SHERKIN COMMENT

Issue No. 26 Environmental Quarterly of Sherkin Island Marine Station 2000 Price 75p

INDEX

Centre pages: Glenstal and its Forest

Editorial: WATER - Our Precious Resource

Why Bother about Antarctica?

Water Waste Reduction

Breakfast in the Bronze Age

Ghost Story

The Shannon Estuary - A Marine Reserve for Bottlenose Dolphin

Black Guillemots

The Rural Housing Crisis

On the Wing on Sherkin Island

The Environment Agency of England and Wales

Saving the Meadows and Pastures

Chemistry Organised - The Periodic Table

Targeting Hormone Disruption

Turk Head - A Hidden Treasure

Ireland’s Environment - A Millennium Report

Dredging, Science and Environmental Protection

My Father, the Naturalist

Publications of Interest

Junior Pages

Environmental Award 1999

Glenstal Abbey, Co. Limerick (see centre pages) Photograph: Fr. Philip Tierney, OSB Page 2 ...... Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 WATER: Our Priceless Resource

about the future of water supply and qual- happened here in Ireland today the fine (type) of the waters concerned ity in Ireland. They are issues many be- would be more like £1,000 with mea-cul- · the operation of monitoring pro- EDITORIAL lieve are so far into the future to be of no pas by the dozen, that it will never happen grammes in respect of water quality, consequence. But I must point out that but again. · the control of direct and diffuse dis- By Matt Murphy a few short years ago if one mentioned There is too much complacency in Ire- charges to water problems with waste disposal and the need land with regard to the use of water. We · the review of the impact of human ac- HERE in Ireland most of us seem to ac- for a new approach, one got a very jaun- waste it, we pollute it and of course we ex- tivity on the status of the waters cept that our water taps will never run dice look, as if to say “stop trying to stir pect to get it free. It is not acceptable that · the establishment of environmental ob- dry. We do not realise how fortunate we the pot”. The questions to be posed are: water to households continues to be un- jectives aimed to achieve quality tar- are to have such a gift when a quarter of 1. Who determines the maximum metered and not charged for. The leakage gets the world’s population already has no ac- amount to be extracted during dry spells and waste rate nationwide is over 40%. · the drawing up and implementation of a cess to clean drinking water. Each year 4 so that the watershed will be conserved? Thus if charges were made there would be programme of measures to achieve the million children die of water borne dis- 2. In the future if a local authority or pri- sufficient resources for local authorities to established environmental objectives, eases such as cholera. There is no doubt vate interests wish to export water, what undertake major refurbishing of water and that in years to come wars will be fought are the safeguards for the watershed ecol- mains which would, as in the present · the carrying out of an economic analy- over this precious natural resource. In ogy? Dublin Waste Water Reduction Scheme, sis of water use. the poorest countries, particularly Africa, 3. If a future government decides to pri- see major savings in daily water use. The above directive will mean that local the women, who bear the brunt of water vatise water supply as in the UK, is water The proposed EU Framework Directive authorities will have the responsibility to problem, sometimes spend 5 to 6 hours a the property of the state or the local au- on waste water policy sets a framework undertake this work so they will need day collecting and carrying water for the thority? Remember, private investors are for comprehensive management of water major financial input and not all will come family. attempting to broker deals between former resources within the EU. It will be based from central government. As the funding The next 10 years will see major Soviet states. At present there are more on the river basin, as the natural unit for must be found the local authorities will changes in water quality and supply in Ire- than 70 internationally brokered water management and will require the develop- have no option but to charge water users. land. Many of the sources of supply will basin initiatives worldwide. ment of river basin management plans. Financially painful some may say but at be deemed unfit for use - unless we now 4. Groundwater - are there sufficient Measures must be taken within each present around IR£2.00 per 1000 gallons, take the necessary steps to avoid the prob- safeguards in place to protect its use and river basin for matters such as: very cheap indeed for the luxury of having lems that are there at present. It will be- its quality from pollution and the amount · the determination of the characteristics clean water. come a very difficult political issue for the that can be drawn from an individual government of the day because decisions source? will have to be taken which will see cer- 5. Should we have stiffer fines for pol- tain sectors of agriculture and manufactur- lution of our water resources? At present ing industry having to spend large sums they are inadequate. Recently in the UK getting their act together with the very one of the two rail companies were fined rigid EU pollution regulations. £250,000 for polluting a groundwater I would like to pose some questions source with a 2ft depth of diesel oil. If this SUBSCRIPTION FORM SHERKIN COMMENT is a quarterly publication of Sherkin Island Marine Station aiming to promote the awareness of our natural resources, their use and protection. SUBSCRIPTION: to receive a year’s subscription to “Sherkin Comment”, please send a cheque or money order for IR£4.50 for Ireland and IR£5.60 for the U.K. (postage included); send IR£7.40 for Europe and IR£8.40 for the rest of the world (surface postage) - payable to Matt Murphy, Sherkin Island Marine Station, Sherkin Island, Co. Cork. Ireland. Tel: 028-20187 Fax:028-20407 E-mail: [email protected] Please send me 1 years subscription - beginning with Issue No...... Please send me 2 years subscription - beginning with Issue No...... 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STAFF: Publisher, Matt Murphy; Editor, Matt Murphy; Editorial Assistant, Susan Murphy Wickens; Typesetting, Susan Murphy Wickens. ISSN 0791-2447 © 2000 Sherkin Island Marine Station website: http://homepage.eircom.net/~sherkinmarine

Subscription to Sherkin Comment We need your support. Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 ...... Page 3 Why Bother about Antarctica?

side by side in the Antarctic and the past 160,000 years and that lar vortex in the upper atmos- rine ecosystems. Microbiolo- when two signatories to the sea-levels have been generally phere provides a unique con- gists working on ice, the dry Treaty, Argentina and Britain, correlated with atmospheric tainer in which destruction of valleys (areas perennially free were involved in hostilities in temperature. However, the ozone becomes very evident. from snow and ice), and lakes, the South Atlantic, both were short term effects are uncertain This discovery brought home to are finding how micro-organ- scrupulous in seeing that these and the mathematical models industrialists and politicians the isms function under extreme did not spread into the Treaty with which we try to predict extent to which man’s activities conditions. If living microbes region. Indeed, the Antarctic these greatly depend on infor- damage the environment and can be recovered from the Treaty has so far worked rather mation from the Antarctic. One led to the first global agreement freshwater lakes which seem to well and has served as a model result might be that the Antarc- to limit pollution. have existed for around a mil- for other international treaties tic ice melts, raising sea-level Antarctic research has been lion years, held between the such as those for outer space by as much as 60 metres. On equally valuable in a more ex- bedrock and 3000 to 4000m of and the seabed. the other hand, global warming alted sphere. The earth’s mag- ice-cap in East Antarctica, they With commercial and mili- will surely prove to include tary activities prohibited, sci- some strange forms of life. ence has provided the only Such research not only broad- sensible means by which a state ens our knowledge of what life can maintain a physical pres- is capable of, but is of practical ence in Antarctica. This has had use, for example in controlling an unpremeditated result. With food spoilage during refrigera- surveying for minerals and tion or finding strains of micro- weapon testing ruled out and the organisms which might be used Treaty, in addition, requiring co- in biotechnology to avoid the operation and free exchange of expense of providing elevated information between the differ- temperatures during process- ent national research groups, ing. there has been no incentive for For practical reasons - poli- the bureaucrats to dictate what tics, science, and global conser- research goes on. As often hap- A radiosonde balloon being launched at the British Antarctic vation - we cannot dismiss Survey’s Halley Station. It will be traced by radar and give pens when scientists are given a Antarctica as not worth bother-

Photos: Tony Fogg Photos: Tony information about upper air winds. free rein to follow their own in- ing about. But there is some- Mount Herschel: named in 1841 by Sir James Clark Ross after terests, some of their findings thing else. The immense the famous astronomer who supported his Antarctic expedition have been unexpected and of might cause more precipitation netic lines of force dip down to wilderness brings out the best great significance for mankind. and simply increase the thick- the poles forming a pair of fun- in those who traverse it. We all in the past but bitter experience Some background is called ness of the ice. Again, glaciers nels for charged particles from know of the faith and courage has shown that stocks of for here. The Antarctic is sometimes show sudden surges the solar wind to penetrate deep shown by Scott and Shackleton By Tony Fogg whales, seals, and fish can be unique in being a continent cen- rapidly exhausted whilst the tred on the geographical pole, vast shoals of their main food with the strongest current in the THE Antarctic is the most in- organism, krill, are not so easily world, coupled with a belt of accessible and hostile region in utilized by man as some have cyclones in the atmosphere the world. In spite of modern hoped. Antarctic tourism above it, continuously circulat- navigational aids the belt of booms but is small-scale and ing around it and impeding heat ocean surrounding it, thousands likely to remain so, being pa- flow from lower latitudes. The of miles wide and strewn with tronized by the relatively few Arctic is different, having an ice, is fraught with danger, even with specialized tastes in travel ocean centred on the pole and in summer. A plane flying and sufficient money. being surrounded by land above its turmoil may still have Nevertheless, in spite of lack masses which break up the gen- to contend with appalling land- of immediate commercial re- eral pattern of circulation, in- ing conditions produced by sud- turns and agreement under the troducing warm currents from den ferocious winds and Antarctic Treaty of 1961 that all further south. This being so white-out, with no alternative national territorial claims to and with its vast expanse of ice air-fields at hand. And when Antarctic lands should be reflecting solar radiation back one gets there ninety-nine per shelved, some thirty nations into space the Antarctic is much cent is nothing but ice. have active interests in Antarc- colder than the Arctic and acts If Antarctica had profitable tica. It may be a no-man’s land as the earth’s main heat sink, reserves of minerals or oil none with an unpredictable future but providing the dominant driving of this would deter people, but, it has seemed prudent to main- power for global atmospheric An Adelie penguin rookery on Paulet Island, Antarctic Peninsula in mid-January when the although there is doubtless tain a presence, just in case and oceanic circulation. It fol- down-covered chicks are about 5 weeks old. The pink colour of their excreta is derived from the krill on which they feed. wealth somewhere under the something of value crops up or lows that we cannot properly ice, it is difficult to locate and some other state makes nefari- understand the forces which suggesting that the ice-cap of into the atmosphere. This pro- but their companions became prohibitively costly to get out. ous political or military use of control our environment with- Western Antarctica might sud- duces the spectacular auroral imbued with the same spirit. The fact that in 1991 the inter- the area. Actually, the treaty out knowing what goes on in denly disintegrate. It would be displays. It also gives unique One of these was Tom Crean of ested industrial nations agreed, prohibits any military activity, the Antarctic. This situation nice to know which of these conditions for ionospheric re- Co. Kerry, a naval rating who almost without argument, to a in particular testing of nuclear has been intensified by the things will happen! With the search since the south geo- was no scientist or seeker after fifty-year moratorium on min- weapons, south of 60oS and threat of the “greenhouse ef- “ozone hole” things are more graphic pole, the magnetic pole, fame, who took part in no less ing and oil-drilling in Antarctica Antarctica is the only continent fect” and global warming. clear cut. It was suspected 25 and the geomagnetic pole in than three of the heroic age ex- speaks volumes. The abundant which has not seen war. During Studies on cores taken from the years ago that chlorofluorocar- space are well separated. Much peditions and showed outstand- living resources of the southern the cold war American and So- ice-cap show that global warm- bons (CFCs) released into the of what we know of what goes ing bravery and resource under seas have provided rich harvests viet scientists worked amicably ing has occurred periodically in atmosphere by human activities on in geospace has come from appalling conditions. might cause destruction of the Antarctic and has been of ozone, our chief screen against immense practical value in Prof. Tony Fogg, Bodolben, harmful ultraviolet radiation. radio communication, operation Llandegfan, Anglesey, LL59 Intensive monitoring failed to of satellites, and space research. 5TA, Wales, U.K. show anything of the sort hap- Biological research in the A recent publication by Prof. pening until in 1984 a dramatic Antarctic has been less spectac- decrease in ozone over the ular but equally innovative. Fogg is “The Biology of Polar British Antarctic Survey’s Hal- Studies on the feeding habitat Habitats” published by Oxford ley Station in the Antarctic and population dynamics of University Press spring showed that the effects of penguins and albatrosses have ISBN: 0 19 854953 9 (Pbk) CFCs were even more serious provided data showing just how A tabular ice-berg, typical of the Antarctic, formed by ice breaking of the edge of an ice-shelf. This one was about a kilometre across but some may exceed 100km in length. than feared. A stable circumpo- important seabirds are in ma- Page 4 ...... Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 WATER WASTE REDUCTION Dublin - A Model for the Rest of the Country

THE Local Authorities of the Great Dublin · Night time pressure reductions affecting Area, Kildare and Wicklow are having great suc- 150,000 people, mainly in South County cess in their water conservation project. Over £1 Dublin, has been permanently removed. million is being spent monthly in the region. · Industrial/commercial growth in demand of 5 When a study, commissioned by the Depart- million litres per day has been catered for. ment of the Environment and Local Government · Tourist growth from 2.96 million out of state in 1996, found that over 42% of all water pro- visitors in 1997 (£488.6 million spent) to 3.4 duced in the region was unaccounted for - mainly million in 1999 (£600 million spent) has been because of leakage in the distribution system - catered for (30% of national tourism based in the project systematically tackled these losses by Dublin). a programme of installing water distribution me- · 6,445 additional manufacturing/service jobs ters and network management tools. with £3000 million capital investment served Since the project began: by water have been saved during the project · Daily water savings of 7 million gallons have · 20 million litre per day temperature driven in- been achieved. crease in consumption in summer 1999 and · 16,000 leaks have been repaired to date. 2000 met with no water rationing. · Population growth of 32,000 people has been · There has been a 5-10% increase in centre catered for. city pressure. · 25,000 extra housing units have been sup- · There is now a Geographical Information plied with water. System (GIS) and network model in place. The Problems of Water Stress

WATER stress, which is pressure on the quantity and quality of water resources, exists in many places throughout Europe, resulting in serious problems of water shortages, flooding, pollution and ecosystem damage. Although there has been much improvement in water quality since the first European law on bathing water twenty years ago, there has been little progress on the integrated management of water resources, which is the most effective way to address water issues. The main problems concerning water quantity cious stock that once polluted or depleted, is and quality are: expensive and time consuming (i.e. a matter · The demand for water is generally increas- of decades) to restore. ing, particularly in Southern countries, and · In many parts of Europe the price of water especially from agriculture, though industry used by industry, agriculture and households remains the major user of water in Europe. is either subsidised or is much less than the (For Europe as a whole, 53 per cent of ab- total cost of supplying and using it. This en- stracted water is for industry, 26 per cent is courages inefficient water use. New incen- for agriculture and 19 per cent for house- tives and pricing structures for water are hold use but with wide variations between being considered in order to achieve the use countries.) efficiencies needed to avoid water stress. · This increasing demand for water is leading For example, the full costs of applying pes- to a switch in approach from just increasing ticides and fertilisers to agricultural land its supply, through reservoirs, etc, to de- would need to be included in their prices if mand side management, which focuses on overall economic efficiency is to be the more efficient use of water by reducing achieved. losses, less wasteful use of water, more effi- · On the supply side, drinking water losses cient appliances and water recycling. For from the distribution system are estimated example, water efficiency measures reduced to amount to an average of around 30 per the consumption of water in Madrid by 25 cent in most countries. In urban areas, leak- per cent between 1992 and 1994. This is the age is substantially higher, reaching 70 to 80 equivalent to a reservoir providing over 100 per cent in some cities. Finding and repair- million m3 of water per year. The use of 6 ing leaks is costly, and since the losses do litre toilet water flushes in the UK, rather not translate into higher water prices, than the usual 9 litres, would save 10 per thereby remaining unnoticed by the public, cent of the UK’s household water use. suppliers are often reluctant to spend money · The intensity of water use, which is the per- dealing with this problem. centage abstraction of water resources avail- · The over use of water is also contributing to able from within the country and from the loss of Europe’s wetlands. 50 per cent transboundary rivers, varies widely from 0.1 have disappeared in recent years and 25 per per cent for Iceland to 72 per cent for Belgium, cent of remaining wetlands are threatened with an average of 15 per cent for Europe. by drainage and excessive abstraction. · Some 20 European countries depend on · Water shortages and restrictions on indus- other countries for more than 10 per cent of trial and other uses are already occurring in their water resources, with 5 countries rely- many parts of Europe as a result of the ing on over 75 per cent of their resources above pressures on water supply. For ex- coming from abroad via rivers. ample, river basin authorities are increas- · Unsustainable use of water is the with- ingly restricting the rights of industry to drawal of water from natural resources at a abstract water and similar pressures on agri- rate faster than it can be replenished by na- culture are likely in the near future. ture. About 60 per cent of large (over 100,000 inhabitants) European cities, have 140 million people living in or near areas of Source: Water Stress in Europe - Can the such groundwater over-exploitation. Challenge be met? prepared jointly by the · Two-thirds of people in Europe rely on European Environment Agency (EEA) and groundwater for their supplies of drinking United Nations Environment Programme and other water needs - a hidden, yet pre- (UNEP) Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 ...... Page 5 Breakfast in the Bronze Age

field. They are usually found in wet- were then cast into the water and lands or by the edge of small streams. gradually the water would have been By Victor Buckley Over 6,000 of these sites have been brought to the boil. Chunks of meat located in Ireland so far and new ex- were then wrapped up in straw and amples are being found every day, es- dropped into the water. Experiments WHETHER you prefer fish and pecially during the course of large at modern reconstructions of this type chips or a spicy curry, have you ever scale developments such as motor- of site have shown that the meat cooks wondered what our ancestors ate and ways. In one week on the new at 20 minutes to the lb with 20 min- more importantly how they cooked Drogheda by-pass some 15 new fu- utes extra for a perfect taste. Some- their food? Films depict oxen being lachts were discovered during con- times reconstructions of the way the roasted on spits over roaring fires, but struction work. cooking was done are carried out at the reality may have been very differ- So why are these sites so common the Heritage Parks at Ferrycarrig, Co. ent 4,000 years ago as the results of and what are they? The answer is that Wexford and Craiggaunowen, Co. recent archaeological excavations is they are cooking sites dating from the Clare. revealing. Bronze Age (c. 2000-500BC). Eating This type of cooking is well The most common type of archaeo- is very important – if you don’t eat, recorded in the Irish myths, where we logical site in the Irish landscape is you DIE! Therefore these sites were have the Fianna being sent off into the known in Irish as a ‘fulacht fiadh’ or an integral part of everyday life. countryside during the summer ‘deer roast’. If untouched by modern How did they work? First a hole months to fend for themselves and agriculture they are to be found as Trough and hearth in reconstructed fulacht. was dug in the ground and sometimes digging out a pit, heating stones and kidney-shaped or horseshoe-shaped this was lined with wood to make a cooking deer. mounds of burnt stones. In ploughed trough. This was then filled with There are many more of this type of fields they can be recognised as black- water and beside this a fire was started site still to be found in Ireland, and not ened splodges standing out in colour and stones were placed on the fire yet recorded by archaeologists. Per- compared to the soil in the rest of the until they were red-hot. The stones haps you may know of one or if a field has just been recently ploughed look out for the dark stain that may indicate where one of these sites once stood. If you find what you think is an un- known site – write to National Monu- ments Service, Dúchas The Heritage Service at 6 Ely Place Upper, Dublin 2. We will be glad of any new infor- mation.

