A Significant Step for Marine Protection
This week marked an important step forward for marine protection in Ireland, with the publication of the Heads of the Maritime Area Planning (Marine Protected Areas) (Amendment) Bill 2026.
The long-awaited Bill represents a significant milestone in Ireland’s efforts to better protect its marine environment. It outlines the proposed legislative framework for designating and managing Marine Protected Areas, or MPAs, in Irish waters.
For the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, this is a welcome and important development.
Turning Ambition into Real Protection
Ireland has committed to protecting 30% of its seas by 2030. However, this target will only be meaningful if new protected areas are ecologically coherent, properly managed, effectively enforced and based on the best available scientific evidence. MPAs must deliver real protection for marine species, habitats and ecosystems, not simply exist as lines on a map.
Why MPAs Matter for Cetaceans
This matters deeply for whales, dolphins and porpoises. Ireland’s waters are home to a rich diversity of cetacean species, from harbour porpoises and bottlenose dolphins to minke whales, fin whales and humpback whales. These species depend on healthy, functioning marine ecosystems, but they face increasing pressure from human activities, including disturbance, bycatch, underwater noise, pollution, habitat degradation and climate change.
Well-designed MPAs can play an important role in reducing these pressures, protecting key habitats and supporting wider ecosystem recovery.
A Wider European Context
The publication of the Heads of Bill comes at a significant time. This week, IWDG’s Eva Lambert and Stephen Comerford attended the EU Ocean Act Conference in Wexford, hosted as part of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The conference brought together policymakers, researchers, NGOs and stakeholders from Ireland and across Europe to discuss the future of EU ocean governance, the draft European Ocean Act, maritime spatial planning and sustainable ocean management.
These discussions are directly relevant to Ireland’s MPA process. Strong marine protection cannot be separated from wider questions of how we plan, manage and govern our seas. As activity in Irish waters increases, including offshore renewable energy, fisheries, shipping and other maritime uses, biodiversity protection must be placed at the centre of decision-making.
Integrating MPAs into Marine Planning
The proposed MPA legislation is being introduced as an amendment to Ireland’s existing marine planning legislation. This means that Marine Protected Areas would be integrated into the broader maritime planning system, including through tools such as Designated Maritime Area Plans.
This approach could help connect marine protection with wider ocean planning. However, the strength of the final legislation will be critical. Ireland needs a clear, transparent and science-led process for identifying, designating, managing and monitoring MPAs. It also needs meaningful stakeholder engagement, adequate resources and clear conservation objectives for each site.
The Role of Fair Seas and Stakeholder Engagement
As part of the Fair Seas coalition, IWDG has long called for robust MPA legislation that can deliver effective protection for Ireland’s marine life. The publication of the Heads of Bill is therefore a positive and long-awaited step, but it is also the beginning of the next phase of work.
During the week, IWDG also joined Fair Seas partners in a meeting with Minister Timmy Dooley to discuss MPA legislation, ocean governance and the next steps for implementation. The discussion included the importance of a clear roadmap, strong stakeholder engagement and ensuring that the legislation can support meaningful protection in practice.
Community involvement will be essential. Coastal communities, fishers, scientists, environmental organisations and marine users all need to be part of the process. Effective MPAs require public trust, clear communication and long-term commitment.
From Policy to Practice
For IWDG, the priority is clear: Ireland must now move from ambition to delivery.
The new MPA Bill is an important milestone, but the final legislation must be strong enough to meet the scale of the biodiversity and climate crises facing our seas. It must support a coherent network of protected areas, include meaningful levels of protection, and ensure that management measures are monitored and enforced.
Healthy seas are essential for whales, dolphins, coastal communities and future generations.
IWDG will continue to work through the Fair Seas coalition and with decision-makers to advocate for strong, science-led and effective marine protection in Irish waters.
The momentum is here. The next step is to turn it into real protection at sea.
