set about the traditional race – and a Galway hooker racing under sail is some sight. The glamour of the tradi- tional sailing ship is still with us and the interest is growing. One just had to witness the crowds who came to Water- The German “Gorch Fock” in Cork, a shot taken back in the 1960s. ford to see the Tall Ships, and Square rigged on all three masts, she is, in the scale of names of sailing vessels, a Ship. the start of the Tall Ships race Photos: © Daphne Pochin Mould off Hook Head – delayed for The French Navy’s sail trainers are “Etoile” and “Belle Poule” and are topsail schooners, replicas of the great wildly excited – would she days by lack of wind. If you Brittany fleet that each year sailed to Iceland to fish there all summer. Seen here leaving Kinsale harbour. By Daphne come close to land? The place can, get yourself aboard a sail- was Bournemouth and nobody ing ship, and feel her and dashes of the code brought eties of China tea brought long distance voyages until it Pochin Mould else was bothered. I wondered movement through the seas. It rescue ships to pick up sur- back. was found that lime or lemon if she would shore at Poole? is so different from the engine vivors. In the old days, in the The wind ships are beauti- juice would provide the essen- I SAW it once – so long ago. But she was a wind ship head- driven vessel forcing its route open ocean, you sank alone. ful, from the fast, streamlined tial vitamin C. I was eight or ten and it was the ing across the oceans long against wind and wave. The Once a ship passed out of sight Viking ship to the chunky, The wind ships could mend end of the twenties – hardly distance, powered only by her modern Tall Ships are beauti- of land, there was no news of colourful Spanish galleon, to themselves to some extent. Bat- 1930. From the blue sea, with sails and the wind on them. No ful replicas but not real wind her until she came to some the crowded warships of tle or storm damage to masts the horizon sharp against the engine to get her out of trouble, ships, for they have engines to port. In Brittany, there is a navies, including the “wooden and rigging could be repaired sky, came a towering pyramid too huge to make use of oars. fall back on or make up time, cross called the Widows’ walls” of England – Nelson’s by handy men who could make of white sails. It was heading She was the biggest wind ship or enter a tricky port. They are Cross, for here the wives navy, “heart of oak are our some sort of a “jury rig” and west down the English Chan- I’ve ever seen. warm and snug below, have would gather when the top sail ships, jolly tars are our men”. get the ship to a port. nel for the Atlantic. I was Around the same time, in toilet facilities, good food, schooner fleet came back from “Beautiful ships but badly Now with fossil fuels run- radio, GPS, a multitude of the summer fishing off Ice- found” wrote one man who ning out, will the wind navigational aids, including land, and count the vessels had worked on them. Those powered bulk carriers come radar. And if things go really returning and know how many great sailing ships of the 19th back, saving on the engine’s wrong, help can come both would not return. century and early 20th – the scarce fuel? Not the old tall from the air and from ships in Wind powered ships sailed kind I saw so long ago – might ship pattern, but using new the same area. and explored the world, have been run by mean own- materials for sails, with their But none of these aids were mapped and discovered, car- ers, with badly paid, badly fed controls linked to the weather available to any of the world’s ried armies to war and built crews. Many were under- forecasts and GPS, and con- shipping for almost all of empires, carrying all the goods manned and clawed their way trolled by computer on a snug human history. Only in the and luxuries people wanted. round Cape Horn against con- bridge. The wind still blows as early 19th century did crude, From Cork, the “Ring Mahon trary gales, snow, ice, strong as ever it did: why not fuel-hungry steam engines Castle” (whose log book sur- struggling with frozen sails. ride along with it again? come aboard and laboriously vives) was fast and she ran There were no safety harnesses turn paddle wheels. It was quickly to the West Indies for in those days – if you fell, you another hundred years before coffee and sugar. Another little fell. Comforts were none exis- Suggested further reading: ships began to carry radio and brig made its way to China to tent, only the cook’s fire below, Derek Lundy. “The Way of a use Mr. Sam Morse’s new load up with tea. The Cork which was put out in really bad Ship” Jonathan Cape, London, code. Had the “Titanic” sailed papers would give notice of weather (fire was the great haz- 2002. 445pp. An important a few years earlier, we would her expected return, and then ard of wooden ships). There account of life on a wind ship never have known what hap- of the date and place of the Tea were no washing/toilet facili- in the last days of sail. Round pened to her. Those faint dots Auction and of the many vari- ties and the food was bad. the Horn in the worst of A wind ship can stay at sea weather, including fire at sea, indefinitely while a power one disease and a history of long must stop for fuel. They carried haul sailing. salted and dry provisions Sheila Mulcahy. “A Gallant including salted “horse”, which Barque” The story of the “Port was actually beef, pig in casks Yarrock”. The Kerryman, (Cork produced vast amounts Tralee 1999. “Port Yarrock” of salt meat), “Liverpool pan- was lost with all hands and tiles” for bread, hard biscuits stranded in Brandon in 1894. made of flour and water with- Patrick O’Brien’s long out fat so they could keep series of novels of the British indefinitely (the modern “water navy in Napoleonic times, are “Kathleen and May”restored in England returns to visit her old homeport biscuit” of our canapes is the a lively but genuine account of of Youghal. She, and many other schooners like her, traded back and forth what life was like then on a to England, and carried goods all around Ireland right into the 20th same mix), dried peas and oat- century.Till very recently, it was easier to go by sea than by land. Now the meal. Scourvy, due to lack of fighting wind ship and how she coastal schooners’ work is done by big trucks on the roads. Deck,“Kathleen & May” vitamins was the scourge of was sailed. Page 14 ...... Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40

river channel is not always capable of dealing with a flood. Sometimes such a river is confined between, or even under, buildings and New Developments cannot be widened. In such cases the cumulative effect of new development can have a huge impact on floods. One solution to this problem is to install storm and Flooding Risks water retention tanks or ponds. These have the effect of storing storm water on site By Paddy Leahy worsen flooding in a number In the development of the and reduce the incidence of ber of developments is taken and releasing it at a slow of ways. The flood plain can Irish road network in the flooding, but it is not always into consideration. A “green rate, effectively mimicking be obstructed, either by the nineteenth century, many possible to carry out such field” site is often exactly THE first settlers in Ire- the water retention properties development itself, or even bridges, sometimes with works, particularly in an area that, a field of green grass or land established themselves of a green field site. The by embankments built to raised roads approaching that already is relatively well trees. In a spell of heavy rain, on the coast, at the mouths of proper design of the size of keep flood waters out of the them, imposed considerable developed. Any proposal for the rain that falls on that field rivers where there was shel- the tanks or ponds and of the proposed development. All restrictions on the flood development on a flood soaks into the ground and ter for their boats. mechanism to control the developments increase the plain. Quite often one can plain that will have an may take some time to per- Penetration inland would rate of the water discharge is amount of impermeable sur- observe in aerial photographs adverse effect on flooding, meate through the ground have been initially by boat critical to the success of the before reaching a stream or on the larger rivers, and all system, as is its ongoing river. The effect is to hold old towns and cities were on “In this age of increased urban development and the pressures on open monitoring and maintenance. back a proportion of the rain- the banks of rivers. The big- spaces around our towns and cities, the most likely obstruction on a flood Any development that water for a considerable time ger rivers were a transport plain is likely to be new development. For this reason, local authorities have could possibly impact on and reduce the possible system, a source of water, flood levels should have a to deal very carefully with proposals for development on a flood plain.” flood. If however, the green and a useful waste disposal flood risk assessment carried field site is built upon, the system. As time went on and out and where necessary, faces, such as roads, paved of serious river flooding the should not proceed, unless rain falling on roofs, paved populations grew, bridges flood mitigation measures, areas and roofs. This results bottleneck effect that a bridge mitigation measures that will areas and streets is generally were built across rivers and properly designed, should be in much faster run-off of rain can have on floods. Although at least cancel out the addi- piped directly to the nearest the towns expanded to cater utilised to offset any addi- water, thus increasing the a small number of these tional flood risk can be put drain, stream or river. This for the increasing industrial tional flooding risk. risk of floods. bridges have been replaced in place. leads to a very quick and and commercial activities. Many rivers in Ireland, par- with longer span bridges, in Rapid rainwater run-off efficient run-off, and causes Approaching the modern Paddy Leahy, retired Senior ticularly the larger ones, flow general subsequent adjacent from new developments can major problems downstream. era, buildings became more Engineer, Cork County alongside substantial flood development has precluded also be the cause of major It is particularly a problem substantial and longer last- Council, Skibbereen, plains on their lower reaches. the construction of new flooding, especially when the relating to areas upstream of ing. Sometimes marshes Co. Cork. Such flood plains are formed bridges. cumulative effect of a num- towns where the existing alongside the rivers were over thousands of years by In this age of increased filled in and canalisation of the filling of the original river urban development and the the rivers was achieved by valley with gravel and silt pressures on open spaces building embankments along washed down from the upper around our towns and cities, the river banks. sections of the river, where the most likely obstruction Historically, developments steep gradients cause rapid on a flood plain is likely to have contributed to river run-off and contribute to the be new development. For flooding in a number of erosion of rocks and overbur- this reason, local authorities ways. Many of our old den. Thus flat areas can have to deal very carefully bridges, built of stone in the extend for considerable dis- with proposals for develop- nineteenth century or even tances on either side of the ment on a flood plain. Such earlier, have substantial river normal river channel. Usually proposals need not necessar- piers which restrict the flow. above the normal water level, ily cause flooding. It can Often too, such bridges have the flood plain is inundated happen that a flood plain is approach embankments on when particularly high flood already obstructed by, for the flood plain that restrict levels are reached. example, a bridge and its the river flow or reduce stor- Flood plains themselves approach road. Often in such age capacity. It was only can carry a proportion of the cases a building on the flood natural that large bridges Irish fish producers' organisation flood flows. While the main plain immediately upstream would be built in or adjacent river channel will take the or downstream is unlikely to to towns, and as the towns vast bulk of a flood, the flood have any adverse effect, but expanded, flooding upstream plain can have a significant often extensive surveys and of the bridge became a major additional flow capacity, hydrographical studies are problem. Before the 1964 depending on the depth of required to determine accu- Planning Act, and even in the water over the plain, and rately the effect a proposed initial decades after its intro- whether or not there are any development will have on duction, developments also North, South, East and West……………. obstructions. Obstructions the flood regime. Where it is took place on river banks and can consist of ordinary field shown that there will be an Serving the needs of Ireland's Fishing Industry increased the flood risk in boundaries constructed of adverse effect on flooding, the immediate vicinity. sod and stone or other mate- then mitigation measures to Following calls from local rials that will impede the compensate can be consid- authority engineers and oth- flow of water. Even tall crops ered. Mitigation methods can ers, a more enlightened or dense woodlands can sub- include river widening to attitude to flooding risks is stantially lower the flow increase the capacity of the now taken, and proposals for capacity of a flood. Any river channel, channel development that would 11 Elgin Road obstruction of the flow of realignment to shorten increase flooding are either Dublin 4 water on a flood plain can and/or streamline the course refused permission or only Ireland reduce the capacity of the of the river, and improve- allowed proceed if appropri- Tel: +353 (0)1 668 7077 river to deal with a substan- ments in bed levels and ate flood mitigation Fax:+353 (0)1 668 4466 tial flood, and sometimes to a gradients. Such measures can measures are put in place. [email protected] considerable extent. improve flows in the river New developments can Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 ...... Page 15 Nigali Passage to Nirvana

Brown-marbled grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus. Grey reef shark and red snappers in the distance.The groupers are curious, especially when you have food stuffed into the top of your wetsuit. Photos: © Pete Atkinson Photos: © Pete Rob Barrel, owner of the live-aboard dive boat Nai'a with his dental hygienist, cleaner shrimp Lysmata amboinensis.

