What is a marine protected area?

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are geographically defined maritime areas where human activities are managed to protect important natural or cultural resources. In addition to conserving marine species and habitats, MPAs can support maritime economic activity and reduce the effects of climate change and ocean acidification.

Where are MPAs located?

MPAs can be found across a range of marine habitats, from the open ocean to coastal areas, intertidal zones, bays and estuaries. Marine protected areas are defined areas where human activities are managed to protect important natural or cultural resources

Where was the world’s first MPA?

The world's first MPA is said to have been the Fort Jefferson National Monument in Florida, North America, which covered 18,850 hectares of sea and 35 hectares of coastal land. This location was designated in 1935, but the main drive for MPAs came much later. The current global movement can be traced to the first World Congress on National Parks in 1962,and initiation in 1976 of a process to deliver exclusive rights to sovereign states over waters up to 200 nautical miles out then began to provide new focus.

Is there a global target for MPAs?

The Rio ‘Earth Summit’ on climate change in 1992 saw a a global MPA area target of 10% by 2010 deadline. When this was not met, an “Aichi target 11” was set requiring 10% coverage by 2020. There has been repeated efforts since then to tighten up MPA requirements.

Where is the world’s largest MPA?

Marae Moana is a multiple-use marine protected area created on July 13th 2017 by the government of the Cook islands in the south Pacific, north- east of New Zealand. The area extends across over 1.9 million square kilometres. However, In September 2019, Jacqueline Evans, a prominent marine biologist and Goldman environmental award winner who was openly critical of the government's plans for seabed mining, was replaced as director of the park by the Cook Islands prime minister’s office. The move attracted local media criticism, as Evans was responsible for developing the Marae Moana policy and the Marae Moana Act, She had worked on raising funding for the park, expanding policy and regulations and developing a plan that designates permitted areas for industrial activities.

Criteria for identifying and selecting MPAs depends on the overall objective or direction of the programme identified by the coastal state. For example, if the objective is to safeguard ecological habitats, the criteria will emphasise habitat diversity and the unique nature of the particular area.

Permanence of MPAs can vary internationally. Some are established under legislative action or under a different regulatory mechanism to exist permanently into the future. Others are intended to last only a few months or years.

Does Ireland have any MPAs?

Yes, Ireland has MPA cover in about 2.13 per cent of our waters. Although much of Ireland’s marine environment is regarded as in “generally good condition”, according to an expert group report for Government published in January 2021, it says that biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation are of “wide concern due to increasing pressures such as overexploitation, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change”.

Are there plans to expand MPAs in Irish waters?

The Government has set a target of 30 per cent MPA coverage by 2030, and moves are already being made in that direction. However, environmentalists are dubious, pointing out that a previous target of ten per cent by 2020 was not met.

What are the international obligations on MPAs?

Conservation and sustainable management of the marine environment has been mandated by a number of international agreements and legal obligations, as an expert group report to government has pointed out. There are specific requirements for area-based protection in the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the OSPAR Convention, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Are there specific EU obligations?

Yes, the Marine Strategy Framework directive (2008/56/EC) required member states to put measures in place to achieve or maintain good environmental status in their waters by 2020. Under the directive a coherent and representative network of MPAs had to be created by 2016

How does Ireland compare to other coastal countries?

Ireland was about halfway up the EU table in designating protected areas under existing habitats and bird directives in a comparison published by the European Commission in 2009. However, the Fair Seas campaign, an environmental coalition formed in 2022, points out that Ireland is “lagging behind “ even our closest neighbours, such as Scotland which has 37 per cent. The Fair Seas campaign wants at least 10 per cent of Irish waters to be designated as “fully protected” by 2025, and “at least” 30 per cent by 2030.

How is our nearest neighbour, Britain, doing on MPAs?

Nearly a quarter of Britain’s territorial waters are covered by MPAs, set up to protect vital ecosystems and species. However, a conservation NGO, Oceana, said that analysis of fishing vessel tracking data published in The Guardian in October 2020 found that more than 97% of British MPAs created to safeguard ocean habitats, are being dredged and bottom trawled.

