The document provides comments on Ireland's draft Seafood Development Programme (SDP) 2014-2020 in response to a public consultation. It expresses concerns that the SDP lacks tangible targets, accountability, and detail on how funding will achieve sustainability goals. It recommends extending the consultation deadline to allow time to review a required but absent National Strategic Plan on Aquaculture. The response stresses the need for the SDP to support Ireland's obligations under various directives like the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and Water Framework Directive, and to adopt an ecosystem-based approach.

1. Sustainable Water Network (SWAN)
Seafood Development Programme 2014-2020
- Response to Public Consultation –
May 2014
Sustainable Water Network (SWAN)
9 Upper Mount Street,
Dublin 2
info@swanireland.ie
(01) 642 55 83

2. Contents
Introduction to SWAN................................................................................................................... 2
Introductory comment.................................................................................................................. 2
Public consultation process, public awareness & public participation............................................... 3
Recommendations.................................................................................................................... 4
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)................................................................................ 4
The Water Framework Directive (WFD).......................................................................................... 5
Lack of tangible targets and accountability..................................................................................... 6
Knowledge/information gaps ........................................................................................................6
Contradiction between sustainability and intensified utilisation...................................................... 7
Discards and the landing obligation ............................................................................................... 8
Failure to address seal bycatch......................................................................................................8
Collection of lost fishing gear and marine litter............................................................................... 9
Resource constraints and ecological restoration........................................................................... 10
Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.......................................................................................... 10
Absence of a National Strategic Plan on Aquaculture .................................................................... 10
The Unsustainability of IrishAquaculture..................................................................................... 11
Marine Protected Areas and Aquaculture .................................................................................... 12
Planning and Aquaculture........................................................................................................... 13
Non-Indigenous Species and Aquaculture .................................................................................... 14
Public engagement..................................................................................................................... 15
References................................................................................................................................. 15

3. Introduction to SWAN
The Sustainable WaterNetwork(SWAN) isanumbrellanetworkof 26 of Ireland’sleading
environmental NGOs,nationalandregional,workingtogethertoprotectandenhance Ireland’s
aquaticresourcesthroughcoordinatedparticipationinthe implementationof the WaterFramework
Directive (WFD) andotherwater-relatedpolicyandlegislation.SWAN hasbeenactivelyengagedin
Water FrameworkDirective (WFD),the Marine StrategyFrameworkDirective (MSFD) andother
waterpolicyimplementationatbothnational andRiverBasinDistrict(RBD) level since 2004,
respondingtowater-relatedpublicconsultationsandrepresentingthe environmental sectoronWFD
RiverBasinDistrict(RBD) AdvisoryCouncils,the SouthEasternRBDManagementGroup,the Irish
Water StakeholderForum andotherwaterpolicy-relatedfora.In2013 SWAN publishedthe report
(Bradyet al.,2013) ‘The Marine StrategyFrameworkDirective inIreland:Requirements,Implications
& OpportunitiesforEnvironmentallySustainable Managementof OurMarine Waters’and we are
activelyparticipatinginthe implementationof the directive.
Introductory comment
SWAN welcome the opportunitytocommentonthe draft SeafoodDevelopmentProgramme (SDP)
2014-2020 and approve of the aspirationwithinthe programme tosupportthe EUROPE 2020
STRATEGY for Inclusive,Sustainable andSmartgrowthwithinthe marine sector.Itishopedthat
throughthispublicconsultationthe IrishAuthoritiescanbuildonmanyof the good featuresof the
draft SDPand respondproactivelytojustifiedcriticisms.Onlythroughsincere engagementatall
levelswill Irelandandthe othermemberstateshave the opportunitytorestore the marine
environmentandbuildtowardsthe sustainable utilisationof thisvastbutfragile resource.Only
throughopencollaborationwithall stakeholdersandthe meaningfulandtransparentadherenceto
the Unionpriorities,SpecificObjectivesandMeasurescanwe hope toachieve the goalsof the CFP:
to endoverfishingandtomake fishingsustainable –environmentally,economicallyandsociallythus
resultinginacompetitive andviableseafoodsectorforall.
As an IslandnationIrelandwasblessedwitharichmarine environment.Ourmarine,coastal and
transitional watersare traditionallyamongthe richestinthe EU.Accordingto the recentWWF
report“Revivingthe OceanEconomy:The case for action – 2015” the value of keyoceanassetsis
conservativelyestimatedinthe reporttobe at leastUS$24 trillion. If comparedtothe world’stop10
economies,the oceanwouldrankseventhwithanannual value of goodsandservicesof US$2.5
trillion(Hoegh-Guldbergetal.,2015). WWF arrivedat thisconservative estimate byconsideringthe
value of directoutputs(fishing,aquaculture),servicesenabled(tourism,education),trade and
transportation(coastal andoceanicshipping)and adjacentbenefits(carbonsequestration,
biotechnology).Thisreportreiteratessomethingwhichwe all alreadyknow.The marine
environmentisavast resource whichhasand hopefullywill continue tounderpinmanyaspectsof
our economyandnational identity. Irelandisone of the largestEU states;withsovereignor
exclusiverightsoverone of the largestseatolandratios (over10:1) of anyEU State.The sustainable
utilisationof thisvastresource therefore hashuge potentiallytocontribute tothe economic
wellbeingof ourcountry.Unfortunatelywe have seriouslymismanagedandabusedthisresource
overthe precedingdecades.Thishasledtothe degradationof manyaspectsof the marine
environmentandledtothe collapse of manyfishstocks. If the targets forjobcreationas laidout in
the SDP are to be achievedthenEMFFfundingmustbe utilisedtorestore ourdegradedmarine

