Environment Minister Alex Attwood today announced that DOE will have, for the first time ever, a dedicated Marine Division.

The new Marine Division will develop and deliver policy and legislation to promote, protect and sustain our coastal waters.

The Division will also be responsible for implementing EC, international and national legislation.

Outlining his vision for the Marine Division, Minister Attwood said: "There is no doubt that our marine environment has a massive role to play in the lives of the people of Northern Ireland. The wealth of its resources, the splendour of its biodiversity, the simple fact of it being a huge natural resource to be enjoyed, means it is vital that we concentrate our efforts to protect and sustain it. Therefore we need to make sure we are managing it properly. I have now set up the Marine Division to help do that.

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"It means we will be stronger. A stronger voice and a stronger platform for our work with other government departments, organisations and stakeholders. Stronger in protecting and promoting the sustainable use of our coastal waters. This new Marine Division is an important step towards developing fully integrated marine management across government.

"I will be going to the Executive shortly recommending that colleagues support clauses for a marine management organisation to be incorporated into the Marine Bill which is about to return to the Assembly. I believe bringing all marine functions across government departments into an independent marine management organisation is the way to go. I hope to win the argument.

"The creation of a new Marine Division is a big step forward. It sends out the message-we will strongly protect the marine, look for sustainable development and ensure the marine interest punches to its weight in government."

(CD/IT)