Fish hauls in Dunmore East up 40% to value of €17.5m
Agriculture, Food and Marine Minister, Simon Coveney, said landings increased by 40%, from 8,387 tonnes to an estimated 11,718 tonnes, between 2010 and 2013. The value of these landings was €13.7m in 2010 and €17.5m in 2013, an increase of 28%.
Leisure activity in Dunmore East has also been increasing, with 180 visiting yachts using the harbour in 2013, more than a threefold increase on previous years. Cruise line passengers doubled in 2013, to 9,500, and with the renovated slipway it is expected that usage by the public will double in 2014, from 600 in 2013.
Mr Coveney revealed the details when announcing a €4m dredging project at Dunmore East, during the official opening of a €450,000 renovation of the Marine Leisure Area at the western end of the harbour.
“Taking account of the increased level of fish landings, I am conscious of the need to dovetail the much-needed dredging works with the seasonal work patterns of the fishing industry to cause as little disruption as possible. Every effort will be made to ensure that the works will be completed in advance of the important herring fishery, later in the year,” he said.
Mr Coveney said the development and upkeep of Dunmore East as a state-of-the-art Fishery Harbour Centre, supporting a broad range of marine-related activities, will remain ongoing.
