South Down MLA Chris Hazzard (Sinn Féin) met with Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill this week to discuss the work of the Fisheries Taskforce and the upcoming relocation of the Fisheries Office to Downpatrick in June this summer.
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DARD Fisheries Minister Michelle O’Neill with South Down MLA Chris Hazzard.[/caption]
Following the rough weather at sea last year and the subsequent hardship experienced by local trawlermen, Chris Hazzard had successfully lobbied the Minister to establish a joint Taskforce between the industry and the Department for Agriculture & Rural Development (DARD).
He said: “I was enthused to learn that the Fisheries Taskforce have met regularly in the last year and have now published an interim report on areas of mutual benefit.
“The Taskforce’s three main recommendations are that:
* highly selective gear trials should continue until 2019 to assist the industry with landing obligations;
* the department starts to develop a case for further flexibilities in landing obligations with the EU Commission;
* DARD carries out an assessment of the balance between available fishing capacity and the fishing opportunities for the Irish Sea Prawn fleet during 2015.
“The Minister has confirmed that DARD officials are now looking over the recommendations and hope to issue a response within the next month.”
On the upcoming relocation of the DARD Fisheries Office to Downpatrick, Mr Hazzard said he was “assured” that all was on track adding: “Minister O’Neill has confirmed that progress is being made on a weekly basis, and that the relocation of the Fisheries Office will take place as planned in June 2015.”
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The County Down fishing industry depends heavily on its prawn catch for a living.[/caption]]]>
