2009 Annual Report and Accounts by loughsagency

2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report & Accounts

2009 For the period ended December 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Loughs Agency

Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2009

Laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly and both Houses of the Oireachtas in accordance with the North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 Schedule 1, Annex 2, Part 7, Paragraphs 1.3 and 2.6

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Contents 1.

Chief Executive’s Overview

Mission Statement

Objectives

Board Members

North / South Ministerial Council

Foyle and Carlingford Area Advisory Forum

Staffing

Staff Development

Information Technology

10.

Education and Interpretive Centre “Riverwatch”

11.

Fisheries Management and Development

12.

Aquaculture and Shellfisheries

13.

Marine Tourism

14.

Angling Promotion

Appendix 1 – Outturn Against Targets Priorities, Objectives & Targets For 2009 Priority: Conservation and Protection Priority: Development (Recreational Fisheries) Priority: Development (Marine Tourism) Priority: Aquaculture Priority: Corporate (Service Delivery) Priority: Corporate (Consumption Of Resources)

51 51 51 53 56 58 61 63

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Appendix 2 – Fisheries Conservation, Protection and Management Statistics Table 1 Table 2 Table 3 Table 4 Table 5 Table 6 Table 7

Foyle Area Spawning Counts 1997/98 – 2009/10 67 Foyle Area Fish Counter Data 1989 – 2009 68 Foyle Area Fish Counter Data to 31st December 2009 69 Foyle Area Weekly Catches of Salmon and Grilse 70 Foyle Area Annual Catches of Salmon and Grilse 70 Foyle Area Average Annual Catches of Salmon and Grilse 71 Number of Commercial Licences Issued 71

Table 8 Proportion of Foyle Area Net Catch Taken Table 9 Rod Catch Returns (Salmon & Grilse) 2009 Table 10 Rod Catch Returns (Sea Trout) 2009 Table 11 Angling Returns Table 12 Distribution of Rod Licences 2009 Table 13 Number of Draft Consents to Discharge Considered 2004 – 2009 Table 14a Pollution Incidents and Invertebrate Suppressions Summary 2009 Table 14b Percentage Pollution Incidents by Area Table 14c Pollution Severity Table 14d Sources of Pollution Table 15 River Sampling Programme Table 16 Details of Court Hearings 2009 Table 17 Rod Licences 2009 Table 18 Angling Permits 2009 Table 19 Salmon Dealers Licences 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

72 73 74 75 76 77 77 78 78 79 80 81 82 82 82

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 1. Chief Executive’s Overview I am pleased to present the 2009 Annual Report which details the work the Agency has undertaken over the year. The Agency’s outreach work centred on Riverwatch is focused on increasing the public’s understanding of the marine and fisheries resources in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas, the opportunities they provide for them and indeed their impact on these sensitive biological systems continued to be successful with over 70,000 people now having visited it. We are delighted and grateful that Northern Ireland Tourist Board have recognised the quality of our interpretive centre and are now partnering the Agency in its further development with new aquaria and the upgrading of the video footage. The salmon stocks of the catchments continue to give rise for serious concerns with sea survival continuing to drop. This appears to be associated with climatic change and the Agency has continued to contribute to the Salsea project which we hope will provide some understanding to the marine phase of the salmon’s life cycle. These concerns have emphasised the need for optimum conservation and protection of the stocks, when and where it can be provided, specifically in the freshwater phase. As such, the Agency have endeavoured to continue the improvement in management information available to it and its stakeholders and to further refine and develop its protection efforts. We would wish to acknowledge the significant support and assistance given to the Agency in this regard by the voluntary private Riverwatchers, sponsored by the Angling Clubs and Associations and the Fisheries Owners in the areas. We would also like to acknowledge the support of the Garda Síochána and the PSNI. The licensing and development of Aquaculture still awaits the resolution of a management agreement, however work has continued and the provision collection and collation of biological data to provide adequate information for the management of this valuable resource and also the wild fisheries for oysters and mussels have been further developed. Our Marine Tourism development programme has been delayed somewhat by Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

issues surrounding the finalisation of funding, however much of the preparation has been completed and will allow a rapid roll out of the developments as soon as outstanding approvals are given. Our angling development activities have been encouraging with significant interest in the “products” available in the Foyle and Carlingford areas being shown at the Angling Fairs at which the Agency has been represented. This interest appears to have been confirmed by a further increase in the sale of angling licences during 2009. I would again wish to record our gratitude to the Chairman and the Board for their advice, encouragement and support over the period and our Sponsoring Departments for their support and guidance. Finally, I would like to thank all my colleagues who have again demonstrated their expertise, commitment and professionalism in delivering the responsibilities of the Agency. Derick Anderson Chief Executive

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 2. Mission Statement The Loughs Agency aims to provide sustainable social, economic and environmental benefits through the effective conservation, protection, management, promotion and development of the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford Areas.

3. Objectives The principal objectives of the Agency in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas are:•

To conserve and protect the salmon and inland fisheries;

•

To manage and develop the salmon and inland fisheries;

•

To promote the development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes;

•

To license and develop aquaculture;

•

To develop marine tourism;

•

To pursue increased efficiency and continuous improvement in the delivery of services to all customers;

•

To ensure the efficient, effective, and economic utilisation of resources available to the Agency.

See Appendix 1 for outturn against objectives and targets.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

4. Board Members Details of the Board membership are as follows: Mr Tarlach O’Crosain Chairperson Ms Jacqui McConville Vice Chairperson Mr Enda Bonner Mr Brendan Byrne Mr John Byrne Mr Denis Haughey Mr Alan McCulla Mr Joe Miller Mr John Mulcahy Mr Winston Patterson Mr Thomas Sloan Mr Jim Wilson

Board Meetings 54th 55th 56th 57th 58th 59th

Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday

28 11 06 08 16 25

January 2009 March 2009 May 2009 July 2009 September 2009 November 2009

Loughs Agency Offices C’ford Loughs Agency HQ Prehen Loughs Agency HQ Prehen Loughs Agency Offices C’ford Loughs Agency HQ Prehen Loughs Agency HQ Prehen

Minutes of the above meetings are available on the Agency web site www.loughs-agency.org

5: North / South Ministerial Council 5.1: 12th North South Ministerial Council Meeting in the Aquaculture and Marine Sectoral format The twelfth North South Ministerial Council meeting in the Aquaculture and Marine Sectoral format was held in Carlingford on Thursday 30 April 2009. The Council welcomed a progress report on the work of the Loughs Agency on the conservation and protection of the Fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Ministers welcomed progress on the Agency’s application for funding under EU INTERREG IV and the development projects supported by the Agency’s “Sustainable Development Programme”. They also noted the progress made towards the licensing of aquaculture and the introduction of the oyster regulations with the engagement of stakeholders. Research on Salmon Genetics Ministers welcomed a presentation from Dr Walter Crozier from the Agri-food and Biosciences Institute and Niall O’Maoileidigh from the Marine Institute, on a joint programme of research commissioned by the Loughs Agency and conducted with Queens University, Belfast and the Marine Institute into the genetic population structure of Foyle salmon and stock composition of the commercial fishery. They noted that the science partnerships established during this project have played a leading role in the development of a major Europe-wide research project on use of genetic techniques to identify origins of salmon caught at sea (SALSEA). Legislation The Council approved the Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Licensing of Fishing Engines) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 and noted plans to bring forward Commencement Orders that are required for a staged and managed introduction of the new powers available to the Loughs Agency to develop and license aquaculture and to protect the fisheries in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. They noted that further regulations will require NSMC approval in 2009. The Council also discussed the 2009 Draft Business Plan, progress towards the establishment of an unsocial hours allowance and the salmon hardship scheme.

5.2: 13th North South Ministerial Council Meeting in the Aquaculture and Marine Sectoral format The thirteenth North South Ministerial Council meeting in the Aquaculture and Marine Sectoral format was held in CAFRE, Greenmount on Monday 20 July 2009.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Progress Report The Council welcomed a progress report on the work of the Loughs Agency since the last meeting in April 2009. Water Quality Assessment in Foyle and Carlingford Loughs The Council welcomed a presentation by Dr Declan Lawlor, Environmental Officer at the Loughs Agency, on the proactive water quality assessment programme being undertaken by the Agency in the Foyle and Carlingford catchments and noted that this science-led approach has proved very beneficial to the Agency in conserving and protecting the inland fisheries of Foyle and Carlingford. Marine Tourism Strategy The Council approved the recruitment of three staff on a fixed term contract basis to assist the Loughs Agency in the administration and implementation of its Marine Tourism Strategy which is to be funded exclusively through the EU INTERREG IV Programme. Sustainable Development Fund The Council discussed and noted the operation and funding arrangements for the Loughs Agency’s Sustainable Development Fund, and approved the use of the fund in the implementation of the Agency’s Marine Tourism Development Strategy. Legislation The Council approved the Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Conservation of Eels) Regulations 2009. This will prohibit the catching of eels in the Foyle and Carlingford areas by any method except rod and line. The Council also approved a framework designed to support the Loughs Agency in dealing with emergencies such as serious pollution incidents.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 5.3: 14th North South Ministerial Council Meeting in the Aquaculture and Marine Sectoral format The fourteenth North South Ministerial Council meeting in the Aquaculture and Marine Sectoral format was held in Agriculture House, Dublin on Wednesday 18 November 2009. Progress Report The Council welcomed a progress report on the work of the Loughs Agency since the last meeting in July 2009. Geographical Information Systems The Council welcomed a presentation by Loughs Agency officials on the Agency’s collection of Geographical Information Systems data. Ministers noted the practical use of this information and how it is applied in the field. Legislation The Council approved two sets of regulations – The Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Angling)(Amendment) Regulations 2009 and The Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Coarse Angling) Regulations 2009. The first one to extend areas in which angling is prohibited to protect vulnerable salmon and the other to make it an offence to kill certain coarse fish including roach, bream, tench, carp, rudd and perch and any hybrid of these after capture with rod and line. Ministers reviewed plans to bring forward Commencement Orders that are required for a staged and managed introduction of the new powers available to the Loughs Agency to develop and license aquaculture and to protect the fisheries in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. They considered the Agency’s legislation implementation plan, welcomed progress in its delivery and noted that further regulations will require NSMC approval in early 2010. Business Plan The Council noted the revised 2009 Business Plan and budget provision for the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission which were awaiting the approval of both Finance Ministers. (N.B. Following Finance Ministers’ approval, the Business Plan was approved by the NSMC in Educational sectoral format on 25 November 2009.)

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Annual Reports and Financial Statements Ministers also noted the Loughs Agency Annual Reports and Financial Statements for 2007 and 2008, prior to their submission for laying before the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Oireachtas.

6: Foyle and Carlingford Area Advisory Forum 18 February 2009 22 April 2009 05 May 2009 20 May 2009 12 August 2009 23

September

2009

Salmon and Inland Fisheries Focus Group Armagh City Hotel Salmon and Inland Fisheries Focus Group Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh Carlingford Tourism Focus Group Loughs Agency Offices, Carlingford Foyle and Carlingford Area Advisory Forum Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh Salmon and Inland Fisheries Focus Group Loughs Agency Offices, Prehen Foyle and Carlingford Area Advisory Forum Loughs Agency Offices, Prehen

Minutes of the above meetings are available on the Agency website www.loughs-agency.org

7: Staffing The Agency operates within a four Directorate structure (Corporate Services, Conservation & Protection, Aquaculture & Shellfisheries and Development) with a current approved core staffing level of 53.

Derick Anderson Chief Executive

John Pollock

John McCartney

Gerard Mills

Barry Fox

Director of Corporate Services

Director of Conservation and Protection

Director of Development

Director of Aquaculture and Shellfisheries

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 8: Staff Development Throughout the year the Agency addressed the training and development needs of staff, focusing on knowledge and skills retention and motivation appropriate to the achievement of the organisation’s objectives and individuals’ needs. These included Food Safety Training (to facilitate the inspection of fish dealers premises), Personal Survival Techniques for sea going staff, First Aid at Sea (basic) and Medical First Aid Aboard Ship, Manual Handling, Marine Radio General Operators Certificate (VHF), Risk Assessment, Outboard Engine Maintenance, Canoe Operation Training (as canoes are now being used to patrol inaccessible sections of the rivers), River Restoration and All Terrain Vehicle Operations. Training will continue in 2010 with programmes already identified for 4x4 Vehicle Training, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health certification for staff on the Health and Safety Committee, Irish Sailing Association Inshore Powerboat Operation, and conflict resolution among the list of essential training to take place.

9: Information Technology During 2009 the Agency concentrated its IT efforts on the recommendations presented in the review of the Fish Counter Programme. This work focussed on the updating and upgrading of hardware, software and corrective engineering of the various fish counter sites. Further development of the Agency’s website, www.loughs-agency.org, continued in 2009 with the marine tourism sections kept updated on a regular basis. This has proven itself as a very useful tool for the dissemination of information to the tourist.

10: Education and Interpretive Centre “Riverwatch” The Agency’s outreach work focused through the Agency’s Interpretive Centre “Riverwatch” which has welcomed over 76,000 visitors since it opened in 2002 and has significantly raised the profile of the fisheries, marine and environmental resources, particularly the Foyle Catchment and also demonstrates the resources and their vulnerability.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

In 2009, the number of visitors topped 23,000. This figure was well above expectations and was a 30% increase on last year. It was achieved through our portfolio of outreach programmes and the comprehensive calendar of events scheduled at Riverwatch. One of the main highlights in 2009 was ‘’Ascarium Aquarium” which showcased the unique and diverse flora and fauna of the Foyle Catchment to over 2,000 visitors in a 2 day Halloween event. Riverwatch has observed a substantial increase in the percentage of tourist visitors to the centre with over 50% being domestic, national and international visitors. There has also been a noted increase in local families visiting the centre thus increasing the awareness of the stakeholders of the catchments and their role in its conservation and protection. In late 2009 funding was secured from the Northern Ireland Tourism Board (NITB) for Riverwatch phase three which will include three new aquarium tanks, new theming and a revised filtration system to attract new visitors to the centre.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 11: Fisheries Management and Development Salmon Management and Development The Loughs Agency management of the salmon fisheries is designed to comply with the fundamental principles of North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) NASCO is an international organisation, established by an inter-governmental Convention in 1984. The objective of NASCO is to conserve, restore, enhance and rationally manage Atlantic salmon through international cooperation taking account of the best available scientific information. These principles and objectives are to promote the diversity and abundance of salmon stocks and maintain all stocks above their conservation limits. While NASCO operates on the international stage, the Loughs Agency continues to manage salmon stocks in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas by a combination of scientific evaluation, regulatory fisheries and environmental protection; it also provides the data it collects on these stocks to the public and stakeholders to inform the debate on management actions required. The Loughs Agency in line with NASCO has adopted a Precautionary Approach that management measures, taking account of uncertainty, should be aimed at maintaining all salmon stocks above their conservation limit, taking into account the best available information. The Precautionary Approach requires, inter alia: a) Consideration of the needs of future generations and avoidance of changes that are not potentially reversible; b) Prior identification of undesirable outcomes and of measures that will avoid them or correct them; c) Initiation of corrective measures without delay, and these should achieve their purpose promptly; d) Priority being given to conserving the productive capacity of the resource where the likely impact of resource use is uncertain. The Loughs Agency has had to continue to introduce controls in an attempt to limit salmon mortalities. In addition the Agency is keen to encourage the practice of catch and release in rod fisheries. Catch and release has become increasingly common as a salmon management / conservation measure in light of the widespread decline in salmon abundance in the North Atlantic. In some areas of Canada and USA, catch and release has been practised since 1984, and in more recent years it has also been widely used in many European Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

countries both as a result of statutory regulation and through voluntary practice. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) the prime source of scientific advice on the marine ecosystem to governments that manage the North Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas, considers that; “catch and release recreational fisheries provide an intermediate and beneficial management strategy between a full retention fishery and fishery closure for populations that are below target levels.” The current management regime operating for salmon in the Foyle Catchment is unique in the North East Atlantic and was established by the Foyle Fisheries Commission following the report by PF Elson and ALW Tuomi, “The Foyle Fisheries, New Basis for Rational Management” published in 1975, and is regularly the subject of scrutiny by our international scientific advisors. This strategy involves the establishment of management targets, based on the available in stream habitat and the monitoring of their achievement or otherwise at several audit points, catch data, fish counters, redd counts juvenile surveys and smolt migration monitoring. These data provide for the delivery of “real time” fisheries management through the “control of fishing” Regulations. Throughout 2009 Agency staff continued to collate the relevant data on audit points for salmon management. Salmon remain under the constant threat from a range of inter-related factors including degraded in-river habitat, pollution, changing agricultural and forestry practice and predation by cormorants and seals. In this regard the Agency in partnership with Tara Seal Research, initiated a survey of the seal population in the Carlingford Lough in 2008. Further work is ongoing during 2009 and will be reported on early next year. Similar work is planned for Lough Foyle. Significant concern was raised in 2009 by Agency stakeholders in relation to the potential impact of proposed and existing small scale hydro electric schemes. The Agency has tried to address all of these influences. Loughs Agency has prepared catchment status reports outlining the main issues impacting within each catchment and presenting relevant scientific data. These are available on the Conservation and Protection web pages of the Agency’s website. Fisheries Conservation Protection and Management Statistics have been provided for

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts the 2009 season and are included within the appropriate appendices. The Agency has prepared guidance documents for in river workings and adopted policies on issues that were the subject of regular enquiries from developers. Some of the influences on salmon stocks are global rather than local. Climatic changes are suspected of having significant effect on the stocks of salmon, in particular their marine migratory patterns. This is becoming more apparent with smaller fish returning later in the year than historically was recorded, and extended periods of kelt movement within the system. SALSEA Merge Loughs Agency staff participated in the second and final year of the marine sampling programme conducted as part of the international SALSEA Merge programme, complementing Loughs Agency participation in the 2008 survey. SALSEA Merge is an international cooperative program between all the North Atlantic nations to unravel causes of increasing mortality of Atlantic salmon at sea. Agency Biologists participated in this work, Ciaran McGonigle in the first Irish research cruise for 2009 from 9th – 12th May onboard the Marine Institute vessel RV Celtic Voyager. The RV Celtic Voyager surveyed areas West of Ireland and Scotland. In total 9 trawls were conducted with 9 post-smolts caught. Two of these post-smolts contained coded wire tags (CWTs) indicating precisely the river of origin and the date of migration. All trawls were carried out close to and across the continental shelf in daylight. Art Niven participated in the second Irish research cruise for 2009 from 23rd June – 2nd July onboard the Marine Institute vessel RV Celtic Explorer. The RV Celtic Explorer surveyed an area in the Norwegian Sea in order to capture salmon post-smolts of both southern and northern origin stocks. 15 trawls were conducted, all of which contained post-smolts. In total, 455 post-smolts were caught, 4 contained CWTs. The sampling conducted in 2009 was successful and has generated significant data that is now being analysed. An international symposium on Salmon at Sea will be held in La Rochelle, France in 2011 when findings will be discussed. Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Genetics One of the core elements of the Salsea Merge project is the use of the distinct genetic identity of individual salmon stocks of each river and tributary feeding the North Atlantic. The provision of a “genetic atlas” of the salmon stocks of the area is fundamental to evaluating the issues surrounding the changes in sea survival recognised over the past decade or more. The Agency initiated work on the genetics of Foyle salmon in 2001 and has again commissioned AFBI to further investigate the genetics of the Foyle salmon and its fisheries and which is due to report in 2010.

Salmon Management Audit Points Commercial Catches The 2009 commercial season was the lowest commercial catch in Loughs Agency records. While this reflects a significantly diminished fishing effort on many previous years, with fewer fishermen and less efficient gear, other factors also affected the fishery. The commercial fishermen were strongly of the opinion that the fish runs have been later, and thus the window when the commercial fishery can operate has become significantly less effective. They have made a request to the Agency for a review of the period of the fishing season to allow them to harvest more fish. This request was previously raised at the Advisory Forum Focus Group who met with the commercial fishermen to hear their arguments. However the Agency felt that any extension to the season at this time was not appropriate. The commercial fishing season was also adversely affected by the weather conditions, particularly continuous flood water in the later part of the season.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts The commercial fishery in 2009 operated with 10 draft nets and 18 drift nets. The drift nets operated entirely within Lough Foyle. There were no closures or extension to the recreational or commercial fisheries introduced during 2009.

Catch summary

Drift nets

Draft nets

Total

1997

31407

12556

43963

1998

31116

11141

42257

1999

15397

7893

23290

2000

22333

10339

32672

2001

13500

9476

22976

2002

28851

11917

40768

2003

15741

16991

32732

2004

12800

9490

22290

2005

13391

12143

25534

2006

6145

6031

12176

2007

2598

2774

5372

2008

1650

2510

4160

2009

507

1326

1833

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Fish Counters To ensure public confidence and to reflect the complexity of the programme needs, an independent review and validation project for the Agency fish counters was undertaken in 2009. The review recommended a series of improvement works which began in late 2009 and will continue into 2010. Area/Catchment/ Tributary

Date

Impact Addressed Measure

Faughan fish counter

2009

Fish counting

Improvement of infrastructure

River Roe

2009

Fish counter

Improvement of infrastructure

Sion Mils weir

2009

Fish Passage

Improvement of fish pass

Corrick fish counter

2009

Fish counting

Improvement of infrastructure

Omagh fish counter

2009

Fish counting

Improvement of infrastructure

The counts from these facilities are presented in Table 2 of the Appendix. Rod Catch Returns 2009 Recreational rod angling returns have improved over the years since the introduction of carcass tagging in 2001. They have ranged from 15% in 2003 to a high of 55% in 2008. The 2009 figure was down at 44%. It is vital that all anglers make a return. As well as being a legislative requirement to make accurate and timely catch returns, they are also extremely important in facilitating the development and implementation of sustainable fishery management policy within the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Full compliance should be viewed as making a contribution towards securing the future of our significant game fisheries. Declared catches of salmon whilst not a complete picture of all salmon or grilse caught by the rod fishery were down on those in 2008 with a reported rod catch of 2923 being declared.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Reported catches of Sea trout in 2009 (550) were down on the 2008 figure (815). Details of rod catches are displayed in Table 10. Redd Counts Atlantic salmon spawning nests (redds) are enumerated annually by the Loughs Agency and provide a record of the geographic distribution and amount of spawning activity within the catchments. This information can then be recorded onto either paper maps in the field or Global Positioning System (GPS) handheld units for later incorporation into the Loughs Agency Geographic Information System (GIS). Accurate records of spawning activity can also facilitate conservation and protection actions as the identification of actively utilised spawning gravels from those that are not highlights areas for habitat improvement. In 2009 weather conditions resulted in delayed spawning in some catchments possibly due to extremely low water temperatures for a prolonged period and the associated low flows. The 2009 redd count was above the ten year average with 4000 redds recorded. Electrofishing In 2009 a total of 565 sites were semi-quantitatively electrofished within the Foyle and Carlingford areas. 485 sites surveyed were within the Foyle system and 80 sites were within the Carlingford system. A Fry Index has been developed for each catchment based on standardised electrofishing stations sampled consistently over recent years. In some years additional sites surveyed in each catchment may be required to be omitted due to poor access or due to weather restricting surveys during the small window during July to September when surveys are conducted. The creation of a standardised index ensures that accurate comparisons can be made with previous year’s survey data. Within the Foyle system the average number of salmon fry present at each site in 2009 was 21 with an average of 6 trout fry present at each site. While the trout numbers may appear disappointing the selection of sites is biased towards salmon habitat. The figures presented show an increase on 2008.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

River Roe (Foyle area) catchment fry index 2005-2009. The same 70 survey stations have been consistently fished within this catchment during this period.

Within the Carlingford system the average number of salmon fry present at each site in 2009 was 1 with an average of 3 trout fry present at each site.

Whitewater River (Carlingford area) catchment fry index 2000-2009.

It should be noted that the charts displayed above denote general trends within Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

the selected catchments and in the Carlingford area are based on a fluctuating number of sites surveyed annually, although this is stabilising. This fluctuation can be due to a number of factors including events such as foot and mouth disease in 2001 which restricted access in some areas to sites becoming overgrown and unsuitable for survey and the impacts of poor weather during the survey season. In addition to the semi-quantitative electrofishing surveys twelve sites within the Foyle and Carlingford areas were quantitatively surveyed. This ongoing quantitative monitoring is designed to assess the effectiveness of specific instream habitat improvement works and to fulfil requirements for freshwater fish monitoring under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The results of these surveys are presented in the Status Reports. An example of the information collected at each quantitative electrofishing station is outlined below with summary data provided. This information can be interpreted to provide information on species presence, abundance and age structure as required under the WFD, while direct comparisons can be made to monitor any change in fish populations over a number of years if habitat improvement works have been conducted. The data outlined is for a WFD station on the Owenkillew River. FISHING

Salmon 0+

Salmon 1+

Trout 0+

1st

2nd

3rd

TOTAL

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Trout 1+

Eel

Total

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Removal sampling results (0+ denotes fry, 1+ denotes parr)

Total catch

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Density/100m²

Length weight relationship of all age classes/cohorts of salmon

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Length frequency distribution for all juvenile salmon caught Note the data above has been recorded from a sub sample of migrating smolts and therefore may not be a representative sample of the entire trout smolt outward migrating population. Sea Trout smolt run timing and abundance from rotary screw trap sub sample, River Faughan 2006 -2009. Breaks in data are due to closure of trap during high water conditions. Year

Number of Sea Trout Smolts

Mean Length (cm) Mean Weight (g)

2006

248

17.8

64.14

2007

279

19.1

74.73

2008

18.5

63.28

2009

18.9

68.07

The Loughs Agency encourages catch and release as an important conservation tool for all forms of trout within the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Instream works The most fundamental of factors affecting the productivity of a salmonid river is the in-stream habitat. The three important habitat types are holding water or pools - where adult fish can lie; spawning areas - clean well irrigated gravel for the adults to spawn; and nursery areas - relatively shallow fast flowing reaches with many opportunities of cover for fry and parr. The area that is available and their relationship or sequence is one of the major determining factor’s for the productivity of a system. The in-stream habitat is what establishes a river’s potential while water quality, stock density, predation, determine how close to the potential can be achieved. In 2009 the Loughs Agency continued to invest in the improvement of salmonid habitats to maximise juvenile salmonid production, a number of works were carried out throughout the Foyle and Carlingford areas with over £75,000 spent on these works. In-stream works once completed can only be successful if they are protected from both environmental damage and water pollution, and Agency staff have focused on protection of all juvenile habitat. The following works were undertaken in 2009:

Area/Catchment/ Tributary

Impact Addressed

Measure

River Deele

Shading

Tree surgery

Sion Mills Weir

Fish passage

Stabilisation of weir

River Derg

Degradation of spawning gravel

Spawning gravel protection

Lough Finn

Water level

Improvement of spawning gravels

Brackagh Burn

Erosion

Fencing and groynes

Creevan Burn

Erosion

Fencing and groynes

Fintona River

Erosion

Rock revetment, fencing, tree planting

Camowen

Erosion

Rock revetment, fencing

Whitewater River

Erosion

Bank stabilisation

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Coded Wire Tagging (CWT) The Coded Wire Tagging programme continued in 2009 on the River Faughan. The tagging programme continued to have increased significance in 2009 due to the continuation of the international SALSEA Merge programme investigating the factors affecting the survival of salmon at sea. A significant part of this programme will be to link post smolts caught at sea back to region or river of origin. The primary method of achieving this will be the use of genetic identification techniques with recovered Coded Wire Tagged fish providing supplementary information. In addition to supporting SALSEA Merge CWT is conducted for a number of other reasons including to derivation of estimates of marine survival and the highlighting of the areas where returning adult salmon can be exploited. The Loughs Agency continued to use Rotary Screw Traps to catch migrating smolts for tagging. Biological data is collected in addition to other information on run timing of the salmonid fish populations and other fish populations descending the river.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Information on smolts tagged in 2008 and caught as returning adults in 2009 will be presented in the 2010 annual report and in the Catchment Status Reports. The Marine Institute continues to collate the recapture data from the tagging programme. Sea Trout Juvenile trout numbers and densities are also recorded during electrofishing surveys and are reported previously under the electrofishing report for 2009. Differentiation between juvenile sea trout and brown trout cannot be made on these early life stages. Sea Trout as the anadromous form of the brown trout breeds in freshwater but migrates to sea to feed and mature. In common with many rivers around Britain and Ireland, sea trout numbers have declined in the Foyle area, as a species they are well known for the cyclical nature of their returns. The population dynamics and life–cycle of sea trout are not clearly understood, for example, why do some fish go to sea and others remain in fresh water? It is likely that there is a mixture of genetics and environment at play and in many studied populations it is noted that the majority of returning sea trout tend to be female, while the corresponding resident freshwater population tends to be predominantly male. One theory for this being that egg production is dependent on body size so it is in the females interest to go to sea where feeding is better and they grow larger thereby producing more eggs and potentially greater numbers of offspring. A number of factors could be responsible for declines in stocks such as pollution, climate change and over fishing. East coast Irish rivers also tend to have larger fish than is the norm, one such is the White Water River in the Carlingford Area which is well known for the size of its sea trout, and is typical of systems entering the Irish Sea. During 2009 the Loughs Agency have been developing a trout strategy document which will outline a number of policies which it is anticipated will contribute towards improved conservation and protection of all forms of this important part of the fishery biodiversity within the Foyle and Carlingford areas. This strategy will be published in 2010.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Coarse Fisheries Management and Development

In 2009 the Agency began a review of coarse fisheries in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. The review began with a stakeholder meeting, which was well attended. The Agency has produced a baseline report on the status of the coarse fisheries as the initiation of a development program. Based on the 2007 fish stock assessment of the Newry Canal between Victoria Lock and the Albert Basin, a stock survey was carried out in conjunction with the Aquatic Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and the Central Fisheries Board (CFB). The Agency began a restocking program of the Newry canal by stocking it with juvenile bream. In 2009 the Agency updated its coarse fisheries legislation by introducing the Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Coarse Angling) Regulations 2009. These Regulations prohibit the killing of certain species of coarse fish by rod and line in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas. The Regulations also provide for consequential amendment of the definitions of “coarse fish”, “coarse fishing rod licence” and “game fishing rod licence” in regulation 2 of the Foyle and Carlingford Area (Licensing of Fishing Engines) Regulations 2001.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

The Agency also introduced the Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Conservation of Eels) Regulations 2009.These Regulations prohibit the catching of eels by any mode other than by rod and line. They also provide that eels are returned to the waters from where they were caught without avoidable injury and prohibit the sale of eels caught by rod and line. This regulation was introduced to reflect the requirements of the European Commission under Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel. Coarse fishing remains important in both Carlingford and Foyle. The Agency continued to work with local stakeholders, to develop and promote a number of waters.

Conservation and Protection Of Fisheries Summary of enforcement actions referred to Agency solicitors 2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

123

109

106

The number of enforcement actions referred to the Agency solicitors reflects the effort put in to completing a file for prosecution. The number of final charge and convictions vary as a proportion of files referred for prosecution fail due to avoidance of summonses. This has become a particular problem with more transient workers in Northern Ireland and deliberate service avoidance by a number of individuals. Summary of seizures by Agency staff

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Rods

137

Boats and vehicles

Nets

165

145

107

101

109

127

Fish

152

129

112

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Loughs Agency would wish to acknowledge the substantial assistance given by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Garda Síochána and the Police Service for Northern Ireland, in the enforcement of the Fisheries Acts in the Loughs Agency area. The Foyle and Carlingford Fisheries Act and Order passed through both the Irish and British parliaments in 2007 The legislation contained a new section under article 20 relating to stewardship reports for Private River Watchers. The section reads that “Any person who appoints another person to act as a river watcher shall, not later than 31st January in each year, make a return to the Commission in such form and containing such information as may be prescribed.” The Agency subsequently introduced returns from angling clubs; some of the data is displayed below. The Agency acknowledges the consistent and dedicated effort displayed by the Private River Watchers, some of the work carried out is detailed below. Private River Watchers are trained by the Loughs Agency and often join in with Agency staff on joint patrols.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Club Name

Total hours worked

Number of licences / Seizures permits checked

Abercorn Estates

100

1 Net

Ardstraw Anglers

Nil

444

Nil

Omagh Anglers

Warrenpoint Rostrevor and District Angling Club

190

150

5 Rods

Deele Angling club

340

Nil

Stragullen Fishery

170

Nil

Ballybofey and Stranorlar Angling Association

nil

1 Net

Peter Archdale

Nil

Feddens Angling Syndicate

Nil

Brookeborough Fisheries

1 Full Time employee + 30 hours

Nil

Castletown Syndicate

Nil

Glebe Angling club

180

Nil

River Faughan Ltd

2 Full time staff + 180 hours

300

3 Rods

Kilkeel Angling Club

333

Nil

Killygordon Fishery

Nil

Roe Angling Association

1 Full time + 2800 hours

1265

7 Rods 1 Net

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Freshwater Quality The Agency continues to be statutory consultees for developments that have the potential to impact on the aquatic and riverine environments from a water quality or riparian environment perspective. This includes discussions with the Forest Service, Coillte and various forestry bodies regarding possible impact of proposed planting schemes, Roads Service regarding new river crossings and road schemes, Water Service, regarding sewage and water abstraction schemes, Planning Service, regarding new developments, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, regarding discharge consents, abstraction licences their quality and possible impact, and Rivers Agency regarding drainage and watercourse management issues, including compensatory habitat reinstatement works. The Agency believes that its ongoing strategy of targeting catchments that appear to be stressed for its Proactive Pollution Prevention Programme is both sound and beneficial to these catchments, the base information for this strategy is primarily sourced from the qualitative electro-fishing surveys carried out each year and to a lesser extent from the habitat update programme and the redd count surveys. Using the combined electrofishing, Redd count, water quality and macro invertebrate data gathered in 2009, the Agency was able to evaluate those areas most impacted by pollution and targeted these sub catchments for pro active inspection. A proportion of these inspections led to referral for advice on farming practice, and some led to prosecution for illegal discharges. There was one fish kill incident, which appears to have been of agricultural pollution in the Foyle area and none in the Carlingford areas in 2009. There were, however, some minor incidents of fish mortality in the Foyle area later in the season, but these appear to have been due to fungal infections on a small number of fish. The biological and chemical monitoring of freshwaters has been undertaken by the Loughs Agency to assist in determining the concentration of harmful pollutants in the aquatic environment. This pollution monitoring has several key objectives: 1. 2.

To provide a focus to the Agency’s Conservation and Protection effort; to identify potential threats to fish health and aquatic ecosystems; Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

3. 4. 5. 6.

to inform the public about the quality of the aquatic environment and to raise public awareness of environmental issues; to provide inputs into policy-making decisions; to assess the efficacy of pollution control measures; to identify trends in pollution and to identify future problems.

A total of 92 sites were selected for biological and chemical sampling of rivers within the Foyle and Carlingford hydrological catchments. The period of sampling was from June to September 2009. Each of the 92 sites was sampled to assess chemical quality once every month during the summer field season. The process involved gathering the chemical water quality data by obtaining the sample from the river site and the subsequent laboratory analysis of each sample obtained. All Foyle samples were analysed at the Loughs Agency Headquarters laboratory, whilst all Carlingford samples were analysed by the Environmental Protection Agency at their Monaghan laboratory. Each of the 92 was also sampled to assess for biological indicators using the 3 minute kick sampling method. Samples were obtained from the watercourses and science staff at the Loughs Agency laboratory undertook a detailed macro invertebrate identification. Some of the data gathered from the 2009 freshwater sampling programme are presented in the following pages.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Fig. 1: BOD results from all Foyle sites during the summer of 2009.

Fig. 2: BOD results from all Carlingford sites during the summer of 2009.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Fig. 3: Suspended solids from all Foyle sites during the summer of 2009.

