An Taisce
April 2013
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 CO2 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’’
 Human impact on marine feeding chain accelerating
globally
 In warm Irish waters 75% of species ‘being harvested
beyond safe biological limits’ (Marine Institute 2007)
Sea Bed Impact of Trawling
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 Oírr in
Galway Bay. Photograph: Joe O'Shaughnessy.
Oil and Gas Exploration on Irish
Coast
Strangford Lough Pilot Ocean Energy Research Project
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.
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
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.
Marine plan aims to double the
value of Ireland’s ocean wealth
The Government has
unveiled plans to
double the value of
Ireland’s ocean
wealth and increase
the turnover from our
ocean economy to
exceed €6.4 billion by
2020.
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’.
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.
Venn Diagram of Sustainable Development
“ No subsystem can expand beyond the capacity of the
total system of which it is a part”
- Jonathon Porritt
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
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.
Launch of proposed Maritime Spatial
Planning Directive, 15th 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 Potočnik
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’.
Irish EU Commission chief is market-oriented and not
environmentally friendly
Fragmentation of Irish Marine
Consent Process
License
Foreshore License
Granting Body
Dept. of Environment, Community and
Local Government
Oil and Gas Exploration and Extraction Dept. of Marine, Communications and
License
Natural Resources
Aquaculture License
Dept. of Agriculture, Food and Marine
Dumping at Sea IPPC Disharge Licenses Environmental Protection Agency
Infrastructure Applications
An Bord Pleanala
Ó Cuív claims Minister ‘compromised’ over fish farm plan
Galway West TD alls for withdrawal of application

Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesman Éamon Ó Cuív: 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 Ó Cuív believes the project application should be withdrawn by BIM for this reason.
-The Irish Times: 24th March 2013
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
 The Department of Marine, Communications and
Natural Resources is both promoter of oil, gas and
mineral exploration and consent body for all offshore
licenses.
 ‘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 18th, 2013
• 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 O’Sullivan said she would review the EIA
regulations in question ‘with a view to remedying any
difficulties that may exist’.
-Irish Times, February 13th, 2013
Taking International Leadership
Take progressive lead in UN, EU and
OSPAR International Negotiations on
Climate, Ocean Acidification and
Marine Biodiversity
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.
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Marine Protected Areas
Use Birds and Habitats Directive to
optimum extent in protecting
marine biodiversity, including
cetaceans and reefs.
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.
Marine Environment Fund
 Dedicated Marine Environment Fund,
contributed to by all marine industry sectors
to fund marine protection and enforcement.
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/wpcontent/uploads/2011/02/SWAN-MSFD-Report.pdf
‘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