The fishing community in Ardara are calling on the Government to address the unfair treatment they believe they are getting.
A group representing the local draft net fishing community has hit out at the relatively short period they have to carry out their activities versus the national allocation.
Those who participate in draft net fishing of wild Atlantic salmon in the Loughros Mór estuary, to the west of Ardara, are restricted to only three weeks of fishing in those waters a year – between the 1st and 21st of July.
Meanwhile on a national scale, the organisation representing the Ardara fishers – the Loughros Mór Draft Net Fishers’ Group – say all other draft net fisheries are allocated a period of eleven weeks of fishing between the 12th of May and the 31st of July.
A public meeting is set to take place on Monday night to address the matter, and call on the state to address the imbalance – especially in the light that the total allowable catch for the fisheries sector as a whole has increased.
A spokesperson representing the group told Donegal Daily that:
“The shorter season has proved challenging and put huge pressure on the fishing community. All we seek is fair treatment like the other areas.”
“Our fishery involves young and old and is a traditional practice that we wish to safeguard into the future.”
The public meeting will take place on Monday the 10th February at 7:30pm in Crannógbuí National School, Loughros Point, Ardara.
