Baldoyle Bay is a sea inlet on the east coast of Fingal in Ireland, in the historic County Dublin. It is situated between Portmarnock, at its head, and Baldoyle. It contains two small estuaries, those of the Sluice River and the Mayne River. Baldoyle Bay is a Special Area of Conservation (NPWS SAC, Site Code: 000199) and is also a Special Protection Area (NPWS SPA, Site Code: 004016).
Context.
In collaboration with Galway University Marine Institute and National Parks & Wildlife Service, Baldoyle Bay’s Zostera noltii seagrass meadow has been selected as a national BlueC seagrass restoration reference site: ‘Investigating Ireland’s Blue Carbon Potential through a Scientific, Socio-economic and Legislative Approach’.
The project is also in collaboration with RESET Project ‘Enhancing Blue Carbon and Ecological Services through Nature-Based Solutions: Integrated Restoration in Irish Coastal Waters’ .
Vision.
The objective of Baldoyle Bay Seagrass Restoration Project is to revive and recover the once flourishing seagrass meadow using innovative propagation and transplant methods, and to provide an evaluation of carbon processes and dynamics of the seagrass ecosystems.
A large sewage overflow tank is flowing into the Bay which it is suspected is having a negative effect on the seagrass. This is being investigated as part of the project.
Location
Galway University Marine Institute, Rinville West, Rinville, Co. Galway, H91 R673, Ireland