BIM showcase their supports and services for industry at Irish Skipper Expo 2023

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency, are delighted to be a headline sponsor to the Irish Skipper Expo in 2023.  The state agency has sponsored the event for over a decade with support from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). The trade show is taking place at the University of Limerick Sport Arena on Friday 24, and Saturday 25 February next.

BIM’s state-of-the-art stand will feature a range of information and activities this year, including: updates on potential funding from BIM administered schemes, findings from the fishing gear technology trials, information on our ‘Man Overboard’ initiative with the RNLI, and the latest news from our Clean Oceans Initiative.

Live demonstrations of the digitised version of the fisheries management chart are available at the BIM stand. The online chart has experienced high volumes of use among industry since its launch two years ago. Features include information about key regulations including quota and technical conservation measures, updated in real-time.

A model display of selective gear will be suspended over the BIM stand while underwater footage taken during recent gear trials with members of the Irish fishing industry plays on screens. Another important strand at this year’s Expo is the Clean Oceans Initiative. One of the next steps in this successful initiative is to engage with vessels on gear retirement.

BIM’s Coastal Training Unit (CTU) is a familiar sight at the annual show, highlighting careers and training in the seafood sector and is a great opportunity for fishers to meet our staff and instructors to discuss their training needs.

BIM will host two gear retirement sessions on the Coastal Training Unit, based just outside UL Arena, on Saturday February 25th next. The first – for Ros A Mhíl enquires – will be held at 11am and that will be followed by a session at 12 noon for Clogherhead enquires. Here, vessels can get more details, pre-register on the traceability platform with Frank Fleming of Verifact and meet Sharon of IFF Plastics to learn more about the opportunities for gear’s second life in renewed plastic products.