About two-thirds of the way towards the large area of cabbage coral, which in late after- wrapped in newspaper. Presenting a gift of kava By Pete Atkinson lagoon the pass divides, a shallower sandy noon light is stunning. in Sawaieke then gives you access everywhere. chute to your right, a deeper cut to your left. The There is a steep drop-off into the lagoon on The chief of Sawaieke is the highest chief on LET’S get the pronunciation out of the way; bottom is 30m here and in the cleft of the divide the inside of the barrier reef and the visibility Gau, which is why you go there first, rather than Nigali is said something like Ningali when you rises coral reef covered with soft corals and drops from 30m to 20m. Here, whoever any of the other villages. On all the offshore really need to blow your nose. But however you fans. Near the bottom is a big red fan which by dropped you off at the beginning of the dive, islands in Fiji, this protocol is required before say it, some giant Fijian guy will correct your now will have a big grouper posed in front of it. will, with luck, pick you up. And make you a doing anything; in some ways it's a good intro- pronunciation with a word that sounds not In the early morning you can get a sunburst with milo (an antipodean chocolate drink) when you duction to the village, and village life. Kava is unlike Naigani, which is another island miles a shark swimming through it with the grouper get back to the boat. roots of the Piper mythisticum plant which are away and leads to all kinds of confusion. Nigali and fan in the foreground. You can photograph Sometimes the lagoon is clear too. When a crushed and infused to make a narcotic drink, is on Gau, said in the hollow nasal Ngau fash- several of these in the time it takes to say, storm in southern latitudes drives big swells up which is central to Fijian life and ceremonies. ion. Add, “In Lomaiviti, in Fiji” if that will help. “Adobe Photoshop eat your heart out.” By the into the tropics, clear ocean water is driven over It's pretty disgusting. I would like to think that Fifty miles east of Suva. time your dive computer is swearing at you in the barrier reef, flushing out a lot of the more the chief of Gau will see the long-term benefits Quite simply, it’s the best dive I have ever morse, the big-eye jacks will have returned and turbid lagoon water. At these times Nigali can of creating a reserve just around Nigali. At pres- done, anywhere. Bliss, from my point of view joined a big shoal of black snappers. You can be dived on the outgoing current. Shoals of ent it is fished occasionally. There can be solid would to be let loose with a rebreather at 7 a.m., hardly see the other side of the pass for fish. snapper and sometimes barracuda hang around economic benefits to the island for sustaining a three hours after high water on a clear day, at Finning against the current you can side-slip at the inside end of the pass. More occasionally world-class dive site which far outweigh the the outside of Nigali Passage. Alone, of course. into the shoal of jacks so they are all around there are mantas and spotted eagle rays. transient benefits of an elderly humphead The clear ocean water is entering the lagoon you, or get below them so they can swirl into a Not so good photographically, but probably wrasse or grouper for dinner. Nigali without the at this time, and since the pass is only 50m wide vortex with the sun at its apex. When greys pass superior to any mind altering substance, is a late animals would be like the Masai Mara without you can see the coral rubble bottom 25m below through the shoal they are mobbed by the jacks, afternoon dive. Pretty much the same animals in animals. and both steep sides with their fans, soft corals, the way surgeonfish mob morays, or passerines the same places. Hundreds of big fish, accepting At present, in the absence of your own boat, and in deeper water thin red sea whips. The mob raptors. (The bird, not the dinosaur.) your presence, bathed in orange light, the sun- the only way to dive Nigali is with Nai’a or one shoal of barracuda are often hanging in the knot Indecision about which fork of the pass to burst just over the north side of the pass dancing of the other live-aboard dive boats in Fiji. I of current somewhere out here, and if this is take is usually over by now, your computer and spears into the deep blue depths. Walu, a kind of would hire the whole boat myself, and pass by your first dive, the huge school of big-eye jacks contents gauge saying the shallower, right fork spanish mackerel cruise by, and on a few occa- all the other great sites and just dive Nigali on will cascade out the pass to escape your intru- is the way to go. Over a sandy bottom with very sions divers saw a sailfish here. my own, twice a day until I got bored. Or ran sion. But they will be back. approachable garden eels (but I defy you to dive If I could make any place on earth a marine out on money. Loitering in the current will be a few very large with a 105 micro at Nigali) past small coral reserve, this would be it. There are several vil- groupers who associate divers with food, some grey heads wilting under the weight of soft corals, lages on the island of Gau, but Sawaieke in reef sharks and a large number of red snappers. If Pete Atkinson, PO Box 2875, Cairns, Qld with white tip reef sharks hiding underneath. effect owns the lot. It is here you must go when 4870 Australia. [email protected] feeding fish is on your agenda, take more care with Cut to the left a bit to end up between where the you arrive at the island to offer a sevu sevu of the snappers and groupers than the sharks. two forks enter the lagoon and you’ll find a kava which looks like half a kilo or so of twigs Page 16 ...... Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 ...... Page 17

Big-eye Jacks (Caranx sexfasciatus).

Long-jawed squirrelfish (Sargocentron spiniferum). Photos: © Pete Atkinson Photos: © Pete Brown-marbled grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) and sea whips (Ellisella sp.)

Cabbage coral, Turbinaria reniformis. Nigali Passage to Nirvana

Photography by Pete Atkinson (see article on previous page) Manta ray (Manta birostris) and remora (Echeneis naucrates). Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) and (red snappers) Big-eye jacks (Caranx sexfasciatus) forming a spiral. Sea fan (Subergorgia mollis), soft coral (Dendronephthya sp.) and red snappers Lutjanus bohar. (Lutjanus bohar). Page 18 ...... Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 Thirty-Five Years of Pollution Control in

America Photo: © US EPA Walter Mugdan

An interview with Walter Mugdan, Director, Division of efforts and, more importantly, to administer EPA’s enforcement philosophy maintains that the extraordinary body of laws passed by Con- compliance rates will be highest if those who Environmental Planning & Protection, U.S. Environmental gress starting in that year and continuing are regulated are familiar with requirements Protection Agency, Region 2, New York City July, 2005 through 1980 (often called the “environmental applicable to their operations; believe there is decade”). During this period all the basic laws a reasonable chance that violations will be Matt Murphy: When and why was the U.S. Until 1970, pollution control in the U.S. – were passed requiring regulation of air and discovered; and believe that when a violation Environmental Protection Agency created? where it existed at all – was implemented water pollution, hazardous and non-hazardous is discovered, there is a substantial likelihood solid wastes, pesticides and toxic chemicals, that unpleasant consequences will ensue. Walter Mugdan: The modern environmental almost entirely by state and local govern- ensuring the safety of public drinking water movement is usually reckoned to have begun ments. It was at this level that sewage supplies and providing for the cleanup of Matt Murphy: How do you accomplish with the publication, in 1962, of Rachel Car- treatment plants were built, drinking water abandoned hazardous waste dump sites. those three objectives? son’s book Silent Spring, in which she alerted systems operated, solid wastes managed, and the world to the dangers of pollution by indus- the occasional air pollution limit enacted. Dur- Walter Mugdan: EPA has an active “compli- Matt Murphy: What is the role of EPA with trial and agricultural chemicals. By the end of ing the 1960’s Americans realised that to be ance assistance” program to help ensure that respect to environmental protection in the 1960s, citizen environmental activism had effective, tough pollution control laws would regulatees, particularly those that are not America? become one of several powerful mass move- have to be established at the national level. highly sophisticated (such as small manufac- ments (along with the civil rights, anti-war The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Walter Mugdan: EPA provides for the United turing companies, dry cleaners, auto repair and women’s rights movements) which pro- (EPA) was established in 1970 to coordinate States about half the role played by the Ministry shops, printers, pesticide applicators, etc.) are foundly changed America. the nation’s fledgling environmental research of the Environment in many other countries. offered guidance on what is required of them. EPA is responsible for most pollution control Though “ignorance of the law is no defense,” programs, while other U.S. government agen- EPA recognises that knowledge of the law is cies are responsible for land preservation and essential for compliance. wildlife management. Like other U.S. govern- To monitor compliance and detect viola- ment agencies, EPA is headquartered in tions, EPA uses a combination of mandatory Washington, D.C. But to a considerable extent self-reporting augmented by unannounced the agency is de-centralised, with ten regional inspections, environmental sampling and offices around the country. Headquarters is gen- remote sensing (e.g., aerial photography and erally responsible for writing national other high-tech analytical tools). When viola- regulations and setting policy, while most tions are discovered, EPA has detailed implementation and enforcement is managed enforcement response policies designed to out of the regional offices. ensure a measure of consistency and pre- dictability. The “unpleasant consequences” for Matt Murphy: How large is EPA, and what noncompliance generally consist of monetary kinds of professional staff do you have? penalties, although particularly egregious or Walter Mugdan: EPA today has about 18,000 intentional violations may be prosecuted crim- employees, down from a high of about 19,000 inally and can result in lengthy jail sentences. in the early 1990s; nearly half of those are sta- The size of a penalty or fine imposed for a tioned in regional offices and laboratories. given violation varies in accordance with the The agency’s annual budget is $7.8 billion, gravity of the violation, the degree of environ- about 40% of which is passed through as mental harm, and the economic size and direct grants to the states (which are autho- previous compliance history of the violator. rised to manage many of the national environmental programs). Around $1.4 billion Matt Murphy: EPA has been writing and is for the “Superfund” program, used to clean enforcing pollution control rules for 35 up toxic waste dump sites. years now. How would you gauge the Among EPA employees are engineers, scien- agency’s success? tists and planners who develop regulations and Walter Mugdan: After 35 years it is fair to ask programs, write environmental permits, man- whether EPA has been “successful” in its mis- age hazardous waste cleanup projects, do sion. The answer depends largely, of course, original research, run our laboratories and upon one’s definition of the term, but a fair process the millions of dollars in grants we pro- assessment would have to conclude that many vide to state governments. There is also a very notable successes have been achieved, sizeable contingent of field inspectors and with much more left to be done. lawyers to carry out a vigorous enforcement program. Matt Murphy: Please give us some examples of pollution control successes in the U.S. Matt Murphy: What is U.S. EPA’s approach Walter Mugdan: During 35 years when to enforcement of environmental laws? America’s population and economy have Walter Mugdan: The most stringent environ- continues on page 19... mental rules are meaningless if not enforced. Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 ...... Page 19

