Tom MacSweeney Seascapes

The Oireachtas meeting today is a major story in my view about the level of 'factory ship fishing' off Ireland... pretty clear about lack of inspection.. Will national media take any notice? Read SEASCAPES Blog tommacsweeneymaritimepodcast.ie

“The Government seems to be “utterly blind to what is being caught in Irish waters by factory vessels. That was the comment of the Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Conor McGuinness, today when it was revealed at a third hearing with the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority that there is little information available about ‘factory’ vessels fishing off Ireland. More on SEASCAPES Blog tommacsweeneymaritimepodcast.ie

The RNLI today released statistics for last year showing that lifeboats across the island of Ireland launched 967 times at its 46 lifeboat stations, bringing 912 people to safety, 17 of whom were lives saved. 280 of those launches were carried out in the hours of darkness. “These figures show the high demand on lifeboat crews,” the RNLI said when also making its annual call for support for its ‘Mayday Mile’ fundraising event, where participants are asked to “cover a mile a day for the month of May, with every cent raised helping the lifesavers have everything in equipment they need to keep people safe.

Seascapes..the Maritime website tommacsweeneymaritimepodcast.ie

Great sailing revival story. afloat.ie/sail/sailing-c…

Marine Minister Timmy Dooley has announced that “in line with scientific advice, 72 rivers will be available for #salmon and sea #trout fishing this year, 40 open for ‘catch and release’ angling only.

The MARINE TIMES new FISHERIES PODCAST. Should there be a Fisheries #Ombudsman? marinetimes.ie

RNLI to reduce number of all- weather lifeboats. Read on SEASCAPES blog. tommacsweeneymaritimepodcast.ie/rnli-to-reduce…

Ireland's maritime programme listening and reading this Easter holiday weekend at tommacsweeneymaritimepodcast.ie

Ireland’s Laser #sailor Eve McMahon from Howth has won the gold medal in ILCA 6 class at the Trofeo Princesa Sofía Regatta in Palma de Mallorca. The 22-year-old secured overall victory after six days of unpredictable conditions and close racing.

Wow. A lo' and behold moment of #enlightenment in Irish #government. THE IRISH TIMES front page lead story today reports that Dept of Enterprise has suggested "a strengthening of maritime domain awareness." At last.... awareness of ...THIS ISLAND NATION.

A lovely memory of Fungie the dolphin from shanty singer Pat Sheridan. THE ECHO Cork today. Also listen to Pat on SEASCAPES Podcast April edition.

Shippers “should not panic” despite surge in Middle East ocean spot rates according to international consultants, "The increasing volatility in freight rates caused by the Iran war is not comparable in scale to the extreme freight rate inflation of the Covid period, analysis from Drewry Shipping Consultants states.

SEASCAPES, Ireland's maritime podcast, new edition issued today, Weds April 1. - Sea shanties, a new international maritime festival in Co.Cork; 80 years of sailing in Dungarvan Bay, helped by county hurlers. tommacsweeneymaritimepodcast.ie

80 years of sailing in Waterford and the hurling connection. afloat.ie/blogs/tom-macs…

The Irish national #Sailing Team will open its 2026 international season at the 55th Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca, taking place from March 30 to April 4. The regatta, featuring all Olympic classes for Los Angeles 2028, marks the first event of the Sailing Grand Slam Series 2026. More information on Irish Sailing website.