Following months of intense lobbying and negotiation, Minister Coveney today secured EUR 148 million (USD 201 million) from this fund for the period 2014 to 2020 for the development of the Irish seafood industry and the coastal communities that depend upon it.
Welcoming this announcement the Minister said 'This funding is more than double the amount that was available to Ireland during the last Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and will ensure a strong fishing industry in Ireland that can grow expand to meet its potential up to 2020."
In announcing the EU funding, Minister Coveney said “The new CFP is a major overhaul of the way which fishing is carried out in EU waters, the purpose of which is to provide a framework for the long term sustainability of fish stocks and the whole industry. The fund will provide support for our fishing fleet to meet the challenges of the new discards ban; it will support the development of the seafood processing sector, a sustainable aquaculture industry and the communities that depend on a vibrant seafood industry.”
