The deadline for public consultation for expanding Ireland’s Marine Protected Area Network is rapidly approaching.
The Irish government is offering a public consultation on expanding its MPAs to 30% of the Irish maritime area. Currently, only a measly 2.13% of Ireland’s waters are MPAs. The expansion is scheduled to be completed by 2030.
The public consultation focuses on responding to a report by an independent advisory group published in January 2021. The report covered the following:
- Which marine areas should be protected.
- How the areas should be protected.
- Why they should be protected.
Interested parties can take part in a survey to give their opinion on the paper, and the process of increasing Ireland’s Marine protected Areas.
Submissions must be completed by July 30th, 2021, at 5 PM IST, and you can take part in the consultation here.
