On Wednesday, 3 June 2026, Fair Seas will return to Cork City Hall to host the second Fair Seas Conference, kicking off World Ocean Week 2026.
The decisions made in the coming years will shape the health of our ocean for generations, and this conference is an opportunity to be part of that conversation.
In 2023, over 175 people gathered in Cork City Hall to discuss the future of Ireland’s seas. Ocean advocates, the fishing community, government, industry, scientists and civil society came together to explore what meaningful marine protection would look like in practice. Across sessions, the discussion moved from scientific evidence to implementation and lived experience.
Three years on, the urgency has not faded. It has grown.
Ireland has committed to protecting 30% of its seas by 2030, now just four years away. With Marine Protected Area (MPA) legislation still awaited and expectations around delivery rising, we must match ambition with implementation.
Places are limited, secure yours today.
What We Heard in 2023 – and Why We’re Gathering Again
In 2023, we set out to bring everyone into one room to discuss Ireland’s forthcoming MPA legislation. What emerged was a frank, constructive and cross-sector dialogue.
In Session One: Healthy Seas – How Are We Faring? We explored what marine protection should look like in practice, addressing the benefits, trade-offs, myths, and opportunities surrounding MPAs, not just globally, but here in Ireland.
In Session Two: Delivering Transformational Change for MPA Management, speakers moved beyond principle to practice, highlighting youth inclusion, collaborative management and global examples of strong protection. The session closed with a powerful reminder, echoed in a virtual address by Al Gore, that the ocean is a key ally not only for biodiversity, but for climate resilience.
In Session Three: Harnessing Stakeholder Involvement for Better MPA Outcomes, we heard directly from those who will shape, and be shaped by, Ireland’s marine protection journey. Voices from fisheries, tourism, offshore renewable energy and environmental NGOs emphasised that MPAs can work for coastal communities, but only if stakeholder engagement is meaningful from start to finish.
You can relive the energy of that day in our short highlights video and explore the session blogs for a deeper look at the discussions.
Yet what many participants valued most was what happened beyond the panel discussions – the opportunity to engage directly across sectors, test ideas openly, and build relationships.
This is why we are gathering again in 2026.
Why 2026 Matters
Ireland now stands at a critical implementation moment. The new General Scheme for MPA legislation has been promised by the minister, but hasn’t been published. Scrutiny of 30×30 commitments are increasing, and attention at the EU level continues to grow.
The question is no longer whether marine protection is necessary but how it is delivered.
How will we designate areas that genuinely protect biodiversity?
How will we manage them effectively?
How will we ensure coastal communities are part of shaping that future?
Creating a space for open, informed and constructive dialogue is part of meeting that challenge.
What to Expect on 3 June 2026
The 2026 programme will build on the foundations of 2023 while looking firmly ahead to the practical delivery of Marine Protected Areas in Ireland. The overall conference theme is clear: Exploring how Ireland can effectively and collaboratively deliver well-managed Marine Protected Areas, informed by global experience and grounded in governance and stakeholder realities. The day will unfold across four sessions:
Session One: Marine Protection and Restoration – A Global Perspective.
We begin by situating Ireland’s journey within the wider international context, exploring global leadership, initiatives and lessons from jurisdictions that have moved from commitment to implementation.
Session Two: From Designation to Delivery: Making Marine Protected Areas Effective.
Designating areas is only the first step. This session will showcase the international best practice examples of MPAs, highlighting the practical principles and approaches that enable effective marine protection.
Session Three: Stewardship, Governance and Marine Protection.
Linking global perspectives on ocean guardianship with practical pathways for implementation in Ireland, this session will explore the governance structures, collaborative models and institutional roles that can support the effective designation and long-term management of MPAs.
Session Four: Shared Seas – Stakeholder Perspectives.
This closing session will reflect on the themes and lessons emerging throughout the day, exploring practical considerations, collaborative pathways and the potential benefits of well-managed MPAs in Ireland.
There will be expert presentations, panel discussions bringing international perspectives alongside Irish experience, and dedicated time for networking and cross-sector conversation.
Above all, we are once again creating a space to strengthen relationships, surface practical solutions and ensure marine protection works for both nature and people.
The conference will take place in the stunning surroundings of Cork City Hall, overlooking Cork Harbour – a fitting backdrop for a conversation about our shared ocean future.
Be Part of the Conversation
Ireland’s ocean territory is more than seven times the size of our landmass. It supports biodiversity, livelihoods, coastal communities and cultural heritage. The choices made now will shape whether our seas are healthy and resilient in the decades ahead.
Whether you are a policymaker, involved in fishing, a scientist, nature advocate, business leader or community member, this is a space to listen, learn, contribute and collaboratively explore how Ireland can deliver well-managed MPAs.
📍 Cork City Hall
🗓️ Wednesday, 3 June 2026
⏰ 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
🎟️ Tickets start from €75 for students and civil society. Online participation is also available.
Places are limited and expected to fill quickly – secure yours today.
Join us in Cork on 3 June 2026 as we shape the next chapter of Ireland’s ocean story.
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