International Council for the Exploration of the Sea has elected its new Vice President at their annual meeting of Member of Countries. Dr Paul Connolly, of the Marine Institute, will be the First Vice President of ICES. It is informed that this is a six-year term, the first three of which will be spent as First Vice President supporting the incoming president Dr Mike Sinclair of Canada. In 2013, Paul is likely to become President of ICES for a further three-year period.
Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said that he appreciate both the quality of Dr Connolly’s advice and his excellent communication skills during the lengthy December Fisheries Council negotiations when he provide me with scientific advice on the state of fish stocks.
Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute, said that this is not only a personal triumph for Paul through the acknowledgement of his peers in the international scientific community but also a further validation that, as an island nation, Ireland continues to produce leaders of vision and ability in the world of marine science.
Paul is currently chairing a project for the Dutch Government and ICES that is developing management plans for protected areas in the North Sea. Here in Ireland he has been a key player in the Industry / Science Partnership to sustainably manage fish stocks in Irish waters.
