Minister Dooley welcomes positive engagement with the seafood sector in Howth
- Published on: 14 July 2025
- Last updated on: 14 July 2025
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley, today visited Howth Fishery Harbour Centre.
The visit to Howth reflects Minister Dooley’s ongoing commitment to engage directly with Ireland’s seafood sector stakeholders through a series of engagements across the department’s six Fishery Harbour Centres.
Minister Dooley reiterated his commitment to working with industry to support the development of Ireland’s seafood sector:
“I welcome the opportunity to visit Howth today and engage directly with seafood sector operators from across Ireland’s Northeast. Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is a thriving, vibrant harbour, making a strong contribution to fish landings by Irish vessels and a significant contribution to the value of Ireland’s seafood processing outputs.”
Some 2,500 tonnes of seafood, worth €13 million, were landed by Irish vessels into Howth in 2024, while in 2023, the value of processing outputs reached €332 million[1]. The harbour also hosts a diverse range of commercial businesses, including renowned Irish seafood restaurants, as well as supporting tourism, leisure and social activities. More recently, the harbour has become a frequent landing point for vessels engaged in surveying work to support the Offshore Renewable Energy industry.
The Minister commented:
“I am heartened to see first-hand today that, despite recent challenges, the sector remains resilient. GDP from the seafood sector rose by 4% in 2024, to €1.24 billion,[2] reflecting more broadly the sector’s determination to seek opportunities through innovation and diversification but also reflecting Government’s continued support for the sector.”
Concluding, Minister Dooley said:
“As evidenced in Howth, Ireland’s seafood sector generates significant economic activity which is critical to the viability of our coastal communities. I am determined therefore to continue to positively engage with industry so that, together, we can determine the best route to sustainably developing Ireland’s seafood sector.”
Notes
[1] BIM Business of Seafood 2024.
[2] BIM Business of Seafood 2024.