A major regeneration project at the fishing port in Kilkeel, Co. Down has been officially marked.

Northern Ireland Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle Gildernew toured four projects that have benefited from the £2m investment, of which DARD provided £1.45m through the South Down Fishing Taskforce Action Plan.

These included the newly refurbished Nautilus Centre and car park improvement scheme and two fish processing units constructed in Binnian Enterprise Park.

The Minister also viewed the Small-Boat Pontoon Berthing Facility, which has provision for 35 vessels and was completed by the NI Fishery Harbour Authority.

"I have visited Kilkeel today to offer some well-earned recognition to the integrated approach taken by a range of local stakeholders ranging from Kilkeel Development Association, the Fishery Harbour Authority, Newry and Mourne District Council and the NI Tourist Board towards the socio-economic regeneration of Kilkeel," said the Minister.

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"It was rewarding to see how four distinct, separate projects within a relatively small area at Kilkeel Harbour, have been progressed in tandem in order to complement each other.

"Through the South Down Fishing Taskforce, my Department was able to provide £1.45m of the £2m investment needed to deliver these impressive regeneration projects in Kilkeel.

"The Taskforce was originally established to not only deliver additional resources to our local fishing industry but also, through Integrated Development Funding, to support good projects benefiting the wider fishing dependent communities.

"The projects being celebrated today in Kilkeel serve as a good example of how an integrated approach to regeneration can maximise benefits for the wider community.

"We are evaluating the overall impact of the Taskforce Programme and this will help us develop future socio-economic support for fishing communities under the European Fisheries Fund."

She added: "Kilkeel is a great best-practice example to other areas in the north of Ireland, of how stakeholder co-operation delivers and the area has benefited from funding for a range of social and economic projects.

"I hope this regeneration together with future funding of £1.2m from DSD for town centre environmental improvements will serve as an incentive for all stakeholders. Kilkeel stands out for the area's partnership efforts and I look forward to seeing the area realise the full potential in the future."

(NS/BMcC)