Ireland joins US in $5m marine research project

Ireland and the United States are to co-operate in a $5 million marine research programme, President Clinton has announced. The programme, lasting five years, will involve collaboration between this State's Marine Institute and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The initiative comes three years after the signing of a joint marine research accord during Mr Clinton's last visit to Ireland in December 1995.

Under the programme, Irish and US scientists will conduct research and surveys on the Continental Shelf from NOAA research ships and the Marine Institute vessel, Celtic Voyager.

The programme will concentrate on ocean monitoring, assessment and modelling, ocean forecasting and climatology; seabed habitat mapping; and resource management in fisheries, aquaculture, and on the coastal zone.

Commenting on the announcement, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, said the combined results of the work would help the sustainable development of our marine resource, which had the potential for "an additional 7,000 jobs and a £450 million contribution to the economy over the next five years".

NOAA has the largest marine research fleet in the world, with 26 vessels and 15,000 staff. It is responsible for fisheries research, the US national weather service, management of marine sanctuaries and resource assessment.

It has a substantial database and is particularly experienced in resource mapping.

The agreement mirrors an initiative by the former US president, John F. Kennedy, three decades ago when he sent a US research team to Ireland on the invitation of the Taoiseach, Mr Sean Lemass.

The resulting survey of the fishing sector, known as the Glude Report, is regarded as one of the most influential consultancy studies to date.

However, its recommendations for development never got the support of any Irish government - a situation which did not help Ireland's case in negotiating its fisheries deal on access to the European Union.

Ireland has the second-largest and most exposed marine area in the entire Atlantic, and the Continental Shelf is relatively unexplored, Dr Woods said.

He looked forward to working with US Commerce Secretary Daley on implementation of the programme.