Aquaculture grants are awarded to marine firms

THE Castletownbere Fishermens Co-operative Society is to receive over €300,000 in grand aid for aquaculture companies.

The Co-Op is to get €296,945 (part of a total investment of €494,909) for landing obligation infrastructure.

It will also receive €20,000 (of a total investment of €40,000) for developing an oven-ready product for the Spanish market.

Cork Senator Tim Lombard welcomed the grants of €381,342 towards a total €685,904 investment in four local  aquaculture companies.

Cormorant Mussels with a registered address in Ovens, is to receive €22,928 towards a total investment of €57,321 for the introduction of a continuous rope mussel system. Seal Harbour Enterprises in Glengarriff will receive €21,469 (of a total investment of €53,674) for the upgrade of a mooring system and an engine.

Bantry Bay Premium Seafoods is to receive €20,000 (part of a total investment of €40,000) to develop microwavable products for the French retail market.

Senator Lombard said: ‘I want to thank my colleague Minister Michael Creed for this very welcome grant aid for our local aquaculture companies, which are so critical to the sustainability of Cork’s economy. 

‘Fine Gael believes the marine economy can be a major contributing factor to new growth in an overall Irish economic context and we will prioritise the sector accordingly,’ he added.