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Marine Sciences |
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DANI, Agriculture and Food Science Centre, Aquatic Systems Group
Contact Information
| Contact: | The Director |
| Aquatic Systems Group | |
| Agricultural and Environmental Science Division | |
| Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland | |
| Newforge Lane | |
| Belfast | |
| Postcode: | BT9 5PX |
| Telephone: | +44 (0)1232 255236 |
| Fax: | +44 (0)1232 382244 |
| Email: | ivan.heaney@dani.gov.uk |
| Web Site: | http://science.dani.gov.uk |
Mission Statement
The Aquatic Systems Group undertakes fundamental and applied research in the aquatic environment. This provides the scientific basis and specialist advice by which the Government can formulate policy for the efficient and cost effective management and exploitation of aquatic resources on a sustainable basis consistent with the protection, and where appropriate, improvement of the environment.
Short Historical Statement
The Aquatic Systems Group within the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland was formed after the amalgamation of the Fisheries Research Laboratory at Coleraine and the Freshwater Biological Investigation Unit at Antrim into a new facility at the Agriculture and Food Science Centre at Belfast. The Group was strengthened with an enlarged marine research programme following the appointment of new scientific staff and the acquisition of the research vessel Lough Foyle. A new laboratory was constructed at the River Bush for long term research on salmon.
Major Programmes
- Fisheries stock assessments, marine and freshwater.
- Ecosystem functioning at catchment and regional scales with particular relevance to water quality and fisheries.
- Long term research on fish stocks and environment.
- Fish genetics.
- Development of automated monitoring equipment for marine and freshwater.
- Research on salmon habitat restoration.
- Statutory monitoring for toxin producing algae.
Research Leaders
- Dr S I Heaney
- Professor C E Gibson
- Dr R P Briggs
- Dr M J Armstrong
- Dr R Gowen
- Dr M Dickey-Collas
- Dr M Service
- Dr G J A Kennedy
- Dr W W Crozier
Overseas Links
- CSIRO Land and Water Division, Canberra, Australia
- Limnological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberia
- Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Soil Sciences, Nanjing
- Numerous fisheries laboratories through ICES forum.
- W S Ocean Systems Ltd, Hants
- Duncan & Associates, Cumbria
Special Facilities
River Bush Salmon Laboratory, Bushmills: ICES Salmon Index River with facilities for total counts of adult salmon and smolts.
Research Vessels Associated with the Centre
Marine Research Vessel 'Lough Foyle'.