...continues from page 18 farms and suburban lawns, is deposited in expanded dramatically, and usage of motor the water and causes unhealthy algal blooms vehicles has nearly doubled, air pollution and associated “anoxic” conditions (insuffi- has been cut in half. It is now rare to see cient oxygen for fish and other wildlife) in smoke from a factory, and cars today emit a some of our most important estuaries such tiny fraction of the pollutants they formerly as Chesapeake Bay, Long Island Sound and spewed out. Water bodies like the lower the Gulf of Mexico. “Suburban sprawl” con- Hudson River, accurately described as a tinues to gobble up open land, and the total “biological wasteland” three decades ago, amount of wetland acreage in the U.S. is now teem with fish. Over this period the still shrinking despite a national goal of U.S. government has spent more than $60 increasing wetlands by three million acres in billion to assist local governments to build five years. sewage collection and treatment systems Toxics: The nation still suffers the legacy and drinking water purification plants, and of decades of use of highly toxic chemicals another $50+ billion to clean up old toxic like PCBs (used widely in electrical equip- waste sites. Hundreds of billions more have ment from the 1940s to the 1970s), TCE (the been spent by state and local governments most commonly used industrial solvent) and and private industry. These programs have mercury. Many groundwater sources have Salmon, Trout & Shellfish been very effective in eliminating major been contaminated, requiring costly treat- sources of pollution and contributing to one ment if they must be used for drinking of the world’s safest water supplies. supplies or if dangerous chemical vapours Marine & Freshwater The use of toxic chemicals and the gener- migrate upwards into homes and offices. ation of new hazardous wastes by industry And sediments at the bottom of some urban North, South, East & West have continued to decline for many years, rivers and harbours are still so contaminated even as the overall size of the American that fish cannot be safely eaten. economy has grown; and management of Hazardous Site Cleanups: The U.S. has the significant volume of hazardous waste done a remarkable job in cleaning up thou- that continues to be generated is generally sands of toxic waste dump sites over the past Delivering results for Aqua-Business very good. Lead, once widely used in both 25 years under the “Superfund” law. paint and gasoline, has been eliminated Included among these are some of the most from both, greatly reducing exposure to this complex and notorious sites like Love Canal. dangerous element. Hundreds of sub-stan- But funding has remained flat as the dard solid waste landfills around the nation demands have increased, so the pace of have been closed, and those still operating cleanups is slowing down. are increasingly sited and operated in a man- For more information contact: ner that prevents dangerous leachates from Refuse: America generates a huge amount IFA Fish Farming Section, of solid waste – estimated at 369 million tons escaping. Burning refuse to make electricity Irish Farmers’ Association, Bluebell, Dublin 12 in 2002, about a ton per year for every man, remains controversial, but where it is done ph: 01-4500266 fax: 01-4551043 woman and child in the country. This works the incinerators operate under exacting e-mail [email protected] emission limits. out to about 4.3 pounds of garbage per per- son per day, an increase of nearly 60% in the Matt Murphy: What are the major chal- past thirty years ago. And though the lenges that you see as still lying ahead? nation’s recycling rate has crept up to about 31%, this is still inadequate given the scale Walter Mugdan: Many challenges remain. of the problem. (EPA has set a target of 35% These are among the most important: recycling by 2008.) Air Pollution: Lower atmosphere ozone, commonly called smog, is still a serious Matt Murphy: What about global warming? health concern in the more urbanised parts Walter Mugdan: The U.S. has not yet of America. Fine particulates – many times moved to regulate the emission of green- smaller than the diameter of a human hair – house gases to limit the effects of global are now understood to pose grave health warming, which may be the most serious, threats, and are a widespread problem global environmental threat. EPA is actively resulting from combustion of fossil fuels in promoting a variety of voluntary programs mobile sources (particularly diesel engines, to encourage industry and citizens to con- both “on-road” like trucks and “non-road” serve energy and resources; but though like construction equipment and portable energy efficiency rates have improved in generators) and stationary installations recent years, U.S. per capita energy con- (particularly coal-burning power plants). sumption remains among the highest in the EPA has recently promulgated national world. Thirty-five years ago EPA was cre- rules to require stringent further controls ated to provide a national response to on these kinds of sources – though some pollution control problems that were prov- critics assert that the new power plant rules ing difficult for individual states to tackle; do not go far enough or fast enough; and today, a number of states have taken the indeed, it will be many years before the full lead in proposing to regulate emissions of benefits of these rules are realised. carbon dioxide (the most common green- Water Pollution: Though sewage treat- house gas). ment plants are generally very effective, in many older cities it is still common for Matt Murphy: Is there a lesson to be stormwater and sewage to be carried in the learned from the past 35 years of pollution same pipes. When it rains the pipes can’t control efforts? carry all the flow, and so diluted raw sewage Walter Mugdan: The challenges we face gets discharged into rivers and bays from today are perhaps even more daunting than “combined sewer overflow” points. With those of a generation ago: the remaining increasingly large areas of land paved over, sources of pollution are less visible, and stormwater runoff carries tons of pollutants more deeply enmeshed with our energy- like oil and silt into rivers and streams. intensive way of life. But the clear lesson of Large animal feedlots, which can pour as the past 35 years is that unimagined much sewage as a small city into adjacent improvements are possible with innovation, waterways, have only very recently been persistence and leadership. regulated. Air pollution like nitrogen oxides, along with overuse of chemical fertilisers on Page 20 ...... Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 Breeding Birds in Roaringwater Bay, 2005

Mute Swans attempted to ther pairs suspected on the By Julian Wyllie breed on Sherkin for the first mainland along the north of time in many years, with the the bay. The usual scattering of THE annual breeding birds nest situated in the centre of Mallards was observed around survey of the islands of Roar- the reed-bed at Tramore pond. the bay. Gadwalls were again ingwater Bay took place However, no cygnets were proven to breed on East Calf, between April & June this year. seen and it is probable that with a female and seven duck- The survey has been carried out Mink were responsible for lings seen there in early June. in 24 of the past 30 years, and their failure – it has been a Birds were frequently seen on provides a unique insight into prolific year for this most Sherkin early in the season and the status of breeding species unwelcome of aliens. Shel- there is also suitable habitat on on the islands. This year a total duck were certainly more in Heir, but their secretive habits of 45 islands and islets were evidence than in 2004, and make this a difficult species to surveyed, the exception being breeding is considered likely confirm as breeding. Although Cape Clear, which of course at two sites, at least, with fur- Gadwalls are now increasing has its own bird observatory. throughout the country, the Roaringwater Bay population is an interesting one, having been in existence for at least 15 years, at which time the Photos: © Robbie Murphy entire Irish population was Approaching the gull colony on Goat Island. only around 30 pairs, with the nearest breeding birds in Shags were also slightly up in Waterford. Red-breasted Mer- numbers. Two pairs of Grey gansers again bred on the Heron bred successfully on Carthies. Sherkin, the site also being Fulmars were present as frequented by a pair of little usual on Sherkin and Goat/Lit- Egrets. Considering the suc- tle Goat, both supporting a cess of the latter species slightly higher population than further eastwards along the in 2004, with 128 apparently Cork coast, can we hope for occupied territories compared future colonisation on to last years 119. Prospecting Sherkin? A pair of Peregrines birds were again seen on Heir again held territory on Sherkin and Long – perhaps both these and showed every sign of islands will support small breeding. However, no young colonies before the decade is were ever seen and it is likely out? Cormorants were again that they fell victim to the present at three sites, but it is weather soon after hatching. interesting to note that the Water Rails were present on exact location of two of these Sherkin and East Calf, with a had shifted by a few hundred juvenile seen at Tramore on yards, only the colony at Sherkin in mid-August. Oystercatchers and Ringed Gull nests in Roaringwater Bay have been counted in 24 of the past 30 Dooneen, off East Calf, years. remaining in the same place. Plovers were both present in good numbers, with 52 and 16 pairs respectively. Snipe could be heard drumming over A adult Lesser Black-backed Gull keeping a close check on Sherkin in May and June, proceedings. SUBSCRIPTION FORM although at fewer sites than in 2004. Lesser Black-backed tory around the bay. Long-eared despite extensive searching on SHERKIN COMMENT is a quarterly publication of Sherkin Island Marine Station Gulls continued to do well at Owls were again present on Spanish Island, which held the aiming to promote the awareness of our natural resources, their use and protection. their usual colonies on the Sherkin, although as with the only birds in the bay last year. SUBSCRIPTION: to receive a year’s subscription to “Sherkin Comment”, please islands, with over 650 pairs Peregrines, no evidence of suc- Choughs had a good year on send a cheque or money order for €6.68 for Ireland and £6.00stg for the U.K. counted. Sadly, the same can- cessful breeding came to light, Sherkin with a 100% increase (sterling cheques accepted from UK); send €9.50 for Europe and €10.67 for the rest not be said for Herring Gull, or darkness for that matter. to four pairs, including one pair of the world (surface postage) – payable to Sherkin Comment, Sherkin Island Marine which showed a further Again no Rock Doves were in the ruins of Dun na Long present on Sherkin – although it Castle, with at least a further Station, Sherkin Island, Co. Cork. Ireland. Tel: 028–20187 Fax: 028–20407 decrease to fewer than 75 pairs. Great Black-backed is unlikely that the population five pairs around the bay. Email: [email protected] Gulls maintained their num- consisted of “pure” wild birds, Ravens also did well, with pairs this species has not been on Sherkin, East Calf, Castle, Please send a 1 year subscription – beginning with Issue No...... bers. Arctic Terns appear to have done reasonably well, recorded breeding there since Heir and Long. Linnets and Please send a 2 year subscription – beginning with Issue No...... with around 30 pairs present 1998, the year Peregrines Goldfinches also appear to have on the Carthies and a small returned to the island as a had a good year, with several € I enclose cheque/postal order to the sum of ...... colony off East Calf appar- breeding species. Passerines mixed flocks totalling several ently replacing the one on had mixed fortunes, two species hundred birds on Sherkin dur- Name ...... Carrigmore, which was occu- in particular down in numbers ing August, all including good Address ...... pied last year. In excess of a this year - Rock Pipit and Reed numbers of juveniles. hundred birds, including juve- Bunting. No Sand Martins bred In conclusion then, a fairly ...... niles, were present in the bay on Sherkin and the Horse Island typical year with its ups and in early August, indicating a colony was severely depleted to downs, but as always leaving ...... measure of success. Common around five pairs - however, the us with that all important sense Signature ...... Date ...... Terns made a welcome reap- colony on East Calf was re- of anticipation for next season. pearance, with four pairs on established, with 11 pairs there. STAFF: Publisher, Matt Murphy; Editor, Matt Murphy; Editorial Assistant, Susan Murphy Carrigviglash, the first Skylarks and Wheatears both Julian Wyllie is a volunteer Wickens; Typesetting, Susan Murphy Wickens. recorded there since 1997. maintained last years numbers. ornithologist at Sherkin Island ISSN 0791–2447 © 2005 Cuckoos were scarce with Coal Tits were seemingly Marine Station. Sherkin Island Marine Station website: www.sherkinmarine.ie only five males holding terri- absent from all the islands, Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 ...... Page 21 Aquatic Bugs of Sherkin Island (Hemiptera, Heteroptera)

