Seasearch Ireland

Serpula vermicularis - Biogenic reefs in Galway
2026-03-04 20:00 - 21:30 (Europe/Dublin)
Biogenic reefs are hard material created by living things that build up to form structures. While typically we think of things like the Great Barrier reef, tropical waters and corals Ireland is home to its own miniature version in the form of Serpula vermicularis reefs. Serpula are small worms that grow calcareous tubes on hard substrares, they are the white tubes you find growing on rocks, harbour walls or boat hulls. However at a tiny number of sites the larvae settle on existing tubes so that the tubes eventually grow to form large reefs which can be up to 2m in height. 3 of those sites are in Galway.

You can register for this free, online talk here.

MPAs & Nature Restoration with Fair Seas and Irish Wildlife Trust
2026-03-11 20:00 - 21:30
An update on Marine Protected Areas and the Nature Restoration Law in an Irish context from experts from Fair Seas and the Irish Wildlife Trust.
You can register for this free online talk here.

Seagrass Meadows
2026-03-18 20:00 - 21:30
A talk on the biology and ecology of seagrass meadows in Ireland with Tim Butter, as well as the on-going work by Cork SAC on their monitoring of the seagrass meadows in Oysterhaven.
You can register for this free online talk here.

Seaforest - from reef to resilience
2026-03-25 20:00 - 21:30
The SeaForest Project is a new initiative that sets out to enhance the scientific understanding of Ireland’s natural kelp forest habitats. Over the course of four years, the project will use habitat suitability modelling, field studies, and laboratory analyses to build an extensive dataset about the distribution, biodiversity, and health of kelp forests along Ireland’s coast, with a focus on five main species of kelp.
You can learn more about the project here
You can register for this free, online talk here.

Monitoring Kelp : The View from California with Kenan Chan
2026-04-01 20:00 - 21:30
Kenan is a marine scientist and freelance photographer. His scientific work has brought him around the world, though much of his work has been concentrated in and around temperate coastal waters. His primary scientific interests lie in temperate water ecology and organismal interactions within ecosystems. He has worked on projects investigating the resilience of Irish kelp forests (KelpRes), long-term monitoring of kelp forests and rocky intertidal habitats of California, habitat association and cohort structure of the Mediterranean giant fan mussel, Pinna nobilis, and several other projects.
This talk will cover kelp ecosytems of California and Ireland drawing on Kenan’s expertise with both habitats.
You can register for this free online talk here.

Seasearch Observer course - Waterville, Kerry 2026
2026-05-30 - 2026-05-31 | Waterville, Co Kerry, Waterville, Kerry, Ireland
In person Seasearch course in the lovely Waterville with the team from Sea Synergy.
Course content:
Find out about the Seasearch project
Gain a basic grounding in marine recording
Learn how to recognise and classify marine habitats
Learn how to complete the Seasearch Observation Form by watching a ‘video dive’
Complete two dives (or snorkels) with a Seasearch tutor
This is an introductory course aimed at giving divers and snorkellers new to the project and new to marine recording a basic grounding. The course will consist of a one day classroom session and one day diving.
At the end of the course, you’ll get a Seasearch Qualification booklet. Once you have completed five forms for real (two on dives with a tutor available to help) you will be a qualified Seasearch Observer and able to take part in Seasearch dives or snorkels.
Cost €70
You can register by emailing Seasearchireland@gmail.com.
