WWF-UK: Northern Ireland
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Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's seas and coastline are among its most precious resources. Our seas provide opportunities for fishing, trade, tourism, recreation and even energy production. In addition, our seas support over 4,000 species - over half of Northern Ireland's wildlife.
Over 100 laws currently apply to Northern Ireland's seas. However, these laws were often developed in isolation. This disjointed approach means there is potential for conflict when marine developments are proposed. This confused mess of laws needs to be untangled and superseded by a new, more effective, and more integrated approach which will enable us to tackle these threats and effectively manage our seas for all those who depend upon them.
Strangford Lough is home to more than 2,000 marine species and is one of the most important and most highly protected marine sites in the UK and Ireland. Despite all its national and international designations, the horse mussel beds that grow on the bottom of the lough have been badly damaged. These beds support over 100 other species. It seems that trawling for scallops was the main cause of the damage. The fact that such an important and highly protected area can still be damaged shows that current management systems are not working.
Ongoing research has highlighted the ecological importance of other areas such as Rathlin Island, which is host to a great variety of sponges, including some rare species not previously recorded anywhere else in Northern Ireland. WWF Northern Ireland believes a new approach and legal framework is needed to better protect and mange these areas and all the species, including humans, they support.
There is already a commitment in the Northern Ireland Sustainable Development strategy to 'develop a policy and legislative framework for protecting the marine environment by 2008'. We urgently need a timetable to ensure this happens.
A Northern Ireland Marine Act must reflect the aims and objectives of the UK Marine Act. This will mean establishing and applying a planning system for managing sea based activities (like the system that exists on land) while adopting an ecosystem based approach that will help protect our marine habitats and species.
Strangford Lough is home to more than 2,000 marine species and is one of the most important and most highly protected marine sites in the UK and Ireland. Despite all its national and international designations, the horse mussel beds that grow on the bottom of the lough have been badly damaged. These beds support over 100 other species. It seems that trawling for scallops was the main cause of the damage. The fact that such an important and highly protected area can still be damaged shows that current management systems are not working.
Ongoing research has highlighted the ecological importance of other areas such as Rathlin Island, which is host to a great variety of sponges, including some rare species not previously recorded anywhere else in Northern Ireland. WWF Northern Ireland believes a new approach and legal framework is needed to better protect and mange these areas and all the species, including humans, they support.
There is already a commitment in the Northern Ireland Sustainable Development strategy to 'develop a policy and legislative framework for protecting the marine environment by 2008'. We urgently need a timetable to ensure this happens.
A Northern Ireland Marine Act must reflect the aims and objectives of the UK Marine Act. This will mean establishing and applying a planning system for managing sea based activities (like the system that exists on land) while adopting an ecosystem based approach that will help protect our marine habitats and species.
