40 Irish Firms Engage In ESA Programmes

Irish companies and researchers have distinguished themselves in European Space Agency (ESA) programmes by developing innovative maritime services using satellite derived data in areas as diverse as marine renewables, fisheries protection, aquaculture and tourism.

That's according to Dr Volker Liebig, ESA Director of Earth Observation Programmes.

Dr Liebig is a key note speaker at the 'Space Innovation - Powering Blue Growth' conference which is taking place in the National Maritime College of Ireland, Cork today and tomorrow - 18 & 19 April, 2013.

Seas, oceans and coasts constitute a rich and often underestimated resource. Increasingly these resources are becoming key drivers of innovation, growth and employment and also provide invaluable ecosystem services and contribute to numerous socio-economic activities. This conference will see 120 experts and specialists from across Europe gather in Cork to discuss how space technologies can contribute to increasing the maritime sectors contribution to Europe’s economic growth and recovery.

The conference will focus on taking stock of the contribution of Space to maritime policy implementation; investigate how new scientific results and innovative services, can assist in achieving targets of the Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) and assess how the European Space Agency (ESA) space development activities and the IMP can contribute to economic growth in Europe.

Minister for Research and Innovation, Sean Sherlock, said: "There are over 40 Irish companies currently engaged in ESA programmes many of which are directly addressing global challenges such as climate change, sea-level rise, maritime surveillance and marine environmental monitoring. This is a growing industry and one which will guarantee high-quality jobs for Irish people and benefit our economy into the future."

(CD/H)