The Irish Ocean Literacy Network formed in 2016, is a informal network made up of over 100 individuals and organisations from across the Island of Ireland. Due to recent circumstances the network moved online for their most recent meeting, which was held in July.
The meeting was themed around Inspire, Engage and Connect with the Ocean, while also providing time for members to share updates with each other.
The meeting began with our first speaker, Andrée-Anne Marsan from Seascape Belgium who spoke about the new EU4Ocean platform. We explored how IOLN members can engage with organisations acorss Europe to share ideas, build partnerships and collaborate using this new initative. The network, who are included in the list of founding members looks forward to connecting with other exsiting ocean literacy activities across Europe and shaping future actions.
During the Inspire session, we were joined by a panel of incredible Irish Women, all working in the area of sustainable seafood, from source to plate.
Michelle O'Neill, Director of Kingfisher Fresh Ltd spoke about the work they do with some of Irelands finest fishermen, to source sustainable fresh wild seafood from deep in the Celtic Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
Sinead Mellet, from Athlone Institite of Technology , spoke to the network about the Neptunus Project. This INterreg Atlantic Area project aims to promote the sustainable development of the seafood sector.
Niamh Barry, a young up and coming Irish Chef, spoke about the role of chefs and the resturant industry in sourcing sustainable seafood and told us about her experience of using seaweed in innovative and traditional cooking in the kitchen.
Finally, we had the pleasure of speaking to Joanne Sweeney, founder of the Public Sector Marketing Institute about connecting online, and communicating in this Digital Age.
Members Updates included,
- Kathryn Schoenrock-Rossiter from National University of Ireland, Galway who spoke about the Aquatap-ES project
- Mr. Gavin Duffy, managing director of RealSIM Ltd who told about about developments in visualising marine environments in the virtual platform
- Ruth Minogue spoke about the 'Seascapes' project which is currently underway
- Thomas Mc Loughlin from the Water Institute in Dublin City University spoke about the 'MARINE' project
- Karin Dubsky provided an update from Coastwatch
For more information on the Irish Ocean Literacy Network see www.irishoceanliteracy.ie or email irishoceanliteracynetwork
gmail [dot] com (irishoceanliteracynetwork[at]gmail[dot]com)
@IOLNetwork on twitter or join the Irish Ocean Literacy Network groups on Facebook or LinkedIn.
