Latest news with #MarineProtectedAreas
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Behind the Story: Why Irish seas 'urgently' need more legal protection
Ireland needs its own legislation to safeguard marine protected areas, an expert has warned. Marine biologist Rebecca Hunter told Behind the Story that the damage to the seas around Ireland is "quite alarming". "This year alone there are records of Atlantic Salmon that has declined by 90% since the 1970s," she said. "So, in the past 50, 60 years – not even a human lifetime – 90% of Irish Salmon have been lost. "The European Eel, which would return to Irish rivers, is down 97%." Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are areas that are protected and managed over the long term, with a primary objective of conserving habitats and/or species. The Government approved the general scheme of a Marine Protected Areas Bill in December 2022. However, it was reported in June that the coalition could drop the law in favour of folding it into the offshore wind consenting scheme. "An exercise is being undertaken to explore how the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 could be revised as an alternative approach, so that the overarching objectives of MPA Bill might be met through amendment of that act," Minister for Housing James Browne has said. Ms Hunter said legislation needs to give Ireland the power to designate marine protected areas for species and habitats of national importance. "Ireland already has some marine protected areas that come from the EU Habitats Directive," she said. "I think currently something like 8.3% of Irish seas are protected through those designations." However, Ms Hunter said there are two issues with relying on EU legislation alone. "The EU Habitats Directive never made a requirement for any management measures to be put in place when those sites were designated," she explained. "They often become what's known as paper parks: [so] they exist on paper, but in effect no activities are being stopped, reduced or managed in any way to protect the species. "The EU Habitats Directive covers species and habitats that are important at an EU level; but that misses a large number that are important at an Irish level". Ms Hunter said there needs to be standalone legislation on marine protection. "National marine protection would allow Ireland to bring forward a new list of species that require protection in Irish waters and it must include the provision that management measures are in place," she said. "Ireland is signed up to the target of achieving at least 20% protection by 2030 – at the minute it's about 8.3%. "Ireland is one of the countries furthest behind in its level of protection". Ms Hunter said the seas need their own piece of legislation for protection, rather than "be shoehorned into a piece of legislation that is designed to manage human activities". Marine and coastal habitats Ms Hunter said recent reports suggest that areas are at risk. "The latest reports on the condition of marine and coastal habitats within some of Ireland's marine protected areas are showing that a huge number of these are in an unfavourable status," she said. "There's a whale-watching company in Cork that closed recently because there are no longer the whales to keep that business going". Ms Hunter said some marine species are closer to extinction than people may realise. "There are animals in Irish seas which are closer to extinction than many of the big species we may think of when we hear that word [such as] snow leopards, giant pandas," she said. "There are animals like the flapper skate, the angel shark – they are ranked as being closer to extinction than any of those other species." Ms Hunter said the decline is due to a number of factors including climate breakdown, water quality issues and habitat loss. 'Our sense of identity' Ms Hunter explained her love for the sea came from her childhood. "It's like another world out there," she said. "I grew up, spending a lot of time in Donegal, around Lough Swilly. "There's so much different marine life that Ireland has - the size of Ireland's sea is about seven-times larger than the size of the island itself". Ms Hunter said Irish waters contain "huge numbers of sea birds and coastal animals" as well as 26 different types of whales and dolphins. "Even more recently discovered animals that were thought to be lost: there are angel sharks in Tralee Bay and there's even coral reefs". Ms Hunter said such creatures are "deeply bound into our stories and our sense of identity". As part of her research, she spent four months on a vessel in 2009. "It's a wonderful experience, it can be a tough experience," she recalls. "There were a lot of storms; we had to actually rescue a rower trying to make his way over the Atlantic Ocean at one point. "You learned to stick your life jacket under one side of your mattress to sort of push your mattress up against the wall. "That held you in in your bed, so that the storms didn't chuck you out of your bed halfway through the night".
