Chris Hazzard MLA has welcomed news that the regulations covering nets used by County Down fisherman will in future allow the mesh panels to be 200mm.
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Chris Hazzard MLA has welcomed changes to mesh panel size for local fishermen. [/caption]
The regulations governing the nets currently insist that 300mm. Trials on new nets are soon to be conducted in the coming months.
Welcoming the news, the Sinn Féin MLA said: “I have been working with colleagues on this matter for some time as net regulations are creating difficulties in the industry.
“This proposal is a highly technical change and will involve many aspects of net design. It will make the production and managements of nets much easier.
“The change will not significantly affect selectivity for cod.
“Some work remains to done on the technical design of the new nets but should this work and the trials be successful this will be a boon for the fishing industry in Down,” Mr Hazzard said.
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