Northern Ireland Conservatives’ spokesperson and commercial fisherman, Paul Leeman, has called upon fisheries’ minister, Michelle O’Neill, and environment minister, Alex Attwood, to explain immediately how they intend to react to European Commission demands for action to preserve horse mussel reefs in Strangford Lough, while also protecting the interests of fishermen.
Mr Leeman’s comments came after the Commission instigated legal proceedings against the departments, claiming that they had failed to protect the mussels’ habitat, with fines of £8 million threatened.
“I asked the DARD minister back in January about her plans to address this issue and whether she intended to consult fishermen, but no satisfactory reply was forthcoming”, Paul explained. “The problem has been ongoing for 6 years and yet we still seem to be no closer to a viable solution or a sensible reassessment of the evidence.”
“The possibility that substantial areas could be closed to fishing vessels is still hanging over fishermen who work the Lough. This ongoing uncertainty over their livelihoods is intolerable and it is about time they had some straight answers from the ministers.”
“The ecosystem of Strangford Lough is an important resource and it needs to be treated carefully. However it’s also vital to remember that fishing is the lifeblood of many of the communities and businesses which lie along the shore.”
“It is absolutely unacceptable that there still remains a shadow of doubt over the fishing industry in Strangford Lough. The fishermen are owed decisive action to reappraise the evidence and an immediate consultation with interested parties, at the very least. The Executive has had 6 years to resolve this situation. Ministers O’Neill and Attwood need to spell out their plans right now.”