82nd MEETING OF THE FOYLE CARLINGFORD AND IRISH LIGHTS COMMISSION

Wednesday 28th August 2013 11:00 am

Whistledown Hotel, Warrenpoint Attendees

Present Winston Patterson (Chairman) Alan McCulla (Vice Chair) Andrew Duncan Donal Tipping Jim Wilson Laurence Arbuckle Phil Mahon Seamus Rodgers

In Attendance - Loughs Agency John Pollock – Acting Chief Executive Officer John McCartney – Director of Conservation and Protection Barry Fox – Director of Aquaculture and Shellfisheries Kevin Wilson – Director of Development Siobhan Wilson (Minutes)

1. Apologies

Theresa McLaverty Joe Miller Michael McCormick

2. Conflict of Interest

There were no conflicts of interest with any agenda items.

3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting

It was noted that the previous minutes had a typo at the end of Kevin Wilson’s Board Report and should read Co-operation Ireland. The remaining minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate record.

Proposed Seamus Rodgers Seconded Laurence Arbuckle 4. Reserved Minutes

There were no reserved minutes of the previous meeting to agree.

5. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising to be discussed.

6. CEO Report

John Pollock, Acting CEO provided the Board with the following report:

John Pollock advises the meeting that there is no further update on the CEO recruitment process. Winston Patterson adds that there seems to be no urgency in getting the post filled permanently and that as Judith Tenor of DARD Fisheries is leaving her post on 15th September 2013 may cause the recruitment process to drag on further. John Pollock suggests that he adds the item of Recruitment of the CEO to the agenda for the next NSMC Meeting in early September with the hope of this speeding up the process.

Andrew Duncan asks if there is a specific timeframe in which the departments have to stick to, it was discussed that it could take up to 18 months to appoint a new CEO.

John Pollock advised the Board Members that Derick Anderson had been asking after all of them and wished them well. John added that the DFP still haven’t paid the lump sum to Derick therefore the Agency had to pay this amount.

7. Directors Reports

Corporate Services

John Pollock, Acting CEO provided the Board with the following report:

Financial Statements & Audit The Staff of the Agency have continued to work on the Internal Audit findings which resulted in their “limited” rating. Several of the recommendations have been already rectified, require legislative change or are out of the control of the Agency. An updated table on progress to date will be provided to the Board.

External Audit commenced their audit on the draft 2012 Financial Statements in March and is nearing completion. Their management points when available will be brought forward to a future Audit Sub Committee / Board meeting. The C&Ags office in the South have to review the financial statements before final sign off and this is anticipated to be complete in the next few weeks.

2012 Annual Report The draft report is currently being considered by both Sponsor Departments.

North South Ministerial Council The next North South Ministerial Council Sectoral is scheduled for 22 October 2013 and the meeting will be to coincide with the Turner Prize.

Staffing There is currently only 1 vacancy – CEO Post

Advisory Forum The next plenary forum meeting is scheduled for 1st October.

Business Plan 2013 A final draft of the plan has cleared by both Sponsor Departments and has been forwarded to Finance Departments for approval following the receipt of the guidance from the Departments of Finance. It is hoped that the formal approvals will be given at the North South Ministerial Council Sectoral meeting in October.

Corporate Plan 2014-16 and Business Plan 2014 No guidance received yet from the Departments of Finance on format or budget availability. However the Agency has initiated the drafting of the plans in the interim based on the previous guidance.

Review of Financial Memorandum No further progress to report on this issue. The review of the Financial Memorandum was initiated in 2010, Agency still awaits formal notification from the Departments of Finance. Sponsor Departments to agree an interim amendment to the tendering thresholds to mirror those of the Departments and Central Procurement Directorate pending word from the Finance Departments and the Agency has written to both Sponsor Department asking for an update on progress.

North South Pension Update No further progress to report on this issue – the Economic Appraisal on the Agency joining the N/S Pension Scheme has been cleared by both Sponsor Departments and is currently been considered by both Finance Departments.

Omagh Office The Omagh regional office is no longer fit for purpose and may have health and safety implications for the staff that currently use it. It is estimated to clear the site and replace it with a fit for purpose building will be in the region of £400k. The funds are not available in the Agency’s capital budget and both Sponsor departments have been written to for advice on how to take this forward.

Aquaculture and Shellfisheries

Barry Fox, Director of Aquaculture and Shellfisheries provided the Board with the following report:

1. Native Oyster Fishery

In light of audit recommendations and requirements a new “Policy and Procedure for the Native Oyster Fishery” has been developed. The document outlines all of the required steps which must be undertaken and appropriately documented during the opening and running of the season annually. Below is a summary of the fishery opening procedure and licence application review procedure.

Action Comment Staff Member(s) Notes Preparation Order logbooks In accordance with Sarah financial memorandum Order oyster rings In accordance with Sarah financial memorandum Order tags In accordance with Sarah financial memorandum Write advert Sarah Write application form Sarah Place advert In 4 newspapers and on Sarah website Application Process Applicants collect , Greencastle or application forms Download Completed Applications Prehen returned 1. Envelope date Front office staff stamped 2. Envelope in safe Front office staff box 3. Receipt issued Front office staff Processing First Check Sarah and Michael 1. Check all Sarah and Michael Receipt number / postal register number applications and year to be used as unique reference against receipt number e.g. NOY_2013/14_0001 book 2. Complete ledger Sarah and Michael Name address of applicant and receipt number (unique reference number) 3. Check all Sarah and Michael supporting documents present 4. Check all Sarah and Michael sections of application completed Second Check Barry ++ Repeat steps 3 and 4 Issue of Licences Compile Licence packs Sarah and Michael Successful applicants only a) Legislation Sarah and Michael b) Logbook Sarah and Michael c) Oyster Ring Sarah and Michael d) Pre paid Sarah and Michael envelopes e) Licence Sarah and Michael f) Tags Sarah and Michael Complete Ledger Sarah and Michael Record Logbook number and tag numbers in Ledger against relevant applicant Letter sent to successful Barry To inform them that they can collect licence applicants pack Successful applicants to Prehen or set days Michael ++ Photographic ID copy to be taken by LA collect licences in person Greencastle staff Licence holders sign ledger

