The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has opened a 12-week public consultation on proposed fisheries management measures for three offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Irish Sea. Running until 24 August 2026, the consultation seeks to introduce restrictions on bottom trawling for Norway lobster across 298 square kilometres of seabed classified as “unfavourable”.
The proposals target the Pisces Reef Complex Special Area of Conservation (SAC), South Rigg Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), and Queenie Corner MCZ—sites located between Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man that harbour rare reef structures, ancient ocean quahog clams, and critical mud habitats. Minister Andrew Muir emphasised the need to balance ecological recovery with the economic realities facing the local fishing fleet.
Three Offshore Sites in Critical Condition
The consultation focuses on waters beyond 12 nautical miles, where the primary commercial activity is trawling for Nephrops norvegicus—commonly known as Norway lobster, langoustine, or Dublin Bay prawn. Together, the three sites span approximately 298 km² of the western Irish Sea.
- Pisces Reef Complex SAC (873 hectares): Designated in 2017 for its Annex I bedrock and boulder-dominated stony reef. The site features three reef outcrops rising 15–35 metres above the seabed, supporting diverse communities of sponges, hydroids and fish. Current assessments classify the reef feature as “unfavourable” with a conservation objective to “recover”.
- South Rigg MCZ (143 km²): Designated in 2019, this site protects subtidal mud, coarse sediment, and sea-pen communities. It hosts the only known breeding population of ocean quahog clams in the Irish Sea—species that can live for up to 500 years and serve as important indicators for climate change research.
- Queenie Corner MCZ (146 km²): Also designated in 2019 following recommendations from Northern Irish fishing interests, this site protects subtidal mud and sea-pen and burrowing megafauna communities, including the commercially fished Nephrops.
According to DAERA’s Habitats Regulations Assessment, the protected habitats within these sites remain in unfavourable condition, prompting the need for management measures to restrict mobile bottom-contact gear.
Minister Acknowledges Industry Pressures
Launching the consultation, Minister Muir highlighted the dual pressures facing the sector:
“Our seas support livelihoods, communities and a vital fishing industry, and it is essential that we are proactive in taking action that protects ecosystems and fish stocks for future generations.
“I recognise the challenges that fishing businesses are facing on a daily basis, from rising fuel costs and visa restrictions to the increasing uncertainty created by proposals for offshore renewable energy and the impacts of climate change on fish stocks. I acknowledge these realities and recognise the essential role the fishing industry plays in our coastal economy, cultural heritage and food security.
“At the same time, action is needed to ensure healthy, productive marine ecosystems that can continue to support fisheries and wider societal benefits over the long term. Evidence increasingly shows that well‑designed and effectively managed protective measures can allow damaged habitats to recover, increase resilience to climate change, and support the replenishment of fish stocks beyond protected areas.”
The Nephrops fishery represents Northern Ireland’s most valuable shellfish sector, with annual landings worth approximately £24.5 million and supporting around 350 fishermen, primarily operating from Kilkeel, Ardglass and Portavogie.
Co-Design with the Co-Fish Partnership
The proposed measures have been developed through a “co-design” process with the Co-Fish: Fisheries and Conservation Partnership, a stakeholder group formed in 2023 comprising DAERA, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), environmental NGOs, and fishing industry representatives. This follows the model established for inshore MPAs, where similar prohibitions on demersal mobile gear were introduced in January 2023 across nine sites.
Minister Muir stated:
“The proposals outlined in the consultation recognise the unfavourable conservation status of these protected habitats and aim to help these sites achieve their conservation objectives. They also reinforce Northern Ireland’s continued support for international obligations for clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse seas.
“Our shared aim is thriving seas that continue to sustain both marine life and the communities that rely upon them. I recognise the importance of your input, whether as individuals or organisations and I am keen to hear your views to help inform these fisheries management measures.”
Unanswered Questions on Enforcement and Economic Impact
The consultation forms part of Northern Ireland’s commitments under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Environment Improvement Plan. While the inshore region already has 38% of its area covered by MPAs—exceeding the global “30×30” biodiversity target—these offshore sites represent critical gaps in the protection of deep-water mud and reef habitats.
However, the press release leaves several operational questions unanswered. It does not specify whether restrictions will be seasonal or year-round, what buffer zones will apply around reef features, or how enforcement will be resourced in offshore waters. The economic impact assessment for the Nephrops fleet—already facing advised quota reductions and “spatial squeeze” from offshore wind development—has not been published alongside the announcement.
Key Questions for Consideration
- How will DAERA ensure that restrictions on bottom trawling do not simply displace fishing effort to adjacent unprotected areas, potentially degrading habitats outside the MPA network?
- What specific monitoring protocols will determine when these habitats achieve “favourable” condition, and what timeline does the Department envisage for recovery?
- Given the Minister’s acknowledgment of visa restrictions and fuel costs affecting the fleet, what complementary economic support measures will accompany potential loss of fishing grounds?
- How will the co-design process weigh scientific conservation requirements against industry proposals, particularly where the fishing sector originally recommended Queenie Corner for protection?
- Will management measures align with Irish and Scottish regulations for transboundary stocks in the Irish Sea, given that Nephrops populations cross jurisdictional boundaries?
How to Respond
The consultation closes on 24 August 2026. Stakeholders including fishing organisations, environmental groups, and coastal communities can access the consultation document and submit responses via the DAERA consultations page. The Department also plans to host a webinar during the consultation period to discuss technical details.
The outcome will test whether Northern Ireland’s co-management approach—balancing the economic viability of the Nephrops sector with legally binding habitat restoration targets—can deliver the “thriving seas” that both conservationists and coastal communities are seeking.