Date: 29 May 2002
Food safety, modelling of fish stocks, biotechnology, environmental impact indicators and marine tourism are some of the areas targeted for research under the first part of the marine RTDI* measure of the Productive Sector Operational Programme (NDP 2000-2006). Twenty-two marine research projects, with grant-aid of €2.352,110, have now been approved for funding including 10 Desk Studies, 5 Postgraduate Fellowships and 7 Post-doctoral Fellowships.
The proposals submitted were assessed by groups of National and International experts. Each project selected will enhance and consolidate the performance of the marine sector in Ireland through research and development and technology transfer activities. They will help to provide the RTDI capacity and infrastructure that will help Ireland to fully realise it’s marine resource potential in a sustainable way.
Frank Fahey, Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, who approved the funding, said that research is essential to give us a better understanding of the 90% of Ireland which is undeveloped undiscovered and underwater. He believes that the range of topics addressed through this programme will help take marine research to a higher level.
Summary Statistics
|
Supporting Measure |
Number of Awards |
Grant-aid value |
|
Desk Studies |
10 |
€508,305 |
|
Postgraduate fellowships |
5 |
€558.757 |
|
Post-doctoral fellowships |
7 |
€1,285,048 |
|
Total: |
22 |
€2,352,110 |
Geographical Distribution
|
South & Eastern Region |
Borders, Midland & Western Region |
Other |
|
€1,241,246 (53%) |
€939,886 (40%) |
€170,998 (7 %). |
Research Institution participation (Grant-aid: €2,007,110 – 85%):
Four Higher Education Research Institutions are participating in the Fellowship Scheme, including NUI-Cork, NUI- Galway, UCD, and the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.
SME** Participation (Grant-aid: €348,000 – 15%):
11 Irish SMEs and 6 International SMEs (from France, UK, Portugal) are participating in the Desk Studies.
ENDS
*RTDI – Research, Technology, Development and Innovation
** SME – Small to Mediums sized Enterprises A full list of projects is shown overleaf.
For a summary report of any project please contact:
Gillian Markey, Communications Manager
Marine Institute
Tel: 01 4766500 Mobile: 087 2937476 Email: gillian.markey@marine.ie
DESK STUDIES
Identification and evaluation of appropriate marine S&T Performance Indicators OIKOS Environment Resources, Rennes, FRANCE / OST, Paris, FRANCE /
R. Boelens, IRELAND / CEISTM, PORTUGAL
€65,000
Marine RTDI (Research, Technology, Development & Innovation) Foresight Review Circa Group (Europe) Ltd, Dublin
€17,000
Disposal and re-utilisation of fish and fish processing waste (including aquaculture wastes)
Nautilus Consultants (Ireland) Ltd, Galway, /Nautilus Consultants Ltd., Edinburgh, Scotland
€30,800
A Review of the origins and appropriateness of the current fish stock assessment and management areas for the waters around Ireland
MRAG Ltd., London, UK
€58,376
The use of Recovery Plans to rebuild depleted fish stocks – a review
MRAG Ltd., London, UK
€47,622
Review and evaluation of marine environmental impact indicators and their application in Ireland
R. Boelens, Co. Tipperary / University of Oslo / A.Parsons, Galway.
€57,200
Feasibility Study on the establishment of a large scale inshore resource mapping project
Waterborne Geophysics Ireland Ltd, Galway / EcoServe, Dublin / MarCon Computations Ltd, Galway
€89,453
Strategic review of the feasibility of seaweed aquaculture
Irish Seaweed Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway
€39,797
Scoping study to assess the feasibility, potential use and methodology for establishing a national marine leisure infrastructure database to support planning and development in the sector
Hydraulics & Maritime Research Centre, National University of Ireland, Cork / Information Systems Group, National University of Ireland, Cork
€54,622
Development of guidelines for the integration of marine recreational activities in the rejuvenation/regeneration of small harbours and ports
Brady Shipman Martin Planning Consultants, Dublin / Kirk McClure & Morton, Belfast, Northern Ireland / Fitzpatrick Associates, Dublin
€48,435
Sub Total €508,305
POST GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS
The Biology, Dynamics and Fisheries for hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the waters around Ireland
Department of Zoology & Animal Ecology, National University of Ireland, Cork
€118,084
The impact of discarding on the management advice for key Irish fisheries Department of Zoology & Animal Ecology, National University of Ireland, Cork
€120,623
The biology, dynamics and fisheries for blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) in the waters around Ireland
Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology
€103,563
Modelling of Alexandrium bloom dynamics in Cork Harbour
Martin Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway
€ 98,350
Health and disease in clams, Ruditapes philippinarum, in Ireland, with particular reference to brown ring disease
Department of Zoology & Animal Ecology, National University of Ireland, Cork
€118,137
Sub Total €558,757
POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS
Modelling and simulation of fish stock dynamics in the waters around Ireland.
Department of Zoology & Animal Ecology, National University of Ireland, Cork
€150,800
Sea-lice biology and interactions.
Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology
€157,400
Investigations into the hatchery rearing of Cod (Gadus morhua) in Irish conditions.
Martin Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway
€210,000
Investigations into a reliable supply of scallop (Pecten maximus) for the inshore fishery and aquaculture industries.
Department of Zoology & Animal Ecology, National University of Ireland, Cork
€209,280
Iodine in commercial used Irish Seaweeds Endocrine Laboratory,
Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, University College Dublin / Irish Seaweed Institute, Martin Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway
€172,700
Monitoring and predicting the influence of climate change on the marine flora and fauna of the islands of Great Britain and Ireland using intertidal indicators. (Irish component of UK MarClim Project)
Department of Zoology & Animal Ecology, University College Cork
€174,365
An integrated bioscreening approach for the identification and cloning of high value-added biocatalysts of biotechnological importance from marine algae.
Department of Biochemistry / Irish Seaweed Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway
€210,503
Sub Total €1,285,048
OVERALL TOTAL €2,352,110