All the preparations for the 13/14 fishery have been made and the closing date for applications has past (31st July). At first count there are 60 licence applications. Aquaculture & Shellfish staff have completed the first check of application on the 15.8.13 in accordance with the new Policy and Procedures for the Native oyster fishery. The AGM for the native oyster fishery is scheduled to be held at the Redcastle Hotel on 29th August 2013 at 7 pm. The meeting will include presentations from Cass Bromley (IBIS) on ongoing enhancement work; Ciaran McGonigle on the status of the fishery and Sarah McLean on ongoing MSC Certification.

2. Pathways

The Pathway project is still in progress. All the projects and aims have been developed and the costing and staff times have been revised to reflect the new shorter project time. The Ireland team are in the process of organising stakeholder meetings to firm up stakeholder involvement and to concrete actions. It is hoped that the stakeholder meetings will e completed in early September.

3. Hygiene sampling

Hygiene sampling continues to run smoothly. There have been a number of breaches and out with results from both Loughs over the summer months as a result of the warm weather and toxic algal blooms. However, results are not as dramatically above the norm as were observed in the summer of 2012.

Sample schedules are only set until the end of September as new regulations may come about as a result of a review of shellfish hygiene sampling techniques at the Food Standards Agency National level. These proposed new regulations may see all sampling move from monthly to weekly.

4. Oyster Festival

Sarah McLean, David Clarke, Donal Cassidy, Gillian Simpson and Simon Canning ran the Loughs Agency touch tank at the Carlingford Oyster Festival on the 10th and 11th August 2013. The team set up a mobile rock pool in the touch tank and populated it with creatures found in rock pools from the shores of Carlingford Lough. Amongst the many creatures on display were; mussels, oysters, common starfish, shore and brown crabs, 15-spinned sticklebacks, a variety of anemones, hermit crabs and a number of small fish species. The tank provided the visitors with a unique opportunity to not only see the animals but also touch them and learn a little more about the diverse ecology of Carlingford’ shores. The event also provided an opportunity for members of the public to learn more about aquaculture and shellfisheries in the Lough and about where the mussels and oysters they had eaten that day came from! The event was a huge success with between 1500 and 2000 visitors coming to the tank over the two days. This occasion provided a chance for Aquaculture and Shellfisheries, Conservation and Protection and Marine Development staff to work together on a project and produce positive results.

5. Progression of the Wild Shellfish and Aquaculture Management Plan

In 2010 Loughs Agency developed the Aquaculture and Shellfisheries Management Strategy. The overall objective of this strategy aims to achieve the sustainable development of aquaculture and shellfisheries activities for the social, economic and environmental benefit of the communities, who influence, enjoy and depend on these resources. As part of the Management Strategy, Loughs Agency committed to the development of the Wild Shellfish and Aquaculture Management Plan for the and Carlingford Lough catchments. The objectives of this management plan are to promote sustainable wild shellfish and aquaculture industries based on best scientific information and ensure a balance between economic and environmental considerations.

The first document to be completed will be the “Guidance for Novel Species Development in Aquaculture in Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough Catchment” document. The “Guidance for Novel Species Development in Aquaculture in Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough Catchment” document is being developed as part of the Wild Shellfish and Aquaculture Management Plan. The specific aim of this guidance is to provide information on the use of novel and non native species in aquaculture. It is hoped that guidelines on the use of novel species in aquaculture will help to enable the economic growth of the sector in the Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough catchments whilst mediating against the risk of poor management practices resulting in the undesirable ecological effects of non native species introductions, once the Agency has responsibility for this sector. This document is now completed in its first draft form and will be presented to the Board at a future date.

6. Bird Surveys

The two IBIS MSc projects researching the relationships between waterbird assemblages and foreshore usage with particular emphasis on aquaculture on the foreshore continue to work well and are amassing considerable datasets. The data collected from these surveys and the survey last year has already been used by DARD and AFBI with regards to an in-combination appropriate assessment for an application for aquaculture development on Carlingford Lough. The provision of this data was of paramount importance to the completion of the in-combination appropriate assessment. Access to the data was provided under the caveat that: The bird data provided to DARD/AFBI for use in the in combination assessment remains the property of the Loughs Agency and should not be reproduced in any other reports without the explicit permission in writing from the Loughs Agency. The 2012 data has also been supplied to Louth County Council under a similar caveat for use in an ICZM for Carlingford Lough for an MSC in Biodiversity and Landuse. Use of the data for these purposes provides further justification for the continuation of this work and provides evidence for the importance of this project to the development of sustainable aquaculture practices on Carlingford Lough and Lough Foyle.

In addition to the core counts, the master’s students are also undertaking some experimental work.  Aiobheann (Carlingford) is conducting an experiment designed to test the significance of birds as a vector of spread of human strains of E.coli to shellfish beds. Aiobheann also hopes to undertake a study aimed at reducing the losses to pacific oyster producers as a result of bird predation. Aoibheann will study the effectiveness of three different bird deterrents.  Luke (Foyle) is undertaking an extensive focused survey of cormorants in the Foyle catchment. He will be conducting stomach content analysis of cormorants shot under licence, to determine the importance of salmon smolt in their diet.

7. Seed Mussel Survey

A seed mussel survey has been scheduled for 16.8.13 in Carlingford Lough. This survey will be undertaken by Sarah McLean. The survey will be a presence/absence survey conducted under industry protocol, to assess the extent of seed mussel in Carlingford Lough. It is intended that the survey will be a one day survey of 20 tows. If extensive seed is found a RoxSwathTM study will be initiated in order to gain a more accurate understanding of the seed density and distributions.

