IMIS

SeaMonitor is a highly innovative project that aims to directly meet the outputs of the INTERREG VA programme Priority: Environment, actions by fully delivering: A network of buoys for regional seas including telemetry and oceanographic monitoring (for basking shark, cetaceans, salmon, seals and skate) Models developed to support conservation of marine habitats and species In doing so, SeaMonitor will be contributing to a wide range of strategic policy drivers from within and beyond the programme area. Thus, SeaMonitor will be supporting the blue economy” by specifically addressing important gaps in our knowledge of marine systems, for example on the sustainability of commercial marine developments highlighted for example by Scottish Government’s National Marine Plan, N Irelands Marine Act (2013) and the Irish Government’s Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth strategy. The SeaMonitor will create and operate a network of oceanographic and mobile species telemetry arrays both within and between each of the jurisdictions in the programme area. Data emerging from SeaMonitor will be combined with other datasets available and will be used to build 5 spatially and temporally explicit models to enable predictions supporting the management of highly mobile, high conservation value species in waters linking the programme area. These models will in turn be used to develop action plans for basking shark, cetaceans, salmon, seals and skate and habitats that will then feed into higher level marine management plans within the programme area. The details of the research undertaken, the models developed and the species/habitat action plans progressed will be decided by an Advisory Committee comprising members drawn from the main marine agencies, NGOs and commercial stakeholders in the programme area who will identify the most pressing management needs to deliver maximum benefit for the programme area. The SeaMonitor partnership comprises a highly motivated group with a broad range of experience and specialisations and thus the very best grouping to deliver this challenging and exciting project. The partnership includes governmental agencies and academic institutions with marine responsibilities and skills from each of the 3 jurisdictions (Loughs Agency; the Marine Institute; University of Glasgow; Queens University Belfast; Marine Scotland Science; 2 Agriculture, Food and Biosciences Institute for N Ireland; University College Cork; Galway, Mayo Institute of Technology). The partnership also includes two partners from North America (the Ocean Tracking Network; University of California Davis) who bring very significant expertise and experience to the consortium of 10 partners.