On an ongoing basis apply the Natura Directives and associated national regulations as laid down in S.I. No.477/2011 - European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011

By 2023 and every 6 years there after Ireland will ensure the appropriate amount/coverage of SACs has been designated to ensure the continued protection of species and habitats listed in Annex I and II of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).

According to a 6 year cycle, as appropriate, monitor and assess the conservation status of habitats and species; as required by the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and Birds Directive (2009/147/EC).

On an ongoing basis apply the requirement for Appropriate Assessment of activities within Natura sites as required under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).

According to a 6 year cycle, update regional lists of protected marine species and habitats as necessary; and propose protected status for additional species and habitats on a national/subregion scale as appropriate; based on scientific evidence.

Continue to implement recommendations for the protection and conservation-based management of OSPAR-listed Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats

Continue to report marine biodiversity and associated anthropogenic pressure data from Ireland to OSPAR's data and information management system (ODIMS)

On an ongoing basis implement the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (2001/42/EC) in order to identify, minimise and mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts.

Continue awareness and training of best practices in maritime and coastal activities and the preservation of the marine environment

By 2023 Ireland will continue to develop it's strategy and processes to enable and deliver the designation and management of Ireland's network of marine protected areas; thereby supporting the achievement and maintenance of good environmental status.

To continue to develop shellfish stock assessments which take into account requirements for protected bird species at national level within 6 nautical miles.

On an ongoing basis implement biodiversity protection and management measures under the Wildlife Acts (1976 and amendments) and the Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations (2011 and amendments) in order to conserve coastal and marine flora and fauna; including measures concerning licensing, possession/trade/import/export and for sites identified as important for listed species and habitats.

Continue to implement the licensing process governing disturbance of protected plant and animal species.

Continue to develop and apply guidance to planning and licencing activities in Irish marine waters that have the potential to cause environmental harm.

By 2023 Ireland will update and promote wildlife watching Codes of Practice to minimise risk of disturbance to marine wildlife including birds and mammals

Annually Ireland will report incidental catches of non-target species through the Data Collection Framework (DCF) At Sea Sampling Programme; including marine mammals; turtles; seabirds; vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs); ETP (endangered; threatened; protected) and non-commercial fish/cephalopod species; and will focus on recording discarding rates.

On an ongoing basis effectively control and promote compliance with EU fisheries legislation.

On an ongoing basis apply the Precautionary Principle to fisheries management to ensure that the exploitation of living marine biological resources restores and/or maintains populations of harvested species above levels which can produce the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY).

On an ongoing basis support the development and implementation of Multi Annual Plans at EU level.

On an ongoing basis develop selective gears, closed areas, and seasonal closures in conjunction with the Regional Groups of Member States and Advisory Councils based on the best available scientific advice.

Continue to examine and develop; where appropriate; closures of spawning and nursery grounds to preserve sensitive stocks at the national level; where sites are within the 6 nautical mile limit; and at the EU level.

Continue to implement the Landing Obligation to help eliminate waste; protect young fish; rebuild fish stocks and ensure a sustainable future for the fishing industry.

Monitoring, controlling, and enforcing to support compliance with National and EU fisheries.

On an ongoing basis develop and implement, at both EU level and national level in the case of measures within the six nautical mile limit, conservation measures to support the long-term conservation and sustainability of fish stocks.  Such measures include technical measures, which are rules on how, where and when fishers may fish and also include gear, catch composition, minimum conservation reference sizes and ways to deal with accidental catches.

Promote activities that reduce catch of juvenile fish (e.g. gear with escape panels to allow smaller, juvenile fish to escape the nets and some pot designs).

On an ongoing basis develop and promote the use of selective fishing gear in order to reduce unwanted catches in line with the landing obligation under Article 15 of the CFP.

Ireland will continue to develop and implement fishery management measures for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) at national level where sites are within the 6 nautical mile limit and at regional EU level for MPAs outside the 6 nautical mile limit.

On an ongoing basis ensure compliance with legislation; which prohibits the removal of shark fins at sea; and other measures which support the conservation of elasmobranch species

Regulate recreational fisheries to support conservation and sustainable exploitation

On an ongoing basis implement the salmon licensing and log book reporting scheme.

On an ongoing basis implement Ireland's Eel Management Plans in line with the requirements of Council Regulation (No. 1100/2007).

On an ongoing basis manage the impacts of sea-fisheries and aquaculture in Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas.

Continue to implement the EU fishery management measures for the protection of relevant species and habitats included on the OSPAR Threatened and/or Declining list.

On an ongoing basis support effective conservation methods for elasmobranch species delivering on the EU Action Plan for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.

Ireland will apply the Environmental Liability Directive (2004/35/EC) as appropriate.

On an ongoing basis apply the EU-Common Fisheries Policy as set down in Regulation 1380/2013 and the body of related regulations supporting sustainable fisheries in EU waters, including the use of a regional approach to fisheries management in line with Article 18 of the EU-CFP (1380/2013).

