WWT Castle Espie Hosts Northern Irelands First Blue Carbon and MPA Strategy Focus Group
The Northern Ireland Government are preparing to review their Marine Protection area and Blue Carbon Strategies. The Department of Agriculture and Rural affairs (DAERA) have adopted co-design process for the review involving important stakeholders of which the WWT has been identified as a significant one.
Castle Espie was chosen to host the first focus group meeting which was attended by Paul Stewart on behalf of the WWT along with representatives from DAERA, National Trust, RSPB, Ulster Wildlife, Crown Estate, NI Marine Task Force, RenwablesNI and NI Fish Producers Organisation amongst others. The attendees learned of the WWTs Wetlands Can! campaign and our the goal of creating 100,000 hectares of wetlands across the UK. The agenda included discussion around the possibility of feasibility studies, demonstration projects, future funding and delivery partners for DAERAs Blue Carbon ambitions in Northern Ireland and the addition of new site designations such as Highly Protected Marine Protection areas (HPMA). The importance of habitats such as fresh water ecosystems, eco systems services, public benefit, access and education on Blue Carbon and MPAs were also seen as an important elements. Speaking at the event Castle Espie Centre Manager Paul Stewart said “I am delighted DAERA are adopting a co-design process for the review and that the WWT are seen as a key stake holder. WWT Castle Espie provides the ideal home for a focus group on this important subject and we won’t squander the opportunity to contribute to the process”.
The event comes after several visits by NI Environment Minster Edwin Poots including one to look at the carbon sequestering potential of habitats such as those managed by the WWT at Castle Espie, highlighting efforts to protect and enhance high nature value blue carbon habitats by DAERA and their partners in Northern Ireland.
