NUI Galway says it is set to become a major international centre for marine research, following an award of over £15 million (€19 million) by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) under the National Development Plan.
The funding is part of a £28.8 million (€36.57 million) package given to the university by the HEA. Prof Michael Guiry, director of NUI Galway's Martin Ryan Institute, said it would transform the college into a national marine research hub. It will also complement the imminent transfer of the Marine Institute from Dublin to Oranmore, Co Galway.
NUI Galway was given the grant as the lead institution in a collaborative proposal for marine research involving Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork and the University of Limerick.
The research will focus on the biology and culture of marine organisms; the structure and function of marine communities; ocean floor sensing, mapping and modelling and an integrated legal and socio-economic framework for marine sources.
The biology and culture of marine organisms will include studies of wild Atlantic salmon at gene and species level. "If we can understand why some salmon come back to our rivers earlier than other salmon (multi sea-winter fish) it will definitely improve our ability to manage this valuable natural resource effectively," Prof Guiry said.
The institute will also look at the effects of certain kinds of naturally occurring algae on shellfish, which render species such as mussels unfit for human consumption. And the funding will enable the institute to focus on its own deep sea research. Underpinning this will be the use of computer-based imaging technology, the development of which was spearheaded at NUI Galway.
Monitoring the environment for the effects of oil and gas exploration will also be a priority, as part of the "cluster" of projects earmarked for the funding. The final "cluster" aims to establish a library of knowledge on the Law of the Sea, in conjunction with the university's law faculty.
"We're still in dispute over which Atlantic territories we own," Prof Guiry said. "A centre for documentation on the Law of the Sea will provide us with an integrated framework and will be a really valuable resource for the country as a whole."
A new research facility is to be constructed at the college campus, which will allow it to accept around 50 new post-graduate and post-doctoral researchers in marine science. The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, who is a TD for Galway West, said the funding award was recognition of the university's commitment to marine science.