Foreword by the Chief Executive
I am delighted to present the new Corporate Plan for Loughs Agency which, alongside our Strategic Direction for a New Decade 2020-2030, will set out the Agency’s vision, values and key objectives for the years ahead.
The levels of commitment and endeavour that have helped make the Loughs Agency the organisation it is today have not gone unnoticed, and I would like to express my gratitude to the talented, experienced individuals who are paving the way to a bright future for our organisation.
As a cross-border body which incorporates legislative, regulatory, scientific and environmental protection, conservation and public stewardship functions, our statutory remit is sizeable. Increasing awareness of the Agency, our ethos and the work that we do is of paramount importance if we are to successfully deliver on the high-level objectives put forth in this plan. In addition, heightened knowledge of our organisation will also provide encouragement and reassurance for our varied range of stakeholders as well as the general public.
The one constant which has and will continue to have an adverse impact on all areas of life is climate change. In terms of the work of Loughs Agency, all the species and habitats we work with are at risk from its perilous effects. Changes in habitat characteristics, availability, and integrity because of climate change will have huge knockon effects for biodiversity with fluctuations in species distribution and changes in food web interactions becoming a very real issue in all areas of the ecosystem. Conservation and protection are two of the pillars on which the Agency was founded, meaning any mitigation measures we can feasibly put in place to help maintain aquatic life within our catchments are more important than ever, particularly given rising temperatures and more frequent storm events.
We are acutely aware of the need to increasingly utilise scientific data to inform decision-making, and our commitment to expanding the Agency’s Science function is evidence of this. A Head of Science was appointed for the first time in 2021, highlighting the importance of carrying out evidence-informed practice to guide what we do in respect of all activities promoted by the Agency.
We will continue to commit substantial resources towards preventing illegal fishing and pollution in the inland fisheries of Foyle and Carlingford. Our Fishery Officers do a fantastic job in helping to protect these precious natural resources, and will continue patrolling our lakes, rivers, loughs, shorelines and marine environments in order to deter potential offenders. Our record on cross-border regulatory enforcement is exemplary, with successful partnerships with agencies across the island, but we would also ask the public to contribute by reporting any suspicious activity. After all, our beautiful natural world also belongs to the people, and this is a message the Agency will continue to convey.
Promoting our exquisite catchment areas to tourists is also of the utmost importance, and we will continue to highlight the socioeconomic benefits of bringing people to the Foyle and Carlingford catchments. Our recent appearance at the Foyle Maritime Festival was an undisputed success, with thousands of people learning about our environmental work and engagement at this major international event. Our involvement in this as well as the promotion of angling, sailing and various other water sports provides a positive boost for businesses and tourists alike, and this practice will continue in the coming years.
If the key objectives contained within this Corporate Plan are achieved, the next few years can prove to be a highly successful period for the Agency. However, we are currently operating in the midst of unprecedented financial challenges, and we need to be realistic in recognising that there will be difficulties along the way. Having said that, I am confident that we will overcome these hurdles together in order to maintain Loughs Agency’s reputation and responsibility as a guardian of the natural marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford catchment areas.
Sharon McMahon Chief Executive Officer - Interim
Loughs Agency
Loughs Agency is an agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC), established as one of the North South Implementation Bodies under the Good Friday/ Belfast Agreement, constituted under the North South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 and the British Irish Agreement Acts 1999 and 2002.
The Board of Loughs Agency reports to the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) and our Government Sponsor Departments - the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in the North, and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) in the South.
Loughs Agency aims to provide sustainable social, economic and environmental benefits through the effective conservation, management, promotion and development of the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford Areas. Loughs Agency’s statutory functions are as follows:
• Promotion of development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes in respect of marine, fishery and aquaculture matters;
• Management, conservation, protection, improvement and development of the inland fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford Areas;
• Development and licensing of aquaculture and shellfisheries; and
• Development of Marine Tourism.
