Marine Knowledge

The Marine Knowledge Scheme is established under Priority 4 (Strengthen Ocean Governance) of Ireland's Operational Programme (OP) under the EMFAF 2021 - 2027 and is co-funded by the Irish Government and the EU. Priority 4 aims to strengthen international ocean governance and enabling seas and oceans to be safe, secure, clean and sustainably managed.

Objective

The specific objective of EMFAF Priority Area 4 (PA4) Marine Knowledge is to strengthen sustainable sea and ocean management through the promotion of marine knowledge. This scheme will contain multiple operations that cover the dissemination of knowledge and data relating to the marine environment and climate change. It will contribute to actions that aim to collect, manage, analyse, process and use data to improve the knowledge on the state of the marine environment.

It will improve knowledge on the state of the marine environment; which is needed for environmental targets and national obligations (such as Natura, MSP, MSFD, SFP and Climate Change). An important goal is to contribute to the achievement of climate change objectives. PA 4 will improve understanding of impacts of climate change on marine activities and on the environment. It will improve coordination, processing, sharing and quality of marine data nationally and internationally.

EMFAF 2021-2027 Marine Knowledge work programmes aim to:

Provide data and digital services for MSP, MSFD, DCF, MRE, Climate
Understand climate impacts in coastal and marine waters
Ensure safe environments for aquaculture and fisheries
Support implementation of Marine Spatial Planning Directive

The Marine Institute will be implementing two work programmes under the EMFAF Marne Knowledge Scheme.

Work Programme on Climate impacts in coastal and marine waters will provide critical information to Government and DAFM to improve the understanding of the implication of climate change on marine ecosystem goods and services and human activities.	Data and Digital Services work programme, will lead to improved availability of high-quality data related to marine data collection and management programmes.