Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has announced plans for new measures to enhance safety at Kilkeel Harbour and to hold harbour landings charges at current levels.
After careful consideration of the recent independent appraisal of options for improving navigational safety at the entrance to Kilkeel Harbour, the Minister has accepted the recommendation that an Enhanced Safety Management System be developed at a cost of £192,000.
Minister Gildernew said: “Under certain adverse weather and tidal conditions, the entrance into Kilkeel Harbour can become unsafe. The Report considered a range of options to reduce risks to As Low As Reasonably Practical (ALARP) levels in order to address those concerns. It concluded an Enhanced Safety Management System will reduce the safety risks to ALARP levels and represents best value for money. A breakwater would cost £15million.”
“I have asked the Harbour Authority to draw up proposals for such a system which will be prioritised for consideration under European Fisheries Funding (EFF). Once a system is installed and operational it will be reviewed after three years to ensure that the safety risk is being maintained.”
Speaking about her decision not to increase harbour landings charges, the Minister said: “The Fishery Harbour Authority has proposed an increase in landing dues from 1 April 2011 as part of an Energy Savings Plan. But I do not consider an increase is appropriate at this time. Provision has been made in my Department’s draft budget to meet reasonable projected deficits in the Authority’s operating income up to 2014. The implementation of the Efficiency Savings Plan will be kept under review.”
She added: “I believe that the decision not to increase landings charges will be welcome news to fishermen who have lobbied me on this issue.”