How are Irish MPAs protected?

There’s the rub. Currently, there is no definition of an MPA in Irish law, and environment protections under the Wildlife Acts only apply to the foreshore.

So is there any protection for sensitive habitats and species beyond the foreshore ?

Current protection in marine areas beyond 12 nautical miles is limited to measures taken under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives or the OSPAR Convention. This means that habitats and species that are not listed in the EU Directives, but which may be locally, nationally or internationally important, cannot currently be afforded the necessary protection

Is legislation planned for Ireland?

Yes. In late March 2022, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said that the Government had begun developing “stand-alone legislation” to enable identification, designation and management of MPAs to meet Ireland’s national and international commitments.

That sounds like good news for Irish MPAs ?

Environmental groups are not happy, as they have pointed out that legislation on marine planning took precedence over legislation on MPAs, due to the push to develop offshore renewable energy.

Is all activity banned in MPAs?

No, but some activities may be banned or restricted. Extraction is the main activity affected as in oil and gas activities; mining; dumping; and bottom trawling.

Is there a cost to MPAs?

The Government’s expert group report noted that MPA designations are likely to have the greatest influence on the “capture fisheries, marine tourism and aquaculture sectors”. It said research suggests that the net impacts on fisheries could ultimately be either positive or negative and will depend on the type of fishery involved and a wide array of other factors.

Is there an economic benefit to MPAs?

The same report noted that marine tourism and recreation sector can substantially benefit from MPA designation. However, it said that the “magnitude of the benefits” will depend to a large extent on the location of the MPA sites within the network and the management measures put in place.

Dublin

7th March 2015

Trinity Battle Through Headwind to Win Dublin Head

#ROWING: Trinity’s senior eight, fresh from setting a course record at the Erne Head of the River, continued their winning run at the Dublin Head of the River today. In sunny but testing headwind condtions they covered the course from the Marlborough Street steps to Islandbridge in 14 minutes and seven seconds. The Trinity intermediate eight finished second fastest, while UCD were the top men’s novice crew.

Dublin Head of the River, Marlborough Street Steps to Islandbridge, Saturday

(Selected results)

Overall: 1 Trinity men’s senior eight 14 minutes 7 seconds, 2 Trinity intermediate eight 14:23, 3 UCD inter eight 15:11, 4 Commercial inter eight 15:57, 5 Neptune masters eight 17:03, 6 UCD novice eight 17:04.

Men

Eights – Senior: Trinity 14:07. Inter: Trinity 14:23. Novice: UCD 17:04. Junior 18: Commercial A 17:29. Masters: St Michael’s 17:18 (adjusted).

Women

Eights – Senior: Trinity 17:25 (timing only). Novice: Commercial 19:19. Masters: Tribesmen 20:20. Junior 18: Commercial 19:06.

Published in Rowing

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22nd December 2014

Man Rescued From Liffey In Dublin City Centre

#Rescue - TheJournal.ie reports on the rescue of a man from the River Liffey in Dublin city centure this afternoon (Monday 22 December).

The Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) responded to the scene between the Ha'penny and Millennium Bridges not long after 2pm, as passers by attempted to reach the man with lifebuoys from the boardwalk above.

One firefighter was lowered down from the boardwalk to reach the man in the water, who was safely removed on the DFB rescue boat and taken for treatment at the Mater Hospital.

TheJournal.ie has more on the story HERE.

Published in Rescue

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14th September 2014

Hundreds Brave Dublin City's Waters In 95th Liffey Swim

#LiffeySwim - Dublin celebrated its 95th Liffey Swim yesterday as more than 360 people took to the river's waters yesterday (13 September) for the annual race through the heart of the capital.

As The Irish Times reports, 257 men and 111 women set off from the quays at the Guinness brewery on the more than 2km downstream course towards the Loopline Bridge, swimming beneath the majority of the city's landmark spans.

