Slide 1

An Taisce April 2013

Slide 2

Slide 3

Slide 4

Ocean Acidification Even if continuing levels of CO2 were not an issue in generating climate change, its impact on ocean acidification would require the same level of international action to reduce and cap emissions to scientifically acceptable limits. Excessive CO 2 in the atmosphere is leading to increased acidification in the oceans. The entire marine ecosystem is at risk from acidification from the tropics to the poles. The extra carbonic acid depletes seawater of the dissolved carbonate minerals that many marine organisms from corals, to plankton to sea urchins use to build their shells or skeletons Bottom dwelling organisms like mussel and clams which are the feeding sources for birds and marine mammals are exposed to risk of rising levels of acidity. Low oxygen dead zones already affecting coastal areas and coral reefs because of excess nitrogen and other waterborne pollutants are likely to increase with Co2 emissions. -Mark Lynas The God Species Fourth Estate 2010 Chapter 9 The Ocean Acidification Boundary

Slide 5

Human impact on marine feeding chain accelerating globally In warm Irish waters 75% of species being harvested beyond safe biological limits (Marine Institute 2007)

Slide 6

Sea Bed Impact of Trawling

Slide 7

Salmon farm controversy Some of the attendance at the Spanish Arch in Galway City in March 2013 during the protest against the proposed salmon farm off Inis Orr in Galway Bay. Photograph: Joe O'Shaughnessy.

Slide 8

Oil and Gas Exploration on Irish Coast

Slide 9

Strangford Lough Pilot Ocean Energy Research Project

Slide 10

Galway Harbour board changes tack to put port expansion on track - August 14th, 2012 Seeking to bypass usual planning due to overriding public interest GALWAY Harbour Board has changed tack on the way in which it plans to to submit its application for the redevelopment of Galway Port. The new way, it says, increases the chances of the larger extended port being granted planning permission and decreases the prospects of the project being delayed by complex legal arguments in Europe.

Slide 11

Invasive Species: Chinese Mitten Crab This alien species undermines the native ecological structure and disrupts fishing operations by: -burrowing into, and eventually collapsing, unprotected riverbanks -out-competing and preying on native species -destroying nets with its sharp claws and damaging fish caught within them

Slide 12

Slide 13

New and spectacular deep-water coral province discovered off the west coast of Ireland Tuesday, 26 May 2009: Researchers from NUI Galway, during a recent deep-water expedition, have confirmed the existence of a major new coral reef province on the southern end of the Porcupine Bank off the west coast of Ireland.

Slide 14

Marine plan aims to double the value of Irelands ocean wealth The Government has unveiled plans to double the value of Irelands ocean wealth and increase the turnover from our ocean economy to exceed 6.4 billion by 2020.

Slide 15

Slide 16

Article II of the Treaty on the Function of the European Union states: Environmental protection requirements must be integrated into the definition and implementation of the Union policies and activities, in particular with a view to promoting sustainable development.

Slide 17

Cardiff Process This is the name given to the process launched by European heads of state and government (The European Council) at their meeting in Cardiff, in June 1998, requiring different Council formations to integrate environmental considerations into their respective activities, putting article 6 of the EC Treaty into practice.

Slide 18

Venn Diagram of Sustainable Development

Slide 19

No subsystem can expand beyond the capacity of the total system of which it is a part - Jonathon Porritt

Slide 20

Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008 Weaknesses As a Framework Directive, difficulty in securing direct access in National Courts Provisions for derogation Strengths Ecosystems approach Public Participation

Slide 21

In September 2012 the Commission issued a communication on Blue Growth opportunities for marine and maritime sustainable growth. Blue Growth was defined under five headings: -Offshore energy -Aquaculture -Maritime coastal and cruise tourism -Marine mineral resources -Bio technology These headings reflect conflicts between an economically driven agenda and the integration of environmental considerations.

