'Marine Reserves in Northern Ireland: the way forward', commissioned by Ulster Wildlife Trust and WWF Northern Ireland, concludes that highly protected marine reserves – areas free from damaging human activity – should be part of future plans to protect our seas. Areas identified include parts of the Antrim Coast for example Red Bay and parts of Lough Foyle, Dundrum Bay, Rathlin Island and Strangford Lough.

"There is strong scientific evidence to show that by keeping some areas free from commercial activities such as fishing or dredging, marine ecosystems can be sustained and restored with knock-on benefits for fisheries. We believe that there needs to be a core of Highly Protected Marine Reserves, where no damaging activities take place to secure the foundation of Northern Ireland's seas. These areas need to be set within the context of a wider network of Marine Protected Areas where other activities may be managed." said Geoff Nuttall, Head of WWF Northern Ireland, speaking on behalf of UWT and WWF Northern Ireland.

The report, authored by leading marine academics from the University of York, states that current management strategies have failed to protect key marine sites such as Rathlin Island and Strangford Lough.

"Although four percent of Northern Ireland's marine environment is subject to some form of protective legislation, this is not meeting current conservation needs. It has now become urgently important to raise the level of marine protection afforded to Northern Ireland and to instigate marine reserves," said author of the report Professor Callum Roberts, University of York.

The report recommends that a process urgently needs to be put in place to identify which sites should be protected. It highlights a number of locations within which marine reserves could be identified. In order to qualify as a marine reserve, a site should meet at least one of a number of important criteria. Examples of these include having a high diversity of wildlife, vulnerable or sensitive species, internationally or nationally important wildlife and unique or rare communities.

A number of recommendations are also made of next steps for the Northern Ireland Assembly and stakeholders on this issue. These include:
• Marine reserves should be established in Northern Ireland
• Encouraging Government departments to adopt a more holistic, ecosystem approach to marine management, possibly through a Northern Ireland Marine Management Organisation
• Development of robust data sets which could accurately identify priority sites for protection
• Support moves to create an overarching legislative framework for Northern Ireland which will deliver the requirements of the UK Marine Bill

"This report is very timely following the Minister for the Environment's recent statement committing Northern Ireland to new marine legislation which includes the designation of Marine Protected Areas. We hope that government will take on board its recommendations and prioritise the designation of these areas," said Geoff Nuttall.