The Marine Institute has today published its Year in Review 2022, a snapshot of some of the organisation’s many highlights during a positive and productive year.

The 24-page publication presents key achievements across the Institute during the year, along with a selection of key facts, figures and photographs.

Dr Paul Connolly, CEO of the Marine Institute, said: “The breadth and quality of Institute activities are a testament to the commitment and innovation of our people as the Marine Institute works to provide ocean knowledge that informs and inspires, benefitting people, policy and planet. Nowhere was this collaborative spirit more apparent than in the major milestone achieved in 2022, with the launch of our new national marine research vessel, the RV Tom Crean”.

The state-of-the-art vessel, the RV Tom Crean, was built and delivered on schedule, and on budget. This was a remarkable achievement when one notes that it was constructed entirely during the challenging and ever-changing Covid-19 pandemic.

The state-of-the-art vessel, the RV Tom Crean pictured on a visit to Cork Harbour. The new ship was built and delivered on schedule, and on budget Photo: Bob Bateman

Other highlights presented in Year in Review 2022 include the continued scientific advice and services provided to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and other government departments, agencies and stakeholders, including the public. These services are essential to achieving a sustainable ocean economy, protecting and managing our marine ecosystems, and meeting EU obligations.

Some 4,164km2 of seabed was mapped in the Celtic Sea by the Institute in 2022 as part of the INFOMAR programme in partnership with Geological Survey Ireland.

Climate change continued to be an important focus area for the Institute during the year, as it worked with climate stakeholders in defining the climate services they need for the marine domain, supported work in the reporting of Climate Actions and continued support for Ireland’s climate change research.

The organisation’s Research Funding Office administered €7.6 million in new research investments awarded under the organisation’s Marine Research Programme during 2022. This included funding ship-time on the research vessels and remotely operated vehicle, and the funding of wide-ranging and impactful research projects.

In September 2022, the Marine Institute was delighted to participate in and contribute to the ICES Annual Science Conference, held in Dublin, where leading marine scientists from around the world came together to share scientific research supporting a sustainable ocean.

Other key events and initiatives during the year included the visit of the Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and the Irish President, Michael D Higgins, to the newly commissioned RV Tom Crean, the launch of the Our Shared Ocean programme, presenting the 2022 Stock Book to Government and producing the Institute’s first Climate Action Roadmap (outlining how the Institute will work towards meeting its sustainability and energy reduction targets). The Institute was also proud to publish its Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Plan in 2022 and also progressed work on its new Strategic Plan, due to be published this year.

View the Marine Institute Year in Review 2022 here

The Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme, which engages with primary schools, teachers, children and the education sector, recorded the largest number of participating children in 2022, reaching more than 15,000 throughout Ireland.

Congratulating the team, Dr Paul Connolly, CEO of the Marine Institute, said: “This outcome is reflective of the quality of the Explorers outreach programme, which promotes marine education and how well the programme is delivered by Explorers outreach teams in schools around the coast.”

“Marine projects, seashore safaris, STEM workshops, aquariums in-the-class and the healthy ocean school projects, are excellent examples of how teachers can use marine content to develop children’s key competencies to enable them to become active citizens.

The most recent Explorers Engagement & Impact Report also shows that the programme increased ocean literacy among pre-service teachers, children and school teachers where 463 modules were delivered, focused on aquariums-in-the-classroom, seashore safaris, marine project and STEM workshops, as well new healthy ocean school projects”.

The Explorers education programme has seen an increase in ocean literacy in Schools according to the latest report

Delighted with the progress during 2022, Cushla Dromgool-Regan, Manager of the Explorers Education Programme, said: “Outreach officers adopt an integrated approach to delivering the wide range of activities available, supported by the Explorers education resources. This enables teachers to complete cross-curricular marine-themed projects in the classroom and helps children to take a greater lead in their learning and to becoming ocean literate.

“Applying an integrated approach also reflects the principles set out in the new Primary Curriculum Framework launched earlier this month by Norma Foley, T.D., Minister for Education, Norma Foley,” explained Ms Dromgool-Regan.

