Marine Protected Areas: Importance and Coverage in the Northeast Atlantic
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designated areas to protect marine features such as species and habitats. They benefit the economy, society, and environment. This article discusses the significance, coverage in the Northeast Atlantic, and the ongoing efforts to expand MPA networks in Ireland.
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Marine Protected Areas Richard Cronin 5 February 2021
What and why? Geo-spatially identified areas where protection measures are put in place to protect marine features such as species, habitats or other parts of the marine ecosystem. They can take a variety of forms ranging from exclusive marine reserves to areas allowing sustainable use and restricting specific activities. Its good for the economy, for society, human health and the environment Its good for our cultural heritage Strong policy drivers UN Convention on Biological Diversity 10% -30% UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 Life Below Water Birds and Habitats Directives OSPAR Convention -Ministerial 2021 Marine Strategy Framework Directive Programme of Measures National Biodiversity Action Plan Common Fisheries Policy UN BBNJ & ISA EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 Global Ocean Alliance 30by30 Programme for Government Our shared Future 2020 Body Level One Body Level Two Body Level Three Body Level Four Body Level Five 2 An Roinn Tith ochta, Rialtais iti il agus Oidhreachta | Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
MPA Coverage Northeast Atlantic (13.5m km2) 6.4% (864,337km2) Celtic Seas 15.3% Greater North Sea 18.6% Wider Atlantic 8.3% Bay of Biscay/Iberian coast 5.9% Arctic Waters 1.9% Ireland (488,762km2) 2.13% (10,420km2) Network is not yet ecologically coherent Final stages of designation of new 600,000km2MPA for sea birds Body Level One Body Level Two Body Level Three Body Level Four Body Level Five 3 An Roinn Tith ochta, Rialtais iti il agus Oidhreachta | Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Expert Advisory Report https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/135a8-expanding-irelands-marine-protected-area-network/ Established October 2019 chaired by Professor Tasman Crowe, Director of the Earth Institute in UCD supported by senior experts in 1) life and ocean sciences, 2) economic, social and cultural perspectives, 3) governance Report delivered October 2020 Key recommendations on definitions, principles and processes on what to protect, why to protect it and how to protect it Some surprises, some things we already knew about Published January 2021 Public consultation stakeholder engagement by expert advisory group August September 2020 wider public consultation planned February July 2021 Drafting legislation Q4 2021 Body Level One Body Level Two Body Level Three Body Level Four Body Level Five Register your interest marine.env@housing.gov.ie 4 An Roinn Tith ochta, Rialtais iti il agus Oidhreachta | Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Key takeaways https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/135a8-expanding-irelands-marine-protected-area-network/ Part of the wider reform of maritime governance This will be an on-gong process, not a fire and forget. It will be iterative and will evolve Sectoral uncertainty challenges MPAs are part of the action to achieve or maintain Good Environmental Status (MSFD) Good Environmental Status is the environmental pillar of the EU integrated maritime plan Will have to address ecological, cultural, social and economic challenges -not a binary choice Data, science and knowledge, the precautionary principle, polluter pays Stewardship: developing a common language and a co-design and management approach Participate! Body Level One Body Level Two Body Level Three Body Level Four Body Level Five You can t have a blue economy or a fishing industry without protecting the ocean(John Kerry, 2019) 5 An Roinn Tith ochta, Rialtais iti il agus Oidhreachta | Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
