International ocean community unites behind Atlantic Summit Galway 2026 Outcome Statement, setting priorities for ocean knowledge, cooperation, and future leadership Atlantic Summit Galway 2026 concluded today with the release of the Atlantic Summit Galway 2026 Outcome Statement - a shared commitment to strengthen ocean knowledge, deepen Atlantic cooperation and invest in the next generation of ocean leaders. Representing the collective voice of the European Union and the Atlantic Ocean research community, the Statement positions the Atlantic as a strategic asset for Europe's future resilience, sustainability, security, and competitiveness. Jointly organised by the Marine Institute, University of Galway and Atlantic Technological University, Atlantic Summit Galway was an Associated Event of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union. More than 350 policymakers, researchers, scientists, industry leaders, innovators, educators, international organisations, coastal stakeholders and early-career ocean professionals from across Europe and the wider Atlantic region attended the event.  Over two days, participants explored how research, innovation, skills, and international cooperation can support a sustainable, resilient, and competitive Atlantic future. Discussions culminated in the Atlantic Summit Galway 2026 Outcome Statement outlining three priorities for Europe's ocean future: making ocean knowledge a strategic investment priority, strengthening Atlantic partnerships and cooperation, and investing in skills and leadership. A shared statement for Europe’s ocean future The Atlantic Summit Galway 2026 Outcome Statement recognises that the Atlantic Ocean remains central to Europe's environmental, economic, and strategic interests while facing growing pressures from climate change, biodiversity loss, geopolitical instability, and increasing demands on ocean resources. The Statement calls for strengthened action across three priority areas:   Make Ocean Knowledge a Strategic Investment Priority for Europe Delegates called for ocean knowledge to be recognised as a strategic capability and a cornerstone of Europe's future competitiveness, resilience, and maritime security. The Statement highlights the importance of sustained investment in ocean knowledge systems under the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework and Horizon Europe programme. Ocean knowledge systems comprise ocean observations, data systems, data products and services, research and innovation, expertise, infrastructures, networks, partnerships, and programmes.   Strengthen Atlantic Partnerships and Cooperation The Summit reaffirmed the value of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance and called for deeper cooperation across the Atlantic basin to address shared environmental, economic, and geopolitical challenges. Stronger international partnerships were recognised as essential to accelerating innovation, strengthening ocean governance, and maximising the benefits of research and investment.   Invest in Skills and Leadership for Europe's Ocean Future Recognising that Europe's ocean ambitions will depend on people as much as infrastructure, delegates highlighted the need for continued investment in education, training, mentoring, and capacity-building. Particular emphasis was placed on empowering Early Career Ocean Professionals and creating stronger pathways into ocean research, innovation, policy, and governance. Taken together, these priorities reflect a shared recognition that Europe's future prosperity, sustainability and resilience will depend on its ability to generate, share and apply ocean knowledge through stronger partnerships, strategic investment, and skills development. Speaking at the release of Atlantic Summit 2026 Outcome Statement Dr Fiona Grant, Marine Institute and Chair of the European Marine Board, said:  "From Galway, on Europe's Atlantic edge, a clear message has emerged: the ocean is not separate from Europe's future. It is central to it. Europe's prosperity, resilience, security, and competitiveness will depend on our ability to understand, protect, and sustainably manage our ocean. That is why the Atlantic Summit Galway 2026 Outcome Statement calls for action in three areas: making ocean knowledge a strategic investment priority, strengthening Atlantic cooperation and investing in the next generation of ocean leaders.  What has been achieved in Galway is more than a statement of intent. It is a commitment to collective action. The Atlantic has always connected our nations. Today, it connects us through a shared responsibility to shape its future and ensure it remains a source of opportunity, sustainability and prosperity for generations to come."  Professor Frances Fahy, Director of the Ryan Institute at University of Galway, said: "We are sending a powerful message: investment in ocean knowledge is an investment in Europe's future. At a time of growing environmental, economic, and geopolitical uncertainty, the ability to understand our ocean and act on that knowledge has never been more important. Meeting the challenges facing the Atlantic will require world-class research, international collaboration, and a shared commitment to turning evidence into action.  University of Galway is proud to be part of a community helping to shape that the ocean future. Galway has become an internationally recognised centre of ocean research and innovation, and the Atlantic Summit has reinforced our region as a place where knowledge and ambition comes together to make a global impact.” Dr Deirdre Brophy, Strategic Lead, Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Atlantic Technological University, said: "Europe's ocean ambitions will only be realised if we invest in people. The Atlantic Summit Galway 2026 Outcome Statement rightly recognises that skills, leadership, and talent are among our most important ocean resources. Delivering a sustainable and competitive blue economy will require graduates who can work collaboratively across disciplinary boundaries to address complex challenges. To drive change, they will need to develop skills in research, innovation and entrepreneurship, and be strongly connected to policy and to communities. We must empower the next generation to secure a sustainable future for our ocean by providing clearly defined and attractive career pathways and by investing in world-class marine education and training programmes.  The Atlantic Summit has established an important international partnership. Through our continued co-operation we will create opportunity and deliver impact across the Atlantic region."   From Galway to Europe and the Atlantic  The message from Galway is clear: the ocean is not separate from Europe's future. It is central to it. By investing in ocean knowledge, strengthening Atlantic partnerships, and empowering future leaders, Europe can build a sustainable, secure, and competitive ocean future. The Atlantic has always connected us. Through the Atlantic Summit Galway 2026 Outcome Statement, participants have committed to helping shape its future together.  ENDS    

