New Drive To Protect Strangford Lough

PROTECTING the delicate flora and fauna down at Strangford Lough became the topic of some heated debate at the Northern Ireland Assembly this week, writes Anne O'Hare.

Concerns grow as Northern Ireland is becoming at risk of being fined by the European Commission (EC) for not meeting the EC Habitats Directive.

The Ulster Wildlife Trust has called for greater protection for Strangford Lough. 

Furthermore, the Ulster Wildlife Trust claim that despite the Lough having numerous legal protections and international designations, the Government has failed to protect and restore this special habitat over the last two decades.

Representatives from Europe are to meet with the two government departments on Tuesday 24 January, to discuss the Trust’s complaint formally and agree a way forward.

Strangford MLA Jonathan Bell who met Environment Minister Attwood, made an impassioned plea for a balanced approach to biodiversity conservation with the needs of the fishing, tourism and recreation industry on Strangford Lough.

Mr Bell MLA said: “Strangford Lough stands with it's natural beauty as the jewel in the crown of Northern Ireland in terms of tourism and recreation. Critically it's status is as one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in Europe.

“Balance between all of the competing interests is the key that unlocks the potential that is Northern Ireland.

“The fishing industry is close to my heart. The 2011 negotiations kept the Nephrops at the previous quota and allowed the pot fishery, specifically the velvet crab, brown crab and lobster to continue on unabated.

“It is vital global warming and pollution which have an impact are not put at the door of the innocent fishermen.

“I appreciate the need to be good stewards of the Strangford Lough. The Horse mussel is of critical importance as one mussel has the capacity to filter one litre of water every hour and one thousand mussels can filter 24 tonnes of water every day.

“A win-win situation is achievable and we can work with the fishing industry to get a balanced outcome that avoids infraction proceedings - failure to get this balanced approach is not an option we should face."

Environment Committee Chair Anna Lo MLA said: “The Committee brought forward this motion as we want to ensure both the Department of the Environment and the Department of Agriculture are considering all possible measures to protect this important habitat, while at the same time remaining sensitive to the fisherman who earn their living on the Lough.

“Protection of Strangford Lough is ultimately the responsibility of the Department of the Environment. However, the main issue of concern here is protecting an important habitat in the Lough – living reefs created by the horse mussel, also known as Modiolus – which have been damaged.

The problem came to light back in 2003 and the Department of Agriculture put a temporary ban on trawl fishing, which was believed to be one of the causes of the damage. Fishing is the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture.

“The Environment and Agriculture departments put together a joint five year restoration plan but it was late starting so only ran for three years, ending last year.

“Although a new plan is to go to the EC this month, the Committee is being warned by interest groups, because delays and lack of action to date have resulted in further damage to the reefs this latest plan will not go far enough and could result in EC fines.

“By bringing this issue to the attention of the Assembly we hope the Executive will take immediate steps to address the issues and avoid unnecessary fines.”

SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has long campaigned for investment in Strangford Lough. She said: “It is vital there is a balanced approach to caring for our marine environment by restoring sensitive habitats while ensuring people living around the Lough, and depending on it as their main source of income, are not disadvantaged as a result.

“Measures must be put in place to halt the destruction of horse mussel reefs on Strangford Lough as these are essential to the procreation of thousands of creatures including many commercially fished species.

“The Executive must also take on board the needs of people in the Strangford and Portaferry areas and recognise how important the Strangford Ferry Service is to the local economy by investing in improving this key service.

“It must also recognise the necessity for a marina in Strangford to aid local fishermen and to facilitate recreational tourism initiatives on the Lough.

“I welcome the interest shown by the Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, who unlike his predecessors, is committed to tackling the problems facing the Lough by protecting this unique asset.

“It is crucial that the marine environment on Strangford Lough is prioritised alongside the needs of local people.”

Also contributing to the discussion, 

Sinn Féin's Willie Clarke MLA, who sits on the Environment and DARD Assembly Committees, has met with local fishermen in anticipation of the motion which came before the Assembly this week. 

The motion which called for measures to protect and restore the Modiolus (Mussels) habitat in line with EU Habitats Directive. 

Mr Clarke said that whilst the motion did call for those working on the Lough not to be economically disadvantaged as a consequence of such measures, it was inevitable that this will be the case.

He added, "On meeting with some of the affected fishermen who rely on the Lough for an income, I am convinced that the measures proposed through this motion will have a detrimental effect on the local economy. The latest figures show their industry has an estimated value of £140,000. It is simply not rational to further restrict the conditions in which they work. 

"The fishermen and I both have concerns that no proof exists pot fishing has a negative impact on the condition of sea beds. I feel it is necessary to invest in the sector to find out why the Modiolus are declining in the Lough, as do the fishermen who want to see a healthy eco-system which would deliver them a sustainable future. To simply punish the local fishermen in the absence of such information is unreasonable."

 Government still failing to protect Strangford Lough, warns Wildlife Trust

The Ulster Wildlife Trust is urging the Executive to take prompt and decisive action to protect one of our most prized natural resources before the Northern Ireland taxpayer has to foot the bill from Europe.

The call follows recognition on Monday 23 January by the Assembly of the environmental importance of Strangford Lough for the local economy and tourism, after the charity raised a complaint to Europe demanding our government addresses failure to protect the Lough.

The Trust’s main concern is the destruction and deterioration of horse mussel reefs in the Lough, which provide vital homes, spawning grounds and nurseries for hundreds of creatures, including commercially fished species.

Despite the Lough having numerous legal protections and international designations, our government has failed to protect and restore this special habitat over the last two decades.

Heather Thompson, Chief Executive with the Ulster Wildlife Trust said: “Despite promises to Europe in 2005 that NI would finally take serious action to restore the reefs to their former glory, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment have failed to deliver, resulting in continued breach of the EC Habitats Directive, and continued decline of this vital natural resource.

“While we were encouraged to hear the Assembly recognises the need to secure a sustainable future for Strangford Lough, unfortunately marine life continues to suffer as a result of mismanagement.

“We are urging the Executive to take prompt and decisive action, and to send a clear message to Europe that we take seriously our most basic of responsibilities to look after the environment, before the taxpayer is left with a bill of millions of Euros.”

“The Trust believes options for restoring this vital underwater habitat are now limited, and the Executive needs to bring in an extensive ‘non disturbance zone’ as a matter of priority. This will mean limiting the area available for diving, fishing and anchoring to give the horse mussel reefs a chance to recover, and once again support the variety of life that previously dominated the seabed. The long term benefits of doing this will be enjoyed by all those that use the Lough for recreational, leisure and economic reasons.

Heather added: “We have not taken the decision to seek help from Europe lightly. Despite years of campaigning on this issue, unfortunately we have been left with no other option than to ask Europe to ensure our government departments get their act together. The Trust truly hopes that no infraction fines will be imposed and a resolution can be reached that secures the future prosperity of Strangford Lough for all, before it’s too late.”