Saturday, June 8th marks World Ocean Day.
As an island nation, we have a strong physical and cultural connection to the sea. Indeed, the Fair Seas Ocean Literary Survey revealed that 99% of people feel marine protection is important to them, with 60% experiencing awe or wonder when they think about the marine environment. While this survey was the first of its kind in Ireland, the maritime traditions, art and literature of our ancestors would indicate that they felt much the same about our oceans.
However, today’s widespread interest and awe in the marine environment has an undercurrent of concern. We know from research that our marine environment and the life that depends on it is in trouble owing to pressures including climate change, pollution and overfishing. Oceana’s 2022 ‘On the Brink’ report highlighted the detrimental effect that overfishing has had on fish stocks in the Northeast Atlantic. Species like anchovy, eel, herring, horse mackerel, Norway lobster, sardine, and whiting, among others, have one or more stocks that are known or considered to be depleted. The most extreme case is that of cod, with nine depleted stocks – the highest number across the whole region.
For seabirds, healthy oceans provide a consistent food supply. When oceans are degraded and fish stocks depleted, it can have detrimental effects on seabird populations, adding to the many other pressures that these species are already facing. Of the 24 breeding seabirds in Ireland, 23 are Red- or Amber-listed Birds of Conservation Concern. Kittiwake, Puffin and Razorbill have joined the Red list having previously been Amber-listed, while the Kittiwake and Puffin are now classed as globally vulnerable.
We have cause for concern for other species, too. A recent report from Fair Seas and the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) highlighted the lower than expected numbers of Harbour Porpoise found in two Areas of Interest (the Southwest Coast and Loop Head to Kenmare River) surveyed, including in a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) designated for Harbour Porpoise. This decline is consistent with the findings of other recent surveys in three other SACs with this species as a qualifying factor.
However, all is not lost for, where there is curiosity and passion, there is hope. The theme of World Ocean Day in 2024 is “Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean and Climate”. There is one fast but meaningful way you can take action to benefit the marine environment this World Ocean Day: Call on your Ministers to publish the MPA Bill.
There are many threats facing our oceans and, at present, government inaction is high on the list.
We know that many of the challenges facing the marine environment could be reduced with proper marine protection. However, it’s been nearly a year since the government promised to publish a Marine Protected Area (MPA) bill and, with just a handful of days left before the Dáil summer recess, this vital legislation still hasn’t been introduced.
With less than one year left before the current government ends, the bill must be published urgently and moved effectively through the different stages of the Oireachtas in time if it is to have a chance of being passed at all.
Only One and Fair Seas are encouraging petition signers and Irish citizens to keep up the pressure and send letters to Minister Darragh O’Brien and Minister Malcolm Noonan directly, using our email tool, to urge for the swift publication of the MPA legislation. It only takes two clicks and several seconds to have your say. You can access this tool here: Write to Your Ministers: No Time to Waste to Protect Ireland’s Seas (only.one).
