The State of the Seas Report

We have worked in partnership with the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) to produce the NI State of the Seas Report. This is the first time that a comprehensive report on the state of the seas around Northern Ireland has been published.

This is a key time in the management of our marine environment with the introduction of 3 new pieces of legislation:

• EC Marine Strategy Framework Directive, 2008
• UK Marine and Coastal Access Act, 2009
• The proposed Northern Ireland Marine Bill, which will be introduced to the NI Assembly in 2011

The report is largely structured around the new requirements of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, although other aspects of the marine environment are also considered.

The production of this report is a major milestone both in terms of initiating implementation of the new legislation and in strengthening relationships between Agencies and Departments. All Northern Ireland Departments and Agencies with marine responsibilities will continue to build on this co-operation in the monitoring and management of our marine environment.

STATE OF THE SEAS REPORT

Contents, Ministers Forwards and Executive Summary (PDF 2.94Mb)

1. Introduction (PDF 1.40Mb)
2. Marine Biodiversity (PDF 2.64Mb)
3. Invasive Alien Species (PDF 1.04Mb)
4. Fisheries and Aquaculture (PDF 1.74Mb)
5. Foodwebs (PDF 3.37Mb)
6. Eutrophication (PDF 1.31Mb)
7. Seabed Integrity (PDF 1.10Mb)
8. Hydrographical Conditions (PDF 1Mb)
9. Contaminants (PDF 1.57Mb)
10. Contaminants in Biota (PDF 1.26Mb)
11. Litter (PDF 1.05Mb)
12. Energy and Underwater Noise (PDF 543Kb)
13. Maritime Archaeology (PDF 1.54Mb)
14. Bathing Waters (PDF 1.27Mb)
15. Ports and Harbours (PDF 548Kb)
16. Discussions and Conclusions (PDF 1.37Mb)

Appendices ( PDF 1.83Mb)

Contacts
For further information or to request a hard copy of the report, please contact us:
NIEA - WaterInfo@doeni.gov.uk
AFBI - info@afbini.gov.uk

We would like to thank the following photographers for their contribution to theState of the Seas Report:

Arthur Ward, Robert Thompson, National Museums of Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Jeremy Gault and Tom McCann