Written by Colm Lordan and Ciaran Kelly.
Paul Connolly was a scientist of international standing, a dedicated public servant, and a deeply respected leader within the global marine science community. Paul's marine science journey started during his undergraduate studies of Zoology at University College Dublin (UCD), where he used a series of summer research bursaries at the national Fisheries Research Centre (FRC) to establish an ongoing collaboration with key staff. This collaboration led him to embark on a joint UCD-FRC PhD investigating the biology and fisheries for gurnards in the Irish Sea. As a PhD student, Paul already had a collaborative network of marine postgraduates across the various Irish universities. He also collaborated widely with fisheries laboratories in the UK, Germany, and elsewhere.
Having completed his PhD, Paul worked as a tax inspector in London, which he often liked to joke about, before securing a job in the Fisheries Research Centre (FRC). At that time, there was limited scientific monitoring, data collection, or assessments going on for demersal fisheries in Ireland. Paul was highly ambitious, and he quickly set about building a strong team within the FRC, by leveraging EU funding, which was becoming available at the time.
Paul's work initially focused on establishing a routine data collection programme and surveys on commercial vessels. He subsequently managed to secure funding through various EU projects and funding instruments, including STRIDE, FEIFA, and SAMPFISH. His team quickly grew as did his international network of colleagues, many of whom became close friends.
Paul's passion for fisheries research inspired many of us who joined his team in the early years. As he later recalled in an interview, he planted many seeds and watched them grow. The FRC became part of the Marine Institute, leading to further growth opportunities and a new research vessel, the RV Celtic Voyager, in 1997. The arrival of that vessel was transformative, providing Ireland with a platform to conduct fisheries surveys on a routine basis for the first time. Now, armed with port sampling, at-sea observations, and survey data, Paul engaged in the key demersal stock assessment working groups in ICES. Paul, together with John Molloy, began to produce "the Stockbook", a compendium of ICES and Marine Institute advice for fish stocks of interest to Ireland.
Paul also recognized the importance of collaborating with the fishing industry. His first EU-funded project, back in 1992, was a collaboration with the fishing industry on deep-water fish, in which he took on his first PhD student and collaborated with fisheries development agencies and academics in the UK. By the early 2000s, despite the improving science, demersal fisheries were not in a good situation: cod and whiting stocks in the Irish Sea collapsed, leading to the establishment of the first recovery plans. It was during those years that he fostered collaboration between science, management, and industry to design recovery measures, including closed areas and seasons. Later, Paul was involved in setting up the Irish Fisheries Research Partnership (IFSRP), a group he chaired for 10 years.
His career at the Marine Institute spanned over 30 years, culminating in his appointment as Chief Executive Officer from 2019–2023. Throughout this time, he played a central role in strengthening the scientific foundations of marine policy, fostering collaboration between science and management, and promoting innovation across Ireland's marine and maritime sectors.
Paul Connolly's ICES legacy
Within ICES, Paul Connolly's leadership also left a lasting and profound impact. He was an active member of the ICES community since the early 1990s. He was first appointed as the Irish delegate in 2000, when he took up his role as Director of Fisheries and Ecosystems Advisory Services at the Marine Institute. Paul was elected Vice-President and served on ICES Bureau from 2003–2005. He then served as Chair of the Management Committee on the Advisory Process (MCAP) from 2005–2008. This was the committee that reformed ICES advisory services by establishing the Advisory Committee (ACOM) with a full-time chair supported by the Head of Advice and the Advice department.
Paul served as ICES President from 2012–2015, during which time he led the development of ICES Strategic Plan (2014–2018). Again, this strategic plan was a hugely important milestone, establishing a clear vision, mission and structure for the organization, which endures today. Most recently, Paul served again on the Bureau as ICES Vice-President from 2020–2023 during the challenging pandemic period.
Paul championed the role of ICES as a trusted, impartial provider of advice to governments and international bodies. He consistently emphasized the importance of collaboration across disciplines, nations, and cultures to address the complex challenges facing marine ecosystems. He was widely admired for his ability to bring people together. He combined intellectual rigour with warmth, humility, and generosity of spirit, creating environments in which constructive dialogue and mutual respect could flourish. Colleagues across ICES recall his attentive listening, sound judgement, and calm, thoughtful leadership, particularly at times when the organization was navigating significant scientific and societal challenges. He always asked perceptive and penetrating questions and famously had “three things" to offer on almost any matter. All of us who knew him benefited greatly from knowing and working with him.
Beyond his formal roles, Paul Connolly was a passionate advocate for ocean sustainability and ocean literacy. He believed strongly in the responsibility of scientists to communicate clearly with society and to ensure that scientific knowledge served the public good. His vision extended beyond institutions, seeking always to inspire trust in science and to strengthen the connection between people and the ocean.
Those who worked with Paul will also remember the values he lived by. An Irish phrase he often used, “Ní neart go cur le chéile" (“There is no strength without unity"), captured his deep belief in cooperation and collective endeavour. This principle underpinned his approach to leadership within ICES and remains a fitting reflection of the legacy he leaves behind.
On behalf of the entire ICES community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Paul's family, friends, and colleagues. His contributions to marine science, international cooperation, and the mission of ICES will be remembered with gratitude and respect. Paul's legacy will continue to inspire those working to understand and protect our shared ocean.
