The final month of the year is going to be a very busy one for Coastwatch who have announced four events open to everyone interested in citizen science and ocean conservation, which will take place in the first two weeks of the month both in person and online.
The first event is the Public Launch of Coastwatch Autumn Survey 2023 result high and low lights, and it will be held thought a Zoom meeting on Monday the 4th of December from 7 – 8 pm. To RSVP, visit https://www.coastwatch.org/event-details/public-launch-of-coastwatch-autumn-survey-2023-result-high-and-low-lights.
On Sunday the 10th there will be a Fieldtrip Dublin bay winter low tide ‘table set for birds. The plan is lovely: meet on the shore, Merrion Strand, at 2pm and afterwards for coffee and a short address, tackling disturbance of wintering birds in protected sites. The meeting point is TBD, so RSVP is recommended to receive further information: https://www.coastwatch.org/event-details/fieldtrip-dublin-bay-winter-low-tide-table-set-for-birds.
Another in-person event has been organised for Monday the 11th of December, which will take place at the European Commission Offices in Dublin from 9am to 1pm. This event is the seminar ‘Coastwatch nature findings put into the context of marine biodiversity protection goals’ and follows after last summer’s important Court ruling against Ireland in Case C-444/21 on the absence of conservation measures for Natura 2000 sites. The ruling should deliver major biodiversity and marine resource recovery benefits if properly implemented. The presentation will unpack aspects of the court ruling which are particularly relevant to coastal habitats and species. It can thus also support the final wording and effectiveness of the MPA bill which is due to be published in December. The most important paragraph is 153 which clarifies that conservation measures must be established for each habitat type/species’ habitats and each site based on ecological requirements. Ecological requirements correspond to the site structure and functions and also its typical species. Case-law has established that conservation measures must be complete, clear and precise and based on conservation objectives. They also need to be binding on third parties. More information about this event can be found here: https://www.coastwatch.org/event-details/nature-protection-law-and-practise-in-the-coastal-zone.
Last but not least, still on Monday the 11th, from 1.30 – 2.30pm there will be the Launch of citizen science seagrass findings 2023 with case studies. This event will be addressed by Dr Robert Wilkes, EPA’s Senior Scientist, and will be held in the Simon Perry Building in Trinity College Dublin. To RSVP visit https://www.coastwatch.org/event-details/launch-of-citizen-science-seagrass-findings-2023-with-case-studies.
Some timings might still change as the programme is finetuned, so keep an eye on the Coastwatch website www.coastwatch.org to more information about the events above.