The Western Development Commission (WDC) has announced plans to develop the marine sector in the region. It has targeted two specific areas for progress - "adding value" to seafood and inshore fisheries development.
The WDC is to host a workshop on seafood processing, which will be opened by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, on April 5th. The aim is to gather the main figures in the marine industry across the seven counties within the WDC's remit to formulate a strategy.
The west provided almost half the national net output (44.9 per cent) and over half the employees (51 per cent) in fish processing, according to figures for 1996.
The WDC's regional development officer, Ms Cariosa Lynch, says the initiative is timely, in view of the £25 million earmarked for seafood processing in the National Development Plan and the strategic review of fish processing which is currently being carried out by the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.
The chairman of the WDC's marine sector council, Mr Michael Gallagher, believes the commission's integrated approach is very positive in terms of an overall input into policy. He also believes the inshore sector has significant potential for expansion.
Udaras na Gaeltachta is represented on the WDC marine sector council, and its annual report forecasts major expansion in fish farming output in the region.