Up to 4,500 jobs 'could be created in fish farming'

A conference on fish farming will hear that an extra 4,500 jobs can be created in the industry in Ireland.

The "Farming The Deep Blue" conference kicks off in Limerick today and is organised by the fisheries promotion agency, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM).

It will look at how the world can develop offshore fish farming.

BIM says there are 15 potential sites for offshore fish farming in Ireland.

If these sites are developed, the group says, they could create a further 4,500 jobs and additional earnings of €250m by producing 150,000 tonnes of fish a year.

It is the first time in the world that all the key people - businesses, government officials and other relevant fishing organisations - will be brought together to discuss the issue.

Up to 85% of the world's salmon farming corporations will attend the Limerick event.