Daera Minister Has Announced K of Financial
Assistance for Lough Neagh Brown Eel Fishers Who Have Been
Impacted by the Suspension of the 2025 Season.
Much like the Previous Covid Support Scheme for Lough Neagh
Fisheries, Payments Will Be Equal to 50% of the Annual Income
Foregone Because of the Closure of the Fishery. Due to the Number
of Vessels That Have Left the Industry in the past Four Years,
the Financial Assistance Offered Will Be Based on the Value of
Landings of Brown Eels During the 2024 Season
Only.
To Be Eligible, Applicants Must Have Met the Minimum Level of
Brown Eel Landings in 2024 (£1,000) with the Vessel Issued with a
License to Fish in Lough Neagh from Daera and a Permit from the
Lough Neagh Fishermen's
Cooperative.
Minister Muir Said: Our Historic Eel Fishing Sector Is at a
Critical Juncture As It Adjusts to the Reality of Recurring
Blue-green Algae Blooms at Lough Neagh and Other Fishery Issues
That May Have Implications for Established Markets and Future
Seasons Operations. I Am Pleased That We Have Been Able to Offer
Support and My Officials Are Moving to Get This Financial
Assistance to the Industry at This Difficult
Time.
This One-off Payment Will Allow the Sector to Consider How It
Will Adapt in Subsequent Years to the Challenges It Faces, and I
Would Encourage Them to Use This Time to Identify New Markets and
Introduce Measures to Improve the Management of Eel Stocks.
Financial Assistance Will Also Assist with Maintaining the
Fleet's Vessels and Other Associated
Costs.
The Situation Impacting the Brown Eel Fishers Has Been a Stark
Reminder of the Human Cost of the Lough Neagh Crisis, and We Must
Collectively Work to Turn the Tide on Water Pollution in Northern
Ireland.”
The Department Will Write to Eligible Stakeholders in Early
January to Seek Applications.
