DAERA Minister has talks with Isle of Man government on NI fishing crew rights

Speaking in Douglas, Minister Muir said: “I was glad to be able to travel to the Isle of Man today to meet with Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture Clare Barber and Treasury Minister Chris Thomas.

“Isle of Man waters are critically important to Northern Ireland’s fishing fleets. Immigration permissions required by overseas workers to fish within Manx waters have caused uncertainty for Northern Ireland’s fishing industry. That’s why I made this journey as soon as this issue was brought to my attention, to engage with Isle of Man government ministers directly.

“I am thankful to the Ministers and their officials for what was a productive discussion on practical solutions to avoid disproportionate impacts on Northern Ireland vessels. I was very interested to learn about the research being undertaken in the Isle of Man to future-proof a sustainable fishing industry and the government’s willingness to share and collaborate on science in relation to this.”