FCILC JC 10 November 2000

1. A meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in Sectoral format was held in Newcastle, Co. Down on 10th November 2000. The meeting dealt with issues relating to the Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC) which is one of the six North/South Implementation Bodies.

2. The Northern Ireland Executive Committee Delegation comprised Mrs Bríd Rodgers MLA, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, who chaired the meeting, and Mr Dermot Nesbitt MLA, Minister in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. The Irish Government was represented by Mr Frank Fahey, T.D., Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources.

3. On the 9th February, 2000 at the first meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in the above Sectoral format, the Council asked the Board of the FCILC to bring forward proposals to set up mechanisms for consultation with and Carlingford fisheries interests. The Council, at this Sectoral meeting, has authorised the Board to proceed with plans by the Loughs Agency to establish an Advisory Forum and Focus Groups. The major part of the representation in the Forum will be drawn from Shellfishermen, Salmon Netsmen, Anglers and Angling Clubs, Fisheries Owners and Tourism Operators.

4. The Council endorsed the finalisation of new Regulations by the Board at this meeting to provide for the tagging of caught and retained wild salmon and sea trout and the keeping of records in log books by commercial and recreational fishermen. These Regulations, mirroring Regulations already made by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, will provide for the better conservation and protection of salmon and sea trout and will provide valuable management information on fish stocks from the numbers of fish taken by licensed netsmen and anglers.

5. The Council approved the preparation by the Board of Regulations to increase protection for migratory salmonids on the River Mourne by extending the area closed to angling. Provision has also been made in these proposed Regulations to lift a ban on angling introduced in 1999 on a stretch of the River.  This ban will not be required following the introduction of the tagging scheme. The Council also approved the preparation of Regulations to extend close seasons in the and Carlingford Areas, with certain exemptions, and Regulations to provide for a coarse fishing licence in the Carlingford Area.

6. The Council approved the Loughs Agency proposals to the Board to bring forward costed proposals for the provision of grants in the year 2001 to aid aquaculture, fisheries development and marine tourism, marketing, the provision of training, education and consultancies.

7. The Council considered the latest progress report on the draft legislation currently being prepared by the two Departments to provide for the development and licensing of aquaculture and for the exercise of a development function in relation to inland fisheries in the and Carlingford Areas. The Council noted with satisfaction that agreement on a large number of issues has now been reached at official level, leaving only a small number of policy matters yet to be resolved. The Council also noted that provisions being proposed for inclusion in the Bill are currently the subject of consultation with the relevant interested parties.

8. The Council reviewed the latest position in regard to the transfer of the functions of the Commissioners of Irish Lights to the Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission established by the Agreement.

9. The Council agreed that its next meeting in this sectoral format would take place in the South in February/March, 2001.

Joint Secretariat
10 November 2000