Sustainably sourced seafood behind West Cork product range
A west cork partnerhship has launched ready-to-eat fish cakes and pies made from responsibly sourced local fish.
William Deasy, BIM; Monica Buckley, Fish Seafood Deli; Michael Keatinge, BIM and Peter Shanahan, Fish Seafood Deli, at Skipper expo 2017
Monica Buckley (DC Fish) and Peter Shanahan (Fish Seafood Deli) are well recognised in the seafood sector. Last year, DC Fish was honoured as BIM 'Fishing Enterprise of the Year' and Peter Shanahan was a finalist in the BIM 'Young Fishmonger of the Year' competition.
Efficiency guide for seafood processors
Methods for seafood processors to operate more sustainably are outlined in an Efficience Guide developed by BIM.
(l) Donal Buckley,BIM; Donal O’Sullivan, Castletownbere Co-op and Sandra Hennessy, BIM; (r) Birgitta Curtin, Burren Smokehouse; Donal Buckley, Sandra Hennessy, BIM
The guide contains 'efishiency' tips and case studies relevant to the seafood sector, namely water usage; energy consumption; transport costs and waste management.
Seafood company scoops top ‘green’ awards
Castletownbere Fishermen's Cooperative Society has won the top accolade, 'Green Business of the Year' at the Green Awards 2017, ahead of stiff competition from Flavahan's; Kerry Group and Glanbia.
(left) Green Business of Year Award: Bernie Kiely, Dept of Environment, Heritage and Local Government presents award to Donal O'Sullivan and Coop team; Green Seafood Business Award: Donal Buckley (right) presents award to Donal O'Sullivan
Based at Dinish Island, West Cork, the Coop was also honoured with the 'Green Seafood Business Award', sponsored by BIM. Working with the State agency, the Coop has cut its electricity usage by 3.5% and waste to landfill by 36%, despite a production increase of nearly 400 tonnes.
Seafood companies shortlisted in 2017 Green Awards
Four Irish seafood companies have been shortlisted in the '2017 Green Awards' that recognise excellence and best green practice.
Organised by Event Strategies, the finalists in the 'Green Seafood Business Award' category sponsored by BIM, were nominated for their 'outstanding efforts to improve their local environment imprint through reduced energy, water consumption and waste prevention management'.
BIM ‘new identity’ reflects multifaceted industry
BIM's new brand identity unveiled at their inaugural national seafood awards, reflects four key priorities of skills, sustainability, innovation and competitiveness.
'It is consistent with our vision for Ireland to become the international leader in high value differentiated seafood products that satisfy growing domestic and international demand for nutritious, safe and resonsibly and sustainably produced food.'
Martin Howley receives posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award
Thirty-eight finalists shortlisted across Skills, Sustainability, Innovation and Competitiveness categories were recognised at the inaugural BIM National Seafood Awards in Dublin (17/11).
Twelve winners received awards for their ‘outstanding contributions to the fishing, fish farming, seafood processing and retail sectors’ at the ceremony officially opened by Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Irish seafood exports to China up 18%
Exports of Irish seafood to China and Hong Kong rose by 18% valued in excess of €15m in the first six months of 2016. Total exports to these regions in 2015 were close to €29m.
James O'Donnell, Bord Bia; Paul Kavanagh, Irish Ambassador to China and Fan Xubing, Beijing Seabridge Co Ltd
Bord Bia and15 Irish seafood companies are showcasing on the Origin Green pavilion at the biggest seafood fair in Asia, China Seafood and Fisheries Expo, which featuers over 1,300 companies from 45 countries in 22 national pavilions and an expected 29,000 visitors.
Aquaculture Enterprise of the Year
Finalists in the inaugural BIM National Seafood Awards on November 17 have been judged in four categories: Competitiveness, Skills, Sustainability and Innovation. The 'Aquaculture Enterprise of the Year' category is in the 'Competitiveness' section and will honour a leading aquaculture company that has shown leadership and innovation in an aspect of the sector.
The three finalists are: Kush Seafarms, Kenmare; Dungarvan Shellfish, Dungarvan and Wild Atlantic Shellfish, Lissadell, Sligo.
Oyster farming along the northwest coast
An exhibition showcasing oyster farming in the northwest has opened at Lissadel House, Sligo, where the tradition goes back to the 1850s.
'Taste the Atlantic - a Seafood Journey, follows the 'Surf Coast' route of Taste the Atlantic launched in June - a dedicated seafood trail developed by BIM and Failte Ireland.
Richard Donnelly, BIM; Tom Conneely, Failte Ireland, Constance Cassidy, Lissadell House and Charlie Kelly, Wild Atlantic Shellfish
From Donegal town to Erris in Co Mayo, the trail aims to educate visitors how seafood is caught and farmed. Five seafood producers and 14 seafood restaurants join six producers and 28 restaurants of the 'Bay coast' route from Erris to Galway Bay.