To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs , following the lift on the ban on trawlers in Strangford Lough, to detail the compensation provided for those put out of business by the ban; and whether a compensation scheme was created from European Fisheries Fund or local sources, as outlined by the then Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on 5 February 2013.

Following concerns about the impact of trawling and dredging on the horse Mussel (Modiolus modiolus) communities on the seabed of Strangford Lough, these fishing activities were prohibited in December 2003, and this prohibition remains in place. Fishermen were not put out of business by this action having the opportunity to continue trawling outside the Lough and to continue to fish within the Lough with static gear such as pots.

A further fishery prohibition was introduced in January 2013 to create a non-disturbance zone consistent with the agreed objectives of the 2012 revised Modiolus Restoration Plan.

Fishing in Strangford was the subject of an adjournment debate on 5 February 2013, and Minister O’Neill discussed the possibility of a compensation scheme in the event of decommissioning, however since that time my Department has been working with Strangford fishermen on a fisheries management plan for the Lough and this included consideration of financial assistance under the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) to assist them to implement measures to ensure the sustainability of the fishery. To date this has resulted in a Pot Replacement Scheme funded by the EFF. Letters of Offer were issued to 10 fishermen who applied for funding in November 2015, totalling £46,116. At the closure of the scheme fishermen had submitted 6 claims amounting to £14,328, providing 420 lobster and 240 Nephrop pots. Fishery conservation measures adopted under the Fishery Management Plan in future, may also qualify for financial assistance under the new funding programme, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.