Victor Buckley is Senior Archaeologist with Dúchas - The Heritage Service, 51 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. Website: www.heritageireland.ie Email: [email protected] Victor Buckley is also Editor of

Photos: © Dúchas - The Heritage Service Photos: © Dúchas - “Burnt Offerings” (Wordwell Press, 1990) - the set text on fulachta fiadh “Hubble-bubble” - meat cooking in fulacht pit. in Ireland and Western Europe.

Burnt mound spread showing in field in West Cork. Page 6 ...... Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 the salmon lives in and uses the riverscape through all its life stages. Life history is the salmon’s solution to problems of survival in di- verse and changing habitats. Life histories are the pathways through the riverscape. Within each population, the salmon follow several pathways Ghost Story through the survival peaks and troughs of the riverscape. In undisturbed rivers each salmon population is composed of a bundle of several life histories, 1890s character, but now they offer bed and The salmon do have important advice to offer, several alternative survival strategies. Unlike the breakfast to tourists from Portland and Seattle in- if only we will seek it out. The first step is to rec- hatchery environment with its feedlot regime, in By Jim Lichatowich stead of room and board to lonely men from ognize that they are far more experienced at the a natural salmon population, in a healthy river, all Helsinki, Bergen and Karlskrona. Walking the work of restoration than we are. In fact, the the salmon are not doing the same thing in the THROUGHOUT the coastal areas of the Pa- steep streets among the old Victorian houses I salmon have been restoring themselves for over same place at the same time. They are following cific Northwest, scattered along riverbanks and in imagine the laughter of the boom years, and the 15 million years. It is only our arrogance and the different life history pathways through the time bays and estuaries stand reminders of the great cries of new widows who lost their husbands to deep-seated belief in human separation and con- and space dimensions of their habitat. As the salmon industry. Log pilings that once supported the river. Astoria is crowded with ghosts and they trol over nature that leads us to believe we can re- riverscape changes due to natural disturbance busy canneries are silent testaments to the rivers are comfortable here. store the salmon without being attentive to the (fires, floods, drought, etc.) some of the life his- that were once teeming with salmon. In the early Across the river from Astoria, part of the Co- lessons these magnificent fish can offer. Our fail- tories in the bundle are in survival peaks while days of my career, one of my first jobs was to lumbia takes a sharp swing to the north into shal- ure to pay attention to the salmon and to learn others drop into troughs. This diverse array of life convert an old cannery building into a laboratory low Baker Bay. One evening during a low tide, I from them has led us to hatcheries and smolt histories prevents the population from putting for research on marine fishes. The old building watched the sea ebb from the bay. It was slipping barges as a substitute for healthy rivers. It has led “all its eggs in one survival basket,” so to speak. sat on dark pilings over the waters of Sequim away under a thin mist that lay lightly on the us to conclude that the amount of money spent is Even though the habitat was changing in re- Bay, Washington. It was very old with a sagging darkening water. Slowly, hundreds of worn and the most important measures of progress towards sponse to natural disturbance regimes and cli- roof and the way it moaned and creaked in the rotted pilings appeared to rise from the bay— salmon restoration. It has led us to ignore the im- mate fluctuations, the salmon’s multiple survival wind gave me the feeling it was approaching its silent reminders of a wild and dangerous past. I portant lessons the salmon have to teach us. And strategies allowed them to remain productive and end. Then one night, shortly after the lab conver- came here to see these ghosts, reminders of the the richest source of those lessons can be found a reliable base for the Indian’s economy prior to sion was complete, the old wood ignited and trap fishery of Baker Bay. As small waves lapped among the ghosts of salmon. the arrival of Euro-americans; an economy and flames consumed the whole building—only the at the pilings I imagined this place 100 years ago Salmon ghosts are found in unlikely places— production system that sustained itself for several pilings remained. Since the fire, I always take no- with heavy, tar-soaked netting hanging from in the dry stream beds below irrigation diver- thousand years. tice of other skeletons from the heyday of the frames attached to the pilings. I tried to picture in sions, in rivers blocked by impassable dams, All of that began to change about 140 years canning industry. Sometimes, these old forgotten my mind the wild splashing of thousands of chi- under tons of silt and mud below logged hillsides, ago. By now we are all familiar with how over- places are more than just rotting log pilings, more nook salmon—60 to 70 pound “June hogs,”— under the quiet, warm waters of reservoirs or in harvest, irrigation, mining, logging, grazing, than just the echoes of a forgotten past—they are and the shouts of men trying to manhandle the the hot water of streams stripped of their riparian urban, and industrial development contributed to the home of ghosts—ghosts of the salmon and wild thrashing fish from the traps to the flat bot- vegetation. They may be under the pavement of the impoverishment of the salmon. But if that is ghosts of the salmon people. tomed scows that would take them to the canner- the local shopping center. City dwellers are often all you know, then you know only part of the The ghosts are still comfortable in towns like ies. unaware that many old salmon streams are im- story, and it is the least interesting and useful Astoria. Other old-time salmon towns like Seat- As darkness settled over Baker Bay, the lights prisoned in culverts and buried under the asphalt part. And that brings us back to the ghosts and the tle, Anacortes, The Dalles, and Bellingham also of Astoria were visible across the river. I remem- and concrete they drive on every day. Salmon important lessons they have to offer for the have their ghosts, but their presence is harder to bered reading about dark, moonless nights when ghosts are found in places with names like the salmon’s recovery. detect. They have largely moved on and away the gillnetters from Astoria would slip across the John Day, Umatilla, Klamath, Yakima, Tillam- Before white settlers began rearranging the from their salmon roots. Reminders of the salmon river to their competitors, the trapmen of Baker ook, Weiser, Owhyee, Dungeness, Pysht, Alsea, rivers of the Northwest, salmon life histories are lost among factories that make airplanes or Bay. Angry shouts and even gun shots echoed and Jimmy-Come-Lately. evolved into a complex web of pathways through paper or refine oil into gasoline. across the water in the darkness. Then the gill- What restoration lessons do the salmon ghosts the Northwest’s diverse riverscapes. One by one Astoria still clings to the rugged hills at the netters would row back across the river, silhouet- have to offer? To unlock their secrets we have to those pathways became death traps for fish trying mouth of the Columbia River. Its streets and ted in the light of burning traps. The trapmen are go back to some basic relationships among the to follow them. Irrigation dried up the lower docks are no longer crowded with fishermen, gone, the gillnetters and the salmon are nearly landscape, rivers, climate and salmon. The land- reaches of rivers cutting off salmon migration Chinese salmon butchers and the rotting piles of gone. In coastal towns, their ghosts are remem- scape of the Pacific Northwest is incredibly di- through the summer months. Grazing eliminated spoiled fish, but the city is full of reminders of bered in waterfront boutiques selling memora- verse, including mountains, deserts, flat valleys, riparian vegetation raising stream temperatures the industry that once thrived there and the great bilia of a time that will never return. All that is coastal foothills, scablands, and old lava flows. reducing stream-rearing areas. Logging de- runs of salmon that supported it. Wandering left of the great salmon runs and the lives of men Rivers of all sizes wind their way through this stroyed the natural habitat structure of forested down Marine Drive under the Astoria Bridge, I who fished for them are paintings, plates, coffee complex mosaic. The rivers, through their natural, streams. Hatcheries stripped away diversity while stop in front of Soummi Hall, of the Finnish cups and t-shirts, poor substitutes for one of the seasonal flow patterns are continuously rearrang- molding the salmon to a uniform sameness that Brotherhood. The dates chiseled over the door earth’s greatest living resources and for the men’s ing their channels, rebuilding and maintaining the fit their factory-like operations. Dams eliminated are “1893 to 1947”—the good salmon years. lives who depended on it. basic structure of salmon habitat. The interaction spawning and rearing areas and migration corri- Standing in front of the hall in the evening, I can Much of what we associate with the heyday of between the land and water produce a diverse dors. Today, in many rivers of the Northwest, imagine the angry shouts of gillnetters arguing the salmon industry is gone and it will never return: array of habitats reaching from the lowlands to salmon spawning and juvenile rearing are con- over the price of salmon and cursing the cannery the big canneries in every bay, traps, fishwheels, headwaters in a continuum of connected places fined to small areas in the headwaters of the owners. They are anxious to finish their meeting and large fleets of gillnetters or trollers. They are where salmon can live. Superimposed over this is rivers. Migration is restricted to a narrow window and get out on the river. It was in the evening that now ghosts, reminding us of something we had, a patchwork of climates—coastal, inland, rain- in spring. Life history diversity, the complex the fishermen took their butterfly fleet into the mismanaged and lost. While the loss of a way of shadows on the eastern sides of mountains and array of pathways through the riverscape has night’s fishery. There are many places here that life, the dissolution of communities and the degra- wet areas on the western slopes. Within this crazy been eliminated. remind me of the town’s salmon roots. Across the dation of a significant part of our cultural heritage quilt are thousands of microhabitats, each with its The loss of life history diversity is a direct by- street from the Soummi Hall the old Finish meat may provide a moral imperative, a reason for trying own challenges to the salmon’s survival. How the product of our pursuit of the vision of simplified, market still stands. to restore the salmon, they offer little advice as to salmon have collectively met those challenges are controlled and “improved” rivers and salmon pop- The houses that salmon built still retain their how that recovery can be achieved. at the heart of the lessons they have to offer us re- ulations. In some rivers like the Columbia, we garding their restoration. have largely achieved that vision. The river has Viewed from the salmon’s perspective, this been brought under the control of engineers. The patchwork of habitats is a riverscape of salmon seasonal flow patterns have been rearranged, and friendly areas where survival is high and other the free flowing channel has been converted to a areas where survival is low. The survival peaks series of placid reservoirs. The salmon are also and troughs of the riverscape are always chang- largely under human control. At least 80 percent ing. They are more akin to the ever-changing of the salmon in the Columbia River are produced peaks and troughs of the sea than our conven- in hatcheries. Even the few wild salmon left de- tional vision of nature as machinelike consis- pend on humans to carry them downstream in tency and uniformity. For example, eggs of barges. We have achieved our vision of control chinook salmon buried in the clean gravel of a and simplification but is has come at a terribly headwater stream may exhibit higher survival high price. I am continuously amazed at the than eggs deposited in silt laden gravels of the salmon managers who point to the program that lower river. Later in the year juvenile chinook brought their vision to fruition—the hatcheries salmon in the lower river and estuary may exhibit and the barges, for example—and make their higher growth and survival than the fish that re- claims of success. They conveniently ignore the main in the cold headwater streams. On the other fact that their expensive programs are only main- hand, in some years the lower river may be too taining five percent of the salmon runs that once warm for salmon to survive through the summer. returned to the river—without the help of man. Salmon respond to the survival peaks and troughs in the riverscape through life history—the way Continues on page 11 Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 ...... Page 7 The Shannon Estuary A Marine Reserve for Bottlenose Dolphins

for some part of the year. This form of two new purpose built research provided the scientific dolphin-watching vessels the By Dr. Simon framework which justified the industry is set to expand rapidly estuary SAC status for dol- over the next few years. phins. Dolphin-watching is now a Berrow Dúchas are obliged to nomi- notifiable activity and operators nate SACs for both bottlenose must seek permission from the THE Shannon estuary on the dolphins and harbour porpoises Minister for Arts, Heritage, western seaboard of Ireland is as these species are listed under Gaeltacht and the Islands Síle Photo: © Simon Berrow now a marine reserve for bot- Annex 11 of this Directive but de Valera T.D.. To be allowed to The Shannon estuary is home to the only known resident group of bottlenose dolphins in tlenose dolphins following its’ the role of marine protected dolphin-watch commercially, Ireland and one of only 6 such groups in Europe. nomination as a Special Area areas such as SACs for protect- operators must fulfill 4 condi- of Conservation (SAC) under ing small cetaceans (dolphins tions, i) comply by the Codes of the EU Habitats Directive - the and porpoise) is still uncertain. Conduct, ii) abide by the Man- most powerful legislation pro- Critical habitats are those agement Plan, iii) provide mon- tecting species and habitats in which provide the resources itoring data and iv) demonstrate Europe. This is the first marine and conditions to produce competence in environmental SAC in Ireland and the only occupancy, including survival interpretation and species iden- one for cetaceans (whales, dol- and reproduction and which are tification. The Codes of Con- phins and porpoise). There has species specific, can change in duct set standards for the only been 3 other cetacean time and place, with sex and behaviour of tour boats around SACs nominated in Europe, sexual maturity and are typi- dolphins and include activities demonstrating the importance cally a complex of small areas. such as not corralling or pursu- of the Shannon estuary for dol- The home range and move- ing dolphins, maintaining a phins and also the good work ments of individual cetaceans minimum distance of 200m be- of Dúchas in ensuring SAC sta- are poorly known and designat- tween vessels, restricting the tus for the estuary. The Shan- ing specific areas in which they total time on a group or single non estuary is home to the only may only spend a small part of dolphin to 30 minutes per trip known resident group of bot- their life cycle may not provide and not allowing swimming tlenose dolphins in Ireland and full protection. with dolphins. Under the Man- one of only 6 such groups in agement Plan the total time Europe. A feasibility study car- commercial tour boats are in ried out from May 1993 to Oc- Shannon Estuary SAC the vicinity of dolphins will be tober 1994 suggested the The nomination of the Shan- controlled Adopting the precau- Location of dolphin sites on the Shannon Estuary. encounter rate with dolphins non estuary as an SAC has been tionary principal this will be was high enough to develop in response to the developing fixed at 200 hours for the 2000 the vicinity (<300m) on a single essential to determine the im- other level of avoidable bu- commercial dolphin watching, dolphin-watching industry in season and will not be in- dolphin or group of dolphins. pact of commercial dolphin reaucracy but we hope to de- as some animals were resident, west Clare. Commercial dol- creased unless research and Monitoring protocols, trialed watching. velop a model of sustainable and that it was an important phin watching started in 1993 / monitoring show that no detri- during the 1999 season, com- If operators fulfill these com- eco-tourism that is relevant calving ground. A recent study 94 and has steadily grown to mental disturbance of the dol- bined with photo identification, mitments they will become ac- elsewhere. There has been con- funded by the Marine Institute c250 trips and c4,000 visitors phins will result. The will enable the location, group credited and will be awarded siderable investment in marine estimates that around 113 dol- by 1999. With significant in- Management Plan will also and identity of the dolphins the Dolphin Flag. This scheme tourism boats around the coun- phins utilise the estuary at least vestment now committed in the limit the time tour boats are in watched to be assessed which is called “Saoirse na Sionna” try as coastal communities try gives assurance to visitors that and diversify from a predomi- if they only patronise accred- nately fishing based economy. ited operators we will ensure Significant investment is also these vessels are adopting required in developing the ma- good practices with minimum rine eco-tourism product or impact on the dolphins. else the potential of this indus- “Saoirse na Sionna” can help try for rural areas will never be operators maintain these high realised. Only by carrying out standards essential if the in- the background research and vestment in new boats and op- developing the product fully erating costs are to be justified. with a number of value added The eco-tourism market is in- additions will marine tourism creasingly discerning and will provide a welcome and sustain- insist products such as whale able alternative to Irish coastal watching are carried out in a communities that have one of sustainable manner. Operators the most diverse and fascinat- awarded the Dolphin Flag will ing coastlines in the whole of enjoy promotion and technical Europe. support available from the var- ious national and semi-state The Shannon Dolphin and organisations and it will be- Wildlife Foundation is supported come a very powerful market- by Dúchas Marine Institute, ing tool. Shannon Development Ltd., “Saoirse na Sionna” has Clare County Council, Kilrush been established by the Shan- Urban District Council, non Dolphin and Wildlife Carrigaholt Development Foundation, a new organisation Association and Kilrush established in March 2000 to Chamber of Commerce and can formulate and implement a plan for the development of be contacted at Merchants Quay, sustainable dolphin-watching Kilrush, County Clare. in the Shannon Region. This (Tel: 065 9052139 may seem to many to be yet an- Mobile: 086 8545450, Email: [email protected]) Page 8 ...... Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26...... Page 9 Page 10 ...... Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 Black Guillemots

