Ocean Knowledge 2030 Conference opens in Dublin, charting a bold course for Ireland’s Ocean FutureThe Ocean Knowledge 2030 Conference officially opened today at the RDS Concert Hall, Dublin, marking a major milestone for Ireland’s marine research and ocean sustainability agenda. Organised by the Marine Institute, this two-day event (20-21 November 2024) gathers over 250 leading scientists, policymakers, industry innovators, and environmental advocates to set the research agenda for Ireland’s ocean to ensure a sustainable future for our seas and coastal communities.
Opening the Conference, Dr Rick Officer, CEO of the Marine Institute, highlighted the conference's importance: “This conference is a crucial platform for everyone invested in Ireland’s marine future. It’s an opportunity for voices from all sectors—scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, and academics—to come together, share insights and expertise, and set a focused research agenda for Ireland’s ocean future. By working together, we can realise the full potential of our ocean while safeguarding it for future generations.”
The conference features a dynamic programme of keynote addresses and panel discussions covering pivotal topics such as climate change, coastal resilience, marine spatial planning, sustainable marine industries, and the conservation of biodiversity. A core focus of the discussions will be to identify the knowledge needs and gaps to inform marine policy and management and to drive innovation in our ocean economy sectors.
Conference Highlights:
One of the event highlights included discussions on Ireland’s Ocean Knowledge 2030 Strategy, a visionary roadmap that charts a path for marine research and sustainability over the next decade. An advanced draft of the strategy was unveiled at the conference. The strategy aims to harness the full potential of ocean research and innovation to secure a sustainable future for Ireland’s seas.
Speaking about Ocean Knowledge 2030, Dr Niall McDonough, Director at the Marine Institute said: “The Ocean Knowledge 2030 Strategy is Ireland's roadmap to strengthening our marine research, knowledge, and innovation capacities from 2025 to 2030. It outlines how cutting-edge research, advanced data, and transformative technologies can tackle critical global challenges such as climate adaptation and ocean health. Our ocean is a vital resource, and this strategy ensures we unlock its vast potential responsibly.”
In addition to discussions on the Ocean Knowledge 2030 Strategy, the first day of the two-day event featured a blend of keynote presentations, strategic panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to foster innovation and collaboration in ocean research and policy. Highlights included:
Day 1:
· Opening Session: Dr John Bell (European Commission), Sinéad McSherry (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine), and Deirdre Lillis (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science) emphasised the pivotal role of international collaboration in ocean research.
· Session 1: Living with a Changing Ocean Led by Gerard McCarthy from University of Maynooth, this session examined Ireland’s response to changing ocean and climate conditions, with insights from experts including Rosemarie Lawlor of Met Éireann, Karen Wiltshire from Trinity College Dublin, and wildlife broadcaster Colin Stafford-Johnson.
· Session 2: Ireland’s Ocean Economy Panellists explored sustainable development across Ireland’s marine industries, including renewable energy and maritime transport, with contributions from OECD, BIM, SEAI, Fáilte Ireland, and DP Energy.
· Session 3: One Global Ocean International experts, including Olive Heffernan (Science Journalist) and Carl Grainger (Department of Foreign Affairs), examined Ireland’s role in global ocean governance and science diplomacy.
Day 2 (21 November):
The second day will dive into data and management issues essential for Ireland’s ocean space and sustainability. Key sessions include:
· Session 4: Managing the Changing Use of Ireland’s Ocean Space will examine the research needs for managing Ireland’s maritime space. Experts will discuss the increasing use of Ireland’s maritime space for industrial, recreational and conservation needs, and the balancing of ocean health with economic activities.
· Session 5: The Power of Ocean Data This session will showcase how digital technologies and ocean data drive sustainable policies and practices, with insights from the Marine Institute, the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODNet), the Norwegian University of Science & Technology, and the UK National Oceanography Centre.
The conference continues tomorrow (21 November). Stay updated on conference highlights by following #OceanKnowledge2030
To view the full programme visit Ocean Knowledge