Northern Ireland

Call for financial support Lough Neagh fishers

Lough Neagh fishermen bringing in their catch
Lough Neagh fishermen bringing in their catch Lough Neagh fishermen bringing in their catch

Mid Ulster District Council is to write to the agriculture minister requesting financial support for those who fish on Lough Neagh.

Noting that it is almost 12 months since the first lockdown began, Councillor Niall McAleer drew Council’s attention to the fact local fisherman are yet to receive any financial support – a situation he branded “quite frankly disgraceful”.

He called on Council to write to the interim agriculture minister, Gordon Lyons MLA about the matter and his proposal was seconded by Council’s Chair, Councillor Cathal Mallaghan.

“I would just like to raise the issue of lack of financial support for the fishing industry in Lough Neagh,” said Cllr Niall McAleer.

“Despite numerous commitments from the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to open such a scheme we are now almost a year on from the first lockdown and to date there is no support being provided, which is quite frankly disgraceful.

“There have been other schemes rolled out in other areas, including for sea fishers, and quite rightly so, but those fishermen on Lough Neagh seem to have been left behind.

“A lot of people have been in touch with me and they are very angry and disappointed and they want DAERA to put support in place urgently so they can plan ahead for the rest of 2021.

“I would like to propose that we write a letter to the DAERA Minister and ask him to urgently clarify when the proposed scheme will open.”

Council’s Chair, Councillor Cathal Mallaghan confirmed he would second the proposal and said the letter would be sent “as soon as possible”.

Niall McAleer: Councillor Niall McAleer has called for financial support to be supplied to the those who fish on Lough Neagh.

Lough Neagh eels
Lough Neagh eels Lough Neagh eels