structures such as harbour walls at Bangor, Greenore, Giles Quay, Dublin Port, Dun By Oscar J. Merne Laoghaire Harbour, Rosslare Harbour, etc. At Bray Head, which with c.70 pairs is one of the largest Black Guillemot colonies in Ireland, most IN Shetland they call them Tysties and this of the birds nest in drain holes in buttresses name seems to be gathering favour elsewhere in erected to support and protect the railway line Britain and in Ireland too. I prefer the more inter- from erosion. At Rockabill c.30 pairs nest in nationally accepted name of Black Guillemot, holes in the walls of the lighthouse compound. At which both describes the bird itself and its rela- Portaferry on Strangford Lough they have taken tionship to the other members of the auk family. to wooden nest-boxes with landing platforms in Having said that, the Black Guillemot is in a front of them. In these nesting places the females genus of its own - Cepphus - while the Common usually lay two eggs, unlike the single egg Guillemot (about which I wrote in the last issue clutches of the other auks. of Sherkin Comment) is in the genus Uria. Because of their hole-nesting habits and small Black Guillemots have an almost circumpolar scattered colonies (often away from the more ob- distribution in the cold water areas of the north- vious colonies of other seabirds) it is difficult to ern hemisphere, occurring in North America, in census the population of Black Guillemots. In the Alaska and in eastern Canada (Newfoundland, first British and Irish census of all breeding Labrador, Hudson Bay and some of the arctic is- seabirds in 1969/70 (“Operation Seafarer”) only lands). Moving west to east they are found in 738 pairs of Black Guillemots were found in Ire- Greenland, Iceland, the Faeroes, Ireland, Britain, land. Subsequent research in Orkney and Shet- Scandinavia, Svalbard, and on the coasts and is- land indicated that counting Black Guillemots lands of northern Russia to eastern Siberia. In Eu- along with other seabird species in June is likely Photos: Oscar Merne rope the Black Guillemot reaches the most to seriously under record the species: the actual southerly part of its range on the south coast of In Europe the Black Guillemot reaches the most southerly part of its range on the south population is likely to be two to three times Ireland. In Britain most are in Scotland, with just coast of Ireland. higher. With a major new seabird census, called small numbers on Anglesey and in NW England. Seabird 2000, coming up in 1999-2001, it was Latitudinally the range extends from c.48 degrees greatest distance a ringed Black Guillemot In flight this shows up well as a patch on the cen- moved was from Rockabill in north Co. Dublin to tre of the inner wing. Close up, or seen with decided to include a special census of Black N in Newfoundland to the edge of the permanent Guillemots, using the recommended method of sea ice at c.82 degrees N at Franz Josef Land in Cork Harbour. Most spend the winter in sheltered binoculars in good light, the startlingly bright red waters much closer to the breeding areas. legs can also be seen, even when the birds are counting adults in the open (on water and land) in the Russian arctic. In arctic regions the breeding late March to mid-May - before the females dis- birds and their offspring are driven south by the In breeding plumage, which the birds sport in swimming in clear water. Closer still, especially spring, summer and autumn, Black Guillemots when the birds are engaged in courtship display appear into the nesting holes. At the time of writ- spreading pack ice in winter, but in our latitudes ing almost the entire coast from Carlingford they are much more sedentary. In Ireland the are unmistakable. They are black all over apart in spring and are more inclined to open their bills, from a large brilliant white patch on each wing. you can see the inside matching the colour of the Lough clockwise to Galway Bay was covered in legs and feet. In winter, when they have dispersed 1998 and 1999, while major sections from Con- from the breeding colonies, Black Guillemots are nemara to Donegal were covered this spring. The often hard to find, for they lose the black body remaining areas will be surveyed in 2001. North- plumage and become largely white, with just ern Ireland is being surveyed separately, and re- speckled feathering on the upperparts. The cent counts there indicate a breeding population stubby black tail and black and white wings re- of c.550 individuals. We now know that the pop- main the same throughout the year. Choppy seas ulation between Carlingford Lough and Galway and poor light, which often occur in winter, add Bay is over 1,600 individuals. On this basis the to the difficulty of finding the birds. final total is likely to be c.3,000 birds, about Unlike the other Irish auks (Common Guille- twice the total of 738 pairs recorded in 1969/70. mot, Razorbill and Puffin), Black Guillemots are It’s nice to find this charming little seabird is not found in large dense colonies. Scarcity of doing so well. suitable nest sites largely determines the scattered breeding distribution. The species nests in holes Oscar Merne heads the Bird Research Section of and deep crevices, among boulders and shattered National Parks & Wildlife, Dúchas The rock screes. On the east coast, where natural sites Heritage Service. are quite scarce, birds often nest in man-made

Bray Head has one of the largest Black Guillemot colonies in Ireland. Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 ...... Page 11 THE RURAL HOUSING CRISIS Will restricting demand to ‘indigenous’ population provide the solution?

for big money and move down. A lot of local benefit from eliminating demand from Wicklow Peak District National Park, people can’t afford to buy a house, so their people. By Frank J. Convery only chance is to get a site and build. We need Because the restrictions involve conveying in England to protect them – locals can’t afford to pay substantial benefits to some and costs to others, · New residential development is restricted THE rapid and continuing rise in the real price £120,000. ….Many outsiders did not adapt to the following conditions will need to apply if to those who live and work in the area. of housing in both urban and rural areas have lead living in rural areas. They ring the council to they are to be sustainable: · Designed primarily to limit development three local authorities - Clare, Kerry and Wick- complain every time they hear a cow moo or · The conditions and criteria for exclusion will pressure in a conservation area, but has the incidental benefit of lowering the price of low – to include provisions in their development get the smell of silage. They also tend to be the have to be transparent and explicit. first to object to others building, It’s a case of · The decision-making mechanisms must be housing plans to limit demand, or, more specifically, to close the door after you. (‘Building restrictions transparent and fair, and be seen to be so. · Development that does take place must confine demand in certain areas to locals. How on people from outside Wicklow defended’ · The exclusions should discriminate equally meet design guidelines consistent with the successful are these initiatives likely to be? Irish Times, 15 April, 2000, p. 5). against Irish citizens and other EU citizens. conservation objectives to be served Should other counties follow their example? If such policies are permitted and are imple- · Environmental and other national objectives · Outside investment is allowed where ex- mented, because they will eliminate external de- should be coherently served. pensive refurbishments of existing build- Limiting Demand in Clare, Kerry and mand in the areas to which the restrictions apply, The last point provides the most valid national ings, which would otherwise remain Wicklow they will certainly reduce the price of sites in case for imposing restrictions. Dubliners will feel derelict, is undertaken. such areas below that which would apply in the that it is unreasonable to provide free access to · Simultaneously protects the natural envi- The basic principle is that in certain areas of absence of the restriction. However, there are a sites for Wicklow people in Dublin, if Dubliners ronment, enhances the conservation of the these local authority jurisdictions, the local au- number of problems with the strategy as imple- are discriminated against in Wicklow. However, built environment, and provides housing thority will not provide planning permission for mented. if the Wicklow scheme were designed to protect to year round residents at costs lower than new developments to non-indigenous people. The demand for housing in aggregate does not environmental endowments and vistas for all the would apply if outside investment were al- Mr. Michael Nicholson, Acting County Secre- change; it simply moves elsewhere, and results in citizenry, including Dubliners, then such a policy lowed. tary of Wicklow has been quoted making the case increases in house prices in those localities to would be likely to be acceptable. And we have a · Encourages outsiders to commit to an in his county as follows: which it moves. For example, in the case of model to look to in this regard: In order to help area. In any community, ‘blow ins’ are a The policy was designed to protect locals from Wicklow, to the extent that the Dublin demand secure its conservation objectives, , the Peak Dis- crucial source of entrepreneurial skills, being priced out of property in their own areas, moves from rural to urban areas in the county, we trict National Park in the UK – which is com- capital, and community activity. and to prevent unnecessary development of can expect the prices in those latter areas to be prised mainly of private land – has imposed So the answer to the question - will restricting rural land. …..The Council is not refusing any- higher than they would have been if the demand restrictions on building by non residents, and demand to ‘indigenous’ population provide the one the right to live in Wicklow, merely to build hadn’t been channelled into them. they have proved very successful in retaining the solution to the rural housing crisis? - is no, un- in rural parts of it without what the develop- It invites ‘tit for tat’ restrictions. If Dubliners character of the local landscape and reducing ac- ment plan calls ‘bona fide reasons.’People can are prevented from buying in rural Wicklow be- commodation costs to local residents. It com- less the primary objective is environmental, and buy an existing house anywhere in the county, cause they push up prices for locals, why should prises a model that local authorities who are the mechanisms and their interpretation are trans- or they can build on designated land, which is Wicklow people have untrammelled access to serious about using restrictions to serve mainly parent, fair and effective, and seen to be so. usually in or near the conurbation……A par- County Dublin to buy and build?; there are plenty environmental objectives, but which also benefit ticular problem for Wicklow is that it’s very at- of house-poor people in Dublin who cannot com- local residents, should study: Frank J. Convery, Environmental Institute, tractive to Dubliners who can sell their homes pete locally in the current market, and who would University College, Dublin.

portantly we can let the rivers tion that only deals with small About the author: Jim heal themselves. We can slices of the salmon’s life his- Lichatowich is a fisheries sci- allow the natural riverine tory. Restoring only a part of entist who has worked for 30 processes to rebuild the nat- an extinct life history path- years in salmon research and ural physical structure of way is as useful as building a management in the Pacific rivers through which salmon chain with several links miss- Northwest. His book, Ghost Story will reconstruct their web of ing throughout its length. The “Salmon without Rivers: A life histories. approach to salmon restora- History of the Pacific Salmon One other change in our tion has to broaden from the Crisis,” is available from approach to salmon restora- single riffle or pool or stream Sherkin Island Marine Sta- tion is imperative. Recovery reach to the restoration of en- tion for IR£27.50, including Continues from page 8 than open up the old extinct trolled river and ecosystem. of salmon based on the tire watersheds and entire life surface postage. ones. In some rivers those re- They are a manifestation of restoration of diverse life-his- history pathways through the Today the riverscapes in maining life histories, largely our attempt to bend the tory pathways requires a riverscape. That is the only Jim Lichatowich, 182 Dory the Northwest are littered restrict spawning and rearing salmon to our worldview. holistic view. It’s important to way to bring back the ghosts Road, Sequim, WA 98382, with salmon ghosts—ghosts to headwater areas, and those If we are to have any hope move away from the current and that is the only way to USA. Copyright retained by Jim of salmon that once made stream reaches, because of of restoring the salmon to myopic approach to restora- bring back the salmon. Lichatowich May 19, 2000 their way through the river- their cold waters, were never sustainable levels of abun- scape using pathways that no highly productive. It is futile dance we will have to begin longer exist. River develop- to try to achieve salmon by paying more attention to ment did not just reduce num- restoration by increasing the salmon’s world. Not as it bers of salmon, it blocked and numbers of salmon without a exists today, but the salmon’s CORK - DUBLIN eliminated the unique life- corresponding increase in the world as it existed before we history pathways the salmon life-history pathways. And simplified, controlled and followed through the fresh- we cannot recover life history “improved” it. Although EXPRESS COACH SERVICE water environments. In fact, diversity without recovering some of the damage done to SIX SERVICES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS EVERY DAY the most productive path- complex, natural rivers sys- rivers cannot be changed, ways, those that allowed the tems. much can be undone. For ex- DEPARTING CORK AND DUBLIN AT: salmon to rear in the produc- Today fisheries manage- ample, unnecessary dams can 08.00, 10.00, 12.00, 14.00, 16.00, 18.00 Hours Journey Time 4 hrs 25 min. including comfort stop en route tive, low elevation reaches of ment produces giant schools be removed or breached. Ri- rivers, have largely been of domesticated salmon that parian zones can be protected Adult Fares to Dublin Single Monthly Return eliminated. all try to migrate to sea or re- from grazing with fences. We From Cork £13.00 £18.50 Most of our restoration ef- turn to spawn at the same can stop subsidizing irrigated From Bandon £15.00 £21.00 forts focus on the existing life time. These herds of ignorant farms in the western deserts From West of Bandon £17.00 £24.00 histories. They try to force salmon released from hatch- to raise surplus crops that the more salmon through the few eries are the product of our government pays other farm- Special day return and family tickets. remaining pathways rather vision of a simple and con- ers not to produce. Most im- Enquires: Cork 021-4508188 : Dublin 01-8366111 Page 12 ...... Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 Marsh Fritillary Euphydryas On the Wing on Sherkin Island aurinia One of the most rapidly declining species By Chris Shortall of butterfly in Europe, due to drainage of its Twenty-one species of butterfly have been recorded on Sherkin Island, some of which are shown here. wetland habitats. The female Marsh Fritillary is very These range from the common Meadow Brown and Green-veined White, to the rare migrant Clouded rare on Sherkin, reflect- Marsh Fritillary Yellow and the internationally important Marsh Fritillary. They are a familiar sight in the spring and ing its status elsewhere summer months when the adults are 'on the wing' (flying). male in the country. The foodplant is Devil’s-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis) upon which the female lays large batches (150+) of Clouded Yellow eggs, these hatch and the larvae remain until the plant is devoured, Common Blue when there is a mass movement to a nearby plant. This continues Colias croceus until late August when they hibernate, to reappear in spring. An uncommon mi- Polyommatus icarus grant to Sherkin, this A common species in areas of rough grassland, absent only from Meadow Brown butterfly is seen the most intensive farmland. This species can often be found in the every year on the evening, when adults congregate on grass-heads where they roost Maniola jurtina southern coasts of head-downwards. The Common Blue caterpillar feeds on legumi- One of the commonest butterflies in Ireland, inhabiting unfer- Ireland and Great nous plants - most commonly bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus cornicula- tilised grassland and woodland rides. Eggs are laid on meadow Britain. The Clouded tus). Like many blue butterflies, the caterpillar is sometimes grasses (Poa spp.), bents (Agrostis spp.), and rye-grasses (Lolium Yellow breeds in Photos: Paul Kay protected by ants, which feed on a sweet substance secreted by the spp.), although the caterpillar will eventually feed on a much wider Southern Europe and Clouded Yellow caterpillar. variety. There is only one brood per year, but butterflies have a long North Africa and flight period - from June to October or later. The caterpillars over- large numbers mi- winter and complete their development the following spring. grate northwards each summer. However, the caterpillars cannot survive the colder winters of Northern Europe and so it has not es- tablished itself in Ireland. Green-veined White Pieris napi Very similar in appearance to the Small White, this butterfly is not so much of a garden pest. It is a common species in damp pas- ture and woodland throughout Ireland. The eggs are laid on cress and mustard and the butterfly does not seem to target cultivated cabbages or garden plants. The caterpillar is pale green and cov- ered in tiny black dots with a row of yellow spots on each side. Common Blue

Small Meadow Brown Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae One of the most common butterflies in Ireland, the Small Tortoiseshell is a no- madic species. Adults travel throughout the countryside laying eggs wherever suit- Green-veined White able conditions are Small Tortoiseshell found. The foodplants are usually nettles Orange Tip (Urtica spp.) and large egg batches are laid on the youngest and most succulent Anthocharis cardamines plants. Those that hatch in late summer hibernate in houses and A scarce species on Sherkin Island, and in decline throughout outhouses, although many are hindered by well-meaning people Ireland, the Orange Tip is, perhaps, the most attractive of our na- who “rescue” them and release them outside. tive whites. It is a nomadic species that has a distinct preference for laying its eggs on Lady’s Smock (Cardamine pratensis), a plant that has become scarce due to agricultural improvement of mead- ows. When young, the caterpillars are cannibalistic - eating any Peacock smaller Orange Tip caterpillars and eggs that they come across. Inachis io A common lowland species throughout Ire- land. The “eyes” on the wings are an example of mimicry and are thought to dis- suade potential predators. Like many butterflies, the Peacock’s Peacock foodplant is the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) and large batches of eggs are laid on the underside of leaves. The caterpillars are gregarious in the early part of their development, separating shortly before they pupate, and they are well protected by large spines. Orange Tip Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 ...... Page 13 The Environment Agency of England and Wales

(NRA), Her Majesty’s Inspec- based largely on the previous the National Assembly for the objectives of sustainable de- sources wisely. torate of Pollution (HMIP) and regional water authorities. The Wales. In other words, it oper- velopment by providing a more We try to be a firm but fair By Dr R J the large number of regional HMIP staff were civil servants ates at arms length from gov- integrated and long-term ap- regulator. Acting as crown Waste Regulatory authorities and the waste-specialist staff ernment, with its own proach to environmental man- prosecutor (we take our own (WRAs) across England and were local government employ- Chairman (Sir John Harman), agement, and to do so within cases to court) we have already Pentreath Wales. It was a brave and chal- ees. its own Board, and its own Di- the context of having to provide taken over 1,700 successful lenging step for everyone in- The Environment Agency is rectors and executive staff. It economic growth and a more prosecutions for pollution of- equitable society. Not an easy THE Environment Agency volved. Not only were the a non-departmental public is, by any measure, a large or- fences. Such action works : task! We regulate all major in- many duties of the formative body, as was the NRA before it, ganisation. It employs over major pollution incidents have in the UK was established in dustries under a system of Inte- July 1995 and started work in organisations very different, but sponsored by the Department of 10,000 people and spends some fallen dramatically. But we grated Pollution Control. We also believe in the need to work April 1996 when it took on the their work styles and cultures Environment, Transport and the £600M per year. regulate the emissions from the in partnership with others and roles of its predecessor bodies – were also different. The NRA Regions, the Ministry of Agri- So what do we do? We were nuclear industry and all dis- have worked with over 500 the National Rivers Authority had only been set up in 1989, culture Fisheries & Food, and set up in order to help achieve charges of radioactive wastes companies on waste minimisa- from other sources. We regu- tion projects. Similarly, we late all other forms of waste have joined forces with local handling and disposal. We also groups on over 600 projects to regulate all abstractions, stor- improve habitats and wildlife. age, and discharges of water. We also spend a considerable We take an overview of all in- effort in raising awareness, in land and coastal flood defences, education, and in providing in- and have a major involvement formation. Indeed we act as a in their construction and main- very ‘open’ organisation. Even tenance. We own and operate our Board meetings are held in the Thames barrier and also op- erate a flood-warning service. public, with the Agenda and We are responsible for the man- Board papers available in ad- agement of freshwater fish- vance of the meetings on our eries, including angling Internet site. In fact it is licensing, and navigational ac- through our Internet site that we tivities in certain areas. And we release most of our informa- have duties with respect to tion. It contains over 1000 recreation and conservation in pages of environmental infor- an environmental context. Fi- mation alone, including a GIS- nally – or perhaps foremost – based system to provide data on we have a wide range of re- the state of the environment in sponsibilities with regard to the your own backyard. Some monitoring of the state of the pages – such as bathing water environment, and to the assess- quality – are updated weekly. ment of what should or should We also ‘name and shame’ per- not be done about it. sistent or blatant polluters by There are thus many things way of a league table, as well to do. Strategically we attempt as recognising those companies to create long-term visions of who achieve the biggest reduc- what we want to achieve, an- tion in pollution. A site well chored firmly in environmental worth looking at. It’s www.en- outcomes. We attempt to assess vironment-agency.gov.uk. the state of the environment by In spite of all that we have looking at it – both literally and done, however, we are fully metaphorically – from different aware that we still have much points of view. We also assess to do. And it’s not easy pleas- the stresses and strains upon the ing everyone all the time! But environment, from societal we do try! pressures to actual abstractions and discharges. Our work is Dr R J Pentreath, Chief thus centred around a number of “themes” such as limiting Scientist, Environment Agency, and adapting to climate change, Rio House, Aztec West, protecting inland and coastal Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 waters, and using natural re- 4UD, United Kingdom

