Brexit: NI fishermen fear being 'mugged' of UK Brexit quota

NI's fishermen fear they are going to be "mugged" by the government when it comes to the share-out of extra Brexit fish, it has been claimed.

The claim was made by one of NI's two main fish producers organisations.

The Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation (ANIFPO) says much of NI's "fair share" will go to Scotland.

It claimed it was a political move to shore up Conservative votes there in upcoming elections to see off a second independence referendum.

It said Northern Ireland is due about £20m a year of Brexit dividend fish returned by EU fleets.

But it believes it may only get about half that.

ANIFPO chief executive Alan McCulla said if the share out was approved it would be an "unjust and bitter blow to our sector".

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The government is dividing the extra millions of pounds of fish previously taken by EU boats from UK waters among domestic fleets.

And while the Irish Sea is an important fishing ground for the local fleet, it actually takes the bulk of its catch both by weight and value from wider UK waters.

Mr McCulla said: "We are being mugged in broad daylight because London believes we can be sacrificed without serious repercussions."

He added fishermen could no longer blame Brussels for a bad fishing deal.

Mr McCulla said London was now planning to slash Northern Ireland's fishing entitlement and the government was turning its back on manifesto commitments to local fishermen.

A Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) spokesperson said that "Minister Poots has argued strongly for apportionment that reflects the activity and interests of the NI fishing fleet in all areas of the UK".

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) spokesperson said: "The UK and EU's historic trade agreement reflects our new status as an independent coastal state and protects and promotes the rights of fishermen across all parts of the UK.

"We are committed to ensuring that the additional quota the UK secured through the trade and cooperation agreement brings the maximum economic benefit to our coastal communities - and more details on this allocation will be announced shortly."