4. environmentthroughthe implementationof the Marine StrategyFrameworkDirective (MSFD),the
CommonFisheriesPolicy(CFP) andthe HabitatsandBirdsDirectives.
Sustainabilityisacommontheme runningthroughoutthe SDP.Howeverthere isenoughwithinthe
SDP to suggestthatinsteadof embarkingona new eraof sustainable andinclusivemanagementof
our marine environment we appeartobe repeatingthe same practicesof the pastof over
exploitation,unsustainable managementandmarginalisation.While someelementscomingfroman
EU level are animprovementonthe unsustainable practicesof the pastmany elements of the SDP
appearto have onlybeendeveloped tomeetthe UnionPrioritiesanddraw downfunding.
Interestinglywhile the term‘sustainability’ismentionedovertwohundredtimesthroughoutthe
text,overfishingisonlymentionedtwice.Indeed seriousconcern existsthatlike manyaspectsof
FoodHarvest2020 the commitmenttosustainabilitywill be highjackedandusedasa green
marketingtool.We mustmove beyondtokenisticimprovementsandabandonmanyaspectsof the
SDP whichmaydelivershorttermeconomicgain fora few butwill undermine alreadydegraded
ecosystems.Thiswouldinevitablyhave calamitousconsequencesforthe longtermviabilityof many
coastal communities.
Public consultation process, public awareness & public participation
It isthe opinionof SWAN thatthe Draft Operational Programme (OP)/SeafoodDevelopment
Programme hasfailedtomeetitslegal requirementsdue tothe failure of the IrishAuthoritiesto
provide concurrentlywiththe DraftOP,aNational StrategicPlanonAquaculture (NSPA).The NSPA is
requiredaspart of the ex-ante conditionality’sforthe DraftOP. Giventhisbreachof the regulations
SWAN are unable tocommentonmany of the elementsthatshouldhave beenincludedinthe
absentNational StrategicPlanonAquaculture.ConsequentlySWAN believe thatthe public
consultationperiodonthe OPmustbe extendedtosucha time aswe have hadample opportunity
to readand commenton the Draft OPand the NSPA. Anycommentsmade inrelationtoaquaculture
shouldtoregardedas provisional due tothe aforementionedshortcomings.
To reiterate the viewtakenbythe Environmental PillarintheirrecentlettertoSimonCoveney,
MinisterforAgriculture,Foodandthe Marine,there are a numberof legal obligationswhichare
compromised andmayhave potential significantimpactsonEMFF fundingforIreland.
These legal obligationsinclude:
1. Requirementsof the EMFFRegulationandCommonFisheriesPolicy,CFPandCommon
ProvisionRegulationforEUStructural InvestmentFunds;
2. Environmental ImpactAssessmentandConsultationObligationsarisingfromthe SEA
Directive andthe AarhusConvention inrespectof the assessmentof environmental effects,
effectivenessof publicconsultationandtransboundaryimpactassessment,where this latteralso
arisesfromour obligationsunderthe EspooConvention;
The approach Irelandhastakento the Draft OP throughitsfailure toprovide concurrentlythe draft
NSPA – serve to compoundIreland’songoingfailurestoadequatelyresolveanumberof specific
failureshighlightedinthe Judgementof the Courtof Justice of the EU againstIrelandinc-418/04
back in2007, and whichremainun-resolved.Thatjudgementhighlighted interalia a legacyof failure
by Irelandinrespectof the legal compliance of ourAquaculture withEUEnvironmental Law.The
approach currentlybeingpursuedbyIrelandremainsof seriousconcerntoa numberof our member

5. organisationsinvolvedwiththisarea.The EMFF shouldprovide foranopportunitytoprogressthisif
properlyaddressed,andwe have nodoubtthiswill be of concernto both DG Mare and DG Envi.
Recommendations
The deadline forConsultationresponsestothe Draft OPand Environmental Reportproducedaspart
of the StrategicEnvironmentalAssessment,SEA pursuanttothe SEA Directive should be extended
beyondthe 1st of May. Thiswouldbe toallow for:
• a necessaryre-launchof the DraftOP; and
• to facilitate the legallyrequired“effective”publicconsultation
In conjunctionwiththe requiredNSPA,andthe associatedSEA reportstosupportIreland’s
adherence toitslegal obligations;
Thisis essentialinordertosupportthe environmental,social andeconomicsustainabilityof the
programmesandto facilitate Ireland’soptimaluptake of the 147 millionEuroavailablefromthe EU
EMFF.
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
The MSFD isextremelyrelevanttothe draftSDP and all opportunitiesfordevelopingsynergies
betweenthe MSFDandSDP shouldbe taken. Asa priority,actionswithinthe SDPmust not
compromise Irelandmeetingourobligationsunderthe MSFD. The directive requiresthatwe
developamarine strategyforourmarine waters in orderto achieve GoodEnvironmental Status
(GES) by 2020. It prescribesfivespecifictasksthatmustbe undertaken:1) Aninitial assessmentof
the current environmental statusof marine waters; 2) The determinationof asetof characteristics
that describe whatGES meansforthose waters; 3) The establishmentof acomprehensivesetof
environmental targetsandassociatedindicators;4) the establishmentandimplementationof a
coordinatedmonitoringprogramme forthe on-goingassessmentof marine waters;5) the
establishmentof aprogramme of cost effectivemeasuresdesignedtoachieve ormaintainGES.
The Directive defineswhatconstitutesgoodenvironmentalstatus:‘ecologicallydiverseanddynamic
oceansand seaswhichare clean,healthyandproductive’where‘...thestructure,functionsand
processesof the constituentmarine ecosystems,....allow those ecosystemstofunctionfully’;
‘human-induceddeclineof biodiversityisprevented’and ‘Anthropogenicinputs....intothe marine
environmentdonotcause pollutioneffects’.Italsosetsouta listof 11 qualitative descriptorsupon
whichthe determinationof GESis to be based:Biological diversity;levelsof non-indigenousspecies;
commerciallyexploitedfishandshellfish;foodwebs;eutrophication; seafloorintegrity;
hydrographical conditions;contaminants;contaminantsinfishandseafoodforhumanconsumption;
marine litterandthe levelsof energyincludingunderwaternoise.
It isclear fromthe two MSFD consultationdocumentsissuedsofar,‘Ireland’sMarine Strategy
FrameworkDirective Article 19ReportInitial Assessment,GESand Targetsand Indicators’(DECLG,
2013) and‘Marine StrategyFrameworkDirective Article 11MonitoringProgrammesPublic
ConsultationDocument’(DECLG,2014) that significantknowledgegapsexistregardingthe current
statusof the marine environment,especiallyinrelationtobiodiversity-relateddescriptorsand
cumulative impacts. These gapsneedtobe addressedwithcomprehensiveandspecificallytargeted
monitoringprogrammes,whichare currentlynotbeingimplementeddue toresource constraints.