Wings are a variable feature of water bugs By Christopher Barry and even within the same species it is possi- ble to find individuals with and without AQUATIC bugs are insects which belong them. Flightlessness is thought to be a com- to the Order Hemiptera sub-order Het- mon adaptation to a stable freshwater eroptera. Sixty three species in eleven environment; why spend money on wings families are currently recorded as breeding when you don’t need them! in Britain and Ireland, 20 of these species are All true bugs (Hemiptera) have an incom- present on Sherkin Island. They are most plete life cycle in that they grow from eggs often confused with beetles but can be dis- into larvae (or nymphs or juveniles) into tinguished by their wing cases which overlap adults in much the same way as the dragon- (in beetles they meet in a straight line along flies and damselflies (Odonata) and Mayflies the back) and their usually long, tube-like, (Ephemeroptera). sucking mouth-part (beetles have In recent years certain families of aquatic mandibles). bug, in which the species show different Aquatic bugs live mostly in or on water habitat and water chemistry preferences, but with some species inhabiting the damp have been used in assessments of water qual- terrestrial margins of freshwaters. Accord- ity. In the years to come (with the increasing ingly many of them have special adaptations nutrient and chemical loading of the land and for an aquatic life. The ‘stinging’ tail of the thus watercourses) it is likely that we will water scorpion for example really functions have to place a higher and higher value on as a breathing tube allowing the animal to our naturally occurring freshwater habitats; hang down below the waters surface where it if we were to attempt to carry out the filter- can lie in wait for a passing meal to snatch. ing and detoxifying processes that occur

All aquatic bugs (except the Corixidae) are Photo: © Christopher Barry naturally the bills would surely run into six- predatory and feed on living or recently dead figure sums. Top left: Backswimmer or Water Boatman, Notonecta marmorea viridis Delcourt animals (usually other insects). Surface bugs Bottom left: Common Pond Skater, Gerris lacustris (Linnaeus) such as the pond skaters react to surface Bottom right: Water Scorpion, Nepa Cinerea Linnaeus vibrations and can therefore capture prey Christopher Barry was formerly a volunteer Top right: Water Measurer, Hydrometra stagnorum (Linnaeus) which lives or falls onto the water surface. biologist at Sherkin Island Marine Station. Top middle:Water bugs /Corixidae , Sigara distincta (Fieber) Page 22 ...... Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 Back to Saxon Transylvania

12th–13th century to defend colleagues were surprised, the then Hungarian frontier. even suspicious. Now we are Self-reliant, independent farm- all friends, and as one told me, The rare Burning Bush, a handsome feature of south-facing hillsides ers, craftsmen and merchants, recalling an old visit: “In those they built fortified churches grasslands I found nearly all and spacious planned villages, the Romanian clovers – and nurturing the land by careful you have found plants I never husbandry. Now most have saw!” For example, this sum- returned to Germany – a mer we counted over 50 plants strange exodus after 800 years of Red Viper’s-bugloss, threat- – and Romanians and Gypsies ened in the EU and not seen have moved into the villages. here before. Like the study of Mechanisation came late and Roaringwater Bay, West Cork, mowing is still by scythe, the work has involved carefully weeding by hoe. Meadows picking our way through the receive no fertiliser, assorted countryside over several sea- poultry scratch on village sons. We have found over 1000

greens, and horses provide different plants – and interna- Taylor Photo: © Bill mechanical muscle. At dawn tionally rare grassland, woodland 'The rare Nodding Sage, locally animals leave their barns for and wetland habitats. forms violet patches on pasture, returning at dusk. The magical hay-meadows hillsides'. Roads are few, often un-sur- are a source of quality honey, a faced. Fortunately the Saxon genetic store of forage crops, As Dr Andrew Jones of the cultural legacy endures, especially clovers and other Grassland Trust says, “These notably their elegant 18th cen- legumes, and a last living link grasslands are substantially tury farmhouses. This is with an older Europe. They are richer in quality and extent indeed a Lost World, albeit ever-changing, and years and than even in parts of Russia, one with increasing numbers seasons vary. Pink orchids and surviving within a framework Photos: © John Akeroyd Photos: © John of cars, tractors and satellite legumes, Purple Mullein and of traditional farming in har- Hay-meadow with ancient woodland backdrop. dishes! white Dropwort flowers char- mony with both landscape and The area had been neglected acterise May. In June and July biodiversity.” One cannot over- by scientists as well as every- yellows are prominent, with estimate the cultural and By John Akeroyd body else. The moment I hay-rattles, Agrimony and botanical importance of this arrived in 2000 I knew I had Lady’s Bedstraw among pink magical place and the need to I WROTE in Sherkin Com- stumbled on something spe- Sainfoin. By late July dark protect it. It is the very heart of ment 32 about the unspoiled cial. Now a skilled team of pink and purple knapweeds our common European heritage. countryside of southern Tran- Romanian university botanists predominate, with greenish- sylvania. Since then I’ve (the sort of people who would white Field Eryngo – a plant Dr John Akeroyd edited The returned several times to this rarely carry out such work in that famously and mysteri- Wild Plants of Sherkin, secret and special part of Britain or Ireland!) is helping ously turned up on Sherkin a Cape Clear and adjacent Romania – a tantalising us with an inventory of the century ago – on dry slopes. In glimpse of Europe’s medieval islands of West Cork (1996) richness. Soon we shall have August it is white Wild Carrot, landscape. Great churches, old and remains active in data to protect the Saxon Vil- in September lilac sheets of farms, barns, yards and gar- botanical recording at the lages under the EU Habitats Meadow Saffron or Autumn dens blend into a gentle Marine Station. Directive once Romania Crocus, with other late gems tapestry of orchards, hop- accedes in 2007. At first our such as Fringed Gentian. fields, arable strips, pastures and hay-meadows. From May to July roadsides and meadows – set in rolling hills and dark woods of beech, hornbeam and oak where bears and wolves still roam – are a pro- fusion of varied, colourful wildflowers, astonishingly rich in all wildlife. My work here has been with ADEPT, an Anglo-Romanian project pro- moting mixed, non-intensive and organic farming – a living for village people, along with sensitive tourism – and the conservation of biodiversity. Until 15 years ago, most vil- lagers were ‘Saxons’, German John Akeroyd, Andrew Jones and friend recording grassland species immigrants who settled in the Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 ...... Page 23 SILICON From Flint Axe to the Space Age

contain metals in addition to he used the similarities made. The properties of alu- reconstructive surgery is 1969, something approach- By Anthony silicon. rather than the differences minium are also enhanced well known. They are also ing 90% of all the silicon Toole Erosion of igneous rocks to predict the existence and by the addition of 99% pure highly water-repellent and chips in the world were by wind, water and ice, properties of a fifth family silicon. resistant to chemical attack, used to get him there. Now, THROUGHOUT human breaks them down into member that was then Silicones constitute a and are widely used as they are present in every- history, there has hardly smaller fragments, and ulti- unknown. When this ele- large group of liquid com- waterproofing for brick- thing from computers to been a single era in which mately into sand and clay. ment, germanium, was pounds in which alternate work and fabrics such as cars to cameras, and from the technology of the day Transport of these finer discovered in 1886, it was silicon and oxygen atoms tent material, as well as washing machines to did not depend in some way materials by rivers, fol- found to have the predicted are linked together to form bathroom and window mobile phones. Much tele- on the element silicon. In lowed by their deposition on properties, thus helping to long chains and rings. The sealants. phone communication is fact so dominant has its use lake and sea shores builds confirm Mendeleev’s the- silicon atoms are also joined The semi-conductor prop- now reliant upon optical been that in many periods it them up into layers, which ory. to small groups of carbon erties of silicon have led to fibres made from that other has defined the age. The slowly harden to the sedi- Whether as granite or and hydrogen atoms, which the information technology silicon compound, glass. advanced implements of the mentary rocks, sandstone sandstone, and in the forms branch off from the main revolution that is set to Whatever further direc- Stone Age were the flint axe and shale. If these are sub- of sand, cement and mortar, chain. These compounds dominate human society in tions technology might and arrowhead. Later came jected to the high pressures silicates have been the basis remain liquid even at high the 21st century. Extremely follow in the future, it is the pottery and ceramics of and temperatures of vol- of the construction industry temperatures, and are excel- pure silicon is required to likely that silicon will have the first settled societies, the canic activity, their for as long as it has existed. lent lubricants. manufacture microchips, a part to play. And it has the buildings of the towns and crystalline structures change Glass is a form of silicon Cross-linking of the chains though this needs to be advantage over most other cities that followed and the to those of the metamorphic dioxide made by melting leads to the formation of ‘doped’ with other elements elements in that it will never window glass in the houses. rocks, quartzite, gneiss, sand with smaller amounts rubbers of the kind used, for such as arsenic or gallium to be in short supply. All were made from silicon schist and slate. of oxides of metals such as example, to make the boots the extent of one part per compounds. The informa- Silicon also has a role in sodium, calcium, lead or worn by the astronauts who million, to facilitate its use M.A. Toole, 65, Cheswick tion age of the 21st century biology. It forms the basis zinc. When this is allowed visited the moon. in transistors. Drive, Gosforth, Newcastle depends almost entirely on of the skeletons of sponges to cool, it slowly hardens to The employment of sili- When Neil Armstrong upon Tyne, NE3 5DW, U.K. the silicon chip. and the tiny sea creatures a solid without crystallising. cones in cosmetic and landed on the moon, in One reason for this is that known as diatoms, and The ubiquity of quartz silicon is everywhere. It gives strength to the sting- and its high melting point makes up about 26% of the ing cells of nettles. It cause problems in the NEED YOUR RUBBISH DUMPED? mass of the Earth’s crust, appears to have a role in extraction of metals such as REMEMBER YOUR RUBBISH IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY! and is exceeded in abun- bone structure and is found iron from their ores. When dance only by oxygen, with in human bodies to the heated in a furnace, quartz which it is invariably com- extent of about one gram. does not melt and would bined. Though it is non-toxic, its quickly block up the fur- Igneous rocks, such as presence in rock dust can nace. To prevent this, the granite are composed cause the lung disease sili- ore is mixed with limestone, mainly of crystals of quartz, cosis in miners, while the which reacts with the quartz feldspars and mica. The needle-like structure of the to form calcium silicate, a feldspars comprise the most magnesium silicate, compound with a low melt- abundant group of minerals asbestos, can damage lung ing point, known simply as and are five times as plenti- tissue to the extent of caus- slag. This former unsightly ful as quartz. They are made ing cancer. waste product of the steel of aluminium silicates with Despite the abundance and industry has largely been varying amounts of potas- long usage of its compounds, disposed of by using it as a sium, sodium and calcium. silicon was first isolated as bedding material in the Mica consists of thin, trans- the pure element, by the building of roads.

