EU prawn fishing quota boost cautiously welcomed in Kilkeel

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Wednesday, 14 December 2016 12:40

Kilkeel fishing fleets are to benefit from a share of £15 million pounds worth of quota next year.

It's after two days of negotiation with the EU's fisheries council.

The outcome will mean around 7,200 tonnes of prawns will make up the UK allowance.

Fisheries minister Michelle McIlveen says it's a positive result for our fishing industry.

In a statement she added the Commission's proposal for a nine per cent quota cut was reversed during the meetings.

She added, "This stock is hugely important to our main offshore fishing fleet based in the County Down ports of Portavogie, Ardglass, and Kilkeel. Around 100 vessels are involved in the prawn fishery."

But John Rooney from Kilkeel prawn fishing company Ronney Fish says the news is welcome but they're not able to handle the tonnage. Click below to listen.