Kerry general election candidate, Michael Cahill, has arranged for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue to visit Kenmare this Thursday afternoon.
He will visit Kenmare Mart to meet with farmers and is also meeting with a number of deputations, including fishing industry representatives, to discuss reintroducing a ban on the practice of pair trawling, which is currently happening in Kenmare Bay and along the south west coast, including Dingle Bay.
“Local fishermen are very adamant that this practice must be phased out and the six- mile limit reinstated,” Cllr Cahill said.
“There has been a devastating decline in marine life in Kenmare Bay since this practice was reintroduced and there is a hoovering up of the sprat shoals by long nets with very small meshes”.
He added that species such as migrating salmon and sea bass are being wiped out.
“Having the minister available to us to tackle the problem with those closest affected in Kenmare is a major bonus to the area and we will make full use of his presence,” Cllr Cahill said.
Minister McConalogue will also meet with farmers in the greater Rathmore and East Kerry area this Thursday at 4.00pm when he accompanies general election candidate Linda Gordon Kelleher on a visit to the SLiabh Luachra Veterinary Centre.
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