New initiatives needed to protect marine migration, says Irish scientist involved in global study

Irish Independent

07-06-2025

However, current targets on designating marine protected areas (MPAs) are not enough to halt biodiversity loss, and other measures will need to be taken, a study involving six Irish scientists showed.
Named MegaMove, the sharing of data by nearly 400 scientists from over 50 countries informed the UN-backed global research, which is published in the journal Science on the eve of UN World Oceans Day tomorrow.
Dr Mark Jessopp, one of six Irish-based scientists involved, all from University College Cork (UCC), said the study was the first of its type in terms of scale.
'The study's goal was to identify areas used by marine megafauna for important behaviours like foraging, resting or migratory corridors, and these areas and behaviours can only be found based on their tracked movement patterns,' he said.
We will need a range of initiatives, such as changing shipping lanes and restricting some types of commercial fishing gear
Dr Jessopp has expertise in the puffin, classified as endangered in Europe, which can fly vast distances from Ireland across the Atlantic in winter.
The epic migration makes the birds vulnerable to a range of impacts outside Irish waters, and the study highlights the vital role of international co-ordination.
Similar approaches could be taken to other marine megafauna frequenting Irish waters, such as whales and basking sharks, already protected here, and other seabirds, Dr Jessopp said.
The combined research, he added, 'outlines the most important locations for 30pc area protection for global marine megafauna species, ranking them based on the largest number of species using areas for important behaviours'.
'It shows that the EU target for designating 30pc of MPAs by 2030 is a good start, but we will need a range of other initiatives, such as changing shipping lanes, restricting use of some types of commercial fishing gear and restricting placement of offshore wind projects,' Dr Jessopp said.
MPAs for conservation of marine species and habitats cover 8pc of the world's oceans, which the UN High Seas Treaty wants to expand to 30pc.
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The blue sharks we tracked from Cork migrated south into the Bay of Biscay … and as far as the Canary Islands
Dr Tom Doyle, also a contributor, said the study is important for Ireland in view of 'the fair share of large migratory species that use our waters'.
'For example, blue sharks migrate thousands of kilometres and can cross many different EEZs [exclusive economic zones]. The blue sharks we tracked from Cork migrated south into the Bay of Biscay, the Azores and as far as the coastal waters of Morocco and the Canary Islands,' Dr Doyle said.
'This presents a challenge for area- based conservation in terms of where to best place MPAs.
'Results from this study suggest that our animals spend most of their time in EEZs, so enhancing protection within areas of national jurisdiction and as part of a network of MPAs is one of the quickest ways to help our blue sharks and other species.'
The other UCC scientists involved in the international study were Professor John Quinn, Dr Ashley Bennison, Dr Michelle Cronin and Luke Harman.