Fair Seas

Fair Seas Conference 2026 🇮🇪🐋 Cork City: 03 June 2026 Bringing ocean experts, fishing communities, government, industry & stakeholders together to map out next steps for designating & managing a network of Marine Protected Areas. tinyurl.com/FairSeasConference2026 #FairSeas

National Climate Demonstration 2026 📢 🌍 *OCEAN ACTION = CLIMATE ACTION* 📅 Save the Date: Saturday, 14 November 2026 📣 Share this post far and wide. Let's make this year's demonstration bigger and louder than ever! #ClimateAction #NationalClimateDemo #ClimateJustice #EndFossilPower

**Update on the Fan Mussel discovery** A huge congratulations to the team at Sea Synergy for discovering this extremely rare animal lining along the Kerry coast. #FairSeas

An extremely rare and threatened species of giant mussel has been discovered off the Irish coast. The fan mussel (Atrina fragilis) is critically endangered and has been found near Valentia Island in Co Kerry.  https://fairseas.ie/2026/10/19/rare-giant-fan-mussel-discovered-off-the-irish-coast/

COP 17, Armenia - EVENT ALERT ⚠️🐋 Marine Protected Areas - Effective Delivery in Practice, hosted by Fair Seas. We will bring together international experts and practitioners to explore what makes Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) work in practice. Share & register - luma.com/5kscbjgr #FairSeas #COP17

Taking action as a remedy to climate anxiety ... sound advice from activist Flossie Donnelly.  #FairSeas

Tonight at 21:30 on TG4 - Cill Stuifín a new documentary by Kev Smith exploring the story of the sunken village off the coast of County Clare in the west of Ireland, winner of Best Irish Language Film at the Galway Film Fleadh 2026. #FairSeas

"What is it that inspires you to do the work you do, exploring nature and the Irish language"? #FairSeas #ClimateCarnival #Gaeilge

It was a real privilege to have Daragh Morgan, who swam around Ireland, in conversation with Linzi Hawkin of Protect Blue, talking about how we create impact through stories, explore connections, and keep ourselves stoked while doing the good work.  #FairSeas #ClimateCarnival

Fair Seas is in Brussels for EU Ocean Week! 🌊 It’s been a busy few days already, including catching up with our own Minister Timmy Dooley and joining discussions on the forthcoming European Ocean Act at Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the European Union. #EUOceanWeek #FairSeas

Finally, a comprehensive roundup of everything you might have missed at the Fair Seas Conference 2026, with links to projects highlighted and some of the amazing organisations that were represented.  https://fairseas.ie/2026/08/10/fair-seas-conference-2026-a-roundup/  #FairSeas

MPA Day, with Sea Synergy, held every year on 1 August, is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and their essential role in ocean conservation, sustainable development, and community well-being. #FairSeas

We are really looking forward to joining this great event on Bere Island, West Cork, this weekend.  Come join walks, film screenings and question & answer sessions in a beautiful setting with an interesting line-up of organisations.  #FairSeas  #BereIsland

Throwback to the announcement of the Greater Skellig Coast Hope Spot by Mission Blue. Protecting places starts with connecting people to them. We're proud to support the amazing work of Sea Synergy with local communities to inspire stewardship of this remarkable part of Ireland's ocean. #FairSeas

We're one step closer, and you had no small part to play in making it happen.  For years, your support, your signatures, and your letter writing have kept this issue on the government's agenda.  #FairSeas

Today Ireland takes the next official step towards healthy seas as Government approves drafting of the Maritime Area Planning (Marine Protected Areas) (Amendment) Bill 2026. https://fairseas.ie/2026/07/08/marine-protected-areas-legislation-general-scheme-an-important-milestone/ #FairSeas

We were delighted to speak at this week's EU Ocean Act Conference in Wexford alongside colleagues from Ireland and across Europe.  Ireland has committed at an EU level to restoring life in our seas. It's now more important than ever to turn those commitments into action.  #FairSeas

We won't stop until it's published! In November 2025, the government promised to create a General Scheme of the Marine Protected Areas Bill. Months later, we're still waiting. That's why we're writing letters.  https://only.one/act/ireland-protect-our-seas #FairSeas

With the government's summer recess only two weeks away, the General Scheme of the MPA Bill needs to be published now.  Use our tool to send a letter to the government and tell them: Publish the MPA legislation now. Ireland can't afford to wait. #FairSeas

You can now read Fair Seas submission to the first public consultation on Ireland’s draft National Nature Restoration Plan. https://fairseas.ie/2026/06/30/fair-seas-submission-to-draft-national-nature-restoration-plan/ #FairSeas

Help shape nature's recovery on the biggest scale we've ever seen. Please share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues.  https://www.environmentalpillar.ie/environmental-pillar-urges-public-to-make-a-submission-on-irelands-nature-restoration-plan/ #FairSeas

Today, we are closer than ever to realising our goal of Irish MPA legislation. Despite the delays, years of advocacy at the government level and local engagement have strengthened collaboration and a shared willingness to work together. #FairSeas

The entire Fair Seas World Ocean Week Conference 2026 is now on YouTube...... all 5 hours and 36 minutes of it.  You can learn more about the speakers and their work on the conference website tinyurl.com/FairSeasConference2026  Full conference recording: https://youtu.be/rQ5_e8PX_ys  #FairSeas

The most recent episode of Country Wide with Philip Boucher-Hayes was recorded at the Fair Seas Conference in Cork City Hall last week.  Listen here: https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/countrywide/episodes/11800405/  #FairSeas

"What I really hope, is change" - Seán Ronayne speaking to us after his keynote address at the Fair Seas World Ocean Week Conference 2026 #FairSeas #WorldOceanDay

