Seafood firms granted ¤ 80k

TWO Sligo Seafood Businesses have been awarded almost 80,000 in Government grants.

Eoin Carter has been granted € 42,026 and Coney Island Shellfish Ltd has been awarded € 37,320 by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund ( EMFF) Operational Programme for the seafood sector.

Sligo/ Leitrim Deputy Tony McLoughlin said the grant funding will see a “substantial increase in funding for aquaculture enterprises”. “This money will help our seafood businesses in areas like business development and planning as well as allowing them to purchase the necessary equipment to help them grow into the future.

“Seafood businesses in the Northwest will continue benefit from this scheme, which will continue until 2020. I hope this funding will have a positive knock- on effect on our coastal communities,” he added. Grants of almost € 1 million are being offered to 10 aquaculture enterprises.

Nine of these will further develop oyster production, while the other concerns mussels.