The Irish Government has announced two new marine protected areas covering almost 3 million hectares ahead of Malcolm Noonan’s attendance at COP15 in Canada.
Delegates from around the world are gathering at the Chinese-Canadian led UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal to come up with a plan to reverse biodiversity collapse.
It is hoped they will reach a deal on issues including marine, nature and species protection.
Fair Seas Ireland has welcomed the move to protect sea areas off the north west and south east coasts of Ireland.
Aoife O’Mahony, campaign manager for Fair Seas, said: “This is a significant step in the right direction.
“However, considering the global biodiversity crisis we are now facing, it’s essential that proper management plans are put in place for these and all other existing MPAs too.”
Ireland has already outlined plans to increase its marine protected areas from 2.1% to 30% by 2030.
Yesterday’s [WED] announcement on protecting the Southern Canyons 280km from Cork and Kerry alongside the Porcupine Shelf, west of Clew Bay Mayo will increase the country’s MPAs to 8.3%.
The areas include diverse coral reefs that support numerous fish species including long-finned pilot whales, dolphins, sharks, rays and birds such as the arctic tern and puffin.
The two sites were highlighted in Fair Seas' June 2022 report identifying areas in need of protected status.
Dr Donal Griffin, marine policy officer with Fair Seas, added: “The designation of the new SACs is such positive news for these unique offshore ecosystems including beautifully delicate and colourful cold water reefs.
“These ecosystems and habitats are extremely vulnerable to physical disturbance and damage, which is why their SAC designation is so important.
“Like any MPA, their effectiveness at protecting or restoring conservation features, comes down to how well the site is managed.
“The Government now has a responsibility to ensure these new offshore SACs are effectively managed going forward.”
Deepwater reefs support more biodiversity than surrounding habitats because they are so ecologically diverse.
MPA designation of the two new sites has increased the area of reef habitat now protected in Ireland from 10% to 24%.
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, said before travelling to Montréal: “This is fantastic and much-anticipated news for everyone who cares about our oceans, our coastline and our treasured island environment.
“Ireland’s marine environment is rich in biodiversity, providing huge benefits for our economy, our health and well-being, for coastal communities, food provision and climate adaptation.
“It also offers enormous renewable energy potential for our country and our people, which this Government is committed to harnessing.”
Minister Noonan also announced Government support for stand-alone Marine Protected Areas legislation.
He added: “We started from a low base of 2.3% marine protection in 2020, but since I became Minister we have more than tripled the overall size of protected areas in the sea to 8.3%, and are on track to reach 10% by the middle of next year.
“This, plus progress on the new MPA Bill, puts Ireland in an excellent position to deliver on its ambition for protected areas across 30% of our maritime area – that’s twice the size of our landmass – by 2030.
“Working together we can address the pressures we put on the ocean and its natural resources and build a better ocean future for the benefit of people and nature, now and into the future.”
READ NEXT :
Missing Amy Fitzpatrick was paid to go on 'drugs runs' before disappearance
First woman to get Covid-19 vaccine in Ireland dies as tributes are paid
Exact dates social welfare payments will be made over Christmas 2022
Cash-strapped RTE spend over €80k launching their annual new season event
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
