Marine industry: EU Commissioner praises Irish for marine innovation

“For the past two years, Ireland’s has topped Europe’s growth charts,” said EU Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, on a recent visit to Cork.

“You have made many sacrifices, and today you have the highest growth rates in the EU, dynamic exports, and unemployment rates falling below the EU average.” Ireland’s recovery is underway, and grasping the potential of its maritime economy, he added. “The ocean is the heart of our planet. We know it makes up 70% of the earth’s surface, and yet we know only 5% of its depth. So research is essential.”

Europe’s maritime economy, from fisheries to shipping and coastal tourism, employs around five million jobs and contributes with around €550 billion to our wealth.