Swedish chemist, Berzelius, When subjected to an W parent, crystalline sheets. (Colle aste ctio Man ns P agem as late as 1824. It is a mem- electric current, the particles ermit) R ent The high melting point and W egula ASTE tions COLL 2001 ber of a group, or family of in a quartz crystal vibrate at Perm ECTIO it Re N PE electrical resistance of mica giste RMIT r Refe rence elements that includes car- a fixed frequency. This per- XX Num makes it useful in windows XX Cou ber XXXX nty Co XX XXXX XX X XXXX uncil X XXXX XXX XX XXX XXXX XX X XXX XXX XXXX bon, tin and lead. mits their use to measure XXX XXXX XXX XXXX XX X XX X XXX XXXX XXX XXX of stoves and furnaces and XXX XXX XXX XXXX XXX X XX XX X XX XXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXX XXX XXXX XXX XXXX X XXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXX XXXX The family resemblances time very accurately in XXX XXXX X X X X XXXX XXX in electrical equipment. XXX XXX XXXX XX XX DO THE RIGHT THING: XXXX XXXX X X X X X XXXX XXX XXX XXXX XXXX XXX XXX XXXX XX XXXX XXX are not immediately obvi- quartz clocks and watches. XXXX XXX XXXX X X X XXX XXXX XXX Quartz is silicon dioxide XXXX XXXX XXXX X X XXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXX XXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXXX XXX XXX XXXX XXX XXX XXXX XXXX XXX X ous. Carbon is non-metallic The pure element, silicon, XXXX XXX XXX XXXX INSIST ON SEEING A XXXX XXX XXXX XXXX XXX X XX X X X in the form of large, white XXXX XXX XXXX X X X XXX XXX XXXX XXX XXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXX XXXX and mainly exists in the can be obtained from quartz XXX XXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXX X X X X X X XXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXX X or colourless crystals. Flint XXXX XXX XXXX XXX XXXX X X XXXX XXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXX SIGNED XXX XXXX XXX XXXX WASTE COLLECTION XXXX XXX XXXX X XXXX XXX XXXX diverse forms of diamond, by heating it to 2000oC with XXX XXXX XXX X XXXX is the same compound, but XXXX XX DATE composed of microscopic graphite and charcoal. Tin coke in an electric furnace. PERMIT ISSUED BY crystals. Impurities in and lead are soft metals with About 4 million tonnes of quartz give rise to coloured low melting points. Silicon the element are produced YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY gemstones such as amethyst is a very hard, shiny non- each year. Much of this is and opal. Banded forms of metal with a high melting used to make ferrosilicon flint are found as the semi- point. However, when steels, for which a more Mendeleev proposed his purified silicon is needed This message is brought to you by the precious onyx and agate. Environmental Protection Agency structure for the Periodic than that present in the ores Other gems like topaz, For further information please visit www.epa.ie emerald, zircon and garnet Table of elements, in 1869, from which ordinary steel is Page 24 ...... Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 Publications of Interest

The Long Summer clude the Baltic states ecological of a landscape shaped by wine The editors and their collaborators has not only made numerous field networks, the Meso-American bio- growing. Other treasures include present not only distribution maps observations but also has scoured How Climate Changed logical corridor, the Yellowstone to Djenne and its ornately orna- for each of the 62 species, consid- the literature in arts and science. Civilization Yukon Conservation initiative or mented mud buildings, the erably updating maps published in Here is a most eccentric book - but “Y2Y” (Rocky Mountains), and the wooden churches of Poland and 1972, but also a wealth of informa- a small masterpiece. By Brian Fagan Green Wood network in the the cultural identity they provide, tion on their ecology, distribution, John Akeroyd. Granta Publications densely populated Netherlands. All and Persepolis, a city founded by taxonomy, conservation status and are striving to conserve biodiver- Darius I the Great with the riches human use. Appendices summarise www.granta.com sity-rich ecosystems while allow- of a mighty empire. freshwater fish, legislation on con- Britain's Orchids ISBN: 1 86207 751 7 ing sustainable economic Chris Lambert servation of native species and by David Lang Price: £9.99stg/2004 development and the use of pre- control of non-natives, and some The Dingle Peninsula Bird cious natural resources i.e. inte- useful websites. There is an exten- WILDGuides Ltd An archaeological journey, Report Bird Report grated and holistic conservation at On Garbage sive bibliography. The book, un- www.wildguide.co.uk ranging from the end of the last ice a national and international level, like some Atlases, has 2002-2004 age to the present day, showing By John Scanlan English Nature involving government agencies, black-and-white illustrations (and global weather changes on varying www.english-nature.org.uk Michael O’Clery NGOs and individuals. Above all, Reaktion Books some colour photos of habitats) scales. This book follows the adap- ISBN: 1-903657-06-7 ecological networks must be seen and should reach a wide reader- Corca Dhuibhne (West Kerry) tations of civilisation in an exciting www.reaktionbooks.co.uk to be of value to local communities. ship, including ecologists, anglers Price: €15.00/2004 Branch, BirdWatch Ireland and easy way. ISBN: 1 86189 222 5 John Akeroyd. and, perhaps, decision-makers. Making a wealth of archaeolog- Head-and-shoulders above Available from Price: £14.95/2005 John Akeroyd similar orchid books, this con- [email protected] ical knowledge available to a wide audience, Fagan covers the last This highly original and intel- cise, authoritative, up-to-date, (€10.00 plus €1.00 p&p) A New Agenda For lectual work considers that as user- friendly field guide covers 15,000 years with a large number Forest Conservation And The New Naturalists ISBN: 0-9542826-1-2 of clear examples and explanations Western culture develops greater the 51 British and Irish orchids and more far reaching know-how (2nd Edition) (plus another nine unconfirmed). 2005 of changing behaviour and climate, Poverty Reduction: and technologies, constituting the Introductory sections cover struc- This superbly produced report and the links between them. Making Markets Work for Peter Marren Although not a reference book, efficient disposal of the unusable, ture, biology and habitats, with an covers the Dingle Peninsula, the Low-Income Producers HarperCollinsPublishers this is a good general knowledge it can also be seen as a history of easy key. Each species has a de- Blasket and Magharee Islands and garbage. By detailing the waste, scription, notes on subspecies and guide for anyone who is interested by S.J. Scherr, A. White, www.collins.co.uk inshore waters to a 30km limit and ruin and concepts that we have dis- varieties, similar species and hy- in learning more about the subject. D. Kaimowitz deals with a staggering 275 species carded, the author argues that we ISBN: 000 719716 0 (hb) brids, and information on pollina- and subspecies. Each of these is A thoroughly enjoyable read. Forest Trends can learn new things about the ISBN: 000 719715 2 (sb) tion, habitats and conservation; given a summary of status fol- Michael Hole www.forest-trends.org building blocks of our culture. plus distribution (with map), lowed by notable breeding figures What this book does, is ask us to Price: £40.00 (hb) £25.00 (sb) height, number of flowers and and records. In the case of scarcer Securing Protected Areas IUCN consider the possibility that the 2005 flowering period, and conserva- species, all records are listed. The www.iucn.org/bookstore surprising core of all we value re- The New Naturalists Library tion status. Final sections cover excellent colour photographs cover in the Face of Global has proved one of the most influ- ISBN: 0-9713606-6-9 sults from garbage. This book then conservation, photography, glos- the whole range from the everyday Change: Issues and might be read as a shadow history ential series of books on scientific sary, useful addresses and select Stonechat and Hooded Crow to the Strategies Available free, plus postage, of Western culture as a history of natural history ever written. bibliography. exquisitely rare Elegant Tern and from IUCN disposal. Launched in 1945 with “Butter- John Akeroyd Edited by Charles Victor Wilson’s Petrel. All this is finished This book begins by showing us Fergal Twomey flies” by ecological geneticist off with an article on the breeding Barber, Kenton R. Miller and that “the future of the world’s E.B. Ford, this all-embracing re- biology of the local Chough popu- Melissa Boness forests and the future of millions of view of field botany, zoology, ge- Plows, Plagues and lation. Essential to everyone inter- IUCN the world’s poorest people are in- The New Amateur ology, geography, conservation, Petroleum - How humans ested in Ireland’s avifauna. Buy www.iucn.org/bookstore extricably linked”. More than a bil- Naturalist even folklore and art, in Britain took control of climate. this and support the Corca Dhuib- lion people now live within the and Ireland now comprises just hne (West Kerry) Branch of Bird- ISBN: 2-8317-0831-1 world’s 19 forest biodiversity By Nick Baker over 100 volumes, each in a dis- By William F. Ruddiman Watch Ireland! “hotspots” and over ninety percent tinctive cover. The present vol- Price: £14.50stg/2004 Collins Princeton University Press Julian Wyllie of those earn less than a dollar a ume, by an all-round naturalist The World Conservation Union www.collins.co.uk (IUCN) have produced a compre- day. This series of papers outlines a with a sharp journalist’s eye, is a ISBN: 0 691 12164 8 Collins Need To Know? hensive guidebook for the protec- set of strategies to promote forest ISBN: 0 00 715731 2 second edition – to celebrate 60 Price: £15.95stg/2005 conservation in ways that posi- years of “New Naturalists”. tion of natural resources. This is a Price: £19.99 stg/2004 The hypothesis presented here Birdwatching tively contribute to local liveli- Packed with biographical detail detailed textbook of what global is that global warming has been hoods and community No matter what aspect of natural and personal stories, this is a wor- By Rob Hume changes we should be concerned proceeding for the past 8000 years. development in these areas. They history you may want to explore, thy tribute to a remarkable group about, what kinds of areas need The evidence, from many disci- Collins identify specific market niches this book will give you sound ad- of naturalists who made science protection and what methods exist plines, tells of up to fifty Ice Age where low-income producers vice on how to approach your sub- accessible to a wide readership, www.collins.co.uk for protecting these sites. It reads cycles during the last 275 million could develop a competitive mar- ject and set you well on your way. especially the young. May this like a standard operating procedure years, correlating with fluctuations ISBN 0-00-719527-3 ket advantage. Real world cases Other than microscopic organisms, tradition endure. so it may not be an engrossing read in atmospheric carbon dioxide. described in the book illustrate I could not think of any group of John Akeroyd Price: £8.99 stg/2005 for those not especially interested These have been driven by regular their potential and feasibility. This animals or plants not covered At last, a really useful book in the subject but it is a treasure shifts in the tilt of the Earth's axis book is a must for those interested within these pages. Clearly and in- about how to go about birdwatch- trove of information for anyone and the shape of Earth's orbit in the socio-economic and conser- formatively written, this is THE A Natural History ing, written by someone who willing to invest the time. It is a around the sun. vation issues of the world’s forests. Christmas book for anyone over of Nettles knows and understands their pas- valuable textbook for all the man- For the past 11000 years, the Fergal Twomey the age of twelve who is remotely time. Divided into five main sec- agers and would-be-managers of intrigued by the natural world. By Keith G. R. Wheeler carbon dioxide concentration and tions, its 190 pages are packed protected areas of the world and the global temperature should have Julian Wyllie Trafford Publishing with sound advice and useful in- will fire up a passion for holding World Heritage No.35 shown a steady fall. Since 6000 formation on both the birds and on to what we have left. www.trafford.com BC, these figures have risen in line the art of watching them, liberally Chris Lambert Edited by Francesco Bandarin Freshwater fishes ISBN: 1-4120-2694-6 with the spread of agriculture and illustrated with colour photos. Part UNESCO in Britain the destruction of the forests. In one deals with “getting started” Integrating Biodiversity www.unesco.org/publishing The species and their Price: £15.00stg/2004 addition, the rise in methane con- and is followed by an outline of Nettles (Urtica species) are the centration coincides with large- ISSN: 1020-4202 the birds themselves, which Conservation and distribution sort of plants we all take for scale irrigation and the cultivation should be enough to stir an interest Sustainable Use Price: €7.00/2004 Compiled and edited by granted or just love to hate. They of rice. Anomalous falls in carbon in all who read it. Part three takes World Heritage magazine pro- are weeds, they sting, they are dioxide concentrations during the Lessons Learned from Cynthia Davies, Jonathan us through the fundamentals of vides facts on interesting heritage workadays; and yet they have an past 2000 years are linked with Ecological Networks Shelley, Paul Harding, Ian bird identification, offering solid sites around the world, as well as important place in ecosystems, not major pandemics. The overall tips all along. Next comes the McLean, Ross Gardiner and Graham Bennett stunning photographs of locations least as food for insects. They have warming, however, may have fore- habitat section, covering the full guaranteed to make people go and Graeme Peirson also many uses: fibre, dye and stalled an Ice Age. IUCN Publications range of habitats available in this see for themselves. The cover fea- Harley Books food. This hugely entertaining and The book is concise, very well Services Unit corner of the world, from city cen- ture is Quebrada de Humahuaca, a enthusiastic account of nettles, written and free of scientific jar- www.harleybooks.com tres to remote mountain tops. By www.iucn.org/bookstore valley that, situated as it is be- profusely illustrated with black- gon. The arguments are clearly the time you reach part five, you tween multicoloured mountains, is ISBN 0 946589 76 3 and-white photos and drawings presented, and supported by graphs should be ready for it – it’s called ISBN: 2-8317-0765-X (plus a bonus CD of colour im- of immense beauty as well as Price: £25.00 (hbk)/2004 that are easy to understand. Any- “getting involved”. Go on, you Price£10.50stg/2004 being a connection between the ages!), delves into every conceiv- one wishing to take part seriously This concise account of native won’t regret it. This 55-page booklet reviews peoples and cultures separated by able aspect of these plants. Above in the global warming debate could and introduced British fishes de- Julian Wyllie eight of the 150 or more “ecologi- the Andes. Also in this issue are all, the book is packed with the sort do no better than start here. rives from the Database and Atlas cal networks” worldwide. These in- the vineyards of Europe: a portrait of detail that distinguishes the best Anthony Toole of Freshwater Fishes (1996-2002). natural history writing. The author Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 ...... Page 25 Oileáin – A Guide to the Irish Islands

