fishery

A Marineland letter to the fisheries ministry, obtained by the BBC, said that whatever happens to the animals would be "a direct consequence of the minister's decision".

Thompson denied its export permit, saying the strengthening of fisheries legislation in 2019 that made it illegal to use whales and dolphins for entertainment prohibited the move.

The remaining 49 also involved line and buoys but in circumstances that could not be traced back to a specific fishery.

His plea was taken up by the SNP, then in opposition, who demanded the fisheries vessels be classed as military or "grey" ships, thereby excluding foreign competition.

As the UK's only commercial eel enterprise, Lough Neagh fishery's plan requires that 200 tonnes of silver eels escape back to sea annually.