FCILC Joint Communiqué 9 September 2010

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FCILC Joint Communiqué 9 September 2010 (pdf format 16.4 Kb)


NORTH SOUTH MINISTERIAL COUNCIL

FOYLE, CARLINGFORD AND IRISH LIGHTS COMMISSION (FCILC)

1.  The sixteenth North South Ministerial Council meeting in  Aquaculture and Marine sectoral format was held in the NSMC Joint Secretariat Offices, Armagh on Thursday 9 September 2010. The meeting was attended by Eamon Ryan, TD, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Michelle Gildernew, MP, MLA, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Junior Minister Robin Newton, MLA.  Minister Ryan chaired the meeting.

2.  The Council welcomed a progress report on the work of the Loughs Agency, presented by the Agency’s Chairperson Tarlach O Crosain and the Chief Executive, Derick Anderson.

3.  Ministers welcomed the developing partnerships on marine tourism between the Loughs Agency, Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Louth County Council.   They noted the effectiveness of the Agency’s response to pollution incidents on the Foyle system and  the positive impact of the regulation of the Lough Foyle oyster fishery including improving the catches in the 2009-10 season. Ministers also noted that the Agency’s new monitoring vessel, the MMV Ostrea, is now operational and has facilitated the surveying of the seed mussel areas in Carlingford Lough and the native oyster fishery in Lough Foyle.

4.  The Council welcomed a presentation by the Loughs Agency on the 2010 series of Catchment Status Reports. Ministers noted the practical use of this information and how it is applied by the Loughs Agency to ensure continued and effective conservation and protection of the freshwater fisheries and aquatic resources of the Foyle and Carlingford systems.

5.  The Council approved a set of regulations which reduce the fee charged for an oyster fishing licence in Lough Foyle.  

6.  Ministers considered the Agency’s legislation implementation plan, welcomed progress in its delivery and noted that further regulations will require NSMC approval during 2010 and 2011.

7.  Ministers noted the Loughs Agency Annual Report and draft Financial Statements for 2009 and that these will be laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Oireachtas once the Financial Statements have been certified by the respective Comptrollers and Auditors General.

8.  The Council agreed that the next meeting in the Aquaculture and Marine Sectoral format will take place in December 2010.