#Angling - Scientists at the Marine Institute’s Fish Health Unit are conducting further testing on sample carp from The Lough and Belvelly in Cork after the recent outbreak of suspected carp edema virus.

The tests include sequencing of the viral DNA to confirm its identity, and until confirmed the current findings shall be regarded as preliminary, according to a statement from the Marine Institute.

Molecular tests for Koi Herpesvirus Disease (KHV), a listed disease under European Fish Health legislation, were negative for all fish sampled. Additional molecular tests for cyprinid herpesvirus (other than KHV) were also in progress as of yesterday, Thursday 17 May.

The gills and skin of the sampled fish revealed an extremely high infestation of trichodinid parasites along with a fungal infection. White spots on the scales were also microscopically examined but there was no evidence of Ichthyophthirius multifilius infection.

Virological screening for Spring Viraemia of Carp is still ongoing with no virus observed to date. Bacteriological tests have revealed no growth of bacteria.

“While we’ve identified the presence of CEV — known to cause koi sleepy disease — in all the samples tested to date at the Marine Institute, we are still carrying out further tests for confirmation of the cause of the carp mortalities at The Lough and Belvelly lake,” said Dr Neil Ruane from the Fish Health Unit.

Dr Jeff Fisher, director of marine environment and food safety service at the Marine Institute, added: “Though the ultimate cause of the introduction of the disease agent into the loughs cannot be determined from current information, the loss of significant numbers of carp in these two lakes highlights the need for vigilance among anglers and other recreational users of Irish waters in the cleaning of their equipment and gear thoroughly after use, and also for the need for fishery owners and members of the public to be aware of the potential risk of transferring fish that may carry disease into the wild, and to never release ornamental fish into lakes or rivers.

“We’re continuing to work closely with Inland Fisheries Ireland and Cork City Council, and the Cork Carp Anglers Club to determine the cause of this fish kill, contain the incident, and identify appropriate biosecurity measures for the future.”

More than 750 carp were lost in the outbreak at The Lough in Cork city centre earlier this month, with the Cork Carp Anglers Club estimating the cost of replacing even a fraction of this number at €200,000 or more.

#Angling - The cost of replacing lost carp at The Lough in Cork city centre could be more than €200,000, according to the Irish Examiner.

Inland Fisheries Ireland responded to reports of a fish kill at the popular catch-and-release coarse angling venue on Friday 4 May.

Sample fish examined by scientists at the Marine Institute tested positive for carp edema virus, or CEV, which causes ‘koi sleepy disease’.

It’s since emerged that more than 750 carp were lost in the outbreak at The Lough, which hundreds more removed from the private Belvelly fishery near Cobh.

However, according to the Cork Carp Anglers Club, restocking cannot happen before issues with biosecurity and water quack are dealt with.

The Irish Examiner has more on the story HERE.

#Angling - Scientists of the Fish Health Unit at the Marine Institute have advised that sample carp taken from The Lough and Belvelly Lake in Cork have tested positive for carp edema virus, or CEV.

The poxvirus causes a disease known as ‘koi sleepy disease’ in both koi and common carp.

The fish kill was first reported at The Lough in Cork city centre last week, with subsequent reports at Belvelly Lake in Cobh. Some 450 carp were removed from the former, and over 20 from the latter, as well as live samples from both for analysis.

At present, while tests are ongoing and further tests are carried out on the CEV detected, this is being treated as a ‘suspect positive’ and is not confirmed as the causative agent of the mortalities until all tests have been completed.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) recommends that stringent biosecurity protocols continue to be implemented. All mortalities continue to be removed and disposed of in a bio-secure manner.

Angling remains suspended at both locations, as well as at Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid Reservoirs.

#Angling - Inland Fisheries Ireland yesterday (Friday 4 May) responded to reports of a fish kill at The Lough in Cork city centre.

The reports were received from Cork Carp Anglers Club who recorded a number of dead fish at this iconic Cork carp fishery.

Initial investigations by IFI indicate the cause of death to be a fish health issue, with a bacterial or fungal infection suspected of causing the mortalities.

It is estimated that in the region of 200 carp have been infected in this outbreak.

A small number of live fish have been securely transported to a specialist fish health unit to identify the infectious agent.

All dead fish that have been collected are being held in cold storage at an IFI facility pending the outcome of tests to determine the exact cause of death.

