From labs and research to deep sea diving and habitat monitoring, Irish women are at the forefront of marine science.
The oceans hold an endless amount of information, knowledge and things to be uncovered and as Ireland is surrounded by it, it is no surprise that scientists are keen to learn all they can about it.
The Marine Institute is currently running its Oceans of Learning campaign, which aims to immerse people in our seas and explore through videos, interactive activities and podcasts.
It has also profiled a number of their female staff this year, including their study and career paths and the work they do at the Institute.
One of these incredible Irish women is Rosemarie Butler, who works on-board a research boat that monitors a type of lobster, the langoustine.
The scientific technical officer said: “Depending on the time of the year, my job primarily focuses on planning and scheduling scientific surveys on the two Irish national research vessels – the RV Celtic Explorer and the RV Celtic Voyager.
“For the past five years, I have sailed on board the RV Celtic Voyager with a team of French scientists from Ifremer, on a 14-day survey in the Bay of Biscay collecting scientific data on Nephrops norvegicus [langoustine] burrows.”
Keeping an eye on the health of wildlife is a vital role played by the Marine Institute including those who work behind the scenes in laboratory.
Michelle Geary, laboratory analyst at Fish Health Unit, said: “The ocean offers us endless amounts of fascinating information.”
As part of European Maritime Day, the Marine Institute offered a special live webinar last month.
Hosted by Finn van der Aar, marine scientist, speaker and author, the one-hour webinar explored our ocean – from supporting diverse marine life and ecosystems, to sustaining livelihoods and the impact of a changing ocean climate.
Finn spoke to Roberta O’Brien, the first woman in the history of the Irish Naval Service to achieve the rank of commander in 2020.
Commander O’Brien has held a wide variety of roles sea and ashore and was also the first female to captain an Irish warship when she assumed command of the LE Aisling in 2008.
- More information is available at marine.ie.
