€ 1.5m boost for Irish ventures
FIVE Irish fish processing and aquaculture companies in the Donegal region are to receive almost
1.5 million to help their businesses grow.
The funding (totalling 1,492,002) was announced last month by the government chief whip, Joe McHugh, who said: ‘I am delighted to announce that Donegal has received a huge investment boost from the government and the European Union to sustain and develop the hugely important seafood and aquaculture industry in the county.
‘Donegal is leagues above other parts of the country when it comes to seafood and aquaculture, and it is impressive to see such a strong backing for the growth of these industries, both from our own government and from Europe.’
The main recipients are: Donegal Fish, which is receiving
881,542 as part of an overall investment of 2,938,474 for an IQF filleting production project; Ocean Farm, which is to get 282,908 as part of a 707,270 project for the upgrade of salmon farm technology, plus a further 1,925 towards organic certification. Racoo Shellfish is to receive 184,750 as part of an overall investment of 461,876 for the construction of an oyster grading facility; Atlantic Bluestack Oysters has received 31,859 as part of an overall investment of 79,647 for phase one of the development of an oyster farm.
Finally, Jade Ireland Seafood has been granted 38,925 as part of an overall investment of
155,700 to develop markets in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.