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John Killeen Reappointed as Chairperson of The Marine Institute

8th January 2019
John Killeen Reappointed as Chairperson of The Marine Institute

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, T.D., has re-appointed Dr. John Killeen as Chairperson of the Marine Institute for a five-year term with effect from January 8th 2019. Dr Killeen was originally appointed for a five year term in 2014.

Announcing the appointment, the Minister thanked Dr Killeen for his valuable contribution over the past five years and said; “I am pleased that John has accepted this re-appointment as he has the essential experience and knowledge necessary to continue to lead the Board of the Marine Institute and ensure it has the necessary skills to deliver on its key role as the national agency for marine research, technology, development and innovation”.

Dr John Killeen is an engineer by profession and a native of Co Roscommon, he became an Honorary Freeman of Galway City in 2012. During a long and diverse career, he has worked on significant Local Government projects and worked with large engineering firms internationally. Dr Killeen was President of Engineers Ireland from 1995-1996 and founding President of the Academy of Engineering in Ireland in 1996-1998. He received an outstanding Lifetime Award for his contribution to Irish Engineering in 2013. He is a retired CEO of Colas Group in Ireland and a retired managing director of Cold Chon Galway Ltd. Dr Killeen was appointed to the West-Northwest Hospital Group Board in 2013 and is currently the Chair of the Saolta University Healthcare Group. In 2009 he was chairman of the Volvo Ocean Race event in Galway and in 2012 was president of the Volvo Ocean Race finale and festival. Dr Killeen is also President of the Timoney Leadership Institute - a charity which promotes International leadership training for Irish CEO's in conjunction with IESE University, Barcelona and visiting professors from Harvard, Notre Dame and IPADE. He is also currently serving on the UK and Irish Councils of the RNLI.

Published in Marine Science
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Marine Science Perhaps it is the work of the Irish research vessel RV Celtic Explorer out in the Atlantic Ocean that best highlights the essential nature of marine research, development and sustainable management, through which Ireland is developing a strong and well-deserved reputation as an emerging centre of excellence. From Wavebob Ocean energy technology to aquaculture to weather buoys and oil exploration these pages document the work of Irish marine science and how Irish scientists have secured prominent roles in many European and international marine science bodies.

 

At A Glance – Ocean Facts

  • 71% of the earth’s surface is covered by the ocean
  • The ocean is responsible for the water cycle, which affects our weather
  • The ocean absorbs 30% of the carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere by human activity
  • The real map of Ireland has a seabed territory ten times the size of its land area
  • The ocean is the support system of our planet.
  • Over half of the oxygen we breathe was produced in the ocean
  • The global market for seaweed is valued at approximately €5.4 billion
  • · Coral reefs are among the oldest ecosystems in the world — at 230 million years
  • 1.9 million people live within 5km of the coast in Ireland
  • Ocean waters hold nearly 20 million tons of gold. If we could mine all of the gold from the ocean, we would have enough to give every person on earth 9lbs of the precious metal!
  • Aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector in the world – Ireland is ranked 7th largest aquaculture producer in the EU
  • The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest ocean in the world, covering 20% of the earth’s surface. Out of all the oceans, the Atlantic Ocean is the saltiest
  • The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world. It’s bigger than all the continents put together
  • Ireland is surrounded by some of the most productive fishing grounds in Europe, with Irish commercial fish landings worth around €200 million annually
  • 97% of the earth’s water is in the ocean
  • The ocean provides the greatest amount of the world’s protein consumed by humans
  • Plastic affects 700 species in the oceans from plankton to whales.
  • Only 10% of the oceans have been explored.
  • 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year, equal to dumping a garbage truck of plastic into the ocean every minute.
  • 12 humans have walked on the moon but only 3 humans have been to the deepest part of the ocean.

(Ref: Marine Institute)

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