Freshwater & the Marine
Too many of our freshwater and marine ecosystems are degraded, polluted and over-exploited. Here, I set out some of my national priorities for our rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries, coasts and the marine under the Programme for Government, along with additional initiatives I'm progressing under this portfolio. Recent news updates are listed below.
Introduce legislation for Marine Protected Areas
Work towards 30% protection in the marine environment, in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy
Explore options to create a Marine National Park
Publish a new River Basin Management Plan
Increase water quality advisory and enforcement services at local level
Establish a programme to remove river barriers and create free-flowing rivers
Support a pilot nature based catchment flood management scheme on a selected river catchment
Support ‘Citizen Science’ programmes to monitor water quality in our rivers and streams
Increase funding to community groups and NGOs to protect and promote our rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries and coastlines
Improve the ecological condition of protected freshwater and marine habitats
