Ireland’s leading maritime newspaper covering the Coastal, Fishing and Maritime Communities
MARINE TIMES NEWS March 2nd:
New schools programme puts seafood on the curriculum
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s seafood development agency, has launched a new schools programme to increase students’ understanding of seafood and its journey from sea to plate. The new programme introduces students to the seafood value chain in Ireland from production and supply to preparation and consumption, helping to build knowledge, confidence and appreciation of Irish seafood.
Richard Donnelly, Interim CEO, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Sophie Falconer (age 16), St. Paul's Community College, Waterford, Tracy Floyd, Doran's on Pier (Howth Famous for Fish member), Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Timmy Dooley, TD
The schools’ initiative forms part of the BIM Seafood Academy, a national support and development programme created to strengthen Ireland’s independent seafood retail and foodservice sectors. The programme is supported by the Government of Ireland and the EU under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and was successfully piloted in four schools last year.
Launching the schools programme today, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Timmy Dooley, TD, said:
“This programme is about education, connection and skills. That’s where the real learning starts. By bringing fishmongers into schools, we’re helping students understand where seafood comes from, how the supply chain works, and how it can be prepared and enjoyed as part of a healthy diet. These actions are supporting the long-term sustainable development of our seafood industry.”
The programme will see skilled, experienced fishmongers deliver structured modules directly to students, sharing real-world insights into the supply chain and seafood preparation.
Richard Donnelly, Interim CEO at BIM referred to the BIM Seafood Academy and how it is supporting independent retail fishmongers and seafood foodservice. That wider initiative has been providing a collaborative forum for the two sectors, focused on business development supports, skills development, and knowledge sharing across the seafood industry.
“The [schools] programme is a natural extension of our wider Seafood Academy Programme, created to strengthen the independent retail fishmongers and foodservice sectors. By investing in education, we’re also investing in the long-term sustainability of these two sectors.”
Following the positive response from schools to last year’s pilot, BIM plans to roll out the schools’ programme more widely from March onwards. For more information, visit bim.ie
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In our February edition -
Once Lost Inshore Fleet Cannot Be Easily Rebuilt - NIFA warns of dangers ahead and calls for a major plan for inshore fisheries; The Aquaculture Licensing Scandal; The human dimension of a mackerel season that is at the crossroads – Blink and you might miss it; Fisheries must not be left on the sideline in development of MPAs, as has happened previously; the industry is in the worst place it has ever been ....
.... all of this plus so much more in our February issue
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