Marine Life
Achill's Atlantic waters provide an extensive range of fish and seafood. No fewer than 34 species of fish have been caught in Achill waters, including cod, ling, conger, pollock, wrasse, mackerel, skate, dogfish, ray, blue shark, thresher, and porbeagle sharks. In 1932 Dr. O'Donnel-Brown caught a record 365lb porbeagle shark off Achill, while in 1959 a record 206lb blue shark was caught locally by J. McMonagle. Other notable captures in recent years include a 17lb coalfish, 112lb blue shark, and 12lb pollack.
In addition to fish 'in the wild', Achill also boasts a fish farm producing 'Achill Island Turbot'. Established in 2008, this enterprise has the aim of producing turbot using the fully traceable, tried and tested method of indoor growth that has the added benefit of being recognised as one of the most environmentally sustainable methods of fish farming.
Chef Clodagh McKenna interviews Michael Flanaghan of Achill Island Turbot:
