45,000

1 Apr 2010, 08:59 Add Comment

Of what? At 45,000 sq km and 300m deep, it's the Irish Sea. Around six million people live within 10km of it and it laps the shores of England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland.

So, it's not property or regeneration is it? Don't let its cold grey waters fool you, the Irish Sea is important for the region's economy, chock full of wildlife and popular for recreation. There are 17 active oil and gas drilling platforms, 742 offshore wind turbines either operational or in the pipeline, and hundreds of ships and ferries operating out of its many ports. Beneath the waves are leatherback turtles, 35 species of sharks, honeycomb reefs, dolphins, seals and pink sea fans, to name but a few. People enjoy the water for sailing, wind surfing, kite surfing, kayaking, diving and more. This summer two adventurous types will attempt to paddle round the whole Irish Sea in kayaks.

What's your point? Compared to the land our seas enjoy relatively little environmental protection, but now the government is doing something about it. It is creating a network of marine protected areas, including Marine Conservation Zones which will protect nationally important marine wildlife, habitats, geology and geomorphology. In the Irish Sea efforts to recommend where they should be and what they should protect are being co-ordinated by the Irish Sea Conservation Zones project.

Here's the important bit - the zones are likely to restrict certain activities, so anyone with an interest in the Irish Sea should get involved as soon as possible to make sure they have their say.

What's going to happen? The do-nothing approach is not an option - the government's recent Marine and Coastal Access Act commits it to increasing marine protection, as do several international treaties and EU Directives.

Who is involved? In a radical step, the people who use, value and make a living from the Irish Sea are right at the heart of the process. A 'stakeholder group' made up of people with an interest in the Irish Sea will recommend where the conservation zones should be, and what form the protection should take. The government is expected to accept the recommended sites, providing they meet certain ecological criteria. Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee are the national partners.

Further reading: www.irishseaconservation.org.uk

Your Comments

0 Comments Add Comment

Close this window

Add your comment

>

Your Name

Your Comments

Enter verification code