Foilseacháin & Tuairiscí

In 2003 the Heritage Council became concerned about Irish boats, both inland and sea-going, as a neglected aspect of our heritage. To inform itself, the Council commissioned Reggie Goodbody to carry out a scoping study of the heritage boat sector. Arising from this study the Council

decided to host a seminar on Ireland’s boats in 2004, to which people involved in any aspect of inland and maritime boats were invited to attend.

The long, narrow point of Hook (an old English word meaning a promontory almost surrounded by the sea), located in south-west county Wexford, forms the eastern shore of Waterford Harbour. Because of its peninsular nature, the sea dominated everyday life. Fishing, both sea and shore-based, was an essential activity for food and profit, as was harvesting of seaweed and shellfish from the shoreline.

The aim of the report is to:

• Providing a succinct review of best practice procedures for ICZM.
• Summarising the findings of those practices most commonly used at different levels of administration and those that seemed to be more site/area specific.

Common principles were identified from international projects, particularly the EU Demonstration projects, including the Bantry Bay Charter. Examination of the Irish experience of ICZM formed a substantial section of the research. Techniques in the implementation of the ICZM and mechanisms to engage the public and other involved agencies are also reviewed.

The Plan was developed by  the  Bere  Island  Community  with  assistance  from  a  consortium  of  specialist consultants and co-funded by Cork County Council and the Heritage Council. It is  not  an  economic  development  plan  for  the  island  but  a  framework  within which any subsequent development plan should operate.

This report reviews the threats faced by some of our most important coastal heritage sites, and shows clearly the
enormous task facing statutory authorities in putting in place policies and practices to ensure that there is no further deterioration of the heritage value of these sites.