New appointments to Fisheries Conservancy Board

Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister David Hanson has announced the appointment of three members to the Fisheries Conservancy Board.

The new members are Reginald Montgomery from Templepatrick who represents commercial salmon fishermen, William O'Neill from Donemana and Douglas Rowe from Enniskillen, both of whom represent the Ulster Farmers' Union.

They are filling current vacancies and each appointment is for a six-year term of office commencing on 1 August 2005.

Welcoming the new members to the Board, the Minister said: "The Fisheries Conservancy Board has an important role to play in the conservation and protection of Northern Ireland's valuable salmon and freshwater fisheries.

"Both commercial fishing and farming can impact on fish stocks and the new members bring with them knowledge and skills on these activities. These, along with those of other interests represented on the Board, will help in the formulation of appropriate and balanced fisheries conservation measures."

The Fisheries Conservancy Board is the statutory body that has responsibility for the conservation and protection of the salmon and inland fisheries of Northern Ireland, except those of the Londonderry and Newry areas which fall within the jurisdiction of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission.

(MB)