Plans unveiled to protect vulnerable lough mussel beds

Plans unveiled to protect vulnerable lough mussel beds

13 June 2012

THE Horse Mussel crisis in Strangford Lough, which threatened the imposition of an £8m EU fine, is close to being resolved.

Assemblyman Chris Hazzard claims the Departments of Agriculture and Environment have now reached agreement on tackling the problem of the deteriorating horse mussel beds in the Lough — in theory one of Europe’s most protected marine reserves.

The two government departments had promised Europe they would protect the mussels back in 2006, but since then little has been done and earlier this year the EU started down the road of legal proceedings.

Mr. Hazzard, Sinn Fein’s Environment spokesman, said he now understood the fine could now be averted.

“Following a departmental briefing I am confident that the appropriate steps are being taken to protect and restore the Modiolus biogenic reefs in Strangford Lough,” he said.

“Both the Department of the Environment and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development have illustrated their commitment to sustainable restoration of this unique habitat and have agreed to number of vital steps.

“Crucially, following lengthy talks with the fishing industry, an agreement has been reached to introduce a Strangford Lough pot fishing permit scheme later this year.”

Mr. Hazzard said the scheme would be open only to those vessels with a track history of pot fishing on the Lough, and would be accompanied by a series of vessel monitoring systems.

“In view of these additional requirements, DARD has begun the process of appointing a dedicated Fishery Officer who will record vessel compliance as well as enforcement of licence conditions attached to the scheme,” he said. “Complimenting this Fishery Officer, a DOE funded Marine Ranger will also be appointed later in the year to enhance the management plan of the Lough.

“Reconciling the needs of the marine habitat and the rights of those fishermen who earn a living off the Lough is never an easy task, and with this in mind the departments’ ability to maintain a light-touch approach to enforcement and continuous engagement with fishermen and recreational organisations will be critical in going forward.”

The horse mussels, or Modiolus modiolus, are seen as a key habitat in Strangford Lough, which is an area of special scientific interest (ASSI), a special area of conservation (SAC) and a marine nature reserve.

Over a decade ago it was discovered that a number of the mussel beds were damaged and dead, and with 100 other species relying on the reefs formed by the mussels deep on the seabed as their habitat, the situation became critical.

After a formal complaint to Europe by the Ulster Wildlife Trust, fines were only avoided because Europe was promised that the mussels would be protected and restored. That was in 2006, but it never happened, and recently the Ulster Wildlife Trust complained again.