DELAYING ACTION ON OCEAN PROTECTION WILL COST IRELAND MORE

Delaying Action on Ocean Protection Will Cost Ireland More

Fair Seas says Budget 2026 is key test for Government’s commitment to Ireland’s seas

A coalition of leading environmental organisations and networks says delaying action to protect Ireland’s seas is already making it more expensive to meet the country’s commitments.

Ireland is one of 190 countries that has committed to protecting at least 30% of the planet’s land and ocean by 2030. Yet with just five years to go, legislation to provide a statutory basis for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) has been repeatedly delayed in the Oireachtas, leaving the country far short of its targets.

In 2023, Fair Seas published the first MPA Finance Report in Europe which estimated that Ireland could protect 30% of its seas and ocean by 2030 with an investment of approximately €55 million between 2024 and 2030. The report estimated that €7 million would be required in the first 12 months to meet the interim goal of effectively protecting and managing 10% of Ireland’s ocean, a milestone that is yet to be achieved.

Fair Seas says the longer ecosystems are left exposed to degradation, the more expensive – and uncertain – their recovery becomes.

Dr Donal Griffin, Fair Seas Campaign Manager said, “Every delay means potentially greater ecological damage and higher financial costs. It’s been two years since we published our financial report and because progress has been so slow, the real cost of Ireland achieving its MPA targets will be higher. The costs for properly managing our existing and also future sites will continue to climb the longer the government waits to act. Investing now is far cheaper than paying later to repair the damage caused to our ocean and marine environment. Last year, the Irish Government, alongside EU funding, committed €25 million to the MPA Life project which aims to make a major contribution to protecting, conserving and enabling the recovery of Ireland’s marine ecosystems. However, at less than half of the financial commitment needed to achieve Ireland’s targets, there is still an enormous shortfall in investment to properly protect our seas.” 

CEO of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group Dr Simon Berrow added, “Providing inadequate resources for managing Ireland’s existing Marine Protected Areas is one of the main reasons they are failing to deliver for nature. After considerable legislative delays, there is growing concern that government commitments are little more than words. Budget 2026 is the opportunity to prove otherwise. Proper resourcing would send a clear signal that Ireland is serious about delivering on its 30% target, and about safeguarding marine biodiversity for the future.”

The Fair Seas finance report set out operating expenditure including staff salaries, scientific studies, boat fuel and maintenance as well as capital expenditure like boat and car purchases, demarcation buoys, scuba diving equipment and surveillance equipment such as radar and drones.

The report also detailed possible next steps for the Government and assesses potential sources of funding relevant to Ireland. The options range from EU grants and philanthropic donations to revenue generating mechanisms and potential reallocations of funding.

Emma Armshaw, Marine & Coastal Policy Officer for the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) said, “These are clear and realistic proposals for how the Government could raise the modest amounts required for marine conservation now through to 2030 and beyond. What’s missing is political will and decisive Government action to introduce MPA legislation and make it clear how they plan to fund it. The ocean is under threat, but it can recover if we act now. The longer the action is delayed, the steeper the costs will climb.”

Access full report here

Main Image © Fair Seas: Fair Seas at Leinster House