08 Jan 2026
Image description: An algae bloom floating on the water’s surface, with a bird and its chick swimming through. Image by Liz Harrell on Unsplash The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched the first stage of an online data viewer providing near real-time monitoring of Lough Neagh’s water quality as part […]
11 Dec 2025
Image description: A person wearing a yellow hazmat suit and white helmet kneeling on a rocky shore, performing water quality testing using a sample vial and a testing kit. The sea and boats are visible in the background. Cocaine and its metabolites have been found in 91% of water samples collected from Northern Ireland’s […]
18 Nov 2025
Photo by Anina Huber Puffins have returned to nest on the Isle of Muck Nature Reserve off Islandmagee, County Antrim, for the first time in 25 years, marking a significant milestone in Northern Ireland’s seabird recovery efforts. The discovery represents the first time the vulnerable seabird has been recorded on the tiny island since […]
09 Oct 2024
A new report presents findings from the 2023/2024 Continuous Household Survey in relation to household water usage. Key points Individual usage: On average 55% of respondents indicated they showered between 6 and 10 time a week. Nearly half of respondents (48%) said their average shower times were between 2 and 5 minutes. Household usage: Eighty-one […]
07 Jul 2024
Tributes have been paid to Joe Breen, OBE, who died recently after a short illness. Joe is remembered for his invaluable work in marine conservation and has been described as ‘an extremely committed champion for nature’ who had ‘a deep love and passion for the sea’. In the 2023 New Years Honours list, he received […]
06 May 2024
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has published a consultation on the review of Northern Ireland’s Marine Protected Areas strategy. Since the publication and implementation of the original Marine Protected Area (MPA) Strategy in 2014, several key strategic policy drivers have been developed at global, UK and Northern Ireland levels relating to […]
28 Apr 2024
The decision by the Isle of Man government to close three fishing sites in its waters by banning bottom trawling has raised concerns across the Irish Sea. The closed areas are located within the Western Irish Sea Mud-belt, a vital habitat for various marine species, notably langoustines. Despite decades of extensive trawling, the area is […]
23 Apr 2024
The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute today announced that a contract has been awarded to Spanish shipyard Astilleros Armon Vigo S.A. for the construction of a new research vessel contracted to complete in February 2027. The state-of-the-art marine research vessel is a significant capital investment by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to strengthen […]
