€1.5m boost for Donegal fish and aquaculture businesses

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 this week by the 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.”
He added: “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 grants are from the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the European Union under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme (EMFF).
Among the main  recipients are: Donegal Fish Ltd which is receiving  €881,542 as part of an overall investment of €2,938,474 for an IQF filleting production project; Ocean Farm Ltd who is to get  €282,908 as part of an  of €707,270  project  for the upgrade of salmon farm technology plus a further  €1,925  towards organic certification.
Racoo Shellfish is to receive  received €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 Ltd,  has been granted  €38,925 as part of an overall investment of €155,700  to  develop markets in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.