Seafood sector not reaching full potential, says report

Ireland's seafood industry is not structured to capitalise on rising global demand, according to Mary Shelman, a former Harvard Business School agribusiness programme director.

In a high-level assessment conducted for Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Ms Shelman said the industry was not reaching its full potential. Outlining her findings at the board's National Seafood Conference, held as part of Seafest in Galway yesterday, she said quality and high value had to become an imperative,

“You also need to be careful about your customer choice,” Ms Shelman said, adding that the best customers were those who “value differentiated products”.

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine secretary general Aidan O'Driscoll said the aim of Government FoodWise 2025 was to meet restricted supply with increased landings by foreign vessels and aquaculture development.

Investment in harbours would facilitate this objective and create opportunities for seafood processing and associated services, he said.

Castletownbere Fishermen's co-op manager John Nolan said he was disappointed with this view, given the port's experience of Spanish landings being trucked directly out.

Domestic consumption

A snapshot of the industry published by the board yesterday shows Irish seafood exports were up 7 per cent to €564 million, while domestic consumption was up 6 per cent to €350 million. Exports to the EU are worth €388 million, while the Nigerian and north African markets are worth €98 million. The Asian market has also risen to €47 million.