Member State report / Art18 / 2018 / D1-M / Ireland / NE Atlantic: Celtic Seas

Report type Member State report to Commission
MSFD Article Art. 18 Interim report on programme of measures
Report due 2018-10-15
GES Descriptor D1 Mammals
Member State Ireland
Region/subregion NE Atlantic: Celtic Seas
Reported by Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Report date 2019-10-21
Report access 2019_10_21_msfd-ART18_1.xml
Marine reporting units
Features
Measure code
ACSIE-M001
ACSIE-M003
ACSIE-M004
ACSIE-M005
ACSIE-M009
ACSIE-M015
ACSIE-M016
ACSIE-M018
ACSIE-M019
ACSIE-M020
ACSIE-M021
ACSIE-M022
ACSIE-M023
ACSIE-M024
ACSIE-M025
ACSIE-M026
ACSIE-M027
ACSIE-M028
ACSIE-M029
ACSIE-M030
ACSIE-M031
ACSIE-M032
ACSIE-M038
ACSIE-M040
ACSIE-M041
ACSIE-M042
ACSIE-M043
ACSIE-M046
ACSIE-M047
ACSIE-M048
ACSIE-M049
ACSIE-M055
ACSIE-M056
ACSIE-M057
ACSIE-M058
ACSIE-M064
ACSIE-M068
ACSIE-M084
ACSIE-M087
ACSIE-M091
ACSIE-M098
ACSIE-M102
ACSIE-M103
ACSIE-M105
ACSIE-M106
ACSIE-M107
ACSIE-M109
ACSIE-M124
ACSIE-M125
ACSIE-M126
ACSIE-M128
ACSIE-M129
ACSIE-M133
ACSIE-M139
ACSIE-M157
ACSIE-M158
ACSIE-M207
ACSIE-M212
ACSIE-M220
ACSIE-M221
ACSIE-M227
Measure name
Continue to apply the Natura Directives (Birds Directive [2009/147/EC] and Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC]) and associated national regulations as laid down in S.I. No. 477/2011 - European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011
Continue the protection of species and habitats listed in Annex I and II of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) through the designation of Ireland’s network of Special Areas of Conservation.
Continue implementing an appropriate monitoring and assessment strategy addressing the distribution, extent and condition of habitats and species to support conservation status assessment under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).
Continue to apply the requirement for Appropriate Assessment of activities within Natura sites as required under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).
To continue to investigate the distribution of habitats through seabed surveys and monitoring through initiatives such as the Integrated Mapping For the Sustainable Development of Ireland's Marine Resource (INFOMAR) Programme.
Awareness and training of best practices in maritime and coastal activities and preservation of the marine environment.
Continue to ensure coherence of Ireland's network of marine protected areas by setting up increased protection areas using tools such as habitat protection orders, no-take zones etc.
Set up (temporary or permanent) Marine Protected Areas in functional zones for fish.
Develop a national strategy to create and manage Ireland's network of Marine Protected Areas.
To continue to develop shellfish stock assessments which take into account requirements for protected bird species at national level within 6 nautical miles.
Promote site-specific measures to protect island bird colonies from invasion by non-indigenous predatory mammals.
Continue to be informed by the Action plans developed by BirdWatch Ireland.
Continue to implement ongoing measures to protect sites important for marine water-bird species including Natural Heritage Areas, Wildfowl Sanctuaries and Irish wetlands designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
Continue to apply the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012.
Fulfil the obligations for the protection of migratory water-bird species.
Continue to apply the regulations that enforce the Wildlife Acts and Regulations which makes it an offence to kill, injure or capture marine mammal species, and to cause damage to certain areas used by the species for shelter or protection, or to disturb animals occupying such areas.
Continue to enforce legislation which makes it an offence to intentionally kill, injure, take, disturb, possess or trade species listed under the Wildlife Act.
Continue to enforce Wildlife Acts and Regulations which makes it an offence to kill, injure or capture birds and to cause damage to and their nests and eggs.
