Current Corporation has announced successful results of tests involving the simulation and detection of whale spouts with its new Night Navigator 3 thermal imaging camera system. http://www.currentcorp.com/current-corporation-detects-whale-spouts-at-night-at-distances-of-up-to-2km/ An air compressor was used to simulate the spout of a whale in…

The UK's Crown Estate has announced a consultation on making areas of Northern Ireland's sea bed available for renewable energy projects, Business & Leadership reports. The consultation process will inflence leasing rounds for offshore wind and tidal energy projects in…

Two former Aran Islands fast-passenger ferries have been sold to a buyer in Mauritius, the island nation which lies southeast off the African continent in the Indian Ocean, and some 900km east of Madagascar, writes Jehan Ashmore. The ferries Clann…

A Donegal conservation group has hit out at An Bord Pleanála for approving plans for a 13-turbine wind farm in a scenic Gaeltacht area. The Irish Times reports that businessman PJ Molloy originally sought permission for 35 wind turbines with…

Areas along Cumbria's coast could have greater protection under new plans for the conservation of marine habitats. The Irish Sea Conversation Zones project is currently recommending areas to the UK government that could be designated for marine conservation. BBC News…

The Irish Times reports that a number of European universities and research centres are eagerly awaiting the data from the latest wave energy test buoy deployed in Galway Bay. Cork company Ocean Energy Ltd is behind the latest test and…

Controversy has arisen over the decision by outgoing Minister for Energy Pat Carey to grant key consents for the Corrib gas pipeline on the day of the general election. According to the Irish Times, the Department of Energy said consent…

The Canadian Government is challenging the European Union over its ban on seal products. Canada has reportedly asked the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to arbitrate a formal dispute to assess the EU ban, which Canada alleges is a violation of…

Minister for Natural Resources, Conor Lenihan, today announced the completion of a detailed evaluation by his Department of the applications received for Licensing Options in the Northwest Carboniferous Basin and the Clare Basin. On the basis of that evaluation Minister…

Kerry fishermen are calling for a cull of the local grey seal population over claims that they eat up to 10kg of fish a day, The Irish Times reports. Fishermen along the Kerry coast are arguing the the seals are…

Fáilte Ireland has come under fire for an advert that shows a whale that cannot be found in Irish waters. According to the Irish Examiner, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has questioned by images of humpback or fin…

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has announced the largest aggregation of killer whales to date in Irish waters. As many as a dozen killer whales, or orca, were spotted close to an Irish Naval Service vessel on patrol…

The Irish Times has stunning photographs of fin whales and dolphins feeding off Hook Head in Co Wexford captured by photographer George Karbus. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0201/1224288694464.html Czech-born Lahinch resident Karbus, who specialises in wildlife photography, said: “It is really hard to capture…

The Irish Seal Sanctuary (ISS) is gearing up for three seal releases this coming weekend. On Saturday 5 February ISS volunteers in tandem with the Dingle Wildlife and Seal Sanctuary will release Rupert and Rosie back into the wild at…

Northern Ireland Energy Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed the setting up of the Offshore Renewable Energy Forum, tasked with evaulating the potential of Ireland's offshore resources. "Members of the forum can help shape the sustainable development of offshore renewables in…

The Marine Institute's two research vessels, RV Celtic Explorer and RV Celtic Voyager are to lead Europe with an all-time record of 627 days spent at sea of between both ships, well above the average for equivalent European research vessels.…