Canney welcomes signing of MOU between Inland Fisheries Ireland and Trinity College Dublin

Canney welcomes signing of MOU between Inland Fisheries Ireland and Trinity College Dublin

Wednesday, 17th of April 2019: 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.

Professor Andrew Bowie, Associate Dean of Research at Trinity College Dublin, Sean Canney TD, Minister of State with responsibility for inland Fisheries 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 today 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.

Back Row: Fintan Gorman (Chairperson of Inland Fisheries Ireland) Dr Cathal Gallagher (Head of Research and Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland), Dr Nicholas L Payne (Assistant Professor of Zoology at the School of Natural Sciences), Professor Celia Holland (Professor of Zoology at the School of Natural Sciences), Dr Willie Roche (Senior Research Officer at Inland Fisheries Ireland). Front Row: Dr Ciaran Byrne (CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland), Sean Canney TD, Minister with responsibility for inland fisheries and Professor Andrew Bowie, Associate Dean of Research at Trinity College Dublin.

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 in 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 producing 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 conservation and management of a 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.”

For more information about the Zoology Department in the School of Natural Sciences at Trinity College Dublin, visit https://www.tcd.ie/Zoology/ and to find out more about Inland Fisheries Ireland, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie.

ENDS

For Media Information:

Órla Sheils                                                                                                                                          

Communications Manager

Inland Fisheries Ireland

E: orla.sheils@fisheriesireland.ie

T: (01) 8842673 

 

Thomas Deane

Media Relations Officer

Trinity College Dublin

T: 01 896 4685

E: deaneth@tcd.ie

 

About Inland Fisheries Ireland

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. Inland Fisheries Ireland promotes supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. Inland Fisheries Ireland also develops policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling and advises the Minister on same.

About Trinity College Dublin’s School of Natural Sciences

The School conducts research, and delivers teaching, on all aspects of the natural world, from the formation of the earth, the behaviour of the environment, the evolution and ecology of its organisms and its interactions with human society. It is engaged with solving some of the major challenges facing human society through teaching, research and partnership with industry and policy development both nationally and globally. The School comprises of the Disciplines of Botany, Geography, Geology and Zoology and two research centres, and delivers eight undergraduate and three taught Masters degree programmes.