Continue to implement the licensing process controlling the possession of certain birds or animals.
Continue to implement the licensing process controlling the import/export trade of certain birds or animals.
Continue to implement the licensing process controlling hunting of certain birds or animals.
Continue to implement the licensing process governing disturbance of protected plant and animal species.
Maintain the use of acoustic deterrents ('pingers') in identified fisheries on vessels larger than 12m in accordance with EU regulations.
Maintain the moratorium on commercial whaling within the fisheries limits of the State (i.e. out to 200 miles from the coast) and to continue to prohibit the hunting by Irish registered ships of certain whales, including right whales and female whales accompanied by calves, outside the fisheries limits of the State.
Continue to effectively control and promote compliance in accordance with the EU fisheries legislation.
To apply the Precautionary Principle to fisheries management to ensure that the exploitation of living marine biological resources restores and maintains populations of harvested species above levels which can produce the Maximum Sustainable Yield.
Continue to support the development and implementation of Multi Annual Plans at EU level.
Implementation of the Landing Obligation to help eliminate waste, protect young fish, rebuild fish stocks and ensure a sustainable future for the fishing industry.
Setting and enforcing of annual Total Allowable Catches and quotas.
Setting of conservation reference sizes to help lead to the reduction in overall fishing pressure on target species, including sensitive species.
Continue to implement local conservation reference sizes stocks/species under national measures within the 6 nautical mile limit.
Regulate recreational and commercial fisheries to support conservation and sustainable exploitation.
Continue to implement the salmon licensing and log book reporting scheme.
Apply the compulsory management schemes for species below their conservation objectives.
Continued implementation of Ireland’s Eel Management Plans in line with the requirements of Council Regulation No. 1100/2007.
To continue to support effective conservation methods for elasmobranch species delivering on the EU Action Plan for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.
Ensuring on-going implementation of guidelines for the assessment of dredged material for disposal in Irish waters, the application of the Foreshore Acts and the licensing, permitting and enforcement of activities under the Dumping At Sea Act.
Continued regulation of fishing equipment, vessels, duration and species to regulate the pressures on the environment.
Setting total annual catch at EU level with regard to scientific advice from scientists to provide for the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems and species.
To continue to support the Responsible Irish Fish (RIF) label and sustainability certification schemes (e.g. fisheries with Marine Stewardship Council certification).
Continue to prohibit drift netting at sea.
Continue to develop closure areas and seasonal closures in conjunction with the Regional Groups of Member States and Advisory Councils based on the best available scientific advice.
To continue to work with the Regional Inshore Fisheries Forums and local stakeholders to develop and implement locally informed management plans for inshore fisheries within 6 nautical miles.
Continue to implement effort management for crab fisheries in line with EU regulations.
To continue to enforce the protection measures for juvenile shellfish species set out in Council Regulation 850/98 as amended.
Continued effort management of Scallop fishing in line with EU legislation.
To continue to develop and to apply protection measures for shellfish species in accordance with EU and national legislation such as v-notching, minimum & maximum landing size for lobsters, minimum landing size for brown crab, spider crab crawfish, closed season for shrimp, monitoring, reporting & spawning closure for bivalve fisheries.
Continue to implement national legislation to appropriately apply licensing, regulation and planning for the marine and coastal environment, including the requirement for applications to be accompanied by the materials necessary for a full assessment of the proposed plan, project or development.
Ensure that appropriate forms and levels of organisational governance are in place to support Foreshore Licensing, Petroleum Exploration/Appraisal/ Production Licensing, and proposed Maritime Option Licensing process.
Ensure that the consenting/ permitting processes, overseen by relevant regulatory bodies/statutory bodies, sufficiently account for the adequate protection of habitats and species.
To apply the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and associated legislation in relation to licences and consents.
Continue to develop and implement river basin and shoreline management plans to control impacts and improve environmental status.
Ensure that environmental monitoring and mitigation measures stipulated in Environmental Impact Statements are fit for purpose and when/where deemed necessary are conducted appropriately.
