Manx marine and coastal habitats are playing important protective and economic roles

It has been found that marine habitats, including those in Manx waters, are playing an important part in carbon capture and buffer us against damaging effects of global warming. In the run-up to the important Global Summit talks in Copenhagen the world’s attention is turning to the role of our marine environment in climate change mitigation. Two recent international reports have highlighted the importance of protecting the marine environment both for its role in reducing the impacts of global climate change by capturing carbon and also for its economic value.

The Isle of Man has a rich and diverse marine environment and government has recognised its international responsibility to look after these resources by signing up to international agreements, such as OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment. We are also signed up to the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

A report released this week by IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) emphasises the potential for the oceans to reduce global warming. The first in-depth study reveals that marine ecosystems, such as seagrass meadows and salt marshes, have a much greater capacity to progressively trap carbon than land carbon sinks, such as forests. These habitats occur around the Isle of Man. Eelgrass beds form underwater meadows at Langness, kelp forests are extensive around the Island’s southern shores and saltmarshes are found at Langness, Poyll vaaish, Cornaa and Ramsey. The IUCN report suggests that the best way that the world can work towards using the oceans to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is through protecting and managing these habitats as Marine Protected Areas, through Marine Spatial Planning and area-based fisheries management techniques. These are all being progressed currently on the Isle of Man by the Department in partnership with stakeholders.

The EU-commissioned United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report “The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity” shows that the cost of looking after marine habitats is greatly outweighed by the benefits they bring to society. A small investment in taking care of the marine environment can reap tangible rewards in terms of coastal protection, cleaner seas, more productive fisheries, higher valued marine produce and improved quality of life.

Active conservation of marine habitats is essential. Eelgrass is a protected plant species under the Manx law and areas of saltmarsh are protected as Areas of Special Scientific Interest at Langness and Poyll Vaaish. Protection of important marine habitats like kelp and eelgrass beds is one of the main objectives of the Department’s current Manx Marine Nature Reserve Project which aims to designate the Isle of Man’s first Marine Nature Reserve in 2011.

DAFF Minister Phil Gawne MHK commented: “As the lead Department for marine conservation and fisheries management DAFF is committed to safeguarding the marine environment in order to protect biodiversity and to sustain and develop valuable fisheries. We are putting in place management measures which will ensure that the sea continues to contribute to our economic well being.”

Liz Charter, Chief Wildlife and Conservation Officer added “2010 is International Year of Biodiversity. Not only is the variety of life in the Isle of Man beautiful and fascinating and has mostly been here for thousands of years, but it is also supporting our livelihoods and potentially, the functioning of our planet.”

In conclusion, good stewardship of our seas is also an investment in our future, both our economic wellbeing and our protection from the impacts of climate change. DAFF is working with fishermen and conservationists to ensure we improve the resilience of our sea and its ability to support livelihoods.