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ATU Marine Scientists Undertake Research on Celtic Explorer off Spain

11th November 2024
All the science team on the AMIGOS survey onboard the RV Celtic Explorer

A group of Galway marine scientists recently completed a major sea survey off the south coast of Spain on board the RV Celtic Explorer.

The survey, entitled “Acoustic Monitoring from Ireland to Gibraltar Oceanic Waters Survey” or AMIGOS survey, was led by Dr María Pérez Tadeo (Chief Scientist), postdoctoral researcher at Atlantic Technological University (ATU).

Funded by the Marine Institute Ship-time Award the group began the survey in Lisbon, Portugal, on October 20th, and followed transects around the Gulf of Cadiz, passing through the Strait of Gibraltar and on to the Mediterranean.

ATU researchers and students ATU researchers and students 

One of the main aims of the survey was to contribute to data collection in acoustic monitoring of marine mammals and underwater noise as part of the EU-funded Horizon project STRAITS (Strategic Infrastructure for Improved Animal Tracking in European Seas).

A sunset view from the RV Celtic Explorer while leaving the Strait of Gibraltar Photo: Dr María Pérez TadeoA sunset view from the RV Celtic Explorer while leaving the Strait of Gibraltar Photo: Dr María Pérez Tadeo

STRAITS is led by the Northern Ireland-based Loughs Agency, and ATU is one of its lead partners with Dr Joanne O'Brien as principal investigator and María Pérez Tadeo as project manager.

Working on the AMIGOS interdisciplinary survey were scientists from the University of Galway, from the University of Southampton and from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.

“Besides the collection of the underwater soundscape, the group also conducted CTD stations in order to determine the salinity, temperature, and depth in the water column, water sampling to assess primary productivity, and seabird and marine mammal observations,”ATU says.

“The survey was also a great training opportunity for early career researchers and students who accompanied Drs O’Brien and Tadeo,”it says.

Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in Irish waters Photo: Dr María Pérez TadeoCommon dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in Irish waters Photo: Dr María Pérez Tadeo

Speaking about the survey, Dr María Pérez Tadeo said it “provided a valuable opportunity to collect extensive data on marine mammals and underwater noise levels across European waters”.

Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) spotted in the Strait of Gibraltar Photo: Dr María Pérez TadeoStriped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) spotted in the Strait of Gibraltar Photo: Dr María Pérez Tadeo

“This data will provide baseline information, allowing us to compare noise levels across regions and assess the impact of human-made noise on marine life,” she said.

Dr Joanne O’Brien said it was “an excellent opportunity for the team to collect data for the STRAITS project, but also facilitate collaborations with other universities as well as offshore training for ATU postgraduates”.

For further information, click on the STRAITS project here 

Published in Marine Science
Lorna Siggins

About The Author

Lorna Siggins

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Lorna Siggins is a print and radio reporter, and a former Irish Times western correspondent. She is the author of Search and Rescue: True stories of Irish Air-Sea Rescues and the Loss of R116 (2022); Everest Callling (1994) on the first Irish Everest expedition; Mayday! Mayday! (2004); and Once Upon a Time in the West: the Corrib gas controversy (2010). She is also co-producer with Sarah Blake of the Doc on One "Miracle in Galway Bay" which recently won a Celtic Media Award

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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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