Marine Institute signs contract for new research vessel

Norwegian flair for Ireland’s new marine research vessel

Norwegian ship consultants, Skipsteknisk AS, have been awarded the contract to design a marine research vessel for Ireland, with an expected build completion date in 2022.

Marine environment main concern for spatial plan development

A three-month public consultation on a National Marine Planning Framework Baseline report that sets out the context in which a marine spatial plan for Ireland is being developed, received 173 responses from the general public and stakeholder groups. 

Clean coasts initiative targets full fleet participation by year end

Marine minister Michael Creed has called on all Irish fishing vessels to sign up to the ‘Clean Oceans’ initiative by December 31, to achieve 100% participation in Ireland’s first coordinated scheme on land and at sea, to collect, reduce and reuse marine litter.
shark eggs on the seabed

Rare shark nursery discovered in deep waters west of Ireland

Discovery of a shark nursery 200 miles west of Ireland has been described as a ‘rare occurrence’. The discovery demonstrates the significance of documenting sensitive marine habitats and supports a better understanding of the biology of the animals and their ecosystem function in Ireland’s Biologically Sensitive Area.

Marine spatial plan for Ireland – stakeholders encouraged to engage

Stakeholders operating in Ireland’s marine waters are invited to participate in a public consultation (deadline December 14) that will inform the next steps towards a Marine Spatial Plan for Ireland
Mussel seed dredgers

Mussel seed extraction questioned metres from busy local harbour

Dredging for mussel seed in Dalkey Sound, in close proximity to a busy shoreline and harbour south of Dublin City, has been criticised by local stakeholders and the environmental watchdog, Coastwatch.
UCC expedition Canyon Scale

Submarine canyon ten times higher than the Eiffel Tower

Submarine canyon ten times higher than the Eiffel Tower

Lost landscape hidden beneath the waves

As well as providing data online to the Irish public on the project's website (www.infomar.ie), the INFOMAR team at Geological Survey Ireland also feed data to the European online portal EMODnet (European Marine Observation and Data Network).

Irish protection of coastal waters second lowest in Europe

The Seanad has passed a Motion (23/05/18) calling for government to protect half of Ireland’s sea waters by community-driven Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The Motion brought by Green Party Senator, Grace O’Sullivan, called on government…