And almost all of the swimmers completed the race, with Ger Wilkes of the North Dublin Winter Swimming Club coming first among the men, while paramedic Rachel Lee was the first woman to reach the Custom House

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

Published in Sea Swim

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14th August 2014

Bathing Bans For More East Coast Beaches

#BathingBan - Following the news of swimming bans at Killiney and Sandycove Harbour, The Irish Times reports on similar advisories on more beaches on the east coast coming after last weekend's heavy rain.

Elevated bacteria levels have been detected this week at Bettystown in Co Meath, Clogherhead and Templetown in Co Louth, Dollymount Strand on Bull Island, Howth's Claremont Beach and Loughshinny Beach between Rush and Skerries.

All locations have been retested with results awaited within the next few days. Contamination from floodwaters is suspected to be the most probable cause.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

Published in Coastal Notes

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19th January 2014

City Kayaking Announces Limited '€5 For Youth Groups' Offer

#Kayaking - Dublin-based urban kayaking operator City Kayaking has announced it has secured funding to help subsidise kayaking excursions for youth groups in the capital.

The company is now running a limited '€5 Kayaking for Youth Groups' offer to get Dublin kids on the water on kayaks from just €5 per head.

According to the website, the sessions on the River Liffey will be instructor-led in double-seater kayaks providing the best in comfort, stability in safety, so no prior experience is necessary!

For details visit the City Kayaking website HERE - and act fast, as places for these special trips are strictly limited.

Published in Kayaking

Tagged under

16th January 2014

Irish Ferries 'Epsilon' Commences Weekly Dublin to Cherbourg Service on Saturday

#ferry – This weekend (Saturday, 18th January 2014), Irish Ferries will inaugurate its new direct weekend car ferry service between Dublin and the French port of Cherbourg. As previously reported, the new 19-hours service will be operated by the passenger car and freight ferry vessel Epsilon which the company acquired recently under a charter arrangement. Sailings will depart from the Ferryport terminal in Dublin at 15.30 hrs on Saturday and will arrive in Cherbourg at 11.30hrs on Sunday morning. It will return to Dublin later that day, departing Cherbourg at 17.00hrs arriving back in Ireland on Monday morning.

Third Route Option
The introduction of the new Dublin to Cherbourg service gives holidaymakers travelling into and out of Ireland a third route option, augmenting, as it does, the company's services from Rosslare to Cherbourg and Rosslare to Roscoff. Timed to arrive in Cherbourg early enough to facilitate easy onward travel to campsites and holiday centres throughout France, the new service is expected to prove popular with families and hauliers alike.

On board Epsilon, the once-weekly, year round service will offer a more limited range of cabins and passenger attractions when compared with those on board the company's cruise ferry Oscar Wilde which will continue to service routes from Rosslare to Cherbourg and Roscoff as before.

Bringing access to European motorways into the heart of Dublin city, the new service will extend the appeal of a motoring holiday in France to an even wider market. For those living in the northern half of the country, it eliminates driving to Rosslare and cuts the motoring time and cost involved.

MV Epsilon
Built in 2011, the Epsilon has capacity for 500 passengers. Modest facilities on board include a bar, cafeteria, self-service restaurant, 68 two and four berth cabins all with TV, free wi-fi service and 2,860 lane metres of vehicle deck parking space. Commenting Irish Ferries head of passenger sales, Dermot Merrigan said 'our new Dublin to Cherbourg direct service will appeal to those living within and beyond our capital city. Fast access straight through the city or from the Dublin Port Tunnel ensures that our new Ireland – France service will be more accessible to all.'

Fares and offers for this new Dublin to Cherbourg service can be viewed on the Irish Ferries website www.irishferries.com . When not operating on the Dublin to Cherbourg service, Epsilon will sail between Dublin and Holyhead increasing Irish Ferries services on the route to a maximum of twelve sailings each day.

Published in Ferry

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7th November 2013

Irish Ferries Increases Capacity on Irish Sea Dublin to Holyhead Route

#ferry – Irish Ferries is to increase its capacity and frequency on the Dublin to Holyhead route through the introduction of a third ship in December 2013.

