The report ‘Northern Ireland Coastal Zone – Indicators of Sustainable Development, 1997-2007" contains over 30 indicators and seven goals to measure coastal sustainability.
It considers the full range of economic, social and environmental issues affecting the coastal environment – from trends in unemployment, the number of blue flag beaches through to visitor numbers and the level of public awareness about sustainable development.
Examples of progress made during the period of the report include an improvement in the number of coastal waste water treatment works complying with European discharge standards.
Goal 4 of the Report is to ensure that beaches are clean and that coastal waters are unpolluted. In 2000, Northern Ireland achieved 100% compliance standards for bathing waters; in 2007 compliance was approximately 91%, with two beaches (out of 23 monitored) failing to meet the mandatory standards.
Almost half of marine water bodies around Northern Ireland’s shores in 2008 were classified as ‘high’ or ‘good’, with the remainder being classified as 'moderate'.
Compliance levels of coastal waste water treatment works fell from 65% in 2001, to 48% in 2003; by 2007 the compliance levels had reached 76%.Welcoming the new report. Northern Ireland Environment Minister Alex Attwood said:
“The report generally shows progress has been made over the period between 1997 and 2007, but equally indicates there is room for further improvement which I am committed to pursuing."
Chairman of the Northern Ireland Coastal and Marine Forum, Professor Andrew Cooper said the report would help all stakeholders to focus efforts to improve the management of Northern Ireland's coastal area.