Northern Ireland’s fishing industry is looking forward to gaining access to more fish and new markets after Brexit but is worried about the implications of leaving the European Union for labour supply and frictionless trade, MPs have heard. Lynn Gilmore of Seafish Northern Ireland, which represents the industry, told the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster that tariffs and nontariff barriers to trade are a major concern. Northern Ireland’s 375 or so fishing vessels and more than 700 full-time fishermen land catches worth about £50 million (€57.5 million) a year, about half of it to Northern Ireland ports. Processing adds about £88 million (€102 million) in value, but Dr Gilmore said that both factory owners and fishermen are worried about recruiting workers after Brexit. “When we come out the EU will still be responsible for managing European fisheries issues,” he said.

Source: The Irish Times April 18, 2018 15:34 UTC