A European Commission official was in the north today to engage with the fisheries industry. Bernhard Friess of the European Commission's Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Directorate-General paid a visit to Europe's largest commercial eel fishery at Lough neagh. It comes at a time when discussions are on-going in the Eu regarding eel stock recovery. ulster unionist MEP Jim Nicholson,
who had invited Mr Friess, said: "This visit allows Mr Friess to see the positive work that is on-going in the Lough Neagh system first-hand. This is a timely opportunity for Mr Friess to engage with the industry ahead of the December Fisheries Council which is an important date... for our fishermen as it is these negotiations which decide the fishing opportunities for the coming year."