Fisheries Minister pays visit to Ardglass to hear Brexit concerns

Fisheries Minister pays visit to Ardglass to hear Brexit concerns

3 July 2019

UK Fisheries Minister Robert Goodwill visited Ardglass harbour on Monday.

He was joined by Mr Harry Wick, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Fish Producers’ Organisation, politicians and local fishermen at the port.

During his visit, Mr Goodwill said he wants to see an orderly Brexit that works for the Province’s fishing industry and promised that it would not be “sold out” as part of a wider negotiation with the EU.

Mr Goodwill said he was delighted to visit both Ardglass and Kilkeel ports at what he described as “such a pivotal time for our fishing industry as we leave the EU and become an independent coastal state”.

He added: “With a high quality catch and a skilled workforce, it is heartening to see first-hand the ambitious plans for the future and share our enthusiasm for fishing with future generations.”

Mr Wick said he was delighted that the Fisheries Minister visited the local ports, explaining it provided the opportunity for the fish producers’ organisation to “showcase at the very highest level the progress that our fishing communities are making locally”.

The fisheries chief revealed that 2019 could be the industry’s best year in quite some time, reflecting the positive feeling around the fleet that sustainable practices are paying off and that Northern Ireland fishing is on the up and up.

He said the organisation has formally launched its ‘safeguard the future’ campaign in support of the Northern Ireland fishing industry.

Mr Wick continued: “If we deplete our fish stocks, lose licenses and quotas overseas, lack commercial interest in our produce and our kids don’t want to go into fishing, our future is bleak. 

“We are the custodians of an historic fishing industry that needs to be around hundreds of years from now when Brexit will be a footnote in history. 

“Whilst the politics rumbles on, the campaign keeps us all focused on what is important; engaging our children, the future fishermen, to ensure they grow up with a view that Northern Ireland fishing is worth fighting for and preserving.”

Mr Wick highlighted the importance of educating and engaging current fishermen on sustainability to ensure there are fish stocks for their grandchildren’s grandchildren to fish, enabling the next generation of fishermen to buy boats and quotas and to ensure there is a consumer demand for “world class seafood at the premium price that it warrants”. 

He said this will ensure a commercially valuable catch upon which our future harbour economies will depend.

“With the absence of a Minister in Stormont, it can be difficult for our issues to get the representation they deserve, so we are grateful to Mr Goodwill for taking the time to visit us, to listen to what those issues are and to help us launch this important campaign,” said the chief executive.

During Monday’s visit children from St Nicholas’ Primary School in the village were on the quayside using touch tanks to get up close and personal with Ardglass sea life as part of a Harbour Authority sponsored education scheme.

Pupils from the school will also soon be able to benefit from a purpose built eco garden, constructed in partnership with the NIFPO.

Mr Wick added: “Sustainability and conservation have been at the heart of what we do in the local industry for some time now.  It is fantastic to have the chance to help instil those values in what we hope may be the next generation of responsible fishers.”