The Minister made the comments as he launched two consultations seeking views on two proposals aimed at improving protection of our marine environment.
The development of an updated Marine Protected Areas Strategy (MPA) and the Blue Carbon Action Plan will play a role in the management of the Northern Ireland marine environment, helping to address biodiversity loss while also realising wider environmental and societal benefits. Both recognise the need to embed nature-based solutions in plans and policies to meet the net zero target, as described under the NI Climate Change Act (2022).
As he launched the Blue Carbon Action Plan consultation, the Minister said: "The development of this Action Plan signifies a pivotal moment in our understanding of how marine ecosystems can help contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation. It recognises that if these habitats become degraded or damaged their ability to capture and store greenhouse gases declines."
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The Action Plan was developed alongside a Review of the Marine Protected Areas Strategy, providing a timely chance to explore protecting and restoring blue carbon habitats within the current Marine Protected Areas network.
Mr Muir added: "Since the publication of the first MPA Strategy in 2014 our understanding of how MPAs function and the role that marine ecosystems play in climate change adaption and mitigation has grown significantly.
"We need to take immediate action to tackle the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. These consultations will help ensure that our marine environment is managed in a way that will help address biodiversity loss and harness wider environmental and societal benefits.
"I would strongly encourage anyone who feels they can contribute, in words and also in actions, to respond to these consultations so that together we can produce an updated MPA Strategy and a Blue Carbon Action Plan that will both bring wide-ranging benefits to our environment and society."
The public can access the consultation documents and online questionnaire on the DAERA website and at the Consultation on the Northern Ireland Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Strategy Review. The online questionnaire will remain open for twelve weeks, ending at 5pm on 11 July 2024.
