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Guest Writer2015-05-27 10:57:402019-02-15 15:16:46Seafood industry urged to embrace ambition and innovation
Island Seafoods recognised as 2015 ‘Green Business of the Year’
Donegal-based Island Seafoods has scooped two major ‘green’ awards including best in business recognition, ahead of strong competition from blue chip companies such as Coca Cola; Glanbia and Dairygold.
Sponsored and assisted by BIM, the Seafood Development Agency, Island Seafoods is a family-owned business and is part of a green movement to reduce its carbon footprint, by using hydroelectric power to generate 65% of its electricity.
Michael O’Donnell, Business Development Manager, Island Seafoods receiving the overall ‘Green Business of the Year’ award from Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Alan Kelly, T.D
BIM assisted Island Seafoods to reduce its running costs as Donal Buckley, BIM’s Business Development & Innovation Director explains:
“Island Seafoods took part in our Green Seafood Business Programme and they were a pleasure to work with as they already had a strong green company policy in place. To win the overall Green Business Award is not only a great result but for the overall Irish seafood sector.”
Ireland’s seafood sector to receive €241m development funds
A programme for Ireland's seafood sector of double the previous investment by 2020 "demonstrates our commitment to growing and developing the sector" says marine minister Simon Coveney.
The €241m programme comprising €147m provided under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and €94m government funding, is subject to adoption by the European Commission.
L-R; Michael Keatinge, Fisheries Development Manager BIM,Milos Korinek, Fishmonger Scally SuperValu; Minister Simon Coveney TD; Dr Susan Steele Chair SFPA; Tara McCarthy Food & Beverages Director Bord Bia; Peter Heffernan CEO Marine Institute and Cecil Beamish DAFM Clonakilty
Speaking at the launch in Clonakilty, Co Cork, Minister Coveney added that seafood was widely recognised as a "high growth area" of the Irish economy and has the potential to grow to €1bn by 2020. Currently the sector is worth approximately €850m with exports growing by 70% since 2009 to €540m.
Bio-marine Ireland Ltd gets green light for €40m project
Donegal County Council has granted initial planning permission for the construction of a €40m, seven-acre facility, for Bio-marine Ingredients Ltd, adjacent to the new pier in Killybegs, Co Donegal.
Planning permission is granted for the 7-acre, Bio-marine Ingredients Ltd facility in Killybegs, Co Donegal . Photo Gillian Mills
According to chief executive, Jason Whooley, BII is projected to create 70 long-term jobs and a further 50 jobs in the construction phase.
"This projct fits very comfortably into the recently launched Action Plan for Jobs 2015 which places particular emphasis on balanced regional development and job creation."
Investment package for Irish seafood companies
Eighteen Irish seafood companies have been awarded €2.7 million in grant-aid under the 2015 Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme. Taken in conjunction with private sector support, total investment will be almost €9 million.
Co-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the European Fisheries Fund, the projects are projected to deliver 145 jobs and €41 million in additional sales by 2017.
Record high growth in seafood exports to existing and emerging markets
Export figures launched by Bord Bia for 2014 reflect a 4% increase, reaching a record high of almost €10.5 billion, marking the fifth consecutive year in export growth for the food and drink industry.
Since 2009, food exports have grown 45% from €3.2 billion. The strongest performers were dairy and ingredients, €3 billion (+3%); prepared foods, €1.8 billion (+8%) and seafood, €540 million (+8%).
Aidan Cotter, Bord Bia chief executive and Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announcing the 2014 food and drink export figures
Announcing the figures, Bord Bia’s chief executive Aidan Cotter highlighted the significant shift in destinations with international markets:
"The industry’s drive to broaden export reach to destinations outside of the EU is paying dividends with growth in emerging and international markets now driving export figures, offsetting the limited growth in our established premium EU markets,” he said.
East coast fishmonger scoops top prize in seafood competition
Gerard Collier, Fishermen’s Catch, Clogherhead, Co Louth, was today (24/11) awarded the title of BIM Young Fishmonger 2015, from a shortlist of five finalists, all of whom demonstrated an “exceptional high standard in technical expertise, product knowledge and customer service’,” remarked Donal Buckley, BIM’s Business Development & Innovation director.
Martin Shanahan, Fishy Fishy Café and Restaurant with Gerard Collier, Fishermen's Catch, at the Radisson St Helen's Hotel, Dublin
This is the second year of the awards, developed by BIM to recognise and reward young fishmongers and to encourage new entrants into the business and ultimately raise the bar across the sector.
Record Irish presence at Chinese Seafood Expo
Eleven Irish seafood companies are exhibiting on the Irish Pavilion organised by Bord Bia at China Seafood & Fisheries Expo, Qingdao, (5-7/11) before an expected 25,000 buyers from over 100 countries.
Speaking at the event, Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, said that Ireland had some of the finest seafood worldwide, which was sustainably harvested from pure clean waters.
Minister Simon Coveney (right) with Chan Shi and Cathal King, Kings of Connemara
“Business development and trade show events such as these are invaluable in building awareness of our high quality produce to an influential, targeted trade audience. China continues to be a growing market for Irish seafood, with exports increasing by over 300% since 2011 to reach €18m in 2013.”
Beara Seafoods scoops Seafood Innovation Award
A West Cork seafood company is the 2014 winner of the Seafood Innovation Award which was presented at the recent Blas na hÉireann National Irish Food Awards. Beara Seafoods also received silver in the prepared shellfish category for the 'innovative pre-packed mussel bites', according to sponsors, BIM.
Paul Ward (BIM); Ger, Helen and Marian Lynch (Beara Seafoods); Katie Healy and Aileen Deasy (BIM)
The sustainably grown Irish rope mussels are removed from their shells, flavoured with garlic and rolled in multigrain crumb and can be freezer stored for up to eight months.
"Battling the recession has been difficult for all companies - and the mussel industry is no different. I knew there was an opportunity for us to add value to our mussels and to develop a product that could demand a higher price on the market," explained Ger Lynch, fifth generation fisherman and company managing director.