Deep-water trawling ‘damaging coral reefs’

DEEP water trawling is causing widespread damage to cold-water coral reefs of Ireland and Britain, it was claimed yesterday.

Marine biologist Dr Jason Hall-Spencer revealed spectacular images of curious organisms living among the corals a kilometre deep off the west coast of Ireland.

The footage, taken during recent international expeditions exploring the reefs, also shows compelling evidence of coral damage.

Dr Hall-Spencer, who presents the evidence today at the start of the British Association Festival of Science at Trinity College Dublin, said: “Few people realise that we have such interesting, previous and dramatic habitats right on our doorstep.

“Some of these areas have yet to be explored, but even before we have had the chance to see their treasures, they are being bulldozed by deep-water trawling. It is crucial that we take steps to protect the coral reefs before it is too late.”

In March 2004, Europe’s first deep-water conservation area was set up in a coral-rich region discovered off Scotland in 1998.

However, there remains no protection for Ireland’s reef areas, said Dr Hall-Spencer, from the University of Plymouth.

Meanwhile, two Irish scientists have discovered two genes linked to spina bifida that will improve understanding of one of the most common birth defects.

Professor John Scott of Trinity College Dublin told a science conference that the genes known as MTHF and CT677 increase the risk of a woman giving birth to a child with the neural tube defect.

“These genes will illustrate genetic risk in a very understandable way,” said Prof Scott, who presented his findings to the British Association for the Advancement of Science conference.