Analysis of more than 450 snake species finds many use striking colours to advertise danger to predators   Researchers at University of Galway have found that venomous snakes are significantly more likely than non-venomous species to have colours that stand out against their natural surroundings. Animals use colour for many purposes, including camouflage, attracting mates and warning predators. For some animals, however, being conspicuous can be a survival strategy. Wasps, poison dart frogs and coral snakes are among the best-known examples of species whose bold colours warn potential predators that they are dangerous. While warning colouration has been studied in individual species and small groups of animals, it has remained unclear whether conspicuous colouration is generally associated with venom across a large number of snake species. Published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, the researchers examined more than 450 snake species from around the world, comparing how their colouration appears against the natural environment in which they live. The team compared snakes in their natural habitats by sourcing thousands of photographs through the citizen science platform iNaturalist. They examined whether venomous species were more visually distinct from their surroundings than non-venomous species, in particular looking at red and yellow colouration, two colours commonly associated with warning signals in the animal world. The study confirmed that while many venomous snakes are not brightly coloured, a large number have evolved distinctive colours and patterns. It is further evidence of a link between venom and warning colouration, suggesting that the two traits may have evolved together in some snake species and that being highly visible may have been the survival strategy and warning of danger to potential predators. Amy Duclaux from University of Galway’s School of Natural Sciences and a lead researcher on the project, said: “Our findings show that venomous snakes stand out from their natural background more than non-venomous species, supporting the idea that warning colouration has evolved to signal danger to potential predators. “Rather than hiding from predators, some venomous snakes appear to advertise that they're dangerous. Their striking colours likely evolved as warning signals that discourage attacks before they happen. “We also found that red and yellow colouration is particularly effective at helping snakes stand out against their natural background, suggesting these colours play an important role in visual signalling." Dr Kevin Healy, Head of the Macroecology Lab at the University’s School of Natural Sciences, said: “Citizen science initiatives such as iNaturalist are transforming ecological research by providing images of animals in their natural habitats at a scale that would otherwise be impossible for individual research teams to achieve. Museum collections allow us to measure colour accurately, but photographs taken in the wild are essential for understanding how those colours appear in the environments where they evolved." The findings offer new insight into the evolution of warning signals, suggesting that for some venomous snakes, conspicuous colouration may be less about hiding from predators and more about making sure they are seen. The research also highlights how citizen science and large-scale image datasets are transforming the study of evolution across the animal kingdom. The full study in the Journal of Animal Ecology is available at https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2656.70351  Ends

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has awarded Accredited Planning School status to University of Galway’s School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies. The award also includes accreditation of the University's MA in Planning and Development, which means students on the programme will earn an RTPI-accredited qualification, supporting graduates seeking to build professional careers in planning in Ireland, the UK and internationally. The one-year, full-time, MA in Planning and Development combines practical planning skills with critical planning theory and regulatory knowledge. Rachel Fisher, Chief Executive of the RTPI, said: “Planning has a critical role to play in tackling some of the biggest challenges facing communities, from housing and infrastructure to climate change and economic growth. Ensuring that the profession has a strong pipeline of highly skilled planners is therefore essential, and this accreditation is an important addition to planning education in Ireland.” John Sturzaker, Director of Careers and Education at the RTPI, said: “RTPI accreditation recognises planning programmes that meet the high academic and professional standards needed to prepare students for a career in planning. “The University of Galway’s MA in Planning and Development combines the theoretical, practical and regulatory understanding that future planners need. We look forward to working with the University and supporting its students as they develop their careers in the profession.” President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, said: “University of Galway is very cognisant of its vital role in promoting and facilitating planning development for the region and more broadly. This professional accreditation award from the RTPI reflects an endorsement of the quality and success of the University’s contributions in this regard, and of its ongoing commitment to planning education.” Professor Rebecca Braun, Dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies at University of Galway, said: “University of Galway welcomes this partnership with the Royal Town Planning Institute. We look forward to the opportunities it presents to deliver professionally-accredited graduates to the growing range of industry sectors seeking planning professionals here and abroad, and to address this identified critical skills gap in the region and nationally.” Read more about the MA in Planning and Development course here. Ends