SALMON WITHOUT RIVERS: A History of the Pacific Salmon Crisis

By Jim Lichatowich

is available from Sherkin Island Marine Station, Sherkin Island, Co. Cork, Ireland, for IR£27.50, including surface postage. Page 14 ...... Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 What are Grasses? Saving the Meadows & Pastures GRASSES are a specialised group of wind-pollinated flowering plants in their own beautiful wildflowers, in- family, Gramineae or Poaceae. This group of cluding vetches, knap- plants - ranging from tiny annuals of waysides weeds, daisies and to the great bamboos of the tropics - has flour- orchids. These grassy areas supported a whole ished over the last 10,000 years as people have community of flowers, cleared woods, established meadows and pas- butterflies and other in- tures, and cultiviated a range of cereals and sects, and birds - remem- other grass crops. Grasses have long narrow ber corncrakes? Sadly, leaves, and stems and leaves that continue to modern agriculture has grow after grazing or cutting. greatly diminished these We perhaps notice the individual grass older grasslands. Scien- species most in summer as they flower along tists and governments waysides and in meadows and pastures, and have promoted a blanket their pollen affects unfortunate hayfever suffer- need for higher yields, necessitating low species ers. The flowers are tiny, green and usually diversity and high inputs grouped in small or feathery clusters of various of fertilizer. Modern in- shapes. The form of the clusters varies from organic fertilizers pro- species to species, providing simple features to mote only the the most identify at least commoner grasses. They may vigorous grasses, be in narrow spikes or cylindrical, spike-like swamping the low-yield clusters, or in loosely branched groups or pani- grasses and flowers. And Photos: John Akeroyd Photos: John cles. The flowers-parts are reduced to green, whole swards have been Sussex, England: species-rich grassland is often restricted to steep slopes that are difficult yellowish or or papery scales, with male resown with commercial pollen-bearing stamens on slender stalks. to farm. grass-seed. Pollen is released into the air and trapped by green pastures cover so much countryside. Grass- All over Europe, na- lands comprise an important natural resource, tive and semi-natural feather-like female stigmas as it travels on the By John Akeroyd just like forests and fisheries, especially the older, grasslands have disap- breeze. The fruits (‘grass seed’) each consist of native or semi-natural stands that have not been peared. This loss of old, a single starch-rich seed lying within a papery fertilized or even, in some cases, ploughed or cul- diverse grassland has husk. They ripen from green to yellowish or WE tend to take grass and grassy habitats for tivated. been particularly devas- brown - think of barley or wheat. granted. Grasses are a background to our lives, Grasses are the most traditional of all farm tating in Britain. Since The best places to find interesting grasses are the dominant plant cover over much of Ireland crops. The old-style species-rich meadows 1945, some 95% of the old meadows and pastures, watersides, cliffs and Britain - as fields of cereals or as grassland. (mown grassland) and pastures (grassland main- semi-natural grassland in and rocks, grassy heaths and dry roadside Even in towns they form greens, road-verges and tained for grazing) were long a feature of the the British lowlands has banks. Some occur only over limestone or near lawns. Grasslands are notably a feature of Ire- countryside. They consisted not just of grasses disappeared, and few Perennial Rye-grass the sea, notably on sand-dunes and land, the renowned Emerald Isle, where lush, but of a marvelous richness of colourful and farms today retain per- (Lolium perenne L.) manent meadows or pas- shingle-beaches or in saltmarshes.

tures. When the tractor Sketch: Elspeth Beckett replaced the horse, farmers were able to plough wonderful grasslands, with cowslips, gentians up pastures for arable land or temporary grass- and orchids in abundance. In Co Kildare the great land or leys. Silage, preserved grass cut and grassy plain of the Curragh is a stretch of ancient stored while green, has largely replaced hay, cer- grassland, although actually rather species poor. tainly in lowland regions. Ironically, a recently My own favourite Irish grasslands are the published study by scientists across the EU, in- small haymeadows that survive on some of the is- cluding a group working in Ireland, has indicated lands and peninsulas of Connemara and further that species-rich grasslands may after all produce north. In June and July they are bright with Yel- higher and more sustainable yields. Clovers and low Rattle, Eyebright and various orchids, and other peaflowers are a particularly important ele- tinted red by a special, dwarf and hairy-stemmed ment of this diversity. subspecies hibernica of Sorrel. I remember in So, saving these species-rich plant communi- 1980 watching a family cutting such a pocket of ties is not just a matter of protecting a pretty view grassland with scythes, a timeless scene that has or curiosity of natural history. Remember that our almost gone. The ending of traditional agriculture wild grasses are a valuable economic resource, of makes old meadows that much harder to protect. considerable value to plant breeders. For grass- Even so, small grassland pockets can be pro- lands continue to be a vital element in modern tected, especially on or near the coast, perhaps agriculture - the basis of dairy farming. The con- within a garden, churchyard or castle mound. stituent grasses, clovers and other peaflowers Where I live in England, many village gardens such as Bird’s-foot Trefoil are perhaps the ances- have species-rich lawns that represent precious tors of agricultural forage plants and those used fragments of the lost meadows. The lawn in front for revegetating road-verges and marginal or of my office window is splashed and dotted with waste land and steep slopes. Now that conserva- flowers: purple and lilac Self-heal, purplish pink tionists are at last protecting the last old meadows Red Clover, and yellow Bird’s-foot Trefoil and - and are recreating more - perhaps we shall one Mouse-ear Hawkweed. A nearby churchyard - day see the flowery grassland of a century ago. Luckily, some good pockets of species-rich where local conservationists have negotiated a grassland do still survive in western Ireland and liberal mowing regime - has sheets of tall Ox-eye elsewhere. There are some fine examples on Daisy and yellow Lady’s Bedstraw and a few pre- Sherkin Island and all around Roaringwater Bay cious crimson spikes of Pyramidal Orchids. You and the adjacent peninsulas. These grasslands can mow a lawn and the flowers will return. But alone make this area of major significance for fertilize it to boost the green, and they are lost, conservation. Often grading into rocky heathland probably forever. That is what happened over or the varied vegetation of sand-dunes and rocky huge tracts of countryside in just half a century. ground by the sea, they are colourful with wild- Let us cherish what little remains. flowers and often show up yellowish- or red- dish-green from a distance. Species-rich Dr John Akeroyd, Editor of ‘The Wild plants grasslands are characteristic of steep, unploughed of Sherkin, Cape Clear and adjacent islands soils throughout Ireland, for example on the es- of West Cork’, is the author of the influential kers or stony glacial mounds that form irregular, 1994 report for Plantlife, ‘Seeds of hilly bands across the Midlands and other parts of the country. The Burren of Co Clare has some Destruction’, a plea for the protection of native grassland diversity. Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 ...... Page 15 Glenstal and its Forest

indomitable oak grows on. In thousands of oak and larch were exotics have joined the fray along the commodity. Naturally clean drinking October, if it decides it is a mast year, planted six feet apart (with birch as margins to colour scented Spring and water is already dearer than petrol. If it drops its thousands of acrons and nurse trees) - some still stand. Many splash with gold and red the fires of we in Ireland keep our forests clean we swiftly sends after them a blanket of of the fallen have gone to the sea in Autumn. In Cappercullen Glen the could be richer than Kuwait. Strange leaves to keep them warm and moist. ships like the Jeannie Johnson and the wind felled trees are left in peace to that our forest custodians, calling in The fresh green leaves of the lammas Ilen. Mid 20th century forestry is serve as host to a thousand lesser word and deed for death, should invite growth however may last until represented by blocks of Sitka Spruce creatures of the wood. the Government to dump in them, to December as if exploring the apologetically trimmed with beech in The Benedictine monks have done make our growing national product possibility of becoming evergreen. deference to the bien pensant view of no more than might be expected. The grosser still. The 17th and 18th centuries have conifers, of the time. More recent Buddhist monks at Kandy near the We may not fear for nature: nature left us paths, steps, walls, spanish plantations of oak have conifers on the Temple of the Tooth in Sri Lanka have will survive, but with terrifying chestnut, rows of sycamore and outside for reasons either of simple guarded their area of tropical jungle carelessness will cut off those who beech, a terraced garden and some perversity or the desire to give shelter for over two thousand years. Almost misbehave and poison the poisonous. skillful attempts at linear vistas with to the forest and all its dwellers in all of the natural cover has been It is man’s economy that is the which nature wrestles gently. winter. stirpped from the rest of the country, In the 19th century, the botanical The woods of Sitka spruce, with yet, in the suburbs of the city of Kandy endangered plant and man himself the wonders of the world burst upon the their dramatic composition and blue this great area of tropical rainforest threatened species. Go to the jungle By scene. Benjamin Barrington, whose green canvas canopy lifted high on continues its dark chant on the origins and see: was there ever a parasite who father, Sir Matthew, planted over one poles that are bare, have a beauty of and mystery of life. survived for long without achieving Anthony Keane, OSB million trees here, accompanied David their own. These trees will not be all In this spirit too St. Columcille some symbiotic accommodation with Douglas (of Douglas Fir fame) on his cut off in their prime and sent to the feared nothing save the sound of an its host? seed gathering tour of western North From the heart of the wood wisdom THE forest at Glenstal Abbey, factory. Some may be felled in axe ringing through the wood of Derry America in 1825. calls: choose life, let live. Slip through County Limerick, is typical of many homage to their stronger neighbours, Colmcille. The Pineturn at Glenstal thus old estates in Ireland: a sacred place while others gently retire from the race St. Kevin would not let a twig of a the forest of life without breaking a includes some original introductions midst cavernous cliffs and clefts, and offer themselves as ready dried fallen tree be touched until it had been twig and all the riches of Earth and of Douglas Fir and one magnificent between mountain and plain, with a poles for construction. stretched, laid out and honoured for Heaven will be yours. Sitka Spruce which towered above the historic succession of custodians (in The spruce and douglas fir who nine days. Each tree, each wood, is an rest of the forest only to be struck, this case O’Cahalans, O’Heffernans, remain speak in gentle reproach of The forest is a reservoir of life. In ambassador for the world community, some months ago, by lightening. The Butler, Ryan, Evans (who enclosed the their fallen comrades throughout the Ireland today it may be seen as a a channel for the past and future, a tree still lives but scattered all around deerpark by license from Charles II), land: while we have in Ireland trees reservoir of water also for it often conductor from the depths of Earth and are hundred of laths of timber, radially O’Grady, Barrington, and, since 1927, from the 18th and 19th centuries, the protects the pristine catchment areas plectrum of the heart strings of the cleft as if prepared for plasterers: the the community of Benedictine monks). plantings of the first half of the 20th on our mountains. As David sings: centre of the tree exploded leaving a swirling heavens. The woods themselves can boast of a century have virtually been wiped out From your dwelling you water the long gash spiraling down from a height At Glenstal he who writes is longer line of succession: the early with hardly any of them left to show to hills, of a hundred and sixty feet. The currently the forester. His tenure is arboreal settlers - scrub birch and future generations. the Earth drinks its fill of you. neighbouring trees are strewn with the short compared to those for whom he willow - are marginally tolerated by It is good to see trees of latter day The springs gush forth gift in the long ribbon-like shivers of timber. cares, who grow away regardless and the lordly conquerors and masters who planting stand and take their place valleys From Central and South America with abundant strength and carry him supplanted them - the oak of the among those of former times. Oak They flow in between the hills came strange plants with long red along in their great symphony of primeval oak forest, whose following woods planted here at Glenstal forty The wild beasts quench their thirst. pendulous flowers designed for praise. of holly, hazel, yew, rowan, apple, years ago are already over fifty feet in In this millennium purity, that is, humming birds to handle, such as Dr. woodrush, briar and fern sing with the height and join the conifers in showing lack of contamination from the fifty Fuch’s Fuchsia. From the same area sun the music of what happens. Much that young trees may, given time, thousand toxins we have recently Anthony Keane, OSB, Glenstal are King Montezuma’s Pine and a of Ireland was once like this when the mature. New hosts of harlequin produced, is a most precious Abbey, Murroe, Co. Limerick. strange, fearsome, traumatised tree Fianna chased the loping deer and that threatens like a triffid and keeps Diarmaid fled with eloping Grainne. its prickly armour on for fifty years Human kind may have as much right back along the branches so that “it as any other kind of beast or bird to were a puzzle for a monkey to climb spread the seeds of plants. Yet the it”. This trembling monster verdant harmony of the primeval oak Araucaria, remembers the dinosaurs forest cannot be supplied by any and is ready for battle with high arrangement of exotics. There is grazing Diplodocous and something deep and mysterious about Argentosaurus. Claw-sharpening the oak. It does not rush to leaf in raptor and Tyrannosaurus, who early Spring. The beech has already bequeathed to our cats their tricks, unfurled her veils of silken green when could ring bark a tree in seconds: the the oaks’ buds darkly glow with buried monkey puzzles’ defense is to have its gold. Most of the other trees have bark under tons of pressure - witness shown their colours with great display the hundreds of little folds down along when the oak imperceptibly joins the the tree and the giant folds around its race slipping from primal gold to ankles. Thus had the tree evolved by green. One month later the beech is the time of the Cretaceous. It has seen already in tatters; the oak grows no reason to ease its defences since: if greener still. Its colours grow ever attacked today with a chain saw, the deeper and richer as if inspired by the bark will snap upon the chain and stop words of Vanantius Fortunatus’ great it. If one manages to get out the chain hymn written in the oak woods of saw one makes good one’s escape for Gaul: Fonde flore germine. The trees there is no cut: it has already closed. exult in the power of the Earth and the More gentle and colourful are the energy of the sun until with sheer Rhododendrons from India and China, exhuberence around the first of August which combine with the Deodars they declare a second Spring. Fresh (“divine oak”) to make a Himalayan shoots burst forth from the branches, scene. Rhododendron Ponticum is first bright red like Christmas candles, more invasive, but just as the elephant then in the pink of health they turn to in the jungles of India is known as the green as part of their Laughnasa great trail maker so may an excavator celebrations in honour of the great rampaging for a day or two toss the literator harvest god Lugh. This is invaders aside and keep them in their known as lammas growth. When other place. trees have lost their leaves the In the 1820s and 1830s hundreds of Page 16 ...... Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 ...... Page 17

A terrace in the 17th century walled garden, with a young Irish Yew in foreground.

Half a mile south of the Mass Rock, the great fault of Cappercullen Glen is marked by a line of springs that flow over into lakes. The viaduct in middle distance was designed by William, brother of Sheridan le Fanu of horror story fame.

Glenstal and its Forest

The Indian cedar, called “Deodar” or “God’s Tree” by the Indo-Europeans. Photography by Fr. Philip Tierney, OSB

Tree rhododendrons from the Himalayas grow to a height of over thirty feet.

