Green TD Steven Matthews has welcomed the launch of a new biodiversity project which aims to protect and restore Ireland’s coastline. Codling Wind Park and University College Dublin have announced a project which will explore the potential to restore native oyster reefs and seagrass beds along the Irish coast and to develop nature-based solutions to promote marine biodiversity.
Speaking following the publication of the biodiversity research strategy, Deputy Matthews said:
“I am delighted to welcome this project which will support the restoration of marine habitats along the Irish coastline. I am very pleased that Codling Wind Park are undertaking this research alongside University College Dublin which will advance the development of nature-based solutions to tackle biodiversity loss. This is a voluntary initiative which is separate to Codling Wind Park’s planning application which will provide large-scale renewable energy infrastructure off Wicklow’s coast.
“We are extremely fortunate in Wicklow to have a truly incredible coastline which supports a rich marine environment. We have special areas of conservation along our coastline which need to be protected and restored. The announcement of this research project follows the designation of a new marine protection area in Wexford which compliments several other east coast SPAs in Wicklow, including Wicklow Head and the Murrough. The Green Party are leading on this issue in Government with our commitment to designate 30% of Irish waters as Marine Protected Areas by 2030.
“This research project is incredibly innovative and seeks to provide new solutions which will protect and restore our marine environment in Wicklow and across Ireland. I look forward to reviewing the progress of this project as it moves forward”, Deputy Matthews included.
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