Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:208 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he has taken initiatives in regard to marine conservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31642/03]
Written Answers. - Coastal Protection.
Ireland is a party to OSPAR, the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic, which aims to protect and conserve the ecosystems and the biological diversity of the maritime area which are, or could be, affected as a result of human activities and to restore, where practicable, marine areas which have been adversely affected. An enormous range of OSPAR related activities play an important role in the management and sustainable development of our marine resources while protecting the marine environment and the biological diversity of all those species and habitats contained therein.
In the area of habitat classification and mapping there are a number of projects currently being undertaken in Ireland to protect and conserve the ecosystems and biological diversity of the maritime area of the north east Atlantic. Under the aegis of my Department, work has continued since 1999 on a €27 million survey of Ireland's seabed by the Geological Survey of Ireland. This survey encompasses an area in excess of 400,000 sq. km. that is approximately ten times the size of Ireland's land area and represents one of the largest seabed mapping surveys undertaken anywhere in the world. Maps which result from this survey will provide the basis for identifying those habitats and species in need of protection in our offshore waters. Scientists from the Martin Ryan Institute at NUI, Galway have identified four areas for potential special area of conservation for designation by Dúchas under the EU habitats directive. If successful, Ireland will be one of the first countries taking steps to protect coral habitats in the EU.
Many other activities are ongoing at EU and international level to prevent further pollution from ships, strengthen the protection of vulnerable coastlines through the declaration of particularly sensitive sea areas. Initiatives are also under way to improve the availability and use of port reception facilities for the disposal of ship generated waste and cargo residues. All these actions contribute to the on-going protection and conservation of the marine environment.
The Deputy may also wish to note that the Dumping At Sea (Amendment) Bill 2000, which amends the Dumping At Sea Act 1996, completed second stage in the Dáil last week. This Bill, inter alia, will provide for the inclusion of any likelihood of interference with important natural or archaeological heritage among the particular matters to be considered before a decision is made on any application for a dumping at sea permit, impose a statutory obligation on all applicants for permits to publish notice of their intentions in a newspaper circulating in the vicinity of the area or areas to which the applications relate and impose a statutory obligation to publish on the Department's website details of all applications for dumping at sea permits.
Under the Common Fisheries Policy, the conservation of fish stocks is a critical priority. A review of the CFP was finalised at last year's December fisheries Council. The new policy is laid down in Council Regulation 2371/2002. This regulation sets down the framework for the CFP going forward. It identifies the importance of strengthened measures to address the decline of fish stocks to ensure the long-term viability of the fisheries sector through sustainable exploitation of fish stock based on sound scientific advice and on the precautionary approach.
In relation to stocks outside safe biological limits, the regulation provides for multi-annual plans which establish targets for the sustainable exploitation of the stocks concerned taking account of the conservation status of the stocks, the urgency of their recovery and the characteristics of these stocks and the fisheries in which they are caught. The regulation also provides for the adoption by the Commission or a member state of emergency measures in the event of a serious threat to the conservation of resources which requires immediate action. Greater responsibility is also given to member states in respect of the management of fisheries within their 12 mile coastal zone.
The December Fisheries Council, which is taking place this week, is considering recovery plans for stocks of interest to Ireland which are outside safe biological limits in the Irish Sea and the west of Scotland. I will be working to ensure that the recovery plans that are introduced for these stocks provide the appropriate balance between the protection of such stocks and the safeguarding of the livelihoods of fishing communities dependent on fishing.