Trawler owners face ‘eviction’ over port authority plan to develop wharf

TRAWLER owners at Waterford port say they face “eviction” within weeks as the port authority presses ahead with plans to sell and develop lands in the area.

As many as 20 fishermen claim their livelihoods have been put in jeopardy by the Waterford Port Authority’s decision last year to put part of the port, along the North Wharf, up for sale. The port authority denies the claim, saying the fishermen are misrepresenting the facts and have had plenty of time to find alternative landing facilities.

The owners of 20 trawlers have been served with notices from the port company and have been given until March 5 to leave. Irish South and East Fishermen’s Organisation chairman Michael Walsh said it leaves members high and dry. “We want the Minister for State at the Department of the Marine, Pat The Cope Gallagher to intervene. There’s not a port in the south-east capable of facilitating the large vessels using this port.