A significant boost in jobs is expected in the Connemara area after a Co Galway project produced the country's first farmed cod.
Minister for Community, Gaeltacht and Rural Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív described the harvesting of the cod as a huge development for the industry.
Pioneered by Trosc Teo, the cod are the first marine fin fish to be hatched, reared and grown to market size in this country.
Trosc Teo was established in 2005 by three local salmon fishermen in Connemara and by Taighde Teo, the mariculture research and development subsidiary of Údarás na Gaeltachta.
The project was also supported by the Martin Ryan Institute at NUI Galway, the Marine Institute, Western Development Commission, BIM and by the Department of the Marine, Communications and Natural Resources.