Good2Go Paddle boarding

21/12/2025

Recently the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs released information saying that the is now a £100.000 support package for the fishermen affected by the crisis at Lough Neagh.

I find it amazing that after three years that the only people identified as impacted by the crisis at Lough Neagh are fishermen. I know and believe they should be and I feel that daera have fallen hugely short of what the financial support should look like for the fishermen.

However, given that the stake holder group that came together were doing so to represent everyone, I also feel that daera and the stakeholders themselves have not fully represented everyone. Yes the heritage of fishing on Loughneagh should have it's place but so to should all businesses affected between 2023/2025.

Tourism and experiencing tourism were and have been hammered just as the fishermen were.

Andrew Muir MLA where is the consideration for everyone impacted or is it the truth that representation was not and has not been considered because other sectors have gone (a) unrepresented or (b) it's ok to set a presedant but not to consider a package that compensates everyone who is affected.

Good2Go Paddle Boarding was hammered.
The Crannagh in Coleraine was closed down.
Boating tour operators

We were all impacted where is the balance in daeras decision making here and where is the alliances holistic approach to representing the public.

Gary McErlain has fished Lough Neagh all his life and says livelihoods are at risk.

17/12/2025

I have a question. Is there a similar scheme available for all business affected during the same time period. I'm not a fisherman yet my business was shattered by the same environmental catastrophy.

Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir MLA please advise, because no one else is!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FRXD19q7h/

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has announced £100K of financial assistance for Lough Neagh Brown Eel Fishers who have been impacted by the suspension of the 2025 season.

👉Read more: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/news/muir-announces-ps100000-scheme-assist-lough-neagh-brown-eel-fishers

Lough Neagh Partnership Lough Neagh Fishermen's Co-operative Society Northern Ireland Water Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute Loughs Agency Go Fishing NI The Rivers Trust Seafish Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Mid Ulster District Council

11/12/2025

Our wee country is mental.

11.7K likes, 165 comments. “So much co***ne is being used in Northern Ireland that a new study has found traces of the drug in many of our major lakes and rivers. Tara and Declan are joined by data journalist Kathryn Torney and lead author of the study Dr Billy Hunter to understand the state of ou...

14/11/2025

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08/11/2025

It is not difficult to figure out how much skill, competence, joy, happiness and community spirit that paddle boarding brought to Lough Neagh within a very short space of time. It is not hard to trace the efforts out in, the relationships that developed and the adventures it invested both in hundreds of people on the waterways locally but also the message that was sent North, East South and West of our own island and to the mainland that Lough Neagh and it's associated waterways were present and could provide miles of SUP fun for anyone.

All for the most part ripped away by a short sighted government, greed and exceptionally poor environmental management our Islands greatest freshwater asset. For me setting out into Paddleboarding with others was not a greedy opportunity or questionable desire. It was a pure joy. Something very special with the potential to make a real impact for watersports in Northern Ireland outside of what had and even is offered.

More than a hobby or club. Much more than another pay to play experiential tourism business only running half the year, it was four seasons, indoors and outdoors paddling, it was outdoor education, it was brain injury recovery, it was supporting the Irish race SUP series, being gentle with learning difficulties and intense over half day distances, it was wild camping over night in stunning settings, being present with yourself distant from everything else. Miles of rivers, some canals and multiple locations throughout our waterways.

Not difficult to miss it tbh.

24/10/2025

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17/10/2025

13/10/2025