Annual Seminar 2005
Press Release
IRISH
MARINE SCIENCE CAPACITY STEAMS AHEAD
Ireland's
impressive marine surveying achievements of the past few years are today
being showcased at the Annual Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS) conference
in Cork. Presenters from both the public and private sectors will demonstrate
the progress of the world's largest marine survey. The massive survey
covers the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone and is being carried out by the
Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) in co-operation with the Marine Institute.
After
six survey years of survey work an area the size of Germany and Austria
combined has been mapped offshore Ireland. According to Dr. Peadar McArdle,
Director, GSI, "the conference will summarise the very successful
first phase of the survey whilst we look forward to adding value to the
data over the next number of years.
The
conference will hear a range of presentations detailing scientific accomplishments
of various projects supported by INSS data and important industry applications
arising from them. Presentations will demonstrate how geoscience contributes
to subjects as diverse as offshore windfarm site selection, marine aggregate
resources, hydrocarbon seeps, cetacean surveys, habitat mapping and ocean
modelling.
The
conference will also see a significant announcement of scientific co-operation
between Ireland and Canada. A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed
between GSI, on behalf of the Minister for Communications, Marine and
Natural Resources, and the Canadian Marine Acoustic Remote Sensing (C-MARS)
facility at the University of Victoria. Speaking yesterday, Dr. McArdle
stressed "this international cooperation represents a strategic opportunity
to build trans-Atlantic bridges between both countries. It underpins the
whole area of seabed mapping but with particular emphasis on seafloor
sediment characterisation.
He
pointed out that this research field has important applications in areas
such as geohazard identification, shallow gas mapping, cable route selections,
gas hydrates and fisheries. He explained "both GSI and C-MARS recognise
that there exists a need for the application of acoustic seabed classification
in oceanic environments. The application of this technology will lead
directly to lasting economic benefits for the people of Canada and Ireland.
This joint effort arises from the INSS, which reflects the Government's
commitment to the geosciences sector."
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