Whale and dolphin anniversary; Put the green back in Ireland

WHEN Charlie Haughey declared Irish waters a whale and dolphin sanctuary in 1991 the initiative was, as it should have been, welcomed.

It recognised that animal populations are, in one way at least, no more than a metric of habitat quality — without a secure, food-rich place to live no species can survive, much less thrive. Since then Irish waters have been a refuge for these magnificent animals and, much more than that, their presence has helped form a new awareness of the natural world around us. The sight of these spectacular creatures off our shores has helped move public opinion on environmental matters. Flipper became a political force in a way that Mr Haughey could not have imagined.

The establishment of that sanctuary was, in its time, radical but in today’s terms, it was a prize taken from the low-hanging-fruit list of options. No commercial interests were challenged, no livelihoods threatened, no sacrifices had to be endured. It was symbolic and easy.