Fishing boat owners and local skippers in Portavogie, Ardglass and Kilkeel often face difficulties throughout the year in finding suitable crews for their vessels.
Strangford MP Jim Shannon has supported the case for a better deal for Filipino fishermen who are currently caught up in difficult immigration legislation making it difficult
Jim Shannon MP for Strangford speaking after meeting with Immigration Minister Caroline Noakes regarding the Northern Ireland fishing fleet crew requirements at the behest of fishermen in Portavogie said: “This meeting was certainly fruitful and indeed the immigration minister was open to ensuring that the ability to hire non-EU crew is a possibility for our fleets in Portavogie and Kilkeel.
“At the minute the process for Visa for non-EU crews is an extremely complex, and yet our fishing crews in Portavogie have said that the crews that they source from the Philippines are second to none in terms of integration, ability and work ethic.
“It is time that our crews can hire not on nationality but on ability and the Minister has demonstrated her willingness to consider a pilot scheme on this visa system.
“I invited other MP’s from other parties who represent fishing villages and we all had the same plea… basically to let the crews hire those who work and know what they are doing when they cannot source crew in the UK.
“The ball is now in our court to design a workable scheme by which our crews and those in the mainland can hire as they see fit in a straightforward and simple way and the minister will give this her attention.
“Meetings such as this remind me of the benefits of supply and confidence… we are not given all that we desire as a matter of right but certainly we are given a greater listening ear and opportunities that I intend to make the most of to keep our fishing crews able to fish and make the most of the more reasonable quota that is coming their way.”
