To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail the steps he is taking to protect areas containing marine and coastal carbon stores, such as salt marshes, sea grass and seabed sediments.

The importance of marine and coastal carbon stores such as saltmarsh, seagrass, shellfish beds and seabed sediments, and the contribution they can make to climate change mitigation and adaptation, is now widely recognised. Such habitats are often referred to as blue carbon habitats.

To obtain a better understanding of the Northern Ireland context, my Department has commissioned a number of research studies on blue carbon. The first of these, a feasibility study on blue carbon restoration, was recently published by Ulster Wildlife. Further information can be found at:

https://www.ulsterwildlife.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Blue%20Carbon%20Habitat%20Restoration%20in%20Northern%20Ireland%20-%20A%20Feasibility%20Study.pdf

The study indicated that at present, more than half of the estimated blue carbon habitats are located within the existing Northern Ireland inshore marine protected area (MPA) network, reinforcing the important role the network has to play in protecting and restoring marine habitats. My Department’s current focus is on establishing effective management across the MPA network. This will be delivered through a number of mechanisms including, the introduction of fisheries management measures, and creation of regional MPA management plans. When introduced, the management plans will provide protection for designated habitats and species, and will also help to protect blue carbon habitats located within MPAs.

I recently launched the Environmental Challenge Fund, and the eligibility and environmental impact priorities include activities that protect and enhance the condition of blue carbon habitats.

My Department is also developing proposals to further support protection and restoration of marine and coastal carbon stores, and associated targets and objectives are being considered for the future Environment Strategy and the Green Growth Strategy. The recommendations from the Ulster Wildlife feasibility study on blue carbon restoration, will help inform the creation of these targets and objectives.