On an annual basis setting Total Allowable Catches (TACs), at EU level, in line with fishing at Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) in order to ensure the long term conservation and sustainability of fish stocks.

On an ongoing basis manage the sea-fishing fleet with regard to fishing opportunities over time and in accordance with the EU-CFP (1380/2013).

On an ongoing basis support certification under the BIM suite of standards, participation in Fishery Improvement Projects, Origin green membership and, where relevant, certification under third party schemes such as Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

Utilise the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund to support the effective delivery of the CFP and the Brexit Adjustment Reserve funds to address the many impacts of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

On an ongoing basis implement measures establishing specific conditions applicable to fishing for deep-sea stocks in the North-east Atlantic as currently laid out in Regulation (EU) 2016/2336, and Regulation (EU) 2022/1614.

On an ongoing basis prohibit drift netting at sea for salmon and sea trout.

On an ongoing basis apply the precautionary management approach of prohibiting the commercial fishing and marketing of sea bass by Irish vessels. Support and implement measures adopted at EU level to address the declining stocks of sea bass

On an ongoing basis manage inshore stocks to support sustainable fisheries and fishing-related livelihoods while protecting the marine environment.

On an ongoing basis work with the National and Regional Inshore Fisheries Forums and other stakeholders to develop policy initiatives for inshore fishing (inside the 6 nautical mile limit), including the development of locally informed management plans for sustainable inshore fisheries and promoting the implementation of the Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy.

On an ongoing basis implement effort management for crab fisheries in line with EU Regulation (EC) No 1954/2003.

On an ongoing basis promote monitoring, control, and enforcement of the protection measures for juvenile fish species set out in Regulation (EU) 2019/1241.

On an ongoing basis Continue effort management of Scallop fisheries in line with EU Regulation (EC) No 1954/2003 and national restrictions.

On an ongoing basis develop and apply protection measures for shellfish species in accordance with EU and national legislation such as v-notching; minimum and maximum landing size for lobsters; minimum landing size for brown crab; spider crab and crawfish; closed season for shrimp; monitoring; reporting and spawning closure for bivalve fisheries.

On an ongoing basis 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. Within this measure; include the enactment of relevant parts of the Marine Area Planning Act and the establishment of MARA in Ireland.

By 2024 Ireland will update national guidelines regarding environmental considerations for offshore renewable energy developments; giving consideration to existing regional guidance on ORE e.g. from the EU Commission and OSPAR.

On an ongoing basis apply the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and associated legislation in relation to licences and consents in order to identify; minimise and mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts.

In 2027 and every 6 years there after review the plan for all of Irelands marine water; the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) in accordance with the Marine Spatial Planning Directive.

Ireland will implement a new legislative and management framework for shellfish waters in Ireland.

On an ongoing basis implement OSPAR recommendation 2003/5 promoting the use and implementation of environmental management systems by the offshore industry.

On an ongoing basis implement CLAMS - Coordinated Local Aquaculture Management Systems to empower aquaculture operators to undertake voluntary improvements and facilitate them to recognise and report incidents.

On an ongoing basis apply the Foreshore Acts 1933 to 2009 and associated legislation.

Continue to apply the BIM Responsibly Sourced Standard for wild capture fisheries.

Continue to promote the implementation of the Environment Management System on fish and shellfish farms through a range of environmental and sustainability schemes and standards.

On an ongoing basis, continue to conduct research and produce scientific evidence and advice, both on a national basis and through work with ICES, in support of the CFP and related regulations to ensure sustainable fisheries in Irish waters and throughout the EU.

Continue to examine and manage the interactions between aquaculture and fishing activities and Natura 2000 sites and their qualifying interests (i.e. listed species/habitats); incorporating the development and use of scientific advice as it relates to appropriate licensing and management actions for such sites.

By 2023 Ireland will develop standalone legislation to deliver the designation and management of an expanded network of marine protected areas; thereby supporting the achievement and maintenance of good environmental status.

In 2022 and annually thereafter; report MPA data and management updates from Ireland to OSPAR's data and information management system (ODIMS); while augmenting Ireland's national contribution to the ongoing OSPAR network of MPAs.

By 2028, Ireland will develop nature-based solutions to reinstate and safeguard the natural capacity of ecosystems to supply regulating ecosystem services including the sequestration of nutrients. This will be undertaken through a regional approach under OSPAR Objective S1O6.

Support the implementation the OSPAR North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy 2030; carrying out tasks, measures and actions designed to achieve its 54 operational objectives - to deliver clean, biologically diverse, healthy, productive and sustainably used seas; resilient to climate change and ocean acidification.

By 2027, Ireland will complete a review of the wildlife legislation.

By 2027 implement Ireland's 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan.

Ireland will continue to explore processes by which its environmental targets for incidental mortality can be supported.

Continue to implement and revise Irelands Climate Action Plan 2021 (CAP21) which sets out almost 500 actions to support Ireland's journey towards a 51 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (from a 2018 baseline) and carbon neutrality by 2050.