Fig. 4: Suspended solids from all Carlingford sites during the summer of 2009.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Fig. 5: Total Phosphorus values from all Foyle sites during summer 2009.

Fig 6: Total Phosphorus values from all Carlingford sites during the summer of 2009.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

The Biological and chemical monitoring has shown that in general the water quality of the Foyle and Carlingford systems is good, with levels generally within the guidelines for salmonids throughout both catchments. Where the samples showed varying degrees of pollution, the issues have been addressed and are illustrated in Tables 15a to 15d of this report. In addition the Agency with the aid of INTERREG funding installed an environmental monitoring system in Lough Fad. This Lough has an important and possibly unique population of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus L.). The maintenance and management of these is under contract by AFBI.

12: Aquaculture and Shellfisheries The Agency continues to review and develop effective Regulations for the shellfish and aquaculture sectors. The Agency is committed to developing policies to ensure the long term sustainable development of the sectors. The Agency has also begun to scope the work needed to develop a carrying capacity model for Lough Foyle. It is anticipated that work on this will be initiated in 2010. Oyster Fishery The Agency introduced Regulations for the management, conservation and development of the wild oyster fishery in Lough Foyle on 31st July 2008. The Agency is committed to long term consultative engagement with industry to deliver a robust management regime that will benefit the industry and ensure that their activity is environmentally sustainable and commercially viable into the future. Since the introduction of legislation for the wild oyster fishery in Lough Foyle there have been amendments to the Control of Oyster Fishing Regulations. These amendments are: • •

Inclusion of the definition of the defined mouth of Lough Foyle. An increase in the ring size or size limit of oyster that can be retained from 75mm to 80mm.

The Agency received 51 applications for oyster licences in the 2009/10 season. After evaluation 39 licences were issued for the fishery.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Aquaculture Licensing The new aquaculture licensing regulatory system for Carlingford Lough and Lough Foyle will be managed by the Loughs Agency. The two Departments (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food) currently license aquaculture in the Carlingford area and the freshwater section of the Foyle area. No licences are in operation in respect of Lough Foyle as no licences have been granted due to issues relating to jurisdiction. The Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Aquaculture Licensing) Regulations consultation was completed in February 2009. The Agency is still working towards Agreement with the Crown Estates Commission and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in relation to the Management Agreement that will deal with the fees and charges aspect of aquaculture licensing. The Agency will consult separately on this issue. Strategic Environmental Assessment Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a system of incorporating environmental considerations into policies, plans and programmes. For the most part a SEA is conducted before a corresponding EIA is undertaken. This will mean that information on the environmental impact of a plan will be able to cascade down through the tiers of decision making and be used in an EIA at a later stage, if required. The SEA Directive only applies to plans and programmes, not policies, although policies within plans are likely to be assessed and SEA can be applied to policies. The Agency contracted the services of Faber Maunsell (AECOM) to carry out a SEA and their services were secured through Central Procurement Division (NI). The Agency’s Implementation Plan for licensing, regulation and development of aquaculture in both catchments will be developed alongside the SEA process. There were some delays experienced in the progression of the SEA process during 2009 and it is anticipated that the assessment and the Implementation Plan will be completed in early 2010.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Bottom Grown Mussel Consultative Forum The Agency continues to attend the BGMCF meeting on a quarterly basis. The Agency is committed to long term consultative engagement with industry to deliver a robust management regime that will benefit the industry and ensure that their activity is environmentally sustainable and commercially viable into the future. Native Oyster Survey 2009 A dredge survey of the Lough Foyle native oyster population was undertaken over 8 separate days in June and July 2009. In total 394 dredge samples were taken and 4791 oysters were sampled from these dredges. A total biomass figure for the entire population of 363 tonnes was estimated. This was a slight increase on the figure for 2008 of 292 tonnes. The stock appears to have a higher number of oysters in the older age classes than in previous years. Bed Name

Area (ha)

Area m2

The Perch

319

3190000

Southside

566

Flat Ground

Density

No. Oysters

Biomass (kg)

Biomass (t)

0.567

1808730

90436.5

90.4365

5660000

0.285

1613100

80655

80.655

674

6740000

0.146

984040

49202

49.202

Middle Bed

825

8250000

0.12

990000

49500

49.5

Northside

250

2500000

0.03

75000

3750

3.75

Moville Bed

526

5260000

0.049

257740

12887

12.887

North Middle

165

1650000

0.035

57750

2887.5

2.8875

Redcastle

395

3950000

0.063

248850

12442.5

12.4425

Sandy Ridge

246

2460000

0.031

76260

3813

3.813

Drumskellan

300000

0.369

110700

5535

5.535

Greenbank

680000

0.931

633080

31654

31.654

Quigley’s Point

580000

0.217

125860

6293

6.293

Other

2959 29590000

0.01

295900

14795

14.795

Total

7081 70810000 0.2194615

7277010 363850.5 363.8505

Table 1. Biomass of Oysters on Individual beds within Lough Foyle

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts The low numbers of spat oysters on the beds was a disappointing finding of the survey. This may be a result of poor spawning and settlement conditions in the summer of 2008. The 2009 Lough Foyle Native Oyster Survey is available on the Agency’s web site. Status of Native Oyster Fishery in 2009 The closing months of the 2008-2009 season from January-March 2009 saw very little activity in the fishery. Market prices were poor as a result of low demand driven by the global economic crisis. The 2009-2010 season began on September 21st and the prospects were good with consistent landings of oysters from the main beds. This continued right up to Christmas however market prices were once again low with the poorest quality oysters selling for less than €2 kg. Landings up to end of December 2009 were in the region of 100 tonnes which at first sale values is estimated to be worth in the region of €300,000. Mussel Seed Surveys 2009 Two seed mussel surveys were conducted in 2009. The first of these took place in April and the results were positive with a small bed of seed mussels recorded close to the Warren Light extending to 15 hectares and holding between 225-450 tonnes of mussel seed. This bed was fished on the first phase of the seed fishery in May. A further survey in August did not reveal any further settlements of seed mussels onto the bed during the summer period which resulted in a small fishery being opened for overwintered mussels in the 40-60mm size range in September 2009. These survey reports are again provided on the Agency’s web site. Intertidal Mussel Surveys 2009 The Agency undertook intertidal wild mussel surveys in both Carlingford Lough and Lough Foyle in 2009. These surveys aim to evaluate the distribution and abundance of wild mussels on the intertidal zones in both loughs to help protect these valuable resources and balance the needs of this population and their dependent species whilst managing sustainable shellfisheries and aquaculture. These are very resource intensive and are time limited due to the tidal nature of the working environment. These surveys will continue in 2010 to ensure 100% coverage of the intertidal resources in the sea loughs. Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Invasive Species Surveys The Agency facilitated researchers from University College Dublin on their field studies in Lough Foyle in 2009 into the spread of Pacific oysters in the wild. The Agency has also been monitoring the distribution and abundance of these wild Pacific oysters since 2007 as part of its native oyster surveys and intertidal mussel surveys. The Agency coordinated a survey for the presence of slipper limpet, Crepidula fornicata, in Carlingford Lough in early 2009 with other statutory bodies. A survey of Carlingford marina also took place in 2009 to identify the distribution and abundance of the sea squirt Didemnum vexillum. The findings showed no increase or spread of the species within the confines of the marina. This survey will be repeated in 2010. Status Report Update Status reports for Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough are available on the Agency’s website and in hard copy. Marine Water Quality The Agency continued to operate the moored instrument network in the Foyle and Carlingford areas in 2009 under contract to AFBI. The Agency invested in new sensor technology in 2009 to achieve higher accuracy and more consistency in the records from the systems. The data recorded by these systems is available on the Agency’s website and is freely downloadable by the public and other agencies and researchers. This data is used to inform decision makers about the trends in water quality on varying temporal scales. Shellfish Health Herpes Virus Infection in Pacific Oyster The Agency responded to reports regarding mortalities in Pacific oysters in Lough Foyle in the summer of 2009 by facilitating the testing of shellfish by the fish health authorities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Mortalities were recorded in juvenile age classes of Pacific oysters and the fish health authorities concluded that this was most likely related to the OsHV-1 virus. Mortality levels remained high, with some farmers reporting more than 75% mortality, for a period of about 3 weeks in July however began to reduce after this period.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Bonamia Testing of Native Oysters The Agency continues to collect samples of native oysters for the statutory fish health authorities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland for the detection of the parasite Bonamia ostreae. In 2009 1 sample was taken within Lough Foyle which showed low levels of infection by the parasite in the native oysters consistent with the results from the past 4 years. Date

Bed Name

No Sampled

Number positive by : Histology

PCR

In situ

22/02/2007 Whitecastle

N/a

06/03/2007 Middle Bed

N/a

06/03/2007 Quigley’s Point

N/A

N/a

10/10/2007 Redcastle

N/a

10/10/2007 Quigley’s Point

N/a

10/10/2007 Greencastle

N/A

N/a

06/02/2008 Quigley’s Point

N/a

20/02/2008 Quigley’s Point

N/a

03/07/2008 Lough Foyle

17/12/2008 Quigley’s Point

29/10/2009 Quigley’s Point

Table 2. Bonamia Test Results Lough Foyle 2007-2009 Sanitary Survey of Shellfish Production Areas in Lough Foyle This project was coordinated by the Agency on behalf of the Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and Food Safety Authority in Ireland. This cross border project addressed the needs of these statutory bodies responsible under Regulation (EC) 854/2004 to make Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

an inventory of pollution sources, assess pollution levels and set representative monitoring points for bacteriological sampling programmes in shellfish production areas. The project was initiated in December 2009 and it has a completion date of April 2010. A similar survey is planned in Carlingford Lough for 2010 with the Agency once more coordinating for the statutory authorities on a cross border basis. Biotoxin and Bacteriological Sampling Activities in 2009 The Agency collects and delivers both biotoxin and bacteriological samples of water and shellfish to the statutory authorities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. These samples are required under EU directives such as Regulation 854/2004. Two staff members attended a training workshop at Cefas, Lowestoft in March 2009 in sampling methods for officers working under Regulation 854/2004. 85 shellfish samples were taken by Agency staff in Carlingford Lough in 2009 for bacteriology with the same number taken for biotoxins in shellfish flesh and water. 32 shellfish samples were taken in Lough Foyle in 2009 for bacteriology and the same number were taken for biotoxins in shellfish flesh and water. The delivery of the sanitary survey of shellfish areas in the Loughs should regularise these sampling programmes and make the monitoring more cost effective. Environmental Assessments affecting Shellfisheries and Aquaculture The Agency conducted on-going assessments of terrestrial planning applications and other applications for licensing such as Food and Environmental Protection Act NI licensing of dredging works in Lough Foyle. This work requires intensive liaison with industry and stakeholders and the Agency seeks to ensure that any developers or proponents for licensing are made aware of the nature and extent of shellfisheries and aquaculture within the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Environmental Assessments – Aquaculture During 2009 several environmental assessments were undertaken in relation to Aquaculture. Three Appropriate Assessments were compiled as follows: 1.

Appropriate Assessment and Test of Significance on the Introduction of Regulations for the Oyster Fishery on Natura 2000 sites within Lough Foyle.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 2.

Appropriate Assessment of the Introduction of Regulations to licence marine aquaculture and wild shellfisheries within Lough Foyle and the transfer of licensing of freshwater aquaculture within the Foyle system. Appropriate Assessment of the transfer of regulations to license marine aquaculture and wild shellfisheries within Carlingford Lough and the licensing of freshwater aquaculture within the Carlingford area.

The oyster fishery assessment was undertaken to accompany the introduction of the new licensing regulations for the oyster fishery, whilst the other two assessments were undertaken as over-arching assessments under the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) to inform the wider Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) that has been undertaken under the auspices of the EU Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (2001/42/EC). This assessment looks at any plan or project, such as the introduction of marine licensing regulations and assesses its potential impact on the environment. All of the appropriate assessments found that there should be no significant effects on qualifying features of the European sites subject to the adoption of certain mitigation measures by the Agency. It is not anticipated that regulating the Fishery will have any detrimental effects on the European sites of the Foyle system once the stated sixteen mitigation measures are implemented and adhered to. It is hoped that a regulated aquaculture industry within Lough Foyle will allow for a sustainable fishery and no detrimental impacts to the European sites are envisaged.

13: Marine Tourism Objective: To develop the recreational fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford Areas Cross Cutting Delivery The Development Directorate identifies promotes and markets the opportunities to enjoy, utilise and exploit the delivery of fisheries, ecological and environmental product or products resulting from the work of the Conservation and Protection Directorate and, to an extent, the Aquaculture and Shellfisheries Directorate. It also presents the public face of the Agency, taking responsibility for the Riverwatch aquarium and visitor centre, website management, dissemination of information, sourcing funding and providing Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

advice and training to deliver the improvements to the infrastructure and services that are required to generate the benefits (particularly the economic benefits) that can, and are, being derived from the resources of the catchments. Recreational Angling The strategy for the development of recreational fisheries is based on The Five Year Development Plan for the Fisheries Based Recreation and Leisure Resource of the Foyle and Carlingford Areas (Lestas, 2003) and will be reviewed against progress by mid 2010. The strategy has been further focused by discussion with Tourism Ireland Limited, Failte Ireland and the NITB and it is noteworthy that the “centre of excellence” approach developed by the Central Fisheries Board in conjunction with the Loughs Agency is close to the Agency’s “cluster” concept. For the first time the Agency engaged with Failte Ireland formally to promote Angling Ireland in Holland and the Agency is set to expand its promotion on a more international footing during 2010. Please see Table 17. Angling Academy The Agency piloted an angling academy aimed at young people to develop the skills and acumen for the future of angling. To date the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, far beyond even our own high expectations. This programme has struck a chord with the school professionals especially and it would not be stretching things to suggest that this may be the best project the Loughs Agency has run. By the end of the 2010 programme, we expect to have coached in excess of 140 children ranging from 8 to 17 years of age with most being at the younger end and with a very strong contingent of girls. The programme develops the conservation and environmental ethos, teaches catch and release and introduces a strong recreational element to angling for young people not previously engaged in angling. Please see Table 17. Sustainable Development Fund Regrettably the call for applicants to the sustainable development fund for 2009 could not progress as approval is being sought from the respective Departments of Finance for the arrangements for the dissemination of a grant aid programme.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts However interest remains high and it is hoped to obtain approval to proceed with projects in early 2010. INTERREG IV A letter of offer for Interreg IVA Marine Tourism and Angling Development was received in July 2009 and this has facilitated the advancement of the preliminaries of project at Gribben Quay, Moorings Facilities in the Foyle in partnership with Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners and Derry City Council and a project at Malin Head in conjunction with Donegal County Council. Progress has been slower than expected due to delays with value for money assessments and procurement but it is hoped that 2010 will see the projects commence on the ground.

14: Angling Promotion At the outset of the season, the Agency hosted its annual Angling Fair with an estimated 4000 visitors in an effort to showcase the catchment and develop awareness of the role of the Agency – the venue change, due to safety concerns, and exceptionally inclement weather meant visitor numbers were less than anticipated. The Angling Fair aims to embrace all angling users and workshops were provided at key Agency events for children and young people in order to develop their skills and awareness of fishing and the importance of the environment in protecting this precious resource. Promotion An extensive round of domestic angling promotion occurred throughout 2009, with attendance at key shows which target the core visitor and domestic markets of the Agency, resulting in increased licence sales (please refer to Appendix ** ) in additional the Agency promoted Angling at the Utrecht Angling show in Holland. Shows attended included: 1.

Tweed Show, Kelso, Scotland 2nd & 3rd May Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

2. 3. 4. 5.

Scottish Game Fair 3rd, 4th & 5th July CLA, Lincs, England 24th,25th & 26th July Birr Castle, Offaly, Republic of Ireland 22nd & 23rd Aug Utrecht, Holland 7th-8th Nov

The Agency in line with our core values has developed promotional materials to encourage catch and release so that conservation is improved; indeed the festivals/competitions provided are run on this basis which make the Agency’s approach somewhat unique anywhere in Ireland. Key events have been delivered in Foyle, Pike event in Baronscourt supported by Association of Professional and Instructors Ireland (APGAII), Distance Casting Ballykelly supported Ulster Casting Club (UCC) and Open shore competition, Benone. Competition supported by Pike Angling Club Great Britain (region 111) scheduled for the 14th November 2009 at Camlough Lake was postponed until April 2010 as a result of bad weather.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Appendix 1 – Outturn Against Targets Priorities, Objectives & Targets For 2009 PRIORITY: CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OBJECTIVE 1

To conserve, protect, manage and improve the fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford Areas.

KEY ACTIVITY 1.1

Management Information.

1.2

Habitat Protection and Improvement.

1.3

Enforcement.

1.4

Education.

PERFORMANCE TARGET 1.1.1

Prepare “Status Reports” for Partly Achieved - Completed each tributary/area by July 2009. September 2009 Delayed due to complexity of the reports.

1.1.2

By March 2009 complete a post project evaluation for the hardship package.

1.2.1

Completed 9 habitat Design, deliver and install two habitat improvement schemes by improvement schemes on the River Deele, Sion Mills Weir, December 2009. River Derg, Lough Finn, Brakagh Burn, Creevan Burn, Fintona River, Camowen and Whitewater River.

1.3.1

Provide 100 days at sea protection in Lough Foyle and area seaward of Lough Foyle and check licences of 100% of boats observed fishing.

Partly Achieved - Delayed because the final tranche of payments were not issued until September 2009. Post project evaluation based on 2009 data will be completed by Jan 2010.

Partly Achieved - 60 days at sea completed. Enforcement operations in the oyster fishery were found to be more effective by shore and port deployment.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

1.3.2

Provide 50 days at sea protection Partly Achieved - 19 days at in Carlingford Lough. sea completed. Vessel suffered breakdown, however all survey and patrolling functions were delivered using alternative approaches.

1.3.3

Check 3,600 angling licences and logbooks in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas between 1st March and 20th October.

Achieved – as follows: Eastern 557 Foyle crew 583 Carlingford 501 Western 449 Southern 592 Sea 118 Central 815 Total 3615

1.3.4

Check 100% of operational netsmen’s log books during the commercial season.

Achieved – 18 log books checked by 31 July 2009.

1.3.5

Check 100% of licensed salmon dealers between 1st March and 31st October.

Achieved – 18 licensed Salmon Dealers checked.

1.3.6

Respond to major pollution incidents and assess within 1 hour, medium severity incidents within 4 hours and low severity incidents within 1 day.

Achieved – 174 pollution incidents responded to within target timescales.

1.3.7

Check 100% of oyster fishermen’s log books during the 2009 commercial season.

Target achieved - 39 log books checked

1.4.1

Exceed 2008 visitors by 10% to the Riverwatch Centre by December 2009.

Achieved - 28% increase in visitors to the Riverwatch Centre achieved.

1.4.2

Achieve 45 group visits to the Riverwatch Centre by December 2009.

Achieved - 90 groups visited Riverwatch and 94 groups participated in outreach projects.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 1.4.3

Facilitate 3 Youth Justice Agency Achieved - 8 sessions were groups on projects by 2009. facilitated in Omagh and Prehen with activities such as litter pick, habitat restoration, angling codes and ethics.

PRIORITY: DEVELOPMENT (Recreational Fisheries) OBJECTIVE 2

To develop the recreational fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford Areas.

KEY ACTIVITY 2.1

Stakeholder Participation.

2.2

Marketing and Information.

2.3

Product, infrastructure and service development.

PERFORMANCE TARGET Achieved - Sub group meetings took place in May and November 2009 with both sub groups in Foyle and Carlingford – full Advisory Forum Meetings also took place in the same month and the minutes are published on the Agency’s website. Additional stakeholder meeting take place on an almost continuous basis to facilitate development eg local Council, Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

2.1.1

Meet partnership groups and stakeholder representatives four times annually (or more frequently if required).

2.2.1

Update angling notes weekly and Achieved – Angling Notes extend database of subscribers updated at least weekly during from 1200 to 1800 by December the season. 2009.

2.2.2

Implement the Marketing Achieved – marketing Strategy Actions by March 2009. actions were developed and implemented throughout 2009.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

2.2.3

Develop angling promotional literature by March 2009.

Achieved - New Foyle and Carlingford booklets due for publication in early 2010. Other promotional literature developed includes translation of ‘Angling in Ireland’ guide into different key EU languages.

2.3.1

Maintain and evaluate 6 marketing clusters and develop web e-marketing by December 2009.

Part Achieved – Projects funded under the Loughs Agency Sustainable Development Fund have been encouraged to cluster in 2009. A pilot Pike Angling cluster has been established and is now on Loughs Agency website.

2.3.2

To continue to develop the numbers of Professionally Qualified Angling Guides and Coaches by providing one professional programme by December 2009.

Achieved - Level 2 coaching certificate, started on the 12th Dec 09 with 20 candidates enrolled.

2.3.3

Pilot angling academy in structured format with 6 fisheries to deliver to a minimum of 10 groups of NON anglers by December 2009.

Achieved – Angling Academy delivered and 10 Groups trained in the Foyle area and Carlingford area.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Partly Achieved - 3 Key events have been delivered in Foyle, Pike event in Baronscourt Supported by APGAII, Distance Casting Ballykelly supported UCC and Open shore competition, Benone supported by UPC. Competition supported by PACGB region 111 14th November, Camlough Lake was postponed until Feb 2010 as a result of bad weather.

2.3.4

Secure external funding to deliver 3 key event programmes 2 Foyle and 1 Carlingford by December 2009.

2.3.5

Roll out the Angling Development Not Achieved - The Agency’s Sponsor Departments advised Strategy and commit allocated funding to projects through 2009 the Agency to delay issue of Letters of Offer until they review Sustainable Development Fund grant scheme by 31 March 2009 the process of authority for Sustainable Development Fund. (subject to funding). Awaiting approval of finance ministers for SDF.

2.3.6

Identify funding opportunities and ensure adequate match funding is available and roll out implementation to 2013.

Achieved - Applications made to INTERREG IV regarding SCENE/ QUB/Agency research proposal. Ayrshire Council/CCGHT application complete HLF application in progress 3 applications submitted to NITB

2.3.7

Deliver an Angling Fair and monitor and evaluate visitor numbers to exceed the 2008 target (6,000 visitors), by 10%.

Achieved – Angling Fair was held on 07-08 March 2009 and evaluation completed.

2.3.8

Review delivery of INTERREG IV funded angling projects by November 2009 and reprioritise in line with SEUPB N+2 profiles.

Not Achieved - Review of delivery delayed due to Letter Of Offer not being issued.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Not Achieved - Evaluation delayed due to Letter Of Offer not being issued.

2.3.9

Conduct a Mid Term evaluation of the implementation of the Angling Development Strategy by November 2009.

2.3.10

Develop electronic licensing pilot Not Achieved – Terms of by December 2009. Reference under development in partnership with other relevant stakeholders, including Inland Fisheries Ireland.

2.3.11

Increase licence sales by 3% from 2008 and manage angling academy development for non anglers.

Achieved – Licence sales increased by 5% from 2008.

PRIORITY: DEVELOPMENT (Marine Tourism) OBJECTIVE 3

To develop marine tourism.

KEY ACTIVITY 3.1

Continue delivery of the marine tourism strategy and grant scheme for the Foyle and Carlingford Areas.

3.2

Consultation with stakeholders and interests on development and delivery of strategies.

3.3

Maintain partnerships and allocate responsibilities for the delivery of the strategy.

3.4

Marketing of new and existing product.

PERFORMANCE TARGET 3.1.1

Roll out the Marine Tourism Strategy and commit allocated funding to 20 projects through the 2009 Sustainable Development Fund Grant Scheme by April 2009, subject to funding.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Not Achieved - The Agency’s Sponsor Departments advised the Agency to delay issue of Letters of Offer until they review the process of authority for Sustainable Development Fund. Awaiting approval of Finance Ministers for Sustainable Development Fund.

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 3.1.2

Identify funding opportunities and ensure adequate funding is available by 31 December 2009, and roll out implementation to 2013.

Achieved – funding identified through the Northern Ireland Tourist Board for podcasts and the further development of the Riverwatch Centre.

3.2.1

Continue stakeholder consultation with a minimum of four quarterly meetings in each area.

Achieved – several meetings have taken place on a formal and informal basis. Informal meetings: City of Derry Boat Club. Formal meetings with: Ilex/ Strabane District Council re the ‘Future Search’ process; Cruise North West re cruise ship visit opportunities; Binevenagh AONB management group; CAAN canoe development officer re Foyle trails; CPD re Interreg projects; Just Kayak canoe operator re opportunities for private sector.

3.2.2

Review delivery of INTERREG IV funded Marine Tourism projects by November 2009 and reprioritise in line with SEUPB N+2 profiles.

Not Achieved - Review of delivery delayed due to Letter Of Offer not being issued.

3.2.3

Conduct a Mid Term evaluation of the implementation of the Marine Tourism Strategy by November 2009.

Achieved – evaluation completed.

3.3.1

Meeting partnership groups on a quarterly basis (or more frequently if required).

Not Achieved – not held this period.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

3.4.1

Develop mechanisms by November 2009 to facilitate knowledge transfer between Angling cluster partners and third level education establishments to develop marketing and environmental strategies.

Achieved - A pilot Pike Angling cluster has been established and is now on Loughs Agency website. Further development planned for 2010.

PRIORITY: AQUACULTURE OBJECTIVE 4

To licence, manage and develop aquaculture and shellfisheries.

KEY ACTIVITY 4.1

Introduce a regulatory aquaculture and shellfisheries system and a management system for Foyle and Carlingford Areas.

4.2

Conservation, Protection and Management of Wild Fisheries.

4.3

Information Development.

4.4

Management information.

PERFORMANCE TARGET

4.1.1

Implement the annual assessment of the performance of 50% of licensed aquaculture operations in the Foyle and Carlingford areas by 31st December 2009.

Partly Achieved - Regulation consultation complete, awaiting management agreement completion so that Aquaculture Licensing Fees can be inserted. Strategic Implementation Plan under development in line with SEA delivery.

4.1.2

Ensure that the Management Agreement necessary to facilitate the commencement of aquaculture licensing in Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough is in place by April 2009.

Not Achieved - DAFF currently consulting internally on a foreshore licence agreement between the Agency and the Department. Awaiting further correspondence from DAFF. Crown Estates Commission finalising proposals.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 4.1.3

Achieved - Oyster Amendment Review Regulations required Regulations consultation for licensing of aquaculture and shellfisheries by December 2009. delayed due to queries from the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee in NI Assembly. Further to the Agency’s attendance at the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee on the 22nd September 2009, The Agency was instructed to further consult with Industry and try to agree an approach that would be agreeable to both parties. A Public Meeting was held with licensed Oyster Fishermen and their Representatives. The Agency will report back to the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee in early 2010.

4.1.4

Publish draft criteria for the assessment of applications for aquaculture licences in Lough Foyle by April 2009.

4.2.1

Commission and deploy a vessel Not achieved – delayed until suitable to carry out survey work 2010. in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas by February 2009.

4.2.2

Carry out annual stock assessment survey of the wild oyster fishery by the end of July 2009.

Partly Achieved - Criteria being developed in tandem with the strategic environmental assessment. Delivery expected in late March 2010.

Achieved - Stock assessment survey is complete in Lough Foyle.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

4.3.1

Obtain and collect information on the bathymetry of Lough Foyle, growth, water quality data for Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough and producer data to complete the Carrying Capacity model by June 2009.

Partly Achieved – Survey works ongoing. The Agency is currently working with AFBI to further develop the models for both Loughs, which is expected to be completed in 2010.

4.3.2

Carry out Article 6 assessments on all licence applications prior to licensing being implemented in September 2009.

Not Achieved - These will be developed in line the SEA and Strategic Implementation Plan and will be reported in 2010.

4.4.1

Gather relevant information available on inputs and outputs of shellfish from Lough Foyle and prepare management plans accordingly by December 2009.

Partly Achieved Implementation after licensing has taken place for aquaculture. Currently in place for wild oyster fishery and mussel seed fishery.

4.4.2

Continue to contribute to the management of the seed resource of the island of Ireland.

Achieved - Input through the Bottom Grown Mussel Consultative Forum and meetings with DARD and DAFF.

4.4.3

Continue to contribute to the Bottom Grown Mussel Consultative Forum.

Achieved - Meetings currently every 2 months are dealing with a variety of requests from Industry.

4.4.4

Delivery of the Strategic Environment Assessment for the implementation of aquaculture licensing and regulation of wild shellfisheries by August 2009.

Partly Achieved - Scoping Report public consultation complete, options now being developed. Public information days were held in both catchments in early December. Final report will be available in March/April 2010.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts PRIORITY: CORPORATE (Service Delivery) OBJECTIVE 5

To pursue increased efficiency and continuous improvement in the transparent and equitable delivery of services to all our customers.

KEY ACTIVITY 5.1

The provision of information and services to customers developed to a high standard, and tailored to meet customer requirements.

5.2

To maintain and improve human resources within the Agency, in order to ensure a high level of customer service.

5.3

Targeting Social Needs and Equality Obligations (Section 75 Northern Ireland Act 1998).

5.4

Improve service delivery and outreach to the stakeholders in the Carlingford Area.

PERFORMANCE TARGET 5.1.1

Respond to all correspondence received within 15 working days.

Achieved - this target is adhered to.

5.1.2

To maintain an interactive and vibrant web site with timely input of new material, increasing visitors to the site by 10% from 2008.

Achieved - website is regularly updated and after review there has been a 17% increase in visitors to site.

5.1.3

Provide timely, relevant and accurate information to Sponsoring Departments, FCILC Board, Advisory Forum and North South Ministerial Council Secretariat in order to meet specified deadlines.

Achieved - all requested documentation forwarded within specified time frame.

5.1.4

Respond to requests for information in a timely manner as set out in the Freedom of Information (FOI) Code of Practice and Environmental Information Regulations.

Achieved - a total of ten (10) requests under FOI/EIR were received and responded to in 2009.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

5.1.5

Measure communications outputs with public and stakeholders and establish baseline to identify opportunities for improvement by September 2009.

Achieved – baseline completed and action plan produced in September 2009. Communications team currently raising awareness of action plan with staff before launching in January 2010.

5.2.1

Investigate the viability of introducing IIP Accreditation or similar quality standard by December 2009.

Partly Achieved - currently investigating most appropriate quality management standard for the Agency. Final options to be considered by February 2010.

5.2.2

Achieved – Training and Implement the revised staff Training and Development Policy Development Policy being implemented. by September 2009.

5.3.1

Provide a progress report on the Agency’s Equality Scheme by August 2009.

Achieved - Management Report was completed and submitted to the Equality Commission before the end of August 2009.

5.3.2

Continue to participate in the Age Equality Forum.

This target is no longer valid as the Age Equality Forum has ceased meetings.

5.4.1

Progress the Carlingford Office Capital Build Project subject to identifying a suitable site and necessary funding.

A suitable site location has not been identified for the Carlingford office. When a suitable site emerges (and suitable funding opportunities are identified) the capital build project will be reconsidered in the context of other competing priorities. Discussions ongoing with Louth County Council and the Office of Public Works.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts PRIORITY: CORPORATE (Consumption of Resources) OBJECTIVE 6

To ensure the efficient, effective and economic consumption of resources available to the Agency.

KEY ACTIVITY 6.1

Ensure optimal use of Agency resources, and that all expenditure complies with relevant guidance.

6.2

Establish efficiency savings plan.

6.3

Investigate and baseline business efficiency opportunities in the Corporate Services Directorate.

6.4

Investigate and baseline business efficiency opportunities in the Conservation and Protection Directorate.

6.5

Investigate and baseline business efficiency opportunities in the Development Directorate.

6.6

Investigate and baseline business efficiency opportunities in the Aquaculture and Shellfisheries Directorate.

PERFORMANCE TARGET 6.1.1

Ensure compliance with applicable financial guidance North and South.

Achieved - all regulations adhered to and the returns made when required.

6.1.2

Comply with provisions of the Loughs Agency’s Financial Memorandum.

Achieved - Guidelines contained within the Financial Memorandum being adhered to. Performance reviewed by CEO and Senior Management Team.

6.1.3

Prepare Corporate and Business Plans within agreed timeframes.

Achieved - 2009 Business Plan was submitted to Sponsor Departments.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

6.1.4

Review, update and report on the Agency’s Risk Management Strategy on a quarterly basis.

Partly Achieved - Monthly review of risk management is a standing item on the SMT Agenda. Quarterly review meetings scheduled. Two reviews of the Risk Management Register were conducted by December 2009.

6.1.5

Audit and Finance SubCommittee to meet three times annually.

Achieved – three meetings of the Audit Sub-Committee have been conducted in 2009.

6.1.6

Ensure expenditure remains within the allocated budget.

Achieved – all expenditure utilised within allocated budget.

6.1.7

Produce unqualified accounts which are laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly and Oireachtas by 30th June 2009.

Partly Achieved – 2007 accounts certified by the C&AGs in November 2009 and will be laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly and Oireachtas by early 2010. Draft 2008 accounts were produced and submitted for Audit within agreed timeframes and are expected to be laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly and Oireachtas by early 2010.

6.1.8

Provide quarterly progress and financial information to Sponsor Departments within agreed timescales.

Achieved - this target was adhered to, with an update of progress submitted to Sponsor Departments with the quarterly drawdown request.

6.1.9

Implement recommendations from staff loading review by December 2009.

This target has been suspended pending an internal organisational review.

6.1.10

Implement agreed recommendations from Internal and External Audits.

Achieved.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 6.1.11

Partially Achieved - Draft Policy Introduce a Managing Attendance Policy by September under consideration by Trade Unions. 2009.

6.1.12

Reduce average staff annual absenteeism due to sickness by 5% by December 2009.

This target is expected to be implemented when Draft policy is agreed with Trade Unions.

6.2.1

Establish efficiency savings plan by October 2009, in accordance with the guidance produced by Finance Departments and to deliver and monitor this plan.

Achieved – regular monitoring of this measure is undertaken and reported.

6.3.1

Establish baseline efficiency measure for the percentage of invoices paid within 30 days.

A baseline measurement for this target has been achieved and will be reviewed on an annual basis.

6.3.2

Establish baseline efficiency measure for the percentage of administration costs per angling licences issued.

A baseline measurement for this target is under consideration by SMT and will be implemented in early 2010.

6.4.1

Establish baseline efficiency measure for the cost per prosecution taken by Area.

A baseline measurement for this target is under consideration by SMT and will be implemented in early 2010.

6.4.2

Establish baseline efficiency measure for the cost per angling licence checked.

This has been delayed until the INTERREG Programme enters implementation phase.

6.5.1

Establish baseline efficiency measure for the leverage achieved per pound sterling of grant aid received.

A baseline measure has been identified as £2.29 per visitor. This will be monitored and reviewed on an annual basis.

6.5.2

Establish baseline efficiency measure for the cost per visitor to the Riverwatch centre.

A baseline measurement for this target is under consideration by SMT and will be implemented in mid 2010.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

6.6.1

Establish baseline efficiency measure for the proportion of Loughs Agency expenditure compared to first sale value of the shellfish and aquaculture product output.

A baseline measurement for this target is under consideration by SMT and will be implemented in early 2010.

6.6.2

Establish baseline efficiency measure for the percentage of licensing decisions appealed.

