The value of fish production last year rose by 10 per cent to £190.6 million, despite a 10.7 per cent decrease in tonnage. The figures, released yesterday by the Central Statistics Office, show that France was Ireland's biggest market, with exports valued at £52,232,000. Spain was next, accounting for exports worth £33,412,000, followed by Britain and Germany. Japan was Ireland's biggest non-EU market, with £23,687,000 worth of fish exports.
Meanwhile the Minister for the Marine, Dr Woods, yesterday launched the Task Force on the Marketing of Herring.
The task force will address the immediate future of the fishing industry following the "success we achieved at the Fisheries Council in maintaining quota for herring in the Celtic Sea at 19,180 tonnes for 1998 against the Commission proposal for a cut of 20 per cent," he said.
It will also address the concerns of the industry, which include the low level of prices in autumn and the situation in the Celtic Sea.
Dr Woods said that the extent and impact of possible action had to be considered in the context of global supply and demand.
The task force includes representatives of the fishing industry, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the IBEC Marine Council and the Department of the Marine. It is to report to the Minister with recommendations on how to tackle difficulties, enhance management and improve marketing by the end of March next.