Seasearch Ireland

Rescheduled - KelpRes - the diversity and resilience of kelp ecosystems in Ireland
2021-05-05 19:30 - 21:30 (Europe/Dublin)
KelpRes is an EPA funded project run by NUI Galway exploring the biology, ecology and genetics of kelp (Laminaria hyperborea) in Ireland.
This talk by Dr Kathryn Schoenrock-Rossiter will explore some of the key findings of the project and how you can get involved in monitoring your local kelp ecosystem.
Level – Any
You can register for this talk by clicking here.

Site monitoring in Irish waters (pt 1)
2021-04-21 19:30 - 21:30
The National Marine Monitoring Scheme uses an informal survey methodology combining the existing Seasearch methodology with a list of bench mark species to be monitored at each site. Sites are selected by participants themselves to facilitate repeat sampling. Abundance is then measured for each species using a simple coded system SCOR (Super-abundant, Common, Occasional, Rare). In order to participate in the scheme divers must:
1. Choose a site to monitor
2. Be confident that they can identify the ~100 species recorded in the scheme. These species are common species that can be easily identified visually in the water.
3. Monitor their site across 5 dives – May, June, July, August and September (divers can also monitor all year round if they wish).
This workshop will provide more details on how to begin monitoring and recording at your local site and on identifying fish species recorded as part of this scheme.
To register for this workshop click here.

Explore Your Shore! Marine citizen science @ the National Biodiversity Data Centre
2021-04-14 19:30 - 21:30
David Wall of the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s Explore Your Shore! project will be discussing marine citizen science in Ireland.
Explore Your Shore is a Citizen Science project funded by the Environmental Protection Agency focused on increasing our knowledge of the distribution of our intertidal species, exploring their potential as bio-indicators of water quality and climate change, and highlighting actions we can all take to tackle water pollution and climate change.
Level – Any
For more info on Explore your Shore click here
To register for this talk click here

Exploring Galway Underwater Biodiversity
2021-04-07 19:30 - 21:30
Divers in Galway are incredibly lucky to have a variety of unique habitats and species right on their doorstep. As part of the Seasearch Ireland National Marine Monitoring Scheme (Adopt a Site) 4 sites in Galway county are monitored by Seasearch divers. This talk will cover some of the unique species found at these amazing sites as well as a lot of the common species found there too.
The talk will also briefly cover the National Marine Monitoring Scheme program and some of the key findings from the national results.
Level – Any
You can register for this talk by clicking here

Expert Fish Identification
2021-03-24 19:30 - 21:30
We’re delighted to be joined by avid Seasearcher and fish expert Lin Baldock for an evening of fishy knowledge. Lin will teach you to identify those tricky gobies and wrasse that might have eluded your attention for now.
Level – Intermediate/Advanced – This course does not aim to teach basic fish identification skills that will be covered in a future workshop.
To register for this workshop click here

How to add Photo ID to your toolset
2021-03-10 19:30 - 21:30
A guide to using your camera skills to record marine biodiversity. Some extremely knowledgeable photographers will guide you through taking the perfect snap to capture your record. We can’t promise you’ll find fame on Instagram but you’ll be able to get the snap of that nudi or fish so you can ID them in the comfort of your living room.
So join John Breen. Maja Stankovski, Martin Kiely, Joe Fitzgibbons and Tony O’Callaghan as they teach you all the tricks you need to start taking award winning photographs.
Level – Any
To register click here

Workshop will cover managing your buoyancy. ethics of underwater photography, and types of photo.

Seaweed Identification workshop - Online
2021-02-10 19:30 - 21:30
We’re delighted that Dr Kathryn Schoenrock-Rossiter of the KelpRes project is once again offering her vast expertise on all things algae related. This workshop will cover how to identify, press and appreciate the importance of the common seaweeds in Irish waters. It’s intended to be aimed at complete novices and those who know their way around a rocky shore.
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
To book a place email SeasearchIreland@gmail.com

Site monitoring in Irish waters (pt 3)
2020-08-08 15:00 - 17:00
The National Marine Monitoring Scheme uses an informal survey methodology combining the existing Seasearch methodology with a list of bench mark species to be monitored at each site. Sites are selected by participants themselves to facilitate repeat sampling. Abundance is then measured for each species using a simple coded system SCOR (Super-abundant, Common, Occasional, Rare). In order to participate in the scheme divers must:
1. Choose a site to monitor
2. Be confident that they can identify the ~100 species recorded in the scheme. These species are common species that can be easily identified visually in the water.
3. Monitor their site across 5 dives – May, June, July, August and September (divers can also monitor all year round if they wish).
This workshop will provide more details on how to begin monitoring and recording at your local site and on identifying fish species recorded as part of this scheme.
This will be an online talk held on Zoom to book a place email SeasearchIreland@gmail.com or leave a comment below with your name and email address.

