The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, has launched the ‘Strategy for the Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector 2019-2023’ on behalf of the National Inshore Fisheries Forum.
The strategy sets out a vision for the future of the inshore sector, that it “will have a prosperous and sustainable future, delivered through a united industry with a strong and influential voice”.
“The National Inshore Fisheries Forum has recognised in this Strategy that the Inshore Sector needs a strong sense of identity and that there is strength in building cohesion and working towards common goals,” the Minister said.
“This Strategy gives them a clear blueprint for the future.”
Inshore Sector
The strategy presents four main themes which cover; the Organisation and Profile of the Inshore Sector, the Management of inshore resources, the Infrastructure and Resources available to the inshore sector, and the Profitability of the sector.
Under the new strategy, specific objectives are set for each of these themes which focus on building the sector up in terms of its own identity including its people, resources and infrastructure.
The strategy will frame the work of the Inshore Fisheries Forums over the next number of years and represents the first time the Inshore Fisheries Sector has developed its own sector-specific plan.
It was developed through an extensive and inclusive process, which included both industry-focused and wider public consultation.
The Irish inshore sector comprises of approximately 80% of Ireland’s fishing fleet, operating from communities all around the Irish coast and support an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 jobs.
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