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Sea Change: A graduate’s journey into Coastal and Marine Management
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- James Corcoran Hodgins shares how a lifelong love of the sea and a concern for biodiversity led him to study the MSc in Coastal and Marine Management at UCC.
- His research into puffin diets and time aboard the RV Tom Crean highlight the hands-on experiences that shaped his vision for protecting Ireland’s marine ecosystems.
For James Corcoran Hodgins, the decision to pursue a MSc in Applied Coastal and Marine Management came down to two things: a deep concern for the climate and biodiversity crisis, and a lifelong connection to the sea. Through his postgraduate studies, James combined both passions through marine research and advocacy.
In this Alumni Spotlight, James shares what inspired his dissertation on the diet of Atlantic Puffins, his experience conducting fieldwork along the Irish coast, and his time aboard the RV Tom Crean.
What motivated you to choose the MSc in Applied Coastal and Marine Management?
I’m strongly motivated to have a positive impact on the climate and biodiversity crisis, and happiest when in, on, or near the sea, so the MSc in Applied Coastal and Marine Management seemed like a perfect fit!
Your dissertation looked at Sandeels in the diet of Atlantic Puffins. What drew you to that topic, and what were some key takeaways from your fieldwork?
I’ve always been drawn to Puffins, with a highlight of most summers being Sea Kayaking to the Saltee Islands to photograph the puffin colony. During the course of the MSc, new data was published which showed Atlantic Puffins to be one of just two species of Irish seabirds that are in decline. Sandeels have been shown to be a key prey item for breeding puffins in the UK, yet we know relatively little about the diet of Irish populations. I was keen to try and use photography to survey multiple Irish Puffin colonies. I was able to show that Puffin Island off the Kerry coast is an outlier across Ireland and the UK, with puffins there feeding primarily on a different family of fish known as Clupeids. I was also pretty keen to undertake a significant amount of fieldwork for my dissertation, after many late nights spent in front of my laptop during the taught section of the MSc!
What aspects of the MSc stood out to you the most?
The programme gave me a holistic understanding of the Coastal and Marine environment, and the challenges and opportunities it presents for Ireland in the coming decades. A highlight was definitely my time spent on board the RV Tom Crean, giving me invaluable insight into the work conducted by our state research vessels, and hands-on experience of working offshore.
What are your hopes for the future of Ireland’s marine environment? What changes would you like to see in how we care for our coasts and seas?
My hope is that the government will publish and enact the long awaited Marine Protected Area Bill, outlining how we can meet our EU and international obligations of protecting 30% of our waters by 2030. This legislation is the first step in ensuring that we protect and restore marine habitats as we move to develop our offshore renewable resources, and decarbonise our energy systems. Marine protection, and offshore renewable development can go hand in hand. How we manage our marine territory in the coming decade will be crucial in not only meeting our climate targets, but also ensuring healthy marine ecosystems for generations to come.
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Inspired by James’s journey?
Applications for the MSc in Applied Coastal and Marine Management are now open. Whether you're passionate about marine science, policy, or conservation, the programme offers the skills and experience to make a real impact.