Minister’s Unsatisfactory Reply on FASTA’s Proposal for Nets’ Buy-out
Posted by admin on May 16th, 2010 - No Comments »
Salmon Fisheries in the Foyle Area Dear Mr Curran, Minister Lenihan has asked me to reply to your recent email regarding the above. As agreed at the meeting on 6 October 2009 which was attended by Mark Gough, of FASTA; Noel Carr, Federation of Irish Salmon and Sea trout Anglers (FISSTA); and Jim Haughey, North Atlantic Salmon Fund (NASFNI), Minister Lenihan raised concerns over salmon stocks and the proposed buyout scheme of nets with the North South Ministerial Council. At the meeting of the Council, in the Aquaculture and Marine Sector, under which the Loughs Agency operates, Ministers agreed on 31 March last with the Loughs Agency’s view that the management regime, supported by appropriate regulation, provides for effective conservation of salmon stocks and that proposals for a buyout of commercial nets should not be pursued. In this regard, the Agency is at present bringing forward the Foyle Area (Control of Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations 2010, of which you may be aware following the public consultation exercise undertaken. It is considered that these regulations provide for a practical and equitable means of conserving salmon stocks in the Foyle system in compliance with the European Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Wild Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora). Insofar as your criticism of appointments to the Board of the Loughs Agency is concerned, composition of the Board is set down in respect of all North South Bodies in the British Irish Agreement Act 1999. I trust this clarifies matters to your satisfaction. Yours sincerely, Aine McHugh, Private Secretary to Conor Lenihan TD, Minister for Natural Resources
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