6. The EMFF isan ideal fundingmechanismforfillingthese significantdatagaps,inaddition,tothose
identifiedinthe SDPitself. Inaddition,withoutaclearbaselineunderstandingof the marine
ecosystem,itisimpossibletoassessthe sustainabilityorotherwiseof the draftProgramme,or
indeedtomeetourobligationsunderthe MSFD.
Furthermore,implementationof the requiredprogramme of costeffectivemeasuresinorderto
achieve MSFDobjectivesshouldbe supportedbythe EMFF.
Ecosystem– basedapproach
The MSFD alsorequires“anecosystem-basedapproachtothe managementof humanactivities,
ensuringthatthe collective pressure of suchactivitiesiskeptwithinlevelscompatible withthe
achievementof goodenvironmentalstatusandthatthe capacityof marine ecosystemstorespond
to human-inducedchangesisnotcompromised,while enablingthe sustainable use of marine goods
and servicesbypresentandfuture generations”. Itisvital that thisapproachis alsoembeddedin
the SDP inorder to ensure the sustainable managementof ourmarine resource.
The Water Framework Directive (WFD)
The Water FrameworkDirective (WFD) (2000/60/EC and the Marine StrategyFrameworkDirective
(MSFD) share a close connectionintermsof content,objectivesandregulatorydesignandtogether
theyaimto manage the waterenvironmentin anintegrated,ecosystem-basedway. The WFD
requiresthe improvementandprotectionof the chemical andbiological statusof surface waters
throughouta riverbasincatchmentfromrivers,lakesand groundwatersthroughtoestuaries
(transitional waters) andcoastal watersreachingtoone nautical mile seawardfromthe MeanHigh
Water mark.
The WFD adoptsa holisticapproachtosurface waterand groundwatermanagementbyintroducing
broad ecological objectivesforthe protectionandrestorationof aquaticecological health. Member
Statesmustensure thatall EU ground andsurface waters(rivers,lakes,transitionalwatersand
coastal waters) achieve ‘goodstatus’by2015 (or 2021, 2027, withcertainexemptions). The main
objectivesof the WaterFrameworkDirective are:
• To protectand where necessarytoimprove the qualityof all ourinlandandcoastal waters
groundwaterandassociatedwetlandsandtopreventtheirfurtherdeterioration
• To achieve‘goodstatus’ forall these watersby2015
• To promote the sustainable use of water
• To reduce the pollutionof waterbyparticularlyhazardous‘priority’substances
• To lessenthe effectsof floodinganddrought
Good statusis definedwithreferencetoa wide range of physico-chemical andecological indicators
setout inAnnex V.
Aquaculture hasbeenidentifiedasa ‘significantwatermanagementissue’inthe 2009-2015 River
BasinManagementPlans,forwhichmeasuresmustbe implemented,aspartof the WFD Programme
of Measures,inorderthat the statusof Ireland’scoastal waterbodiesisnotcompromisedbythis
activity. DAFMmustliaise closelywithDECLGto ensure thatanyaquaculture or otheractivities

7. proposedinthe SDPis inline withWFDenvironmental objectivesforthe coastal waterbodiesin
question.
Lack of tangible targets and accountability
While the tone of the reportand the emphasisonsustainabilityandsocial inclusionare positive
much of the report isaspirational andrevealslittle actual detailabouthow EMFFfundingwill be
spentor howthese aspirational goalsandourlegal obligationswill be achieved.Muchof the
documentmerelyechoesthe sentimentof the EU Guidance documents.Legal obligationsunder
variousdirectivesandUnionprioritiesare referenced.Aspirational commitmentsare made tomeet
all of ourobligationsyetthese commitmentsare sovague inmanycases lackinganyreal detail,
targetsor timescalesthatitishard to see how the IrishAuthoritieswill achieve the SDPsobjectives
or howtheywill be heldaccountable forthe spendingof EMFF funding.Itisdeeplyconcerningthat
such vastsums of moneyare to be spentwithoutanymechanismbeingputinplace to carry outa
cost benefitanalysisand evaluatethe outcomes.We are once againfailingtolearnthe lessons
historyhasto teach us andso, itappears,that we are doomed torepeatthem.The lackof detail and
tangible targetsleavesthe dooropenfora repeatof the situationwhere inthe lastRural
DevelopmentProgramme hundredsof millionsof eurosthatwere earmarkedforexpenditurewithin
Natura 2000 siteswas ultimatelyspentin otherareasof Ireland’sagricultural sector.Asmanyof the
programmesandpoliciesare acontinuationof those fundedthroughthe EuropeanFisheriesFund
(EFF) there should,asan absolute priority, be avalue formoneyanalysisof pastprogrammes.Such
an honestappraisal of ourpast mistakeswouldsurelybenefitusinplottingamore sustainable,
sociallyinclusiveandequitable course inthe future.
Throughthe SDPIrelandhascommitmenttoachieve sustainabilitywithinthe marinesector,meet
our obligationsunderOSPARandthe HabitatsandBirds Directivesandtodeliveronthe obligations
of the MSFD i.e.to take the necessarymeasurestoachieve andmaintainGoodEnvironmentalStatus
inthe marine environmentby2020. Meaningthat our oceansand seasshouldbe clean,healthyand
productive andthe use of the marine environmentis ata level thatissustainable,thussafeguarding
the potential forusesandactivitiesbycurrentandfuture generations.Itishardto envisage,given
the decliningstatusof manyelementsof the marine environment,how Irelandwill achieve manyof
our commitmentswithin thisrelatively shorttimescalewithoutconcrete anddetailedtargets.
Knowledge/information gaps
Our state of knowledgeonthe marine environment obviouslyneedstobe urgentlyaddressed andit
isrequiredthatwe do so underthe MSFD, the CFPand the Habitats andBirds Directives.Itisclear
fromthe consultationdocument‘Ireland’sMarine StrategyFrameworkDirective Article 19Report
Initial Assessment,GESandTargets and Indicators’(DECLG,2013) that there are substantial data
gaps anda lowlevel of baselineinformationonmanyaspectsof the marine environment,especially
inrelationtoecosystemfunctioningandcumulative impacts:“the presence of significantgapsinour
knowledge,bothinthe occurrence anddistributionof Ireland’snatural [marine] features andthe
statusof the pressuresactinguponthem.Thishas,insome instances,preventedanevaluationof
currentstatus of those pressuresandecological characteristics.” There are substantialdatagapsand
a lowlevel of baseline informationonmanyaspectsof the marine environment,especiallyin
relationtoecosystemfunctioningandcumulative impacts.Thisiscoupledwithverylimited
resourcesandlowcapacityin bothgovernmentagenciesandnon-governmentorganisations,which
makesthe implementationof thisdirective challengingforall sectors. We lackthe requireddatato