Our Headquarters are located in Derry~Londonderry, with a regional office in Carlingford, County Louth. The Agency has a staff complement of 53 across a diverse range of functions including fishery protection, scientific research, development, marketing and administration support. As a North South Body, the Agency operates under the policy direction of the North South Ministerial Council and the two governments and is accountable to the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Oireachtas. Loughs Agency reports to its Sponsor Departments at an administrative level.
The Agency is fully committed to its statutory obligations in relation to equality and good relations duties and continues to meet its Equality Scheme commitments and the targets in its Audit of Inequalities.
The Agency also operates within a wider context of the other formal North South infrastructure, and a range of regional agencies, local authorities and other stakeholders whose work and co-operation are important for the overall conservation and protection of the Foyle and Carlingford systems. Loughs Agency is committed to working in partnership at a strategic level with these stakeholders, and where appropriate to engage at an operational level provided that operations and resources in this regard are aligned with the core purpose of the Agency and serve to enhance corporate objectives.
Areas of Responsibility
Loughs Agency has responsibility for 4,070km² of catchment in the Foyle area and 480km² in Carlingford, with responsibility for the two sea loughs and an area extending 12 miles out to sea from Lough Foyle, which stretches to Downhill in Northern Ireland, and Malin Head in Donegal. Loughs Agency has been delivering transboundary fisheries management in these waters since the establishment of its predecessor in 1952, the Foyle Fisheries Commission, with the remit of overseeing the management and protection of Atlantic salmon and the inland fisheries of the Foyle catchment.
The Foyle Area is:
Loughs Agency aims to provide sustainable social, economic, and environmental benefits through the effective conservation, management, promotion, and development of the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford Areas.
The Carlingford Area is:
(a) the whole of the sea along the coast between the low water line of the most northerly point of Malin Head in the County of Donegal and the low water line at the sea point of the boundary between the townlands of Downhill and Drumnagally in the County of Derry~Londonderry; and the area seaward of Lough Foyle extending 12 nautical miles from the low water mark, any island or rocks within the same, with the whole of the tideway along the coast and;
(b) the whole of all the lakes, rivers, and their tributaries which flow into the sea within the area defined in para (a) above and all the land catchment from which water drains into those lakes and rivers.
(a) the whole of the sea along the coast between the low water line of the southerly point of Cranfield Point in the County of Down and the low water line of the most easterly point of the Ballaghan Point in the County of Louth, and within a straight line between those points, and any islands or rocks within the same, with the whole of the tideway along the said coast, and;
(b) the whole of all lakes, rivers, and their tributaries which flow into the sea within the area defined in para (a) above and all the land catchment from which water drains into those lakes and rivers.
The Foyle and Carlingford areas are highlighted in the map shown below. Each Inspector is responsible for a specific zone within that area.
Development of the Corporate Plan 2023-2025
The development of this corporate plan has taken cognisance of and aligns with the key strategic framework documents related to the respective North and South governments.
Loughs Agency heavily consulted with our entire team during the development of the ‘Strategic Direction for a New Decade 2020-2030’. The overarching objectives developed as a result of this work have been embedded within the approach and targets which are outlined herein for the Corporate Plan 2023-2025.
Organisational Structure
Chief Executive Officer
Loughs Agency Structure
Loughs Agency has a current approved permanent core staffing complement of 53, made up of Directorates and a Science function, with responsibility for delivery of a wide and varied range of activities and functions.
Corporate Services
The Corporate Services Directorate has responsibility for the effective and efficient delivery of financial services, human resources, information and communication technology, fleet and asset management and all other support functions, to facilitate the achievement of strategic business goals. The Directorate ensures financial and budget management systems are implemented and appropriate controls and monitoring mechanisms are in place to ensure maximum efficiency, accountability, and compliance with North South Accounting Guidelines. The Directorate ensures that the Agency is compliant with governance arrangements and is responsible for the development of Strategic, Corporate, and Business Plans, ensuring that resources are in place to deliver business objectives.
