Sea Harmony: Preserving Irish Coastal and Marine Areas

The European Commission Representation in Ireland, with the support of We the People, is organising ‘Sea Harmony: Restoring Ireland’s Marine Ecosystems’, a hybrid event, which will take place on Thursday afternoon 27 July 2023.

This event will take the format of a panel discussion followed by a Q&A session with the participants.

Speakers will include:

• Grace O’Sullivan MEP
• Caitriona Nic Aonghusa, Section Manager, Marine Spatial Planning and Marine, Marine Strategy Framework Directives Policy Support and Coordination - Marine Institute
• Lucy Hunt, Marine biologist with a Joint Hons degree in Marine biology & Zoology and a Masters in Marine Environmental Protection - Founder of Sea Synergy - Marine Awareness, Research and Activity Centre.

The event will be moderated by Tim Hayes, Head of Communications, European Commission Representation in Ireland

About the event: 

Climate change and environmental degradation are threatening our planet’s existence. In 2019, the European Commission with the European Green Deal defined a roadmap for making the EU's economy sustainable by turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities across all policy areas and making the transition just and inclusive for all.

Our ocean is one of our greatest treasures, and at 7,500km Ireland has one of the longest coastlines in Europe. Our ocean supports a rich and diverse range of ecosystems, habitats, species, and unique land and seascapes. However, our marine habitats are also facing serious deterioration and destruction.

This event is designed to present a discussion centred around nature protection and restoration, and sustainable development with a specific focus on the marine environment. Its purpose is to engage with citizens on the ambitions and challenges presented by the EU Nature Restoration Law, and how these may be addressed at national and EU level.