Developing Nature Conservation Objectives for the Irish Sea

Client: Joint Nature Conservation Committee

This contribution towards the UK Government’s Regional Seas Pilot Project tested the potential for an ecosystem approach to managing the marine environment on a regional seas scale. NatureBureau’s remit was to prepare a consultation paper presenting draft nature conservation objectives for sustaining the characteristic biodiversity of the Irish Sea.

The following activities were undertaken:

	reviews of policy background and existing relevant environmental objectives and strategic goals at national and European level
	development of general principles for setting nature conservation objectives
	identification of linkages from strategic goals for the marine environment, through conservation objectives to actions
	identification of key elements of ecosystem structure and function for maintaining ecosystem services
	recommendations for nature conservation objectives (including attributes, indicators and targets) at three spatial and ecosystem levels: the whole Sea, ecological units within the Irish Sea, and some selected species and habitats.

Contact:ecology@naturebureau.co.uk