Ireland has pledged to commit more than €20 million towards a global effort to protect the world’s oceans.
Marine and Climate Minister, Timmy Dooley TD, announced Ireland’s contribution of €23.86 million at the Our Oceans Conference in South Korea.
The European Commission has pledged a further €300 million.
Now in its tenth year, the oceans conference has altogether raised $160 billion, according to the organisers.
The aim is to protect 30 percent of the world’s oceans by 2030 “benefiting people, climate, and biodiversity.”
The European Commission said the €301,485,000 pledged by the EU will support “the sustainable blue economy, marine pollution, marine protected areas, digital oceans, sustainable fisheries, and ocean and climate change.”
Nearly half of the EU cash will help poorer countries in Africa and the Pacific region.
€65.5 million will be used to fight marine pollution since ocean rubbish has become a massive problem.
The so-called Great Pacific Garbage Patch is estimated to cover 620,000 square miles, an area larger than western Europe.
Announcing Ireland’s pledge, Minister Dooley it “reflects the Governments continued commitment to working collaboratively through many national and European projects, and initiatives, to ensure the sustainability of our oceans.”
Ireland’s pledge aims to support marine research and initiatives to address climate change impacts on coastal areas.
Ireland has also reiterated its commitment to the 30 percent by 2030 ambition.
“Ireland has a strong track record of advocating for sustainable ocean management”, said Minister Dooley.
“The commitments entered into today reiterate that position. I am confident they will support not just the responsible development of our oceans, but also support the continued development of Ireland’s coastal communities who are dependent on a sustainably managed seafood sector.”
The Our Ocean Conference is an international event, launched in 2014 and hosted by a different country each year, aiming to foster global ocean governance and action to support marine conservation and sustainable development.