MacDara Conroy
MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business
Irish surfers have won their first battle against the development of Doolin Point in Co Clare, site of one of the country's top wave spots. A planned council vote on proposals for the €6 million Doolin Pier development was halted…
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has posted photos and video of last weekend's expedition to research the fin whales spotted near the coast of Co Waterford. SEE VIDEO BELOW http://www.iwdg.ie/article.asp?id=2429 The group encountered a number of fin whales…
The UK's shipping minister has announced proposals that would see a reduction in operational hours or even the closure of Northern Ireland's coastguard command centre. Earlier this week news emerged that the rescue command centre at Bangor was under threat…
The Irish Seal Sanctuary has called on the EU to assist fishermen in the switch to selective fishing gear to help restore viable stocks in Ireland's waters, the Irish Environment Network reports. http://www.ien.ie/news/irish-seal-sanctuary-proposes-new-management-plan-to-save-irish-sea/ EU Commissioner Maria Damanaki had threatened to…
The Revenue Commissioners have published updated guidelines for the excise duty payable on green diesel used by private boatowners in Ireland. The update accounts for the changes earlier this year to Mineral Oil Tax rate due to the imposition of…
Public spending cuts in the UK could see the closure of Northern Ireland's only coastguard rescue command centre, the News Letter reports. The coalition government is expected to announce phasing out of a number of the UK's 19 coastguard centres…
Mark Barry was the standout kitesurfer at the final stage of the 2010 Rhinos Wave Charge in Brandon Bay recently. SEE VIDEO BELOW Surfer Today reports that the Co Clare rider outshone the competition on an exceptionally cold weekend that…
The coroner for Galway West has urged all boat-users to wear lifejackets and put safety first on the water. Dr Ciarán McLaughlin spoke at the inquest into the death of experienced sailor Johnny Mac Donncha, who drowned after his Galway…
Next time you buy fish at the supermarket, it may not be what it appears to be - according to the authors of a new paper on truth in food labelling in the European seafood industry. Mother Jones reports that…
The inquest into the drowning of diver Ann Howard has heard how she disappeared only feet from the safety of rocks off Arranmore Island. The Irish Times reports that Howard, 41, was part of a team of eight divers from…
Expenditure on fisheries will be maintained at 2010 levels under the Budget for 2011 announced today. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, welcomed the protection of expenditure in forestry/bioenergy and fisheries, saying it “reflects the important economic…
The National Biodiversity Data Centre has launched a new online atlas of freshwater fish in Irish lakes. http://fish.biodiversityireland.ie/ Produced in collaboration with Inland Fisheries Ireland, the website features has a species search tool that gives access to detailed data and…
MINISTER for Natural Resources Conor Lenihan has opened a 30-day public consultation process on the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations for the 2011 season, the Irish Times reports. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/1206/1224284845182.html Under the latest draft egulations, 51 rivers out…
Stakeholders from France, England, Ireland and Wales attended a two-day workshop in Cork last week with a view to establishing a new code to protect the natural environment of the Celtic Sea from the effects of marine activities, World Fishing…
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) reports that a newborn bottlenose dolphin calf was washed up in Doolin, Co Clare last week (photos here). http://www.iwdg.ie/article.asp?id=2426 Measuring 1.2m in length and weighing 21kg, the IWDG said it was "by far…
An inquest into the death of a Larne man who drowned after his boat capsized in Larne Lough has heard that he and his fishing partner 'could not afford lifejackets'. The News Letter reports that 29-year-old Graeme Nixon disappeared in…
An Irish diving instructor is feared dead on Thailand after separating from his team during a deep dive. TheJournal.ie has compiled reports that Peter McCarthy was with another diver in Song Hong Lake in southern Thailand last weekend when he…
The Irish Surfing Association (ISA) has posted a useful guide for surfing safely over the winter months. Caution is recommended for surfers at this time of year due to the colder water temperatures combined with stronger swells, severe winds and…
The family of a drowning victim are exploring the idea that seals could be utilised to recover bodies lost in rivers or at sea, The Clare People reports. Brian Mooney - father of 31-year-old Brecan Mooney, whose body was never…
A Northern Irish police diver's claim that he was owed more than £30,000 in overtime has been rejected by the UK High Court, BBC News reports. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11876736 Constable Mark Lloyd, previously of the PSNI's underwater search unit, argued that he…
