§ Lord Kilclooneyasked Her Majesty's Government: Why mobile gear fishing has been banned in Strangford Lough; what consultation was held with interested parties prior to the ban; and when the report on the horse mussel community in Strangford Lough will be made available. [HL268]
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§ Baroness AmosThe Department of Agriculture and Rural Development had to act quickly to introduce an immediate ban on mobile fishing gear in Strangford Lough, to avoid further possible damage to ecological features which underpinned the designation of the lough as a candidate Special Area of Conservation.
The ban is consistent with the Department's obligations under the Habitats Directive. Regrettably there was not time for the consultation normally expected in these circumstances.
The Department of the Environment will shortly publish an interim report on the horse mussel community in Strangford Lough. This will set out the results of a diving survey carried out in summer 2003, and is part of a wider investigation into the ecological status of the lough which is due to report in February 2004.