Fourteen-year-old fisherwoman Muireann Kavanagh is set to bring her plea for fair fishing rights to the European Parliament this week.
Muireann, a native of Arranmore Island, is fighting for an end to the zero catch scenario for pollack and fair play for small-scale fishing communities.
Muireann has grown up fishing pollack with her father and uncles in a boat built by her late grandfather. Her family’s fishing heritage goes back generations, but it has come under threat this year when a zero catch scenario was recommended to rebuild pollack stocks.
Muireann’s own experience of being denied fishing rights in her local community has inspired her passionate fight, which began with a handwritten letter to Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue. She will now be brought to the very heart of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday during a visit hosted by Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus.
The Midlands Northwest MEP said he is committed to delivering the change that Muireann and the wider fishing community desperately need to see delivered.
MacManus and Kavanagh will take part in a series of engagements with a number of high-ranking MEPs who work on Regional Development and Fisheries, where she will make her case directly to senior EU figures and continue her fight for justice.
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