NUI Galway’s Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit (SEMRU), in association with the Marine Institute, recently hosted the 1st Annual Beaufort Marine Socio Economic Workshop at the Marine Institute Headquarters, 3rd November 2009.
The workshop brought together economists, rural development experts, sociologists and marine scientists across the island of Ireland to present their research on the economic, social and cultural importance of coastal and marine environments.
A diverse range of topics were covered such as definition of standard statistical coastal regions for Ireland, the socioeconomic impacts of jellyfish, a case study on local fishing culture and possible barriers to contemporary rural development and the use of indicators to support improved coastal management in Ireland. While the Workshop provided a forum for sharing information on current research, it also presented a means of highlighting research gaps and possible cross-institute collaboration.
The Beaufort Marine Socio-Economic Award, awarded to NUIG in 2007 under the NDP Marine Research Programme, provides dedicated funding for economic and social research and related analysis required to support ‘evidence based’ policy development within the marine sector, a priority identified under Sea Change: A Marine Knowledge, Research and Innovation Strategy for Ireland 2007-201.
A copy of the proceedings and the presentations is available from SEMRU’s website on: http://www.nuigalway.ie/semru/events.html