Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Observations show that Ireland’s climate is changing in terms of sea level rise, increases in average temperature, changes in precipitation patterns and weather extremes. The observed scale and rate of change is consistent with regional and global trends, and these changes are projected to continue and increase over the coming decades. Climate change will have diverse and wide-ranging impacts on Ireland’s environment, society and economic development, including managed and natural ecosystems, water resources, agriculture and food security, human health and coastal zones. Ireland's first statutory national adaptation framework, NAF, was published in January 2018. The NAF sets out the national strategy to reduce the vulnerability of the country to the negative effects of climate change. Under the NAF, Departments are preparing sectoral adaptation plans, which are due to be completed by September 2019.

Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI, is the State agency charged with protection, management and development of the inland fisheries resource.

I am advised that climate change has been identified by IFI as one of the greatest threats facing the wider aquatic environment and fish populations and structures in the medium to long term. This will require significant efforts to overcome the considerable uncertainties and research requirements in relation to the impacts of climate change on Irish fish species, populations and habitats. IFI has been proactive in this regard as the impact on fish stocks can be a barometer of climate change.

In addition, IFI is exploring the building of an evidence-based assessment programme to assess the impact of climate change on the Irish fisheries sector in both freshwater and estuarine environments, with the ultimate aim to inform and build capacity for fisheries conservation and protection measures.

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