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🌊 Ocean, Climate, Biodiversity: How Ireland Is Becoming a Driving Force in European Marine Researc

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Posted by Josh Michel on Nov 22, 2025

Every year, Ireland’s Marine Institute publishes an annual impact report detailing its scientific activities, sustainability commitments, and national and international collaborations.
The 2024 report is rich in content and ambition, showing how Ireland is positioning itself as a leader on key ocean issues—from climate resilience to food security, marine energy to digital innovation.

Let’s dive into what’s happening in the Irish marine research world—and why it’s worth paying attention to on this side of the Channel too.

🌍 A National Institute with a Global Ocean Mission

Based in Galway, the Marine Institute is Ireland’s national agency for marine research, data, and scientific advice. It operates across a wide range of domains:

Water quality and seafood safety
Fish stock assessments and sustainable fisheries
Ocean and climate modelling
Environmental monitoring and observation infrastructure
Scientific advice for public policy
Coordination of European and international research programmes

Its mission? To support sustainable use of the ocean, while protecting marine ecosystems and informing public understanding.

🔬 Climate, Biodiversity and Adaptation: Actionable Science

Among the highlights of the 2024 report:

Marine Beacon, a Horizon Europe project led by the Marine Institute, monitors and reduces bycatch of protected species.
Ireland’s contribution to Euro-Argo, the global network of ocean profiling floats collecting climate-critical data.
The BIODIVER-COAST platform, which supports oyster aquaculture and habitat restoration in Galway Bay through real-time environmental forecasts.

These projects blend high-level science with practical impact, supporting sustainable marine activities and climate resilience.

⚡ Marine Energy: Data-Driven Planning

With targets set at 37 GW of offshore wind by 2050, Ireland is investing heavily in ocean energy. In 2024, the Marine Institute:

Conducted a seismic mapping campaign to support the first South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP),
Developed a user-friendly Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Digital Tool,
And released high-resolution data to de-risk the ORESS 2.1 and 2.2 auctions.

These tools are crucial for supporting smart, sustainable, and coordinated offshore development.

🇪🇺 A Strong European and Global Presence

The Marine Institute plays a central role in European marine science:

It coordinates EU-funded projects such as AQUARIUS,
Supports Ocean Knowledge 2030,
Participates in ICES, Copernicus, and other strategic platforms,
And facilitates cooperation with island nations through Our Shared Ocean, a programme supporting marine science partnerships with Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

It is also a key funding agency for marine R&D in Ireland, investing over €14 million in 2024.

🔗 Natural Synergies Across Borders

While the Marine Institute’s work serves Irish national priorities, its activities align closely with the efforts of many other European countries, including France.
Climate change, marine biodiversity, blue carbon, digital twins of the ocean, aquaculture and offshore wind—these are shared challenges, and increasingly, shared opportunities.

Collaborations are already under way through Horizon Europe and other EU programmes, and there’s room for more.

🎯 A Long-Term Vision: Ocean Knowledge 2030

The Marine Institute is coordinating the implementation of Ocean Knowledge 2030, Ireland’s next national marine research and innovation strategy.
The strategy outlines priorities for 2025–2030 and aims to:

Deliver knowledge for sustainability,
Fill critical data and research gaps,
Strengthen coordination across sectors,
And support Ireland’s blue economy and global climate commitments.