Currently, the ferry company operates eight sailings per day on the key Irish Sea route using its flagship Ulysses and the High Speed Craft Jonathan Swift.

Irish Ferries has chartered the Epsilon (2011 built ) to supplement its existing Ireland to Britain services. The ship will provide two additional departures per day in each direction which will result in an increase in the company's schedule to a maximum of twelve sailings between Dublin and Holyhead each day. The recently built vessel will provide significant vehicle capacity along with modern facilities on board including cabins, bar/cafeteria and self-service restaurant.

Targeting the growing Freight and Tourism markets, the Epsilon will further improve Irish Ferries' range of offers to its customers on the Irish Sea. In addition to the improved frequency on its Dublin to Holyhead route, the chartered vessel will also provide opportunities for improved annual dry-dock cover within the company's fleet along with scope for increased capacity on other Irish Ferries' Irish Sea and Ireland to France services.

Commenting on the announcement, Irish Ferries' Marketing Director, Tony Kelly, said, "Irish Ferries decision to invest in additional capacity at this time is a major vote of confidence by the Republic of Ireland's leading ferry operator in the recovery of the country's economy. We believe that Ireland has turned the corner and we are prepared to invest in the provision of improved services for our valued Freight and Tourism customers who have shown fantastic loyalty throughout the last five difficult years."

SHIP STATS
Name: 'Epsilon'
Built: Delivered 2011, Cantiere Navale Visentini, Italy
Flag: Italy (IMO No. 9539054)
Length Overall (LOA): 186.46 metres
Free Height: 4.87 metres main deck
Beam: 25.6 metres
Draft: 6.85 metres
Maximum Speed: 24 knots
Passenger Capacity (PC): 500 plus crew
Cabins: 68 x 4 berth + 2 x 2 berth (disabled)
Vehicle Deck Capacity: Approx 2,860 lane metres

Published in Ferry

Tagged under

12th October 2013

Jacob Sets New Record Time at Dublin Sculling Ladder Time Trial

#ROWING: Seán Jacob set a new record time of six minutes 11.56 seconds as he won the Dublin Sculling Ladder time trial on the Liffey today. Niall O’Toole, who also took part today, had set the longstanding record of 6:14 in 1992. Dave Neale was also inside the old record, with 6:13.40. Conditions were unusually good, with a tail wind. The fastest woman home was Sheila Clavin of St Michael’s in Limerick.

The event had a record entry of 212 scullers. Former Ireland international Tim Harnedy, who has been based in the United States, also took part.

Dublin Sculling Ladder Time Trial, Islandbridge to Chapelizod:

Men: 1 S Jacob (Old Collegians) 6:11.5, 2 D Neale (UCD) 6:13, 3 A Griffin (UCD) 6:28, 4 T Hughes (UCD) 6:30, 5 D Kelly (Garda) 6:34. Women: S Clavin (St Michael’s) 7:14.

