WRITTEN QUESTION E-0475/01

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(21 February 2001)

Subject: Freshwater fishing in Ireland: European subsidies for unattained objectives in the field of tourism, fisheries and nature conservation

1. Does the Commission recall that, in November 1995, the European Regional Development Fund paid a first tranche of IEP 777 000 which represented 75 % of the cost of a project under the tourism operational programme (OP) for Ireland to be carried out by the Western Regional Fisheries Board (WRFB) over a five-year period at a total cost approaching IEP 3 million?

2. Does the Commission also recall that the programme referred to in point 1 above is supposed to result in the promotion and development of the Western Lakes System involving Loughs Corrib, Mask, Carra and Arrow and that that programme is presented as part of a strategy to attract foreign tourists to western Ireland and increase revenue from game angling, while it should also contribute, pursuant to Directive 92/43/EEC(1) to the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna?

3. Can the Commission confirm that the cost of the Western Lakes System programme increased initially from IEP 3 million to IEP 5 million and is now running at IEP 7 million?

4. Has the European subsidy now been exhausted, apart from the continued use of the boats, motor cycles, nets and jeeps acquired with that subsidy and not yet amortised?

5. What is the basis for the complaints appearing in the Irish press that IEP 3,3 million has suddenly been withdrawn from the subsidy, with the result that 16 young people employed by the WRFB have been made redundant?

6. Are any applications for further subsidies currently being processed?

7. Has the money spent over the past three years actually led to the intended increase in the number of game anglers in the region, or is my information correct that the objective has not been attained?

8. Is there any possibility of a demand being be made for repayment in part or in full of subsidies not devoted to the stated objective? Does the Commission intend to pursue that line of approach?

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(7 June 2001)

1. The initial costs of developing Loughs Corrib, Mask and Carra was estimated at IEP 3 million. Over the five years of the programme IEP 2,5 million were invested. The actual cost of the western lakes project is IEP 2 459 657 of which IEP 1 844 743 (75 %) was paid by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

2. The programme was to develop Loughs Corrib, Mask and Carra (not Lough Arrow) and was extremely successful at improving the stocks and catches of wild brown trout in Lough Mask and most spectacularly in Lough Corrib which, as a result of the development programme, had the best fishing in 2000 in over 12 years. The lakes are being promoted very successfully by two specific product marketing groups for game angling and the revenue from game fishing has increased very significantly. Data indicate major gains in the recovery of the flora and fauna of river corridors as a consequence of this programme. A recovery in marginaland aquatic plants, the aquatic macro-invertebrate fauna, fish stocks (both salmonid and non-salmonid species - stickleback lamprey etc.) and certain species of birds are clearly evident where works have been carried out.

The project did not include Lough Arrow, which is in the North Western region. However, a stream restoration project for Lough Arrow, submitted by the North Western Board, was also funded under the programme. The amount of the grant was IEP 316 600, of which IEP 237 450 (75 %) was paid by the ERDF.

3. The costs for the western lakes programme were estimated in 1996 at IEP 3 million based on the time requested to do the work and the duration of the programme. During the five-year time frame IEP 2,5 million was invested. To complete parts of the catchment not previously considered possible under the last programme will cost an additional IEP 3 million.

The total cost of the Lough Arrow Project was IEP 316 600. The project was delivered within budget and no additional funding was sought.

4. The European co-financing was fully exhausted at the end of the tourism angling measure of the Irish operational programme for tourism. The last claim was made in November 1999. There is no on-going Community funding being provided in respect of Lough Arrow.

5. During the programme 16 additional staff were recruited by the Western Regional Fisheries Board to undertake the development programme. When funding ceased there was no more funding to maintain their employment and they were laid off.

6. No applications are currently being considered for funding.

7. As indicated by the Western Regional Fisheries Board (WRFB), there has been an enormous increase in the numbers of anglers fishing on Lough Corrib in particular and to a lesser extent on Lough Mask. Lough Corrib is now regarded as the best destination in Europe for wild brown trout and currently it is impossible to get a booking on the lake during the peak angling periods. Initial reports from the tourism operators are that the year 2000 was unprecedented in its success and the lake fished extremely well throughout the entire season. Indications during the year 2000 were that brown trout angling on Lough Mask had also shown a significant improvement.

According to the information received from the North Western Regional Fisheries Board (NWRFB) in relation to Lough Arrow, the project was carried out over the period 1998-2000 and would not be expected to have resulted yet in any increase in the number of game anglers. The purpose of the project was to provide a major boost to stocks of wild trout in Lough Arrow by improving spawning and nursery streams. Such a project will not, by its very nature, yield results in terms of increased numbers of anglers for a period of 3-4 years, after which time the works will result in an increased stock of adult trout in the lake. It should be noted that a monitoring programme has been carried out on streams, following the works. The results are extremely encouraging as they show a very significant increase in numbers of juvenile trout. Dr Martin O'Grady, Senior Research Officer, Central Fisheries Board, has stated that the streams will, for the first time, be able to provide a sufficient number of wild fish to stock Lough Arrow where, traditionally, stocks of wild fish had to be supplemented by hatchery reared fish. All the evidence, therefore, is that the project has been extremely successful.

8. All the funds were spent on the specific objectives of the plan as proposed and all were covered by the eligible criteria as laid out under the tourism angling measure of the Irish operational programme for tourism.