Government invites public input to form a marine policy for Ireland
The launch this month of Our Ocean Wealth – Towards an Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland, has been welcomed across maritime circles. In a tightly choreographed move, this is the first time an Irish government has sought public opinion to feed into a long overdue integrated marine policy for Ireland, set to launch in mid summer.
Commenting in the foreword, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny throws his weight behind the new initiative declaring that ‘for too long our maritime resources have been a blind spot in our national focus. Whether we are from urban, rural or coastal communities we all have a real interest in the social, cultural and economic impact of our coasts and seas’.
He added he wants to see Ireland ‘reconnect to the sea in a way that harnesses the ideas, innovation and knowledge of all our people, at home and abroad. I want to see us setting out to secure for ourselves and our children the social, cultural and economic benefits that our marine assets can deliver’.
Exclusive interview with Gery Flynn at Inshore Ireland
The marine and freshwater environment publication
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“I’m sorry we dont have any GPS units in stock” said the assistant.
A neutrino goes into a chandlery and asks for a GPS unit
Sunday February 19th
Landing Gear
Rod: G-Loomis crosscurrent #7 – Hardy Zane #8
Line: Guideline Coastal #7 floating and #8 Intermediate
Reel: Danielsson LW 6/9
Leader: Modified Rio tapered trout and Airflo polyleaders intermediate
Fly: Small flatwing – lavender and grey
For details of a complete range of innovative and unique saltwater sea trout flies please contact me at sportfishing@eircom.net
Hand tied and tested in Ireland see more patterns here
Yesterday at Midleton District Court 2 fishermen were found guilty of using nets to catch Bass. IFI Fisheries Officers observed the nets on the evening of 11 July 2011 and in the early hours of the next day apprehended the two men.
In evidence the Fisheries Officers stated that following a report they observed a net fixed out just off the shore at Aghada Power Station which was subsequently hauled into an unlighted punt used by the two fishermen in conjunction with a sea fishing boat which was also unlit. The officers quietly approached the punt in a protection boat and using a powerful hand-held spot light suddenly confronted the fishermen. The pair reacted by heaving a fish box containing approximately 20 Bass over the side of the punt into the water.
The fishermen, who retained a Solicitor to fully contest the offences on their behalf, stated that they were fishing for mullet and had taken the Bass as a by-catch but had not had the opportunity to discard the Bass, which were in the fish box, before the Fishery Officers appeared on the scene.
Judge Olann Kelleher said he was satisfied that both men were guilty. For using a net to catch Bass he fined each man €600 and ordered each man to pay €300 costs. He also made an Order for the Forfeiture of the nets.
THIRTYARDS 
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