Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, ATU

Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, ATU A dynamic group of researchers, academics and students working together to enhance the management of marine and freshwater ecosystems worldwide.

We are a specialist research group of:

Academic staff (who also teach on GMIT’s undergraduate courses),
Post-doctoral and post-graduate research staff,
Masters’ and PhD students. GMIT has been conducting aquatic research since the 1980s. In 2009, the Higher Education Authority of Ireland (HEA) invested €1.5 million in our custom-built research space and laboratories. This has ensured

continued excellence in our research activities. Our team of students, researchers and scientists conduct postgraduate research, carry out research projects in co-operation with agencies and industry, and provide expertise and advice to national and international bodies.

09/05/2026

A great day at Dublin Zoo Native Species Festival with our WARPPEd project.

ATU Galway City

Congratulations to PhD candidate Cilia Kootstra at Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, ATU, on her first publication ...
10/04/2026

Congratulations to PhD candidate Cilia Kootstra at Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, ATU, on her first publication of her work. Cilia explored the long-and short-term effects of dredge disposal on harbour porpoise forag¬ing behaviour over a 5-year period (2017–2021). To our surprise foraging intensity actually increased during three of the four dredg¬ing phases at all monitored locations. Short-term responses, how¬ever, were highly site-specific. These findings suggest that dredge disposal had no obvious negative impact on harbour porpoise foraging behaviour and may have increased food availability.

This work was carried out in collaboration with Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and through the generous support of Dublin Port and who are commited to ensuring these important coastal infrastructure projects do not have significant impacts on marine mammals.

Kootstra et al. (2026) Harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in Dublin Bay: How does dredge disposal affect foraging behavior? Marine Mammal Science. 42:e70168. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.70168

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