Small Harbours Improvement Project

ICBAN values its coastline and recognises that the marine resources are of immense importance to the community throughout the ICBAN region. The value lies in its social, economic and environmental value. Sustainable management of marine resources is not without its challenges, so whilst ICBAN were pleased to make a small contribution through their small harbour improvement scheme, they are also working with partners on the wider issues of coastal zone management.

Sustainable Management of Marine Resources

Whilst ICBAN does not have a Northern Ireland coast line, its southern marine and coastal environment is of great importance to the region, providing a tourism resource which their partner councils in NI use to sell the region, and an important leisure and amenity resource for communities on both sides of the border. ICBAN is currently working with partners to support the key stakeholders who are working to ensure the marine resource is carefully managed and used in a sustainable way.

Work focused on two areas of activity

1. Efforts to support sustainable use and management of coastal resources
2. Small scale harbour improvement

Efforts to support the sustainable use and management of coastal resources

All of the island of Ireland is in a maritime setting. Nobody in the northern half of the island lives more than 60km from the sea. In this regard the coast is an important natural asset for past, current and future generations. If it is to be fully appreciated, sustainably exploited and adequately conserved, it must be understood and more importantly, the public must have an appreciation of that knowledge.

The marine and coastal sector offers many opportunities for commercial development. These include recreation e.g. marinas, boating, waterskiing, diving, personal water craft, angling, walking etc, tourism, commercial fishing aquaculture and marine biotechnology. There have also been important changes in marine sector activities - changes in commercial fishing regulations, growth of the aquaculture sector, conflicts between different user groups, and a lack of awareness of the marine environment among the general population. The EU recommends implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) which urges member states to implement appropriate strategies. The aim of ICZM it to involve user groups, regulatory bodies, and bodies with research expertise. ICBAN is currently supporting its members councils and others including the University of Ulster to explore opportunities for best practice.

Small scale harbour improvement

As part of the ICBAN strategy to support councils to take advantage of their marine resources, ICBAN accessed grant aid of to implement a small scale harbour and marina development project. This was largely focused on improved safety, and making facilities more accessible for a wider range of non commercial users.
The INTERREG IIIA grant was secured from DARD Fisheries Division and the Dept. of Marine, Communications and Natural Resources. The partners are Sligo and Donegal County Councils, Coleraine, Moyle and Larne District Councils.

The grant secured was €945,992

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