DAERA says the FSDP for County Down fishing harbours is still being considered
The review of the Fishing and Seafood Development Programme (FSDP) in DAERA remains ongoing and has not yet concluded.
The FSDP was launched in February 2024 in Northern Ireland but in 2021 in the UK.
A spokeperson said: “The review is examining options for future investment in harbour infrastructure and the wider fishing sector to ensure any support provided delivers long-term, sustainable benefits for fishing communities and the seafood industry.
“Decisions regarding future funding allocations and any associated funding bids can only be considered once the review has been completed.
“The MInister ha sindicated that work is at an advanced stage reflecting the progress that has been made in developing and assessing potential proposals as part of the review process.
“However, no final decisions have yet been taken and the review has not concluded.
“Proposals relating to Ardglass and Kilkeel Harbour continue to be considered as part of the review.
“The Department recognises the strategic importance of harbour infrastructure to the fishing and seafood sector and any decisions regarding future funding support will be subject to the outcome of the review and the availability of budget.
The statement indicated that the Department remains committed to engaging with stakeholders and identifying opportunities to support a resilient, sustainable and prosperous fishing and seafood sector across Northern Ireland.
Local Fishermen Express Concerns As Winter Season Approaches
Fishermen in Ardglass County Down are concerned that a mix of ongoing issues outwith their control could scupper the fishing fleet unless there is some positive government intervention.
One skipper/boat owner said: “Fuel prices have gone through the roof once again, and there is no end in sight to the visa issue around accessing foreign crews.
“On top of that prawn prices have gone down and this September is the start of the winter season when the prawn fishing dies off until early summer next year. We have to rely now of reduced prawn catches and hopefully get a by-catch of fish to help us remain afloat financially.
“Something needs to be done urgently. My business grossed £2.7million in the last financial year and I was in the red by £27,000.
“It will be a long and difficult winter and there is no sign of diesel prices coming down while the war in the Middle East continues. It’s a perfect storm for us.
“The decision about using foreign crews seems to rest with Westminster but there is little movement in this area. Local people don’t want to work anymore in the fishing industry.
“Also, there is no decommissioning scheme over the horizon. We do need to move beyond our old wooden fleet to modern, steel deeper-berthed vessels.
“We need to create the right port infrastructure for the longer term so modern fishing vessels can operate sustainably.”
Ardglass Harbour Developments (Ltd), has campaigned with the help of political parties in recent years to get a major programme completed in Ardglass harbour which included the deepening of the main harbour basin for modern, deep-drafted vessels to operate safely [they may run onto the seabed currently and this is especially problematic for the pelagic herring/mackerel vessels.]
Also, the other component of the Ardglass proposals was to create a pontoon, berthing system such as exists in Portavogie and Kilkeel for the small boat fleet that fish for crab and lobsters. This will free up berthing space in the main harbour area and greatly improving health and safety of the fishermen.
A plan was drawn up in Ardglass for a small vessel 20-berth pontoon in the inner ‘Sawpit’ harbour by the NIFHA (Northern Ireland Fishery and Harbour Authority) engineers.
However, that needs to be re-examined as part of DAERA’s review as it was very significantly over the initial expected budget of around £3.5million.
We are in the final throes of government of this Assembly and if the Ardglass project is given the green light by DAERA following its review, funding will have to be put on the table through the Executive, but that will be into the next Assembly after the election in May 2027 and the history of Assembly shows that it has difficulty in setting a Programme for Government and budgets.
Hopefully, the funding required will come directly from the UK government but as DAERA indicates, the business plans need to stack up.
 in DAERA remains ongoing and has not yet concluded. The FSDP was){kind=link}