Conservation and Protection
The Conservation and Protection Directorate is the largest team in the Agency, with a wide and varied remit. The Directorate’s primary focus is on the conservation, development, improvement, and protection of the fisheries of Foyle and Carlingford. The Directorate is also responsible for the development of fisheries legislation. Regulation is delivered through the enforcement of the Foyle Fisheries Acts and a series of adaptable secondary regulations and provisions, stemming from EU Directives and Legislation on pollution and water quality. The work of the Directorate includes an annual programme of freshwater monitoring, habitat protection, and river restoration developments to conserve and improve the environments which are essential for sustainable populations of Atlantic salmon and other native fish.
Development
The Development Directorate works across the Agency, identifying and supporting projects and opportunities to develop and promote the statutory functions of the Agency. The main focus of this Directorate includes the development of angling, marine tourism, environmental education, outreach, and promotional strategies. The Directorate is also responsible for identifying external funding and collaborative working opportunities locally, nationally, and internationally.
Aquaculture and Shellfisheries
The primary role of the Aquaculture and Shellfisheries Directorate is the management, development, and conservation of the native Irish oyster and blue mussel populations in Lough Foyle, and the blue mussel population in Carlingford Lough. These species are actively managed to ensure that exploitation of these species is sustainable in the long term. The Directorate also monitors the biodiversity and health status of the Loughs. In addition, the Directorate has responsibility for the licensing of aquaculture in the marine and freshwater environments of both catchments. This responsibility has yet to commence, however the primary legislation required for this is in place.
Science
The Science Function at Loughs Agency is centered on using outcomes-focused approaches to deliver robust scientific evidence to conserve and manage the fisheries and natural resources of the Foyle and Carlingford Areas from an ecosystem-based perspective. The scientific work delivered by the Agency is highly diverse and multidisciplinary covering a wide range of freshwater and marine habitats and species. The Science Function is crosscutting across all Directorates and provides a mechanism to underpin and inform all of the Agency’s enforcement and management decisions through the creation of effective evidence bases.
Mission
Sustainably Manage, Promote and Develop the Fisheries and Resources of the Foyle and Carlingford Areas
Vision
Through partnership and science, protecting and developing our fisheries and natural resources
Integrity
Acting and communicating with honesty and sincerity
Sustainability
Focusing our efforts on core services, innovating, influencing and planning for the long term
Respect
Treating colleagues, areas of work and stakeholders with decency and courtesy
Values
Teamwork
Working collectively and productively together to achieve more
Innovation
Finding better and more creative / productive ways of working and delivering services
Passion
Professionalism
Using our unique skills and experience to achieve the highest standards of practise
Having enthusiasm and enjoyment in our work
Review of Corporate Plan 2020-2022
Capital Works
During the Corporate Plan 2020-2022, Loughs Agency has successfully completed the capital development of our office in Omagh, significantly enhancing our offering on the site.
In addition, the organisation’s headquarters in Derry-Londonderry received significant improvements with further work aimed at enhancing our marine tourism offering with the redevelopment of the Riverwatch facility. Work is also underway in our new County Louth offices, located at the Carlingford Sailing Club.
External Funding
Loughs Agency continues to identify external funding opportunities which add value to our services. Our organisation has been successful in attaining funding during the lifespan of our existing Corporate Plan. Some of the projects we have successfully secured funding for include:
• SeaMonitor
• Foyle and Carlingford Ambassadors
• CatchmentCARE
• SWELL
• Streamkeepers
• STRAITS
Communications and Engagement
In 2021 our organisation undertook a full review of our marketing and communications approach. This process included engagement with our board, internal staff and external stakeholders.
We are currently working through the various recommendations within the report and have substantially enhanced our engagement frequency and approach. Some recent successes are as follows:
• SeaMonitor
• European Tracking Network Conference
• North West Angling Fair
• Foyle Maritime Festival 2022
• TREES project launch
SeaMonitor has proved to be one of our most successful projects to date. The initiative is led by the Agency and supported by eight leading marine research institutions, with funding provided under the environment objective of the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), to the tune of €4.7m. Matchfunding for this project has been provided by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in Ireland.
