2004 IRISH SCIENTIST YEAR BOOK

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The Marine Institute
John Joyce
Ireland, science and the sea

Endorsing the Galway Declaration at the Eurocean 2004 conference in Galway were: (l-r) Mr Jean-Francois Minster, (IFREMER) (France); Mr Pierre Mathy (EU); Mr Dermot Ahern, T.D., Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO, Marine Institute

An historic declaration, calling on EU Member States to recognise the importance of marine science and technology, was agreed in Galway on 13th May. This 'Galway Declaration' was drafted during EurOCEAN 2004, an event attended by 550 marine scientists, policy-makers and industry representatives from all over the EU ( www.eurocean2004.com ) and hosted by the Marine Institute as part of Ireland's role in the EU presidency.

The Galway Declaration and the EurOCEAN event represent key milestones in the development of marine science in Ireland, spearheaded by the Marine Institute. After decades of neglect in this vital area, Ireland has arrived as a significant player in international marine science, a fact recognised at the Norwegian Research and Innovation Forum � 'The Ocean and Future Aspects of the European Marine Research Area' � in Brussels on 11th June.

The EU Commissioner for Research, Philippe Busquin, said that, after the Galway Conference, it was evident that the European marine research community is already mobilised to play a role in the European Research Area, while Ms Kristen Clemet, Norway's Minister of Research and Education, suggested that 'Europe could take on a more active role in the exploration and management of the oceans'.

During the Irish Presidency of the EU, Ireland hosted not only EurOCEAN, but also four other marine science events. These included the International Conference on Molluscan Shellfish Safety (ICMSS); a dialogue event on the ecosystem approach to fisheries management held by ICES (the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas); a meeting of the heads of European research centres for fisheries and aquaculture research (EFARO); and a meeting of the European Science Foundation's Marine Board. During the Presidency, the Irish marine science community demonstrated beyond doubt how far it has developed in the last ten years.


Ireland's state-of-the-art research vessels, the 65-meter RV Celtic Explorer and the 31-meter RV Celtic Voyager

Ireland can now boast two state-of-the-art research vessels, the 65-meter RV Celtic Explorer and the 31-meter RV Celtic Voyager , based in Galway. Both ships have been busy over the last year on fisheries acoustic work, groundfish surveys and oceanographic studies. They also position and maintain the offshore sentinel platforms that make up the Irish databouy network, providing real-time weather and oceanographic measurements to Met �ireann and the general public. An ambitious project is also underway, with the Geological Survey of Ireland, to map Ireland's 220 million acre underwater territory.

At the Burrishoole river catchment near Newport, Co. Mayo, Ireland has a unique facility in the Marine Institute's laboratory at Furnace. This unit studies not only the fifty kilometres of streams and rivers in the 30,000-acre catchment, but also provides an inspection and advisory service to fish farms nationwide. This work complements services provided by the Institute's fish health, marine food and environmental monitoring laboratories, including an on-line harmful algal blooms service for the shellfish industry on the Institute's website at www.marine.ie.


The Marine Institute's Aquaculture & Catchment Management Services Centre, Newport, Co. Mayo

In 2005, the Marine Institute will move into its purpose-built headquarters at Oranmore, overlooking Galway Bay and containing world-class laboratories for marine chemistry, fish pathology and fisheries science, as well as library and conference facilities. Galway will then be a focal point for Irish marine science, and a European gateway to the North East Atlantic, offering support in terms of ship time, analysis, data handing and logistics.

Meanwhile, the Marine Institute maintains daily contact with stakeholders, through the work of port-based Fisheries Advisory Technicians and fish farm inspection teams, and with third level research. The Institute manages the Marine RTDI Measure of the National Development Plan 2000�2006 on behalf of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, providing for enhanced research vessel capacity, an up-grade of national marine laboratories, and a Marine RTDI Fund to support project based research in key target areas.

The third round of research funding was launched in March 2003. Successful applicants included seven applied industry projects, two desk studies, one fellowship, twenty-two sponsorship/ networking awards, and technical assistance. The 2004 round of funding was launched in July this year, which will focus on the development of new and innovative technologies in ocean energy, water quality monitoring, acoustics, robotics and information and communications technology.

All of which build towards Ireland's rightful place as a major player in marine research and development and our recognition of the sea as a vital national resource � in line with our own Galway Declaration.

Contact: Check out the Marine Institute on www.marine.ie