Statement from DAERA Minister following talks with Isle of Man government on NI fishing crew rights
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister for Northern Ireland, Andrew Muir MLA, has met with Isle of Man government ministers to discuss NI fishing crew rights.
Speaking in Douglas, Minister Muir said: “I was glad to be able to travel to the Isle of Man today to meet with Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture Clare Barber and Treasury Minister Chris Thomas.
“Isle of Man waters are critically important to Northern Ireland’s fishing fleets.
“Immigration permissions required by overseas workers to fish within Manx waters have caused uncertainty for Northern Ireland’s fishing industry.
“That’s why I made this journey as soon as this issue was brought to my attention, to engage with Isle of Man government ministers directly.
“I am thankful to the Ministers and their officials for what was a productive discussion on practical solutions to avoid disproportionate impacts on Northern Ireland vessels.
“I was very interested to learn about the research being undertaken in the Isle of Man to future-proof a sustainable fishing industry and the government’s willingness to share and collaborate on science in relation to this.”
The sustainability issues for fishermen in Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie:
- For local fishermen, diesel fuel prices have escalated to over 100% and rising eg a £3500 tank fill now costs around £7500.
- the price of prawns has gone down and the main fishery ends in September starting again in April.
- the cost of foreign contract crews has increased dramatically.
- Maintenance costs have shot up.
- climate change is having an effect on the availability of some species of fish.
- There is little room for diversification.
- And the Isle of Man restrictions have severely hampered local NI fishermen who have traditionally fished parts of the IOM waters.