The Framework introduces key competencies for children’s learning, and sets out the main features and components for a full redevelopment of the primary school curriculum. The new Healthy Ocean School Project module is an excellent example of how learning can be expanded through STEM, languages and the arts.

With the objective of creating marine leaders and ocean champions, the ‘Healthy Ocean Projects & Ocean Champion Awards’ - attracted twenty-six schools in fourteen counties who submitted 28 projects covering science, artwork and beach cleans.

More information about the Explorers Education Programme here

The Marine Institute welcomed over 400 visitors to its research facility in Newport, Co Mayo last Sunday 2 April for its special Open Day.

The research facility at Furnace in the Burrishoole Valley forms one of the greatest natural laboratories for studying migratory fish in Europe.

Visitors had the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art facilities on offer, meet with researchers and scientists and hear about some of the exciting marine science research projects taking place at the site.

Rían and Justin presenting some deep-water fish species at the Newport Open Day 2023

The institute organised a series of interactive exhibitions which were designed to introduce visitors to some of its innovative work in areas including research vessel operations and oceanography, as well as fisheries and the marine environment.

A number of PhD candidates were also available to talk to students about their subject choices and potential careers in the marine sector.

Speaking about the event, Marine Institute chief executive Dr Paul Connolly said: “We are delighted that over 400 visitors availed of the opportunity to visit our Newport facility and see some of the innovative work that is being undertaken on site.

Robin, Mia, Faye and Rias at the scale model of the new RV Tom Crean on display during the Newport Open Day 2023

“It is so important that we raise awareness about the institute’s work and inspire communities on the importance of scientific research. A special word of thanks to our staff for their support and hard work in making the Open Day such a success.”

In addition to the public open day, the Marine Institute welcomed over 120 primary school pupils and their teachers earlier in the week for special tours.

Speaking on their visit, St Brendan’s National School in Kilmeena said: “It was fantastic! The children gained so much from it. They got to do some sampling in the labs, and see some deep-water fish species that had been captured during surveys onboard the RV Celtic Explorer and RV Tom Crean. They learned how weather data is recorded for Met Éireann. They saw fish and eels in a fish trap and salmon smolts that will be released in the next few weeks. What a great day! Thanks so much to all of the staff.”

The Marine Institute's Research Facility in Furnace, Newport, Co Mayo, will open its doors to primary school students this month, and hold an Open Day for all on Sunday, 2nd April 2023, from 11 am to 4 pm.

Pupils from Primary Schools in Newport, Kilmeena and Achill, Co Mayo, will visit the Marine Institute’s Newport Facility on the 28th and 29th of March 2023. The Marine Institute’s Newport Facility will open its doors to all on Sunday, 2nd April, offering visitors an opportunity to view the facilities in the Burrishoole catchment and learn more about the research at the site.

The Marine Institute’s Newport Facility is one of Europe's most effective natural laboratories for studying migratory fish. The facility has operated since 1955 and includes laboratories, a freshwater hatchery, fish-rearing facilities, fish census trapping stations, a salmonid angling fishery and a monitored freshwater lake and river catchment. A range of cutting-edge research is undertaken at the Newport Facility, including genetics work across several species of salmon, sea bass, pollock and bluefin tuna, as well as research on catchment ecosystems events, climate change, oceanography and aquaculture.

"The Marine Institute’s Newport Facility is one of Europe's most effective natural laboratories for studying migratory fish"

Speaking about the event, Marine Institute CEO, Dr Paul Connolly said: “We are delighted to open our doors to our Newport facility for all to see the work being undertaken by scientists that not only contributes to national research, but also has international relevance. The Marine Institute is responsible for supporting the sustainable development of Ireland's vast marine resources through coordinated and focused research, the application of new technologies, and providing scientific knowledge, advice and services to government and industry. As part of its remit, the Institute strives to engage broader audiences to enhance Ireland's knowledge of our vast marine resource and the benefits and opportunities it affords us.”

