02/08/2002

Co Down ports awarded £600,000 in grant upgrades

Agriculture Minister Brid Rodgers has awarded over £600,000 in grants towards the cost of improving fishing port facilities in Co Down.

The grant award, to be administered by the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority, will comprise £469,856 of aid under the EU funded Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG), and £156,619 of national back-up aid.

Mrs Rodgers said: "The sea fishing industry makes a major contribution to the Northern Ireland economy, and these grants will be a boost to ensuring the future viability of the industry."

The ports selected for grant awards are at Kilkeel, Portavogie and Ardglass. Among the projects to benefit are upgrades to sewer, recycling, and security and access facilities.

The aim of the FIFG funded Improvement to Facilities at Fishing Ports Grants Scheme is to improve port facilities to meet the needs of the fishing fleet and other port users.

The Northern Ireland Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity, under which the Fisheries Programme was approved, was agreed by the European Commission in Belfast in March last year.

(GMcG)

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