"There's actually a lot of agreement....but now what are the actions? What are the next steps?" - Dr Donal Griffin, Fair Seas Campaign Coordinator.  #FairSeas #WorldOceanDay

The purpose of the Fair Seas World Ocean Week Conference explained by Dr Donal Griffin, Fair Seas Campaign Coordinator. #FairSeas #WorldOceanDay

Banbha the basking shark has left Cork City.  She wanted to say a huge 'Go Raibh Maith Agat' (thank you - in Irish) to everyone that came to visit her.  #BanbhaTheBaskingShark #FairSeas

Sea shanties on the RV Tom Cream! What a way to end the Fair Seas World Ocean Week Conference. A huge thanks to the Molgoggers and the crew onboard the RV Tom Crean (the Marine Institute's newest marine research vessel).  #FairSeas  #WorldOceanDay

Thank you all for making the Fair Seas World Ocean Week Conference such a success. We are so grateful to all who made the journey to Cork and contributed via online attendance. And we got an amazing 4 page spread about protecting life in our seas in the Irish Examiner. #FairSeas #WorldOceanDay

"Moving beyond why it matters to how it works and how we're going to achieve our goals.  Sarah Elsaid of Blue Nature Alliance outlines the real work that now needs to happen to make real change. #FairSeas #WorldOceanDay

Thank you to all who joined us in Cork City Hall yesterday at the Fair Seas World Ocean Week Conference. It was a packed agenda of amazing speakers, but the questions from the audience and deep conversations over the breaks is where really meaningful value was distilled.  #FairSeas  #WorldOceanDay

"300% increase in local income of small-scale fishers over 5 years." Could this be the same for Irish fishing communities with well-designed MPAs? Now we can learn from their process and ensure the same benefits can be gained for Irish communities. #FairSeas #WorldOceanWeek

Thanks again to John Lynch of the Irish South & East Fish Producers Organisation for his presentation about their work and the fishermen and fisherwomen they represent.  Co-design, planning & management of MPAs by and with the fishing industry will be key to ensuring healthy seas. #FairSeas

Our Shared Seas panel discussion reflected on the themes and lessons emerging from earlier sessions, exploring practical considerations, collaborative pathways, and the potential benefits of well-designed Marine Protected Areas in Ireland. #FairSeas  #WorldOceanDay

Oliver Ó Cadhla spoke about the work of the €25 million MPA Life project. Oliver's team in the department are carrying out a large amount of analysis and background studies that will help to identify potential MPAs as we wait for the publication of the legislation.  #FairSeas  #WorldOceanWeek

Robert Walsh of the Northern Ireland Marine Taskforce painted a picture of what Ireland can learn from the designation and management of Ireland's most closely neighbouring Marine Protected Area network.  #FairSeas  #WorldOceanDay

John Lynch of the Irish South & East Fish Producers Organisation summed up brilliantly the work of his organisation as well as his history of over 40 years fishing. Summarising it perfectly in his last slide, "Healthy Seas, Healthy Coastal Communities, Healthy Ecosystems". #FairSeas #WorldOceanDay

A brilliantly organised presentation by Grace Carr of the Irish Wildlife Trust and Fair Seas on the facts behind biodiversity loss in Ireland and pathways for meaningful change that could help shape a future of healthy seas.  #FairSeas  #WorldOceanWeek

Not a dry eye in the house as the sound of Seáns daughter plays in Cork City Hall as he asks what sort of world is she inheriting? Seán clearly laid out the biodiversity crisis we are in, calling for immediate government action to create a future full of life & beauty. #FairSeas #WorldOceanDay

Thank you to An Taoiseach Micheál Martin for taking the time to speak to us in detail about where Ireland is today, realistically, with lots of work ongoing but lots still to do.  #FairSeas  #WorldOceanDay

"I think it's critical first that they listen to communities". Wise advice from Belinda Bramley, Co-founder Director of the Protected Areas Foundation and Stakeholder Engagement Co-Lead for MPA Europe Project. #FairSeas

Fair Seas is extremely grateful to our network of funders, including Oceans 5, Blue Nature Alliance and the Becht Foundation. Ireland has one of the largest ocean territories in Europe, and Fair Seas continues to campaign for Ireland to meaningfully meet 30x30. #FairSeas #WorldOceanWeek

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaking to Minna Epps, Global Ocean Policy Director at the Centre for Policy and Law, at the International Union For Conservation Of Nature. Thank you to An Taoiseach Micheál Martin for his address this morning to a full house of ocean advocates. #FairSeas

A huge thank you to the Minister of State for Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley, for his address this morning at the FairSeas World Ocean Week Conference 2026.  We look forward to working with the Minister and his department as the process unfolds.  #FairSeas #WorldOceanWeek

Thank you to keynote speaker Minna Epps for sharing her global perspective on our ocean, the threats it's facing, and the solutions available to us if we act.  Global Ocean Policy Director, Centre for Policy & Law, International Union For Conservation Of Nature. #FairSeas #WorldOceanDay

What's your big hope from the Fair Seas Conference?  Let us know in the comments.  #FairSeas

"It's really shocking that Irish seas are some of the least protected in Europe....We've got a lot of work to do, but I think all the people in the room here today are just the right people to try and get that over the line." #FairSeas

"I challenge anyone to give me one good reason we shouldn't designate Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)". #FairSeas

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Fisheries & the Marine Timmy Dooley will be addressing the Fair Seas World Ocean Week Conference today in Cork City Hall. Hoping today's discussions will inspire action towards a network of well-managed and collaborative Marine Protected Areas. #FairSeas

Some initial reflections ahead of the Fair Seas Conference as ocean advocates from across Ireland start to gather ahead of the big day on June 3rd.  #FairSeas #WorldOceanDay