A baseline measurement for this target is under consideration by SMT and will be implemented in early 2010.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

370

Glenelly

Mourne

Owenkillew

4276

970

^ Finn System

7746

Totals

Mourne System

710

Strule & Tribs

1222

Roe

126

^ Reelan

750

338

844

590

Faughan

^ Finn

666

Drumragh

734

266

Dennett

Derg

422

708

Deele

Culdaff

Camowen

Elson

Rivers

793

1367

2272

241

337

552

153

516

278

560

998

1969

169

203

357

117

553

209

204

231

640

136

117

119

404

1068

2134

383

245

138

159

147

541

214

291

860

1667

186

154

112

137

233

150

467

131

611

2153

4238

630

377

234

673

545

849

660

451

1431

3163

672

350

101

441

321

536

571

559

1298

2412

410

149

501

473

767

684

2802

5354

844

341

389

312

343

766

519

498

174

1072

278

555

1332

428

184

252

303

646

1365

3039

604

322

324

387

334

567

404

586

3094

5427

861

308

338

488

278

637

658

618

115

118

950

401

2091

3902

829

177

236

290

224

442

318

865

375

97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Appendix 2 – Fisheries Conservation, Protection and Management Statistics Table 1 Foyle Area Spawning Counts 1997/98 – 2009/10 (Redd Counts)

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Table 2 Foyle Area Fish Counter Data 1989 – 2009 Year

Faughan

Sion Mills Glenelly/ Roe Owenkillew

Finn

1989

8287

1990

6458

1991

4301

7987

1992

7357

7420

1993

8655

17978

1994

7439

19908

1995

10838

7547

1996

13297

8978

1997

3525

7047

1998

3077

9599

1999

6514

2000

2551

4690

2001

1518

6250

2742

3265

3311

2002

4288

12991

4543

5459

5768

2003

3097

12129

1908

4086

6461

2004

2,855

10,270

1.922

3,778

2005

4,245

9,397

1,269

2,917

8,571

2006

3,625

9,352

1,478

5748

2007

1,257**

3,714**

1,705

5,375

3,278

126***

32***

2008

604

3,578

177

4,927

3,185

207

268

2009

831**

8410

1728**

3064

2153**

252

223

*Counter out of order. ** minimum count due to difficulties in season refer. *** Counters operational late 2007.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Strule

Clanrye

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Table 3 Foyle Area Fish Counter Data to 31st December 2009 Month

No. of fish >45cm Sion

*Faughan **Finn

Roe

**Glenelly/ Owenkillew

Strule

Clanrye

January

101

-8

February

457

-25

March

163

-10

April

162

112

-11

-1

May

223

190

-1

June

3832

696

197

July

1782

195

1021

236

August

506

394

544

September

222

1085

953

October

218

199

820

128

November

716

-1

240

211

December

8410

831

2153

3064

1728

252

223

Total

*Faughan is to be regarded as a minimum count. ** Channel 4 was out of operation for the first three months of the year therefore this should be regarded as a minimum count. *** Channel 1 on Glenelly/Owenkillew was out of operation for all of 2009 and therefore this should be treated as a minimum count.

It should be noted that Sion, Strule and Clanrye counting facilities are partial counting sites and don’t span the entire river.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Table 4 Foyle Area Weekly Catches of Salmon and Grilse By Commercial Engines 2009 Week Ending

Drift Nets Lough Foyle

Draft Nets River Foyle & River Roe

Totals

No.

Kgs.

No.

Kgs.

No.

Kgs.

19-Jun

142

26-Jun

107

127

313

166

420

03-Jul

181

413

204

478

10-Jul

198

169

527

239

725

17-Jul

257

353

905

446

1162

24-Jul

119

334

234

583

353

917

31-Jul

252

685

222

403

474

1088

07-Aug

14-Aug

21-Aug

28-Aug

Totals

611

1692

1326

3240

1937

4932

Table 5 Foyle Area Annual Catches of Salmon and Grilse By Various Classes of Commercial Fishing Engines 2000 - 2009 Class of Fishing Engine

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Drift Nets : Sea Only

3628

2169

5262

3382

2246

2408

602

Drift Nets : Lough & Sea

17339

10739

22556

11846

10143

10649

5197

Drift Nets : Lough Only

1366

592

1033

513

411

334

346

2598

1248

611

Draft Nets : River Foyle & River Roe

10339

9476

11917

16991

9490

12143

6031

2774

2916

1326

Fixed Engines :

Londonderry Fishery

32672

22976

40768

32732

22295

25534

12176

5372

4164

1937

TOTALS

Annual Catch (Nos.) of Salmon & Grilse

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Table 6 Foyle Area Average Annual Catches of Salmon and Grilse for each Class of Commercial Fishing Engine 2000 – 2009 Class of Fishing Engine

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Drift Nets : Sea Only

202

121

310

188

173

161

Drift Nets : Lough & Sea

228

141

289

154

147

150

Drift Nets : Lough Only

171

129

144

Draft Nets : River Foyle & River Roe

220

277

347

421

213

123

277

292

133

Fixed Engines

Table 7 Number of Commercial Licences Issued 2000 – 2009 Class of Licence

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Drift Nets : Sea Only

Drift Nets : Lough & Sea

Drift Nets : Lough Only

Draft Nets : River Foyle

River Roe

Fixed Engines

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Table 8 Proportion of Foyle Area Net Catch Taken By Various Classes of Fishing Engines 2000 – 2009 Class of Fishing Proportion of Foyle Area Net Catch Engine 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Drift Nets : Sea Only

11.1

9.4

12.9

10.3

10.1

9.4

4.9

Drift Nets : Lough & Sea

53.1

46.7

55.4

36.2

45.5

41.7

42.7

Drift Nets : Lough Only

4.2

2.6

2.5

1.6

1.8

1.3

2.8

48.4

30.0

31.6

Draft Nets : River Foyle & River Roe

31.6

41.3

29.2

51.9 42.58

47.6

49.6

51.6

70.0

68.4

Fixed Engines :

0.02

Londonderry Fishery:

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Totals

48.68

37.62

4.99

82.3

Not September October Recorded No. Kgs. No. Kgs. No. Kgs. 23 54.7 4 12.02 0 0 1 1.81 2 5.9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3.63 0 0 0 0 21 44.37 16 36.27 1 1 14 35.34 1 3 0 0 100 257.79 41 122.28 20 46.93 26 61.54 1 4.54 0 0 2 3.72 0 0 0 0 22 63.23 23 67.91 0 0 227 673.36 76 214.41 16 16.49 8 16.33 19 53.96 0 0 11 19.35 0 0 0 0 63 201.83 47 141.95 0 0 56 139.69 37 103.11 0 0 1 2.27 14 39.62 5 14.05

August No. Kgs. 41 106.39 1 2.72 0 0 1 1.8 3 6.13 53 128.8 18 38.17 182 464.51 75 171.3 3 7.25 17 53.39 197 510.45 18 58.81 30 59.38 57 169.74 54 127.88 3 8.43 122

No. 93 5 0 1 5 144 49 458 557 18 64 856 47 63 193 224 24 303.42

Totals Kgs. 237.84 11.34 0 1.8 9.76 354.69 115.88 1167.74 1489.8 39.13 189.06 2369.04 132.73 130.51 601.93 559.09 65.73

58 201.54 103 356.85 226 736.78 248 575.72 562 1357.46 791 1997.45 598 1627.64 293 842.59 44 83.46 2923 7779.49

March April May June July No. Kgs. No. Kgs No Kgs No Kgs No. Kgs. Camowen 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 8.39 21 56.34 Clanrye 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.91 0 0 Culdaff 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Deele 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dennett 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Derg 0 0 0 0 7 23.15 13 35.34 33 85.76 Drumragh 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2.27 15 37.1 Faughan 0 0 5 15.07 13 31.41 29 68.27 68 161.48 Finn 50 177.66 70 241.37 119 372.64 92 187.05 124 273.7 Foyle 0 0 1 4.54 0 0 9 18.41 3 5.21 Glenelly 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 4.53 Mourne 0 0 24 85.43 71 261.16 64 158.64 181 449.1 Owenkillew 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3.63 Reelan 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 10.43 17 41.35 Roe 0 0 0 0 1 2.72 8 29.01 17 56.68 Strule 0 0 0 0 9 22.78 13 32.38 55 133.25 Whitewater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1.36 Not 24.62 23 47.97 8 23.88 3 10.44 6 22.92 9 Recorded

Table 9

ROD CATCH RETURNS (SALMON & GRILSE) 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Table 9 Rod Catch Returns (Salmon & Grilse) 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

22.54

74.05

40.14

0.79 68

64.39 129

0 113.67

5.68

Totals

Camowen Clanrye Culdaff Derg Dennett Drumragh Faughan Finn Foyle Glenelly Mourne Owenkillew Reelan Roe Strule Whitewater Not Recorded

15.23

April May June July No. Kgs. No. Kgs. No. Kgs. No. Kgs. 2 2 0 0 7 7 4 4 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 1.91 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.59 1 0.91 0 0 2 1.13 9 6.11 25 28.43 12 12.62 3 3 3 3 0 0 3 2.95 21 13.69 65 40.49 9 16.57 4 5.9 13 21.61 16 29.59 2 0.46 5 6.57 0 0 3 1.64 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1.23 0 0 3 2.27 3 0.91 2 1.68 0 0 0 0 6 6 3 2.03 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 1.46 4 4.88 22 21.68 8 7.04 8 7.59 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 8.84

March No. Kgs. 0 0 3 3.63 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3.68 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Table 10

107

7 125.28

9.22

August No. Kgs. 4 3.23 2 2.81 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0.5 40 20.37 14 40.19 1 0.91 3 3 5 4.36 2 1.4 0 0 4 2.03 10 20.18 13 16.08

ROD CATCH RETURNS (SEA TROUT) 2009

42.25

35.18

37.41 39.11 550 556.61

2.49

Not September October Recorded Totals No. Kgs. No. Kgs. No. Kgs. No. Kgs. 1 1 0 0 0 0 18 17.23 1 1 1 1 0 0 14 15.35 6 5.68 1 1 0 0 7 6.68 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.59 0 0 0 0 12 6.54 25 15.69 2 1.76 0 0 0 0 46 49.31 11 6.67 0 0 8 3.78 148 87.95 1 1.81 0 0 0 0 62 119.35 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 9.58 11 11 0 0 0 0 16 15.23 1 0.23 1 1 0 0 15 10.45 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 9.43 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 9.37 1 0.45 0 0 0 0 51 58.94 9 10.65 22 32.18 20 26.3 70 94.05

Table 10 Rod Catch Returns (Sea Trout) 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Table 11 Angling Returns Year

Declared Rod Catch Salmon

Declared Rod Catch Sea Trout

Returns as a % of Licences Issued

1999

1022

679

3.74

2000

723

417

2.55

2001

3188

450

17.68

2002

5117

1010

27.93

2003

1844

361

15.5

2004

2285

13.99

2005

4084

413

25.77

2006

3476

469

2007

4929

379

22.11

2008

4060

815

54.94

2009

2923

550

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Table 12 Distribution of Rod Licences 2009 Place of Residence

Season Adult

Endorsement

14 Days

Foyle & Carlingford Area

4123

3170

856

1859

352

Rest of NI

191

1307

115

Rest of ROI

TOTAL

4353

4536

964

1981

388

England

118

Scotland

Wales

IoM

TOTAL

145

Spain

Belgium

Brazil

Denmark

France

Germany

Netherlands

Italy

Total

America

Canada

New Zealand

Australia

TOTAL

4378

4570

1169

1993

388

OVERALL TOTAL

3 Juvenile Coarse Adult Days & Juvenile

COMBINED TOTAL

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

12579

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Table 13 Number of Draft Consents to Discharge Considered 2004 – 2009 Nature of Effluent

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Sewage Treatment

105

114

Sandwashing/Quarry

Landfill

Industrial

Fish Farm

Storm Water

Peat Abstraction

Dumping at Sea

Vehicle Wash

Filling Station/Oil Distribution

Food Processing

TOTALS

118

187

164

177

Table 14a Pollution Incidents and Invertebrate Suppressions Summary 2009 Western

Eastern

Central

Southern Carlingford

Total

Pollution Incidents per zone leading to action

174

Pollution incidents Investigated per crew

174

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Table 14b Percentage Pollution Incidents by Area

Table 14c Pollution Severity

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Table 14d Sources of Pollution As in 2008 the principle sources of pollution investigated by Agency staff arose from Agricultural activity, with industry being the next most important polluter. The pollution sources are illustrated below by percentage.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Table 15 River Sampling Programme A total of 95 sites were sampled for biological and chemical analysis of rivers within the Foyle and Carlingford hydrological catchments. The period of sampling was from June to September 2009 inclusive. The sampling sites are distributed throughout the five zones as shown below: West

21 sites

East

23 sites

Central

16 sites

Southern

18 sites

Carlingford

17 sites

Each of the 95 sites was sampled to assess chemical quality once every month during the field season. Each site was invertebrate sampled using a rapid identification method during electro fishing. Each of the 95 sites was assessed for Macro invertebrate taxa during the season using a detailed laboratory sort method.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Table 16 Details of Court Hearings 2009 Nature of Offence

Agency Staff

Reason Unsuccessful

Successful Unsuccessful

False Address

Moved/Gone Other Away

1. Angling without a licence

2. Angling during close time

3. Angling in prohibited area

4. Unlawful angling

5. Possession of gaff or illegal instrument

6. Snatching offences

7. Trespass on a Several Fishery

8. Using a net in a prohibited area 9. Possession/use of unlawful net

10. Fishing a net during close or suspended period

11. Assaulting/ obstructing/impeding an authorised person

12. Unlawful possession of fish

13. Using a boat/vehicle as an aid to an offence

14. Exceeding breaking strain 15. Permitted deleterious matter to enter a river 16. Caused deleterious matter to enter a river

17. Salmon dealing offences

18. Erect/make use of a fixed engine

19. Failure to provide name / false details

TOTAL CHARGES

136

2 32

* court cases can occur up to 2 years after initial detection Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Table 17 Rod Licences 2009 Description

2009

No. of Licences

Licence Duty (£)

Season

4378

70,048.00

Adult Coarse

298

4,768.00

Juvenile

1993

3,986.00

Juvenile Coarse

108.00

Endorsement

4570

4,570.00

Fourteen - Day

648.00

1169

4,091.50

36.00

12,579

88,255.50

3 Day Coarse Endorsement TOTALS

Table 18 Angling Permits 2009 Type of Permit

2009

No.

River Foyle

198

3960.00

River Foyle Juvenile

160.00

River Finn

274

5480.00

River Finn Juvenile

310.00

Totals

519

9910.00

Table 19 Salmon Dealers Licences 2009 No. of Licences Issued 2009

Republic Of Ireland

Northern Ireland

TOTALS

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Gníomhaireacht Na Lochanna

Ag cumhdach na Tréimhse 1 Eanáir 2009 go 31 Nollaig 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Gníomhaireacht Na Lochanna

Tuarascáil Bhliantúil agus Cuntais don tréimhse dár chríoch 31 Nollaig 2009

A leagadh faoi bhráid Thionól Thuaisceart na hÉireann agus dhá Theach an Oireachtais de réir Ordú Chomhoibriú Thuaidh/Theas (Forais Forfheidhmiúcháin) (Tuaisceart na hÉireann) 1999 Sceideal 1, Iarscríbhinnn 2, Cuid 7, Paragraif 1.3 agus 2.6

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Leathanach an Chláir 1.

Forbhreathnú an Phríomhfheidhmeannaigh

Ráiteas Misin

Cuspóirí

Comhaltaí Boird

An Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas

Fóram Comhairleach Cheantar an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn

Foirniú

Forbairt Foirne

Teicneolaíocht an Eolais

10.

Ionad Oideachais agus Léirithe “Riverwatch”

11.

Bainistíocht agus Forbairt an Iascaigh

12.

Dobharshaothrú agus Iascaigh Shliogéisc

124

13.

Turasóireacht Mhuirí

131

14.

Cur Chun Cinn Na Slatiascaireachta

133

Aguisín 1 – Táirgeacht In Aghaidh Spriocanna

135

Tosaíochtaí, Cuspóirí & Spriocanna Do 2009

135

Tosaíocht: Caomhnú agus Cosaint

135

Tosaíocht: Forbairt (Iascaigh Chaitheamh Aimsire)

137

Tosaíocht: Forbairt (Turasóireacht Mhuirí)

140

Tosaíocht: Dobharshaothhrú

142

Tosaíocht: Corparáideach (Soláthar Seirbhíse)

146

Tosaíocht: Corparáideach (Caitheamh Acmhainní)

148

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Aguisín 2 – Caomhnú, Cosaint Iascach agus Staidreamh Bainistíochta Tábla 1

Áirimh Sceathraí Cheantar an Fheabhail

152

1997/98 – 2009/10

Tábla 2

Sonraí Áiritheoirí Éisc Cheantar an Feabhail 1989 - 2009 153

Tábla 3

Sonraí Áiritheoirí Éisc Cheantar an Feabhail Go 31Ú

Tábla 4 Tábla 5 Tábla 6

154

Nollaig 2009 Gabhálacha Seachtainiúla Bradán agus Bláthán

155

Cheantar an Fheabhail Gabhálacha Bliantúla Bradán agus Bláthán

155

Cheantar an Fheabhail Meánghabhálacha Bliantúla Bradán agus Bláthán

156

Cheantar an Fheabhail

Tábla 7

Líon Na Gceadúnas Tráchtála A Eisíodh

Tábla 8

Cion Gabhálacha Lín A Tógadh I Gceantar an Fheabhail 157

Tábla 9

Tuaireascáin Ghabhála Slaite (Bradán & Bláthán) 2007

158

Tábla 10

Tuaireascáin Ghabhála Slaite (Breac) 2009

159

Tábla 11

Tuaireascáin Duántachta

160

Tábla 12

Dáileadh Ceadúnas Slaite 2009

161

Tábla 13

Líon Na Dtoilithe Tarraingthe Le Scaoileadh A

162

156

Breithníodh 2004 - 2009

Tábla 14A Eachtraí Truaillithe agus Achoimre Ar Dhíchur

152

162

Inveirteabrach 2009

Tábla 14B Céatadán Eachtraí Truaillithe De Réir Limistéir

163

Tábla 14C Déine an Truaillithe 2009

163

Tábla 14D Foinsí an Truaillithe

164

Tábla 15

Clár Samplála Abhann

165

Tábla 16

Mionsonraí Éisteachtaí Cúirte

166

Tábla 17

Ceadúnais Slaite 2009

167

Tábla 18

Ceadanna Slatiascaireachta 2009

167

Tábla 19

Ceadúnais Dhéileálaithe Bradán 2009

167

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 1. Forbhreathnú an Phríomhfheidhmeannaigh Tá áthas orm Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2009, ina bhfuil mionsonraí na hoibre a ghabh an Ghníomhaireacht de lámh le linn na bliana, a chur i láthair. Tá obair fhor-rochtana na Gníomhaireachta, atá lárnaithe ar Riverwatch, dírithe ar thuiscint an phobail d’acmhainní mara agus iascaigh i Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn a méadú, ar na deiseanna a chuireann siad ar fáil dóibh agus leoga, tá rath i gcónaí ar a dtionchar ar na córais íogaire bhitheolaíocha seo a bhfuil breis agus 70,000 duine i ndiaidh cuairt a thabhairt air. Tá lúcháir orainn agus táimid buíoch gur aithin Bord Turasóireachta Thuaisceart na hÉireann cáilíocht ár n-ionad léirithe agus is comhpháirt anois iad i bhforbairt bhreise an ionaid le huisceadin úra agus le huasghrádú an fhís-scannáin. Tá stoic bhradán na n-abhantrach go fóill ina n-ábhar fíor-imní agus marthanas mara ag titim i rith an ama. Is cosúil é seo a bheith ceangailte le hathrú aeráide agus tá an Ghníomhaireacht go fóill ag tacú le togra Salsea agus muid dóchasach go gcuirfidh sé le tuiscint ar mheathphas mara shaolré an bhradáin. D’aibhsigh na hábhair bhuartha seo an gá atá le barrmhaitheas chaomhnú agus chosaint na stoc, an áit agus an t-am a dtig a sholáthar, sa mheathras fionnuisce go háirithe. Inti féin, d’fhéach an Ghníomhaireacht le leanúint d’fheabhsú an eolais bhainistíochta atá ar fáil aici agus ag a páirtithe leasmhara agus lena hiarrachtaí cosanta a bheachtú agus a fhorbairt tuilleadh. Is mian linn an tacaíocht agus an chabhair shuntasach a admháil a fuair an Ghníomhaireacht i dtaca leis seo ó ‘Fhaireoirí Abhann’ príobháideacha, á n-urrú ag Clubanna agus Cumainn Dhuántachta agus Úinéirí Iascigh na limistéar. Is mian linn fosta tacaíocht an Gharda Síochána agus an PSNI a admháil. Tá ceadúnú agus forbairt Dhobarshaothraithe go fóill ag feitheamh ar réiteach comhaontú bainistíochta, ach leanadh den obair agus forbraíodh tuilleadh soláthar, bailiú agus comhthiomsú sonraí bitheolaíocha le leoreolas a sholáthar do bhainistíocht na hacmhainne luachmhaire seo agus fosta, rinneadh tuilleadh forbartha ar na fia-iascaigh oisrí agus diúilicíní. Cuireadh moill bheag ar ár gclár forbartha Thurasóireacht Mhuirí mar gheall ar cheisteanna a bhain le cur i gcrích cistithe, ach tá a lán den ullmhúchán déanta Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

agus ceadóidh sé sin seoladh gasta na bhforbairtí a luaithe a thugtar ceaduithe atá idir chamáin. Ábhar misnigh iad ár ngníomhaíochtaí forbartha agus spéis shuntasach á cur sna “táirgí” atá ar fáil i limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn atá ar taispeáint ag na hAontaí Duántachta ar a ndearnadh ionadaíocht thar ceann na Gníomhaireachta. Is cosúil an spéis seo a bheith á dearbhú ag méadú breise i ndíol na gceadúnas duántachta le linn 2009. Is mian liom arís ár mbuíochas a chur in iúl don Chathaoirleach agus don Bhord as a gcomhairle, a misniú agus a dtacaíocht thar an tréimhse agus dár Ranna Urraithe as a dtacaíocht agus a dtreoir. Mar fhocal scoir, is mian liom buíochas a ghabháil le mo chomhghleacaithe uile a léirigh arís eile a saineolas, a dtiomantas agus a ngairmiúlacht i soláthar dhualgais na Gníomhaireachta. Derick Anderson Príomhfheidhmeannach

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 2. Ráiteas Misin Is é aidhm Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna sochair inbhuanaithe, shóisialta, gheilleagracha agus chomhshaoil a chur ar fáil trí chaomhnú, chosaint, bhainistíocht, chur chun cinn agus fhorbairt éifeachtach iascaigh agus acmhainní muirí Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn.

3. CUSPÓIRÍ Is iad príomhchuspóirí na Gníomhaireachta i Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn:•

Iascaigh bradáin agus intíre an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn a chaomhnú agus a chosaint;

•

Iascaigh bradáin agus intíre an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn a bhainistiú agus a fhorbairt;

•

Forbairt Loch Feabhail agus Loch Cairlinn a chur chun cinn ar chuspórí tráchtála agus áineasa;

•

Dobharshaothrú a cheadúnú agus a fhorbairt;

•

Turasóireacht mhuirí a fhorbairt;

•

Éifeachtacht mhéadaithe agus feabhsú leanúnach i soláthar seirbhísí d’iomlán na gcustaiméirí a lorg;

•

Úsáid éifeachtúil, éifeachtach agus tíosach na n-acmhainní atá ar fáil ag an Ghníomhaireacht a chinntiú.

Féach Aguisín 1 do tháirgeacht in aghaidh cuspóirí agus spriocanna.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

4. COMHALTAÍ BOIRD Mar a leanas atá sonraí chomhaltas an Bhoird: An tUas Tarlach Ó Crosáin Cathaoirleach Jacqui Iníon McConville Leaschathaoirleach An tUas Enda Bonner An tUas Brendan Byrne An tUas John Byrne An tUas Denis Haughey An tUas Alan McCulla An tUas Joe Miller An tUas John Mulcahy An tUas Winston Patterson An tUas Thomas Sloan An tUas Jim Wilson

CRUINNITHE BOIRD 54ú Céadaoin 28 Eanáir 2009 Oifigí Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna Cairlinn 55ú Céadaoin 11 Márta 2009 CC Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna Préachán 56ú Céadaoin 06 Bealtaine 2009 CC Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna Préachán 57ú Céadaoin 08 Iúil 2009 Oifigí Ghníomhaireacht n Lochanna Cairlinn 58ú Céadaoin 16 Meán Fómhair 2009 CC Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna Préachán 59ú Céadaoin 25 Samhain 2009 CC Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna Préachán Tá miontuairiscí na gcruinnithe thuas le fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin na Gníomhaireachta www.loughs-agency.org

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 5: AN CHOMHAIRLE AIREACHTA THUAIDH/THEAS 5.1: 12ú Cruinniú na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas i bhformáid Earnála Dobharshaothraithe agus Muirí Tionóladh dóú cruinniú déag na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas i bhformáid Earnála Dobharshaothraithe agus Muirí i gCairlinn Déardaoin 30 Aibreán 2009. D’fháiltigh an Chomhairle roimh thuarascáil ar dhul chun cinn obair Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna ar chaomhnú agus chosaint limistéir Iascaigh an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn. D’fháiltigh na hAirí roimh dhul chun cinn ar iarratas na Gníomhaireachta ar chistiú faoi INTERREG IV an AE agus na tograí forbartha a bhfuil tacaíocht faighte acu ó “Chlár Forbartha Inbhuanaithe” na Gníomhaireachta. Luaigh siad fosta an dul chun cinn a rinneadh i dtreo cheadúnú an dobharshaothraithe agus tabhairt isteach na rialacha oisrí le rannpháirtíocht na bpáirtithe leasmhara. Taighde ar Ghéiniteacht an Bhradáin D’fháiltigh na hAirí roimh láithriú ón Dr Walter Crozier ar an Institiúid Agraibhia agus Eolaíochtaí Bitheacha agus roimh Niall Ó Maoiléidigh ó Fhoras na Mara, ar chomhchlár taighde a choimisiúnaigh Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna agus a rinne Ollscoil na Banríona, Beal Feirste agus Foras na Mara ar chomhdhéanamh géiniteach líon bhradáin an Fheabhail agus ar chomhdhéanamh stoic an iascaigh thráchtála. Luaigh siad go bhfuil na páirtíochtaí eolaíochta a bunaíodh le linn an togra seo ar thus cadhnaíochta i bhforbairt mórthogra Eorpach taighde ar úsáid teicnící géiniteacha le bunúis na mbradán a gabhadh san fharraige a aithint (SALSEA). Reachtaíocht D’fhaomh an Chomhairle Rialacháin 2009 (Ceadúnú Innill Iascaireachta) (Leasú) Limistéar an Fheabhail agus Limistéar Chairlinn agus d’áirigh siad pleananna le hOrduithe um Thosach Feidhme a thabhairt chun tosaigh a theastaíonn i gcomhair cumhachtaí úra, atá ar fáil ag Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna le dobharshaothrú a fhorbairt agus a cheadúnú i limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn, a thabhairt isteach ar dhóigh chéimithe bhainistithe. D’áirigh siad go n-éileoidh tuilleadh rialachán faomhadh CATT i 2009. Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Phléigh an Chomhairle fosta Dréachtphlean Gnó 2009, dul chun cinn i dtreo bhunú liúntas uaireanta míshóisialta agus an scéim chruatain bhradán.

5.2: 13ú Cruinniú na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas i bhformáid Earnála Dobharshaothraithe agus Muirí Tionóladh tríú cruinniú déag na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas i bhformáid Earnála Dobharshaothrú agus Muirí i gCTBFT, Greenmount Dé Luain 20 Iúil 2009. Tuarascáil ar Dhul Chun Cinn D’fháiltigh an Chomhairle roimh thuarascáil ar obair Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna ón chruinniú dheireanach i mí Aibreáin 2009. Measúnú Cháilíocht an Uisce i Loch Feabhail agus i Loch Chairlinn D’fháiltigh an Chomhairle roimh láithriú le Dr Declan Lawlor, Oifigeach Comhshaoil ag Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna, ar chlár réamhghníomhach mheasúnú cháilíocht an uisce a bhfuil an Ghníomhaireacht ag tabhairt faoi in abhantracha an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn agus d’áirigh siad gur le leas na Gníomhaireachta a bhí an cur chuige faoi threoir na heolaíochta seo i gcaomhnú agus i gcosaint iascaigh intíre an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn. An Straitéis Turasóireachta Muirí D’fhaomh an Chomhairle earcú triúr ball foirne ar bhonn chonradh ar théarma seasta chun cuidiú le Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna i riar agus i bhfeidhmiú a Straitéis Turasóireachta Muirí atá le cistiú trí Chlár INTERREG IV an AE amháin. An Ciste Forbartha Inbhuanaithe Phléigh an Chomhairle agus d’áirigh na socruithe oibríochta agus cistithe do Chiste Forbartha Inbhuanaithe Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna, agus d’fhaomh úsáid an chiste i bhfeidhmiú Straitéis Turasóireachta Muirí na Gníomhaireachta. Reachtaíocht D’fhaomh an Chomhairle Líomatáiste an Fheabhail agus Limistéar Chairlinn (Caomhnú Eascanna) Rialacháin 2009. Cuirfidh seo cosc ar an teacht na n-eascann i réimsí an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn ar aon mhodh seachas slat agus ruaim.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts D’fhaomh an Chomhairle fosta creat a dearadh chun tacú le Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna i bplé le héigeandálacha mar dhianeachtraí truaillithe.

5.3: 14ú Cruinniú na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas i bhformáid Earnála Dobharshaothraithe agus Muirí Tionóladh ceathrú cruinniú déag na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas i bhformáid Earnála Dobharshaothaithe agus Muirí i dteach na Talmhaíochta, Baile Átha Cliath Dé Céadaoin 18 Samhain 2009. Tuarascáil ar Dhul Chun Cinn D’fháiltigh an Chomhairle roimh thuarascáil ar obair Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna ón chruinniú dheireanach i mí Iúil 2009. Córais Faisnéise Geograife D’fháiltigh an Chomhairle roimh chur i láthair ó oifigigh Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna ar bhailiú sonraí Chórais Faisnéise Geograife na Gníomhaireachta. D’áirigh na hAirí úsáid phraiticiúil na faisnéise seo agus an dóigh a bhfeidhmítear sa réimse í. Reachtaíocht D’fhaomh an Chomhairle dhá shraith rialachán. Rialacháin 2009 Limistéar an Fheabhail agus Limistéar Chairlinn (Slatiascaireacht) (Leasú) agus Rialacháin 2009 Limistéar an Fheabhail agus Limistéar Chairlinn (Garbhiascaireacht). Leathnóidh an chéad cheann acu limistéir ina gcoiscfear duántacht le bradáin i mbaol a chosaint agus déanfaidh an ceann eile coir de mharú garbhéisc áirithe ar a n-áirítear róiste, bran, cúramán, carbán, ruán agus péirse agus aon chros-síolrach díobh seo i ndiaidh iad a mharú le slat agus dorú. D’athbhreithnigh na hAirí pleananna le hOrduithe ar Thosach Feidhme, a theastaíonn i gcomhair cumhachtaí úra, atá ar fáil ag Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna le dobharshaothrú a fhorbairt agus a cheadúnú i limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn, a thabhairt isteach ar dhóigh chéimithe bhainistithe. Phléigh siad an plean feidhmiú reachtaíochta, d’fháiltigh roimh an dul chun cinn ina sholáthar agus d’áirigh siad go n-éileoidh tuilleadh rialachán faomhadh CATT i 2009.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Plean Gnó D’áirigh an Chomhairle Plean athbhreithnithe Gnó 2009 agus an soláthar buiséid do Choimisiún an Fheabhail, Chairlinn agus Shoilse na hÉireann atá ag feitheamh le faomhadh an dá Aire Airgeadais. (N.B. i ndiaidh fhaomhadh na nAirí Airgeadais, d’fhaomh CATT an Plean Gnó i bhformáid earnála Oideachasúla ar 25 Samhain 2009.) Tuarascálacha Bliantúla agus Ráitis Airgeadais D’áirigh na hAirí fosta Tuarascálacha Bliantúla agus Ráitis Airgeadais Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna do 2007 agus 2008, roimh a gcur isteach le leagan os comhair Thionól Thuaisceart na hÉireann agus an Oireachtais.

6. Fóram Comhairleach Limistéar an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn 18 Feabhra 2009 22 Aibreán 2009 05 Bealtaine 2009 20 Bealtaine 2009 12 Lúnasa 2009 23 Meán Fómhair 2009

Fócasghrúpa Iascaigh Bradán agus Intíre Óstán Chathair Ard Mhacha Fócasghrúpa Iascaigh Bradán agus Intíre Óstán Beithgheal, An Ómaigh Fócasghrúpa Turasóireachta Chairlinn Oifigí Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna, Cairlinn Fóram Comhairleach Limistéar an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn Óstán Beithgheal, An Ómaigh Fócasghrúpa Iascaigh Bradán agus Intíre Oifigí Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna, Préachán Fóram Comhairleach Limistéar an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn Oifigí Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna, Préachán

Tá miontuairiscí na gcruinnithe thuas le fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin na Gníomhaireachta www.loughs-agency.org

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 7: foirniú Oibríonn an Ghníomhaireacht taobh istigh de struchtúr cheithre Stiúrthóireacht (Seirbhísí Corparáideacha, Caomhnú & Cosaint, Dobharshaothrú & Iascaigh Sliogéisc agus Forbairt) atá le croífhoirniú faofa reatha ar leibhéal 53. Derick Anderson P’fheidhmeannach John Pollock

John McCartney

Gerard Mills

Barry Fox

Stiúrthóir Seirbhísí Corparáideacha

Stiúrthóir Caomhnaithe agus Cosanta

Stiúrthóir Forbartha

Stiúrthóir Dobharshaothraithe & Iascach Sliogéisc

8: Forbairt Foirne Ar feadh na bliana thug an Ghníomhaireacht aghaidh ar riachtanais oiliúna agus forbartha na foirne, ag díriú ar choinneáil faisnéise agus scileanna agus ar inspreagadh a chuideodh le cuspóirí an eagrais agus riachtanais daoine a thabhairt i gcrích. Orthu seo bhí Oiliúint Sábáilteachta Bia (le scrúdú áitribh mangairí éisc a éascú), Teicnící Marthanais Phearsanta do bhaill foirne farraige, Garchabhair ar Muir (bunúsach) agus Garchabhair Liachta ar Bhord Loinge, Láimhsiú Sábháilte, Teastas Ginearálta Oibritheora Raidió Muirí (VHF), Measúnú Riosca, Cothabháil Inneall Transaim, Oiliúint in Oibriú Curachán (ós rud é curacháin anois in úsáid le codanna doshroichte na n-aibhneacha a phatrólú), Athchóiriú Abhann agus Oibríochtaí Feithiclí UileThír-Raoin. Leanfar den oiliúint i 2010 agus cláir aitheanta cheana féin d’oiliúint i bhFeithiclí 4x4, teastasú Fhoras Sábháilteachta agus Sláinte Ceirde do bhaill foirne ar an Choiste Sláinte agus Sábháilteachta, Oibriú Mótarbháid Chladaigh Chumann Seoltóireachta na hÉireann, agus réiteach aighnis ar an liosta oiliúna riachtanaí le tarlú.

9: Teicneolaíocht an Eolais Le linn 2009 dhírigh an Ghníomhaireacht a cuid oibre TE ar na moltaí a tugadh in athbhreithniú an Chlár Áireamh Éisc. Dhírigh an obair seo ar uasdátú agus uasghrádú crua-earraí, bogearraí agus innealtóireacht cheartaitheach na Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

láithreán éagsúla áireamh éisc. Leanadh d’fhorbairt bhreise shuíomh gréasáin na Gníomhaireachta, www. loughs-agency.org, i 2009 agus na rannáin turasóireachta muirí á n-uasdátú ar bhonn rialta. Cruthaíodh é seo ina uirlis an-áisiúil le heolas a scaipeadh eolais ar an turasóir.