8. adjudge whethermanyspeciesare beingfishedatMaximumSustainable Yield(MSY).Canwe argue
that our fisheriesare sustainable whenspeciessuchascod, haddock,plaice,andnephropsare not
reachingtheirtargetsunderFishingMortalityMaximumandthe Sustainable YieldSpawningStock
Biomasslimits(P26)?Inmanycasesour poor state of knowledgeisbeingusedasanescape clause.
Havingfailedtosustainablymanage ourmarine assetsinthe past,merelycommittingtoset
baselinesandidentifyissuesseemstojustifyvastsumsof structural funding. Itisclearthat the root
causesof manyissuessuchas unsustainable quotas, destructive fishingmethodsandpoormarine
spatial planningare well understood.The Operational Programme isclearlythe place tosettangible
and temporal targetstorectify these andotherissues.
Contradiction between sustainability and intensified utilisation
The principle of sustainable developmentrequiresthatthe needsof the present population be met
withoutcompromisingthe abilityof future generationstomeettheirownneeds.Inpractice,this
impliesensuringthatenvironmental protectionrequirements,resource efficiency,sustainable
managementof natural resources,climate change mitigationandadaptation,disasterresilience and
riskpreventionandmanagement. If we are to achieve sustainabilityinthe fisheriessectorthenitis
pivotal thatwe meetour obligationsunderUnionpriority 1to “ensuring a balancebetween fishing
capacityand availablefishing opportunities”(P110).The identificationof needson the basisof the
SWOT AnalysisforUnionPriority1has alsoidentifiedthe needto“maintain alignmentof catching
capacityin fleet segmentswithavailableresources” (P71). While the benefitsof sustainablyutilising
our fishstocksare self-evidentitisclearlysomethingwhichwe have apoortrack record inachieving.
Consistentlyoverthe precedingdecadesquotashave beensetwell beyondthe limitsof best
scientificadvice.There isariskthat thisdeleterioustrendwill continue ascurrentfisheriespractices
are assumedtobe sustainable purelybyvirtue of the factthat that theyare operatingwithinthe
frameworkof the CFPand MSY. The lack of data on the healthof certainfishstocksor on the
ecologyof manyfishspeciesmeansthatmanyquotasmaybe damaging.Ourlack of knowledge on
foodweb/ecosystemlevel interactionsbetweenmanymarine speciesmeansthatthere maybe
unforeseenknockonconsequencesof the utilisationof some species.ForexampleIrelandhasbeen
grantedextremelylarge quotasforboarfishyetthe ecologyof thisspeciesispoorlyunderstood.
There appearsto be a certainlevel of denial about the currentstate of manyfishstocks.Overfishing
ishardly mentionedthroughoutthe report.Yetthe accessto raw material isidentified onmany
occasionsthroughoutthe report as a keylimitingfactorin the developmentof the seafood
processingindustry(P92,94). Detailedstudyof the draftSDP, the poor state of many fishstockscan
be discerned. In2012 for example “of a totalvalueof €822 million €203 million of seafood product
wasimported”(P94). Mussel seedisidentifiedasbeinginshortsupplyyetthe reasonsforthisare
not identified. Bizarrelyforspeciessuchascod,whose stockshave notbeenseverelydepleted, the
lack of raw product has been identified asbeingthe resultof “quota restrictionsand seasonality”(P
94). Amidthisbackdropof knowledgegapsandpoorstocks, we are toldthat employmentinthe
seafoodsectorwill rise from11,000 to 14,000 jobsby2020. How will thisbe achieved? New
fishermenwill be encouragedintothe sectorthroughthe New FishermenScheme (€1m) (P126).
The SDP has identifiedthe needtoincrease scale,increase domesticconsumption,developnew
marketsand gaingreateraccessto the Asianmarket(P92). Demandfor seafoodwill be increased
throughthe SeafoodMarketingScheme (€10m) (P160). Processingcapacitywill be increased
throughthe SeafoodCapital InvestmentScheme(€13m) (P160). Capacitywithinthe SSCFsectorwill
be increased(P176) and fishingcapacity will be maintained/increased throughthe purchase of new

9. mainor ancillaryengines(P121).We are ledto believethatwe can increase demandforseafood
productsand intensifyourutilisationof fishstockswhile atthe same time bringingan endto
overfishing. SWAN believesthatthere isa clearcontractionbetweensustainable managementof
our marine environmentandthe intensificationof itsutilisation.The variouselementsof an
ecosystemare intimatelyconnectedandanydamage done toone componentwill inevitablyhave
knockon effectsforothers.
Discards and the landing obligation
Under UnionPriority 1 we have committedtoachieve the “reduction of theimpactof fisherieson
the marineenvironment,including theavoidanceand reduction,asfaraspossible,of unwanted
catches”(P 110). There isclearcross overhere betweenourobligationsunderthe CFPandthe
MSFD. The implementationof the ecosystem‐basedapproachtofisheriesmanagementisa
requirementof the CFP,whichdefinesthe ecosystembasedapproachas“ecosystem‐based
approach to fisheriesmanagementmeansan approach ensuring thatbenefitsfromliving aquatic
resourcesare high while the direct and indirect impactsof fishing operationson marineecosystems
are low and notdetrimentalto the futurefunctioning,diversity and integrity of thoseecosystems”.
In parallel,the MSFDrequiresthatmemberstatesapply“an ecosystem-based approach to the
managementof human activities,ensuring thatthecollective pressureof such activities is kept
within levels compatiblewiththe achievementof good environmentalstatusand thatthecapacityof
marineecosystemsto respond to human-induced changesisnotcompromised,whileenabling the
sustainableuseof marinegoodsand servicesby presentand futuregenerations”. Itfurtherrequires
that “the structure,functionsandprocessesof the constituentmarineecosystems....allow those
ecosystemstofunctionfully’.The SDP mustbe fullycompatible andcompliantwiththese andother
requirementsof the MSFD.
The SWOT needsanalysisspecificallycommitstothe landingobligationwithinthe CFP wherebythe
discardingof quotaspeciesisprohibited “successfully deliveron the obligation to land all catches” (P
71). The challenge posedbythe landingobligationisconsiderable and asmuchis admittedwithin
the SDP “This policy posessignificantchallengesto the Irish fishing fleet” (P72). Monitoringdiscards
isthe pasthas beenan issue “In addition,dueto the low sampling levels relative to the overall total
fleet effort,discard estimatescan be imprecise and inter-annualdifferencesin the observed discard
rate can be heavily influenced by thelow sampling levels. Both of these factorsmakeanalysisof
trendsin discard rates overtime difficultdue to the noisy natureof the data”(P33). Giventhe
identifiedpastdifficultiesand resource constraintswhenitcame tomonitoringdiscardshow are we
to deliveronthisambitiousobjective?How will successandvalue formoneybe judged?More detail
isneeded. Irelandisworkingtodevelopregionaldiscards withotherstates forcertainwhitefish
stocks. As these plansare inthe developmentstage we cannotcommentonthematthistime.
Failure to address seal bycatch
Under article 38 the Irishauthorities musttake stepsintheiroperational programme tolimit“the
Impactof fishing on the marine environmentand adapting fishing to theprotection of species”
(P113). The needto “enhancemonitoring and mitigation of fisheriesbycatch”hasbeenidentifiedas
the fifthfisheriessectordevelopmentneed(P71).Certainspeciesthatare regularlykilledasthe
resultof fishingactivitiesare protectedspeciesunderthe HabitatsandBirdsDirective aswell asthe
WildlifeAct,1976/(Amendment) Act,2000. The MSFD has identifiedbycatchof vulnerable species
mammalsandseabirdsbymarine fisheriesasa pressure whichmustbe monitoredandmitigatedif
necessary.Itisopenlyadmittedinthe SDPthat“sampling at sea programmesunderthecurrentdata
collection frameworkareoptimised forcommercial fish species and do notprovideadequate

