The risk of "freak waves" to international shipping, protection of the marine environment in the event of accidents, and research on maritime security are among the issues for discussion at an international scientific conference which opens in Galway tonight.
The conference, entitled Eurocean 2004, is being hosted by the Marine Institute as part of Ireland's EU presidency. Scientists, policy-makers and planners from the EU, Norway, Romania and the US are contributing to the three-day programme, which will be addressed on Thursday by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Dermot Ahern.
The conference will focus on the fact that over 50 per cent of the European research area is underwater, comprising the exclusive economic zones of EU member-states and associates, and extended continental shelves stretching from the Arctic through the Baltic, Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea.
The Minister has said that governments and scientists have a responsibility to "better understand" the maritime environment, given that living resources are finite, and he says that Eurocean 2004 will review the input of marine research and development, supported under the EU's fifth framework programme. The conference will also address sustainable marine resource management and development issues.
It is the fifth in a series of international EU conferences.
Tomorrow's programme will focus on the role of ecoysystem and biodiversity research in the conservation of natural reserves and marine resources; maritime transport security; and a review of the European research area. The first address by Mr Clive Cookson, science editor of the Financial Times, will focus on communicating science.
In a separate development, Mr Ahern, who is also TD for Louth, has approved extra funding for the Louth fishing port of Clogherhead.
Mr Ahern has sanctioned an extra €1.5 million for upgrading the port, in addition to €6.5 million approved in March.
The approved development will provide up to 158 metres of quay face and serve to meet the needs of the Clogherhead fishing fleet, the Minister said. The safe berthage had been long awaited by local fishermen.