DCAL needs to provide clear guidance over eel legislation

Ulster Unionist MLA, Tom Elliott, has called for clarity regarding the issue of eel conservation on the Erne Basin after being approached by a number of concerned local eel fishermen.

In a statement, the Fermanagh and South Tyrone representative said: "Local eel fishermen have recently brought to my attention their concerns regarding the future of the industry. They have real fears that the Erne basin, which has been properly managed with the aim of maintaining a sustainable eel fishery, will become a 'no-go' area for them while other sites such as Lough Neagh continue to provide for commercial eel fishermen."

"There appears to be a distinct lack of clarity about this issue. It is vital that the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Gregory Campbell, gets information about what is happening into the public domain as soon as possible. Otherwise a feeling of fear about what might happen will continue to hang over the heads of local eel fishermen."

"I will be writing to the Minister to seek clarity about this matter and encourage him to inform eel fishermen across Northern Ireland about what guidelines future eel management plans will contain."