10. sampling effortto assessthe impactof bycatch on other ecosystemcomponents”(P73).Self-
regulationof bycatcheshasfailedtodeliverreliable informationonthe detrimental impactthat
manyfisheriesare havingonthe environment.SWAN encourage the Marine Institutetorectifythis
knowledge gapandtake all the necessarymeasurestomitigate againstanynegative findings.Ithas
beenindicatedthatthe Marine Institute will workinconjunctionwithotherstate agencies,inorder
to collectdataon these bycatchesandcontribute tothe developmentof mitigationmeasures.While
thisispositive thiscommitmentisveryvague andwe wouldwelcometargetsanddatestoachieve
these objectives.Indeedthe commitmenttocollectdataisinsufficientinsituationswhere the issues
withbycatch are alreadyaccepted,dataexistsandmitigationmeasureshave alreadybeen
proposed.One suchsituationisthe establishedissuesthatexistbetweenIrelandssetnetfisheries
and seal depredation.The CommonSeal (Phoca vitulina) andthe GreySeal (Halichoerusgrypus) are
bothlistedinAnnex IIof the HabitatsDirective.StudiesfrombothIrelandandthe UKSealshave
demonstratedseal depredationissueswithbothmobile andstaticgears.There are particularissues
withgill nets.
Bord IascaighMhara have alreadyidentifiedissueswithseal depredationandbycatchinsetnet
fisheriesinIrishwatersandhave suggestedmitigationmeasuressuchasoperational andfishinggear
modifications,shortersoaktime andfasterhaulingspeeds (Cosgroveetal.,2013). Irelandhasan
obligationtoaddressthese issuesunderthe EMFF,MSFD, CFP and the HabitatsDirective.In
situationslike the one described ambitioustargetsshouldbe set toimplementthe mostappropriate
mitigationmeasures.SWAN wouldencourage the Marine Institute toavail of citizenscienceand
liaise withgroupssuchasthe IrishSeal Sanctuarywhichhave a track record of identifyingimpactson
sealsthroughtheirDeadSeal Database.
Collection of lost fishing gear and marine litter
Under measure/Article40.1a Irelandisrequiredtoworktowardsthe “protection and restoration of
marinebiodiversity – collection of lost fishing gearand marine litter.” We couldfindno information
on a planthat will deliveronthismeasure yetaccordingtothe SDP 300 tonnesof litterwill be
collectedbyfishermenandrecycledby2023 (P119). More detail onthis projectwouldbe very
welcome asitsoundslike afantasticinitiative. The opportunityalsoexiststolinkupwithlocal litter
pickinggroupsandENGOs such as CoastWatch and CleanCoasts.
CleanCoastsengagescommunitiesinthe protectionof Ireland’sbeaches,seasandmarine life now
and forfuture generations.The programme isoperatedbythe EnvironmentalEducationUnitof An
Taisce and iscurrentlyfundedbythe Departmentof the Environment,Community&Local
Government,Coca-ColaandFáilte Ireland.
 There are currently437 registeredCleanCoastsgroupsparticipatinginthe programme
inIreland
 In 2014 >800 beachcleanswere carriedoutas part of the programme
 2 national marine littersurveyswere carriedout
 Dune conservationprojectswere undertakenonaselectionof beaches
 > 18,000 volunteersregularlyparticipateincoastal cleanups
 Circa 500,000 piecesof litterremovedfromthe marine environment

