Lorna Siggins
Lorna Siggins is a print and radio reporter, and a former Irish Times western correspondent. She is the author of Search and Rescue: True stories of Irish Air-Sea Rescues and the Loss of R116 (2022); Everest Callling (1994) on the first Irish Everest expedition; Mayday! Mayday! (2004); and Once Upon a Time in the West: the Corrib gas controversy (2010). She is also co-producer with Sarah Blake of the Doc on One "Miracle in Galway Bay" which recently won a Celtic Media Award
Illuminated exits are as useful to fish as to humans in a tight spot. Newly published research has found that artificial light on square mesh panels in nets can help to reduce unwanted bycatch of fish. The study, published in…
A former Galway mayor has welcomed a move to fly flags of over 20 European countries along Salthill’s promenade. Labour councillor Niall MacNelis welcomed the initiative as “a gesture of solidarity to European neighbours who are badly affected by the…
The unsung role of port pilots has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Galway harbourmaster Capt Brian Sheridan. “Without the pilots, everything would stop - they really are a national asset,” Capt Sheridan has said. Capt Sheridan was…
Terrifying Nemo - New Study on Impact of Boat Engine Noise on Fish Finds Clownfish Severely Bothered
9th April 2020 Marine Science
Everyone who has ever seen the Pixar film Finding Nemo knows what a clownfish looks like, but a new study gives some alarming insight into their response to human behaviour. A study by international scientists on the impact of motorboat…
Ocean's Ability to Capture Atmospheric Carbon "Drastically Underestimated", Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Study Finds
9th April 2020 Marine Science
The ocean’s biological “carbon pump” has been “drastically underestimated in its ability to capture carbon from the atmosphere, a new study has found writes Lorna Siggins Scientists with the US Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) have found that the depth of…
The Government has extended the public submission deadline for the State’s first national marine plan framework until the end of this month due to the Covid-19 pandemic writes Lorna Siggins Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Damien English said…
Government Approves Emergency Funding to Keep Five Strategic Maritime Routes Open
7th April 2020 Ferry
The Government has approved an emergency incentive to three ferry companies to keep five strategic maritime corridors between Ireland, Britain and Europe open during the COVID-19 pandemic writes Lorna Siggins Minister for Transport Shane Ross says the government has approved…
Mayo Islanders Say They Cannot Risk Mobile Phone Mast Repair Due to Health Concerns Over Covid-19
1st April 2020 Coronavirus and Boating
Islanders on Inishturk, Co Mayo, say they cannot risk essential repairs being carried out to a storm-damaged mobile phone transmitter for the west coast due to the risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus. Inishturk development manager Mary Helena O’Toole said…
No tourists are permitted to travel between the Aran Islands and Galway during current Covid-19 restrictive measures, Island Ferries has said. The private company has also said one vessel will serve all three islands daily for “essential/emergency services only “…
Outdoor enthusiasts have been urged to “stay local” this weekend to limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Two mountaineering organisations have urged people to refrain from heading to the uplands this weekend and ensure their one daily walk is…
Franco-Irish Fish Buyer Opts to Sell Only Irish-Caught Fish During Covid-19
26th March 2020 Coronavirus and Boating
A major west coast retail fish supplier has pledged to sell only Irish-caught fish and shellfish during the current Covid-19 restrictions to support the Irish inshore fleet. Parisian-born Stefan Griesbach of Gannet Fishmongers in Galway says that he is “out…
Minister & Fish Industry Organisations Condemn Protests Over French & Spanish Landings in South-West, Amid Concerns about Lack of Communication
25th March 2020 Fishing
Seven Irish fishing organisations have condemned what they described as “blockades” in two south-west harbours, and said that such protests were “alarmist” and “unnecessary” writes Lorna Siggins The seven groups, including the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation, the Irish Fish Producer’s Organisation, and Irish…
Shannon Tourism Masterplan Public Consultation to Continue Online Amid Covid-19 Restrictions
24th March 2020 Coronavirus and Boating
Waterways Ireland is continuing its public consultation on its Shannon tourism masterplan but has urged members of the public to respond online. The cross-border authority has published its draft masterplan and associated environmental report as part of an 18-month strategy…
"We are Islanders" - Ocean Literary Network Publishes List of Covid-19 Supports
23rd March 2020 Coronavirus and Boating
The Irish Ocean Literacy Network has published a list of useful supports for individuals and communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. The network, which aims to achieve an ocean literate society across the island of Ireland, has appealed to communities to…
Seafest 2020 in Cork Harbour is Postponed Until 2021 Due to Covid-19
23rd March 2020 Coronavirus and Boating
The Covid-19 virus has forced the cancellation of SeaFest, the national maritime festival which was due to take place in Cork in May. In a statement, the Marine Institute said that a decision was taken to postpone the event until…
Navy Patrol Ships Field Hospitals Established for Covid-19 Testing
23rd March 2020 Coronavirus and Boating
Defence Force staff set up a tented field hospital beside the Naval patrol ship, LE William Butler Yeats, yesterday (sun) in preparation for use as a Covid-19 testing centre writes Lorna Siggins A marquee was erected beside the ship in…
Floating Wind Project for Celtic Sea Welcomed as "Remarkable" by Marine Renewables Industry Spokesman
22nd March 2020 Power From the Sea
An Irish renewable energy company has partnered with French energy major Total to develop one of the world’s largest floating wind projects off the Welsh coast. Marine Renewables Industry Association (MRIA) chairman Peter Coyle has described the Simply Blue Energy…
EU Increases Aid Rules to Respond to Dramatic Slump in Seafood Sector Due to Covid-19
21st March 2020 Coronavirus and Boating
The European Commission says it is revising EU state aid rules to provide temporary relief for fishing fleets and fish farmers who have been hard hit by the economic consequences of Covid-19 writes Lorna Siggins A “dramatic downturn” in the demand…
Covid-19 Restrictions Forcing Collapse of Markets for Fresh Fish
20th March 2020 Coronavirus and Boating
Public demand for canned rather than fresh fish during the Covid-19 crisis and restrictions on Irish seafood exports are contributing to a looming storm in the fishing sector, an Irish industry leader has warned writes Lorna Siggins Fishing representatives are due…
Naval Ship LE WB Yeats Berths in Galway for Potential Covid-19 Testing Support
19th March 2020 Coronavirus and Boating
The Naval Service patrol ship LÉ WB Yeats has berthed in Galway for potential use as a testing facility for the Covid-19 virus writes Lorna Siggins The ship is one of three Naval Service vessels requested for use by the Health…
