AQW 43589/22-27

Mr Matthew O'Toole
Social Democratic and Labour Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 31/03/2026
Answered On Date: 08/04/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail any steps his Department is taking to enforce the Outer Belfast Lough Marine Conservation Zone.

Answer:

The Outer Belfast Lough Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) is monitored regularly by the Department as part of its wider Marine Protected Area enforcement programme. The only activity currently prohibited within the boundary is fishing using demersal mobile gear, and this is enforced under existing arrangements. The Department is progressing preparatory work on potential management measures for anchoring activity in the MCZ and any such measures, once introduced under the Marine Act (Northern Ireland) 2013, would be enforced in the same way.