http://hdl.handle.net/10468/2713 Mon, 30 Oct 2017 17:37:25 GMT 2017-10-30T17:37:25Z http://hdl.handle.net/10468/3750 First observations of the freshwater jellyfish Craspedacusta sowerbii Lankester, 1880 in Ireland coincides with unusually high water temperatures Minchin, Dan; Caffrey, Joe M.; Haberlin, Damien; Germaine, David; Walsh, Colm; Boelens, Rick; Doyle, Thomas K. The freshwater hydrozoan Craspedacusta sowerbii was observed for the first time in Ireland at five localities in two separate river catchments (Shannon and Erne) during the summer of 2013. All collected medusae from Lough Derg on the Shannon catchment were female. Analysis of water temperature data for the period 2001–2015 found that water temperatures greater than 21°C were only recorded in 2013. The occurrence of medusae in three distinct areas during this unusually warm summer suggests that it may have been present in its polyp form for some years, or even decades. While it is not known when the species arrived in Ireland, the spread of this species may have involved different pathways. With climate warming, further appearances of the medusa-stage may be expected. Sun, 10 Apr 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10468/3750 2016-04-10T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10468/2705 Evaluating conditions for transboundary Marine Spatial Planning: challenges and opportunities on the island of Ireland Flannery, Wesley; O'Hagan, Anne Marie; O'Mahony, Cathal; Ritchie, Heather; Twomey, Sarah Transboundary cooperation is viewed as an essential element of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). While much of the MSP literature focuses on the need for, and benefits of, transboundary MSP, this paper explores the political and institutional factors that may facilitate the effective transition to such an approach. Drawing on transboundary planning theory and practice, key contextual factors that are likely to expedite the transition to transboundary MSP are reviewed. These include: policy convergence in neighbouring jurisdictions; prior experience of transboundary planning; and good working relations amongst key actors. Based on this review, an assessment of the conditions for transboundary MSP in the adjoining waters of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is undertaken. A number of recommendations are then advanced for transboundary MSP on the island of Ireland, including, the need to address the role of formal transboundary institutions and the lack of an agreed legal maritime boundary. The paper concludes with some commentary on the political realities of implementing transboundary MSP. Sat, 23 Aug 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10468/2705 2014-08-23T00:00:00Z