Future socio-economic and environmental sustainability of the Irish Sea requires a multi-disciplinary approach with industry and research collaboration, and cross-border partnership

Abstract

The Irish Sea represents a valuable resource to numerous industries, communities, and other stakeholders particularly in the areas of shellfisheries and aquaculture, energy development and ecosystem services. Climate change poses a substantial threat to marine environments in the region, with impacts exacerbated by struggles for ever limited space and resources, a pronounced need for conservation of important and vulnerable marine ecosystems, and lack of unified management. A concerted effort is required to: i) determine the impacts of climate change and potential risks to marine industry; ii) advise marine industries of future opportunities and areas of collaboration; and iii) develop coordinated marine management across the region to ensure the resource is exploited in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner. We propose that an Irish Sea Marine Research Forum be created that promotes a multi-disciplinary holistic research approach linking industry and research to identify and mitigate the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of climate change. Additionally, we propose that an integrated jurisdiction for the Irish Sea be formed to serve as a regulatory body on fisheries and marine policy for the entire region. Management and policy directives should consider both potential for economic development as well as protection of key environmental features and ecosystem services. Such concentrated efforts on the Irish Sea could then be used as a management model for other regional seas and resources.