11. Resource constraints and ecological restoration
Under Art40.1 b-gIrelandhasan obligation toworktowardsthe “protection and restoration of
marinebiodiversity – contribution to a bettermanagementorconservation,construction,installation
or modernisation of staticor movablefacilities,preparation of managementplansrelated to
NATURA 2000 sites and spatial protected areas, management,restoration and monitoring marine
protected areas,including NATURA 2000 sites, environmentalawareness,participation in other
actionsaimed at maintaining and enhancing biodiversity and ecosystemservices.”We canfindno
reference tothisspecificobjective infullwithin the SDP. Giventhe lackof fundingwithinthe NPWS
and the scale of the taskat handin restoringIrelandsmarineenvironmentEMFFfundingshouldbe
prioritisedforthismeasure.The conservationstatusof manyof our marine habitatsare adjudgedto
be Inadequate.Reefsinparticularare inbad status.Many of the coastal habitatsare alsoassessed
as beinginadequate,withongoingdeclines.Where issuesare knowntheyshouldhave been
identifiedinthe EMFFandtargets set for theirresolution.Howeverthe focusonfundingresearch,
managementplansandmitigationmeasuresformarine NATURA 2000 sitesisverypositive.
Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
The focus onclimate change mitigationisclearina numberof union prioritiesandobjectivesfor
example the memberstatesare obligedtoprovide “supportto strengthening technological
development,innovation,including increasing energy efficiency,and knowledgetransfer”. There isa
clearemphasison increasingenergyefficiency withinthe specificmeasureswithaneye toclimate
change:
Art 41.1 a Energy efficiency and mitigation of climate change – on board investments
Art 41.1 b Energy efficiency and mitigation of climate change – energy efficiency auditsand schemes
Art 41.1 c Energy Efficiency – studiesto assessthecontribution of alternativepropulsion systemsand
hull designs.
Art 41.2 Energy Efficiency and Mitigation of Climate Change – Replacementof modernisation of main
or ancillary engines.
The focus onclimate change withinthe EMFFis verywelcome. Sweepingcrosssocietal changesare
neededtomove Irelandtowardsalowcarboneconomy.The fishingsectorshouldnotbe exempt.
The SDP has targetedan EnergyEfficiencySchemeasthe mainoutcome toachieve these measures.
In SWANsopinion we needtosee change acrossthe boardin termsof engines,fuel,shipdesignand
gear usedtoreduce the carbon footprintof the industry.Investing3 millioninnew enginesmayjust
be an excuse todraw downfundingtoupgrade the existingfleet. Giventhe clearsignal comingfrom
an EU level the scope andambitionof aprogramme to decarbonise the Irishfleetshouldbe greater
inSWANsopinion.
Absence of a National Strategic Plan on Aquaculture
Fosteringenvironmentallysustainable,resource efficient,innovative,competitive andknowledge
basedaquaculture isa requiredbyall affectedmemberstates UnderUnionPriority2. Aswas
previouslypointedoutitisthe opinionof SWAN that the SDPhas failedtomeetitslegal
requirementsdue tothe failure of the IrishAuthoritiestoprovide concurrentlywiththe DraftOP,a
National StrategicPlanonAquaculture (NSPA).WithoutthisNSPA we are notina positiontofully
commenton the aquaculture sector.Howevernotwishingtomissthisopportunitytoaddress
certainissueswe wouldliketomake the following preliminary observations.

12. The Unsustainability of Irish Aquaculture
A numberof the specificobjectivesoutlinedinthe OPinterventionlogicrequire the promotionand
developmentof a more sustainable aquaculture model suchas:
(ba) protection and restoration of aquaticbiodiversity and enhancementof ecosystemsrelated to
aquacultureand promotion of resourceefficientaquaculture;
(bc) promotion of aquaculturewithhigh level of environmentalprotection and of animalhealth and
welfareand of publichealth and safety.
Many of the relatedmeasuresalsoemphasisethe needtoinvestfundingfromthe EMFF inthe
developmentof a more sustainable aquaculture sector:
Art 52 Encouraging newsustainableaquaculturefarmers,
Art 48.1k Productiveinvestmentin aquaculture – resourceefficiency,reducing usageof waterand
chemicals,recirculation systemsminimising wateruse,
Art 53 Conversion to eco-managementand auditschemesand organicaquaculture.
The SWOT analysisidentifiedanumberof needsforthe aquaculture industry.SWAN would
recognise the followingthree asbeingparticularlyrelevantfromanenvironmentalandplanning
perspective:
 Manageaquaculturein accordancewith theHabitatsand Birds Directives and implement the
Prioritised Action Framework.
 Revised legislation designed to facilitate fasterdecision making on licence applicationswhile
addressing environmentalconcernson a bestpractice basis.
 Improvementin Governanceof theaquaculturesectorthrough development of maritime
spatialplanning.
There isa clearobligationforthe aquaculture sectortomove towardsa more sustainable model in
the SDP. Swanis concernedbythe repeatedassertionthatIreland’saquaculture sectoris currently
sustainable fromanenvironmentalpointof view. Thisisclearlynotthe case. Widelyaccepted
sustainabilityissueswithinthe sectorinclude:
Ireland’sfailuretoproperlyaddressourenvironmental obligationsduringthe aquaculture planning
process (ECJcase C418/04).
The accidental anddeliberate introductionof non-indigenousspecies.
Unsustainable andenvironmentallydamaging fishfarms.
The fact that mussel productionhasdecreaseddue in parttoinsufficientseedsupply(P38) isa clear
indicationof the unsustainable utilisationof mussel beds.
Publicoppositiontothe industryhasbeenidentifiedasone of the primarythreatsto the
aquaculture sectorinthe SWOT analysis (P75). The public’sconfidence inthe environmental
credentialsof aquaculture hasbeenseverelyerodedand farreachingactionneedstobe takento
resolve manyof the sustainabilityissuesassociatedwiththe sectorif itsreputationisgoingtobe
salvaged. The factthat “spatialrestrictions on aquacultureactivities to protect Natura 2000
designated speciesand habitats”(P75) has beenidentifiedasathreat appearsto indicate thatthe

