SHERKIN COMMENT Issue No. 35 Environmental Quarterly of Sherkin Island Marine Station 2003 INSIDE The Ecology of the Rocky Shores of Sherkin Island Development & Heritage Protection - A Balanced Approach The Search for Red Blenny Coolim, Roaringwater Bay, Co. Cork. Photograph: Robbie Murphy Page 2......................................................................................................................................................................Sherkin Comment 2003 - Issue No. 35 Contents Editorial Editorial: A Major Investment in Wastewater Infrastructure ..............................................2 Matt Murphy highlights the major investment in wastewater infrastructure in Ireland. A Major Investment in Herring Gulls: Their Rise and Fall..........................................3 Oscar Merne talks about the decline in herring gull numbers in Ireland. Elements of Medicine ..............................................................4 Wastewater Infrastructure The medicinal properties of some chemical elements are outlined by Anthony Toole. Pipeline Installation in Aquatic Settings ................................5 By Matt Murphy quality of Irish coastal waters. It will give examine other environmental issues that Michael Ludwig outlines the problems encountered. Dublin City a range of Blue Flag beaches need an enlightened approach. The EU The Search for Red Blenny right on the doorstep. By the end of this have taken legal proceedings against Ire- EARLIER in the year the Minister for year Cork, Limerick, Galway and Wex- land under the Groundwater, Birds and - Climatic Change or Insufficient Data? ................6 the Environment, Heritage and Local ford will also have new wastewater Habitats Directive. There are genuine Paul Kay’s photography reveals a hidden species. Government, Mr. Martin Cullen, T.D., treatment plants in place and opera- issues to be addressed, especially: ICE ..................................................................................8 outlined a major investment programme tional”. • Inadequate designation of SPAs (Spe- A chilling experience for John Gore-Grimes and his in sewerage infrastructure. Because of Since 2000, Local Authorities have cial Protected Areas) for dispersed crew. the significance of such a programme for seen the completion of new wastewater and migratory bird species. Highlights from An Bord Pleanála’s Annual Report ..........10 the good of the environment, this edito- facilities at the major coastal towns of • Inadequate protection of SACs (Spe- Some of the Planning Board’s achievements for 2002. rial will highlight the important aspects Dundalk, Drogheda, Midleton, Westport cial Areas of Conservation) and of Two Sides to Every Flatfish....................................................11 of the sewerage programme. and Courtown/Riverchapel. In addition to non-native bird species. Declan Quigley looks at abnormalities in flatfish. This investment programme 2003- Dublin, state-of-the-art treatment facili- 2005 will cover 434 wastewater schemes. ties are in place and operational in Cork, Carlow 5 Oleg Polunin and Sherkin Island..........................................12 It is funded under the National Develop- Limerick, Galway and Wexford and Cavan 11 John Akeroyd talks of the legacy left by a great ment Plan, which will ensure every single many other smaller urbans. Other major botanist. Clare 20 location in the country with a population projects under construction, or due to Cork 61 Litter and the Law..................................................................13 equivalent greater than 1000 will have its start to include new sewerage schemes Donegal 48 Another informative leaflet from ENFO. own waste water treatment plant. for Bantry, Bray/Shanganagh, Dungar- Dublin 27 Do Plants Make Good Mothers?..........................................14 If this programme is delivered it will van, Portlaoise, Sligo, Thurles, Tramore, Rosie Solbé discuss the mother/daughter relationship be a remarkable turnaround from what Tullamore and Waterford. Galway 39 in plants. prevailed up to relatively recently Huge steps have and are being taken Kerry 11 Development & Heritage Protection where some of our major cities and by the Minister and his Department, Kildare 11 - A Balanced Approach ..............................15 towns were discharging wastewater surely it is time for those that want more Kilkenny 8 with little, or in some cases, no treat- Cork City’s Manager discusses planning in the city. environment care of our country to be Laois 8 ment. There will thus be an increase in more positive in reaction to investments The Ecology of the Rocky Shores of Sherkin Island Leitrim 5 Ireland’s compliance with the 2005 EU by Government and Local Authorities. Limerick 12 - A Twenty-Year Perspective ..........................16/17 Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive Maybe a little more of looking at a glass Longford 8 Sherkin Island Marine Station’s launches a major (UWTD) standard from 25% at the start half full rather than half empty would be work. of the NDP, to the current level of 69%, a better approach. As a people we rarely Louth 9 The Great Whale Debate ......................................................18 and a projected 87% compliance rate give credit for achievements. This new Mayo 25 Compromise is essential, writes Alex Kirby. by the end of 2003. Full compliance is programme for 2003-2005 deserves Meath 12 Single Rural Houses ........................................................19 anticipated by the end of 2005. praise if it achieves its goal by 2005 or Monaghan 8 Catherine McMullin says “a one size fits all The Minister pointed out that “the even 2006. Then the quality of Ireland’s Offaly 10 solution will not work”. great strides” to eliminate discharges of lakes, rivers and coastal waters will have Roscommon 7 untreated sewage to the sea from the improved greatly. Waste Management in Ireland ..............................................20 Sligo 13 main towns and cities around the coast. The Minister and his predecessor have The EPA’s Director General speaks out on waste. Tipperary 22 “The Ringsend Treatment Plant in taken major decisions on environment Waterford 18 Bloomeries & Cornish Chimneys Dublin, is a prime example. This new care, such as the plastic bag, recycling, - Industrial West Cork and Kerry ........................21 plant, built at a cost of €286 million will the Water Services programme, and now Westmeath 14 Daphne Pochin Mould talks about a museum of deal with the wastewater treatment the Sewerage initiative. At times both Wexford 15 metal working from the earliest times to now. requirements of all of Dublin City and have ruffled some feathers but have Wicklow 7 Nature on Irish Canals ..........................................................22 most of the Greater Dublin Region. It is shown that they had the courage to drive TOTAL 434 Exploring nature on the inland waterways. the biggest wastewater treatment plant forward often against opposition from Publications of Interest ..........................................................24 anywhere in the EU and will produce the many quarters. Wastewater Schemes in each County to Conservation and Education in Churchyards......................25 single greatest improvement ever in the It is hoped that the Minister will now benefit from the new investment Jenifer Baker writes about a new approach to SUBSCRIPTION INCREASE understanding nature. Unfortunately due to ever-increasing postage costs we have had to increase the subscription rate for Sherkin Comment Junior Pages - Captain Cockle’s Log ........................26 Captain Cockle brings us some amazing facts, with the help of John Joyce. SUBSCRIPTION FORM Feeding Wild Birds ..................................................27 Declan Murphy from BirdWatch Ireland give us SHERKIN COMMENT is a quarterly publication of Sherkin I enclose cheque/postal order to the sum of €.................... some vital information on winter feeding for birds. Island Marine Station aiming to promote the awareness of our Seared Trout with Tomato Coulis & Garlic Vinaigrette ....28 natural resources, their use and protection. Name . SUBSCRIPTION: to receive a year’s subscription to A delicious recipe from BIM. Address . Puzzle Page ..............................................................29 “Sherkin Comment”, please send a cheque or money order for €6.68 for Ireland and £6.00stg for the U.K. (sterling cheques . “Still Smiling” The President’s Award Army Survival Course ..30 accepted from UK); send €9.50 for Europe and €10.67 for the Claire Costigan writes about her adventures with . rest of the world (surface postage) - payable to Sherkin An Gaisce. Comment, Sherkin Island Marine Station, Sherkin Island, Signature . .Date . The Northern Lights ................................................31 Co. Cork. Ireland. Tel: 028-20187 Fax: 028-20407 Photographs by Robbie Murphy of this amazing E-mail: [email protected] STAFF: Publisher, Matt Murphy; Editor, Matt Murphy; phenomenon. Editorial Assistant, Susan Murphy Wickens; Please send a 1 year subscription - beginning with Issue Typesetting, Susan Murphy Wickens. Sherkin Island Marine Station Environmental No. ............... ISSN 0791-2447 © 2003 Competition Prizewinners 2003 ................32 Please send a 2 year subscription - beginning with Issue Sherkin Island Marine Station website: No. ............... http://homepage.eircom.net/~sherkinmarine Sherkin Comment 2003 - Issue No. 35......................................................................................................................................................................Page