The Marine Institute's Research Facility in Furnace, Newport, Co Mayo, will open its doors to primary school students this month, and hold an Open Day for all on Sunday, 2nd April 2023, from 11 am to 4 pm.
Pupils from Primary Schools in Newport, Kilmeena and Achill, Co Mayo, will visit the Marine Institute’s Newport Facility on the 28th and 29th of March 2023. The Marine Institute’s Newport Facility will open its doors to all on Sunday, 2nd April, offering visitors an opportunity to view the facilities in the Burrishoole catchment and learn more about the research at the site.
The Marine Institute’s Newport Facility is one of Europe's most effective natural laboratories for studying migratory fish. The facility has operated since 1955 and includes laboratories, a freshwater hatchery, fish-rearing facilities, fish census trapping stations, a salmonid angling fishery and a monitored freshwater lake and river catchment. A range of cutting-edge research is undertaken at the Newport Facility, including genetics work across several species of salmon, sea bass, pollock and bluefin tuna, as well as research on catchment ecosystems events, climate change, oceanography and aquaculture.
"The Marine Institute’s Newport Facility is one of Europe's most effective natural laboratories for studying migratory fish"
Speaking about the event, Marine Institute CEO, Dr Paul Connolly said: “We are delighted to open our doors to our Newport facility for all to see the work being undertaken by scientists that not only contributes to national research, but also has international relevance. The Marine Institute is responsible for supporting the sustainable development of Ireland's vast marine resources through coordinated and focused research, the application of new technologies, and providing scientific knowledge, advice and services to government and industry. As part of its remit, the Institute strives to engage broader audiences to enhance Ireland's knowledge of our vast marine resource and the benefits and opportunities it affords us.”
The options in maritime careers today are immense and the marine offers exciting future prospects within the associated industries. The Marine Institute Open Day is a great opportunity to learn more about the wide range of marine careers and meet with various scientists, researchers, engineers and experts already working in the sector. Visitors can speak with researchers, scientists and staff at the Newport facility. A number of PhD candidates will also be available to talk to students about their subject choices and potential careers in the marine sector.
The Marine Institute will also have a series of interactive exhibitions designed to introduce visitors to some of the innovative work of the Marine Institute in areas including research vessel operations and oceanography, as well as fisheries and the marine environment. Children will also get to see and touch some fish species captured during fisheries surveys on the RV Celtic Explorer and the RV Tom Crean. They will also be able to check out some fish species up close in the aquarium displays, learn how to read a salmon scale and look through microscopes to see freshwater invertebrates.
