MacDara Conroy
MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business
A £2.6 million (€3.06 million) project to protect Irish and Scottish waterways from destructive plants was launched earlier this week at Queens University Belfast, First Science reports. The main aim of the project is to control invasive plant species such…
The Irish Times has stunning photographs of fin whales and dolphins feeding off Hook Head in Co Wexford captured by photographer George Karbus. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0201/1224288694464.html Czech-born Lahinch resident Karbus, who specialises in wildlife photography, said: “It is really hard to capture…
Northern Ireland’s only coastguard base was not originally among a list of those earmarked for closure, the Belfast Telegraph reports. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/minister-targets-northern-irelands-coastguards-15072171.html However the Bangor facility was added to the list after a "personal intervention" from UK Shipping Minister Mike Penning.…
The Canadian company that provides search and rescue helicopter services for the Coast Guard has reported a €1.5 million operating loss in the 2009-2010 fiscal year, according to the Irish Independent. http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/rescue-helicopter-firm-suffers-euro15m-loss-2520903.html CHC Ireland, the local division of the world's…
The partially redeveloped Greystones Harbour could be opened to the public by mid-summer, The Irish Times reports. Hoardings may come down to open the marine sections of the €300 million development while plans are finalised to complete the rest of…
The Irish Seal Sanctuary (ISS) is gearing up for three seal releases this coming weekend. On Saturday 5 February ISS volunteers in tandem with the Dingle Wildlife and Seal Sanctuary will release Rupert and Rosie back into the wild at…
Northern Ireland Energy Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed the setting up of the Offshore Renewable Energy Forum, tasked with evaulating the potential of Ireland's offshore resources. "Members of the forum can help shape the sustainable development of offshore renewables in…
The Coast Guard has appealed the public to notify them before lighting and releasing Chinese lanterns. The lanterns have been a regular sight in the night sky since the beginning of the year, but can resemble emergency flares when they…
Minister for Fisheries and Food Brendan Smith and Minister of State Sean Connick have met one of the world’s biggest seafood companies to discuss the potential for expansion of the industry in Ireland, the Irish Times reports. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0131/1224288598582.html Marine Harvest,…
Four divers were airlifted to hospital yesterday after getting into difficulty while exploring a flooded quarry in Portroe, Co Tipperary. RTÉ News reports that one of the divers, a man in his 20s, was airlifted by the Shannon-based Coast Guard…
Aberdeen Asset Management has been named as the new title sponsor of Cowes Week, the UK's Daily Echo reports. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/sailsolent/cowesweek/8819333.New_Cowes_Week_sponsor_announced/ The global investment management group takes over sponsorship of the world's longest-running regata for a three-year period. Details of the…
Live fishing lessons for beginners of all ages will be a feature of the 2011 Ireland Angling Expo. The two-day event on 12-13 February at the National Show Centre in Swords will include a fishing area hosted by the Dublin…
The Evening Herald reports that a young man who allegedly handled thousands of euro worth of stolen marine electronics has been remanded on continuing bail. A judge at Dun Laoghaire District Court has adjourned the matter for four weeks while…
Trade through Belfast Harbour is on the rise after a three-year drop, the The Corkman reports. http://www.corkman.ie/breaking-news/national-news/more-trade-through-belfast-harbour-2512638.html Cargo through the port rose by 5% in the last year to 16.5 million tonnes, following a 10% fall since 2007 due to…
A new study of Northern Ireland's waters has found that stocks of cod and whiting are at their lowest ever recorded levels. The Northern Ireland State of the Seas report, launched by NI environment minister Edwin Poots and agriculture minister…
Work has begun on a new visitor services building at Ballycastle harbour as part of a £7.4 million (€8.6 million) marine tourism project for the nothern part of Ireland and western Scotland. Moyle District Council is one of 20 partners…
The Irish Federation of Pike Angling Clubs has described as "cruel" and "crazy" the actions of a fisherman suspected of inserting a lead bar into a live fish. The Irish Times reports the angler is believed to have forced the…
The Dun Laoghaire Harbour company has issued an invitation to tender for a new floating berth, despite being refused permission to continue development of the historic Carlisle Pier, The Sunday Business Post reports [link=http://www.thepost.ie/news/dun-laoghaire-harbour-to-get-pontoon-berth-54094.html]. Most of the listed structure was…
Three of Britain's largest marina operators have moved to quash fears that biofuels will enter the diesel supply, Yachting & Boat World reports. MDL Marinas, Premier Marinas and Yacht Havens Group have all confirmed they are taking steps to ensure…
Plans for the development of Galway Harbour are open for public consultation this weekend, The Irish Times reports. The Galway Harbour Company's €200 million scheme involves moving the port south onto 24 hectares of reclaimed land in deeper water to…
