Dublin Bay - The Future

[MAC]

Hi All,

I believe that there is a possibility of a steering group/committee being put together to look at the future of Dublin Bay. With the possibility of the commericial port being moved north, maybe now would be the time to look at the rereational side of the bay and how to improve itfor the benifit of our sport.

What would YOU like to see happen in Dublin bay to improve access or angling.........

Please, where possible try to give examples and be as thourough as possible... no "nuke the Trawlers" posts

I will summerise and forward all opinions expressed here to this steering committee as soon as it is set up.

Thank you in advance for you time

Kevin

[brianbru]

hi mac

i would love to see some artificial reefs set up reachable for all types of boats. ive seen these in Gozo, Malta where they sink old ferries its mostly for divers though. My bro lives over there he is a diving instructor he said within 6 months the wreck is full of life. i know the med is alot different to the irish sea but i know this would work the same. i suppose it would be like any other wreck over time

brian

[Eoin]

hi
marina moorings are in very short supply around dublin. you normally have to put your name on a waiting list.

[mickmick]

The artificial reefs are a great idea. In New Jersey they sank dozens of NYC's old subway carriages and it's now the most productive striped bass mark on the Jersey shoreline. Iarnrod Eireann are currently upgrading most of their mainline rolling stock. It could be a great opportunity.

[peter97]

i think there is a huge shortage of short and long term moorings for small and medium size boats,also maybe a site for bait and tackle shops on some sort of commercial marina footing.
also slips for launching craft.

[MAC]

I like the idea of sinking the old railway cars.... Excellent.

I have spent some time in the midle east. Diving is huge in a spot called Fujeria, not too far from Dubai. To help incourage marine life in that area they scattered large Hexagonal Rocks. Within 6 months marine life was starting to live around the Rocks.

In Sydney Harbour they have created many artificial reefs in the harbour. Again the marine life is the best it's been in decades.

There are lots and lots of very simple ideas that would benifit angling, but also benifit marine life in general in Dublin Bay.

Kev

[MAC]

An Example

Boat sunk off Fujairah coast to make artificial reef
posted on 29/06/2003
A boat donated by a local marine shipping company was sunk off the coast in front of Fujairah International Marine Club to convert it into an artificial reef which will attract more small and rare fish. Stripped of its engines, fuel tanks and material that could harm the environment, the vessel was sunk at a depth of around 30 metres. "Artificial reefs boost diving. The new reef will help fish reproduce in a safe spot," said Ahmed Ibrahim Mohammed, Director of Fujairah International Marine Club.

Some 500 artificial reefs were placed four years ago off the East Coast near Dibba. Experts believe that the ship will become home to many species of fish within one or two months. It will also become a spectacular dive site. Crew members said goodbye to their old ship before pumping seawater into the vessel. It took more than an hour for the ship to start sinking, Mohammed added.

As the emirate grows, tourism is increasing. Fujairah has many sites for professional and amateur divers where they can enjoy their hobby in a protected marine environment. A ship sunk as an artificial reef two nautical miles off Dibba two years ago became home for several new fish like stingrays, moray eels, barracuda, hammour and black-tipped reef sharks. The steel-hulled ship was cleaned and made environmentally safe before it was sunk off Ras Al Kalkali at a depth of around 20 metres. (The Gulf News)

[MAC]

This one look particulary interesting...

Any one for some Reef Balls

http://www.reefball.org/index.html

http://www.reefball.org/album/unitedara ... index.html

[corbyeire]

i remember seeing a program about those artificial islands they have been making in the gulf - part of the project is to build the artificial reefs

it was amazing how the marine life colonised these places in just one year - they also serve to protect the shore from erosion

great ideas

[roger de dodger]

i think the water treatment plant in dunloire should be given some kind of overhall ,during recent bad rain the monkstown bay was a total discrace with sanitary towels ,condoms,toilet paper and human waste everywhere ,this is a swimming /windsurfing /bait gathering and fishing spot that is adjacent to busy ferry, train and bus services .a real welcome to tourists straight off the boat !
when irish rail upgrade any sea defences would it cost much extra to add a few platforms for anglers?
could the port authority not do something simillar when building new sea defences ?especially with disabled anglers in mind

[eric]

everything rodger said is spot on, salthill is a disgrace at the moment

[philthefish]

I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH MAN MADE REEFS PLACED ALL AROUND DUBLIN BAY.ANGLERS/DIVERS AND EVEN COMMERCIAL
POTMEN WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE EXTRA SEALIFE IN THE BAY.HOWEVER TO REALLY ENHANCE THE BAY AREA,A COMMERCIAL NET FREE SANTUARY FROM BALBRIGGAN TO BRAY WOULD REAP EXCELLENT BENEFITS FOR EVERYBODY.

[nialler]

i agree with the artifical reefs, BUT cant see any government department or semi state body etc.. frontin cash to strip an old boat/rail carrige, transport it out to sea, blow a few holes in it a sink it... seein as Mr Cohen aint got so much spare cash at the minute!, i think looking down the road of a preservation zone would be more benefical at the moment, no trawling zones etc... i think preserve the bay itself, let whatever life is in it thrive without the risk of commercial fishing, then stick a few artifical reefs in maybe??.....

[roger de dodger]

they could use banks instead they seem to be sinking quick these days great deals on them in iceland

[TubeNFish]

Bumping the thread ....
Does anyone know if that steering committee was set up after all?

[truebluehillrep16]

hi id like to see all estures in the bay area made into protected areas or the bay as hole where no comercal fishing at all in any shape or form would take place. id like to all size limets dubled on fish befor any anglers can kill fish.this would be a great help to insure fish stock would thrive if did it over say 5years.also look at the posablate for bring in breading stock fish cod bass,coalfish,halbit,ect from norway.

[mickmick]

It had its inaugaral meeting in Dun Laoghaire in July according to this press release.
http://www.environ.ie/en/Heritage/Natio ... 852,en.htm

Here's the list of members
Cllr. Bronwen Maher (Chairperson);
Cllr. Dermot Lacey;
Cllr. Eibhlin Byrne;
Cllr. Larry O’Toole;
Joe Nolan – Dublin Bay Watch
Karin Dubsky – Coast Watch
Michael Stubbs – Dublin City Council;
PJ Howell – Fingal County Council;
Liam Walsh, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council;
Chris Garde – Dublin Docklands Development Authority;
Michael Hanahoe – Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company;
Michael Sheary – Dublin Port Company;
Liam Whelan – Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government;
Conor O’Raghallaigh – National Parks & Wildlife Service; and
Niall Curran – Department of Transport

[MAC]

Thanks for the info Mick. I will be looking for an invite to the next meeting.

Kev

[jd]

Kevin,
this task force was appointed by the Minister, and there is no angling representative on it. You would probably need to contact John Gormley if you want to be added as a member of the committee. Otherwise you should makle a submission, and ask for a meeting with the committee to discuss it.

[MAC]

Already have John . I have not requested a position on the Committee as there has been some official correspondence with the Dept of the Marine requesting an Angling / commercial member. I explained that we would need a separate task force to select an unbiased person to delegate for both groups I have just asked that I be be allowed to attend as a stakeholder and representative of our club and the site in General

Kev