Marine Sector

Regional and Local Overview

• There are 114 agriculture, forestry and fishing industries in Galway city and county, employing 5908 people (2011 Census).
• In 2012, Galway produced 23% of the total nationwide production of salmon, and 33% of edulis oysters.
• 8 cruise ships dock in Galway Harbour in 2014, with the same number expected to dock in Galway in 2015.
• Active water-based activities of Galway include sea angling, pleasure boating, windsurfing, scuba-diving, canoeing and water-skiing.
• There are currently 7 blue-flag beaches in Galway, with 2 in the City
• There were 35 companies involved in water based leisure activities in 2010 in Galway
• 319 registered vessels on the Irish Boat Register are owned by people living in Galway, out of a total 2,125.
• 17 aquaculture and fishing companies in Galway.
• In 2012, Galway produced 2742 tonnes of salmon of a total nationwide production of 12,000 tonnes, 1012 tonnes of rope mussels, and 15 tonnes of freshwater trout.
• Rossaveal is the main port in the west of Ireland (4kt per year, 31 vessels) and receives a mix of pelagic, demersal and shellfish species.
• In 2013, Rosaveel ranked 4th in the top 20 Irish ports in terms of monetary value of yearly haul.
• Bord Iascaigh Mhara lists 11 seafood processors in Galway County, with four of these based in Galway City.
• Galway has the best marine manufacturer to population ratio.
• The Corrib gas project has provided benefits to Galway, connecting four towns in Galway to the national gas network
• There are 10 angling clubs and related services in the City and County.
• There are 9 sailing clubs and related services in the City and County.
• A recent discovery of 61 tonnes of bullion from a British cargo ship that sank in 1941, 300 miles off the coast of Galway, underlines the potential for deep sea exploration.
• A significant public research infrastructure exists in the City and County.