DUP European election candidate, Jim Allister QC, has today vowed to fight for Northern Ireland’s fishermen and fishing communities when elected to the European Parliament.

Commenting during a stop in Kilkeel whilst campaigning in the South Down constituency with local DUP MLA, Jim Wells, Jim Allister said, “Fishing is a multi-million pound industry in Northern Ireland yet not enough is being done by central government to stand up for our beleaguered fishermen and fishing communities.  The retention of our fishing fleet, backed up by adequate funding, is essential to the economies of Kilkeel, Annalong, Ardglass and Portavogie.

A huge failing of United Kingdom membership of the Common Fisheries Policy has been the loss of control over national fishing grounds.  It simply isn’t right that whilst our local boats sit tied up in harbour, boats from abroad fish in our waters.

Our local fishing industry is struggling in part because of savage cuts to fishing quotas and decommissioning schemes.  I will fight for the continuance of the recently obtained transitional aid to be kept in place on a year to year basis.  I also pledge to pay constant attention to the issue of the annual quota negotiations in Brussels.

Fishing is sometimes seen as a poor relation to farming.  It may not be as big an industry but that doesn’t make it any less important and when elected to the European Parliament I will show that I am as committed to a fair deal for our fishermen as I am for our farmers”.