Silver fir and araucaria stand by as a Chilean flame tree Narcotically fragrant azaleas overwhelm the castle. Part of the primeval oak forest enclosed as a deer park in 1673. The spring fed lakes were once great mounds of ice buried in proglacial A Himalayan scene of Deodar, oak and rhododendron. (Embothrium coccineum) blushingly awaits the humming sands and gravels. Page 18 ...... Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 Chemistry Organised - The Periodic Table (A Historical View)

convert common materials into un- work on, John Newlands arranged the limited supplied of precious metals. elements in order of increasing atomic Even as alchemy gave way to weight. He noticed similar properties chemistry, the idea clung on. The piv- and behaviour being repeated every otal figure at this juncture, the French eighth element. Unfortunately, this chemist Antonine Lavoisier, in 1789, pattern broke down before he was half listed 33 substances which could not way through the list, and he was be broken into anything simpler. forced to start putting groups of two Among these, he included heat and or three elements into a single posi- light. tion in order to preserve his pattern of Following his success in undermin- “octaves”. Other elements did not fit ing cherished theories of the al- into this pattern at all, while some chemists, Lavoisier was attempting to had, in a sense, to be forced into posi- impose some order into what was then tion. known about materials. He did not Though the discrepancies in New- have a great deal to go on. Of the lands’ arrangement hindered its ac- 100-plus elements identified today, ceptance by most chemists, the basic a less than thirty were known to principle was taken up by the Russian X chemical symbol Lavoisier. Some, like the unreactive chemist, Dimitri Mendeleev. Using X a atomic weight metals, copper, silver and gold, had atomic weights as his guide, b atomic number been in use since prehistoric times, as Mendeleev treated the picture some- b had less rare metals like iron, lead and what like a jigsaw puzzle. Where el- zinc and the common non-metals, car- ements, in terms of their behaviour, bon and sulphur. A high proportion, did not fit exactly, he moved them to When one examines these ele- cal column in the table comprises a however, had been discovered only a position in which they did. Where ments, one first notices a bewildering “family” of elements, the members of during the previous half-century. nothing seemed to fit, he left gaps. By M.A. Toole array of properties, with little to con- which have very similar properties. Lavoisier divided his elements into He quickly realised, having sixty ele- nect one element to any other. Closer, Until comparatively recently, sci- four groups. In one group, he linked ments to work with, that the whole THE earth and all the materials it more detailed scrutiny reveals a re- ence and its investigations of the heat and light with oxygen, nitrogen picture was incomplete, and that the contains, are made up of simple build- markable natural symmetry which is world rested upon the belief that all and hydrogen. Then came the ele- gaps represented elements that had ing units known as the chemical ele- summarised by a chart that hangs in matter was made from various combi- ments carbon, sulphur and phospho- not yet been discovered. ments. Some of these, like carbon, every chemistry laboratory - The Peri- nations of four elements: earth, water, rus, which produced acids when they The test of any good scientific the- oxygen, silicon, etc., are very com- odic Table. air and fire. Though this concept can were burned. The largest group com- ory lies in its ability to predict what is mon. Others exist to the extent of This appears as a grid in which be traced back to the philosophies of prised the known metals, while the not yet known. Mendeleev was so only a few atoms. The number of metals are listed on the left with non- ancient times, it persisted into the lat- final group contained such substances convinced of the strength of his known elements is now approaching metals on the right. As one moves ter half of the eighteenth century. For as lime, magnesia and silica. These arrangement that he boldly predicted 110, of which just over 90 occur natu- from left to right, the elements show many hundreds of years, alchemy was last substances were not in fact ele- the properties of a number of ele- rally. The rest are man-made. gradual changes in behaviour from seen as a search for that subtle combi- ments, but compounds of such stabil- ments that he said would eventually metallic to non-metallic. Each verti- nation of these elements that could ity that Lavoisier was unable to break be found to fill his gaps. Within a few them into simpler parts. years, these elements were discov- As techniques developed through- ered, and behaved exactly as out the early part of the nineteenth Mendeleev had predicted. century, particularly the ability of The remaining small discrepancies electricity to split compounds into in Mendeleev’s table required the ob- their constituents, more new elements servations of early twentieth century were discovered. In 1817 the German scientists for their solution. The dis- Chemist, Dobereiner, noticed that coveries of the Curies, in France, and three elements, calcium, strontium Rutherford, in England, led to the re- and barium, isolated by Humphrey alisation that atoms were themselves Davy, nine years earlier, had been made up of smaller particles, one type similar properties. Further investiga- of which was named the proton. It tions showed chlorine, bromine and was the number of protons in an atom, iodine to be related to each other in its atomic number, rather than the the same way, as well as lithium, atomic weight, that determined the sodium and potassium. Dobereiner identity of an atom. When elements called these groups “triads”. were arranged in order of increasing At the beginning of the nineteenth atomic number, the problems with century, John Dalton had proposed a Mendeleev’s table disappeared. theory that everything was made of The final clarification of the Peri- tiny particles called atoms. Accord- odic Table came with the work of the ing to this theory, the most important Danish physicist, Neils Bohr, and distinguishing feature of any element Erwin Schrodinger, the Austrian sci- was the weight of its atoms. Deter- entist who later became an Irish citi- mining the weights of particles as tiny zen. They applied the quantum theory as atoms was extremely difficult, and to the structure of atoms, and were involved no small measure of intu- able to explain why the elements, ap- ition, perhaps even guesswork. Nev- parently so diverse in their individual ertheless, using these approximate characteristics, can nevertheless be values, Dobereiner noticed that the arranged into such an orderly, yet pro- atomic weight of the middle element found pattern. in each of his triads was almost ex- actly the average of the weights of the M.A. Toole, 65, Cheswick Drive, other two. Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 In 1863, with more accurate values 5DW, U.K. and a great number of elements to Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 ...... Page 19 Targeting Hormone Disruption

found to show signs of part-feminisa- wildlife and have developed a strategy tion. Further work confirmed that for how we should deal with the prob- By Jane around a third of the male roach in the lem. With regard to chemicals that river were affected. Studies using may disrupt hormones in wildlife, we caged fish on the River Lea and other are adopting a precautionary ap- Kinniburgh UK rivers suggest that the degree of proach. We are using our powers to feminisation was linked to effluent prevent and minimise the release of HORMONES control essential discharged by sewage-treatment these substances into the environment. processes in animals, including hu- works. At the same time, we are continuing to mans, such as growth, metabolism, re- Male fish in the River Aire in York- contribute to research to understand production and the functioning of shire have also shown signs of femini- which chemicals are implicated and various organs. Some chemicals can sation downstream of discharges from what their effects are. We are also disrupt the normal working of the hor- sewage-treatment works. In this case, monitoring the concentrations of such monal endocrine system by mimick- the sewage works received effluents substances in the environment. ing or blocking the action of natural from the textile industry containing We have identified the main ways in hormones. Concern has been growing alkylphenol-based detergents, which which these substances enter the envi- over the evidence of a link between are known to have endocrine-disrupt- ronment and will reduce their impact by: ing properties. · implementing pollution reduction the presence of certain chemicals in Roach (Rutilus rutilus) the environment and the disruption of Results from a recent study of wild programmes specific to each sub- roach in several English rivers, and stance; hormone systems that control repro- show signs of feminisation. been linked to exposure to pesticides one control site in Ireland, confirm · developing and implementing envi- duction in some wildlife species. This Other reports include those of alli- in the environment. that the incidence and degree of femi- ronmental quality standards has also raised questions about the gators and turtles in some lakes in nisation of male fish is generally (EQSs) or targets for steroids and possibility that reported changes in the Florida that have shown a wide range higher at river sites downstream of alkylphenols (these are concentra- reproductive health of humans, in- of reproductive disorders that have What causes these changes? sewage-treatment works than at sites tions below which animals are not cluding increased incidence of testicu- been linked to pollution caused by cer- There is uncertainty about which upstream, or in waters that do not re- affected); lar and breast cancer, birth defects and tain breakdown products of the pesti- substances cause most concern be- ceive sewage effluents (Figure 1). · encouraging industry to implement declining sperm counts, might be cause scientific research is incom- voluntary reduction measures plete. Some of the chemicals where these substances are used; implicated are listed in the table · targeting pollution prevention work below, along with their uses. These at reducing releases at source substances can be released into the en- (through the Integrated Pollution vironment from several sources in- Prevention and Control system); cluding incineration of waste, · carrying out collaborative research chemical manufacturing, textile pro- in high risk catchments to investi- cessing, pesticide applications and do- gate options for reducing inputs of mestic sewage. Man-made chemicals these substances. have been important in developing the More information on the Agency’s quality of modern life, but we must strategy on hormone-disrupting sub- understand - and work to minimise- stances is included in ‘Endocrine-dis- the risk associated with their use. rupting substances in the environment: Once in the environment, chemicals the Environment Agency’s strategy’, can contaminate soil, plants and water published in March 2000. Copies are Reference: Jobling S, Nolan on which wildlife live and depend. available from the Environment M, Tyler C R, Brighty G, and When chemicals enter the food chain, Agency, Rio House, Waterside Drive, Sumpter J P (1998) some are able to pass from one species Aztec West Business Park, Almonds- Widespread sexual disruption to another, and can accumulate in the in wild fish. Environmental bury, Bristol, BS32 4UD, or on our species at the top of the food chain. Science and Technology, vol. Web site http://www.environment- 32, pp 2498-2506. agency.gov.uk What are we doing about it? The Agency has a wide range of en- Jane Kinniburgh, Manager, vironmental management responsibil- Environmental Assessment and Figure 1: Proportion of male roach with signs of feminisation ities, including the prevention and Reporting, Head Office, Environment control of pollution and the manage- Agency, Rio House, Waterside Drive, In this study, rivers were sampled caused by exposure to certain chemi- cide DDT. Some gulls and terns in the ment of water resources and freshwa- up and downstream of effluents where Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol, cals, although no such links have yet USA show evidence of feminisation of ter fisheries. We have recently there was an impassable barrier be- BS32 4UD, U.K. been proven. males, poor egg formation and fe- undertaken a review of all the scien- tween sites. Agency fisheries staff male-to-female pairing, which has tific advice for hormone disruption in caught up to 100 roach from 18 sites What is the concern? from a range of eight rivers and five Evidence of changes in the repro- reference (no effluent inputs) loca- ductive system of wildlife caused by tions. Fish were dissected to remove certain chemicals has been docu- gonads and blood samples were subse- mented for the past 40 years. One of quently analysed for plasma egg pro- the most striking examples of the ef- teins (vitellogenin). Gonads were fect of pollution on wildlife in the UK taken for analysis of the intersex con- was the identification around the coast dition (presence of eggs in testis tis- of a condition known as ‘imposex’ in sue) and any further abnormalities. A dog whelks, in which females acquire numerical index of the intersex condi- male characteristics that physically tion was developed, based on presence prevent the female from laying eggs. of numbers of eggs in testis tissue and By the late 1980s it was clear that this other abnormalities such as the pres- condition was widespread and caused ence of an oviduct (scale from 0 all by the use of tributyl tin (TBT) as an male tissue, to 7 all female tissue). antifouling agent on boats. Since the The mean intersex index varied con- ban on the use of TBT-based paints on siderably, from 0.33 at some control small boats in 1987, the dog whelks sites to 2.3 on the River Aire. have shown some signs of recovery. In marine waters, male founder On the River Lea in North London, from the Tyne, Mersey and Solway male roach (a type of coarse fish) were Firth estuaries have been found to Page 20 ...... Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 Sherkin Island Marine Station Lough Key Forest Park Páirc Fhoraoise Loch Cé Publications Co. Roscommon Location: 3.5km east of Boyle on N4 to Carrick-on-Shannon. Now a A Beginner’s Guide to Habitat: Lough Key Forest Park forms part of the formal Rockingham Estate dating back to 1617. It comprises 350 hectares of mixed woodland and incorporates a number of the islands Bestseller! of Lough Key. Ireland’s Length/Type of Trails: A number of signposted trails are developed incorporating the main features of interest within the park. Main Tree Species: Many of the great trees of the original plantation remain, notably the giant red cedars, magnificent beeches that flank the main avenue and some ash and oak. There Seashore is a wide variety of other species. “A Beginner’s Guide to Ireland’s Seashore” Other Flora: The bog gardens are a particular feature of the park and display a wide selec- is a pocket-sized guide, suitable for tion of peat-loving plants and shrubs. Young heather plants, together with hosta, astilbe, lobelia, beginners of all ages. With the help of this hydrangea and trollius provide a blaze of colour by the wide range of garden. In the gardens book you will be able to explore the proper the main contribution is made by a wide range of rhododendrons which mingle with yel- wonders of marine life on the shores low orange azaleas in early summer. The ground cover in general is made up of sphagnum around Ireland. Available for £4.99 at all moss, shallon, heather and other plant species. good bookshops. Fauna: The park supports a large variety of wild animals the largest of which is the fallow deer. Others present include the fox, badger, stoat, hedgehog, squirrel, otter, rabbit and hare. Also available for £4.99 plus 50p postage Bats are also numerous. Birdlife is rich due to the range of habitat types. The resident popula- from: tion is augments in summer by migratory species such as chiffchaff, warblers, whitethroat, Matt Murphy, Sherkin Island Marine cuckoo and swallow. Wild fowl are plentiful in winter. Station, Sherkin Island, Co. Cork. Tel: History: The name, Lough Key, derives from Cé, the druid of Nuadha of the Silver Arm, who, 028-20187 Fax: 028-20407 Email: according to legend, was drowned when the waters of the lake burst forth from the earth. The [email protected] area is rich in sites of archaeological interest. Within the park itself are several ringforts and some of the islands in the lake contain interesting medieval ruins. On Church Island are the re- mains of a Franciscan Priory and on Trinity Island the remains of a Premonstratensian Priory while Castle Island has traces of a medieval caste. Nearby in the townland of Ardcarn an ex- Ireland’s Bird Life. A World of Beauty tensive series of earthworks marks the site a medieval village while Boyle Abbey is one of the Edited by Matt Murphy & Susan Murphy earliest Cistercian abbeys in the country. Facilities: Lough Key has a fully serviced caravan and camping park with service buildings Ireland's Bird Life - A World of Beauty contains photographs from the vast collection of Richard including showers, toilets, laundry, games room and outdoor children’s play area. A restaurant Mills, who is recognised as one of Europe's finest natural history photographers. They will show and shop is located in the forest park. Other attractions include lake cruises, boat hire, obser- the great talent of a man who is a craftsman with his camera. vation tower and tunnel, an old estate chapel, temple, fairy bridge, ice house and wishing chair. This book is not for the expert birdwatcher or photographer and is by no means a complete guide to Irish birds. It is for the many hundreds of thousands who, like us, know little or nothing about these wonderful creatures. It is hoped that the book will encourage many to take up bird- watching as a hobby. Cong Wood ISBN: 1 870492 80 3 (size 8" x 12" - 160 pages) Hardback - Price: £16.99 Softback - Price: £9.99 (plus surface postage - Ireland, UK & Europe - £4.00; Rest of the of the World - £7.00) Coill Chonga Co. Galway Ireland’s Marine Life. A World of Beauty Location: Adjacent to Cong Village near the Abbey grounds. Edited by Matt Murphy & Susan Murphy Geology: Limestone with remnants of former quarrying holes where stone was cut for use in the construction of local castles. Millions of photographs and billions of words have been printed on Ireland's landscape, her plant life and her inland waters, yet the magnificence of the marine life around her coast equals, Length of Trail: 3km if not surpasses, that terrestrial beauty. Habitat: The area is honeycombed with turloughs and subterranean streamlets with nat- The photographs chosen give but a glimpse of the thousands of animals and plants in Ireland's ural spawning beds for pike on the bays of Cong River which runs through this area. Lough coastal waters. We hope that they will give people a new awareness of Ireland's wonderful natural Corrib lies close by. resource - the sea. Main Tree Species: The wood has a wide variety of both deciduous and coniferous trees. Main species include Sitka and Norway spruces, Scots pine, silver fir, American redwoods, ISBN: 1 870492 75 7 (158 pages) - Hardback only oak, beech, lime and ash. Price: £17.99 Other Flora: Meadow sweet, horse’s tail, bullrush, common reed, water lilies and dog- (plus surface postage - Ireland, UK & Europe - £4.00; Rest of the of the World - £7.00) weed periwinkle. Fauna: The area is famous for woodcock. Animals found in the locality include pine The Wild Plants of Sherkin, Cape Clear marten, red squirrel, fox, hare, rabbit, badger and stoat. Coot, moorhen, mallard and swan and adjacent Islands of West Cork can be found on the river. Edited by John Akeroyd History: The last of the High Kings of Ireland, Rory O’Connor, lived across the river in the old abbey for the final year of his life and reign. This area incorporates a place called This illustrated publication brings together 20 years of floristic data from the islands of Roar- the “wilderness” traversed by a maze of roads, a substantial tower and huge stone walls. ingwater Bay, S.W. Cork, Ireland. A total of 592 flowering plants, conifers and ferns have been Cong and Ashford grounds are well known as the location for the film “The Quiet Man”. recorded on these islands. This makes this small area the richest 10-kilometre square in Ireland. Facilities: Seats and fishing - Cong River is famous for salmon and trout. The area is very Twelve Irish Red Data book species, over 30 significantly rare Irish plants and several taxa new peaceful with the silence broken only by bird song. There is an entry fee if entering through to the Irish flora have been recorded. This is the first Flora for any part of County Cork, the largest Ashford Castle grounds. county in Ireland, since T. Allin's Flora of the County Cork, over 100 years ago in 1883. “Discovering Ireland’s Woodlands. A Guide to Forest Parks, Picnic Sites and Woodland Hardback - Price: £20.00; Softback - Price: £9.99 Walks”, produced by Coillte Teoranta - The Irish Forestry Board, provides details of forest (plus surface postage - Ireland - £1.80; UK - £2.50; Europe - £3.20; Rest of the World - £5.00) parks, picnic sites and forest walks. Lough Key Forest Park and Cong Wood are just two For further publications visit our website: http:/homepage.eircom.net/~sherkinmarine of these forests. Price: £2.00. Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 ...... Page 21 TurkTurk HeadHead -- AA HiddenHidden TreasureTreasure

branches. The arms are lifted up in the rine Station have been surveying the anemones and a selection of other plant shape of a bowl, into the passing cur- channel as part of a series of surveys and animal species. The brittlestars are By Alex Sen Gupta rent. Below, is what looks like a set of over the past 20 years. We have made often two or three deep and like to hide small roots that attach the animal to the an estimate as to the number of each under the branches of the featherstars. rock. As the featherstar catches parti- species present. Obviously trying to Like children being counted on a OFF the northern coast of Sherkin cles in its branches it tightly rolls up its count the millions of animals present school bus, they love to move around Island running between Sandy Island legs, one at a time, to bring the food would be impossible, so at intervals to make it more difficult for us. We and Turk Head on the mainland there is a narrow, steep sided channel about 20m deep. As you descend down the steep wall, through layer upon layer of ever darker water an eerie light falls on a habitat that could be from a prehis- toric age. On the lower slopes of the wall from about 10 m downwards, the rock be- comes completely obscured by liter- ally millions of brittlestars. These spidery echinoderms, relatives of the From the data we can see how the more common starfish, have a body various species are distributed along the size of a 10p coin, with long slen- the channel and at different depths. We der legs 5 - 10 cm long covered with can also see if and how things are tiny tentacles. In the strong currents changing over the years. As we have that flow through the channel the brit- seen with so many other species tlestars raise their legs to catch passing around the world, the fact that these particles of food with their tentacles. animals have survived 500 million Food is passed along the tentacles into years is no guarantee that, with us the mouth, on the underside of the cen- around, they will be here in another tral body. This massive population is 500 million years. only possible where there are strong This is an almost unique area and so food-rich currents that can sustain must be treated with special care. The such vast numbers of animals. brittlestars and featherstars, although Fossil evidence shows that 500 mil- extremely abundant, are also ex- lion years ago, during the Mesozoic tremely fragile, and any careless con- era, populations like these flourished Photos: Paul Kay tact will cause damage. It is a privilege 1 in the oceans . Some unknown phe- to dive there. nomenon wiped out most of these, Common Brittlestars (Ophiothrix fragilis) are often be found two to three deep, obscuring rocks and sponges. leaving only a few scattered beds around the world. Different theories Alex Sen Gupta is currently a along the channel we counted small have an extremely short time each day volunteer at Sherkin Island Marine for the cause of this have been put for- samples, at different depths along the to carry out a survey. Unless we dive Station. ward - possibly one of the mass ex- wall. Even this was extremely difficult precisely at high tide, in a slot of about tinction from increased volcanic as in a single metre square there may 30 minutes, the current becomes so 1Dr. R. Aronson (1987), A murder mystery from activity or a meteor impact, or maybe be up to 1500 brittlestars, as many strong that we just get swept out of the the Mesozoic. New Scientist: 1581 pp56 - 59 the increased predation from the grow- featherstars in addition to hundreds of channel. ing number of fish and crustaceans that began to evolve at that time. Many other species share the chan- nel with the brittlestars. The most prevalent is another type of echino- derm, the featherstar. They are present in almost the same numbers as their brittlestar cousins. These fascinating looking animals could easily be mis- taken for a strange plant, until you see them move. They have many long arms, covered in numerous feathery

