Ireland casts global net to land seafood sales of over €800m

IRISH companies are playing a key role in steering a course for the €803 million seafood industry.

This was obvious at the recent European Seafood Exposition in Brussels, where 27 companies from Ireland exhibited on the Board Iascaigh Mhara pavilion.

These companies have adopted a positive attitude despite the many difficulties facing the industry from rising production costs, reduced fish quotas and a growth in imports.

BIM chief executive Jason Whooley said challenges exist for the industry but that is no different to any other sector, be it agriculture or any of the traditional areas.

“There will always be challenges with third country imports, rising fuel and production costs, but in general the most important aspect as I see it is we have a buoyant demand out there for our product.

“We do not need to convince people they should be eating fish. People know it should be part of their diet. It is beyond argument fish is very healthy and has huge benefits.

“We are tapping into what can be a hugely potential lucrative market for Irish seafood,” he said.

Mr Whooley said a greater understanding at consumer level of the importance of seafood helped to boost sales on the domestic market.

“Our latest data shows last year 88,000 extra households were eating fish. People realise eating fish will not have a negative impact in terms of diet,” he said.

Last year was a turning point for the industry with the adoption into government policy of the Cawley Report, which sets out a roadmap for the sector.

BIM market and business development manager, Donal Buckley said market development, innovation and quality are key objectives.

Irish seafood producers are becoming increasingly innovative and market focused. Going forward, innovation will underpin everything.

“Our stated aim is to add €100m in growth over the next five years, primarily driven by innovation,” he said.

Total sales of Irish seafood last year were worth an estimated €803m, including exports valued at €360m.

The industry is the economic backbone of coastal fishing communities from Castletownbere in Cork to Killybegs in Donegal.

An example of companies opting for new marketing methods was a decision taken last year by four of the country’s leading fishing co-ops.

Foyle, Clogherhead, Union Hall and Galway-Aran co-ops agreed working together was better than competing for contracts as was previously the case.

Galway-Aran general manager Sean Griffin said the co-ops from each of the four provinces have a combined turnover of about €60m and employ up to 60 people full time.

“We have a combined resource of experienced fishermen, a fleet of whitefish vessels, a flotilla of smaller inshore boats and the support of a dedicated onshore quality team,” he said.

The importance of the seafood industry to the coastal communities is also reflected in the growth of processing businesses like the Good Fish Company.

It operates from a purpose-built facility in Carrigaline, Co Cork, and is one of the premier innovative white fish processors in the country.

The company has an annual turnover of more than €12m, employs 55 people and is planning to increase its presence on export markets.

Denis Good, who has been in the fish business for the past 24 years, said the company sources the majority of its white fish in the southwest.

The value of innovation and vision was also recently seen in Donegal-based Irish Premium Oysters becoming the first company in Europe to secure an opportunity to export live shellfish to Japan.

Fisheries Minister John Browne said the Irish seafood industry which involves 12,000 people, right along the coastline. is very important.

“Coastal communities at the present time are going through a difficult period with reduced quotas and less fish.

“They are looking to the Government as to how we are going to further develop their areas.

“The Cawley Report is the way forward. Obviously, what we need from the Minister for Finance in the future, whoever that might be, is more money,” he said.