The aim of this project is to build national capacity in climate modelling of the marine domain with a focus on Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone and marine activities therein.
The objectives of this project are to:
Build climate modelling capacity with both dynamical and end-to-end models to provide information to climate service users in aquaculture and fisheries on future projected changes in marine living resources in Irish waters and potential impacts on livelihoods.
Develop downscaled climate models and projections for targeted areas of the Irish coast to assess vulnerabilities to Fishery Harbour Centres. Six key areas around Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Rossaveal and Killybegs will be covered in this work.
Develop the data processing and operational modelling chain to support continual exploitation and use of climate projections by marine users and policy makers.
The project will:
- Interface Ireland’s marine climate modelling efforts with global and regional climate modelling initiatives e.g. IPCC Assessments, EC-EARTH and Destination Earth
- Build a climate model of the Irish EEZ that generates projections under various emission scenarios.
- Ensure that model projections are consistent with national objectives (Met Eireann TRANSLATE initiative) to standardise the production and use of climate projections.
- Develop a “sand-box” environment to couple the dynamical and spatially-structured end-to-end marine ecosystem model to examine potential changes to food webs, habitats, management of fisheries and fisher’s livelihoods.
- Ensure that model projections are available to and consumable by policy-makers, particularly in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
- Dovetail climate model outputs with the Climate Ireland portal to ensure availability and uptake by Local Authorities and non-specialist users.
This project will ensure that up-to-date marine climate and ecosystem model outputs are available to help fulfil national and European climate policies, including the Climate Action Plan and the NMPF. It will improve marine knowledge about the impacts of climate change will support decision making by building capacity.
Improved coordination of climate knowledge also contributes to integrated delivery of Ireland’s Marine legislative obligations such as the CFP, National Marine Planning Framework, Habitats Directive, Birds Directive, Water Framework Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive. It also increasing data quality and sharing through national and international data portals.
This project will run for 5 years from 2023 to 2027.
- Better understanding of the impacts of Climate Change
- Improving accessibility, understanding and utility of marine data and knowledge
- Increase inter-agency cooperation and information sharing at national, EU and international level, together with industry and research collaboration.
- Capacity building
- General public better informed about climate risks, resilience and adaptation
Email: glenn.nolan@marine.ie
- Model system developed for the Irish EEZ and downscaled high resolution models focused on the six national Fishery Harbour Centres
- “Sand-box” experimental environment developed and available to researchers to allow the interoperability of physical, biogeochemical and ecosystem models
- Marine climate projections co-developed with policy and decision makers to ensure fitness for purpose and routine use.
- Human capacity developed to support the ongoing climate modelling efforts.
- Collaborative network with European member states working on climate model development.
- Operational interface with Climate Ireland to provide standardised projections to users in relevant sectors and local authorities.