Environment Minister visits RV Corystes

Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan, has visited the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute’s (AFBI) research vessel Corystes to view AFBI’s scientific work on the marine environment.

Mr Durkan was welcomed on board the RV Corystes by Professor Seamus Kennedy, AFBI Chief Executive, and given a guided tour of the work carried out on the vessel by Dr Walter Crozier, Head of AFBI’s Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystems Branch.

Dr Crozier and his team demonstrated the work undertaken by AFBI for the Department of the Environment, including the monitoring network of moored instruments, used to provide important data on the quality of Northern Ireland’s marine waters. The Minister was shown AFBI’s inshore survey programme, which is delivering high-resolution sonar maps of our diverse coastal seabed habitats. Mr Durkan also heard about cutting edge research on noise in the marine environment, where AFBI is studying the potential effects of human-induced noise on marine mammals and fish behaviour.

 

AFBI scientists also explained the importance of integrating the results of the environmental work with the marine fisheries stock assessment work, carried out by AFBI for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) as management of marine resources is best achieved by adopting an integrated ecosystem approach.

In thanking AFBI staff for the tour of the ship, Mr Durkan said, “The scientific work carried out by AFBI scientists on the marine environment is of a high calibre. We in government have a key role to play to help underpin policy development and implementation in a joined up way. There is a high level of collaboration between my department and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the delivery of marine science and significant cross-border and international partnerships involved in AFBI’s marine science work.”
 

 

Notes to editors: 

AFBI carries out high quality technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for DARD and other Government departments, public bodies and commercial companies.

 
AFBI's Vision is “Scientific excellence in Northern Ireland …  serving the world”.

All media enquiries to AFBI Press Office.

 

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