Date: 13 February 2004
The Irish mackerel fishery and the making of an Industry
By John Molloy – Marine Institute
John Molloy, Ireland's leading expert on mackerel and herring fisheries has recently published "The Irish mackerel fishery and the making of an industry" – a 245 page history of one of Ireland's most profitable fisheries. The book features a wealth of anecdotes, historical facts and figures and is lavishly illustrated in colour. It is published by the Marine Institute and the Killybegs Fishermens' Organisation, priced €19.99 (€25.99 including post and packaging). All proceeds from the book will go to two Killybegs charities – The RNLI and the Killybegs Community Hospital.
"Today, the mackerel fishery is perhaps the single most important entity of the Irish fishing industry," said John Molloy, "both in terms of value and quantity of fish landed. Many fishing communities, particularly in Donegal, are heavily dependent on the mackerel fishery. I hope that people involved in the mackerel industry will find this book interesting because in the end it is they who have the responsibility of utilising this resource to provide a livelihood for communities that may not have very many alternatives."
The book was launched in Killybegs, home of Ireland's pelagic fishing industry, as part of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation's twenty-fifth anniversary celebrations on 30th January by Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Also in attendance were Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Coughlan, T.D., Dana Rosemary Scallon MEP and many senior representatives of the Irish fishing industry.
Speaking at the launch Minister Gallagher said, "I am delighted to officially launch John Molloy's new book on the Mackerel industry. I have known John for many years and I have a deep regard for his extensive knowledge of the fishing industry. His research in particular has helped to shape the development of the pelagic industry, which this book details in depth. There is no one better qualified to write the history of the mackerel fishery than John and I am sure that this book will be widely read in all areas of the industry".
"The Irish mackerel Fishery and the making of an Industry" by John Molloy, is available from the Marine Institute and the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation. Price €25.99 including post and packaging. Please send a cheque for €25.99 made payable to the Marine Institute to: Fisheries Science Services,Marine Institute,Galway Technology Park,Parkmore,Galway.