Friday, 08 August 2025
Ireland and Barbados have entered into a formal partnership to advance marine research and promote sustainable ocean management. This collaboration is set to begin in mid-August 2025, when Irish marine scientists from the Marine Institute will conduct a detailed seabed survey within Barbados’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The partnership is formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ireland’s Marine Institute and the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU) of Barbados. Under this agreement, Ireland’s research vessel, the RV Celtic Explorer, will be deployed to carry out a bathymetric survey—a scientific mapping of the underwater topography around Barbados.
The goal is to collect high-resolution data on water depth and the features of the ocean floor. This information will support the development of a Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) for Barbados, a strategic tool used to sustainably manage ocean resources and guide future policy decisions.
Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a process that helps governments and stakeholders manage the use of marine environments in a strategic, coordinated, and sustainable way.
It involves:
Mapping how marine areas are used (e.g., fishing, shipping, tourism, conservation).
Balancing competing demands on marine resources.
Reducing conflicts between users.
Protecting ecosystems while enabling economic development.
MSP is like urban planning, but for the sea. It ensures that the right activities take place in the right areas, at the right times, to support both human needs and marine health.
The agreement provides a framework for scientists from both Ireland and Barbados to work together. Barbadian personnel from the CZMU will actively participate in the mission, engaging with Irish scientists and building technical expertise in marine surveying and data analysis.
This knowledge exchange is a core component of the Our Shared Ocean programme, which is managed by the Marine Institute and funded through Irish Aid, Ireland’s overseas development assistance programme. The initiative supports research collaboration, capacity building, and sustainable marine resource management in partnership with Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The project also strongly aligns with Ireland’s National Marine Planning Framework and the country’s strategic commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14: Life Below Water, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
Ireland, as an island nation with an extensive marine territory (10 times the size of its land area) has long recognised the strategic, economic, and ecological value of its maritime domain. By supporting similar efforts abroad, especially in vulnerable coastal states, Ireland is promoting a global approach to ocean sustainability.
Dr Rick Officer, CEO of the Marine Institute, welcomed the agreement, stating that the collaboration ‘marks a milestone in strengthening international relations between Ireland and Barbados,’ and reinforces Ireland’s commitment to supporting scientific capacity in developing island nations. He emphasized that shared practices in ocean science can help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to life below water and climate action.
The first phase of the seabed mapping project will run from mid-August to mid-September 2025. The full scope of the survey is expected to continue over a period of five to seven years.
This project reflects Ireland’s ongoing leadership in ocean science. Since 2006, the Marine Institute and the Geological Survey of Ireland have led INFOMAR (one of the world’s most comprehensive seabed mapping programmes) within Irish waters. By extending its expertise internationally, Ireland is contributing to the responsible use and protection of global marine environments.
The Ireland-Barbados seabed mapping project is a concrete example of how scientific collaboration can support sustainable development, climate resilience, and shared stewardship of the oceans. For Ireland, it exemplifies a broader commitment to using its expertise, research infrastructure, and aid funding to advance global marine knowledge and capacity, particularly in regions most affected by ocean-related challenges.
As Ireland continues to position itself as a global leader in ocean science, partnerships like this one with Barbados illustrate how a small nation with world-class expertise can make a substantial impact on global sustainability and marine governance.
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