Fishing groups and the IFA have all welcomed the government’s plans for a groundbreaking IDA-style “advance fish farm” site off the west coast to attract investment and create up to 500 much needed jobs.
The concept is to develop a deep-sea salmon fish farm, which could be worth up to EUR 14 million annually to the local economy. A fish farm of this type would be a first for Ireland.
Working in tandem with the Marine Institute and BIM, the Department for Agriculture, Marine & Food is to investigate a number of sites off the west coast as possible locations.
Sean O’Donoghue, chief executive and chairman of the Federation of Irish Fishermen, said the fishing community welcomes any initiative that will create extra jobs in coastal areas.
Mr O’Donoghue said: “We welcome not only the news, but we also welcome the way that Minister Coveney has gone about this initiative in firstly talking with all the major stakeholders.”
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