Biosecurity – CMAP

The CMAP (Coastal Management and Adaptation Planning) project is focused on safeguarding our coastal environment — helping communities, policymakers and environmental stakeholders better understand and respond to the growing impacts of climate change on the Irish coast.

Coastal regions are facing increasing pressures from sea-level rise, stronger storm activity, erosion and biodiversity loss — challenges that demand coordinated, cross-border solutions and new ways of working. The project brings together a diverse partnership of organisations across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, combining scientific expertise, environmental knowledge and community engagement to address coastal restoration challenges.

With climate adaptation now essential for environmental sustainability and long-term regional resilience, the initiative will deliver research, data and on-the-ground activities focused on coastal processes, habitat restoration and citizen science across 15 coastal sites.

On Rathlin Island

At Rathlin Island and Ballycastle, CMAP aims to protect Rathlin from invasive predators. Through the establishment of monitoring loops, we can watch for any invasive non-native species and respond immediately should an incursion occur. CMAP will raise awareness through community engagement to support biosecurity measures.