FCILC JC 18 November 2009
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FCILC Joint Communiqué 18 November 2009(25.5 KB)
NORTH SOUTH MINISTERIAL COUNCIL
AQUACULTURE & MARINE SECTORAL FORMAT
FOYLE, CARLINGFORD AND IRISH LIGHTS COMMISSION (FCILC)
AGRICULTURE HOUSE, DUBLIN 18 NOVEMBER 2009
JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ
1. The fourteenth North South Ministerial Council meeting in the Aquaculture and Marine Sectoral format was held in Agriculture House, Dublin on Wednesday 18 November 2009. The meeting was attended by Eamon Ryan, TD, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Minister of State for Natural Resources Conor Lenihan, TD, Michelle Gildernew, MP, MLA, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Junior Minister Robin Newton, MLA. Minister Ryan chaired the meeting.
Progress Report
2. The Council welcomed a progress report on the work of the Loughs Agency, presented by the Chief Executive, Mr Derick Anderson.
3. Ministers noted:
FCILC Joint Communiqué 18 November 2009(25.5 KB)
NORTH SOUTH MINISTERIAL COUNCIL
AQUACULTURE & MARINE SECTORAL FORMAT
FOYLE, CARLINGFORD AND IRISH LIGHTS COMMISSION (FCILC)
AGRICULTURE HOUSE, DUBLIN 18 NOVEMBER 2009
JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ
1. The fourteenth North South Ministerial Council meeting in the Aquaculture and Marine Sectoral format was held in Agriculture House, Dublin on Wednesday 18 November 2009. The meeting was attended by Eamon Ryan, TD, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Minister of State for Natural Resources Conor Lenihan, TD, Michelle Gildernew, MP, MLA, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Junior Minister Robin Newton, MLA. Minister Ryan chaired the meeting.
Progress Report
2. The Council welcomed a progress report on the work of the Loughs Agency, presented by the Chief Executive, Mr Derick Anderson.
3. Ministers noted:
- the importance and effectiveness of the Loughs Agency’s Conservation and Protection work when salmon stocks are in decline;
- progress with the implementation of its Marine Tourism Development Strategy through the roll out of the projects supported by INTERREG IV;
- the successful delivery of angling development events and the engagement with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board;
- the delivery of the Marine Monitoring Vessel, the Ostrea, with the support of EU Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance Funding; and
- the completion of the delivery of the Hardship Package for the rationalisation of commercial salmon fishing.
Geographical Information Systems
4. The Council welcomed a presentation by Loughs Agency officials on the Agency’s collection of Geographical Information Systems data. Ministers noted the practical use of this information and how it is applied in the field.
Legislation
5. The Council approved two sets of regulations, one to extend areas in which angling is prohibited to protect vulnerable salmon and the other to make it an offence to kill certain coarse fish including roach, bream, tench, carp, rudd and perch and any hybrid of these after capture with rod and line.
6. Ministers reviewed plans to bring forward Commencement Orders that are required for a staged and managed introduction of the new powers available to the Loughs Agency to develop and license aquaculture and to protect the fisheries in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. They considered the Agency’s legislation implementation plan, welcomed progress in its delivery and noted that further regulations will require NSMC approval in early 2010.
Business Plan
7. The Council noted the revised 2009 Business Plan and budget provision for the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission which await the approval of both Finance Ministers.
Annual Reports and Financial Statements
8. Ministers also noted the Loughs Agency Annual Reports and Financial Statements for 2007 and 2008, prior to their submission for laying before the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Oireachtas.
Next Meeting
9. The Council agreed that the next meeting in the Aquaculture and Marine sectoral format will take place in February/March 2010.
Joint Secretariat
18 November 2009
4. The Council welcomed a presentation by Loughs Agency officials on the Agency’s collection of Geographical Information Systems data. Ministers noted the practical use of this information and how it is applied in the field.
Legislation
5. The Council approved two sets of regulations, one to extend areas in which angling is prohibited to protect vulnerable salmon and the other to make it an offence to kill certain coarse fish including roach, bream, tench, carp, rudd and perch and any hybrid of these after capture with rod and line.
6. Ministers reviewed plans to bring forward Commencement Orders that are required for a staged and managed introduction of the new powers available to the Loughs Agency to develop and license aquaculture and to protect the fisheries in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. They considered the Agency’s legislation implementation plan, welcomed progress in its delivery and noted that further regulations will require NSMC approval in early 2010.
Business Plan
7. The Council noted the revised 2009 Business Plan and budget provision for the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission which await the approval of both Finance Ministers.
Annual Reports and Financial Statements
8. Ministers also noted the Loughs Agency Annual Reports and Financial Statements for 2007 and 2008, prior to their submission for laying before the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Oireachtas.
Next Meeting
9. The Council agreed that the next meeting in the Aquaculture and Marine sectoral format will take place in February/March 2010.
Joint Secretariat
18 November 2009
