The South East Area European Fisheries Fund (SEA), responsible for the delivery of Axis 4 ‘Sustainable Development of Fisheries Areas’ of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF), is delighted to announce that the Northern Ireland Fisheries Harbour Authority (NIFHA) has been awarded grant assistance of £22,057 to provide a refrigerated bait store at the harbour in Ardglass.
The Harbour Authority has installed and provided a chilled storage facility to enable the local creel fishermen to store their fishing bait at the harbour of Ardglass, in a safe, efficient and sustainable manner.
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A new bait store for creel fishermen has been opened in Ardglass harbour.[/caption]
This provision of a central store will reduce the amount of bait left at the quaysides whilst being moved to boats. Having a chill storage facility at the harbour will enable the fishermen to increase the length of time bait is viable and will also increase the security and protection of the bait and reduce its potential for contamination.
The Harbour Authority Chief Executive, Mr Kevin Quigley has expressed his delight receiving this funding and hopes the local fishermen will reap the benefits. Mr Quigley said: “Through this funding secured from SEA, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the European Union, the Harbour Authority is now in a position to provide a central chill store at the harbour of Ardglass. This facility will improve the quality of life in the fishing dependent community of Ardglass as it will provide better storage facilities for the creel fishermen for their bait, that will enable them to store their bait on the harbour in a safe and hygienic manner.”
The South East Area European Fisheries Fund supports projects which impact the fishing dependent communities of Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie. Mr Kevin McGarry, SEAEFF Programme Manager, welcomed this project and said: “SEA EFF is pleased to approve this project for funding. This facility will address one of the needs of this local fishing dependant community and I am confident it will have a positive impact on the local creel fishermen of Ardglass.”
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