10: Ionad Oideachais agus Léirithe “Riverwatch” Dhírigh ár saothar for-rochtana trí Ionad Léirithe na Gníomhaireachta “Riverwatch” a ghnóthaigh breis agus 30,000 cuairteoir agus a d’ardaigh go suntasach próifíl na n-acmhainní iascaigh, muirí agus comhshaoil, Abhantrach an Fheabhail go háirithe, agus a thaispeánann fosta na hacmhainní agus a leochaileacht. I 2009, sháraigh líon na gcuairteoirí 23,000. Bhí an figiúir sin go maith os cionn ionchais agus ba mhéadú 30% é ar 2008. Baineadh amach é trínár bpunann de chláir for-rochtana agus tríd an fhéilire chuimsitheach imeachtaí a sceidealaíodh ag Riverwatch. Ba cheann de bhuaicphointí 2009 é ‘’Uisceadán Ascarium” a thaispeáin plandaí agus ainmhithe uathúla agus éagsúla Abhantrach an Fheabhail do bhreis agus 2,000 cuairteoir in imeacht 2 lá Samhna. Tá méadú suntasach tugtha faoi deara ag Riverwatch i gcéatadán na gcuairteoirí turasóireachta chuig an ionad le breis agus 50% acu ina gcuairteoirí baile, náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta. Bhí méadú sonrach fosta sna teaghlaigh áitiúla a thug cuairt ar an ionad a mhéadaigh mar sin feasacht na bpáirtithe leasmhara ar na habhantracha agus ar a bpáirt ina gcaomhnú agus ina gcosaint. Go mall i 2009 fuarthas cistiú ó Bhord Turasóireachta Thuaisceart na hÉireann (BTTÉ) do chéim a trí Riverwatch ina mbeidh trí umar uisceadáin, téamú úr agus córas athbhreithnithe scagtha le cuairteoirí úra a mhealladh chun an ionaid.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

11: Bainistíocht agus Forbairt an Iascaigh

Bainistíocht agus Forbairt Na Mbradán Ceapadh bainistíocht an iascaigh bhradáin Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna chun cloí le bunphrionsabail Eagras Chaomhnú Bhradáin an Atlantaigh Thuaidh (NASCO). Is eagras idirnáisiúnta é NASCO, a bhunaigh Coinbhinsiún idir-rialtasach i 1984. Is é cuspóir NASCO bradáin an Atlanlaigh a chaomhnú, a athshlánú, a mhéadú agus a bhainistiú go réasúnach trí chomhoibriú idirnáisiúnta ag glacadh na faisnéise eolaíochta is fearr atá ar fáil san áireamh. Is é aidhm na bprionsabal agus na gcuspóirí seo ilghnéitheacht agus flúirse stoc na mbradán a chur chun cinn agus na stoic a choinneáil os cionn a dteorainneacha caomhnaithe. Bíonn NASCO ag feidhmiú ar an ardán idirnáisiúnta, agus leanann Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna de bhainistiú stoic na mbradán i Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn trí chumasc de mheastóireacht eolaíoch, iascaigh rialála agus chosaint chomhshaoil; cuireann sí fosta na sonraí a bhailíonn sí ar na stoic seo ar fáil don phobal agus do pháirtithe leasmhara leis an díospóireacht ar ghníomhartha bainistíochta a theastaíonn a fhoirmiú. Ghabh Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna ar aon líne le NASCO Cur Chuige Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Réamhchúraim gur chóir bearta bainistíochta, agus neamhchinnteacht san áireamh, a dhíriú ar iomlán na stoc bradán a choinneáil os cionn a dteorann caomhnaithe, agus an t-eolas is fearr atá ar fáil san áireamh. Éilíonn an Cur Chuige Réamhchúraim, inter alia: a) Breithniú ar riachtanais na nglúine inár ndiaidh agus seachaint athruithe arbh fhéidir nach mbeadh siad iniompaithe; b) Réamhaithint thorthaí nach inmholta agus bearta a sheachnódh nó a cheartódh iad; c) Tionscnamh beart ceartaithe gan mhoill, agus ba chóir go mbainfeadh siad amach a gcuspóir go gasta; d) Tús áite a thabhairt do chaomhnú chumas táirgthe na hacmhainne san áit a bhfuil tionchar dóchúil na hacmhainne éiginnte. B’éigean do Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna leanúint de thabhairt isteach rialuithe san iarracht le básmhaireacht bradán a theorannú. Thairis sin, tá an Ghníomhaireacht i bhfách leis an chleachtadh gabhála agus scaoilte a ghríosú in iascaigh shlaite. D’éirigh gabháil agus scaoileadh an-choitianta mar bheart bainistiú /caomhnaithe bradán agus an meath leathan i bhflúirse bradán san Atlantach Thuaidh san áireamh. I gceantair áirithe i gCeanada agus i SAM, tá gabháil agus scaoileadh á chleachtadh ó 1984, agus le blianta beaga tá sé á úsáid go forleathan ina lán de thíortha na hEorpa mar gheall ar rialú reachtach agus trí chleachtadh deonach. Dar leis an Chomhairle Idirnáisiúnta Taiscéalaíochta Mara (ICES), príomhfhoinse chomhairle eolaíochta ar éiceachórais mhara do na rialtais a bhainistíonn Aigéan an Atlantaigh Thuaidh agus na farraigí cóngarach dó; “cuireann iascaigh áineasa gabhála agus scaoilte ar fáil straitéis bainistíochta, idirmheánach agus tairbheach, idir iascach lánchoinneála agus druidim iascaigh do líonta atá faoi bhun spriocleibhéal.” Tá an córas bainistíochta reatha a oibríonn do bhradáin in Abhantrach an Fheabhail uathúil san Atlantach Thoir-Thuaidh agus ba é Coimisiún Iascaigh an Fheabhail a bhunaigh é i ndiaidh thuarascáil PF Elson agus ALW Tuomi, “The Foyle Fisheries, New Basis for Rational Management” a foilsíodh i 1975, agus déanann ár gcomhairleoirí idirnáisiúnta iniúchadh air ar bhonn rialta. Tá i gceist sa straitéis socrú spriocanna bainistíochta, bunaithe ar na gnáthóga srutha atá ar fáil agus ar fhaireachán a ngnóthachtála nó eile ag roinnt pointí iniúchta, ar shonraí gabhála, áiritheoirí éisc, líon láithreacha sceathraí, suirbhéanna óg-

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Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts orgánach agus faireachán imirce gealóg. Ceadaíonn na sonraí seo soláthar bhainistíocht “fíor-ama” iascach trí na Rialacháin “rialú iascaireachta”. Le linn 2009 lean foireann na Gníomhaireachta de chomhordú na sonraí ábhartha ar phointí iniúchta i gcomhair bhainistíocht na mbradán. Bíonn na bradáin i rith ama faoi bhagairt ó réimse tosca idirghaolmhara ar a n-áirítear gnáthóg dhíghrádaithe abhann, truailliú, cleachtas athraitheach talmhaíochta agus coillteoireachta agus creachóireacht ó bhroighill agus rónta. Is ar an ábhar seo a thionscnaigh an Ghníomhaireacht i bpáirtíocht le Tara Seal Research, suirbhé líon na rónta i Loch Chairlinn i 2008. Tá obair bhreise ar siúl le linn 2009 agus déanfar a tuairisciú go luath sa bhliain seo chugainn. Tá obair den chineál céanna beartaithe do Loch Feabhail. D’éirigh imní shuntasach i 2009 idir na páirtithe leasmhara a bhain le tionchar féideartha scéimeanna mionscála hidrileictreacha atá molta agus scéimeanna atá ann cheana féin. D’fhéach an Ghníomhaireacht le dul i ngleic leis na tionchair seo uile. D’ullmhaigh Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna tuarascálacha stádas abhantrach ag achoimriú na bpríomhcheisteanna a théann i bhfeidhm ar gach abhantrach agus ag soláthar sonraí ábhartha eolaíochta. Tá siad seo le fáil ar leathanaigh gréasáin Caomhnaithe agus Cosanta shuíomh ghréasáin na Gníomhaireachta. Tá Staitisticí Chaomhnú, Chosaint agus Bhainistíocht na nIascach ar fáil do shéasúr 2009 agus iad le feiceáil sna haguisíní cuí. Tá cáipéisí treorach ullmhaithe ag an Ghníomhaireacht d’oibríochtaí abhann agus ghabh sí beartais ar cheisteanna a bhí ina n-ábhar rialta fiosraithe ó fhorbróirí. Domhanda seachas áitiúil atá cuid de na tionchair ar stoc na mbradán. Táthar ag tuairimíocht go bhfuil tionchar suntasach ag an athrú aeráide ar na stoic bradán, ar a ngréasáin imirceacha muirí go háirithe. Tá sé seo ag éirí níos follasaí agus éisc is lú ag filleadh níos moille sa bhliain ná mar a taifeadadh roimhe seo, le tréimhse níos faide i ngluaiseacht dhádach sa chóras.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Bhí baill foirne de chuid Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna páirteach sa dara bliain agus sa bhliain deiridh de chlár samplála muirí a rinneadh mar chuid de chlár idirnáisiúnta SALSEA Merge, ag cur le páirteachas Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna i suirbhé 2008. Is clár comhoibríoch idirnáisiúnta é SALSEA Merge idir náisiúin uile an Atlantaigh Thuaidh le ráta méadaitheach básmhaireachta bhradán an Atlantaigh san fharraige a fhiosrú. Bhí Bitheolaithe na Gníomhaireachta páirteach san obair, Ciarán McGonigle sa chéad aistear mara taighde Éireannach do 2009 ó 9 – 12 Bealtaine ar bord árthach Fhoras na Mara RV Celtic Voyager. Rinne RV Celtic Voyager suirbhé limistéir Iarthar Éireann agus na hAlban. San iomlán rinneadh 9 dtrál agus gabhadh 9 n-iarghealóg. Bhí clibeanna sreinge códaithe (CWT) in dhá cheann de na hiarghealóga sin a léirigh go beacht abhainn a bunúis agus dáta na himirce. In aice agus thar an scairbh ilchríochach le solas an lae a rinneadh na tráil uile. Bhí Art Niven páirteach sa dara haistear taighde mara de chuid na hÉireann do 2009 ó 23 Meitheamh – 2 Iúil ar bhord árthach Fhoras na Mara RV Celtic Explorer. Rinne RV Celtic Explorer limistéar sa Mhuir Ioruach le hiarghealóga bradáin de bhunús stoc deiscirt agus tuaiscirt araon a gabhadh. Rinneadh 15 thrál, a raibh iarghealóga iontu uile. San iomlán, gabhadh 455 iarghealóg, a raibh CWTanna i gceithre cheann acu. D’éirigh leis an tsampláil a rinneadh i 2009 agus fuarthas sonraí suntasacha atá anois á n-anailísiú. Tionólfar siompóisiam idirnáisiúnta ar Bhradáin san Fharraige in La Rochelle, sa Fhrainc i 2011 ina bpléifear na torthaí.

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Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Géiniteacht Is gné de chroíghnéithe thogra Salsea Merge úsáid aitheantais shainiúil ghéiniteach stoc aonair bradán gach abhainn agus craobh-abhainn a shileann san Atlantach Thuaidh. Tá gá bunúsach le “hatlas géiniteach” stoc bradán an limistéir i meastóireacht na gceisteanna a bhaineann le hathruithe i marthanas farraige a aithníodh le breis agus deich mbliana anuas. Thosaigh an Ghníomhaireacht obair ar ghéiniteacht bhradáin an Fheabhail i 2001 agus choimisiúnaigh sí arís AFBI le géiniteacht agus iascaigh bhradáin an Fheabhail a fhiosrú tuilleadh agus tá an tuarascáil le teacht i 2010.

POINTÍ INIÚCHTA BAINISTÍOCHT BRADÁN Gabhálacha Tráchtála Ba í séasúr tráchtála 2009 an ghabháil thráchtála ab ísle i dtaifid Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna. Cé go léiríonn sé seo iarracht iascaireachta lagdaithe ar a lán blianta roimhe seo, le líon is lú iascairí agus trealamh is neamhéifeachtaí, chuaigh tosca eile i bhfeidhm ar an iascaireacht. Bhí tuairim láidir ag na hiascairí tráchtála gur mall a tháinig na gabhálacha, agus mar sin de, gur éirigh an fhuinneog ina n-oibreodh an t-iascach i bhfad níos neamhéifeachtaí. D’iarr siad ar an Ghníomhaireacht tréimhse shéasúr na hiascaireachta a athbhreithniú le ligean dóibh níos mó éisc a ghabháil. Tógadh an t-iarratas roimhe seo ag Fócasghrúpa an Fhóraim Chomhairligh a bhuail leis na hiascairí tráchtála lena dtuairimí a chluinstin. Ach dar leis an Ghníomhaireacht, ní bheadh aon leathnú ar an séasúr oiriúnach i láthair na huaire. Rinne dálaí na haimsire dochar do shéasúr na hiascaireachta tráchtála, uisce tuile go háirithe i dtréimhse dheiridh an tséasúir. D’oibrigh an t-iascach tráchtála i 2009 le 10 líon tarraingthe agus 18 sruthlíon. Is i Loch Feabhail amháin a d’oibrigh na sruthlíonta. Níor tugadh isteach druidim nó leathnú ar bith sna hiascaigh áineasa nó tráchtála le linn 2009.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

103

Achoimre ar ghabhálacha

Sruthlíonta

104

Líonta Tarraingthe

Iomlán

1997

31407

12556

43963

1998

31116

11141

42257

1999

15397

7893

23290

2000

22333

10339

32672

2001

13500

9476

22976

2002

28851

11917

40768

2003

15741

16991

32732

2004

12800

9490

22290

2005

13391

12143

25534

2006

6145

6031

12176

2007

2598

2774

5372

2008

1650

2510

4160

2009

507

1326

1833

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Áiritheoirí Éisc

Le muinín an phobail a chinntiú agus le castacht riachtanais an chláir a léiriú, tugadh faoi thogra neamhspleách athbhreithnithe agus bailíochtaithe d’áiritheoirí éisc na Gníomhaireachta i 2009. Mhol an t-athbhreithniú sraith oibríochtaí feabhais a thosaigh go mall i 2009 agus a leanfas ar aghaidh i 2010. Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

105

Limistéar/ Abhantrach/ Craobh-abhainn

Dáta

Iarmhairt ar Díríodh uirthi

Beart

Áiritheoir éisc na Fochaine

2009

Áireamh éisc

Feabhsú Bonneagair

An Ró

2009

Áireamh éisc

Feabhsú Bonneagair

Cora Mhuileann an tSiáin

2009

Gluaiseacht Éisc

Feabhsú Iascbhealaigh

Áiritheor éisc Chomhraic

2009

Áireamh éisc

Feabhsú Bonneagair

Áiritheor éisc na hÓmaí

2009

Áireamh éisc

Feabhsú Bonneagair

Tá áiritheoirí na saoráidí seo le feiceáil i dTábla 2 san Aguisín. Tuairiscí Gabhálacha Slaite 2009 D’fheabhsaigh tuairiscí slatiascaireachta áineasa thar na blianta ó tugadh isteach clibeáil chonablaigh i 2001. Mhéadaigh siad ó 15% i 2003 a fhad le buaic 55% i 2008. Bhí figiúr 2009 thíos ag 44%. Is ríthábhachtach go ndéanfadh na slatiascairí uile tuairisc. Ní hé amháin gur éileamh reachtach é tuairiscí gabhálacha atá beacht agus tráthúil a dhéanamh, tá siad thar a bheith tábhachtach i leith éascu forbairt agus feidhmiú beartas inbhuanaithe iascaigh i limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn. Ba chóir go dtuigfí go gcuireann chomhlíonadh iomlán le todhchaí ár ngéimiascach suntasach a chinntiú. Cé nach pictiúr iomlán na mbradán agus na mbláthán a ghabh an slatiascach iad na gabhálacha bradán a fógraíodh, bhí siad thíos ó 2008 le gabháil slaite 2923 fógraithe. Bhí líon na mbreac farraige a tuairiscíodh i 2009 (550) thíos ar líon 2008 (815). Tá sonraí gabhálacha slaite le feiceáil i dTábla 10. Áirimh Claiseanna Sceite Áiríonn Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna claiseanna sceite an Atlantaigh uair sa bhliain agus cuireann na háirimh ar fáil taifead ar dháileadh geografach

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Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts agus ar mhéid na gníomhaíochta sceite taobh istigh de na habhantracha. Is féidir an t-eolas a thaifeadadh ansin ar léarscáileanna páipéir allamuigh nó ar aonaid láimhe Chóras Suite Domhanda (GPS) lena chuimsiú níos moille anonn i gCóras Faisnéise Geografaí (GIS) Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna. Tig le taifid bheachta fosta gníomhaíochtaí caomhnaithe agus cosanta a éascú ós rud é go n-aibhsíonn aithint idir ghairbhéil sceite a úsáidtear go gníomhach agus iad sin nach n-úsáidtear, réimsí i gcomhair feabhsú gnáthóg. I 2009 chuir dálaí na haimsire moill ar sceitheadh i roinnt abhantrach b’fhéidir mar gheall ar theochtaí an-ísle an uisce thar tréimhse fhaidréiseach agus na sreabha ísle a lean iad. Bhí áireamh claiseanna sceite 2009 os cionn an mheánfhigiúir deich mbliana agus 4000 áireamh tuairiscithe. Leictriascaireacht I 2009 rinneadh leictriascaireacht leathchainníochtúil i 565 láthair san iomlán i limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn. Bhí 485 de na láithreacha a ndearnadh suirbhé orthu i gcóras an Fheabhail agus 80 eile i gcóras Chairlinn. Tá Innéacs Gealóg forbartha do gach abhantrach bunaithe ar stáisiúin chaighdeánaithe leictriascaireachta a sampláladh go leanúnach le blianta beaga anuas. I mblianta áirithe b’fhéidir go gcaithfí láithreacha breise i ngach abhantrach a fhágáil ar lár mar gheall ar easpa rochtana nó an aimsir ag cur srianta ar shuirbhéanna le linn na fuinneoige bige ó Iúil go Meán Fómhair ina ndéantar suirbhéanna. Cinntíonn cruthú innéacs chaighdeánaithe gur féidir comparáidí cruinne a dhéanamh le sonraí shuirbhé na bliana roimhe. I gcóras an Fheabhail ba é 21 meánlíon na ngilidíní i ngach láthair i 2009 agus meánlíon 6 ghilidín bric i ngach láthair. Más cosúil gur ábhar díomá é líon na mbreac tá rogha na láithreacha claonta i dtreo gnáthóg bradán. Taispeánann na figiúirí a láithríodh méadú ar 2008.

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107

Innéacs gealóg abhantrach na Ró (limistéar an Fheabhail) 2005-2009. Rinneadh na 70 stáisiún suirbhé a iascach go leanúnach san abhantrach seo sa tréimhse chéanna.

I gcóras Chairlinn ba é 1 meánlíon na ngilidíní i ngach láthair i 2009 agus meánlíon 3 ghealóg bhric i ngach láthair.

Innéacs gealóg abhantrach na hAbhann Báine (limistéar Chairlinn) 2000-2009.

108

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Is cóir a lua go léiríonn na cairteacha thuas treochtaí ginearálta sna habhantracha a roghnaíodh agus i limistéar Chairlinn bunaíodh iad ar líon luaineach láithreacha a ndéantar suirbhé bliantúil orthu, cé go bhfuil sé seo ag daingniú. Is féidir gur roinnt tosca is cúis leis an luaineacht seo, lena n-áirítear tarlúintí mar ghalar crúibe agus béil i 2001 a theorannaigh rochtain i roinnt ceantar, nó láithreacha a chuaigh chun fásaigh agus nach bhfóirfeadh do shuirbhé agus tionchar na drochaimsire le linn shéasúr an tsuirbhé. Chomh maith leis na suirbhéanna leathchainníochtúla leictriascaireachta, rinneadh suirbhé cainníochtúil ar dhá láthair déag i limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn. Ceapadh an faireachán leanúnach cainníochtúil seo le héifeachtacht sainoibreacha feabhsaithe gnáthóg srutha a mheasúnú agus le héilimh ar fhaireachán éisc fionnuisce faoin Chreat-Treoir Uisce (WFD) a chomhlíonadh. Tá torthaí na suirbhéanna seo le feiceáil sna Tuarascálacha Stádais. Tá achoimre déanta thíos ar shampla den eolas a bailíodh ag gach stáisiún leictriascaireachta cainníochtúla agus sonraí achoimre ar fáil. Is féidir an t-eolas seo a léirthuiscint le heolas ar láithreacht, flúirse agus aois-struchtúr speiceas a sholáthar mar a éilítear faoin WFD, agus is féidir comparáidí díreacha a dhéanamh le haon athrú i líonta éisc thar tréimhse de bhlianta a fhaireachán má cuireadh oibreacha feabhsaithe gnáthóg i gcrích. Is do stáisiún WFD ar Abhainn na Coilleadh a bailíodh na sonraí achoimrithe.

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109

Aistriú torthaí samplála (0+ sonraíonn gealóga, 1+ sonraíonn maighreáin) Iascaireacht

110

Bradán 0+

Bradán 1+

Breac 0+

Breac 1+

Eascann

Iomlán

1ú

2ú

IOMLÁN

Gabháil iomlán

Dlús/100m²

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Gaol faid meáchain gach aois/cohórt bradáin

Dáileadh fadmhinicíochta do na hógbhradáin uile a gabhadh Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

111

Tugtar faoi deara gur taifeadadh na sonraí thuas ó fhoshampla gealóg ar imirce agus mar sin, is féidir nach sampla ionadaíoch iad de líon iomlán eisimirce na ngealóg bric. Uainiú agus flúirse ghluaiseacht gealóg breac farraige ó fhoshampla scriúghaiste rothlach, An Fhochain 2006-2009. Druidim an ghaiste le linn dalaí ardtaoide is cúis leis na bearnaí sna sonraí. Bliain

Líon Gealóg Breac Farraige

Meánfhad (cm)

Meánmheáchan (g)

2006

248

17.8

64.14

2007

279

19.1

74.73

2008

18.5

63.28

2009

18.9

68.07

Gríosaíonn Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna gabháil agus scaoileadh mar uirlis thábhachtach chaomhnaithe do gach cineál bric i limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn. Oibreacha srutha Is é an ghnáthóg srutha an toisc is bunúsaí a théann i bhfeidhm ar tháirgeacht abhann salmainide. Is iad na trí chineál tábhachtacha gnáthóige, uisce nó linnte coinneála - ina dtig le héisc aosacha luí; claiseanna sceite - gairbhéal glan dea-uiscithe ina dtig le haosaigh sceitheadh; agus gorlanna - mear-réimsí sách domhain le neart deiseanna cosanta do ghealóga agus do mhaighneáin. Tá na hachair atá ar fáil agus a ngaol agus a seicheamh ar na príomhthosca a shocraíonn táirgeacht córais. Is í an ghnáthóg srutha a dhearbhaíonn acmhainn abhann agus is iad cáilíocht an uisce, dlús stoic, creachóireacht a shocraíonn feabhas na hacmhainne a thig a shroicheadh. I 2009 lean Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna den infheistíocht i bhfeabhsú gnáthóg salmainide le táirgeacht óg-shalmainide a uasmhéadú; cuireadh roinnt oibreacha i gcrích ar fud limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn agus caitheadh breis agus £75,000 ar na hoibreacha seo. Agus oibreacha srutha curtha i gcrích ní bheidh rath orthu mura gcosnaítear ar dhochar comhshaoil agus ar thruailliú uisce araon iad, agus dhírigh foireann na Gníomhaireachta ar chosaint na n-óg-ghnáthóg uile. Tugadh faoi na hoibreacha

112

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts a leanas i 2009: Limistéar/Abhantrach/ Craobh-abhainn

Iarmhairt ar Díríodh uirthi Beart

An Daoil

Scáthu

Crannliacht

Cora Mhuileann an tSiáin

Iasc-bhealach

Daingniú cora

Abhainn na Deirge

Díghrádú gairbhéal sceite

Cosaint gairbhéal sceite

Loch Finne

Leibhéal uisce

Feabhsú gairbhéal sceite

Sruth na Breacaí

Creimeadh

Fálú agus gradhana

Sruth Chraobháin

Creimeadh

Fálú agus gradhana

Abhainn Fhionntamhnaí

Creimeadh

Sraodbhalla carraige, fálú, plandáil crann

Camabhainn

Creimeadh

Sraodbhalla carraige, fálú

An Abhainn Bhán

Creimeadh

Daingniú bruaigh

Clibeáil Chódaithe Sreinge (CWT) Lean an clár Chlibeáil Chódaithe Sreinge i 2009 ar an Fhochain. Bhí suntas méadaithe sa chlár clibeála i rith an ama i 2009 mar gheall ar an chlár idirnáisiúnta SALSEA Merge ag fiosrú na dtosca a théann i bhfeidhm ar mharthanas bradán san fharraige. Is cuid shuntasach den chlár seo iar-ghealóga a gabhadh san fharraige a nascadh le dúiche nó le habhainn a mbunúis. Is é an príomh-mhodh le go mbainfear amach é úsáid teicnící géiniteacha aitheantais agus éisc athghafa Códchlibeáilte Sreinge ag soláthar faisnéise forlíontaí. Chomh maith le tacú le SALSEA Merge déantar CWT ar roinnt eile cúiseanna lena n-áirítear díorthú meastacháin mharthanas farraige agus aibhsiú na limistéar ina dtig bradáin aosacha inimirce a shaothrú. Lean Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna d’úsáid Scriú-ghaistí Rothlacha le gealóga imirce a ghabháil lena gclibeáil. Bailítear sonraí bitheolaíocha i gcuideachta eolais eile ar uainiú ghluaiseacht na líonta éisc shalmainide agus líonta eile éisc ag imeacht le sruth abhann.

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Eolas ar ghealóga a clibeáladh i 2008 agus a gabhadh ina n-aosaigh inimirce i 2009, cuirfear i láthair i dtuarascáil bhliantúil 2010 é agus sna Tuarascálacha Stádais Abhantrach. Lean Foras na Mara de chomhthiomsú na sonraí athghabhála ón chlár clibeála. Bric Fharraige Taifeadtar fosta líonta agus dlúis na n-ógbhreac le linn suirbhéanna leictriascaireachta agus tuairiscítear roimh ré iad faoi thuarascáil leictriascaireachta 2009. Ní féidir idirdhealú idir ógbhric fharraige agus bric rua a dhéanamh sna luath-thréimhsí beatha seo. Mar chineál anadromach an bhric rua pórann an breac farraige i bhfionnuisce ach imirceann sé chun na farraige le beathú agus le haibiú. Mar a tharla ina lán aibhneacha sa Bhreatain agus in Éirinn, laghdaigh líon na mbreac rua i limistéar an Fheabhail; mar speiceas tá clú orthu as nádúr timthriallach a n-inimirce. Ní róshoiléir a thuigtear diniEIA agus saolré breac farraige, mar shampla, cad chuige a dtéann cuid de na héisc chun farraige agus a bhfanann cuid eile san

114

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts fhionnuisce? Is dócha go bhfuil meascán de ghéinitic agus chomhshaol ar siúl agus tugadh faoi deara ina lán líonta a ndearnadh staidéar orthu gur minic gur baineann bunús na mbreac farraige a fhilleann, agus gur fireann an comhlíon fionnuisce a fhanann. De réir teoiric amháin, bíonn táirgeadh uibheacha ag brath ar mhéid coirp agus gur le leas an bhaineannaigh é dul chun farraige áit ar fearr an beathú agus go bhfásann siad níos mó, go dtáirgeann siad níos mó uibheacha dá bharr sin agus b’fhéidir líon méadaithe sleachta. Tá roinnt tosca a d’fhéadfadh a bheith ina gcúis le laghdú sna stoic, truailliú mar shampla, athrú aeráide agus ró-iascaireacht. Is minic a bhíonn éisc níos mó ná mar is gnách in aibhneacha chósta thoir na hÉireann, an Abhainn Bhán cuir i gcás i limistéar Chairlinn a bhfuil clú uirthi as méid a cuid breac farraige, agus is sampla í de chórais a shileann amach i Muir Éireann. Le linn 2009 tá cáipéis straitéise breac á forbairt ag Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna a achoimreoidh roinnt beartas a chuirfeas, dar linn, le caomhnú agus cosaint feabhsaithe gach gné den chuid thábhachtach seo d’ilghnéitheacht an iascaigh i limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn. Foilseofar an straitéis seo i 2010.

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Bainistíocht agus Forbairt na Garbhiascaireachta I 2009 thosaigh an Ghníomhaireacht athbhreithniú garbhiascaigh i limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn. Thosaigh an t-athbhreithniú le cruinniú páirtithe leasmhara, a ndearnadh freastal maith air. Thairg an Ghníomhaireacht tuairisc bhonnlíne ar stádas an gharbhiascaigh mar thionscnamh ar chlár forbartha. Bunaithe ar stocmheasúnú 2007 Chanáil an Iúir idir Loc Victeoiria agus Bháisín Ailbhe, rinneadh stocshuirbhé i gcomhar leis an Fhoras Uiscebhia agus Eolaíochtaí Bitheacha (AFBI) agus an Príomh-Bhord Iascaigh (CFB). Thosaigh an Ghníomhaireacht clár athstocála Chanáil an Iúir trína stocáil le hógbhran. I 2009 d’uasdátaigh an Ghníomhaireacht a reachtaíocht gharbhiascaigh le tabhairt isteach Limistéar an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn (Garbhiascaireacht) Rialacháin 2009. Crosannn na Rialacháin marú speiceas áirithe garbhéisc le slat agus dorú i Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn. Forálann na Rialacháin fosta leasú iarmhartach sainmhínithe “garbhiasc”, “ceadúnas slaite garbhiascaireachta” agus “ceadúnas slaite géimiascaireachta” i rialachán 2 Limistéar an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn (Ceadúnú Innill Iascaireachta) Rialacháin 2001. Thug an Ghníomhaireacht isteach fosta Limistéar an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn (Caomhnú Eascann) Rialacháin 2009. Coscann na Rialacháin seo gabháil eascann ar aon mhodh ach le slat agus dorú. Forálann siad fosta go gcuirfí eascainn ar ais chuig na huiscí inar gabhadh iad gan gortú inseachanta agus coisceann siad díol eascann a gabhadh le slat agus dorú. Tugadh isteach an rialachán seo le héilimh Choimisiún na hEorpa faoi Rialachán Comhairle (PE) Uimh 1100/2007 a léiriú, éilimh a bhunaigh bearta i gcomhair athghabháil stoc an eascainn Eorpaigh. Tá garbhiascaireacht tábhachtach i gcónaí i gCairlinn agus san Fheabhal. Lean an Ghníomhaireacht den obair le páirtithe leasmhara áitiúla, le roinnt uiscí a fhorbairt agus a chur chun cinn.

Caomhnú agus Cosaint Iascaigh Achoimre gníomhartha forfheidhmiúcháin a atreoraíodh chuig dlíodóirí na Gníomhaireachta

116

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

123

109

106

Léiríonn méid na ngníomhartha forfheidhmiúcháin a atreoraíodh chuig dlíodóirí na Gníomhaireachta an saothar a cuireadh isteach i gcomhlánú comhad i gcomhair ionchúisimh. Athraíonn líon na gcúiseamh deiridh agus na gciontuithe mar gheall ar chéatadán na gcomhad a dteipeann orthu de bharr sheachaint toghairmeacha. Rinneadh fadhb ar leith de seo agus níos mó oibrithe díomuana i dTuaisceart na hÉireann agus seachaint lántoiliúil sheirbheála roinnt daoine aonair. Achoimre urghabhálacha a rinne foireann na Gníomhaireachta 2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Slata

137

Báid agus Feithiclí

Líonta

165

145

107

101

109

127

Iasc

152

129

112

Is mian le Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna an chabhair shuntasach a admháil a thug an Roinn Talmhaíochta agus Forbartha Tuaithe, an Garda Síochána agus Seirbhís Póilíneachta Thuaisceart na hÉireann, i bhforfheidhmiú na nAchtanna Iascaigh i limistéar Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna. Ritheadh Acht agus Ordú Iascaigh an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn i bparlaimintí na hÉireann agus na Breataine araon i 2007 Bhí alt úr sa reachtaíocht faoi airteagal 20 a bhain le maoirseacht tuairiscí d’Fhaireoirí Príobháideacha Abhann. Deir an t-alt “Cuirfidh aon duine a cheapann duine eile le feidhmiú mar fhaireoir abhann tuairisc chuig an Choimisiún, ar dháta nach moille ná 31ú Eanáir i ngach bliain, faoi cibé foirm agus ina mbeadh cibé eolas a d’ordófaí.” Ina dhiaidh sin thug an Ghníomhaireacht isteach tuairiscí éigeantacha ó chlubanna duántachta; tá cuid de na sonraí ar taispeáint thíos. Admhaíonn Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

117

an Ghníomhaireacht an iarracht sheasmhach dhíograiseach a léirigh na Faireoirí Príobháideacha Abhann; tá cuid den obair a rinneadh mionsonraithe thíos. Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna a oileann Faireoirí Príobháideacha Abhann agus is minic a bhíonn siad páirteach ar chomhphatróil le foireann na Gníomhaireachta.

118

Ainm an Chlub

Uairean-ta iomlána Líon ceadúnas Urghabhálacha oibre / ceadanna a seiceáladh

Abercorn Estates

100

1 Líon

Ardstraw Anglers

Nialas

Omagh Anglers

444

Nialas

190 Warrenpoint Rostrevor and district angling club

150

5 Shlat

Deele Angling club

340

Nialas

Stragullen Fishery

170

Nialas

Ballybofey and Stranorlar Angling Association

Nialas

1 Líon

Peter Archdale

Nialas

Feddens angling syndicate

Nialas

Brookeborough Fisheries

1 fhostaí lánaimseartha + 30 uair

Nialas

Castletown syndicate 5

Nialas

Glebe Angling club

180

Nialas

River Faughan Ltd

2 fhostaí lánaimseartha + 180 uair

300

3 Shlat

Kilkeel Angling Club

333

Nialas

Killygordon fishery

Nialas

Roe Angling Association

1 fhostaí lánaimseartha + 2800 uair

1265

7 Slat 1 Líon

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Cáilíocht an Fhionnuisce Tá an Ghníomhaireacht i rith ama ina gcomhairlithe reachtúla d’fhorbairtí a dtiocfadh leo tionchar a oibriú ar thimpeallachtaí uisceacha agus abhann i dtaca le cáilíocht uisce nó le timpeallacht bruachánach de. Tá san áireamh anseo díospóireachtaí leis an tSeirbhís Foraoiseachta, Coillte agus comhlachtaí éagsúla foraoiseachta faoin tionchar féideartha scéimeanna plandála atá á moladh, leis an tSeirbhís Bóithre faoi chrosairí úra abhann agus scéimeanna bóthair, leis an tSeirbhís Uisce faoi scéimeanna camrais agus astarraingt uisce, leis an tSeirbhís Pleanála faoi fhorbairtí úra, le Gníomhaireacht Chomhshaoil Thuaisceart na hÉireann faoi thoilithe doirtí, cheadúnais astarraingthe, a gcáilíocht agus a dtionchar féideartha, agus leis an Ghníomhaireacht Aibhneacha faoi cheisteanna draenála agus bainistíocht sruthchúrsaí, ar a n-áirítear oibreacha cúitimh athchóiriú gnáthóg. Creideann an Ghníomhaireacht go bhfuil an straitéis leanúnach aici le díriú ar abhantracha is cosúil a bheith in anás dá Clár Onnghníomhach Chosc ar Thruailliú, fónta agus tairbheach araon do na habhantracha sin; foinsíodh an buneolas don straitéis go príomha ó na suirbhéanna cáilíochtúla leictriascaireachta a dhéantar gach bliain agus ar bhonn is lú ón chlár uasdátú gnáthóg agus na suirbhéanna áireamh claiseanna sceite. Ag úsáid i gcomhar lena chéile na sonraí leictriascaireachta, áireamh claiseanna sceite, cháilíocht an uisce agus maicrinveirteabrach a cruinníodh i 2009, bhí an Ghníomhaireacht in ann na hachair sin ar mó a thiocfadh faoi thionchar truaillithe a mheas agus díriú ar na fo-abhantracha seo le haghaidh cigireacht onnghníomhach. As cuid de na cigireachtaí seo tháinig atreorú i gcomhair comhairle ar chleachtas feirmeoireachta, agus as cuid eile tháinig cúiseamh as doirtí mídhleathacha. Tharla eachtra amháin marú éisc, mar gheall ar thruailliú talmhaíochta is cosúil, i limistéar an Fheabhail agus níor tharla aon chuid i limistéar Chairlinn i 2009. Ach tharla roinnt mioneachtraí básmhaireacht éisc i limistéar an Fheabhail anonn sa séasúr, ach is cosúil gur ionfhabhtuithe fungasacha ar líon beag éisc ba chúis leo. Thug Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna faoi fhaireachán bitheolaíoch agus ceiEIAeach na bhfionnuiscí chun cuidiú le comhchruinniú truailleán dochrach sa timpeallacht uisceach a dhearbhú. Tá bunchuspóirí éagsúla san fhaireachán seo ar thruailliú:

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119

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

fócas a sholáthar d’iarracht Chaomhnaithe agus Chosanta na Gníomhaireachta; bagairtí féideartha do shláinte éisc agus d’éiceachórais uisceacha a aithint; an pobal a choinneáil ar an eolas faoi cháilíocht na timpeallachta uiscí agus feasacht phoiblí a ardú faoi cheisteanna comhshaoil; ionchur a sholáthar i socruithe cinnteoireachta; éifeachtúlacht bearta rialú truaillithe a mheasúnú; treochtaí a aithint i dtruailliú agus fadhbanna feasta a aithint.

