Marine Institute
The Marine Institute is the State agency responsible for marine research, technology development and innovation in Ireland.
They carry out environmental, fisheries, and aquaculture surveys and monitoring programmes to meet Ireland’s national and international legal requirements. They provide scientific and technical advice to Government to help inform policy and to support the sustainable development of Ireland’s marine resource.
They aim to safeguard Ireland’s unique marine heritage through research and environmental monitoring.
The research, strategic funding programmes, and national marine research platforms support the development of Ireland’s maritime economy.
The Marine Institute was set up under the Marine Institute Act 1991:
“To undertake, to coordinate, to promote and to assist in marine research and development and to provide such services related to research and development, that in the opinion of the Institute, will promote economic development and create employment and protect the marine environment.”
Since then, they have grown from a staff of one to over 170 and our vision is for:
"A thriving maritime economy in harmony with the ecosystem and supported by the delivery of excellence in our services."
Service Areas
We provide a range of services to ensure the aquaculture industry operates to international best practice standards and in accordance with national and European legislation.
The Marine Institute's Fisheries Ecosystems Advisory Services (FEAS) team assesses many of the key commercial fish and shellfish stocks around Ireland.
Our Fish Health Unit is the Competent Authority for the implementation of aquatic animal health legislation and the Irish National Reference Laboratory for finfish, mollusc and crustacean diseases.
We carry out a range of seafood safety programmes to ensure that Irish seafood products supplied to National and International markets are of the highest quality regarding food safety standards.
We provide scientific advice and undertake marine environmental monitoring services to ensure the marine environment is managed in a sustainable manner. These services are carried out by a team of scientific and technical personnel engaged in a range of monitoring and research programmes including phytoplankton monitoring, benthic monitoring and marine chemistry. We also provide advice on the licensing of activities in the marine environment.
Oceanographic & Climate Services (OCS) is a diverse team made up of oceanographers, ocean modellers, and project managers. We work across three core areas: observing our oceans, ocean modelling, and climate services.
We aim to increase awareness and understanding of Ireland’s marine resources through our education and outreach activities.