By Ryan Sands
WORKFORCE pressures facing the local fishing industry have been highlighted in the Assembly.
An adjournment debate that focused mainly on the need for seasonal worker visas to be applied to the industry – representatives of which were in the public gallery – was tabled by South Down Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason last Tuesday (26 November).
The local representative said that fishing is “a vital lifeline for our communities, our economy and, of course, for our heritage”, and cited the harbours in Kilkeel, Ardglass and Portavogie as “the beating heart of those coastal towns”.
She highlighted that the local fishing fleet had previously “relied on workers from Asia and Africa, with workers accessing transit visas or seasonal worker visas” – this was altered by post-Brexit rule changes – and stated that a requirement for allocations of these visas for 2025 is “the key issue that is facing the sector”.
“If that issue is not rectified, it will force the majority of our local fleet to tie up their vessels as, understandably, they cannot afford the punitive penalties if they are found to be in breach of regulations, and they cannot find other staffing arrangements in order to ensure that their boats are safely staffed,” Mrs Mason continued.
“That will be catastrophic for our local industry, with severe human and financial consequences for workers, families and the wider economy.”
The MLA added that “the fishing industry should be granted the same flexibility that has been shown to the horticulture, poultry, salmon and offshore energy industries”, given that “staff shortages in the sector mean that 30 per cent of quotas could be left uncaught”.
“Our fishing communities are now at a crossroads,” she said.
“Either the British Government continue to ignore the appeals of the fishing industry and push it further down the path of neglect and socio-economic deprivation, or they recognise, as we do, that with considered, sensible and, let’s face it, minor policy tweaks, the future of the industry will be bright enough to support its communities for generations to come.”
Diane Forsythe (DUP) stated that, as a fellow South Down MLA, she could say that “fishing is a critical industry for our constituency”.
“The industry is struggling to attract local workers, and those who come from overseas to work in the fishing industry have had serious restrictions imposed on their visas,” she added.
“That has been a huge struggle for the industry to overcome, as skilled people who want to work in our fishing industry face serious barriers.
“The cost of the visas has risen significantly – by tens of thousands of pounds – and looks set to rise further next year.
“Those costs are disproportionate and unaffordable for the fishing industry.”
The MLA also commended the industry for being “incredibly resilient” and stressed that there is “huge development potential to grow and expand the sector”.
Andrew McMurray (Alliance) said that fishing is “key to the culture and identity of our rural and coastal communities”, and that it supported “a range of ancillary sectors in the blue economy”, such as boatbuilding, boat repair and fish markets.
He acknowledged the “reliance of the industry on the employment of non-EU workers”, adding that he has been assured that DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) Minister Andrew Muir “continues to press the UK Government for flexibility on, and alternative options to, the existing policy on immigration”.
“I am also heartened that the minister has agreed to collaborate with Department for the Economy (DfE) officials to develop an immigration policy position to be considered by the Executive,” the South Down representative added.
“While it is important to press the UK Government for changes, we should also explore solutions within our devolved powers and support the fishing industry to develop alternative sustainable workforce solutions.”
Colin McGrath (SDLP) said that “everyone knows that the fishing industry is a tough trade” and that he was “full of admiration for those who work in it, because it is hard graft”.
“Securing local people to work in it has always been a challenge,” he added.
“That is why the industry has had to look overseas, some parts of it to Europe and other parts of it further afield, for workers.
“Visas for seasonal workers has been a real note of concern for those in Ardglass.
“As with many issues, Brexit and its architects are culpable for creating havoc where, previously, there was some stability.
“Following Brexit, the UK recognised exemptions for non-EEA seasonal staff who were involved in the edible horticultural sector.
“However, it did not recognise fish processing as being part of that industry.
“The industry in Ardglass depends upon having seasonal staff.”
The South Down MLA also pointed out that the previous speakers were “in the Executive together” and “could work together to effect change, instead of coming in here for adjournment debates”.
Mr Muir confirmed that he had written to the UK Government, and that, in a response he received in late October, DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Secretary Steve Reed “rejected the policy changes put forward for consideration”.
“I will continue to press the Home Secretary (Yvette Cooper) and other relevant ministers to review the current policy, and my officials will continue to liaise with Home Office and Border Force officials to discuss flexibility and alternatives to current migration policy,” he stated.
The minister reiterated that his officials would work in collaboration with DfE officials to “develop an immigration policy position for the Executive to consider”, and said that he is “committed to working with the fishing industry to develop alternative workforce solutions for the fisheries sector that are aligned with the draft Programme for Government and provide opportunities to grow a globally competitive and sustainable economy”.
