Pontoon hopes for Ardglass harbour

Pontoon hopes for Ardglass harbour

21 September 2022

PROGRESS on the development of Ardglass harbour to pave the way for the creation of 20 new pontoons at an area known locally as the Saw Pit has been welcomed by a politician who lives in the village.

Local councillor, Dermot Curran, said that to date, almost £100,000 has been acquired to finance an outline business case to pave the way for work to start with the money also covering consultancy and planning costs.

Ardglass features heavily in the Fishing and Seafood Development Programme which aims to support the local port and those in neighbouring Kilkeel and Portavogie.

A report on the way forward was produced following a strategic review of the opportunities for developing the sea fishing and seafood sectors across the province, including the potential role of new public investment in infrastructure.

Investment in the region of £45m is needed in Ardglass, according to the report, which focused on recommendations in relation to capital investment at the local ports, alongside the challenges and opportunities for the wider industry that could be addressed through a future fisheries financial support scheme.

Cllr Curran said the development of Ardglass harbour is something that the SDLP has been driving for some time with questions submitted to Stormont’s agriculture minister on the need for progress.

He said while it is “unfortunate” that wider progress on the implementation of the fishing and seafood development programme has slowed since the Stormont institutions were felled, he welcomes progress made on developing the Saw Pit at Ardglass to ensure it is equipped to meet the needs of the growing local seafood and seafood processing industry.  

“With £100m being made available under the UK Seafood Fund, I understand that Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority has submitted a bid for the development of this part of the local harbour,” Cllr Curran continued.

“To date, approximately £99,000 has been requested to carry out the outline business case and to cover consultancy fees and planning costs.”

Cllr Curran said preparing the Saw Pit to accommodate new pontoons will pave the way for crab boats to be based at this part of the harbour.

He added: “This will be a significant benefit to our fishing industry and ensure that our local fishermen are supported in their work. 

“It is also important that the recommendations in the fishing and seafood development programme in relation to Ardglass are implemented in full by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.”