Protecting our marine environment through partnership

Environment Minister Edwin Poots today said that the long term resilience and sustainability of our seas is dependent on a partnership approach to protecting our marine environment.

The Minister was speaking as he delivered the opening address at the ‘Brave New Ocean’ conference, organised by the Ulster Wildlife Trust to help raise awareness about what is happening in the world’s oceans.

Addressing stakeholders at the event the Minister said: “Northern Ireland’s seas support around half of our biodiversity, including many threatened marine animal and plant species, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. We also rely on the marine environment for food, energy, aggregates and leisure provision. That is why its protection is of paramount importance.”

“The UK Government and devolved administrations are committed to working together in partnership to manage marine activities and protect the seas effectively. Sustainable development is at the heart of the proposals and key to the achievement of this is a holistic and integrated approach to the management of activities in the marine environment.”

The UK Marine and Coastal Access Bill sets a partnership framework from which legislative reforms in Northern Ireland will follow. Marine legislation will be introduced using a combination of the UK Bill and a NI Marine Bill.

Notes to editors:

1. A range of national and international experts in marine ecology spoke at today’s conference to highlight the problems facing our ocean’s ecology.
2. The key areas of the proposals are marine planning, streamlined and integrated marine licensing, enhanced marine nature conservation and consideration of an appropriate delivery mechanism.
3. The proposals are cross-cutting and impact on the functions of DARD, DETI, DRD and DCAL.
4. Work has begun on implementing the aspects of the UK Bill which extend to NI, in particular the preparation of the Marine policy statement, in liaison with the other UK administrations and relevant NI Departments, and subordinate legislation relating to marine licensing.
5. All media inquiries should be directed to the Department of Environment Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.