Expansion plan at Castletownbere to boost fishing sector

A massive expansion plan for the country’s premier whitefish port will have a significant economic impact on the fishing sector in the West Cork region, Deputy Noel Harrington believes.

The proposed €20 million spend at Dinish Wharf in Castletownbere will ensure facilities for the fishing industry, and the wider seafood sector, are on a par with the best in Europe, the Fine Gael TD for Cork South West said. The works, which involve a 200-metre pier extension, will double in size the existing facility. They also include dredging, a reconfiguration and upgrade of the boatyard, and replacement of the syncrolift with an improved mobile boat hoist.

Mr Harrington said: “This development will also help to secure jobs locally in the engineering and maintenance sector of the fishing industry.”

Mr Harrington said the future completion of a programme of works announced last week by his colleague, Minister Simon Coveney, will also allow for a major expansion of the seafood and other marine industries in the south west.

The works includes an upgrade of facilities at a number of smaller piers.

Beara-based Mr Harrington said: “The economic impact this will bring to Castletownbere and its environs will be significant and will be very welcome. It will also continue to underline the importance of Castletownbere as a major fishing port and the busiest in the country for whitefish landings.

“When completed, the project will put the new facilities for the fishing industry and the wider seafood sector on a par with the best in Europe and will also allow for a major expansion of the seafood and other marine industries in the South West.

“It’s a welcome boost for the fishing community in Castletownbere which will also receive separate funding allocation from the 2015 Fishery Harbours Capital Investment Programme.

“In that allocation, €150,000 will be provided for works at the town’s main pier — €50,000 on upgrading the harbour offices and €100,000 on a detailed design of a berthing extension and shipyard upgrade.

Furthermore, at Cape Clear, additional work to Storm Repair Scope at Duffy’s Pier will cost €250,000 and a further €400,000 will be spent on dredging of the outer basin in the harbour.

However, other piers to benefit under the local authority element of the scheme are Loughanebeg in Castletownbere, Roaringwater, the Carrigillihy slipway in Union Hall, Rosscarbery, Castletownshend, Durrus and Ring, near Clonakilty, along with Ballydonegan in Allihies.

Mr Harrington added: “Our fishing, marine and tourism industries depend this infrastructure, and the community West Cork depend on our piers and harbours to make a living and for island access.

“Our fisheries sector is really integral to economic recovery in West Cork and Fine Gael in Government will continue to prioritise and resource the sector.”