8. SEA management updates

Sarah McLean recently created an in-house management system designed to keep a formal record of how the Agency is progressing with the monitoring proposals in the Strategic Environmental Assessment. A structure has been created for monitoring progress. The first stage of the monitoring has been completed. This involved the creation of a six monthly (mid-year) review table listing progress to date for each proposal. The table will be updated again at the end of the year and an annual report will be written. A team meeting will be scheduled in early 2014 to discuss progress and plans.

Barry Fox informs the Board that a meeting has been arranged with the Foyle Oyster Fishermen on Thursday 29th August 2013. There will be three presentations at the meeting from Ciaran McGonigle, Sarah McLean and Cass Bromley.

Development

Kevin Wilson, Director of Development provided the Board with the following report:

1.0 DEVELOPMENT

Since our last meeting the Development Directorate has been continuing with our efforts across the various objectives within our business plan and looking to the future, where the opportunities exist for further development of Marine Tourism, Angling Development and education throughout the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

2.0 ANGLING DEVELOPMENT Board Update – 16th August 2013 – Lionel Knobbs, Angling Development Manager

2.1 Game Angling

The Game River angling season has returned to normal with regular rainfall, after a prolonged drought that often made conditions difficult for our Salmon Anglers and our visiting World Youth Fly Fishing competitors. Although there have been no large floods (Bankers), conditions are now more favourable for angling on our rivers and lakes.

During the drought conditions Salmon catches remained positive with a steady trickle of fresh fish moving into the system and most of the catches took place on our rivers lower and tidal sections.

Sea Trout became a regular catch for many anglers during the drought on some of our rivers with some anglers reporting the best catches within the past 20 years.

2.2 Sea Angling

Sea angling has been a late start as previously outlined but is now producing good catches from Foyle and Carlingford.

The late start to the season became a worry as we approached the Shore Fishing Competition on Lough Foyle of the World Police & Fire Games. Thankfully, however, all was good during this great event with regular catches from most of the anglers on the day.

2.3 Coarse Angling

As previously mentioned Coarse anglers have also suffered a poor start to the season, with the poor weather conditions and this is now taken a positive turn and we anticipate good catches during the King of the Canal competition on Newry Canal 25th August.

2.4 Promotions

From an angling perspective we continue our focus on the development of our presence on facebook and this has been a huge success, in particular the short DVDs published that have received many thousands of views. These short DVDs, photo albums and press releases are a great way of promoting the Loughs Agency angling and we will continue to develop and utilise this in the future.

2.5 NI Angling Review

The Strategic Review of Angling in was commissioned on the 8th March 2013. As previously reported, an extensive consultation process has been undertaken, with many public forum meetings taking place throughout Northern Ireland.

The review is in the final stages before being published. The draft has been passed to relevant departments within DARD & DCAL and will be released after final agreement.

2.6 Events

2.6.1 World Police and Fire Games Shore Angling Competition took place on Sunday 4th August.

World Police and Fire Games Shore Angling Competition took place on Sunday 4th August on the shores of Lough Foyle,( Longfield Bank, Eglinton) on the outskirts of ~Londonderry with sixty competitors from ten different countries competing for medals in three categories: Individual; Teams (Pairs); and Longest Flat Fish. Bright sunshine welcomed the visitors and accompanying family members to the venue as they were greeted by Games volunteers, Irish Federation of Sea Anglers, Loughs Agency Staff, WPFG and many others. The conditions did not favour the anglers looking to break any records but certainly made the day enjoyably for spectators and competitors that wanted to enjoy the views and relaxation on the shores of Lough Foyle looking out across the water towards Co Donegal.

Results for Sea Angling Longfield, Eglinton 4th August 2013 Individual John Rodgers Northern Ireland 171pts (Gold) Mark Taylor Northern Ireland 155pts (Silver) Robert Montgomery Northern Ireland 101pts (Bronze)

Teams (Pairs) John Rodgers Northern Ireland Harry Williamson Northern Ireland 238pts (Gold) Kristmundur R Carter Reykjavik Fire Dept Iceland Petur Gudmundsson Reykjavik Fire Dept Iceland113pts (6 fish)(Silver) Ralph Ehrlich Regina Police Service Canada Robert J Willis Regina P. S Canada 113pts (5 fish) (Bronze)

Longest Flat Fish John Rodgers Northern Ireland (Flounder 32cms) (Gold) Mark Taylor Northern Ireland (Flounder 31cms 7 fish) (Silver) Ralph Ehrlich Regina P.S Canada (Flounder 31cms 3fish) (Bronze)

Lionel Knobbs Congratulates John Rodgers on his Treble of Gold medals

Councillor Martin Reilly, Derry’s Mayor presenting some of the medals

The Earl of Castle Stewart presenting some of the medals.

One of the Canadian female competitors with double catch

Some of the competitors at Longfield with Greencastle Donegal in the background

2.6.1.1 Feedback

The competition was well received and we received very positive feedback from competitors and WPFG staff. The quality of the venue and participation of Loughs Agency staff in the delivery of the event was the key to its success.

Some of the feedback we received:

Dear all, Thank you very much for all you help both in the planning and running of the Games. It was great to hear Mike Graham, the Federation President, describe the Games as not only the friendliest ever but the best ever. We have set the bar very high for Fairfax and I can only hope they can get close to what we were able to achieve as a team. Personally have been to seven games now and have to agree with Mikes comments even though I could be a bit biased. In my opinion the games in Adelaide in 2007 were the best ones I attended and we plagiarised a lot of their ideas and have to thank them for all there help to make ours a little bit better than theirs. Even though we managed to have a bit of recreational rioting on Friday night most of the comments from competitors, friends and family are positive. Hopefully we have moved our Country on a bit and we will see the benefit over the coming years with an increase in the tourism industry, I think we helped to prove that “our wee Country” is not so bad after all... Once again thank you so much for all your help; it would have been an impossible task without you. Please pass on my thanks to all the people who helped you to deliver “The Best Games Ever” Neil Donaldson WPFG

Lionel, This is a personal thank you to you and your colleagues who helped me in the organising of the Sea Angling event at Longfield, Eglinton for the WPFG. If it had not been for the Loughs Agency being there on the Saturday for the ‘set- up’, I would have been in extreme difficulties, however the event was a huge success and a large percentage is due to you and your team. Please convey my thanks to all and I look forward to meeting everyone at some future event.

