Marine Minutes

MARINE and COASTAL GROUP

18 JANUARY 2005
MAPLE ROOM, LISBURN CIVIC CENTRE, LISBURN

Present: In Attendance:
Dr B Brown, Chairman Dr H Platt, EHS
Dr D Erwin (co-opted) Mr K Bradley, EPG
Dr P Boaden, SLMAC Mr C Francey,Secretariat

1. APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Dr L Blakiston Houston, Mr J Anderson, Mr B Coburn, Prof S Turner and Mr B Davidson.

2. MINUTES OF MEETING OF 11 NOVEMBER 2004

The minutes of the meeting of the 11th November 2004 were agreed.

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

3.1 Modiolus Restoration

Members noted the correspondence in connection with the restoration of the Modiolus in Strangford Lough. (See agenda Item 5).

3.2 Paper on Marine SACs

Members agreed that there should be a special meeting of Council to discuss the various issues about marine SACs.
Areas to be addressed are to include natura 2000 sites, marine SPAs, linkages to fisheries and the net benefits
consultation and the designation of terrestrial SACs and their extension into inter-tidal areas.

ACTION EHS PRESENT PAPER

SECRETARIAT ARRANGE SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL

3.3 Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)

Mr Bradley reported that there have been ongoing consultations with stakeholders and to date between 40 and 50 responses
have been received to the consultation paper. Judith Annett has been contracted as a consultant to co- ordinate responses
and develop objectives and an overall strategy.

A paper on the strategy will be presented to Council when the final workshop has been held with consultees. A group will
eventually be set up to implement the ICZM strategy.

ACTION EPG PRESENT PAPER ON STRATEGY TO COUNCIL

3.4 PPS20 - Coastal Development

It was agreed that Mr D Stephens, DRD should be invited to attend a meeting of the Marine Group to discuss the issues of PPS 20
Coastal Development before the end of February 2005. In the meantime the Secretariat is to send members of the Group a copy of the internal draft paper.

ACTION SECRETARIAT INVITE MR STEPHENS TO GROUP

SEND MEMBERS COPY OF PPS20

4. SLECI - Discussion of Recommendations with Dr P Boaden

The Chairman welcomed Dr P Boaden to the meeting. Dr Boaden spoke to his comments on the SLECI recommendations as outlined in Work Package 12 section 4, and highlighted a number for discussion as follows:
Rec. no.

1 and The inaccuracy of the broad scale mapping

2. results and the incompleteness of data.

He believed that the survey should use more refined and better techniques to measure the Modiolus community. Dr Platt informed members that the detailed mapping of remnants and ground truthing has still to be carried out.

3. Dr Boaden suggested that the assessment should have included a proper bibliography or database.

4. This tended to be long term and speculative and there was a need to know more about sedimentation.

5. It was debatable if this research was of any benefit short term. There appeared to be an overly sophisticated approach to monitoring. Measurement of the growth and reproduction rates of species would be sufficient. Members took the view that pathogens were a good indicator of the state of the Modiolus reef.

7 The Lough has not been accurately surveyed for a long time. This data will not show why the past decline happened but could be considered as useful background information. 10. It was important to ensure that a good monitoring programme was in place. This should include major habitats as well as ordinary and extraordinary areas. It may be worthwhile examining how the Welsh authorities have managed Cardigan Bay.

11. It should be recognised that the monitoring of water quality was set up for different reasons. There was a need to be careful 12. In view of the UK Marine Monitoring Plan, there is no need for further action. There is a need to know the mixing regime and residence times of the Lough. Members were informed that currently DARD was working on a carrying capacity model. The Chairman had raised this with DARD and he was informed that the model takes account of natural filter feeding populations, the implication being that the surplus was to be harnessed for aquaculture. However, there was a need to exercise caution in developing any such model, and that the current situation with depleted Modiolus reefs may not represent the natural capacity.

14. There was no objection to the measures being discussed with stakeholders but byelaws were needed for enforcement. It was suggested that before byelaws could be introduced special legislation for management of the Lough may be needed. However, it was noted that the Secretary of State had the power to introduce byelaws immediately. In order to complement any enforcement action the view was expressed that the Lough needs effective wardening. It was felt that had such arrangements been in place the decline of the Modiolus could have been raised as far back as 1974.

15. The management arrangements of the Lough need a substantial scientific input in view of its complex marine system. This could be made in the form of a special scientific group with high status to inform the SLMAC and other agencies and bodies as appropriate. Members felt that in view of the many diverse stakeholders and its lack of executive powers the SLMAC was not the most appropriate body to manage the Lough. It was agreed that the Marine Group should consider a way forward for the most effective management of the Lough.

