Fish farming can create 2,000 jobs in five years, claims IFA

SOME 2,000 fish farming jobs can be created in coastal communities over the next five years, a national aquaculture conference was told.

The Irish Farmers Association president Padraig Walshe told the conference in Kenmare, Co Kerry yesterday this would bring the numbers employed to 4,000 and double its value to €240 million.

But the Government must eliminate prolonged delays in the processing of licences and announce the National Development Plan scheme for the industry to bring all this about, he said.