Ireland a leader in submarine mapping, conference told
One of the world's leading oceanographers says the waters off the west coast of Ireland have huge economic potential for this country and the globe.
The comments were made at a special conference in Dublin Castle today where scientists from the US, Canada and the EU are discussing what's known as the "Galway Statement".
The "Galway Statement" is a major project which will map the terrain as well as plant and fish life in the Atlantic Ocean.
Craig McLean of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Laboratory said Ireland is one of the leading countries in the world in ocean mapping.
"All of the submerged lands of Ireland have bee mapped- and very few nations have done that so far," he told the conference.
"We look forward to working in the mid-Atlantic and even [farther] = but I think the leadership Ireland has shown to completely map the submerged territories of your country is admirable, very respectable - and gives the Irish people firm information on how to manage the resources of the Irish territory."
