Fair Seas World Ocean Week Conference Returns to Cork

Ocean advocates, the fishing community, government, industry and key stakeholders will gather at Cork City Hall on Wednesday, 3 June, for the Fair Seas World Ocean Week Conference, as Ireland edges closer to landmark Marine Protected Area legislation.

The conference runs from 9.00am to 5.00pm and brings together national and international voices to map out the next steps for designating and managing a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

MPAs are legally designated zones designed to protect marine habitats and species from damaging activities. Ireland has committed to protecting 30% of its seas by 2030, but currently less than 10% holds designated status, with no adequate management plans or conservation measures in place for those areas. The first draft of the long-awaited proposed legislation that will give a legal basis for Marine Protected Areas is expected to be published this summer.

Cork-native Seán Ronayne, ornithologist, wildlife sound recordist, author and environmental activist, is among the keynote speakers. Ronayne embarked on a project in 2021 to record the unique sound of every Irish bird species, and a mixed soundscape of coastal birds and wildlife he has created will be broadcast at the event.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Ronayne said:

"We know everything is in stark decline. We're seeing whales moving further north and the numbers of wading birds on our beaches falling because of increased and often unabated human disturbance, for one. However, it's not too late to act, it's not all bad news and there is so much to fight for. We need to designate more space for nature, step back and allow the natural environment to bounce back. I see how nature can thrive in my own local area in Cuskinny near Cobh. This coastal nature reserve is a beacon of hope, it's a riot of life with breeding mute swans, reed warblers and woodpeckers, and so much more. We need to nurture and expand these areas so that they can be found in every part of Ireland."

Among the other confirmed speakers are Minna Epps, Global Ocean Policy Director at the International Union for Conservation of Nature; Belinda Bramley, Co-founder Director of the Protected Areas Foundation and Stakeholder Engagement Co-Lead for the MPA Europe Project; Adriano Quintela, PhD, Marine Spatial Planning Specialist at Blue Azores and Oceano Azul Foundation; Oliver Ó Cadhla, Senior Marine Adviser at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment; Robert Walsh, Northern Ireland Marine Task Force Officer at Ulster Wildlife; Grace Carr, Marine Advocacy Officer at the Irish Wildlife Trust; and Louise Overy, Assistant Lecturer in Wildlife Biology at Munster Technological University. The conference will be MCed by 'The Positive Economist' Susan HayesCulleton, CFA.

Dr Dónal Griffin, Fair Seas Campaign Coordinator, said:

"This event builds on our first Fair Seas conference back in 2023, which brought together speakers from across the globe to discuss the importance of MPAs, the future of marine conservation in Ireland and to learn from international best practice. Now, three years on, we are still championing and pushing for new MPA legislation that will allow Ireland to meet its 30x30 commitments and effectively safeguard our vital marine environment."

Grace Carr, Marine Advocacy Officer at the Irish Wildlife Trust, said:

"There has never been a more important moment for this conversation. The conference comes right on the cusp of the forthcoming legislation being published, just a few weeks ahead of Ireland taking on the role of the EU Presidency, and at a time when the Government's stakeholder process to begin selecting and managing MPA sites is expected to get underway. Progress on MPAs can sometimes feel frustratingly slow however, we must continue to advocate and work with stakeholders to help ensure Ireland delivers an ecologically coherent and well-managed network of MPAs. One that genuinely protects and restores marine biodiversity and ecosystems, and one which is built on a strong foundation of stakeholder engagement, participation, and collaboration with coastal communities."

Tickets start from €75.00 for students, civil society and environmental non-governmental organisations. Registration is open at fairseas.ie.