16. This should be linked to a comprehensive ecosystem model with integrated databases.

17. This should include the proviso that shellfishery activities must be compatible with conservation aims. Members noted that the reference to competent authorities in the environmental legislation means all public bodies. Mr Bradley undertook to raise this point with EHS.

ACTION MR BRADLEY CLARIFY POINT WITH EHS 22/23 As mentioned in recommendation 15, Dr Boaden felt that it would be preferable to set up a Strangford Lough scientific advisory group which could have input to the restoration programme. This body should use optimum expertise but be pragmatic in its approach and consider undertaking specifically detailed research projects. It may be that a Strangford Lough Bill could be introduced by government to set up this scientific group. There was a need to find out the extent of recruitment of Modiolus within the Lough. Changes to the Modiolus clumps need to be identified and also there should be information available on the infauna and micro-benthos. In conclusion members were concerned about the two-tier structure used to manage Strangford Lough and emphasised the need to have a management body with robust powers. The Chairman and EHS thanked Dr Boaden for attending the meeting and expressed their gratitude for his useful comments.

5. DISCUSSION ON DRAFT STRANGFORD LOUGH MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES

The Chairman referred to the first draft of the Strangford Lough Management Objectives submitted to Council last year. Members had expressed concern at that time about a number of these objectives and Council's views were made known to EHS. Dr Brown tabled a copy of the latest version of the Management Objectives and members commented that they still had concerns about some of these recommendations and wording in the document. A copy is to be circulated to all members and EHS/EPG staff on the Group and will be considered at the next meeting. Mr Bleakley, EHS Operations is to be invited to attend this meeting to discuss the views and concerns of members about the proposals.

ACTION SECRETARIAT CIRCULATE LATEST VERSION OF OBJECTIVES INVITE BOB BLEAKLEY TO NEXT MEETING

6. UPDATE ON MODIOLUS RESTORATION

The Chairman tabled a report from Dr Platt about the restoration plan. The Chairman referred to the letter dated 23 December 2004 from the Permanent Secretary about Council's role in the restoration plan. It was clear that Council should be closely involved in the restoration plan. He expressed concern that Dr Platt's report indicated that a meeting about the Plan had already taken place. The Chairman reported that Dr Faulkner had informed him that the group listed in Dr Platt's report did not constitute a formal structured group. The meetings of this group, he had said, were adhoc in order to establish the procedure for dealing with the Plan. The Plan will not be finalised before Council and the SLMAC is engaged so that they have input on what is to be done. Members were still confused about what stage they will be involved in the process and what input it would have in determining favourable conservation status for Modiolus. In view of this it was agreed that the Marine Group should seek clarification by arranging a collective meeting with EHS, EPG, and DARD Fisheries Division on the role of Council.

ACTI0N CHAIRMAN ARRANGE MEETING WITH REPS OF EHS/DARD/EPG A draft paper on a restoration plan referred to in Dr Platt's report has been sent to the DARD representatives. DARD's response will be copied to the Marine Group. EPG pointed out that in view of the financial implications EHS and DARD would produce the restoration plan. When the Plan has been agreed with the Marine Group the implementation of the Plan will be arranged with the appropriate stakeholders. Members had some reservations about whether or not the SLMAC should be involved in an implementation role and felt that it may be more appropriate for the SLMAC to set up an independent scientific advisory group.

ACTION DR PLATT COPY RESPONSE FROM DARD TO MEMBERS

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

7.1 EHS Natural Heritage - Co-ordination of Marine Work Dr Platt informed members that arrangements had been put in place for the coordination of marine work. This will mean that Dr M Meharg's group will act as a focus for the variety of operations relating to marine biodiversity safeguard and coastal management, including work on the horse muscles. He will give members an update on the various changes at the next meeting.

ACTION DR PLATT INFORM MEMBERS OF CHANGES

7.2 Damage to ASSI - Strangford Lough

The Chairman referred to the incident of the damage to the ASSI caused by ploughing of the coastline near Castle Espie over the Christmas period. EHS is currently taking enforcement action and the Marine Group is to be kept up to date on progress.

7.3 Raising Awareness

The Chairman took the view that generally the public was unaware of the designation of protected areas and suggested that both EHS and DARD should mount an awareness campaign to inform the public of the importance of these sites.

ACTION EHS CONSIDER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

(meeting finished at 12.30pm)