Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) chief executive Caroline Bocquel has warned that innovation is “no longer optional” in today’s seafood markets.
“We can no longer ignore the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies on the sector,”Bocquel said, speaking at the BIM strategic product development conference in Co Kildare.
“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.
Minister of State for Marine Timmy 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.
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) chief executive Caroline Bocquel, who will be leaving the organisation in November to take up the role of Chief Executive of Fáilte Ireland
“Developing smarter, more sustainable and consumer-focused products is essential for the growth and resilience of Ireland’s seafood sector,” he said.
“Today’s consumers value taste, nutrition, provenance, and reassurances that their purchases have low environmental impacts. This programme, administered by 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,”he said.
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 said, outlining how the new funding programme will seek to address issues within the seafood processing sector.
Expanding access to high-value, niche markets globally, and adding value to, and fully utilising, raw material will be a focus of the programme, he said.
It will also aim to develop the “blue bio-economy” and “marine bio-refinery” potential, while also developing existing and creating new markets for Irish seafood.
Embedding strategy and long-term vision and understanding shifting consumer expectations in retail and food service were among themes discussed at the BIM conference.
Harnessing AI and emerging technologies to accelerate innovation and securing investment and building commercial resilience were also debated.
Bocquel said that insights from BIM’s Business of Seafood 2024 highlight 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 new product development capacity, with support of €37m invested under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve fund in 2023 and a further funding coming on stream now under the EU Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture fund,” she said.
Pictured from left to right: 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
“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.
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,” Bocquel said.
Speakers at the conference included: Adam M. Adamek, PhD – Food Innovation Architect & Former Director of Innovation, EIT Food (Belgium) ;Anthony Reilly, 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
