Implementation of Natura measures for fisheries

Ireland has a programme of measures to implement the Habitats and Birds Directives in marine coastal SACs and SPAs in respect to assessing and mitigating effects of fisheries and aquaculture on these sites. This involves assessment of potential effects of fisheries and aquaculture on marine habitats and species followed by implementation of measures to mitigate risk.

Since 2018, in the case of fisheries, this involves consultation and meetings with local industry to design mitigation measures, meetings with DAFM and the Inshore Management Group on implementation, through legislation, of agreed mitigations and briefing of industry on outcomes.

In order to continue to support compliance with the EU Habitats and EU Birds Directives a new 6 year project, spanning from 2022 to 2027, is planned under EMFAF to support the implementation of Natura measures with respect to assessing and managing impacts from fisheries. The requirements for managing impacts arises from the completion of Article 6.2 and 6.3 assessments which identify specific risks to habitats and species from fisheries in SACs and SPAs.

Likely Programme of Work

Year 1 (2022):

Dundalk Bay SPA: advice and recommendations on the razor clam fishery operating in the Dundalk Bay were provided to DAFM and industry forums in 2021. This advice proposed the introduction of a closed area in Dundalk Bay to monitor changes in habitat compared to areas that continue to be fished. The MI propose to establish a habitat monitoring programme in 2022 in and surrounding the closed area
Oyster fisheries in SACs: All oyster fisheries in Ireland occur within SACs. Management of sensitive habitats surrounding oyster beds has yet to be formalised. Oyster fisheries are managed by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) dredge licences and either Fishery Orders (FOs) issued in the 1970s and 1980s or more recently through aquaculture licences for bottom culture issued to oyster co-ops by DAFM. The design of mitigation measures and planning for oyster fisheries is in progress and will continue with IFI and DAFM in 2022.

Years 2023-2027

Dundalk Bay closed area monitoring: An area of Dundalk Bay was closed to fishing in 2023. MI surveyed the benthic marine communities in the area prior to closure in 2022 and need to monitor effects of the closure periodically up to 2027.
Seabird surveys and fisheries interactions:

The risk posed by sub-tidal bivalve fisheries in the Irish Sea, to seabirds that feed on bivalves, has been identified in various Article 6 assessments and other studies by the MI. In 2023 an area off the east Wexford coast was closed to fishing to protect common scoter. The efficacy of this spatial conservation measure needs to be assessed and monitored in 2024 with possible additional requirements in 2025-2027.
The status of intertidal wading birds is currently done mainly by volunteers working to the iWeBs office and also by NPWS staff. The status of a lot of these species is poor. Aerial digital methods potentially provide higher quality data, including more highly resolved spatial data, than ground based counts. This is particularly important in sites which support significant intertidal fisheries such as Dundalk Bay. Scoping surveys have been done under previous Natura projects.
In 2024-2025 we propose an additional series of surveys to monitor wading birds in Dundalk Bay

Continued roll out of mitigations in sites where moderate or high risks of impacts of fisheries to conservation objectives have been identified in risk assessments and appropriate assessments. The pace at which this can be implemented also depends on how spatial control of fishing activity surrounding sensitive habitats can be monitored. This could include
Development of alternative fishing methods for scallop in SACs with sensitive habitats
Monitoring effects of scallop dredging offshore on sandeel populations which are an important food source for seabirds
Introduction of spatial conservation measures in SACs with parallel monitoring of changes to sea floor communities
Monitoring of recovery of reef habitat that has been damaged by fishing (Blacksod Bay) and where fishery protection measures have already been introduced.

Project Status:

Ongoing

Expected Benefit:

There is a need under Biodiversity for continued support for the designation and management process of Natura sites and MPAs including clearly defined conservation objectives; management measures and monitoring of effects with clear evidence of benefits identified.

This project benefits this need through consultation and meetings with local industry to design mitigation measures, meetings with DAFM and the Inshore Management Group on implementation, through legislation, of agreed mitigations and briefing of industry on outcomes. Also irregular meetings organised by the EU Commission or requests to present information on Natura to workshops and science meetings, at public forum and fishing industry meetings.