Showcasing Irish seafood businesses on Europe Day

Birgitta Curtin, owner of the Burren Smokehouse

This Europe Day (9 May), we’re showcasing the innovation, resilience and growth of Irish seafood business that have received support from European Union funding. 

The Brexit Adjustment Reserve is helping drive transformation change in the seafood sector. BIM implemented several funding schemes based on recommendations of the Seafood Taskforce established by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D.

Birgitta Hedin-Curtin, owner of the Burren Smokehouse in Co Clare, made a €171,000 investment in new equipment and energy efficiencies with grant aid of €76,900 under the Brexit Processing Capital Support Scheme. 

The purchase of new machinery and solar panels has enhanced the renowned artisan food outlet’s efficiency and digital capability and has reduced its environmental impact. 

“The grant aid has allowed us to invest, be more sustainable and to take opportunities to improve standards and reduce costs which is critical,” said Birgitta. “New digital equipment, including a digital control panel for the fish smoker, has made processing easier for staff to manage, allowing for scannable stocktaking and integration of website orders.” 

She added: “The grant aid really pushed us to take opportunities to make improvements that we otherwise might have held back on. Businesses like ours need to innovate on a continuous basis, but we also need to watch every cent. The funding from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve meant we were able to take opportunities to future proof our business, and keep efficiencies high, which is essential in an environment where costs are rising.” 

Atlantis Seafood, based in Kilmore Quay, teamed up with Killiney, Co Dublin based pet food company, Harley & Marley, to produce a range of nutritious, sustainable and healthy dried dog and cat food and treats from fish by-product. 

The petfood venture is helping Atlantis advance its mission to be sustainable by dramatically reducing the 50 tonnes of by-product created from the processing of fish each week, with only half of fish catch used and processed. 

Atlantis received a grant of €233,394 under the Brexit Processing Capital Support Scheme to modernise its factory and to make it more environmentally friendly. 

“We are very excited about this new petfood product and at the fact there is now potential for the entire fish – from head to tail – to be used.” said John Kenny, Managing Director. 

“Our focus has always been on bringing the best product to consumers. We are constantly looking at new ways of maximising the bounty of the seas around us.” 

The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027 (a successor to the European Maritime, Fisheries Fund (EMFF) 2014-2020) is helping Ireland’s seafood industry make changes needed to ensure its future. It aims to strengthen the resilience of the seafood sector, supporting seafood businesses to take environmentally sustainable and climate-smart actions.