Help for fishing industry welcomed by McMurray

Help for fishing industry welcomed by McMurray

25 June 2025

THE local fishing industry is to benefit from a near £3m investment from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Stormont Fisheries Minister Andrew Muir is to unveil details of the so-called marine environment and fisheries fund.

It is designed to provide financial assistance to support investment in a range of industry priorities, including workforce recruitment initiatives, automation of on-board practices, economic and environmental resilience of the fleet and de-carbonising fishing activities.

The investment has been welcomed by South Down MLA Andy McMurray, who recently raised a number of issues with Mr Muir, including access to labour and wider financial pressures. 

He said local fishermen often approach him with concerns around issues affecting the economic viability of the sector.

“I was happy to raise these with Mr Muir and pleased to hear that he shares their concerns and is working to support the sector through a range of measures,” Mr McMurray continued.

“The challenges our fishing sector is facing cannot be solved by Northern Ireland alone and I was glad to hear that the Minister is engaging with the UK Government and Isle of Man officials on a number of issues affecting the industry and to lobby for equitable access to the UK Government’s £360m Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund.”

Mr McMurray said while immigration is a so-called reserved matter, Mr Muir has assured him that he is continuing to press access-to-labour issues and interventions proposed by the fishing industry with the UK Government and is working with the fishing industry to develop alternative workforce solutions, such as apprenticeship schemes.

Mr McMurray has also welcomed efforts by the government department and fishing industry to reduce marine litter on local beaches.

The MLA was recently contacted by a resident concerned about litter washed up on Ballyhornan and Rossglass beaches, an issue he raised with the DAERA minister.

Mr McMurray said there was a quick response with government department officials visiting the area to investigate the complaint and contacting Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s enforcement team to request the material be removed.

“DAERA officials confirmed that materials on Ballyhornan beach were from the fishing industry, while building materials and large amounts of small plastic were found at Rossglass,” he revealed.

Mr McMurray said he has also been assured that the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority is to remind fishing crews of their responsibility and ensure that all waste is stored appropriately and disposed of in the waste boxes provided at Portavogie, Ardglass and Kilkeel.

“I welcome Minister Muir’s support for industry efforts to reduce and remove marine litter through several programmes and wish to thank the constituent who reached out to bring this issue to our attention,” he said.

“We all have a role to play in protecting and enhancing the environment around us and I encourage people to get involved.”