Proposed ban on anchoring in the Lough in depths of over 10 metres.
The Minister of the Environment, Alex Attwood MLA, is proposing to introduce an area of total protection (Adobe pdf 100kb) which would include a ban on anchoring in the Lough in depths of over 10 metres. The area affected (Adobe pdf 1Mb) is between Castle Island to Gransha Point in the north and the southern tip of Island Taggart to Kate’s Pladdy in the south.
Background to the problem.
Strangford Lough is a Special Area of conversation (SAC) with one of the special features leading to this designation being the horse mussel, Modiolus modiolus, reefs.
Along with certain other features these are protected under the Habitats Directive.
These reefs have been damaged, possibly by trawling and dredging in earlier years, and the UK Government gave an undertaking to the European Commission (EC) in 2005 that they would be restored to favourable condition.
A formal complaint about delays and a lack of protection was made by the Ulster Wildlife Trust to the EC on 8 November 2011. There appeared to be a very real risk of infraction which would result in major fines, possibly up to £10k a day, being imposed on the Northern Ireland administration. These fines could remain in force until such time as the damaged feature is returned to ‘favourable condition’ which might take decades.
RYA
The RYA has written
to the Minister (Adobe pdf 150kb) requesting further discussion on this
matter and asking for clarification of the "robust scientific
evidence" on which his intentions to introduce restrictions on anchoring
are based. Minutes
of meeting (Adobe pdf 24kb) held on 9th January 2012.
Clubs meeting
A meeting of representatives of clubs based
in Strangford Lough was held in November 2011. A full discussion on the impact for sailing and boating took place.
It was agreed that each club would write to the Minister raising a number of points and asking for an urgent meeting.
They are also to write to the Minister at DARD, the Chief Executives of Ards and Down Councils and MLAs for the area
RYA HQ will be asked about the possibility of making direct representation to the EC in Brussels.
Additional Material
BBC News Report (Adobe pdf 160kb)
Modiolus Restoration Research Project: Final Report and Recommendations (Adobe pdf 6Mb)
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