	48th DSL Time Trial Provisional Results
	Name	Club		Overall
	*: past winner, ~: past fastest woman		min	sec	1/100ths
1	Sean Jacob	OC		6	11	56	New Record
2	David Neale	UCD		6	13	40	Beat previous record
3	Andrew Griffin	UCD		6	28	79
4	Turlough Hughes	UCD		6	30	46
5	Damien Kelly	GDBC		6	34	36
6	Michael Bailey	UCD		6	34	79
7	Ian Hurley	DuBC		6	35	48
8	Patrick Moore	UCD		6	36	3
9	Michael Maher	Commercial		6	37	83
10	James Graham	Commercial		6	41	93
11	Tim Harnedy	Skibbereen		6	42	3
12	Como Gianluca	DuBC		6	43	4
13	Alan Mc Kenna	Commercial		6	44	8
14	Paul Mannix	DuBC		6	45	11
15	Alexander McElovery	DuBC		6	46	98
16	Kevin Molloy	Athlone		6	47	51
17	Shane Mulvaney	Neptune		6	47	97	Fastest Juniors Man
18	John Magan	DuBC		6	48	51
19	Conor Carroll	Commercial		6	49	31
20	Luke Acheson	DuBC		6	49	60
21	Dillion Rooney	DuBC		6	50	97
22	Tim Keenan	Commercial		6	52	67
23	Brendan Smyth	LEBC		6	55	41
24	Paul Flaherty	Commercial		6	55	48
25	William Doyle	Neptune		6	55	84
26	Niall O Toole	Commercial		6	57	43
27	William Yeomans	Commercial		6	57	70
28	Dan Keegan	DuBC		6	58	30
29	David Bell	Neptune		6	58	56
30	Samuel Toland	UCD		6	58	78
31	Neil Gahan	Commercial		6	58	80
32	mARK KELLY	DuBC		6	58	97
33	Marcus d'Estelle Roe	Commercial		6	59	73
34	Ewan Murray	Portora		6	59	88
35	Sam Keogh	DuBC		6	59	98
36	Aidan Harwood	Neptune		7	0	3
37	David Butler	DuBC		7	0	5
38	David Cormack	Neptune		7	0	50
39	Liam Gleeson	Commercial		7	1	5
40	A J Rawlinson	Neptune		7	1	31
41	Liam Hawkes	DuBC		7	2	23
42	Kasper Coulter	DuBC		7	2	44
43	Killian Dunne	DuBC		7	4	6
44	Ollie Dunne	Commercial		7	4	30
45	Mark McShane	UCD		7	5	7
46	Myles Mc Cormick	DuBC		7	6	1
47	Conor Ryan	DuBC		7	6	4
48	Michael Corcoran	DuBC		7	6	46
49	Philip Murphy	GSBC		7	6	62
50	Niall Beggan	Commercial		7	6	69
51	Jamie Pounch	Commercial		7	7	25
52	Mike Heavey	Commercial		7	7	61
53	Tom Engligh	Neptune		7	7	64
54	Dennis Crowley	Commercial		7	7	82
55	Barney Rix	Portora		7	8	40
56	Francis O Toole	Commercial		7	9	9
57	Conor Kietry	Commercial		7	9	64
58	James O Sullivan	Blackrock		7	9	84
59	Samuel Armstrong	Portora		7	10	0
60	Rob Forde	Phoenix		7	10	20
61	Reuben Cruise	DuBC		7	10	97
62	Jim Phelan	Commercial		7	11	29
63	Nimai Rawlinson	Neptune		7	11	89
64	Paul Sweetman	Commercial		7	12	0
65	Nick De Mascio	UCD		7	12	16
66	Conolls Edwards	Commercial		7	12	16
67	Patrick Costello	DuBC		7	14	52
68	Sheila Clavin	St Michaels		7	14	55	Fastest Woman
69	Daire MacEoin	GSBC		7	16	72
70	Karl Kavanagh	DuBC		7	18	2
71	Max Riegel	DuBC		7	18	20
72	Eimear Lambe	Commercial		7	18	96	Fastest Junior Woman
73	Pia Dolan	Neptune		7	20	61
74	Ruth Morris	DULBC		7	20	61
75	Evan Gebier	Portora		7	20	97
76	Jeremy Dover	DuBC		7	20	99
77	Derek Holland	Portora		7	23	37
78	Naoise Greham	Commercial		7	24	7
79	Eunan Dolan	Neptune		7	25	51
80	Eoin Gleeson	Blackrock		7	25	73
81	Siobhan Forman	three Castles		7	26	58
82	Gerry Murphy	Neptune		7	26	97
83	Emer Desay	Neptune		7	28	15
84	Cillian Ryan	UCD		7	28	80
85	Gemma Foley	Commercial		7	29	3
86	Louis Mahon	DuBC		7	31	13
87	Chris Irvine	Portora		7	32	2
88	Aaron Johnston	Portora		7	32	22
89	Cormac Keogh	Commercial		7	32	55
90	George Brassil	Blackrock		7	33	35
91	Sally O Brien	DuLBC		7	33	51
92	Caitlin O Connor	Portora		7	33	79
93	Hazel O Neill	DuLBC		7	34	12
94	Ross O Mahony	Blackrock		7	36	79
95	Scott Addison	DuBC		7	36	87
96	Conor O Kelly	DuBC		7	37	69
97	Turlough Eccles	Neptune		7	39	74
98	Caitriona Jennings	Commercial		7	40	13
99	Olive Holden	GSBC		7	40	76
100	Sean Bergin	DuBC		7	40	80
101	Patrick Griffin	Commercial		7	42	38
102	Benjamin Slevin	DuBC		7	42	41
103	Ronan Allen	GSBC		7	45	25
104	Doug Clinch	Blackrock		7	45	97
105	Laura Gannon	GSBC		7	46	13
106	Michael O Rourke	Commercial		7	46	20
107	Gillian Crowe	DuLBC		7	46	23
