Brian Beckett

Experience

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  Central Fisheries Board

  Jul 1996 - Dec 1997

  I was contracted as one of two biologists responsible for the set-up, day to day running and long-term management of a program aiming to assess and subsequently develop individual coarse fisheries in Ireland. I managed the on-site examination of waterbodies, analysis of survey results, suitability assessment, staff training/supervision and finally reported my findings to an E.U. funding committee. The core survey concentrated on water quality assessment and fish stock studies in lakes using gill, seine and fyke netting. Sediment type and quality, and biological quality (floral and faunal community investigations) were studied in detail. Other information collected ranged from fish parasitology to the bathymetrics of each waterbody. Show less

  • Fisheries Scientist

    Nov 1996 - Dec 1997

  • Research Assistant

    Jul 1996 - Oct 1996
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  Central Fisheries Board

  Jan 1999 - Dec 1999

  Fisheries Scientist / Environmental Officer.

  I implemented the Waterways Monitoring and Pollution Abatement Program for the Royal, Grand and Barrow canals and the River Barrow, Ireland. In my role as fisheries biologist, I co-managed the fisheries development program for the canal systems and the River Barrow. My responsibilities included the enhancement / development of recreational fisheries on the waterbodies mentioned above, the collection of data on fish stock status, standing crop and community structure using electro-fishing and various netting techniques. I was involved in research covering areas such as gill net selectivity, fish migration behaviour (using telemetry) and macroinvertebrate community structure. As environmental officer, I was primarily responsible for monitoring the environmental status of these waterbodies with a view to maintaining existing high standards, employing a combination of water quality, fish behaviour and general freshwater ecological appraisal techniques. In addition to water quality monitoring and pollution abatement, I was involved in flow / nutrient loading studies, macroinvertebrate / macrophytic surveys and the compilation of a bacteriological database for these systems. Ongoing trophic classification according to parameters of water quality and quantitative / qualitative studies of algal species present were also my responsibility. I played a reactive role in the investigation and abatement of pollution incidents / fish kills. Show less

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  Gleasra Fioruisce Teoranta (GFT)

  Jan 2000 - Dec 2000

  Fisheries Biologist

  Responsible for the full commissioning of a split beam hydroacoustic system on the River Suir, Ireland. This fixed location riverine installation was used to gather information on salmonid behaviour, primarily estimating numbers of migrating adult Atlantic salmon returning to spawn in their natal rivers and streams. I developed the project from initial site selection, through permanent installation and calibration of equipment to running the hydroacoustic counter continuously and producing real time counts of migrating fish. This information was accessible on a daily basis by fishery inspectors who could use real-time stock figures to effectively manage, develop and protect the resource. I am currently writing a paper on salmonid migration behaviour in the River Suir based on data collected during this study. Show less

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  Marine Sciences Research Centre, State University of New York, Stonybrook

  Jan 2001 - May 2002

  Senior Research Scientist

  January – December 2001(June 2002): Marine Sciences Research Centre, S.U.N.Y. Stonybrook – Senior Research Support Specialist, fisheries research.June, 2002: Senior research scientist representing M.S.R.C. on a two week bottom trawl survey of New Jersey coastal waters. (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection)August – December, 2001: Appointed scientist-in-charge of the M.S.R.C’s Gowanus Bay and Canal, biota survey in New York Harbour, I headed a team charged with the collection, interpretation and reporting of data on fish population composition and abundance in the Gowanus Bay system. The assessments comprised a series of small boat surveys of fish and their environments off Brooklyn in an attempt to determine potentials of Gowanus Bay and Canal as important habitats for juvenile fish. June-July, 2001: Employed as a field team member in the M.S.R.C’s Coastal 2000 project, this E.P.A.-sponsored program, I was responsible for the collection of a common suite of ‘core’ environmental indicators of ecological condition at predetermined marine sites around Long Island. April-May 2001: I co-operated a high resolution Simrad multibeam bathymetric echosounder in the M.S.R.C’s ‘Hydroacoustic assessment of Hudson River habitats’. I worked in a team that is involved in ongoing work to produce the first comprehensive map of river bottom habitats for the Hudson Estuary. January-April, 2001: As team leader in the M.S.R.C’s New York Harbour Habitat Assessment Project, I was responsible for the compilation of a number of desktop studies addressing the viability of using hydroacoustics to assess the ecological function of pier pilings for the fish community in N.Y. Harbour. Show less

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  Ecological Consultancy Services Ltd. (EcoServe)

  May 2002 - Jan 2005

  Senior Freshwater Ecologist / Fish Biologist

  Responsible for freshwater ecological activities at EcoServe including: environmental impact assessments, field surveys, water and sediment sampling, mapping of habitats and biotopes, freshwater macroinvertebrate surveys and Q-indices, river corridor surveys, nature conservation issues, habitat and species studies.

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  Inland Fisheries Ireland

  Jan 2005 - Nov 2013

  Senior Fisheries Environmental Officer

  Team member with shared responsibility for protection, conservation and management of the fisheries resource with particular focus on fisheries related environmental issues in the Dublin metropolitan area. Water quality, pollution, development / forestry / planning issues, Environmental Impact studies, conventional and novel waste water treatment technologies, water abstractions. The role encompasses both proactive and reactive elements.

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  Inland Fisheries Ireland

  Nov 2013 - now

  Senior manager in technical / operational field responsible for implementing Inland Fisheries Ireland's corporate vision, mission, business plan and associated strategy / supporting structures at regional level. Leading, motivating and managing a team of approximately 40 environmentally-focused professionals in delivery of the highest standards of public service.Ensuring operational and corporate compliance with all regulations and other relevant legislation.Delivering on the remit of IFI in line with standardised policies, procedures and protocols.Representing IFI both nationally and internationally and liaising with relevant public bodies, agencies and organisations to deliver on IFI strategic priorities.Ensuring protection of organisational assets and reputation.Developing and managing regional budgets in line with corporate and annual business plans.Reporting on regional activities and metrics - both cyclical and ad hoc as required.Responding with flexibility and positivity to the organisational needs of IFI and as a member of the RBD Management Team contributing to maximisation of efficiencies in the utilisation of staff and resources.Undertaking cross-cutting inter-departmental duties and responsibilities that assist in the coherent and effective delivery of IFI's statutory remit. Show less

  • Director of Sustainability and Climate Action

    Mar 2024 - now

  • Director, IFI Dublin

    Nov 2013 - Mar 2024