Roghnaíodh 92 suíomh do shampláil bhitheolaíoch agus cheiEIAeach aibhneacha in abhantacha hidreolaíocha an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn. Ó Mheitheamh go Meán Fómhair 2009 a mhair tréimhse na samplála. Sampláladh gach ceann de na 92 suíomh le cáilíocht cheiEIAeach a mheasúnú uair sa mhí le linn shéasúr allamuigh an tsamhraidh. Bhain an próiseas le cruinniú sonraí ceiEIAeacha cháilíocht an uisce tríd an sampla a thógáil as suíomh na habhann agus anailís saotharlainne gach sampla a fuarthas ina dhiaidh sin. Rinneadh anailís ar gach sampla ón Fheabhal ag saotharlann Cheanncheathrú Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna, agus rinne an Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil anailís shamplaí Chairlinn ag a saotharlann i Muineachán. Sampláladh gach ceann de na 92 fosta le táscairí bitheolaíocha a mheasúnú ag úsáid an mhodh chic 3 nóiméad samplála. Fuarthas samplaí ó na sruthchúrsaí agus thóg an fhoireann eolaíochta ag saotharlann Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna aitheantas mionsonraithe maicrinveirteabrach. Tá cuid de na sonraí a cruinníodh ó chlár samplála fionnuisce 2009 le feiceáil sna leathanaigh a leanas.

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Fíor. 1: Torthaí BOD ó shuíomhanna uile an Fheabhail le linn shamhradh 2009. Éileamh Bitheolaíoch ar Ocsaigin.

Fíor. 2: Torthaí BOD ó shuíomhanna uile Chairlinn le linn shamhradh 2009.

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Fíor. 3: Solaid ar fuaidreamh ó shuíomhanna uile an Fheabhail le linn shamhradh 2009.

Fíor. 4: Solaid ar fuaidreamh ó shuíomhanna uile Chairlinn le linn shamhradh 2009.

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Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Fíor. 5: Iomlán luachanna fosfair ó shuíomhanna uile an Fheabhail le linn shamhradh 2009.

Fíor. 6: Iomlán luachanna fosfair ó shuíomhanna uile Chairlinn le linn shamhradh 2009.

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Thaispeáin an faireachán bitheolaíoch agus ceiEIAeach go bhfuil cáilíocht an uisce go maith den chuid is mó i gcórais an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn, agus na leibhéil taobh istgh de na treoirlínte de ghnáth do shalmainidí ar fud an dá abhantrach. San áit ar léirigh na samplaí céimeanna éagsúla truaillithe, tugadh aghaidh ar na ceisteanna agus tá siad le feiceáil i dTáblaí 15a go 15d na tuarascála seo. Thairis sin, shuiteáil an Ghníomhaireacht le cabhair chistiú INTERREG córas faireacháin comhshaoil ar an Loch Fhada. Tá líon tábhachtach agus b’fhéidir uathúil Ruabhreac Artach (Salvelinus alpinus L.) ar an Loch. Tá a gcothabháil agus a mbainistíocht sin faoi chonradh ag IAEB.

12: Dobharshaothrú agus Sliogiascach Leanann an Ghníomhaireacht d’athbhreithniú is d’fhorbairt Rialachán éifeachtach do na hearnálacha sliogéisc agus dobharshaothraithe. Tá an Ghníomhaireacht tiomanta d’fhorbairt beartas a chinnteoidh forbairt fhadtréimhse inbhuanaithe na n-earnálacha. Thosaigh an Ghníomhaireacht fosta a mheas scóip na hoibre a theastaíonn le samhail chumas iompair a fhorbairt do Loch Feabhail. Meastar go dtionscnófar an obair air seo i 2010. Iascach Oisrí Thug an Ghníomhaireacht isteach Rialacháin do bhainistíocht, chaomhnú agus d’fhorbairt iascach oisrí fiáine i Loch Feabhail ar 31ú Iúil 2008. Tá an Ghníomhaireacht tiomanta do pháirteachas fadtréimhse comhairleach le tionsclaíocht chun córas láidir bainistíochta a sholáthar a rachas chun tairbhe an tionscail agus a chinnteos go mbeidh a ghníomhaíocht inbhuanaithe ó thaobh an chomhshaoil agus inmharthana ó thaobh tráchtála de amach anseo. Ó tugadh isteach reachtaíocht d’iascach oisrí fiáine i Loch Feabhail rinneadh leasuithe ar Rialacháin Rialú Iascach Oisrí. Is iad seo a lenas na leasuithe: • •

Béal sainmhínithe Loch Feabhail a bheith san áireamh. Méadú i méid an fháinne nó i dteorainn mhéid an oisre a thig a choinneáil ó 75mm go 80mm. Fuair an Ghníomhaireacht 51 iarratas ar cheadúnais oisre i séasúr 2009/10. I ndiaidh na meastóireachta eisíodh 39 ceadúnas don iascach.

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Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Ceadúnú Dobharshaothraithe Beidh an córas úr rialála cheadúnú dobharshaothraithe do Loch Chairlinn agus do Loch Feabhail á bhainistiú ag Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna. An dá Roinn (An Roinn Talmhaíochta agus Forbartha Tuaithe agus an Roinn Talmhaíochta, Iascach agus Bia) a cheadaíonn an dobharshaothrú faoi láthair i limistéar Chairlinn agus in earnáil fhionnuisce limistéar an Fheabhail. Níl aon cheadúnas i bhfeidhm do Loch Feabhail agus níor eisíodh ceadúnais ar bith de bharr cheisteanna a bhaineas le dlínse. Críochnaíodh comhairliúchán Rialacháin Limistéar an Fheabhail agus Limistéar Chairlinn (Ceadúnú Dobharshaothraithe) i bhFeabhra na bliana 2009. Tá an Ghníomhaireacht go fóill ag obair i dtreo Comhaontú le Coimisiún Eastáit na Corónach agus leis an Roinn Talmhaíochta, Iascaigh agus Bia faoi Chomhaontú Bainistíochta a phléfidh le gné táillí agus costais cheadúnú dobharshaothraithe. Rachaidh an Ghníomhaireacht i gcomhairle scartha ar an cheist. Measúnú Straitéiseach Comhshaoil Is córas chuimsiú ceisteanna comhshaoil i mbeartais, i bpleananna agus i gcláir é an Measúnú Straitéiseach Comhsaoil (SEA). Den chuid is mó déantar SEA sula dtugtar faoin EIA comhfhreagrach. Dá bharr seo tig le heolas ar an iarmhairt chomhshaoil atá ag plean sileadh anuas trí shraitheanna na cinnteoireachta lena úsáid in EIA níos moille anonn, más gá. Ní bhaineann an Treoir SEA ach le pleananna agus cláir, ní le beartais, cé gur dócha go measúnófar beartais taobh istigh de phleananna agus tig EIA a fheidhmiú ar bheartais. Rinne an Ghníomhaireacht conradh le seirbhísí Faber Maunsell (AECOM) le SEA a dhéanamh agus fuarthas a seirbhísí tríd an Lár-Rannóg Soláthair (TÉ). Forbrófar Plean Forfheidhmithe na Gníomhaireachta do cheadúnú, rialú agus d’fhorbairt an dobharshaothraithe sa dá abhantrach taobh le próiseas an SEA. Rinneadh moill roinnt uaireanta i ndul chun cinn phróiseas an SEA le linn 2009 agus táthar ag súil go gcríochnófar an measúnú agus an Plean Forfheidhmithe go luath i 2010.

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Fóram Comhairleach Diúilicíní Bunfháis Leanann an Ghníomhaireacht ag freastal ar chruinniú BGMCF ar bhonn ráithiúil. Tá an Ghníomhaireacht tiomanta do phlé comhairleach fadtréimhse le tionsclaíocht chun córas láidir bainistíochta a sholáthar agus lena chinntiú go mbeidh a gníomhaíocht inbhuanaithe ó thaobh an chomhshaoil agus inmharthana ó thaobh na tráchtala amach anseo. Suirbhé Oisrí Nádúrtha 2009 Tugadh faoi shuirbhé dreideála líon oisrí nádúrtha Loch Feabhail thar 8 lá scartha i Meitheamh agus in Iúil 2009. San iomlán tógadh 394 sampla agus sampláladh 4791 oisre ó na dreideálacha seo. Measadh figiúr bithmhaise 363 tona don líon iomlán. Ba mhéadú beag é seo ar fhigiúr 292 tona 2008. Is cosúil go bhfuil líon níos mó oisrí san aicme níos sine sa stoc ná mar a bhí sna blianta roimhe. Ainm Beirtrí

Lim. (ha)

Limistéar m2

An Fara

319

3190000

Deisceart

566

Talamh Comhréidh

Dlús

Líon Oisrí

Bithmhais(kg)

Bithmhais (t)

0.567

1808730

90436.5

90.4365

5660000

0.285

1613100

80655

80.655

674

6740000

0.146

984040

49202

49.202

Beirtreach Láir

825

8250000

0.12

990000

49500

49.5

Tuaisceart

250

2500000

0.03

75000

3750

3.75

Beirtr. Bhun an Phobail

526

5260000

0.049

257740

12887

12.887

Lár-Thuaidh

165

1650000

0.035

57750

2887.5

2.8875

Carraig Mhic Uidhilín

395

3950000

0.063

248850

12442.5

12.4425

Droim Ghainimh

246

2460000

0.031

76260

3813

3.813

Droim Sceallán

300000

0.369

110700

5535

5.535

Bruach Glas

680000

0.931

633080

31654

31.654

Rinn Uí Choigligh

580000

0.217

125860

6293

6.293

Eile

2959

29590000

0.01

295900

14795

14.795

Iomlán

7081

70810000

0.2194615

7277010

363850.5

363.8505

Tábla 1. Bithmhais Oisrí ar bheirtreacha aonair i Loch Feabhail

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Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts B’ábhar díomá sa suirbhé líon na n-oisrí sceathraí a fuarthas sna beirtreacha. Is féidir gur de bharr droch-choinníollacha sceite agus lonnaíochta i samhradh 2008 a tharla sé. Tá Suirbhé Oisrí Nádúrtha Loch Feabhail 2009 le fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin na Gníomhaireachta. Stádas Iascach Oisrí Nádúrtha i 2009 I míonna deiridh shéasúr 2008-2009 ba bheag gníomhaíocht a chonacthas san iascach ó Eanáir-Márta 2009. Ba bhocht iad praghsanna an mhargaidh mar gheall ar éileamh íseal a ghin an ghéarchéim gheilleagrach dhomhanda. Thosaigh séasúr 2009-2010 ar 21 Meán Fómhair agus bhíothas ag dúil le dea-thoradh agus barr maith oisrí as na príomhbheirtreacha. Lean sé seo go Nollaig ach thit na praghsanna arís agus gan ach níos lú ná €2 an kg ar na hoisrí ab isle cáilíocht. Baineadh fómhar tuairim ar 100 tona suas go deireadh mhí na Nollag, suim a mheastar ab fhiú faoi €300,000 ar luachanna céad-díola. Suirbhéanna Síol Diúilicíní Rinneadh dhá shuirbhé síol diúilicíní i 2009. Tharla an chéad cheann acu i mí Aibreáin agus bhí na torthaí dearfach le beirtreach bheag in aice Theach Solais an Choinicéir ag síneadh chomh fada le 15 heicteár agus idir 225-450 tona de shíol diúilicíní inti. Rinneadh an bheirtreach seo a iascach ar chéad chéim iascach an tsíl i mí Bealtaine. Suirbhé breise i mí Lúnasa níor nocht sé aon lonnaíochtaí eile síol diúilicíní ar an bheirtreach agus dá bharr sin, osclaíodh iascach beag eile do dhiúilicíní fuireach geimhridh sa réimse méide 40-60mm i mí Meán Fómhair 2009. Tá tuarascálacha na suirbhéanna seo arís ar fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin na Gníomhaireachta. Suirbhéanna Idirthaoide Diúilicíní 2009 Thug an Ghníomhaireacht faoi shuirbhéanna idirthaoide diúilicíní fiáine i Loch Cairlinn agus i Loch Feabhail araon i 2009. Is é aidhm na suirbhéanna seo dáileadh agus flúirse diúilicíní fiáine ar na criosanna idirthaoide sa dá loch a mheas chun cuidiú leis na hacmhainní luachmhara seo a chosaint agus le riachtanais an lín seo agus a speiceas cleithiúnach a chothromú le linn sliogiascaigh agus an dobharshaothrú inbhuanaithe a bhainistiú. Tá siad seo an-dian ar acmhainní agus teoranta ar am mar gheall ar nádúr taoideach na timpeallachta oibre. Leanfar de na suirbhéanna seo i 2010 le cumhdach 100% na n-acmhainní idirthaoide sna lochanna farraige a chinntiú. Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

127

Suirbhéanna Speiceas Ionrach D’éascaigh an Ghníomhaireacht lucht taighde ó Choláiste Ollscoile Bhaile Átha Cliath ar a staidéir allamuigh i Loch Feabhail i 2009 ar leathnú oisrí na Mara Ciúine san fhiántas. Tá an Ghníomhaireacht fosta ag déanamh faireacháin ar dháileadh agus flúirse na n-oisrí fiáine Mara Ciúine seo ó 2007 mar chuid dá suirbhéanna oisrí nádúrtha agus a suirbhéanna diúilicíní idirthaoide. Chomhordaigh an Ghníomhaireacht suirbhé ar láithreacht shlipéar mara, Crepidula fornicata, i Loch Cairlinn go luath i 2009 le comhlachtaí eile reachtúla. Rinneadh suirbhé fosta ar mhuiríne Chairlinn i 2009 le dáileadh agus flúirse ascaideach, Didemnum vexillum a aithint. Níor léirigh na torthaí aon mhéadú nó leathnú ar an speiceas sa mhuiríne. Déanfar an suirbhé arís i 2010. Uasdátú Suirbhé Stádais Tá tuarascálacha stádais do Loch Cairlinn agus Loch Feabhail le fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin na Gníomhaireachta agus ar chóip chrua. Cáilíocht Uisce an Mhuiríne Lean an Ghníomhaireacht d’oibriú an líonra feistithe gléasanna i limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn i 2009 faoi chonradh le IAEB. D’infheistigh an Ghníomhaireacht i dteicneolaíocht úr bhraiteora i 2009 le hardú beachtais agus níos mó comhsheasmhachta sna taifid ó na córais a bhaint amach. Tá na sonraí a thaifead na córais seo le fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin na Gníomhaireachta agus iad in-íoslódála saor in aisce ag an phobal agus ag gníomhaireachtaí agus taighdeoirí eile. Úsáidtear na sonraí seo le cinneadóirí a choinneáil ar an eolas faoi theochtaí i gcáilíocht uisce ar scálaí athraitheacha ama. Ionfhabhtú Víreas Heirpéis Shliogéisc in Oisrí na Mara Ciúine D’fhreagair an Ghníomhaireacht do thuairiscí faoi bhásmhaireachtaí in oisrí na Mara Ciúine i Loch Feabhail i samhradh 2009 trí thástáil an tsliogéisc ag údaráis sláinte éisc Thuaisceart na hÉireann agus Phoblacht na hÉireann a éascú. Taifeadadh básmhaireachtaí in ógaicmí oisrí na Mara Ciúine agus mheas na húdaráis shláinte éisc gurb é ba dhóiche gur bhain siad sin le víreas OsHV-1. D’fhan leibhéil bhásmhaireachta ard, agus thuairiscigh roinnt feirmeoirí básmhaireacht níos airde ná 75% ar feadh tréimhse faoi 3 seachtaine i mí Iúil; ach thosaigh siad a laghdú ina dhiaidh sin.

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Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Tástáil Bonamia Oisrí Nádúrtha Tá an Ghníomhaireacht fós ag cruinniú samplaí d’oisrí nádúrtha do na húdaráis reachtúla sláinte éisc i dTuaisceart na hÉireann agus i bPoblacht na hÉireann ar lorg an tseadáin Bonamia ostreae. I 2009 tógadh sampla amháin i Loch Feabhail a léirigh leibhéal íseal ionfhabhtú an tseadáin sna hoisrí nádúrtha ar aon dul leis na torthaí le 4 bliana anuas. Dáta

Ainm Beirtrí

Líon a Líon dearfach de réir: Sampláladh Histeolaíochta ISP In situ

22/02/2007 An Caisléan Geal

N/b

06/03/2007 Lár-bheirtreach

N/b

06/03/2007 Rinn Uí Choigligh

N/A

N/b

10/10/2007 Carraig Mhic Uidhilín

N/b

10/10/2007 Rinn Uí Choigligh

N/b

10/10/2007 An Caisleán Nua

N/b

06/02/2008 Rinn Uí Choigligh

N/b

20/02/2008 Rinn Uí Choigligh

N/b

03/07/2008 Loch Feabhail

N/b

17/12/2008 Rinn Uí Choigligh

N/b

29/10/2009 Rinn Uí Choigligh

N/b

Tábla 2. Torthaí Thástáil Bhonamia Loch Feabhail 2007-2009. Suirbhé Sláintíoch Limistéir Táirgthe Sliogéisc i Loch Feabhail An Ghníomhaireacht a chomhordaigh an togra seo thar ceann an Ghníomhaireacht Caighdeán Bia i dTuaisceart na hÉireann agus thar ceann an Údarás um Chosaint Iascaigh Mhara agus an Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia i bPoblacht na hÉireann. Thug an togra trasteorann seo aghaidh ar riachtanais na gcomhlachtaí reachtúla seo atá freagrach faoi Rialachán (PE) 854/2004 as fardal foinsí poiblí a dhéanamh, leibhéil an truaillithe a mheasúnú agus pointí ionadacha faireacháin a leagan amach do chláir shamplála baictéareolaíocha i limistéir táirgthe sliogéisc. Tionscnaíodh an togra i mí na Nollag 2009 agus tá sé le críochnú in Aibreán 2010. Tá a leithéid chéanna de shuirbhé pleanáilte i Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

129

Loch Cairlinn do 2010 agus an Ghníomhaireacht arís ag comhordú ar son na n-údarás reachtúil ar bhonn trasteorann. Gníomhaíochtaí Samplála Biotocsaine agus Baictéareolaíocha i 2009 Cruinníonn agus soláthraíonn an Ghníomhaireacht samplaí Biotocsaine agus Baictéareolaíocha uisce agus sliogéisc do na húdaráis reachtúla i dTuaisceart na hÉireann agus i bPoblacht na hÉireann. Éilítear na samplaí seo faoi threoracha de chuid an AE mar Rialachán 854/2004. D’fhreastail beirt bhall foirne ar cheardlann oiliúna ag Cefas, Lowestoft i mí an Mhárta 2009 faoi mhodhanna samplála d’oifigigh ag obair faoi Rialachán 854/2004. 85 sampla sliogéisc a tógadh i Loch Cairlinn i 2009 don bhaictéareolaíocht agus tógadh an líon céanna de bhiotocsainí i bhfeoil sliogéisc agus in uisce. Tógadh 32 sampla sliogéisc i Loch Feabhail i 2009 don bhaictéareolaíocht agus tógadh an líon céanna do bhiotocsainí i bhfeoil shliogéisc agus in uisce. Ba chóir go rialtódh soláthar an tsuirbhé shláintíoch limistéir shliogéisc sna Lochanna na cláir shamplála seo agus an faireachán a dhéanamh níos costéifeachtaí. Measúnuithe Comhshaoil a oibríonn ar Shliogiascaigh agus ar Dhobharshaothrú Rinne an Ghníomhaireacht measúnuithe leanúnacha iarratas talaimh agus iarratas eile ar cheadúnú mar cheadúnú oibreacha dreideála i Loch Feabhail faoi Acht Cosanta Bia agus Comhshaoil TÉ. Éilíonn an obair seo dian-idirchaidreamh le tionsclaíocht agus páirtithe leasmhara agus féachann an Ghníomhaireacht lena chinntiú go mbíonn gach forbróir nó iarrthoir ar cheadúnas ar an eolas faoi nádúr agus leithead na sliogiascach agus dobharshaothraithe i limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn. Measúnuithe Comhshaoil – Dobharshaothrú Le linn 2009 tugadh faoi roinnt measúnuithe comhshaoil a bhain le Dobharshaothrú. Tiomsaíodh trí Mheasúnú Oiriúnacha mar a leanas: 1. 2.

130

Measúnú Oiriúnach agus Triail Suntais ar Thabhairt Isteach Rialachán do Iascach Oisrí ar shuíomhanna Natura 2000 i Loch Feabhail. Measúnú Oiriúnach ar Thabhairt Isteach Rialachán le dobharshaothrú muirí agus sliogiascaigh fhiáine a cheadúnú i Loch Feabhail agus aistriú ceadúnú dobharshaothrú fionnuisce i gcóras an Fheabhail. Measúnú Oiriúnach ar aistriú rialachán le dobharshaothrú muirí agus

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts sliogiascaigh fhiáine a cheadúnú i Loch Cairlinn agus ceadúnú dobharshaothrú fionnuisce i limistéar Chairlinn. Tugadh faoin mheasúnú iascach oisrí chun dul taobh le tabhairt isteach na rialachán nua ceadúnaithe d’iascach oisrí, agus tugadh faoin dá mheasúnú eile mar mheasúnuithe uileghabhálacha faoi Threoir Gnáthóg an AE (92/43/ EEC) i gcomhair mhúnlú an Mheasúnú Straitéiseach Comhshaoil (SEA) níos leithne a ndeachthas ina cheann faoi choimirce Threoir Mheasúnú Straitéiseach Comhshaoil an AE (2001/42/EC). Breathnaíonn an measúnú seo aon phlean nó togra, mar thabhairt isteach rialachán cheadúnú muirí agus measúnaíonn sé a iarmhairt fhéideartha ar an chomhshaol. D’aithin na measúnuithe oiriúnacha uile nár chóir go mbeadh iarmhairtí ar bith suntasacha ar ghnéithe cáilitheacha na suíomhanna Eorpacha dá ngabhfadh an Ghníomhaireacht bearta áirithe maolaithe. Níltear ag dúil go n-oibreoidh rialtú an Iascaigh aon éifeacht dhochrach ar shuíomhanna Eorpacha chóras an Fheabhail a luaithe a bheas na sé bheart déag maolaithe a moladh i bhfeidhm agus go gcloítear leo. Táthar ag súil go gceadóidh tionscal rialtaithe dobharshaothraithe i Loch Feabhail iascach inbhuanaithe agus ní shamhlaítear aon iarmhairtí dochracha ar na suíomhanna Eorpacha.

13: Turasóireacht Mhuirí Cuspóir: Iascaigh áineasa Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn a fhorbairt Soláthar Leathan An Stiúrthóireacht Forbartha, aithníonn, cuireann chun cinn agus margaíonn sí na deiseanna le sult a bhaint as soláthar an iascaigh, as táirge nó táirgí éiceolaíochta agus comhshaoil atá ann mar gheall ar obair na Stiúrthóireachta Caomhnaithe agus Cosanta agus, go pointe, obair na Stiúrthóireacht Dobharshaothraithe agus Shliogiascaigh, agus iad a úsáid agus a shaothrú. Cuireann sí i láthair fosta aghaidh phoiblí na Gníomhaireachta, ag glacadh freagrachta as uisceadán agus ionad cuairteora Riverwatch, as bainistíocht an tsuímh ghréasáin, as scaipeadh eolais, foinsiú cistithe agus soláthar comhairle agus oiliúna le feabhsuithe sa bhonneagar agus sna seirbhísí a sholáthar, a theastaíonn leis na sochair (na sochair gheilleagracha go háirithe) a ghiniúint a thig a bhaint as acmhainní na n-abhantrach agus atá á mbaint astu faoi láthair.

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Slatiascaireacht Áineasa Tá straitéis fhorbartha iascach áineasa bunaithe ar an Phlean Forbartha Cúig Bliana d’Acmhainn Áineasa agus Fóillíochta Iascachbhunaithe Limistéar an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn (Lestas, 2003) agus athbhreithneofar in aghaidh dul chun cinn é faoi lár 2010. Cuireadh an straitéis i bhfócas a thuilleadh trí phlé le Turasóireacht Éireann Teoranta, Fáilte Éireann agus BTTÉ agus is fiu a lua go bhfuil an cur chuige “ionad barr feabhais” a d’fhorbair an Príomh-Bhord Iascaigh i gcomhar le Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna gar do choincheap “cnuasach” na Gníomhaireachta. Chuaigh an Ghníomhaireacht i gcomhar go foirmiúil den chéad uair le Fáilte Éireann le Duántacht Éireann a chur ar aghaidh san Ísiltír agus tá an Ghníomhaireacht réidh leis an chur chun cinn a leathnú ar bhonn idirnáisiúnta le linn 2010. Breathnaigh Tábla 17. Acadamh Duántachta Chuir an Ghníomhaireacht acadamh duántachta ar siúl, dírithe ar dhaoine óga lena scileanna agus a ngéire intinne a fhorbairt ar son todhcaí na slatiascaireachta. Bhí an t-aiseolas go sea thar a bheith dearfach, i bhfad thar ar shamhail muid riamh. Tharraing an clár seo aird daoine, lucht gairme scoile go háirithe, agus ní haon áibhéil é a mhaíomh gur seo an togra is fearr dar eagraigh Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna go fóill. Faoi dheireadh chlár 2010, táimid ag dúil go mbeidh oiliúnt dár gcuid faighte ag breis agus 140 páiste ó aois 8 go 17, a mbunús sa taobh is óige agus lear maith acu ina gcailíní. Forbraíonn an clár meon an chaomhnaithe agus an chomhshaoil, múineann sé gabháil agus scaoileadh agus tugann sé gné láidir áineasa go dtí an tslatiascaireacht do dhaoine óga nár ghnách leo riamh plé le duántacht. Breathnaigh le do thoil, Tábla 17. Ciste Inbhuanaithe Forbartha Ar an drochuair níorbh fhéidir iarrthóirí a lorg don chiste inbhuanaithe forbartha nó tá faomhadh á iarraidh ar na Ranna Airgeadais do shocruithe i gcomhair scaipeadh clár cúnamh deontais. Ach tá ardspéis á cur ann ar fad agus táthar ag dúil le faomhadh a fháil chun leanúint le tograí go luath i 2010.

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Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts INTERREG IV I mí Iúil 2009 fuarthas litir thairisceana d’fhorbairt Turasóireachta Muirí agus Duántachta Interreg IVA agus d’éascaigh sí seo cur chun cinn réamh-chéimeanna togra ag Cé Gribben, Moorings Facilities san Fheabhal i bpáirtíocht le Coimisinéirí Phort agus Chuan Dhoire agus Comhairle Cathrach Dhoire, agus togra ag Cionn Mhálanna i gcomhar le Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall. Bhí dul chun cinn ní ba mhoille ná mar a rabhthas ag súil leis mar gheall ar mhoill ar mheasúnuithe luach ar airgead agus soláthair ach táthar ag dúil go bhfeicfear tionscnamh na dtograí ar bun i 2010.

14: Cur chun cinn na Slatiascaireachta I dtosach an tseasúir, d’óstáil an Ghníomhaireacht Aonach Duántachta bliantúil le 4000 cuairteoir mar a measadh, leis an abhantach a thaispeáint agus le feasacht ar pháirt na Gníomhaireachta a fhorbairt – mar gheall ar athrú ionaid, de bharr chúrsaí sábháilteachta, agus ar dhálaí aimsire a bhí thar a bheith míchineálta, ní raibh na huimhreacha chomh hard lena rabhthas ag súil. Is é aidhm an Aonach Duántachta úsáideoirí uile na slatiascaireachta a thabhairt le chéile, agus cuireadh ceardlanna ar fáil ag eochairimeachtaí Gníomhaireachta do pháistí agus do dhaoine óga lena scileanna a fhorbairt agus le feasacht ar an iascaireacht agus ar thábhacht an chomhshaoil i gcosaint na hacmhainne luachmhaire seo a ardú. Cur chun cinn Tharla babhta leitheadach cur chun cinn duántachta baile le linn 2009, agus daoine ag freastal ar chroíthaispeántais a dhírigh ar chroímhargaí cuairteora agus baile na Gníomhaireachta, agus tháinig díol méadaithe ceadúnas dá barr seo (féach Aguisín 1). Thairis sin, chuir an Ghníomhaireacht taispeántas Utrecht san Ísiltír chun cinn. Ar na seónna a ndearnadh freastal orthu bhí: 1. 2.

Seó Abhainn Thuaidh, Cealsaidh, Albain 2ú & 3ú Bealtaine Géim-Aonach Alban, 3ú, 4ú & 5ú Iúil Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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3. CLA, Lincs, Sasana 24ú,25ú & 26ú Iúil 4. Caisleán Bhiorra, Uíbh Fhailí, Poblacht na hÉireann, 22ú & 23ú Lúnasa 5. Utrecht, An Ísiltír, 7ú & 8ú Samhain Mar aon lenár gcroíluachanna, tá ábhair cur chun cinn forbartha ag an Ghníomhaireacht le gabháil agus scaoileadh a ghríosú chun an chaomhnú a fheabhsú; leoga, eagraítear na féilte/comórtais ar an bhonn seo rud a fhágann gur uathúil beagnach áit ar bith in Éirinn atá cur chuige na Gníomhaireachta. Cuireadh ar fáil croí-imeachtaí ar an Fheabhal, imeacht Liúis i gCúirt an Bharúin, le tacaíocht Chumann Géimiascairí Gairmiúla agus Teagascóirí Éireann (APGAII), Fad-Teilgean Bhaile Uí Cheallaigh, tacaithe ag Cumann Teilgin Uladh (UCC) agus an comórtas oscailte cladaigh, Bun Abhann. Comórtas le tacaíocht Chlub Duántachta Liúis, an Bhreatain Mhór (réigiún 111) a sceidealaíodh do 14 Samhain 2009 ag Camloch, cuireadh ar ceal é go hAibreán 2010 de dheasca na drochaimsire.

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Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Aguisín 1 – Torthaí In Aghaidh Spriocanna Tosaíochtaí, cuspóirí & spriocanna 2009

TOSAÍOCHT: CAOMHNÚ AGUS COSAINT CUSPÓIR 1

Iascaigh Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn a chaomhnú, a chosaint, a bhainistiú agus a fheabhsú.

CROÍ-GHNÍOMHAÍOCHT 1.1

Eolas Bainistíochta.

1.2

Cosaint & Feabhsú Gnáthóg.

1.3

Forfheidhmiú.

1.4

Oideachas.

CUSPÓIR FEIDHMÍOCHTA 1.1.1

Tuairiscí Stádais craobhabhann/ limistéir a ullmhú faoi Iúil 2009

Leathbhainte amach críochaíodh Meán Fómhair 2009 Cuireadh moill de bharr chastacht na dtuairiscí.

1.1.2

Leathbhainte amach - cuireadh Faoi Mhárta 2009 críochnaigh measúnú iarthogra don phacaiste moill mar nár eisíodh an tráinse deiridh íocaíochtaí go dtí Meán cruatain. Fómhair 2009. Críochnófar an measúnú iarthogra a bunaíodh ar shonraí 2009 faoi Eanáir 2010.

1.2.1

Dear, soláthair agus suiteáil dhá scéim fheabhsaithe gnáthóg faoi Nollaig 2009.

Críochnaíodh 9 scéim fheabhsaithe gnáthóg ar an Daoil, Chora Mhuileann an tSiáin, Abhainn na Deirge, Loch Finne, Shruth na Breacaí, Shruth Chraobháin, Abhainn Fhionntamhnaí, Chamabhainn, An Abhainn Bhán.

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1.3.1

Soláthair 100 lá cosanta ar muir i Loch Feabhail agus limistéar chun farraige Loch Feabhail agus seiceáil ceadúnais 100% de bháid a fheicfear ag iascaireacht.

Leathbhainte amach críochnaíodh 60 lá ar muir. Fuarthas amach oibríochtaí forfheidhmithe san iascach oisrí a bheith níos éifeachtaí le himlonnú cladaigh agus poirt.

1.3.2

Soláthair 50 lá cosanta ar muir i Loch Cairlinn.

Leathbhainte amach críochnaíodh 19 lá ar muir. Chlis ar an soitheach, ach soláthraíodh na feidmhithe uile suirbhé agus patrólaithe le cuir chuige eile.

1.3.3

Seiceáil 3,600 ceadúnas duántachta agus táscleabhar i Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn idir 1 Márta agus 20 Deireadh Fómhair.

Bainte amach – mar a leanas: Thoir 557 Criú an Fheabhail 583 Cairlinn 501 Thiar 449 Theas 592 Muir 118 Lár 815 Iomlán 3615

1.3.4

Bainte amach – 18 dtáscleabhar Seiceáil 100% de tháscleabhar oibríochta fear eangach le linn an seiceáilte faoi 31 Iúil 2009. tséasúr tráchtála.

1.3.5

Seiceáil 100% de dhéileálaithe ceadúnaithe bradán idir 1 Márta agus 31 Deireadh Fómhair.

Bainte amach – 18 nDéileálaí Ceadúnaithe Bradán seiceáilte.

1.3.6

Freagair do mhórimeachtaí truaillithe agus measúnaigh taobh istigh de 1 uair iad, d'imeachtaí meandéine 4 uair agus d'meachtaí ísealdéine taobh istigh de 1 lá.

Bainte amach – freagraíodh do 174 imeacht truaillithe taobh istigh de spriocanna amscála.

1.3.7

Seiceáil 100% de tháscleabhar iascairí oisrí le linn an tséasúr tráchtála.

Sprioc bainte amach - 39 táscleabhar seiceáilte.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 1.4.1

Faigh breis is 2008 cuairteoir faoi Bainte amach - méadú 10% chuig Ionad Riverwatch faoi 28% cuairteoirí chuig Ionad Riverwatch bainte amach. Nollaig 2009.

1.4.2

Bain amach 45 grúpchuairteanna Bainte amach - 90 grúpa ar cuairt ag Riverwatch agus 94 chuig Ionad Riverwatch faoi grúpa páirteach i dtograí forNollaig 2009. rochtana.

