Charges ‘would cripple fishing industry’

SOME of the country’s best known fishing ports could face extinction if new landing charges are introduced, fishing groups warned yesterday.

Fishermen say a whole way of life for thousands of people could be affected if the Minister for the Marine, Dermot Ahern, doesn’t drop what they term “draconian” landing charges.

From tomorrow, the cost of off-loading fish in ports like Castletownbere, Howth, Dunmore East, Rossaveal and Killybegs will rise from 2.40 per tonne to 12.4. Fishing groups have warned such a hike in charges will make small ports less competitive.