See - Sada Elbalad
03-08-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Global Events Mark Marine Protected Areas Day 2025
Ahmed Emam Countries worldwide observed "Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day" on August 1, 2025, with a coordinated series of events aimed at highlighting the importance of marine conservation, according to TV BRICS. Now in its fifth year, the initiative is supported by more than 90 partner organisations, with over 80 activities scheduled across 25 countries. South Africa, where MPA Day originated, is hosting a significant share of the events. Activities range from beach clean-ups, guided coastal walks, and marine biodiversity tours to research and monitoring projects, art exhibitions, documentary screenings, and virtual sessions. Many events are designed to give participants direct interaction with marine environments while promoting awareness of ocean health. Youth engagement is a key focus for 2025, with hands-on workshops and educational programs aimed at fostering a deeper connection between young people and the ocean. Scientists and conservationists are also taking part, conducting field research and encouraging public involvement in citizen science projects. Organisers say the day not only celebrates the biodiversity of marine protected areas but also calls attention to the urgent need for their preservation amid global environmental challenges. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jersey trawling area limited from September 2026
More than one fifth of the island's territorial waters will be designated as marine protected areas and off limits to trawling and dredging from September 2026, the government has confirmed. Jersey politicians voted unanimously for the Marine Spatial Plan in October, which included a pledge to increase the area of protected waters from 6.5% to 23%. Marine protected areas prohibit mobile gear fishing, which includes trawling and dredging, to stop damage to habitats and species. Jersey's government said it will work with licensed fishermen in Jersey and France to support adjustment to the new rules. A timeline for implementing the plan released by the infrastructure and environment committee also shows part of Les Sauvages reef will be off limits to all fishing. Only commercially licensed vessels will be prohibited from fishing in the protected areas. Potting, netting, rod and line fishing and all recreational activities are unaffected by the changes. More news stories for Jersey Listen to the latest news for Jersey An additional 4% of territorial waters are being researched and could be added to the protected marine areas by 2030, the committee said. "This will be a seismic shift for marine management in Jersey waters, significantly changing the face of fishing," it said. "The Economic Impact Assessment will assist in understanding the livelihood impact of these changes and government will work with licensed fishermen in Jersey and France to support adjustment to the new rules." Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to More on this story Jersey marine protection plan gets States backing Panel fears marine plan could destroy habitats Minister promises fishermen he will listen to fears Related internet links Government of Jersey
BBC News
02-08-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Jersey trawling and dredging area limited from September 2026
More than one fifth of the island's territorial waters will be designated as marine protected areas and off limits to trawling and dredging from September 2026, the government has politicians voted unanimously for the Marine Spatial Plan in October, which included a pledge to increase the area of protected waters from 6.5% to 23%.Marine protected areas prohibit mobile gear fishing, which includes trawling and dredging, to stop damage to habitats and government said it will work with licensed fishermen in Jersey and France to support adjustment to the new rules. A timeline for implementing the plan released by the infrastructure and environment committee also shows part of Les Sauvages reef will be off limits to all fishing. Only commercially licensed vessels will be prohibited from fishing in the protected netting, rod and line fishing and all recreational activities are unaffected by the changes. An additional 4% of territorial waters are being researched and could be added to the protected marine areas by 2030, the committee said. "This will be a seismic shift for marine management in Jersey waters, significantly changing the face of fishing," it said."The Economic Impact Assessment will assist in understanding the livelihood impact of these changes and government will work with licensed fishermen in Jersey and France to support adjustment to the new rules."
The Citizen
01-08-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Free digital maps for ocean lovers
South Africans will celebrate the fifth annual Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day with an innovative and free new tool digital MPA maps this this Friday. These easy-to-read maps have been released to help anglers and the public navigate MPAs. On the mid-South Coast in particular, Aliwal Shoal is particularly well-known. Dr Bruce Mann and Dr Ryan Daly, both of whom work at the Oceanographic Research Institute in Durban, breathed life into this concept. 'Despite recent interest in our MPAs, particularly as we build up to the celebration of MPA Day, many anglers, divers, skippers and the general public are still unsure of the MPAs exact locations and the permitted activities within them,' said Mann. Daly explained that although MPA boundaries and regulations are published in the government gazette, these documents are often hard to access and comprehend. 'In our effort to improve understanding, we created simple maps of all South Africa's coastal MPAs, which are free for anyone to access online,' said Daly. The maps also show the boundaries and zoning of each MPA using a colour-coded 'traffic light' system. Red means no-fishing restricted zones, orange means pelagic game fishing zones (no bottom fishing), yellow means catch-and-release zones and green means control zones allowing most recreational activities. Dr Judy Mann, founder of MPA Day and the executive of Strategic Projects at The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, said that these maps will not only serve to increase awareness about the location and zonation of MPAs, but also to help people understand the regulations, proving beneficial for both anglers and conservation authorities. 'After all, the first step to compliance is knowledge, and these maps will help both resource users and conservation staff.' To access and download these maps, visit or The MPA Day team encourages one and all to celebrate this day on August 1 through shared stories, talks, online and ocean-based activities. MPA Day initially began in South Africa and is now celebrated worldwide, showcasing its benefits not just for ocean health and marine life, but humans too. This includes protecting breeding and nursery areas to ensure fishery sustainability, increased climate resilience, job creation and tourism and vital research and education. To find out more about MPA Day events and activities near you, visit @MPASouthAfrica on Facebook. HAVE YOUR SAY Like the South Coast Herald's Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