1.4.3

Bainte amach - éascaíodh 8 Éascaigh 3 ghrúpa ón Ghníomhaireacht Ceartas Óige ar seisiún ar an Ómaigh agus i bPréachán le gníomhaíochtaí thograí faoi 2009. mar thógáil bruscair, athchóiriú gnáthóg, cóid duántachta agus eitic.

TOSAÍOCHT: FORBAIRT (Iascach Áineasa) CUSPÓIR 2

Iascach áineasa Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn a fhorbairt.

CROÍ-GHNÍOMHAÍOCHT 2.1

Páirtíocht Páirtithe Leasmhara.

2.2

Margaíocht agus Eolas.

2.3

Táirge, bonneagar agus forbairt seirbhíse.

SPRIOC FEIDHMÍOCHTA 2.1.1

Cruinniú le grúpaí páirtíochta agus ionadaithe páirtithe leasmhara ceithre huaire sa bhliain (nó níos minice más gá).

Bainte amach - tharla cruinnithe foghrúpa i mí na Bealtaine agus mí na Samhna 2009 le foghrúpaí san Fheabhal agus i gCairlinn araon – tharla lán-Chruinnithe an Fhóraim Chomhairligh fosta sa mhí chéanna agus foilsíodh na miontuairiscí ar shuíomh gréasáin na Gníomhaireachta. Tarlaíonn cruinnithe breise páirtithe leasmhara ar bhonn beagnach leanúnach le forbairt a éascú m.sh Comhairle áitiúil, Bord Turasóireachta Thuaisceart Éireann.

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2.2.1

Uasdátaigh nótaí seachtainiúla duán-tachta agus leathnaigh bunachar sonraí síntiúsóirí ó 1200 go 1800 faoi Nollaig 2009.

Bainte amach – Nótaí Duántachta uasdátaithe uair sa tseachtain ar a laghad le linn an tséasúir.

2.2.2

Feidhmigh Gníomhartha na Straitéise Margaíochta faoi Mhárta 2009.

Bainte amach – forbraíodh agus feidhmíodh gníomhartha margaíochta le linn 2009.

2.2.3

Forbair litríocht chur chun cinn duántachta faoi Mhárta 2009.

Bainte amach - leabhráin úra an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn le foilsiú go luath i 2010. Ar litríocht eile chur chun cinn a forbraíodh tá aistriúchán treorach ‘Duántacht in Éirinn’ i gcroítheangacha éagsúla na hEorpa.

2.3.1

Coinnigh agus measúnaigh 6 bhraisle mhargaíochta agus forbair r-mhargaíocht ghréasáin faoi Nollaig 2009.

Leathbhainte amach – gríosaíodh tograí a cistíodh faoi Chiste Inbhuanaithe Forbartha Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna le braisliú i 2009. Bunaíodh braisle phíolótach Dhuántacht Liúis agus tá sí anois ar shuíomh gréasáin Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna.

2.3.2

Lean d'fhorbairt líon na dTreoraithe is na gCóitseálaithe Gairmiúla trí chlár amháin gairmiúil a sholáthar faoi Nollaig 2009.

Bainte amach - teastas cóitseála Leibhéal 2 tosaithe ar 12 Nollaig 2009 agus 20 iarrthóir cláraithe.

2.3.3

Bainte amach – soláthraíodh Cuir acadamh duántachta ar siúl i bhformáid struchtúrtha le 6 Acadamh Duántachta agus iascach le soláthar d'íosmhéid 10 oileadh 10 nGrúpa i limistéar an ngrúpa NEAMH-dhuánaithe faoi Fheabhail agus Chairlinn. Nollaig 2009.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 2.3.4

Faigh cistiú seachtrach le 3 chlár croí-imeachta a sholáthar, 2 An Feabhal agus 1 Cairlinn faoi Nollaig 2009.

Leathbhainte amach soláthraíodh 3 chroí-imeacht san Fheabhal, imeacht Liúis i gCuirt an Bharúin le tacaíocht CGGTÉ, Fad-Teilgean Bhaile Uí Cheallaigh le tacaíocht CTU agus comórtas cladaigh oscailte, Bun Abhann le tacaíocht CLU. Comórtas le tacaíocht CDL, réigiún 111 14 Samhain, Camloch, curtha ar ceal go Feabhra 2010 de dheasca na drochaimsire.

2.3.5

Cuir i bhfeidhm an Straitéis Forbartha Duántachta agus deonaigh airgead leithdháilte trí scéim deontais Chiste Inbhuanaithe Forbartha 2009 faoi 31 Márta 2009 (faoi réir cistithe).

Níor baineadh amach chomhairligh Ranna Urraíochta na Gníomhaireachta don Ghníomhaireacht eisiúint Litreacha Tairisceana a mhoilliú go dtí go n-athbhreithneodh siad próiseas údaraithe an Chiste Inbhuanaithe Forbartha. Ag feitheamh le faomhadh CIF na n-airí airgeadais.

2.3.6

Aithin deiseanna cistithe agus cinntigh go bhfuil leorchistiú meaitseála ar fáil agus roll amach an forfheidhmiú go 2013.

Bainte amach - cuireadh iarratais chuig INTERREG IV maidir le moladh taighde SCENE/QUB/Gníomhaireachta. Iarratas Chomhairle Shiorrachd Inbhir Àir/CCGHT déanta. Iarratas CCO idir lámha. 3 iarratas curtha chuig BTTÉ.

2.3.7

Soláthair Aonach Duántachta agus fair agus measúnaigh líon na gcuairteoirí le sprioc 2008 a shárú (6,000 cuairteoir), faoi 10%.

Bainte amach – tionóladh Aonach Duántachta ar 07-08 Márta 2009 agus measúnú déanta.

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2.3.8

Athbhreithnigh soláthar tograí duán-tachta cistithe ag INTERREG IV faoi Shamhain 2009 agus athchuir in ord tosaíochta i líne le próifílí FCSAE N+2.

Níor baineadh amach - Cuireadh moill ar an soláthar mar nár eisíodh an Litir Thairisceana.

2.3.9

Déan measúnú lár téarma ar fhorfheidhmiú na Straitéise Forbartha Duántachta faoi Shamhain 2009.

Níor baineadh amach - cuireadh moill ar an mheasúnú mar nár eisíodh an Litir Thairisceana.

2.3.10

Forbair píolóta ceadúnaithe leictreonaí faoi Nollaig 2009.

Níor baineadh amach – tá na Téarmaí Tagartha á bhforbairt i gcomhar le páirtithe ábhartha leasmhara, ar a n-áirítear Iascaigh Intíre Éireann.

2.3.11

Méadaigh díolacháin ceadúnais faoi 3% ó 2008 agus bainistigh forbairt an acadaimh duántachta do neamh-dhuánaithe.

Bainte amach – méadaíodh díolacháin ceadúnais faoi 5% ó 2008.

TOSAÍOCHT: FORBAIRT (Turasóireacht Mhuirí) CUSPÓIR 3

Turasóireacht Mhuirí a fhorbairt.

PRÍOMHGHNÍOMHAÍOCHT

140

3.1

Lean de sholáthar an straitéis turasóireachta muirí agus an scéim deontais do Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn.

3.2

Comhairligh le páirtithe leasmhara agus lucht leasa ar fhorbairt agus sholáthar straitéisí.

3.3

Coinnigh páirtíochtaí agus leithdháil freagrachtaí do sholáthar na straitéise.

3.4

Margaíocht táirge úir agus táirge atá ann cheana.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts SPRIOC FEIDHMÍOCHTA 3.1.1

Feidhmigh an Straitéis Turasóireachta Muirí agus deonaigh airgead leithdháilte do 20 togra trí Scéim Deontais an Chiste Inbhuanaithe Forbartha faoi Aibreán 2009, faoi réir cistithe.

Chomhairligh Ranna Urraíochta na Gníomhaireachta don Ghníomhaireacht eisiúint Litreacha Tairisceana a mhoilliú go dtí go n-athbhreithneodh siad próiseas údaraithe an Chiste Inbhuanaithe Forbartha. Ag feitheamh le faomhadh na n-airí airgeadais don Chiste Inbhuanaithe Forbartha.

3.1.2

Aithin deiseanna cistithe agus cinntigh go bhfuil leorchistiú ar fáil faoi 31 Nollaig 2009, agus roll amach feidhmiú go 2013.

Bainte amach – cistiú aitheanta trí Bhord Turasóireachta Thuaisceart na hÉireann do phodchraoltaí agus d’fhorbairt bhreise Ionad Riverwatch.

3.2.1

Lean de chomhairliú páirtithe leasmhara le ceithre chruinniú ráithiúla ar a laghad i ngach limistéar.

Bainte amach – tionóladh roinnt cruinnithe ar bhonn foirmiúil agus neamhfhoirmiúil. Cruinnithe neamhfhoirmiúla: Club Báid Chathair Dhoire. Cruinnithe foirmiúla le: Ilex/ Comhairle Ceantair an tSratha Báin faoi phróiseas ‘Future Search’; Cruise North West faoi dheiseanna cuairte ar long thuras mara; grúpa bainistíochta LSÁN Bhinn Fhoibhne; oifigeach forbartha curachán LRGT faoi rianta an Fheabhail; CPD faoi thograí Interreg; oibritheoir curachán Just Kayak faoi dheiseanna don earnáil phríobháideach.

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3.2.2

Athbhreithnigh soláthar thograí Turasóireachta Mara cistithe ag INTERREG IV faoi Shamhain 2009 agus athchuir in ord tosaíochta i líne le próifílí FCSAE N+2

Níor baineadh amach - cuireadh moill ar athbhreithniú soláthair mar nár eisíodh an Litir Thairisceana.

3.2.3

Déan measúnú Lár Téarma ar fheidhmiú na Straitéise Turasóireachta Mara faoi Shamhain 2009.

Bainte amach – measúnú déanta.

3.3.1

Cruinniú le grúpaí páirtíochta ar bhonn ráithiúil (nó níos minice más gá).

Níor baineadh amach – níor tionóladh sa tréimhse seo.

3.4.1

Forbair meicníochtaí faoi Shamhain 2009 le haistriú eolais a éascú idir pháirtithe bhraislithe duántachta agus fhorais oideachais thríú leibhéil le straitéisí margaíochta agus comhshaoil a fhorbairt.

Bainte amach - bunaíodh braisle phíolótach dhuántacht Liúis agus tá anois ar shuíomh gréasáin Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna. Tuilleadh forbartha pleanáilte do 2010.

TOSAÍOCHT: DOBHARSHAOTHRÚ CUSPÓIR 4

Dobharshaothrú agus sliogiasach a cheadúnú, a bhainistiú agus a fhorbairt.

CROÍ-GHNÍOMHAÍOCHT

142

4.1

Córas rialála dobharshaothraithe agus sliogiascaigh agus córas bainistíochta do Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn a thabhairt isteach.

4.2

Caomhnú, Cosaint agus Bainistíocht Iascaigh Fhiáin.

4.3

Forbairt Eolais.

4.4

Eolas ar Bhainistíocht.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts SPRIOC FEIDHMÍOCHTA 4.1.1

Déan measúnú bliantúil feidhmíochta 50% d'oibríochtaí ceadúnaithe dobhar-shaothraithe i limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn faoi 31ú Nollaig 2009.

Leathbhainte amach críochnaíodh an comhairliúchán rialála, ag feitheamh le críochnú chomhaontú bainistíochta le go dtig Táillí Ceadúnaithe Dobharshaothraithe a chur isteach. Plean Straitéiseach Forfheidhmithe á fhorbairt i líne le soláthar SEA.

4.1.2

Cinntigh go mbeidh an Comhaontú Bainistíochta a theastaíonn le tionscnamh ceadúnú dobharshaothraithe i Loch Feabhail agus Loch Cairlinn a éascú, in áit faoi Aibreán 2009.

Níor baineadh amach - RTIB faoi láthair ag comhairliú go hinmheánach ar chomhaontú faoi cheadúnas cladaigh idir an Ghníomhaireacht agus an Roinn. Ag feitheamh le comhfhreagras eile ó RTIB. Coimisiún Eastáit na Corónach ag tabhairt moltaí chun críche.

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143

144

4.1.3

Athbhreithnigh Rialacháin a theastaíonn do cheadúnú dobharshaothraithe agus sliogiascaigh faoi Nollaig 2009.

Bainte amach - cuireadh moill ar an chomhairliúchán faoi Rialacháin Leasaithe Oisrí de bharr fiosrúchán ón Choiste Talmhaíochta agus Forbartha Tuaithe i dTionól TÉ. I ndiaidh don Ghníomhaireacht freastal ar an Choiste Talmhaíochta agus Forbartha Tuaithe ar 22 Meán Fómhair 2009, dúradh leis an Ghníomhaireacht dul i gcomhairle a thuilleadh le Tionsclaíocht agus féachaint le haontú ar chur chuige a nglacfadh an dá pháirtí leis. Tionóladh Cruinniú Poiblí le hIascairí Oisrí ceadúnaithe agus lena nIonadaithe. Tuairisceoidh an Ghníomhaireacht don Choiste Talmhaíochta agus Forbartha Tuaithe go luath i 2010.

4.1.4

Foilsigh dréacht-chritéir do mheasúnú iarr-atas ar cheadúnais do dhobharshaothrú i Loch Feabhail faoi Aibreán 2009.

Leathbhainte amach - critéir á bhforbairt taobh leis an mheasúnú straitéiseach comhshaoil. Ag dúil le soláthar go mall i mí an Mhárta 2010.

4.2.1

Coimisiúnaigh agus imlonnaigh soitheach oiriúnach le hobair suirbhé a dhéanamh i Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn faoi mhí Feabhra 2009.

Níor baineadh amach – moill air go 2010.

4.2.2

Déan suirbhé stocmheasúnaithe bhliantúil an iascaigh oisrí fiáine faoi dheireadh Iúil 2009.

Bainte amach - tá an suirbhé stocmheasúnaithe críochnaithe i Loch Feabhail.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 4.3.1

Leathbhainte amach – oibreacha Faigh agus bailigh eolas ar bhatai-méadracht Loch Feabhail, suirbhé idir lámha. Tá an Ghníomhaireacht faoi láthair ag fás, sonraí cháilíocht uisce obair le IAEB leis na samhlacha do Loch Feabhail agus Loch Cairlinn agus cuir i láthair sonraí don dá Loch a fhorbairt a thuilleadh, agus ag dúil lena le samhail Chumas Iompair a chríochnú faoi Mheitheamh 2009. chríochnú i 2010.

4.3.2

Déan measúnuithe Airteagal 6 ar Níor baineadh amach - forbrófar gach iarratas ar cheadúnas atá á iad seo i gcomhar le SEA agus fheidhmiú i Meán Fómhair 2009. an Phlean Forfheidhmithe agus tuairisceofar iad i 2010.

4.4.1

Bailigh eolas ábhartha infhaighte ar ionchuir agus aschuir shliogéisc ó Loch Feabhail agus ullmhaigh pleananna bainistíochta dá réir faoi Nollaig 2009.

Leathbhainte amach - feidhmiú i ndiaidh ceadúnaithe déanta don dobharshaothrú. In áit faoi láthair don iascach oisrí fiáine agus don iascach síol diúilicíní.

4.4.2

Lean ag cur le bainistíocht acmhainn síl oileán na hÉireann.

Bainte amach - ionchur tríd an Fhóram Chomhairleach Diúilicíní Bunfháis agus trí chruinnithe le RTFT agus RTIB.

4.4.3

Lean ag cur leis an Fhóram Bainte amach - cruinnithe Comhairleach Diúilicíní Bunfháis. faoi láthair dara gach mí ag plé le hiarratais éagsúla ó Thionsclaíocht.

4.4.4

Leathbhainte amach - comhairliú Soláthair an Measúnú Straitéis poiblí na Tuairisce Scóipeála Chomh-shaoil d'fheidhmiú déanta, roghanna anois á ceadúnú dobharshaothraithe agus rialú sliogiascaigh fhiáin faoi bhforbairt. Tionóladh laethanta poiblí eolais sa dá abhantrach Lúnasa 2009. go luath i mí na Nollag. Tuairisc dheiridh ar fáil Márta/Aibreán 2010.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

145

TOSAÍOCHT: CORPARÁIDEACH (Soláthar Seirbhíse) CUSPÓIR 5

Éifeachtúlacht mhéadaithe a lorg agus feabhsú leanúnach i soláthar trédhearcach cothrom seirbhísí dár gcustaiméirí uile.

CROÍ-GHNÍOMHAÍOCHT 5.1

Soláthar eolais agus seirbhísí do chustaiméirí forbartha go hardleibhéal, agus sainoiriúnaithe le freastal ar riachtanais custaiméirí.

5.2

Daonacmhainní a choinneáil agus a fheabhsú taobh istigh den Ghníomhaireacht, le hardleibhéal seirbhíse custaiméara a chinntiú.

5.3

Díriú ar Riachtanais Shóisialta agus Oibleagáidí Comh-ionannais (Alt 75 Acht Thuaisceart Éireann 1998).

5.4

Feabhsú soláthar seirbhíse agus for-rochtain páirtithe leasmhara i Limistéar Chairlinn.

SPRIOC FEIDHMÍOCHTA

146

5.1.1

Freagair gach comhfhreagras a fuarthas taobh istigh de 15 lá oibre.

Bainte amach - cloíodh leis an sprioc.

5.1.2

Suíomh gréasáin idirghníomhach agus beoga a choinneáil le hionchur tráthúil ábhair úir, a mhéadóidh líon cuairteoirí chun an tsuímh faoi 10% faoi 2010.

Bainte amach - nuashonraítear an suíomh gréasáin ar bhonn rialta agus i ndiaidh a athbhreithniú tháinig méadú 17% ar líon na gcuairteoirí chun an tsuímh.

5.1.3

Soláthair eolas tráthúil, ábhartha agus beacht do Ranna Urraíochta, don Bhord CFCSÉ, don Fhóram Chomhairleach agus do Rúnaíocht na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas le sainsprioclínte a shroicheadh.

Bainte amach - cáipéisiú iomlán a iarradh curtha ar aghaidh taobh istigh den fhráma ama a luadh.

5.1.4

Bainte amach - fuarthas agus Freagair d'iarratais ar eolas ar dhóigh thráthúil mar atá leagtha freagraíodh deich (10) n-iarratas san iomlán faoi FOI/EIF 2009. amach i gCód Cleachtais Shaoráil Faisnéise (FOI) agus Rialacháin Faisnéise Comhshaoil.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 5.1.5

Tomhais aschuir chumarsáide leis an phobal agus le páirtithe leasmhara agus bunaigh bonnlíne le deiseanna chun feabhsaithe a aithint faoi Mheán Fómhair 2009.

Bainte amach – bonnlíne críochnaithe agus gníomhphlean táirgthe i Meán Fómhair 2009. Criú cumarsáide anois ag ardú feasachta den ghníomhphlean leis an fhoireann roimh a sheoladh in Eanáir 2010.

5.2.1

Fiosraigh inmharthanacht Chreidiúnú IDD nó a leithéid de chaighdeán cáilíochta a thabhairt isteach faoi Nollaig 2009.

Leathbhainte amach - ag fiosrú anois cén caighdeán bainistíochta cáilíochta is oiriúnaí don Ghníomhaireacht. Roghanna deiridh le breithniú faoi mhí Feabhra 2010.

5.2.2

Feidhmigh Beartas athbheithnithe Oiliúna agus Forbartha na foirne faoi Mheán Fómhair 2009.

Bainte amach – an Beartas Oiliúna agus Forbartha á fheidhmiú.

5.3.1

Soláthair tuairisc dhul chun cinn ar Scéim Comhionannais na Gníomhaireachta faoi Lúnasa 2009.

Bainte amach - críochnaíodh agus cuireadh an Tuairisc Bhainistíochta isteach chuig an Choimisiún Comhionannais roimh dheireadh Lúnasa 2009.

5.3.2

Lean de bheith páirteach san Fhóram Comhionannais Aoise.

Níl an sprioc seo bailí a thuilleadh nó stad an Fóram Comhionannais Aoise dá chruinnithe.

5.4.1

Cuir chun cinn Togra Caiptiúil Tógála Oifig Chairlinn ach suíomh oiriúnach a aithint agus an cistiú is gá.

Níor aithníodh suíomh oiriúnach d'oifig Chairlinn. Nuair a aimseofar suíomh oiriúnach (agus a aithneofar deiseanna cistithe) athbhreithneofar an togra caipitiúil tógála i gcomhthéacs tosaíochtaí eile iomaíocha.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

147

TOSAÍOCHT: CORPARÁIDEACH (Caitheamh Acmhainní) CUSPÓIR 6

Úsáid éifeachtúil, críochnúil agus barainneach na n-acmhainní atá ar fáil ag an Ghníomhaireacht a chinntiú.

CROÍ-GHNÍOMHAÍOCHT 6.1

Úsáid bharrmhaith acmhainní na Gníomhaireachta a chinntiú, agus go gcloíonn gach caiteachas le treoir ábhartha.

6.2

Bunaigh plean coigiltis éifeachtúlachta.

6.3

Fiosraigh agus bonnlínigh deiseanna éifeachtúlacht ghnó sa Stiúrthóireacht Seirbhísí Corparáideacha.

6.4

Fiosraigh agus bonnlínigh deiseanna éifeachtúlacht ghnó sa Stiúrthóireacht Caomhnaithe agus Cosanta.

6.5

Fiosraigh agus bonnlínigh deiseanna éifeachtúlacht ghnó sa Stiúrthóireacht Forbartha.

6.6

Fiosraigh agus bonnlínigh deiseanna éifeachtúlacht ghnó sa Stiúrthóireacht Dobharshaothraithe is Sliogiascaigh.

SPRIOC FEIDHMÍOCHTA

148

6.1.1

Bainte amach - cloíodh le Cinntigh go gcloítear le treoir bhainteach airgeadais Thuaidh is gach rialachán agus rinneadh tuairisceáin nuair ba ghá. Theas.

6.1.2

Cloígh le forálacha Mheabhrán Airgeadais Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna.

6.1.3

Ullmhaigh Pleananna Corparáide Bainte amach - cuireadh Gnóphlean 2009 isteach chuig is Gnó taobh istigh de fhrámaí na Ranna Urraíochta. aontaithe ama.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Bainte amach - táthar ag cloí leis na treoirlínte sa Mheabhrán Airgeadais. Feidhmíocht athbhreithnithe ag POF agus an Fhoireann Shinsearach Bainistíochta.

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 6.1.4

Athbhreithnigh, nuashonraigh is tuairiscigh ar Straitéis Bhainistíocht Riosca na Gníomhaireachta ar bhonn ráithiúil.

Leathbhainte amach - is mír sheasta ar Chlár Oibre FSB athbhreithniú bhainistíocht riosca. Athbhreithniú ráithiúil sceidealaithe. Rinneadh dhá athbhreithniú ar an Chlár Bainistíocht Riosca faoi Nollaig 2009.

6.1.5

An Fochoiste Iniúchóireachta agus Airgeadais le cruinniú trí huaire sa bhliain.

Bainte amach – tharla trí chruinniú den Fhochoiste Iniúchóireachta i 2009.

6.1.6

Cinntigh go bhfanann an caiteachas taobh istigh den bhuiséad a leithdháileadh.

Bainte amach – úsáideadh iomlán an chaiteachais taobh istigh den bhuiséad a leithdháileadh.

6.1.7

Tabhair i láthair cuntais neamhcháilithe a leagtar i dTionól Thuaisceart na hÉireann agus san Oireachtas faoi 30ú Meitheamh 2009.

Leathbhainte amach – cuntais 2007 deimhnithe ag na ARC&Canna i mí na Samhna 2009 agus leagfar i dTionól Thuaisceart na hÉireann iad agus san Oireachtas go luath i 2010. Dréacht-chuntais 2008 tugtha i láthair agus curtha le hIniúchadh taobh istigh de fhrámaí aontaithe ama agus táthar ag dúil go leagfar i dTionól Thuaisceart na hÉireann iad agus san Oireachtas go luath i 2010.

6.1.8

Soláthair eolas chur chun cinn agus airgeadais do na Ranna Urraíochta taobh istigh de fhrámaí aontaithe ama.

Bainte amach - cloíodh leis an sprioc seo, agus tá nuashonrú chur chun cinn curtha isteach chuig na Ranna Urraíochta leis an iarratas tarraingthe anuas ráithiúil.

6.1.9

Feidhmigh moltaí ón athbhreithniú lódála foirne faoi Nollaig 2009.

An sprioc seo curtha ar ceal ag feitheamh le hathbhreithniú inmheánach eagraíochtúil.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

149

150

Bainte amach.

6.1.10

Feidhmigh moltaí aontaithe ó Iniúchtaí Inmheánacha agus Seachtracha.

6.1.11

Tabhair isteach Beartas Freastal Leathbhainte amach Bainistíochta faoi Mheán Fómhair Dréachtbheartas faoi bhreithniú ag na Ceardchumainn. 2009.

6.1.12

Laghdaigh neamhláithreacht bhliantúil na foirne mar gheall ar thinneas, 5% faoi Nollaig 2009.

6.2.1

Bainte amach – déantar agus Bunaigh plean coigiltis tuairiscítear faireachán an bhirt éifeachtúlachta faoi Dheireadh Fómhair 2009, de réir na treorach seo ar bhonn rialta. a tháirg na Ranna Airgeadais agus an plean seo a sholáthar agus faireachán a dhéanamh air.

6.3.1

Bunaigh beart bonnlíne éifeachtúlachta do chéatadán na sonrasc a íoctar taobh istigh de 30 lá.

6.3.2

Tá beart bonnlíne don sprioc Bunaigh beart bonnlíne seo á bhreithniú ag FSB agus éifeachtúlachta do chéatadán chostas riaracháin an cheadúnais feidhmeofar go luath i 2010 é. duántachta a eisíodh.

6.4.1

Bunaigh beart bonnlíne éifeachtúlachta do chostas an chúisimh de réir Limistéir.

Tá beart bonnlíne don sprioc seo á bhreithniú ag FSB agus feidhmeofar go luath i 2010 é.

6.4.2

Bunaigh beart bonnlíne éifeachtúlachta do chostas an cheadúnais duántachta a seiceáladh.

Cuireadh moill air seo go dtí go raibh Clár INTERREG sa chéim fhorfheidhmithe.

6.5.1

Bunaigh beart bonnlíne éifeachtúlachta don ghiaráil a fuarthas ar phunt steirling den chunamh deontais a fuarthas.

Aithníodh beart bonnlíne £2.29 an cuairteoir. Déanfar faireachán agus athbhreithniú air seo uair sa bhliain.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Táthar ag súil go bhfeidhmeofar an sprioc seo nuair a aontófar an Dréachtbheartas leis na Ceardchumainn.

Baineadh amach beart bonnlíne don sprioc seo agus athbhreithneofar ar bhonn bliantúil é.

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 6.5.2

Bunaigh beart bonnlíne éifeachtúlachta do chostas cuairteora ar ionad Riverwatch.

Tá beart bonnlíne don sprioc seo á bhreithniú ag FSB agus feidhmeofar go luath i 2010 é.

6.6.1

Bunaigh beart bonnlíne éifeachtúlachta do chéatadán chaiteachais Ghníomhaireacht na Lochanna i gcomparáid le luach céad-díola ionchuir táirge shliogéisc agus dhobharshaothraithe.

Tá beart bonnlíne don sprioc seo á bhreithniú ag FSB agus feidhmeofar go luath i 2010 é.

6.6.2

Bunaigh beart bonnlíne éifeachtúlachta do chéatadán cinní ceadúnaithe a achomharcadh.

Tá beart bonnlíne don sprioc seo á bhreithniú ag FSB agus feidhmeofar go luath i 2010 é.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

151

152

370

Gleann Aichle

An Mhorn

Abhainn na Coilleadh

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Córas Mhoirne

^ Córas Fhinne

Iomláin

Sruthail & Craobhacha

970

4276

7746

710

1222

Ró

126

^ Ríleán

750

338

844

590

Fochain

^ Finn

666

Droim Rátha

734

266

Dianaid

Dearg

422

708

Daoil

Cúil Dabhcha

Camabhainn

Elson

Aibhneacha

793

1367

2272

241

337

552

153

516

278

560

998

1969

169

203

357

117

553

209

204

231

640

136

117

119

404

1068

2134

383

245

138

159

147

541

214

291

860

1667

186

154

112

137

233

150

467

131

611

2153

4238

630

377

234

673

545

849

660

451

1431

3163

672

350

101

441

321

536

571

559

1298

2412

410

149

501

473

767

684

2802

5354

844

341

389

312

343

766

519

498

174

1072

278

555

1332

428

184

252

303

646

1365

3039

604

322

324

387

334

567

404

586

3094

5427

861

308

338

488

278

637

658

618

115

118

950

401

2091

3902

829

177

236

290

224

442

318

865

375

97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10

Aguisín 2 – Staidreamh Chaomhnú, Chosaint Agus Bhainistíocht Na Niascach. TÁBLA 1 Áirimh Screathraí Limistéar an Fheabhail 1997/98 – 2009/10 (Áirimh Claise)

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Tábla 2 Sonraí Áiritheoirí Éisc Limistéar an Fheabhail 1989 – 2009 Bliain

Fochain

Muil. an tSiáin

Gleann Aichle/ A. na Coilleadh

1989

8287

1990

6458

1991

4301

7987

1992

7357

7420

1993

8655

17978

1994

7439

19908

1995

10838

7547

1996

13297

8978

1997

3525

7047

1998

3077

9599

1999

6514

2000

2551

4690

2001

1518

6250

2742

3265

3311

2002

4288

12991

4543

5459

5768

2003

3097

12129

1908

4086

6461

2004

2,855

10,270

1.922

3,778

2005

4,245

9,397

1,269

2,917

8,571

2006

3,625

9,352

1,478

5748

2007

1,257**

3,714**

1,705

5,375

3,278

126***

32***

2008

604

3,578

177

4,927

3,185

207

268

2009

831**

8410

1728**

3064

2153**

252

223

Ró

Finn

Sruth-ail

An Rí

*Áiritheoir as ord. **Áireamh íseal mar gheall ar dheacrachtaí sa séasúr – tagair. ***Áiritheoirí ar obair go mall i 2007.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

153

Tábla 3 Sonraí Áiritheoirí Iasc Limistéar an Fheabhail go 31ú Nollaig 2009 Mí

Líon. iasc >45cm Síon *Fochain

**Finn

Ró

**Comhrac

Ómaigh

An tIúr

Eanáir

101

-8

Feabhra

457

-25

Márta

163

-10

Aibreán

162

112

-11

-1

Bealtaine

223

190

-1

Meitheamh

3832

696

197

Iúl

1782

195

1021

236

Lúnasa

506

394

544

Meán Fómhair

222

1085

953

Deireadh Fómhair

218

199

820

128

Samhain

716

-1

240

211

Nollaig

Iomlán

8410

831

2153

3064

1728

252

223

*Measfar Fochain mar íosáireamh. ** Bhí Cainéal 4 as ord ar feadh na gcéad thrí mhí agus ba chóir mar sin seo a mheas mar íosáireamh. *** Cainéal 1 ar Chomhrac as ord ar feadh iomlán 2009 agus ba chóir mar sin seo a mheas mar íosáireamh.

Tugtar faoi deara gur suíomhanna páirt-áirimh iad áiseana áirimh na hÓmaí agus an Iúir araon agus nach réisíonn siad iomlán na habhann.

154

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Tábla 4 Gabhálacha Seachtainiúla Bradán agus Bláthán Limistéar an Fheabhail le hInnill Tráchtála 2009 Week Ending

Drift Nets Lough Foyle No.

Draft Nets River Foyle & River Roe

Kgs.

No.

Totals

Kgs.

No.

Kgs.

19-Ean

142

26-Jun

107

127

313

166

420

03-Jul

181

413

204

478

10-Jul

198

169

527

239

725

17-Jul

257

353

905

446

1162

24-Jul

119

334

234

583

353

917

31-Jul

252

685

222

403

474

1088

07-Aug

14-Aug

21-Aug

28-Aug

Totals

611

1692

1326

3240

1937

4932

Tábla 5 Gabhálacha Bliantúla Bradán agus Bláthán Limistéar an Fheabhail le hAicmí Éagsúla Inneall Tráchtála Iascaireachta 2000 - 2009 Aicme Iascaireachta Inneall

Gabháil Bhliantúil (Líon.) Bradán & Bláthán 2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Sruthlíonta : Farraige Amháin

3628

2169

5262

3382

2246

2408

602

Sruthlíonta : Loch & Farraige

17339 10739 22556 11846 10143 10649

5197

Sruthlíonta : Loch Amháin

1366

592

334

346

2598

1248

611

Sruthlíonta: An Feabhal & An Ró

10339

9476 11917 16991

9490 12143

6031

2774

2916

1326

1033

513

411

Innill Shuite :

Iascach Dhoire

32672 22976 40768 32732 22295 25534 12176

5372

4164

1937

TOTALS

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

155

Tábla 6 Meánghabhálacha Bliantúla Bradán agus Bláthán Limistéar an Fheabhail do gach Aicme Innill Thráchtála Iascaireachta 2000 – 2009 Aicme Innill Iascaireachta

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Sruthlíonta : Farraige Amháin

202

121

310

188

173

161

Sruthlíonta : Loch & Farraige

228

141

289

154

147

150

Sruthlíonta : Loch Amháin

171

129

144

Sruthlíonta : An Feabhal & An Ró

220

277

347

421

213

123

277

292

133

Innill Shuite

Tábla 7 Líon na gCeadúnas Tráchtála a Eisíodh 2000 – 2009

156

Aicme an Cheadúnais

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Sruthlíonta : Farraige Amháin

Sruthlíonta : Loch & Farraige

Sruthlíonta : Loch Amháin

Sruthlíonta : An Feabhal

An Ró

Innill Shuite

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Tábla 8 Cion Ghábháil Lín Limistéar an Fheabhail a Ceapadh in Aicmí Éagsúla Inneall Iascaireachta 2000 – 2009

Aicme Iascaireachta Inneall

Cóimheas Ghabháil Lín Limistéar an Fheabhail 2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Sruthlíonta : Farraige Amháin

11.1

9.4

12.9

10.3

10.1

9.4

4.9

Sruthlíonta : Loch & Farraige

53.1

46.7

55.4

36.2

45.5

41.7

42.7

Sruthlíonta : Loch Amháin

4.2

2.6

2.5

1.6

1.8

1.3

2.8

48.4

30.0

31.6

Sruthlíonta : An Feabhal & An Ró

31.6

41.3

29.2

51.9 42.58

47.6

49.6

51.6

70.0

68.4

Innill Shuite :

0.02

Iascach Doire

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

157

158

Márta Líon Kg.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Iomláin

23.88

0 0 7

0 0 0

0 0 23.15

0 1 9

0 0 0

85.43

10.44

22.92

0 2.72 22.78

261.16

5 8 13

29 92 9

0 0 13

0 0 33

24.62

10.43 29.01 32.38

17 17 55

158.64 181

68.27 68 187.05 124 18.41 3

2.27

0 0 35.34

0.91

8.39

47.97

1.36

41.35 56.68 133.25

3.63

449.1

4.53

161.48 273.7 5.21

37.1

0 0 85.76

56.34

Meitheamh Iúil Líon Kg. Líon Kg.

38.17

1.8 6.13 128.8

2.72

0 2 21

106.39 23

35.34

0 3.63 44.37

1.81

54.7

53.39

63.23

30 57 54

82.3

8.43

59.38 169.74 127.88

58.81

11 63 56

48.68

2.27

19.35 201.83 139.69

16.33

197 510.45 227 673.36

0 47 37

41 1 0

0 0 16

0 0 1

1 5 144

37.62

39.62

0 141.95 103.11

53.96

0 0 0

4.99

5 14.05

0 0 0

122

63 193 224

214.41 16 16.49 856

67.91

122.28 20 46.93 458 4.54 0 0 557 0 0 0 18

0 0 36.27

5.9

12.02

303.42

65.73

130.51 601.93 559.09

132.73

2369.04

189.06

1167.74 1489.8 39.13

115.88

1.8 9.76 354.69

11.34

237.84

Gan M. Fómhair D. Fómhair Taifeadta Iomláin Líon. Kg. Líon Kg. Líon Kg. Líon Kg.