Anglers are requested to suspend all fishing activity at the lake until further notice.

Any anglers who have been fishing the venue in the last month are advised to carry out appropriate disinfection of their landing nets, fish mats, footwear and other gear that may have become contaminated, to prevent the spread of the disease to other fisheries.

#Rowing: The Leander Galleon, the trophy presented at Cork regatta each year, was on show with two other cups which have been on display in the Leander dining room at a special occasion at Trinity College. The three ‘Cork Cups’ were brought together on Irish soil for the first time in a century. There was a talk by rowing commentator Robert Treharne Jones.  

 The bicentenary of Leander was later marked by a dinner attended by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, the president of Rowing Ireland, Eamon Colclough and Leander president Jeremy Randall. More than 60 Leander members dined in splendour at the Kildare Street and University Club.

#CoastalNotes - A new harbour patrol for the South Coast? That’s what Cork County Council is proposing in new measures to curb what’s being seen as a “free for all” along the county's  lengthy coastline.

According to the Irish Examiner, draft bylaws are being drawn up that would place limits on speed limits in bays and areas for jet ski use, as well as impose berthing charges among the more than 200 harbours and piers on the Cork coast.

County Hall in Cork city is also expected to shortly announce recruitment for “harbour masters or harbour constables” with responsibility for piers not currently being regulated.

While the new regime would see stronger enforcement of laws against reckless vessel use inshore, it’s also envisaged that harbour constables would liaise with the Garda in cases of suspected drug trafficking through rural, unsupervised landing areas.

The Irish Examiner has more on the story HERE.

#Rowing: Cork Boat Club’s intermediate eight proved the fastest crew at the Muckross Head of the River at the National Rowing Centre. Shandon, who had a set of good results, saw their eight finish just five seconds off that pace – and their junior 18 quadruple took just nine minutes and 48 seconds to cover the course, placing them seventh overall. Justin Ryan of Skibbereen was the fastest single sculler.

 The adult women’s ranks were thinner in numbers. Monika Dukarska was the fastest single sculler. A masters women’s crew from Lady Elizabeth and Dublin University Ladies Boat Club won: it featured well-known names, including former internationals Vanessa Lawrenson and Heather Boyle.  

Muckross Head of the River – Selected Results

Overall: 1 Cork BC intermediate eight 9 mins 20 sec, 2 Shandon inter eight 9:25, 3 UCC senior quadruple 9:35.

Men, Eight – Intermediate: Cork 9:20. Club One: UCC 9:35. Club Two: UCC 9:44. Jun 16: Fermoy 10:35. Masters: Castleconnell 13:25.

Four – Sen: Shandon 9:56. Inter, coxed: Skibbereen 10:36. Club One: UCC 10:33. Jun 18, coxed: Presentation Col (D Murphy) 11:07

Pair – Sen: Skibbereen 10:54. Jun 18: Shandon 10:55.

Sculling, Quadruple – Sen: UCC 9:35. Club One, coxed: UCC 13:05. Club Two, coxed: Workmen’s 11:05. Masters, coxed: Clonmel 13:26. Jun 18: Shandon 9:48. Jun 16, coxed: Lee 10:56.

Double – Sen: UCC 11:33. Inter: UCC 10:37. Club One: Shandon 11:09. Jun 18: Skibbereen 11:11. Jun 16: Shandon 11:28.

Single – Sen: Skibbereen (J Ryan) 11:26. Inter: Castleconnell (P Silke) 12:00. Club One: Castleconnell 12:15. Club Two: Cork (R Povey) 12:16. Jun 18: Shandon (E Gaffney) 11:39. Jun 16: Tralee (B Winde) 12:57. Masters (H, adjusted): Lee Valley 13:40 (11:36).

Women,

Eight – Club One: Lee Valley 13:08. Club Two: Shandon 11:12. Jun 16: Muckross 12:28. Masters: Lady Elizabeth, Trinity 12:35.  

Four – Sen: Skibbereen 11:36. Inter, coxed: Skibbereen 12:53. Club Two, coxed: Cork 12:22.

Pair – Sen: UCC/Skib 11:58.

Sculling, Quadruple - Sen: Workmen’s 10:50. Club One, coxed: Fermoy 12:14. Club Two, coxed: Lee 12:35. Jun 18: Workmen’s 11:12. Jun 16, coxed: Lee 12:29.

