The Irish Marine Federation, which represents Irish businesses with marine links, has brought together marine interests in a dozen towns and villages to rekindle local maritime interests and create employment from the sea.
Several towns are in the process of establishing coastal communities, including Wexford, Dungarvan, Youghal, Cobh, Crosshaven, Glandore and Fenit. Further Communities will be established soon in Fingal, Wicklow and South Kerry.
"We're aiming to create marketing opportunities, business and vocational training, input into the formulation of an integrated coastal zone management plan for your area and at the same time network local coastal community with others regionally and across the Irish Sea", says Irish Marine Federation spokesman Steve Conlon.
The IMF aims to form a Coastal Community in several areas and help establish a Marine Leisure Knowledge Network around our coast.
The Federation, an IBEC affiliated trade body, is seeking other coastal towns to join the call for the reinstatement of the Government Department in order to promote tourism, marine leisure and commercial marine interests.
The Federation has set up a petition on the boating magazine website Afloat for individuals, and organisations to become part of the network. The micro site also provides further information on the opportunities from maritime tourism and how people can get involved.
For details of how to start a Coastal Community and how you can participate and benefit your area, contact Steve Conlon: [email protected]