Slide 22

Launch of proposed Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, 15 th March 2013 European Commissioner for Maritime Affaires and Fisheries Maria Damanaki said: Today we are proposing a new step of the Integrated Maritime Policy of the European Union and offering a new tool for our Blue Growth Strategy. By facilitating sustainable development and investments at sea, the Directive will contribute to make real the potential of Europe's Blue Economy for growth and jobs. European Commissioner for the Environment Janez Potonik said: This initiative will contribute to a healthy environment and better living conditions for the 200 million EU citizens who live in coastal regions. It should also help preserve unique and diverse coastlines and ecosystems that offer invaluable habitats for plants and animals.

Slide 23

Irish EU Commission chief is market-oriented and not environmentally friendly

Slide 24

Fragmentation of Irish Marine Consent Process LicenseGranting Body Foreshore LicenseDept. of Environment, Community and Local Government Oil and Gas Exploration and Extraction License Dept. of Marine, Communications and Natural Resources Aquaculture LicenseDept. of Agriculture, Food and Marine Dumping at Sea IPPC Disharge LicensesEnvironmental Protection Agency Infrastructure ApplicationsAn Bord Pleanala

Slide 25

Fianna Fil agriculture spokesman amon Cuv: says Minister for the Marine Simon Coveney approached him a year ago on the issue of the proposed 60 million fish farm for Galway Bay, and made it clear that he supported the project in advance of the application being made to his department. Mr Cuv believes the project application should be withdrawn by BIM for this reason. -The Irish Times: 24 th March 2013 Photograph: Dara Mac Dnaill Cuv claims Minister compromised over fish farm plan Galway West TD alls for withdrawal of application

Slide 26

The Department of Marine, Communications and Natural Resources is both promoter of oil, gas and mineral exploration and consent body for all offshore licenses.

Slide 27

The ultimate goal of the Government was to maximise the benefits to Ireland of its indigenous oil and gas resources -Pat Rabbitte, Minister for Energy, Communications and Natural Resources -The Irish Times, April 18 th, 2013

Slide 28

Following withdrawal of Dalkey Island oil and gas foreshore exploration licence by Providence Resources after An Taisce legal challenge on lack of EIA, Minister of State Jan OSullivan said she would review the EIA regulations in question with a view to remedying any difficulties that may exist. -Irish Times, February 13 th, 2013

Slide 29

Taking International Leadership Take progressive lead in UN, EU and OSPAR International Negotiations on Climate, Ocean Acidification and Marine Biodiversity

Slide 30

Marine Management Agency Establish agency independent of Government Departments to: Enforce all legislation affecting the marine area. Designate Marine Protected Areas. Develop Maritime Spatial Plans. Co-Ordinate marine scientific research. Co-ordination with Water Framework Directive in achieving of GES for coastal and estuarine waters including nitrate levels. Full stakeholder consultation and access to information. Sea fisheries regulation and enforcement. Energy Planning.

Slide 31

Marine Protected Areas Use Birds and Habitats Directive to optimum extent in protecting marine biodiversity, including cetaceans and reefs.

Slide 32

Independent Legal Regulatory Regime Unified consent authority independent of Government Departments and sectoral interests for all marine development (possible extension of An Bord Pleanala function). Appeal structure on consent decisions Legal mandate of consent/appelate body to provide for climate emission mitigation and biodiversity.

Slide 33

Marine Environment Fund Dedicated Marine Environment Fund, contributed to by all marine industry sectors to fund marine protection and enforcement.

Slide 34

Application of Marine Strategy Framework Directive The Marine Strategy Framework Directive in Ireland: Requirements, Implications & Opportunities for Environmentally Sustainable Management of Our Marine Waters Published by Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) April 2013 http://www.swanireland.ie/wp- content/uploads/2011/02/SWAN-MSFD-Report.pdf

Slide 35

Environment agencies must ensure that the environmental protection does not share the fate of religion; good and vital in theory, but largely ignored and set aside in day to day practice. -Ludwig Kramer