The options in maritime careers today are immense and the marine offers exciting future prospects within the associated industries. The Marine Institute Open Day is a great opportunity to learn more about the wide range of marine careers and meet with various scientists, researchers, engineers and experts already working in the sector. Visitors can speak with researchers, scientists and staff at the Newport facility. A number of PhD candidates will also be available to talk to students about their subject choices and potential careers in the marine sector.

The Marine Institute will also have a series of interactive exhibitions designed to introduce visitors to some of the innovative work of the Marine Institute in areas including research vessel operations and oceanography, as well as fisheries and the marine environment. Children will also get to see and touch some fish species captured during fisheries surveys on the RV Celtic Explorer and the RV Tom Crean. They will also be able to check out some fish species up close in the aquarium displays, learn how to read a salmon scale and look through microscopes to see freshwater invertebrates.

Ireland’s Tuna CHART bluefin tuna sea angling survey programme for 2023 has opened for charter skippers to apply.

Anglers in Ireland will once again have the opportunity to catch and release bluefin tuna in 2023 through the continuation of the Tuna CHART (CatcH And Release Tagging) programme that has been in operation around our coast since 2019.

Experienced charter skippers are now invited to apply to take part in this year’s Atlantic bluefin tuna scientific survey programme of Irish waters.

Building on the successes of the Tuna CHART programmes of 2019-2022, this scientific data collection catch-and-release fishery for Ireland will again operate in 2023.

A maximum of 25 authorisations may be granted to qualifying angling charter vessel skippers around the Irish coast for this fishery, which opens on 1 July and closes on 12 November.

The Tuna CHART programme is a collaborative scientific programme between Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and the Marine Institute in partnership with the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC).

Between 2019 and 2022, some 1,500 Atlantic bluefin tuna were caught, tagged, measured and released off the Irish coast by authorised charter skippers. The largest tuna tagged to date in the programme was 2.75 metres, weighing an estimated 372kg.

All tuna were carefully managed in the water alongside the charter vessel, subject to strict guidelines set by the Tuna CHART programme, and all were released alive.

Data from the tagging programme have been collated by the partnership for reporting to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT).

The core aim of the Tuna CHART programme is to collect data and tag these large fish, which is underpinned by ensuring good fish welfare, leading to successful release of the bluefin tuna.

Authorised skippers will be required to collect data on every bluefin trip undertaken and each bluefin tuna they catch, tag and release and their angling and data recording expertise is an important part of the overall survey programme. They will also be required to have high specification rods, reels and line in advance of the open season in order to ensure that the fish is brought alongside the vessel to be measured and tagged in the water in a timely manner.

Anglers will have an opportunity to participate in this fishery and contribute to this important scientific study by chartering and fishing from authorised vessels only.

Unauthorised vessels are not permitted to target or catch Bluefin tuna and any unauthorised person found to be targeting Bluefin tuna is liable to prosecution.

Experienced charter skippers are being invited to apply to join the 2023 Tuna CHART programme between Tuesday 21 March and Tuesday 4 April by filling out an application form online at www.fisheriesireland.ie/bluefin.

MERC Environmental Consultants Ltd and the Marine Institute are undertaking site investigation survey works at the Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site in Co Mayo.

The surveys are expected to be completed over a three-day period during the nearest available weather window which opened last Thursday 2 March, subject to weather and operational constraints.

Survey works include a benthic survey as well as geotechnical and geophysical surveys.

The survey campaign will be undertaken within the proposed Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site, consisting of two separate areas. Test Site A is 16km from Belderra Strand, and Test Site B is 6km from Belderra Strand on the Erris Peninsula.

The benthic survey work will be conducted by the Dúlra na Mara (callsign EIFS6) a shallow draft survey vessel. Meanwhile the survey vessel RV Celtic Explorer (callsign EIGB) will carry out geophysical and geotechnical site investigation works offshore at Test Site A and Test Site B and along the proposed cable corridor.

During operations the work vessels will be restricted in their ability to manoeuvre. All other vessels are requested to leave a wide berth during the deployment operations.