Featherstar (Antedon bifida) extends its legs into the current to collect food. into its mouth. If they are dislodged from their rocks, they are good swim- mers, but with a very unusual style, moving alternate legs together in a sin- uous doggy paddle. The strong currents and large quan- tities of suspended food not only at- tract many species, but also seem to have fattened them up to almost giant proportions. Various types of crab, colourful sea anemones, sea firs (Hy- drozoans), soft corals and massive sponges are common sights. In these rich waters animals seem two or three times as large as you would normally Jewel Anemones (Corynactis see while diving. viridis) can create a colourful In an effort to keep a record of this display on underwater rocks. unusual area, we at Sherkin Island Ma- Page 22 ...... Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 meeting future EU limits for these pollutants will present a difficult challenge. The report calls for major changes in our think- ing on a number of other fronts: Ireland’s Environment · the effect building development has on the landscape such as urban sprawl, inappropriate rural housing development, road construction and the growth of industry. A MILLENNIUM REPORT · the need for an increase in the availability of alternative modes of transport i.e. cycle lanes, THE Millennium report by the Environmental more than twice the limit. It states a process of the provision of good quality and efficient Protection Agency (EPA) on the state of Ireland’s major change must get underway urgently if Ire- public transport is stressed. environment makes stark reading. The Celtic land is to fulfill its obligations. · the conservation of air, flora and fauna and the Tiger is causing an acceleration of pressures on Ireland’s river water quality is highlighted in protection of a number of risk species, tur- the environment, which must be addressed by all the report. It continues to deteriorate with no halt loughs, shingle beaches, coastal lagoon, maerl of us. It is the responsibility of every citizen to in the trend, evident since the late 1970s of a beds, machair, a range of peatlands, the otter, ensure that future generations do not inherit in- steadily increasing extent of slight and moderate bats, lesser horseshoe bats and a number of surmountable problems with the environment in pollution. This is caused by eutrophication (en- bird species. which they live. richment), which now affects about one-third of The report states there is considerable scope to The report points to the rate of growth across the river system. Salmon/trout have been ad- reform the Irish fiscal system as part of overall strategic sectors, which are posing a major chal- versely affected by factors including drainage approaches to addressing key environmental is- lenge for environmental protection: and eutrophication. The charr has been lost from sues facing Ireland. Potential economic instru- · new housing completions had more than dou- a number of lakes and appears to be particularly ments include the following: bled and the number of households had in- sensitive to eutrophication. · an excise tax on the sale of fertilisers to dis- ing, mineral exploitation and recreational and courage overuse; creased substantially: The report is very definite in appropriating tourism developments. Much of the water ab- · personal consumption of goods and services blame relating to substances entering inland · waste charges and taxes; stracted for supply is lost through leakages from · taxes and charges to discourage vehicle use in had increased by one-third in a five-year pe- water. Agriculture is by far the major source of the distribution systems and measures are being riod; phosphorus inputs whilst urban waste water and urban areas; taken to address the problem. Noise and, in par- · greeenhouse gas taxation; · the volume of industrial production had more industrial effluents give rise to much lower loads. ticular, odours are the major reasons for com- · appropriate cost recovery for the provision of than doubled; The quantities of non-agricultural solid waste plaints in relation to activities licensed under the environmental services and avoidance of en- · the total number of vehicles had increased by are continuing to grow in Ireland, over 15 million integrated pollution control (IPC) system. Fur- vironmentally damaging subsidies. more than 50 per cent; tonnes in 1998. The largest amounts generated: ther pressures include impacts of fishing and The report calls for a sustained long-term pro- · the country’s total primary energy require- · 4.9 million in manufacturing aquaculture activities, accidental spillages and ra- gramme of environmental awareness raising and ment had increased by more than one-third; · 3.5 million in mining and quarrying dioactive discharges from outside the State. education. Environmental awareness in Ireland · there was substantial expansion in forestry, · 2.7 million in construction and demolition A new threat is mentioned on the effect of must be raised significantly so that, in daily life, tourism and trade. · 2.1 million of municipal emissions from road traffic. This is described as citizens are sufficiently informed and committed We learn from the report that Ireland’s interna- The amount has doubled since the mid-1980s. the greatest threat to air quality in Ireland, espe- that they will take the environment into account tional commitment on emissions of greenhouse It is heartening to learn that waste recovery in the cially in urban areas. The pollutants of concern in the way they manage their homes and their gases mainly carbon dioxide, methane and ni- manufacturing section has increased from 31% in from this source include nitrogen dioxide, fine businesses, use transport and make consumer trous oxide is to limit such emission in the period 1995 to 51% in 1998. 10 particulate matter (measured as PM ) and ben- choices. Our present choices, both as a society 2008-2012 - 13% above 1990 levels. There are often growing pressures on the envi- zene. Little information has been available con- and as individuals, determine the quality of the However, the percentage increase already ex- ronment, including changes on the land surface cerning benzene but it is clear from the limited environment that we will hand on to future gen- ceeds this and in a business as usual scenarios resulting from road building, industrial develop- monitoring for nitrogen dioxide and PM10 that erations. Ireland’s emissions by that period would reach ment, housing, agriculture, afforestation, quarry- Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 ...... Page 23 Dredging, Science and Environmental Protection

The Act requires adequate char- acterization of dredged materi- By Michael als using a series of progressively more intensive testing. The tiers start with Ludwig simple queries about the dredge area, sediments and possible VESSEL size and draft as pollution sources. Subsequent well as cargo handling practices tiers use exposure tests to iden- are constantly changing. tify health threats to organisms Dredging is often needed to typically found at a disposal maintain a modern port. Today, area. We have improved the the busiest port on the east testing protocol as methods and coast of the United States re- our understanding of threats ceives vessels that require more poised by various pollutants than fifty feet of water and have improved. Today, sedi- carry over 4000 container ment test results are reported in boxes or about 300,000 tons of parts per billion (in some cases oil. New York Harbour has a parts per trillion) and the threat natural depth limit of nineteen to the environment can be de- feet. Without dredging those fined. These improvements vessels could not enter the har- have lead to better dredging and bour. In the US, the US Army disposal practices. Corps of Engineers is responsi- The test results are needed to Photos: Matt Murphy & Michael Ludwig ble for maintaining federal determine if the dredged mater- Above left: Deepening harbours can require removing rock. The Dredge "New York" is working beneath the Fitzgerald channels. They dredge more ial disposal will adversely im- Bridge in inner Boston Harbour. Top: As cargo vessels increase in size and draft, Ports must deepen channels to than 400 million cubic yards of pact the environment at the remain competitive. Boston has just finished their new 45 foot deep channel. Above right & top right: Different sediment every year. disposal site in other than me- sediment calls for different dredges: the ripper is used in hard soil and soft rock (above right), the clamshell is used in Beginning in the late 1960s chanical ways. (Dumping sedi- soft and soupy sediments (top right). The power ripper shovel dumps its 10 yard bucket into a disposal scow for people began to investigate the ments in one spot on the sea transport to a designated dump site. Clamshell dredges can move up to 50 cubic yards in a single grab. impacts associated with dredg- floor buries the creatures that ing and in-water, dredged mate- live there. While some species Those levels are compared to Any sediment that is not pure is Whatever the cause, the result made. However, we all need to rial disposal. The need to can dig their way through the amounts in animals that were considered “contaminated.” To is that some think that many understand what is being understand the environmental material, others die. Con- held on sediments from around many people, the word means government workers want to dredged and where is the best consequences of these activities versely, creating new habitat the disposal site. The differ- “toxic” or hazardous to health. pollute the ocean. Dealing with place to place it. came with the realization that encourages a larger population ence in the number of dead and These different definitions cre- this opposition is difficult and many of our harbours are col- size and increases ecological the levels of pollutants taken up ate confusion and concern. not always successful. When Michael Ludwig, NOAA, lecting points for pollutants value.) Testing identifies which are compared. If the numbers Other uncertainties are associ- the science of sediment testing NMFS, Milford, Connecticut dumped into them or their trib- sediments are too polluted to are not close, the sediments ated with the testing results and and the test results are not un- 06460-6499, USA. utary waterways. The polluted place in the ocean. These must cannot be dumped at the dis- how the numbers are used. derstood, bad choices can be materials often come to reside be placed in special, contain- posal site. in shipping channels and ment areas. Testing also pro- Designation of an open water berthing areas and other, deeper vides insights on when to allow disposal site also requires a rig- parts of the harbour. Handling dredging, the types and sizes of orous evaluation. Questions re- polluted dredged materials is dredges to be used and the garding its value to the natural complicated, but we are learn- method(s) of disposal. resources of an area must be ing ways to do it. Relocating Should there be observers fully addressed. This step has contaminated sediments to on-board to watch for whales identified sites that possess clean areas causes pollution ex- and sea turtles? Is the sediment unique ecological conditions pansion, and threatens the envi- clean enough to be used to and protected the environment ronment and quality of seafood. “cap” prior sediment disposals? from poor choices. Disposal Safely handling polluted sedi- These are questions designed to sites should retain materials ment is expensive insure the dredging protects the placed there unless dispersal of In 1972, concerns about environment. the sediments is fully under- using the oceans as a waste dis- The testing requires up to six stood and desired. Much of the posal site set the stage in Lon- months for completion and can continental shelf ocean floor don, England for an agreement cost over $100,000. (Dredging does not meet the containment on what types and amounts of a harbour can cost millions of requirement in waters less than materials could be dumped in dollars.) Local species of 80 feet deep. international waters. The worms, clams and shrimp are However, even with accept- agreement is known as the Lon- placed in containers with the able test results in hand, we are don Dumping Convention. In sediments and maintained there finding that some people re- the US, the Marine Protection, for ten and twenty-eight days. main convinced that all dredged Research and Sanctuaries Act Those that die are noted and the sediments are dangerous. Michael Ludwig (left), the author and Matt Murphy (right), standing next to one of the was created to address ocean levels of pollutants taken up by Often it is because the language power shovels that removes unpolluted sediment to deepen the harbor. It has State-of- disposal activities in US waters. those that live are determined. of dredging isn’t explained. the-art electronics that allow precise removal at ten yards per bucket full. Page 24 ...... Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 of his great interests was the study of sponges about which he had vast knowledge. Regrettably little of his work was published. On record, how- ever, is his description of a new species, Parery- My Father, the Naturalist thropodium hibernieum, a beautiful and delicate, pink, soft “coral”, apparently unique to Lough Ine. From the mid 1920’s on, resulting from talks given and contacts made by my father, the By Jean Hassett uniqueness of Lough Ine, as well as his on going work there, began to be seen as significantly im- MY father, Prof. Louis P.W. Renouf, was born portant by other scientists. Thus evolved the long in 1887. He went to school in the German Bene- succession of scientists, some better known than dictine Monastery in Erdington, England, and others, who brought groups of students to study won a scholarship to King Edward VII Grammar in Lough Ine. Among those who readily come to School in Birmingham. His interest in biology mind: Julien Huxley and his beautiful wife Juli- started long before he left school. In 1907, he ette. Juliette, attired in apple green beach pyja- found employment in the Department of Pathol- mas of flowing chiffon, looked, to me, like a ogy in Birmingham University where, in his own princess who had escaped from a book of fairy words, he did “a number of junior jobs” and ac- tales. John Ebling, a student, visited Lough Ine quired a practical and widely-based approach to before the War as did Jack Kitching who headed biology which he never lost. From here, he won that party. They both returned as soon as the war an open scholarship to Trinity College, Cam- was over and subsequently year after year to bridge. He took his B.A. in 1914 and subse- bring more students as well as to further their quently a post teaching biology to medical Above: “Animal Life on the own research. Oleg Polunin, author of “Trees students in Glasgow University. In the same year Seashore”, written by my father. and Bushes of Britain and Europe” and many he married my mother, Nora Wareing. Right: One of the few other guides, visited visiting Lough Ine. Oleg In 1922 he was appointed to the Chair of Biol- photographs of my father - here also spent time on Sherkin Island where he ogy in University College Cork (UCC), where he in his punt with my mother’s camped with his family while studying its plants. remained until his retirement. He dedicated bulldog. Worthy of mention here is Prof. Thompson much of his scientific life to two great tasks: the Photo: © Jean Hassett Flynn, then Professor of Zoology in Queen’s Uni- reconciliation of religion with biological science more. We saw little of him apart from mealtimes 10 specimens collected. One very productive versity, Belfast, and also father of the well-known and his work in Lough Ine in West Cork. His which were regular as clockwork at 8am, 1pm year I earned 5/- with which I bought my first film actor Errol Flynn. Thompson Flynn was, all grandfather, the Egyptologist, Sir Peter La Page and 6pm respectively. Left to our own devices, watch. What fate befell the ticks I do not know! through the war years, UCC’s external examiner Renouf, had become a Catholic and for a time we tuned into the local environment. I was the We, his children, continued to occupy our- of zoology. He was a most welcome, delightful was Cardinal Newman’s recorder. Louis’ father, baby of the family, born in 1927. My sister, selves with our many and varied “trivial pursuits” guest and stayed in our house in Tivoli twice each Peter L. Renouf, incidentally, was an inventor Mena, and brothers Luan and Pat were 2½, 8 and which we found more enjoyable and our father year. He never left without giving my mother a and had accreditation for, among other things, in- 11 years my senior respectively. Pat was my saw these as far more educational than anything big box of “Black Magic” chocolates. We were venting the free wheel of the bicycle. champion. He had a small sailing boat. It was taught in schools. He, on the other hand, dedi- all allowed one chocolate each after lunch, every Soon after his appointment to UCC, my father my job, at the start of each season, to fix the rig- cated himself to things way above our heads and in day until, sadly, the box was empty. met Dr. Lloyd Praeger of the Royal Irish Acad- ging on the top of the mast. The boat would have which we, perhaps regrettably, had little interest. My father’s contribution to the teaching of bi- emy. Resulting from this meeting, he paid a visit capsized had Pat climbed the mast. Pat taught me His equipment was basic and diving unheard ology was considerable. As well as teaching stu- to Lough Ine and remained within its spell until to sail and took me fishing and climbing cliffs of. He had a small rowing boat and would row in dents in Lough Ine and First Medicine and he died in 1968. In common with many other sci- looking for seabirds’ nests. Lough Ine and Balogue Harbour stopping fre- Science students in UCC, he was the author of entists, he had the problem of being “ahead of his Pat and Luan, one year occupied themselves quently to lean over the side and scan the sea bed “Animal Life on the Sea Shore”. He and Joseph time”. His work in Lough Ine was of utmost im- by getting two young ravens and rearing them to through a long tubular metal object with glass fit- Stork of Darthmouth College were joint authors portance to him but to very few others. He got adulthood. I loved the ravens and played with ted into the bottom. Spring tides were a much ap- of “Fundamentals of Biology”, “A Junior Biol- little support, financial or otherwise from UCC. them by the hour year after year. One wing on preciated bonanza, making everything in and ogy” and “Plant and Animal Ecology”, with His first laboratory was a packing case. This was each bird was cut after each moult to prevent below the subtidal zone more accessible than at “Stork and Renouf” becoming a household word succeeded a few years later by a garden shed, them from flying away. They seemed happy other times. in Britain and Ireland for several decades. which he personally bought, importing it from He was a lifelong philatelist. Even here his bi- England. This laboratory was situated beside the ological interests intruded: he wrote and had pub- head of the Rapids and sufficed for many years lished two booklets on “The Stamp Zoo”. On a until it was swept into the lough and smashed to more serious plane, he accumulated a magnifi- pieces by a tidal wave. cent collection of Irish stamps, including rare va- Parallel with his research, my father had a rieties of the provisional overprints and postal burning passion to instill a love of nature in oth- items connected with the Civil War. The stamps ers. A second and finally a third wooden labora- provided him with long hours of pleasure when tory were constructed and fitted out with what he could no longer visit Lough Ine and had in- would now be seen as extremely primitive equip- voluntarily “resigned” from UCC at a younger ment. They did suffice, however in making it age than was the norm at that time. possible for him to invite groups of students from The “Business World” was outside my father’s far and near, to come on courses and learn from a realm of comprehension and was even frowned “master”. Shore collecting was a frequent exer- upon and seen as rather “vulgar” by both my cise. Stones were lifted in search of specimens. mother and him. I remember being told “money Specimens had to be treated with the greatest re- is never mentioned in polite company”. His faith spect and every stone replaced carefully so as not in St. Philomena, UCC and human nature in gen- to disturb the environment. eral, while admirable, was unfortunately, above Every year, from the early 1920’s, the whole and beyond basic commonsense. The Sweep’s Renouf family moved to a small house in Bar- Stake ticket he placed annually under St. Philom- logue, near Lough Ine, for a month each Easter ena’s statute never won. My mother did not re- and 3 months each summer. The journey from ceive a pension from UCC after his death as my

Cork to Skibbereen was by steam train. On one The Heritage Service - Wilson/Dúchas Photo: Keith father had, apparently, considered payments into such journey, an enormous black spider in a glass a pension scheme as quite unnecessary!. Money Lough Ine from the south-east, with the rapids in the foreground jar was placed inside the window. I couldn’t fig- and stamps alike that he had trustingly lent to ure out why we had the carriage to ourselves that though they had to travel in a box whenever the Plankton and other tiny specimens were col- “friends” were not always returned. day - there was a lid on the jar and the spider rest of the family moved from Barlogue to Tivoli lected in a tow net - a conical structure made of I was 41 and expecting my tenth and sadly, my couldn’t have got out to harm anyone! On arrival and vice versa. The ravens learned to bark ex- muslin, a loop of strong wire kept the mouth last baby when my father died. I hadn’t got to at Skibbereen station, we were met by a pony and actly like my mother’s Alsatians and terrorised open, a jar fitted in the narrow end caught spec- know him any better in my adult life than I had as trap and driven to Barlogue - some six miles callers to the house in Tivoli by barking at them imens while excess water escaped through the a child. I had, however, “inherited” his love of away. The pony and trap were owned and driven loudly even when the dogs were not to be seen. muslin. To each side of the wire was tied a long nature. Destruction and waste of any kind sad- by my mother and cared for by the farmer from Their wings were eventually allowed to grow and cord, the ends being secured, one on each side of dens me as it did him. My wish for the future is whom we rented the house. It was our valued the ravens went back to their natural environ- the rapids and adjusted carefully to hold the net in that mankind in general shows more respect and mode of transport year after year. ment. the best position for catching a sample of speci- concern for the inherent beauty of the world, The house in Barlogue was about a mile of My father needed ticks for his research and mens from those being carried into the lough on which was, if long ago and rather optimistically, rough boreen from my father’s much loved gave me the task of collecting these off the neigh- the rising tide. These specimens, my father sub- entrusted to our care. “labs”, to and from which he walked, apparently bours’ cows while they were being milked. For sequently scrutinised under a microscope as he effortlessly, twice every day and sometimes these, I was paid the princely sum of 1d for every sketched and recorded them diligently. Another Jean Hassett, “Roseville”, Strawberry Hill, Cork. Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 ...... Page 25 tremely useful guide to those working and studying within this area and to those who have a general interest about the topics ad- dressed.

