Mr. P?draic Fogarty:

I will comment on head 6.4. The programme for Government has a target of 30% by 2030. Under the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework, which was agreed at COP 15, we should get to at least 30%. The targets are pretty modest. The scientific consensus is moving towards protecting 50% of the sea - obviously the right 50%. It worries me that we are not committing to meet 30% under that head.

Regarding the requirement for strict protection, which is within the biodiversity strategy, the target is 10%, which is extremely modest given the pressure the sea is under. I feel strongly that we must have a target for strict protection in the overall MPA target.