Mr Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, today (1 November, 2013) welcomed the publication of ‘Ireland’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive Initial Assessment Report’. The report drew on a large range of data and information sources, including national monitoring and assessment reports, national survey results and scientific literature together with State, consultancy and academic expert knowledge.
The aim of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive is to achieve or maintain Good Environmental Status (GES) of the European Union's marine environment by 2020 and to protect the resource base, upon which marine related economic and social activities depend. It is the environmental pillar of the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy and its implementation requires a multi-disciplinary approach, including the identification and mapping of the characteristics and pressures present within EU waters.
Today’s publication consists of a summary report on the initial assessment and a more detailed and technical report in accordance with article 19 of the Directive. The publication gives:
A broad description and status assessment of the predominant natural, physical and
oceanographical features, together with the ecological characteristics present in the Irish assessment area.
An assessment of the human-induced pressures and impacts affecting environmental status.
An evaluation of the socio-economic significance of Ireland’s marine environment.
Key points of the publication include:
In general, seabed habitats are considered to be in a healthy condition
The main human sources of nutrient enrichment into the Irish assessment area are agricultural activities, waste water discharges and run-off from unsewered properties. The overall nutrient status is considered good and consistent with the achievement of GES
Seafood from Irish waters consistently complies with maximum standards set in European Law for non-synthetic contaminants
The level of radionuclides in shellfish samples is very low with the majority of measurements being close to or below limits of detection
In terms of marine increasing acidification, there is evidence to suggest that the ph level in Ireland’s offshore waters is decreasing
Bathing water quality is generally high in Ireland with 93% of designated bathing waters meeting the minimum standard under the EU Bathing Water Directive
Current evidence suggests a minimal impact of marine litter on cetacean and seal populations, though the relationship between the volume and type of marine litter and the impact on the marine environment is not fully understood
As offshore exploration and renewable activity increases, a corresponding increase in impulsive and continuous noise is likely in the marine environment
The Minister also announced a related public consultation process, the purpose of which is to foster community engagement and to achieve a greater awareness of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and its implementation in Ireland.
Submissions and comments are invited on the initial assessment publication, on or before Friday, 10 January 2014. A dedicated email address, msfd@environ.ie has been set up to facilitate feedback from stakeholders including the general public and other interested parties.
As part of the initial assessment of Ireland’s marine waters, the Department has funded the development of Ireland’s Marine Atlas http://atlas.marine.ie/ which collates relevant data and information on our marine environment. This online facility may be studied in conjunction with the report for a fuller understanding of the initial assessment of the marine environment.
Minister Hogan concluded by saying that Ireland’s marine environment contains some of Europe’s most diverse ecosystems and is home to a rich diversity of fish, seabirds, and marine mammals. The implementation of the MSFD will facilitate the balance between protecting the marine environment and maximising its resources for economic growth.