Minister urged to progress new fishing permits

Minister urged to progress new fishing permits

31 July 2024

A SOUTH Down MLA has called on Fisheries Minister Andrew Muir to meet his commitments to local fisherman.

The SDLP’s Colin McGrath has also expressed his concerns to the minister over what he described as a lack of progress on new fishing permits at Strangford Lough.

In March, Mr Muir committed himself to the implementation of the Fisheries and Seafood Development Programme (FSDP) which would revitalise the province’s fishing industry.

However, Mr Muir said he was waiting on the allocation of his budget for the year to see what money was available to progress with the FSDP.

Mr McGrath said the FSDP needs to be implemented now to give fishermen the reassurances they need.

“Here we are in July, still waiting for this news,” Mr McGrath said. “The solutions are there. The development of our harbours in Ardglass and Kilkeel will allow these ports to have fresh life breathed into them and open up opportunities for job creation and sustainability.

“Until this government starts treating out fishermen as integral parts of our economy, then we will only get more dragging of heels – it simply isn’t good enough.”