Marine conservation groups staged a demonstration outside Leinster House on Thursday, calling on the Government to publish long-awaited Marine Protected Area legislation. The rally was organised by the Fair Seas coalition, whose members include the Irish Wildlife Trust, BirdWatch Ireland, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and Coastwatch.
Campaigners dressed in sea creature costumes gathered outside the Dáil to highlight what they described as delays in protecting Ireland’s marine environment.
Families, environmental groups and marine advocates joined the Fair Seas rally demanding urgent action on ocean conservation measures
Fair Seas representatives presented Minister of State for the Marine Timmy Dooley with letters from members of the public calling for stronger protections for Irish waters. More than 1,800 people have sent personalised submissions to the Taoiseach and Government ministers over the past fortnight through an online campaign tool. The protest follows recent action by the European Commission, which has initiated infringement proceedings against Ireland for failing to protect marine habitats.
Ireland has yet to complete its network of marine Natura 2000 conservation sites, despite obligations dating back to 2012.
Fair Seas Campaign Coordinator Dr Dónal Griffin said marine ecosystems were under increasing pressure. “Our marine ecosystems and wildlife are under increasing pressure from climate change, habitat loss, overfishing and pollution,” he said. “It is now more than five years since the Government first committed to creating laws to protect our seas.”
Griffin added that delays meant marine biodiversity was “not being properly protected”.
Demonstrators outside Leinster House carried colourful signs and marine-themed props to highlight concerns over delays to Marine Protected Area legislation
BirdWatch Ireland Marine Advocacy and Campaigns Officer Sarah Hegarty said the rally's timing coincided with EU Natura 2000 Day. “Ireland continues to lag behind other EU countries when it comes to protecting our seas,” she said. “The Marine Protected Area legislation is a vital opportunity for the Government to show real leadership.”
Fair Seas will host its second World Ocean Week Conference in Cork on 3 June, bringing together environmental groups, fishing communities, industry representatives and policy makers.