13. interestsof the industryare insome wayinconflictmarine conservation. There are some positive
pointshoweversuchasthe seventhpointinthe fisheriessector developmentneedsto“Manage
fisheries in accordancewithHabitatsand Birds Directives and implementPrioritised Action
Framework”(P73). These include monitoringandsurveying,sectoral managementplans,
managementof fisheries,aquacultureandotheractivitiessurroundingsensitive habitatsand
species,andscientificstudiestoassessimpactof fisheries,aquacultureandotheractivitiesandto
supportthe designof mitigationmeasures againstsuchimpacts. Manyof these actionsare of course
a legal requirementto addressthe findingsagainstIrelandinECJcase C418/04. Againmuch of the
workin thisarea will revolve aroundestablishingbaselinedataandinall likelihoodlittle actionwill
be takento addressthe clearsustainabilityissuesinthe sector.Nospecifictargetsortimelineshave
beensetmakingitdifficulttocritique thisproposalinthe detail we wouldlike.
Marine Protected Areas and Aquaculture
The majorityof the marine protectedareasinIrelandare locatedinourcoastal waterstherefore any
change to the inshore fisheriesoraquaculture sectorwillimpactuponthese valuable ecosystemand
our variouslegal obligationstoprotectthem.SWAN believe thatmanydestructivefishingmethods
such as scallopdredgingare notcompatible withthe conservationof marine biodiversity.The
impactsof these fishingmethodsonthe aquaticenvironmentmustbe addressedand mitigation
measuresmustbe developedandimplemented.Ideally ascheme wouldbe putinplace move
fishermen towards lessdestructive fishingpracticesandgear. If Ireland’sPrioritisedAction
Framework[PAF] forNatura2000 identifies thatthe conservationobjectivesof asite are not
compatible with currentcommercial fishingoraquaculture thenEMFFfundingshouldbe usedto
move the industrytowards practiceswhichare compatible withmarineconservation.Incertain
casesthe “permanentcessation of fishing activities”(Art34) may have to be considered.The
reskillingof effectedfishermen maybe necessary.
Marine protectedareasare an importanttool insupportingsustainable fishstocks.Theymayalso
provide alternative employmentinthe formof recreational employmentandtourism.These
alternativeshave traditionally beenpoorlydeveloped andcommunicatedtofishingcommunities in
Irelandandas a resultthere isdeepmistrusttowardsdesignation. Developingawarenessof the
opportunitiesprovidedbymarine protectedareaswould be inline withthe needsanalysisfor Union
Priority6 to build “Capacity,Education,Training &Awareness”(P100). The fisheriesand
aquaculture areasdevelopmentneeds analysisforUnionPriorityfourandsevenhave alsoidentified
the needto “supportdevelopmentof marinetourismand leisure at local level” (P90) andthe need
to “capitalise on opportunitiesafforded by thedesignation of inshorefishing and aquacultureareas
as Natura 2000 sites, through eco-tourismand appropriatecertification forseafood products”(P91).
SWAN wouldlike tosee more emphasisbeingplacedonthe economicopportunitiesassociatedwith
marine protectedareas.Thiswouldbe averypositive stepinthe rightdirection. Inthiscurrentdraft
of the SDP targets,timelinesandexpectedoutcomesneedtobe outlined. The LIFEProgramme
2014-2020 wouldbe ideallysuitedtohelpdeliverapilotprojectaimedatdevelopingamore
sustainable model forourinshore fisheries.Ithasbeenidentifiedasa potential source of revenue
withinthe SDPbutno LIFE projecthas beensuggested(P170).
I orderfor the benefitsassociatedwithprotectiontoaccrue,MPA’smustbe well managedandmust
properlyprotectecosystems.There mustbe agood mix of top-downandbottom-upmanagement
practicesinvolvinglocal communitygroupsandstakeholders.MPA’scanbe matchedto the
requirementsof local areas.Some of the more sensitiveareasbeing“no-take”zonesuntil stocks

14. recover.Otherscan be “marine conservationzones”thatcouldbe connectedtoexistingSAC’sand
SPA’sthatmightrequire lessstringentmanagementinagreementwithlocal fishingcommunities.”
• Maintainingbiodiversityandprovidingrefugesforendangeredandcommercial species
• Protectingcritical habitatsfromdamage bydestructive fishingpracticesandotherhuman
activitiesandallowingthemtorecover
• Providingareaswhere fishare able toreproduce,spawnandgrow totheiradultsize
• Increasingfishcatches(bothsize andquantity) insurroundingfishinggrounds
• Buildingresilience toprotectagainst damagingexternal impacts,suchasclimate change
• Helpingtomaintainlocal cultures,economies,andlivelihoodswhichare intricatelylinkedto
the marine environment
Planning and Aquaculture
Anotheroutcome of the SWOT analysisisthe perceivedneed tostreamlinethe licencingprocessfor
aquaculture i.e.“revised legislation designed to facilitate fasterdecision making on licence
applicationswhileaddressing environmentalconcernson a bestpractice basis”(P76). SWAN would
warn that anyattemptto streamline aquaculture applicationsmustnotcome at the expense of
publicparticipationinthe planningprocessorenvironmentalstandards.
SWAN is alsosupportive of the identifiedneedtoimprovegovernanceof the aquaculture sector
throughthe developmentof maritimespatial planning. Thisispartof the EU’s IntegratedMaritime
Policy (IMP) (2007) and iscoveredinUnionPriority6. The risk exists thatratherthan rather than
beingusedasa tool to promote the sustainableuse of ourcoastal resources,itwill be usedto
streamline unsustainabledevelopmentsalongourcoasts. Accordingtothe SDP one of the key
elementsof Ireland’sIMPisto“develop an integrated approach to marineand coastalplanning and
licensing in order to maximisethe potentialforIreland’socean economy”(P101). The focuson
economicreturnoversustainable utilisationistroubling. Inthe pastthe assessmentof aquaculture
licencesunderEnvironmental ImpactAssessments(EIA) andNaturaImpactAssessment(NIA)has
beencarriedouton an individualbasis.Asaresultthe legal requirementtoassessincombination
effectshave notbeenaddressed.The currentcase bycase approachto the expansionof aquaculture
isunsustainable andisanexample of ourpoormanagementof Ireland’smarine environment andits
natural capital.Anexample of Ireland’sfailuretoproperlyaddressourenvironmental obligations
duringthe planningprocessare the ECJ case C418/04 in whichthe court foundagainstIrelandfor
failingtocomplywithArticle 6(3) and(4) inregard to aquaculture licensing.InSWAN’sopinion
marine spatial planningshouldrequire,thatmanagementplansare developedata baylevel,taking
intoaccount cumulative impacts.The limitationsof the supportingenvironmentshouldnotbe
exceededandthe necessitytoprotectboththe healthof the humanpopulationandecosystems
mustbe met.Sitesforaquaculture shouldnotsolelybe selectedbasedon the “potentialforIreland’s
ocean economy”(P101). Sitesshouldbe selectedsoasto avoidenvironmentalimpacts.
Managementplansshouldsetoutthe needforrigorousandindependentlyinformedcumulative
impactassessmentaspart of the EIA consentprocessforaquaculture,togetherwithanindependent
and regularmonitoringsystem.EIAsshouldalsotake intoaccountthe potential impactof the
aquaculture facilityoveritsentire lifecycle,includingthe construction,operationand

