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Minster launches AIMS [All-Ireland Mammal Symposium]

06/11/09

In Waterford today (6 November 2009) Mr John Gormley T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government launched the inaugural All-Ireland Mammal Symposium (AIMS).  The Symposium is being hosted by the Waterford Institute of Technology with over 150 delegates attending from throughout the island of Ireland.

 

The two day meeting, which is being part-funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, will hear presentations on all aspects of Irish mammal biology and ecology with topics as diverse as photo-identification of fin whales, genetic analysis of pine martens, deer management in Irish forestry and landscape conservation for bats. AIMS will bring together researchers from universities all over Ireland as well as wildlife managers and conservationists.

 

In his opening address Minister Gormley paid tribute to the research institutes on their mammal research programmes:  “We have made significant strides in our understanding of Irish mammals in recent years”. He went on to encourage universities to explore further opportunities for co-operation: “This progress has been greatly facilitated by collaborations between research institutes across the island.”

 

Minister Gormley also highlighted a number of species that are causing concern because of their increasing numbers, namely the grey squirrel and the deer species. He highlighted the need for different interests to work together: “ The effective management of these species will require co-operation  between land managers, state agencies, Government Departments, and research institutes”. 

 

AIMS continues on Saturday 7th November and concludes on Sunday 8th November with a specialist workshop on “Mammals in Forests”.

 

Notes for editors

This is the first All-Ireland Mammal Symposium. The website for the Symposium which includes a full programme of talks, including key note speakers etc can be found here: http://www.allirelandmammalsymposium.org/index.html

 

Most Irish mammals are protected under the Wildlife Acts (1976 & 2000). The National Parks & Wildlife Service of the DoEHLG is responsible for implementing the Wildlife Acts.

 

Some mammals (e.g. otter, all 10 bat species, seals, whales and dolphins) are also protected under the EU Habitats & Species Directive.

 

Further information on Irish mammals here: http://www.npws.ie/en/Biodiversity/IrishSpecies/Mammals/#d.en.3810

 

 

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