Training in observing marine mammals in Irish waters is to be funded for a second year by ESB Ireland.
Up to five places will be awarded on the Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) training programme, which is run by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG).
The programme is open to graduates, final-year undergraduates and postgraduate students who are studying or working in the area of marine science or related disciplines.
Last year, five participants successfully completed the programme and availed of industry-approved training courses and medicals which were also funded through the initiative, ESB says.
“A key objective of the programme is to assist in developing marine ecology education and skills to support successful applicants at the early stages of their careers in the marine environmental profession,”it says.
“An additional key aim is to fill a gap in the Irish offshore wind industry’s local supply chain due to a lack of locally-based MMOs on the island of Ireland,”it says.
IWDG chief executive Dr Simon Berrow said that “over the last 30 years the IWDG has been at the forefront of whale and dolphin conservation in Irish waters”.
“Now, with increasing pressures on our seas, especially the coastal zone, there is more demand than ever for trained and experienced marine mammal mitigation experts,”he said.
“The IWDG is delighted to be continuing this collaboration with ESB in providing pathways to joining the offshore industry in an environmental capacity, working to ensure safeguarding of marine mammals in Irish waters,”Berrow said.
The training programme is being endorsed by the Marine Mammal Observer Association and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology .
All applicants must be available to participate in person for training at Kilrush, Co Clare in September. The programme includes classroom-based training, two nights’ accommodation and a half-day at sea experience onboard the research vessel, Celtic Mist.
Application forms can be requested from ESB via [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, July 31st, 2024.
