Trawling through fishing issues

Labour TD Michael McNamara has invited members of the fishing community along the Clare coast to a meeting in the Russell Community Centre in Doolin this Friday at 7pm.

The purpose of the meeting is to listen to view and concerns about the local fishing industry.

It is also expected that the proposal to license a salmon farm near Inis Oirr will be discussed.

Deputy McNamara is a member of the Dáil Sub-Committee on Fisheries, which in the coming months will examine a range of issues affecting fishermen and coastal communities.

“I am very anxious to represent this sector as best I can, so it is important that I am fully aware of the issues they consider most important,” he said.

In the coming months, the Dáil Sub-Committee on Fisheries will examine the fishing industry with a view to mapping the existing policy and licensing regimes upon which the island fishing and sea angling industries in Ireland are based and provide key statistics relating to fisheries within the 12-mile zone and inland fisheries.

“The committee will also ­examine the impact of European Union legislation and identify existing industries and alternative strategies for rural coastal and island communities, such as renewable energy,” said Deputy McNamara.

The Clare TD said he hopes the committee will ­summarise other challenges and ­opportunities facing relevant stakeholders and identifying relevant initiatives at EU level.