THE possibility of 1,000 new jobs at Kilkeel Harbour is a "realistic" prospect according to hose pushing for an expansion of the port.
Members of the Sea Source co-operative are backing a £36 million proposal to dramatically boost the harbour's prospects.
The group is made up of fishermen, engineering firms, offshore marine services providers and fish processors.
They want to see the construction of a new breakwater followed by on shore developments to allow access to larger vessels, new industrial units to service the fishing sector as well as general marine economy activity and eventually a marine skills academy.
Sea Source CEO Alan McCulla said: "Kilkeel is on the brink of a new era in which fishing and offshore work combine to create a wealth of industrial activity which will re-ignite the marine economy.
“Kilkeel is dominated by the fishing sector. The fishing fleet supports 1,300 jobs with a further 620 jobs in the fish processing sector.
“There is, however, no managed workspace available in Kilkeel area to facilitate business start-ups or expansion and every scrap of land around the harbour is used by various businesses which are working at full capacity.
“Coastal communities around Europe area beginning to see the benefits of offshore energy developments and more efficient and ecologically sensitive fishing methods and Kilkeel is no exception."
He said action was needed given the many competitor ports around Ireland and Britain but added that Kilkeel "stands out as the most forward-thinking and ambitious of them all".
“This position needs to be consolidated and Kilkeel must be upgraded to make it for purpose for the challenges and opportunities which lie ahead,” he said.
Mr McCulla pointed to the successes already secured by Sea Source Offshore and the contracts for guard vessels extending to clients operating in the North Sea as well as the growth in fish processing and resurgence of the prawn sector.
“Three years ago fewer than 500 people were employed in the local marine economy. Today that figure has more than doubled," he said.
"In order to capitalise on our successes and to establish ourselves firmly as the go-to port for marine expertise, fishing, fish processing, boat building and all the other aspects of the marine economy, the expansion plan must be listed as a high priority for the Northern Ireland economy.”
