SDLP leader visits Ardglass to meet fishing delegates

SDLP leader visits Ardglass to meet fishing delegates

15 January 2025

SDLP leader Claire Hanna was in Ardglass last week to meet with local fishing industry representatives.

The Belfast South and Mid Down MP was joined by party colleague Colin McGrath MLA, Baroness Margaret Ritchie and former Newry, Mourne and Down councillor Dermot Curran who lives in the village.

Ms Hanna heard at first hand the concerns of those in the fishing industry about a number of key issues.

They included the seasonality of the fishing sector which has not been recognised by the UK government and the need for flexibility in visas for staff working on fishing boats which has also not been recognised by the government.

Mr McGrath said the party hoped that when Labour took up the reins of government it would have resulted in greater openness to address these issues “which the Tory administration would not have looked favourably upon”.

He and Ms Hanna sat with those in the sector, listening to their experiences of the reality of fisheries at present. 

“The stark reality is that if these issues remain unaddressed, then we are going to lose a significant portion of fishermen as they will simply be unable to meet the spiralling costs of doing business,” Mr McGrath suggested.

“There are other issues which I remain committed to via the Assembly, such as the need to reform licences for fishing in Strangford Lough and the Fisheries and Seafood Development programme.”

Mr McGrath said local fishermen have been let down by government at home and abroad for too long. 

He added: “The SDLP know the value of fisheries and if we were to lose that sector, it would be a monumental loss to our economy.

“The SDLP’s work in local councils, the Assembly and Westminster for those in fisheries continues and those in government must be prepared for that.”

Cllr Curran said it was essential concerns surrounding the visa issue were addressed.

He said the Home Office needed to recognise the huge impact on the Co Down fishing industry.

The local authority has raised concerns with the UK government over a “severe shortage of seasonal workers” at fishing ports due to Brexit visa restrictions.

Mr Curran said the local authority area was home to the biggest fishing fleet in Northern Ireland with two ports at Ardglass and Kilkeel and believes a dedicated scheme, tailored to the needs of the local fishing industry, is required.

The problem is the current visa system does not recognise fishermen as seasonal workers, but rather skilled workers as fishing boats go out to the sea over nine months of the year or more.