Partnering for Success - BIM and Teagasc

(Right) Teagasc Director, Frank O’Mara and (left) the CEO of Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Caroline Bocquel signing of Memorandum of Understanding at Teagasc Ashtown.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and Teagasc are delighted to announce a new partnership to further enhance support for seafood companies, particularly in the area of food innovation and the bio-economy.  This collaboration will enable greater co-operation across technical and product innovation, new product development and technical insights in relation to common themes of mutual interest for seafood companies including high value by-products, digitalisation and increased shelf life.

The value of the Irish seafood economy is €1.21 billion in GDP with exports valued at €635 million in 2023. The sector directly and indirectly employed 15,673 people in 2023, with 1,988 registered vessels, over 100 seafood processors and just under 300 aquaculture sites.

BIM helps to develop the Irish Seafood Industry by providing technical expertise, business support, funding, training and promoting responsible environmental practice. Teagasc has a long track record of supporting food innovation and new product development, particularly the specialist know-how, facilities and services available at Ashtown Food Research Centre and through the National Prepared Consumer Food Centre at Ashtown.

This new collaboration will assist the seafood sector in meeting market demand for innovative, value-added products, produced to the highest international standards of food safety and quality. It will serve to strengthen the ability of the Irish seafood sector to scale and will provide the industry with a specialist market-focused source of seafood innovation aimed at achieving commercial success. In addition to the 1-1 company support, other opportunities of mutual benefit are envisaged to enhance seafood product development and sustainability.

In welcoming the new partnership, Caroline Bocquel CEO of BIM said;   “As two agencies committed to boosting innovation, this agreement marks an important milestone for BIM and Teagasc as we commit to working more closely together. Working collaboratively as a partner with industry and other stakeholders is the cornerstone of our strategy. We are supporting the seafood industry to innovate and grow its overall value, with a clear focus on sustainability.  This MOU recognises the shared ambition we have in advancing innovation across the Irish seafood industry. By leveraging each other’s strengths we can realise the potential of the industry to achieve greater levels of innovation.”