Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly's Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee met on Thursday at the Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-Operative Society in Toomebridge. They heard from fishers about the decline of the local eel industry.

Robbie Butler, the committee chair and Ulster Unionist MLA, stated that blue-green algae shows ongoing environmental decline at Lough Neagh. He noted a lack of urgency from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in meeting its timelines. Butler added that fishers could not trade eels last year and received inadequate financial support.

Fishers reported that the number of boats has dropped from around 200 fifty years ago to far fewer today. They described reputational harm, with market customers avoiding produce from the co-operative.

Butler identified pollution, invasive species like zebra mussels, and climate factors as causes that interact and harm the eel fishery and water quality. He called the situation a public health concern linked to water and air quality.

Representatives from the co-operative called for better engagement from the department. Butler urged the department to increase support for fishers to protect livelihoods.

Fishing on Lough Neagh has occurred for about 9,000 years. The committee also received evidence from Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association, ABP Food Group, and Dunbia on proposed sheep carcase classification changes. Those firms noted potential costs of £1 to £2 per animal and risks to processing.