MINISTER FOR the Marine Simon Coveney is to announce a €15.5 million investment in seafood processing today which should create more than 140 jobs around the coastline .

Mr Coveney will outline details of investments by 21 companies, supported by grants of €3.2 million under an EU co-funded seafood processing business scheme.

The companies, based in six coastal counties from Donegal to Cork to Louth, aim to increase sales of “added value” seafood by almost €44 million over the next three years.

Mr Coveney believes the investments demonstrate confidence in the sector as a high growth area of the economy, and show a willingness by Irish companies to meet the strong global demand for Irish seafood.

The investment scheme is administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara, and follows a previous investment of €7 million by 21 companies last year. The State’s food harvest strategy forecasts potential revenue growth of €300 million in seafood by 2020, increasing employment by 3,000.

The companies making investments and that have been approved for grants include: Sofrimar Ltd , Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford; Dunns Seafare Ltd, Jamestown Business Park, Finglas, Dublin; Atlantis Seafoods Wexford Ltd, Wexford; Shellfish De La Mer, Dinish Island, Castletownbere, Co Cork; Rockabill Shellfish Ltd, Balbriggan, Co Dublin; Seán Ward Fish Exports Ltd., Killybegs Co Donegal; Iasc Mara Teo.,Rossaveal, Co Galway; Earagail Eisc Teo Meenaneary, Carrick, Co Donegal; Charlie Vial (Fish Merchant) Ltd, Dunkineely, Co Donegal; and Premier Fish Ltd, Kinncaslagh, Co Donegal.