Fish Index — UK, Ireland & Nordic Fish & Seafood Industry Directory
Irish waters are a prime habitat for European Lobster (Homarus gammarus), making it a significant species for the nation's seafood industry. The cold, clear Atlantic waters off the Irish coast, particularly around areas like County Kerry and County Cork, provide ideal conditions for these crustaceans, contributing to their high quality and demand. Key businesses, often smaller family-run enterprises and co-operatives such as those found in Castletownbere, play a vital role in harvesting this valuable resource.
Ireland boasts a robust processing capacity for lobster, with live holding facilities common in major fishing ports like Killybegs, Galway, and Castletownbere, ensuring freshness for export. While a portion is consumed domestically, a significant majority of Irish lobster is exported live to high-value markets in continental Europe and Asia, contributing substantially to coastal employment. The annual Lobster Festival in Baltimore, County Cork, highlights the cultural and economic importance of this shellfish to local communities.
Craanford