The Irish Sea Conservation Zone (ISCZ) will launch on Wednesday 14 October to help secure a healthy and productive future for the coast and waters of the Irish Sea.
Over the next few years, parts of the Irish Sea will be given environmental protection as the UK government is committed to establishing a network of Marine Protected Areas by 2012 as part of the Marine Bill.
The purpose of the ISCZ is to help the people who use the Irish Sea make recommendations to the government. It is the first time this stakeholder led process has been practised in the UK to help identify marine areas of protection.
The recommendations from users of the Irish Sea will form an essential part of the government’s decision as to which parts of the Irish Sea will be protected and how. The recommendations will go to government in June 2011.
Rowan Byrne, project manager of the Irish Sea Conservation Zone, said: “We will only achieve our aims by really engaging a broad range of people who use the Irish Sea.
“We are seeking the active participation of everyone who has a stake in the marine environment of the Irish Sea, whether they are anglers, divers, commercial fishing companies, conservation groups or lifeguards. We need them to share their knowledge and expertise so that we can recommend a network of potential Marine Conservations Zones to the government.
“These Marine Conservation Zones will need to meet scientific criteria, minimise social and economic costs and maximise benefits to society. We will be working with an independent facilitator to ensure that each group is fully represented.”
