Small freshwater animals are breaking down microplastics into nanoplastic fragments which can enter the food chain, according to new research by University College Cork (UCC). In less than four days, the freshwater amphipod, Gammarus duebeni, is able to fragment microplastics…

When Dr Kathy Sullivan (68) climbed out of a tiny submersible which had returned from the bottom of the Mariana Trench, none of the subsequent headlines were quite as clever as that “most vertical girl in the world” slogan coined…

A new short film comes with a message that we can all ‘sea’ the future of Ireland’s ocean wealth together. The video was launched by the Marine Institute as part of the final week of its Oceans of Learning programme,…

Important research that will help advance the management of our seas around Ireland, Western Scotland and Northern Ireland has not totally ceased during the coronavirus pandemic. The SeaMonitor project, which is led by the Loughs Agency and supported by another…

Kelp found on the coast of Ireland may have survived some 16,000 years since the last ice age, scientists have discovered — and it could be crucial to understanding how marine plants deal with climate change long-term. According to AOL…

Clare County Council has confirmed that boats can be launched from the slipway at White Strand in Miltown Malbay following confusion over alleged changes to area bye-laws. Local boaters had contacted Afloat.ie to express concern over claims that the slipway…

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group has celebrated a milestone with the confirmation of the 100th and 101st individual humpback whales in its catalogue of Ireland’s waters. The sightings were made last Monday 20 July by Nick Massett in outer…

Waterways Ireland and Fáilte Ireland are encouraging staycationers to ‘make a break for it’ on the Shannon Navigation this summer. And the latter has compiled a list of all currently open places to eat along with things to see and…

Coastwatch has welcomed a High Court decision closing the Waterford estuary to razor shell dredging without proper environmental assessment. The ruling has implications for fishing activity on marine sites which are designated as Natura 2000 locations, Coastwatch director Karin Dubksy…

This week’s Oceans of Learning topic, the final one in the 10-week series from the Marine Institute, focuses on partnerships between marine science, industry and education and how these can help ensure a healthy and sustainable future for our ocean.…

Beachgoers on the East Coast beware: lion’s mane jellyfish have been sighted in the waters off North Dublin, as DublinLive reports. The venomous marine wildlife — which has previously prompted warnings for Dublin beaches — was recently spotted at Dollymount…

The first person to experience travel to both outer space and the deepest part of the sea will be the subject of an exclusive Irish interview with Pat Kenny tomorrow, Thursday 23 July. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, oceanographer and…

A fisheries science partnership previously touted as a ‘game changer’ in the field of marine food is developing new health supplement based on fish protein from blue whiting. Bio-Marine Ingredients Ireland (BII) is preparing to begin clinical trials of its…

​​The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Eamon Ryan T.D. today (20th July 2020), announced that Ireland has received State aid approval from the European Union to operate a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) out to 2025. Minister…

US astronaut and oceanographer Dr Kathryn Sullivan has compared the current global situation to being in the midst of a severe storm on a sailing boat in mid-ocean. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Dr Sullivan, who has Irish…

Ireland has a new resident dolphin, as a solitary bottlenose seems to have made its home in Carlingford Lough — and locals have voted to name it ‘Finn’. Nearly 3,000 people took part in the Facebook poll in which Finn…