To continue to prevent the use of legacy pesticide with persistent bioaccumulative toxic properties.
Ensure operators take all necessary measures to prevent major accidents and limit their consequences for human health and the environment.
Continue to enforce the Dumping at Sea Act 1996 (as amended), which specifically prohibits the dumping of certain materials at sea and requires any person who wishes to dispose of material at sea to apply to the EPA for a Dumping at Sea permit.
Continue to promote and support An Taisce´s programme on Ocean Literacy.
To continue to apply the BIM Responsibly Sourced Standard for wild capture fisheries.
Continue to promote the Bord Iascaigh Mhara Environment Management System (EMS) to assist fishermen to implement practices to help minimise the impact of fishing effort on the marine environment.
Continue to promote the implementation of the Environment Management System on fish and shellfish farms through the Environment Management System for Aquaculture initiative.
Support the Origin Green Initiative National programme to improve sustainability and environmental performance within the Irish Food Sector.
Measure category (type)
1a
1a
1a
1a
2b
2b
2a
1a
2a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
2a
2b
1a
1a
1a
Progress in implementation
Implementation started
Measure implemented
Implementation started
Implementation started
Measure implemented
Implementation started
Measure withdrawn
No
No
No
No
No
No
Reason for withdrawal
Year of implementation (Temporal coverage - timeline for implementation)
2026
2016
2021
2020
2012
2016
Delay
0
0
0
0
0
0
Reasons for delay
Other obstacles (Obstacles to implementation)
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Type of obstacle
Other
Further information on obstacle (Description)
Brief description of progress (measurement of effectiveness of measure)
Ireland has been undertaking a systematic baseline survey of its seabed since 1999. In Phase 1 (2006-2016) INFOMAR surveyed 26 priority bays and 3 coastal areas. Now INFOMAR is systematically mapping the remaining seabed areas both coastal and offshore with completion due by the end 2026. Data, products and services are freely and easily accessible, and they are underpinning cross-sectoral development and activities. It is estimated that the area of seabed currently physically mapped is approximately 80% of Irelands designated offshore area. Seabed classification charts are primary deliverables and habitat maps are value added products associated with the national mapping programme. https://www.infomar.ie/maps/interactive-maps
Work is ongoing on multiple fronts through environment education campaigns, structured education and sector specific educational activities. https://greenschoolsireland.org/ http://www.bim.ie/fishing-for-litter/ https://ien.ie/coastwatch/
As part of Ireland's obligations under the MSFD, OSPAR Convention and other instruments, the process of extending Ireland's network of MPAs began in 2019. This includes a detailed review of existing spatial protection measures and tools which will be completed in 2020 to inform future protection processes and associated legislation. Ensuring the coherence of Ireland's network of MPAs will be a central component of this exercise.
As part of Ireland's obligations under the MSFD, OSPAR Convention and other instruments, the process of extending Ireland's network of MPAs began in 2019. This includes a detailed review of existing spatial protection measures and tools which will be completed in 2020 to inform future protection processes and associated legislation. The consideration and development of a national strategy to create and manage Ireland's network of MPAs will be a central component of this exercise.
The Coast Care and Green School's Marine Environment Module is an education and awareness raising programme. The Green Schools' (eco-schools) Module is rolled out to primary and second level schools across the country. The Green Schools programme is operated by 95% of Irish schools - though not all have completed the marine environment module yet as the programme requires that they complete other modules first. https://greenschoolsireland.org/ https://cleancoasts.org/
Linking the Responsibly Sourced Standard (RSS) to the development of FIPS (Fishery Improvement Projects) has increased the business case for RSS http://www.bim.ie/our-services/your-environment/fisherman/ http://www.bim.ie/our-services/grow-your-business/rss,standard/ http://www.bim.ie/media/bim/content/our-services/grow-your-business/wild-capture-fish/BIM,RSS_FIPS,Leaflet.pdf