Double – Sen: Cork 11:41. Club One: Workmen’s 12:00. Jun 18: Workmen’s 11:49. Jun 16: Killorglin 12:19.

Single – Sen: Killorglin (M Dukarska) 11:54. Inter: Skibbereen (L Heaphy) 13:09. Club One: Lee Valley 13:08. Club Two: Killorglin (E O’Donovan) 13:35. Jun 18: Kenmare (E Crowley) 13:19. Jun 16: Killorglin (R O’Donoghue) 13:19. Masters: Clonmel (F, adjusted) 14:54 (13:26)

Ballynamona Strand on the East Cork coastline is internationally renowned for a long list of bird life including Shrikes, Larks, Citrine Wagtails, Sandpipers, Pipits, American Coot and Red-necked Stint. There is a new sight to be seen there, writes Tom MacSweeney and it is ensuring that the strand remains a welcoming place for wildlife, seabirds, marine life and for the general public. Regrettably, visitors of the human kind leave litter behind, disregarding the marine environment and despoiling the area.

The local community has responded leading to the new sight on the beach - a quad bike and trailer - showing community dedication to the preservation of a clean maritime environment. It’s the work of the group known as ‘Clean Coasts Ballynamona.’ “Truly an excellent example of what can be achieved when business and community work together,” said Proinsias Ó Tuama, one of the leaders of ‘Clean Coasts’ ‘and a teacher at St.Colman’s Community College, Midleton, where students are also involved in the protection of local beaches. Business and community interests raised €16,000 for a quad bike and trailer to remove beach litter. “It shows how local people are concerned for their maritime environment.”

The Ballynamona group has twice been An Taisce ‘Ocean Hero’ national award winners and has been using the equipment to maintain over 30kms. of coastline by removing marine litter from Ballybranagan to Ballymacoda in East Cork. Five tonnes of rubbish was taken from Ballybranagan beach with the help of the Transition Year students.

#Tourism - The Port of Cork, Bantry Bay Port Company and the Royal Cork Yacht Club are joining forces to promote marine leisure in Cork at the Southampton Boat Show.

The three organisations are in attendance at Stand J047 from today Friday 15 to Sunday 24 September tasked with promoting their marina facilities to potential visitors.

They will also be targeting the luxury cruisers and motor yacht market to entice further calls to Cork, Crosshaven and Bantry.

In 2009 the Port of Cork implemented the Leisure and Recreation Strategy for Cork Harbour, with the primary focus of the strategy on water-based leisure and recreational activities in and around the harbour.

Speaking about attending the boat show, Sara Mackeown, commercial marketing executive for the Port of Cork, said: “This is great opportunity to showcase Cork as an ideal destination for marine leisure users.

“Our marina facility in the heart of Cork City is unique and having just completed the new Bantry Harbour Marina there is a great connection now between Cork and West Cork. We are delighted to work closely with the Royal Cork Yacht Club, who have huge experience in the field.”

Cork Harbour offers significant potential for further development of the marine recreation sector as an important source of enjoyment and economic gain for the local residents and visitors, and it is anticipated that attending the Southampton Boat Show will help to promote the marine facilities directly to the desired market.

Gavin Deane, general manager of the Royal Cork Yacht Club said: “The Royal Cork Yacht Club are delighted to be collaborating with both the Port of Cork and Bantry Bay Port Company in promoting the region.

“This year we have seen a significant increase in the number of visiting boats to our marina, the majority of whom have travelled from the south coast of the UK.

“We feel that with this growth in visitors, now is the ideal time to showcase everything that Cork has to offer and Southampton Boat Show 2017 is the place to do it.”

#Property - Horgan’s Quay in Cork is set for a transformation with new offices, apartments, a hotel and an open plaza beside the River Lee.

Plans were first mooted a year ago for development of the CIÉ lands in the heart of Cork city, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

But the Irish Examiner confirms that planning permission was finally lodged this past week for the €160 million ‘HQ’ development over six acres adjacent to Kent Station.

The scheme will have 160 metres of frontage on Horgan’s Quay, opposite the Port of Cork site on Custom House Quay for which buyers were being sought earlier this year.

The Irish Examiner has more on the story HERE.