10 Benefits of Marine Protected Areas for fishing and coastal communities
With collaboration throughout Ireland’s Marine Protected Area process, Ireland’s waters continue to support coastal communities and wildlife.
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IRISH OCEAN LITERACY SURVEY REVEALS DEEP CONNECTION AND CONCERN FOR MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Ocean literacy is the understanding of our individual and collective impact on the ocean and its impact on our lives and wellbeing
Ten Key Asks of Ireland’s MPA Bill
Ireland's current MPA network lacks monitoring and management, rendering the areas ineffective. New legislation must address this.
The Greater Skellig Coast Hope Spot
A large swathe of ocean off the south west coast of Ireland has been added to a list of ‘Hope Spots’ by the global marine conservation movement Mission Blue, led by legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle.
Mayo to Shelf Edge Area of Interest for Marine Protected Area Designation
This area has high densities of bottlenose dolphins that are present here year-round. Clew Bay is one of a few Irish bays in which the critically endangered angel shark (Squatina squatina) and flapper skate are still found.
East Coast Area of Interest for Marine Protected Area Designation
Ireland’s east coast is an extremely rich area for seabirds. The waters directly off Dublin’s fair city host the most important roseate tern colony in all of Europe. One of only two cod spawning grounds in Irish waters occurs along our east coast covering 65% of this ‘Area of Interest’.
Galway Bay and Islands Area of Interest for Marine Protected Area Designation
The area is very important for several elasmobranch species. It has high densities of bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises year-round. This is one of the most important coastal AOIs for seabirds in terms of diversity and volume, with roughly 65,000 birds breeding here.
Loop Head to Kenmare Area of Interest for Marine Protected Area Designation
Tralee and Dingle Bays are breeding areas for several threatened species of shark, ray and skate. High number of bottlenose dolphins in Brandon Bay. Bridges of Ross, not far from Loop Head in Clare, which is an important migration bottleneck, with almost 60,000 birds recorded during a three-year survey period.
South East Coast Area of Interest for Marine Protected Area Designation
South East Coast Area of Interest for Marine Protected Area Designation Size of the area: 7,124km² The east coast of Ireland was identified as a high biodiversity ‘Area of Interest’ for potential Marine Protected Area designation, in our recent report ‘Revitalising Our Seas’. For the full site synopsis and references please find the relevant pages […]
Southwest Coast Area of Interest for Marine Protected Area Designation
Whales, whales and more whales. Our analysis has shown the waters off West Cork to be a real hotspot for the largest whales that visit our coast with the highest numbers of fin whales and Risso’s dolphins seen here.
Donegal to Sligo Area of Interest for Marine Protected Area Designation
Home to many breeding seabirds as well as endangered sharks, skates and rays. Some areas potentially act as nursery grounds for bottlenose dolphins and their calves, while Minke whales seem to favour the waters around St. Johns Point.
North Coast Area of Interest for Marine Protected Area Designation
The north Donegal coast was identified as a high biodiversity ‘Area of Interest’ for potential Marine Protected Area designation.
