SmartOcean: Harnessing Ireland's Potential as a European and Global Centre for Ocean Technology
A major innovation strategy, designed to bring together two of Ireland's greatest assets – its ICT sector and marine natural resources - was recently released for consultation. The SMARTOCEAN Strategy was compiled by a Working Group comprised of representatives of companies, research institutes and State agencies that have identified ocean innovation as a possible 'game changer' for Ireland, by focussing our existing ICT cluster and significant investments in science and technology on our 220 million acre marine resource. Ireland now has the opportunity to utilise its largest natural resource – the ocean – as a catalyst for innovation and to leverage opportunities to develop new products and services for global markets in marine renewable energy, environmental monitoring, and water management as well as established markets in oil and gas, aquaculture, maritime transport, tourism, and the management of coastal erosion.
Submissions to the draft consultation document are invited from all interested parties. Details may be viewed at www.marine.ie/home/SmartOceanI.htm. The full programme for the SmartOcean Workshop is available to download from: http://www.marine.ie/home/SmartOcean.htm
