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Inshore fishermen eye tourism
market
12.02.09
INISHOWEN'S struggling
inshore fishermen have called on the Fisheries
Minister to allow them diversify into areas such as
angling tourism.
The fishermen met with Minister Tony Killeen in
Greencastle at the weekend and appealed for a
relaxation of licensing restrictions.
Senator Cecilia Keaveney was party to the talks and
said a "very constructive engagement" took place
between fishermen, BIM and members of Inishowen
Development Partnership.
She said the meeting has led to a commitment from Mr
Killeen to establish a cross departmental group to
co-ordinate marine activities and explore obstacles
to progress.
“The inshore fleet has a particular capacity due to
the size and range of their vessels. They have
potential that is as yet underdeveloped," said
Senator Keaveney. |
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"This is made difficult
by a range of issues. One is the interpretation of
the licensing regime that indicates that if you are
a fishing boat you are precluded from operating in
any other manner. There is a strong argument in
relation to safety, of course, but there is also the
capacity to address the |
safety issues and open
up these smaller boats to second income streams that
are properly regulated and above board."
The Moville-based senator said Minister Killeen
accepted that there were issues in relation to the
interpretation of rules on a North/South basis -
different interpretations of measurements and
regulations that impinged on real activities at sea.
"Therefore it was very important to hear that he is
moving on having an interdepartmental group
established to work through the various issues that
have already been brought to his attention and is
open to hearing from us here in Donegal," she added.
Meanwhile, Mr Killeen praised the work of Inishowen
Development Partnership and its "teamwork" with the
local fishing community.
He has asked for Senator Keaveney to appraise the
submissions to the IDP's forthcoming 'Responding to
the Recession' workshops around the peninsula so she
could ensure that local "ideas, solutions and
outstanding concerns" could get an airing at the
table of the new interdepartmental marine committee. |
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