More than eight in ten respondents agreed that sustainable fishing and conservation can work together to support healthy seas and strong communities, according to the Fair Seas campaign, based on a survey of 1,004 adults aged 18+ carried out early last month.
The results were published on Thursday, June 5., ahead of World Oceans Day this Sunday, June 8.
Fair Seas is a campaign by Irish environmental groups, funded by international groups – Oceans 5, Blue Nature Alliance and the Bech Foundation.
The Red C poll highlighted strong support for the prioritisation of both MPA legislation and Offshore Renewable Energy, with almost 60% of people surveyed wanting government action on both, according to Fair Seas. “The public is way ahead of the government on this. There are no contradictions in calling for strong MPA legislation and in developing Ireland’s ORE capacity. They need to be developed in parallel and with full regard to the other. Any suggestion that they are at odds with each other is incorrect and a distraction that is wasting valuable time on both fronts.”
The survey showed, according to Fair Seas, that 82% of respondents agreed a healthy marine environment is essential for Ireland’s long-term food security and
- 8 in 10 agreed sustainable fishing and conservation can work together
- The same number believed an unhealthy ocean is a threat to Ireland’s economy and there was 82% agreement that a healthy marine environment is essential for Ireland’s long-term food security
