Displaying items by tag: Welsh Government

10th April 2019

Welsh Government Should Do "Everything They Can" to Save Research Ship Used by Bangor University

Welsh RV Prince Madog of Bangor University and Irish counterpart RV Celtic Voyager of the Marine Institute, Oranmore, Co. Galway, berthed at Menai Bridge Pier, Anglesey, north Wales (in Sept. 2017) during the official launch of the BlueFish Project, a collaboration between the two nations to examine the effect of climate change on fish and shellfish sustainability in the Irish Sea. AFLOAT adds the design of RV Prince Madog (2001) is based on the older Irish vessel (1997) though the Welsh RV is some 4m longer, however the similarities end in terms of a significantly different superstructure on the Menai Strait based vessel. In the 2018 Irish budget provision was made to replace the RV Celtic Voyager with a 50m newbuild.

#marinescience - The Welsh Government should do "everything they can" to save a research ship used by Bangor University and utilise it as a National Research Vessel for Wales, according to Ynys Môn Assembly Member Rhun ap Iorwerth.

As the North Wales Chronicle writes there is an agreement in place between Bangor University and P&O, who own the Prince Madog ship, regarding the future of the vessel until 2021. However, what future it has beyond that time is unclear at present.

This uncertainty has led to Mr ap Iorwerth proposing the vessel be adopted as Wales’ National Research Vessel following the conclusion of the current agreement.

The Plaid Cymru AM led a short debate in the Assembly in Cardiff on the future of the research vessel last year, with Welsh Government officials having recently met with Bangor University and P&O as a result.

Talks regarding the future of the vessel had proved productive, only for Welsh Government procurement rules to prevent further progress.

To read more including a question raised by Rhun ap Iorwerth.in the Welsh Assembly Chamber read here.

Afloat adds the article refers to P&O, this is in fact P&O Maritime, a solutions provider to governments, businesses and organisations across the world. Among its global network of offices is an Irish base located in Galway.

Last year P&O Maritime Ireland was awarded a 7 year contract from the Marine Institute of Rinville, Oranmore in Co. Galway, to provide operational, management and technical support for the operation of the RV Celtic Voyager and the larger RV Celtic Explorer.

In addition the contract includes the deep-water Remotely Operated Vehicle Holland 1 together with management and technical support to related research and development programmes.

Published in Marine Science

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About the Loughs Agency

The Loughs Agency is a governmental body established under the 1998 Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland. The Agency's goal is to provide sustainable social, economic, and environmental benefits by effectively conserving, managing, promoting, and developing the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

The Agency's governing legislation confers several specific functions, including the promotion of development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes in respect of marine, fishery, and aquaculture matters. Moreover, the Agency is responsible for managing, conserving, protecting, improving, and developing the inland fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Additionally, the Agency has the task of developing and licensing aquaculture, as well as the development of marine tourism.

The Loughs Agency reports to the North South Ministerial Council and its government Sponsor Departments, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, and the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications (DECC) in Ireland. The Departments fund the Agency on an equal basis.

The Loughs Agency's focus on sustainable development is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, environment, and local communities in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. The Agency's efforts to conserve and enhance the region's marine resources, including fisheries and aquaculture, are expected to benefit local communities, promote tourism, and contribute to economic growth.

In conclusion, the Loughs Agency plays a vital role in promoting the sustainable social, economic, and environmental development of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Its work on marine conservation and development is crucial in ensuring the long-term viability of the region's natural resources and in promoting sustainable economic growth.