Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

The AERA Committee visited Portavogie Harbour to meet local fishermen and tour the Northern Ireland Fish Producers' Organisation (NIFPO) training centre. A key highlight of the visit was the new firefighting training rig, which is now fully operational.

Based in Portavogie, County Down, NIFPO represents the majority of Northern Ireland’s catching sector, with members across every local fishing harbour. As custodian of Northern Ireland’s historic fishing industry, NIFPO plays a vital role in supporting the sector through training and skills development.

Working in partnership with the Sea Fish Industry Training Association NI (SFITA), the training centre delivers statutory maritime qualifications, safety training and vocational courses for commercial fishermen and onshore workers from ports including Kilkeel and Portavogie. The addition of the new fire rig significantly enhances the centre’s practical safety training capabilities, providing essential firefighting training for those working in the fishing industry.

• Learn more about Northern Ireland Fish Producers' Organisation (NIFPO) training centre
  
• Learn more about Sea Fish Industry Training Association NI (SFITA)
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