Jimmy McConaghie Sports Co-Coordinator WPFG

2.6.2 The 12 World Youth Fly Fishing Championships 21st -26th July

Guest Speakers at 12th WYFFC opening event 21st July Dundalk. (From left to right) Mr Eamonn O’Boyle(Chairman Dundalk Town Council); Ms Suzanne Campion (Head of Business Development, Inland Fisheries Ireland); Fergus O’Dowd, Minister of State, Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; Mr Lionel Knobbs, Angling Development Manager, Loughs Agency; Minister Caral Ni Chuilin, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure for Northern Ireland).

Staff, overseas Stewards, VIPS, Local stewards and Irish Team reserves at Loughmacory Co Tyrone during the 12th WYFFC

Some of the action out on the Loughmacrory during the competition

From left to right: Team South Africa (Bronze Medallists); Team USA (Gold Medallists); Team Ireland B (Silver Medallists), pictured at Hillsborough Castle during the presentations and closing ceremony.

From left to right: Mr David Mann, DCAL; Mr Jim Wilson, Board Member Loughs Agency; and Mr Kevin Wilson, Director of Development Loughs Agency.

2.7 Stakeholder Engagement

The Agency continues to work with positive engagement with our angling stakeholders. In the past number of weeks we have met with several organisations and discussed plans for the coming months and years.

A number of meetings are now being planned with several organisations to evaluate the past events and start planning global angling events up 2015

3.0 MARINE TOURISM

3.1 RYA Sail Training Centre – marine tourism skills development

Loughs Agency Sail in the City was held on the in July. This project aims to close a gap where there are no club or private sector sailing schools in the Foyle area.

Image MT1: keel boats sailing on the Foyle

The Agency has partnered with Ocean Youth Trust Ireland to deliver sailing experiences for people who may otherwise never venture into what is sometimes misperceived as an elitist sport. The intention of these ‘taster sessions’ is to dissolve barriers to participation and to form links between local people and local sailing clubs.

Feedback from participants has been effusive and included:- ‘The kids were in this morning for the sailing lesson, they had a real blast. Again thank you for affording them the opportunity well done the Loughs Agency.’ and ‘... taster session very well run by Ocean Youth Trust... I sailed dinghies at school. You couldn't have sailed in Derry at that time - you would have been run down by a coal boat! I think it's an idea whose time has come.’ and ‘just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the opportunity to sail across the Foyle first thing on a sunny morning. It was just fabulous... I am so grateful. Thank you and please do it again. It was brilliant...’!

The Loughs Agency has given “ordinary people” a chance to get in a sail boat and get afloat on their river. Many of these people would otherwise not have achieved that. Another strand of this programme was familiarisation trips for our stakeholder peers (eg local authorities, government departments and development agencies). These sailing sessions aimed to demonstrate the potential of the city centre stretch of river for water sports development and marine tourism.

Following on from the 2012 dinghy instructor courses, the Agency organised keel boat (small yacht) instructor courses this summer. This accredited training has resulted in the qualification of 12 assistant instructors, one instructor and one senior instructor.

The result of the last two seasons ‘train the trainer’ activity is the creation of a reservoir of sailing capacity, a bank of instructors available to work at our recognised training centre and with local clubs. One gratifying output of the Agency’s sail training programme is the qualification of several Inishowen students (not from a sailing background) who now earn a part-time income teaching sailing at a private sector activity centre.

3.2 Sustainable Development Fund - SDF

SDF 2013 opened in February. By the end of June, 67 applications had been received.

The Agency’s SDF budget is fully committed and over 30 projects are in reserve.

Projects that have completed to date have come from the angling, sailing, kayaking and maritime heritage sub-sectors.

3.4 Cruise North West

Big Eagle is a 172' luxury motor yacht that is available for hire (10 crew / 12 guests).

She berthed at Foyle Marina earlier in the summer with guests coming ashore to explore Derry and Inishowen. Big Eagle arrived on the Foyle as a result of marketing activity by Cruise North West, a partnership of Loughs Agency, Foyle Port and .

3.5 Basking Shark Study

The Inishowen Basking Shark Study Group is leading a basking shark project in Foyle waters. The project is co- funded by the Loughs Agency, Queen University Belfast and a private donor. The study will research the Malin Head shark ‘hotspot’.

On one shark tagging trip in the Malin Head area (June) there were 30-50 sharks present. One of these was successfully tagged and will be known as ‘Foyle’ - members of the public can follow the animal’s movements via the online shark tracker.

Just Kayak is a marine tourism activity provider operating out of Moville. On a recent trip with tourists, the guide obtained underwater footage that revealed sea lamprey attached to a shark! Little is known of the sea lamprey marine phase and records such as this are useful to the Loughs Agency scientists.

Image MT3: sea lamprey hitching a lift from a basking shark off Malin Head

An article on the above was carried by the Irish Branch of the Institute of Fisheries Management (IFM) in their current periodical. IFM also referred to this in their journal.

3.6 Media Promotion

In preparation for autumn broadcasts, camera crew, audio, producer and presenter were taken on to the River Foyle for two days to prepare footage for a national television programme. The presenter’s brief very much complements Agency aims, being to highlight the river as a tourism asset, a leisure resource. Footage obtained included a dinghy under sail at the Gribben (half way between Derry and Strabane), stand up paddle boards, sailing in the city centre and canoeing.

