Did You Know:
- Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Are Designated Areas That Are Set Aside For Conservation. Marine Protected Areas Preserve & Protect Marine Life & Their Habitats Within Them.
- Just 9% of the Irish Sea is protected.
- Fair Seas Ireland are on a mission to pinpoint areas of importance for protection.
- By 2030, Ireland aims to protect 30% of sea area under an EU & Global initiative to protect marine biodiversity, from plants, to fish, to marine mammals & birds.
- The South West Coast biodiversity hotspot & is a prime location as a MPA.
- It has the highest number of fin whales & dolphins in Ireland in the last few years.
- It’s a great breeding ground for commercial fish but also rare fish & is a major migration route for sea birds.
- There’s been humpback whales & fin whale sightings (the second biggest whale in the sea), common dolphins, dorsal dolphins, minke whales & sharks.
- Every group of biodiversity from whales, dolphins, sharks, fish, birds, greenery is ticked off in the south west coast.
- It’s not just quantity of protected areas, it’s also quality if the MPA. The protected areas need to be of service to animals, plants, animals, seabirds, whales & dolphins. It’s needs to be significant areas.
- A legislation on Marine Protected Area has been published & is due before the Dáil in October.
What You Can Do:
- Follow Fair Seas Ireland for all updates on MPA’s.
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