In September 2021, the Agency welcomed field personnel from the Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) based at Dalhousie University, Canada to the North West, where they assisted the team in servicing critical animal tracking infrastructure using large-scale acoustic telemetry equipment.
The final findings from SeaMonitor will be showcased at the SeaMonitor-STRAITS Conference, which is taking place at the Guildhall, Derry in February 2023.
Foyle and Carlingford Ambassadors
The Foyle and Carlingford Ambassador programmes were significantly expanded upon during this Corporate Plan. Loughs Agency engaged directly with over 2,000 pupils in the Foyle and Carlingford catchment areas. The following key themes were covered during our engagement:
• Climate change
• Biodiversity
• General protection and conservation
The programme was capped off with two large-scale events which included participants from local schools in Derry-Londonderry and Newry. We worked with nine schools to work collaboratively with local street artists, creating a short educational animation on the effects of pollution within our ecosystem.
In addition, we provided water activities, encouraging young people to experience firsthand the physical and mental health benefits of getting active in our loughs. Finally, an activity booklet was distributed to all post-primary schools in the catchment areas, which educates and informs young people on key learnings the Ambassador programme covers.
CatchmentCARE is an EU-funded project under the European Regional Development Fund and match-funded by Government Departments North and South that aims to improve freshwater quality in cross-border river basins across three cross-border catchments. €13.8m in total has been ringfenced for the project, with €1.4m of this allocated to Loughs Agency.
The Agency is among the partners involved alongside Donegal County Council (lead), AFBI, Inland Fisheries Ireland, British Geological Survey, Geological Survey of Ireland, Ulster University and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
The benefits of the work are evident, with habitat enhancement works carried out on the River Finn transforming sections of the river which in turn has resulted in an increase in spawning salmonids as well as increased microhabitat activity.
Loughs Agency will continue to monitor and report the impacts of the implemented improvements through the annual freshwater fisheries monitoring programme.
European Tracking Network Conference
Loughs Agency hosted the European Tracking Network (ETN) Annual Meeting in the City Hotel Derry from 5-7 April 2022, with scientists and academics among the delegates from across the continent attending the event.
Funded by the EU’s COST Action programme, delegates took part in a range of informative workshops and activities while discussing various issues such as current project status, new funding opportunities, key species for research and new projects in the pipeline.
The Conference strengthened the Agency’s status as an ETN member, and further collaborations with partner organisations will be held in due course.
The SWELL (Shared Waters Enhancement and Loughs Legacy) Project is a €35m EUfunded initiative, match-funded by Government Departments North and South.
The project represents a cross-border partnership comprising NI Water, Irish Water, AFBI, Loughs Agency and East Border Region, working collaboratively to improve water quality within the shared waters of Carlingford Lough and Lough Foyle.
Loughs Agency has assisted AFBI with the preimprovement works baseline surveys for the catchment models in the Foyle and Carlingford catchments (marine and freshwater). These surveys were completed in March 2020. Loughs Agency has also assisted AFBI with the collection of rainfall and flow data during extreme rainfall events as part of the Rainfall Reactive Survey.
Loughs Agency will continue contributing to the project so that further improvements in these shared waters can be achieved.
Streamkeepers
Streamkeepers is a community outreach programme promoting the importance of protecting natural resources by encouraging people to get involved with their local waterways.
Funded by the Reconciliation Fund from the Department of Foreign Affairs, this initiative provides an opportunity for community groups to contribute to conserving and looking after a local stream, river or lake.
Loughs Agency provides Streamkeepers groups with a River Action Plan, incorporating a toolkit with useful information, contacts and checklists to help organise an environmental action event from beginning to end. Groups are also provided with necessary equipment such as litter picks, gloves, high-visibility vests and rubbish bags.
Following the completion of this programme, it is envisaged that a network of Streamkeepers will develop throughout the catchments, with these groups becoming self-sufficient but working with the Agency when they require additional support.
