Oyster fishermen told no licences for lough this year

OYSTER fishermen on Lough Swilly have been told their licences will not be issued this year, cutting their season in half.

Up to 28 boats and 50 people will now see their livelihoods for the year placed under threat as a result of the move by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), who said the non-issuing of licences was so an environmental impact study could be carried out.

However, while the small fishing boats have been told to remain ashore, licences have still been issued to large-scale dredgers who fish for mussels on the Co Donegal lough, prompting anger among members of the Lough Swilly Wild Oyster Co-op.