Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013
787. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way he will increase protection of the 600 proposed Natural Heritage Areas here; if he is working on proposing areas of conservation in the marine especially in areas exposed to damage from excessive fishing practices such as trawling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26671/13]
View answerThe designation of proposed Natural Heritage Areas is a matter for the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
The State’s efforts in recent times has focussed on meeting obligations arising under the Habitats and Birds Directives by designating an appropriate number of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). The State’s progress in this area has been the subject of adverse findings in the European Court of Justice and these designations must be addressed as a first priority. Once the designation process for these European sites is complete, attention will be given to the formal designation of proposed Natural Heritage Areas.
While the responsibility for designating proposed Natural Heritage Areas and conservation areas as part of the Natura 2000 network rests with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, my Department and its agencies continue to support and develop environmentally sustainable fisheries management measures both to protect the environment and the stocks concerned. Measures have already been adopted to manage dredge fisheries in Castlemaine Harbour, Kerry and Dundalk Bay and more are in development for a number of marine conservation sites.
The designation of marine protected areas under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive is led by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. My Department proactively participates in the development of the implementation framework for this Directive with the scientific services of the Marine Institute.
I have been a strong advocate of sustainable, profitable and self reliant industry that protects and enhances the social and economic fabric of rural coastal communities dependent on the seafood sector, while balancing these objectives with the need to deliver sustainable fisheries for future generations. I am happy to have recently secured the support of the European institutions for a reformed Common Fisheries Policy which will deliver added protection to existing conservation areas, while supporting the establishment of further biologically sensitive protected areas, to contribute to the conservation of living aquatic resources and marine eco-systems.
