Marine Institute shortlisted for Lab Team of the Year Award

The finalists for The Irish Laboratory Awards 2018 have been announced, and the Marine Institute has made the list.

The Marine Environment and Food Safety (MEFS) team of the Marine Institute performs environmental monitoring and related laboratory services managed by four integrated teams to address fish and shellfish health, marine environmental chemistry, shellfish safety, and benthic ecology.

"The monitoring, laboratory services and related research we conduct through the MEFS are underpinned by a robust quality management system that ensures our analytical techniques and data management procedures are fit for purpose, providing continued confidence in the accuracy of our data," explained Dr Jeff Fisher, Director of Marine Environment and Food Safety, Marine Institute

With over forty laboratories, based at the institute's headquarters in Oranmore, the team provides continuous year-round technical support and advice to the public, the government and stakeholders based on our laboratory results.

"Our work includes a number of programmes ranging from protecting consumers' health and ensuring Ireland is in compliance with EU regulations on food safety; to providing diagnostic services and health assessments to ensure fish and shellfish disease events, in cultured or wild stocks, are quickly identified and managed appropriately," said Dr Fisher.

The team are also involved in conducting environmental monitoring to assess the ecological and chemical status of transitional and coastal waters as well as maintaining a strong involvement in European and nationally-funded research programmes to support delivery of our monitoring programmes and advisory services.

Dr Fisher congratulated the team on being shortlisted for the Irish Laboratory Awards noting, "however, it plays out, being nominated is a significant achievement, particularly as it is considered to be a benchmark for those that demonstrate excellence, best practice and innovation in Ireland's laboratories."

Teams and individuals from across Ireland in a range of fields such as healthcare, agriculture and bio science compete across 22 different award categories.

The winners will be announced on Thursday, April 19th at a Gala event in the Ballsbridge Hotel, Dublin.