182 464.51 100 257.79 75 171.3 26 61.54 3 7.25 2 3.72

1 3 53

Lúnasa Líon Kg.

58 201.54 103 356.85 226 736.78 248 575.72 562 1357.46 791 1997.45 598 1627.64 293 842.59 44 83.46 2923 7779.49

Gan Taifead 8

15.07 13 31.41 241.37 119 372.64 4.54 0 0

Bealtaine Líon Kg.

Aibreán Líon Kg.

Camab0 0 0 hainn An Rí 0 0 0 Cúil 0 0 0 Dabhcha Daoil 0 0 0 Dianaid 0 0 0 Dearg 0 0 0 Droim 0 0 0 Rátha Fochain 0 0 5 Finn 50 177.66 70 Feabhal 0 0 1 Gleann 0 0 0 Aichle An Mhorn 0 0 24 Abhainn Na 0 0 0 Coilleadh Ríleán 0 0 0 Ró 0 0 0 Sruthail 0 0 0 An Ab0 0 0 hainn Bhán

Tábla 9

Tuairisceáin Ghabhálacha Slaite (Bradán & Bláthán) 2009

Tábla 9 Tuairisceáin Ghabhálacha Slaite (Bradán & Bláthán) 2009

Márta Aibreán Bealtaine Meitheamh Iúil No. Kgs. No. Kgs. No. Kgs. No. Kgs. No. Kgs. Camabhainn 0 0 2 2 0 0 7 7 4 4 An Rí 3 3.63 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 1.91 Cúil Dabh0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 cha Daoil 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.59 Dianaid 0 0 1 0.91 0 0 2 1.13 9 6.11 Dearg 0 0 25 28.43 12 12.62 3 3 3 3 Droim Rátha 0 0 0 0 3 2.95 21 13.69 65 40.49 Fochain 0 0 0 0 3 2.95 21 13.69 65 40.49 Finn 5 3.68 9 16.57 4 5.9 13 21.61 16 29.59 Feabhal 0 0 2 0.46 5 6.57 0 0 3 1.64 Gleann 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1.23 Aichle An Mhorn 0 0 0 0 3 2.27 3 0.91 2 1.68 Abhainn Na 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 6 3 2.03 Coilleadh Ríleán 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ró 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 1.46 4 4.88 Sruthail 0 0 22 21.68 8 7.04 8 7.59 2 2 An Abhainn 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 8.84 Bhán 2 2 0.79 0 0 6 5.68 Gan Taifead 16 15.23 2 Iomláin 24 22.54 65 74.05 39 40.14 68 64.39 129 113.67

Tábla 10

3 4.36 1.4 0 2.03 20.18 16.08 9.22 125.28

3 2 0 4 10 13 7 107

0 1 0.5 20.37 20.37 40.19 0.91

0 1 1 40 40 14 1 5

Lúnasa No. Kgs. 4 3.23 2 2.81

2 46

0 0 1

0 0 2 11 11 1 0

2 42.25

10.65

0 0 0.45

0.23

0 0 1.76 6.67 6.67 1.81 0

5.68

M Fómhair No. Kgs. 1 1 1 1

Tuairisceáin Ghabhálacha Slaite (Breac) 2009

0 25

0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 35.18

32.18

0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

7 47

0 0 0

0 12 0 8 8 0 0

6.68

0 12 51

94.05

0 9.37 58.94

9.43

10.45

15.23

2.49 42 37.41 39.11 550 556.61

26.3

0 0 0

0 2 0.59 6.54 25 15.69 0 46 49.31 3.78 148 87.95 3.78 148 87.95 0 62 119.35 0 11 9.58

Gan D Fómhair Taifeadadh Iomláin No. Kgs. No. Kgs. No. Kgs. 0 0 0 0 18 17.23 1 1 0 0 14 15.35

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Tábla 10 Tuairisceáin Ghabhálacha Slaite (Breac) 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

159

Tábla 11 Tuairisceáin Duántachta

160

Bliain

Gabháil Slaite Bradán Fógartha

Gabháil Slaite Breac Geal Fógartha

1999

1022

679

3.74

2000

723

417

2.55

2001

3188

450

17.68

2002

5117

1010

27.93

2003

1844

361

15.5

2004

2285

13.99

2005

4084

413

25.77

2006

3476

469

2007

4929

379

22.11

2008

4060

815

54.94

2009

2923

550

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Tuairisceáin mar % de Cheadúnais a Eisíodh

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Tábla 12 Dáileadh Ceadúnas Slaite 2009 Ait Chónaithe

Séasúr Aosach

Deimhniú

14 Lá

3 Lá

Ógánach

Garbh Aosach & Ógánach

Feabhal & Cairlinn

4123

3170

856

1859

352

Cuid de TÉ

191

1307

115

Fuílleach TÉ

Iomlán

4353

4536

964

1981

388

Sasana

118

Albain

An Bhreatain Bheag

Oileán Mhanann

Iomlán

145

An Spáinn

An Bheilg

An Bhrasaíl

An Danmhairg

An Fhrainc

An Ghearmáin

An Ísiltír

An Iodáil

Iomlán

Meiriceá

Ceanada

An Nua-Shéalainn

An Astráil

IOMLÁN

4378

4570

1169

1993

388

MÓRIOMLÁN

COMBINED TOTAL

12579

* Tugtar faoi deara – ní dhearnadh anailís na garbhiascaireachta i 2009.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

161

Tábla 13 Líon na dToilithe Tarraingthe le Scaoileadh a Breithníodh 2004 – 2009 Cineál an Eisiltigh

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Cóireáil Chamrais

105

114

Níochán Gainimh/Cairéil

Líonadh Talaimh

Tionsclaíoch

Feirm Éisc

Uisce Stoirme

Astarraingt Móna

Dumpáil ar Farraige

Níochán Feithiclí

Stáisiún Líonta/Dáileadh Ola

Próiseáil Bia

IOMLÁIN

118

187

164

177

Táblá 14a Eachtraí Truaillithe agus agus Achoimre ar Dhíchur Inveirteabrach 2009

162

Thiar

Thoir

Lár

Theas

Cairlinn

Iomlán

Eachtraí Truaillithe per Crios a thug gníomh

174

Eachtraí Truaillithe a Fiosraíodh per criú

174

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Tábla 14b Céatadán Eachtraí Truaillithe de réir Limistéir

Table 14c Pollution Severity

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

163

Tábla 14d Foinsí an Truaillithe Mar a tharla i 2008 d’éirigh na príomhfhoinsí truaillithe a d’fhiosraigh an fhoireann as gníomhaíocht Talmhaíochta, agus an Tionsclaíocht ar an dara truaillitheoir ba thábhachtaí. Tá na foinsí truaillithe léirithe thíos de réir céatadáin.

164

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Tábla 15 Clár Samplála Abhann Sampláladh 95 suíomh san iomlán d’anailís bhitheolaíoch agus cheimiceach aibhneacha in abhantracha hidreolaíocha an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn. Mhair tréimhse na samplála ó Mheitheamh go Meán Fómhair 2009 san áireamh. Tá na suíomhanna samplála scaipthe ar fud na gcúig chrios mar atá léirithe thíos: Thiar

21 suíomh

Thoir

23 suíomh

Lár

16 shuíomh

Theas

18 suíomh

Cairlinn

17 suíomh

Sampláladh gach ceann de na 95 suíomh le cáilíocht cheimiceach a mheasúnú uair sa mhí le linn an tséasúir allamuigh. Rinneadh sampláil inveirteabrach ar gach suíomh ag úsáid modh mearaitheanta le linn leictriascaireachta. Measúnaíodh gach ceann de na 95 suíomh do Mhaicrinveirteabrach taxa a haon le linn an tséasúir ag úsáid modh mionsonraithe sórtála saotharlainne.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

165

Tábla 16 Mionsonraí Éisteachtaí Cúirte 2009 Nádúr na Coire

Foireann na Gníomhaireachta D'éirigh leis

Fáth ar Theip

Níor éirigh leis

Seoladh bréige

Aistrithe/ Imithe

Eile

1 Duántacht gan cheadúnas 2. Duántacht le linn tráth coiscthe

3. Duántacht i limistéar coiscthe

4. Duántacht mhídhleathach

5. Le geaf nó uirlis mhídhleathach

6. Coireanna sciobtha

7. Foghail ar Iascach Eisiatach

8 Ag úsáid lín i limistéar coiscthe 9. Seilbh/úsáid lín mhídhleathaigh

10. Iascach lín le linn trátha choiscthe nó ar fionraí

11. Ionsaí/cosc ar dhuine údaraithe

12. Seilbh mhídhleathach éisc

13. Ag úsáid báid/feithicle mar áis chun coire

14. Sárú straidhne briste 15. Ligean d’ábhar dochrach dul amach ar abhainn 16. Ba chúis le hábhar dochrach dul amach ar abhainn

17. Coireanna déileála bradán

18. Tógáil/úsáid innill shuite

19. Níor thug ainm / thug sonraí bréige

136

IOMLÁN NA gCÚISEANNA

2 32

* D’fhéadfadh cásanna cúirte teacht suas le 2 bhliain i ndiaidh na chéad bhraithe

166

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Tábla 17 Ceadúnais Slaite 2009 Cur Síos

2009

Líon na gCead-únas

Táille Cheadún-ais (£)

Séasúr

4378

70,048.00

Garbh Aosach

298

4,768.00

Ógánach

1993

3,986.00

Garbh Ógánach

108.00

Droimscríobh

4570

4,570.00

Coicís

648.00

3 Lá

1169

4,091.50

36.00

12,579

88,255.50

Droimscríobh Garbh IOMLÁIN

Tábla 18 Ceadanna Duántachta 2009 Cineál an Cheada

2009

No.

An Feabhal

198

3960.00

An Feabhal Ógánach

160.00

An Fhinn

274

5480.00

An Fhinn Ógánach

310.00

Iomláin

519

9910.00

Tábla 19 Ceadúnais Dhéileálaithe Bradán 2009 Áit Chónaithe an Déileálaí

Líon na gCeadúnas a Eisíodh 2009

Poblacht na hÉireann

Tuaisceart Éireann

TOTALS

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

167

168

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Foyle, Carlingford And Irish Lights Commission Loughs Agency Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December

2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

169

170

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Contents Foreword

173

Brief History

173

Statutory Background

173

Result for the Year

174

Performance Targets

174

Principal Activities

174

Statement of Accountable Person’s Responsibilities

180

Statement on Internal Control

180

The Certificate of the Comptrollers and Auditors General to the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Northern Ireland Assembly

187

Income and Expenditure Account

190

Statement of Total Recognised Gains & Losses

192

Balance Sheet

193

Cash Flow Statement

195

Notes to the Accounts

197

Accounting Policies

197

Superannuation Scheme

198

Staff Costs and Board Remuneration

200

Revenue and Capital Grants

203

Salmon Fishermen Hardship Interreg IV

204

Marine & Angling Tourism Interreg IV

204

Ordinary Income

205

Programme Expenses

205

Administrative Expenses

206

10.

Tangible Fixed Assets

207

11.

Debtors and Prepayments

208 Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

171

12.

Creditors and Accruals

208

13.

Capital Grants

209

14.

Deferred Revenue Grants

210

15.

Superannuation Scheme

211

16.

General Reserve

216

17.

Revaluation Reserve

216

18.

Commitments

217

19.

Contingent Liabilities

218

20.

Post Balance Sheet Events

218

21.

Operating Lease

218

22.

Related Party Transactions

219

23.

Financial Instruments

219

24.

Losses and Special Payments

220

Accounts Direction

172

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

221

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Foreword The Board presents the financial accounts for the year ended 31 December 2009.

Brief History The Foyle Fisheries Commission was established in 1952 under legislation enacted in both jurisdictions with the primary objective of the conservation of the Foyle waterway system. Following the Good Friday Agreement, the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC) was created to continue the work done by the Foyle Fisheries Commission and to achieve similar objectives in Carlingford Lough and its waterways. The FCILC became operational on 2 December 1999 at which time the assets and liabilities of the Foyle Fisheries Commission were transferred to the Loughs Agency. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with: •

•

A form directed by and approved by the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Department of Finance as provided for in the Body’s Financial Memorandum. The North / South annual reports and accounts guidance provided by the Department of Finance and Personnel, and the Department of Finance.

Statutory Background The British/Irish Agreement Act 1999 and the North/South (Implementation Bodies) (N.I.) Order 1999 provided for the transfer of the powers of the Foyle Fisheries Commission to a new body, The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC). The board of the FCILC, in exercising the functions of the body, are required to act in accordance with any directions given by the North/South Ministerial Council, to which it also reports. The FCILC was to be composed of two agencies, the Loughs Agency and the Lights Agency. The functions of the Irish Lights Commission have not yet transferred to the Lights Agency of the FCILC, as this requires amendment to the current United Kingdom legislation. This situation is currently being considered under the St Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

173

Andrews Review. These accounts deal with the Loughs Agency of the FCILC. The Lights Agency is not in operational existence.

Result for the Year The Loughs Agency is jointly funded by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (the Departments). The Loughs Agency incurred a surplus of £197,164 Stg / €221,413 for the year ended 31 December 2009 (2008: surplus of £281,033 Stg / €354,010).

Performance Targets The Annual Reports and Accounts guidance for North/South Implementation Bodies requires the reporting of financial performance against key targets. In November 2007 the Agency prepared and obtained the approval from the North/South Ministerial Council, of a corporate plan for 2008-2010 and a business plan for 2009. As the activities of the Loughs Agency do not correlate with measuring its performance against financial targets, the Agency has not reported performance targets in these accounts. On an on-going basis the Agency monitors its performance against the objectives and targets as set out in its business plan.

Principal Activities The strategic priorities of the Loughs Agency, within the Corporate Plan, can be grouped into 6 major areas: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)

174

To conserve, protect, manage and improve the Fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford areas; To develop the recreational fisheries areas of the Foyle and Carlingford areas; To develop Marine Tourism; To license, manage and develop aquaculture and shellfisheries; To pursue increased efficiency and continuous improvement in the transparent and equitable delivery of services to all our customers; To ensure the efficient, effective and economic utilisation of resources available to the Agency.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts The Annual Report provides further detail of the Loughs Agency’s work on these areas during the year.

Changes in Fixed Assets Details of the movement in fixed assets are set out in note 10 to the accounts.

Research and Development Total expenditure on Research and Development in 2009 was £64,351 / €72,264 (2008: £1,013 / €1,276).

Post Balance Sheet Events A post balance sheet adjusting event included a payment in November 2010 (Agreed by DFP in October 2010) relating mainly to backpay (£57k) and ICT Allowances (£35k) for staff. With an additional amount including unsocial hours and overtime arrears this was totalled and rounded to £100,000 (€112,297). It is included as an accrual for 2009.

Charitable Donations The Loughs Agency made no charitable donations during the year.

Board Members Mr Tarlach O’Crosain Ms Jacqui McConville Mr Enda Bonner Mr Brendan Byrne Mr John Byrne Mr Denis Haughey Mr Alan McCulla Mr Joe Miller Mr John Mulcahy Mr Winston Patterson Mr Thomas Sloan Mr Jim Wilson

Chairperson Vice Chairperson

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

175

Board Members’ Responsibilities The board monitors and directs the work of the Loughs Agency towards the achievement of the objectives approved by the North/South Ministerial Council. These objectives are fully detailed in the Agency’s corporate and business plans. They require the Agency to provide sustainable benefits to the economy, the environment and to society in the Foyle and Carlingford areas through the conservation, protection, development, and management of water based resources. They also require the Agency to raise public awareness of the resources of the waterways of the area and deliver these improvements through the development of partnerships with the users of the catchments.

Employment Objectives The Loughs Agency is committed to providing information to employees and to consulting them on appropriate matters. The Loughs Agency follows the Northern Ireland Civil Service Code of Practice on Employment of Disabled People. This code of practice is to help the Agency achieve equality of opportunity for people with disabilities and to make full use of the skills and abilities that people with disabilities possess, through career development, training, opportunities for flexible working and the provision, of adaptations to premises, equipment or support.

Equal Opportunities The Agency follows the NI Civil Service Equal Opportunity Policy that aims to foster a culture that rewards achievement and encourages every member of staff to develop his or her potential. We are committed to providing employment equality to all, irrespective of:• Gender, marital or family status; • Religious belief or political opinion; • Disability; • Race or ethnic origin; • Nationality; • Sexual orientation. We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination. Our building is fully compliant with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

176

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Payment to Suppliers The Loughs Agency is committed to the prompt payment of bills for goods and services received in accordance with the UK Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, as amended and supplemented by the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Regulations 2002 and the Irish Late Payments in Commercial Transactions Regulations 2002. As appropriate the Loughs Agency will also be bound by any EU Directives on late payment. Unless otherwise stated in the contract, payment is due within 30 days of the receipt of the goods or services, or upon presentation of a valid invoice or similar demand, whichever is later. During the year (2009: 96.72%) (2008: 94.64%) of bills were paid within this standard.

Health and Safety The Loughs Agency is committed to complying with the Health & Safety at work (NI) Order 1978, the Safety, Health and Welfare at work Act 1989 and to all relevant legislation. It will continue to strive to provide and maintain a working environment that is safe, without undue risk to health and with adequate facilities and arrangements for welfare of staff at work. A Health and Safety Officer has been in post since 2006.

Freedom of Information and Data Protection The Agency is currently exempt from the Freedom of Information Acts in UK and Ireland however a Code of Practice has been developed and implemented for all the Cross Border Bodies. The Agency is registered under the Data protection Act 1998 with the Office of the Information Commissioners and will fully comply with its obligations under this Act and its equivalent in Ireland.

Environmental Regulations The Agency also follows its obligations under the UK Environmental Regulations 2004 and the legislation governing Access to Information on the Environment in Ireland.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

177

Future Developments The most significant development that will impact on the work of the Loughs Agency will be following the commencement of the amended Foyle Fisheries Acts, which will fully roll out the responsibilities of the Agency in the areas of Aquaculture, Shellfisheries and Marine Tourism through a suite of regulations.

Audit As Chief Executive and Accounting Officer I am required to ensure that all relevant audit information is provided to the auditors. I have taken all reasonable steps to make myself aware of any relevant audit information and have ensured that all such information is made available. I would also confirm that there is no relevant audit information about which I am aware that the auditors have not been informed about. These accounts have been subject to a formal audit by the Comptrollers and Auditors General. The certificate and report of the Comptrollers and Auditors General to the Northern Ireland Assembly, and the House of the Oireachtas are included at pages 11 and 12.

Going Concern The balance sheet at 31st December 2009 shows net asset position of £6,472,694 / €7,193,105 (2008: Net assets £6,342,734 / €6,515,257. This reflects the inclusion of liabilities falling due in future years which, to the extent that they are not to be met from the Loughs Agency’s other sources of income, may only be met by future grants or grants in aid from the Loughs Agency’s sponsoring Departments being the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the Republic of Ireland and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland. This is because, under the normal conventions applying to Parliamentary/Assembly control over Income and Expenditure, such grants may not be issued in advance of need. Grants and Grants in Aid for 2010, taking into account the amounts required to meet the Agency’s liabilities falling due in that year, have already been included in the Departments’ estimates for that year, which have been approved by the NI Assembly and Dáil Éireann, and there is no reason to believe that the Departments’ future sponsorship and future parliamentary approval will not be forthcoming. It has accordingly been considered appropriate to adopt a going concern basis for the preparation of these financial statements.

178

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Accounting Officer Mr Derick Anderson, Chief Executive, is the accountable person of the Loughs Agency.

D Anderson Chief Executive and Accounting Officer 20th January 2011

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Statement of Accountable Person’s Responsibilities The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources have directed the Loughs Agency to prepare a statement of accounts for each financial year in the form and on the basis set out in the accounts direction on page 34. The accounts are prepared on an accruals basis and must give a true and fair view of the Agency’s state of affairs at its year end and of its income and expenditure, recognised gains and losses and cash flows for the financial year. In preparing the accounts, the Loughs Agency is required to: •

Observe the accounts direction issued by the sponsor departments, including the relevant accounting disclosure requirements, and apply accounting policies on a consistent basis;

•

Make judgements and estimates on a reasonable basis;

•

State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed and disclose and explain any material departures in the financial statements;

•

Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Agency will continue in operation.

The Chief Executive’s responsibilities as the accountable person of the Loughs Agency, including responsibility for the propriety and regularity of the public finances and for the keeping of proper records, are set out in the Agency’s Financial Memorandum.

180

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Statement on Internal Control 1: Scope of Responsibility As Accountable Person, I have responsibility for maintaining a sound system of internal control, that supports the achievement of the Loughs Agency’s policies, aims and objectives, as set out by the Departments’ Ministers whilst safeguarding the public funds and departmental assets for which I am personally responsible, in accordance with the responsibilities assigned to me in Managing Public Money Northern Ireland (MPMNI), North/South Implementation Bodies Annual Report & Accounts Guidance 2006 and “Public Financial Procedures”. A Policy and Resource Framework is in place which sets out the role and aims of the Loughs Agency, its duties and powers, the responsibilities of the Chairman, Board and Chief Executive, and the relationship with the Ministers and sponsoring Departments. The functions of the Loughs Agency are set out in North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (NI) Order 1999, the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999, the Foyle Fisheries Act (NI) 1952 (as amended) and the Foyle Fisheries Act 1952 (as amended). The Agency formulates its Corporate Plan and Objectives after it has taken full cognisance of the primary legislation in both jurisdictions, the Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC) Board, its sponsoring Departments, the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) and the Foyle and Carlingford Area Advisory Forum. The Corporate Plan sets out the objectives over a three year period (200810) and a Business Plan which details the business objectives for the second year of the corporate plan, together with appropriate targets and performance measures. Results against targets and performance measures are reported monthly and in the annual report at the year end. The fundamental objective is to promote the development of the resources of the Foyle and Carlingford catchments for commercial and recreational purposes. The Accounting Officer must ensure that the Agency adheres to the conditions attached to the public funds provided to it. The Managing Public Money Northern Ireland (MPMNI), North/South Implementation Bodies Annual Report & Accounts Guidance 2009, relevant Dear Accounting Officer (DAO’s) and Finance Director (FD) letters set out the controls to be exercised over the different areas of activity, either by Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

181

the Departments directly or by the Loughs Agency, through its board under delegated authority. 2: The purpose of the system of internal control The system of internal control is designed to manage risk to a reasonable level rather than to eliminate all risk of failure to achieve policies, aims and objectives; it can therefore only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance of effectiveness. The system of internal control is based on an ongoing process designed to identify and prioritise the risks to the achievement of the Agency’s policies, aims and objectives, to evaluate the likelihood of those risks being realised and the impact should they be realised, and to manage them efficiently, effectively and economically. The system of internal control has been in place in the Loughs Agency for the year ended 31 December 2009 and up to the date of approval of the annual report and accounts, and it accords with the Finance Departments’ guidance. 3: Capacity to handle risk The Agency has established a risk management committee, to direct the risk management process within the Loughs Agency. The risk management committee provides regular updates to the Board. The risk management committee reviews and updates the Agency’s strategic risks and has responsibility for the implementation of the risk management policy of the Agency. All staff have been issued with the Loughs Agency risk management policy. This document clearly explains the risk management processes in place and details the roles and responsibilities of all staff and the various boards and committees which are in place as part of the corporate governance framework within the Agency. A programme to regularly train staff in fraud awareness and risk management is in place. This programme is managed by the risk management committee who will initiate training where the review of the needs is identified. The senior management takes responsibility for applying and overseeing the risk management process primarily to ensure that it is operating as intended, to challenge content of the risk register and enable the Chief Executive to report on the process to the Board of the FCILC. In addition to reviewing the risk framework, all recommendations received from both the internal and external auditors are reviewed, with controls being enhanced or introduced as necessary. All staff are expected to work within the Loughs Agency policies on risk

182

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts management, alert management to emerging risks or control weaknesses, participate fully in the risk management process and assume responsibility for risks and controls within their own areas of work. 4: The risk and control framework The Loughs Agency continued to update its risk register during 2009 and quarterly reviews and ownership of risks by Directorates have been on-going. The register identifies the key risks facing the Loughs Agency and these have been identified and evaluated and graded in relation to their significance. The grading exercise uses a combination of impact and likelihood assessments and was reviewed during the year. The outcome of these assessments is used to plan and allocate resources in order to ensure that risks are managed to an acceptable level. The risk register further details management’s associated controls and actions required to mitigate these risks. The Agency recognises that risk management is an evolving process within the Agency and has continued to embed, within the organisation, in 2009 the following:•

•

Quarterly reviews of objectives and assessment of risks undertaken by each Division. Risk Register distributed to the key owners of risks within the Agency and action points delivered from this process. Evidence of how risks have been managed; Completion of standard risk assessment forms to ensure risks are recorded in a structured way and the use of defined criteria to ensure that risks are evaluated consistently; Inclusion of risk management as an agenda item on each Senior Management Team (SMT monthly management meeting, to enable reporting and review of new risks, the effectiveness of controls over risks identified, the progress of action plans, and to facilitate early corrective action; Update of Strategic and Fraud Risk Profiles and independent facilitation of risk management workshops.

5: Review of effectiveness As accountable person, I have responsibility for reviewing the effectiveness of the system of internal control. My review of the effectiveness of the system of internal control is informed by the work of the internal audit units of the departments, and the executive managers within the Loughs Agency who have Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

183

responsibility for the development and maintenance of the internal control framework, and comments made by the external auditors in their management letter and other reports. I have been advised of the implications of the result of my review of the effectiveness of the system of internal control by the Board, the Audit Committee and Risk Management Committee and plan to address weaknesses and ensure continuous improvement of the system is in place. As accountable person, I also have responsibility for reviewing the effectiveness of internal control. The Loughs Agency has established the following processes: • •

• • • • •

•

184

Comprehensive budgeting systems with quarterly review of budgets and agreement by the (SMT) and audit committee; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) monitors irregularity reports for procurement variances identified when comparing the purchase orders to the invoice payments; Regular reviews by management of financial reports including bank reconciliations, payment schedules, grant in aid and other income; Clearly defined capital investment control guidelines; Improved Procurement procedures and guidelines and appropriate formal project management disciplines in place; Formal business cases introduced for expenditure >£1k and post project evaluation pro-forma in place; The risk management committee continues to update the risks previously identified and update the Agency’s Risk Register. In addition actions have been identified and allocated to relevant Loughs Agency staff; Senior Managers within the Loughs Agency have been given a timetable of events in support of the performance of the respective reviews of effectiveness; Following the reviews of effectiveness I am provided with annual stewardship certificates for all four operational management areas within the Agency. These certificates provide me with a number of assurances that I require to support the comments I make in the Statement on Internal Control. These statements provide assurance over the systems that make up the operating environment of the Loughs Agency; Two meetings of the Audit and Finance and Personnel Committee took place in 2009 at which the progress of the risk management process was reviewed, and all Internal Audit reports and NIAO Management Letters

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts points were addressed. The Loughs Agency has an agreement with the Internal Audit Units of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) to carry out joint internal audit testing of the Agency. The work of the internal audit units is informed by analysis of the risk to which the Loughs Agency is exposed and annual internal audit plans are based on this analysis. 6: Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) Note 8 on Page 23 shows that payments of £9,449 (€10,611) were made in 2009 through the Agency’s Sustainable Development Fund (SDF). North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) approval was obtained at the Aquaculture and Marine Matters Sectoral Meeting on 21st November 2007 and the Agency’s Business Plan for 2008 which presented the Sustainable Development Plan and associated budget also obtained NSMC and Finance Ministers approval. It was subsequently identified that these approvals were not fully compliant with Paragraph 2.3 of Part 7 of Annex 2 to the Implementation Bodies Agreement, as set out in Schedule 1 to the North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 and the British Irish Agreement Act 1999, which requires specific approval by the Finance Ministers for the arrangements for providing financial assistance through grant schemes such as the SDF. In seeking these approvals the Agency is required to submit a Business Case which is now in preparation and will be submitted early 2010. All payments in respect of the Sustainable Development Fund have been suspended until the Departments of Finance consideration of the business case and the request for their approval of the scheme is completed. The Sustainable Development Fund will only become operational if and when the Departments of Finance approvals are given. 7: Internal Control Issues The Internal Audit (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development - DARD) provided a report on the adequacy and effectiveness of the Loughs Agency’s system of internal control as operating during 2009. Internal Audit’s opinion of the control operating within the Agency was satisfactory. They did raise some concerns over procurement procedures and the events management process. However they were satisfied with the explanations provided by management and the actions proposed to address Internal Audits findings. Some improvements are required to enhance the adequacy and/or effectiveness of Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

185

internal control and which received a priority 1 rating. These include: •

•

Management should continue to ensure compliance with procurement procedures and that all quotations received are consistent and agree with the specification; Management should seek advice from Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) to ascertain if electronic tendering is acceptable, ensure that there is effective segregation of duties in place within the tendering process and that tenders are initialled and dated upon receipt; The Chief Executive has still no formal Contract in place. This recommendation has been outstanding from 2005. Discussions are still ongoing with the sponsor department (Fisheries and Rural Policy Division) and DFP and it is outside the control of the Agency; During the external audit a control weakness was identified by the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO). This included that not all timesheets, used to calculate the unsocial hours arrears of pay allowance, were appropriately authorised as evidence that they were being checked by the Inspector / Director and that the information on the timesheets was not always being correctly inputted onto the spreadsheet used to calculate the allowance. Some validation checks were only carried out when the NIAO requested this to be performed. NIAO also highlighted that progress had been made during 2010 to implement a more robust audit process so as to improve controls and procedures in respect of those payments being made for working during unsociable hours.

D Anderson Chief Executive and Accounting Officer 20th January 2011

186

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts The Certificate of the Comptrollers and Auditors General to the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Northern Ireland Assembly We have audited the financial statements of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission Loughs Agency for the year ended 31 December 2009 pursuant to the provisions of the North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 and the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999 which require us to audit and certify, in co-operation, the financial statements presented to us by the Body. The financial statements, which have been prepared under the accounting policies set out therein, comprise the Income and Expenditure Account, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and the related notes. Respective responsibilities of the Body, the Chief Executive and the Auditors The responsibilities of the Body and the Chief Executive, including those pertaining to the preparation of the accounts in accordance with applicable law and the regularity of financial transactions are set out in the Statement of Responsibilities. It is our responsibility to audit the accounts in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). We report our opinion as to whether the accounts give a true and fair view, and have been properly prepared, in accordance with the accounts direction issued under the governing legislation. We also report our opinion as to whether in all material respects the expenditure and income have been applied for the purposes intended by the Northern Ireland Assembly and Dáil Éireann and whether the financial transactions conform to the authorities which govern them; and whether proper accounting records have been kept by the Body. In addition, we state whether we have obtained all the information and explanations necessary for the purposes of our audit, and whether the accounts are in agreement with the accounting records. We review whether the Statement on Internal Control reflects the Body’s compliance with applicable guidance on corporate governance and report any Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

187

material instance where it does not do so, or if the statement is misleading or inconsistent with other information we are aware of from our audit of the financial statements. We are not required to consider whether the Statement on Internal Control covers all financial risks and controls, or to form an opinion on the effectiveness of the risk and control procedures. We read the other information contained in the Annual Report, and consider whether it is consistent with the audited financial statements. This other information comprises the Foreword. We consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial statements. Our responsibilities do not extend to other information. Without qualifying our opinion, we draw attention to the disclosures at Section 6 of the Statement on Internal Control at Page 9. It is there noted that payments of £9,449 (€10,611) were made in 2009, through the Agency’s Sustainable Development Fund without specific approval having been obtained from the Finance Ministers for the arrangements for providing the financial assistance. As a result, the payments were not fully compliant with the North/ South Co-operation (Implementation bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 and the British Irish Agreement Act 1999. Basis of Audit Opinion We conducted our audit of the accounts in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) issued by the Auditing Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts, disclosures and regularity of financial transactions included in the accounts. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgments made by the Agency and the Chief Executive in the preparation of the financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Body’s circumstances, consistently applied and adequately disclosed. We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations that we considered necessary to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the accounts are free from material misstatement, whether caused by error, or fraud or other irregularity and that, in all material respects, the expenditure and income have been applied for the

188

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts purposes intended by the Northern Ireland Assembly and Dáil Éireann and the financial transactions conform to the authorities which govern them. In forming our opinion we have also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements. Opinions In our opinion: •

the financial statements, which have been properly prepared in accordance with the accounts direction issued under the governing legislation, give a true and fair view, in accordance with that direction, of the state of the Body’s affairs at 31 December 2009 and of its deficit for the year then ended;

•

information, which comprises the Foreword, is consistent with the financial statements.

Opinion on Regularity •

in all material respects the expenditure and income have been applied for the purposes intended by the Northern Ireland Assembly and Dáil Éireann and the financial transactions conform to the authorities which govern them.

We have obtained all the information and explanations that we consider necessary for the purpose of our audit. In our opinion proper accounting records have been kept by the Body. The financial statements are in agreement with the accounting records. KJ Donnelly Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland 106 University Street Belfast BT7 1EU

John Buckley Irish Comptroller and Auditor General

25 January 2011

Dublin Castle Dublin 2 Ireland

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

189

Income and Expenditure Account

Income

Note

2009

Restated 2008

2009

Restated 2008

£ Stg

€

Revenue grants from departments

Net deferred funding for pensions

428,815

545,988

481,546

687,770

Salmon fishermen hardship Interreg IV grant

607,156

483,182

681,818

608,655

Marine & Angling Tourism Interreg IV grant

44,013

49,425

Ordinary income

157,689

125,079

177,080

157,559

EU and government grants released

398,093

436,192

447,046

549,462

Profit on disposal of grant assets

1,352

2,916

1,518

3,673

Bailiffing

9,000

10,106

11,336

25,436

32,041

Interest received

3,869,458 3,561,227

4,345,286 4,486,006

5,515,576 5,189,020

6,193,825 6,536,502

2,730,607 2,735,209

3,066,389 3,445,488

Expenditure

190

Staff and Board costs

Salmon fishermen hardship Interreg IV grant

607,156

483,182

681,818

608,655

Marine & Angling Tourism Interreg IV grant

44,013

49,425

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Programme expenses

Administrative expenses

319,119

261,024

1,201,861 1,012,528

358,362

328,807

1,349,648 1,275,460

Currency exchange

18,010

(10,659)

20,225

(13,427)

(Profit) on disposal of fixed assets Depreciation

(9,355)

(9,489)

(10,505)

(11,953)

407,001 436,192 5,318,412 4,907,987 197,164 281,033

457,050 549,462 5,972,412 6,182,492 221,413 354,010

Operating surplus / (deficit) taken to reserves All amounts relate to continuing activities.

The notes on pages 197 to 220 form part of these accounts.

