SHARK TAGGING AND TRACKING IN IRISH WATERS

Shark tagging and tracking in Irish waters features on RTÉ’s 10 Things to Know About. The Marine Institute will feature in the upcoming RTÉ series 10 Things to Know About which returns to TV screens on Monday 4^th November 2024.

The first episode of the new TV series meets the researchers tagging and tracking sharks to help better understand these creatures. Dr Ross O’Neill, Marine Institute scientist, and Jane Sharp of the Explorers Education programme both feature in this episode.

The work of the Marine Institute is highlighting the importance of Tralee Bay as a shark refuge, and providing advice for the management and conservation of these iconic species.

Tralee Bay in Co. Kerry is a ‘jewel in the crown’ of Irish marine life and home to some of the rarest shark, skate, and ray species in Europe. These include the migratory porbeagle shark, angel shark, and undulate ray. Tralee Bay is also the last European refuge for the extremely rare white skate.

Recently two rare angel shark were successfully tagged and released by scientists from the Marine Institute (in collaboration with local fishers) in Tralee Bay. The achievement marked a significant milestone as it was the first (and second) time ever that had an angel shark had been fitted with an electronic tag in Irish waters.

The Marine Institute also collaborated on the upcoming fourth episode in the 10 Things to Know About series, Feeding the Future. This episode explores the future of sustainable food production, including innovative seafood farming techniques.

At the Newport Research Facility, Marine Institute scientist Pauline O’Donohoe, discusses the Institute’s role in aquaculture, in particular on Integrated Multi Tropic Aquaculture (IMTA). This involves growing different species of plants and animals together in a way that benefits the whole ecosystem. The episode also features aquaculture work being led by Bord Iascaigh Mhara.

Other episodes in the TV series will investigate the challenges of flood management and climate adaptation projects, unwrap the impact of plastics on our environment and explore how data science, robotics, and AI are transforming our world.

Follow the Marine Institute on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram for a look behind-the-scenes, as well as facts and footage on marine life and the work of the Marine Institute.

Check out 10 Things to Know About on RTÉ One on Monday 4 November at 8.30pm and also on the RTÉ Player.

10 Things to Know About is produced by New Decade TV and supported by the: Environmental Protection Agency, Higher Education Authority, Irish Research Council, Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Met Éireann, Science Foundation Ireland, Teagasc, and RTÉ.

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