15. decommissioningphasesof the facility.WhennecessaryStrategicEnvironmental Assessmentmust
alsobe carriedout.In order for the aquaculture sectorinIrelandtodevelopsustainablyitshould:
 adoptthe precautionaryprinciple
 adhere tothe ecosystem-basedapproach
 considerincombinationandcumulativeimpacts
Anotheraquaculture issue whichhasbeenraisedatvariousmeetingsattendedbySWAN isthe lack
of engagementwiththe NorthernIrishauthoritiesoncrossborderimpactsof aquaculture
developmentinLoughFoyle andCarlingfordLough.Thissituationisnotgoodforour international
reputationorthat of the industry.
Non-Indigenous Species and Aquaculture
The SDP has alarminglyidentifiedthe introductionof novel speciesasanopportunity(P75) and a
need(P76-77) forthe aquaculture sector. The introductionof non-indigenousspecies(NIS)isa
seriousissue asthey pose amajor threatto global biodiversity,andincursignificanteconomiccosts.
The introductionof NISiscompletelyatoddswithsustainable developmentonanylevel.Itisalso
contrary to UnionPriority2 specificobjective 3“Protection and restoration of aquaticbiodiversity
and enhancementof ecosystemsrelated to aquacultureand promotion of resourceefficient
aquaculture”(P110). There is a requirementtoreduce the impactof marine non-indigenousspecies
underthe MSFD (descriptor2). Climate change relatedalterationstothe aquaticenvironmentwill
place seriousstressonouraquatic ecosystems.Anyadditionalnegative anthropogenicimpactsmust
be avoidedtoinsure the longtermviabilityof ournative marine ecosystems. There isaclearneedto
deal withthe marine andfreshwaterinvasive speciesthatare currentlyestablishedinIrishwaters.
The proposal to introduce more potentiallyinvasive speciesis completely extremelyhighriskand
arguablyimprudent. Anyfinal draftof the SDPmustaddressthisclearcontradiction tosustainability.
The introductionof more novel species isalsoatodds withthe precautionaryprinciple,the
ecosystemapproachandthe conservationof manynative habitatsandspeciesunderthe Habitats
and BirdsDirectives. The issuessurroundingNISare clearlyknowntothe Marine Institute asthey
have had to reportto the Commissiononthemaspart of the MSFD Ireland’sInitial Assessment
ReportingSheetforNon-IndigenousSpecies. Globallyaquaculture isone of the mainvectorsforthe
introductionof harmful NIS(Minchin,2007). The aquaculture sectortherefore hasagreat
responsibilitynotonlytoinsure thatmore NISare not introducedinthe future butalsothatalready
presentNISare dealtwith. The NISGigas/Pacificoyster(Crassostrea gigas) wasintroducedintoIrish
waterspecificallyasstockfor aquaculture. The thoughtatthe time was thatit couldnot breedinthe
relativelycoolercoastal watersoff Ireland. The GigasOysterisnow recognised asbeinganinvasive
speciesandhasestablisheditself inLoughSwilly,LoughFoyleandStrangfordLoughall Natura2000
sites. Itisa seriousthreattoour native oyster(Ostrea edulis). Risingseatemperaturesoff Irelandas
the resultof climate change are likelytofacilitate the spreadof NIS. SWAN wouldsupportthe action
pointsoutlinedbyCoastwatchtoaddressthe issuesof the invasive GigasOyster
(http://coastwatch.org/europe/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/The-Native-Oyster.pdf).
In Irelanditisproposedthatthe opennet-cage salmonfarmingindustrywill undergolarge
expansionoverthe comingyears.There are anumberof environmental issuesassociated withthis
formof aquaculture initscurrentform including:sealice,chemical treatments,disease,algae
blooms,marine mammal deaths,marinedebris,waste onthe oceanfloor,escapeesandfishfeed.
There have alsobeenissuessurroundingthe unauthorisedextractionof freshwaterforthe

16. treatmentof amoebicgill disease. Manyaspectsof these intensive fishfarmsare not
environmentallyfriendlyand asa resultthere isconsiderablepublicopposition tothe planned
expansionof the industry.We expectthatall of these issueswill be addressedinthe upcoming
NSPA.We hope that the IrishGovernmentwillprovidefundingforalternatives,suchasclosed
containmentsystems.Closedcontainmentsystemsare the bestwayto ensure thatparasites,
diseases,nutrientsandescapesare containedandare notreleasedintothe aquaticenvironment.
Public engagement
UnionPriority4 setsout the objective of “Increasing employmentand territorialcohesion”(P56).
The establishmentof the six FLAGsin2012 isbeingheldupwithinthe SDPas a great successbutno
informationof aweightisgiventojustifythisclaim.Greatereffortshouldbe made indemonstrating
the benefitsFLAGBoardshave andwill have for the broadercoastal community. The onlytangible
example of apositive outcome of the establishmentof the FLAGsisthat theyhave “havesucceeded
in leveraging larger sumsfromotherfunding sourcesand theparticipation of representativesof the
local authorities,developmentagenciesand LEADERgroupshasproven critical in this regard.”The
abilitytoleverage fundingshouldnotbe consideredan endinitself. If new FLAGentitiesare tobe
formedasthe resultof the EMFF thengreatereffortshouldbe made todemonstrate the benefit
FLAGs have hadin achievingeconomicandenvironmentalsustainabilityandsocial inclusion.
Environmental NGOs(ENGOs) are generallymarginalisedwithinthe sector.Forexample the
inclusionof ENGOinputintothe FisheriesLocal ActionGroupsandthe Community-LedLocal
DevelopmentProgrammeswouldbe welcomefrombotha sustainabilityandsocial inclusion
perspective.
The tenthfisheriessectordevelopmentneedwasidentifiedasthe needto“encouragetechnology
transferrelating to sustainablefishing methods”(P74). The SDP reads“BIM’sambition achieved
through thesynergisticengagementof professionalfishermen,scientistsand allothergroups
interested hasbeen shown to providetheinnovation necessary to develop solutionsto new
problems.BIM’scontinued developmentof relationshipsalready in placewill fosterthe development
of sustainableand practicalsolutionsto thereduction of discardsand by-catchesand willcontinueto
definethe economiccontext,impact and implicationsof such innovation.”Improvedengagementof
the ENGO sector shouldbe akeytarget towardsachievingthisgoal.
References
DECLG. 2013 Marine StrategyFrameworkDirective Article 19Report:Initial Assessment,GES,
Targetsand Indicators
DECLG 2014 Marine StrategyFrameworkDirective Article 11MonitoringProgrammes
Hoegh-Guldberg,O.etal.2015. Revivingthe OceanEconomy:the case foraction - 2015. WWF
International,Gland,Switzerland.,Geneva,60pp.
Minchin,D. (2007). Aquaculture andtransportina changingenvironment:overlapandlinksinthe
spreadof alienbiota.Marine PollutionBulletin,55(7),302-313.
RonanCosgrove,Michelle Cronin,DavidReid,MarthaGosch,Michael Sheridan,NicholasChopinand

17. Mark Jessopp2013. Seal depredationandbycatchinsetnetfisheriesinIrishwaters.Fisheries
Resource SeriesVol.10(2013).