Oceans of Learning Podcast Hears How Ireland Can & Should Be an Ocean Superpower

9th June 2021

Credit: Tom Szumski

The fourth and final episode in the Oceans of Learning podcast series airs tomorrow, Thursday 10 June, with presenter Finn van der Aar finding out how the next generation can seek to influence and engage with politicians and government and why research and innovation is so important for the marine environment.

Joining Finn to share their stories and solutions to the challenges the ocean is facing are Simon Coveney, Minister for Foreign Affairs; John Bell, director of Healthy Planet and director general of research and innovation at the European Commission; Aodhán Fitzgerald, research vessel manager with the Marine Institute; and Eimear Manning and Gary Kett, who are both involved with the All-Atlantic Ocean Youth Ambassador Programme.

Bell explains Europe's Green Deal, how it relates to the oceans and how Ireland can and should be an ocean superpower.

‘Over the last 10 years, Ireland has been punching way above its weight in terms of global science, research and innovation’

“Our ocean is not simply a resource, but a responsibility and an enormous opportunity in terms of knowledge and innovation,” he said.

“Over the last 10 years, Ireland has been punching way above its weight in terms of global science, research and innovation. Ireland has shown itself to be a leader, especially with the signing of the Galway Statement to create the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance with the United States and Canada.

“We now have 1,000 research teams working in the North Atlantic. Ireland has made huge progress in terms of seabed mapping, and is involved in some of the biggest science and research projects on ecosystems and oceanography. Ireland is now seen as an island leader.”

Minister Coveney speaks with Finn about his summer days beside the sea in Cork and why his passion for the ocean has helped inform his political decision-making throughout his career. He also talks about the importance of protecting and managing Ireland’s marine environment, as well as raising awareness about our ocean resource.

Fitzgerald tells Finn about next year’s launch of Ireland’s new marine research vessel, the RV Tom Crean, and some of the marine research activities the vessel will facilitate.

Oceans of Learning podcast host Finn van der Aar

Finn also speaks to Eimear Manning from ECO-UNESCO and Gary Kett, a marine scientist, who who want to encourage more young people to come together for climate action.

Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, the Oceans of Learning podcast debuted at number two on the Apple Podcast Science Charts and has remained in the top three of the most popular Nature Podcasts in Ireland throughout the last four weeks.

The four-part Oceans of Learning podcast series has featured a range of guests including researcher and big wave surfer Dr Easkey Britton and and Ireland’s first female Naval Service diver Tahlia Britton.

The new podcast series is part of the 2021 Oceans of Learning series which celebrates our seas and Ireland's marine resource. Over the past four weeks, the Marine Institute and partners have offered oceans of online resources including educational videos and short films, and the latest news and information all about our ocean.

Published in Marine Science

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Oceans of Learning

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