EU officials have abandoned plans to reduce the amount of prawns which can be landed in Ardglass.
A 19 per cent cut was on the table ahead of last week’s meeting in Brussels to discuss quota allocations for 2012.
The reprieve for the Ardglass fishermen who specialise in prawns has been welcomed, but local politicians are concerned at the EU’s decision to impose a 10 per cent reduction in the herring quota which will impact on the local fleet.
South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said while she is happy the proposed prawn quota reduction has been shelved, she is disappointed cod quotas have been reduced along with the number of days boats which specialise in white fish put to sea.
Miss Ritchie believes there needs to be further negotiations to ensure there is a sustainable offshore and onshore fishing industry and called for a reform of the so-called common fisheries policy.
The MP also suggested there is “no evidence” to support many of the quota reductions and said there needs to be further negotiations with the Brussels and the Irish Government to ensure there is a fair deal for everyone operating on the Irish Sea.
Strangford MP Jim Shannon said while he welcomes the decision not to reduce the prawn quota, he warned the 25 per cent reduction in white fish quotas and a similar reduction in days at sea “could kill off the industry.” He also expressed concern about the data used to determine quota allocations.
South Down Assemblyman Willie Clarke said he is delighted the prawn quota hasn’t been cut, describing this as “excellent news” for vessels which specialise in this species.
The Assemblyman said he is also seeking a meeting with Stormont Fisheries Minister Michelle O’Neill to discuss securing funding to allow local trawler skippers to comply with a directive governing the fishing gear they can use in future.
Ardglass councillor Dermot Curran, who is chairman of the tri-council fisheries council which represents politicians from the Down, Newry and Mourne and Ards council areas and fishing industry representatives, has welcomed news the proposed 19 per cent cut in prawn quotas will not be implemented.
“This is good news for the port of Ardglass in particular which specialises in prawns,” he said.
“However, for fishermen based in Kilkeel and Portavogie who do catch white fish, the 25 per cent reduction in the amount of cod they can land, coupled with the 25 per cent reduction in the days they can put to see, will have a major impact. The processing industry will also be affected by these proposals.”