SPAWN, SPAT, AND SPRAINS A Manual for Aquaculture Safety Publications of Interest in Alaska” University of Alaska Sea Grant College Program, P.O Box 755040, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-5040, USA How are we managing our important conclusions. ing Marine Protected Areas (MPA). The ing enthusiast, old or new. A definite first 1998 aims and objectives of MPAs are clearly set stop for beginners. healthcare wastes? ISBN 1-56612-055-1 CHOOSING AND USING out with the planning and management Adrian Coad and Jurg Christen forming the main body of text. Topics cov- Price US$6.00 STATISTICS ered include site selection, zoning imple- Collins RSPCA Garden Wildlife: Published by SKAT/1999 This aquaculture safety manual is a A Biologist’s Guide mentation and financial management. Attracting wildlife to your garden source of information for the aquaculture Available from: IT Publications Ltd., Working examples are used to effectively employee in Alaska. However, it should be By Calvin Dytham By Val Porter 103-105 Southampton Row, GB- demonstrate the main concepts. The use of compulsory reading for anyone involved London WC1B 4HH, UK. Blackwell Science/1999 key words, bullet points and summary boxes HarperCollins Publishers/1999 with the sea. It is well laid out in 11 chap- makes this publication particularly helpful ISBN: 3-908001-86-2 ISBN: 0 00413383 8 ters, of which eight are relevant to the Irish ISBN: 0-86542-653-8 as reference material. Price: £7.99stg scene. The chapter on small boat safety re- Price: £9.95stg Price: £18.50stg minds people to wear proper clothing and A comprehensive and informative guide This recent publication assessed the cur- A valuable handbook for all biologists lifejackets, and to inform a responsible per- MANAGING A SEA to ecology in the garden. Explaining princi- rent situation relative to waste disposal from completing statistics analysis. The usual for- son of one’s destination and also outlines The Ecological Economics of the pals of interactions between animals as hospitals, clinics, general practioners, etc. mat of the mathematics underpinning statis- common problems to avoid. If you are in- ‘webs’ and the knock-on effects of targeted Their liquid and solid wastes present a tical tests has been discarded in favour of a Baltic volved with aquaculture or are a pleasure animals as pests; in simple jargon. There is health hazard, whether infectious, poiso- more user-friendly manual on processing boater, then get this book. Edited by Ing-Marie Gren, Kerry a good balance of colour pictures, pho- nous, radioactive or potentially causing in- data with P.C packages available. This step- Turner & Fredrik Wulff tographs and diagrams, with bullet points jury. Different disposal methods should be by step guide, with easy to follow keys and concisely and clearly explained, therefore a applied according to the hazard: clear diagrams, meets the authors aim of Earthscan/2000 THE COMMUNITY PLANNING good ready reference guide. A children’s - incineration (infectious) producing a comprehensive guide to statis- ISBN: 1-85383-608-7 version would be an invaluable companion. HANDBOOK - neutralisation (chemicals) tics without including equations. - autoclaving (microbes) Price: £16.95stg How people can shape their - returning to supplier / landfill (radioactive) Looking at the degradation of the sea by Creating a Flower Meadow cities, towns and villages in any Several case studies from developing COD anthropogenic sources, this book uses the part of the world countries showed that, although favourable A Biography Of The Fish That Baltic Sea as case study for discussing man- By Yvette Verner Earthscan Publications Ltd., 120 towards a good healthcare management Changed The World agement strategies for remediation. It Green Earth Books/1999 strategy, they lack proper financing, respon- avoids a lot of the monitoring or scientific Pentonville Road, London, N1 9JN, UK ISBN: 1 90032208 0 sibility, public information and habit modi- By Mark Kurlansky research that has taken place over the last 30 2000 fications. years, preferring to focus on the methods Price: £9.95stg Jonathan Cape/1998 ISBN 1 85383 654 0 applied for management, including Geo- A demonstration of practical activism on ISBN: 0-224-05104-0 WETLANDS, WATER & THE graphical Information Systems, policy use, our concerns of the changing environment. Price: £14.95stg action plans and model simulations. It is a LAW Price: £12.99stg A chatty, thought provoking and informative There is an increasing involvement by Cod would, on first impressions, appear useful and accessible guide for both stu- guide of the author’s endeavours on the local communities in the planning and man- Using law to advance wetland to be a strange and maybe laughable subject dents and professionals within the field of small scale; outlining the importance of agement of their environment. This book is conservation and wise use matter, however, this book is instantly en- ecological economics, with contributions conservation and understanding of the local a step by step guide on how it should be gaging, holding your attention from the from economists, ecologists and environ- landscape. An easy read, although not really done. The methods described can each be By Clare Shine & Cyrille de Klemm start. It is an intriguing historic read from mentalists. written as a ready reference book, but high- effective in their own right. But it is when IUCN Environmental Policy the perspective of the cod fishing industry. lights the fact that small is beautiful and im- they are combined together creatively that and Law Paper No. 38 Spanning four continents, the story begins a Ecological methods portant. Inspiring for the active community planning becomes a truly pow- thousand years ago with the Vikings discov- conservationalist and a starting block for erful force for positive and sustainable IUCN/1999 ery of the fish as an important food source 3rd Edition permaculture and a positive reason for set-a- change. side in arable farming practices. ISBN: 2-8317-0478-2 and the inevitable commercialisation, end- By T.R.E. Southwood & P.A. Possibly the most important pages in this excellent book are the ones on “why get in- Price: £13.50stg ing with today’s tragic demise of the Cod Henderson fish stocks. Anyone with an interest in his- volved?” The 13 reasons should be the fore- This well presented guide shows the cur- ECOLOGY AND LANDSCAPE tory or just a good read should not be put off Blackwell Science/2000 most ones for those that want to organise rent law practices in the area of wetland use by this title, but pick it up and have a fasci- DEVELOPMENT local involvement in planning in their envi- and conservation. The vast reservoir of data ISBN: 0-632-05477-8 nating read. A History of the Mersey Basin ronment. Guidelines are given for dozens of is thoughtfully set out with key points high- Price: £34.95stg projects such as derelict site re-use, commu- lighted for quick perusal. The book deals Edited by E.F. Greenwood Ecology is a subject difficult to under- nity centres, housing development, inner well with its aim to show “the contribution SHARKS AND THEIR stand, sometimes, in the way that it brings Liverpool University Press/1999 city regeneration, town centre upgrade, vil- wetlands make to sustainable management RELATIVES together all the different aspects related with lage renewal. Highly recommended. of limited freshwater resources and thus to biology and physical science (physical fac- ISBN: 0-85323-653-4 regional stability”. It is a monument to Ecology and Conservation tors of the environment). However, “Eco- “A History of the Mersey basin” is a Cyrille de Klemm who died just before the Occasional Paper of the IUCN Species logical methods” describes those methods compilation of a series of different papers, Expedition Field Techniques which were presented at a conference from book was completed in 1999, it was finished Survival Commission No. 20 and techniques available to study popula- Bird Surveys by Clare Shine a close friend and colleague. tions and ecosystems. This book provides a the work of more than fifty experts. This Both had worked hard for over a decade to IUCN/1999 great aid to ecologists in developing their book goes into the urban development of a By Colin Bibby, Martin Jones bring this book together and it combines ISBN: 2-8317-0460-X subject successfully. It is widely illustrated, first world city and its effect and interaction & Stuart Marsden their research in the field with environmen- with the environment since its birth. This has up-to-date bibliographies at the end of Expedition Advisory Centre, Royal tal conservation law. Price: £10.00stg is a rare study of an environment which is each chapter and lots of explanations and Geographical Society, 1, Kensington This detailed, informative paper by examples covering all the macroscopic usually overlooked and will develop much IUCN discusses the exploitation of sharks greater understanding and interest of the Gore, London, SW7 2AR, UK/1998 The Impact of the Planning groups of fauna, especially on insects. In ad- and the current conservation status of many dition, the book has an active website that ecological study of industrial regions. ISBN: 0-907649-79-3 Process on Special Areas of species. It is a well-written report, with good provides additional information on illustra- £10.00stg Conservation background information. The report identi- tions, details of equipment and up-dated ref- fies the need for more thorough investiga- Imagine Tomorrow’s World This book, produced by Birdlife Interna- erences to work published. tional, sets out to lay down a basis for sur- Shirley Clerkin and Billy Flynn tions to increase knowledge of shark 50th Anniversary Symposium biology and ecology worldwide, in order to veying and counting bird diversity The Irish Wildlife Trust/1999 Proceedings successfully manage commercial shark fish- Collins Home Farm Handbook throughout the world. As the most impor- Price: £5.00 (£2.50 unwaged) eries. It also covers issues to be addressed in Edited by Jeffrey A. McNeely, Chief tant areas from an avian perspective are con- By Peter Ford This report looks at the implications of future conservation and management initia- Scientist centrated in tropical regions, especially the planning process for developments tives. HarperCollins Publishers/2000 IUCN/1999 tropical forest, this book concentrates on within Special Areas of Conservation methods for these areas. This is not to say ISBN: 0 00413396 X ISBN: 2-8317-0485-5 (SACs), around Ireland. that other areas are not catered for. Indeed, A selection of local authorities are con- Guidelines For Marine Price: £9.99stg Price: £10.00stg many field workers in other areas and disci- sidered and an analysis made of planning Protected Areas A practical and informative spring- This proceeding is a detailed piece of plines would benefit greatly from some of applications and referrals to the National board of five commonly kept home farm work from the World Conservation Con- the techniques laid out in this book, not least World Commission on Protected Areas Parks and Wildlife (NPW), the body respon- animals. It contains clear, detailed pic- gress (in Jordon, October 2000). It ad- the chapters on planning fieldwork, study Best Practice Protected Area Guidelines sible for providing expertise on conserva- tures; balanced with explanations cover- dresses future issues as the title suggests, design and maximising the impact of the Series No.3 tion issues. ing many angles of preparation and care incorporating three main topics: Conserva- work. In short, this is not a book for the be- The conclusions of the report is that it is IUCN/1999 for the future establishment of animal tion; Community; and Consumption. This ginner, nor even, perhaps the enthusiastic unhappy with the role the NPW plays within husbandry. This book has a good poten- amateur. However any person wishing to ISBN: 2-8317-0505-3 proceeding is strongly scientific in nature, the planning process. tial for free range cottage industries, and although highly structured it makes an make a positive contribution to conservation A number of recommendations to im- Price: £16.50stg being realistic and factual. Learning the interesting read. At the end of each chapter biology in general, and ornithology in par- prove the process are suggested. This is a well-presented publication, input required to achieve quality home it includes comments from participants, ticular, should make a space for this in their This is a well laid out report with some which serves as an introduction to establish- farm produce is illustrative for the endur- making it more personal. This text is an ex- bookshelves. Page 26 ...... Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 JUNIOR PAGES JUNIOR PAGES JUNIOR PAGES JUNIOR PAGE LIFEBOAT STATIONS very day, around the coasts of the Republic of Ireland and the UK, 19 lifeboats (on average) are launched to rescue Esomeone in trouble. This means a lifeboat launches nearly every hour. During the time you are reading through and work- ing on this activity a lifeboat will almost certainly be launched somewhere around the coast.

The rules of the game are a little like the game “battleships, 1. Each of you needs a chart (which can be copied from the one lifeline/square players call out “LIFELINE LANDED!” This but instead of sinking the ships, you need to save them! Just below or a piece of graph paper can be used). The six tells the crew that they have landed one lifeline but need like on a real lifeboat this is a team effort. casualties also need to be copied, cut out and coloured in. other lifelines to make it safe. You then need to place the casualties on the chart and put up You can “play” this game with one other friend or you could 5. If an attempt lands on a one-lifeline casualty or a larger form two lifeboat crews. Each crew member (you and your a screen of books so you can’t see each others’ charts. casualty is finally saved, then “RESCUED!” is called. Having a screen in front of you would be like launching in friends) has to rescue a variety of boats and people in distress. thick fog or on a very stormy day when lifeboat crews are 6. When they have rescued the casualty, the relevant casualty Each different rescue requires a different number of unable to see the people in trouble easily. can be removed from the board. safety/lifelines. You need to record the time you take to rescue all the 7. You should keep a record of attempts taken so that you don’t casualties. Although time is an important factor, you must waste time by repeating them - just as lifeboat crews would To rescue: the ferry - four lifelines (4) also realise that rescues need to be controlled. keep a record of where they have searched during a real the fishing boat in trouble - three lifelines (3) 2. To rescue the people in trouble, players take it in turns to pick rescue. the motor boat - three lifelines (3) one square on the board by naming its letter and number, for the inflatable dinghy - two lifelines (2) The winner of the game is the one who manages to rescue all example E6. The opposing crew member checks to see if the casualties first. During a real rescue, lifeboat crews don’t the sailing yacht - two lifelines (2) this matches up with any of the rescue locations. compete to “win” and its is important to realise they are all there the child stranded on rocks - one lifeline (1) 3. If the attempt misses, the crew calls “SEARCH” to tell your for one purpose - to save lives at sea. There is no time limit on the game but each full lifeboat crew opponent s/he has to carry on searching. You have to pair up with a crew member from another should work out their average time taken to complete the activity. lifeboat. 4. If an attempt lands on a casualty of more than one The crew with the fastest average time is the winner.

Join “Storm Force”, the RNLI’s club for young people, and you will be sent an exciting members’ pack filled with lots of goodies. Four times a year you will receive the action packed Storm Force News magazine full of exciting stories, paintings, ideas or jokes to Storm Force headquarters. To join just send your name and address, with a cheque/P.O. for £5.00 to Storm Force HQ, RNLI, 15 Windsor Terrace, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. (The above activity has been reproduced from “Storm Force News”.) Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 ...... Page 27 Earth TWO Earth

Can you pick the two elephant pictures that are identical? mud ...... pressure acid ...... tide coral ...... rain ground ...... spring low ...... bed ocean ...... flat shock ...... reef spring ...... gas hot ...... wave natural ...... floor Clipart © 1995 SoftKey International Inc., and its licensors Answer on page 31 river ...... water b Each word in the list above has a “pair” word in the other c SQUARE list (e.g. ocean/floor). Match them up and write the “pair” e e e word on the dotted line. Answers on page 31. h h ROUTE o o All of the letters on the right will fit into the n n squares provided. The words will read s s the same down and across. t t What Am I? (Answers on page 31) u a. I am a large seabird that cannot fly and I live in Antarctica A Sense of Direction b. I am a star-shaped animal and I live in the sea. If one of my arms falls off I can Begin on the shaded square and move the number of squares and in the direction stated. Shade re-grow it in the square you land on and follow the next direction. When all the directions have been c. I am a plant that lives in the sea. I could completed you should end up with a word that would make you lose your “sense of direction”! be one of three colours: brown, red or (Answer on page 31) green. d. We are small, bony plates that cover the N bodies of most fish and reptiles. e. I am a very large body of water separat- ing the Americas and Europe/Africa. W E f. I have a jelly-like bell-shaped body, with trailing tentacles and stinging cells. g. I am an area of land that is surrounded by water. S h. I am a shock wave produced by a large, S4, SW2, N6, W5, SE2, W8, SE1, N3, E4, S4, E7, NW4, SW3, NW3, E8, S6, W5, sudden movement of rocks in the Earth’s NE3, SE2, W5, E3, NE2, N2, W5, SW5, N3, E2, NW2, E8, SE5, W1, N6, E12, S5, E13, NW3, W5, NW2, E4, S6, W1, E2, N2, W8, E10 crust. i. I am the third planet from the sun and I Visit the Sherkin Island Marine Station Webpages at: take 365 days to orbit the sun. http://homepage.eircom.net/~sherkinmarine Answers on page 31 Page 28 ...... Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 Method Grilled Haddock Strips · Dip haddock strips in soy sauce and grill until golden · Meanwhile make sauce - combine juice, shallots, tar- rogan, and rosemary in saucepan. with Ruby Orange Sauce · Boil until reduced to 1/3. · Add cream and reduce to 1/2. Add butter a little at a A recipe by Simon Regan, Institute of Technology Tralee time, mixing well. · Check seasoning. Ingredients · Arrange lightly seasoned boiled rice in centre of hot · 700g/11/2 lbs filleted haddock, cut into wide strips plates. · 2 tablespoons soy sauce · Place fish strips on top and sauce around edge. · Sprinkle with julienne* of orange, chives and Sauce chervil. · Juice of 4 ruby oranges/3 pink grapefruits *Julienne · 55g/2oz shallots/onion - thickly sliced Remove thin peel of 1 orange using a vegetable peeler. · 1 sprig, tarragon and rosemary Cut into fine strips and place in a small saucepan with 1 tablespoon of castor sugar and a little water. Simmer · 150ml/1/4 pint cream until water is evaporated. Set aside and use as garnish. · 55g/2oz butter Serves 4. · Salt and freshly milled pepper

