Future Plans for Marine Protected Areas

The Common Dolphin

Irelands the 6th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity  which was published in 2019, outlines  its ambition to “expand Marine Protected Areas and to ensure that Protected Areas are managed as a network to recognising the importance of connectivity” under one of its main objectives (Objective 6). In May of 2018, a motion was passed calling the Government to meet its international obligations to protect 50 % of Ireland's seas by designating community driven MPAs. The Government has announced its commitment to start the process of developing primary legislation to provide for the creation of a network of Marine Protected Areas (DHLPG, 2019). 

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) are currently in charge of the designations and management of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) established under the Natura 2000 Directives. Many of these sites are currently designated as MPAs under Ireland's OSPAR sites. The NPWS, along with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (DHPLG), and other stakeholders will join to form an Advisory group that will play a key role in the recommendations around the designation and protection of Marine Protected Areas. The full implementation and establishment of these sites would put Ireland in line with its commitments under the Aichi biodiversity targets, the OSPAR Convention and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.