Director's Blog
Monday 24th August 2009
After a delay of a few days due to technical problems Whalsay's latest addition to its pelagic fleet arrived from Norway at Symbister on Sunday afternoon. Skipper Bobby Polson and crew will take the 71 metre Serene LK297 to Victoria Pier, in Lerwick, on Monday.
Wednesday 19th August 2009
On the 1st August Dr Martin Robinson took up his position as the new Head of Marine Science and Technology here at The NAFC Marine Centre. Prior to joining us Martin was employed as research development manager at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Since his arrival he has been incredibly busy, meeting the team, meeting key industry players and members of the local maritime community and starting to draft out the longer term vision for his department...the guy has more energy than the Duracell bunny!
Since completing a PhD at Trinity College, Dublin in 1999, his main research focus has been the sustainable management and development of Irish inshore fisheries and aquaculture. He has secured high levels of external support from various agencies and industry in the last five years, and almost all of the projects he has managed have involved collaborations with industry partners.
Whilst in Ireland Martin acted as scientific advisor to two Irish National Species Advisory groups for Inshore Management and the Irish Technical Advisory Committee for Marine Stewardship. He was also a nominated Irish representative to the ICES Working Group for Crab. He has spoken to both industrial and scientific audiences at national and international conferences and workshops, and has also published peer-review papers relevant to inshore and offshore fisheries.
When asked why he applied for the post, Martin Robinson said: 'In all of these activities, the socio-economic sustainability and growth of maritime communities has always been the principal goal. I've come from a town with a strong fishing tradition and have spent much time at sea and this has enabled me to interact with a wide cross section of industry partners from the catching to the processing sector. I've always had a fascination with marine science and, from an early age, was keen to explore how I could translate this into a career.
'I'm experienced in co-ordinating industry-focused research and development initiatives and have long held an interest in building synergistic working relationships between academia and industry, particularly with marine fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
'In the context of regional and national development during times of recession, I believe it is now more necessary than ever to achieve clear value for money from research and development income, and this has been my main role for some time in Ireland.
'In 2005, I moved from Dublin to Galway to set up the first industry commercialisation support centre for fisheries and aquaculture industries. This was a new type of centre where the academic staff were engaged in projects where development and innovation were placed before the need for individual academic achievement, clearly demonstrating that academic excellence and regional development could complement one another.
'The staff and students benefited greatly from a close relationship with industry and, as their outputs could be measured in terms of real success ' job creation and increased productivity ' they also enjoyed high levels of state funding. These innovative outputs were more often than not suitable for peer reviewed dissemination to the research community. When industry saw the commercial benefits that could come from highly applied, professionally managed projects many began to invest financially in research and development programmes.
'I'm enthusiastic about the potential of the NAFC Marine Centre and believe that its recently approved strategy very much supports academia, industry and business working together to deliver both training and research and development programmes in the context of sustaining coastal communities and achieving value for money from research and development investment. I see great potential in forging stronger and novel alliances between the functions of the Centre, industry, the wider Shetland community and beyond and I can't wait to start.
'As I have spent a good deal of time on inshore and offshore vessels and with the processing sector during my career to date, I am hoping that I can soon start to meet some of the Shetland industry in their environment as well as at the NAFC Marine Centre. I am eager to hear the views of all stakeholders so that I can best determine how to provide value for money and satisfaction from interactions with the excellent staff within the Marine Science and Technology team.'
There is no doubt that Martin is a very experienced manager, business-focused and has a strong track record for successfully bringing in external income and project funding. He has a clear vision for developing the partnership between academia and industry and his ethos and views fitted in very well with the vision of the NAFC Marine Centre.
Tuesday 11th August 2009
Yesterday was fab! There is no other way to describe it. I spent the day on The Atlantia, one of our research vessels carrying out work on a project looking into the occurrence of juvenile Cod in and around Shetland. The other two crew members were both Skippers in their own right, Leslie who was the skipper of the Harmony, and Theo who was skipper of the Be Ready. Being at sea with these two, who have nearly 70 years fishing experience between them, was something special. Leslie talked about all of the different fishing grounds around Shetland and how things had changed over the 34 years he'd been going to sea.
Watching these two work was something else! Some people out there may look down on fishermen but I can tell you that this is an art, something learnt over generations...the knowledge that these two carry around in their heads is invaluable and needs to be captured somehow so that we don't lose it and can pass it on to the generations to come. The days of the skills being passed down from Father to Son are unfortunately on the way out.
I sat on the deck thinking about all of this whilst Leslie and Theo worked together on mending a tear in the trawl net, two professionals who thoroughly enjoy their chosen profession, have the utmost respect for the sea and want, more than anything, for the fishing industry to still be around for their children and their childrens children to benefit from. Its just lucky for us that these two skippers are committed to helping us train the fishers of the future.
Wednesday 5th August 2009...supplemental
At 4am this morning i met two colleagues from the Marine Centre in the local car park where we promptly started to get undressed and then attire ourselves in full sea survival outfits, wellies, gloves and woolly hats. No, its not that cold up here! In fact it was actually quite warm, but we were off to carry out the weekly fish sampling exercise at the local fish market, a task we undertake on behalf of the Fisheries Research Service.
Was it fun? Well I certainly thought so...but then it was my first time in many years...my colleagues (Paul and Daniel) have to do this on a regular basis...and do so with a smile, a bucket load of enthusiasm and serious dedication...I take my hat off to them (even if it is of the woolly kind).
Wednesday 5th August 2009
Five Merchant Navy engineer officer cadets studying at the NAFC Marine Centre successfully passed their MCA oral exams last week ' including their first ever female engineer cadet to qualify.
Siobhan Bradley from Lerwick is the first ever female engineer cadet to qualify at the Marine Centre. Commenting on her achievement, she said: 'It's the best feeling ever. The qualification has opened up a lot of doors for me and I intend to go back to sea to work as soon as possible.'
Michael Amedro from Lerwick is one of the two cadets who will return to work for his sponsor company. He said: 'I needed to pass in order to work for the company. I plan to stay at sea and hopefully get my Chief's ticket and this is the first step. I've always wanted to do this and would recommend a career at sea to anyone.'
The other Merchant Navy Officer Cadets to qualify are Scott Williamson and Ross Pearson who are from Lerwick, and Graeme Mainland from Orkney.
Four external candidates, who had joined the cadets on their studies, were also celebrating last week. One candidate from Shetland Islands Council Ports and Harbours Operations, two from Shetland Islands Council Transport Services & Ferries, and a fisherman from Banff all successfully passed this professional qualification.
This is a great achievement and I'm delighted for everyone who has qualified.
It is also very pleasing to see candidates from outwith Shetland choosing to study at the Centre, which demonstrates that our first class training is becoming increasingly well known further afield. My congratulations to all of the successful candidates and my thanks to the teaching team here at the Centre for their hard work and commitment in continually supporting our students and helping them in reaching THEIR potential.