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News on Irish Rowing, Angling, Waterskiing, Canoeing, Diving and Sea Swimming
At the opening of the new extension to the pier at Killybegs Harbour by Charlie McConalogue TD Minister for Marine on Friday, from left are Fergal Hegarty, Harbour Master, Christine Cunningham Killybegs Mayor, Minister Charlie McConalogue TD and Niamh Kennedy, Cathaoirleach Donegal County Council
Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue T.D., together with Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Niamh Kennedy, today officially opened the Smooth Point Pier Extension at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre, one of the six State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres. This major capital project…
SFPA figures on landings into Irish ports by foreign vessels last year record a total of 2040 landings and a total volume of 88070 tonnes
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has rejected claims that it has been “spinning” information on landings into Irish ports to give the impression that Irish fishing vessels are performing better than in reality. As The Skipper magazine reports this month,…
Costas Kadis has been appointed as the new European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans
A Cypriot has been appointed new European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans. Costas Kadis has been appointed to the brief by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as one of her 25 commissioner nominees in Brussels. Kadis said his…
The smuggling ship MV Shingle, Afloat highlights was re-registered in Dublin and stripped of its all white paint, was sunk in Killala Bay, to form Ireland's first marine artificial reef. According to Mayo County Council this will enhance the biodiversity in the area and increase marine tourism.
A former Moldovan registered ship that was smuggling cigarettes but was seized by the Revenue Commissioners a decade ago was sunk in Killala Bay in north Mayo yesterday. The 669 gross registered ton ship, the MV Shingle, was intercepted by…
Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation (IFPO) chief executive Aodh O Donnell
New rules to combat unsustainable fishing practices have been welcomed by the Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation (IFPO). “We issued repeated warnings about unsustainable fishing by non-EU members in shared EU fishing zones,” IFPO chief executive Aodh O Donnell said in…
BIM's Irish Fishing Industry report describes 2023 as a
Two State agencies have now used the same word - 'Challenging' - to describe how the Irish fishing industry fared last year. These agencies have used a relatively 'soft' word in comparison to major representative organisations who describe 2023 and…
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority
A Co Louth skipper has been fined amounting to €2,500 for fisheries offences. The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) says that Anthony Conlon, from Drogheda, Co Louth, was fined, on September 17th at Drogheda district court for charges relating to…
Eirgrid fisheries liaison officer -  Originally from Ballycotton, Co Cork, Ronan Lynch is a former professional sailor
Eirgrid is committed to ensuring the voice of coastal communities is “factored in” to its projects involving the marine space, its fisheries liaison officer Ronan Lynch has said. Originally from Ballycotton, Co Cork, Lynch is a former professional sailor who…
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, James Lawless launched a revised and updated edition of the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, Ireland's biggest boating centre
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, James Lawless, has today (17 September 2024) launched a revised and updated edition of the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft. The publication of the new Code of…
Mayo Mayhem is held in Belmullet in Mayo and attracts some of the best windsurfers from across the globe
RWE Renewables will sponsor Ireland’s Biggest Annual Windsurfing event to sponsor Mayo Mayhem ’24 As Afloat reported earlier, the event's exact location, days and times will be announced on Wednesday, September 25th. RWE has announced that it is the main…
Does Ireland want a Fishing Industry?
In fishing ports over the past few weeks I've heard a general opinion expressed that there is a downward trajectory in the industry. The State agency, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, issued statistics for last year which showed that 244,989…
The master of a French-registered fishing vessel has been convicted and fined €3,000 for under-recording of sole in Irish waters, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) says. The master of the Rio Da Bouza pleaded guilty at Macroom district court,…
Protecting Irish Seafood Trade  - Pictured in Castletownbere, to launch the SFPA’s report on Protecting Seafood Trade 2023, from left to right: Paschal Hayes, Executive Chairperson, SFPA,John Nolan, CEO, Castletownbere Fishermen’s Co-Op and Bernard O’Donovan, National Director Trade Compliance, SFPA
Ireland’s seafood sector had a “challenging year” in 2023, the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has said in a new report. The “Protecting Seafood Trade Report 2023” records a decrease in third country exports from Ireland to 49,782 tonnes from 78,171…
A photo from Inland Fisheries Ireland of one of the farmed salmon caught recently
Farmed salmon have been found in Lough Corrib which are believed to have escaped from a cage off Killary fjord last month. As The Irish Times reports, Lough Corrib is a special area of conservation and the west of Ireland’s…
The former contraband carrying cargo ship, MV Shingle will be sank into Killala Bay, Co. Mayo this weekend, weather-permitting, so to create Ireland's first artificial reef, enabling divers and tourists to explore. In addition to promoting local marine ecology.
In Co. Mayo, a former smuggling vessel that had been idle in Dublin Port until earlier this year is to be sunk in Killala Bay, for it to become an artificial reef. The operation reports the Western People to sink…
Daniel Smyth (17) has completed two long distance swims already
A Newry teenager who has already become the youngest solo swimmer to navigate the North Channel hopes to become the youngest person to complete Ireland’s “triple crown” swimming challenge. As RTÉ News reports, Daniel Smyth (17) swam the width of…

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