Minister Harris announces €28.5 million investment in emerging research talent

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris today announced an investment of €28.5 million across 53 research projects to support Ireland’s emerging research talent. Announcing the new investment, Minister Simon Harris, said: “I am thrilled to announce these exciting new research projects, which allow researchers to advance their work and further develop their careers towards becoming the next generation of research leaders in Ireland.”

Project title: Using biotelemetry to understand the interactions of elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, and rays) with offshore renewable energy devices 

Abstract: The development of offshore renewable energy is accelerating in Ireland with the Government targeting at least 5 GW of energy production by 2030. This means that substantial infrastructure including undersea cables, which will create an electromagnetic field (EMF), and moorings and wind turbines, which will create artificial reefs. This proposal will use animal tracking technology to investigate the effect of EMF and artificial reefs on shark behaviour and movement. A better understanding of these potential impacts will ensure the sustainable development of the offshore energy industry, helping Ireland to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet climate change commitments.

Learn more here.