Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1999

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Amendment of section 11 of Act of 1980.

8.—Section 11 of the Act of 1980 is hereby amended—

(a) by the substitution of the following for subsection (1):

“(1) A regional board shall—

(a) subject to this Act, protect the fisheries in its fisheries region and generally enforce the Fisheries Acts, 1959 to 1999, in the region,

(b) prepare and submit to the Central Board a plan for the development of inland fisheries in its fisheries region, in such form and at such intervals as the Minister may from time to time direct, for incorporation in any inland fisheries development plan to be submitted to the Minister under paragraph (b) of section 8(2) of this Act,

(c) ensure that any fishery in the possession or occupation of the board, or any fishery, hatchery or fish farm which by virtue of section 8(2) of this Act is under the care and management of the board, is managed, conserved, protected, developed and improved, or otherwise dealt with, in accordance with both the current development plan prepared under this section by the board and any direction of the Minister referred to in paragraph (c) of section 8(2) of this Act and which is for the time being in force,

(d) in accordance with such development plan, promote and encourage the management, conservation, protection, development and improvement of the fisheries which are not in its possession or occupation in its fisheries region,

(e) ensure that any oyster or other mollusc fishery in its fisheries region is protected in accordance with such direction of the Minister as relates to a fishery of that kind,

(f) encourage, promote, market and develop angling for salmon, trout, coarse fish and sea-fish and, for the purposes of any or all of those kinds of angling, provide such facilities and amenities, if any, as it thinks fit,

(g) encourage, promote, organise and co-ordinate together with the inland fisheries owners, bodies and organisations in its fisheries region, the voluntary development of inland fisheries catchment management plans in its fisheries region and for that purpose have regard to the distinctive circumstances which pertain in each of the catchment systems in its region and consult with and involve local authorities and other interested bodies and organisations and comply with any directions the Minister may from time to time give to it,

(h) co-operate and co-ordinate with the Central Board or any one or more of the regional boards where necessary to ensure the effective and efficient deployment of resources, performance of functions, drawing up of estimates and the provision of services within and between the fishery regions, and in this regard comply with any directions the Minister may from time to time give to it, and

(i) in the performance of its functions, have regard to the need for the sustainable development of the inland fisheries resource (including the conservation of fish and other species of fauna and flora habitats and the biodiversity of inland water ecosystems) and as far as possible ensure that its activities are carried out so as to protect the national heritage, within the meaning of the Heritage Act, 1995 .”,

and

(b) by substituting the following for subsection (2):

“(2) A regional board may provide such services (including education or training courses or facilities for training or instruction) for the management, conservation, protection, development and improvement of fisheries, or such other matters relating to fisheries, as it thinks fit and charge such fees in respect of those services (other than those provided for another board or the Minister) as it thinks fit.

(2A) For the purposes of performing its functions under this Act, but subject to the directions, if any, of the Minister, a regional board may enter into such partnership or other arrangements with such persons or bodies as it thinks fit.

(2B) A regional board shall have regard to the particular role and contribution of angling clubs and associations in the sustainable management and development to the public benefit of State, public and other inland fisheries in its fisheries region.”.