Ireland can and should be an ocean superpower

9 June 2012: The fourth and final episode in the Oceans of Learning podcast series airs on Thursday 10th June 2021. In 'Episode 4 Our Ocean: Our Future' presenter Finn van der Aar finds out how the next generation can seek to influence and engage with politicians and government and why research and innovation is so important for the marine environment.

Join us for deep dive conversations with ocean experts and leaders around the world who share their stories and solutions to the challenges the ocean is facing. Hosted by Irish marine scientist, speaker and author, Finn Van der Aar, the latest episode of the Oceans of Learning podcast features Simon Coveney, Minister for Foreign Affairs, John Bell, Director Healthy Planet, DG Research & Innovation at European Commission, Aodhán Fitzgerald, Research Vessel Manager with the Marine Institute, and Eimear Manning and Gary Kett who are both involved with the All-Atlantic Ocean Youth Ambassador Programme.

John Bell, Director Healthy Planet, DG Research & Innovation at European Commission, explains Europe's Green Deal, how it relates to the oceans and how Ireland can and should be an ocean superpower.

"Our ocean is not simply a resource, but a responsibility and an enormous opportunity in terms of knowledge and innovation," John Bell said.

"Over the last 10 years, Ireland has been punching way above its weight in terms of global science, research and innovation. Ireland has shown itself to be a leader, especially with the signing of the Galway Statement to create the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance with the United States and Canada. We now have 1,000 research teams working in the North-Atlantic. Ireland has made huge progress in terms of seabed mapping, and is involved in some of the biggest science and research projects on ecosystems and oceanography. Ireland is now seen as an island leader," John Bell added.

Simon Coveney, Minister for Foreign Affairs, speaks with Finn van der Aar about his summer days beside the sea in Cork and why his passion for the ocean has helped inform his political decision-making throughout his career. Minister Coveney also talks about the importance of protecting and managing Ireland's marine environment, as well as raising awareness about our ocean resource.

Aodhán Fitzgerald, Research Vessel Manager with the Marine Institute tells Finn about next year's launch of Ireland's new marine research vessel, the RV Tom Crean, and some of the marine research activities the vessel will facilitate.

Finn also speaks to Eimear Manning from ECO-UNESCO, and Gary Kett, a marine scientist, who are both also involved with the All-Atlantic Ocean Youth Ambassador Programme and who want to encourage more young people to come together for climate action.

Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, the Oceans of Learning podcast debuted at number two on the Apple Podcast Science Charts and has remained in the top three of the most popular Nature Podcasts in Ireland throughout the last four weeks.

The four-part Oceans of Learning podcast series has featured a range of guests including researcher and big wave surfer Dr Easkey Britton, Tracey Ryan, herbal alchemist and Managing Director for Codex Beauty Ireland and Ireland's first female Navy Diver Tahlia Britton. Finn has also talked with leading scientists such as Dr Ken Whelan, Research Director with the Atlantic Salmon Trust, Dr Triona McGrath, Research Lead at An Fóram Uisce, Dr Aaron Lim, Lead Data Scientist at Green Rebel Marine and scientists from the Marine Institute.

The new podcast series is part of the 2021 Oceans of Learning series which celebrates our seas and Ireland's marine resource. Over the past four weeks, the Marine Institute and partners have offered oceans of online resources including educational videos and short films, and the latest news and information all about our ocean. For more information on Oceans of Learning visit marine.ie

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Sinéad Coyne e. sinead.coyne@marine.ie m. +353 (0)87 947 7090
Sheila Byrnes e. sheila.byrnes@marine.ie m. +353 (0)87 225 0871