108	Hugh Mohan	Blackrock		7	46	56
109	Amy Gill Morley	cOMMERCIAL		7	48	57
110	Ian Brennan	DuBC		7	48	62
111	Robert Brown	Blackrock		7	49	47
112	Alice Beacom	Portora		7	50	49
113	Jack Brennan	Blackrock		7	50	58
114	Joshua Shirley	Portora		7	51	17
115	Luke Newcombe	Neptune		7	52	64
116	Jane Coleman	Neptune		7	54	61
117	Kelsey connolly	Neptune		7	56	14
118	Hailey Mulvaney	Commercial		7	56	26
119	Peter Carey	Phoenix		7	56	62
120	Dan Coyne	Neptune		7	57	95
121	Emma Glover	Portora		7	59	60
122	Callum Baker	Portora		8	1	93
123	Charlie Lawless	Blackrock		8	2	25
124	Jack Crowley	Blackrock		8	2	33
125	Claire Ferrick	Neptune		8	2	78
126	Alan Thomas	LEBC		8	3	72
127	Conor Blackwell-Smyth	Portora		8	4	5
128	Philip O Connor	UCD		8	5	22
129	Jim Murane	OCDc		8	6	18
130	Elizabeth Clarke	Portora		8	7	18
131	Mark Dignam	Blackrock		8	7	37
132	Jack Nayle	Blackrock		8	7	68
133	Aoife Byrne	Neptune		8	7	87
134	Tom Mc Namara	Blackrock		8	8	90
135	Robert Summers	Blackrock		8	8	99
136	Ethen Hwey	Portora		8	9	17
137	Harry Thompson	Neptune		8	9	92
138	Scott Rolland	Blackrock		8	10	81
139	Eimear Higgins	Commercial		8	10	89
140	Leo Murphy	Portora		8	11	97
141	Orlaith Kavanagh	Neptune		8	12	89
142	Patrick Morreau	DuBC		8	16	42
143	Harriet Doyle	Neptune		8	16	44
144	Rory Mccluskey	Blackrock		8	17	38
145	Cian Griffin	T DD		8	18	28
146	Caragh Edwards	Commercial		8	19	11
147	Jonah Carty	Portora		8	20	7
148	Siobhan Maxwell	Commercial		8	24	89
149	Michael O Donal	Portora		8	25	96
150	Mia Jane Elliot	Portora		8	26	6
151	Jenny Harrington	Commercial		8	26	12
152	Sophie O Hare	Portora		8	27	9
153	James O Connor	Blackrock		8	27	59
154	Louis Manahan	Blackrock		8	28	94
155	Sophie O Donal	Portora		8	30	3
156	Sadhbh O Donovan	Neptune		8	34	15
157	Alanna O Rourke	Commercial		8	39	28
158	Ava Clarke	Neptune		8	39	82
159	Grainne McNamara	Commercial		8	41	29
160	Jack Butler	Neptune		8	41	60
161	Oisin Mackin	Portora		8	41	78
162	Patrick Haugh	Blackrock		8	42	24
163	Harry Doherty	Blackrock		8	45	4
164	Elaine Goode	Commercial		8	47	56
165	Olly O Toole	Commercial		8	47	76
166	Zoe Donaldson	Portora		8	51	65
167	Orla McConville	Portora		8	51	80
168	Judith Umesi	Commercial		8	53	7
169	Elisah Tomoney	Portora		8	54	47
170	David McGuane	Neptune		8	59	9
171	Joanna Crawford	Portora		8	59	11
172	Kathleen Curran	Commercial		8	59	93
173	Sarah Meehan	Neptune		9	3	25
174	Marcus Bradshaw	DuBC		9	4	49
175	David McGinley	Phoenix		9	5	38
176	Tara Gallagher	Portora		9	6	13
177	Jane Willis	Portora		9	10	48
178	Jack Millor	Blackrock		9	11	62
179	Annie Rove	Neptune		9	12	44
180	Riccardo Hei	Blackrock		9	14	27
181	Carrie Mc Shea	Portora		9	15	82
182	Michael Woodhouse	Portora		9	18	29
183	Jonny Wilson	Portora		9	20	85
184	Nathan Rodgers	Portora		9	20	94
185	Matthew Maquire	Commercial		9	22	33
186	Aoife Stables	Neptune		9	26	40
187	John Moran			9	28	27
188	Aisling Keogh	Commercial		9	29	48
189	Rachel McCaffrey	Portora		9	32	77
190	Alex Holten	Commercial		9	34	33
191	Caoimhe McCaffrey	Portora		9	39	74
192	Aine Mc Greesh	Portora		9	54	98
193	Emily Keane	Portora		10	13	43
194	Peter Gillespie	Commercial		10	16	42
195	Mirian Kelly	Portora		10	23	99
196	Hannah Sharkey	Portora		10	27	49
197	Callum McClement	Portora		10	29	26
198	James O Neill	Commercial		10	31	24
199	Lydia Khew	Portora		10	35	89
200	Katie Cassidy	Portora		10	39	36
201	Steven Ryan	Blackrock		10	55	81
202	Liam Rafferty	Portora		10	57	39
203	Sophie Sherlock	Portora		11	11	84
204	Barney Doherty	DuBC		11	24	95
205	Charlette Boyle	Portora		11	26	7
206	Arron O Shaughnessy	Commercial		11	26	12
207	Helen Elliot	Portora		11	28	76
208	Sinead Kinsella	Commercial		11	41	69
209	Derarbhla Dillion	Portora		12	52	53
210	Brian Cronin	DuBC		13	58	57
211	Ellie Mix	Portora		37	32	81
212	Anna McCool	Portora		46	29	74

