An ecological analysis of the western Irish Sea for potential marine protected areas warns of “significant spatial squeeze” if both offshore wind farms and commercial fishing are excluded from sensitive habitats.
As The Sunday Independent reports, a report for the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien has recommended a list of 40 sensitive species and habitats in a sea area which has been targeted for extensive offshore windfarm development.
The study was led by Prof Tasman Crowe, director of University College, Dublin’s Earth Institute, and aims to inform new legislation on marine protected areas (MPAs).
It focuses on the sea area extending from Carlingford Lough to Carnsore Point, where a number of offshore wind farms will be built.
The Government has committed to designating 30 per cent of Ireland’s seas as marine protected areas (MPAs) by 2030 in line with EU commitments, and a Bill is currently before the Oireachtas.
The new report acknowledges the challenges of overlapping competing interests, given that the western Irish Sea is a busy shipping area and a key area for commercial fishing, among other activities.
Angel shark, basking shark, tope, American plaice and the European eel are among the 40 species and habitats identified for MPA designation.
Among the 40 listed, 18 of the features or species are already on protected lists.
For instance, the European eel and angel shark are “red-listed” or critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Carbon-rich muddy habitats are included, as they can capture carbon to mitigate global warming.
The barrel jellyfish is among the species listed, as it provides food for species of commercial or conservation importance.
Native or European flat oysters which were fished to extinction in the Irish Sea are listed as being “suitable for restoration”.
The report says the Irish Sea has a “long history of exploitation ” and is “far from pristine”, but says there are over 1,700 species and it is a “biocultural hotspot”.
Read more in The Sunday Independent here