MANY people have a their summer camp at ued his journey northwards fascination with Ireland’s Knockadoon on the main- landing on many of the offshore islands and try to land and the great treat was islands off Counties Clare, visit the odd one or two. One to be rowed in fishing boats Galway, Mayo and Donegal individual has however to the island. My memories with island names such as made island exploring and are of it being infested with Mattle, Straw, Deer, Golan, documenting his pastime rats and with their burrows Inisherk, Turbot and Friar. over a dozen years. David everywhere on the ground. For the seafarer, each Walsh, a Dublin solicitor, As David moved west he island description in the has set foot on over 300 of visited many of the islands book has grid references, Ireland’s offshore islands in Cork Harbour, then those tide details, wind directions, since 1991 - what a wonder- off Lough Hyne, Ireland’s details of where to land and ful obsession. He travelled only Marine Reserve, and of when it is safe to venture to by kayak with various course Roaringwater Bay. the place. friends. So, travelling clock- He visited our marine sta- This book is a must for Saint MacDara’s Island, Co. Galway (Séan Pierce) wise around Ireland from the tion having landed on the any lover of islands who has North, I will introduce the island’s beautiful Silver been to one or still dreams reader to some of the lesser Strand. I envied him his to visit one. It refreshed my known islands he visited. kayaking as it brought back own memories of over 50 Sheep Island, Co. Antrim, memories of my pioneering years ago when even canoe- lies off Ballintoy Harbour days of canoeing (kayaking) ing on the river Lees north and is owned by the on the River Lee and Mun- channel would bring crowds National Trust, N. Ireland. It ster Blackwater in the 1950s to the quay walls between is an important nesting site and 1960s. My wonderful St. Patrick’s Bridge and for puffin and cormorant. joy was to paddle at leisure North Gate Bridge, looking The island is flat topped AOileáin - Guide to the Irish Islands down the Blackwater - at what they thought was a with steep cliffs on all sides, enjoying the beauty of its flimsy craft on the water.

essentially a large sea stack. Photos: © wild life and scenery. I first Imagine if they could have Moving down the coast breeding population of 550 renewed. There are several canoed in Sherkin waters in looked into the future and one meets Copeland Island, pairs of cormorants (Census new signs at the landing 1954 and my great event read the exploits of David off Belfast Lough, Co. 2001), other species breed- point regarding the terms by was to circumvent the island Walsh and his friends, a man Antrim. It is one of three in ing include gulls, shags, which people will be toler- on summer days, much to who visited 300 islands off a group - the others being fulmars. Moving down the ated. No camping is the consternation of some our shores in a kayak. What Mew Island and Lighthouse east coast, some other permitted at these times and islanders who thought the a wonderful achievement. Island. It lies 3 km north of islands he visited include day-trippers must vacate the canoe was too frail for such the village of Donaghadee. Shenick and Ireland’s Eye. island by 14.50 hours. a journey. “Oileáin – A Guide to the There are a number of Reaching Ireland’s most Paddling along the coast In Roaringwater Bay Irish Islands” By David homes on the island. It has south-easterly island Tuskar to Co. Cork one meets David visited over 18 Walsh, www.oileain.com. sandy beaches. The popula- Rock, which is 9km from Capel Island, owned by the islands including the Published by Pesda Press tion was evacuated in 1946. the mainland. The trip plan- late Bill Swanton, a wonder- Skeams, the Calf Islands 2004 The island is grassy and ning requires thought, ful conservationist of the old and Goat Island. David con- ISBN: 0-9531956-9-4 bracken covered in parts. weather and of course the school, who died in the tinued west visiting islands Price €30.00 (p&p €3.00) Kayaking south to Dublin tides must be just right. The 1990s. It is now a Bird- in Dunmanus Bay and one meets St. Patrick’s Bantry Bay after which he island has an impressive list Watch Ireland Nature Matt Murphy, Sherkin Island off Skerries, which is of recorded bird species Reserve. As a youngster in journeyed north along the in a group of three islands - with records going back to the 1940s I was an altar boy west coast, visiting amongst Island Marine Station, all are listed as areas of Sci- the 1800s. The lighthouse with the Dominicans at St. others Two Headed Island, Sherkin Island, entific Interest by the was constructed in 1815 Mary’s in Cork City and our and of course Skelligs and Co. Cork, Ireland. Rock arch,Tory Island, Co. Donegal (David Walsh) National Parks and Wildlife. with 11 men losing their annual day excursion was to the Blaskets. David contin- David says camping is pos- lives during construction. sible but there is no drinking One must mention the water available. The pres- Saltees especially the Great ence of a healthy population Saltee Island and its refer- of rats may discourage an ences to Prince Michael of overnight! Whether St. Saltee. He bought the island Enough to make your mouth water Patrick ever landed here is a in 1943 crowned himself source of some debate. Prince in 1973, he died in Great new pack. Same great taste. Dubliner has been awarded its 5th Gold Medal in succession There is however a ruin of 1998. Members of the fam- at The National Cheese Awards 2003. To find out why, just pick up a pack of 10 Dubliner Slices an Early Christian Church ily are usually in residence and a small monastery. It is in August, long weekends or today and try them for yourself with this simple great recipe. important enough to merit a periods of settled good synod being held in 1148 in weather. The tradition of which fifteen bishops and flying the Prince of Saltee Flour tortillas with refried beans two hundred priests flag from the flagpole above Ingredients: 8 corn or flour tortillas, 8 slices of Dubliner assisted. The island has an the landing when the family Cheese, 250g hot refried beans (refritos), 2 teaspoons internationally important is in residence has been chopped fresh jalapeno or serrano chilli, quarter crisp lettuce, such as iceberg, 100g pitted olives, green or black, 250g salsa, 125ml soured cream, 8 cherry tomatoes (optional), sprigs of coriander (optional), 2 fresh red chillies, chopped (optional). Serves 8. Method: Soften the tortillas with a little water and put in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) Gas Mark 4 for about 12 minutes. Spread 2-3 tablespoons of the refried beans on each tortilla. Add Dubliner Slices, chilli, lettuce, olives, salsa and cream. Fold the base of the tortilla, then fold over the 2 sides like an envelope. Serve warm with cherry tomatoes, coriander or chillies. the secret’s in the taste. For more details contact Carbery today. Phone: (023) 47222 Fax: (023) 47541 e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.carbery.com Islands off the Kerry coast. Page 26 ...... Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 Junior Pages Junior Pages Junior Pages Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 ...... Page 27 East Coast Nature Reserve

To successfully protect and includes all the living and By conserve any bird, animal or non-living elements which plant species it is clear that also live or are to be found Declan Murphy the only way to achieve this in there. Let’s look at a Willow the long term is the protection Warbler, a bird of woodland & Jerry Wray of its habitat. Without this habitats, for example. Its protection of habitats, the habitat includes the insects IN 2003, with the aid of conservation of any species that it feeds on, the plants that funding from the EU would be all but impossible. support those insects, trees for Life/Nature budget, Bird- Over time many species nesting in as well as all the Watch Ireland purchased a become extinct. Their failure other birds, animals and parcel of land in Newcastle, to adapt to naturally changing insects that compete with it Ireland Photos: © BirdWatch Co. Wicklow called Black- conditions, sudden local or for those same resources. If Management of the site will provide a leisure and educational facility which will benefit not only the birds, ditch Wood with the intention animals and insects but also the local community and the public of Wicklow and beyond. global events and persecution we protect any given habitat of creating a nature reserve have all played their part but we not only protect the target adding to a list of reserves serve to increase the biodiver- reserve during last winter and the local community and the the loss of habitats is without species but a huge variety of BirdWatch Ireland either sity of the reserve as a whole. regular visits by Little Egrets public of Wicklow and doubt the biggest single factor other species that co-exist owns or helps to manage. This Creating a Nature Reserve throughout the year. beyond. threatening our birds. with it. If we lose any one of reserve, 220 acres in all, will is one thing, but what birds With a lot of hard work the You can read and learn So what exactly is a “habi- those species the remainder of also form part of a large net- will benefit from all this reserve will eventually have a more about the ECNR by vis- tat”? The simplest definition the habitat and its communi- work of reserves across restoration work? Having network of paths and hides iting the BirdWatch Ireland is the place where a bird or ties will suffer as a result. Europe known as the Natura established what habitat where you can come and see website: any other animal lives. It So what is BirdWatch Ire- 2000 network. species were present, the next the vast array of wildlife at www.birdwatchireland.ie land doing with Blackditch, stage was to look at the key first hand and learn more now alternatively known as species which could poten- about their lives. Continuing Declan Murphy and Jerry the East Coast Nature tially benefit from the management will also mean Wray, BirdWatch Ireland, Reserve? Previously it was restoration and management that we can provide a leisure part of a large farm complex Rockingham House, work. Wintering grey geese and educational facility which Newcastle, Co. Wicklow. which was used mainly for were known to have previ- will benefit not only the birds, the grazing of cattle and ously used the reserve and animals and insects but also sheep. Initial surveying by were still present at a number BirdWatch Ireland prior to the of sites along the east coast. purchase of the site found that Of these Greenland White- it comprised four major types fronted Geese, an Annex 1 of habitat: lowland wet grass- species, and Greylag Goose land, wet birch wood and two were selected as target species types of fen, Calcareous and together with Little Egrets Alkaline. The first of these and Kingfishers and a man- fen habitats is listed as an agement programme put in Annex 1 habitat and was at place which would encourage risk owing to the fact that it them to use the area again. As had been drained over time in well as those target species order to make it suitable for the management of the agriculture. In addition a reserve will provide condi- plantation of conifer trees tions for a range of birds like had been planted adding Lapwing and Redshank to the problem. The which will hopefully stay restoration of this fen and breed. was identified as a pri- One year of man- mary objective of the agement work project and would include the cutting down of the trees and controlling of the The project site, located in Newcastle, Co.Wicklow. drainage : a large network of which Natura 2000 reserves across Europe known as the Natura 2000 onenetwork. that is in

Learn about birds with Annex 1 habitat: particular danger of beingone that lost. is will lead to a Annex 1 species: particularly endangered BirdWatch Ireland greater diver- the number sity of plant life and Biodiversity: subsequently those and range of plant and Simply go to www.birdwatchireland.ie and go to the ‘learn about animal species birds’ section creatures which depend on them. BirdWatch Ireland, Rockingham House, Newcastle, Co. Wicklow. Control of the move- later and we have Tel: 01-2819878 Fax: 01-2819763 ment of water across Email: [email protected] had some early success the site will also be of with small numbers of Website: www.birdwatchireland.ie general benefit to the Greenland White Fronted other habitats and will geese and Greylags using the Page 28 ...... Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40

New Arrival!

