Marine Institute
Dr Paul Connolly
Dr Paul Connolly is Director of Fisheries Ecosystems Advisory Services (FEAS) at the Marine Institute in Galway, Ireland. This broad and diverse group deals with fisheries data collection and management, stock asssessment and advice, management plans under the Common Fisheries Policy and the Birds and Habitats Directive, and stakeholder interactions. FEAS has a strong research component that is focused on the application of the ecosystem approach and has good links to Irish universities. Working with stakeholders has been a key area for FEAS and Paul chairs regular meetings with both the fishing industry and the environmental NGO’s. During 2011 and 2012, Paul worked closely with the Irish Government’s Marine Co-odination Group (MCG) that developed an Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland (www.ouroceanwealth.ie - see Harnessing our Ocean Wealth).
Paul was elected President of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) in October 2012. ICES are an intergovernmental organisation whose main objective is to increase the scientific knowledge of the North Atlantic and its living resources and to use this knowledge to provide advice to competent authorities (eg the EU Commission). Paul is currently working with the ICES community on the renewal of the ICES Strategic Plan (2014 to 2018).