To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what collaboration has taken place with the Irish Government to formally adopt conservation measures for Marine Protected Areas in Northern Ireland.

The Interreg VA funded MarPAMM (Marine Protected Area Management and Monitoring) project is developing management plans for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Scotland. This includes a cross-border management plan for Carlingford SPA and two regional MPA management plans; one for the Co. Down – Co. Louth region, and one for the North Coast – North Channel region.

The project is being led by AFBI and includes project partners from Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Scotland, and is providing opportunities for cross-border collaboration between my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. My Department is a member of the project advisory committee and the stakeholder steering groups that have been established for each MPA.

The management plans will identify the necessary conservation measures for each MPA and will be subject to public consultation. Decisions relating to the adoption of the plans will not be taken until the project is completed in September 2022.