Ireland’s leading maritime newspaper covering the Coastal, Fishing and Maritime Communities

MARINE TIMES NEWS February 23rd:
Minister remains silent on the future of the scientifically unsupported offshore SACs

It is a year since the KFO presented its objection to the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board (DAAAB) to two offshore Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) proposed by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). This independent board was tasked with assessing the scientific validity of the KFO objection to these sites and make recommendations to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, on whether the proposed SACs were supported by the evidence presented by the NPWS. A year later, Minister Brown remains silent on the outcome.

This is not surprising given that it is thirty-six months since the KFO first objected to the proposed designations as there was no alternative avenue through which to engage with NPWS. The KFO objection demonstrated the lack of scientific evidence underlying the proposals and clearly showed that the designations had not followed the prescribed process mandated by the regulations.

Twelve months after submitting the objection, the KFO was informed that the objection was rejected as objections could only be ‘considered on scientifically based ornithological grounds’. To the KFO, the NPWS was clearly confusing the SAC process, which is part of the EU Habitats Directive, with the EU Birds Directive Special Protection Area (SPA) process. Regardless, no other reason was given for the rejection and despite the KFO requesting further engagement, none was forthcoming leaving appealing to the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board (DAAAB) as the only available option.

As part of the appeal process, the KFO was requested to compile a detailed report on the scientific basis of its objection. The KFO analyses uncovered a litany of errors, inconsistencies and misrepresentation of data and little support for the delineation of the proposed SACs. It also highlighted the apparent exclusion of areas with oil and gas exploration licences, licencing options, and petroleum leases from the designated areas despite irrefutable evidence of Reef habitat being present within them.

The NPWS was requested to produce a similar report for the DAAAB with the justification for the proposed designations. This report, which the KFO received and reviewed in late 2024, was little more than a general literature review and included an admission that Ireland does not currently have sufficient designations of Reef habitat to meet the EU requirements. The proposed designations appeared to be an attempt to meet the arbitrary threshold required regardless of the quality and availability of supporting evidence. Such extrapolation of underlying data to increase the spatial area undermines the validity of the process and inhibits positive and constructive engagement between the fishing industry and policy makers.

Since the DAAAB hearing in 2025 there has been silence from Minister Browne and NPWS on the DAAAB recommendations and the future of the proposed designations. Ultimately, the decision lies with them and they can decide to proceed with the designations, which are not based on scientific evidence, or adjust the designations in line with the evidence presented. Their decision will be telling and comes at a critical juncture as Ireland develops its Nature Restoration Plan (NRP), starts the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) process and initiates the development of the National Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) for Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE). Stakeholder support and participation will be key to the success of these important initiatives. Our experience as a stakeholder with the outcome of the offshore SACs process would not inspire confidence that stakeholders views actually matter.

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In our February edition -

Once Lost Inshore Fleet Cannot Be Easily Rebuilt - NIFA warns of dangers ahead and calls for a major plan for inshore fisheries; The Aquaculture Licensing Scandal; The human dimension of a mackerel season that is at the crossroads – Blink and you might miss it; Fisheries must not be left on the sideline in development of MPAs, as has happened previously; the industry is in the worst place it has ever been ....

.... all of this plus so much more in our February issue

Puchase a single issue download from this link for just €2 - Order here

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