The latest Ocean Economy Report from the Marine Institute underscores marine sector’s role in Ireland’s national growth
The Marine Institute today presented the latest Ireland’s Ocean Economy Report to senior government officials at the Project Ireland Marine 2040 meeting in Dublin. The report outlines the scale, contribution, and performance of Ireland’s ocean economy, highlighting the sector’s strategic importance to national growth and long-term marine planning.
The report reveals that in 2024 (the latest year for which data are available) Ireland’s ocean economy generated €8.39 billion in turnover, contributed €3.53 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA), and supported over 49,000 direct jobs. When indirect impacts are included, the total economic contribution rises to €17.35 billion, accounting for 2% of Ireland’s modified Gross National Income, and supporting more than 109,000 jobs.
The report examines 13 marine industry sectors, including tourism in marine and coastal areas, shipping and maritime transport, seafood (fisheries, aquaculture, and processing), and emerging sectors such as marine renewable energy, blue biotechnology, and advanced marine technology. It provides annual, five-year, and ten-year trend analysis, as well as longer-term changes since 2010, highlighting growth trajectories, volatility, and recovery patterns following major events such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition to sector-specific performance, the report places Ireland’s ocean economy in the context of the wider Irish economy and the EU Blue Economy, comparing growth rates, contributions to GVA, and employment trends at national and European levels.
Highlighting the publication of the report, Dr Rick Officer, Marine Institute CEO, remarked “The 2025 Ocean Economy Report provides critical insights to guide policy and planning decisions as we work to secure a blue economy that is both sustainable and resilient. The data and trends highlight Ireland’s potential to lead in innovation while supporting coastal communities. The Report reaffirms the vital role of traditional industries in sustaining those communities as we navigate new challenges and and opportunities, and adapt to evolving policy, market, and environmental conditions.”
The report will inform national marine policy and planning, and the important cross-government co-ordination work of the Project Ireland Marine 2040 group.
Explore the data: An interactive online dashboard is available at https://www.marine.ie/site-area/data-services/irelands-ocean-economy, providing detailed insights into Ireland’s ocean economy by sector and region.
Irish Fishing News Patrons 2026
