From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
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Today in Dublin, Malcolm Noonan TD, the Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, emphasised that significant work had been completed to progress legislation for Marine Protected Areas in Ireland. The Minister made the remarks as he launched a new €25 million LIFE project to protect, conserve and restore the biodiversity of Ireland’s marine ecosystems.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are well established world-wide as an important tool to protect and conserve marine life and habitats. A network of national MPAs can contribute to the sustainable use of the sea and achieve identified conservation objectives for the marine species and habitats being protected. A well-managed network of MPAs can provide resilience against climate change and support fisheries, aquaculture, recreation, tourism, and facilitate the sustainable deployment of offshore renewable energy, all of which are significant contributors to Ireland’s economy and essential to many livelihoods, especially in coastal and island communities. Ireland is committed to having 30% MPA coverage by 2030 to protect biodiversity, in line with the Programme for Government, EU strategy and related UN framework.
Speaking at the launch of a new €25m Marine Protected Areas LIFE project, in Dun Laoghaire, Minister Noonan said:
“I believe this country needs a comprehensive and modern process for the designation and effective management of Marine Protected Areas. That is why we have been working on a bill that will combine robust strategic targets for marine environmental protection with real and meaningful stakeholder and public participation.
“Given the significant - and much needed - change that is envisaged by this bill, the process towards publishing it has become protracted but we absolutely have to get the legal framework right if we are to have a final piece of legislation which will be a game changer for marine protection.
“I truly believe that with the huge investment of time and effort in this to date - by my Department, other Government Departments and the Attorney General’s Office – we already have the firm foundations for a truly remarkable Bill and I hope to have the final draft published by the end of the year.
The new Marine Protected Areas LIFE project launched today involves a €25m investment which will be used to research and develop a comprehensive network of Marine Protected Areas in line with international best practices.
Minister Noonan added:
“We are all aware of the increasing environmental challenges and pressures on marine habitats. This project will bring together local communities, environmental organisations, scientists and industry to plan and develop our Marine Protected Areas. It will focus on getting a balance between ecological protection and socio-economic development.
“In keeping with the collaborative approach, information and data created will be openly available to community, business and other interests and we will work with local experts to ensure their insights are shared.
“The project will promote ocean literacy, to help people better understand the ocean so they can make responsible and sustainable actions. Together, we can create a legacy of hope, resilience and recovery for our marine ecosystems, protecting it for generations to come.
“Ireland is working hard towards the 30% target. We have already reached one third of this goal, with new Special Areas of Conservation in the northeast Atlantic and Special Protection Areas in the northwest Irish Sea and Seas off Wexford, together comprising almost 3.25 million hectares of our marine waters. These designations have brought protected area coverage in our seas from 2.3% to almost 10% in the lifetime of this Government.”
The Marine Protected Areas LIFE project is a collaboration between the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and three research partners from the third-level sector. Three Universities will address various elements of this project: University College Dublin will focus on ecology and what the MPAs can achieve; University College Cork will consider the social side and stakeholders involved, and the University of Galway will address the economic impacts on industry and communities.
Representing the Universities, UCD’s Vice President for sustainability, Professor Tasman Crowe said:
“Ireland has a significant opportunity to make very impactful changes to protect and restore precious marine ecosystems and enable them to thrive. The changes will need to be carefully designed to ensure that they are effective and that the benefits and costs are shared as fairly as possible. We are delighted to work with the Government on the research and development of this important project for Ireland's environment and people.”
The Marine Protected Areas Bill, due to be published before the end of 2024, will set out different degrees of protection, which will be linked to the sensitivity and fragility of the habitats or species being protected within the MPA. It will also give details of the management and enforcement process developed to support these areas.
ENDS
Ocean Environment Policy Statement
The Bill provides that a national Ocean Environment Policy Statement will be put in place. This will be the key strategic guidance in relation to the development of MPAs. It will set Ireland’s high level national and international marine environmental objectives for the protection, preservation and restoration of species and habitats, as well as for the protection of important benefits people derive from our marine environment. The Statement will be reviewed at least every six years and will inform the MPA designation process. It will take account of other national and international policies for the sustainable use of the sea such as for energy, sea food and transportation, for example. It will include targets for MPAs, the criteria for selecting features and designating MPAs and set priorities for the different types of marine features that need protection in MPAs.
Marine Features List
A marine feature is a marine species, habitat, ecosystem or ecosystem service. The Bill will provide for the creation of a list of these features that would be suitable for protection as MPAs. Examples of these features are threatened and endangered species listed by IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) as well as the OSPAR Convention list of threatened and declining species including shark species (e.g. Basking sharks, Porbeagle sharks and Angel sharks), Rays and skates (e.g. Spotted and Thornback rays, Commons skate). The development of this list will include consultation with the public, community and stakeholder groups, government departments and agencies, and marine science experts.
Independent expert scientific advice
An independent Marine Protected Advisory Body (MPA AB) will provide advice on how to go about protecting species, habitats and other features that have been identified as suitable for protection in MPAs. This includes identifying conservation objectives and making recommendations for the effective management of MPAs. This work will be supported by participatory stakeholder and community working groups. The MPA AB will be made up of people with experience or qualifications in the protection and sustainable use of the marine environment, marine socio-economics, coastal and maritime culture, heritage, history or archaeology, climate change and maritime law and governance.
Public Participation
One of the most innovative aspects of this legislation is the high level of public participation it mandates throughout the entire process. From the initial identification of marine features to the ongoing management and monitoring of MPAs, the Bill ensures that local communities, stakeholders, and the general public are actively involved. This inclusive approach aims to harness local knowledge, foster community stewardship, and enhance the legitimacy and effectiveness of marine conservation efforts.
The Bill mandates this participation through the establishment of participatory stakeholder working groups that can assist the Minister and expert advisory body in their work. These groups are a key feature of the Bill and will be open to a broad range of stakeholders. The Department’s experience to date and the results of public consultation prior to work on this Bill highlighted the fact that participation in the process was a key requirement if MPAs are to be effective.
About the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for providing and sustaining policies, legislative framework and programmes, for the safeguarding, enhancement and sustainability of the Irish Marine Environment.
EU LIFE Programme
The LIFE Programme is the European Union’s funding instrument to develop and implement innovative ways to address environmental and climate challenges. The LIFE project began in 1992 and has co-financed thousands of projects in the field of environmental protection.