A consultation on Ireland’s long term plan for offshore renewable energy (ORE) has been welcomed by Minister for Environment and Climate Eamon Ryan. The consultation is on the “Future Framework” policy statement, described as a long-term model and vision for…

As Storm Jocelyn sweeps in over the Atlantic seaboard with very strong south-west to west winds, Galway City Council has closed roads and car parks and warned of dangerous travelling conditions. Met Éireann is predicting large coastal waves with wave…

Following the launch of the Isle of Wight’s first oyster regeneration project in October last year, the United Kingdom Sailing Academy (UKSA) has now made it part of the sustainability modules on its education courses. UKSA worked in partnership with…

France has announced a temporary ban on almost all commercial fishing in the Bay of Biscay to protect dolphins. As Agence France Press (AFP) reports, the restriction extending from Finistere in Brittany to the seas off the Spanish border will…

Flood risk management, biodiversity, seafood and water quality are among themes of the Government’s national adaptation framework on climate which has been opened for public consultation. Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan marked the opening of the month-long…

Storm Isha’s arrival has prompted road and carpark closures along the seafront in Galway’s Salthill, while sandbags have also been made available for vulnerable city areas. Storm Isha is forecast to bring very strong southwest winds with severe and damaging…

The Scottish Government has confirmed that changes will be made to the proposed Visitor Levy Bill, in a move welcomed by marine tourism stakeholders. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the bill had proposed giving powers to local authorities in Scotland…

As Ireland and the UK prepare for Storm Isha this weekend, the RNLI is asking those visiting the coast to be cautious of the dangers. Met Éireann and the Met Office have issued weather warnings ahead of Storm Isha’s arrival…

A Met Éireann Weather Warning of very strong and gusty southwest winds and heavy rainfall has led to the early cancellation of weekend sailing fixtures in Cork Harbour and Dublin Bay. The DMYC at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Dublin Bay…

Offshore renewable energy and its impact on Irish aquaculture and the implications of the Nature Restoration Law are among themes for this year’s annual Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) aquaculture conference next month. An update from Department of Agriculture, Food and…

The EU’s most senior court has stopped short of applying overfishing rules across all EU fish stocks in a case taken by Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) and environmental lawyers Client Earth. The EU’s Court of Justice has ruled…

A Bermudan whale researcher has confirmed that a humpback photographed in Bermudan waters is “Hookie”, which has been spotted in Irish waters. As The Royal Gazette reports, Andrew Stevenson of Whales Bermuda said this was not only the first match…

Coastal nature protection, management and restoration is the theme of a Coastwatch seminar later this month. The seminar on January 24th in Trinity College, Dublin will focus on seagrass habitat and the Nature Restoration Law. It will also discuss progress…

The Marine Institute has released a new high-resolution geomorphology map on Ireland’s Marine Atlas for most of the Irish continental shelf to support ocean science, environment and biodiversity management and offshore renewable energy development. Geomorphology is the scientific study of…

A survey of Lough Sheelin anglers has found that 94 per cent are now releasing more of the trout they catch back into Lough Sheelin than they did when they started fishing. The Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) research involved 132…

The seas off Wexford have been designated as a proposed new special protection area (SPA) for birds by Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan. The new SPA adjoins eight existing SPAs designated for this area and will cover over…