Increase in prawn quota is good news for Ardglass

Increase in prawn quota is good news for Ardglass

31 December 2014

POLITICIANS have welcomed a decision by European Commissioners to increase next year’s prawn quota and say it will be beneficial to Ardglass fishermen.

Ahead of the recent December Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels to determine quotas for 2015 and the number of days boats can put to sea, it was feared prawn quotas would be cut by 20 per cent.

However, following some intense negotiations, Commissioners agreed to increase the quota by three per cent. Significantly, there were no further restrictions on days at sea.

The entire Ardglass fleet fishes for prawns and news of the quota increase has been welcomed by South Down MP Margaret Ritchie and councillor Dermot Curran.

Miss Ritchie said while the deal struck in Brussels “was by no means the optimal outcome in certain areas,” it was better than might have been expected based on the original Commission proposals.

“The increase in the prawn quota is most welcome as this stock is vital to the Co. Down fishing industry. The suggested 20 per cut would have been disastrous,” she continued.

“While the fishing industry has always opposed severe days at sea restrictions, there is a cautious welcome for the decision not to further restrict when fishermen can earn a living. These men are at the heart of the local economy and it’s vital their right to earn a living is protected.”

Miss Ritchie believes the “positive news” about the prawn quota increase will go some way to helping with the implementation of the challenging discard ban which is being phased in from January 2015 onwards. The ban requires prawn boats to throw white fish they catch back into the sea.

The MP said there continues to be a large gap between the science provided by the fishermen and that relied on by the Commission when it comes to determining quotas, calling for the data used in Brussels to make decisions to be reviewed.

Miss Ritchie added: “Each year, fishermen risk their lives to keep this industry going. It is only fair that politicians in Brussels deliver them the right to earn a living.”

Councillor Curran said a 20 per cut in the amount of prawns which can be landed in Ardglass would have been a “major blow” to the fishing industry as a hole, impacting on those who work at sea and on land.

“It would appear that common sense has prevailed and there will be no reduced quota which is good new s for trawler skippers, their crew and people who work in fish processing businesses in the village,” he continued.

Councillor Curran praised local fishermen and the organisations which looks after their interests for the work they have done over the years to help conserve stocks.

He added: “Reduced quotas would have meant less money being generated by trawler owners and their crews. This would have impacted on the local economy as there be less money spent in businesses in Ardglass and the surrounding area.”