The International Groundfish Survey (IGFS) is an internationally coordinated demersal trawl survey that takes place from October to December in the Atlantic shelf waters of Ireland. The main objectives of the Irish Groundfish Survey are to provide indices of abundance for commercially exploited demersal fish stocks and recruitment information in the Celtic Seas Ecoregion. The survey also collects data on non-commercial fish species, elasmobranchs, cephalopods and benthic fauna.
The IGFS is an excellent opportunity for graduates and postgraduate students who wish to develop field skills in biometric sampling and gain experience in offshore survey operations.
Provisional survey legs are as follows:
IGFS Leg 1. 31st October to 11th November
IGFS Leg 2. 11th to 22nd November.
IGFS Leg 3. 22nd November to 3rd December.
IGFS Leg 4. 3rd to 14th December.
Applications
The closing date for applications is Wedensday the 23rd of August 2023.
Applications can be submitted online here.
Advice on completing the application form is here
Requirements
- Significant seagoing experience
- Current ENG 11 medical certificate
- Current PST STCW 95 or equivalent
More information on medical and PST certificates can found at Vessel User Information | Marine Institute
Survey Data
The data collected during the survey is the intellectual property of the survey organisers. Survey participants are obliged to comply with survey data privacy and protection as set out by the Chief Scientist.
Further Information
Bursaries are granted with the agreement of the chief scientist.
Information on obtaining medical and sea-survival certificates and vessel user guidelines for national research vessels are available here.
Also see:
Irish Groundfish Survey Cruise Report, Sept. 24th – Dec. 17th, 2014 (marine.ie)
Further enquiries should be addressed to: John.Boyd@atu.ie