News

Second bailiff's boat trapped due to floods

The £150,000 Dun na Salar has been marooned at Movanagher Canal beside the River Bann since last November. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin
The £150,000 Dun na Salar has been marooned at Movanagher Canal beside the River Bann since last November. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin The £150,000 Dun na Salar has been marooned at Movanagher Canal beside the River Bann since last November. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin

FISHERIES chiefs have confirmed that a second bailiff’s boat is currently out of action after being stranded by flood water.

The £150,000 Dun na Salar fisheries vessel has been moored at a canal beside the Lower River Bann since the start of November after becoming trapped as water levels began to rise.

It is understood the boat was brought to the canal at Movanagher, near Kilrea in Co Derry while being prepared for routine maintenance.

Officials say the boat has been “safely moored” at a jetty in the canal.

The Lower River Bann is the only waterway that flows out of Lough Neagh and both it and the lake have seen extreme water levels in recent weeks.

The latest loss to the fisheries protection fleet comes days after the Irish News revealed that the £350,000 Cú Mhara, launched in 2014, has been trapped in a boathouse at Derrycrow on the shores of Lough Neagh for several weeks due to rising water levels.

Questions were previously asked as to why the boat was not moved before water levels rose.

A third patrol vessel owned by the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure (DCAL) is currently out of operation and berthed at Kinnego Marina, near Lurgan.

The Dun na Salar was launched in 2004 in bid to preserve fish stocks.

The lough’s commercial course fishing season is in full swing and netting for native Pollan gets underway next month.

It is feared that the lack of bailiff patrols could spark a fishing ‘free for all’ on Lough Neagh and its connecting waterways.

However, a DCAL spokesman last night said that “enforcement measures remain in place on Lough Neagh”.

SDLP assembly member Dolores Kelly was critical of Stormont agencies involved in dealing with the recent floods including DCAL.

“How can you have confidence in their knowledge and ability to manage their own resources,” she said.

“There is no sense of anyone being in charge or knowing what they are doing.

“I will be taking it up with my colleagues and the minister.”

A spokesman for DCAL said: “Enforcement measures remain in place for Lough Neagh, including shore patrols and quay inspections.

“It is worth highlighting that fishing activity on the lough is currently at a lower level due to the wide ranging impact of the recent severe rainfall on those who live and work around the lough, and with the main pollan season not due to start until February 1.

“Both Kinnego and Ballyronan marinas are currently closed to the public.”