3.7 Sail Racing

The Agency assisted Lough Foyle Yacht Club with their recent high profile provincial racing programme. The GP14 Ulster Championships were held in southern Lough Foyle. Staff assistance and the availability of a crewed safety boat and the Braden as a committee boat made the event a success. This 2 day sailing competition attracted 23 crews from across Ireland (even though it was an Ulster event, teams from Connaught and Leinster also took part).

Image MT4: GP14 dinghies on Lough Foyle

3.8 Moville Lighthouse Swim

Loughs Agency helped delivery of the Moville Lighthouse Swim, providing safety boat support.

The organiser has emphasised how vital such support is for this marine tourism event (24 swimmers took part, hailing from across Ireland - and some from Dubai! - plus their support crews).

Monies raised went to a mental health charity.

3.9 Portable Marine Event Platform

Early stage discussions have commenced to explore options for provision and management of a suite of pontoons that will facilitate marine tourism events in Carlingford Lough.

3.10 Omeath to Carlingford Greenway

Loughs Agency and Louth County Council are considering options for Agency assistance in closing the funding package for this exciting scheme.

3.11 Interreg IVA Marine Tourism and Angling Development

3.11.1 Inishtrahull

It was with regret that the Loughs Agency received notification that the Inishtrahull project will not be funded. Formal feedback is awaited. This project aimed to put in place safe access for boats at the island. This would have served as a link in the necklace of infrastructure in and around the ‘top’ of Ireland, enticing sailors from Scotland and around the Irish coastline into Foyle waters.

3.11.2 Malin Head

The Malin Head project is well under way. Passing places have been completed and county council staff have commenced procurement of the footpath and viewing platform. A formal opening is planned for late autumn.

3.11.3

The Benone Strand Beach Activity Centre proposal remains under value for money assessment – although there are indications that the project will be approved.

3.11.4 Marine Event Platform

The marine event platform (pontoon) and cruise ship quay remain a focus for marine tourism in the city of Derry, with benefit spinning off into Inishowen.

Positive discussions continue with stakeholders (local authority, Rivers Agency, landowners) to advance the Gribben and Backwater projects. These projects will open up the River Foyle for angling, sailing and canoeing.

3.11.5 Lough Derg

Discussions have been held with the angling stakeholders concerning the Derg Management Plan proposal. A formal response is awaited from this group in order to conclude the appraisal report for this project. The Mellon project proposal remains with planning service. An outcome is expected in August.

3.11.6 E-Licensing

The e-licensing scoping exercise has been approved for funding and meetings will take place in due course with partners.

3.11.7 Summary Position A table summarising progress with the INTERREG funded programme follows:

DEVELOPMENT OF THE MARINE TOURISM, WATER BASED LEISURE AND ANGLING TOURISM PRODUCTS IN THE FOYLE AND CARLINGFORD SEA AREAS AND WATER CATCHMENTS

Position at 13 August 2013

t

Project

stageof

Project

Preliminary Consultation Appraisal Internal Consultation Planning Permission Procuremen Build Progress Inishtrahull Unlikely to proceed. Not supported by funders despite significant local support Malin Head * ** 30% PD

Benone P 0% A C R D D Foyle Marina C 95% Development Gribben 0% C A D

Backwater 0% C D

Lough Derg 0% C D

Mellon 0% R D

E-Licensing 0% D

A Approved C Continuing D Drafted N/A Not Applicable PD Permitted Development PAD Pre Planning Application Discussion R Responses Exchanged S Submitted T Tendered TBC To Be Confirmed *Note: Malin procurement is at the first stage for the trail and viewing platform **Note: Passing places have completed.

Of the €2,923,807 approved budget released to date, €1,800,434 (61%) has been spent.

3.11.8 Case Study

As discussed at the last meeting, a more detailed summary of this element of the programme is included:

FOYLE MARINA

In 2008, the Port of Londonderry and the Loughs Agency began to explore the harbour master's concept of a “marine event platform”. This was envisaged as a ‘stage’ on the River Foyle in historic Derry. That stage would play host to a range of events and festivals. The result was a floating dock (or 'pontoon') and a riverside cruise ship quay.

Completed in 2012, the INTERREG IVA funded marine infrastructure provides substantial berthing capacity for a gamut of vessels - canoe, kayak, sailing dinghy, yacht, cruiser, naval ships, tall ships and cruise ships.

The Foyle Marina, as it has become known, has water supply (tap and bulk supply), electricity (including three phase to facilitate welding and other repairs), toilets and showers. The marina has been designed to be fully accessible, incorporating a hoist for lifting disabled people into and out of boats. Foyle Sailability, a cross border initiative to provide people with disabilities opportunities to get involved in sailing and other boating activities, recently ran a two-day event at the Foyle Marina. The safety coordinator for the event, Seamus Bovaird of Moville Boat Club, praised the facility, saying, “While we expected this to be a learning curve in terms of access and safety of access, the Foyle Marina proved a great facility from which to run our event.”

The project realised an investment of 1¾ million Euros of EU funds into the northwest. In addition, significant in-kind resource was contributed by the Port and by Loughs Agency, lending engineering, maritime expertise, tourism knowledge and project management skills to the implementation of this sizable capital infrastructure project.

Initial evaluation points to a most satisfying immediate impact. In its first 6 months of operation, the new pontoon attracted 53 vessels carrying 400 passengers and hosted 5 marine events that brought literally thousands of visitors and participants onto the water. This is without consideration of the strategic role of the pontoon and quay as the focal point for the massively successful Clipper Festival, estimated at attracting over 200,000 people to the banks of the Foyle in June 2012. Jonathan Levy (a director with Clipper Ventures) praised the Foyle Marina as, "... one of the best facilities that we visited during the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race", pointing out that ".... its availability was a key factor in bringing the Clipper Race to Derry-Londonderry". The Clipper organisation emphasises the social impact, as well, observing that events attracted will “play a part in building a strong sailing legacy for the people of the city and surrounding areas”.

