Protect Ireland's ocean wealth

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Mike W. started this petition to Damien English, Minister of State, Senator Grace O'Sullivan started this petition to

Ireland could create the largest network of marine reserves in Europe!



On Wednesday, May 23rd, Senator Grace O'Sullivan will put a motion before the Irish Senate (Seanad) calling for protection of a significant amount of the territorial waters around Ireland with a network of urgently needed marine reserves.



Ireland has an extraordinarily large and rich marine environment; 90% of its territory is ocean. And despite the fact that Ireland has committed to protecting 10% of it by 2020, just over 2% is partially protected now. The next 18 months is enough time for Ireland to get started on setting a precedent for ocean protection in Europe.



Grace O'Sullivan's call for a network of marine reserves is a fantastic opportunity for Ireland to be a global conservation leader along with ocean champions like Chile and Palau. The evidence from around the world is that marine reserves increase the health of adjacent fish stocks and increase the ocean’s capacity to mitigate the effects of climate change.



The ocean is incredibly resilient: we just need to give it the space and then it will give us the benefits. #GráNaMara

