Strangford Lough Management Committee

An independent advisory committee appointed by Government to advise on the strategic management of Strangford Lough.

Represents local and specialist interests in the development, interpretation and adaptation of legislation.

Promotes strategic, co-ordinated management designed to protect the environmental resource while encouraging appropriate economic and recreational activity.

Members bring together expertise and experience on wide-ranging issues eg aquaculture, farming, nature conservation, tourism

Member organisations:
Ards Borough Council
Association of Strangford Lough Yacht Clubs
Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside
Down District Council
Joint Council of Wildfowling Associations for Strangford Lough
Minister's Nominees
National Trust
Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers Association
Northern Ireland Environment Link
Northern Ireland Federation of Sub-Aqua Clubs
Northern Ireland Fish Producers Organisation Ltd
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Royal Yachting Association
Shellfish Association of GB
Sports Council for Northern Ireland
Strangford Lough Fisherman's Association
Strangford Lough Nature Conservation Association
Ulster Farmers Union
Ulster Wildlife Trust
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust

Working Group -2001

Seal Research and Management - produced a report with recommendations to address concern for the decline in the Lough's common seal population. The full report which includes summaries of related research may be purchased from the Strangford Lough Office in Portaferry.

Aquaculture - advises on ways to make this fast growing industry environmentally sustainable in the Lough in the long term. Also advises DARD - Fisheries Division on licence applications.

Emergency Pollution Incident Response Planning - lobbying for a plan for Strangford Lough that will identify environmental resources and examine in advance the implications of trying to conserve them in the event of an incident

Provision of Aids to Safe Navigation
SLMAC has commissioned a report on the need to improve provision of aids to safe navigation. Work is ongoing to encourage authorities to provide an improved system to show safe passage between the main fairways.

The Strangford Lough Office
The Strangford Lough Office facilitates the work of the Committee and is its main point of contact.
Address: SLMAC, 13 The Strand, Portaferry, County Down BT22 1PF.
Tel: 028 427 28886 Fax: 028 427 29588
SLMAC Chairman: Councilor Jim McBriar (Ards Borough Council)
Strangford Lough Officer: Ms Caroline Nolan

	Publications
	Strangford Lough Management Committee Third Report (1997-2001)
	Common Seal Research and Management Recommendations to Government Strangford Lough Management Committee 1999