The survey operations will be conducted during daylight hours only. Mariners are advised to keep continuous watch on VHF Channel 16 when navigating the survey area at the Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site.

For maps, coordinates, safety information and contact details, see Marine Notice No 10 of 2023 attached below.

The Marine Institute has shared its pride in celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on Saturday 11 February and the important contributions made by women throughout the organisation.

The theme for the eighth International Day of Women and Girls in Science is IDEAS: Innovate, Demonstrate, Elevate, Advance and Sustain: “Bringing everyone forward for sustainable and equitable development.”

“As a scientific organisation and a State Body, the Marine Institute is committed to promoting gender equality and access to opportunities be they professional roles, training programmes, research related funding or opportunities to network with like-minded individuals,” says Patricia Orme, director of corporate services at the Marine Institute.

“We invest in programmes and actions that encourage the participation of women and girls in all aspects of marine science and technology. We believe that a diverse workforce is essential for achieving our mission of advancing knowledge and understanding of the marine environment.”

The Marine Institute, which has a staff of 241 employees, supports a “strong and inspirational” workforce of female employees at 50.6%. The organisation says it continues to recognise that its employees’ skills, experience, diversity and passion for the marine are central to the work that is undertaken for the government and other partners.

“We are delighted to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science,” Orme added. “By highlighting the contribution and achievements of women in marine science and sharing their passion for the work that they do, they can inspire the next generation of female scientists from all backgrounds to pursue careers in this field. We have women working in science, technical analysis and research, and many working in policy, maritime development, as well as corporate roles.”

The Marine Institute will share photos, animations and profiles of its women scientists to celebrate their achievements, their study and career paths and the work they do at the Marine Institute. Follow the hashtag #WomenInScience on the Marine Institute’s social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for highlights of the important impact of their work.

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an annual event for the United Nations that aims to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in science.

Since 2016, it has been an important platform for discussing ways to address the underrepresentation of women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This underrepresentation is a major barrier to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which include ensuring equal access to education and promoting gender equality.

According to UNESCO, only 28% of researchers worldwide are women, and even fewer hold senior positions. By highlighting the contributions of women and girls in science and promoting their participation in STEM fields, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science helps to pave the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future.

The Marine Institute continues to invest in the next generation of ocean professionals through the 2023 Summer Bursary Scholarship Programme, which provides third-level students with work experience across several marine areas.

The Bursary Scholarship Programme has been running for more than 30 years, providing valuable career development and support and inspiring the next generation of marine scientists and ocean experts. The programme equips students with the skills to become ocean leaders and marine champions of the future.

Dr Paul Connolly, CEO of the Marine Institute, said, “Our Summer Bursary Scholarship Programme allows undergraduate students to work with our talented staff on a broad range of marine projects. The experience strengthens their skills and knowledge of Ireland’s marine and maritime sector. The programme also helps students make informed decisions early in their studies about potential avenues they might pursue in their marine and maritime careers. When I was an undergraduate, I did three Summer Bursaries and found they informed my career direction and developed my network.”

The Marine Institute is committed to supporting a high-performance culture driven by people, whose skills, experience and passion for the marine are central to the work we perform for the government and other stakeholders. The programme, therefore, provides undergraduates a unique opportunity to meet fellow students from other third-level colleges as well as work with Marine Institute experts and build new networks in the marine and maritime sector.

The Bursary Scholarship Programme is aimed at undergraduates of Universities, Institutes of Technology and National Institutes for Higher Education, both national and international. To participate in the programme, undergraduate students must have completed two years of study in a relevant discipline by the beginning of June 2023.

Successful candidates will work full-time with Marine Institute staff in exciting areas such as Marine and Freshwater Fisheries monitoring, the National Tide Gauge Network, SmartBay, INFOMAR, Fish Health Unit, Finance, Historical data re-construction, Human resources, Oceanography, Marine Infrastructure, Linking Art and Science and Marine Communications. The bursaries are based at its facilities in Oranmore, Galway and Newport Co. Mayo.

