The Chairman of Allied Irish Bank's marine and fishing steering group, which oversees lending to the fishing industry, says there should be a united approach to solving its problems.
Art Kavanagh is AIB manager in Killybegs, Co Donegal, and says the town is being denuded of young people because jobs are being lost in fishing.
The issue is the focus of attention at the biennial national exhibition, Fish Ireland.
Mr Kavanagh's view is supported by industry organisations and Minister of State at the Department of the Marine, John Browne.
Mr Browne acknowledged the problems and has appointed a three-man group to draw up a strategy to deal with them.
