Happy New Year from the ISMF! We hope you are all coped what was a challenging 2020 and what continues to be a challenging 2021. Despite all of the challenges faced over the past year a number of exciting activities took place in the Irish Sea over the past year, including consultations run on England’s Draft North West Inshore and Offshore Plans, Consultation on Ireland’s Draft Marine Planning Framework, and a survey on Ireland’s Seascapes run by the Marine Institute. ISMF members were also involved in a number of conferences and events which due to restrictions had to be held online, which notwithstanding the challenges faced proved to be hugely successful and informative. November saw a number of events organised by the CCAT project; the ESRC Festival of Science 2020: Exploring the impact of climate change in coastal communities in Ireland and Wales and the Coastal Communities Adapting Together Exchanging Knowledge and Best Practice Across Borders Conference. Both of which were well attended and of great interest. Links to live recordings of both events are available via the links above. The Solway Firth Partnership produced a number of fascinating digital resources available to view via their website and YouTube channel, providing much needed access to the coast from home during these difficult times.
We are sure that despite continuing restrictions there will still be plenty going on in the Irish Sea in 2021 and we very much look forward to all of the upcoming activities. The results of the Irish Sea Survey conducted last year are soon to be published and we can’t wait share these with you in our Spring newsletter. If you have any news or events you would like published in our upcoming newsletter or highlighted on the website please do not hesitate to get in touch by emailing info@irishseamaritimeforum.org.
Keep safe,
ISMF Secretariat