To apply for the 2023 Bursary Programme:

• Please view the bursary titles available on www.marine.ie
• Select the two bursary positions that interest you the most and in order of preference
• Complete the online application form and submit as per the instructions
• Application Deadline Date is Friday 24th February 2023

Online application form here

The Marine Institute, in partnership with the University of Galway’s Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit (SEMRU), has released the latest update on the performance of Ireland’s Ocean Economy.

The report provides an update on Ireland’s ocean economy across three main economic indicators: turnover, gross value added (GVA) and employment, and provides an analysis of trends over the last five years.

The update shows that Ireland’s ocean economy in 2021 had a turnover of €4.98 billion, with a direct economic contribution, as measured by GVA, of €2.1 billion. Taking into account indirect GVA generated from ocean related activity in Ireland total GVA is €3.8bn, representing 1.6% of national output. Brexit effects on trade and fisheries as well as the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly on marine tourism and the international cruise industry meant a significant reduction in ocean economy output value in 2020.

Commenting on the results, co-author Prof Stephen Hynes, Director of SEMRU at the University of Galway stated, “The latest figures demonstrate that it has been a very turbulent period for Ireland’s ocean economy in the two years since the publication of the last report in the series. Against the backdrop of the immense challenges that have faced the sector we have seen a rebound in terms of output and employment in 2021. It continues to be a period of transition for Ireland’s ocean economy as the marine industries innovate in the face of new policies and measures aimed at dealing with the impacts of the climate and biodiversity crises.”

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, said, “I am delighted to receive this latest SEMRU (University of Galway) and Marine Institute report on Ireland’s Ocean Economy, which provides such useful data on the value of our marine industries and sectors. The marine sector and the employment it provides in crucial areas such as Ireland’s fisheries and seafood sector, under my own area of Ministerial responsibility, are crucially important contributors in maintaining the viability of our coastal communities. This interesting and timely report demonstrates that the marine sector as a whole has experienced significant challenges over recent years in common with international trends but is now slowly recovering. It will be particularly interesting to see if the current trends continue into 2023 and future years. We look forward to the next report and hopefully to a resurgent and vibrant marine sector both here in Ireland and internationally.”

The report also reviews demographic change in Ireland’s coastal economy, as well as highlighting developments in marine natural capital accounting. Natural capital accounting/ecosystem accounting views nature and ecosystems as assets, which provide a stream of ecosystem service benefits to society. The report highlights the importance of healthy marine ecosystem services to the ocean economy industries and Irish society more widely. In doing so it discusses the latest advancements in ocean environmental and economic accounting and how the Marine Institute and the University of Galway, in partnership with the CSO, are in the process of developing such accounts for Ireland.

Welcoming the report, Dr Paul Connolly, CEO of the Marine Institute said, “The ever-growing demand for more integrated advice and services has seen an increasing demand for economic data and evidence that will support the state’s governance of our maritime area. This work, carried out in partnership with University of Galway, and other state organisations such as the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), is delivering a robust analytical framework to inform marine and maritime policies and planning, delivering a more equitable and sustainable ocean and coastal economies.”

Ireland’s Ocean Economy Report 2022 is available on the Marine Institute’s website here

Research survey TC22017 will be carried out in the Irish Sea in the vicinity of the Kish Bank Lighthouse by the University of Limerick (UL) in collaboration with the Marine Institute from this Sunday 11 to Friday 16 December, subject to weather and operational constraints.

The aim of this survey the testing and development of UL’s underwater ROV (remotely operated vehicle) system and automation platforms.

Ship-time will be focused on trialling comprehensive multi-disciplinary control and inspection methods, utilising new technologies to enable automated offshore asset inspection.

The primary outcome of the trials is to work towards the development of a framework and technique for the inspection of offshore assets remotely.

The survey will be conducted by the RV Tom Crean (callsign EIYX3) which will display appropriate lights and signals. The operations will take place between 7am and 7pm daily. The vessel will mainly run in DP mode while the ROV operates close to Kish Bank Lighthouse.

A map and coordinates of the survey area as well as contact details and a list of equipment used can be found in Marine Notice No 84 of 2022, attached below.