Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister has announced the latest step
forward in the use of space technology to help deal with
blue-green algae blooms in Lough Neagh.
He was speaking at the launch, in Parliament Buildings, of Phase
2 of a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), to develop an
operational remote‑sensing solution that predicts, detects and
monitors blue‑green algae (cyanobacteria) in the lough.
The Phase 2 programme has been awarded £800,000 in funding by the
UK Space Agency's Unlocking Space for Government programme and
will run to April 2026.
Phase 1 was launched in December 2024 and it completed in April
this year. Two suppliers have now been selected to progress to
Phase 2. They are:
Plastic‑i
(Bloomcast NI): Developing a forecasting and
decision‑support platform that combines satellite imagery
including SAR (surface aperture radar), catchment information,
drone data and environmental drivers to deliver bloom risk maps
and forecasts.
Newcastle University
(ALGAE‑Watch):
Advancing a low‑cost cyanobacterial sensor and multi‑modal Earth
observation analytics to improve early detection and warning
capability.
This programme aligns with the Lough Neagh Action Plan and the
Inter‑agency Blue‑Green Algae Monitoring Protocol, strengthening
DAERA's combined approach of satellite intelligence, in‑situ
measurements and public health guidance during the bathing
season.
Announcing the launch of Phase 2 Minister Muir said:
“Using space technology to forecast and monitor
blue‑green
algae is part of wider interventions to help improve
Lough Neagh water quality. This investment moves us from research
to
real‑world
solutions, giving our teams earlier, more accurate
information and improving our monitoring capability. It shows how
innovation and collaboration can deliver practical tools for
environmental protection.”
Chris McQuire, Senior Lead for the UK Space Agency's Unlocking
Space for Government programme, said: “Through our Unlocking
Space for Government programme, we're backing cutting-edge
solutions that harness the power of satellite technology and
Earth observation to protect important natural resources.
“This investment shows how space technology can deliver practical
benefits for communities and the environment, whilst also
strengthening the UK's position as a leader in space innovation.
We're excited to see how Plastic-i and Newcastle University
will advance these promising technologies from research concepts
into operational tools that will make a real difference for Lough
Neagh.”
Robert Hill, NI SPACE Cluster Manager and Chair of
Matrix said: “Space technology offers a plethora of
solutions to many issues not least environmental ones. In
respect of this Small Business Research Initiative and the issue
of blue-green algae blooms in Lough Neagh, Phase 2 is to be very
welcomed.
“Collaborating with the UK Space Agency and DAERA and suppliers,
Plastic-i and Newcastle University to create a forecasting and
decision support platform, alongside sensor and multi-modal Earth
observation analytics, will significantly aid in detecting and
anticipating emerging environmental issues. This is a real-world
example of how space-based technologies can be applied
meaningfully to support local government and public service
provision.”
James Doherty from Plastic-i said: “Bloomcast NI turns
world-class science into a practical tool that helps protect
communities, ecosystems, and livelihoods around Lough Neagh. By
combining satellite imagery, drone surveys, and environmental
data, we deliver AI-enabled forecasts of blue-green algal blooms.
These provide government agencies and local stakeholders with the
information they need to act earlier and more effectively. We are
proud to work with DAERA, the UK Space Agency, and NI Space to
ensure space technology makes a tangible difference on the ground
in Northern Ireland.”
Maria-Valasia Peppa from Newcastle University said: “Leveraging
interdisciplinary research excellence in the Schools of
Engineering, Natural Environmental Sciences, and Computing,
Newcastle University will develop a satellite, drone and in
situ-sensor based algae monitoring system in Lough Neagh. With
the recent growing concern around environmental impact, this
investment from the UK Space Agency, DAERA and SBRI is timely to
provide technological solutions to support societal and
environmental resilience.”
