Have your say on Marine Bill, urges Poots
Monday, 28 June 2010Environment Minister Edwin Poots today urged the public to have their say on a new bill aimed at improving and protecting Northern Ireland’s unique marine environment.
With just two weeks of the consultation period on the Northern Ireland Marine Bill left, Mr Poots said: “Northern Ireland’s seas are very important. They provide food, employment and pleasure. However, competition in our seas is growing fast so we must act now to look after our seas.”
One key area of the consultation is the proposal to introduce a new planning system for Northern Ireland’s marine environment, by 2014. This new planning system will manage all the competing activities that take place at sea in a more integrated manner.
The Minister added: “I encourage everyone with an interest or long association with the sea to take part in building an effective marine planning system.
“Our new system will manage the shipping routes which supply us with food whilst protecting and improving the productivity of our waters. The seas are also a natural source of new energy such as wind, tidal and wave power, and the NI Marine Bill provides the necessary framework to ensure the sustainable use of our seas for many generations to come.
“This bill will help to support our economic recovery through the development of new scientific and technical knowledge of this natural resource. However, in doing so it is also in everyone’s interest to conserve and enhance the diversity and richness of our marine environment.”
The new marine planning process encourages the various activities such as fishing, renewables, tourism, recreation, habitats, historic and archaeological features, telecommunication cabling, ports and harbours, dredging and disposal, aquaculture and protection of the marine environment in general to work together. In effect the system provides us with the opportunity to make the best use of our seas.
The Minister added: “I want you to have a real say in what happens so that we can work together to ensure that the new system reflects the interests of all users of the sea.
“This Bill will not favour any one particular interest but will establish a flexible, co-operative and joined up approach to allow the maximum benefits for all. The consultation closes on 9 July and I am keen to receive your views.”
Notes to editors:
1. The NI Marine Bill aims to deliver sustainable management and development of our seas through three interlocking pieces of legislation: the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009; the transposition of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive; and the proposed Northern Ireland Marine Bill.
2. Several key provisions in the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 apply to Northern Ireland. These will be enhanced by provisions in the proposed Northern Ireland Marine Bill and introduced to the Assembly in 2011.
3. Three strands for the better management of our marine environment are put forward in the consultation paper.
(i) A new framework for marine planning which will: provide greater certainty for marine developers and users; maximise the social, economic and environmental value of the marine resource; and ensure sustainability.
(ii) The proposed Bill sets out proposals to reduce the regulatory burden on developers by further streamlining and modernising the marine licensing and consents system.
(iii) The paper also sets out proposals for a new national designation regime that would further protect and enhance Northern Ireland’s marine wildlife and habitats.
4. The consultation is available on the DOE website The public consultation on the policy proposals for a proposed Northern Ireland Marine Bill will close on 9 July 2010.
5. Responses can be sent to marineteam@doeni.gov.uk or post to:
Department of the Environment Planning and Natural Resources Division NI Marine Bill Team3rd Floor Calvert House 23 Castle Place Belfast BT1 1FY6. All media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Environment’s Press Office on 028905 40003. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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