Attwood launches work on Marine Plan for local waters
Published on Fri, 29 Jun 2012
by ecomms@doeni.gov.uk.
The Department has published a Statement of Public Participation for Northern Ireland’s first marine plan. Minister Alex Attwood made the announcement when giving the keynote address at the inaugural conference of the Irish Sea Maritime Forum held yesterday in Titanic Belfast.
Publication of the Statement marks the formal beginning of the marine plan-making process here. It sets out clearly how and when the Department will involve and engage people during the preparation of the plan and importantly how the views and comments of stakeholders will be factored into the work.
The full and effective participation of everyone who has an interest in our marine environment will be critical to the success of the marine plan process. The Statement seeks to ensure that in whatever way people use or enjoy our seas or coastline they will be given the opportunity to get involved.
The Minister acknowledged the significant role to be played by sectoral interest groups, such as those representing the fishing and aquaculture industries, conservation and environmental organisations, ports and shipping agencies, tourism and recreation associations as well as the importance of participation by emerging new industries, such as the marine renewable energy sector.
The Minister has set an ambitious timeline of 2014 for publication of the Marine Plan so that no time is wasted in efforts towards delivering a new plan-led system for our marine environment and is confident that with the full and constructive participation of everyone that this goal can be achieved.
