The main research focus of the unit is on the economic importance of coastal and off-shore marine environments. This involves examining the economic utility of the marine environment (e.g. transportation, recreation) and ecological value (e.g. fisheries, aquaculture) derived from the productivity of associated ecosystems. The coastal and contiguous marine environment surrounding Ireland and the EU
in general provides the geographical focus for the research of the unit. Consideration of the human dimension in the management of marine ecosystems is also a critical component of all research projects within the unit. Unit projects include the collection and monitoring of socio-economic marine data for Ireland, the estimation of participation rates and value of marine-related recreation activities, an analysis of market orientation, competitiveness and innovation of firms in the Irish seafood sector, and many other research activities. The key objectives of the unit are as follows
To build marine socio-economic research capacity through the interactions of a Marine Socio-Economic Research Cluster in Galway comprising NUI, Galway, RERC- Teagasc and the Marine Institute
To carry out research, which will underpin the Marine Institute’s Sea Change Marine Strategy through describing, modelling and analysing the current state of the marine sector, simulating alternative scenarios and proposing or recommending alternative policy measures, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the marine sector. To support/complement scientific research projects through joining in project proposals from other branches of marine science, thereby providing economic evaluation to marine science findings. To attract research funding to support the elaboration of the marine socioeconomic research programme in Galway, including future Irish funding and, in particular, European Commission funding. To train PhD students in Marine Socio-economic Research, so that they can continue to sustain the socioeconomic research effort as well as transferring tacit knowledge to the marine industry, thereby creating innovative capacity and enhanced competitiveness to the sector. To provide placement for potential future researchers in the marine area, thereby upgrading their interest and skills.