The riverscape of the city has been enhanced immensely by the construction of the pontoon and quay. It has pulled tourists and domestic visitors northwards along the river, benefiting riverside businesses such as cafes and restaurants. The facility prompts reflection on maritime heritage and will inspire future development. With commissioning of the Foyle marina, there is now an evident focus in the city's minds on the tourism potential of the river. The Foyle is increasingly recognised as a unique selling point in the city's tourism offer.

The Foyle Marina comprises a twenty first century platform in an ancient city for events of a maritime nature... events that will bring wealth to the city but, more than that, social treasure as people become proud of their city astride the Foyle.

Loughs Agency & Foyle Port won the award for the Best Tourism Initiative at the recent Londonderry Chamber of Commerce Business Awards for the Construction of the Foyle Marina which took place on 13th June 2013. http://www.londonderrychamber.co.uk/business-awards/best-tourism-initiative- .html

This award is specifically aimed at recognising an initiative which directly increases visitor numbers to the city.

4.0 RIVERWATCH / EDUCATION

4.1 April 2013

In the month of April, Riverwatch was busy with several groups coming in to avail of our angling taster pond. Two of the schools that took part in an angling taster session were Bready Jubilee and St Joseph’s Glenmornan. Both schools had a great time under the watchful eye of our angling instructors who were able to help the children catch, and release, several rainbow trout.

Gone fishing...... Riverwatch, helped out our Omagh crew, hosted a day out at Loughmacrory for the Loughmacrory Primary School were we looked at invertebrates found in the Lough and at invertebrates found in the local burn. After a walk around the Lough itself, looking at the variety of birds, plants and other wildlife, the children were treated to a fishing experience on the Lough. Riverwatch was also out and about local schools such as St Peters & St Pauls in and St Mary’s High School in were the children in both schools took part in freshwater invertebrate workshops and salmonid dissections. During April, over 600 people had a Riverwatch experience through our outreach programmes or visitor centre.

4.2 May 2013

This month Riverwatch travelled all over the catchment visiting Drumduff Primary in Sixemilecross outside of Omagh and Scoil Eoghan in Moville to investigate the local rivers, perform a habitat study and freshwater invertebrate workshops. We also hosted visits from Broadbridge Primary School, Hollybush Primary School, Craigbrack Primary School, Bunscoil Colmcille and Glendermott Primary School. The highlight of the month was working with Immaculate Conception College and helping a group of 3rd year students to do an in-depth study of all the different habitats found in and around the and Donnybrewer Level. The children from ICC visited several sites over two days including one of the source rivers of the Faughan, Oaks Woods, Ness Nurseries and a number of different sites around Donnybrewer level. Over the course of the trip the children learned about the native trees found close to the Faughan, the various mammals and birds and the famous Faughan salmon and trout. They visited a lapwing nesting site and were able to observe this year’s chicks playing amongst the ploughed furrows, it was an excellent trip and thoroughly enjoyed by all involved. This programme was delivered in conjunction with RAPID, RSPB and Robert Lynch (Land Steward for the Donneybrewer area). During the Carlingford Taste Festival we exhibited the wealth of marine life found in Carlingford Lough with our mobile marine tank. We had a variety of species in the tank including hermit crabs, shore crabs, anemones, wrasse, pipe fish, sea squirts, starfish, prawns, etc. Our staff also emphasised that everything came from the foreshore of the Lough without the use of special equipment, boats etc. and so is accessible to everyone. We also promoted the safety aspects i.e. checking tide tables, etc At the end of May, we took our marine creatures to Strathfoyle Nursery School were the 3 and 4 year olds were very excited by their new classroom visitors. After a tall tale of about a smiley shark the children were introduced to starfish, crabs and other marine shellfish. During May nearly 2,500 people had a Riverwatch experience through our outreach programmes or visitor centre.

4.3 June 2013

June was one of our busiest months of the year with end of term school trips coming to our aquarium and visitor centre from all over the North West. We welcomed several primary and secondary schools to our headquarters were they were given a tour of the building and a talk about the work of the Loughs Agency in its efforts to conserve the salmonids of the Foyle and Carlingford catchments. We also did quite a bit of outreach work in schools around the region. We spent a whole week in Thornhill College doing invertebrate and dissection workshops with all of year 8 and year 9 in the school as well as taking part in the schools science fair where Michael was asked to judge science projects created by some very intelligent year 10’s. The winning team of the science fair were treated to a trip to Riverwatch and a mornings fishing on our angling taster pond.

4.4 July 2013

July has been a very busy month for the number of off the streets visitors that have come in to visit the Riverwatch Aquarium and Visitor Centre. The three o’clock feeding times have grown in popularity as the month has progressed and word has spread. We also took part in the Flavours of the Foyle Seafood Festival in Guildhall Square and in the World Youth Fly Fly-fishing championship that was held in the Foyle Catchment this year. Working with the Omagh crew, we gave a large group of children a demonstration of electro fishing as well as a talk on why we use such techniques to monitor and protect their streams and rivers. We’ve also been working with Belfast Zoo where we delivered a series of workshops for a day with their summer scheme ‘Zoo School’. The children involved in Zoo School learned about the lifecycle of the Salmon by acting out each of the different lifecycle stages and all the threats and successes that salmon face throughout their lives. We also delivered a dissection workshop at the end of the day which was very successful.

