Three Irish aquatech companies at the forefront of sustainable seafood farming have been named as finalists for the inagurual BIM Aquatech Business of the Year award. The winning company will be announced at the “Aquatech – Ireland’s Global Opportunity” conference in Killarney, Co. Kerry, on October 19.
The event will feature some of the world’s most renowned aquaculture experts who will be speaking on the latest trends in the industry.
The three finalists are Aquamonitrix, Aqualicence, and Konree Innovation.
Aquamonitrix, located in Co. Carlow, is led by CEO Mark Bowkett and offers a groundbreaking new analyzer for measuring nitrate and nitrite in fresh, saline, and waste-water.
Aqualicence, founded by Kate Dempsey and based in Co. Wicklow, is a marine and offshore windfarm consultancy firm that provides support for all aspects of licensing applications.
Konree Innovation, based in Co. Galway, uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to combat sea lice infestation, a parasite that affects salmon and other fish and impacts production.
According to Richard Donnelly, Development and Innovation Director at BIM, there are currently 62 aquatech companies operating in Ireland, all using technology to enable sustainable seafood farming at a time when the sector is facing many challenges. Between them, these companies turned over €212 million last year.
“We believe that with proper support, Ireland has the potential to be the ‘Silicon Valley’ of the aquatech world," Donnelly said. He added that the three finalists are examples of the energy, innovation, and talent in the sector in Ireland.
The BIM Aquatech Business of the Year award is part of the Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Aquatech Innovation Studio Programme in Kilorglin, which is being delivered by aquaculture accelerator Hatch Blue and supported by the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund. The program, now in its fifth year, provides emerging aquatech companies with support to develop their businesses.
The conference will feature industry leaders such as Kristen Virega, SVP Global Shrimp efishery, Neil Sims, Founder and CEO of Ocean Era, and Jennifer Bushman, Sustainable Aquaculture Strategist and Communicator. BIM CEO Caroline Bocquel will also be among the key speakers.
The panel discussion will focus on what’s required for Ireland to take advantage of the global opportunity in aquaculture, and how the ecosystem can be nurtured. Panellists include:
- Antonios Chalaris, Aqua Business Manager of Devenish Nutrition, an agri-technology company based in Belfast.
- Róisín O Shea, a Senior Investment Manager in the Food and Agri team at Ireland’s Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF).
- Fearghal O Donncha, a research scientist at IBM Research Europe. Research includes high-resolution modelling of coastal systems and data-driven management of fish farms and
- Jennifer O Brien, CEO of food tech company Sea & Believe.
