IRELAND’S FIRST EVER HOPE SPOT

We’re incredibly proud to be championing Ireland’s first ever Mission Blue Hope Spot, The Greater Skellig Hope Spot, with Fair Seas!

Fair Seas is a coalition of Ireland’s leading environmental non-governmental organisations and networks, campaigning for the Government to designate a minimum of 30% of Irish waters as Marine Protected Areas (MPA) by 2030.

Fair Seas has identified 16 ‘Areas of Interest’ for possible MPA designation in Ireland of which the Greater Skellig Coast is one. It stretches across 7000 square km of coastal waters from Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry to Loop Head in Co. Clare.  This area is home to critically endangered sharks, globally important seabird colonies, and animals threatened with extinction which rely on these areas for breeding and feeding.

By becoming the latest of Mission Blue’s 148 Hope Spots and the FIRST EVER in Ireland, the Greater Skellig Coast has achieved international recognition for its incredibly important biodiversity!

Mission Blue is a global marine conservation movement that aims to inspire public awareness, access and support for a worldwide network of Marine Protected Areas. It was founded by legendary oceanographer, author and explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle whose accolades include, National Geographic’s Explorer in Residence since 1998 and being named the first Hero for the Planet by Time Magazine.

The Greater Skellig Coast becoming a designated Hope Spot helps to highlight the importance of the area globally and encourage the development of effective, and inclusive, national Marine Protected Area legislation. All 148 Hope Spots are special places, scientifically identified as critical to the health of the ocean and include the Galápagos Islands, the Great Barrier Reef, parts of Antarctica and now, our very own Greater Skellig Coast!

🎉 What a great way to start 2023!! 🎉