Firm provides fishing boost for local trawlers

Firm provides fishing boost for local trawlers

25 September 2013

THE beleaguered fishing industry in Ardglass has received a major boost.

A new company has been launched to supply fresh fish landed at the port to local, national, European and global markets. The investment has created six new jobs and there are plans for a further 10.

Rockabill NI Ltd. is a newly formed subsidiary of the highly successful Rockabill Shellfish company based in Balbriggan in the Republic of Ireland.

The Ardglass company will be linked to a major powerhouse in the fishing industry which is regarded as a world leader and is looking at substantially developing a number of markets, in particular, those for langoustine, scallop, crab and razor clam.

Commercial director, Mr. David Boyd, who has worked in Ardglass before and has wide experience in fish exporting, said the new firm was launched after he had a meeting with Rockabill Shellfish directors.

Joining him at that meeting was Ardglass businessman, Basil Wills, who has been appointed to the company’s board of directors and is responsible for vessel communication.

“No one could have imagined how quickly this massive commercial opportunity would have evolved,” said Mr. Boyd. “In essence, we bring together the power of the Ardglass fleet and fuse it with the expertise and commercial strength of Rockabill Shellfish, a commercial leader in the pan-European and global markets.”

Mr. Boyd said coupled with the existing Rockabill Shellfish fleet in the Republic, this creates a “very formidable and professional company” which not only forges commercial opportunities in new markets, but commands the supply chain which is so essential to the delivery, maintenance and continuity of supply to global customers.

“Rockabill NI secures the supply chain uniquely by forging together a company that can deliver professionalism, quality of product and the all essential continuity of supply. We can now control the complete process from the sea bed to the plate in terms of volumes and quality of product.”

Mr. Boyd said the new firm is delighted to have Mr. Wills on board, explaining the Wills family is synonymous with the Ardglass fishing fleet, providing employment in the fishing industry for many years.

“Our aim is to work with local fishermen creating revenue streams which will not only benefit Rockabill NI, but the fishing community in Ardglass and those in neighbouring Portavogie and Kilkeel. We feel that the time is right for change,” continued Mr. Boyd.

He said Rockabill NI believes that by adding value in terms of quality and process, it can attract a greater return for what is in real terms a world class product. Mr. Boyd said the firm has already started work to upgrade and maximise the potential of the local crab fishery, working in partnership with crab fishermen.

He added: “We hope to increase our workforce and believe in investing in local communities by putting something back in terms of employment and career opportunities. We will continually develop new strategies, target new markets and create more employment opportunities. We have self-belief, confidence in our own ability and the benefit of a successful track record within the industry.”

Mr. Alan Price, managing director of Rockabill Shellfish, explained the company has invested heavily in the Ardglass project because it believes in the local fleet and its potential to continually deliver quality product to an ever discerning global customer base.

He added: “We are excited by the commercial opportunity Ardglass provides in terms of continuity of supply and the quality of the product landed.”

• Fishermen interested in working with the new company can David Boyd on (028) 4484 3244.