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
Green Party MEP Grace O’Sullivan has welcomed this week’s High Court judgment which will see the European Court of Justice being asked to rule on a missed deadline set for sustainably set fish quotas in European waters. Environmental group Friends…
EU "Youth" Ambassadors Present 11 Recommendations to French Minister for the Sea
9th February 2022 Marine Science
A team of young European “maritime ambassadors” has called for implementation of an EU-wide maritime surveillance and enforcement programme for the Common Fisheries Policy. Investment in reskilling of people employed in “disappearing sectors” is also one of 11 recommendations made…
Irish Polar Sailors Hold Silent Vigil in Protest Over Imprisonment of Russian Historian Yuri Dmitriev
10th February 2022 Cruising
A group of Irish polar circumnavigators held a silent vigil today outside the Russian Embassy in Dublin in protest over the imprisonment of Russian historian Yuri Dmitriev. As Afloat reported earlier this week, the crew of yacht Northabout, which successfully…
Marine Innovation Centre Nua na Mara Set up by Údarás na Gaeltachta in Conamara
5th February 2022 Marine Science
Nua na Mara is the name of a marine innovation development centre established in Conamara by state agency Údarás na Gaeltachta. Based in the State agency’s G-teic hub in Carna, Co Galway, Nua na Mara will provide “specialist training and…
US, Russian, French & British Military Units Observed Inside & Outside Ireland's EEZ by Naval Service & Air Corps
3rd February 2022 Navy
The Naval Service and Air Corps say they have observed north America, Russian and French vessels both inside and outside Ireland's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) over the past week. These observations include two Russian warships within the Irish EEZ and…
87% of Regular Irish Seafood Eaters Like to Know Fish is Caught Sustainably, SFPA Survey Finds
3rd February 2022 SFPA
Some 87 per cent of regular seafood eaters like to know their fish was caught sustainably, a survey by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has found. While quality is the main priority of Irish consumers (96%), knowing fish and…
Russian Military Exercises Raise Some Serious Questions - Former Defence Forces Chief of Staff Mark Mellett
3rd February 2022 Naval Visits
The Russian military exercises which had been due to take place within Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone ( EEZ) raise some serious questions, according to former Defence Forces chief of staff Mark Mellett. Mellett believes the Russian Federation’s original plan was…
An Rás Mór, Cork harbour’s Ocean to City race, returns to the water this June after a break of two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Registration will open on March 1st for the multi-craft rowing and paddling race set…
World Wetlands Day 2022 has been marked by Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan with a tribute to communities who have worked to restore and raise awareness of the value of wetlands and peatlands. Community-led projects are a key…
€25 Million Deepwater Quay Will Regenerate Connemara Port of Ros-a-Mhíl
1st February 2022 Irish Harbours
A 25 million euro deepwater development of the Connemara fishing port of Ros-a-Mhíl is due to be announced today by Minister for Marine Charlie McConalogue. Construction of a 200-metre deepwater quay at the State-owned harbour and island ferryport may also…
Calico Scallop & Transverse Ark Clam Washed up in Toy Boat on Clare Coast Were First Such Specimens Recorded Here, Marine Biologist Says
31st January 2022 Marine Science
A collection of scallops and one clam found on a plastic toy boat washed up on the Co Clare coast over five years ago represent the first such specimens recorded in Irish waters, marine biologist Declan Quigley says. The eight…
Leading NUIG Expert on Microplastics Warns of Risks after Research Finds Potential Link with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
31st January 2022 Marine Science
A leading Irish expert on microplastics has warned that the negative health effects may be more widespread, following publication of research linking microplastics with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). NUI Galway scientist Dr Liam Morrison said the research confirmed that the…
EU Fisheries Commissioner Pays Tribute to Irish Fishermen over Their Diplomacy on Russian Military Exercises
31st January 2022 Naval Visits
The EU’s fisheries commissioner has paid tribute to Irish fishermen for their role in shifting the location of Russian military exercises outside the Irish exclusive economic zone (EEZ). In a tweet, Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius said that “Irish fishermen got their…
Fishing Organisations Clarify "Confusion" Over Outcome of Meeting with Russian Ambassador over Military Exercises off South-West Coast
28th January 2022 Naval Visits
Two fishing industry organisations have sought to clarify what they describe as “confusion” in some media outlets over their talks with Russian ambassador Yuriy Filatov on the forthcoming Russian military exercises off the south-west Irish coast. Irish South and West…
Shipwrecks With No Known Owner Will Become State Property Under Proposed New Legislation
28th January 2022 Diving
Shipwrecks with no known owner will become State property under new legislation which Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan is proposing. The legislation also proposes that commercial salvage law does not apply to historic wrecks. The Monuments and Archaeological…
Irish Fishing Industry Representatives & Russian Ambassador Hold "Constructive" Meeting on Proposed Military Exercises off South-West Irish Coast Next Week
28th January 2022 Naval Visits
The Russian Embassy in Ireland has described as “constructive” and “positive” the outcome of discussions with two Irish fishing industry organisations in relation to proposed Russian military exercises next week in the Porcupine Seabight off the south-west Irish coast. Irish…
Russian Ambassador Invites South & West Fishermen to Talks Over Fears About Naval Exercises
26th January 2022 Naval Visits
Irish fishermen planning a peaceful protest over Russian naval exercises off the south-west Irish coast have been invited to talks by the Russian Ambassador to Ireland. Ambassador Yuriy Filatov asked members of the Irish South and West Fish Producers’ Organisation…
Russian Military Exercises Could Have "Devastating Consequences" for Marine Mammals, Minister for Heritage Malcolm Noonan Warns
26th January 2022 Marine Wildlife
Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan says he is “ deeply concerned” at the news that military exercises are to be conducted by Russia within Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Area due to the impact on marine mammals. In a statement…
Government Bows to Pressure over Retaining Waterford Search & Rescue Base
25th January 2022 Coastguard
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has bowed to pressure over the future of the Waterford helicopter search and rescue base by amending the tender for the new Coast Guard aviation service. The amendment will specify four helicopter bases, including Waterford,…
Cornish Gillnetter Detained in Celtic Sea Last Week Released Without Charge
25th January 2022 Fishing
The British-registered gillnetter detained by the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) off the Irish coast last week has been released without charge. The 23-metre Govenek of Ladram, which played a starring role in the series, The Catch, was escorted into…
