Irish Sea Network

Lions mane jellyfish © Alexander Mustard/2020VISION

Lions mane jellyfish © Alexander Mustard/2020VISION

Marine policy

Irish Sea Network

Logo: Blue waves above text reading 'Irish Sea Network'

The Irish Sea is surround by six different administrations (Scotland, England, Wales, Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland) each with their own policies, laws, and positions on the marine environment. However, the marine environment cannot be managed in segments, we need a whole view approach to management and conservation as there are many common issues that cross national boundaries or affect multiple parts of the Irish Sea simultaneously, for example:

  • The need to develop an ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas is relevant for the entire Irish Sea. Currently this is uncoordinated across nations although we may be working towards the same regional targets
  • Fisheries is another area where there is a lot of overlap; unsustainable trawl fisheries continue throughout waters governed by the different nations
  • Marine Spatial Plan areas do not match the devolved powers of each nation

As our sea gets even busier (with developments like offshore wind, brine discharge and tidal power), it will be vital to consider in-combination and cumulative effects, not just across the UK but whole Irish Sea area.

We have secured funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and John Ellerman Foundation for a five-year programme of work to improve collective impact across the Irish Sea through an Irish Sea Network.

 

Photo of the Solway Firth estuary at dusk

Credit: Peter Cairns/2020VISION 

Purpose:

To improve understanding of conservation activities and pressures across the Irish Sea, and to provide a forum for communication and co-operation by members.

A man in a red sea kayak on the calm sea wildlife watching

Credit: Peter Cairns/2020VISION

Membership:

Core membership includes the Wildlife Trusts around the Irish Sea (The North West Wildlife TrustsManx Wildlife TrustNorth Wales Wildlife TrustThe Wildlife Trust for South and West WalesScottish Wildlife Trust, The Wildlife Trusts, Irish Wildlife Trust and Ulster Wildlife), the Sustainable Water Action Network and the Northern Ireland Marine Task Force. There will also be wider engagement with other external organisations & expert speakers

Our key outputs

♦ Developing shared communications, messaging and campaigns with partners around the Irish Sea to increase our impact

♦ The development of a simple, shared vision for the Irish Sea, formulated, agreed and advocated by all members that can be used to advocate for better decision-making across stakeholders in all six countries.

♦ A ‘State of the Irish Sea Report’ that will consolidate the status of marine policy and protection across nations in the Irish Sea

♦ Irish Sea NGOs and statutory agencies work together towards shared success

 

 

Snakelock anemone attached to a rock with kelp in the background

Lara Howe

Ecological Considerations for Marine Spatial Planning in the Irish Sea

Read the full report:

English  Cymraeg

Read the summary document:

English  Cymraeg

Brittle Star and sponge Dan Bolt

Dan Bolt

The Irish Sea Network's review of the Irish Sea 2022

Read the report:

English  Cymraeg

Offshore wind turbine

The Network’s 2030 vision for the Irish Sea

Read the report:

English  Cymraeg

Logos for Irish Sea Network Esmee and John Ellerman
Basking shark feeding on planton ©Alexander Mustard/2020VISION

Basking shark ©Alexander Mustard/2020VISION

We campaign to protect marine life

We raise awareness about issues affecting our marine life, advocate for the designation of a network of marine protected areas, and champion the sustainable management of our seas. Find out more about what we do in each of our main work areas:

Marine Protected Areas  Fisheries  

Development  Pollution & Litter