The Marine Institute’s progress in building a robust data culture was recently showcased during the latest European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) webinar.
EMFAF is the EU’s financial instrument supporting the Common Fisheries Policy, EU Maritime Policy and international commitments in ocean governance.
Running from 2021 to 2027, EMFAF promotes sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, fosters the blue economy and ensures high-quality data for marine management.
The webinar welcomed over 100 attendees from national and international organisations and featured talks highlighting the Marine Institute’s work across three EMFAF schemes: Marine Biodiversity, Marine Knowledge and Data Collection.
The Data Collection Framework (DCF) provides essential scientific data for stock assessments, environmental monitoring, and policy development, enabling informed decisions that ensure sustainable seafood and safeguard marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
The Data Collection team presented on ‘Fisheries-Dependent Data Collection for the Inshore Fishing Fleet’ and ‘Establishing a Data Culture Using Frameworks to Navigate the Waves of Marine Data’, emphasising how reliable data underpins sustainable ocean management and EU compliance.
Linda O’Hea, manager of the Data Collection Scheme said: “Building a robust data culture is essential for sustainable marine management. Our frameworks not only improve quality and transparency but also foster collaboration across diverse marine communities.”
Regarding marine biodiversity, a new study led by Dr Arjan Gittenberger confirmed that feral, non-native Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas) are widespread and breeding along Ireland’s coastline.
Their distribution depends more on environmental factors, natural dispersal capabilities, and key establishment habitats — both natural and artificial-than on proximity to ports or oyster farms.
Dr Russell Poole, manager of both the Marine Knowledge and Marine Biodiversity schemes noted: “This research is a vital contribution to safeguarding marine biodiversity. By mapping invasive species and understanding their ecological drivers, we can develop targeted measures that protect native habitats and support sustainable fisheries across Europe.”
Under the Marine Knowledge Scheme, the Data Services team previewed several short demos showcasing data analytics in action and improved spatial data services.
The Marine Institute also announced the successful deployment of a new environmental data buoy at Lough Furnace in Co Mayo, marking a significant step forward in Ireland’s marine climate observation capabilities.
Advanced ocean-climate monitoring buoys at three key sites along Ireland’s west coast capture essential environmental variables, including temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and CO₂. This data provides near-real-time insights into climate impacts on coastal ecosystems.
“At the Marine Institute, we believe that data is the foundation of sustainable ocean governance,” said Dr Ciaran Kelly, director of fisheries and ecosystems advisory services. “By investing in cutting-edge technology and collaborative frameworks, we are ensuring that Ireland remains at the forefront of marine science and climate resilience.”
