Loughs Agency to lead €1.6m Europe-wide project monitoring marine life
Loughs Agency is set to lead a major marine tracking project after €1.6m of EU funding was secured by the European Tracking Network (ETN).
The successful bid came following an open call for funding by the EU’s Biodiversa+ scheme, which is designed to support research proposals relating to biodiversity projects. At the national level, funding has been provided by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency to enable Loughs Agency to participate in the programme.
The three-year project, titled North East Atlantic Marine Tracking Network (NorTrack), aims to monitor the movements of aquatic species critical to the North East Atlantic (NEA). This collaborative initiative will also address pressing questions related to major ecological challenges facing this vital marine region.
The remote tracking of animals, which is known in research circles as ‘telemetry’, has already provided vital information about the biology and ecology of aquatic species. In addition to Atlantic salmon and sea trout, the project will enable the Agency to study the movements of European eel as well as predator-prey interactions.
NorTrack will work closely with the Horizon Europe-funded STRAITS Project (Strategic Infrastructure for Improved Animal Tracking in Europeans Seas), which has distributed acoustic telemetry infrastructure throughout Europe so that the movements of various aquatic species can be studied.
Sharon McMahon, Loughs Agency CEO, said: “We are delighted to once again be playing a leading role in a major pan-European biodiversity project, supported by our brilliant colleagues at ETN.
“These types of collaborative research initiatives are crucial in gathering data which can inform policy and decision-making for matters within our remit.
“The funding obtained ensures that Loughs Agency can continue the exemplary work carried out in recent years on projects such as SeaMonitor and STRAITS, and the team looks forward to making a difference.”
Commenting on the announcement, Dr Tara Higgins, EPA Programme Manager said: “The EPA is committed to supporting Ireland’s participation and leadership in important transnational research partnerships like Biodiversa+. We are delighted to fund the Loughs Agency in leading the NorTrack research project, which will advance marine biodiversity monitoring in the North East Atlantic and in turn contribute to international marine management, conservation, and policy. The EPA also acknowledges the important role of our co-funding partners, the Marine Institute and the National Parks & Wildlife Service, in supporting the NorTrack project.”
More information on this project can be found at www.europeantrackingnetwork.org/nortrack