DAERA official sets out plans for next stages in harbour developments
Key fishing industry stakeholders in Ardglass met at C&O Milligans Fish Processing factory in the village supported by local politicians representatives from (NIFPO) Northern Ireland Fish Producers Organisation and with representatives of DAERA Fisheries.
The meeting focussed on a presentation from DAERA Fisheries senior official Colin Armstrong who explained that there had been a lull in the proposed development of the three fishing ports in County Down and that it was about to be re-booted.
DAERA has already agreed a fund of £100million across the three ports of Ardglass, Portavogie and Kilkeel for port infrastructure improvements but the business cases and port plans need to be finalised.
Ardglass Harbour Developments (AHD) Vice Chair Welcomes DAERA Briefing
Dick James, Vice Chair of Ardglass Harbour Developments (Ltd), speaking today [Tuesday 10th October 2023] said: ”We are delighted that we have just heard that the Department of Finance has agreed the £1.3million for consultants’ fees.
“This will move the technical and environmental studies forward to completion for each of the three fishing ports.
“We are running behind our original schedule but this news is now welcome and we appreciate Colin Armstrong’s efforts to get the development process moving forward at pace once again to a realistic timetable.
“We are looking forward to seeing the consultants and their teams on the ground generating these reports which will support the final business cases for the port master plans.
“In Ardglass specifically we fundamentally need a major infrastructure overhaul to meet the needs of the fishing fleet and the shore-based processors and service sector for the 21st century. We are still on course.”
Key Meeting Takes Place In Ardglass
Dick James AHD Vice Chair was encouraged by the good turnout and welcomed everyone to the meeting in C&Os Fish Factory in Ardglass on Friday 6th October.
He also welcomed Colin Armstrong, DAERA senior official, who was to make a presentation on new arrangements moving forward with the key projects across the three ports – Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie.
Dick James gave a brief background to Ardglass development saying the group had engaged RPS Engineers initially to complete a sub bottom survey etc of Ardglass harbour (EU funded). Subsequently another study was completed by NIFHA to add to this.
He then explained the Northern Ireland Fisheries Harbour Authority (NIFHA) was unsuccessful in its bid for funding for a 20-berth marina earlier this year, but the two main projects of the deepening of the harbour and the pontoon system still stand.
This will allow for improved access for pelagic boats and large trawlers and to improve re-berthing in Ardglass for safety reasons.
He indicated this key position on infrastructure was vital as Ardglass was slipping behind the other ports in improvements and that the pelagic, prawn and small boat sector (crabs) needed this support.
He noted private sector interest was healthy and would complement public sector investment.
DAERA Sets Out Its Stall On Harbour Developments
DAERA senior official Colin Armstrong addressed the meeting and said that “there have been a number of public sector challenges ongoing and developments have paused.
“The aim now is to get the process moving again.
“The business cases will also need to be in place and CPD (Construction and Procurement Delivery) is lined up.
“DAERA will look first at the older studies along with the stakeholders in the different technical committees which will emerge for each port and they will involve representatives from the ports.
“Once all the key ideas are in place the consultants will crystallise these together into port plans.” He explained then once approved, they could move to the tender stage and implementation.
Harry Wick, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Fish Producers’ Organisation, (NIFPO) said: “The ports have different technical backgrounds and needs and this is challenging environmentally and economically.” He added that it was a positive to see the local political parties all in support at the meeting.
Politicians Support Ardglass Port Development
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason MLA said: “It was a productive meeting and shows what can be done when everyone is around the table working together.
“These harbours are the heartbeat of our coastal communities – investing in them would not only mean more efficient fishing operations but also help to unlock huge tourism potential.
“Sinn Féin will work to see this investment prioritised in South Down.”
Alliance MLA Patrick Brown said: “I welcome the update from DAERA officials regarding the development of Ardglass and Kilkeel Harbour.
“I hope that plans to appoint an integrated consultancy team can be progressed as swiftly as possible, and that they will build on the many years of work already done to develop these important projects.
“Both port projects have the potential to greatly boost the local economy in East Down, and support the fishing industry in NI to maximise the potential of the blue economy whilst also enhancing sustainability practices.
“It is just a shame that this project cannot move forward faster due to the absence of an Executive.
“However, it is important that DAERA continues to take every step to lay the ground for a full business case once the DUP end their boycott of the institutions.”
The SDLP’s Cllr Conor Galbraith also attended Friday’s meeting with former councillor Dermot Curran. The latter said: “It is good to see progress on the fishing industry front. This is a key step now in trying to get our harbour infrastructure in place.
“We still have a number of technical and environmental hoops to get through now but we must work together to get the deepening of the harbour and the pontoon system for the small boats completed.
“We need to see a good business case in place that will bring confidence back to the fishing industry in Ardglass.
“Then we will see employment and business opportunities taking off and the village being more prosperous that it has been in recent years.”
After the meeting, Robert Milligan, manager at C&O Milligan gave the DAERA representatives a tour of the pelagic fish factory, the biggest in Northern Ireland, which processes mainly herring and mackerel.
More about Ardglass Harbour:
- Ardglass harbour Developments is a Limited Company by Guarantee with 8 directors representing the processing, primary pelagic, prawn and white fish and brown crab.lobster catch sectors, and boat owners.
- Ardglass is planning to have a deepening of the main harbour basin for pelagic vessels to berth and unload and for bigger prawn trawlers to berth.
- Also planned is a 20-berth pontoon such as the other ports of Kilkeel and Portavogie already have for small vessels. This is essential for H&S and other efficiencies to ensure competitiveness.
- Pelagic vessels and big trawlers are hitting the bottom in rough weather and have damaged hulls on occasions, especially when there is a swell (causes slamming).
- AHD (Ltd) will need to address service provision in the harbour to ensure it meets the targets required for the final business plan.
