A new trawler built in the boatyard at Dingle launches but doubts remain for the Irish fishing industry.
It is a challenging time for the fishing industry at the moment, with low market demand and soaring operating costs. Some fishermen are struggling financially while others are investing in their livelihoods.
In spite of all this there were celebrations in Dingle today at the launch of a new trawler, built in the Dingle Boatyard which was taken over from state fisheries agency Bord Iascaigh Mhara last year into private ownership.
Skipper Michael Devane from Portmagee ordered the fifty-six-foot vessel two years ago when times were better, but now is uncertain how he is going to pay for it,
Between long hours and hard work, hope for the best.
Paddy Power Minister for Fisheries and Forestry who was present at the launch promised to lift the ban on driftnet fishing for salmon off the Kerry coast will be lifted, and to issue more fishing licences.
The Minister is optimistic about the future of fishing in Ireland, and is very pleased to see investment in new boats. He believes that in two years' time things will have improved for fishermen,
I would hope that we would be in a position to say we have got over our fishing difficulties...
Joe O'Boyle, owner and manager of the boatyard is all too aware that the industry is going through tough times.
Successive governments have failed to recognise that fishing is one of the country's greatest natural resources, and he believes that state aid for the sector can only go so far, as factors such as an increase in the capital lending rate impact directly on future investment,
The incentive is not there anymore for the fishermen.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 23 March 1981. The reporter is Tom MacSweeney.
