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BMRS has established itself as a provider of marine research with global recognition for its work and has forged a reputation in project delivery.
BMRS is located on the shores of Bantry Bay an ideal location for marine research activities in the North Atlantic Area. Bantry Bay has a great maritime history, from Napoleonic naval invasions to harbouring the Royal Navy’s North Atlantic fleet, a deep-water port for Panamax oil tankers and sheltering respite for Europe’s fishing fleet in heavy weather. Aquaculture businesses, fishing operations and processing plants supported by ship building and harbour facilities located in a pristine vibrant ecosystem all combine to make this a superb location for marine research and development activities.
Bantry Marine Research Station Ltd (BMRS) is a privately owned marine biotechnology company focused on delivery of marine bio-based products and processes. BMRS was incorporated in 2016 following a restructuring of Daithi O’Murchu Marine Research Station Ltd, prior to that it was operated by University College Cork’s Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre. The facility has demonstrated its research and project delivery capability over two decades.
BMRS strategic intent is to become a leader in marine bio resource delivery.
BMRS holds an aquaculture research licence a HPRA animal experimentation licence and seaweed farming licence, it operates a purpose-built research facility and aquaculture vessel. Infrastructure includes micro and macro algal laboratories, marine shellfish and fish hatchery, challenge trial units and dry laboratory facilities. It is ideally located on the shores of Bantry bay in the south west of Ireland.
BMRS undertakings have grown steadily and includes consultancy, pilot trials, co-ordination and participation in EU and National research projects.
The 2012 publication “Harnessing our Ocean Wealth – An Integrated Plan for Ireland” highlights the importance of research and development to support sustainable economic growth and job creation through the development of new products and services; facilitate better management and protection of marine ecosystems; and inform policy, governance and regulation of the marine sector.
Research Activities
Research activities
Macro algae production and analysis
BMRS is involved in several macroalgae research projects. Macroalgae research is focused on the extraction and quantification of high-value bioactive compounds and applications.
Seaweed conversion to bio-products
BMRS is using seaweed derived biopolymers to develop plastic products (shrinkable and stretchable films, adhesives, plastic additives and coatings).
Seaweed bioactive extraction
Figure 1: Alaria esculentaBMRS is cultivating a brown macroalgae, Alaria esculenta, more commonly known as bladderlocks, on long-lines in Bantry Bay, Co. Cork. This species has high concentrations of valuable bioactives e.g. polyphenols, fucoidans and carotenoids. BMRS aim to carry out the structural and functional characterisation of novel macroalgal-derived phlorotannins, carotenoids (fucoxanthin) and polysaccharides (fucan) from Alaria esculenta.
Figure 2: Seaweed harvesting on shoreBMRS will also explore the temporal evolution and drying techniques on the biosynthesis of these bio-active compounds, leading to improved extraction methods and knowledge of the best harvesting period. BMRS principal premise is that long-line macroalgal cultivation coupled with characterisation analysis will allow for the identification and quantification of these bioactive for their potential in pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical applications. In vitro antimicrobial assays will be performed targeting specific microbes important in animal health with a focus on agents that cause diseases such as sub-clinical mastitis. Antioxidant assays will also be carried out to assess the bioactives for potential use as anti-inflammatory agents.
Figure 3: UHPLC for characterising compounds
Figure 4: Fucoxanthin extractsThe three year project is funded by the European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF), administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Earth Observation, GIS and Oceanography
BMRS has been involved in research concerning Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and satellite data. Relevant projects include ASIMUTH, OSS2015, SAFI, C-TEP and ATLANTOS. By using a combination of Earth Observation (EO) data derived from satellites and sensors, including sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll concentration and salinity, along with data collected in-situ, numerous products and services can be produced. These include services such as ASIMUTH, which progressed from nowcasting Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) to forecasting HABs. This service is particularly useful to those involved in the aquaculture industry who may suffer huge losses after the appearance of an unexpected HAB in their production area. The ability to predict the onset of a HAB means that these aquaculture farmers can take the necessary steps and precautions to protect their stock. Another service arising from EO data was produced by the SAFI project. This project used a combination of satellite data, biological data and in-situ data, including data on environmental parameters, productivity and fish stocks, in order to ascertain suitable areas for the aquaculture of various species and the development of indicators for recruitment, abundance and maturation in small pelagic fishes and bivalves.
Production Activities
Production Activities
Seaweed Hatchery
BMRS’ seaweed hatchery supplies high quality seaweed starting material for seaweed farms which help them to achieve good yields. BMRS has over 20 years of experience in breeding and propagating of several Irish seaweeds including Alaria esculenta and Saccharina lattisima.
At the BMRS seaweed hatchery we currently produce seeded strings or gametophytes for the kelps Alaria esculenta and Saccharina lattisima. If you are interested in our services, please contact us at or call us on +353 27 29181.
Stages of the Seaweed Hatchery
Fish Disease Experimental Unit
BMRS has extensive experience conducting fish disease trials on viral, bacterial and parasitic agents. BMRS has been involved in research investigating alternative treatments for amoebic gill disease (AGD) N. perurans and sea lice L. salmonis in conjunction with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and VetAqua International.
BMRS has a multi-species aquaculture research licence – finfish, crustaceans, molluscs, and macroalgae. Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) registered authorisation for animal experimentation.
Trial facilities include, salt water ambient and controlled environment tank infrastructure, a range of tank sizes and experimental design, capacity 100m3. Water filtration, sterilisation and treatment systems. Environmental monitoring and emergency systems for stock and site security. Temperature-controlled rooms, wet and dry laboratories, sterile facilities. Macroalgae hatchery and culture facilities. Marine fish hatchery and on-growing units. Marine site for the culture of seaweed and research vessel.