LOUGH Neagh pollan has been awarded protected status by the European Commission.
The white fish with bright silver skin is caught and processed in the largest lake in the UK and one of the largest in northwestern Europe.
The commission awarded it protected designation of origin – a product produced, processed and prepared in a particular geographical area.
A statement from the commission said: “Before 1900, the harvesting of Lough Neagh pollan dominated fishing activities on the lake.
“It is still considered an economically important species and depending on the time of year Lough Neagh pollan makes up a significant proportion of catches.
It is caught using the traditional draft netting and gill netting method.” The denomination will be added to the list of more than 1,425 products already protected.
