Ardglass in running for major port award

Ardglass in running for major port award

27 April 2016

THE busy port of Ardglass is in the running for a major award.

The picturesque harbour is one of three finalists in this year’s annual Fishing News awards and there could be a double success for the village as Dick James, the chief executive of the Northern Ireland Fish Producers’ Association who lives in Ardglass, is one of five people shortlisted for a lifetime achievement award. 

The winner of the coveted port of the year award will be decided by Fishing News readers and the public, while the lifetime achievement winners will be decided by a panel of judges drawn from the fishing industry.

Fishing News said it is vital fishing ports and harbours, the interfaces between sea and consumer, are run to ensure that the labours of UK and Ireland fishermen are utilised as efficiently as possible.

The publication says the port of the year award benchmarks good practice, recognising excellence in service and amenities found not only in the major ports and harbours throughout the UK and Ireland, but every landing area regardless of size.

Ardglass is vying for the coveted port of the year title alongside Brixham Port in Devon’s Tor Bay and Peterhead Port on the Scottish east coast.

In its summary of the three ports, Ardglass is described by Fishing News as a “beautiful picturesque fishing port” with the natural harbour accessible to fishing boats of all sizes. 

“The fleet consists of over 30 mainly prawn-based trawlers and is also used by the larger herring boats to land. It is a great asset to the village, is extremely well maintained and has a great Fisherman’s Mission, which gives refuge to fishermen that live onboard,” says the publication.

Councillor Dermot Curran said he is delighted the local port and Mr James are in the running for prestigious awards.

“We perhaps take the local port for granted, but the fact it has been shortlisted for a major award is a reflection of what other people think about it. The port is used by trawlers based in the village and is also used by larger vessels which catch herring but are too big to dock in either Kilkeel or Portavogie.

“The local harbour is at the heart of the village and I hope people will vote to ensure it wins the port of the year title. Success would provide those who are based at the port, those in charge of it and Ardglass itself with a major boost,” added councillor Curran.

To vote for Ardglass harbour log on at fishingnewsawards.co.uk. Voting closes on May 9 and people are reminded that they can only vote once in each category.