Government still failing to protect Strangford Lough, warns Wildlife Trust
Monday 23rd January 2012
Strangford Lough (c) M Williams
The Ulster Wildlife Trust is urging the Executive to take prompt and decisive action to protect one of our most prized natural resources before the Northern Ireland taxpayer has to foot the bill from Europe.
The call follows recognition today (23 January) by the Assembly of the environmental importance of Strangford Lough for the local economy and tourism, after the charity raised a complaint to Europe demanding that our government addresses failure to protect the Lough.
The Trust’s main concern is the destruction and deterioration of horse mussel reefs in the Lough, which provide vital homes, spawning grounds and nurseries for hundreds of creatures, including commercially fished species.
Despite the Lough having numerous legal protections and international designations, our government has failed to protect and restore this special habitat over the last two decades.
Despite the Lough having numerous legal protections and international designations, our government has failed to protect and restore this special habitat over the last two decades.
Heather Thompson, Chief Executive with the Ulster Wildlife Trust said: “Despite promises to Europe in 2005 that NI would finally take serious action to restore the reefs to their former glory, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment have failed to deliver, resulting in continued breach of the EC Habitats Directive, and continued decline of this vital natural resource.
“Whilst we are encouraged today to hear that the Assembly recognises the need to secure a sustainable future for Strangford Lough, unfortunately marine life continues to suffer as a result of mismanagement. We are urging the Executive to take prompt and decisive action, and to send a clear message to Europe that we take seriously our most basic of responsibilities to look after the environment, before the taxpayer is left with a bill of millions of euros! ”
The Trust believes options for restoring this vital underwater habitat are now limited, and that the Executive needs to bring in an extensive ‘non disturbance zone’ as a matter of priority. This will mean limiting the area available for diving, fishing and anchoring to give the horse mussel reefs a chance to recover, and once again support the variety of life that previously dominated the seabed.
The Trust states that the long term benefits of doing this will be enjoyed by all those that use the Lough for recreational, leisure and economic reasons.
Representatives from the European Commission are to meet with the two government departments on Tuesday (24 January) to discuss the Trust’s complaint formally and agree a way forward.
Heather added: “We have not taken the decision to seek help from Europe lightly. Despite years of campaigning on this issue, unfortunately we have been left with no other option than to ask Europe to ensure that our government departments get their act together. The Trust truly hopes that no infraction fines will be imposed and that a resolution can be reached that secures the future prosperity of Strangford Lough for all, before it’s too late.”
Tagged with: DARD, DOE, EC Habitats Directive, Horse mussels, Strangford Lough