The autonomous Azores islands, administratively linked to Portugal and 800 miles westward of Lisbon in the midst of the Atlantic, have become European pace-setters in controlling and eradicating COVID-19. And in doing so, they have been able to provide a…

Gaeltacht Minister Sean Kyne says he opposes the National Public Health Emergency Team’s (NPHET) decision on an early lifting of travel restrictions to and from offshore islands. The decision to allow travel to and from offshore islands to resume from…

In Ireland, 1.9 million people live within 5km of the coast and many communities along the Irish coast depend on industries such as tourism, fishing and aquaculture. Furthermore, there is now mounting evidence that the ocean plays a key role…

Today (Monday), the Quinlan-Owens family from Kinvara on Galway Bay with the Atlantic-circuiting 39ft steel ketch Danu have been finally free to roam ashore as they please in Horta on Faial in the Azores, as the next phase in the…

Plans for upscaling offshore renewable energy under the new Programme for Government will fail unless the State agencies receive more resources, an industry group has warned. The Marine Renewables Industry Association (MRIA) has described as “revolutionary” the new targets, which…

The Marine Institute, in collaboration with PLOCAN (Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands) in Spain, is pleased to announce a call for proposals from academic institutions for a structured four-year PhD scholarship in advanced ocean technology development and/or ocean observing…

Royal Cork Yacht Club in Cork Harbour has retained its An Taisce Blue Flag, one of ten Irish marinas to fly the environmental award flag in 2020/2021. As Afloat reported previously, another County Cork marina at Kinsale Yacht Club was…

Photographers of Ireland’s rich marine environment are invited to enter images for a contest being run by the Irish Wildlife Trust. To mark both World Oceans Day this month and easing of travel restrictions to within county boundaries, the trust…

As seen off Sydney on Wednesday, as whale-watching is resumed after ending of COVID-19 Lockdown. You know how it is? Sometimes, for one second, you’re just looking the wrong way altogether.

To celebrate Cruinniú na nÓg 2020 this Saturday 13 June, the National Parks and Wildlife Services and Galway Atlantaquaria are inviting 6-18 year olds to become marine broadcasters. All you have to do is record a short video about a…

In south Wales's Pembrokeshire region, a £60 million marine energy project that will help tackle climate change while reviving the local economy in the wake of Covid-19 has been given the green light. The UK Government and Welsh Government have now…

Coastal communities have been given just three weeks to respond to a consultation on developing a network of offshore wind farms to meet Ireland’s climate targets. Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton has given a closing date…

Kinsale Yacht Club has been awarded the environmental Blue Flag for 2020. The 2020 results were announced today by An Taisce. The marinas and beaches who achieved the accolade must adhere to specific criteria related to water quality, information provision,…

Irish port of Arklow has beaten Wicklow to become the future operations and maintenance base for SSE Renewables' planned expansion of Ireland's first operating wind farm. An industry source said, reports Independent.ie, that Arklow had won out chiefly because it…

Today is World Oceans Day Monday, June 8th, and the 39ft ketch Danu of Galway Bay has an Azores landfall in prospect for celebration as she approaches the ocean-crossroads port of Horta in the island of Faial. Although still 150…

On World Oceans Day today, Monday 8 June, the Marine Institute is celebrating our connection to the sea and its importance to our lives with the launch of a social media competition offering ocean-inspired weekly prizes. Marine Institute chief executive…