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Displaying items by tag: Sea Change – A Marine Knowledge, Research & Innovation Strategy for Ireland

15th September 2010

Irish Marine Science Nets €23 million from Europe

Irish Marine Science Nets €23 million from Europe
Ireland's reputation as an emerging centre of excellence in marine science has been validated by the announcement yesterday (September 14th) of over €23 million in European funding for some 30 Irish marine research groups, including around 20 SMEs, engaged in cutting edge work in such vital areas as ocean energy, sustainable fisheries, biotechnology, and marine environmental monitoring.

This funding from the European Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) will support an estimated 130 young researchers, employment that is of even greater importance in these challenging economic times.

Commenting on the Irish marine research community's performance, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Mr. Brendan Smith T.D. said, "Ireland's dramatic success in attracting EU funding to its marine science programmes was achieved by our strategic approach to marine science planning highlighting the National Marine R&D Strategy, Sea Change – A Marine Knowledge, Research & Innovation Strategy for Ireland 2007-2013, a key component of the Strategy for Science and Technology in Ireland (SSTI). It was also assisted by the strong influence the Ireland has brought to bear at European level on the shape of the FP7 that accommodates marine topics as a cross-cutting theme in all FP7 programmes."

This level of funding represents five times the leverage rate that might be expected from a country with Ireland's national investment in marine RTDI (2%) as well as a doubling of the EU grant aid awarded to Ireland's marine science sector under the previous Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), when 59 collaborative projects from Ireland were awarded €10.6 million in grant aid.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Mr. Batt O'Keeffe T.D., said, "The sea is arguably Ireland's greatest natural resource. Properly studied and managed, it can create jobs, generate economic revenue and supply the raw materials for new industries ranging from ocean energy and environmental monitoring technologies to marine-inspired pharmaceuticals and food ingredients. The award of funding for these projects show that partnerships between academics and small businesses can yield significant dividends and make an important contribution to the Government's plan for a smarter economy."

Over the years Ireland has gained respect in marine science at European level through its contributions to such key EU strategy documents as The Galway Declaration and the Integrated Maritime Policy and Marine Science Strategy.

"The combination of Ireland's talent for innovative thinking, combined with the enormous potential of our marine resources has already yielded results in terms of new and exciting enterprises with revenue and job creation potential," said Mr. Sean Connick, T.D. Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food. "My recent visit to the Marine Institute has convinced me of the excellent calibre of Irish marine scientists and that we as a people will benefit greatly from a strong long term commitment to science and the sea. I wish to congratulate the Irish marine research groups for their excellent performance to date in FP7."

Ireland's scientists and marine science administration play prominent roles in many European and international marine science bodies. Dr. Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute, will provide a keynote address at the prestigious Belgian-EU Presidency EurOCEAN 2010 Conference in Oostende, Belgium next month, outlining progress in European maritime and marine science policy since the event was hosted by Ireland in Galway in 2004.

"With continued support at home, through ongoing commitment to national funding programmes such as Sea Change and an appropriate employment framework for 100% EU funded research posts, Ireland has the potential to build on these recent successes," said Dr. Heffernan.

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Dublin Bay

Dublin Bay on the east coast of Ireland stretches over seven kilometres, from Howth Head on its northern tip to Dalkey Island in the south. It's a place most Dubliners simply take for granted, and one of the capital's least visited places. But there's more going on out there than you'd imagine.

The biggest boating centre is at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on the Bay's south shore that is home to over 1,500 pleasure craft, four waterfront yacht clubs and Ireland's largest marina.

The bay is rather shallow with many sandbanks and rocky outcrops, and was notorious in the past for shipwrecks, especially when the wind was from the east. Until modern times, many ships and their passengers were lost along the treacherous coastline from Howth to Dun Laoghaire, less than a kilometre from shore.

The Bay is a C-shaped inlet of the Irish Sea and is about 10 kilometres wide along its north-south base, and 7 km in length to its apex at the centre of the city of Dublin; stretching from Howth Head in the north to Dalkey Point in the south. North Bull Island is situated in the northwest part of the bay, where one of two major inshore sandbanks lie, and features a 5 km long sandy beach, Dollymount Strand, fronting an internationally recognised wildfowl reserve. Many of the rivers of Dublin reach the Irish Sea at Dublin Bay: the River Liffey, with the River Dodder flow received less than 1 km inland, River Tolka, and various smaller rivers and streams.

Dublin Bay FAQs

There are approximately ten beaches and bathing spots around Dublin Bay: Dollymount Strand; Forty Foot Bathing Place; Half Moon bathing spot; Merrion Strand; Bull Wall; Sandycove Beach; Sandymount Strand; Seapoint; Shelley Banks; Sutton, Burrow Beach

There are slipways on the north side of Dublin Bay at Clontarf, Sutton and on the southside at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, and in Dalkey at Coliemore and Bulloch Harbours.

Dublin Bay is administered by a number of Government Departments, three local authorities and several statutory agencies. Dublin Port Company is in charge of navigation on the Bay.

Dublin Bay is approximately 70 sq kilometres or 7,000 hectares. The Bay is about 10 kilometres wide along its north-south base, and seven km in length east-west to its peak at the centre of the city of Dublin; stretching from Howth Head in the north to Dalkey Point in the south.

Dun Laoghaire Harbour on the southside of the Bay has an East and West Pier, each one kilometre long; this is one of the largest human-made harbours in the world. There also piers or walls at the entrance to the River Liffey at Dublin city known as the Great North and South Walls. Other harbours on the Bay include Bulloch Harbour and Coliemore Harbours both at Dalkey.

There are two marinas on Dublin Bay. Ireland's largest marina with over 800 berths is on the southern shore at Dun Laoghaire Harbour. The other is at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club on the River Liffey close to Dublin City.

Car and passenger Ferries operate from Dublin Port to the UK, Isle of Man and France. A passenger ferry operates from Dun Laoghaire Harbour to Howth as well as providing tourist voyages around the bay.

Dublin Bay has two Islands. Bull Island at Clontarf and Dalkey Island on the southern shore of the Bay.

The River Liffey flows through Dublin city and into the Bay. Its tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac.

Dollymount, Burrow and Seapoint beaches

Approximately 1,500 boats from small dinghies to motorboats to ocean-going yachts. The vast majority, over 1,000, are moored at Dun Laoghaire Harbour which is Ireland's boating capital.

In 1981, UNESCO recognised the importance of Dublin Bay by designating North Bull Island as a Biosphere because of its rare and internationally important habitats and species of wildlife. To support sustainable development, UNESCO’s concept of a Biosphere has evolved to include not just areas of ecological value but also the areas around them and the communities that live and work within these areas. There have since been additional international and national designations, covering much of Dublin Bay, to ensure the protection of its water quality and biodiversity. To fulfil these broader management aims for the ecosystem, the Biosphere was expanded in 2015. The Biosphere now covers Dublin Bay, reflecting its significant environmental, economic, cultural and tourism importance, and extends to over 300km² to include the bay, the shore and nearby residential areas.

On the Southside at Dun Laoghaire, there is the National Yacht Club, Royal St. George Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club and Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club as well as Dublin Bay Sailing Club. In the city centre, there is Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club. On the Northside of Dublin, there is Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club and Sutton Dinghy Club. While not on Dublin Bay, Howth Yacht Club is the major north Dublin Sailing centre.

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