4.5 Marketing

In the first half of the year Riverwatch has been focusing its marketing efforts on the schools and the tourist market segments. So far our campaign has included:  Advertisement in the DVCB 2013 Visitor Guide  Distribution of 10,000 Riverwatch leaflets to tourist attractions, tourist information offices and accommodation providers.  Editorial/listing for Riverwatch in local papers/publications.  Coverage on TV3’s ‘The Holiday Show’ (Feb)  Advertisements in NI Holiday News, NI4Kids, NI Visitors Journal  Advertisement in Primary Times – targeting the school market  Website advertising on What’s On Derry, Discover Ireland.  Distribution of Riverwatch merchandise.  Advertisement in the 2013 Foyle Search and Rescue Calendar  Back of bus advertising on 40 buses (July)  Billboard advertising in Derry, Limavady, and Strabane (July)  Half page advert in Inish Times (July)  Press release on River Discover Day  Promotion via Following the Foyle Facebook page

2013 Advertisement

4.6 Monthly Visitor Counts

Month @ @ @ Events Total Riverwatch Outreach January 144 263 0 407 February 221 129 0 350 March 337 510 0 847 April 340 261 0 601 May 857 451 1186 2494 June 917 506 0 1423 July 1873 183 1200 3256 August Sept Oct Nov Dec

Visitor numbers are down on each month compared to last year. This appears to be due to a drop in the number of off the street visitors to the centre. Perhaps the increased offering through the City of Culture 2013 programme is given local people more options for day trips/activities to participate in. At the end of July our visitor numbers are well down on last mostly due to the high visitors numbers we experienced during Clipper in July 2012. However, we have events scheduled in August (Carlingford Oyster Festival and the River Discovery Day at Prehen) which should help balance out the figures.

4.7 August events:  Attending the Moville Regatta - Marine Discovery Tank (5th Aug)  2 Days of River Safaris (7th & 8thAug)  Carlingford Oyster Festival (Cookery Demo and Marine Tank) (10th & 11th Aug)  Fish day at Belfast Zoo School (14th Aug)  Greencastle Regatta – Marine Discovery Tank (15th Aug)  River Discovery Day (16th Aug)  Saturday opening throughout the month  Feeding the fish – Mon, Wed and Sat at 3pm

Kevin added that Lionel Knobbs, Angling Development Manager would be giving a presentation on WPFG and WYFFC two events recently held in the Foyle Catchment Area.

Kevin informed the Board on the Agency’s expanded use of social media and in particular has established a dedicated angling facebook page. He added that this has helped to reach out and spread the message about the angling development works the Agency are undertaking. It has received good international coverage and a number of video clips have been posted about the World Youth Fly Fishing Championships. Kevin also added that the other facebook page called Following the Foyle – detailing environmental and outreach activities is proving very popular also.

Don Tipping advised the Board that he attended the festival in Carlingford. He said that it was very successful and commended all staff involved in the planning and implementation of the festival.

Jim Wilson advised the Board that he attended the closing ceremony of the WYFFC on behalf of Winston Patterson. He said that he thoroughly enjoyed the day. Jim added that he felt very proud of all the hard work done by the staff; he thanked staff for their work before, during and after the event.

Conservation and Protection

John McCartney, Director of Conservation and Protection provided the Board with the following report and advised the Board of the other attachments which are included with his report.

Jim Wilson commented on the interesting fish counts on the River Finn and asks why there is a significant improvement. John advises Jim that these results are down to the hard work of Seamus Cullinan, Fishery Inspector for the protection work carried out by Seamus and his crew.

The main fish runs of the 2013 season as been characterised by extremely high temperatures, with in river temperatures in the upper catchments being recorded at over 25 degrees. This lead to some significant fatalities in poachers’ nets. Salmon trapped in poachers' nets were dying in the heat, if fisheries officers find a net they usually cut the fish free and release them back into the river. Normally, if you have five or six fish in the net you might get one that dies but the other four or five would be released, unfortunately, with the high temperatures the fish were so stressed that when they get caught in these poaching nets they're dying within minutes. Angling however was very positive for the majority of the Foyle Salmon rivers, despite the weather.

Consultations

The 2013 Angling Consolidation Regulation is being evaluated by the Agency after extensive comment from Departmental Solicitors. The Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Licensing of Fishing Engines) Regulations 2014 is currently the subject of public consultation. Agency staff are drafting the proposed Foyle Area and Carlingford Area Complimentary Permit Regulations 2013 for submission to Departmental Solicitors.

Health and Safety

There have been 3 recorded accidents to staff since the last Board meeting. There were two minor accidents where staff were cut on barbed wire and a significant lost time incident where a staff member has damaged his Achilles tendon.

A number of more sinister events have occurred and Board members have been copied recent press reports.

The attention of Boards members is drawn to a Health and Safety Executive publication on leading health and Safety and a recent Chartered Institute of Personnel Development article on the role of Board members and Directors in line with recent legislative changes

Comparative Fish Counts River Finn Summary

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 July July July July July July July July Faughan 529 568 673 232 272 401 198 791 Finn 5025 2776 2002 2062 797 1613 1947 2344 Sion Mills 6446 2977 960 6720 702 743 1853 2679 Roe 855 1472 1406 335 1389 796 1706 1497 Corrick Not Not availab availab le 173 104 295 21 48 le 172 Newry Not Not availab availab le le 147 46 160 48 154 184 Omagh Not Not availab availab le le 91 143 55 29 175 210

Enforcement Actions

In 2013 so far, Agency staff have seized 94 illegal nets, and 28 rods 1 boat and 1 car. Staff have dealt with 26 pollution incidents, and taken 1 set of statutory samples, and have also seized the following fish and other items listed below; Fish:

Salmon 124 Sea Trout 6 Brown Trout 4 Rainbow Trout 5 Roach 6 Dogfish 1 Pike 2

Other items:

1Gaff 3 Eel Traps 2 long lines. 1 inflatable tube 1 Priest 1 Bag containing sheet lead weight with blue with claw hammer 1 serrated knife on a long handle 1 pair of green body/chest waders.

