The Marine Institute has developed hydrodynamic models for Bertraghboy Bay, Clew Bay and Kilmakilloge Harbour in Ireland. The horizontal resolutions range of these models are from 40 to 80 m and they resolve the water column at 15 vertical levels. The predictions of these models are currently validate against field observations. In the case of Kilmakilloge Bay, these models are comprised of 3 loggers recording in-situ temperature, salinity and an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler unit (ADCP). These models, provided by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency), are also recording currents in the water column. The Marine Institute is planning to develop the model in Bertraghboy Bay further to include biogeochemical cycling. Bioenergetic model runs are also envisaged for identification of ‘good growth’ sites for shellfish farming and in conjunction with biogeochemical models to estimate nutrient transfer between salmon farms and seaweed.
