EBI, which represents the European boating industry, has teamed up with NGO The SeaCleaners to publish a new Guide to Responsible Boating.

Released on Friday (22 March) to coincide with World Water Day, the comprehensive guide is being touted as “a call to action for boaters worldwide to be involved combatting plastic pollution in our oceans and waterways”.

The guide provides practical recommendations for anyone who enjoys boating or watersports to minimise their environmental impact while enjoying their passion for water.

From reducing plastic consumption to participating in waste collection efforts, they are encouraged to take an active
role in preserving the oceans for future generations.

Stéphanie Poey of The SeaCleaners, an NGO tackling the scourge of plastic pollution, said: “We are proud to partner with EBI, a key player in the boating industry, to get this message across: recreational boating has an environmental impact that is often underestimated.

“Every trip out to sea has consequences for the marine ecosystem and the planet. By adopting the actions set out in this guide, boaters can help preserve the ocean and sail in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way.”

A Guide to Responsible Boating can be downloaded in both English and French from the EBI website HERE.

World Water Day has been marked with funding for over 150 projects to improve water quality across the island of Ireland.

The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), which works for Ireland’s 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality, said it is awarding funding to 155 projects in 26 counties under the “Community Water Development Fund Open Call 2024.”

Under the fund, local communities and groups were invited to apply for financial assistance to support the delivery of projects and initiatives to enhance local water bodies and benefit water quality and biodiversity.

Since 2018, LAWPRO has made over €2.7m available through this funding scheme to local communities and groups, assisting in implementing the Water Framework Directive through Ireland’s River Basin Management Plan.

Types of projects approved for funding under this year’s open call include:

• River and habitat enhancement work, such as planting native tree species and hedgerows, pollinator-friendly planting, river-bank stabilisation, fencing, and installation of riparian buffer zones near water bodies (areas free of chemical and organic fertilisers, cultivation, and spraying).
• Preparation of reports: feasibility studies, habitat management plans, ecological surveys, and hydromorphology studies.

Awareness-raising initiatives include citizen science workshops, biodiversity information boards, outdoor classrooms, river clean-ups, rainwater harvesting, and wetlands.

LAWPRO is also rolling out a new funding stream, the “Catchment Support Fund”. This funding will build the capacity of community groups to grow and develop to support the delivery of the River Basin Management Plan.

Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, welcomed the announcements.

Funding applications details for the ‘LAWPRO Catchment Support Fund’ will be available here from Wednesday March 27th and the fund closes for applications on Tuesday, April 16th, 2024.