Public welcomed aboard AFBI’s scientific research ship

Date published: 18 February 2016

Areas of Expertise: Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystems

The Agri-Food and Bioscience Institute (AFBI) scientific research ship, the RV Corystes, opened its doors and welcomed aboard over 200 members of the public as part of the 2016 Northern Ireland Science Festival.

Basil McCrea, MLA & Chair of All Party Group on Science and Technology, Pieter-Jan Schön, AFBI’s Head of Fisheries & Aquatic Ecosystems Branch and Dr Trudy McMurray, Royal Society of Chemistry on board the RV Corystes for the NI Science Festival

For a two-day period, the RV Corystes was moored alongside the SSE Arena in Belfast, and members of the public had the opportunity to find out about the research undertaken in NI’s coastal waters, the Irish Sea and adjacent sea areas and about life as a marine scientist.

‘AFBI was proud to be a part of the 2016 Northern Ireland Science Festival. It’s the perfect opportunity to explain how AFBI’s science makes a difference to the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland,’ explained AFBI’s Head of Fisheries & Aquatic Ecosystems, Pieter-Jan Schön.

Members of the All Party Group on Science and Technology with AFBI scientists aboard the RV Corystes

‘AFBI research provides annual scientific advice to help shape legislation and ensure the long-term sustainability and profitability of the Northern Ireland fishing industry. AFBI’s research vessel also provides an emergency response service in helping to protect the marine environment and fishing sector.’

AFBI science helps shape legislation to benefit the NI agri-food industry

The vessel enables AFBI to conduct an integrated marine science programme, but it is the fishery-independent surveys of fish stocks in particular that helps shapes legislation to benefit the NI agri-food industry. The surveys, using specialised fishing gear and acoustic sensing techniques, are essential information to inform on the status of fish stocks and formulate the annual scientific advice to ensure the long-term sustainability and profitability of the Northern Ireland fishing sector.

AFBI’s Head of Fisheries & Aquatic Ecosystems, Pieter-Jan Schön, accompanied DARD Minister Michelle O’Neill to the Fisheries Council negotiations in Brussels in December 2015. During these negotiations, the catch opportunities for Irish Sea haddock was significantly increased based on the robust scientific evidence gathered onboard the RV Corystes that indicated a stock that is healthy and increasing.

AFBI has a responsibility to DARD to maintain a reactive capacity for response to marine pollution incidents. The ship is also pivotal in ensuring that AFBI can provide an emergency response service in helping to protect the marine environment and fishing sector.

Notes to editors:

AFBI provides emergency response to deal with animal and food crises and helps protect the local industryAFBI 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 028 9025 5326.