North West Angling Fair
The North West Angling Fair returned on 2nd3rd April 2022 for the first time since before the pandemic, and it proved to be hugely successful with people attending in their droves. Hundreds of angling enthusiasts approached the team throughout the weekend to find out more about the work of Loughs Agency, including the innovative SeaMonitor and CatchmentCARE projects.
The event, held at the Melvin Sports Complex in Strabane, was led by Derry City and Strabane District Council, with Loughs Agency among the partners involved in bringing the fair together. The Agency also sponsored cups and prizes for the outdoor angling competitions. Overall, the fair proved to be an event of great footfall, and an ideal location to engage directly with various anglers from within the Foyle and Carlingford catchments.
Foyle Maritime Festival 2022
The Foyle Maritime Festival returned to Derry in 2022 for the first time since 2018, and it proved to be one of the largest events in the North West since before the pandemic. Loughs Agency was a major partner in the festival alongside Derry City & Strabane District Council, Foyle Port, Visit Derry and Discover Northern Ireland, meaning it was important that the Agency took full advantage of this crucial opportunity to increase brand awareness.
The festival marked the debut of ‘The Marine Machine’, a fully immersive, 360° interactive portable trailer custom-built for Loughs Agency. The trailer consisted of a touch tank, biodiversity area, basking shark game and TV showcasing the Agency’s work. The unique creation was phenomenally successful with children and adults of all ages.
In addition, an exclusive Virtual Reality Experience was developed, allowing people to dive into the Foyle while encountering a vibrant range of marine life including a basking shark and the legendary Dopey Dick whale. The Agency can reuse the state-of the-art Oculus headsets at future events.
The Agency worked with a number of local water activity providers to deliver water activities on the River Foyle, and in partnership with Creggan Country Park. Following an engagement session in Loughs Agency HQ on 31st March 2022, six providers committed to offering sessions throughout the festival, with over 1,100 tickets available to the public. These proved to be a resounding success, with an 85% uptake on tickets.
Extensive broadcast and print media placements were secured before, during and after the festival, including a series of interviews with BBC Radio Foyle and feature pieces on the Agency’s participation. Circulation of these pieces amounted to a total readership of 153m and a total AVE of £18,370.
TREES Project Launch
Loughs Agency, in partnership with Woodland Trust NI, announced the launch of a new joint biodiversity project – the TREES project – within the Foyle and Carlingford Catchment Areas in March 2022.
TREES is the successor to the Wet Woods project, which delivered native tree planting, associated stock proof fencing and improved access on the River Faughan initially. This initiative aims to put the local farming community at its core, with a variety of landowners and farmers already expressing an interest in taking part for the longterm benefit of rivers, habitats, environment and nearby farms. The project is on target to plant over 120,000 native broadleaf trees by the end of 2023.
Key Challenges Impacting Delivery
Climate Emergency
Climate change is one of the most critical global threats facing us as a society. We are already seeing the impacts of severe weather changes within our catchment area, most notably with severe floods in recent years causing untold damage and devastation to communities on both sides of the border.
Loughs Agency will be at the forefront of adopting an aggressive approach to radically tackling climate change throughout the duration of this new Corporate Plan. The reality is that action must be taken now. Our new Corporate Plan will strive to ensure that Loughs Agency is at the forefront of developing international best practice, to protect our natural environment and the species within it.
Loughs Agency, while a constituted body, is uniquely placed in its historical development in that its origins and rationale for co-operational existence predate both the EU and the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement. This makes the work of the Loughs Agency historically relevant, now and into the future. We are uniquely positioned as an organisation to lead on this work as we have been working innovatively on an integrated crossborder basis since 1952.
This distinct way of working is now strengthened with new partnerships of international significance, delivering highly innovative and cutting-edge projects that will not only protect and enhance our local ecosystems, but also develop models of conservation and protection that can be used globally, to effect lasting resilience to climate change.
We are very proud of our history, our mandate and to be entrusted as a keeper and custodian of our amazing and precious natural resources. It is a responsibility Loughs Agency takes very seriously, and we are the best at what we do.
