SEASCAPES AUDIO AND NEWS: 20 NOVEMBER 2009

TOM MACSWEENEY'S SEASCAPES MARITIME LOG

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Cultivating Aristotle's Lantern in West Cork

When I first met Gerry Mouzakitis seven years ago at University College Cork I did not know a lot about "Aristotle's Lanterns," the spiky creatures which stick themselves to rocky areas of the sea shore. These are sea urchins and he told me he was going to develop a project to grow them commercially, by developing a system through which they would be available not alone in season, but also as a product, particularly for export, out-of-season. If that could be done, there would be an international market for them. He has done that successfully. In the 1970s and 1980s Ireland was a net exporter of sea urchins. At the peak around 350 tons were exported annually.

Gerry Mouzakitis and the successful development of Sea Urchins

But stocks collapsed in 1996 and exports have dropped to about 5 tons. Sea urchins were collected from rock pools along the south-west and western coastlines and mostly exported to France. When I met Gerry again in Cork, it was in his role as Founder and Chief Executive of Gourmet Marine, when sea urchins were produced out-of-season.

"This is a milestone. We have produced sea urchin roe, cultured roe out-of-season, the first time it has ever been done. What we have done is to develop a system, the only one of its kind, for the growth of urchins in a controlled environment and it has been patented in 19 countries."

This development underlines the view I have often expressed - that seafood deserves its place in the "smart economy" to which the Government so often refers. The nation would be better off if politicians turned their faces towards the sea and directed more investment into maritime projects, rather than turning their backs to it. I also met John Chamberlain, Managing Director of Dunmanus Seafoods, which operates a hatchery at Dunmanus Bay in West Cork and introduces "several million sea urchins every few years back into the sea," as he put it.

CLICK on this link to hear Gerry Mouzakitis
CLICK on this link to hear John Chamberlain (part 1)
CLICK on this link to hear John Chamberlain (part 2)

John Chamberlain with Sea Urchins grown in Dunmanus Bay

SEASCAPES NEWS BRIEFING

. The Minister for Natural Resources, Conor Lenihan, has published the Bill restructuring the inland fisheries, replacing the present Central Fisheries Board and the seven Regional Fisheries Boards with the new Inland Fisheries Authority. Dr. Ciaran Byrne, Chief Executive of the existing Central Fisheries Board is the designated CEO. But anglers are not happy with the proposals, according to David Dinsmore, Editor of the Irish Angler magazine.

CLICK on this link to hear David Dinsmore.

. A new club is being formed in the South-East for those interested in power boating. GoPowerboating will cover all aspects of this sport, including cruising, racing, diving, wakeboarding and fishing.

. The Wicklow-based, Island Shipping Company, has called for a public inquiry into the operations of Arklow Harbour Commissioners. The company says that after a two-year legal dispute with the Commissioners it has secured the repayment of what it claimed to be excessive harbour dues which the company charged.

. A unique collection of eight scale models of boats that were designed for and sailed in Dublin Bay has been presented to the National Yacht Club in Dun Laogahire. They were built by a Past Commodore of the club, William Maguire, over a fifteen-year period, based on the original design drawings. Club Manager, Padraic Conneely, says they are a maritime treasure, including 17, 21, 24 and 25-foot One Designs, a Glen, Colleen, Mermaid and a Water Wag. They were presented to the club by the late Mr. Maguire's widow, Ailbhe and are housed in specially-built cabinets in the club.

. Howth Yacht Club has been awarded the holding of the J/24 European Championships in 2011, another big international sailing event for Irish waters.

SEASCAPES PICTURE GALLERY

Listeners are invited to send maritime photos to the Gallery. Please Email to seascapes@rte.ie

On the Gallery this week - The Maguire model boat collection at the National Yacht Club, Photos courtesy of NYC. Photographer - Michael Chester.

ALSO ON SEASCAPES THIS WEEK

Lifeboats
Anna Classon tells us why the RNLI pays so much attention to anniversaries.

CLICK on this link to hear Anna Classon.

Problems With the Ships' Doctor
What happens at sea when a ship's doctor suffers from self-induced illness? From his own seafaring days, Norman Freeman, tells us of personal experience:

CLICK on this link to hear Norman Freeman.

Sailing - Commodore's Cup
Much as Ireland has been frustrated in soccer in the world cup, sailing enthusiasts have been disappointed over recent years that strong Irish teams have not won the Commodore's Cup, regarded as the world cup of offshore racing. At a time when support for cruiser racing has been strengthened by the Irish Cruiser Racing Association. This was of major concern at the Association's annual conference in Kilkenny. David O'Brien, Editor of AFLOAT magazine, assessed the situation for SEASCAPES.

CLICK on this link to hear David O'Brien.

Arklow is 40 Years Old
Arklow Sailing Club is marking its 40th anniversary this week. The club was founded in 1969 in the Wicklow coastal town which has such a strong marine history. It has 150 members and a strong sailing fleet and is a recognised Irish Sailing Association training centre.

CLICK on this link to hear the Club Commodore.

MARINE DIARY

November 27
Department of Transport meeting for 15 - 24 metre fishing vessel owners on Fishing Boat Regulations, 10 am at the Abbey Hotel, Donegal, 10 am

December 4
Volvo Race Photo Exhibition at Tralee Bay Sailing Club, Fenit, Co.Kerry.

December 12
Volvo Race Photo Exhibition at Lough Ree Sailing Club, Athlone, Co.Westmeath.

SEASCAPES ON TELEVISION

There is also a SEASCAPES teletext service on AERTEL on RTE1 Television at Page 190.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME

Phone the SEASCAPES maritime line on 1850 715 170 Email to: seascapes@rte.ie or write to RTE, Cork.