Garnish For further details on fish recipes write to: BIM (Irish Sea Fisheries Board), Julienne* (fine strips) of orange, chives and chervil. Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Tel: 01 284 1544 Fish alternatives - cod, hake, pollock, ling, plaice. Fax: 01 284 1123 Web Site: www.bim.ie Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 ...... Page 29 Feathers

Did you ever wonder a fan. They can trap lots of them back into position. ruffled feathers and water- why birds have air for flight when wings proofing feathers with oil are open, or can fold back from a preen gland near feathers? Colourful feathers when the bird is resting or Because birds see in the tail. diving under water. The colour, some have devel- Well let’s take a look smaller ones used to cover oped fantastic coloured Moult and see why. the rest of their bodies are feathers like the king- Feathers do eventually Birds are the only crea- contour. The contour fisher. Of course, not wear out and need to be tures in nature to grow feathers are soft and fluffy every bird wants to be replaced. This is called a feathers. Birds use their at the base. This allows colourful. Female birds moult. They don’t do it all feathers to help them fly, them to trap a layer of who are ground nesters at once of course, they to hide from predators, to warm air between the need earth colours to would look rather silly. As keep warm and dry, and to birds’ bodies and the out- blend in with their sur- soon as a bird loses, say, a display (or show off) to side world, keeping them roundings. This is called flight feather, another one their mates or rivals. So warm (a bit like a duvet or camouflage, and it is so begins to grow. Ducks are you see why birds spend an anorak). Contour feath- that they are not seen by different. They lose all so much time taking care ers can provide water predators when they are their flight feathers at the of their feathers. proofing, especially after sitting on eggs. same time, then they can- the bird has coated them not fly for weeks until the Flight feathers and with oil from its preen Variety of feathers new ones grow. gland. Underneath the contours Owls have flight feath- Well, these are just contour feathers are down some interesting facts Birds have two main ers with a soft comb-like hair-like feathers to keep about feathers. But there is types of feathers: flight edge to help muffle sound. the cold winds at bay. lots more to find out. Why and contour. The big Herons produce a patch of Feathers must also be not try collecting feathers strong, firm ones, used for downy feathers that be- strong and light. and naming them, and put flight and for the tail are come chalky powder. This The structure of all them in a scrapbook? called flight. Flight feath- helps the birds clean any feathers is similar: a hol- That’s good fun! ers overlap each other like low shaft runs down the fishy slime off their other centre of the feather, and a feathers. Snipe have two special tail feathers which Produced by Don Conroy series of fine branches for ENFO September 1996 called barbs come out they vibrate during courtship, making a Issued by ENFO - The from either side. Each Environmental Information barb ends in a “hooked” whirring sound called drumming. Service, 17 St. Andrew barbule. Barbules lock the Street, Dublin 2. Tel feathers together so that Preening 1890200191 (price of local the air cannot pass call) Fax 01-8882946 through. If they become Birds spend a lot of time Email: [email protected] undone, the bird will caring for their feathers. Web: www.enfo.ie preen with its bill and put This involves rearranging Photo: Richard Mills

Birds use their feathers to help them fly, to hide from predators, to keep warm and dry, and to display (or show off) to their mates or rivals. This is a picture of a Rook. (from the book “Ireland’s Bird Life. A World of Beauty”) Page 30 ...... Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 An Imaginative Sailing Club

THE Irish Youth Sailing venue. Not so Kyron, who saw Club is based in Dun-Laoghaire Mount Snowdon in Wales as and it has 90 members under the mountain just across the the leadership of Kyron O’Gor- water. man. The Club has now twinned Kyron is the sort of a guy that with St. David’s College in is always looking for another North Wales. St. David’s operate more creative way of doing the Duke of Edinburgh Award something and the more cre- and the Irish Youth Sailing Club ative the better. operate the President’s Award so If you had a Club that was they both help each other with based in Dun-Laoghaire and the organising of their activities you were looking for mountains so as to earn the Award. for venture activity, you would The Welsh participants travel

Photos: Irish Youth Sailing Club Youth Photos: Irish probably think of the Dublin or to Dun-Laoghaire every second Out to sea goes Paul Wicklow mountains as the week and live with Irish fami- McMahon from the club lies while they are taught ma- rine skills in the Irish Youth Sailing Club. The following week the Irish Youth Sailing Club travel to Wales and stay overnight in St. David’s College and receive training in venture activity for Ciara Gallagher (at helm) and Aimill Finn, Irish Youth Sailing Club their Award. Wales is just 90 minutes away and Stena Line The Sailing Club organised a Participants are green with door educational staff and all the sponsor the travel. You can cycling trip through Wales for envy at the resources available to gear is supplied to each partici- leave Dun-Laoghaire at 10.30 their venture. schools in the U.K. St. David’s pant for each activity. a.m. any morning and you can Kyron also endeavours to have seven minibuses, nine out- create a very special occasion be surfing in Wales by Further information from: lunchtime. for Award ceremonies. The last The participants have to do ceremony for nine participants four activities to earn an Award. was on board HMS Mamouth John Murphy, Chief Executive, The President’s Award - Gaisce, The Irish Youth Sailing Club run a small shop in Dun Laoghaire They are: a community activity, in Dublin Bay last July when The State Apartments, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2. Pier to fund their activity. In this picture Sean Kelly from Wales a personal skill, a sporting ac- the captain presented the Tel: 01 4758746 Fax: 01 4758749 serves Todd Thornberry, also from Wales. tivity and a venture activity. Awards. Web site: www.p-award.net E-mail: [email protected] Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 ...... Page 31 Captain Cockle & the Cormorant

by John Joyce Episode Four - The Giant Crab! (Abridged in four parts)

microphone. But there was no the bottom. Sand swirled, the crab the plane, the stewardesses were answer. pulled and the submarine swayed puzzled by the way she appeared to "Don't worry," she said. "I expect too and fro. Then, with a shout of be talking to her grandson's toy your grandfather's just..." triumph, Jenny heaved the crab over submarine. Suddenly a deafening, scraping, onto its back. There was a wild roar echoed along the hull, and scrabbling of legs, and a deafening "Poor dear!" they said. through the glass dome William "whump". "Sometimes these old folks take could see the most monstrous thing "I'll never be able to eat a crab these childrens' games too seiously." - a terrible insect shape as big as a sandwich again," gasped Dr. Cockle. "When we get home Catherine, double-decker bus, with long spider- "Horatio, you must get us back to just plug me into the electricity like legs, evil beady eyes and a full size, before we're all swallowed supply in the workshop!" shouted single giant claw - coming to get by a codfish!" them! "Ah...yes... well!" mumbled Captain Cockle into the Cormorant It was an enormous old crab! Captain Cockle. "You remember 's loudspeaker. "It'll only take an It lifted the little submarine and when I said it would be dangerous hour or so to recharge the batteries slammed it down on the sand, again, for us to pump all that electricity at and then I can expand back to full and again, and again... that conger eel?" size!" There was a crack, and a hiss, and "Yes?" "On one condition," hissed Dr. a stream of water as thick as a pencil "Well that was because it used up shot into the cabin. Through the almost all the power in the batteries. Cockle in a giant whisper that rattled glass dome there was nothing to see I only have enough left to expand the porthole. "We all want to be except the huge black shape of the just one submarine back to full size members of the crew on all your crab. now. I'm afraid everyone waiting for adventures from now on, Horatio "Oh William!" cried his us on the surface will know my Nelson Cockle! Otherwise you can grandmother. "I'm sorry I let you secret very soon." come! Will you ever forgive me...?" "Don't you worry about that, stay half an inch tall!" And she All at once, the water around them Horatio," said Dr. Cockle over the chucked so much that the Cormorant filled with light. There was a radio after a good long think. "This rocked up and down in her hands as rushing, purring sound. The is what we'll do. . . " if it were on a choppy sea. Artwork: © John Joyce whirling sand cleared for a moment, And so it was that the Deepstar The End... “Take that!” cried Captain Cockle over the radio, and rammed the crab and the yellow hull of the submarine, which everyone had right between the eyes. Cormorant slid into view. thought had been lost, surfaced in "Take that!" cried Captain Cockle the North Sea later that morning, as . . . but Captain Cockle's THE STORY SO FAR - Captain has vanished... over the radio, and rammed the crab large as life. Out of the hatch came adventures continue in Captain Cockle, his wife Dr. Catherine right between the eyes. There was a Dr. Cockle, Jenny and William, Cockle and the Loch Ness Cockle, and the grandchildren William checked there was no loud crunch! The crab reared back in along with two very drunken- Monster - in the next edition of Jenny and William have flown to water leaking into Deepstar's cabin, anger, pulled itself to its full height, looking divers who immediately Sherkin Comment. the North Sea in the amazing and that there was enough electricity held the claw high in the air and started telling stories about giant flying submarine Cormorant to to blow the ballast tanks and surface, snapped it shut. eels and monster crabs as big as save a pair of divers trapped on if they could not find the Cormorant. "He wants to arm wrestle!" houses. Adapted by the author from "Captain the bottom of the ocean under a Then he remembered that shouted Jenny and locked the "These poor boys have 'Rapture of Cockle and the Cormorant " - published collapsed oil rig. To complete the Deepstar was still only the size of a Cormorant 's remaining mechanical the Deep'," said Dr. Cockle. "They'll in Ireland by Poolbeg Press and rescue Captain Cockle has used soft drink can! It would be arm around the old crab's barnacle- be telling you they married available in all good book shops. Price his secret miniaturising machine impossible for anyone on the surface covered claw. mermaids next! Hey you - mind my Ir£3.99 to shrink the Cormorant and the to spot them! What a fight it was! The medical bag! It's full of delicate stranded submarine Deepstar "Horatio! I think you had better Cormorant 's motors whined as the equipment!" but, following the explosion of a come and help us!" said his crab pulled it over from one side to She was very careful of her Check out Captain Cockle on the demolition charge, the Cormorant grandmother into the radio the other. The crab's legs dug into medical bag, and wouldn't let it out Web at the Captain Cockle Home of her hands. All the way home on Page on: http://www.cockle.com Common Shore Crab

Carcinus maenas Answers from page 27

Portán glas tone

This is the most common of all the crabs found on the shore. Its has a mottled appearance, its colour shun varying from yellows to reds through browns and greens to black. These colours provide perfect echo

camouflage amongst the seaweeds on the shore.The front of the carapace (or shell-like body) is deeply serrated like a saw and is much broader than best

the back. The Common Shore Crab is found under rocks and

Square Route: Square FOG seaweed, on rocky and sandy shores and in shallow waters. Direction: of Sense A

Habitat: On rocky & sandy shores, often under rocks & seaweed & in shallow Earth. i. earthquake; h. island; g. jellyfish; f.

a. penguin; b. starfish; c. seaweed; d. scales; e. Atlantic Ocean; Atlantic e. scales; d. seaweed; c. starfish; b. penguin; a. waters I?: am What

Colour: Mottled green or brown, yellow or red or even black river/bed natural/gas; hot/spring; spring/tide; shock/wave; ocean/floor; mud/flat; acid/rain; coral/reef; ground/water; low/pressure; ground/water; coral/reef; acid/rain; mud/flat;

Size: Carapace up to 6cm across Earth: Two Earth d & f & d Elephantmania: Page 32 ...... Sherkin Comment 2000 - Issue No. 26 Sherkin Island Marine Station Environmental Award 1999

IN issue No. 25 of “Sherkin the 1821, 1831, 1841 and 1851 unbelievable that no copy of the Comment” we had an article by census returns which were de- electoral lists for County Cork the Assistant Cork County Li- stroyed in the Four Courts fire before the 1960s are preserved brarian, Tim Cadogan, who was in 1922. If they had survived in the county and such lists that the recipient of the Sherkin Is- they would have provided a are held by the National land Marine Station Environ- base-line record for every per- Archives are incomplete. mental Award for 1998. When son living in Ireland in that pe- As I read Tim Cadogan’s ar- I first read it I was stunned at riod. Their value to ticle I thought of the people in how much of our past docu- genealogists and social histori- local communities around the “Mizen Journal” ments have been destroyed. ans today would be enormous. county who have or do trojan The most dramatic losses are Coming to recent times it is work in researching and pre- FLYFISHING IN IRELAND BY PETER O’REILLY

spersed with beautiful pictures – I am particularly attracted to the charming picture of an angler’s lunch, dominated by that most Irish of inventions, the volcano “Kelly kettle”. There are also excellent chapters on Sea trout and Salmon Mary Mackey (right), Co-Editor of the Mizen Journal, fishing. Peter explains his understanding, based on long experi- and Anne Marie Collins (left), Secretary, being presented ence of the way a sea trout perceives the angler’s lure. He dis- with the award by Matt Murphy, Sherkin Island Marine cusses taking times and taking places and night fishing on Station. loughs and rivers. His favourite salmon and sea trout flies are serving details of our past. slept on board an open 20ft discussed and illustrated. They rarely get any recogni- boat. Their bedding was a bit The book reflects Peter O’Reilly’s great love not just of his tion for their dedication. They of straw, hay or heather. They craft, but also of the environment which supports it. Every- spend many hours and often slept under a piece of canvas where you will find special references to the natural habitat, the years of their spare time in a thrown over a pole hanging habits, feeding habits and behaviour of the various game fish labour of love, putting together from the mast. types, the need for good conservation practice by anglers. the information of local ar- Other articles include archae- Which reminds me of one of the first days I ever spent an- chaeological or historical in- ology, fishing, the Great gling, at the Ridge pool on the Moy in County Mayo. Peter O terest. Too often there is no Famine and placenames. Reilly was there, and I was making heavy weather of fly cast- local journal for them to pub- If it wasn’t for the Mizen ing. Peter came to my assistance. After some intensive coaching lish in and the information Journal, most of these articles I managed, eventually, to hook a fish. I struggled for some time ends up on a shelf or in a would not see the light of day. to land it . Jack Charlton was on the bank, and he was calling drawer and never sees print. This journal is a gem. But to loudly with advice. When I landed the fish Peter turned to me Fortunately in West Cork there bring such a journal to print and said, ‘What would you say we release this one?’ Let us is a wonderful annual publica- takes many hours for its editors; show that this for us is really a sport! And we did. Few of the tion the Mizen Journal, pub- from coaxing people to finish spectators appreciated the gesture. lished by the Mizen articles and proof-reading, to But the readers of this book which I would strongly recom- Archaeological and Historical getting the end product. Their Reviewed by Fionan O Muircheartaigh mend, would now consider it a more normal response, and per- Society. The editors of the dedication I so admire. This haps a necessary one if the Salmon is to be conserved. journal, Mary Mackey and evening I am delighted that one PETER O’REILLY is a very special person – dedicated to his My congratulations to Peter O’Reilly, the Central Fisheries Michael O’Donovan, have just of the editors of the Mizen craft as a game fisherman and eager to share and pass on that Board, and the Publishers, Merlin Unwin Books. put together the eighth volume, Journal is with us to receive the knowledge to all who are interested in game angling. As angling ISBN 187367435X Price: IR£20.00 with articles that relate to award. However, before I pre- officer at the Central Fisheries Board, he has been both educa- events and places of local in- sent the award I will mention tor and an ambassador on Irish game fishing for many years. He The Central Fisheries Board have kindly given “Sherkin terest, usually from the Mizen two things. Firstly, this won- combines knowledge and enthusiasm for his subject in equal Comment” four copies of Peter O’Reilly’s book. The first four to Skibbereen area. derful journal is available for measure, and this is reflected in this, his most recent book . This The current issue has 15 arti- £6.00 including postage and the readers who write in giving us the names of 10 freshwater fish book serves a number of purposes – first it informs, second it cles, each of which is most in- address is, Mizen Journal, c/o encourages. found in Irish rivers or lakes will each receive a copy of the book. formative and so well Fuschia Books, Schull, Co. The CEO of the Central Fisheries Board John researched. There is a wonder- Cork. And secondly to remind O’Connor stresses in his introduction two objec- ful article on Julius Reuter in each of you present here this tives of his Board – the need to make angling Ireland, who set up the SW of evening, maybe you know of more accessible and attractive to young people Ireland Telegraph Co., the col- some documents of potential and to promote Irish angling abroad. This book lecting of news from streamers historical treasure that you or achieves both these purposes in a variety of that crossed the Atlantic. your friends have in your pos- ways. Reuters, as we know today, is a session. Do have them pre- First, it is magnificently presented by the au- huge international news-gather- served for future generations - thor and the publishers. It starts with encourage- ing company. Another article is get them donated to your ment and caution – “you can do it” and “beware about Heir Island, a neighbour- County Library or other inter- of the expert”. Like any good teacher, Peter fos- ing island to us in Sherkin, in ested groups. ters the possibility of achievement by the pupil, Roaringwater Bay. The hard- I was delighted that Mrs. and the attainability of competence and enjoy- ships these islanders had to un- Mary Mackey, Co-editor, ac- ment. dergo in the past just to survive cepted our Environmental Second, it presents essentials and tips for I found difficult to take. I Award for 1999 on behalf of the brown trout fishing on rivers and loughs with the learned that they made their Mizen Journal. wet and the dry fly. It explains interpretation of own oilskin coats from Calico

water surfaces, and such diverse topics as obser- Photo: Bord Failte covered with linseed oil. When Matt Murphy, Sherkin Island vation, equipment and casting. This is all inter- The Cusack brothers at Cushlough, budding anglers, displaying a fishing to the east they were Marine Station, Sherkin typical bag of Lough Mask trout to 4¼lb. away 3 to 4 weeks and they Island, Co. Cork.