FCILC JC 20 July 2009
FCILC JC 20 July 2009
You can download the FCILC Joint Communiqué in PDF Format
FCILC JC 20 July 2009 (PDF 91.5 kb)
NORTH SOUTH MINISTERIAL COUNCIL
AQUACULTURE & MARINE SECTORAL FORMAT
FOYLE, CARLINGFORD AND IRISH LIGHTS
COMMISSION (FCILC)
CAFRE, GREENMOUNT
20 JULY 2009
JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ
1. The thirteenth North South Ministerial Council meeting in the Aquaculture and Marine Sectoral format was held in CAFRE, Greenmount on Monday 20 July 2009. The meeting was attended by Michelle Gildernew, MP, MLA, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Junior Minister Robin Newton, MLA, Eamon Ryan, TD, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and Minister of State for Natural Resources Conor Lenihan, TD. Minister Gildernew chaired the meeting.
Progress Report
2. The Council welcomed a progress report on the work of the Loughs Agency presented by the Chairperson, Mr Tarlach O’Crosain and the Chief Executive, Mr Derick Anderson.
3. Ministers noted:-
- the impact of fishing conditions for the 2009 angling season and commercial salmon season;
- the success of the guides for angling in both the Foyle and Carlingford Catchments and the Agency’s work with the Regional Fisheries Boards and Central Fisheries Boards to develop the Angling Brand for coarse, game sea and pike, including a soon to be announced website in a number of different European languages; and
- that in September 2009 the Loughs Agency will be consulting with stakeholders and the public on the options being considered for the Agency’s Strategic Implementation Plan to license shellfisheries and aquaculture and that a Strategic Environmental Assessment is being conducted on the proposed implementation plan.
Water Quality Assessment in Foyle and Carlingford Loughs
4. The Council welcomed a presentation by Dr Declan Lawlor, Environmental Officer at the Loughs Agency, on the proactive water quality assessment programme being undertaken by the Agency in the Foyle and Carlingford catchments and noted that this science-led approach has proved very beneficial to the Agency in conserving and protecting the inland fisheries of Foyle and Carlingford.
Marine Tourism Strategy
5. The Council approved the recruitment of three staff on a fixed term contract basis to assist the Loughs Agency in the administration and implementation of its Marine Tourism Strategy which is to be funded exclusively through the EU INTERREG IV Programme.
Sustainable Development Fund
6. The Council discussed and noted the operation and funding arrangements for the Loughs Agency’s Sustainable Development Fund, and approved the use of the fund in the implementation of the Agency’s Marine Tourism Development Strategy.
Legislation
7. The Council approved two sets of regulations. The first of these will regulate the minimum size of oyster that may be retained on board a vessel. The second will prohibit the catching of eels in the Foyle and Carlingford areas by any method except rod and line.
8. The Council also approved a framework designed to support the Loughs Agency in dealing with emergencies such as serious pollution incidents.
Next Meeting
9.The Council agreed that its next meeting in the Aquaculture and Marine sectoral format will take place in October 2009.
Joint Secretariat
20 July 2009
4. The Council welcomed a presentation by Dr Declan Lawlor, Environmental Officer at the Loughs Agency, on the proactive water quality assessment programme being undertaken by the Agency in the Foyle and Carlingford catchments and noted that this science-led approach has proved very beneficial to the Agency in conserving and protecting the inland fisheries of Foyle and Carlingford.
Marine Tourism Strategy
5. The Council approved the recruitment of three staff on a fixed term contract basis to assist the Loughs Agency in the administration and implementation of its Marine Tourism Strategy which is to be funded exclusively through the EU INTERREG IV Programme.
Sustainable Development Fund
6. The Council discussed and noted the operation and funding arrangements for the Loughs Agency’s Sustainable Development Fund, and approved the use of the fund in the implementation of the Agency’s Marine Tourism Development Strategy.
Legislation
7. The Council approved two sets of regulations. The first of these will regulate the minimum size of oyster that may be retained on board a vessel. The second will prohibit the catching of eels in the Foyle and Carlingford areas by any method except rod and line.
8. The Council also approved a framework designed to support the Loughs Agency in dealing with emergencies such as serious pollution incidents.
Next Meeting
9.The Council agreed that its next meeting in the Aquaculture and Marine sectoral format will take place in October 2009.
Joint Secretariat
20 July 2009
