Resumption of drift nettingI14
1
The Department may issue a drift net licence for salmon fishing only if it decides that such fishing is not likely to have an adverse impact on:
a
a Special Area of Conservation as defined under F1the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 or;
b
any rivers which are not meeting such salmon management targets as may be determined and published by the Department.
2
Where the Department so decides, then, subject to paragraph (3), first preference shall be given to a person who has held a drift net licence in any one of the 3 calendar years immediately preceding the coming into operation of these Regulations.
3
A person mentioned in paragraph (2) may by written notice given to the Department, nominate another person in his place.