Sea Change – A Marine Knowledge, Research and Innovation Strategy for Ireland 2007- 2013, presents a national agenda, comprising science, research, innovation and management, aimed at a complete transformation of the Irish maritime economy.
Sea Change provides a clear and realistic picture of future opportunities and challenges and a roadmap for selective and managed investment in marine research and innovation for the next seven years. It incorporates applied and basic research programmes, which aim to increase industry competitiveness, build new research capacity and address policy issues.
Specifically it seeks to:
- Strengthen the competitiveness and environmental sustainability of the marine sector by developing a much greater alignment between public sector & third-level research capacity and industry needs;
- Build new multidisciplinary research capacity and capability in fundamental technologies that can be applied to marine-related activities, leading to the acquisition of new technical skills, the flow of personnel between the research community and industry and the creation of new commercial opportunities and applications;
- Deliver a comprehensive planned policy research programme which will apply the knowledge gained from research and monitoring to inform public policy, governance and regulation.
The Strategy:
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Is informed by a detailed analysis of where new resources need to be targeted in order to address opportunities and needs.
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Promotes a multi-agency approach and sets out a blue print to which other agencies can align the formulation of their strategies and investment plans.
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Seeks to integrate industrial development agencies.
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Incorporates a major international dimension.
The investment required to support the implementation of the Strategy is significant. It will enable the sector to build upon the major advances made in marine research in the period of the current development plan, help remedy the neglect of our marine resource over past decades, and enable the sector to contribute to economic and social development goals.
The Strategy has emerged from a National Marine Foresight Exercise, which involved a wide range of Irish and international experts. It has also benefited from wide ranging consultation with stakeholders.
Sea Change is being implemented via three Research Measures and two Supporting Programmes. Further information is available on the 'About Sea Change' Pages.