Ireland Living Lab Day 2: Blue Economy Innovation & Skills Forum gets under way at MTU Tralee

• May 27, 2026

Marine industry leaders, entrepreneurs and students have gathered at Munster Technological University’s North Campus in Tralee this morning for the Blue Economy Innovation & Skills Forum, a half-day event exploring the future of Ireland’s ocean industries and the workforce needed to sustain them.

The forum, which kicked off at 10.00am, forms part of the wider Pharos Mega Event taking place on MTU campus and has drawn attendees from across the marine sector, including fisheries professionals, aquaculture specialists, coastal community representatives, educators and career changers.

Global perspective from Irish entrepreneur

Opening proceedings this morning, keynote speaker Wayne Murphy, an Irish entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Hatch Blue, the global venture capital firm and accelerator dedicated to aquaculture, agritech and alternative seafood, addressed delegates on “Blue Economy Innovation – A Global Perspective.”

Murphy, whose firm has backed some of the most promising blue economy start-ups worldwide, is expected to offer insights into how Ireland can position itself within the rapidly evolving global ocean economy, drawing lessons from international markets while highlighting home-grown opportunities.

Hands-on innovation mapping

Following the keynote and a Q&A session, attendees are now taking part in an Innovation Mapping Workshop, an interactive session examining Ireland’s highest-potential blue economy opportunities across fisheries and aquaculture, seaweed cultivation, and coastal tourism.

Participants are identifying innovation opportunities, growth areas and sector challenges, with discussions integrating circular economy models, biorefinery applications and blue biotechnology.

The workshop is designed to bridge the gap between industry ambition and practical, actionable pathways, a theme that runs throughout the morning’s programme.

Parallel session: EU Blue Schools workshop for educators

At the same time, a dedicated online workshop is being hosted for teachers, educators and schools interested in joining the EU Blue Schools network. This interactive virtual session is connecting classrooms across Ireland with the PHAROS project, engaging students and educators in marine restoration efforts.

A West Kerry second‑level school’s award‑winning conservation work has been highlighted as a powerful example of the next generation’s role in ocean stewardship, as educators from across Ireland gathered at MTU Tralee today to explore how to bring marine restoration into the classroom.

As part of the Pharos Mega Event, teachers from primary and post‑primary schools joined a workshop for the EU Blue Schools network, led by PHAROS project experts. The session showed how classrooms can contribute to real‑world conservation by linking young learners to marine research, biodiversity projects and restoration initiatives along the Irish coast.

The Blue Schools workshop invited young learners (via their teachers) to explore ocean literacy, biodiversity preservation and sustainability through live discussions with PHAROS experts. Participants have had the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas and contribute fresh perspectives from the next generation of ocean stewards.

During the Blue Schools session, organisers drew attention to the exceptional environmental work already under way in Kerry schools, notably that of students at Meán Scoil Nua an Leith Triúigh (MSLT) in Castlegregory. Just weeks ago, the school’s ‘Go Wild’ team won both the Overall Senior Award and the Senior Biodiversity Award at the Young Environmentalist Awards 2026 in Dublin. Their winning project focused on the conservation of the Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula), a vulnerable shorebird that nests along Ireland’s coastline, including the shores of Kerry.

The project combined scientific research, practical conservation measures and public engagement to highlight the growing threats facing ground‑nesting coastal birds. Students worked closely with local communities and environmental stakeholders to promote awareness and protection of the species and its fragile habitat.

“What first began as a local study of a coastal bird has evolved into a nationally recognised environmental success story,” organisers noted. Judges commended the project for its strong scientific foundation, clear purpose and meaningful community impact. Students were praised for demonstrating not only environmental awareness, but also leadership, communication skills and a deep commitment to protecting their local environment.

Community partnership in action

A key element of the students’ success was their collaboration with the Maharees Conservation Association, the award‑winning community‑led group widely recognised as an international exemplar in climate adaptation and nature‑based solutions. The Maharees peninsula is a fragile coastal ecosystem of international importance for wintering birds, including the Ringed Plover, and is designated for protection under the EU Birds Directive.

Association co‑founder Martha Farrell, who herself was named Clean Coasts Ocean Hero Individual of the Year in 2023, praised the students’ work. “They highlighted the plight of the ringed plover brilliantly,” she said

Skills for a growing sector

A dedicated Blue Futures session turned to workforce development, exploring the emerging roles, training programmes and education pathways needed to support Ireland’s scaling blue economy.

As the sector expands into marine biotechnology, sustainable food systems, circular manufacturing and coastal enterprise, the demand for new skills and career pathways has become increasingly urgent. The session will highlight existing training provision and collaborative solutions available to industry, educators and policymakers alike.