Press release
On World Wildlife Day, Minister Noonan announces move to confer protection on Basking sharks
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
Minister Noonan today confirmed that the Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) will be given the status of a ‘protected wild animal’ under the Wildlife Act. He also confirmed that a collaborative Code of Conduct for the eco tourism and wildlife watching industry will be developed in order to support best practice.
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, said:
“Work has been underway in my Department for a number of months to progress protections for the Basking shark and I’m delighted to be able to announce today that they will be finalised in the near future. Basking sharks are extraordinary creatures and they’re facing increasing pressures from a range of sources, including disturbance. This move will confer legal protections on them in the short term and enhance their protection in the longer term through the collaborative development of a Code of Conduct to support best practice in sustainable eco tourism.
“The forthcoming review of the Wildlife Act, as per the Programme for Government, will also enable further consideration of aspects of protection. I’d like to thank my colleagues Minister McConalogue and Minister Coveney for their support in progressing this important work, and to the many members of the public – particularly the young children – who have been so passionate in calling for Basking shark protection.”
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, said:
“This is great news for the Basking shark and for the many people that have been calling for its protection. Marine protection is a vital element of the work we do in this Department and strong progress is being made in that regard, particularly on Marine Protected Areas, which will form a crucial pillar in ensuring that we have a clean, healthy, diverse and sustainably used marine environment.”
Work to confer this protection is at an advanced stage in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. It requires making Regulations under Section 23(2)(a) of the Wildlife Act 1976. Where an animal is protected under Section 23 of the Act, it is an offence to:
• Hunt a protected wild animal (unless under permission or licence granted by my Department)
• Injure a protected wild animal (unless done while hunting in accordance with a licence or exemption cited above), or
• Wilfully interfere with or destroy the breeding or resting places of a protected wild animal.
In addition, the National Parks and Wildlife Service will be engaging with the marine eco tourism, recreation at sea and wildlife watching industries, as well as environmental NGOs, to develop a Code of Conduct to ensure that there is strong awareness of and accordance with best practice for operators and the public in observing or encountering marine wildlife such as Basking sharks, as well as other species of fish, marine mammals and birds.
Furthermore, Minister Noonan indicated his intention to progress the Programme for Government commitment to review the Wildlife Act – this will involve a detailed examination of protections and provisions in the Act, enabling a broader consideration of its effectiveness.
ENDS