MOU between Inland Fisheries Ireland and Trinity College Dublin signed
Inland Fisheries Ireland and the School of Natural Sciences at Trinity College Dublin have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU). The MOU will enable both institutions to collaborate across fisheries research projects. Sean Canney TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the inland fisheries sector, attended the signing and welcomed the formalisation of the partnership across fisheries research.
The MOU is a culmination of a 20 year relationship between the two organisations and aims to bring greater synergy to their working relationship. It will increase opportunities for more collaborative projects through direct cooperation and sharing of resources. The MOU was signed by Andrew Bowie, Associate Dean of Research at Trinity College Dublin and Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Commenting on the significance of the partnership, Sean Canney TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the inland fisheries sector, said: “I am delighted to attend the signing of this MOU which will further connect research both at Inland Fisheries Ireland and the School of Natural Sciences at Trinity. I hope that the MOU will act as an impetus to move forward with joint research to support the conservation and development of our natural resource.”
In the year ahead, research around climate change and the challenges it presents for the fisheries resource will continue to be a focus for both organisations. Inland Fisheries Ireland has established a national climate monitoring programme in water bodies nationwide with a view to producing high quality research to inform management strategies for freshwater and marine fish species experiencing the effects of climate change. Trinity College Dublin recently appointed two academic staff to the School of Natural Sciences whose expertise are centred on marine ecology and fish biology. Those appointments bolster the existing capacity within the School of Natural Sciences for impactful and innovative research that is highly relevant to Inland Fisheries Ireland’s broad remit.
Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “Inland Fisheries Ireland is a unique research agency, where high-level scientific expertise in fisheries ecology is supported by a nationwide sampling programme which includes index river catchments that provide invaluable ecological time series. We collaborate across numerous research programmes, conducting applied science to inform expert advice on the management of Ireland’s inland fisheries resource.
The natural affinity of Inland Fisheries Ireland and the School of Natural Sciences at Trinity College Dublin has been formalised today by the signing of this MOU. Both institutions have long histories of scientific discovery and high quality research; by consolidating future collaborations the inland and marine fisheries resource will benefit from the combined expertise of our researchers to deliver excellent research which will support the conservation and management of our precious natural resource.”
Professor Andrew Bowie, Associate Dean of Research at Trinity College Dublin said: “Our Zoology Department conducts world-leading research on the impacts of climate change across marine, freshwater and terrestrial systems. That Department’s team of computation modellers, ecosystem ecologists, and conservation biologists represent a critical mass of expertise that should prove valuable partners for addressing broad questions with Inland Fisheries Ireland about climate impacts on fisheries resources.”
