The Marine Institute has successfully piloted an international internship programme with the School of Arts and Sciences at St George’s University in Grenada, in the West Indies, through the Our Shared Ocean capacity strengthening programme.
This year the initiative has supported two undergraduate students — Kimberly Ince and Kavita Douglas — to undertake research on the governance frameworks required to enable the commercialisation of sargassum seaweed, and to implement effective measures against coastal pollution in the eastern Caribbean.
“Supporting young researchers is central to the vision of Our Shared Ocean,” said David O’Sullivan, programme manager of Our Shared Ocean with the Marine Institute. “These projects highlight how evidence-based policy and international partnerships can contribute to sustainable ocean governance and help Small Island Developing States advance their blue economies while building resilience to environmental pollution.”
To date, the successful collaboration has also supported four Master’s scholarships through the Our Shared Ocean programme, with students undertaking the Master of Science in Applied Marine Conservation at Atlantic Technological University in Galway.
Sargassum is a harmful and damaging seaweed prevalent in the Caribbean. Massive blooms of sargassum have become an annual occurrence across the region, washing ashore for up to nine months of the year and accumulating in vast quantities along coastlines.
These accumulations affect tourism, disrupt fishing activities, choke marine animals and ecosystems of oxygen and pose significant human health risks upon decay.
Sargassum valorisation is the process of converting this seaweed into valuable, commercial products, such as biofuel and fertiliser. While the potential benefits of these processes are well understood, their development has been hindered by poor governance and insufficient regulatory practises.
The studies examined the gaps in national and regional policy and regulatory frameworks, identifying barriers to sargassum valorisation as well as unintended consequences that contribute to coastal pollution. Both studies produced a series of policy recommendations to strengthen environmental governance, with relevance for Grenada and other Caribbean small-island states.
‘This experience has inspired me to continue building my career in marine science’
Kavita Douglas said: “My time at the Marine Institute in Ireland was an incredibly valuable experience for both my academic and professional growth. Presenting my research on sargassum valorisation and policy framework in the Caribbean gave me a chance to share a Caribbean perspective while engaging with marine researchers working in other parts of the world. It boosted my confidence and communication skills, and gave me first-hand experience of international marine research.
“This experience has inspired me to continue building my career in marine science and contributing to solutions for environmental challenges facing the Caribbean."
Internship co-supervisor Dr Steve Nimrod of St Georges University added: “This internship was a remarkable opportunity for some of our emerging scientists and conservationists to exchange knowledge and network with global peers on some of the most pressing issues facing small Caribbean islands.”
The initiative was delivered in conjunction with the Marine Institute’s long-running Bursary Programme, which provides students with practical experience across marine research, fisheries science, engineering, technical operations and corporate services.
The bursary scheme provides a unique pathway for students to develop skills, broaden professional networks and explore careers that support Ireland’s marine sector. The international internship complements the Marine Institute’s stated commitment to developing future marine professionals while fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Throughout the summer of 2026, the students were co-supervised remotely by experts from both organisations. As part of the experience, they travelled to Ireland to participate in the Marine Institute’s annual Bursar Week, where they met Irish students, engaged with researchers and senior staff, and presented their findings to colleagues across the institute.
Since 2022, Our Shared Ocean has invested €4.1 million in partnerships focused on ocean-related challenges, helping to enhance research capacity and collaboration between Ireland and Small Island Developing States.
Following the success of the pilot internship programme, it’s hoped that the model can be expanded in the coming years to support more students and boost marine research capacity through greater international cooperation on ocean health and the sustainable blue economy.
Ireland is also leading a new EU-backed initiative to scale sustainable seaweed farming while restoring marine ecosystems across Europe, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.