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191

Statement of Total Recognised Gains & Losses for the year ended 31 December 2009 Note

2009 £ Stg

2008 Restated £ Stg

2009 €

2008 Restated €

Surplus (Deficit) on continuing operations after depreciation

197,164

281,033

221,413

354,010

Unrealised surplus on revaluation of fixed assets

1,442,599

1,481,838

980,320 (1,177,375)

1,234,889

Actuarial (loss)/ gain in respect of pension scheme

(1,048,447)

Total recognised gain relating to the year

(851,283)

2,703,952

(955,962)

3,070,737

Adjustment for deferred pension asset

1,048,447

4,226,319

1,177,375

4,214,344

Total recognised (loss) /gains since last report

197,164

6,930,271

221,413

7,285,081

Reconciliation Opening reserves Total recognised loss relating to the year

1,931,373 (4,998,898) 197,164

6,930,271

Currency Translation Adjustment Closing reserves

192

2,128,537

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

1,931,373

1,983,907 (6,784,004) 221,413

7,285,081

160,123

992

2,365,443

502,069

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Balance Sheet Fixed Assets

Note

2009 £ Stg

2008 Restated £ Stg

2009 €

2008 Restated €

Tangible fixed assets

5,777,848

5,853,960

6,420,923

6,013,188

276,091

206,393

1,240,942

856,739

1,379,059

880,042

1,517,033

1,063,132

1,685,878

1,092,048

822,187

477,870

913,696

490,867

694,846

585,262

772,182

601,181

6,472,694

6,439,222

7,193,105

6,614,369

96,488

99,112

Current Assets Debtors and prepayments Cash at bank and in hand

306,819 212,006

Current Liabilities Creditors and accruals

Net Current Assets Total Assets less Current Liabilities Provisions Deferred revenue grants

Superannuation scheme

(6,249,569)

(4,772,307) (6,945,146) (4,902,114)

Deferred Pension funding

6,249,569

4,772,307

6,945,146

4,902,114

96,488

99,112

6,472,694

6,342,734

7,193,105

6,515,257

4,344,157

4,411,361

4,827,662

4,531,350

Net Assets Represented By Deferred Capital grants

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193

Reserves Revaluation reserve

1,433,691

1,442,599

1,593,261

1,481,838

General reserve

694,846

488,774

772,182

502,069

Total reserves

2,128,537

1,931,373

2,365,443

1,983,907

Total

6,472,694

6,342,734

7,193,105

6,515,257

The notes on pages 197 to 220 form part of these accounts. D ANDERSON Chief Executive and Accounting Officer

20th January 2011

194

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Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Cash Flow Statement Note

2009 £ Stg

2008 £ Stg

2009 €

2008 €

(181,185)

(69,518)

(86,472)

(327,128)

25,436

32,041

Capital expenditure and financial investment

(321,535)

(1,079,165)

(361,074)

(1,359,403)

Net cash outflow before financing

(502,720)

(1,123,247)

(447,546)

(1,654,490)

Financing

886,923

1,565,486

946,563

1,972,012

(Decrease) / increase in Cash

384,203

442,239

499,017

317,522

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from continuing activities Return on investment and servicing of finance

Reconciliation of operating surplus/(deficit) to net cash inflow/(outflow) from continuing activities Operating surplus / (deficit)

197,164

281,033

221,413

354,010

Loss / (profit) on disposal of fixed assets

(9,355)

(9,489)

(10,505)

(11,953)

Depreciation

407,001

436,192

457,050

549,462

Capital grant release

(398,093)

(436,192)

(447,046)

(549,462)

Net deferred pension funding

(428,815)

(545,988)

(481,546)

(687,770)

Revenue grant released other

(44,013)

(49,425)

Revenue grant released salmon hardship

(607,156)

(483,182)

(681,818)

(608,655)

(1,352)

(2,916)

(1,518)

(3,673)

(25,436)

(32,041)

(Increase) / decrease in debtors

(25,685)

(28,648)

(45,901)

29,210

Grants receivable

(44,013)

27,955

(48,912)

37,938

Increase / (decrease) in creditors

344,317

171,165

422,819

74,638

Interest on Scheme liabilities

309,273

303,683

347,304

382,543

Pension Current service cost

320,643

419,737

360,072

528,735

Pension benefits paid

(201,101)

(177,432)

(225,830)

(223,508)

97,371

(166,602)

(Profit) on disposal of capital grant assets Interest received

Translation exchange difference Net cash outflow from continuing activities

(181,185)

(69,518)

(86,472)

(327,128)

(332,242)

(1,091,570)

(373,098)

(1,375,029)

10,707

12,405

12,024

15,626

(321,535)

(1,079,165)

(361,074)

(1,359,403)

Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets Proceeds from disposal of tangible fixed assets

Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial investment

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

195

Reconciliation of financing Capital grants received

332,242

1,091,570

373,098

1,375,029

554,681

473,916

573,465

596,983

886,923

1,565,486

946,563

1,972,012

384,203

442,239

499,017

317,522

856,739

414,500

880,042

562,520

1,240,942

856,739

1,379,059

880,042

384,203

442,239

499,017

317,522

Revenue grant received salmon hardship Revenue grant received other Net cash inflow from financing

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in cash (Decrease) / increase in cash in year Explained as follows: At 1 January At 31 December (Decrease) / increase in cash in year

NOTE: In 2008/2009 figures have been grossed up for the Salmon Hardship Cash Flows

196

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Notes to the Accounts 1: Accounting Policies a) Basis of Accounting These financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to account for the revaluation of Land and Buildings, and in accordance with applicable accounting standards. The significant accounting policies adopted are set out below. The Board members consider that these accounting policies are suitable, have been consistently applied, and are supported by reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates. b) Fixed Assets and Depreciation From 1 January 2003 a policy was put in place whereby only assets (or groups of assets where appropriate) with costs greater than £1,000/€1,485 have been capitalised. Prior to this all items of a capital nature were capitalised regardless of cost. Fixed assets (other than land and buildings) are stated on the balance sheet at cost less depreciation at annual rates calculated to write off the cost of the assets over their estimated useful lives. Land and buildings in Northern Ireland were revalued by Land & Property Services (LPS) on revaluation date of 31st December 2008 and have been included in the financial statements at the revalued amounts. In this instance depreciation has been provided to write land and buildings off over their remaining useful lives, otherwise the Agency uses the straight line method of depreciation. Fixed asset additions are depreciated from the month of purchase and no depreciation is charged in year of disposal. The current rates applied to Fixed Asset additions are: Land & buildings, Interpretive Centre, Weirs

Various

Boats & boating equipment

15%

Plant & Equipment

25%

Office equipment / Fixtures & Fittings

10%

Computer equipment

25%

Motor vehicles

25% Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

197

c) Currency The Body’s transactions are effected in both sterling and euro. The working currency of the Body is Sterling and transactions are initially recorded in that currency. Transactions in other currencies are translated to Sterling at an average of the previous month exchange rate (this is used as an approximation as exchange rates do not fluctuate significantly). Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in other currencies are translated to Sterling at the rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date (closing rate). Realised gains and losses are taken to the Income and Expenditure Account. At year end the financial statements are translated into euro. The Income and Expenditure Account is translated using the average exchange rate for the year while the Balance Sheet is translated using the closing exchange rate. The year end rate for 2009 is £stg - €1.11130 (2008: £stg - €1.02720). The average rate for 2009 is £stg - €1.12297 (2008: £stg - €1.25968). Currency adjustments arising from this translation of the financial statements are reflected in Fixed Assets (Note 10), Capital Grants (Note 13), Deferred Revenue Grants (Note 14), Superannuation Scheme (Note 15), General Reserve (Note 16), and the Revaluation Reserve (Note 17). The Bank of England rates are used. d) EU and Government Grants Capital expenditure incurred to acquire fixed assets and investments is credited to the government grant reserve from grant in aid received. On disposal of a tangible fixed asset, or redemption of a fixed investment, where applicable, the profit or loss arising is credited or charged to the Income and Expenditure account. The balance remaining on the grant reserve in relation to the asset disposed of is then transferred to the Income and Expenditure account. e) Leases Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to administrative costs on a straight line basis over the terms of the lease. 2. Superannuation Scheme The Loughs Agency came into existence on 2 December 1999. On that date the Loughs Agency assumed all the assets and liabilities of the Foyle Fisheries Commission. The Loughs Agency, under the Foyle Area (Pension) (Amendment) Regulations 1979 made in exercise of its powers under paragraph 16 of the Third Schedule to that Act, provides retirement benefits to its employees. The

198

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Agency operates a defined benefit pension scheme for current and former employees. An actuarial review of the scheme was completed at 31st December 2009, at which time the accrued liability, as per Balance Sheet, was £6,249,569 (2008: £4,772,307). Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 17 covers retirement benefits and applies to all financial statements with year ends after June 2001. The liability at 31 December 2009 has been included in the financial statements and a disclosure note has been included (Note 15) detailing the actuarial review calculations by PWC. This includes the results of the calculations of the pension liabilities and costs of employees (and ex-employees) of the Loughs Agency for the purposes of the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2009 and comparative figures for 2008. During 2009, discussions continued with Sponsoring Departments and the Departments of Finance, to resolve the difficulties identified in respect of the incompatibility of the pay arrangements operated by the Loughs Agency and the North/South Pension Scheme. On the 16th March 2007, it was confirmed that the Foyle Fisheries Commission Pension (Amendment) Scheme 1979 should apply to the Loughs Agency (Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission) from 2 December 1999 in accordance with the requirements of the Implementation Bodies Agreement, Annex 2, part 7, paragraphs 3.2 and 3.3. It was also confirmed in this Interim Procedure (IP) that the Foyle Fisheries Commission Pension (Amendment) Scheme 1979 is the same as, and therefore no less favourable than that to which transferred staff were subject immediately before transfer. During 2007, Arthur Cox, Solicitors, were commissioned to draft a legal paper to further regularise current pension arrangements and report on options for the future. This options paper was submitted to the Sponsoring Departments and discussions are ongoing with a view to a resolution a business case and economic appraisal of those options will be presented to the Sponsoring Departments by middle of 2010.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

199

3. Staff Costs and Board Remuneration The average monthly number of employees (full time equivalent) was:

2009

2008

Senior Management

Administrative

Field staff and inspectorate

Total

The costs incurred in respect of these employees were: 3. Staff Costs and Board Remuneration 2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

1,942,431

1,853,143

2,181,291

2,334,367

Social security costs (*)

144,594

146,269

162,375

184,252

Other pension costs

550,154

641,440

617,806

808,009

2,637,179

2,640,852

2,961,472

3,326,628

Board remuneration

89,208

90,271

100,178

113,713

Social security costs

4,220

4,086

4,739

5,147

Total Board costs

93,428

94,357

104,917

118,860

2,730,607

2,735,209

3,066,389

3,445,488

2009

2008

2009

2008

€

Gross (*)

Total staff costs

Total Board and staff costs

Staff costs above include the following Temporary staff

301,048

207,851

338,068

261,826

Total temporary staff costs

301,048

207,851

338,068

261,826

(*) Unsocial hours Backpay (2009: Stg £309,130 : €347,143) was awarded for the financial period between 2007 and 2009. In January 2010 both Finance Ministers approved the business case for the payment of an unsocial hours allowance to the field staff of the Agency as agreed by North South Ministerial Council at its Sectoral meeting on 20th July 2009 and payment of this allowance was made to field staff in their March 2010 salary.

200

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts Furthermore a Post balance sheet adjusting event included a payment in November 2010 (Agreed by DFP in October 2010) relating mainly to backpay (£57k) and ICT Allowances (£35k) for staff. With an additional amount of unsocial hours and overtime arrears this was totalled and rounded to £100,000 (€112,297). It is included as an accrual for 2009. The amounts relating to all backpay and included as an accrual at 31 December 2009 are as follows: 2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

Gross

377,045

178,576

423,410

224,948

Social security costs

32,085

19,643

36,030

24,744

409,130

198,219

459,440

249,692

3. Staff Costs and Board Remuneration cont’d The Chief Executive’s (Derick Anderson aged 61) emoluments including pension scheme contributions were as follows: 2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

Gross

76,136

70,097

85,498

88,300

Social security costs

7,719

7,016

8,668

8,838

Other pension costs

4,336

4,206

4,869

5,298

88,191

81,319

99,035

102,436

The benefit in kind, which relates to the provision of a motor vehicle, attributed to the Chief Executive in 2009 was £6,496 / €7,295 (2008: £6,923 / €7,927). The Chief Executive is an ordinary member of the Agency’s pension scheme. Gerard Mills another member of senior management received benefits in kind (a personal issue vehicle) in 2009 of £2,744 / €3,081 (2008: £1,273 / €1,458). John McCartney member of senior management team received benefits in kind (a personal issue vehicle) in 2009 of £3,000 /€3,369 (2008: £787/€ 991). Barry Fox member of senior management team received no benefits in kind in 2009 but has a benefit in kind (personal issue vehicle) in 2008 (£682/€ 859). No other senior management staff received any benefits in kind. Benefits in kind are not included in the remuneration figures shown below.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

201

Other Senior Management 2009 Other senior management / directors

Gross

2008

Social Security Costs

Other Pension Costs

Gross

Social Security Costs

Other Pension Costs

Age

John Pollock (Corporate Services )

41,918

3,342

2,488

40,755

3,264

2,445

Gerard Mills (Development)

41,466

3,282

2,488

39,914

3,166

2,395

John McCartney (Conservation and Protection)

42,506

3,415

2,488

41,361

3,338

2,482

Barry Fox (Aquaculture)

39,393

3,785

2,364

38,682

3,908

2,321

165,283

13,824

9,828

160,172

13,676

9,643

3 Staff Costs and Board Remuneration cont’d The total emoluments of the board members including social security costs were as follows:

202

2009

2008

2009

2008

€

Mr Tarlach O’Crosain

9,386

10,017

10,541

12,618

Ms Jacqui McConville

10,962

10,615

12,311

13,372

Mr John Mulcahy

8,581

8,307

9,636

10,464

Mr Winston Patterson

8,581

8,307

9,636

10,464

Mr Enda Bonner

8,581

8,307

9,636

10,464

Mr Brendan Byrne

8,581

8,307

9,636

10,464

Mr John Byrne

8,581

8,307

9,636

10,464

Mr Alan McCulla

6,035

6,438

6,777

8,110

Mr Joe Miller

6,035

6,438

6,777

8,110

Mr Denis Haughey

6,035

6,438

6,777

8,110

Mr Jim Wilson

6,035

6,438

6,777

8,110

Mr Thomas Sloan

6,035

6,438

6,777

8,110

93,428

94,357

104,917

118,860

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts In December 2007 the North / South Ministerial Council appointed the members of the Boards of the North South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland Ltd. The Council also approved the following revised rates of remuneration for members of the Board per annum. Chairperson 2009 £8,570 (€12,600) (2008: £9,520 /€14,000), Vice-Chairperson - £7,040/€10,350 (2008: £7,820 /€11,500) and members for 2009 £5,510/€8,100 (2008: £6,120 /€9,000). Board members’ salaries are not pensionable. Republic of Ireland Board members were paid in Euro at the agreed Euro amounts. The apparent overstatement of Sterling Equivalent is solely due to translation rates used. Current year remuneration includes all current year entitlement. The new rates for remuneration stated above became effective from 12th November 2009 and therefore the above figures relate to payments of 314 days at old rate and 51 days at new rates. 4. Revenue and Capital Grants Note

2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources

2,100,850

2,040,000

2,359,192

2,569,747

Department of Agriculture and Rural Developments

2,100,850

2,162,797

2,359,192

2,724,432

Total

4,201,700

4,202,797

4,718,384

5,294,179

2009

2008

2009

2008

€

332,242

641,570

373,098

808,173

3,869,458

3,561,227

4,345,286

4,486,006

4,201,700

4,202,797

4,718,384

5,294,179

Grants received in year

Appropriation of grants received in year Capitalised against fixed assets Released to revenue

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

203

5. Salmon Fishermen Hardship INTERREG IV Grants

Salmon fishermen hardship Interreg IV Grants released

2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

607,156

483,182

681,818

608,655

607,156

483,182

681,818

608,655

The Salmon fishermen hardship packages payments began in 2007 and related to payment to fishermen who agreed to decommission their nets to the Agency. In the current year £510,668/ €573,465 was received and payments of £607,156 / €681,818 were made (2008: £473,916 / €596,983 received: £483,182 / €608,655 paid). The Agency currently holds no further hardship funds (2008: £96,488 / €99,112). The 2008 figures represented a ring fenced deferred revenue grant received. This was paid to the net holders in 2009. See Note 14. 6. Marine & Angling Tourism INTERREG IV Grants

Marine & Angling Tourism Interreg IV grant released

2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

44,013

49,425

44,013

49,425

The INTERREG IV Marine & Angling Tourism payments began in 2009 and related to initial payments for the set up of the funding scheme which will begin in 2010. In the current year no claims from INTERREG were received but an amount owing has been included as a debtor within the accounts (Note 11) and payments of £44,013 / €49,425 were made in 2009 for these initial set up costs. (2008: £Nil / €Nil).

204

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 7. Ordinary Income 2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

127,614

109,582

143,307

138,038

2,871

3,112

3,224

3,920

130,485

112,694

146,531

141,958

Fines and costs recovered

21,169

9,658

23,772

12,166

Sundry receipts

6,035

2,727

6,777

3,435

27,204

12,385

30,549

15,601

157,689

125,079

177,080

157,559

2009

2008

2009

2008

€

170,458

57,835 191,420

72,854

127,494

121,701 143,172 153,304

Normal activities Licence duties Fishery rent and rates Other activities

Total 8. Programme expenses

Programme expenses Conservation and Protection Marine tourism & Development (to include Angling Fairs & Events) Sustainable Development

9,449

31,985

10,611

40,291

Aquaculture

11,718

49,503

13,159

62,358

319,119

261,024 358,362 328,807

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

205

9. Administrative Expenses 2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

Staff training

42,054

41,148

47,225

51,833

Bank charges

751

499

843

629

Postage

14,319

10,716

16,080

13,499

Advertising

43,780

59,304

49,164

74,704

Light and heat

50,771

43,095

57,014

54,286

Telephone

64,923

53,708

72,907

67,655

Operating lease – rent

33,993

33,262

38,173

41,899

Insurance

143,171

107,521

160,777

135,442

External Audit Fee

24,000

19,000

26,951

23,934

Accountancy

9,673

7,868

10,862

9,912

Motor vehicle expenses

97,432

86,204

109,413

108,589

Boat stores

8,919

20,140

10,016

25,370

Boat maintenance

42,578

57,120

47,814

71,953

Printing and stationery

37,489

59,841

42,099

75,381

Licence dealers’ commission

3,996

11,707

4,487

14,747

Maintenance and repairs

43,485

38,852

48,832

48,941

Miscellaneous

1,831

311

2,056

392

Travelling and conference expenses

69,880

52,062

78,473

65,581

Hospitality

12,575

32,979

14,121

41,543

Health and safety

51,886

30,797

58,266

38,794

Cleaning

9,981

11,824

11,208

14,894

Computer consumables and maintenance

47,695

17,342

53,560

21,845

Other equipment costs

43,870

54,595

49,265

68,772

Subscriptions

65,815

63,312

73,908

79,752

Legal and professional fees

143,560

87,405

161,211

110,102

Research programme

64,351

1,013

72,264

1,276

Tagging expenses

10,706

4,762

12,023

5,999

Interpretive centre expenses

1,906

1,611

2,140

2,029

806

905

Counter site expenses

7,222

4,530

8,110

5,706

Licence Fees

8,237

9,250

Childcare Fees

206

231

1,201,861

1,012,528

1,349,648

1,275,460

Bad Debt Expense

206

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

(51,092)

373,098

(44,622)

407,001

942,620

306,938

960,095

33,342

201,772

20,212

196,031

143,916 5,853,960

94,089 5,777,848

317,352 2,441,127

(44,065)

67,730

293,687 2,078,748

7,670,871

3,566,438

(49,588)

457,050

3,158,976

7,756,327

6,013,188

3,049,034

33,342

140,275

(45,975)

332,242

411,441 8,218,975 11,237,309

(44,066)

17,904

NBV at 31/12/2008

960,095

33,793

€

(1,743,139)

306,938

236,257

140,275

117,603

(557)

60,190

57,970

Total

437,603 7,932,708 10,915,303

Total

Currency Translation Adjustment

942,620

42,061

33,793

3,890

3,073

817

257,878

(1,909)

5,786

254,001

Motor vehicles

3,049,034

1,041,795

236,257

658,470

104,355

554,115

37,683

16,654

21,029

Office Computer equipment equipment

At 31/12/2008

290,889

42,061

29,414

4,215

25,199

894,727

138,840

755,887

Plant

6,420,923

898,220

1,041,795

715,031

54,846

660,185

71,475

12,934

58,541

Fixtures & fittings

3,000,469

290,889

110,324

16,049

94,275

1,756,826

136,546

1,620,280

Boats & boating equipment

NBV at 31/12/2009

898,220

435,279

44,400

390,879

401,213

Interpretive centre

(1,249,948)

3,000,469

53,764

52,143

1,621

3,054,233 1,333,499

3,578

3,050,655 1,333,499

Weirs

Currency Translation Adjustment

At 31/12/2009

Net Book Value

At 31/12/2009

Depreciation on disposal

Reclassified

Adjustment

Charge for year

At 1 January 2009

Depreciation

At 31/12/2009

Disposals

Reclassified

Revaluation

Additions

At 1 /01/2009

Cost

Land & buildings

10. Tangible Fixed Assets

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

207

11. Debtors and Prepayments

208

2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

Trade debtors

32,667

27,886

36,302

28,644

Prepayments

184,585

169,507

205,129

174,117

Bailiffing

9,000

10,002

9,245

Other debtors

5,826

6,474

Grants receivable

44,013

48,912

276,091 206,393 306,819 12. Creditors and Accruals

212,006

2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

Trade creditors

278,046

106,961

308,992

109,870

Accruals

134,996

172,690

150,021

177,387

Sundry Accruals (incl Backpay & unsocial hours accrual)

409,145

198,219

454,683

203,610

822,187

477,870

913,696

490,867

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 13. Capital Grants

Gross capital grant

Note

At 1 January Additions

Disposals At 31 December

Dom /Dard

Local Govt

EU Funds

Total

€

2,649,028

908,936

3,013,211

6,571,175

9,029,748

332,242

373,098

(45,975)

(51,092)

2,935,295

908,936

3,013,211

6,857,442

9,351,754

At 1 January

937,550

366,310

855,954

2,159,814

3,105,974

Amortised in year

294,629

35,903

67,561

398,093

447,046

Eliminated on

(44,622)

(49,588)

Grant amortisation

disposal At 31 December

1,187,557

402,213

923,515

2,513,285

3,503,432

1,747,738

506,723

2,089,696

4,344,157

5,848,322

Unamortised capital grants At 31 December Currency Translation Adjustment

(1,020,700)

4,827,622 At 1 January

1,711,478

542,626

2,157,257

4,411,361

5,923,774

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

209

14. Deferred Revenue Grants EU Funds £

Total £

Total €

At 1 January

96,488

99,112

Additions Salmon Fishermen Hardship grant

510,668

573,465

Additions Interreg IV Programme

44,013

49,425

651,169

722,002

Released in year salmon fishermen hardship grant

(607,156)

(681,818)

Released in year other

(44,013)

(49,425)

2008 £

2009 €

Currency translation adjustment At 31 December

2009 £

2008 €

Reconciliation of grant income Capital grant amortised in year

398,093 436,192 447,046 549,462

Revenue grant released in year other

44,013

49,425

442,106 436,192 496,471 549,462

210

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 15. Superannuation Scheme 2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

4,772,307

5,206,639

4,902,114

7,065,930

Employers service cost

240,881

337,757

270,502

425,466

Interest on pension liabilities

309,273

303,683

347,304

382,543

Contributions to pensions by Loughs Agency

79,762

81,980

89,570

103,269

5,402,223

5,930,059

5,609,490

7,977,208

Actuarial losses/(gains)

1,048,447

(980,320)

1,177,375 (1,234,889)

Benefits paid

(201,101)

(177,432)

(225,830)

At 1 January

Currency Translation adjustment At 31 December

(223,508)

384,111 (1,616,697) 6,249,569

4,772,307

6,945,146

4,902,114

FRS17 requires financial statements to reflect, at fair value, the assets and liabilities arising from an employers obligations and any related funding and to recognise the cost of providing superannuation benefits in the accounting period in which they are earned by employees. The effect of FRS17 is to recognise expenditure in the year the costs of pensions earned rather than the payments made to pensioners, and a corresponding funding amount. In addition the Balance sheet recognises the cumulative liability for pensions earned by employees at 31 December 2009 together with a corresponding asset. The provision relates to the outstanding liability to pensions, deferred pensions and active members for the Foyle Area (Pension) (Amendment) Regulations 1979.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

211

Deferred Funding for Pensions The Loughs Agency recognises as an asset a deferred funding asset of £6,249,569 (2008: £4,772,307) as at 31 December 2009. The net deferred funding for pensions recognised in Income & Expenditure in 2009 includes 2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

Funding recoverable in respect of the current year pension costs

629,916

723,420

707,376

911,278

State grant applied to pay pensioners

(201,101) (177,432) (225,830) (223,508)

Deferred Funding for Pensions

428,815

545,988

481,546

687,770

The scheme is a defined benefit scheme. Section 9 of the regulations covers retirement on medical grounds. This section of the scheme rules states that when a person retires on medical grounds then the length of pensionable service to be used when calculating the lump sum and annual pension should be increased as follows: a) b)

If the pensionable service is less than ten years then it should be doubled; If it is ten years or more it should be increased to either twenty years or by six years.

The Loughs Agency Superannuation Scheme shows a net liability position (netted off with pension deferred asset) on the face of the Balance sheet and is based on the PWC actuarial valuation at 31st December 2009. The Loughs Agency is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. This relationship means that both Departments will meet pension liabilities as they fall due on a yearly basis and within agreed limits. Pension payments were also made to individuals who retired in previous years and who had their length of service increased by the additional two thirds of a

212

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts year (243days). The value of these additional payments is not known, but will be small and not material. PWC Actuarial Review at 31 December 2009 PWC noted the following: a) b)

The figures relate to the benefits accrued to active and pensioner members of the Loughs Agency. The figures have been calculated in accordance with the specific requirements of Financial Reporting Standard (“FRS 17”) issued by the Accounting Standards Board (ASB) and are prepared in accordance with guidance note GN36 issued by the Board of Actuarial Standards. The liability and cost calculations were carried out based on data supplied by the Loughs Agency. As the pension scheme is unfunded, no asset figure is included in the FRS 17 figures. I have assumed that all of the scheme surplus or deficit is allocated to the company and none to the employees. The actuarial review assumed that the only payments out of the scheme over the year relate to pensions paid to pensioner members and that employee contributions are used to pay some of these benefits with the remaining amount being met by the employer. The assumptions used to calculate the FRS 17 liabilities are summarised below (along with the comparator assumptions as at 31st December 2008). There has been no allowance made for a deferred tax asset in relation to the scheme deficit. The figures below are based on the current version of FRS 17 and the calculations are based on market rates of interest, the results are inherently volatile and may differ materially over a short period of time.

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

213

Assumptions

2009

2008

2009

2008

Rate of salary increase

4.00%

4.40%

4.00%

4.40%

Rate of pension increase

3.40%

2.80%

3.40%

2.80%

Discount rate

5.80%

6.40%

5.80%

6.40%

Rate of inflation

3.80%

2.90%

3.80%

2.90%

2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

Actuarial liabilities

(6,249,569)

(4,772,307)

(6,945,146)

(4,902,114)

(Deficit)

(6,249,569)

(4,772,307)

(6,945,146)

(4,902,114)

Assets of the scheme and expected rate of return

Analysis of the amount charged to operating profit Service cost

(240,881)

(337,757)

(270,502)

(425,466)

Total operating charge

240,881

337,757

270,502

425,466

Analysis of the net return on pension scheme Interest on pension liabilities

(309,273)

(303,683)

(347,304)

(382,543)

Total net return on pension scheme

(309,273)

(303,683)

(347,304)

(382,543)

2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

Change in actuarial assumptions

(1,048,447)

980,320

(1,177,375)

1,234,889

Actuarial (loss)/gain in STRGL

(1,048,447)

980,320

(1,177,375)

1,234,889

Amount recognised in STRGL

Movement in deficit during the year (Deficit) at 1 January

(4,772,307)

(5,206,639)

(4,902,114)

(7,065,930)

Total operating charge

(240,881)

(337,757)

(270,502)

(425,466)

Company contributions

(79,762)

(81,980)

(89,570)

(103,269)

Total net return on pension scheme

(309,273)

(303,683)

(347,304)

(382,543)

(1,048,447)

980,320

(1,177,375)

1,234,889

201,101

177,432

225,830

223,508

(384,111)

1,616,697

(6,945,146)

(4,902,114)

Actuarial (loss)/gain in STRGL Benefits paid Currency Translation adjustment (Deficit) at 31 December

214

(6,249,569)

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

(4,772,307)

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts (ii)

Current Service Cost; Is the increase in the present value of the scheme liabilities expected to arise from employee service in the current year.

(iii)

Interest Cost; The expected increase during the year in the present value of the scheme liabilities because the benefits are one year nearer to settlement.

(iv)

Actuarial Gains and Losses; Changes in actuarial deficits or surpluses that arise because events have not coincided with the actuarial assumptions made for the last valuation (experience gains or losses) or the actuarial assumptions have changed.

The total pension deficit, after FRS 17 review and as at 31st December 2009, is £6,249,569 / €6,945,146 (2008: £4,772,307 / €4,902,114) representing the sum of the liability at that date. The actuarial loss relates to 17% (2008: actuarial gain 21%) of these liabilities (See note 15).

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

215

16. General Reserve 2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

At 1 January

488,774 (4,998,898)

502,069 (6,784,004)

Surplus / (Deficit) for the year

197,164

221,413

354,010

38,801

1,731,450

281,033

Exchange difference Transfer from revaluation reserve

8,908

9,899

Actuarial (loss)/gain on pension scheme

(1,048,447)

980,320 (1,177,375)

Adjustment for Deferred Pension Scheme Asset

1,048,447

4,226,319

1,177,375

4,214,344

694,846

488,774

772,182

502,069

excluding pension reserve

694,846

488,774

772,182

502,069

At 31 December

694,846

488,774

772,182

502,069

2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

1,442,599

912,484

1,481,838

937,303

(8,908)

530,115

(9,899)

544,535

At 31 December

986,269

Balance represented by Pension reserve Income and expenditure reserve

17. Revaluation Reserve

At 1 January Revaluation Backlog depreciation written back Exchange difference At 31 December

216

121,322 1,433,691

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

1,442,599

1,593,261

1,481,838

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 18. Commitments Capital Commitments Contracted for Authorised by Loughs Agency but not yet contracted for (Interpretative Centre capital spend in respect of Riverwatch scheme.)

2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

115,150

127,966

Other Commitments (1)

In July 2009 the Agency received a Letter of Offer from the Special EU Programmes Body to the value of €4MEU to progress its marine tourism strategy under the INTERREG IV programme. The Agency is awaiting INTERREG value for money assessments of its projects and approval from the Department of Finance and Personnel for staffing to help manage the projects. Claims will be processed in 2010 for preliminary expenditure that occurred in 2009.

(2)

The Agency received a confidential out of court settlement on 16th June 2009 (£500k) in lieu of pollution damage caused from 1999 to 2004. Part of the terms of the agreement were that monies were to be spent on river rehabilitation works in accordance with national guidelines and overseen by a trust to ensure this money is kept separate from the Agency’s core funding. The Money is currently held by the Agency’s solicitor in a high interest account until the trust is fully set up.

(3)

There were no other commitments other than operating leases see note 21

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217

19. Contingent Liabilities The recent NICS settlement of the Equalisation of Pay claim has introduced new pay scales and lump sum arrears payments for Administrative Assistants (AA), Administrative Officer (AO) and EOII grades within the NICS. The Agency’s pay and conditions are directly linked to the NICS and it is awaiting guidance on whether or not this agreement applies to it. If it is confirmed that a compensatory element of this payment has to be made the Agency estimates this contingent liability to be no more than £30k. There were no other contingent liabilities as at 31 December 2009.

20. Post Balance Sheet Events A post balance sheet adjusting event included a payment in November 2010 (Agreed by DFP in October 2010) relating mainly to backpay (£57k) and ICT Allowances (£35k) for staff. With an additional amount including unsocial hours and overtime arrears this was totalled and rounded to £100,000 (€112,297). It is included as an accrual for 2009. 21. Operating Lease At 31 December 2009 the Agency had an annual commitment under a 5 year short term business letting agreement (signed 15/11/07) for the 1st and 2nd floors of the Darcy Magee Centre, Dundalk Street, Carlingford of Stg £14,960 /€16,800 per year, (2008: £13,099 / €16,500). In addition a new storage unit has been rented in Carlingford, and is renewed annually on 1st July each year, at Stg £12,540/€14,580 per annum (2008: £11,527/ €14,520). Operating Lease (contd.) Expiry

2009 £

2008 £

2009 €

2008 €

< 1 year

12,467

11,527

16,800

14,520

2-5 years

22,953

13,099

25,775

16,500

> 5 years

218

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts 22. Related Party Transactions The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (Loughs Agency) is a North/South Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland, and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the Republic of Ireland. The above named departments are regarded as related parties. During the period Loughs Agency has had various transactions with these departments. None of the members of key management staff or other related parties has undertaken any material transactions with the Loughs Agency during the period. 23. Financial Instruments a)

Financial instruments Due to the non - trading nature of its activities, and the way in which the Loughs Agency is financed, it is not exposed to the degree of financial risk faced by business entities. The Loughs Agency has very limited powers to borrow or invest surplus funds and financial assets and liabilities are generated by day - to - day operational activities and are not held to change the risks facing the Agency in undertaking its activities. The Agency’s financial instruments mainly consist of cash, trade debtors and trade creditors.

Liquidity, Interest Rate and Foreign Currency Risk The Agency’s net revenue resource requirements are financed by resources voted annually by the Northern Ireland Assembly and Dáil Éireann, as largely is its capital expenditure. It is not therefore exposed to significant liquidity risks. The Agency does not access funds from commercial sources and so is not exposed to significant interest rate risk. The Agency’s transactions are effected in the currencies of each part of the island, with realised gains and losses being taken to the Income and Expenditure account. The Agency’s exposure to foreign currency risk is not significant as it receives agreed levels of funding from its sponsoring departments, Department of Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

219

Agriculture and Rural Development and Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, in sterling and euro respectively and does not engage in trading activities. However as the Agency receives one half of its funding from Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in Euro, yet discharges the majority of its transactions in sterling, it is exposed to foreign currency risk to a limited degree. 24. Losses and Special Payments There were no losses or special payments made during the year.

220

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Loughs Agency Annual Report 2009 and Accounts ACCOUNT DIRECTION GIVEN BY THE NORTHERN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, THE SOUTHERN DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS, MARINE AND NATURAL RESOURCES WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCE DEPARTMENTS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NORTH/SOUTH CO-OPERATION (IMPLEMENTATION BODIES) (NORTHERN IRELAND) ORDER 1999 AND THE BRITISH-IRISH AGREEMENT ACT 1999 The annual accounts shall give a true and fair view of the income and expenditure and cash flows for the financial year, and the state of affairs as at the year end. Subject to this requirement, the Loughs Agency shall prepare for the financial period ended 31 December 2000 and subsequent years in accordance with: a)

The North/South Implementation Bodies Annual reports and Accounts Guidance;

Other guidance which Finance Departments may issue from time to time in respect of accounts which are required to give a true and fair view;

Any other specific disclosures required by sponsoring departments

Except where agreed otherwise with finance departments, in which case the exception shall be described in the notes to the accounts.

Signed by authority of the Department Signed by authority of the of Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Gerald Lavery Maurice Mullen Date 3rd August 2001 Date 6th September 2001

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2009

221

ISBN 978-0-9567910-2-3

Headquarters 22 Victoria Road, Londonderry BT47 2AB, Northern Ireland Tel: +44 (0) 28 71 342100 Fax: +44 (0) 28 71 342720 email: general@loughs-agency.org Dundalk Street, Carlingford, Co Louth, Rep. of Ireland Tel: +353 (0)42 938 3888 Fax: +353 (0)42 938 3888 email: carlingford@loughs-agency.org www.loughs-agency.org DARD Media Services 11.12.016