Site monitoring in Irish waters (pt 2)
2020-07-18 15:00 - 17:00
The National Marine Monitoring Scheme uses an informal survey methodology combining the existing Seasearch methodology with a list of bench mark species to be monitored at each site. Sites are selected by participants themselves to facilitate repeat sampling. Abundance is then measured for each species using a simple coded system SCOR (Super-abundant, Common, Occasional, Rare). In order to participate in the scheme divers must:
1. Choose a site to monitor
2. Be confident that they can identify the ~100 species recorded in the scheme. These species are common species that can be easily identified visually in the water.
3. Monitor their site across 5 dives – May, June, July, August and September (divers can also monitor all year round if they wish).
This workshop will provide a short introduction to the scheme and cover the identification of the algae, echinoderms, and sponges, worms and plants recorded as part of the scheme.
This will be an online talk held on Zoom to book a place email SeasearchIreland@gmail.com or leave a comment below with your name and email address.

** Don’t worry if you missed Part 1 we’ll be organising more workshops in August and we’ll ensure anyone who wants to monitor can receive training

Biodiscovery in Irish waters with Dr Ryan Young
2020-07-08 19:00 - 21:00
With bioprospecting one of the scientific buzzwords of the last few years we’re delighted that Dr Ryan Young of NUI Galway will give a talk on biodiscovery in Irish waters and his work on the Science Foundation Ireland funded program “Exploiting and conserving deep-sea genetic resources”.
Dr Young gained his PhD in marine natural products chemistry from Rhodes University and is currently the senior postdoc on SFI Investigator Programme Award15/IA/3100 Exploiting and conserving deep-sea genetic resources, responsible for chemical and biological screening
The 5-year (2016-2021) Science Foundation Ireland Investigators programme project Exploiting and conserving deep-sea genetic resources focuses on biodiscovery research in Irish deep-sea Cnidaria and Porifera. The aims are to:

find new bioactive natural products from deep-sea corals and sponges in Irish offshore waters
develop informed bioprospecting approaches to maximise the chance of finding these compounds in hard to sample environments such as the deep sea
inform conservation planning in relation to biodiscovery hotspots

Site monitoring in Irish waters (pt 1)
2020-07-05 14:00 - 16:00
The National Marine Monitoring Scheme uses an informal survey methodology combining the existing Seasearch methodology with a list of bench mark species to be monitored at each site. Sites are selected by participants themselves to facilitate repeat sampling. Abundance is then measured for each species using a simple coded system SCOR (Super-abundant, Common, Occasional, Rare). In order to participate in the scheme divers must:
1. Choose a site to monitor
2. Be confident that they can identify the ~100 species recorded in the scheme. These species are common species that can be easily identified visually in the water.
3. Monitor their site across 5 dives – May, June, July, August and September (divers can also monitor all year round if they wish).
This workshop will provide a short introduction to the scheme and cover the identification of the molluscs, crustaceans and sea squirts recorded as part of the scheme.
This will be an online talk held on Zoom to book a place email SeasearchIreland@gmail.com or leave a comment below with your name and email address.

Kelp ecology talk
2020-06-24 19:00 - 21:00
Talk on the importance of Kelp ecosystems in an Irish context and on the exciting work undertaken by the KelpRes project in advancing our understanding of this keystone species.
This will be an online talk held on Zoom to book a place email SeasearchIreland@gmail.com or leave a comment below with your name and email address.

Algae identification
2020-06-13 15:00 - 17:00
Workshop on how to identify, press and appreciate the importance of the common seaweeds in Irish waters by Dr Kathryn Schoenrock of the KelpRes project.
To book a place email SeasearchIreland@gmail.com

Citizen science in Irish waters
2020-06-08 20:00 - 21:30
Zoom talk to mark World Ocean day a short talk on the work of Seasearch Ireland and why citizen science is so important for measuring inshore biodiversity.

All talks/events are free of charge and can be registered for by emailing Seasearchireland@gmail.com.
