2013 - University College Cork

4
Introduction
INTRODUCTION
Dr Andy Wheeler
Lead Principal Investigator, ERI Marine Pillar
Head of Geology & Vice Head of School of Biological,
Earth & Environmental Sciences
The Environmental Research Institute is particularly proud of the contribution that marine researchers
in UCC make to the national and international marine research agenda. This directory
showcases that achievement. At the time of publication major national and international marine
research strategies are being developed and implemented: Harvesting our Ocean Wealth: an integrated
Marine Plan for Ireland, and the EU Atlantic Strategy. At this time of increasing marine
research prioritisation, the ERI has placed a renewed focus on marine research reflecting both the
University’s research strengths and its commitment to the wider agenda.
The newly realigned Marine Pillar is one of three priority areas within the ERI that are framed in
the context of current EU and national policy objectives and that address the challenges facing
the marine environment and opportunities presented by the sector. The Institute has 3 thematic
areas that are core to the marine pillar: Governance and Law, Geomatics & Remote Sensing and
Aquaculture & Fisheries. In addition, there are further 6 thematic areas cross-cutting the Energy
and Environment Pillars: Marine Renewable Energy, Geosciences & Coastal Processes, Biodiversity
& Resource Management, Sustainable Bioresources & Green Technologies, Energy Policy and
Climate Change, and Environmental Health & Protection.
The Marine Pillar draws researchers from Schools and Research Centres across the University. The
Coastal & Marine Research Centre (as part of the Beaufort Laboratory) and the Aquaculture &
Fisheries Development Centre (as part of the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences)
strongly contribute to the Marine Pillar thematic areas and are both internationally recognised
centres of excellence in their areas of research.
ERI and its research centres have published over 200 publications in marine research from 2008-
2011 and has over 100 researchers and 40 Principal Investigators working in the marine area.
OUR CONTEXT
Ireland’s marine area is ten times that of the land area of the country; the country’s location and
extensive marine resources represent a unique asset. The Irish marine sector has a turnover of €3
billion annually and supports over 44,000 jobs. The Marine Institute’s Sea Change Strategy has
identified future economic opportunities for Ireland in seafood products, marine environmental
technologies and marine biotechnology. The Forfás Research Prioritisation highlights the opportunities
for economic growth through research in the areas of aquaculture and wild fisheries, marine
renewable energy and marine food for health. Nationally, marine research funding will be focused
on a number of ‘priority areas’ that are likely to include marine bio-resources, marine functional