September 19th, 2017 A new EU initiative to bring the clean energy revolution to over 2,700 islands across Europe is set to be launched this Friday in Crete. The Clean Energy for All European Islands Initiative is aimed at both island nations and small domestic …
Chile creates one of world’s largest marine protected area around Easter Island
September 17th, 2017 The Chilean government has made a landmark international decision to make the waters around Easter Island one of the world’s largest protected marine areas. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet announced the decision at the Fourth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC4) held last …
European Parliament votes on North Sea fishing regulations
September 14th, 2017 The European Parliament today voted to give the green light to plans that could end overfishing in the North Sea and ensure more secure livelihoods for fishermen. MEPs voted in Brussels today in favour of a strong North Sea multi-annual plan (NSMAP) …
Water supplies to 700,000 consumers not meeting public health standards
September 12th, 2017 Water supplies to over 700,000 consumers require improvements to meet public health standards, a new report from Ireland’s environmental watchdog has revealed. The EPA’s Drinking Water Report 2016, published today, also indicates that Trihalomethanes (THMs), lead, and pesticides continue to be the …
Coastwatch Seeks Volunteers For 30th Annual Coastal Survey
September 11th, 2017 Leading marine NGO Coastwatch are looking for volunteers to get involved in its annual international citizen science campaign, the Coastwatch shore survey. Currently celebrating its 30th year, the survey was first designed and run in Ireland in 1987. It now runs across …
Raising a stink: Sandycove harbour latest to record presence of E. Coli
September 1st, 2017 Swimmers have been warned not to enter waters at Sandycove Harbour due to the presence of high levels of E.coli in the water. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is investigating the matter, and has issued a temporary ‘Do Not Swim’ notice at the …
Marine Institute announces new shellfish safety monitoring website
August 31, 2017 The Marine Institute has launched a new user-friendly safety reporting website to provide the most up-to-date information available on shellfish and finfish production areas. The new website will provide information to regulatory authorities, producers, processors, hospitality industry, public health officials, and the general …
Inland Fisheries Ireland makes €2m funding call for angling and conservation projects
August 31, 2017 Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has announced a new €2m funding call for angling projects and conservation initiatives. Applications are invited from groups, associations, clubs, local authorities, or other appropriate bodies looking to improve Ireland’s fisheries resource. IFI have launched a new web-based …
Continued and Unwelcome Decline in Irish Waterways – EPA Report
August 31, 2017 Anglers and waterway-enthusiasts have been raising the alarm for decades. Whether we really listened while they talked is a moot point. Either way, it is now official – the quality of Ireland’s rivers has witnessed a “continued and unwelcome decline” since the late …
River Basin Management Plan: Where we are now and where we should be heading
August 25th, 2017 Experts have long identified the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) as the centrepiece of efforts in Europe and Ireland to address threats to our water environment. It requires our rivers, lakes, groundwater and coastal water to achieve a healthy state by 2021. …
Grassroots movement helping Caribbean reefs to recover
August 25th, 2017 In a rare piece of good news on the status of our coral reefs, a new report has documented the spectacular recovery of reefs in Belize thanks to a grassroots movement bringing together scientists, environmentalists, fishermen and tour operators. The Healthy Reefs …
Open Call for Citizen Scientists to take part in Whale-Watch Ireland 2017
August 25th, 2017 The All-Island Whale Watch Day is being held this weekend at headlands nationwide. This annual event is free and open to all members of the public. The purpose of the day is to support whale and dolphin conservation in Ireland and raise …