Kilkenny Minister Noonan announces move to protect basking sharks on World Wildlife Day

Marking World Wildlife Day today, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, has urged the public to protect nature, wildlife and biodiversity.

Minister Noonan today confirmed that the basking shark (cetorhinus maximus) will be given the status of a ‘protected wild animal’ under the Wildlife Act.

"Basking sharks are extraordinary creatures and they’re facing increasing pressures from a range of sources, including disturbance," Noonan said.

"This move will confer legal protections on them in the short term and enhance their protection in the longer term through the collaborative development of a Code of Conduct to support best practice in sustainable eco tourism."

The Kilkenny Minister described World Wildlife Day as a great opportunity to take action for nature and spent the day highlighting some of the ways people can get involved, from the Farm Plan Scheme to community biodiversity action plans to local authority grants.

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Minister Noonan added that his Department is currently developing Ireland’s Fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP), with support from KPMG and Natural Capital Ireland, due to be published later this year.

The action plan will set out a strategy to meet the urgent biodiversity conservation and restoration needs through a whole of Government, whole of society approach to biodiversity protection, informed by scientific evidence. 

Minister Noonan also took the opportunity to praise the work of the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS).

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"The NPWS plays a crucial role in protecting our species and habitats to maintain and enhance populations of flora and fauna in Ireland," he said.

"This includes its important roles in minding and presenting our National Parks and Nature Reserves, undertaking scientific research and data collection; management of schemes to protect and invest in peatlands and support farm-level biodiversity; and designation and advice on the protection of habitats and species identified for nature conservation."

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