Best International Practice for Ireland’s Coastal and Marine Governance

1. Best International Practice for Ireland’s Coastal and Marine Governance Professor Robert Devoy, UCC Governance Group 25th November 2011

2. National Perception of the Marine and Ireland = 1 Million km2 Hiberno-centric view, YES - but to realise our maritime potential we DO need to prove that Ireland is open for maritime business INFOMAR

3. Our Resources • Physical and Biological: • Minerals, Aggregates • Fish • Aquaculture, • Energy: • Oil and Gas • Renewable (wind, wave, tide, currents, thermal), • Location: • Shipping & Transport • Telecommunications, • Maritime Expertise: • Irish Naval Service • NMCI • Industry • Scientific Community • IMERC. Francis Beaufort

4. Energy from wave and storm surges Nov. 2011, The EU member states have now agreed: ocean energy is a matter for priority investment

5. Impacts of these marine/ coastal environments on people in Ireland? Resource benefits_ in jobs, revenue etc. ……… > 53% of people live within the coastal zone.

6. Ireland’s resource basis – human capital • Leisure: • marina activities to sport fishing - tourism from coastal to offshore, • Shipping / transport, • Ports & entrepôt trade, • Strong research base, • Universities / Government Agencies / Industry • Security / maritime surveillance • 1100 INS personnel, • Strong expertise & intellectual property, • educated & skilled workforce • innovative capacity • Political advantages, • neutrality & minimal geopolitical baggage • brokering management; • socio-cultural links across Atlantic_ Ireland’s Diaspora • English speaking and in the Euro-zone.

7. Governance: Key Elements Government To unlock our resources we need to have (inward) investment, societal support and a progressive Government with enabling national policies The Markets Civil Society

8. Physical Challenges (1) • Ireland’s maritime environments are at risk and vulnerable to change: • Erosion, Sea-level Changes, Storm Surge and Flooding etc. • Temperature changes, pollution and bio-physical stressing. • But, not as much as elsewhere in the North Atlantic (IPCC)…….

9. Vulnerability • Major vulnerabilities of European environmental systems and sectors to climate change during the 21st century for the main regions of Europe TU: Thawing of permafrost; decreased tundra area; increased coastal erosion and flooding BO: Water logging; eutrophication of lakes and wetlands; increased coastal flooding and erosion; increased winter storm risk; reduced ski season; severe fires in drained peatland AT: Increased coastal erosion and flooding; stressing of marine bio-systems and habitat loss; increased tourism pressure on coasts; greater winter storm risk and vulnerability of transport to winds CE: Increased frequency and magnitude of winter floods; increased variability of crop yields; increased health effects of heat waves MT: Glaciers disappearing; reduced snow-cover period; upward shift of tree line; severe biodiversity losses; reduced ski season KEY TU (Tundra, paleturquoise); BO (Boreal, dark blue); AT (Atlantic, light blue); CE (Central, green [includes the Pannonian Region]); MT (Mountains, purple); ME (Mediterranean, orange [includes the Black Sea region]); ST (Steppe, cream). SLR (sea-level rise), NAO (North Atlantic Oscillation). ST: Decreased crop yield; increased soil erosion; increased SLR with positive NAO; increased salinity of inland seas ME: Reduced water availability; increased drought; severe biodiversity losses; increased forest fires; reduced summer tourism; reduced suitable cropping areas, increased energy demand in summer, reduced hydropower; increased land losses in estuaries and deltas; increased salinity and eutrophication of coastal waters

10. Vulnerability • Changes of the 50-year return storm surge heights for Europe’s coasts • For western Ireland’s coasts, a < 0.2m increase in Hmax wave heights) by c. 2080 under SRES for Northwest Europe

11. Vulnerability • Erosion at Rossbeigh, Co. Kerry Red coast line indicates ground GPS survey undertaken by Kerry County Council in late 2008. Area of 19th Century reclamation

