Galway an Ocean Gateway For Ireland’s New Blue Tech Economy

Minister Creed opens Ireland’s first sea science gallery in Galway City Museum. Photo Cr Andrew Downes, XPOSUREAccording to Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute, the combination of serious scientific research which is being done in and out of Galway and the city's location as an ocean gateway makes it an ideal location to stage an event like Seafest.

"Especially", he said "as it is happening at a time when Ireland is becoming a global hub for blue technology, with a number of companies providing world-class expertise in specialised areas of the marine sector such as data analytics, marine electronics, and the design and build of offshore vessels".

Experts in this field will be addressing the The Digital Ocean Conference in Galway today (Thursday 29th June )and will be outlining the enormous opportunities that exist in this exciting new field where science and technology converge. It is something that Galway and Ireland are both well posed to capitalise on".

As well as the public festivities, SeaFest includes a number of marine industry events which focus on research, the marine industry and marine technology. The fourth annual Our Ocean Wealth Summit takes place on Friday 30th June at NUIG and will look at strategy, innovation and policy formulation to create a sustainable marine economy for Ireland.

These ambitions are recognised in the Government's integrated plan for Ireland's marine sector, Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth, which aims to double the value of the marine economy's contribution to GDP by 2030.

Alongside the Digital Ocean Conference at NUI Galway, will be a Marine Trade Show with exhibits from more than 60 organisations. The Trade Show will also mark the first gathering of a newly established Irish Marine Industry Network, which seeks to position Ireland at the forefront of marine innovation.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara's National Seafood Conference, 'Winning in a Changing Environment' will also take place today ( Thursday 29th June). Leading seafood industry experts and commentators will focus on sustainability and innovation and the latest polices shaping the global seafood industry.