Visit www.naturesweb.ie and download a trial issue of “Nature’s Web”, a new and exciting newsletter for children, featuring interesting and informative news on nature and the environment.

“Nature’s Web” is edited by Audrey Murphy, Sherkin Island Marine Station. www.naturesweb.ie

Full Colour Printing Brochures, Reports, TASTE OF THE SEA Magazines Leaflets & Booklets STIR-FRY

TO PREPARE Use any vegetables and seafood you like. Meaty fish like prawns, mussels, squid, rock salmon, eel, ling, pollock, hake or cod work best.

INGREDIENTS • 450g/1lb fish of your choice, cubed • 1 onion - sliced • 1 clove of garlic - crushed • 1 tsp chopped ginger • 2 scallions - cut slantwise • 1 green pepper - thinly sliced, lengthwise • 1 red chilli - finely chopped • 1 tbsp oyster sauce • 1 tbsp light soy sauce • 1 tbsp dry sherry

METHOD Photo: © BIM • Heat wok or large deep pan. • Add oil and stir-fry onion, garlic, ginger, scallions, pepper and chilli for a few seconds. • Add fish and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Victoria Cross, Cork • Add oyster sauce, soy sauce, sherry and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Telephone (021) 4545655 * Serve with noodles and cucumber salad. Courgette, spinach and baby sweetcorn can also be Facsimile (021) 4342996 added to the dish during cooking. Serves 4. Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 ...... Page 29 CETACEAN Search

Cetacean is a word used to describe three families of marine mammals. These are the whales, the dolphins and the porpoises. Members of all three families are found in Irish waters. A Slow Pace There are two types of whale, the toothed whale and the baleen whale Toothed whales have teeth. The size, shape and number of teeth found in each type of whale is different. Some have pointed ones and some have flattened ones. These teeth may be in continuous rows on both upper and lower jaws (like us) and others may have only a sin- gle tusk-like tooth on the lower jaw. They use these teeth to catch, hold on to and chew their This game is for two players. You will need a marker each and a dice. prey, eating mainly fish and squid. Another feature of toothed whales is that they have only Decide before hand who will be the snail and who will be the turtle. Each one blowhole - on or near the top of the head. Baleen whales have no teeth, instead they have a series of plates in their mouth that hang of you throws the dice in turn, moving the required number of spaces. If down from the gums in the upper jaw to the lower jaw. These plates are called the BALEEN you are the snail and you land on a snail then you move forward 3 spaces. plates and acts as giant sieves. However, if you land on a turtle you go back 2 spaces. If you are the turtle Dolphins are closely related to whales - in fact they actually belong to the “toothed whale” and you land on a turtle then you move forward 3 spaces. However,if you group. Some of the larger dolphins are called whales, but are really dolphins. Examples of these are the Killer Whale and the Pilot Whale. land on a snail you move back 2 spaces. If either of you lands on a Porpoises are like small “tubby” dolphins however they do not have a beak that sticks out. goldfish bowl, then you miss a turn. The first player to reach the tasty They also have teeth but these are spade-like and flattened. There are quite a few species of leaves wins! porpoises and these live mainly along the coast, although some live in rivers and in the open sea. The harbour porpoise is the most commonly seen. To learn more visit the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group’s website: www.iwdg.ie

DXNYBV TLGMRASHT

EEOMNEWOANGZUES

DBRXRUARLUNMYO I

I TTLEQEKL IP IWDD

SKHX LUREEBP EWEP

E I EGLBBUADRWKP Y

TLRB I JOCOBUAJ I G

I LNUKRKTYBEZRRM

HEBV EENS TBR I OTY

WROLS JBRS LSAUSS

CFT I LEKEES EUHAP

I PTNATU I OHFNOLE

TALKFRDSXBTLOFR

NWEATCOMMONRMSM

ADNQJ TWAYYSUOAE

LTOKF I NP FQQCBNM

TFSWHI TEBEAKEDR

AWEZCGQGXGPRR YE

DEKAEBSRE I VUCQP

EKN I MS I AVREGQYS

Find these whales, dolphins and WHALES porpoise in the wordsearch above: Beluga Blue Cuvier’s Beaked DOLPHINS False Killer Atlantic White-sided Fin Bottlenose Gervais Common Humpback Killer (Whale) – belongs to the dolphin group Minke Pilot (Whale) – belongs to the dolphin group Northern Bottlenose Risso’s Northern Right Striped Pygmy Sperm White-beaked Sei Sowerby’s Beaked PORPOISE Sperm

Harbour True’s Beaked

Risso’s (13,8,SW); Striped (14,10,N); White-beaked (4,17,E). PORPOISE: Harbour (13,11,NW). Harbour PORPOISE: (4,17,E). White-beaked (14,10,N); Striped (13,8,SW); Risso’s

DOLPHINS: Atlantic White-sided (1,18,N); Bottlenose (6,6,SE); Common (6,14,E); Killer (2,5,S); Pilot (11,5,NW); Pilot (2,5,S); Killer (6,14,E); Common (6,6,SE); Bottlenose (1,18,N); White-sided Atlantic DOLPHINS:

Pygmy Sperm (15,5,S) Sei (13,1,SE); Sowerby’s Beaked (15,2,SW); Sperm (15,20,N); True’s Beaked (5,14,NE). Beaked True’s (15,20,N); Sperm (15,2,SW); Beaked Sowerby’s (13,1,SE); Sei (15,5,S) Sperm Pygmy

vais (12,20,W); Humpback (14,1,SW); Minke (5,20,W); Northern Bottlenose (3,1,S); Northern Right (14,16,NW); Right Northern (3,1,S); Bottlenose Northern (5,20,W); Minke (14,1,SW); Humpback (12,20,W); vais

WHALES: Beluga (7,6,NE); Blue (4,7,NE); Cuvier’s Beaked (13,19,W); False Killer (5,13,N); Fin (5,16,E); Ger- (5,16,E); Fin (5,13,N); Killer False (13,19,W); Beaked Cuvier’s (4,7,NE); Blue (7,6,NE); Beluga WHALES: ANSWERS: Page 30 ...... Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 Damien Walks for Gold

