SeaMonitor

SeaMonitor is a novel and comprehensive project, the first of its kind in Europe, which will establish a number of large scales marine telemetry arrays to track mobile marine fauna in the seas around Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and the west of Scotland.  It will use both existing data and data from a number of tracking studies to develop spatial models of coastal zone use and ultimately marine management plans for a number of species. This work will link to a number of other studies and will contribute to the growth of a regional ‘blue economy’ and align with regional activities with the EU’s Atlantic Strategy.

SeaMonitor will deliver five spatial models for basking shark, skate, salmonids, seals, and cetaceans and three Management Plans for three areas and two species: Loch Sunart to Sound of Jura (skate) and the Foyle and Clyde estuaries (salmon). The project will achieve this by extending the existing network of buoys with acoustic receivers, delivered by a sister project, COMPASS, from the east to north coast of the Island of Ireland establishing a physical connection of acoustic receivers between the Island of Ireland and Scotland. These will provide data to develop the models and management plans for selected species as well as giving a tangible presence to the INTERREG ethos and creating a lasting legacy to build on.

Twitter – @SeaMonitor1