12. Vulnerability • Recent flood impacts on cities in Ireland 1-1.5m water depth Cork, 2009 Dublin, 2004

13. Physical Challenges (2) • Maritime communities need to be aware of the likely impacts/ risks and to be prepared. • To assess likely impacts requires:- • Structured data gathering programmes (e.g., INFOMAR, Tide gauge networks, Hydrographic survey data– a dedicated Hydrographic Office needed_ Rear-Admiral Beaufort!!), • Forecasting capabilities; independent Field Labs and Observation Testing Platforms (e.g., SMART BAY), • Wider, integrative involvement (viz. UK/ European, • USA, Canada) regional Coastal Observation Laboratories..….. . • Society has to adapt and capacity-build for change and this needs to be supported at national and local levels, • Build upon EU (e.g. IMCORE / COASTADAPT) and national (CLAD / Climate Change Information Portal) approaches (e.g., the development of Expert Couplet Nodes) research initiatives.

14. Policy Challenges: Ireland’s Maritime Location: Iconic views and consequences, 1839 – 2011 “famines and feasts”??....... The Lusitania

15. Policy Challenges (1) • Ireland has proven that it can be innovative when it comes to coastal management: • Brady, Shipman, Martin (1997) Coastal Zone Management, a Draft Policy for Ireland., • EU Life Programme_ Demonstration projects - Bantry Bay Charter and Rural Beach Management in Donegal,35 in total across Europe. • EU_ the Recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) (2002) and now on, Ocean Energy investment (2011): • EU ICZM Review to be completed end of 2011, • Current EU debate focussed on need for ICZM Directive, Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Directive _ all very late in day versus our competitors. • BUT in Europe, traditionally, planning has been seen as a sovereign competency? • Ireland failed to conduct ICZM stock-take, re. EU 2002, • Poor showing for Indicators of progress in ICZM.

16. Policy Challenges (2) • ICZM Policy process is currently stalled. • Nationally, there has been a lack of progress &/or progressive policy ‘thinking’ post BSM (1997), • Significant levels of research conducted, but limited uptake of output and implementation of strategic material produced. • Where we are now? – wider EU Directives and more International Protocol- led/ driven (e.g., Kyoto; EU, Marine Strategy Framework) Directives are likely, • There is a specific EU Marine Directive, but it doesn’t include the coast. • BUT, could we be leading rather than waiting to follow existing and pending new EU Directives_ but strong national level drivers are at work (viz. IPCC, 2007). • Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is seen by many as, the way forward, but MSP is a process and will be as difficult to implement as ICZM. • Given the lack of a European policy framework, strong national integrated planning is required.

17. Policy Challenges (3) • Ireland could lead the way in harnessing its marine and coastal resource potentials: • but this is being hindered (threatened) by a lack of coherent planning. The current system is ad hoc in form and is further complicated by inconsistencies between terrestrial and maritime planning procedures and the number of different Government Departments that have to be involved. • The absence of an enabling policy framework means that Ireland is at a disadvantage in the global market place: • Other nations are becoming better positioned to succeed (viz. Canada, Australia, Scotland, Portugal……).

18. Policy Challenges (4) • There needs to be a realisation that the ‘Marine’ is a competitive market place: • Ireland does have significant resources but if access to these is overcomplicated (by drawn-out planning, or ill-thought out stakeholder consultation procedures) then the focus of activity/ use will shift to other locations in preference; to those that have the most enabling governance conditions. • Maritime Spatial Planning, as with all planning, should be subject to public scrutiny and not be rushed. It does have to follow a ‘legal, protocol-led’ and time bounded process into which the government, the markets and civil society can ‘buy in’.

19. Jurisdiction remains centred on the position of the Mean High Water Mark_ issues here include:- Do we know where this is? Will it change? How do we foster integration when responsibilities are divided according to a line? How do ‘we’ [formally] involve local authorities and others in the process? The Foreshore regime needs to be/ is being revised: Also need to consider other sea areas: continental shelf regime (limited to oil and gas); border bays; baselines along the East coast? Planning is traditionally a land-based activity: Do we know how to plan in the marine environment? Legal Challenges (1)

20. Legal drivers at the international and EU level focus on marine waters under national jurisdiction – enforcement and compliance aspects will increasing regulatory obligations. New industries should benefit the STATE as a whole, not just the ‘developers’ e.g., Norway sets the benchmark. Our Maritime [Management] Policy needs to reside with the highest office: not an individual Government Department. Legal Challenges (2)

