Funds aid Union Hall fish firm's investment in new technology

BORD Iascaigh Mhara announced details of a €637,904 investment for 34 coastal based projects in the south region of Ireland under the Fisheries Local Area Action Group (FLAG) Strategy. 

Fresh Fish Deli, based in Union Hall, is one of 34 FLAG south coastal-based projects that applied for funding this year. 

Monica Buckley, owner of Fresh Fish Deli launched the business in 2016 and her objective was to produce good quality, sustainably sourced seafood products that would meet the increasing demand among consumers for healthy, easy to prepare foods. 

Today the company employs 20 full-time staff and is providing year-round employment in West Cork. 

The funding has allowed Monica to invest in new technologies that have allowed her to grow the business. Fresh Fish Deli also features in a new BIM video campaign to raise awareness of the scheme.

BIM chief executive Jim O’Toole said that the programme would continue to promote sustainable growth in the local economies of Irish coastal towns and villages and provide a significant boost to these important communities. ‘By 2020, the FLAG programme will have invested up to €12m in Ireland’s coastal communities, providing jobs, and exciting opportunities to men and women who live along Ireland’s coastline.’ 

More than 400 applications have been made to the programme this year. All applications were reviewed by individual boards in each of the seven regions throughout Ireland. Projects must be able to demonstrate a clear link to coastal community rejuvenation, enterprise, innovation, job creation and skills enhancement across the fishing, aquaculture and maritime industries.

The programme is co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). BIM, Ireland’s seafood development agency, administers the programme.

Applications for 2019 are now open. Details at www.bim.ie/schemes/