ished I am still a member of freestyle. I beat U.S.A. I was By Damien the shore crew and go every so proud for my family, for Monday night. The lifeboat West Cork and for Ireland that O’Donovan crew are great guys. day. I also got a bronze medal I love swimming and I won in the world games in the relay MY name is Damien a gold medal at the Special race. Two other special O’Donovan, I am 23 years old Olympic national games in Olympic athletes from Bantry and I live in Bantry, Co. Cork. 2001. My best swimming got gold medals in the world I have a very busy life. I attend stroke is freestyle and the games, Emily Meagher and the National Learning Net- longest distance I could swim Micheal O’Grady. When we work training centre in Bantry was 50 metres. For my Gold came home to Bantry after the four days a week and I work Gaisce I set a goal of swim- world games there was a huge two days a week as a pool ming 100 metres for crowd of people to meet us. It attendant at the Westlodge competitions. I was one of the seemed like everyone in Hotel Leisure centre. I only lucky athletes that got through Bantry was there. There was have one day a week off but to the Special Olympic World the fire engine and two Garda that’s ok. I was very proud to games in 2003. For the Gold cars, there was a bonfire light- receive my Gold Gaisce award Gaisce Award I had to do one ing and the square was packed from President Mary hour training a week for 52 with people all cheering. McAleese in Dublin in Febru- weeks, but when I was training For my venture I walked ary last. I had already received for the world games I went from Killarney, Co. Kerry to my Bronze and Silver Awards, training four times a week. Bantry, Co.Cork – 80 kilome- but the Gold was very special. Dunmanway swimming pool tres. My mom, my aunt I had to do four different is the closest 25 metre pool to Siobhan and my sister Laura parts for the Gaisce Award. I Bantry. It’s 20 miles from did the walk with me. I did the liked some parts more than home. I used to get the bus to walk for charity and raised Photos: © Damien O’Donovan others, specially the sport and Dunmanway twice a week to €6,400 for two charities, Arriving back in Bantry, Co Cork - nearly home! CoAction West Cork and the Right: Damien National Learning Network, meeting President Mary taken with her loads of times. Murphy, Chief Executive, O’Donovan from Bantry. We walked to Ladies McAleese to get my Gold I’m sad now that my Gaisce is The President’s Award – Gaisce, Bantry, Co. Cork, View the first day and it was all award, but she was really nice finished. Dublin Castle, Dublin 2. with his PAL, and I was very proud when she Robert Shannon uphill, really hard work. The Tel: 01–4758746 said “well done” to me. I was receiving his second day we walked from For further information about [email protected] or Award from Ladies View to Kenmare, that picked to give the President the awards contact Mr. John President flowers and I got my photo Website: www.p-award.net McAleese. day wasn’t too bad. We stayed in a hostel in Kenmare. When we were in Kenmare I met a really nice man in a pub who BE PROUD OF 2005 International Blue Flag YOUR BEACH promised he would send me Roy Keane’s autograph, and he CARE FOR IT did. Roy Keane is my greatest Beaches in County Cork sports hero; he’s a Cork man The International Blue Flag campaign is a voluntary scheme co-ordinated in Ireland LEAVE YOUR by An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland, with support from the Department of FOOTPRINTS too. The third day we walked the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and on behalf of the Foundation from Kenmare to Glengarriff. for Environmental Education (FEE, www.fee-international.org). ON THE SAND This was really, really hard. It This international award ensures the following Beach Quality criteria: AND NOT YOUR WASTE. was 26 kilometres, a lot of it - excellence in water quality and a committed monitoring programme - Provision of adequate safety and services, safety equipment and warning signals uphill. More of my family and of potential hazards. friends joined in on that day, - Beach Management programme, Good Infrastructure, accessibility and litter control. my brothers, uncles and - Provision of environmental information and education This year Cork has been awarded 10 Blue Flag Beaches an increase of one from the cousins. We had great fun even 2004 bathing season. These awards reflect the work carried out and the continued Above: Stopping for rests is important - but stretching is more though it was a really hard commitment by the Councils local area offices, Environment Department and important! No problem with Damien’s flexibility! walk. We were walking from 8 Voluntary Community Groups. The International jury were very pleased with the efforts of Cork County Council and the Owenahincha local community groups who o’clock in the morning until 5 worked in partnership to address their 2003 litter problems to regain their Blue Flag The Blue Flag Operators in community pieces. For my train with my coach Clive Sea- o’clock in the evening. When status for the 2005 bathing water season. Ireland urge the public to help retain Blue Flags at beaches by bronze and silver awards I did wright – he is the greatest we got to Glengarriff I was doing some simple things when judo and boxing for sports and coach in the world. I trained at very, very tired. The fourth day ✧ Youghal Frontstrand visiting the beach. On your next helped at the fire station and the Westlodge Hotel leisure we walked from Glengarriff to beach visit Claycastle - Use litterbins provided and community centre for commu- centre other times and went to Bantry. This was a great day. ✧ Shanagarry Garryvoe recycle where possible nity work. Dublin to train with Team Ire- There was another charity - Proper disposal of your pets ✧ Old Head of Kinsale Garrylucas waste, nappies, glass and For my Gold Gaisce I did a land once a month. We walk from Glengarriff to cans. FETAC computer course for travelled by train first and had Bantry the same day and we all Garrettstown - Keep dogs on a leash ✧ - Join in beach activity the skills. This was okay. I to leave home at 5 o’clock in joined in together. There was Clonakilty Inchydoney programmes eg learned a lot. For the commu- the morning, but then loads of loads of cars on the road and ✧ Roscarbery Owenahincha Environmental information roadshow where provided. nity work I joined Bantry people in West Cork raised people were cheering and clap- Warren - Organise your own beach Inshore Search and Rescue. money for the West Cork Spe- ping. I was so happy when we clean/activity days or local ✧ Skibbereen Tragumna This is the lifeboat crew. I cial Olympic club and then we got into Bantry that I ran to the improvement schemes and ✧ let your local authority really loved this work. We travelled from Cork to Dublin finish. This was the last part of Mizen Head Barleycove know - We may be able to meet every Monday evening by plane. my Gold Gaisce and I felt great help! - Obey beach safety and do training. I made loads One of the goals for my to be finishing the challenge. For further information : guidelines of friends at the lifeboat. I help training was to swim 25 I really liked doing the ➢ on issues of beach management and water quality contact the environment - respect fragile dunes section, cork county council The Blue flag award has benefits to wash down the crew and the metres under water without Gaisce challenges. What I like 021– 4532700 www.corkcoco.ie or local area office. to the local community, where lifeboat, keep the boathouse coming up to breathe – I did is trying new things, making ➢ For information on Blue Flag Beaches contact: An Taisce Blue Flag Office, amenities and environment are Tailors Hall, Back Lane, Dublin 8. enhanced and a shared respon- clean, and check the maps. I this the last week of my train- new friends, learning new sibility for the beach and the tel 01– 7077068 www.blueflag.org love going out in the lifeboat, ing in Dunmanway. The day I skills. Robert Shannon was my ➢ local environment is promoted. On issues of information regarding special protection areas, natural These awards also have a posi- and I helped to drive the boat a swam in the world games was Gaisce PAL, he is a great heritage areas contact Heritage unit, tive knock on effect for tourism couple of times. Even though the best day of my life. I won a leader and helped me a lot. I Cork County Council 021–4818006 in the County. ➢ my Gold Gaisce is now fin- gold medal in the 100 metres was really nervous about On issues of water safety contact www.iws.ie Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40 ...... Page 31 Sherkin Island Marine Station Environmental Competition for Primary School Children in Munster 2005 Photos: © Sherkin Island Marine Station Above: Scoil Dhairbhre, Darrara, Above: Dromclough N.S., Bantry, Co. Cork. Above: Watergrasshill NS, Watergrasshill, Above: Rathgormack N.S., Carrick-on-Suir, Clonakilty, Co. Cork. Co. Cork. Co. Waterford.

Above: St. Michaels Clerihan NS, Clerihan, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, including the winners of the Dr. Michael Kennedy Awards, presented by the Central Fisheries Board.

Sherkin Island Marine Station would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all who entered their Environmental Competition for Primary School Children in Munster 2005. The competition received a marvellous response and a wonderful day was had at the prize-giving ceremony at the Carrigaline Court Hotel, Carrigaline, Co. Cork, where Cllr. Michael Creed, Mayor of Cork County, presented the prizes. A special thank you to the sponsors for this year: BIM (Irish Sea Fisheries Board), Central Fisheries Board, City Print Cork, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Denis McSweeny Photoshop, Cork, Dept. of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government, Evening Echo Newspaper Cork, Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd. and Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals. Here is a very small selection of some of the 405 prize-winners.

Presenting the prizes on the day were: Dr. Mary Stack, Cork County Council; Vincent Smith, Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd; Hazel Dobbyn, Central Fisheries Board; Cllr. Michael Creed, Mayor of County Cork; Mary Kelly/Thelma Kingston, Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals; Bob Cooke, Bord Iascaigh Mhara; Matt Murphy, Sherkin Island Marine Station.

Above: St. Killian’s School, adjacent to Bishopstown Community School, Bishopstown, Co. Cork. Page 32 ...... Sherkin Comment 2005 – Issue No. 40

mackerel and sharks can be eries involves some risk due to located and with some learned our incomplete knowledge of skill, characterised to varying resource populations. For degrees. The degree of success is instance, sea herring is a highly Listening for Answers related to the nature and Behav- mobile, pelagic, schooling fish iour of the fish as well as the that is an important food source “sensing” techniques are lim- tive method for observing geo- ment, fish breeding and marine system and its operators. But, for everything from starfish to By Michael ited, usually to small areas. logical and biological mammal movements all with even with these limitations, the Atlantic cod and humans. Juve- Although the use of sound in phenomena in the ocean. sound waves. One area of results of hydroacoustic studies nile and adult sea herring Ludwig water pre-dates SONAR (sound Fisheries researchers, com- hydroacoustics that has had are important to many fisheries undertake a complex north- navigation and ranging), it was mercial fisherman and some interesting activity is the harvest decisions worldwide. south and inshore-offshore HYDROACOUSTICS or the development of sonar that regulatory agencies have utilised use of sound to characterise fish Echo reading and interpreta- migration pattern for feeding, “echo sounding” is the study triggered the science of hydroa- marine hydroacoustic assess- populations. While sound can’t tion of reflected sound waves spawning, and overwintering and use of sound in water. coustics. Emitting sound and ment techniques for decades. be used on any organism laying has been advanced to where it while providing a moving Sound is the best available “listening” with hydrophones One need only look on any on the seafloor or swimming can give very accurate fish source of food themselves. With means of seeing things in the (microphones) or just listening “committed” fisherman’s boat to near the surface because of the abundance information. Inves- so many species relying on sea ocean. Sound moves through to the sounds produced within find an example of hydroa- way sound reflects from those tigators collect the information herring it is important to cau- water easily and for great dis- the oceans can help advance coustic technology at work. The surfaces, it is useful for things on pelagic species in terms of tiously harvest to insure that the tances without losing strength, investigations and the under- typical “fish finder” is a hydroa- that are swimming in the water their spatial, temporal and size rest of the predator community conversely, light is limited by standing of natural phenomena. coustic device. Today, we assess column. These “pelagic” swim- distributions. Modern hydroa- has adequate supplies of this the clarity of water. Other Simply, sound is a very effec- current velocity, suspended sedi- mers such as tuna, herring, coustic systems can collect and prey species. Sea herring record data from targets rang- schools are thought to usually ing in size from plankton to contain different spawning whales and process the data groups. They separate into spe- into a surprising number of cific spawning groups for facts. Recent advancements in reproduction. Thus, the wellbe- the systems and their process- ing of a spawning group can be ing software enables scientists disrupted by overfishing the to use hydroacoustics for general stock if one spawning Harvesting assessment of bottom sub- group dominates the catch. With strate, aquatic vegetation and fishermen targeting both adults aquatic organisms in marine and unspawned eggs for meat and estuarine environments. and roe markets, and harvesting the Sea’s While acoustic surveys are occurring in the spawning sea- being used throughout the son the ability to manage is world to assess fish stocks, they problematic. Resource Man- Renewable are still hampered by the prob- agers must guess at lems of gear limitations and reproduction success and juve- groundtruthing. Problems still nile survival because it takes exist in estimating biomass, about three years after a harvest Resources especially when fish are near to get an adult sea herring. the surface, near the bottom, or The Canadians have a have avoided the sound field. hydroacoustic sampling pro- For these reasons, caution in gram that uses commercial their application is warranted. fishermen. There are numerous Biomass is a measure of how advantages to using commer- much biological mass or fish cial fishing vessels. First, are in a school. Because the vessels equipped with auto- reflection of sound begins at mated logging systems are on the outer edge of a fish school, the water almost nightly and the number of individuals available to survey throughout within it and their size must be the entire fishing season. Cap- estimated by the shape, area tains with acoustic survey gear and “strength” of the recorded can run a survey whenever they image. Finding the schools is see something to document. another problem. Because the This means no more fishermen fish are not evenly spread out, – researcher conflicts over but rather clumped in groups available stock sizes. An indus- that move up and down in the try/Government survey con- water column in response to ducted in 1997 (over an area of light availability, one must find 1,028 km2) estimated a 34,000 the schools and not sample the tonne biomass. Just two weeks same school multiple times. later, during the fishing season, Additional sampling problems an industry survey conducted are related to the sampling ves- with government supervision sel causing dispersal of fish documented approximately schools, sea conditions causing 215,000 tonnes in a much inaccurate data collection, and smaller area. Groundtruthing, hydrophones incorrectly posi- or verifying the species being tioned resulting in bad signal pinged, is also easy, particularly reception. Another potential for purse seiners that tend to problem is related to the size of collect a representative sample Generating investment, employment the sound signal. To make the of the fish observed. Once bio- signals as effective as possible mass estimates have been and market opportunities in the fishing they must be focused, but the determined, the agreed manage- beam width spreads out as it ment strategy is to allow a 10% and aquaculture industry descends through the water col- take of the fish; this is consid- umn. This means that the ered a precautionary approach. amount of water “seen” at We may be making progress thirty meters is much larger but we don’t always listen to than that seen at three meters. what we hear. An Bórd Iascaigh Mhara, The Irish Sea Fisheries Board, Goundtruthing is the verifica- Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland. tion that the fish are there and Michael Ludwig, NOAA/NMFS, Tel 01 284 1544. Fax 01 284 1123. of the right species. 212 Rogers Ave. Milford, CT Email [email protected] Website www.bim.ie Relying heavily on hydroa- USA 06460-6499, USA. cousatics at this point in the development of sustainable fish-