A seafood centre of excellence to drive added-value and innovation

A co-located, ‘one-stop-shop’ for seafood-related functions of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority and BIM’s business innovation and seafood product development activities has officially opened for business.

Officiating, Simon Coveney TD, the minister with responsibility for the marine, said his department was committed to ensuring “every effort was made to position Ireland to take full advantage” of the major opportunities available to its seafood sector. The UN estimates that world demand for seafood will rise by an extra 42 million tonnes annually from 2030.

Unveiling of the plaque at the National Seafood Centre

“I am focussed on firstly moving away from selling 85% of our seafood production in commodity form, and instead developing new high-value processed seafood products.” 

 

Minster Coveney also wants to attract a higher percentage of the near one-million tonnes of seafood caught around Ireland to be landed and serviced from here, and to “significantly expand and develop” sustainable aquaculture.

“The seafood sector is very important to Ireland and holds a key to economic recovery and employment in coastal areas from Greencastle in Donegal to Carlingford in Louth. Contrary to some people’s perceptions, this is an industry for the future and in my view we have only begun to tap into its potential.”

Export growth

In 2010, Irish seafood exports increased in value by 14% to €378m. The first seven months of this year show a further 10% increase. Since it first opened its doors in October 2009, the centre has facilitated 330 large, medium and small seafood processing companies with product development that have sales of over €10m and currently 140 people.