Published in Rowing

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16th July 2013

Basking Shark Carcass Beached On Dollymount Strand

#MarineWildlife - The carcass of a large basking shark has washed up and is decomposing on Dollymount Strand in North Dublin, as The Irish Times reports.

The gentle giant - one of the second largest species of fish in the world's oceans - was beached early yesterday (15 July) after being sighted floating in the River Liffey.

Dublin City Council said it was making plans to remove the carcass from the popular seaside spot on Bull Island.

Published in Marine Wildlife

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13th May 2013

Water Patrollers For Royal Canal From Kilcock To Dublin

#InlandWaterways - Waterways Ireland advises that water control and boat assistance on the Royal Canal from Lock No 12 to 17 between Kilcock and Dublin (Castleknock) over the summer period will be provided by a full-time Water Patroller with assistance on weekends.

Des Phillips (contact 087 248 5754) will be on duty Monday to Friday from 8.30am till 5pm and on Sundays from 8.30am till 12.30pm.

PJ Massey (contact 087 985 7019) will provide water control and boat assistance on Saturdays from 8.30am till 12.30pm.

On Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 2pm till 6pm, cover will be provided by either Damien McDermott, JJ Brennan or David Whelehan (contact 087 177 8563).

Note that passage through Locks No 16 and 17 may not be possible outside of the hours listed above. Masters should therefore contact the relevant water patroller to arrange assistance through these locks.

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