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To mark World Maritime Day on 27 September 2007, supporters of the UK Marine Bill for Northern Ireland gathered outside Stormont, with a giant petition fish calling on the Northern Ireland Assembly to ‘sign up’ and put in place robust and effective legislation that will ensure the sustainable future of our seas.
Melanie Gomes, Marine Policy Officer, Ulster Wildlife Trust/WWF NI presenting a giant petition fish to members of the Assembly at Stormont yesterday
The Ulster Wildlife Trust, part of the Northern Ireland Marine Task Force, is pressing the Assembly to seize this once in a life time opportunity to reform the management of our seas and safeguard the future of our rich marine life and the livelihoods of local communities who depend upon it.
For far too long the seas around our coasts have been out of sight out of mind. More than 80 per cent of our fish stocks are over exploited and once common species like the Irish Sea cod, haddock and sole are beyond safe limits.
Even our most protected marine sites, such as Strangford Lough, are not fully protected from potentially damaging activities such as trawling, mineral extraction and pollution.
Current marine legislation is outdated, ineffective and piecemeal with over 85 pieces of legislation that are not working.
Heather Thompson, Chief Executive of the Ulster Wildlife Trust said:
"If Northern Ireland does not commit to the UK Marine Bill it will be at least another 4 to 5 years before legislation is put in place to implement changes needed to ensure sustainability in our seas.
"We are already falling behind targets under the Northern Ireland Sustainable Development Strategy to develop a policy and legislative framework for protecting the marine environment by 2008. We also have international targets to develop a network of Marine Protected Areas by 2010 and 2012, as well as the halting of biodiversity loss by 2010.
"We urgently need this UK Marine Act as a step to achieving this and urge the Assembly to sign up now or we may lose this chance altogether."
The Ulster Wildlife Trust is calling for a reform of marine planning with clear zoned areas for different users, streamlined marine licensing, Highly Protected Marine Reserves where all damaging activities are banned and better management of fisheries, including effective enforcement of fisheries legislation - and they are not alone!
Over 1000 people across Northern Ireland pledged their support for new marine legislation for Northern Ireland following a recent petition campaign organised by the Trust.
According to Melanie Gomes, Marine Policy Officer based at the Ulster Wildlife Trust:
"There has never been a more important time for our seas. The response to our Marine Bill campaign shows that the people of Northern Ireland care about the future of our seas and want to see marine species and habitats afforded better protection.
Over half of Northern Ireland’s wildlife lives in and around our seas – at least 4,000 species – and yet less than 4 per cent of it is protected. The UK Marine Act is a once in a life time opportunity that we need to embrace NOW if we are to have healthy seas for future generations."
The mismanagement of Strangford Lough and the destruction of the Horse Mussel beds which once covered much of the Lough has become a European case in point for how NOT to manage the marine environment.
As a Marine Protected Area, the habitats within Strangford Lough are protected by law; however, the NI Government’s management of the Lough has allowed fishing with mobile gear to almost completely destroy the reefs that once provided valuable habitat to hundreds of other marine species.
The Ulster Wildlife Trust is a locally driven conservation charity working for a healthy environment for wildlife and people across the country and in our seas. We do this through practical conservation; inspiring people of all ages to take action for the local environment; and campaigning on behalf of wildlife. UWT has a membership approaching 6,500 members in Northern Ireland who provide vital support for its work. UWT is part of The Wildlife Trusts – a partnership of 47 covering the whole of the UK.
For more information on the work of the Ulster Wildlife Trust, contact:
Dawn Miskelly
The Ulster Wildlife Trust
3 New Line
Crossgar
Downpatrick
Co Down BT30 9EP
w: www.ulsterwildlifetrust.org
t: 028 4483 0282
e: dawn.miskelly@ulsterwildlifetrust.org
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