AQW 30604/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 07/03/2022
Answered On Date: 27/03/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, in relation to the commercial removal of shellfish from Strangford Lough, (i) who is responsible for policing this activity; and (ii) for his assessment of the damage it causes to the marine ecosystem.

Answer:

My Department is responsible for compliance and enforcement activities relating to commercial fishing regulations. In Strangford Lough, this includes the Strangford Lough (Sea Fishing Exclusion Zones) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012, which prohibit pot fishing from two zones in Strangford Lough. The target species for pot fishers in Strangford Lough include shellfish such as velvet crab, brown crab, lobster and nephrops. This fishery is operating in accordance with the Strangford Lough Modiolus biogenic reef restoration plan and is not having a detrimental impact on the marine ecosystem.

Intertidal communities in Strangford Lough are in ‘favourable condition’ and do not appear to have been damaged by shellfish gathering. However, some concerns have been raised that periwinkle stocks are declining and that this fishery is not currently regulated by my Department.

To ensure the hand gathering fishery is not causing damage to marine ecosystems, my Department has been developing potential management measures that are intended to protect intertidal shellfish stocks from unsustainable exploitation and to provide protection for habitats and species that could be damaged or disturbed by intertidal shellfish gathering.

Subject to the outcome of a public consultation, any regulatory measures introduced for intertidal shellfish gathering will be subject to compliance checks, and where necessary, enforcement action by my Department.

All shellfish, including intertidal shellfish that are marketed for human consumption must comply with the relevant food hygiene regulations. The compliance and enforcement of these regulations is the responsibility of local councils.