Marine Earth Science sites of national importance in the Irish
Sea
The RMNC requested the Pilot project to investigate the
rationale for earth heritage conservation in the marine
environment, and to recommend the most appropriate means of
conserving nationally-important marine geological and
geomorphological sites.
In order to develop a rationale for marine geological and
geomorphological conservation, the Pilot project commissioned the
University of Wales, Bangor, to review this issue and to reach
conclusions. Following receipt of their report (
Furze, M. 2003) on this work the Pilot
project further commissioned the University to implement their
recommendations in relation to the Irish Sea, and insofar as was
possible, develop a list of nationally-important geological and
geomorphological areas for the Irish Sea. (
Furze and Roberts, 2004).
In the light of this work, the Pilot project recommends that
Nationally-important areas for geology and geomorphology in the
marine environment should be identified from present knowledge, and
measures taken to conserve them which are proportionate and
relevant to likely threats from human activities. To the extent
practicable, conservation measures taken should be integrated with
those taken for the conservation of biological diversity.