€7 million EU-backed Bluefish operation
The aim of the Bluefish operation is to carry out baseline studies to reduce knowledge gaps in marine ecosystem understanding and climate impacts, and to transfer to local communities and other stakeholders that knowledge, transnational expertise and best practice with respect to the management of commercial fish, shellfish and aquaculture under a context of climate change.
The project is led by Bangor University working with partners Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Aberystwyth University, Swansea University and University College Cork.
The €7 million EU backed investment in Wales and Ireland’s fisheries industry will invest in science and technology projects to help protect marine life whilst developing the fisheries and aquaculture industries in Wales and Ireland, and helping to strengthen economic links and cross-border collaboration between the two countries. The Bluefish operation will deploy the Irish research vessel Celtic Voyager and the Welsh research vessel Prince Madog in joint cross-border survey and sampling cruises.
The funding will support a scientific investigation of the opportunities and risks posed by climate change in the Irish Sea and the deployment of technology to reduce energy costs and help businesses develop new products and processes.
The project will employ two postdoctoral researchers, and will link into ongoing research in the diversity, evolution and dynamics of fished species and the potential future effects of climate change on oceans.
The project will also interact with ongoing fisheries management work being done in collaboration with the University, Welsh Government Maritime and Fisheries Division and Natural Resources Wales.
The fishing and aquaculture sectors operating in the Irish Sea have been highlighted by the Welsh and Irish governments as economically and socially important, and both countries have recognised the need to increase both activities.
The Bluefish project is supported by €5.5m EU funds through the EU’s Ireland-Wales co-operation programme.