Fishing

• Factors favour the successful fishing industry.
• North Atlantic Drift, a warm ocean current brings warm water, encourages growth of plankton and attracts a variety of fish species (herring, mackerel).
• Large continental shelf (320 km), rich breeding ground for fish.
• Shallow water, less than 100 metres, makes trawling for fish easier.
• Coast has many sheltered bays and harbours, suitable for fish farming (aquaculture).
• Fish farms e.g. Clew Bay Co. Mayo produces shellfish and salmon.
• Killybegs, Co. Donegal main fishing port.
• Expansion limited due to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), quotas on catches due to overfishing.
• Restrictions on fishing seasons, vessel and net sizes. Main area of growth aquaculture.