Funding and Long-term Support
Loughs Agency has, for a number of years, been operating within a baseline budget which was reduced considerably from 2009 to 2012 under what was termed efficiency measures. The current process and annual baseline budget allocation is impacting on the attainability of delivering on corporate objectives which will inevitability have a lasting impact on the strategic direction of the Agency.
Loughs Agency has an important role to play in the delivery of North South co-operation, conserving and protecting a fragile and important ecosystem across Foyle, Carlingford and beyond.
It is therefore essential that the organisation is resourced and supported, given the nature and relevance of its work locally, nationally and internationally.
Outcomes-Focused Approach
01 Embracing Innovation
Innovation will play a key role in driving efficiencies across Loughs Agency and ensure we can establish our position as an industry leader in innovation and excellence in scientific performance. By embracing innovation, we will use new technologies to address key challenges ahead.
Action
1.1 Promote the use of innovative techniques which will improve the quality and applicability of science within Loughs Agency and add value to our organisation
1.2 Ensure appropriate funding for innovation to adequately support Loughs Agency needs
Outcome
1.1 Drive efficiencies across Loughs Agency science department and help inform policy decisions
1.3 Invest in our assets including fleet, technology and capital infrastructure
1.4 Loughs Agency to become a ‘go-to’ organisation for solutions and collaboration in innovative projects
1.2 An organisation that is fit-for-purpose and adaptive to the needs of successfully delivering upon our remit
1.3 Equipped with the tools necessary to deliver our remit now and in the future
1.4 Become an industry leader and centre of excellence in science and innovation
02 Enforcement and Education
Loughs Agency believes that more education initiatives with all stakeholders will lead to a reduction in necessary enforcement proceedings. It is an objecive of the organisation during this corporate plan to reach out and further educate our audiences on the need to comply with regulations but also to better understand why they are in place.
2.1 Continue to carry out the enforcement functions of Loughs Agency including addressing illegal angling and pollution response
2.1 Improved protection of the fisheries resource and enhanced customer satisfaction with the protection services provided by the Agency
2.2 Deliver education and outreach programming to support core purposes and strategic direction
2.3 Work with stakeholders to encourage responsible land use and help protect the ecosystem
2.2 A better informed and more engaged audience base thereby creating brand ambassadors and advocates for our organisational purpose
2.3 Reduction of pollution events
03 Informed by Science
All of our engagement with stakeholders and our day-to-day operations is informed by scientific data. The need to have a decision-making process underpinned with scientific data is critical to our operations as an organisation. Information provided by our Science department allows us to gain a clear understanding of existing and emerging threats so that we can adapt and react to a rapidly changing environment and help ensure a sustainable fisheries management approach.
Outcome
3.1 Deliver robust scientific research in an unbiased manner which allows for environmental management and to help inform the enforcement consultation process
3.1 To design a suite of high-quality scientific research which can be used to effectively inform the Agency’s environmental management and decision-making processes and to help ensure decisions made are in the best interests of the environment
3.2 Approach all scientific research from an ecosystem-based perspective
3.3 Ensure that all Science is delivered with an outcomes-focused approach
3.2 Gain a clearer understanding of emerging threats and pressures and to implement appropriate mitigation measures
3.3 Effective and informative reporting on our scientific outputs allows us to effectively measure success and areas for improvement
3.4 Sustainable fisheries management approach
3.4 Protect, manage and improve stock levels to promote sustainable aquatic ecosystems
04 Meaningful Engagement
Clear and concise engagement with all of our stakeholders is a clear priority for Loughs Agency in the Corporate Plan 2023-2025. The need to have our role better understood will be fundamental to help ensure we can play a key role in tackling climate change effectively. Establishing stronger working relationships will be achieved by working closely with all of our partners and funders.
