Marine Identity A Theme of Community Dialogue Hosted by Irish Ocean Literacy Network and Queen's University Belfast

24th April 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Harbour Heritage: Portaferry waterfront on Strangford Lough, where marine identity, heritage and future ocean stewardship will be explored at community dialogue hosted by IOLN and Queen’s University Belfast

“Marine Identity: Voices from the lough” is the theme of a community dialogue in Portaferry, Co Down next week.

“How does knowing where we come from shape where we go next?” is the subtitle to the event, hosted by the Irish Ocean Literacy Network (IOLN) with Queen’s University, Belfast (QUB).

Strangford Lough carries a rich maritime culture and tradition — life on the lough, the Irish Sea, and the fishing industry woven through generations, the organisers state.

“Alongside that heritage, this coastline has been a hub of marine research, biodiversity work, and community-led conservation, with the Queen's University Marine Laboratory — celebrating 80 years — among those who have shaped it.”

The aim of the community dialogue on Wednesday, April 29th is to bring both threads to the fore as part of “Shared Island & Ocean”, IOLN's all-island initiative with QUB.

The morning will focus on the stories, traditions, and local knowledge of this place. The afternoon looks at what comes next — restoration, regeneration, biodiversity, and the research and projects already driving change along this coastline, the organisers explain.

Keynote speakers will participate with local voices, and practitioners across fisheries, heritage, marine science, and environmental recovery.

The agenda is as follows:

0930-10.00am: Registration and coffee
10:00-10.15am: Welcome and introduction IOLN (Heidi McIlvenny, IOLN/QUB)
10:15-10.45am: Keynote Speaker Dr Bob Brown
10.45-12.00pm Panel 1: Echoes of the Sea: Maritime Heritage and Memory
12:00-1.15pm Lunch and exhibitions
1.15pm-2.30pm Panel 2: Voices for Future Seas: Biodiversity and ocean stewardship
2.30-3.30pm Closing plenary and wrap up discussion – what are our take away messages from today?

Panel Discussions

Panel 1: Echoes of the Sea: Maritime Heritage and Memory

Theme: Who we are, where we come from, and how our history shapes us. This session explores the ‘Marine Identity’ of the past to provide a foundation for the present. It aims to reconnect and celebrate the rich maritime connections that this area, through exploring history, and living memory connected to the ocean

Moderator: Moira Ritchie

Panellists: James Eliott (Portaferry And Strangford Trust), Duane Fitzsimmons (Legends of Lecale Pennisula), Rory Martin (Strangford Lough Activity Centre), and Isabel Hood (SLLP, SLMPA, Strangford Coastal Rowing Club)

Panel 2: Voices for Future Seas: Biodiversity and ocean stewardship

Theme: Where we go from here - how we harness our connection to the ocean. In exploring the global shift in economies this session focuses on ensuring the community has the capacity and opportunity to engage with the different opportunities the ocean provides moving forward – capitalising on their strong connections and knowledge of the ocean.

Moderator: Dr Gavin Grant (AONB and Geopark Marine and Coastal Engagement Officer)

Panellists: Dr Christine Morrow (NI Biodiversity Data Portal), Dr Nick Baker Horne (Ulster Wildlife Trust), Rebekah Bajko (QUB Student), and Paul Stewart (Castle Espie)

There will be exhibitions, including:

Libby Keatley - NI Biodiversity Data Portal Project

CEDaR's New NI Fish Recording Project

IOLN My Ocean

Registration for the event at The Narrows, Portaferry, on April 29th is here

Published in Marine Science, Northern Ireland Waters, Marine Wildlife

Published in Marine Science

Tagged under

Marine Identity

About The Author

Afloat.ie Team

Email The Author

Afloat.ie is Ireland's dedicated marine journalism team.

Have you got a story for our reporters? Email us here.

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven't put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full-time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.

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.