Rosalind Skillen
The next few months of 2024 could be the most important yet for the Fair Seas campaign.
The MPA Bill has still not been published, with several deadlines for publishing the Bill missed last year, and the Government is in danger of running out of time to get this important legislation across the line.
While we wait for the MPA Bill to be released, BirdWatch Ireland, as part of the Fair Seas coalition, continues to build public and political support for ocean action. Having gathered more than 11,000 Irish signatures in under 4 weeks, the overwhelming support for our petition – urging the Irish government to release the MPA legislation without delay – demonstrates the huge appetite for effective marine protection. Our petition is still live at https://only.one/act/30×30-ireland, and we would encourage you to sign and share it if you have not done so already.
Black-legged Kittiwake. Photo: Colum Clarke.
Despite the hold-up of the MPA legislation, there has been some progress towards meeting Ireland’s targets of protecting 30% of Ireland’s seas by 2030. The New Year started on a high with Minister Noonan announcing the ‘Seas off Wexford’ special protection area, larger than Co. Wexford itself. These waters provide important food sources for seabirds, including Red-listed species such as Puffin and Kittiwake, and many other Amber-listed species such as Fulmar, Manx Shearwater and Shag. At 305,000 hectares, this new designation increases the percentage of Ireland’s marine protected waters to 9.4%, just under the 2025 target of 10%.
In 2024, Fair Seas will continue to increase the public momentum and mass mobilisation for Marine Protected Area legislation by building on the events and activities of last year. Here are some events to look out for over the next few months:
- BirdWatch Ireland have organised a series of talks on marine protection in collaboration with local branches, including in Cork, Sligo, Limerick, and Dublin. Make sure to stay updated with our range of events across the country via our newsletter and social media.
- Fair Seas are supporting Ken O’Sullivan’s series of ‘Into the Deep’ speaking tour across Ireland, as he recounts his adventures with marine mammals in the North Atlantic ocean. The second phase of the tour will take place in February 2024 across locations like Dublin, Wicklow, Waterford, and Donegal.
- There will also be an in-person film screening of the award-winning Fair Seas film ‘The Atlantic Northwest’ in Donegal on the 7th February. Come along to hear from anglers, divers, seafood producers and local people on what the ocean means to them.
Fair Seas 30×30
With EU and local elections looming in June, as well as the possibility of an Autumn General Election, the risk of the MPA legislation not being passed with this Government has never been higher. The urgency of the Bill progressing in the Oireachtas is paramount, and with your support, Fair Seas is in a strong position to influence the next steps of the MPA legislation.
To all our members, allies, and friends: thank you for your support on the journey towards strong marine protection, and for your commitment to securing healthy seas for our future.
