MarPAMM is an environment project to develop tools for monitoring and managing a number of protected coastal marine environments in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Western Scotland. It will be completed by 31 March 2022.

It is a cross-border project because many marine species and habitats do not abide by administrative borders. To manage mobile species and border areas requires cooperation.

MarPAMM partners will collect data on the abundance, distribution and movement of marine protected species and habitats. These data will help us produce new habitat maps and develop models for a range of species, including connectivity assessment for species with mobile life stages.

We will produce a regional sea bird model, a regional model of protected seabed-dwelling species and habitats, a seal foraging and underwater noise model and a coastal processes model.

Working closely with stakeholders and partner projects such as COMPASS and SeaMonitor, the project will culminate in the development of six comprehensive MPA management plans.

We will be working in the following MPA areas:

Argyll region

Outer Hebrides region

Murlough Special Area of Conservation

Carlingford Lough Special Protection Areas (cross-border)

Co Down – Co Lough region (cross-border)

North Coast Ireland – North Channel region (cross-border)