AQW 25086/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 02/11/2021
Answered On Date: 16/11/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (i) what recent steps his Department has taken to prevent deterioration in aquatic life; and (ii) what resources he will provide to local authorities in Northern Ireland to protect and restore water habitats.

Answer:

My Department has taken a number of recent steps to prevent deterioration of aquatic life in both the freshwater and marine environments.

Earlier this year my Department consulted on the draft 3rd cycle River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) including the draft Programme of Measures. The consultation closed on 10 October 2021 and the final 3rd cycle RBMP will be published by 9 April 2022. The measures included in the RBMP are designed to achieve ecological and chemical status objectives for surface waters as well as chemical and quantitative status objectives for groundwater.

The UK Marine Strategy Programme of Measures details the wide range of steps that my Department, together with the other UK administrations, propose to use to achieve Good Environmental Status and prevent the deterioration of aquatic life in UK seas. The updated UK Marine Strategy Programme of Measures is open for public consultation until 29 November 2021 (https://consult.defra.gov.uk/uk-marine-strategy-programme-of-measures-3/uk-marine-strategy-part-3/).

To provide protection for aquatic habitats and species, my Department has also designated marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Northern Ireland inshore region. Earlier this year to help prevent deterioration of aquatic life, my Department consulted on proposed measures to manage commercial fishing activities in MPAs and will introduce the relevant fisheries legislation in 2022.

In the freshwater environment, Conservation management plans are being developed for freshwater Special Areas of Conservation. These will define the necessary conservation measures to move towards favourable condition.

My department employs 39 regional water quality inspectors through local councils. These staff are trained to deliver actions to improve and protect our water environment in our local catchments. Their responsibilities include the investigation and appropriate enforcement of water pollution incidents, the delivery of our freshwater monitoring programme and undertaking proactive work to protect our inland waterways. To deter, disrupt and detect those who engage in illegal activities that could have a negative impact on fish stocks, DAERA Inland Fisheries staff carry out a programme of patrols on and around water bodies.

My Department’s Environment Fund, including the water quality Environmental Challenge Fund, is a key mechanism for delivering projects to protect and restore habitats, including water habitats, and to deliver Natural Capital and Nature-Based Solutions. Not-for-profit organisations and councils are eligible for this fund and in 2021/22 the water quality strand funded 10 local environmental water quality projects with a total investment of £220k.

Preparations for the 2022-23 Environment Challenge Fund are underway, and the level of delivery will be dependent upon the budget secured by the Department.