The Draft North West Inshore and Offshore Marine Plan will help to make sure the right activities occur in the right place, at the right time, and in the right way placing sustainable development at the centre of all decisions. The plan will provide a framework that will shape and inform decisions over how the areas’ waters are developed, protected and improved over the next 20 years. In doing so, the draft plans will help to safeguard and enhance the marine environment, improve the well-being of coastal communities and support a strong marine economy. The Draft Marine Plan will contribute to achievement of the Marine Policy Statement.
Ireland consulting on Draft National Marine Planning Framework
Ireland are currently in the process of consulting on the Draft National Marine Planning Framework and would welcome feedback from ISMF members. The consultation will close at 12:00 noon on Thursday 9th April 2020. All documents are available online: https://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/marine-planning/public-consultation-draft-national-marine-planning-framework.
The Department for Housing, Planning and Local Government are holding the following series of regional public events:
12/02/2020 18:00 – 20:00 Arklow Bay Hotel, Arklow, Co.Wicklow, Y14 DX02 Offshore Renewable Energy
17/02/2020 11:00 – 13:00 St Laurence’s, Technological University Dublin, Grange Gorman, Dublin, D07 E244 Marine Environment
02/03/2020 18:00 – 20:00 School of Tourism, Letterkenny Institute of Technology Campus, Shore Road, Killybegs, Co. Donegal, F94 DV52 Fisheries
23/03/2020 18:00 – 20:00 Kinsale Hotel and Spa, Rathmore, Co. Cork, P17 F542 Fisheries
31/03/2020 18:00 – 20:00 Wexford Town Library, Mallin Street, Ferrybank South, Wexford, Y35 AY20 Ports and Harbours
Isabel Glasgow: A leading light who will be sadly missed
We are very sorry to circulate news from the Clyde Marine Planning Partnership about the death of Isabel Glasgow. Isabel chaired the second ISMF biennial conference which took place in the Tall Ship in Glasgow in 2013. She was a kind supporter of ISMF activities. Her presence and encouragement will be sadly missed.
Updates on Welsh and Irish Marine Plans
Over the past month there have been updates released regarding both the Irish and Welsh Marine Plans.
Update on Welsh Marine Plan
In Wales on 12 November the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths published Wales’ first Marine Plan. This sets out Welsh Government’s policy for the next 20 years for the sustainable use of our seas. We also publish with the plan:
Summary of Changes to plan following draft WNMP
Habitats Regulation Assessment
Sustainability Appraisal and Addendum
Updated Portal
Public Consultation on the Draft National Marine Planning Framework for Ireland
In Ireland Ministers Eoghan Murphy and Damien English have published the Draft National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) for Ireland. The Draft NMPF is Ireland’s first marine planning framework. The Draft Plan is now available for public consultation. Details are available here:
Regional public events are being held to promote awareness and facilitate public and stakeholder participation on the Draft NMPF. Details of the events arranged to date can be found on website listed above.