Charter signed to protect oceans

A 3 day hybrid event and conference in Cork heard how organisations can protect oceans and waters after signing a charter to do just that.

Fair Seas has signed an European Mission to Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030, which brings together member states, regions and a wide range of stakeholders with the common goal of making our oceans healthy again.

The Fair Seas campaign is led by a coalition of Ireland’s leading environmental non-governmental organisations and networks including Irish Wildlife Trust, BirdWatch Ireland, Sustainable Water Network, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Coomhola Salmon Trust, Irish Environmental Network and Coastwatch.

The event, held over the weekend, focused on the political commitments to implement the mission and agree measures to protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity as well as boosting coastal resilience.

Aoife O’ Mahony, Campaign Manager for Fair Seas, signed the Mission Charter and also addressed the Community Action session. Fair Seas is urging the Government to designate a minimum of 30% of Irish waters as marine protected areas by 2030, up from the current figure of 2%.

Aoife O’Mahony said: “At Fair Seas, our aim is to protect, conserve and restore Ireland’s remarkable marine environment. We share the same goals as the European Mission and are delighted to become one of the first 100 communities to sign the charter. We want to build a movement of ocean stewardship in Ireland by highlighting the uniqueness and significance of our marine environment.

“This new awareness of the wonder of our ocean has already increased awareness of Marine Protected Areas in Ireland, as seen in our recent consumer perception research and helps to build momentum around upcoming legislation. Ireland has a unique opportunity to learn from those who have gone before us and ensure we develop robust and flexible legislation that will protect our ocean for generations to come.”

A recent REDC survey of more than 1,000 people, carried out on behalf of the Fair Seas campaign, shows strong support for additional protections with 4 out of 5 people saying they would support a campaign to protect more of our seas.