Action Outcome
4.1 Communicate scientific research and findings in a transparent manner, making the information accessible to all
4.1 Better understanding of the decisions and recommendations made amongst all stakeholders
4.2 To deliver an improved customer/ stakeholder experience by improving support services and access to information
4.3 Appropriate dissemination of the work of the Science Function to a range of stakeholders from different demographics is essential in order to create awareness and improve transparency
4.2 Enhance buy-in and further develop relationships with stakeholders and funders
4.4 Develop an enhanced online offering to our stakeholders, the general public and our target audiences
4.3 Communication of robust scientific evidence in the most suitable formats will promote understanding, inform public opinion, promote appreciation of the subject area and provide transparent evidence bases for management decisions
4.5 Increase our engagement frequency and messaging model to all of our stakeholders
4.4 Create a digital portal that centralises all information related to the operations of Loughs Agency. In addition, this new website can have a community tool which will promote enhanced engagement, particularly during the consultation process of key decision-making considerations
4.5 Better educate audiences on our role in enforcement, the applicable laws and reduce the numbers of breaches in Foyle and Carlingford loughs
05 Climate Change and Sustainability
Climate change is one of the most critical global threats facing us as a society. Loughs Agency will be at the forefront of adopting an aggressive approach to radically tackling climate change throughout the duration of this new Corporate Plan as well as embracing a sustainability-led approach to our activities. The reality is that action must be taken now.
Action Outcome
5.1 Fully adopt and implement the recommendations from the Climate Action Plan
5.2 Reduce our carbon output by 40% by 31st December 2025
5.1 To aggressively tackle the damage being caused by Climate Change
5.3 Building internal awareness of how we can reduce our own carbon footprint operationally
5.2 Realising the objectives within the respective North and South Government climate action plans
5.3 To understand our carbon output as an organisation and accelerate our ability to reduce our carbon output
5.4 Deliver upon the agreed actions contained within the organisation’s Climate Action Plan
5.4 To play a key role in tackling the climate emergency locally and nationally
5.5 Enhance marine tourism offering
5.5 Complement the wider North West tourism product and engaging with new audiences as a direct result
06 High Performance Culture
Instilling a high-performance culture amongst our workforce will allow us to effectively deliver upon the ambitious actions outlined within this corporate plan. Further developing our workforce and providing the support they need to deliver will be a key objective for Loughs Agency.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The monitoring, evaluation and delivery of our Corporate Plan 2023-2025 will be undertaken at various levels throughout the Agency, its Sponsor Departments and the NSMC. The Agency will report on the implementation of activities it has undertaken against the actions set out in this plan.
Directorates
Loughs Agency Directorates will embark on an enhanced information-sharing approach to operations encouraging cross-cutting collaboration and fostering a joined-up approach to delivery.
Performance will be assessed through the presentation of bi-monthly reports based on referral to and consideration of the actions of this corporate plan, as well as our Strategic Direction for a New Decade document.
Senior Management Team
The SMT will continuously evaluate delivery against the actions outlined herein with regard to the resources, staff and budget available. SMT will allocate resources between Directorates where necessary to ensure that, as far as possible, the work of the Agency is aligned to the overarching strategic direction.
Board
The SMT will report to the Board at each of its meetings, and to each meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee, as appropriate. The Board will review the performance of the Agency, as reported by the Chief Executive Officer. The approved minutes of the Board meetings will be published on the Agency’s website.
North South Ministerial Council
The Chair, Vice-Chair and Chief Executive Officer, supported, where appropriate, by other Agency colleagues, will provide a progress report on the Agency’s activities at Aquaculture and Marine Sectoral Meetings of the NSMC. The Agency will address any issues, recommendations or instructions raised or made by the Council.
Identified Stakeholders
Where appropriate, Loughs Agency will proactively seek to consult and discuss issues with stakeholder groups or representatives.
Agility and Amendment
As an organisation, we must remain agile and responsive to change. Therefore, it may become necessary to modify or add to the agreed Corporate Plan 2023-2025.
A necessity for amendments may be prompted by changes such as: legislation; government/
ministerial priorities; prevailing operating circumstances and/or broader political, economic, financial or other related factors.
The Board and SMT of Loughs Agency will engage with NSMC and Sponsor Departments to highlight amendments and any subsequent resourcing requirements raised as a result of instances such as those outlined above.
