This report provides the results of the fourteenth underwater television on the ‘Porcupine Bank Nephrops grounds’ ICES assessment area; Functional Unit 16. The survey was multidisciplinary in nature collecting UWTV and other ecosystem data. In total 69 UWTV stations were successfully completed (100% of the planned stations) in a randomised 6 nautical mile isometric grid covering the full spatial extent of the stock. The mean burrow density observed in 2025, adjusted for edge effect, was 0.17 burrows/m². The final kriged abundance estimate was 1220 million burrows with a CV of 3%. The 2025 abundance estimate was 27% lower than in 2024. Using the 2025 estimate of abundance and updated stock data imply that catches in 2026 should be between 1750 and 2169 tonnes, according to the EU MAP and ICES MSY approach (assuming that all catch is landed). Four species of sea-pen (Virgularia mirabilis, Funiculina quadrangularis, Pennatula phosphorea and the deepwater sea-pen Kophobelemnon stelliferum) were observed during the survey. Trawl marks were also observed on 65% of the stations surveyed.

This report explores the transition of Ireland’s maritime industry towards carbon neutrality by 2050, focusing on alternative fuel adoption, socio-economic impacts, and implementation pathways. Conducted under the Marine Institute’s Research for Policy Awards, the study evaluates regulatory drivers such as the EU Green Deal, FuelEU Maritime, and IMO Net Zero Framework, alongside their implications for Irish ports and shipping companies. Using a core fleet analysis and stakeholder consultations, the research identifies high-priority corridors for Green Shipping Corridors (GSCs), assesses alternative fuels—including biofuels, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, and electrofuels—and analyses port infrastructure requirements such as Onshore Power Supply (OPS). Findings highlight significant cost challenges under a business-as-usual scenario, with penalties projected to exceed €1.3 billion annually by 2050, underscoring the urgency of fuel transition strategies. The report proposes a phased roadmap: immediate OPS deployment by 2030, preparation for FuelEU revisions in 2027/28, and long-term GSC development on high-emission routes. Recommendations emphasise regulatory alignment, flexible fuel strategies, and collaborative task forces to mitigate risks and ensure Ireland’s maritime sector achieves net-zero emissions while maintaining competitiveness.

Is é an Plean 2025 (CAP25) an tríú nuashonrú bliantúil ar Phlean na hÉireann um Ghníomhú ar son na hAeráide. Leis an Sainordú gaolmhar um Ghníomhú ar son na hAeráide 2025 tugtar tacaíocht do chomhlachtaí san earnáil phoiblí, lena n-áirítear Foras na Mara, chun dea shampla a thabhairt maidir le gníomhú ar son na haeráide agus tá sé mar aidhm aige an gníomhú riachtanach ar son na haeráide a spreagadh sa tsochaí i gcoitinne chun astaíochtaí gás ceaptha teasa (GCT) na hÉireann a laghdú 51% agus éifeachtúlacht fuinnimh a laghdú 50% faoi 2030. The Climate Action Plan 2025 (CAP2) is the third annual update to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan. The associated Climate Action Mandate 2025 supports public sector bodies including the Marine Institute in leading by example on climate action and aims to inspire the necessary climate action in wider society to reduce Ireland’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 51% and energy efficiency by 50% by 2030. As set out in this Marine Institute Climate Action Roadmap 2025, the Marine Institute is committed to delivering the relevant outputs and activities outlined in CAP25 and the Climate Action Mandate 2025

Populations of marine top predators have been sharply declining during the past decades, and one-third of chondrichthyans are currently threatened with extinction. Sustainable management measures and conservation plans of large pelagic sharks require knowledge on population genetic differentiation and demographic connectivity. Here, we present the case of the Mediterranean blue shark (Prionace glauca, L. 1758), commonly found as bycatch in longline fisheries and classified by the IUCN as critically endangered. The management of this species suffers from a scarcity of data about population structure and connectivity within the Mediterranean Sea and between this basin and the adjacent Northeast Atlantic. Here, we assessed the genetic diversity and spatial structure of blue shark from different areas of the Mediterranean Sea and the Northeast Atlantic through genome scan analyses. Pairwise genetic differentiation estimates (FST) on 203 specimens genotyped at 14,713 ddRAD-derived SNPs revealed subtle, yet significant, genetic differences within the Mediterranean sampling locations, and between the Mediterranean Sea and the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. Genetic differentiation suggests some degree of demographic independence between the Western and Eastern Mediterranean blue shark populations. Furthermore, results show limited genetic connectivity between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic basins, supporting the hypothesis of two distinct populations of blue shark separated by the Strait of Gibraltar. Although reproductive interactions may be limited, the faint genetic signal of differentiation suggests a recent common history between these units. Therefore, Mediterranean blue sharks may function akin to a metapopulation relying upon local demographic processes and connectivity dynamics, whereby the limited contemporary gene flow replenishment from the Atlantic may interplay with currently poorly regulated commercial catches and large-scale ecosystem changes. Altogether, these results emphasise the need for revising management delineations applied to these critically endangered sharks.

Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) fungus has the potential to cause high mortality rates in some European salamanders and newts (urodelans) and is in the process of expanding its invasive range in Europe. Therefore, monitoring its distribution and better understanding both the species threatened and the mechanics of infection are essential in mitigating damage Bsal may cause. Environmental DNA has emerged as a promising noninvasive method for detecting both this fungal pathogen and amphibian communities in infected areas. We applied these methods in the province of Gelderland, Netherlands, where the pathogen has previously been detected and is expanding its range, with the goal of characterizing the natural amphibian community present. We sampled 27 bodies of water in the region surrounding the known outbreak sites, determined the presence or absence of Bsal using a targeted quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay, and applied an environmental DNA metabarcoding approach to characterize the amphibian communities using two different primer sets. The 12S vertebrate primer set outperformed the 16S amphibian primer set and detected all expected amphibians in the study area: Bufo bufo, Lissotriton vulgaris, Pelobates fuscus, Pelophylax spp., Rana temporaria and Triturus cristatus. Bsal was detected at 8 of 27 ponds. A distance-based redundancy analysis found a weak but significant relationship between Bsal presence and composition of amphibian communities. This study may provide a basis for future studies on Bsal and its relationship with amphibian communities in Europe, highlighting the need for further research into mechanisms of persistence and transmission between bodies of water.

Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) and Marine Institute (MI) conducted seabed mapping between 2003 and 2005 under the auspices of the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS) and mapping continued from 2006 to present day under the INtegrated mapping FOr the sustainable development of Irelands MArine Resource (INFOMAR) programme. INSS, which commenced in 1999 under the GSI was one of the largest marine mapping programmes ever undertaken globally, with a focus on deep water mapping. INFOMAR is a joint venture between the GSI and the MI and is funded by the Irish Government through the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC). INFOMAR Phase 1, 2006 to 2015 focused on mapping 26 priority bays and 3 priority areas around Ireland and creating a range of integrated mapping products of the physical and biological features of the seabed in those areas. INFOMAR Phase 2, 2016 to 2026 intends to map the remainder of Ireland’s entire seabed.

Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) and Marine Institute (MI) conducted seabed mapping between 2003 and 2005 under the auspices of the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS) and mapping continued from 2006 to present day under the INtegrated mapping FOr the sustainable development of Irelands MArine Resource (INFOMAR) programme. INSS, which commenced in 1999 under the GSI was one of the largest marine mapping programmes ever undertaken globally, with a focus on deep water mapping. INFOMAR is a joint venture between the GSI and the MI and is funded by the Irish Government through the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC). INFOMAR Phase 1, 2006 to 2015 focused on mapping 26 priority bays and 3 priority areas around Ireland and creating a range of integrated mapping products of the physical and biological features of the seabed in those areas. INFOMAR Phase 2, 2016 to 2026 intends to map the remainder of Ireland’s entire seabed.

The 2025 Irish Anglerfish and Megrim Survey (IAMS) took place on-board the Research Vessel Celtic Explorer from 3rd to 27th February in ICES (International Council Exploration of the Sea) Divisions 7.b-c and 7.j-k, and 12th to 17th April in ICES Division 6.a. The main objective of the survey was to obtain biomass and abundance indices for anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius and Lophius budegassa) and megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis and Lepidorhombus boscii) in ICES Division 6.a (south of 58°N) and Subarea 7 (west of 8°W). Secondary objectives were to collect data on the distribution, relative abundance and biology of other commercially exploited species. For the seventh year, additional sampling took place in deep water (up to 1,500m) in order to monitor the recovery of exploited deep-water species following the decline of the deep-water fisheries in Irish waters since early 2000s (Kelly and Gerritsen, 2022). This work was funded under Marine Biodiversity Schemes of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) from 2019 to 2021 and European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) since 2022. IAMS is coordinated as part of ICES International Bottom Trawl Survey Working Group (IBTSWG) based on protocols developed by Marine Science Scotland (MSS) for the Scottish Anglerfish and Megrim Survey (SIAMISS).

The Marine Spatial Planning for Kids Presentation provides an introduction to marine spatial planning for children, guiding their investigations into various topics, including planning, mapping, ports, fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, offshore wind energy, marine transport, recreation, and marine conservation. The presentation also guides key lessons and activities using the Explorers Marine Spatial Planning Digital Mapping tool.

These information sheets will provide children with facts regarding Marine Spatial Planning