The Committee called for government to invest in the Northern Ireland fishing sector.

Northern Ireland’s fishing industry deems Brexit as 'shot in the arm'

UNITED KINGDOM
Monday, September 17, 2018, 21:30 (GMT + 9)

Fishermen in Northern Ireland stated Brexit will be ‘a shot in the arm’ for their industry after examining the potential impact on the region’s fishing industry once the UK leaves the European Union.

This is the conclusion of a report made by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, which highlights the ongoing disagreement over access to fishing waters, ITV reported.

Therefore, Committee Chairman Dr Andrew Murrison has urged the government to to take immediate action on Ireland's unilateral suspension of the Voisinage Arrangement, which allowed for mutual access to Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland vessels up to six nautical miles off the coast of each country but despite being suspended in Ireland since 2016, the UK has not suspended its operation on its side.

In May this year, Fisheries minister George Eustice spoke of a "crucial period over the next few months" as the Brexit withdrawal agreement is finalised.The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee report said this "needs to be resolved as a matter of urgency".

Dr Murrison recommends the government structures talks with the Irish government to establish the future of reciprocal access for Northern Irish vessels under the Voisinage Arrangement.

"If the Irish government does not give a clear commitment to pass, within six months of publication of this report, legislation which restores reciprocal access, the government must discontinue access to UK waters for Irish vessels from 30 March 2019," the Irish report outlines.

The Committee also called for government to invest in the Northern Ireland fishing sector,and act to tackle what it has termed the "crushing manpower shortages".

It also warns that the government must be prepared to take decisions on fisheries policy for Northern Ireland following the UK's withdrawal from the EU if there is no Executive in place to do so.

Dr Murrison pointed out he believes the fishing industry in Northern Ireland has "huge potential", but warned it is "fragile".

"We found an industry in Northern Ireland with great people and huge potential, but it is fragile. Changes to quotas and access to waters aren't enough. We must develop infrastructure to support the Northern Ireland fishing fleet, find crews for boats and enable fishing businesses to sell into Europe post Brexit," the chairman concluded.

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