FCILC JC 21 November 2007

1.  The first NSMC Aquaculture & Marine Sectoral meeting since the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly was held in the Loughs Agency Headquarters in Prehen on Wednesday 21 November 2007.  

2.  The Executive was represented by Michelle Gildernew, MP, MLA, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Junior Minister Ian Paisley, MLA. The Irish Government was represented by Eamon Ryan, TD, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.  Minister Gildernew chaired the meeting.

3.  The Council noted progress made since the last meeting in April 2002 and welcomed the opportunity to come together to discuss co-operation in the aquaculture and marine sector.  Ministers welcomed the passing of legislation in both jurisdictions in 2007 which provided the Loughs Agency with the powers to regulate aquaculture and wild shellfisheries in both the Foyle and Carlingford areas. They also welcomed the introduction of a hardship package to provide a measure of relief to those affected by the cessation of the commercial drift or draft net salmon fishing in the Foyle area.  

4.  The Council noted the future plans in the Aquaculture and Marine Sector for the period 2008-2010. These include:

5.  Ministers also approved the Loughs Agency’s Corporate Plan for the period 2008-2010 and Business Plan for 2008 subject to budgetary considerations by the Executive and the Irish Government.  Ministers noted that the St Andrews Agreement Review is now underway and that the Agency’s future plans may require consideration in light of the outcome of this Review.

6.  The Council approved the implementation of the Loughs Agency’s Marine Tourism Development Strategy for the period 2008 to 2013, subject to the availability of funding under the EU programme for Cross Border Territorial Co-operation. This Strategy will work through partnerships with State authorities and private bodies, providing support for projects, developing access infrastructure, project development, skills training, marketing and communications activities.

7.  Ministers also approved the Loughs Agency’s Financial Assistance Policy to oversee how grant aid will be administered in the support of angling development, conservation and protection of fisheries, marine tourism and aquaculture.

8.  The Council noted the Loughs Agency’s Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2006.

9.  Ministers approved the Loughs Agency’s proposed purchase of a monitoring vessel subject to the availability of funding under the EU Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG).

10.  Ministers approved the Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Angling) (Amendment No 2) Regulations 2007 which should positively impact on conservation and protection of salmon stocks in an area of the River Finn and noted the Regulations currently being developed to improve the control of salmon and coarse angling and for the licensing and development of aquaculture.

11.  The Council agreed that its next meeting in the Aquaculture and Marine sectoral format would take place in February 2008.