The creation of two new offshore Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) looks set to protected an area dubbed Ireland’s ‘underwater Grand Canyon’
Lying around 280km off the coasts of counties Cork and Kerry, the area contains extensive reefs including the Whittard Canyon that has been described as comparable in scale and drama to the Grand Canyon in the US. The canyon even boast it’s very own “Mount Doom”, an 800m high pinnacle that towers over the sea floor. Home to long-finned pilot whales and numerous fish species, it also supports endangered kittiwakes and puffins. A second area which takes in the Porcupine Shelf and extends from west of Clew Bay in Co Mayo to west of Malin Head in Co Donegal, is also known for its internationally important deep water reefs and its cold water coral. Various species of whale, dolphin, shark and ray are found there as well as arctic terns, puffins, storm petrels and Manx shearwater.
Contribute towards Ireland’s target of protecting 30% of territorial waters by 2030, the areas cover a total of 3 million hectares of seascape. Such SAC designation provides greater protection for habitats and species and imposes stricter conditions on activities within the area.
Currently 8.3pc of Ireland’s 8.9m hectares of territorial seas have SAC status and Mr Noonan said 30pc by 2030 was now achievable.
The announcement was welcomed by the Fair Seas campaign which is led by a coalition of Irish environmental groups.
“The creation of two new SACs should be celebrated. This is a significant step in the right direction,” said campaign manager, Aoife O’Mahony.
“However, considering the global biodiversity crisis we are now facing, it’s essential that proper management plans are put in place for these and all other existing MPAs too.”
Main image: Coral diversity in the Whittard Canyon as seen last year on cruise CE13008. Photo by NUI Galway, copyright Marine Institute
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