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Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency
Award-winning innovation – SeaQuest Systems receives the BIM Aquatech Business of the Year award at the Blue Ambition conference in Dublin
Founded in 1986, the Killybegs-based company employs more than 90 people and supplies marine handling and aquaculture equipment to customers across Europe and North America. SeaQuest specialises in designing and manufacturing fish pumping systems, hydraulic equipment, cranes and other marine…
BIM Blue Ambition Conference at the Convention Centre Dublin, bringing together marine biotechnology and aquaculture innovators
Ireland's emerging blue bioeconomy will be the focus of a major industry conference at the Convention Centre Dublin on Monday, 19 October, where the BIM Aquatech Business of the Year will be announced. BIM Conference to Explore Blue Bioeconomy Opportunities…
Small inshore fishing boat alongside a harbour slipway on Gola Island
Young people entering Ireland's fishing industry will be able to access Government-backed loans alongside BIM first-vessel grants, under new arrangements announced as part of the expansion of the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme. Young fishers seeking to buy their first…
Convention Centre Dublin, venue for Aquaculture Europe 2028
Ireland will host one of Europe's leading aquaculture conferences for the first time in 37 years when Aquaculture Europe 2028 comes to Dublin, bringing international researchers, seafood producers and marine technology companies to the capital. Dublin has been selected to…
Processing Progress — Representatives of Irish seafood companies tour a Norwegian processing facility during a BIM-led mission to Ålesund to examine automation and advanced seafood production technologies.
Eight Irish seafood processors explored cutting-edge technology at seafood production facilities in Ålesund, Norway, during a field mission led by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM).Representatives from Kish Fish, Good Fish, Northcape Seafoods, Greenisle, Cheflink, Irish Seaspray, Albatross Seafoods and Galway Bay…
Damien Toner, Director of Development and Innovation Services at Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)
Damien Toner has been appointed Director of Development and Innovation Services at Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). He has over 30 years’ experience in the seafood industry in the private and public sectors, having previously worked for Údarás na Gaeltachta, Inland…
Tow story: MFV Margaret Mary, used for BIM's 2026 Irish Sea trial examining how shorter prawn tows can improve fuel efficiency while maintaining catches.
A new BIM report has identified how shorter tow times can improve fuel efficiency in the Irish Sea prawn fishery without compromising catch performance.  The findings come from a fishing gear trial carried out on board the MFV Margaret Mary…
Bill scrutiny: The Oireachtas Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Committee resumes examination of the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2026 on Tuesday, with BIM and Marine Institute representatives due to attend.
BIM and the Marine Institute are among State bodies which will be represented at an Oireachtas Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs hearing on the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2026. The hearing on Tuesday September 29th is resuming pre-legislative scrutiny…
Inshore Focus: John Boy, an inshore fishing vessel operating from Dun Laoghaire Harbour this summer
Fishing vessel owners and people working in the industry will shortly be able to apply for funding under three grant aid schemes supporting investment, sustainability and generational renewal in Ireland’s fishing fleet. The Young Fisher Scheme opens on 30 September,…
Future Focus: Mags and Ger Kirwan of Goatsbridge Trout Farm in Kilkenny, which has used BIM’s Seafood Business Advisory Programme to strengthen financial planning and support future growth.
Seafood businesses across Ireland are being encouraged to strengthen their competitiveness and prepare for future challenges through BIM’s Seafood Business Advisory Programme. The programme provides tailored support to improve profitability and long-term sustainability, with an estimated 85% of Irish seafood…
Judging Time — BIM's Máirtín Ó Tuairisg explains the judging criteria as the handmade lobster pots await assessment at Féile Farraige Inis Meáin.
Aran islanders demonstrated their skills when they won a lobster pot making contest at a new maritime festival on Inis Meáin. The first Féile Farraige Inis Meáin,drew a “fine field” of eight handmade pots for Comórtas an Phota Gliomach or…
Fuel Support — Ireland's €15 million Government fuel aid scheme attracted 488 applications from fishing and aquaculture vessel owners following European Commission approval.
Almost 500 fishing and aquaculture vessel owners have applied for the Government’s fuel support scheme, which has been sanctioned by the EU. The €15 million State aid scheme to support fishing and aquaculture companies facing increased fuel prices due to the…
Blue Bioeconomy — Minister of State for Fisheries Timmy Dooley (right) meets Teagasc researchers at the Ashtown Food Research Centre during a visit highlighting seafood innovation, marine biorefinery research and sustainable value-added processing. Pictured (L-R): Prof Brijesh Tiwari, Dr Geraldine Duffy, Shay Hannon, Dr Rahel Suchintita Das and Minister Timmy Dooley.
Innovation in the Irish seafood centre and “blue bioeconomy” has been praised by Minister of State for Fisheries Timmy Dooley during a visit to the Teagasc Ashtown Food Research Centre in Dublin. Mr Dooley met with representatives of Teagasc and…
Blue Potential — Stakeholders from BIM, Donegal County Council, industry, research and enterprise agencies gather in Killybegs for the launch of the Blue Bioeconomy Scoping Report and new north-west steering group.
A new steering group has been created to guide the development of the blue bioeconomy in the north-west, BIM says. It is one of the outcomes of a new report published by BIM with Donegal County Council. The Blue Bioeconomy Scoping…
Ocean Economy — Ireland's seafood industry remains a cornerstone of coastal communities, supporting almost 16,000 jobs as the sector adapts to lower quotas, tighter supplies and changing global markets.
Ireland’s seafood sector saw a sharp contraction in landing volumes in 2025 but continued to deliver growth in value, according to Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). This demonstrated “strong global demand even as supply tightened”, its latest Business of Seafood report says. Landing volumes…
New Course — Richard Donnelly has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of BIM after serving as interim CEO since November 2025. He brings more than 30 years of seafood industry experience.
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has appointed Richard Donnelly as its new chief executive officer (CEO). The appointment by the BIM board followed “an open and competitive recruitment process”, and Mr Donnelly will take up the position with immediate effect, it…