Ecocentric Structures to Protect Lough Neagh

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Lough Neagh, the biggest freshwater lake in the United Kingdom, sits in Northern Ireland with a surface area of 148 square miles and is about 19 miles long and 9 miles wide, supplying 40.7% of Northern Ireland's drinking water. Despite its capacity to hold such rich biodiversity and cultural significance to the people of Northern Ireland, the health and state of Lough Neagh has been deteriorating for decades with its burst of toxic algal blooms, poor water quality, and agricultural runoff. We are calling for a shift in governance and management of the Lough through public and private law mechanisms, including a demand for national legal recognition, creation of a nature guardianship company to and for the Lough, and/or non-binding declarations and initiatives to affirm the inherent rights of Lough Neagh without a formal legal status.

A Voice for Lough Neagh

Lough Neagh, as a living and breathing entity, has suffered decades of decline and neglect. If it continues at this current state of being overlooked, we will see the ripple impact of biodiversity loss – phosphorus pollution will grow, eel fisheries will significantly decline, and toxin levels will exceed recreational safety limits. Now is the time to take agency for what we can do to restore and protect for the present and future generations.

Decades of Decline & Neglect

A Historic Moment — Lough Neagh Owning Itself

The community in and around the Lough care deeply for the Lough as it holds cultural, national, and spiritual significance to them. Lough Neagh is currently owned by a private individual who seeks to transfer his ownership of the bed and soil to the people of Northern Ireland, specifically to this very same Lough Neagh stakeholder community. In order to support a harmonious and just transition of the intrinsically valuable living entity, the transfer needs to focus on the Lough owning itself. Self ownership will promote democratic engagement and participation of communities and citizens. The prospect of the transfer of ownership of the Lough bed and foreshore presents a historic moment of decision to transform our very understanding of ownership in the context of the Lough, and with wider lessons for political ecology, Transitional Justice on the island of Ireland, and environmental governance aligned with Nature’s laws. By granting Lough Neagh rights (and thereby protection), its health and state can be restored to thrive abundantly.

The discussion paper supports emergent consultations and conversations designed to bring about inclusive and far reaching changes in the governance, guardianship and protection of Lough Neagh, using innovative mechanisms such as a citizens assembly, to ensure maximum legitimacy and real participation grounded in peace.