Seascapes tonight reports on the recent Offshore Renewable Energy conference held in the National Maritime College.

Jim Scofield recently completed a solo trans Atlantic race on his home-built 19-foot yacht. Jim took part in a race with five other boats. Also, Dr Karen Weekes has just completed a seventy day row across the Atlantic.

Joanna McNicholas is on Cross Beach in Belmullet, County Mayo, with beachcomber Fergus Sweeney. And five super trawlers have arrived in Irish waters to fish for Blue Whiting. The controversial ships can take thousands of tonnes of fish and stay at sea for weeks. You can track their progress at: www.marinetaffic.com www.vesselfinder.com

We hear about the working conditions of some non-EU fishers in the Irish Fishing Industry. We hear of workers' very long working weeks, little time off, minimum wage or less and living on board their trawlers. And we hear from Rossaveal Harbour, which is finally going to get an upgrade to a deep-water port after a 20 year wait.

We get to the bottom of the mystery about all those shotgun cartridges washing up on Irish beaches. And Cork TD Christopher O'Sullivan tells us about a €35 million EU fund being made available to local authorities to upgrade small harbours and concerns about the Russian Navy exercise next week. Norman Freeman, recalls the days of coal-fired ships.

Joanna McNicholas is on Carrowmore Beach in Co Mayo to see some of the fascinating pieces of flotsam washed up on our coasts and talks to Mairead Staunton, winner of the individual Ocean Hero of the Year award last month. And Ian McDonnell of the Forsa Trade Union explains the background to an industrial dispute in the SFPA.

We visit the historic Old Head of Kinsale lighthouse in Co Cork. And we hear from artist Eve Parnell about a unique project to mark the 75th anniversary of the Irish Naval Service. Eve went on board the LE James Joyce to oversee the actor Niamh Cusack performing a poem about the Navy.

We hear the latest on the bid by Cork to host the 2024 America's Cup. Eoin English of the Irish Examiner says that the America's Cup could still be held in Cork. Norman Dunlop recalls the brutal, inhumane history of the whaling industry. Matt Molloy, flautist with the Chieftains meets Lorna Siggins and tells of his love of the sea and sailing.

Tonight we are on the banks of the River Inny in Co. Westmeath. Fergal Keane goes winter fishing for pike with renowned angling guide Mick Flanagan. Mick can be contacted on http://www.midlandangling.com/ or on facebook. We also visit the Eel Smokehouse on the banks of the river and hear from John Rogan who ran the business.

We meet Kevin Kenny from the Ernest Shackleton Museum at the Athy Heritage Centre, Kildare to hear about Shackleton's life. We also hear a piece of music commissioned by the Museum called Shackleton's Endurance. Composed by Brian Hughes it includes readings from Shackleton's diaries, & it's available from the museum. https://shackletonmuseum.com/