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IRISH Fisheries Minister Sean Connick has said the country's fishing industry could play a major part in helping Ireland's economic recovery.
The Minister was speaking at the Fish Ireland 2010 trade exhibition in the port of Killybegs at the weekend which he officially opened in front of a large audience. He said: "We have a high quality raw material (seafood) on our doorstep, we have a flexible and innovative industry and the demand for our products remain strong. We need to continue to innovate, differentiate Irish seafood and maximise our returns by increasing added value." Mr Connick also said a more flexible approach to conservation was required by both fishermen and the suppliers of the fishing industry. He praised the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation for funding research into the sustainability of a new board fish fishery, describing it as an exciting departure. New markets were also being developed especially in the area of pelagic fish where blue whiting was becoming increasingly important.
Although not on the scale of most larger European counterparts, Fish Ireland is one of one of the most important fishing exhibitions in the Republic, attracting exhibitors and visitors from England, Scotland, mainland Europe and Canada. It also provides an ideal platform to meet other sectors of the industry such as processors, merchants and vessel builders. It is designed to launch a new products, increase brand awareness, penetrate a new market sectors and boost sales.
It is also one of the few such exhibitions to take place right in the centre of a working fishing port, Killybegs, so visitors from outside the industry can see just how it operates on a practical level.
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