Minister Joe McHugh has launched a Safety Training extension to National Fisheries College in Greencastle.
Minister McHugh said he was delighted to see first-hand the expert training BIM provides in the National Fisheries College in Greencastle and to meet the students that represent a bright future for our important fishing sector.
“Our fishing sector is the lifeblood of many communities in Donegal and Greencastle in particular. Worth over €850 million annually, the Irish Seafood Industry has made significant changes in recent years to take advantage of the clear market demand for quality seafood at home and on our key markets. It employs 11,000 people, both directly and indirectly and is now recognised as the sector within our ‘Blue Economy’ that offers the most immediate potential for growth.
“To realise this potential, Minister Coveney launched the first tranche of European Maritime Fisheries Fund in January. The schemes, to be administered by BIM, will provide an investment of €142 million to the industry over the next four years which is a positive development for the entire industry.
“This investment will deliver greater added value, innovation, training and sustainability supports to the sector which will in return contribute increased employment and revenue to our coastal communities.”
BIM plan to invest €1.5 million to build a Sea Survival Training Centre here on this site in Greencastle.
The National Fisheries College in Greencastle.
The new centre will include a state of the art simulator pool that can reproduce extreme weather conditions so fishermen can experience what it is really like to be faced with an emergency at sea.
“I would again like to congratulate BIM on the exemplary training service they provide to the industry. This new development will deliver a bespoke training service to our fishermen and a safer industry as a result.”
Also attending the launch, Fine Gael Councillor Bernard McGuinness, “I am delighted to attend today’s launch, the safety of our fishermen is of paramount importance and with additional training and innovation, the benefit to the industry is undeniable. I also want to commend Minister Coveney, and BIM on their excellent work in this area and highlight my support for this investment into our fishing sector, which plays such a vital role in Donegal.”