The screen shot below shows the distribution of nets seized on the upper Foyle;

Loughs Agency Trout Strategy

Board members will have received a copy of the Loughs Agency Trout Strategy; this document has been in preparation for over a year and included both public consultation and internal review. The Loughs Agency has a duty under the Foyle Fisheries Acts to ‘maintain, improve and develop salmon, trout, freshwater fisheries’, within the overall aim of contributing towards sustainable development. The strategy is founded on the Agency’s mission statement:- “The Loughs Agency aims to provide sustainable social, economic and environmental benefits through the effective conservation, management, promotion and development of the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford Areas.”

Enhancing the social, environmental and economic benefits realised from wild trout fisheries will be achieved primarily by promoting angling as a sport (and an important element of the tourism sector) and strategically developing sustainable angling opportunities. Particular consideration will be given to the need for social inclusion and environmental awareness. Recreational angling has been shown to be, by far, the largest participation sport in these islands - a participative sport not simply a spectator sport. Wild trout fishing has the added advantage of offering a much broader availability than is offered by other species - a variety of viable catching methods, steady availability over all months of the season, not as dependant on river levels as salmon angling etc. The sport is affordable and ‘good’ water is more widely available than that for other forms of fishing.

Loughs Agency Salmon Management Strategy

A copy of the published strategy is available for the Board members, staff would be happy to answer questions on any aspect of the document.

NASCO

The most recent NASCO press release and position papers on the Faroes and West Greenland have been attached for information.

European Eel

The European Eel Conference in in June echoed calls for more action to help eels reach crucial habitats inland. "The decline in numbers of European eels is a real concern. We recognise the road to recovery is a long one and I am delighted today to see so much commitment to protecting this special species. "A coordinated approach across Europe is essential." Andrew Kerr, Chairman of the Sustainable Eel Group, said: "Communities, scientists and conservationists across Europe are uniting in a unique way to give eels a sustainable future and to help their population increase again.

"One of our biggest priorities is to overcome the barriers to UK and European waterways, so that eels can freely migrate, grow and mature naturally. We're delighted that the UK Government, influential European experts and the Fisheries committee of the European Parliament are supporting this work to accelerate the recovery of the European eel."

The Institute of Fisheries Management (IFM) European Eel Conference, heard a range of highly respected scientists, policy makers and industry experts say that, despite significant progress in the last two years, more action needs to be taken to ensure the eel recovers – particularly by reopening Europe's rivers and waterways to help the eels migrate, grow and mature.

8. MMV Ostrea Update

Barry Fox advised the Board of the attachments to his report on the Ostrea. Barry suggested that a possible visit to the vessel by the Board at the next meeting.

Alan McCulla advised the meeting that he recently attended the Ostrea Sub Committee meeting in Belfast and that he was very impressed by Ken Walsh the surveyor and his report. Alan added that decisions would need to be made by the Board very soon in relation to the Ostrea. Jim Wilson added that he unfortunately he could not attend at the meeting but that he would be keen for another meeting soon. Barry Fox advised the meeting that the minutes from the Sub Group Meeting would be sent to all members and these will explain the need for another meeting again soon.

9. Risk Management Update

John Pollock advised the meeting that the Risk Management register is currently being worked on and will be brought to the next Board Meeting in October.

10. Outturns Against Targets

The Board were provided with a copy of the latest Outturn Against Targets. Members were asked to consider and note outturn against the Agency’s Business Targets for each of the four Directorates.

11. IBIS Project Update

The Board were provided with a paper written by Paddy Boylan giving them a detailed update on the IBIS Projects and the work currently being undertaken by the students.

12. Management Agreement Update

Barry Fox advised the Board of the paper on the Management Agreement included in their papers.

13. Native Oyster Survey Spring 2013

Barry Fox advised the Board on the Survey Report by Ciaran McGonigle which was included in their papers

14. 2012 Annual Report and Financial Statements

The Annual Report has been drafted and is with our Sponsor Departments. This will be finalised in the coming weeks. Our financial statements have also been produced and are with the Departments of Finance, awaiting final approval.

15. Letter to Chairman of the Board re Hydroelectric Power

John Pollock advised the Board the letter to the chairman was included in the papers for the meeting.

16. Pension Scheme Amendments

John Pollock advised the Board that the Pension Scheme amendments have been drafted and are in the process of being agreed hopefully at the NSMC Meeting in October.

17. Internal Audit Recommendations Update

John Pollock advised the Board that the A3 document included in the papers for the meeting detail the Internal Audit Recommendations. Discussions developed in relation to some of the areas of the Audit Recommendations. Phil Mahon updates the Board in relation to the Audit Sub Committee meeting and adds that Lough Agency is in a good place and this should be reflected by being back in the proper satisfactory position.

Phil Mahon also adds that the following items will need to be discussed with the auditors at the next Sub Committee meeting next week these being, Fishery Officers Notebooks, and Tendering in relation to heating oil and working time. Barry Fox asks why it is recurring that STA are required for the Ostrea as this usually take approximately 6-8 weeks. Barry adds that he is working with CPD at the moment for call outs and it is a good picture overall right now. Andrew Duncan asks the Board is it necessary for the Ostrea to be a permanent agenda item.

18. Presentation on Salmon Management by John McCartney

John McCartney gives his presentation to the Board on Salmon Management. This is received well by the Board Members. There are no questions following the presentation.

19. Presentation by Lionel Knobbs on Angling Development at World Police Fire Games and World Youth Fly Fishing Competition.

Lionel Knobbs gives his presentations on World Police Fire Games and the World Youth Fly Fishing Competition held recently in the Foyle Catchment Areas. The Board enjoyed the presentations from Lionel and commended him on his work and the work of all staff involved in both events.

20. AOB

There were no further issues in AOB

21. Date and Venue of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Board will be held on Wednesday 23rd October 2013 in the Foyle Catchment Area, the venue is to be confirmed by Siobhan Wilson.