Seaweed conference update
Announcing the details of Farmed Irish Seaweed: An Ocean Wonder Food?, Donal Maguire, Director of Aquaculture Development Services with BIM said the line-up should appeal to both scientific and commercial audiences:
"The day-long conference will offer delegates an opportunity to hear the latest findings and expert opinion and analysis on how Ireland can best drive forward its own budding farmed seaweed sector."
Castletownbere shellfish company chosen as InterTrade Business Ambassador
Castletownbere company, Shellfish Ireland, is the latest InterTradeIreland business ambassador, announced at a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin on Wednesday.
President Michael D Higgins as well as Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Richard Bruton, attended events in both the Mansion House and Áras an Uachtaráin to unveil the new business ambassadors.
Richard Murphy and Gearóid O'Rourke, Shellfish Ireland with President Higgins in Áras an Uachtaráin
To develop new markets in Northern Ireland, Shellfish Ireland approached InterTradeIreland and through the Acumen programme, received support to take on a sales and marketing graduate.
Sally McKenna to speak at BIM seaweed conference
Seaweed specialist and food writer Sally McKenna is confirmed as a key speaker at the November conference and interactive forum: Farmed Irish Seaweed: an Ocean of Wonder Food? A line-up of national and international speakers and commentators from science and food disciplines will explore Ireland's potential to farm seaweed for the Irish and global seafood market.
"Ireland is perfectly placed to help satisfy the huge demand for seaweed. Its clean waters, latitude and position make it hospitable to marine plants that love both warm and cold water, sheltered bays or exposured surf. Our coastline is perfect for growing seaweed," remarked Sally McKenna.
Young fishmonger 2015
Five young fishmongers from counties Louth, Dublin and Westmeath have been shortlisted for the title of BIM Young Fishmonger 2015, to be announced on November 24 in Dublin.
The competition aims to recognise and reward young fishmongers and by so doing, 'raise the bar' in terms of product kinowledge and skills. Each finalist will receive a master class in seafood cookery from TV chef and owner of Fishy Fishy restaurant in Kinsale, Martin Shanahan.
Martin Shanahan outside Fishy Fishy, Kinsale, Co Cork. Photo Gillian Mills
Judging is now underway to assess their seafood knowledge; understanding of quality issues; skills; techniques and customer service. The finalists will also be tested on their practical skills, by filleting and preparing a range of fish and shellfish in a time limit at the agency's seafood development centre in Clonakilty, Co Cork.
Russian trade sanctions to hit Irish fish exporters
Responding to a Russian announcement of trade sanctions against EU and other countries in the agri-food sector, marine minister Simon Coveney says the move is obviously unwelcome from an Irish and broader EU perspective, but not totally unanticipated, given recent events.
"My Department is currently working to clarify the specific details of the ban. The impact on Ireland will depend both on the products covered and any knock-on effects on international market prices as banned products seek replacement markets."
He added that while Ireland’s agri-food export trade with Russia represented less than 2.5% of total agri-food export, it very much belied the importance of this market in terms of its future potential.
‘Breading technologies’ add value to Irish seafood
The Irish sea-fisheries board (BIM) has invested in new breading technologies in response to the 'abundance of pelagic, whitefish and other fish and shellfish species on its doorstep'. This bounty is presenting a considerable opportunity to produce convenient, market-ready concepts for the seafood industry, at its Seafood Development Centre, according to the agency.
Industry trials are underway using a Deighton forming and breading line to test combinations of fish, binders, breading and coating systems. Market data is also being used to develop bespoke products for target consumer groups and multiples.
"We have received numerous enquiries about forming and breading technologies for whitefish and shellfish spsecies," remarked John Fagan, Senior Technologist, BIM.
Innovation centre that converts seafood ideas into profitable businesses
When it was officially opened in October 2009, BIM’s Seafood Development Centre in Clonakilty, Co Cork, was welcomed by the fishing and aquaculture sectors for being the first purpose-built location whose aim was to foster innovation, facilitate new ideas and assist companies in developing structured business plans to ascertain if their ideas were on the right track before committing to capital investment.
Ireland’s seafood agency supports energy saving initiative
Ireland's Seafood Development Agency (BIM) recently partnered with IBEC, EPA’s GreenBusiness.ie to run a series of free seminars to assist businesses manage energy and explore smart and inexpensive methods to reduce energy costs.
The first of these half-day seminars at their Seafood Development Centre focused on case studies from companies with strategies already in place. These included the Carbery Group (€500,000 annual saving from combined technical improvements, management commitment and safety awareness/training); the Musgrave Group (€1 million plus saving in the last five years by reducing energy consumption in warehousing, distribution and retail) and Shellfish de la Mer (reduced diesel usage by 10% over the last twelve months.)
Albert O'Sullivan-Greene of Shellfish De La Mer, Paul Ward, Manager Seafood Development Centre, Clonakilty and Brian Scannell of Musgraves at the Green Business, Ibec & BIM Energy Management Seminar in Clonakilty
BIM has also outlined its new Green Seafood Business Programme which aims to deliver resource efficiency improvements and reduce operating costs for seafood businesses. In addition to direct cost savings, eco-efficiency can increase market advantage and differentiation.
€8m investment in seafood businesses
State aid of €2.4m and private funding of almost €6m to twenty seafood processing companies is projected to deliver 157 jobs and €45m in additional sales by 2016.
Left: Minister Coveney with Denis Good and Maria Broderick, Good Fish, Carrigaline, Co Cork
Right: Minister Coveney with Denis Good, Good Fish Carrigaline, Co Cork and Jason Whooley, BIM chief executive
Announcing the package under the 2014 Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney said Ireland's seafood industry has the potential to reach €1bn per annum and deliver 1,200 additional jobs by 2017.