an ainrialai asarlai ag iascaracht.

national | miscellaneous | news report

Saturday November 02, 2002 19:23

by iosaf mac diarmada

ipsiphi23 at email dot com

barcelona

...on certain Irish marine issues

something for everyone?

Minister Browne Says Rockall Discovery May Boost Offshore Drilling

Let´s begin with part of a press statement from Ireland´s ministry of the marine last Sunday, (27 October 2002)
"Mr. John Browne T.D., the Minister of State for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, today said the encouraging results from drilling in the Rockall basin underlined the exploration potential off the Irish coast."..."Minister Browne said Enterprise Energy Ireland’s (EEI) announcement on the Rockall results from their deep water ‘Dooish’ exploration well was very welcome news. He was speaking after receiving a briefing from officials from the Department’s Petroleum Affairs Division."....."The Minister declared: “While it is too early to judge their economic significance, the results clearly demonstrate the presence of a working petroleum system and, as such, have profound implications for the future exploration of frontier areas offshore Ireland. My Department has long held that there was ‘real’ exploration potential within these frontier areas and the latest news further vindicates this view.”......!!
!!......"The Minister went on: “The well has penetrated a substantial column of hydrocarbons. However, before the size of the accumulation or the possibility for any commercial development can be assessed, a considerable amount of analysis of existing data together with much further appraisal work on the prospect will be required. It is expected that appraisal operations will resume at the earliest possible opportunity during the drilling season in 2003.”
... €€€€ ......"Enterprise Energy Ireland has carried out an evaluation programme, the Minister said. “All aspects connected with the positioning, drilling and evaluation of the well require my approval, and under the terms of the licence, the operator is obliged to lodge all technical data related to the well with my Department. I am pleased to say that Enterprise Energy Ireland is fully complying with their obligations. Specialists from the Petroleum Affairs Division of the Department have closely monitored the drilling and formation evaluation programmes since the well was initially drilled and are continuing to analyse the large volumes of data generated.” ...........$$$$..........."Minister Browne added: “There are challenges imposed by extreme water depths. We understand that to-date the well has cost more then €20 million. I would strongly encourage other exploration companies to renew their commitment and resolve to pursue hydrocarbon exploration opportunities in Ireland.”

This
is
Newsworthy
for
several reasons,

1. it signals increased invovlement by multi-national-corporations in Irish marine life.

2. Marine policy is one of the "all Ireland" areas of co-operation between the Ireland and Northern Ireland states.

3. Rockall and its surrounding areas are subject to international dispute between the Ireland state and the United Kingdom state.

4. Increased oil speculative exploration in the Irish Atlantic region will threaten delicate eco-systems to which many fish and other marine life belong.

In reference to number 4.

The Irish government has an "aquaculture" policy.
Without any thought of "conflict of interest" this policy is controlled from the same ministry.

"The Aquaculture Policy section aims to identify and facilitate measures to securing these objectives. Key areas of involvement for the section include policy formulation, targeted investment support for aquaculture under both the Operational Programme for Fisheries 1994 - 1999 and more currently, the National Development Plan 2000 - 2006, the establishment of a national fish health policy framework and the pursuit of measures and action at EU and national level beneficial to the sector".....€€€€€....$$$$$.....
The establishment of the Aquaculture Industry Forum under the aegis of IFAPD, comprising the Department, BIM, UnaG and the Marine Institute, as well as key players from the industry, has facilitated communications and dialogue between the parties on strategic issues facing the industry! . The Forum enables the aquaculture industry to play a leading role in identifying and raising issues of priority and provides a practical mechanism for periodic review and information exchange on market trends and opportunities, investment strategies, R & D needs, environmental issues, international and EU developments as well as policy issues generally".
..............**********............Licensing, Monitoring and Enforcement of aquaculture activities are handled by the Coastal Zone Administration Division(CZAD)

hmmm.

One of the fish I most particularly like is the Atlantic Mackerel (scomber scombrus).

Recent studies reported in the current issue of Amercian Psychiatry (2002,59:913-919)
http://www.archpsyc.ama-assn.org

suggest that eicosapenaenoic acid (EPA) found in Omega 3 fatty acids, may help people with symptoms of bipolar disorder or manic depression.

The suggestion that EPA is a potential source of anti-depressives is not a new one, but researchers are happily predicitng fresh multi-national-corporation interest in the development of EPA drugs to complement markets already saturated with other more well known types of medication.

Medication including Selective Sertonin reoptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac Fluoxine or MDMA (Ecstasy) or older drug types called Tricyclic antidepressants.

if the keen reader will go to this link
http://www.sea-angling-ireland.org/fish%20-%20mackerel.htm
they will find record of the record Irish Mackerel, a beast of a creature at 1.87kg
the really careful reader will further note some very poor !aquacultural! advice in the fishing tactics....

"Boat tactics: Mackerel will fall to bare silver hooks never mind feathers never mind the more exotic creations that the tackle companies have come up with. I have seen highly effective home make feathers made from thread, bits of cut up beach ball (!), silver foil and plastic bags. I know one guy who swears to the effectiveness of the ring pulls from beer cans (empty!) although you can't always trust him! Most small spinners and lures will take any mackerel and they have no problem in feeding on mackerel strips. If you do want some sport you have to bring the rig back to coarse angling levels - 4 lbs line and a float".

now that´s just the sort of attitude to our environment and happyness that I really don´t like.

happy fishing.