Most Irish people cynical about Government will to protect Ireland's coasts, survey finds

Almost 1,300 people who took part in the first Ocean Literacy Survey, organised by environmental coalition Fair Seas, cited political apathy as the main barrier to protecting Ireland's coasts. Picture: Denis Minihane

The desire to protect Ireland's coastal life is almost unanimous among Irish people, but 75% are cynical about the political will to do so, according to a major survey.

Almost 1,300 people who took part in the first Ocean Literacy Survey, organised by environmental coalition Fair Seas, cited political apathy as the main barrier to protecting Ireland's coasts, followed by marine litter and plastic pollution, overfishing, climate change, and destruction of habitats.

Fair Seas has now launched a petition to speed up the passing of the long-mooted Marine Protected Areas Bill, which is currently languishing in the Oireachtas despite assurances it was a top priority for the Government earlier this year.

Campaigners had hoped to see the Marine Protected Areas Bill published in May, but it is still up in the air following "intensive work" between parliamentary bill drafters and civil servants.

The marine bill aims to cement the country's ambition to protect 30% of its maritime area by the end of the decade. The EU's Marine Strategy Framework Directive legally compels member states to establish marine protected areas (MPAs).

Environmental campaigners have said time is of the essence in cementing marine protection into law, with an unprecedented marine heatwave off Ireland's west coast in June seeing sea temperatures reaching up to 5C above normal. Such marine heatwaves can have a disastrous effect on biodiversity in the water for months afterward.

The Fair Seas environmental coalition, which has estimated €55m will be needed to adequately fund marine protected areas until 2030, is made up of groups such as the Irish Wildlife Trust, BirdWatch Ireland, Sustainable Water Network, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Coomhola Salmon Trust, Irish Environmental Network and Coastwatch.

Campaign manager with Fair Seas Aoife O'Mahony said progress was not fast enough on the bill.

"We need to see this legislation published as soon as possible. It needs to be strong, legally binding, and capable of doing the job it sets out to do. Hundreds of people took part in our Ocean Literacy Survey, spending at least 15 minutes sharing their views and concerns, which adds up to more than two weeks in total — this alone demonstrates the personal commitment Irish people have to ocean conservation. 

It’s significant that three-quarters recognised the lack of political action as a threat to our ocean and we are urging politicians to listen. 

"We hope our new petition will again demonstrate that the electorate wants our elected politicians to act now. Together we can make a difference and safeguard our ocean for future generations," she said.

Marine policy officer with Fair Seas Dr Donal Griffin said the ocean was the world’s largest ecosystem, and absorbs around a quarter of global annual emissions, but that in many respects its health is in steep decline. 

He pointed to the latest UN progress report showing the ocean continues to be endangered by rising acidification, declining fish stocks, and mounting plastic pollution. 

"More concerted efforts to expand marine protected areas and coordinated global action is urgently needed. Strong MPA legislation should be prioritised as a matter of urgency. 

"This legislation will provide the necessary certainty for all stakeholders, including fishers and offshore energy groups, all of whom have also expressed a desire to see this legislation moved forward effectively.”