1-1 of 1 results for subject:Cockles
Librarians' tools
- Search time
- 0.146 seconds
- Solr query time
- 0.002 seconds
- Search query
- subject:Cockles
- We searched for
- subject_t:Cockles OR subject_ses:556497
Session
X
1998-99
Type
House
Session
Year
Department
Member
Primary member
Answering member
Legislative stage
Legislation
Subject
Publisher
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps she is taking to prevent the destruction of the Zostera beds of Strangford Lough by mechanised cockle harvesting; and if she will make a statement. - Includes text of letter from JS Faulkner of NI Environment and Heritage Service.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps she is taking to prevent the destruction of the Zostera beds of Strangford Lough by mechanised cockle harvesting; and if she will make a statement. - Includes text of letter from JS Faulkner of NI Environment and Heritage Service.
Asked by
Lembit Opik
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Murphy of Torfaen
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
9 July 1999
For answer on
19 July 1999
Answered on
19 July 1999
Mr. Opik: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she is taking to prevent the destruction of the Zostera beds
of Strangford Lough by mechanised cockle harvesting; and if she will make a statement. [91255]
Mr. Paul Murphy: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Environment and Heritage Service under its
acting Chief Executive, Mr. J. R. Lamont. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from J. S. Faulkner to Mr. Lembit Opik, dated 15 July 1999:
As Acting Chief Executive of the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), I am responsible for operational aspects of the
conservation of statutory nature conservation sites in Northern Ireland. Although question No 873 involves the exploitation of a
fishery for commercial purposes, your concern relates primarily to nature conservation and I have therefore been asked to reply on
behalf of EHS and the Fisheries Division of the Department of Agriculture.
A Court case in 1997 between the National Trust and a shellfish collector operating in Strangford Lough resulted in a judgment that
this activity was a common law right and as such was not subject to control through the Trust's byelaws. Those engaged in shellfish
collecting are currently seeking to have large areas at the north end of the Lough classified for the purpose of harvesting wild
shellfish. This decision rests with the Eastern Group Environmental Health Committee as it relates solely to public health. At least
one area has recently been classified and it is understood that harvesting of cockles with the aid of a tractor-mounted dredger will
commence shortly.
EHS has recently commissioned a literature review to determine the likely effects of mechanised cockle harvesting within Strangford
Lough. This has revealed that the impact of tractor dredging on intertidal flora and fauna may depend on a number of factors, such
as the time of year and the nature of the sediments. It is clear, however, that it can potentially be extremely damaging to beds of
Zostera which are an important source of food for overwintering waterfowl within Strangford Lough.
Despite the designation of the intertidal area of the Lough as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and Special Protection
Area (SPA), EHS cannot currently prevent the mechanical harvesting of shellfish from taking place. This is because those engaged in
shellfish collecting are not lawful owners or occupiers of the foreshore but are operating under a common law right. EHS could
introduce byelaws under the Habitats Regulations but this would be a lengthy process involving public consultation and would almost
certainly be challenged by those intent on collecting shellfish.
The Department of Agriculture also has no powers at present to regulate the gathering of shellfish from the intertidal zone in
Strangford Lough. In view of recent developments, however, the Department is proposing to introduce new primary legislation as
quickly as possible to enable it to regulate fisheries in the intertidal zone around the entire Northern Ireland coastline.
I trust that you will appreciate from the above that the two Departments are aware of the potential seriousness of unregulated
shellfish harvesting in Strangford Lough. Neither Department, however, may be able to prevent it taking place in the short term.
Subjects
Environment protection; Northern Ireland; Strangford Lough; Cockles
Date
19 July 1999
Reference
91255; 335 c408W;335 c410W
House
House of Commons