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The International Fund for Animal Welfare has stated this week in a new study that Japan’s whaling industry is dead and cannot survive without huge subsidies, and has called on the Japanese government to divert resources to supporting the industry in coastal communities much of the previously assigned funding was allocated to reconstruction following the Tsunami in March of 2011. According to reports stockpiles of unsold whale meat have increased to nearly 5,000 tonnes , about four times more than fifteen years ago.

The report also says that in a survey they conducted 89% per cent of Japanese people said they had not bought whale meat in the past twelve months.

Following the case taken by Australia at the International Court of Justice in The Hague to end whale hunting in the Antarctic – a ruling may well come this year.......

This week saw the passing of actor Peter Gilmore who over the course of ninety one episodes from 1971 to 1980 played the role of Captain James Onedin – an irascible sea captain as the era of sail was being replaced by steam - the television series written by Cyril Abraham was based on the mythical figure Ondine the sea nymph ......it was the theme music over the opening credits which captured people’s imaginations – the Adagio from Aram Khachaturian’s ballet Spartacus ........

The Onedin Line theme tune by Aram Khachaturian in tribute to the actor Peter Gilmore who passed away earlier this week....

On Tuesday evening at 8pm a special showing of a film will be held in The Eldon Hotel - the record of an epic voyage in the famed Sandefjord which was the last of a fleet of sail only rescue craft designed by the famous Norwegian designer Colin Archer. In attendance at the screening of “ The Sandefjord – Her Voyage Around the World” will be Tim Magennis and Sean Cullen – distinguished sailors and seafarers.

An admission charge of five euro with all funds going to support Baltimore RNLI. Our thanks to Nigel Towse for that note on the screening.

Now on Seascapes to our western seaboard and a Newly published book of historic images of “Old Achill Island” whilst the publisher Stenlake Publishing sourced the images the author is Hugh Oram writer and broadcaster who is a longstanding contributor to this programme , he told Seascapes how the book came about .....

Hugh Oram – “Old Achill Island “ is published by whom.. ...– you can win a copy by answering that Question – answers on a postcard to Seascapes , RTE Radio 1, Fr Mathew Street, Cork or by email to seascapes@rte.ie .

The Irish Sailing Association invites all its members and supporters of Irish sailing to come together for a special night of celebration as they pay tribute to some of the outstanding contributors in various water sports and activities throughout the past year ............

Tickets are now available for the ISA 7th Annual Awards Ball which takes place in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire on the 2nd of March ... The Awards Ball is held to coincide with the ISA Annual Conference .... More detail on the Irish Sailing Association website ......http://www.sailing.ie/

At the recent inaugural Sail Training Ireland Awards in the Oak Room of The Mansion House – Seascapes spoke to Peter Cardy CEO of Sail Training International about how he became involved in sailing ...also at that gathering , Manager of Sail Training Ireland- Michael Byrne had news of opportunities In our waters and overseas , aboard Tall Ships for the coming year.....  

Finally on Seascapes this week in Fisheries the European Parliament has decided to end discards – one man who has been campaigning as an MEP to end this practice is Pat “The Cope“ Gallagher ...

We’ll be hearing more about this issue in the coming weeks as the European Union and the Irish Presidency and Minister Coveney determine how the end to this practice of discards is to be implemented..........