INTERNATIONAL scientists investigating links between climate change and wild salmon mortality have put to sea from Donegal in the latest phase of a €5.5 million research programme.
The SALSEA-Merge project will use DNA technology instead of conventional salmon tags to study migration and distribution of salmon stocks in the northeast Atlantic.
Salmon act as "aquatic canaries", and may yield key information in relation to the state of the ocean environment, according to Marine Institute scientist Dr Ken Whelan, who chairs the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation's (Nasco) International Atlantic Salmon Research Board.
The scientific team left Killybegs on the Marine Institute research vessel Celtic Explorer, and Fareoese and Norwegian research vessels will also participate in three marine surveys during 2008 and 2009.
The €5.5 million project is funded by the EU, with significant contributions from Nasco and the Total Foundation. Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Brendan Smith has welcomed the role that Irish scientists are playing in "ecosystem-based management of our valuable marine stocks".
Full information on the programme is available on www.salmonatsea.com.
The Celtic Explorer has large laboratory spaces and IT rooms fitted with scientific equipment. There is a full complement of survey equipment and winches.
It is 65.5m in length and can accommodates 31 personnel, including 16 to 18 scientists.
Because of Irelands strategic position on the edge of the Atlantic, the Celtic Explorer is able to facilitate both national and international research and exploration.