Each month as I prepare myPodcast and assemble, as Executive Editor at the paper, editorial for publication of the MARINE TIMES, I reflect on how widespread interest is in the marine sector.
From the fishing industry, through to commercial shipping, leisure marine, that interest is not limited to coastal communities. It is constantly widening.
For many years I have attempted, as one of few marine journalists. to raise awareness of the sea around our island nation, the internal marine sphere, our estuaries, lakes, rivers, beaches, cliffs and the many organisations, statutory, business, industry, volunteer, involved.
Giving the address to a ‘Sea Sunday’ commemoration in the Church of Ireland’s Holy Trinity Church in Crosshaven on the edge of Cork Harbour in the past month I recalled words from the poem “Neither Out Far Nor In Deep” by Robert Frost which captures human fascination with the sea: “The people along the front, along the beach and sand, they look at the sea, the land may vary more, but the people look at the sea…”
There is a fascination with the sea, reflected in our monthly Podcast, issued now on the first day of every month. We are island people and should be proud of it. There is always something interesting in and about the sea.There is a sense that Government is becoming more aware of the importance of the sea. Taoiseach Micheál Martin spoke about Ireland as a maritime leader at the United Nations Ocean Conference on the Ocean. I’d like to hear more from him about exactly what he believes in regard to the marine sphere, but his Department didn’t reply to my Email raising this question.
That was disappointing and so, n the past month was that June 25 – the ‘Global Day of the Seafarer’ was not recognised officially in Ireland.
The worldwide Mission to Seafarers said: “Today the world should note and celebrate the brave men and women who work tirelessly at sea, often unseen, yet absolutely essential to our daily lives. Seafarers transport over 90% of global trade, and without them, supermarket shelves, our fuel tanks and food cupboards would sit empty.”
That might be a thought for the Taoiseach!
ON THIS MONTH’S PODCAST, NOW ISSUED ON THE FIRST DAY OF EACH MONTH, in addition to the main story about running a marina for 40 years, we hear why marine pilots still climb ladders to board ships and guide them into port; the wife of an inshore fisherman talks about his job and asks for recognition that it is a vital part of our maritime heritage and a vital supplier of food and there is a stark warning about the damage being done to the irish fishing industry by the European Union Member States who will not change the Common Fisheries Policy where they make massive earnings from catching fish in Irish waters, while denying Irish fishermen the same right — see INJUSTICE DONE TO IRELAND BY CFP MUST BE CORRECTED – and we have the story of the first hot air balloon crossing of the Irish Sea….
