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Lough Neagh fishing industry 'victim' of environmental damage

Louise Cullen
BBC News NI agriculture and environment correspondent
Getty Images An eel poking its head out from underwater foliage Getty Images
The European eel from Lough Neagh has had protected geographical indication status since 2011

The fishing industry on Lough Neagh is "a victim" of the environmental challenges facing the lough, politicians have been told.

The comments by representatives of the Lough Neagh Fishermen's Co-operative came as eel fishing in Lough Neagh was temporarily paused.

According to the Co-operative, the pause was because the quality of the catch wasn't good enough.

The season started on 5 May, but was suspended on 12 May.

Lough Neagh eel is 'the ultimate'

The Co-operative plans to resume fishing on 9 June, depending on its own assessments of the quality.

Speaking at the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs committee meeting this morning, CEO Kathleen McBride said the Lough Neagh eel was marketed as "the ultimate", as a product with Protected Geographical Indication status since 2011.

"I have a sample catch scheduled for every week now until the week before the 9th.

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