The Irish Wildlife Trust

The hearing is over, the votes are counted, and we now know that Costas Kadis will be the new European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans until 2029. Commissioner-elect Kadis clearly knows his brief, and gave some indications that he is serious about addressing some of the big problems the ocean faces. One example is article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy, with the Commissioner-elect expressing his readiness to take bold action to set fishing quotas with social and environmental criteria in mind. The idea of fair and eco-friendly fishing allocations is not just a theoretical concept; it’s a practical solution we can build on right now. Find out more in our recent report: https://lnkd.in/dhpK5cVs. However, this is not just about numbers and quotas — it’s about protecting the ocean. The Commissioner-elect stayed close to this new Commission’s toplines — productivity, competitiveness, internal market — but his job title includes an important word that played second fiddle to ‘fisheries’. That word is ‘oceans’, and it needs more than lip service. People and the planet are depending on the EU to not just serve industry interests, but to protect marine ecosystems from the continued harm caused by human activities. The biggest opportunity to nurse the ocean back to health is the upcoming EU Ocean Pact. Questions from MEPs including Christophe Clergeau and Thomas Bajada urged the Commissioner-elect to elaborate beyond hollow words such as ‘framework’ and ‘policy coherence’. He dismissed the idea of new legislation, instead stating that the Pact will improve the implementation of existing policies. But that is not enough. We need concrete action and binding measures to deliver nature-positive outcomes. The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) must be fully realised, with a clear emphasis on improving their environmental effectiveness and ensuring they support the recovery of marine biodiversity. We also need new legislation on a range of areas, from trade of aquatic food, to effective management of marine protected areas, and unintentional microplastics pollution. We recently joined forces with five other ‘blue’ NGOs to prepare the ‘Blue Manifesto’, a roadmap to a healthy ocean in 2030, and this should form the backbone of any Ocean Pact, Deal or Framework coming from the Commission: https://lnkd.in/daZX93FD. This is a defining moment. The triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution is real, and it requires urgent action. We can no longer afford to prioritise short-term economic gains over the long-term health of the ocean. The question is: will Commissioner-elect Kadis and others in power take bold steps to implement policies that align with the science and put the health of the ocean, people and the planet first?

📸 Announcing Our Shortlist For October Photo of the Month Competition! We received so many beautiful entries this month, capturing Ireland’s stunning wildlife from back gardens to mountain peaks. It’s truly special to see glimpses of wildlife across the country – a privilege that reminds us of the need to protect these precious moments. Thank you to everyone who shared their photos with us – your passion for wildlife shines through each image. Here’s the shortlist of amazing photos for October 2024, chosen from all your incredible submissions sent to photocomp@iwt.ie. Narrowing it down to just 20 finalists is always challenging, and we are immensely grateful for each and every entry. VOTING TAKES PLACE ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE ✍ The winning photograph will be selected by the most 'likes' (or reactions) on Facebook by November 13th at 6 pm. The photographer will be announced as the IWT Facebook Photo of the Month! To give everyone a fair chance, please SHARE THE WHOLE ALBUM, not just individual photos. To vote, please go to our Facebook page: https://lnkd.in/d3yRdhMC 🗓 Want to enter our November 2024 competition? Send your entry to photocomp@iwt.ie with the subject line “November Photo of the Month” to ensure your photo is included. Be sure to add the date (dd/mm/yyyy), location (e.g., Co. Kilkenny), and your social media handle if you’d like us to tag you! Thank you to every photographer who shares a moment of connection with Ireland’s wildlife. Let’s continue to cherish and protect our wild places, together. 🌿 Good luck, everyone! 🌿

Here's five seconds of pine marten for anyone who might need it today.

Read our response to the COP 16 talks: Grace Carr, Marine Advocacy Officer with the Irish Wildlife Trust stated , ‘It’s extremely disappointing that the transformative change needed to address biodiversity loss has not been achieved and discussions on how to close the financing gap will still be ongoing 4 years after the initial decision to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030. Why was one of the most important issues around this COP left until the final hour to discuss? Other agreements have been reached over the past 2 weeks, but without ambitious funding and resource mobilisation mechanisms, how can countries achieve these goals?’ https://lnkd.in/esvDUhRB

🎥 Missed our recent webinar with wildlife photographer and filmmaker Daniel Fildes? No worries – it's now available to watch on YouTube! In this insightful session, Daniel covers a range of topics including: 📸 Getting Started in Photography – essential tips for beginners 📝 Planning Your Work – from project vision to execution 📜 Licensing in Ireland – understanding the basics for photographers 🌳 His Work at Dunsany Nature Reserve – stories from the field 🦉 Photography in Conservation – how his work supports wildlife research and preservation Plus, Daniel shares his journey, captivating stories from his fieldwork, and answers audience questions in a Q&A. 📺 Watch now: https://lnkd.in/eQhijfTt This is a must-watch for anyone interested in the crossroads of creativity and conservation! 🌍✨ Whether you're starting out or deepening your skills, Daniel's practical advice and passion for wildlife make this webinar truly valuable. For more on how to support Irish wildlife through membership or donation, visit us: https://lnkd.in/eKxzdve9 To follow Daniel's work: Website: dfwild.co Instagram: https://lnkd.in/e646H2mH #IrishWildlifeTrust #Webinar #WildlifePhotography #Conservation 📺 Watch now: https://lnkd.in/eQhijfTt

I am re-advertising for a Research Assistant in Management of Peatland Forests for Climate and Biodiversity to work on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine funded PeatFor project (Management of Peatland Forests for Climate and Biodiversity). This post is based at the University of Limerick and further information, including details on the application process, can be found at: https://lnkd.in/erYQWC8U This is a great opportunity to join a large field-based project and work with my research group at the University of Limerick, project partners Brian Tobin, Matthew Saunders, Junliang Zou and John Connolly and a team of postgraduate researchers. UL Research; Bernal Institute, University of Limerick;

While unprecedented deadly weather events are occuring, leaders at COP16 have weakened a draft decision on climate change & biodiversity by removing a mention of the global commitment to “transition away” from fossil fuels agreed at last year’s COP28 climate summit in Dubai. https://lnkd.in/eWzXkZmu

In recent months we've seen a phenomenal amount of media coverage from a increasingly diverse range of sources. The stories have focused on the ever worsening state of Ireland's seas and the fact that vital new legislation needed to turn things around is yet again delayed. https://lnkd.in/eneRCvDW Interview with Jack O'Donovan Trá by Holly Hughes for THE GLOSS MAGAZINE. #FairSeas

Don't forget to tune into our webinar today at 7pm with Daniel Fildes! Register here: https://lnkd.in/enXECf_k