The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) requires a researcher or research team for two desk-based research projects as follows:
1. Aquaculture development in Ireland: Interactions with the Water Framework Directive & the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and implications for the status of Ireland’s waters.
2. Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Ireland – Meeting Water Framework Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive targets for Ireland’s transitional and coastal waters through Integrated Coastal Zone Management.
Tender applications are invited for each individual research project and applicants may tender for one or both research projects. In the case of both projects being tendered for, an individual tender for each work package must be submitted, which will be assessed individually and the deliverables will be a discrete and separate report for each research project.
1. Aquaculture development in Ireland: Interactions with the Water Framework Directive & the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and implications for the status of Ireland’s waters.
This research project will provide a well referenced overview of EU and Irish policy, legislation and guidance regarding aquaculture and implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). It will further provide an evidence-based critical analysis of aquaculture impacts (individual and cumulative) on the environment in Ireland, set in the context of relevant policy and legislation and, specifically, existing Irish aquaculture planning, licensing, monitoring, control and reporting. It should also have regard to the potential implications of ‘Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth’, ‘BIM Strategy 2013-2017’ and ‘Food Harvest 2020’ production targets for the aquatic environment.
Based on the above research the contractors will draft a set of recommendations on how to best to plan and manage aquaculture – both strategically and by site – in Ireland, in order to achieve WFD and MSFD objectives. The recommendations will draw on work abroad and include case studies to illustrate key points and encourage best practice. It will cover both future and existing aquaculture activities, and should also include recommendations for mitigation and restoration measures.
2. Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Ireland – Meeting Water Framework Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive targets for Ireland’s transitional and coastal waters through Integrated Coastal Zone Management
This research report will comprise an analysis of integrated coastal zone policy and legislation governing the coastal zone in Ireland. The key objective of the research is to provide evidence-based recommendations for how to best implement integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) in Ireland in order to meet Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations for Ireland’s transitional & coastal environment. The research findings must be supported by European and international case studies and best practice, where applicable to Ireland and in the context of a detailed critical analysis of current policy and legislative provisions pertaining to coastal pressures and their drivers.
Each research report must be supported by references to up-to-date literature, EU guidance, international case studies and best practice and carried out in the context of a critical analysis of current relevant policy and legislation in Ireland, including, where appropriate, the requirements of the WFD and MSFD and the potential implications of ‘Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth’, ‘BIM Strategy 2013-2017’ and ‘Food Harvest 2020’ targets for the aquatic environment.
An important element of each research project will be focused consultation with a number of key decision-makers and relevant stakeholders.
More detailed individual tender briefs for each of the 2 projects are available on request from info@swanireland.ie
The project deadline is Friday November 29th with a draft on November 15th. The budget for each paper is in the region of €10,000.
Proposals should be submitted by email to Sinead O’Brien, Coordinator, Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) at sobrien@swanireland.ie or info@swanireland.ie by midday Tuesday August 13th.
You can also see this information on the SWAN Website
