The fishing industry is “on its knees” and needs help immediately, according to NI Conservatives’ spokesman, Mark Brotherston.
“Fishing is a vital industry for Northern Ireland and the hub of much of that industry is in County Down”, Mark explained. “With my colleague Paul Leeman, who is a commercial fisherman, I’ve been talking to the producers’ organisations on a regular basis and the situation is critical. Bad weather this year has been devastating for coastal communities, preventing the fleet from getting out to sea and there has been no help from the DARD minister so far.”
“In the Republic of Ireland, the government has responded to this crisis by finding emergency funds of €10.5 million. Last year, which was also a disastrous time for local fishermen, the department in Northern Ireland at least repaid harbour dues which were incurred by fishermen.”
“NI Conservatives are calling for boats to get relief on harbour dues immediately, but we’re also calling upon Michelle O’Neill to go further and to provide help similar to that provided by her counterpart in Dublin. The industry, quite justifiably, does not believe that it is getting the support it needs from the minister. We’re told that she hasn’t visited one of our most important harbours, Portavogie, during three years in charge of her department.”
“If Michelle O’Neill doesn’t act quickly boats will go out of business and fishermen will join the dole queue, not to mention the effects on producers and the wider food industry. We’re not talking about huge amounts of money to make a difference. The minister must act to protect our vital fishing industry, before it is damaged beyond repair.”