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MARINE TIMES NEWS September 1st:
New round of EMFAF funding announced at BIM Strategic Product Development conference
A new programme to boost Irish seafood product innovation will be opening shortly according to Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Timmy Dooley TD.
Speaking at the opening of a Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Strategic Product Development Conference in Co. Kildare, Minister Dooley said applications will open next month for a Seafood Innovation Programme to provide seafood companies with the expertise, resources, and infrastructure needed to innovate and adapt to meet market demands and seize new opportunities.
Liz O’Leary, Head of Innovation, Keohane Seafoods, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Timmy Dooley TD, Caroline Bocquel, CEO, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Dr Adam McAdamek, Director of Innovation, EIT Belgium
Minister Dooley said: “Developing smarter, more sustainable and consumer-focused products is essential for the growth and resilience of Ireland’s seafood sector. Today’s consumers value taste, nutrition, provenance, and reassurances that their purchases have low environmental impacts. This programme, administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) under Ireland’s Seafood Development Programme, will empower seafood companies to innovate from sea to plate, ensuring Ireland remains a leader in high-value, ready-to-market products.”
Minister Dooley recognised that with the many challenges faced by food enterprises the need for more innovation, new product development and strategic business planning is more important than ever.
He outlined how this programme seeks to address issues within the seafood processing sector by providing support to drive innovation through:
• Expanding access to high-value, niche markets globally
• Adding value to, and fully utilising raw material
• Developing the blue bioeconomy and marine biorefinery potential and
• Developing existing and creating new markets for Irish seafood.
The conference brought together producers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators to drive growth through structured seafood product development. Across keynote sessions and expert panels, delegates explored four pillars of innovation:
• Embedding strategy and long-term vision
• Understanding shifting consumer expectations in retail and foodservice
• Harnessing AI and emerging technologies to accelerate innovation and
• Securing investment and building commercial resilience.
Speaking at the opening, BIM CEO Caroline Bocquel, said: “The reality is that innovation is no longer optional in today’s seafood markets, and we can no longer ignore the impact of AI and new technologies on the sector. Supply chains are under pressure, global markets are more dynamic than ever, and consumer demands are evolving at speed. This conference is about giving companies the tools and confidence to respond strategically and seize new opportunities.”
She said insights from BIM’s Business of Seafood 2024 highlights a sector already undergoing a wave of innovation and modernisation:
“In recent years there has been major investment in automation, energy efficiency, cold storage, and NPD capacity, with support of €37m invested under BAR in 2023 and a further funding coming on stream now under EMFAF.”
Ms Bocquel added: “Ireland now has 76 Irish aquatech firms worth €165m employing 905 people, with strength in marine engineering, genetics, bioscience, feed additives, digital tools, and health solutions.”
She said the seafood sector is employing thousands, and exports to more than 70 markets worldwide. “By embracing innovation and collaboration, BIM and its partners are positioning the industry for sustainable growth and international competitiveness.”
Speakers at the conference included: Adam M. Adamek, PhD – Food Innovation Architect & Former Director of Innovation, EIT Food (Belgium); Anthony Reilly - Regional Executive Chef, Compass Ireland; Ayisha Koyenikan - Research Director, Mintel; Isobel Jones - Operations Manager, VITHIT Drinks; Ramy Ebeid - Digital & AI Engagement Lead at CeADAR, Ireland’s National Centre for AI; Moira Creedon - CEO Artemis Consulting; Declan Ferguson - Research & Development, Sustainability and Technical Director, Finnebrogue.
The Seafood Innovation Programme announced is one of a number of supports for innovation in the seafood sector implemented by BIM under Ireland’s Seafood Development Programme, jointly funded by the Irish government and EU Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). Further details will be available at www.bim.ie
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