The King and Queen of Sweden are visiting Galway today as part of a three day state visit to Ireland.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden met with An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar yesterday in Dublin and attended a state dinner with President Michael D. Higgins that evening.
Today the royal couple are visiting the Marine Institute in Oranmore where they will be met by Galway TD and Minister of State Seán Kyne, as well as senior officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Speaking ahead of the visit Deputy Kyne said that he was looking forward to welcoming the King and Queen to Galway.
“The visit supports the shared interest between Ireland and Sweden to sustainably manage and develop our marine resource.
“I hope the visit encourages further collaboration between our two countries to observe and understand how our ocean is changing and respond to current and future patterns of change.”
King Gustaf has long been a proponent of the conservation of marine life, serving as Chairman of the Swedish organisation of the World Wildlife Fund since 1988.
He is also guardian of the Baltic Salmon Fund, which promotes the sustainable management of wild salmon in the Baltic sea and the rivers along the Baltic coast.
Marine Institute scientists will speak to the King and Queen of Sweden about surveying and assessing fish stocks in Irish waters.
This is part of efforts to to assist in sustainably monitoring and developing Ireland’s fisheries resource.
The royals will also view a series of artworks produced as part of the EU-funded BlueFish Project.
This project aims to spread awareness of how we use our marine resources and the impact that climate change will have on marine ecosystems in Irish waters.
CEO of the Marine Institute Peter Heffernan said they were looking forward to showcasing the institute’s work on ocean observation and fisheries assessment and monitoring.
“Providing scientific advice and services in these areas is one of the Institute’s key roles, and essential to Ireland achieving a sustainable ocean economy, as well as protecting and managing our marine ecosystems.”
After finishing their visit to the Marine Institute the King and Queen will depart for Clare where they have engagements in the Burren.