21. ICZM / MSP: Solutions / Examples • Barcelona Protocol(adopted 2010 – ratified March 2011) • European Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik – “we have taken a small • but significant step in a longer process to reverse coastal degradation and significantly • reduce the loss of coastal ecosystems. This sends a strong signal of commitment from the EU to the protection and sustainable management of the Mediterranean coast." • Identify our competitors (e.g., The UK and Scotland, Portugal, Canada, China, The Netherlands). Why re-invent the wheel? Get into real partnership/ be open to copying fast!!! • Learn from international case studies e.g., Marine Management Organisation, UK; Marine Scotland; Canada Ocean Strategy, USA, NZ etc. • These countries have clarified their planning processes and have satisfied investors that they will be deliver the goods from governance processes……..potential investors are informed expediently if proposals are likely to succeed…….(better to have consistent access to reasonable food than starve whilst waiting for the promise of gourmet food sometime in the future?). • Emulate the Basque and especially the Scottish approach to supporting Marine Renewables. • We need to build upon the best practice available internationally and the indigenous expertise, to develop a Coherent policy for Ireland’s Maritime Territory.

22. Governance and Policy Development for the Future Government The Markets Civil Society POLICY

23. Policy Development Issues and Requisites • Competencies- who should develop policy and administer it? • Leadership, vision needed to develop the policy(ies) required. • Content– what is needed from our policy to create an enabling environment (planning / incentives)? • Remove barriers to policy development and, more importantly, implementation. • Ensure appropriate legislation is in place to allow implementation. • Need to solidify the external / international view of Ireland as THE place to conduct maritime business. • Urgency – act now, or Ireland will miss emerging business sectors/ lose existing sectors to better managed territories. • Benefits of a proper maritime policy– better Governance (quantification of economic benefits / qualification of social benefits.

24. Use untapped intellectual resources for policy advice and development. Ref. the development and the use of coastal zone Expert Couplet Nodes (Ireland & wider Atlantic EU). Engage in a meaningful way with ‘communities - society’, according to best practice for public participation in coastal zone management & MSP. Don’t be afraid of stakeholder engagement (viz. the Bantry Bay Demonstration Project experience!!!). How To Develop An integrated Marine and Coastal Policy (1)

25. Stimulate economic development in a sustainable manner, with integrated planning for traditional, new and emerging sectors e.g., fish-farming, marine recreation, shipping, marine renewables. Exploit international market opportunities by harnessing enterprise, as well as research and practitioner expertise in an innovative ‘team Ireland’ approach. Acknowledge that ICZM principles are more relevant now than ever before (see Rio+20 A Sustainable Planet). How To Develop An integrated Marine and Coastal Policy (2)

26. Build on our competitive advantage as a small island nation, to develop a new maritime constituency for Ireland, including all three pillars of governance – government, industry and civil society. Take advantage of our internationally renowned academic impact in the fields of ICZM, engineering and coastal science for better policy making. Apply the principles of social learning, to reflect seriously on our limited capacity to date to connect investment in marine science with enterprise (<1% of GDP from the maritime economy) why? Build capacity for adapting to climate change in the coastal zone and identify opportunities for innovating in our societal response to this challenge. How To Develop An integrated Marine and Coastal Policy (3)

27. Recommendations: Need to push for dedicated political leadership for the Maritime. Through An Taoiseach’s Office, the setting up of a Cabinet sub-committee for, the Development of the Marine and Coastal Zone, Cabinet Committee Heads reporting regularly on progress of Energy, Seabed, Leisure, Governance & Environment Sustainability The Heads to be informed / supported by a tasked Expert Group (8). Develop a Vision for the future “Ireland is open for marine and coastal business”……… Facilitate real integration in the decision making process via root and branch organisational reform, assess needs for legislative change to streamline efficient operation of marine and coastal zone governance, implement legislation, as necessary, take initial practical/ pragmatic views, Adopt ‘best practise’. Future Policy Core Principle and Conclusions

28. John Holland – Pointing the way ahead!