17 November 2006
CAIRNS LAUNCHES COASTAL & MARINE FORUM
Department of the Environment Minister, David Cairns, has said that the coast of Northern Ireland needs to be managed in a strategic, integrated and sustainable way.
The Minister, speaking at the launch of the first Coastal and Marine Forum for Northern Ireland, said: "We must ensure that the our coastline, which we value for its scenic beauty, economic importance and as a natural resource, is made sustainable and that it remains a vital and dynamic part of Northern Ireland's heritage.
"In June the Government set out a strategy for sustainable coastal management, and I am pleased to be launching this first meeting of Northern Ireland's Coastal and Marine Forum, which is part of that strategy. The Forum is unique, in that all major coastal and marine coastal stakeholders will be represented and their views will be taken into account in developing policies on coastal areas."
David Cairns welcomed Professor Andrew Cooper as the first Chair of the Forum and said his knowledge and experience would make a huge contribution to the success of the group.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The Coastal and Marine Forum comprises representatives of 20 organisations from public, private and voluntary sectors. It is an independent, non - statutory body made up of a cross-section of interests ranging from local government, business, agriculture, fishing and environmental bodies.
The appointment of the Chairperson was made in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland's Code of Practice. A selection panel, which included an independent assessor, as required under the Commissioner's Code, considered the suitability of all candidates.
Prof. Cooper is co-director of the Centre for Coastal and Marine Research and Centre for Maritime Archaeology at the University of Ulster in Coleraine.
He has 20 years professional experience, including 9 years in South Africa, of the physical, biological and cultural aspects of the coastal and marine environment.
The post will be for three years and does not attract a salary.
Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), is a process that aims to bring together all those involved in the development, management and use of the coast with the objective of establishing sustainable levels of economic and social activity in our coastal areas, while protecting the environment. DOE is the lead department taking forward ICZM.
Member States formally adopted a EU Recommendation on ICZM on 30 May 2002. This Recommendation asked Member States to undertake a national stocktake of legislation, institutions and stakeholders involved in the management of the coastal zone. The stocktake assisted in the development of national ICZM strategies and NI, together with our GB colleagues, has met the Commission's deadline to produce a draft strategy by March 2006.
The NI Strategy was launched on 28th June 2006 and sets out a number of objectives affecting the coastal zone.
Copies of the strategy entitled "An Integrated Coastal Zone Management Strategy for Northern Ireland 2006-2026" can be obtained from the DOE's Environmental Policy Division, River House, 48 High Street, Belfast BT1 2AW
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