By Business & Finance 
Eight schemes have today been launched to commence implementation of Ireland’s new €240m European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Seafood Development Programme.
The programme will double the amount of development funding for Ireland’s seafood sector and will be a source of development funding for Ireland’s seafood sector for at least the next six years to 2021.
Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, said: “I am delighted to announce today an integrated range of new schemes to drive the development of the fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors over the next six years.”
He continued: “Perhaps the most important thing this new Seafood Development Programme will do in the years ahead is to strengthen our seafood sector and support the implementation of the new CFP, and in particular the landing obligation, thereby ensuring the future of our industry.”
Today’s announcement sees two schemes being launched for the aquaculture sector, where €28.8m will be invested under the programme, a targeted inshore fisheries conservation scheme is also being launched and €6m will be invested in this sector under the programme.
A Fisheries Local Development Scheme, involving €12m investment over the programme, is being launched to support local development initiatives in coastal communities.
Finally, a further three schemes are launched today to drive forward the development of the seafood processing sector so as to ensure maximum employment is created and value captured from the fish landed or produced in Ireland.
